| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 23 Jan 2005.
Ann Drennan Pack obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 23 Oct 2005.
Just Plain Talk
2005 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL Charlie Williams, at left, gives barber Edsel Hall a break last week and a trim at Hall’s barbershop. Williams has been a barber for about 80 years and turns 94 in Nov.
By: David Popiel
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
10-23-2005
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After the Oct. sun set records for heat across fallow fields in our hometown, colder air crept down from the north in time to chill those standing in line to be scared at the theater guild’s haunted house.
The lottery frenzy struck last Wednesday, and I even found myself spending a few bucks to try to win $340 million.
At the Plain Talk we were pondering a chartered 747 for all employees to Aruba–but considering Hurricane Wilma, maybe not. At the Valero station off West Broadway, my camera was ready to capture some ticket buyer.
Some folks suggested we go to the stores at the Hartford I-40 interchange where North Carolinas had been invading the ticket sellers. Bruce Pack bought a few tickets and chatted with me awhile. You know his father, Fred Pack, who just turned 76.
Bruce used to work at Great Lakes Chemical Corp. in Newport and is now with a Morristown industry that manufactures tubing for utilities. The encounter prompted me to call Fred, because he has a most distinct voice that I instantly recalled late Wed. afternoon. His wife, the former Ann Scott, of Ireland, died in January.
He is fortunate to have the support of a good strong family which also includes Fred Jr., who works in Gatlinburg; Bryan, an oil rig builder from Midland, Texas–who has visited Siberia to set up equipment for the Russians; and Deborah Nichols. Fred reminded me that he has a photo saved from the Plain Talk of when he removed bees from a tree. He still keeps hives at Del Rio, where his family originates.
His Dad, Nathan Pack, was a railroader. It was a breath of nice memories to talk with this gentleman, even if for only a few minutes.
One of my hundreds of cats required some health care since they are no longer on TennCare. So, a quick trip to Appalachian Veterinary Hospital was in order. Terry Finchum was talking with Michelle Foust when I walked in with Toby, one fur-ball boy.
Terry is a county firefighter who hails from the Sevier area near Chestnut Hill. I asked if he were related to my Kiwanian buddy, Officer James Finchum, but he didn’t think so.
Strangely, 30 minutes later in Wal-Mart, at the photo counter up walks James Finchum.
He was picking up photos of a trip he and Calisse had taken to Colorado.
They got to see beautiful Alberta Falls and also stayed at the Stanley Hotel¬–made famous by the Jack Nicholson movie,
“The Shining.”
Wednesday morning started warming quickly–just days ago Vicki Mason, one of our ad reps, told me she had frost on her windshield. I was in search of Edsel Hall after Charlie Williams visited the office to renew his subscription and remind me of the photo we were to make.
While walking to the barbershop, I saw Juanita Frazier going to the bank.
“How long have you been at the courthouse?” She replied that she had been working for Trustee Alfred Hogan going on eight years.
As she was leaving and after admiring a dogwood tree loaded with red berries, I spotted Dr. Jack Clark walking my way carrying a bag.
“What are you selling?” Jack had a bag of chestnuts that he picked up from Edsel. He told me a quick story of how as a youngster the family loved chestnuts and what they couldn’t eat went to fatten the hogs.
Jack explained that you don’t have to roast them. Just make a small hole through the shell and pop them into the microwave for a few minutes. You might want to try them.
I called Charlie Williams and asked him to meet me at barber Edsel Hall’s shop. So, we met that morning at Edsel’s–together the men have 130 years experience. At 93, turning 94 on Nov. 17, Charlie’s hands are as steady as taxes.
Edsel turns 75 on Nov. 15. Charlie was born in Jefferson Co. but followed his parents’ wagon, two cows, two dogs into Newport settling near the Stokely’s farm.
He worked in road construction and at Stokely cannery around 1928.
“They let me drive their new Chevy truck.” In 1938, Charlie had begun cutting hair charging about 35 cents.
During the early years, both he and Edsel barbered in Detroit–for the big dollars, 75 cents daily, 85 cents on Sat.
Charlie recalled he worked first with Leonard Davis off Broadway, then the Palace, and also Horton’s (now Ken Hall’s shop).
Marvin Mantooth and Charlie bought out the Balch barbershop located between the Coffee Pot and Men’s Den.
It was a time when not only did men get haircuts every week, but many got a shower for a quarter and shoe shine, too.
“Rabbit Suggs and Otha Baxter would bring cloths to get cleaned at the Palace and change cloths. The Palace was then located next to the old Merchants & Planters Bank.
When the Palace had moved to McSween Ave., years later, Hall bought the business from the heirs of Ike Clevenger–about 1985. Charlie has been retired for as many years as a lot of folks work.
He spent about 26 years at the Broadway shop. Other barbers they recall included Bill Clevenger and Bill Raines, who is now at Mariner Health Care Center.
The hair clippers still fit comfortably in his firm hand, but Charlie actually has enjoyed doing lawnmower repairs during the past decades.
He is most proud of his First Baptist Church family and pastor Rich Lloyd.
Since 1954, Charlie has missed few Sundays and appreciates the concern and care the church folks have given to him, especially seeing he has food and fellowship.
“They all adopted me.”
His late wife was the former Inez Cody, and although he and Inez had no children she had one son, J. A. Douglas, from a prior marriage. While we all chatted at Edsel’s “Palace” in walks Charles Palmer. He joked that Edsel refers to him as one of the three Charlies “the hard-shell Baptists”–others being Williams and Charlie Kickliter. “Well, what’s your secret to a long life?” I asked Charlie. “Living right. Trusting in the Lord. Eating the right food.”
In plain talk, I’ve run out of room here because sometimes lives are long, hair is short, and next week after another trim we will talk with Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Allen.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Dec 2005.
By: David Popiel Source: The Newport Plain Talk <http://cocke.xtn.net> 12-04-2005
The community Christmas tree is wearing its golden shawl; giant snowflakes hang from street lights; and it¡¦s beginning to look a lot like December holidays in our hometown.
Like a hot-nosed coonhound, I was on the trail of a critter story last week thanks to my friend Fred Pack. He had called to ask if the newspaper was aware of the problem that otters have been causing. Having not seen any otters around the house lately, I didn¡¦t realize there was a story here. So, I headed to Angela Circle, which is at the rear of the northeast section of Union Cemetery. You¡¦ve driven Morrell Springs Road many years, as I have, and probably never drove along Angela Circle off Apache. You just saw a ridge of tombstones in the late afternoon sun and didn¡¦t realize what was on the other side. Before Fred began detailing how otters were eating all the fish in rivers and ponds, he showed me a TWRA publication detailing that it is otter season¡VNov. 18 through Dec. 31 with a limit of four otters¡Vthat puts me way behind. Pack held up a 30-pounder he had just trapped at the French Broad River in Del Rio¡Vthat¡¦s where he was born in 1929. I learned that otters cleaned out the fish in John Dale Ramsey¡¦s pond. As a youth, Fred taught himself to trap mink and muskrat, but, no thanks to the otters, these animals have faded fast. During World War II, he earned his school money trapping, and said Floyd Gowan was one of the best trappers he ever knew. Other trapper friends included Glen Blanchard Jr., Hugh Huff Jr., and Glenn Shaver. Pack¡¦s Dad was Nathan Pack and Mom, the former Leana Jones. When Fred wasn¡¦t hunting, he helped Buck Brown, who had a band around 1944-45. Brother Roy Brown was older and overseas at the time and recalled that Buck was a mandolin player and talented singer. Pack was the emcee for the traveling band. Some years later, Fred joined the Air Force and traveled across the US and world retiring about 1966. When he returned to Newport, he and his wife were looking for a home. It so happened that Melvin Watson had built one of a series of new houses at what was later Angela Circle. Clyde Pack, Fred¡¦s uncle, owned the property and sold it to Fred. Monroe Grigsby and Buddy Huff are other property owners along Angela Circle. Fred¡¦s parents and other relatives are buried at the cemetery off the Old Fifteenth at Sand Hill Church¡Vsome of you know the spot well, I¡¦m sure. It was good to spend some time with Fred, and I hope I¡¦m as active in my 70s. His house is packed with photos of his four children, five grandchildren, and quite a few trophies from his prime hunting and fishing years. It¡¦s been a good life for my friend.
Speaking of grandchildren, Newport attorney Jim McSween announced at the Kiwanis Club meeting he has number 10. Sutton Grant Kelley was born Nov. 23 at Northside Hospital, Atlanta, the son of Barry and Renee Kelley. Barry is Geraldine McSween¡¦s son and also the son of Paul Kelley, of Newport. I¡¦m sure little Sutton was at the table for a taste of turkey.
December is a good time to shape up for the holidays so I visited the folks at People¡¦s Barber Shop for my monthly head polishing and trim. While waiting and listening to Ken Hall and Susan Poe discuss the latest Vol problems, Gray Sparks walked in and we chatted. And, of course, I discovered yet another person who used to work at Wall Tube & Metal Products off Hwy. 25-70. Gray does not look his 74 years and is still in good shape as he has been splitting wood for winter fires. A young man about 1957, he went to work for Wall Tube thanks to Jet Hartsell, who was human resource manager for the new plant. I suppose it had not been in operation very long. When Gray applied for a job, Jet told him it might be awhile because he was being criticized for hiring so many Parrottsville folks. Gray did get the job and eventually became a manager and worked there until the plant closed in about 1983. I was news editor at the time and recall all the conflict between plant management/owners and union. Out of a job, Gray then joined Virco. Guess what. That plant had the same problems and closed. I was surprised to learn that at one time Wall Tube employed more than 400 people. The primary work done was resizing tubes for automotive and special applications, said Gray. Their work was so good that a company working on the NASA lunar voyage project used Wall tubing for the lunar module. But I recall the metal book shelves the plant made. Perhaps you still have one of these and maybe a vinyl-wrapped lawn chair.
Cold weather always makes me hungry. How about you? Have you met any interesting cakes or pies? While warming my tummy with an Arby¡¦s egg biscuit, I talked with Gene Chrisman, who has been getting along much better with his walker. It seems that his riding lawnmower flipped him during the summer. The accident didn¡¦t seem to affect his appetite. He was with his biscuit-and-gravy-buddies Arthur Shelton and Eugene Martin. On Thursday, I recalled that the Carousel Café was supposed to open. Last week we talked about the new restaurant opening in the old Kaye¡¦s Drive-in location. Jane Coward and her staff opened to a bunch of hungry folks who found chicken & dumplins, Italian chicken sandwich, beans & greens¡Vthat¡¦s what Bobby Wild was enjoying. The operator has worked at restaurants in Spring Creek off Hwy. 209 near Asheville, Waco, Texas, and a few other places. She knows how to cook. I¡¦ll try to find out who works there and let you know soon, but you may really want to know more about the desserts. In plain talk, you, me, and the otters are finding lots of good food and places to dine for the holidays.
Just Plain Talk
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 30 Mar 2008.
Just Plain Talk - Buzz over to Fred's
Outside activity increased to a loud drone at the end of last week in our hometown with spring showing its wings and stings. It was such a warm and beautiful day on Thursday, pears and cherry trees in bloom, bees busy, and people out mowing, it seemed a good idea to look for an excuse to drive over to revisit Fred L. Pack. He had recently called to tell me that people should be aware that bees could soon be swarming. I thought the mites and disease had killed all the bees, but this was a wrong impression. The last time I visited Fred was about two years ago concerning his interest in trapping otters. In front of his Angela Circle home, adjacent to the rear of Union Cemetery, there is a brick wall along his driveway. On the wall were two stuffed otters, he had trapped years ago. Several small dogs ran about the yard. Fred was resting in a lawnchair drinking coffee that afternoon. On April 17, Fred will turn 79 and he still likes to trap otters and also take care of bees, something he has done since a boy growing up in Del Rio. He mentioned the price for otter skins has fallen from $150 to $40 and he blamed the Dali Lama for condemning the killing of the animals. Fred said the number of otters has been increasing for years and you find them well inland away from their more natural habitat along major rivers and creeks. He recalled that B.A. Ramsey had a problem with three otters going to his pond and eating the fish. Likewise, Jimmy Adams also reported otter attacks. "Their jaws are so strong they can break any bone in your body. Well, I though that was a good reason to stay away from them. Otters eat eight to 10 pounds of fish a day and live the good life along the river. That's why trapping during the season that opens in November for several months is allowed. Trapping and beekeeping were among the things Fred learned. He recalled that Charlie Shipley taught him about bees because Nathan and Bob Ford were too lazy as boys to help Charlie, said Fred. We got off the subject for a few minutes, because Fred asked if I knew that his neighbor Billy Jack Martin was suffering from cancer. This is something the retired Stokely Brothers supervisor learned just months ago. "I've known him ever since the Korean War." They had met overseas. Fred joined the Army and later it became the Air Force so he stayed long enough to retire. Those from Del Rio will know that Fred is the son of Nathan Pack and Lena Jones Pack, of Laurel Fork. You may recall a column I did more than a year ago on Fred's older brother, Frank Pack, who is in his 80s and still operating a saw mill off Asheville Highway. Brother Leonard Pack is dead. They have a sister, Virginia Ross, of Huntsville, Alabama. Fred has two sons working in the oil industry as welders: Fred Pack Jr. and Brian Pack. His other son is Bruce Pack, of Newport, and there is a daughter, Debra Nichols, of Green Acres. Back to the bee story. There were multitudes of what Fred called wild or German black bees in the mountains 50 or more years ago. Later, these gave way to an Italian variety. During recent decades small bugs called mites have been attacking US bees and killing them by the millions and maybe billions. I thought the extreme unexpected cold last April had finished the remaining ones off, but Fred's hives were really buzzing. He is not a commercial beekeeper but his friends Gary Strange and Tony Holt are. We walked up to his hives shaded by pear trees in bloom. Fred had on his white coveralls and a bee bonnet and gloves handy. But he was not wearing them when he pulled out one of the frames to show me how much honey the bees had made over the winter. The top section of the hive weighed more than 30 pounds, he said. The point of Fred's call for me to visit was to let people know that bees naturally swarm as a way to create new colonies. Some years ago he was called to go to the East Broadway Food City where a swarm had landed in a potted plant in front of the store. Because it was early spring, the bees were gorged with their hive honey and not very aggressive. He picked up the pot and plant and drove it to his house just off Morrell Springs and gave the bees a new home and hive. It was mid afternoon Thurs, as we moved closer to Angela Circle where a hive stood with a lot of bee activity. The lawn was full of purple henbit. Fred said his bees are a Russian variety that had been introduced into the US long ago. These bees had developed some resistances against mites. I asked Fred if it would be OK to move up within a couple of feet at the front of the hive to shoot some photos. The bees were pouring in. It is not unusual for a single hive to have more than 20,000 bees, he said. After shooting several close-ups, I slowly backed away. One of the bees must have been offended at having his photo made and flew into by face stinging me on the nose between my eyes. Fred was not laughing. I was not laughing as he removed the stinger. About that time the mailman drove up and hollered. He noticed I had gotten stung and said, "Fred is too mean to get stung." In plain talk, sometimes you have to get outside and look closely at what's happening rather than to check the statistics or operate on false assumptions.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 17 May 2009.
Just Plain Talk - Warm weather brings out the bees and turtles
Warmer weather seems to have gotten ahead of itself by mid-May causing folks in our hometown to wonder will there be any cold days to accompany the blackberries in bloom along the roadsides.
Spring is the time to get outdoors more and less ran made it possible. But beware of the droves of flying insects also outside. Fred Pack, the Angela Circle beekeeper, had called several weeks ago to warn me that bees would be swarming. He had gotten a call from Donald Cashen that bees were on a utility pole near his home at Wilton Springs. "I raked the bees off the telephone pole into the bee hive," said Pack. Then, he had a call from David Nichols at Green Acres where bees had taken up residence in a garden feature."I am surprised there are so many bees so early this year." Then, on Tuesday afternoon, I called too. When walking about 6 p.m. on the farm, I looked over at a parked hay wagon and saw a cloud of light brown bees circling it. Fred advised me to call him in the morning, if they were still there. So, I took an aspirin and called in the morning, after Hollis Allen, who is allergic to bee stings, confirmed they were still there. Fred and a visiting friend,Honey Foust, from Ft. Myers, Florida, drove over. But when we went into the field to see the bees, they had disappeared. Fred explained that worker bees follow the queen, who is not a great long-distance flyer. Wherever and when ever she goes, the thousands in the colony follow. They are seeking shelter, a water source, and home to make more bees, and honey. Coincidentally, Honey Foust, is the daughter of the late Newport businessman, John Ruble. Many of you recall Ruble's store on Main Street. For the past 35 years Honey has lived along the Gulf Coast when she had retired with husband Don Foust, who is now deceased.Foust came to Newport to manage the Vernco/Emerson plant and after his wife died, married Honey. She had been married to Haggan Minnick. Their son, Bob Minnick, still owns land in the county. Honey said the reason she is in town is that grandson Patrick is graduating from Cookeville college May 23. We didn't catch any bees on Wed., but I did get to talk to Honey. Fred is soon to put me in touch with his nephew, Jimmy Pack, son of over-80-year-old logger brother Frank Pack. Jimmy underwent heart surgery in April and is doing well thanks to the care of his wife, Johnnie (Cody) Pack. I am interested in his long-time work raising poultry.
I came across another form of not-so-wild life in Newport after receiving a call from Nicholas Boswell, who lives on North Street with his Mom, Christine Boswell, and grandmother, Gertrude O'Dell. Nicholas explained that he has observed a small turtle reappearing each year in spring for the past three years. And, this is a smart turtle, because it likes beans.I assume he, or she, prefers Bush beans. "Where he goes or stays during the winter, I don't know," confessed Nicholas, pointing to a dry-weather spring bed that runs through the rear of the property. That area which includes Knowles Market has a dense area of trees in the rear-perfect for wildlife. We managed to run down the turtle and get a photo of his unusual interest in eating beans. So what did Nicholas name him? "Old Navy" fits well for this big Bush can size bean eater.
Thursday morning after chatting with Junior Stinnett about the auto business, I was headed back to the office when I got the news about Harold Shoemaker's tragic accident on Morristown Highway just past Cocke County Pallet Co. Driving out I saw the state troopers doing reconstruction of the crash involving a van and Taylor's motorcycle. Randy Bethea's property is nearby, so I pulled in and talked with Marilyn Thomas and while we talked,Marsha "Butch" Haney, who lives along the highway, walked up. Shetold me that she heard the loud crash and looked out a window to see a tire from the van rolling along Hwy. 25-E and finally falling into her yard. During the years, I had gotten to know Harold, who was a gentle and likable fellow.
While driving through Western Plaza in early May, I spotted Tommy Williamson, an old friend from the Woodzo Drive-in era. I asked if he has had any contact with the former Sherry Smith, the daughter of the late Harold and Zula Smith, who operated the outdoor theaters. Tommy said he heard she was living in Jonesborough where her husband, Steve Parker is a minister. Sherry has had colon cancer.
It must be all the pollen. Have you ever seen so many spring flowers and the hay so high the cattle disappear? My eyes began itching and one felt like it had a stalk in it so I went to doctors Foster and Steele.Kurt Steele examined it and said it was inflamed and prescribed medication.During our talk he mentioned it was his 13th year and he turns 40 in July. My allergy eye is feeling better.
In plain talk, even something as quiet and slow as a turtle knows his beans and when he's found a good home.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: Nathan Pack
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Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 21 Aug 1920
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee, United States
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Spouse's Name: Lena Jones
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Reference ID:
GS Film number: 1572603
Digital Folder Number: 004485970
Image Number: 01544
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1929 - (95 years)
, d. 9 Dec 1983 (Age 86 years) 