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- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 21 May 2006.
During the years, I have chatted with a fellow you know. Keith Fine directs the Douglas Cooperative facility in Newport, which has a staff of about 52 people providing constant care and oversight for 38 handicapped residents of all ages. I bumped into Keith in April at the Cinema 4 tenth anniversary celebration but he wasn't easy to recognize. That day he was working as Frosty the Christian Clown helping Rick Ottinger and friends with Crossroads Church. Kathy Hemsworth featured Keith in the Plain Talk lifestyles years ago. Shannon Grooms had also done clown ministry work and taught Keith, who also watched videos and read books to learn more about clowning around. He graduated from Carson-Newman College with a double major in religion and communications in 1996. He has been pursuing the clown ministry to youth for a decade and started using the circus-type makeup and funny antics. Today he has switched to a little more serious persona of the August or Hobo clown. Red Skelton often used this style and it is suitable for more dramatic presentations. On May 18, Keith was at Cosby School as a clown doing magic tricks, illusions, and telling stories. I saw him twisting balloons into shapes for a smiling child. Keith said he takes from 30 to 45 minutes to prepare himself as "Frost"-inspired by his late friend, Frosty Carrell, who you know as a sweet man. The serious side of Keith is seen with his work helping the handicapped from children to adults at Douglas Cooperative. We refer to these folks as developmentally disabled. He married the former Holly Bailey of Jonesborough on Aug. 23, 2003, and they have three children: Abbigail, Nikki, and Kinsey, who was born last Dec. Keith counts Southside Baptist as his home church and recalls that Dub Vinson used to pick him up and take him to church years ago. You know many of Keith's relatives. His Dad is Homer Fine, married to the former Delores Suggs. Half-brothers include Dennis Suggs and Donald Suggs and sister, Denise Suggs. Four months before I arrived in Newport, Keith's grandfather, Bruce Fine, was killed as a pedestrian in a traffic accident Feb. 12, 1972-Keith was born on Feb. 12. I though it was interesting that our former sports editor, Steve Wilhoit, and Keith worked together in radio. Perhaps that explains all the sports photos, jerseys, and paraphernalia for Heath Shuler in Keith's office. He met and admires the former Vol quarterback, who has been doing some upscale residential developments in Cocke County. In plain talk, There are a lot of Fine folks in Cocke County if you look in the right places and follow Frosty around.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 19 Sep 2010.
Fine announces candidacy for city alderman
NEWPORT-Another resident of Newport, Keith Fine has announced his candidacy for City Alderman.
Fine has lived here all of his life and been involved in various aspects in the community. He has been the voice of the "Fighting Cocks" for the high school, been involved in various church functions, and currently works at Douglas Cooperative.
For more details, please see the latest edition of The Newport Plain Talk.
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12 Feb -
(Age 63 years) 