<Begin Segment 25>

DH: Are you surprised by the response from the community to the restoration?

JH: Well, yes I am. I guess I know the property and the history and the legacy intimately because I worked in it and I lived in it, but I was surprised that other people have adopted it. And so people come from all over and they also bring, the local people bring their guests here to see Bainbridge Gardens and tell about the history. And, of course, I think of all things that happen, that pleases me the most.

DH: There has also been a big response from the media.

JH: Yes. There has been, yes. We've had newspaper articles and I think all the major local televisions have based some programs on Bainbridge Gardens' history.

DH: So it's anything but a Mom and Pop operation now.

JH: It certainly is.

DH: How does that make you feel?

JH: Well, of course, obviously I'm very proud of what's been accomplished in a matter of the last ten years. I would certainly not like to see it end. It's a wonderful challenge and at my age it still makes me wake up in the morning to meet those challenges of the day. And so I guess that's a wonderful thing to have is to wake up in the morning and have something to go to.

DH: How do you think your parents would feel?

JH: Well, I have to tell you a story about that. I think my parents are here. And a couple of friends of mine -- I'll mention their name is Joe and Lillian Lavato -- told me one time that they were having a drink at our local espresso bar and both of them saw two golden shining images near where they were sitting, and the golden images were not bodies, but they were just imagines shimmering in the light. And Lillian was telling me about this and she said, "You know, it wasn't just me, but Joe saw it too." So I strongly believe that those were my parents visiting Bainbridge Gardens.

DH: You think they would be proud that you returned here?

JH: Absolutely.

<End Segment 25> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.