Tag: Virginia

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Travelling Shoulders

Knoth's Barbecue

Knoth’s Amazing Barbecue Followed Me Around the South

It was always there. On the 4th of July, Memorial Day, family reunions—even Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had other food on those occasions, but a genuine hickory-smoked shoulder from Knoth’s was the prized chunk of goodness on the table. The one that made us go “ah.”

Pork Barbecue Sandwich
Pork Barbecue Sandwich

We eagerly gathered around when it was brought in—still wrapped in the white butcher’s paper—hot from the pit. We stood smiling with buns open on our plates. It’s no exaggeration to say we salivated as the paper was unwrapped, finally revealing the crusty brown skin and that Heavenly aroma.

Some wanted a fatty part, some wanted crispy crust, and some only lean. I wanted some of it all. I would grab the tongs and tear off a tender piece of moist pink, then stick some crispy skin and hot fatty parts on top. Drench it all over with half mild sauce and half hot. Mmm, unbeatable.

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When My Boss Was Murdered

Sometimes the unthinkable becomes reality and murder touches our lives.  It can hit us so unexpectedly that it’s like a sucker punch knocking us breathless. Such was the case with me in Roanoke, Virginia, in the wee cold hours of January 3, 1986.

When the phone rang at 4 a.m. that Friday morning I fumbled for it, still half asleep.  For a second I didn’t recognize the sobbing sounds coming from my boss’ secretary, Carolyn, on the other end of the line.  I had never heard her cry. She had always been such a cheerful person.  Then she stopped sobbing long enough to speak. “Wade, Tony is dead.” Continue reading “When My Boss Was Murdered”