People talk 10/9

Angelou sees growth after Sept. 11 events

ATLANTA -- From her New York apartment, Maya Angelou saw smoke billowing from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Now, she says hope has replaced the horror of that sight.

"I can see in the acorn the oak tree," Angelou said. "I see the growth, the rebuilding, the restoring. I see that is the American psyche.

"There is so much we can draw understanding from. One of the lessons is the development of courage. Because without courage, you can't practice any of the other virtues consistently."

The 73-year-old poet was in Atlanta on Sunday to campaign for mayoral candidate Shirley Franklin.

Ted Turner visits set of Civil War-era film

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Ted Turner visited this western Maryland city to watch filming of the Civil War-era film "Gods and Generals," a $51 million production that his Ted Turner Pictures is financing.

Dressed in jeans, a rimmed hat and a tan jacket, the CNN founder arrived Sunday afternoon and ate lunch with the cast and crew.

Robert Duvall, who plays Gen. Robert E. Lee, also stopped by to watch filming.

Ron Maxwell wrote and is directing the movie, which is a prequel to his 1993 epic "Gettysburg." It will depict four clashes between the North and the South, including the Battle of Antietam, fought near Hagerstown in September 1862.

The film is based on Jeff Shaara's historical novel of the same name.

Warner Bros. plans to release the film, co-starring Jeff Daniels, Bruce Boxleitner and Mira Sorvino, in late 2002 or early 2003.

Singer Gilman meets his muse Elisabeth Wagner

DALLAS -- Billy Gilman finally met his muse.

The 13-year-old rising country star met Elisabeth Wagner for the first time Saturday at the State Fair of Texas. She's the inspiration behind the song "Elisabeth" on his new album, "Dare to Dream."

The song details a strong woman's fight against disease. Wagner, 21, has had neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes small, mostly benign growths to form on her nerves, since she was 2 years old. Wagner never imagined her struggles would be inspiration for a song. It was written by Wagner's aunt, Liz Rose, and her friend, Kim Patton Johnston.

"Who gets a song written about them -- much less a song on the radio and a video? I mean, that's cool," Wagner said. The recent discovery of a malignancy forced the Dallas woman to postpone college at Texas A&M University while she undergoes treatment. But the setback hasn't upset her.

"College will still be there when I'm done," she said.

-- From wire reports