Random act of kindness in the midst of tragedy

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Tragedy hit at 6:45 a.m. EDT on Wednesday morning southeast of Roanoke, Virginia, when the WDBJ-7 TV shooting exploded onto news networks and social media. Horrified viewers watched the on-air murders of television reporter Alison Parker and camera man Adam Ward who were ambushed while on a remote live-broadcast location on the shores of Smith Mountain Lake, a popular resort community.

As morning news shows dropped regular programming and reported minute-by-minute updates, law enforcement officials were in hot pursuit of the gunman.  The gruesome images along with gripping details rippled out into surrounding communities in the Commonwealth and across the nation as the shooter, a disgruntled fired WDBJ-7 employee, led a chase that began at the lake. It continued to the Roanoke airport where the gunman changed cars before speeding north on I-81 through the Shenandoah Valley.

Listening to the news as it broke that morning, we were snugged in our corner of Augusta County, safely away from the tragedy that was unfolding about two hours southeast of us. Or so we thought.

My Richmond sister Lori and cousins Faye and Sharon were in the Valley to visit for the week. Our plans on Wednesday were to meander and explore the Blue Ridge Parkway from Afton to Peaks of Otter where we would enjoy lunch at the lodge overlooking Abbot Lake and Sharp Top Mountain, and then return home in the evening.

However, before we could leave the house we found ourselves drawn to the TV screen as we watched the horror of the unfolding news. As a result, it was late morning before we left, driving through historic downtown Staunton on our way to I-64, Afton Mountain, and Milepost 1 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

That was when, while continually monitoring Twitter and Facebook on my iPhone, we saw that the police chase of the shooter had entered our area with law enforcement searching I-64 east to Fishersville and Afton Mountain in Augusta County, and I-81 north to Verona, also in Augusta County. Area schools were on lock-down. We decided to stay on Route 250 as we drove to Afton instead of taking a chance of getting caught up in any kind of police action that could take place on the interstates.

December Sunday adventures through historic Virginia

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and $5 admission … great time to visit the home of America’s third President! We decided it would be the start of our colonial loop through a tiny part of our historic Virginia because, after all, that’s what history nerds do. Right?

Afton’s popcorn man voted #1 food truck in Valley

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Ron King is riding high these days after successfully facing the Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals and now voted the #1 Food Truck in the Valley by readers of the Waynesboro News-Virginian.  In this case, the Valley was extended a bit to the top of Afton. LOL. Congratulations!

For more about King’s Gourmet Popcorn:

– Afton Mountain’s popcorn man
– NL’s Calvin Trice: ‘Approval, well wishes for Afton popcorn vendor’
– Popcorn man victorious with Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals
– BZA: My remarks supporting the popcorn man
– Saturday on Afton at King’s Gourmet Popcorn

Afton Mountain’s popcorn man

By Lynn R. Mitchell
Reprinted from SWAC Girl blog, October 13, 2013

King’s Gourmet Popcorn on Afton Mountain

[Editor’s note: Ron King, owner of King’s Gourmet Popcorn on Afton Mountain, must go before the Augusta County Zoning Appeals Board today, August 7, at 1:30 p.m. Read more about this public hearing at Afton popcorn man must face Augusta County’s Zoning Appeals Board.]
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“If you build it they will come.” Or, perhaps more appropriately, they will stop and buy.

Ron King has found a market for snacks on Afton Mountain with King’s Gourmet Popcorn located at the juncture of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, I-64, and Rt. 250. With views into the Rockfish and Shenandoah valleys, millions of tourists pass that way annually.