| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 21, 164.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 May 2007.
Farewells after a good sandwich
(c)2007 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL Jimmy Stokely stands in front of the window he painted at Learning Express across from the Plain Talk office, East Broadway in Newport.
By: DAVID POPIEL
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
05-27-2007
Fireflies were still awake when I left the Jim and Karen Hekel home off Walnut Street about 3 a.m. on Friday and the only thing different along Clifton Heights was a lifeless raccoon that had gotten run over in the middle of the road. There are many memories along this river overlook road and missing friends of names such as Stokely, Burnett, Robinson, Petrey, Teague and more. Giant oak trees shading the road remain.
I slowed down and thought there was no need for speed at this early morning hour haunted only by a few crickets and songbirds in our hometown. My friend and co-worker Jim Hekel had died about two hours earlier-probably in his slumber. Our staff was stunned by the loss and share the sorrow of his death with his wife and family. I said goodbye to neighbors Faye Fish, Larry Bumgarner, and pastor Wade Holcomb.
If you pass in front of the Plain Talk this holiday and look at the Learning Express, you will get a real treat and patriotic boost. The World War II image of the famous flag setting by Marines at Iwo Jima was recreated by artist Jimmy Stokely. Perhaps you have seen other artwork he has done that shows his talent. "It's a God-given gift," he says. The bright red and blue of the flag stands out in sharp relief from the still gray-toned soldiers on the glass. He dropped by the office on Friday because the newspaper wanted to show off the painting for Memorial Day. He and wife, the former Kellye Lindsey, operate the Learning Center. They live in Newport between neighbors Jerry Maloy and Woody Lawson, and Jimmy works as a meter reader for Jefferson-Cocke County Utility District. Kellye is a teacher at Bridgeport School.
The son of Herman Stokely and Fay Williamson, he has been with the gas utility for about seven years. But he always finds time for his art. If you have gone to local festivals during the years, you may have seen him doing face painting, too. Anyone who wants a special portrait, landscape, or image created, they call Jimmy. He works in various ways whether oils, acrylics, pencils or brushes. I first got to know him when he put the little blue train on top of the Learning Center. About 10 years ago, he designed the city of Newport logo. Jimmy and Kellye have two children: Sarah, 14, and Jarod, 10. Sarah is already showing some talent in art. The business windows are frequently repainted with holiday themes or to commemorate events such as when he did a Peyton Manning tribute or the Lady Vols with Pat Summitt. I'm already wondering what will appear on the window next.
The Amoco BP station off Highway 25/70 at I-40 has been a favorite stopping spot for folks over the years, and I found out another reason to swing by-it is a home to the newest Subway restaurant in Newport. Miss Subway herself, Donna Jo Kaupp, opened the store about April 16, and I finally made it by last week. Years ago when my friend Hal Cutshaw ran the station and deli, my trips were more frequent. Donna was at the sub shop when we chatted about the business, which is unique in some ways. If you visited, then you already know that Amy Shults is the manager. I can't recall meeting her before. Her young husband had dropped by to give her a hug. It was Steven Shults, another person I don't know, yet his father, Police Officer Lynn Shults is a friend. I am sure Lynn and Lisa are proud of their son and his son, Ivan, age 2. They will also be grandparents again, sometime in August because Amy is expecting. She is the daughter of Mary Ball and the late Don Ball. Amy has always been a good worker after she graduated from CCHS in 2002. She worked several years at Adopt-A-Bear in Gatlinburg. She liked helping people build custom stuffed bears but "got over the 45 minute drive" one way.
About three years ago she joined Donna's subfolks working at the Cosby Highway shop and down town, until that restaurant closed. So after three years, she is managing her own Subway. She loves her customers and the people she works with. They include Wendy Gagne, Aimee Holt, and Becky Belcher. When you go into the Amoco store, turn to your left and follow your nose. I was surprised to find out that this Subway opens at 6 a.m. to serve breakfast, including biscuits and gravy, sausage, eggs, and all the trimmings your would expect that early. Sandwich fans will find the Subway open until 9 p.m. To entice you, Donna said the special is two foot-long subs for $9.99 all day Sunday. Or if you are particularly hungry, and partially broke, then visit after 4 p.m. for the same offer all other days. "They are so glad we put this store on this end of town," Amy said, relating her customers' comments. Many drive to Sevierville and stop for breakfast or coming and going. Wendy looked familiar to me and that is because she had been working at the Cosby Hwy. Subway. She and her husband, Paul, moved her 14 years ago from Laconia, New Hampshire. He works for Lisega, which closed its New Hampshire office years ago. I told her that we had recently hired a pressman, David Pierson, who moved here with his wife from New Hampshire.
Donna is a fixture in the restaurant business. I remember when Leon Bryant built the Cosby Hwy. store and leased it to Subway. Donna is marking her 11th year serving those low-calorie healthy sandwiches. She also told me that her Wal-Mart Subway will soon be moved from the back of the store hear the deli, to the front of the store. This will make it more visible and a shorter distance to walk. So what are folks' favorite subs? Turkey leads the menu during the current low-fat craze. Personally, I like some fat particularly when it is around ribeye steaks. The club is the all-around favorite. So, maybe I will see you chopping on a bacon biscuit one morning soon at the Amoco-BP Subway.
In plain talk, for most, Memorial Day holds dear memories and truths that carry us beyond late spring every year.
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1969 - (55 years)