Sharing the love

For Mama Dip, love is a family recipe.

Mildred Council, better known as Mama Dip, celebrated her 80th birthday with friends and family at a Sunday bash benefitting her “Share the Love Fund” for the Triangle Community Foundation.

Council is the owner of Mama Dip’s Traditional Country Cooking, a Rosemary Street restaurant. She turned 80 years old in April but asked her family to throw a party now so the community could benefit.

The fund, created in May, aims to build self-esteem and self-worth in community kids, especially those who face financial difficulties.

“Let’s forget about the word ‘single parent,’” Council said in an address to her guests. “Let’s think about children who need a friend.”

During the program, Council received birthday wishes both in person and on video from people such as U.S. Rep David Price, D-N.C., Durham Mayor Bill Bell, NBA player Eric Montross and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth.

Council said that the community’s support for young children wanes as they grow up. She said she hopes the fund can change this.

“When they get older, they give it up,” Council said.

“It seems to me that our children are dropping out of school at an early age.”

Andrea Bazán, president of the Triangle Community Foundation, said the fund will be based on Council’s personal values and will be managed by her family.

Children who receive funds will participate in activities that emphasize basic skills like cooking, sewing and auto repair.

“We want to make sure our community stays safe and strong,” said Spring Council, Mildred Council’s youngest of eight children.

Spring Council said when she was young, her friends always knew they had a place to stay when things weren’t going well at home. She said her mom wanted to be able to offer the same type of support to future generations of area children.

“When I was about 7 years old, Mama used to go to people’s houses and see what they needed,” Spring Council said.

She said her mother carried two bags of food, cooked food for those who couldn’t and uncooked for those who could.

And food has stayed a family affair for the Council household.

Mildred Council said each of her children has worked for her at some point. Even her grandchildren have a place in the kitchen.

“I’ve been there for 20 years,” said Tonya Council, Spring Council’s daughter. “I have my own division of Mama Dip’s called Tonya’s Cookies.”

Mildred Council’s cooking has not only affected her family but also customers of the restaurant who still keep coming back for more.

“I have fond memories of going to Mama Dip’s restaurant,” said Leon Herndon, an ‘87 graduate of UNC and a current medical director at Duke Eye Center of Raleigh.

“That was always a special occasion because I didn’t have any money.”


Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.