MY SISTER AND MEL GIBSON
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:03 am
Many of you will know that the late actor Paul Newman established several camps for kids with deadly illnesses. His first"Hole In The Wall Camp" was built in Conneticut. A sister of mine, Bev, went to work for Newman. She so impressed him that he sent her off to Ireland to create a camp on an estate donated by a cosmetics heir. Further evidence of Newman's esteem for her is that she is mentioned by name in his two books. Bev has a great facility for getting people to volunteer their services. The local military donated manpower and material to build bunks, room dividers, and many outdoor constructions like climbing walls. Countless locals donated bedding, utensils and the countless other necessities. Nurses and doctors had to be on hand. Kayaks were obtained. The list is hardly begun. Newman had provided little money (initially). It was pretty much up to my sister to sink or swim.
To everyone's surprise, the camp opened on time, fully staffed and with an impressive number of children. It so happened that the film Brave Heart was being filmed in the area. Mel Gibson asked if he could visit the camp with some of his "warriors," perhaps giving the children a bit of a thrill. Bev wanted to prepare the children before these fierce looking men [in full costume] entered the huge tent that served as dining hall lest they be frightened. As Gibson and crew entered [blue face paint/kilts/prop swords etc.] one little girl stood up and said, "I know how we can keep them peacefu. All of us sing the camp song." This they did, provoking tears from some of these fierce predators. I don't know how well you will recall the movie but there was a big, burly, blond haired Scot who had a featured role: having a contest with Gibson early in the film; usually shown next to Gibson; comforting his father killed in one of the last battles. Anyway, my sister said that he blubbered like a baby thereby revealing his good heart. A boy asked for Gibson's sword but a producer would not allow it. Someone would notice Gibson using a different sword in the next days shooting. Gibson promised the boy he would return the sword to him with his signature. After the shoot the sword arrived for the boy.
Gibson invited my sister and some of the camp staff to join him at the local pub. I asked Bev if Gibson had more than one drink. Discretely she replied that Mr. Gibson seemed unacquainted with the concept of a single drink. Whatever his personal problems, Mr. Gibson behaved with great generosity and concern for the children.
Today, Bev is camp director at "Camp Hors'in Around" for developmentally challenged kids. [Not a Newman affiliated camp. Before his death he donated a large pavillon for the camp. RIP. He did much good on his journey through life.]
To everyone's surprise, the camp opened on time, fully staffed and with an impressive number of children. It so happened that the film Brave Heart was being filmed in the area. Mel Gibson asked if he could visit the camp with some of his "warriors," perhaps giving the children a bit of a thrill. Bev wanted to prepare the children before these fierce looking men [in full costume] entered the huge tent that served as dining hall lest they be frightened. As Gibson and crew entered [blue face paint/kilts/prop swords etc.] one little girl stood up and said, "I know how we can keep them peacefu. All of us sing the camp song." This they did, provoking tears from some of these fierce predators. I don't know how well you will recall the movie but there was a big, burly, blond haired Scot who had a featured role: having a contest with Gibson early in the film; usually shown next to Gibson; comforting his father killed in one of the last battles. Anyway, my sister said that he blubbered like a baby thereby revealing his good heart. A boy asked for Gibson's sword but a producer would not allow it. Someone would notice Gibson using a different sword in the next days shooting. Gibson promised the boy he would return the sword to him with his signature. After the shoot the sword arrived for the boy.
Gibson invited my sister and some of the camp staff to join him at the local pub. I asked Bev if Gibson had more than one drink. Discretely she replied that Mr. Gibson seemed unacquainted with the concept of a single drink. Whatever his personal problems, Mr. Gibson behaved with great generosity and concern for the children.
Today, Bev is camp director at "Camp Hors'in Around" for developmentally challenged kids. [Not a Newman affiliated camp. Before his death he donated a large pavillon for the camp. RIP. He did much good on his journey through life.]
