"Our Daughter, The Film Maker--July 2006" by VeronicaG

The debut of our daughter's documentary at the John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a big event for our family this summer. We anxiously waited to see the final project and are so proud of the results! Kate's Stargazer Video Productions was the vehicle that brought her dream to fruition.

Armed with a communications degree and an internship at a local tv station, she followed her dream of producing a historical piece on one of Pittsburgh's oldest institutions, Dixmont Hospital. Dixmont was a civil war-era hospital begun by Dorothea Dix in the mid-1800's.

The year-long project had its beginnings as a class project at Pittsburgh's Carlow College. Several years later, after many more hours of research, interviews and photo ops, it evolved into the documentary recently shown at the History Center.

Jim and I had the pleasure of adding our voices to portions of the hour and 20 minute film. It was exciting being a part of her project. I've included some photos from these events. She'll begin her speaking engagements this Fall and continue researching the best way to market the DVD. CONGRATULATIONS, KATE!

Pittsburgh supported Kate's project wholeheartedly and she was invited to speak twice on KDKA, Pittsburgh's top radio station, to tell of her historical endeavor.

The Pittsburgh Tribune and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette did interviews with her as her project unfolded. The Ben Avon Historical Society encouraged her along the way, as her long hours of research brought forth the documentary.

The night of the debut, long lines formed at the door to the History Center and chairs had to be added several times, until almost 400 people crowded into the meeting room.

Pieces of history were gathered and displayed on the night of the film debut.

Our daughter confessed that her knees were knocking together a bit when she was asked to come forward to introduce the documentary. In truth, she seemed little affected by all the hubbub around her and looked calm, cool and collected.

The film ended and now came the time for photographs and mingling with the guests...a few autographs were even requested, much to Kate's surprise.

As Kate ended the gathering, she gave a sweet tribute to her son saying,"He came along on many of the interviews and if you'd ask, he could probably tell you almost as much as I could about Dixmont."