Object ID	2004.0033.002
Accession#	2004.0033
Object Name	Documents
Title	RLH - Reflections on Access to the Arts
Abstract	Personal reflections of Robert L. Hunker on Access to the Arts Text: RLH- reflections on Access to the Arts, live Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 - air on public radio Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004 @ 3pm written Saaturday, Nov. 20, 2004 @ Gully Ridge Farm Library Per Graham Grund's letter "Yes, the 21st of Sept. 2004 will and is a great day for me to remember and to realize that I do have so many friends who respect and live me as I never thought possible or were a remote reality. Reflecting back to my miserable 5th grade year at Lockwood grade school under the cruel principal Mrs. Farrel who one lunch break shouted down the three flights of stairs as we filed, 2x2 to lunch "Robert Hunker, you are a nuisance and deceitful - stop at the front of stairs for me." How crushing under not only my peers but the entire school which totaled less than 90 students. We lived in the country. She shoved me to the wall and taught the meaning of "deceitful" which to this day I find hard to associate with my chattering to my friend Carl Milhof, a brilliant mid reciting all the atoms etc. at 3rd grade. Carl and I were her whipping boys. From that time on, I thought I was tolerated, not genuinely liked. Nice to my face and whispering criticisms behind my back. I thought and still struggle to realize that when I see someone whispering they are not ridiculing me, "making fun." I was different, tall, slim with glasses and lived better than most and traveled which no one understood. Drove and rode my pony everywhere, and only one other boy had a pony to join me. We took dancing, piano, and paintiing lessons. Mother was always a leader, the president of the PTA, the ladies of the church etc. So we stuck out. I preferred books and art to sports except for swimming, canoeing, and sailing which of course few others enjoyed even though quite a few lived on the water as we were surrounded by beautiful Turkeyfoot Lake and the reservoirs built for the Ohio canal system known as the Portage Lakes because of the "portages" between the lakes and rivers some left from the Indian's trail moving from spot to spot - migrating. First I was stunned when Graham asked me. Why me??? I was certain that it would be a failure and when he asked "who do you wish to interview you" I went blank. Then I recalled Howard Silver's sage words " Bob, you should and must be as creative in all areas as you are in spaces, furnishings, and decor. You are fearless in design, so approach all as you do a design project." I do just that so I carefully outlined what I wanted from the interview and who knew me and my work sufficiently to ask the rather personal questions required for a frank and open interview. Yes, I wanted my design abilities but I wanted more. I wanted to reflect onmy involvement with Historic Preservation and the Environment. Our first letterhead had stated "Designers of Total Environments" and I deeply feel that I have accomplished it in spite of the fact that the titles of AIA, doctor of planning etc. do not precede or follow my name. Unwittingly, because of my family influences historic preservation conversations started as a teenager when the Cormany farm across from our Robinson Avenue place sold their beautiful pasture to a man for a machine shop. I had a fit and accosted him at the site. He did listen probably because he was baffled by such a precocious teenager, but he continued to build and I hated it more and more. Now when sister Doris and I sat by the pines in front of our house for a lovely car to pass so we could smile and wave there is a huge shopping mall filled with super markets and acres of cars rather than the fields of peonies and gladiolas so colorful along the road and lane of the W_______ farm. My first business location on W. Market St. was financially possible because I was willing to restore an 1890 condemned house saving it from destruction because the owners used the at grade basement for a plumbing shop and financed the project to retain their needed space. Next Peninsula and he National Park. I need not write more as I think the interview reveals all so listen to the CD. I am eternally grateful to my friend, John debo, whom I revere as he best ever environmentalist. He has made the CVN Park a unique and special place. He has completed my dreams that ran through my head as I battled the politics of Peninsula and the state of Ohio to buy up the canal lands north of the aqueduct through (under) route 303 along the river south to Orchard St. Now the heart of the area where I quietly watch thousands walking, jogging, and biking along the towpath; a much happier and relaxed group than the original mules trudging along pulling the heavily laden canal boats with their captains surrounded by wife and children home schooled and living in tiny quarters aft of the boat. Thank you Graham Grund, who I have known since the 1950's when friend Audrey Wilson Gibbs came to Akron with her good friend Susie Grund from Cleveland. Susie's husband Fuller was Graham's brother-in-law. After all, I was from South Akron and only knew Cleveland for our cultural and shopping pleasures along with my college years 1945-1949 at Western Reserve University. Graham also creates for the Public First at the Cleveland School of Art which I also attended then Access to the Arts along witha host of other civic accomplishments. We concur that we will create and contribute to our society as long as nature gives us our minds and some use of our slightly warm bodies. RLH See Graham's letters and the CD PS #1 Have I recovered from Mrs. Farrel - Yes and No-Today really helped and reconfirmed that it was she not I. I do not put much stock in blaming your childhood for your problems. We are the captain of our ship. I alone must sail this short sea of life. Now, this will shock you and is probably the greatest rationalization possible. At about the age of forty, I thought and analyzed Mrs. Farrel. She was a widow from early age, reasonably attractive, decent figure, and one son who just going out on his own. So Hazel was lonely with a sharp tongue. It was she who did not have and needed friends. Now I am certain she was not a Mrs. Robinson, far from it, but I noticed everytime I was in trouble she called my father and insisted that he, not my mother, meet with her. Dad was sexy. She liked him and conscious or unconciously wanted him. I was her tool. Too bad I didn't say "Dad give her a tumble and get her off my back." RLH P.S. I was carried away. I forgot the point of the first paragraph. Realization that I do have friend. I was stunned and touched as I saw 60 luncheon places and chairs fill with so many people, friends, acquaintances through work and clients. They have taken time from their day to come to the Ritz for lunch and hear me. Unbelievable, but so very special for me and I hope for them too. Thank you Love RLH
Date	November 20th, 2004
Search Terms	Interviews Radio broadcasting Access to the Arts
Collection	Access to the Arts Collection
People	Hunker, Robert L. Debo, John Jr. Grund, Graham
Subjects	Interviews Radio broadcasting
Creator	Hunker, Robert L.
Catalog date	01/24/2005
Classification	Architecture
Dates of Creation	November 20th, 2004
Event	Access to the Arts Radio Interview
Home Location	6138 Riverview Road Suite F
Language	English