<Begin Segment 10>

YB: And I was involved in PTA, and I was perhaps the only Japanese in there on the board. And they were very good to me, they supported me and supported Clarence in every way, so that was a big help. And I didn't have any children yet, but they got me involved. They said, "Well, you're here, and you've helped us at election." I was on the... what do you call it? Voting deal, and served for quite a number of years there. But in politics, you spend so much money and you don't get anywheres, really. It was still tough going for Orientals. But he wanted to try, and he wanted to keep doing it, so I struggled along with him. And so that was a first for a Japanese, and a lawyer too, he was the first here. And organizing the Scouts, that's the oldest and first one.

TL: And they're still continuing today.

YB: Still continuing it. And so they invite me, every time they give the scout award of the year. I have to go and present it. And I'm hoping when I get wealthy enough that I can donate so much to the group. I give a little, but when I'm ready to go, that I can leave something behind for them. And they do, and they're carrying on very beautifully. And there's a lotta Chinese in there; surprising. And the parents are participating, and taking part, and conducting.

TL: I think it's quite a popular club.

YB: Well, it's always been that way, from the years when Clarence organized one of the first basketball teams; and that was at the church. And it involved Chinese and Japanese, they were in there. The Joo boys. I don't know if you know Willard Joo? The two brothers? Oh, I know them real well. And how I got started in bonsai was, when Willard's wife died -- because Willard wife was part Eskimo, and part Chinese. But we were neighbors, and we were very close. So when she died, Willard says, "Yone, I want to give you one of Amy's bonsais, 'cause you were good friends with her." That's how I got started in bonsai. Took off on that, now over twenty years.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.