Producer Kelli Summers
Videographer: Ernie Lee Martin
Editor: Esther Reed

One Big Happy Family

The DiMarias of Danville

This program begins with a visit to the DiMaria family of Danville. John and Marian DiMaria figured they had a lot of love to share, so they adopted eight orphaned girls. The DiMaria daughters have diverse origins—they came from China, Russia, India, and Brazil—but they also have something in common: They’re all deaf.

Watch This Story (8:53)

Photo: The Courier-Journal
(Byron Crawford)

For more information:
• Kentucky School for the Deaf, 303 S. 2nd St., Danville, KY 40423, (859) 239-7017 (voice/TDD)

Producer: Keith King
Editor: Dan Taulbee

A Cultural Celebration

DeaFestival ’96

One reason the DiMarias make their home in Danville is that it’s the home of the Kentucky School for the Deaf. Next, Kentucky Life visits the school for “DeaFestival.” According to Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, this annual event serves two purposes: to bring together deaf people to celebrate and to give hearing people a chance to learn about deaf culture. This segment features performances and visual artwork created by deaf artists.

The Kentucky School for the Deaf, founded in 1823, was the first school for the deaf west of the Alleghenies and the first state-supported school of its kind in the nation. In the early days, students were allowed to stay only three years, but many of today’s students attend KSD from preschool right on through high school.

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For more information:
• Damon Farmer, Shadetree Studio, 30 Fintville Road, Versailles, KY 40383, (859) 873-3276

Producer, videographer, editor: Cheryl Beckley

Art with True Grit

Sand sculptor Damon Farmer

Damon Farmer, a Versailles sculptor, creates artwork of astonishing complexity and beauty. But you won’t find it in any museum, because it’s not meant to be permanent. Farmer’s medium is sand, and he works it so well that he was won several world championships. A graphic artist by training, Farmer creates massive yet delicate works that go way beyond castles and forts—although he can do a pretty mean castle, too.

For a second visit with Farmer and more of his fantastic sculptures, see Kentucky Life Program 1205.

Watch This Story (6:52)