Apppomattox News

Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. is a native Virginian, and has lived in the great state all of his life (Norfolk, Meadows of Dan, Radford, Christiansburg, and Appomattox). He moved to Appomattox when his wife, Elizabeth, was offered a position at Appomattox Elementary School, where she continues to teach. Ronnie is a full-time freelance writer, independent scholar, and househusband to Elizabeth and their seven cats (Julian, Green Eyes, Little Black, Gray, Alice, Charlie, and Fauntleroy). Through activities at school, local government, and the Appomattox art scene, Ronnie and Elizabeth have quickly become rooted in the community.

Currently, Ronnie is working on an academic book for Scarecrow Press on women singer-songwriters from the 1990s. This project has given him an excuse to listen excessively to many of his favorite singer-songwriters - PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, and Liz Phair - and call it “work.” Ronnie also edits books for young adults for Greenhaven Press. At present, he is editing books on organized crime and animal experimentation.

Between Ronnie’s love for photography and his need to take a break from the computer screen, he has found that the best way to get know and appreciate Appomattox is to walk its roads and byways. As a resident of the Town of Appomattox, he is still surprised that he can walk for a mile or two and find himself in the country. Whether you enjoy snapping photographs of old barns, bridges, and abandoned rail cars, or whether you love “quaint” downtowns with an air of pre-modern America, Appomattox pretty much has it all.

When not engaged in writing, cleaning house, and walking Appomattox’s byways, Ronnie enjoys reading about American history and politics, music (punk, rock, folk, and jazz), and American fiction (anything with edgy humor). While he is somewhat of a snob when it comes to television, he has nonetheless become an avid viewer of The X-Files, Dexter, and The Gilmore Girls on DVD. As a music writer, he has also begun to collect music from the 1950s (honky-tonk) and the 1970s (Outlaw country, classic rock, and punk). Even as his hair thins, Ronnie still finds that nothing is quite as exhilarating as cranking up the Who or Led Zeppelin while he prepares dinner.