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November 13, 2007
By Dennis Webb
Post Independent Staff
November 13, 2007
GLENWOOD SPRINGS — At a time of sharp debate over immigration locally and nationally, Walter Gallacher is working to remind us that such controversy is nothing new.
He also is helping to put a human face on the subject, highlighting individuals and families whose circumstances caused them to leave their homes and head to the United States.
Gallacher has been making recordings for “Immigrant Stories,” an oral history project of the Community Integration Initiative — Aspen to Parachute. KDNK Community Radio is airing abbreviated versions of the interviews each Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.
While some of the accounts come from people who are recent immigrants themselves, others are told by people whose own local roots are deep, yet whose families still shared in the common immigrant experience. Among them are Ashton Durrett, Hank Bosco and Stephen Bershenyi, all Glenwood residents with European roots dating back just a generation or two.
Bosco’s dad, Mike, arrived at Ellis Island from Italy at the age of 12, with just $10 in his pocket. He ended up becoming a successful Glenwood Springs businessman and community leader.
“He did quite well for himself, for having come here with nothing. That’s America,” Bosco told Gallacher. “He wasn’t unusual, I don’t think. There were many, many European immigrants who experienced the same thing.”
Gallacher has noticed other parallels in immigration stories, past and present. One is resistance to many newcomers by those already here.
“I mean, they didn’t want the Irish. ‘No Irish need apply’ — there were signs in the cities. We weren’t really welcoming to the Italians. They couldn’t speak the language, they had a whole different culture.”
Another constant is that new arrivals often have taken on the hard jobs that others get out of once they are better established, Gallacher said. The first generation or two often must make sacrifices to help the family get its footing.
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Walter Gallacher finds comfort in immigrants’ stories
November 13, 2007
By Dennis Webb
Post Independent Staff
November 13, 2007
GLENWOOD SPRINGS — At a time of sharp debate over immigration locally and nationally, Walter Gallacher is working to remind us that such controversy is nothing new.
He also is helping to put a human face on the subject, highlighting individuals and families whose circumstances caused them to leave their homes and head to the United States.
Gallacher has been making recordings for “Immigrant Stories,” an oral history project of the Community Integration Initiative — Aspen to Parachute. KDNK Community Radio is airing abbreviated versions of the interviews each Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.
While some of the accounts come from people who are recent immigrants themselves, others are told by people whose own local roots are deep, yet whose families still shared in the common immigrant experience. Among them are Ashton Durrett, Hank Bosco and Stephen Bershenyi, all Glenwood residents with European roots dating back just a generation or two.
Bosco’s dad, Mike, arrived at Ellis Island from Italy at the age of 12, with just $10 in his pocket. He ended up becoming a successful Glenwood Springs businessman and community leader.
“He did quite well for himself, for having come here with nothing. That’s America,” Bosco told Gallacher. “He wasn’t unusual, I don’t think. There were many, many European immigrants who experienced the same thing.”
Gallacher has noticed other parallels in immigration stories, past and present. One is resistance to many newcomers by those already here.
“I mean, they didn’t want the Irish. ‘No Irish need apply’ — there were signs in the cities. We weren’t really welcoming to the Italians. They couldn’t speak the language, they had a whole different culture.”
Another constant is that new arrivals often have taken on the hard jobs that others get out of once they are better established, Gallacher said. The first generation or two often must make sacrifices to help the family get its footing.
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