SME Lake Life January 2021

Lake Life THE BEST OF THE BEST EDITION YOUR GUIDE TO SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE & THE SURROUNDING AREAS

Huge Selection • Great Service Great Location Will Deliver to Smith Mountain Lake

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• Print Edition • Print Edition ••Special Publications Special Publications ••Online Online Marketing Marketing

STAFF EDITOR/GENERAL MANAGER C.E. Adams

WRITER William Seidel

DESIGN | LAYOUT Jess Ingram

GRAPHIC DESIGN | ADVERTISING Amanda Meadows

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Glen Ayers, Charles Conrad, Jeffrey Westbrook

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, CONTACT: TJ Walker, Account Executive 540-719-5100 advertising@smithmountaineagle.com Lake Life Magazine is published throughout the year by Womack Publishing Company, the publisher of the Smith Mountain Eagle “The Lake Newspaper.”

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Call434-441-1877 TJ Today!

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Smith Mountain Eagle 1650 Scruggs Road Wirtz, VA 24184 or call 540-719-5100 PUBLISHED BY WOMACK PUBLISHING COMPANY ©2020

COVER PAGE: Collage of “Best of the Best” Smith Mountain Lake Edition

Contents

THE BEST OF THE BEST EDITION

Best of the Best 8

SML Best of the Best Winner’s List

10

Absolute Collision is a popular choice for collision repairs

12

Westlake Automotive is one of the best garages at SML

14

Napoli Cowboy a fan favorite around SML

16

RSI Rentals offers property rental management

Local Spotlights 18

McDaniel provides award-winning real estate service

22

Local filmmaker takes 'Kung Pao' film to international stage

26

Hay bale sculptures becoming famous at SML

28

SML YMCA director excited to showcase small businesses

Sports Spotlights 30

Brown looks forward to playing for Rams

32

Steady and relentless: Tuck cousins look to anchor the O-line for SRHS

Notes from the River 40

Sook

SML Snapshots 42

Photos by our readers

SML Directory 46

SML Informational Pages

Smith Mountain Lake/Stock Image

2020

BEST

OF SML WINNERS

YOUR GUIDE TO SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE’S FAVORITES IN FOOD, SERVICE, REALTORS, SHOPPING AND MORE! ASSISTED LIVING King’s Grant (Pg. 65) BED & BREAKFAST Bedford Landings BOAT RENTAL (TIED) Parkway Marina Mitchell’s Point Marina BOAT SALES Webster Marine Center BOAT SERVICES Smith Mountain Boat & Tackle (Pg. 45) BOUTIQUE Comfort and Joy CONTRACTOR Dickerson Construction (Pg. 35) CUSTOMER SERVICE White House Corner Store (Pg. 70) DOCTOR’S OFFICE Carilion Westlake ENTERTAINMENT Drifter’s FEED & TACK Moneta Farm & Home Center FLORIST Artisan Florist GARDEN SUPPLY Moneta Farm & Home Center GIFT SHOP Cottage Gate GOLF COURSE Mariners Landing HARDWARE Capps Home Building Center HEARING AID STORE SML Hearing (Pg. 28) HOSPITAL Centra Bedford Memorial L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

INSURANCE COMPANY Phil Hager (Pg. 70) JEWELRY STORE Haywoods Jewelers LANDSCAPING Gonzalez Landscaping LOCALLY OWNED STORE Fabulous Finds LONG TERM CARE FACILITY Runk & Pratt MARINA Mitchell’s Point Marina MESSAGE THERAPIST Jennifer Patterson True Organics (Pg. 24) MORTGAGE COMPANY Movement Mortgage PEST CONTROL Bradford Pest Control POOL SERVICES Aqua Pros PUTT PUTT Hot Shots SPA Serafina Spa TANNING SALON Tantastic TAX SERVICES H&R Block (Pg. 70) BOAT RENTALS (TIED) Parkway Marina Mitchells Point Marina DOCK UPGRADES Automatic Boat Covers (Pg. 67) HOME REMODELS F & S Building Innovations (Pg.64)

ALL AROUND RESTAURANT Napoli Cowboy (Pg.14) HOMESTYLE COOKING Old Oak Cafe BBQ Buddys BBQ (Pg. 31) BEST SERVICE The Landing Restaurant VIEW FOR DINNER Los Amigo BREAKFAST Hawks Deli DESSERT CJs Coffee and Sandwich Shop HAMBURGER Damn Grill ICE CREAM Homestead Creamery ITALIAN Casa Di Amici MEXICAN El Rio NEW RESTAURANT Copper Kettle PIZZA Benny Adelina’s AUTO BODY REPAIR Absolute Collision (Pg.9) AUTO SERVICES Westlake Automotive (Pg.12) CAR DEALERSHIP Midpoint Chevrolet (Pg. 37) TIRE SALES Haleys Tire TOWING RECOVERY Lakeside Tire 8

HAIR SALON Tai Bella Salon ATTORNEY Gilber, Bird, Sharpes & Robinson DENTIST Smith Mountain Lake Dental Practice EYE DOCTOR’S OFFICE Eye Care and Surgery (Pg. 61) HEARING AID SPECIALIS Lisa McArdle SML Hearing (Pg. 28) REAL ESTATE AGENT Glenda McDaniel (Pg.18) BEST BRANDING AD Charlene Jones BEST LISTING AGENT Phyllis and Casey Johnson (Pg.20) QUICKEST SELLER Glenda McDaniel (Pg.18) REAL ESTATE COMPANY Remax Lakefront Realty (Pg.21) REAL ESTATE STAFF ML Realty (Pg.36) DAY TRIP Peaks of Otter FAMILY FUN Eagles Roost Campground VACATION RENTALS RSI Rentals (Pg.16) LOCAL EVENT Pirate Days OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT Mangos PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC The Harvester

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Lake Life’s Best of ssML ML

BEFORE your repair facility!

AFTER You have the right to choose You want the best... we’re here!

Free Pickup “The finest in auto body & paint repairs” & Delivery Located in Westlake...

You have the right to choose your repair facility! yes, we’re local, neighbors!

You want the best... your we're here!

Lifetime Warranty

"The finest in auto body & paint repairs" Located in Westlake... yes, we're local, your neighbors!

540-721-4000 540-721-4000

Service • Quality • Convenience • Foreign & Domestic • Tire Service BEFORE Quality local service you can countAFTER on!

540-721-0700 westlakeautomotive.com 13720 Booker T. Washington Hwy Lifetime Warranty • Free Pickup & Delivery Best Automotive Moneta, VA 24121

95 Springlake Drive, Moneta, VA 2010-2016 24121 • absolutesml.com

95 Springlake Drive, Moneta, VA 24121 • absolutesml.com

Your Smith Mountain Lake Auto Connections!

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Lake Life’s Best of ssML ML

Service • Quality • Convenience Foreign & Domestic • Tire Service Now offering previously owned, quality vehicles 15

TH

ANNU

AL

serviceyour youvehicle can count on!

Our experts willQuality continuelocal to maintain A

W

AR

0 DS • 2

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in top notch condition

540-721-0700

Service and sales with integrity 13720 Booker T. Washington Hwy Best Automotive Same great customer service www.westlakeautomotive.com 2010-2016

540-721-0700 13720 Booker T. Washington Hwy, Best Automotive Moneta, VA 24121 • westlakeautomotive.com

5T

H A N N UA

L

Absolute Collision is a popular choice for collision repairs

By William Seidel

Pictured is the front of Absolute Collision of Smith Mountain Lake in snowy weather. Photo contributed.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

10

Best of the Best

A

bsolute Collision of Smith Mountain Lake, one of the most well-recognized and popular choices to have automobile collision repairs done in the area, has

best materials available with new OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts for collision repairs,” he said. “If you hit a deer or get hit in the Kroger parking lot, we’re your guys.”

been serving the lake community for just over 10 years.

The reviews for Absolute Collision are widely positive and

It was one of the many businesses voted on by Lake Life and

can be easily found on their social media pages.

Smith Mountain Eagle readers as a 2020 Lake Life Best of the

Sandra Aranegui posted, “My car was close to being totaled,

Best winner.

and they were able to save it, making it look and drive brand

Phillip Pierce Jr., managing partner of Absolute Collision, has

new! They kept in contact with me every step of the way, and

been helping repair car bodies his whole life — yes, you read

were so kind throughout the entire process, which really makes

that right. Growing up, Pierce used to spend lots of time with his

a difference. The attention to detail and perfection is evident in

father, who ran dealership collision shops.

their work. I’m so thankful for Philip and crew!”

“I have always been interested in cars,” he said. “I like

Aranegui posted before and after photos of her car to show

seeing something damaged get repaired and made whole and

proof to her claim.

new again.”

“The team at Absolute Collision is amazing,” Nicole Grisetti

Pierce went straight into working at body shops after he

posted. “Very professional, respectful, and provided top-notch

graduated from high school, where he took on positions such

customer service. I highly recommend. Very pleased and

as body apprentice, cleanup, and parts prep, and worked his

impressed with the work they completed on my Altima. I felt

way up the chain.

valued. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Two

When asked why he wanted to own his own body shop

thumbs up.”

business, Pierce said it’s the American Dream and he wanted

There’s plenty more to go with these two positive reviews.

to do it his way.

“Phillip did an unbelievable job restoring my son’s car after

“I’ve always wanted to maintain the quality to my

hitting a deer and almost totaled it,” Alice Underwood Smith

expectations,” he said. “I have never been able to do that until I

posted. “He was incredibly easy to deal with; his work was

was able to work for myself as an owner.”

of the highest quality and the finished product was perfect! I

The expectations aren’t only to make sure the automobile

highly recommend Absolute Collision for all of your auto

looks brand new, but customer service and satisfaction is crucial

body repairs.”

to Pierce as well. He said when it comes to every customer, he

With the determination to bring the best quality to his

makes sure that they are happy, make sure they feel like they

customers and the abundance of positive reviews that Absolute

got the right communication during the repair process, and to

Collision has received, it’s no wonder why they are highly

make sure they feel comfortable and welcomed doing business

regarded as one of the best auto body and local business in

with them.

the Smith Mountain Lake area. For Pierce, the lake has treated

“That’s our number one goal,” Pierce said.

him and his business wonderfully, and he wouldn’t want to do

What kind of services can customers expect at Absolute

it anywhere else.

Collision? Pierce said they do complete collision repair on new

“It’s a great and very supportive community,” he said. “The

or late model vehicles and bring the best-equipped shop with

lake has been good to us.”

the best-trained technicians in the immediate area.

The shop is located at 95 Spring Lake Drive in Moneta and

“We bring specialism to the repair process; we use the

can be reached at 540-721-4000.•

11

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

H

aving served in the Smith Mountain Lake area since 2009, Westlake Automotive has been one of the most recognizable and productive car repair garages around the community.

Its notoriety earned it a spot as one of the 2020 Lake Life Best of the Best businesses voted on by readers of Lake Life and the Smith Mountain Eagle.

What all does Westlake Automotive offer from a service standpoint? Actually, a better question would be: What doesn’t Westlake Automotive offer from a service standpoint?

Some of the services are: oil changes, tires, computerized laser alignments, brake repair specialists, steering and suspension, engine work, emission control repairs, electrical systems and much more. Westlake Automotive is an eight-employee business, with three in the front office and five working as technicians.

Westlake Automotive co-owner Roger Thomas has been in the mechanics field since 1969 and started working with cars when he was in high school. He worked in part stores, service stations, a Chrysler dealership, and then as a master tech until 1983. That’s when he decided to go into the management side of the business.

Why, though? It took words of encouragement from his former boss.

“The gentleman that I worked for at that time, which was the owner of Ford dealerships, thought that I would be a good person to get into the management side instead of just pulling wrenches the rest of my life. He kind of helped guide me along,” he said.

From there, Thomas was a service manager, service director, general manager to a used car facility, and continued down the management path until Westlake Automotive was founded, which he co-owns with Paul Hazelhoff and Ricky Hodges.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” he said.

Thomas said he built his business around SML because he felt it was a good opportunity for an upscale facility, and they make sure they offer the top quality and care to the people around the lake area. They opened their garage doors for service in 2009 during the great recession. So as one can imagine, there was great risk starting a new business when the economy was at one of its lowest points.

WESTLAKE AUTOMOTIVE IS ONE OF THE BEST GARAGES AT SML

By William Seidel

Pictured at right: The front of Westlake Automative.

Photo by William Seidel/Lake Life.

Below from left: Owners of Westlake Automotive: Roger Thomas, Ricky Hodges, and Paul Hazelhoff.

Photo contributed.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

12

Best of the Best

Thomas was quick to point out they had help from friends who were in the automobile business, equipment business and part supply business.

“Everybody kind of pitched in to make sure that we made it work,” he said.

Not only did his friends in the auto industry helped him, but the community as well, who has stuck with Thomas and his mechanic crew these past 11 years from the great recession to even now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s easy to see how well received Westlake Automotive is when one reads their reviews.

“Top notch repair facility,” Darnell Wood posted on social media. “Great customer service, honest and reliable. They have saved me hundreds of dollars in unnecessary charges by some other repair facilities that wanted to rip us off. One of the best repair facilities I have dealt with in my 45 years of owning a vehicle. When my sons come from Atlanta and Pittsburgh, they take their vehicles for service at Westlake also.”

Jay Furick posted on Google reviews: “Can’t say enough good

things about them. High quality work, trust-worthy, fair prices, friendly and attentive staff, spotless facility. Best place I have ever dealt with in 60 years of driving.”

Another post on Google reviews by Doug Morrison read: “I have never had better automotive service in my life. They always go above and beyond. Prices are very reasonable. Nice waiting area with tv, wifi, and coffee. If your car is beyond repair, they can help you find a replacement used car too.”

For Thomas, serving his customers and making sure they get the best experience is his top priority. It’s a major reason why Westlake Automotive is one the more popular businesses around SML. “That’s our number one priority, to make sure our customers are taken care of, get their repair done, and that they understand what they are spending the money for,” he said.

The garage is located at 13720 Booker T Washington Highway in Moneta and can be reached at 540-721-0700.• 13

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

N NAPOLI COWBOY A FAN FAVORITE AROUND SML

apoli Cowboy has been a popular destination in the Smith Mountain Lake (SML) community for three years since it opened, and it’s also one of

the lake’s most unique restaurants, offering a taste of Italy and Texas.

It also happens to be a favorite of Lake Life and Smith

Mountain Eagle readers, winning a 2020 Lake Life Best of the Best award.

Owner Ray Wilson said half of his family originates from

Naples, Italy. The Italian word for Naples is Napoli, and Wilson said he dreamt of the world Napoli with a cowboy hat on it because he and part of his family were from Dallas, Texas. The restaurant serves family recipes from both areas.

“It’s like eating at little Italy in New York or having

barbeques in Dallas,” said Wilson.

Having been a resident of SML for around 14 years, Wilson

had never owned a restaurant or any type of business until Napoli Cowboy. He recalls the time he spent at the restaurant when it was known as Dudley Mart & Restaurant and Ole School Sports Pub and Grill, wanting to watch the Dallas Cowboys play but they weren’t aired.

He said he had two choices: go to Roanoke and watch the

Cowboy games, or buy a bar. Wilson chose the latter, and the restaurant has seen lots of success, including appearances on Fox News and NBC Daytime Virginia, according to the company website. Wilson said the appearance on Fox News

By William Seidel

came two weeks after opening.

“We were open for two weeks, and we were already on Fox TV, because an executive from Fox had a steak in our restaurant, and she said, ‘I got to get you guys on air,’” he said.

As for the food offered, Napoli Cowboy is known for its lasagna, ribs, steaks and more. All of it is made from scratch, including all of its sauces, which can take about six and a half hours to make. Even the pizza sauce is hand made at Napoli Cowboy, and Wilson said they don’t use canned L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

14

Best of the Best

Pictured is the front of Napoli Cowboy.

Photo sourced from www.napolicowboy.com

sauce at all.

“The worst thing about our menu is that you can’t eat it all,”

Wilson mentioned that they hand cut their prime ribs

he said.

and steaks. All the seafood is always served fresh, whether

He gave an example and said when it comes to the lasagna,

flounder, sea bass, swordfish and more. Wilson said they

95-98 percent of people who come into the restaurant can’t

also have specials every week.

finish the dish because there is so much of it.

He added that there is no filler food on the menu, and he said somebody could pick something on the menu blindfolded

Another dish that is in the experiment phase right now for

and believe they lucked out by picking the best dish on

Napoli Cowboy is a Chicago-like deep-dish pizza.

the menu.

“We’re playing with it, so we get it right before we start

With all the positives surrounding Napoli Cowboy with

selling it,” Wilson said.

their food quality and service, it might be hard to find a

The restaurant is located at 6674 Burnt Chimney Road in

negative component. Wilson said there is one bad thing about the restaurant, and it relates to food servings.

Wirtz and can be reached at 540-238-2142.• 15

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

RSI RENTALS OFFERS PROPERTY RENTAL MANAGEMENT

T

he year 2020 has provided unprecedented surprises, health troubles, economic woes, political turmoil and strange events, but one thing that shouldn’t come as

a surprise to Smith Mountain Lake residents is RSI Rentals Inc. being named to the 2020 Lake Life’s Best of the Best list.

The Smith Mountain Lake vacation rental agency is owned by Tammy Schiemann and located in Moneta.

By Jeffrey Westbrook

“We’re honored to be recognized for this award,” Shiemann said.

She noted that there are several other rental agencies in the

Pictured, from left: Staff members of RSI Rentals Inc. enjoy their time on a boat on Smith Mountain Lake. Photo contributed.

People enjoying Smith Mountain Lake. Stock Image.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

area, and they often work with them. RSI Rentals has been in business for nearly 20 years, and the business has grown during 16

Best of the Best that time, along with the vacation rentals industry in the area.

“We’re pleased to see the growth of tourism in the Smith Mountain Lake area as more visitors make it their vacation destination,” she added.

For lake area property owners wishing to lease their homes and visitors who are looking for vacation rental properties along the beautiful shores of Smith Mountain Lake, RSI Rentals is known to provide professional quality service. Those looking for long-term rentals have also come to the right place at RSI. “The primary focus of our company is to serve our owners and tenants with the utmost of professionalism and honesty,” the agency states on its website. “As rental specialists, we assist our clients in helping to determine the vacation rental that will best suit their needs.”

The agency attributes its many repeat customers to its “courteous, prompt, and personal service.”

While a plethora of private homes and condos on the lake are available for rental, only the best qualify for RSI’s representation.

“Our rental homes must meet the rigorous standards at RSI Rentals, Inc. and we, therefore choose them diligently,” the

Voted Best Rental Company

company states. “We strive to maintain only superior quality homes in our rental program.”

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Lake Life’s

RSI encourages property owners: “Your property is a valuable

Best of ssML ML

investment, and RSI Rentals, Inc. is committed to providing you with the best service available. Whether you are a current Smith Mountain Lake rental property owner or are considering a purchase, our management philosophy is simple. Care for the investment with an eye on expenses while striving to achieve the best possible return on your investment.”

The services offered to property owners include marketing suggestions and pricing recommendations.

The award-winning team at RSI seeks to make the lakeside

Vacation Rentals at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

property rental experience as pleasant as possible for both renters and owners.

Specializing in beautiful lakefront vacation homes and area long-term rentals.

“At RSI Rentals, Inc. we take the stress out of rentals and the anxiety out of absentee ownership,” the company states.

CONDOMINIUMS • TOWNHOMES SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

To find your next vacation destination, or to list your property for rent, contact the professionals at RSI Rentals Inc. at 540-721-

16525 Booker T. Washington Hwy, Moneta, VA 24121 540-721-9797 • www.rsirentals.com

9797, rsirentals.com or 16525 Booker T. Washington Highway in Moneta.• 17

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

McDaniel provides award-winning real estate service

By Jeffrey Westbrook

D

espite the shutdown of society in the spring of this

McDaniel’s awards match her sales production. She is a

year, the real estate market in the Smith Mountain

three-time top realtor of Roanoke Valley, has been a Diamond

Lake area boomed when things started opening

Award winner for most of her career and “prides herself in

up again.

helping others find their dream home on the lake.”

Smith Mountain Lake resident Glenda McDaniel has won the

The award winner serves the counties of Bedford, Franklin,

title of Best Realtor in the 2020 Lake Life Best of the Best contest

Pittsylvania and Roanoke, as well as the city of Roanoke.

voted on by readers of Lake Life and Smith Mountain Eagle. She

McDaniel specializes in all types of real estate: “commercial

is an agent with Long & Foster Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta.

investment property, new construction, vacation properties,

She is a native of the lake area and has been a top producing

relocations, country homes, foreclosure, senior living, resale

agent with the firm since 1988 when she became a licensed

residential, condominiums, eco-friendly design and construction,

realtor. According to her website, she “specializes in Smith

waterfront, single family homes and townhomes, and

Mountain Lake properties including waterfront lots, Lake homes,

luxury” properties.

condos, and townhomes.”

McDaniel has been married to her husband for 25 years, and

“I really appreciate all the people that voted for me. It is really

the couple lives locally with their two sons.

important for me to take care of my clients and help them find

“I really enjoy what I do and look forward to being of

their dream property,” the award-winning realtor commented.

service to the people of the Smith Mountain Lake community,”

She works with both buyers and sellers in the home

she remarked.

selling process.

Her office is located at 16869 Moneta Road in Moneta, and

“I enjoy using all the years of experience I have and sharing my knowledge with buyers and sellers,” she said.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

she can be reached at 540-297-4111. • 18

Glenda McDaniel THE SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE SPECIALIST

www.TheLakeSpecialist.com

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Lake Life’s

16869 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA 24121 • 540-797-2247 • Licensed in the State of Virginia

Best of ssML ML

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Lake Life’s BBEst Est of ssML ML

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

BEST LISTING AGENT! • 40 Combined Years of Experience • Both Natives of Smith Mountain Lake • Knowledgeable and Dependable • Let Us Be Your 24/7 Realtors!

Phyllis & Casey

Johnson Phyllis: 540-537-5312

Casey: 540-537-0299

BestLakeBuys.com phyllis@bestlakebuys.com

YoUR 24/7 REALtoRs L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

20

REMAX Lakefront Realty, Inc.

MEMBER OF THE REMAX HALL OF FAME

PHyLLIs & CAsEy

JOHnsOn

REMAX Lakefront Realty, Inc. Combined 40 years of Experience

Phyllis: 540-537-5312 • Casey: 540-537-0299

BestLakeBuys.com

Toll Free: 800-296-3923 Email: phyllis@bestlakebuys.com 16451 Booker T. Washington Hwy, Moneta, VA 24121 • Associate Broker, GRI

Privacy Paradise with this Brick Lakefront Home, 5 acres and 366’ of waterfront • $799,900 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage attached and (2) 40 ‘ x 40’ detached garages and connected by a 20’ x 40’ breezeway which provides parking for a RV. Great room w/ gas fireplace, formal dining room, breakfast bar & dining area, main level living, lower level can be in-law quarters w/ kitchenette, family room, bedrooms, bath & 2nd laundry, large area on lower level set up as sixth bedroom, 4th bath roughed-in, guest bunk house w/1/2 bath close to cabana. Lots of banana trees, decorative fish pond and waterfall, fantastic view of the main channel but tucked away from the boat traffic. Great location and only 10 minutes from the Westlake area. MLS #870848

$289,900

$139,900

LAKE ACCESS HOME

3 BR, 2.5 BA, 2 Car Garage, MLS#866774

$199,900

BrICK rANCH CLOSE tO tHE LAKE

3 BR, 2 BA, Screened Porch, Full Basement, Family Room, LR, Single Car Garage & Carport 21

GrEAt StArtEr HOME

4 BR, 2 1/2 BA w/ Huge Oversized Detached 2 Car Garage w/ Workshop Area, Public Water and Sewer

The english esTaTes • 31 lOTs FOR sale

PRices sTaRTing aT $19,900 • Located near “The Waterfront” Golf Community Lot 1A - w/ House .$139,900 Lot 2A .....................$19,900 Lot 3 .......................$19,900 Lot 4 .......................$19,900 Lot 5 .......................$19,900 Lot 6 .......................$19,900 Lot 7 .......................$22,900 Lot 8 .......................$22,900 Lot 9 .......................$69,900 Lot 10 .....................$24,900 Lot 11 .....................$25,900

• • • • • • •

Lot 12 .....................$22,900 • Lot 23 SOLD ......$69,900 Lot 13 .....................$24,900 • Lot 24 .....................$29,900 Lot 14 .....................$24,900 • Lot 25 .....................$29,900 Lot 15 .....................$24,900 Lot 26 .....................$24,900 Lot 16 SOLD .......$24,900 Lot 27 .....................$24,900 Lot 17 .....................$24,900 Lot 28 .....................$24,900 Lot 18 .....................$24,900 • Lot 29 .....................$24,900 Lot 19 .....................$24,900 • Lot 30 .....................$24,900 Lot 20 .....................$24,900 • Lot 31 .....................$24,900 Lot 21 .....................$24,900 • Lot 32 .....................$49,900 BEST OF THE BEST Lot 22 .....................$29,900

• • • • •

2020

Local Spotlights

Local filmmaker

By Charles Conrad

takes film to international stage

Pictured, from top left: Austin Smith entered his short film “Neal’s Timely Epic Savage Delivery of Kung Pao” into the international competition My RODE Reel 2020. Cover photo for Austin Smith’s short film “Neal’s Timely Epic Savage Delivery of Kung Pao.” Photos Contributed/Austin Smith.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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Local Spotlights

A

ustin Smith, a resident of Bedford and owner of DmanFilms Weddings & Events, is passionate about filmmaking — so much so that he submits his work on

champion Appomattox County High School Raiders varsity football head coach Doug Smith.

After graduating from Brookville High School in Campbell

the international stage.

County, where his father was the former Bees football coach,

Recently, he entered a three-minute film production titled

Austin Smith went on to graduate from the Regent University

“Neal’s Timely Epic Savage Delivery of Kung Pao” into

Film School in 2020. Smith’s interest in filmmaking sparked as

international competition My RODE Reel 2020. According to

a young boy who watched his father and sister make their own

Smith, it is the largest short film competition in the world with

amateur or home video films.

over 2,000 entries this year. The virtual competition offers total

“When I was younger, my dad when he was in college did

cash prizes of $1 million as well as $1 million of film equipment,

videos, and even when he was out of college — and there were,

all prizes being spread out among various winners.

you know, bad quality big ole’ camcorders. But he’d always

Although he didn’t end up placing in the competition, his last

loved to do things like that, and so I always watched these

film project, through Regent University, which is titled “Cold

videos that he made,” he said.

Mind,” is currently going through the competition circuits and

Smith has been making films for the past 14 years, since age

has won eight awards so far, in addition to being shown at a

10, but got into serious semi-professional and independent

London film festival.

film making within the last five years. He also created YouTube

As for “Neal’s Timely Epic Savage Delivery of Kung Pao,”

videos during high school. Currently, he earns a living through

Smith describes the film, which features two human characters

freelance editing, filming weddings and videography. But he is

filmed in a comic book style with a lot of quick cuts, as a

hoping to move to Los Angeles with a few friends with the hope

“comedy, and it’s goofy and whacky and fun, and it’s got a

of increasing his career opportunities. He had already gone

dark ending — it’s got a twist ending where it’s like, ‘I didn’t

to Los Angeles on an internship that was cut short due to the

expect that.’”

coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s about a delivery boy who has this meteorite that’s able

Another life event that peaked his interest in film production

to reset time, and he’s delivering Kung Pao to this man who

evolved around his sister Noelle, who had just begun working

claims to say that he actually ordered Yang Chow. It’s this

in modeling when she was noticed as a potential cast member

conflict between the delivery boy and this guy who ordered the

for a reality TV show named “Scouted,” which aired on the E!

food. And the delivery boy can reset time, so he knows the guy

Network for eight episodes in 2011-2012. The show’s premise

ordered Kung Pao, and it’s just this constant trying to convince

was scouting for models, and the producers wanted a “country

this dude that he’s wrong. Both the characters have big egos

girl” as a balance to the “city girl” models.

When the film crew came to Appomattox, Virginia, Smith

going head-to-head,” Smith said.

The film’s setting is based on present-day Phoenix, Arizona,

was fascinated with their high-tech modern equipment. But,

with a style reminiscent of 1980s pop culture. The delivery boy

ultimately, his sister’s casting never materialized — the family

is an eccentric character who wears hipster glasses, a bandana

was considered, perhaps, as too well-adjusted.

and a gold chain, and drives a yellow 2019 Ford Mustang.

“We didn’t even make it on the show because they said we

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were too — we didn’t have enough drama in our family — it was

for filmmakers.

too boring for reality TV,” he said.

Smith had plenty of help on the film, primarily co-writer

Smith’s long-term goal is to direct feature films, but he

Harrison Dove-Green, camera and lighting assistant Deborah

realizes that reaching that goal is a steep climb that won’t

Shearer, and production design assistants Mary Lockwood-

happen overnight.

“That’s the top of the ladder, the hardest thing to get to,” he

Lirazan and Autumn Swartz.

Before carving out his own niche in the film industry, Smith

said. “But for right now, I’m known for my editing. And I like

was mostly known for being the son of four-time Class 2 state

to write, too, so I’d love to be a director/screenwriter, which 23

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

Local Spotlights is kind of what you have to be now because you can’t just go

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To maintain emotional and creative balance, Smith is flexible about filing in a variety of genres.

For instance, “Cold Mind” is about a man stuck in a West Virginia coal mine who becomes suicidal. It was filmed on location at an actual cole mine in Beckley, W.V. “It was after doing that, my emotional state was so worn out; I was like, ‘Let’s do something fun now.’ So, it goes back and

10

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Smith’s favorite script technique in filming drama is to leave

OFF

the audience wanting to know more at the end of the film without sacrificing the resolution of the storyline.

“Out of all dramas, I do love ending films with a question,” he said. “So, I don’t really like resolving things fully. The story definitely needs to be resolved because if you don’t resolve the

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ending it with a slight little cliffhanger that leaves a question. I’ve done that for a lot of my films, and a few of them have done really well in festivals and competitions because of that.”

While Smith doesn’t have one favorite film director, he

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admires South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, whose Oscar winning 2019 movie “Parasite” earned him the distinction of becoming the first ever international director to win Best Picture at the Oscar Awards.

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Will Smith and Emily Blunt are two of his favorite actors, and the films “I Am Legend” (2007) and “Arrival” (2016) are two that influenced him to pursue his career path.

Smith’s

short

film

“Neal’s

Timely

Epic

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Delivery of Kung Pao” can be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie78FMluXsk.

The

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPaG9GS7hOM. Smith’s YouTube channel can be found by searching DmanFilms on the website. The company Dman Films Weddings & Events is on Facebook.

Smith’s Internet Movie Database (IMDb) profile is located at www.imdb.com/name/nm8921106.

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Local Spotlights

Hay bale sculptures becoming famous at SML

By William Seidel

T

hose who drove past the Huddleston Post Office before Christmas saw a display that looks familiar around this time of year. A Charlie Brown Christmas hay bale sculpture, created by Beth Bays of Buckscrape Farm, brought the Christmas spirit to the Smith Mountain Lake area in a unique way, but it isn’t her first time creating hay sculptures.

“The Bedford Farm Bureau was doing a hay bale decorating contest, and I thought I would do it,” she said.

That’s when Bays put together a big Teddy Bear hay sculpture, and it received lots of positive comments from the community.

This prompted Bays to keep building hay sculptures for the past nine years.

Within the last year, her hay bale sculpture of Willie Nelson called “Will-Hay Nelson” went viral and was featured locally in the Smith Mountain Eagle but also reached other areas via the Associated Press, Daily Press and other media outlets. Her latest one has gotten some attention as well.

Bays recalls watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and said it was a quintessential childhood memory of the holidays. That wasn’t her inspiration for creating this sculpture though — it was because of a controversial decision on the cable spectrum.

Recently, Apple TV+ made a deal with Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions to be the new home for all Peanuts classics, which means the beloved episodes of Charlie Brown won’t air on CBS like in years past. There will be a special ad-free airing of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on PBS on Dec. 13.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

“That really burned me up,” she said. “That was the inspiration to creating it.”

The Peanuts hay sculptures were a good size as well. Snoopy stood at about six feet tall, Woodstock was around four feet, and Charlie Brown stood at about 15 feet tall. The sculpture also featured the iconic little Christmas tree with the heavy ornament that bends the top over to one side.

The entire project took Bays about a week to create, and the color came from spray paint. Bays said she used about 40 cans of spray paint for her sculptures. On whether this is her favorite sculpture project yet, she said it’s up there as one of her favorites.

“I definitely do think it’s one of my favorites,” she said. “I’ve always loved Charlie Brown. I had a Snoopy pillow that my granny made me when I was little, and I slept with it my entire life.

This was pretty special.”

Those who drive by at night also will see the doghouse and the tree light up with solar lights, which Bays enjoys.

She also has noticed more people than normal stopping by and telling her how much they enjoy the sculpture and how much it means to them. Seeing these types of reactions make it all that much better for Bays.

“They have sent pictures all over the world to their families,” she said. “One afternoon when we left to go to lunch, there were people out there in Christmas pajamas and hats with a camera on the tripod taking their Christmas card photos. It was so cute.”• 26

Local Spotlights

Pictured, from top: Shown is a Charlie Brown Christmas hay sculpture displayed at Buckscrape Farm in Huddleston next to the Huddleston Post Office. It was designed and created by Beth Bays, who has made many other hay bale creations over the past nine years after the Bedford Farm Bureau Young Farmers organization had a contest for hay bale decorating. Photo by William Seidel/Lake Life.

Pictured is an archived photo of a hay bale art piece located at Buckscrape Farm in Huddleston entitled “Will-Hay Nelson� that became a local viral sensation on social media at the end of 2019.

Photo by Peter Mason/Lake Life.

27

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

Local Spotlights

SML YMCA DIRECTOR EXCITED TO SHOWCASE SMALL BUSINESSES Pictured is one of the vendors set up at Vendor Blendor at Smith Mountain Lake YMCA in December. Photo contributed.

By William Seidel

T

he Smith Mountain Lake YMCA, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was a popular destination filled with members and visitors taking part in numerous physical activities such as playing basketball, working with personal trainers, spending time on the cardio equipment, and much more.

But then pandemic hit and changed everything.

Since then, the Y is back open 24/7 but currently open only to members. The Y also holds lots of events and was planning on doing a Carnivale Steel Drum concert that would be a Mardi Gras theme, bluegrass concert featuring Ricky Ellis and the Banjo Mites, and holiday concert with Last Illusion, a tribute band for the TransSiberian Orchestra, but all of them had to be rescheduled.

Andrea Fansler, who is the director of the Y, said with the numerous events canceled, she and the rest of the community were itching to do something.

“With the number restrictions and all the COVID-19 restrictions, it was really hard to figure out what to do,” she said.

That’s when Vendor Blender, which was held in December, first came into thought. Fansler believed it could work having 10 vendors spread out on the tennis courts and having 25 people at a time. She also said that it was one person per booth, which allowed more people to be on the courts spectating and potentially buying.

The theme was all-encompassing, so anyone could take part, and it featured a combination of big and small local businesses.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

The vendors that were involved were Victoria’s Secret, Lilly Pulitzer, PINK & Nike, Athleta–J.Crew, and COACH & Under Armour.

The small local businesses involved were Pampered Chef, Stella & Dot, Scentsy & Mary Kay, Sassy Creations, and LulaRoe. With it being first time the SML Y did an event like this, Fanlser wasn’t nervous at all, rather ready to get it going.

“I was very excited to be able to showcase the facility and to give the community something to look forward to,” she said.

The SML YMCA is a nonprofit organization, and the events are normally fundraisers to help financially. It’s safe to say this event went very well, according to Fanlser.

Around 100 people come through the doors in the three hours the event took place. The amount that was raised for the Y was not disclosed, but there is no denying the success this little experiment of an event saw. According to Fansler, this type of event might actually be hosted by the Y multiple times throughout the year now.

“I was very satisfied, and everybody there was satisfied. They were all excited about how they did and how many people came through the doors,” she said.

Fansler also said that staff members at the Y were happy they were able to give the community something to do during these trying times and mentioned it will always be like that.

“The Y is there for the community,” she said.• 28

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Sports Spotlights

T

BROWN LOOKS FORWARD TO PLAYING FOR RAMS

he Staunton River High School (SRHS) baseball team has yet another player who will continue his baseball career at the college ranks. Senior outfielder Aidan

Brown committed to Bluefield College and will major in pre-physical therapy during his time as a student-athlete for the Rams.

This comes as a little bit of a shocker for Brown, who had multiple offers but was ultimately deciding between Concord, Lynchburg and Bridgewater. Brown recently went to a camp at Calfee Park, which is home to the Pulaski Yankees, and the Bluefield coaches were in attendance. The level of interest was mutual on both sides. He then went for a visit and got to tour the campus and get to know a little bit more about the baseball program. The rest was history for the multiple sports star.

“The baseball program is really good, and they do a lot with their players to continuously get better,” he said. “They want to

By William Seidel

win, and they want to win on a national scale, too, so that was the biggest thing that kind of reeled me in.”

Staunton River High School (SRHS) baseball outfielder Aidan Brown recently committed to Bluefield College.

Photo contributed.

He also said he believes he can to come in and make an impact from day one and help them move forward in the right direction.

“I think I’ll be able to do that,” Brown said.

The confidence Brown has doesn’t come as a surprise

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

30

Sports Spotlights to his teammates and his coaches, especially his baseball coach Brian Divers. Divers said that Brown has been a fouryear starter for the Golden Eagles and believes the Rams are getting a steal in the speedy outfielder.

“He’s

a

very

confident

player,

extremely

hard

working, team-first player and a great leader,” he said.

“Brown is going to be an outstanding player at Bluefield for sure.”

One aspect that sticks out with Brown is his intelligence on the field. Not only did Divers point out Brown’s high IQ, but on

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the football side, his defensive coordinator, Hunter Sheperd, also had high praises by calling Brown the “brains on the field.”

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“He is by far the smartest player we got, in my opinion,” Sheperd said.

Divers mentioned that his first two years on varsity, Brown was used as a situational type hitter to try and move runners

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over. Brown’s junior year is when the coaching staff saw him take a big step being a hitter, and Divers mentioned he was

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going to be an important bat in the lineup last year.

“This past year, he just kind of exploded as an offensive player,” Divers said. “We could see it in practice just how much he had worked and how much he had developed.”

He mentioned that Brown has tremendous speed that can be dangerous on the base paths, has great gap-to-gap power, and can handle any pitch without trouble.

“He’s got a lot of tools on the offensive side,” Divers said.

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Unfortunately, Brown was not able to show off his improved bat due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling all spring sports in the 2020 season. Brown hopes to be able to showcase his improved skills in his last year playing for SRHS. Although the Golden Eagles lost a lot of talent from last year, Brown and the rest of the senior class is ready to show everyone that they’re not going anywhere.

“We want to win, and we want to keep our winning tradition going,” he said. “We’ve had 10 years of winning season, and we’re going to keep that tradition going.”

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Divers said he will depend on Brown to help lead the team and also noted that he believes his players have more confidence on the field when Brown is on the field with them.

“As Aidan goes, the team goes,” he said.• 31

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

Sports Spotlights

Steady and A relentless:

ll football teams, no matter what level, can agree to one thing: Games are won at the line of scrimmage both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Simply put, playmakers on offense can’t make plays if they are hit in the backfield or holes aren’t opening up to run through.

Staunton River High School (SRHS) seniors and cousins Jonah

Tuck cousins look to anchor the O-line for SRHS

and Kobie Tuck will be the only two seniors on the offensive

By William Seidel

Wing-T. The offensive line needs to be athletic, be able to pull,

line this year, as the Golden Eagles will look to run the Pistol and block at different angles in this type of offense. Both Jonah and Kobie Tuck noted that they, along with every other high

Staunton River High School seniors and cousins Jonah and Kobie Tuck will look to lead a young offensive line for the Golden Eagles. Photo by William Seidel/Lake Life.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

school football teams in Virginia, haven’t been able to practice their blocking assignments, pad level or test their composure in 32

Sports Spotlights

heated situations.

“We haven’t been able to touch any type of pads or hit in over a year,” said Kobie Tuck. “We haven’t been able to get any of that stuff in during practice.

We’ve just been lifting, running and working on fundamentals.”

As an offensive lineman, their assignments are simple. Be the most aggressive and push your opponent back or on their backside. The details within these assignments is another story. It takes footwork, positioning, hand placement and much more. The offensive line has been working on this all summer and fall during practices. From a physicality standpoint, not hitting is a setback to anyone, but these two feel that hitting the fundamentals will help them in the long run this season.

“The coaches always preach to us that the lowest man wins, and that’s one area we’ve been practicing,” said Jonah Tuck. “We’ve been working on positioning and footwork a lot.”

This will be important for the SRHS football team, as they have always been at a disadvantage size-wise on the line. Head coach Shaun Leonard can back that up from personal experience. Having been with the football program for 13 years, Leonard said there haven’t been many instances where the Golden Eagles have lined up and were bigger than their opponent on the other side of the line.

“I can’t remember a year where we had a bigger line on the field than the team we were playing,” Leonard said.

Jonah and Kobie Tuck stand at 5’10 and 5’9, respectively. With that in mind, Leonard added that they needed to run an offense where the line can be strong from an angle rather than head on. He said both Jonah and Kobie Tuck really excel in that area.

As far as what they bring to the field from a player standpoint, Leonard said he will depend on both of them to help gel the young offensive line together and pointed out their strengths. For Kobie Tuck, Leonard said not only is he one of the more confident lineman on the team but probably the best with the relentless effort he brings on every play.

“If there is a kid that I need to run behind, it’s going to be him,” Leonard said.

“He might not have the size advantage, but we know we’re going to get 100 percent from Kobie Tuck every single play until they cart him off the field. That’s just the mentality he brings.”

An example of Kobie Tuck’s toughness comes against Lord Botetourt High School, where he lined up against now 6’6 junior Gunner Givens, who is a five-star recruit on 247sports.com. Weighing in at around 270 pounds, Givens currently holds offers from Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Penn State, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, Florida, Tennessee, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame and many more division one schools.

“I was constantly going at him even though he tossed me around a couple of times,” Kobie Tuck said. “It was rough, but I didn’t make it easy for him. I gave him a haul every play.”

Leonard said Jonah Tuck brings more finesse to his position and is more analytical in figuring out how to approach his defender instead of 33

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

Sports Spotlights overpowering them.

“He’s not a bull in a China shop, but he’s going to figure out how to do his part and do everything he can to make his blocks as successful as possible,” Leonard said. “In ways, he’s our steady kid.”

In an offseason full of uncertainty, a team needs its leaders to be a steady presence and not be shaken by any circumstances.

Jonah Tuck has said it will be important to be a voice of reason and help teach the young inexperienced players who will be lining up beside him and Kobie Tuck.

“Big part for both of us on the line is we’re going to bring in leadership and one thing we’ve took pride in is never giving up,” Jonah Tuck said. “You’ll see a lot of that from both of us this season.”

Both Jonah and Kobie mentioned they have had a busy offseason in the spring and summer just trying to find any gym they could to lift weights with the other seniors. They’ve also added that they had been watching a lot of film to get their mental reps in and to point out the mistakes, so they can correct it this season. Leonard has took note of this and seen the time watching film pay off for both Jonah and Kobie Tuck.

“Both have been very knowledgeable in helping answering questions, especially over the summer by doing virtual meetings before we were ever getting the go ahead to do workouts,” Leonard said. “Both were very helpful in the offensive line talks and helping our other kids understand everything.”

Not only has Leonard seen an improvement from an IQ standpoint with both Jonah and Kobie Tuck, but he has seen improvements from the fundamental side. Leonard mentioned Kobie specifically how he has gotten a lot better with his foot work the past few weeks.

“We work on footwork drills every day that we’re there with our lineman and Kobie’s footwork, especially in the last seven to eight weeks, is a hundred times better than what it was when we first got started,” Leonard said.

With this being their last season, both Jonah and Kobie Tuck said there is no excuse with the upperclassmen they have on both sides of the ball and they will be taking it personal to help make their last season a memorable one. They feel they can see success Come See Come this year See Our New Line Our New Line “It will be tough, but I think we have a good chance at being Of Manitou above a .500 team,” said Jonah Tuck.• Of Manitou

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Lot 1B Alberts Way Lynch Station, VA 24571 Total Acreage: 7.50

$125,000

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Lot 18 Jeramiah Run Lynch Station, VA 24571 Total Acreage: 1.11

AMAZING & GENTLE LAKE FRONT VALUE

Lot 120 Island Point Drive Gretna, VA 24557 Total Acreage: 2.28

$145,000

$67,500

MLS#802251

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Lot 104 8170 Tolers Ferry FROM THE TOP OF SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FRONT VIEWS Greenberry Drive Road Pittsville, VA Pittsville, VA est, 174Farm, Acre Horse Farm, is on the One market! of Franklin County’ s finest e Horse is on the market!

24139 24139 d, Penhook, VA 24137 • $ 1,600,000 • MLS#874616 1540 & 1704 Listening Hill Road, P 24137 • $ 1,600,000 • MLS#874616 Total Acreage: TotalsAcreage: pdated Farm house, This and gorgeous a 2013 low-maintenance country estate has one-level 2home homes: foreman’ character s home toupda use, and a 2013 low-maintenance one-level foreman’ s toa 50’ 0.69 51.75 Barn; Morton 22x28 care-for Art/Hobby andbeams work Studio the w/pine Ranch. beams Nice almost-new on cathedral Morton ceiling; 4 Morton stalls Bar x28 Art/Hobby Studio w/pine on cathedral ceiling; Morton 00’s wooden cowboy Hay cabin; storage/Maintenance numerous horse run-ins; 30x48 Tractor wood-shed barn, rustic and early a fully 1900’s wboy cabin; numerous horse run-ins; wood-shed barn, and a Barn; fully $199,900 $395,000 , dotThere the landscape. fenced There ARENA are 3and stocked riding ring, Ponds, and and multiple 175 acres gated/fenced of great hunting, pastures, ondo ape. are 3 stocked Ponds, 175 acres of great hunting, on MLS#866836 MLS#870523 me woods, bordering gently over rolling, 3000’ mostly on the pasture Pigg River land with withtobacco a sandybarns swim-beach! and some ering over 3000’ feet on the Piggfeet River with a sandy swim-beach!

AMAZING LAKE & MOUNTAIN VIEWS

“BUILD YOUR 39 DREAM HOME!”

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

Notes From The River

SOOK T

he late Bill Hudson and his wife, sitting one evening on their deck, heard what they thought was a cry for help. Bill rushed down to his boat and took

then increase the intensity to bring them to a gallop.

Calling our cows to milk was no problem; they knew they were going to get fed. Matter of fact, Earl never called them

off hurriedly without his life jacket. He met a lake warden

at all. He’d just send our dog, Dopey, to fetch them. If I was

who immediately gave him a ticket for piloting a craft on

on hand, he’d let me call, though, as he knew I liked to do it.

the lake without the safety device. As it turned out, Bill was

With beef cattle, however, it wasn’t always that simple.

exonerated in court for his obvious concern as a

They might have no sense as to why they were being called,

good citizen.

or perhaps they did, and didn’t care to answer the summons.

It turned out that the “cry for help” was his neighbor, Osby

Often the “sook” was merely to locate them so they could

Johnson, calling his cows, a sound frequently heard in the

be driven. The sounds made by those driving cattle varied

days before the River became the Lake, nearly silent today.

widely. Almost all good drovers had their own peculiar words

Calling cows was something most everyone did — at least for

of cajolement.

the morning milking, as the cows would wander farther from

In my case, I thought “Hut, hut” was useful, in the same

the barn at night than during the day.

cadence as one marching troops to mess. Sometimes I threw

I once heard my neighbor, Jerry Meador, calling, using the

in a “Hi-yah,” the cry of the cowboys on the old “Rawhide”

word “sook.” With Jerry it’s just a one-syllable, quick “sook.”

show. Some form of shouting was in order for most Road

That was somewhat unusual, as most folks drew it out more

cattlemen, though two of the best cattle handlers I ever

sonorously; i.e., “Soo-ook!” I always doubled the “oo’s”

encountered employed much quieter noises.

adding a falsetto yodel in the middle. The tendency was to

Sherman Chattin made a sound by expelling air through his compressed lips, much like a loud spit, whereas Frank

repeat the call again and again till the herd came in sight, L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

40

“Notes From The River” Series

By Glenn Ayers

Epperly stuck out his tongue and emitted a “Bronx cheer.”

we never used “soo-ee.” Nor, as I implied, did we need to

Both men achieved excellent results with their brand of

call at all. The pigs, later shoats, then hogs, would be in the

bovine audiophonics.

troughs grunting, squealing and clamoring for their slop.

Other animal calling required other noises, though I often

Often Earl would have to smack one with a stick to get its

wonder whether this was true “calling,” or just sounds as part of a ritual. Take, for instance, hog calling. There probably

nose out of the pour-spout, yet still “pig, pigging” amidst

was a time when hogs had to be enticed to come, but that

the racket.

would have been in the 19th century. At that time, domestic

Calling chickens was very similar. We’d go “bitty, bitty,

farm animals were not fenced in, but rather fenced out of the

bitty, chick, chick” while scattering grain on the ground

gardens and crops. This would make hogs wilder and warier,

or in their feeders as our poultry process became more

and require the kind of caterwauling heard at hog-calling contests. Since 1960, it’s doubtful any champion hog caller

sophisticated. Everybody I knew in the neighborhood did the

ever really called a live hog in his/her life. Still, we “called”

same except Cam Nichols who went “Pert-Pert.” I don’t know

them at their twice-a-day feedings. I can yet see and hear

how he came by that. Perhaps it was a family tradition.

Earl going down the slope to the hog barn, a five-gallon

So it was in the old days with animal calling. I miss the

bucket in each hand (“for balance” he claimed), hollering

early morning cattle calls most of all. You could pick out your

“pig, a-pig, pig, piggie, pig,” in the same guttural tone he

neighbors by their particular sound, and it was a sound of

used to quiet cows during milking.

music. That’s why it was good to hear Jerry Meador at it one

Those various combinations of “Pig, piggie,” following “soo-ee,” are the heart and soul of the calling contests, but

morning, despite the half-notes of his call.• 41

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE SNAPSHOTS SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS Send in your scenic photos of the Smith Mountain Lake area for a chance to be published in Lake Life magazine and Smith Mountain Eagle newspaper. Email quality photos at less than 10MB to C.E. Adams at editor@smithmountaineagle.com.

Please include name of person who took the photo and where and when the photo was taken.

Smith Mountain Lake. Beth Graham/Contributed Winter at Smith Mountain Lake.

Jessica “J Bohn” Bishop/Contributed A reproduction steamboat with a 102-year-old Naval engine cruises on Smith Mountain Lake for the first time. Photo contributed

Brody Witmer from Huddleston fishes off the Wooten dock in Bass Cove with Santa. Photo contributed

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

42

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE SNAPSHOTS

James Absher of Moneta submitted this and the above stunning images of Smith Mountain Lake.

James Absher/Contributed Ava, a Smith Mountain Lake puppy, is shown at 10 weeks old wearing a Christmas dress Aunt Lisa gave her.

Karen Leder/Contributed

Sunset on SML. Beth Graham/Contributed

43

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

Aerial View of Smith Mountain Lake/Stock Image

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167 167 167 Morgans Morgans Fork Fork Road Road 167 Morgans Morgans For For P.O. Box 69 P.O. Box 69 P.O. Box 69 P.O. Box 69 167 Morgans Fork Road 167 Morgans For Penhook, VA 24137 Penhook, VA 2 Penhook, VA 69 24137 Penhook, VA 69 2 P.O. Box P.O. Box Penhook, VA 24137 Penhook, VA 2

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167 Morgans Fork Road 167 Morgans Fork Road 167 Morgans Fork Road 167 Morgans Fork Road P.O. Box 69 P.O. Box 69 P.O. Box 69 P.O. Box 69 Penhook, VA 24137 Penhook, VA 24137 Penhook, 24137 VA 24137 167 MorgansVA Fork RoadPenhook, 167 Morgans Fork Road P.O. Box 69

P.O.

Box

VA

69

2

(5 (5 (5 16 16

Pe Pe 16 Pe

LODGING DIRECTORY

Lodging information sourced from Smith Mountain Lake Visitor’s Guide.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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47

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

LODGING DIRECTORY

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

48

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DINING DIRECTORY

Dining information sourced from Smith Mountain Lake Visitor’s Guide.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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family! g the whole n ri b to ce la , is a great p rly Waller’s e rm fo L, M Drifter’s at S

51

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

DINING DIRECTORY

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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53

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

EDUCATION DIRECTORY

Education information sourced from Smith Mountain Lake Visitor’s Guide.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

54

L AK E L IFE M AGA ZINE

56

HAPPY NEW YEAR When negotiating a deal on your home it is helpful to hear and understand those you are working with, isn’t it?

Have you noticed it is even more difficult to understand what people are saying with a mask?

Call Soundz Hearing CVA today to schedule your complimentary hearing evaluation.

Timothy Bratton, HIS and wife, Veronica, are eager to help you connect to the world around you again.

We continue to pray for the safety of our patients and community.

Call our office today to schedule your complimentary hearing evaluation.

SOUNDZ LYNCHBURG

T

he Bible says “He that hath EAR, let them HEAR.” Timothy Bratton, H.I.S has been helping that come to fruition for people for over twenty years. Now, he and his wife Veronica are looking forward to their third year in Lynchburg as the new owners of the Soundz Lynchburg location. Tim and Veronica are committed to continuing the mission of helping people hear and understand their loved ones with the best technology, for the best price, and with the best service.

Fairway Village at Westlake 13335-A Booker T. Washington Hwy. Hardy, VA 24101 Tim knows first hand the importance of your loved ones hearing and understanding you. His own mother and sister each have profound hearing loss. He spent several years with his mother smiling and pretending she heard and understood the family. This is one of the reasons he chose hearing as a profession, he wanted to help his family.

Tim treats all of his patients as he would want his mother treated. Our best advertisement has been our happy patients.

After having been a Liberty University student in the late 70’s it has been a profound experience for Tim to be back in Lynchburg and seeing Jerry’s vision being fulfilled. Tim recalls the days of singing “I want that mountain” and now he gets to see the Rise of LU Athletics to FBS status.

540-912-0128

Most importantly, Tim and Veronica give all the glory for Soundz’s success to Jesus. When you do business HIS way you are doing it the right way.

www.soundzhearingcva.com

2018

FINALIST

Lynchburg • 1319 Enterprise Drive, Suite A Wyndhurst • 434-239-4327 (HEAR)

www.soundzlynchburg.com

HEALTHCARE DIRECTORY

Healthcare information sourced from Smith Mountain Lake Visitor’s Guide.

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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e Fitn

B

hopp ody S

360

ll Core

+A ess LLC

Carilion Wellness Westlake

59

e The Centr

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at VitaZe

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

HEALTHCARE DIRECTORY

n aks Life Pla Brandon O

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Eye Care & Surgery

Lake Life’s Best of ssML ML

Voted Best Eye Doctor Office eye care with compassion and excellence

Taking care of your eyes is important and we are here to help! From comprehensive eye exams, contact lenses, LASIK eye surgery, diabetic eye care, glaucoma, macular degeneration, to the latest technology, including laser-assisted cataract surgery!

Call for your appointment today.

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CHURCH DIRECTORY

BAPTIST Barnhardt Baptist Church 1033 Brittle St., Goodview, (540) 890-2076 Chamblissburg Baptist Church 9226 Stewartsville Rd., Moneta, (540) 890-2105 Franklin Memorial Baptist Church 3980 Truman Hill Rd., Hardy, (540) 721-3991 Glade Hill Baptist Church 6608 Colonial Tpk., Glade Hill, (540) 576-2580 Halesford Baptist Church 2485 Lost Mountain Rd., Wirtz, (540) 721-8640 Quaker Baptist Church 4665 Chestnut Fork Rd., Bedford, (540) 297-4454 Rocky Mount Baptist Church 85 W Church St., Rocky Mount, (540) 483-2641 Sandy Level Baptist Church 10817 W. Gretna Rd., Sandy Level, (434) 927-5459 Sandy Ridge Baptist Church 231 Bonbrook Mill Rd., Rocky Mount, (540) 483-2356 Vitalize Church 84 Westlake Rd., Hardy, (540) 580-8760 White Rock Baptist Church 8730 Edwardsville Rd., Hardy, (540) 890-1236

BAPTIST-MISSIONARY Franklin Grove Missionary Baptist Church 3727 Hatchett Rd., Penhook, (540) 576-1258

BAPTIST-INDEPENDENT Goodview Baptist Church 1057 Grace Ct., Goodview, (540) 890-4822

Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church 1307 Oakwood St., Bedford, (540) 586-8988

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

BAPTIST-SOUTHERN Palestine Baptist Church 9244 SML Pkwy., Huddleston, (540) 297-4442 Radford Baptist Church 1293 Radford Church Rd., Moneta, (540) 297-5214 Staunton Baptist Church 15267 SML Pkwy., Huddleston, (540) 297-6753 Westlake Baptist Church 2075 Scruggs Rd., Moneta, (540) 721-8784 BRETHEREN Boones Chapel Church of the Bretheren 2228 Circle Creek Rd., Penhook, (540) 576-1129 Smith Mountain Lake Community Church 6675 Burnt Chimney Rd., Wirtz, (540) 721-1816 CATHOLIC St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 15 Glenwood Dr., Rocky Mount, (540) 483-9591

62

Resurrection Catholic Church 15353 Moneta Rd., Moneta, (540) 297-5530 St. Andrew’s Catholic Church 631 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, (540) 344-9814 CHRISTIAN Greater Canaan Land Church 303 Canaan Land Dr., Gretna, (434) 656-3402 Christ Community Church 14900 Old Franklin Trnpk., Penhook, (540) 576-4242 First Church of Christ, Scientist/ Christian Science Church 2901 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, (434) 845-0526 Eastlake Community Church 1118 Hendricks Store Rd., Moneta, (540) 297-0966 Faith Fellowship 100 Wirtz Rd., Wirtz, (540) 334-3477 First Church of Christ, Scientist 1155 Overland Rd., Roanoke, (540) 343-4889 Goodview Church of God 1057 Grace Ct., Goodview, (540) 890-4822 Jehovah’s Witnesses of Bedford 1534 Link Rd., Bedford, (540) 586-2035 Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witness 5969 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Wirtz, (540) 721-1212 Mt. Ivy Christian Church 5120 Scruggs Rd., Moneta, (540) 721-5060

SML Seventh Day Adventist Church 10802 Moneta Rd., Moneta, (540) 296-2225

Penhook United Methodist Church 29 Morgans Fork Rd., Penhook, (540) 576-1768

Trinity Ecumenical Parish (Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran) 40 Lakemount Dr., Moneta, (540) 721-4330

Redwood United Methodist Church 3001 Old Franklin Trnpk., Rocky Mount, (540) 483-9090

West End Church of Christ 610 Vaden Dr., Gretna, (434) 656-1072

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church 35 N Main St., Rocky Mount, (540) 483-5338

Wirtz Assemblies of God 1718 Burnt Chimney Rd., Wirtz, (540) 721-3099 EPISCOPAL Trinity Episcopal Church 15 E Church St., Rocky Mount, (540) 483-5038 St. Johns Episcopal Church 314 N Bridge St., Bedford, (540) 586-9582 St. Thomas Episcopal Church 9575 Big Island Hwy., Bedford, (540) 586-4768 GREEK ORTHODOX Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 30 Huntington Blvd. NE, Roanoke, (540) 362-3601 St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 1724 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg, (434) 384-7585

OTHER Lynchburg Korean Church 2409 Judith St., Lynchburg, (434) 847-2523 Shekijah Preparation Assembly 104 Fleetwood Dr., Lynchburg, (434) 237-7721

Three Oaks Fellowship United Methodist Church 1026 Gravel Hill Rd., Vinton, (540) 890-8300 SYNAGOGUES Agudath Shalom Synagogue 2055 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg, (434) 846-0739 Beth Israel Synagogue 920 Franklin Rd., Roanoke, (540) 343-0289 Temple Beth Shalom 129 Sutherlin Ave., Danville, (434) 792-3489 Temple Emanuel 1163 Persinger Rd., SW, Roanoke, (540) 342-3378

METHODIST Bethesda United Methodist Church 14340 Wyatts Way, Huddleston, (434) 944-8011 Bethlehem United Methodist Church 13586 S. Old Moneta Rd., Moneta, (540) 297-7957 Burnt Chimney United Methodist Church 6625 B.T. Washington Hwy., Wirtz, (540) 721-3392 Epworth United Methodist Church 60 Merriman Way Rd., Moneta, (540) 721-4926 Patmost United Methodist Church 1405 Patmos Church Rd., Huddleston, (434) 944-8011

Sourced from Smith Mountain Lake Visitor’s Guide 63

BEST OF THE BEST 2020

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may be the best time to move to King’s Grant. The confidence you get from living in a top-rated community recognized for its value and quality of care is priceless.

And the lifestyle choices you have are impressive as well.

• Thoughtfully designed cottages, many with open floor plans • An array of apartment selections, each with a balcony or patio • Welcoming garden homes surrounded by scenic backdrops • Walking trails with picturesque landscapes • A variety of health, wellness and social programs • A clubhouse where you can socialize with friends or engage in some friendly competition

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L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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SML MAP INFORMATION TO KNOW ______ RESCUE/FIRE/POLICE Emergencies: 911 RESCUE/FIRE/POLICE Bedford City and County: (540)586-4800 Franklin County: (540)483-3000 Pittsylvania County: (434)432-7800 ______ AIRPORTS Smith Mountain Lake Airport (W91): (540)297-4859 Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH): (434)455-6090 Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA): (540)362-1999 ______ BUS/RAIL SERVICES Amtrak (Lynchburg/Roanoke): (800)872-7245 Greyhound: (800) 231-2222

L AKE LIFE MAGAZINE

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NOW is the time to talk to me about selling your home!

Michelle

VANDERGRIFT Realtor, Licensed in the Commonwealth of VA

540-819-1992

Each office is independently owned and operated

mvandergrift@kw.com Serving Smith Mountain Lake, The Roanoke Valley and Surrounding Areas KELLER WILLIAMS, SERVING ALL REAL ESTATE NEEDS AT SML AND IN THE ROANOKE VALLEY

Huge Selection • Great Service Great Location Will Deliver to Smith Mountain Lake

www.lynchburgpowersports.com 434-525-8200

1036 Jubal Early Drive, Forest, VA 24551