North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 11/28/1997

The It's Friday November 28. Tonight sharing the gift of law in North Carolina. Hello and welcome to this Friday edition of North Carolina now tonight we want to focus on the thing a family and some of the ways people are building bonds and making a difference in the lives of others. We'll bring you three very different stories tonight one about a young filmmaker who set about to answer questions about himself and ended up discovering the unspoken history of his family name. And we'll go to the North Carolina Zoo to see the power of

nurturing between animal and human. But a forest producer Maria Lundberg takes us to the small mountain community of Hayesville to meet a remarkable woman who is truly an inspiration for all mothers. Each weekday afternoon when the yellow school bus stops in front of her house Camille Giraldi greets her children as they arrive home from school. All 16 of them. And this is only part of her family so. You write as a critical care nurse in Miami Florida. Camille worked with children for many years as did her husband Mike a pediatrician in 1986 with two healthy daughters of their own. The Geraldo he's adopted a deaf and retarded infant. Today they are the adoptive parents or legal guardians for 44 handicapped children. We have children with severe cardiac disease where they have one or two or even three different defects in the heart and perforating is where the children have to have

colostomy. Kidney failure neurological severe neurological disability gastrointestinal cancer we have leukemia here. Most of our children have Down's syndrome but not all of them some of them are brain damaged summer and suffer where they don't have a brain near drownings you know we just have many different varieties and very very different and unique genetic diseases where they don't even have a name so you know we have just very different children. In Miami the family was harassed with threats and vandalism from people who didn't like having them in their neighborhood. So the drafty family is relocating to a 25 acre spread near the mountain community of Hayesville. Twenty two of the children have made the move with Camille along with four handicapped adults five staff workers and volunteers. The rest of the family remains in Miami with mike until he can sell his medical practice. Because so much of her life Camille knew the pain of being different as she struggled with obesity and she decided that

no child should have to feel unloved because of his or her appearance if she did help it. What she has done is to create a home filled with unconditional love for children who desperately needed it and she is determined to make them as self-sufficient as possible. My only goal is that my children become as independent as possible that they will have their own self-worth and pride and that they will be able to live on their own with minimal supervision and that is my goal and I think that my children are setting such a wonderful example for the millions of handicapped children out there to show that it really can be done. At school it's apparent that these children are happy and well adjusted in their new environment. On a day when the preschool class was preparing for a visit to a dairy farm the Jurong the children joined their classmates in learning how to milk a cow. In the beginning some of the drawl the preschoolers didn't want to sit in circle time. They didn't want to

take part in activities as much but you could see this morning but they were more than ready to take part in the activity and to sit there even though it might have been hard for them to sit there and like their turn. They've learned to do that. And you know I think it's just been beautiful for the older children being part of the community takes on a new meaning as they participate in Special Olympics. A wonderful way to share the joy of accomplishment with family and friends. I think it's really important because it it really gives them a great opportunity to have great social skills and work on their athletes athletic ability and they have a lot of athletic ability. And by us working used too much training for this big day today you know really gets them out there in the community and people involved and it gives them their own self pride and they feel good about it.

There's no question that seeing the children happy and proud of their achievements gives Camille Giraldi a lot of satisfaction but she also provides opportunities for the handicapped adults to feel good about themselves too. For example every day Leanne and Joanne fold napkins at the nearby Brasstown Valley Resort a meticulous process that is not easy by any means. When they tried to show this novice how to do it I discovered first hand that it's much harder than it looks. But their work is providing a valuable service for the resort. I think it also gives a little self pride to the individuals that that actually do the work here. They're learning over trade and it helps us with when we're busy and running around crazy to have that extra hand in there to help us. High school resident and shop owner Valerie Swisher says the community has welcomed the Giraldi family with open arms for her. The children have provided a valuable lesson for all of them and to amazing throughout our lives we learn so much from our children and other children. And this is a perfect

example because the children at school. There is no difference as far as they're concerned. And it doesn't matter who has what handicap or what the problem is that you can go on and be successful in whatever you try to do you know. And it's OK to be different with a firm but mama had Camille and Mike teach the kids discipline them and expect good behavior. But most of all they give unconditional love which allows each child to flourish and become the best he or she can be and that love is returned a thousand times over. I think the greatest reward I get is seeing them grow up to become little and in individuals and independent individuals and full of love and life and happy and I guess that's why really you know get out of all of this and I and I if one fills my every day is absolutely great thing I wouldn't change a minute of it I love it. Food for the family in Hayesville averages six hundred dollars a week and diapers

alone cost more than a thousand dollars a month money to support the family comes primarily from Mike's medical practice grants and donations they receive no financial aid from the government. Tonight a number of select movie houses in the triangle will premiere the documentary of a man and the revealing history of his North Carolina family hugely successful since its release on the festival circuit earlier this year. This award winning film is now playing to a broad audience bringing with it a very clear and powerful message pretty seriously Scott brings us this piece narrated by Ted Harrison. The film we've all come to see as a 90 minute documentary entitled family night is the work of 31 year old filmmaker Macky Alston. This is Mackie's first feature film and it's already recognized as an outstanding film making achievement since hitting the festival circuit. Family name has won the 1997 Sundance Film Festival freedom of expression award the

Bermuda Film Festival Grand Jury Award and the Gotham award for the best debut feature film by a New York director. Here at the North Carolina premier of the documentary there must be two hundred and fifty folks mixing and mingling socializing like one big happy family. And for all they know they just might be. There really is one community of people who have given their lives for their stories at least so that you know we kind of stand out as they come together to create this film and if they were unhappy with it it would be very very very upset. The community Mackey refers to is actually rooted in two places one is located in the town of vine is in Warren County the other settled around Pittsboro in Chatham County. What makes this film so special is the story it tells. Family name is on the one hand Mackie's personal journey but it's also the story of the lives of so many other people.

It's about the legacy of slavery in America and it begins with really my realization that my family was one of the largest slave owning families in North Carolina. Mikey exposes America's system of social prejudice through an intimate often funny sometimes disturbing three year discovery of his own connection to the Allston family name. My approach was again it was a very personal one it was let's start having these conversations what can I learn from both the white and black Alston's. If I encourage them to have conversations that they have not been on they had to kill a rant with each other across the faultline of race. What will I learn. The opportunity for dialogue came after the screening at a reception where everyone was invited to gather 8 and talk. Featured prominently in the documentary is Mackie's father Wallace McPherson ALSTON

The second a naval veteran a preacher and the closest living link between the filmmaker and his past. It's kind of embarrassing to think that that my family was a part of probably the greatest social evil that our culture has ever known. But I knew that already. And I guess that has been in my in my subconscious if not in my conscious mind ever since I had any sense of who I was or what I wanted to be. I guess I've had I've had the monkey of racism and segregation on my back since I was a child and I think for that reason I've always tried in little ways not in great ways but in little ways to be a part of rectifying that wrong. Mackie found the roots of the Allston family tree buried in the soil in Pittsboro North Carolina. His name was Jack Allston. He was an influential

slave owner known as Chatham Jack because of the vast amount of land he owned and the power he held in that county. Johnny Stone is a direct descendant of Chatham Jack Allston a mother of an almost total tackles her feel great grand dame when I was growing up you know I mean there's a lot Alston's and I used to play with some lived up to how they would all get together and that time out of her life. My grandmother was nice to have you know they're mine. They were just also she was involved in you know you know if you don't like about that do you get over Fred Alston lives one block away from Mackie in New York City. Fred was raised and I knew as that other Allston enclave in Warren County Fred says taking this journey with Mackey connected him to his ancestors and he didn't used to be. My great grandfather's house back here.

Right it's gone it's gone. I do feel closer to people of African descent that came before me as a result. Accompanied by his son Jack throughout the project Fran says the experience has greatly benefited the younger Allston. It's instilling how much pride instill in him a so-so history and a sense of purpose. It's added some dignity to his life was given me and of course information that I yeah I've never had before. Feels like I'm a part of something larger. I guess that it's not just my immediate family you know it's just you know me my mother you know my father down there there's a larger picture to it you know and I realize it you know. Realize it or not that's what change is in order to change.

My choice was to try to tell many stories in this film and bring them together and show how though we are different to many of these stories are linked. I think that you have to believe that we can be honest together that we can that we can do that that we can weather that storm if that's what it is. And and through that understand each other better and have some kind of relationship. Recently a family name walked away with the award for Best Feature at the North Carolina Film and Video Festival. One of the cultural delights a life in rural North Carolina is the existence of a regional food. One such specialty has been a tradition for years along a 30 mile stretch of the coastal plain between Goldsboro and Kinston. Leave it to Bob Garner to have sniffed this one out. So people as it were this

will have to have a special occasion a cookie we just saw the face delayed in this tiny area of eastern North Carolina near the Neuse River. It's called Fish fish and it's the beloved centerpiece of frequent largely male get togethers sometimes the pond bubbles at someone's home sometimes in a farm building a rural fire department or a community center and often at a business like Eugene parishes Carolina service center garage in La Grange wherever it is. When someone starts cooking the telephone network springs into action. But around here men often carry their own bulls just in case they didn't get the word and come across a fish to unexpectedly fish who has also become famous at a handful of area restaurants including Cannes grill in the Grange where it served each week on Friday this is a dish that's been around a long time before my mom said New Year's or when he started way before the origins of the dish involved the harvest of large quantities of fish swimming from the ocean up river to spawn.

Many years ago. You're in a place called the duce river. Men used to stretch out a 200 yard long say net take it out by boat and bring it around in a big circle then haul the net on the land by a tractor. The main catch were sure many a fish stew is being cooked right here on the river bank. Sandy gradually fell out of favor for stew because of the large number of bolts but old timers say no time Fish used cents has the flavor of the original. If they ever got the feminist out of Ohio you can get the ball without a shadow made very clear that they're just such good fish. Nowadays rock bass is often used although some prefer puppy drum and other types of salt water fish. Either way the other ingredients are pretty identical. A fish stew begins with bacon followed by onions potatoes pieces of fish on the bone black and red memory. Ketchup

tomato paste or tomato juice water to cover the radius and yes those are eggs up to ten or twelve dozen for a 20 gallon pot. The eggs poach in the savory liquid and are many people's favorite ingredient. Most importantly this queue is never stirred so that fish remains intact. Hysteria may come when you store food can get back in the car going to face to face. Stephanie there's a sticker and if you don't get a solid piece of fish out of it. We showed up at perishes garage on a perfect fish today in the cold rain outside tantalising vapors in the garage window in the fall of the year. Oh well you know they start very early and I was busy on the farm cause of a famine area here and I got. Lot of guys in training and we just don't know Ryan they were making it work in a field and we get a phone call and we have plan A pasty and 50 got it hot.

That a lot of pepper ain't it and it's better to have one of the war and yet let me sign this is it today. Oh your sinus trouble of a cure would you teach some of this stuff because it is clear. Right it is hot enough to burn you up burn grandmamma's he'd been there 20 years. Well that may be a slight exaggeration but you should be on the spicy side after all this is supposed to be a manly dish if you don't bring a little bit of perspiration only to fall away and then you know you're right. At a restaurant like cans grilled fish stew is consumed while seated. But maybe because of all that Pepper people who eat their fish stew in less formal surroundings like standing up so they can keep their feet moving. At parishes garage the car repair racks make a handy chest high table. Eugene parish is right this will bring a little perspiration to your forehead but not too much. And one of the things you absolutely have to have when you're eating

fish stew was a piece a loaf of bread so you can chop up the juice. Since fish do is often associated with that country custom called Taking your drink. That's a central element to some of the stories tall people still chuckle over one elderly gentleman who had so many shots of corn liquor that he had to be propped up to eat. He was facing you with a little blade of his pocket knife right the next day some said how were just you yesterday that was my money worries especially for those passing through who don't know about some of the private gatherings the fish do it kids Grill is a legend. But just about everyone who cooks it thinks his is the best rate his version. I want to tell you I think he has all the dogs we have here he is running to work. That made you forget about Turkey at least for a little

while. Well finally tonight the social instinct we as humans naturally allow us to bond and interact with others. It also allows us to nurture and care for creatures that are of a species other than our own. Since 1989 keeper staff and volunteers at the North Carolina zero have been using those instincts and professional training to hand raise more than 65 mammals. And as Maria Lundberg reports they're in the process of doing it once again. A trip to the North Carolina Zoo gives visitors a fascinating look at animals from all around the world and some of the most popular are the little ones. The babies which are born each year there's something especially endearing about seeing a young animal and its mother interacting together. But what happens if the mother of a baby animal can't or won't take care of it. Well luckily there's a group of people who are ready and prepared to step right in as

substitute moms. This is Ruby a baby chimpanzee who was born at the zoo in December 1996. Ruby's mother didn't learn mothering behaviors from other chimps and wouldn't take care of Ruby. So within hours of her birth the zoo staff intervened. If they hadn't really probably would not have survived the night because we like to try to let the mother have every opportunity she can to raise the infant. Usually when we finally decide to pull the infants there are somewhat of a risk. For instance this fame you have core body temperature that was below 75 degrees which is very very low. And we were able to warm her up and get her situated and and really pull her through that really critical time right when it first took her twenty six zookeepers veterinarians and trained volunteers work in shifts taking care of Ruby 24 hours a day. It's extremely labor intensive and involves much more than simply feeding her.

What we try to do is emulate as much as possible the behaviors that the mother would would show when they're taking care of the babies and mother chimpanzees are a little bit different and then human mothers. They seldom if ever put the baby down. So for the majority the time the babies in the nursery she's actually being held by one of the caregivers. And that's that's really important to kind of. So you know it as much as possible the environment of the baby will be raised in the world with its mother. In 1989 Joan McMurry was one of the first members of the group called neonatal volunteers. Today she supervises those who donate their time and abilities to help the zoo. We do everything that is necessary to raise the baby to a normal healthy animal that can be reintroduced into its group here at the zoo or at another zoo with the champ. We are doing a great deal more physical activity holding her in ways comparable to the way the mother would hold her going through grooming movements

because there is a great deal of grooming that goes on. It's part of chimp communication and socialization volunteers are guided by the veterinary staff and properly caring for the animals. For example all who work with Ruby are required to wear protective clothing. Since diseases are easily transmitted between primates and humans this protects not only the chimp but also those who come in contact with her with an animal as adorable as Ruby. It might be easy to forget she's quite different from a human baby. But Mike Loomis says it's important to reinforce the chimp behavior. Since we're hammering the baby it's it doesn't have the rest of the chimpanzees to learn all of the social interactions it needs to do today. So we're trying to get this baby down to the chimp that this is quickly as possible so we can start socializing with chimpanzees so that when it finally gets to the point where we can reintroduce it to the animals it will know it's a chimpanzee not a person. The goal is for Ruby to be with the rest of the chimps by the time she's 11 or 12 months old.

Two three year old chimps in the habitat who also hand raised have been successfully integrated into the troop. But getting really to that point will be a slow careful process. We pick animals that we know will accept her initially and we get her integrated with those animals and then gradually add other animals to the group. So we'll start out with a small group and actually grow the group and tell all the animals in the troop have been integrated and are are used to her and know that she is part of their troop. What we're hoping will happen is that one of the other chimps in the group well kind of adopt her as an aunt will kind of take care of her. But until that time Ruby will have a dedicated caring group of substitute moms who are ready and willing to do everything possible to give her a healthy start in life. The goal with all of us is that these animals grow up to be in a group with animals of their own kind. So while we miss the opportunity to take care of them once they leave the nursery we're certainly glad to see them doing what they should be doing.

Although Ruby had some medical problems initially she's doing well now and the outlook is good for her. At the North Carolina Zoo like many organizations volunteers play an extremely important role. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the zoo call 9 1 0 8 7 9 7 7 1 0. Well that does it for this week in North Carolina now. Have a great weekend everyone. We'll see you next week.