The interview was conducted with Carolyn Russo at her home on Warren Street in Hudson. She is 85 years old and has lived in Hudson all her life. She discusses growing up in the Italian and Polish community of Parade Hill, Lower Warren Street Historic District and her memories of neighborhood life, and the small family-run businesses there. She describes her family life and talks about the community garden where her father and other Italian immigrants grew produce for their families, and the grape arbor where he made his own wine.
She also describes some of her early school and work experiences and her lifelong career working for IBM in Kingston, carpooling with other workers across the river, and traveling for company-sponsored events. She reflects upon the devastating impact on the area when the IBM plant closed, and the dramatic changes in Hudson and the culture of the city since her childhood. She also describes the atmosphere of the red-light district, the early bar scene, pool halls, community funerals, churches, street festivals, ferry rides to Athens, and her long commitment to volunteering for the Hudson Area Library after her retirement.
