Interviewer: So Richie, what gave you the idea of creating a House of Bamboo Website?

Richie Schecter: I received an email from Mike Solomon. In it, he mentioned that he was celebrating his 40th anniversary of graduation from Queens College. I thought, "Woah, has it been that long?" It was twelve years that I made the "House of Bamboo - A Look Back" album with 33 members. Then a few weeks ago, a photo company I used to work with when I was teaching, contacted me and wanted to know if I would be interested in being a Beta tester for their new online photo album they were creating. They would give me unlimited space to store all of my photos for a lifetime. Putting two and two together, I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity for a project like this one. Since people are now all over the country, what better way would there be, other than having an actual reunion, than to create a Bamboo photo album. I began contacting the same people I had 12 years ago and all of a sudden it began to mushroom. Then Chris Channon emailed me and told me to look at Kingston House's Website. I saw it and knowing what I can do with my computer abilities, I thought that I could make a far better and much more extensive website. So I did and I think you'll agree that it has become an unbelievable project and journey.

Interviewer: What has been the most difficult part of this project?

Richie Schecter: Believe it or not, many people don't want to send me recent photos of themselves. They think that they've aged, that they've put on weight and that they don't look good in photos. Well folks, that's life! We all age and we all tend to gain some weight when we get older. Your friends don't care, they just want to see that lovely face of yours again that they haven't seen in 35-40 years.

Interviewer: What has been the most rewarding part of this project?

Richie Schecter: There have been so many. Getting a call from a Bamboo brother that I haven't seen or heard from in 37 years, seeing a recent photo has brought tears to my eyes, and getting emails thanking me for this project.

Interviewer: What is your favorite section of the website?

Richie Schecter: That's really a tough one. I love "The Present" section with the profiles, but then again I love the "I Remember When" section just as much. Come to think of it, I really love every part of this website.

Interviewer: How can others help you to make this website the best that it can be?

Richie Schecter: There are a few ways. First of all, they can send me their recent photos and profiles so I don't have to keep asking (I feel guilty about repeatedly asking, but I believe, it is necessary in order to make this project the very best it can be). Second, they can add to the "I Remember When" section by emailing me stories. Third, they can look through old photos or anything having to do with House of Bamboo in the past, and email or send it to me, so that I can put it on the website. And finally, they can look through the "Missing Members List" in the miscellaneous section and help to locate any of our Bamboo family that I haven't been able to find.

Interviewer: Well Richie, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and I hope that your House of Bamboo Website is everything that you could possibly wish for.

Richie Schecter: Thank you. It's been an incredibly rewarding experience and I hope it will keep House of Bamboo alive in our hearts and minds for a very long time.