Stay tuned: London Mitchell

London Mitchell is a newscaster on 3 Cumulus radio stations.

First job: Flippin' hamburgers at the old Uncle Sam's Restaurant on Laskey Road. The money was OK for a kid in high school. I could afford a car, but it was awfully hard to get a date when my hands always smelled like pickles and mustard.

First salary: I actually took a dollar-an-hour pay cut to move from hamburgers to late night radio at Toledo's WMHE-FM. I was not going to let money stand between me and my big break, reading the midnight news from UPI right after the Late Evening Concert.

My idol is: In broadcasting my idol has always been legendary Lone Ranger announcer Fred Foy. I've been known to listen to the old radio tapes for hours - emulating his diction and delivery. "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear!" On the journalism side, I have always been a student of the career of Edward R. Murrow. I can think of no other broadcaster whose investigative reporting time and time again impacted history.

Most embarrassing broadcasting moment: Without a doubt, those recurring television commercials where I am inside a packing crate that falls out the back of a truck! That said, with all the live broadcasting I do, I'm never more than an hour or so away from my next embarrassing moment. And as they occur, Gary Shores records them all, so my broadcast mistakes return to torment me over and over and over again!

Highlight of my career: Has to be the opportunity I have had over the years to work with some really outstanding broadcasters, including some who, unfortunately, are no longer with us - sportscaster Don King; funny man Dennis Staples; and my newscaster mentor and father-in-law Don Edwards.

My favorite thing to do outside work: Because I am a news junkie, I probably spend far too much time browsing the Internet, so I am especially grateful when Debra pulls me away from the computer - especially for those long walks in the park along the river. I also love to read, especially pulp fiction. I've studied the classics, but the rough, tough, shoot 'em up stuff from the '30s and '40s is what really grabs me.

I think Toledo's best-kept secret is: Without a doubt the beauty you can find in some of the less-traveled areas of our Metroparks system - especially Bend View. It's hard to believe such a beautiful panorama exists in our area.

People may be surprised to know that I: Am the executive director of a small, not-for-profit corporation, Ohio Public Images, which works to enhance positive images of people with developmental disabilities.

In five years, I see myself: Hoping Toledo has not gotten tired of hearing me on the air. I'd also like to continue my work in support of persons with developmental disabilities. And, I've always thought there is a book or two somewhere inside me. It would be nice eventually to take the time to find them.

My dream job is: I am living it! I am very honored to have the opportunity to share the beginning of the day with our broadcast audiences. It's obvious that people put a great deal of faith and trust in those morning newscasts. I do not take that lightly. And I work with the greatest group of morning broadcasters ever assembled in Toledo - Gary, Harvey, Bob, Becky, Kelly, Lyn and all the others in the Cumulus gang.