Our Storytelling Trek Blog #4

NABS Talking: On The Road with Ilene and Queen

Documenting Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellows

By: Ilene Evans

Editor: Karen "Queen Nur" Abdul-Malik

Funders: MidAtlantic Arts and South Arts 

Darrell Johnson and Uganda Reed  - Meeting, Greeting, and Eating at OLA’S Restaurant in Knoxville, TN

Of course, the BASF documentation adventure would not be complete without the stops in between.

On our way to see Naomi in Virginia, we made a stop in Knoxville and had a chance to see friends made from our last visit when we were visiting Felicia and Dynamic Ray. Darrell and Uganda, have a wonderful story to tell and keep alive the traditions and memories of Darrell's Grandmother Ola. We took a break from grant writing and logging the trip to to enjoy their specialty Southern Cuisine, including, The Jolly Rancher Jerk Chicken Wings.

I have come to learn that shopping - with all its discoveries - is therapy for my many of my female friends. Yes, we had to stop for food, gas and why not stop at a mall where we could do it all?

First the eats – Oh, yes Jersey Mike’s . Queen introduced me to that sub shop on our last trip – very nice. It reminds her of the famous Philadelphia Hoagie in her home town stomping grounds. Ah, but what is that across the way – Melty? "Melty what?” I asked “Let’s go find out,” Queen says. And so, popped on our foodways hats and we learned the story of a new entrepreneur – Melty BBQ Brisket, Cuban Sandwich, Melty MAC - Melty Everything, including deserts. Wait, oh, "Does that sign say "We make New York pizza?" Our heads tip with the thought "in Appalachia?" Queen challenged with a query.  – Oh, wait there’s a freshly custom-made donut shop – gotta go. Queen came back with a fancy box of sweet heaven as I ate my pizza. And so, the tour of the eatery was satisfied. But then we spotted Cavender’s Boot City – "Boot City?!" So, off we go. Pleasurely we purchase to please other folk way passions, Line Dancing and easy walking...now squeezed into the trunk as we head toward Naomi's concert.