Smith Mountain Laker - May/June 2022

water back to the

M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 2 • s m i t h m o un ta i n l a k e . c o m

With Our Boating Guide to What’s New for 2022

Plus!

Bait

FISH BREAKDOWN P. 30

Big Lake Summer Events, festivals, road trips and can’t-miss fun!

ANTIQUE BOAT SHOW • PIRATE DAYS • WINE FESTIVAL FIREWORKS • JUNETEENTH • FLOYDFEST COUNTY FAIRS • STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SIDEWALK ART SHOW • AND MORE!

Catch a Concert at

THE COVES a guide to sml’s

HOUSEs OF WORSHIP

Now Playing:

‘lake effects’ 10 years later REVISITING SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE’S HALLMARK MOVIE

SPOT A STROKE Learn the Warning Signs and Act FAST

B

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BALANCE

EYESIGHT

FACE

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CALL 911

Act FAST in response to any of these signs to improve your chances for recovery. If you get help within three hours of the first symptom, the advanced interventional treatments and fast-track Stroke Alert program available at Carilion Clinic can lessen or even eliminate the effects of a stroke.

If you or someone else has any of the BE FAST symptoms, call 911 immediately.

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SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

3

Margaret Crayé

www.lifestyleandlake.com

margaretcraye@lifestyleandlake.com

Editor’s Note 8

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Travels 12

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Calendar 80

Shorelines 16 New Threads Women’s boutique jumps from online to brick-andmortar. By Alia Boyd

Q&A |

20 Nature’s Jewlery Sandy Sampson crafts beautiful accessories from unique wood.

PROFILE |

By Ferne Hale

30 Bass Baitfish REEL ADVENTU RES

Meet the fish your prized striper eats. By Chad Gilmore

32 A Virtual Success Jess Chattin turned a pandemic layoff into a new business. By Stacey Gordon PROFILE |

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Crossword 84

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Dock Tale Hour 85

35 Lake Living Red Hot The market is booming, but supply is dwindling. By Jason Dunovant

REAL ESTATE |

36 Giving Runs Deep at SML First ever SML Gives Day is a huge success.

COMM U NITY |

By Jason Dunovant

IN THIS ISSUE

Contents

Features 44 Big Lake Summer From local events to short road trips, here’s what we’re excited to go do this season.

By Laker Staff

58 Jammin’ at The Coves Why The Coves Amphitheater is the hottest place to catch a concert this summer.

Mountain Muse

By Reed Dillon

38 Essay: House Hunting A young couple’s home tour takes an unexpected turn.

LAKE ARTISTS |

By James W. Morrison

62 Taught Among the Trees At ONE Forest School in Bedford County, the classroom is the outdoors. By Amy Dye

74 Worship at the Lake

Plus poems from Anita Firebaugh, Fran Koch and Roland Ingram and artworks from Jane Stogner.

A look at local churches and how LCM is lifting neighbors out of poverty. By Molly Hunter & Reed Dillon

68

‘LA K E EFFECTS’: 10 Y E A RS LATER

34 Sassy Start New Sassy Boutique at taiBella opens.

Q&A |

By Aila Boyd

How SML’s influence guided a Hallmark movie. By Aila Boyd

NEW BOATING GUIDE COURTESY OF YAMAHA

2022 / SML

THE BELLS AND WHISTLES TO LOOK FOR AS YOU HIT THE WATER THIS SUMMER / P. 24

Yahama’s new RecDeck expands the capacities of their PWC.

by Jerry Hale

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From Aila

W

Getting Excited for Summer

elcome to the May/June 2022 issue of after reading the column!

Laker Magazine!

If fishing isn’t you’re forte, perhaps you’d like to take advanWhile each issue of the magazine has been tage of the nice weather by attending an outdoor concert or exciting to produce thus far, this one was event. If music is your jam, Reed Dillon wrote a feature about undoubtedly special. It is my first “summer issue” since joining a concert venue with a view — The Coves. Our event calendar the publication last year. As we all know, Smith Mountain Lake also has an exhaustive list of the fun activities you can engage truly comes alive during the summer season. Although I have in this summer season. spent time at the lake during the summer season, We also couldn’t help but look further into the I haven’t been here throughout the entire season. topic that is on everyone’s mind nowadays — the I know I’ll enjoy spending this upcoming summer real estate market! Jason Dunovant reached out to season here. No matter how long you’re at the lake, local agents to find out what trends they’re seeing I hope you have a delightful time soaking up all that over and over again. According to the article, 327 Smith Mountain Lake has to offer. waterfront homes were sold in 2021. As the title Around this time of year, the lake starts to see of the article indicates, the Smith Mountain Lake an uptick in seasonal visitors. Some people may be waterfront market is still red hot.

AILA BOYD returning to their lake homes for the season, while If you’re in the market for a new house, you Editor others may be passing through on an extended might also like to invest in a new boat. If you’re in vacation. While we know that businesses gear up for the sea- the market, Jerry Hale has a rundown of all of the latest bells sonal influx, what about churches? Where do people worship and whistles you should look for. while visiting the lake? Molly Hunter, our new reporter who We are also continuing the trend from last issue of featuring writes for this magazine, The Franklin News-Post and The Roa- local small businesses. In this issue, we highlight three local noke Times, reached out to a handful of local churches to see entrepreneurs who are finding business success on their own if they are open to seasonal worshipers. Molly did a great job terms. Two of the businesses are boutiques and the other is a virwith this feature. I’m looking forward to featuring more of her tual assistant company. All three are female-owned businesses. writing in this publication in future issues.

Some of the other articles included in this issue include a As you may recall, we started a new fishing column, Reel look back on the 10-year anniversary of the release of the film Adventures, last issue. Hopefully you enjoyed learning about Lake Effects, a look at how ONE Forest School teaches kids the striped bass as much as I did. Chad Gilmore, the president among the trees, and a roundup of the area nonprofits that of the Smith Mountain Striper Club, has authored another raised money as part of the first SML Gives Day. column for this issue. Considering most fishermen are startIn addition to the editorial content, I also want to draw ing to take advantage of the warmer temperatures by heading your attention to a new name in our masthead. Barry Wright onto the lake in search of their next big catch, the timing is has joined the Laker team as a marketing consultant. Barry perfect. The column focuses on baitfish that can be used to has been part of Lee Enterprises, our parent company, since catch striped bass. Did you know that adult striped bass eat 2015. Perhaps you interacted with him through his work at The other fish? I did not. Lucky for me, Chad walks us through how Roanoke Times. You may also know him from his time as the best to present live bait. I hope you reel in the catch of a lifetime president and CEO of RP Publishing, Inc., which he founded in 1983. A resident of Roanoke, Barry is married to Margaret Sue Turner Wright. We’re certainly lucky to have him. If you need help with an ad, he’s your man.

• SHOW US YOUR

Best Shots

local photography feature and we need your help! We’d love to publish your best landscape and nature photos from the lake or anywhere in our region. Photos must be reproducable at 18 inches wide at 300 dpi and will be selected based on season. (For example, snow photos are welcome in June but won’t appear until January.) Email your photos to aila.boyd@roanoke.com with your name, the location of the photo and a short description.

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

istock/getty images plus

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May/ June 2 022

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covering life at smith mou ntain lake VA . & su rrou nding localities.

EDITORIAL

Editor Creative Designer

Aila Boyd shawn garrett

contributing writers

Kimba Dalferes, Reed Dillon, Amy Dye, Joesephine Clarke, Anita Firebaugh, Chad Gilmore, Stacey Gordon, Ferne Hale, Jerry Hale, Molly Hunter, Fran Koch, Roland Ingram, James W. Morrison contributing photographers/artists

Reed Dillon, Jerry Hale, Jane Stogner advertising

Laker Media products offer the largest reach in the Smith Mountain Lake market. For information on advertising your business in print or online, contact:

Call us today for a free quote New Construction & Remodeling Dock Service 24 Hour Electrical Service

Marketing Consultant

Barry wright

540-981-3262, office · 540-797-4444, mobile barry.wright@roanoke.com

HOW TO SU BMIT

Laker Magazine welcomes story ideas, photos for our Travels section, calendar items and creative works (essays, poems, paintings and photography) by local artists.

Submissions must include your name and telephone number.

Contact aila.boyd@roanoke.com for more information.

Class A Licensed & Insured Serving Central & SW Virginia since 2005

PICK U P YOU R FREE COPY

Free copies of Laker Magazine and Laker Weekly are available at dozens of locations around the lake region, including Kroger, Food Lion and the SML Visitor Center at Bridgewater Plaza.

on the cover Laker Magazine

A

CAROLYN CRABTREE 540.520.2486

VAN CASTEEL DANIEL 540.493.8659

ERIC FANSLER 540.871.8655

TOM FANSLER 540.871.8355

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

JANE SULLIVAN HORNE 540.493.1690

ADAM LYNCH 540.420.8657

JAN MCGRAW 540.400.9882

VICKI MILLEHAN 540.520.2401

DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

XAN PILGRIM 540.226.9504

CAROLYN PRUETT 540.493.1919

PETE ROBERTS 540.525.4510

LUKE SCHMIDT 540.400.3373

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

JADA TURNER 540.263.0202

MICHELLE TURNER 540.309.1265

JEANNIE VILLWOCK 540.529.0212

KIMBERLY WILLARD WATERS 540.798.3151

PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

s part of the Smith Mountain Lake community for 35 years, our agents’ mastery of the local market will ensure that you successfully navigate the process of selling your home or finding the property of your dreams.

Call or visit us today, and rest easy in the knowledge that your needs are cared for by consistent leaders in sales and service, backed by a company that’s trusted worldwide.

CATHIE DANIEL Principal Broker 540.721.8659

NEW BOATING GUIDE • SUMMER EVENTS • CONCERTS AT THE COVES • ONE FOREST SCHOOL • ‘LAKE EFFECTS’ TURNS 10 • HOUSES OF WORSHIP

540.721.8659

SmithMtnLake.com © 2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

water back to the

M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 2 • s M i t h M o U N tA i N l A k E . c o M

With Our Boating Guide to What’s New for 2022

Plus!

Bait

FiSH BreaKdoWn P. 30

Big Lake Summer Events, festivals, road trips and can’t-miss fun! antiQue Boat shoW • Pirate daYs • Wine FestiVal FireWorKs • Juneteenth • FloYdFest CountY Fairs • straWBerrY FestiVal sideWalK art shoW • and more!

CatCh a ConCert at

THE COVES

Warmer weather means a return to the water (though we know plenty of Lakers never left it!).

Check our guide to see new boating bells and whistles for 2022 starting on Page 24.

Cover photo: iStock/ Getty Images Plus

a guide to sml’s

HOUSES OF WORSHIP Now Playing:

MAY/JUNE 2022

BEAUTIFUL TREES MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

‘lakE EFFECTS’ 10 yEaRS laTER reVisiting smith mountain laKe’s hallmarK moVie

where to find us

Address: Westlake Professional Park, 272 Westlake Road, Suite 1, Hardy Online: smithmountainlake.com Facebook & Twitter: Laker365

BARTLETT.COM 540-343-9376 10

S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

©2022 The Roanoke Times. Smith Mountain Laker Magazine is a community publication solely owned by The Roanoke Times. It is published for the residents of Smith Mountain Lake and is subject to The Roanoke Times’ editorial policies. The views and opinions are those of the authors. The opinions expressed, unless otherwise noted, should not be construed to be those of The Roanoke Times or its affiliates. Lists are for reference only and do not necessarily imply approbation. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from The Roanoke Times. All rights reserved.

Real estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.

P R I N T Pr o du c t s

2022 -2023

lake r visitor g u ide

|

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

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R E G I O N A L

V I S I TO R ' S

G U I D E Laker Magazine

Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

D I G I T A L P R O D U CTS

lakerweekly.com

for lake lovers

Finley took over position in 2019 after Gardner retirement

A

LAKER WEEKLY

PHOTO COURTESY OF DONNA MARTIN

SNOWY WEEKEND AT SML Snow covered the walkway and docks behind Bridgewater Pointe Condominiums early on Sunday. The first substantial snow of the year hit Smith Mountain Lake over the weekend, dropping more than 5 inches of snow in some areas. Snowfall started late Saturday evening and continued into Sunday before mixing into sleet and freezing rain in some areas. The weekend storm caused slick conditions on several of the area roads which led to multiple cancellations on Monday including both Franklin and Bedford county schools. The Virginia Department of Transportation crews spent most of Friday pretreating roads in preparation for the snow storm. Most primary and secondary roads were cleared by VDOT by Monday.

LAKER WEEKLY

The Landing Restaurant, a longtime fine-dining establishment at Bernard’s Landing, will relocate to Mariners Landing in Huddleston later this year following an announcement last week.

Lake residents Bruno and Tiffany Silva, owners of The Landing Restaurant, will move to a waterfront location at The Pointe at Mariners Landing.

The restaurant will be open to the public and accessible by boat or car. An opening date has not been set, but Tiffany Silva said they hope to be operational by May 1.

This will be the most recent change at Mariners Landing following its purchase last year by real estate developer Waller Perrow and business partner Tom Branch. The two have spent the past few months reshaping the golf and lake community with several improvements and additions.

In addition to relocating The Landing, Perrow said the Silvas will oversee all catering and special events at the resort, will establish a private restaurant at the golf clubhouse called Bruno’s and operate a seasonal poolside

eatery called Chubby’s. The Silvas’ plans also include opening a wine shop and gourmet market called Bottles & Bites.

“The wine shop will be open to the public and will feature wine and craft beer, a gourmet market with grab-and-go food items, and gifts,” said Tiffany T. Silva Silva, noting that she’s also working to organize a weekly farmer’s market starting in the spring.

“Bruno and I have cherished our time as part of the Bernard’s Landing community, but are excited about expanding our brand and our business offerings significantly by moving to Mariners Landing,” she said. “We are thrilled with the new direction the resort is heading, and this is an exciting opportunity for us, our family and our staff.”

Perrow said discussions began earlier this year to move The Landing to Mariners Landing. He said he keeps in touch with the Silvas and what started as casual conversations became a reality very quickly.

“Bruno and Tiffany are uniquely qualified to direct the

Please see LANDING, Page R2

Please see FINLEY, Page R2

B. Silva

JASON DUNOVANT, LAKER WEEKLY

The Landing Restaurant will be moving to the ground level of Building 1 at Mariners Landing overlooking The Pointe. The Landing Love Project will occupy the catering and event kitchen in the ground level of Building 3. current and future food and beverage offerings at Mariners Landing,” Perrow said. “They are experienced, professional, and have a comprehensive knowledge of the Smith Mountain Lake market in terms of dining, catering and overall coordination of special events such as weddings and conferences. We couldn’t be more excited about the partnership.”

Initially, while Virginia’s COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, Silva said service will be limited to takeout and dockside delivery.

CAROLYN CRABTREE 540.520.2486

VAN CASTEEL DANIEL 540.493.8659

ERIC FANSLER 540.871.8655

TOM FANSLER 540.871.8355

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

JANE SULLIVAN HORNE 540.493.1690

ADAM LYNCH 540.420.8657

JAN MCGRAW 540.400.9882

VICKI MILLEHAN 540.520.2401

DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

XAN PILGRIM 540.226.9504

CAROLYN PRUETT 540.493.1919

PETE ROBERTS 540.525.4510

LUKE SCHMIDT 540.400.3373

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

s part of the Smith Mountain Lake community CATHIE DANIEL for 35 years, our Principal Broker 540.721.8659 agents’ mastery of the local market will ensure that you successfully navigate the process of selling your home or finding the property of your dreams.

Call or visit us today, and rest easy in the knowledge that your needs are cared for by consistent leaders in sales and service, backed by a company that’s trusted worldwide.

540.721.8659

SmithMtnLake.com JADA TURNER 540.263.0202

MICHELLE TURNER 540.309.1265

JEANNIE VILLWOCK 540.529.0212

KIMBERLY WILLARD WATERS 540.798.3151

PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

© 2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

water back to the

M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 2 • s M i t h M o U N tA i N l A k E . c o M

With Our Boating Guide to What’s New for 2022

Plus!

Bait

FiSH BreaKdoWn P. 30

Big Lake Summer Events, festivals, road trips and can’t-miss fun! antiQue Boat shoW • Pirate daYs • Wine FestiVal FireWorKs • Juneteenth • FloYdFest CountY Fairs • straWBerrY FestiVal sideWalK art shoW • and more!

CatCh a ConCert at

THE COVES

a guide to sml’s

HOUSES OF WORSHIP Now Playing:

MAY/JUNE 2022

“At the new location, customers can expect the same level of service and dining experience they’re accustomed to,” Silva said. “We look forward to seeing many familiar faces, and we’re also excited about getting to know the Mariners Landing community, and sharing our unique culinary experiences with them. Providing dining and retail options to the more than 500,000 people who visit the nearby Smith Mountain Lake State Park each year is something

executive board has appointed a search committee led by Chairman Zach Wimmer to conduct a search for the organization’s next executive director. The board of directors has appointed Cheryl Ward to serve as interim executive director during the transition period. Finley will also continue to support the organization as needed to ensure a seamless transition.

“On behalf of the board, and the community, while we’re disappointed to see Chris step down, we wish him continued success,” Wimmer said. “Chris assumed his role at a time of transition and has done a great job leading our organization during a difficult year.”

Despite the challenges of 2020, Finley helped start the SML Leadership Academy with 14 participants in its inaugural class and secured $30,000 in grant marketing funds from Virginia Tourism Corporation. With that funding, the chamber launched tourism initiatives, including a monthly consumer e-newsletter, a destination travel blog, a new brochure and a commercial to market Smith Mountain Lake.

Additionally, Finley achieved enrolled the most-ever participants in the 2021 Chamber Champions program. He also developed the framework for two new tourism initiatives to launch this spring, including SML Restaurant Week and a SML Getaway Sweepstakes campaign.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served as executive director and I’m proud of the accomplishments and new initiatives we’ve executed during my tenure,” Finley said. “Backed by a

Landing Restaurant to move to Huddleston Owners hope to be operational at Mariners Landing by May 1

Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christopher Finley announced his resignation effective Feb. 26 after having served in the role since late 2019.

Finley will leave the chamber’s top job to take a position as director of marketing and public relations at LewisGale Regional Health System, a part of HCA H e a l t h c a r e ’s Capital Division, based in Salem.

Finley The chamber’s

NEW BOATING GUIDE • SUMMER EVENTS • CONCERTS AT THE COVES • ONE FOREST SCHOOL • ‘LAKE EFFECTS’ TURNS 10 • HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Executive director stepping down

2022-2023

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

‘lakE EFFECTS’ 10 yEaRS laTER reVisiting smith mountain laKe’s hallmarK moVie

Plus!

FISHING CHARTERS

MARINA GUIDE

ESSENTIAL SML INFO

M E D I A P U B L I C AT I O N

Wakesurfing bill sinks in House Bill would restrict the activity within 200 feet of docks.

AMY FRIEDENBERGER

amy.friedenberger@roanoke.com 540-981-3356

A bill to regulate wakesurfing at Smith Mountain Lake wiped out in the House of Delegates last week.

Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, sponsored a bill in response to numerous homeowners surrounding Smith Mountain Lake agitated with wakesurfing boats — which create waves big enough for people to surf without the need of a tow rope — zooming around in the coves. The bill prompted passion-

ate feedback from wakesurfers and homeowners, who are divided on the issue.

Wakesurfing has been an increasingly popular water sport at the lake. Homeowners said the wakesurfers are sending large waves crashing into the shorelines, preventing them from enjoying the water and damaging their docks. Wakesurfers said they’ve been largely courteous and aren’t responsible for dock damage.

“This is creating big problems, and as you might imagine, a lot of division,” Byron said.

Byron’s bill would have kept wakesurfing 200 feet from the shoreline. She was going to try and change it to 150 feet from the

shoreline as a compromise.

While mostly homeowners supportive of regulations spoke during committee meetings, most of the more than 60 submitted written comments came from people opposed to the proposal.

“This bill is an overreaction to a few boaters who would best be handled individually through local enforcement for unsafe boating,” wrote one lake homeowner. “Denying recreation for 99% of the boaters because of the misdeeds of 1% of inconsiderate jerks is overkill and taking away people’s rights of lake enjoyment. This is LAKER WEEKLY FILE classic use of a canon to do what The bill introduced by Del. Kathy Byron last month would require a rifle shot could do.” wakesurfers to be at least 150 feet from docks. The bill failed in the House Please see WAKESURFING, Page R2 of Delegates last week.

Published each Wednesday, Laker Weekly is free and includes news on area people, businesses, recreation and real estate, as well as an extensive calendar of events. Readers are invited to share information, story ideas, photos and calendar items by emailing news@ lakerweekly.com.

Easily navigate Smith Mountain Lake on the water and off with the annual Laker Map. The print map designates channel markers, marinas, restaurants, communities, shopping centers and more.

On the reverse side is information on the lake-area’s largest retail destinations along with detailed inset maps.

Laker Guide is a handy guide to shopping, dining, lodging and recreation at Smith Mountain Lake. Organized by category, the publication is essential for SML residents and tourists looking for a comprehensive guide to all the area has to offer. Also included in this annual publication is a map, calendar of events and newcomer information.

2022-2023

M E D I A P U B L I C AT I O N

marina listings

al l a b o ut

LAKER MEDIA

Access current and back issues of Smith Mountain Laker Magazine on your tablet by visiting issuu.com/smithmountainlaker4.

It’s free and available on desktop devices, too.

channel markers

local maps

and more!

Laker Media can be found online at smithmountainlake.com. Log on to find content from all of our print products, plus recent headlines, photo galleries, weather, real estate listings and a business directory, as well as detailed information on lakearea shopping, dining, recreation, accommodations, events and more.

Smith Mountain Laker Magazine is produced eight times per year by Laker Media, the premier publisher of print and digital products at SML. All Laker Media publications are free and available at business locations around the SML area and at our offices (Page 13). In addition, Laker Media products are available online by visiting smithmountainlake.com.

Find links to digital versions of all Laker Media products by visiting smithmountainlake.com. For even more, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/Laker365 or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Laker365.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N LAK E R SML

R eaders S hare their V oya g es B eyond the L ake

Key West, Florida  Turning 50 was fabulous in

Key West with this Moneta crew.

Pictured: John and Audrey Kern; Tom and Gwen Hard; Alex and Katie Wimmer; and Eddie and Tina Davis.

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

SHOW US YOU R T R AV EL S! Take Laker Magazine with you on your next adventure! Email your photo with a famous landmark, unusual attraction or stunning scenery to aila.boyd@ roanoke.com. Please include where you went on your trip, the names of everyone in the photo, and where you live at Smith Mountain Lake.

Port Charlotte, Fla.  Tony Costanza, Shelly Mitchell, and Dave and Kathy Petroski enjoyed a night out at the Twisted Fork.

New Orleans, Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean

all photos submitted

 Twenty-one Beechwood Shores neighbors went to New Orleans for a couple of days and then took a weeklong cruise touring islands in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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Shorelines m ay/j une

Summer is right around the corner! Jump on in with our Boating Guide looking at what’s new for 2022, plus two new area boutiques, an artist crafting nature’s jewlery, and a breakdown of the baitfish your prized striper loves.

Grab Some Wild Threads 16 | Crafting Nature’s Jewelry 20 New Boating Guide 2022 24 | Baitfish for Bass 30 Virtual Assistant is in Demand 32 | A Sassy Boutique 34 Real Estate Still Red Hot 35 | SML Gives Back Big 36

istock plus/getty images

MOUNTAIN MUSE Essay: House Hunting 38

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H U D D L E S TO N

New Threads Women’s boutique Wild Thread Co. makes the leap from online to a brickand-mortar location near the Lake. as told to aila boyd

O

n April 28, The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wild Thread Co.’s new location on White House Road in Huddleston. Laker editor Aila Boyd recently spoke with the owner, Taylor Kohls, to get a better understanding of her women’s clothing boutique: What’s your background?

Taylor Kohls: My husband and I moved to Smith

Q& A SHORE LINES

Taylor Kohls is the owner of Wild Thread Co. in Huddleston.

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photos courtesy of taylor kohls

Mountain Lake two years ago, because we love both water and mountains. We have two border collie dogs that are our absolute world and

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Q& A

they love living here at Smith Mountain Lake with a big yard to run around in and they enjoy joining us for our boat days in the summer!

I was born and raised in a small town in Virginia so living in a small town (Huddleston) now makes me feel right at home! I went to college for psychology in Richmond where I met my husband and we moved to Northern Virginia (for work) but quickly decided we love the Southern Virginia charm much more and have gladly put down our roots here and started our businesses here as well.

Originally, we’re wedding photographers and videographers and own a company for that (still) as well — Whole Heart Studios. My husband, Billy, actually started a fishing guide business here at the lake, too — Smith Mountain Lake Fishing — and when he’s not on the water and I am not at the boutique, we enjoy being outdoors, playing with our dogs, or grabbing a bite to eat at one of our favorite lake restaurants such as Drifter’s or Jake’s Place! We’ve made many friends here and feel so welcome!

What made you want to start a business?

TK: I have always struggled with know-

ing exactly what I wanted to pursue in life as a career. I knew I wanted to live on some land, have as many dogs as possible and a husband who makes me laugh nonstop but literally had no other idea what my purpose would be in life or how I would get those things

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transform the space that I am renting into a brick & mortar space for my store!

Describe your business for us

Wild Thread Co. carries women’s clothing, accesories, jewlery, candles and more. The store stocks sizes small to 2X.

without a career! I went to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and studied something simple (human sciences) that would allow me to learn a little bit of everything until I figured my education plan out.

I jumped into psychology with the hope to become a counselor one day but fell in love with photography during my time there and enjoyed capturing families and children. I met my husband and he already had a wedding photo and video company so I joined that alongside him, but always felt that something was missing. I loved making women feel beautiful by capturing photos of them, but I wanted to do more.

I have always had a passion for fashion, accessorizing, etc. but never knew how I could make it a career — until the past few years when I found my love for boutiques and shopping small/ local. I have a passion for small business already and since a boutique was attainable for my lifestyle and in my area I decided to go for it and open my boutique business — Wild Thread Co! I did all of my paperwork and legal work, found all of my vendors, shopped for the best of the best quality clothing, then finally launched my boutique business online! It was not until January of this year that I decided that my boutique seemed to be exactly what my area needed, so I decided to go for it and

TK: Wild Thread Co. is an online women’s clothing boutique offering cute, fun and trendy styles for the everyday woman. Our mission is to ensure the best experience when purchasing from us — making each and every customer feel special, cared for and most importantly, beautiful!

My boutique is a place where I want women (and men) to come into looking for something and leave with items that they feel amazing in and having gained a friend. It is important to me that I connect with each of my customers to provide them not only the best products, but the best experience as well. We have products from women’s clothing to jewelry to candles to purses and so much more.

Our staff is outgoing and fun to be around while making sure you get all of the help you need while shopping in the store. We have a restroom, two fitting rooms, tables and racks full of clothing and all of the accessories one could dream of. We are size inclusive and carry S-2X in many different styles for our customers!

What is it like owning an online business?

TK: I love owning businesses and I love

being an entrepreneur! While some days are hard and work never stops, I truly believe that as long as you’re doing something you love you feel that you will never work a day in your life — I know this is true for me with Wild Thread Co. I am overjoyed to be able to share something that I love so much with others, create long lasting relationships with locals and visitors, and contribute to the small business community here at Smith Mountain Lake. I am incredibly grateful for all of my family & friends, fellow businesses and the local chamber of commerce for all of their support.

Wild Threads Co.  Address: 6828 White House Road, Huddleston • shopwildthreadco.com

photos courtesy of taylor kohls

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M O R N I N G WO O D

Nature’s Jewelry Sandy Sampson crafts beautiful accessories from unique wood. written by ferne hale

M

orningwood resident Sandy Sampson grew up in a home with art projects surrounding her. In addition to his “real job,” her father built furniture, and her mother painted folk art and refinished antiques. Sampson sewed her own clothes and even took her sewing machine to college.

Six years ago, when Sampson, a licensed private pilot, retired from teaching aviation science at Franklin County Middle School’s Gereau

Profile

These pieces are made with “spalted” wood, which has been attacked by a fungus that produces interesting lines within the wood.

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PHOTO: JERRY HALE

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Profile exclusively to make all the little rings and interconnecting parts from copper that she salvages from wiring or discarded jewelry. “I like to take wires and stuff that would end up in a landfill and re-purpose it.”

Her pals in the woods have been a skunk — which ignored her when she ignored him — and a big buck who loudly snorted to drive her out of his territory. “Otherwise, it is rather serene in the forest — a great place to find raw material for my artwork,” she said.

Some of Sampson’s treasures from spalted wood include earrings, necklaces, hair clips and bracelets and can be viewed on her website, bejeweledbynature.com or through Facebook as Nature’s Jewelry. Check Facebook for information and a list of shows she attends throughout the year.

Center, she had time to pursue other interests.

And she was attracted to wood.

She had picked up a piece of driftwood at a North Carolina beach, and when a piece of it broke off into her hand, she looked at it and thought, “This could make the coolest earring!”

Her friend and neighbor Chuck Koyanagi, who is a woodturner, started giving her scraps of interesting wood leftover from his projects. He called it “spalted oak” or “spalted maple.” Sampson learned that “spalted” means it is decaying wood that has been attacked by a fungus which produces interesting lines within the wood. Pieces of it are even available for sale in craft stores.

“I decided I didn’t want to buy it,” said Sampson. “Instead, I go out into the woods to find it.

And you never know how good it is until you get it home and cut into it. It might be rotten inside or just spalted right under the bark. Recently my husband gave me a battery-powered chain saw, so I can cut into a log in the woods and avoid dragging one home that will be worthless.”

Sampson has many tools in her basement for working with the wood: a radial arm saw, two band saws, a drill press (a drill on a stand for more precise drilling), a table belt sander and two Dremel Tools for sanding, polishing and grinding.

When making a piece of jewelry, Sampson starts with a log. Next she cuts it into slices with the radial arm saw. She shapes the wood into small pieces with the band saw. Then she bevels and hand sands. Next she uses water-thin CA glue to stiffen and stabilize the fungus-weakened wood.

Finally she hand sands and varnishes the piece and buffs on a coat of wax.

“I like copper,” Sampson said, so she uses it 22

S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

“It is rather serene in the forest — a great place to find raw material for my artwork.”

Sampson was inspired to make jewelry after finding an interesting piece of driftwood at a North Carolina beach.

Bejeweled

by Nature  Online: bejeweled bynature.com and on Facebook as Nature’s Jewelry.

PHOTOS: JERRY HALE

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SHORE LINES

On the Water

2022 NEW BOATING GUIDE The 2022 Roanoke Boat Show was canceled again this year due to Covid, so we asked local dealers what to look out for. by jerry hale

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MERCURY MARINE

around the lake

1

mercury marine

look forward to more tow sports fun Bravo Four S Forward-Facing Drive Mercury Marine has finally responded to Volvo Penta’s forward facing stern drive, technology unveiled back in 2015 to power family runabouts with an I/O drive system that hides its prop several feet forward of the swim platform, thus making it safe and legal for towing wake surfers. Mercury’s new Bravo Four S drive uses a 4-blade/3-blade prop set pairing that is said to reduce vibration and improve efficiency at both surfer-towing and planing speeds. Performance mirrors that of a traditional stern drive but adds wake surfing capability — albeit sacrificing the ability to tilt the drive unit above the bottom for easy beaching and trailering. Mated to a GM 6.2L V-8 delivering 300HP, the drive package pushed (pulled, actually!) a 22-foot Four Winns test boat to 45 mph. n mercurymarine.com/en/us/bravofours

Mercury joins the tow-sports craze with a fowardfacing drive.

MERCURY BRAVO 4 S

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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2

On the Water

SEA-DOO

3

PONTOON OFFERS a NEW WAY TO PLAY

avalon

maker focuses on smaller upgrades

Switch Pontoon

MSRP: 13 ft.: $16,999; 19 ft.: $23,999; 21 ft.: $26,999, including trailer | sea-doo. com/us/en/pontoons/switch-sport.html

CHAPARRAL INFINITY STEP

avalonpontoons.com

4

C haparral , R obalo

enter a little easier with ‘infinity step’ Magnum Boating’s sales manager, Zach Hartwell, said both brands now use a new silicone woven fabric for upholstery. “It gives a softer feel, improved mildew resistance and easier cleaning,” he explained. He also points to Chaparral’s revamped “Infinity Power Step,” which enables easy 3-step boarding at the swim platform, a new Simrad display screen on the 23’ Surf model and Volvo’s quick-drain block and manifolds, which is said to make winterizing a snap. Hartwell said 2022 models are mostly spoken for, but orders for 2023 boats are being taken and several “previously enjoyed” boats are, as of April, still available. n chaparralboats.com, robalo.com

The Sea-Doo Switch Sport is readily equipped for watersports with a ski mode and inflatables holder and is fully customizable.

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PHOTOS courtesy sea-doo, chaparral

Sea-Doo is introducing a line of “Switch” pontoons to complement its personal watercraft offering.

These jaunty, family-fun vessels offer pontoon stability and movable seating modules that lock into various locations on the decks (19 and 21 footers). Propulsion is by water jet, with engine options to 270 HP. Virgil Naff of Naff Power Sports in Lynchburg recently test drove the 19-foot “Sport” model at a dealer showing and found the performance exhilarating. “It was quick to plane and cornered with confidence,” Naff said. He also noted that the pontoon tubes, made of the same “polytech” infused fiberglass used on PWC hulls, can be replaced section-by-section if damaged. Swim platform and bimini top options are available on larger models. Supplies are limited.

As for traditional PWCs, Naff said Bombardier is filling 2022 Sea-Doo orders with machines that have parts missing. They are to be completed by dealers as missing parts become available. “It will be a slow start to the year,” he noted. n

Dale Runyon at Bayside Marine said COVID-19 has limited Avalon’s engineering innovation somewhat, and changes for 2022 focus on digitalization of helm stations—gauges and switches, etc.—and upgrades to interactive mood lighting. “All of our allotments are for tri-toons, and customers have generally ordered the upper-end boats, many with twin outboards.” Model year ‘22 build allotments are all spoken for, but customers can spec out ‘23 models for delivery beginning in July. “Boating is booming,” Runyon said. “We have waiting lists for slips and used boats quickly find new owners.” n

SEA-DOO SWITCH SPORT

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5

On the Water YA M A H A , S W E E T WAT E R

MORE SPACE AND CREATURE COMFORTS Mary Yeaman of Danville’s Hughes Marine provided the following update: “Yamaha Jet Boats, focused on pleasing the water sports crowd, is offering more wake-surf tab setups, larger touch screens and refined wake tuning systems.

Yamaha’s WaveRunner PWCs now

offer optional Bluetooth speakers, plus GPS mapping standard on some models. Rear decks have been redesigned to accommodate coolers, fishing seats or a lounge, encouraging longer days on the water. Sweetwater Pontoons has focused on innovative restyling, with

new seating layouts, lounges and textured decorative fabrics.” Yeaman also said the dealership is receiving inventory every week and is doubling the size of it’s showroom to accommodate display of 20 or more vessels, plus accessories, safety equipment and marine gifts. n yamahawaverunners.com, godfreypontoonboats.com

YAMAHA JET FISH REC DECK

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S ea - D oo , N autique , B ennin g ton & H urricane

PONTOON makers keep upgrades coming Webster Marine’s Mark Mills said supply chain issues have moderated since last year, and manufacturers will deliver on their 2022 allotments, which are generally shy of prepandemic levels. Pontoon makers, due to their use of aluminum rather than resins, are experiencing fewer shortages and cost-increase issues, which inevitably affect MSRPs. Sea-Doo’s 2022 lineup features new color palates, some upgrades to the popular fishing-friendly model and expanded availability of 2021’s IDF (“Intelligent Debris Free”) system —which enables removal of most impeller clogs with a simple push of a button at the helm — on many more models. Nautique is introducing two new surf models — the S-21 and S-23 — with several tweaks to features desired by wake sports enthusiasts.

On the popular platform boat front, Hurricane has completely retooled it’s 30-year-old “Fun Deck” series of 20 to 24 footers. Bennington’s 2022 models sport continuing upgrades to cosmetics and creature comfort in accordance with the brand’s highend-luxury promise. n

photos courtesy yamaha, nautique

benningtonmarine.com, hurricaneboats. com, nautique.com, sea-doo.com,

7

T racker

mainstay tracker holding its own Mike Ratcliff, general manager at Conrad Bros. Marine in Westlake, reported Tracker Marine is “holding it’s own” with supply chain issues, delivering pre-sold products pretty much as scheduled. New in the Suntracker Pontoon line is the pushbutton-raise-and-lower bimini top, offered standard on all models above 18 feet. The Tracker Aluminum fishing line is expanding the “Diamond Cote” paint color—which gives a car-like finish to the hull—and adding interior upgrades. Conrad Bros. sells all Tracker Marine products, including their “Ascend” kayak line. Tracker off-road vehicles are gaining market share with electronic power steering standard on several models, and “....we have custom-rigged several side-bysides for fire and rescue departments,” Ratcliff said. The dealership also received Mercury Marine’s 2021 Customer Service Award. n trackerboats.com

Yahamah’s new RecDeck platform offers expanded versatility for reboarding, lounging, towing and fishing. Shown at left is the FX JetFish package.

NAUTIQUE S-21

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Reel Adventures

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 Perspectives on fishing at Smith Mountain Lake from members of the the Smith Mountain Lake Striper Club

No. 3

No. 1

No. 2

1

2

3

4

Gizzard Shad

Blueback Herring

Alewife

Threadfin Shad

Dorosoma cepedianum

Alosa aestivalis

Alosa pseudoharengus

Dorosoma petenense

Avg. Length: 13”*

Avg. Length: 10”

Avg. Length: 11”

Avg. Length: 4”

Bass’ Breakfast And lunch, and dinner. Meet the baitfish your prized striper eats. written by chad gilmore

T

he striped bass that inhabit Smith Mountain Lake offer residents and visitors the opportunity to catch “the fish of a lifetime.” The adult striped bass are piscivorous (fish eating) and will consume almost any small fish (baitfish, small crappie, small bluegill, etc.) available in Smith Mountain Lake.

Let’s discuss the baitfish that are available in the lake. The four types of baitfish currently in Smith Mountain Lake make up most of the striper’s diet.

n No. 1:

Gizzard Shad

The gizzard shad (Dorosoma

cepedianum) has a blunt snout and a long dorsal ray fin that extends off the dorsal fin. As gizzard shad grow, they become too large for most predators, but not the striped bass. Gizzard shad 30

are caught with cast nets and can be used live or in cut pieces.

Blueback Herring and Alewife

n No. 2 & 3:

The next two forage species are

similar in appearance and behavior.

S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

The blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) has a blueish colored back with silver sides and is a newer member of the forage base at Smith Mountain Lake. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Biologist Dan Wilson began noticing the blueback herring in his gill net surveys within the last 10 years. They have become very well established and offer the striped bass a deep-water food source. The alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) is typically gray-green and has a larger eye than the blueback herring. It also prefers deeper, cooler water. The blueback herring and alewife allow Smith Mountain Lake striped bass the opportunity to feed comfortably in warm-water months.

Summertime surface temperatures at Smith Mountain Lake can easily reach the mid-80s, but the blueback herring and alewife will stay at depths (30 feet and deeper) where the water temperature is in the 60s. Cooler water

photos courtesy usgs, north carolina fisheries association

No. 4

and more dissolved oxygen are very appealing to striped bass. n No. 4: Threadfin

Shad

The threadfin shad (Dorosoma

petenense) is the smaller relative of the gizzard shad. The major differences between the threadfin shad and the gizzard shad are the mouth and the distinct dark spot only on the threadfin shad. The gizzard shad’s mouth is very blunt where the threadfin shad’s lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw.

Threadfin shad are sensitive to cold temperatures making Smith Mountain Lake one of the most northern bodies of water that support threadfin shad populations. During times of cold weather and cold-water temperatures, Smith Mountain Lake can experience a threadfin die-off. The winter of 2021 was the most recent widespread threadfin shad die-off.

Now that we have covered the forage base at Smith Mountain Lake, how do you use these baits to catch the striped bass at the lake? First you will need a cast net (or several), some sort of holding tank with aeration and filtration and some striped bass specific fishing equipment.

Cast nets are available at fishing tackle stores and online outlets. There are many types and sizes and it can be very overwhelming (and expensive) to find the right one for you. If you are a beginner, the best all-around net is an 8 feet net with a 3/8 mesh and 1 pound of lead per foot. This net will allow you to catch bait of all sizes and will be an easy net to learn to throw. There are many videos available on YouTube on how to throw a cast net.

Once you catch your bait, you will need something to keep the bait alive and healthy. Again, this can be overwhelming and expensive when you start researching the options. If your boat has a live well, it can be used to hold live bait. You will need to add some sort of aeration and filtration component. There are several portable options that work well, just make sure it will fit the dimensions of your live well. For every 10 gallons of water, you

will need to add 1 cup of water softener salt. The salt protects the slime coat of the baitfish. Also, try to match the water temperature where you catch your bait.

Purified ice (without chlorine) can be used to lower the temperature in your live well.

How many baits do you want to have in the water at one time? More experienced anglers can manage a dozen lines or more! If you are a beginner, start small so that you can enjoy the fishing experience and not deplete all your fishing funds at one time. Start with 7 feet medium heavy rods and reels that have a good drag system. The striped bass in Smith Mountain Lake are strong fish that can annihilate inferior gear. For live bait fishing purposes, you should use at least 12-pound test line or greater.

The live bait techniques used to catch striped bass vary depending on the time of year. In the spring and the fall when water temperatures are com-

fortable for striped bass to venture into more shallow water, a great technique is to use planer boards to spread your bait away from the boat and closer to the shoreline. Any of the baits outlined above can be used with planer boards, but the gizzard shad is the preferred bait in this technique. Planer boards are available at most local tackle shops.

Another live bait presentation is to send the bait down the water column using a weighted downline. Depending on what depth you want to target, the weight can range from 2 ounces to ¼ ounce. Typically, with this technique a circle hook is used, and the fish usually hook themselves as they eat the bait.

You will need to pay attention to your electronics, Smith Mountain Lake has submerged timber. In places, the timber stands 25 feet below the surface of the water. Being able to identify the timber will allow you to speed up or wind up your live bait presentations before they get hung up in the trees.

For More on Striper Fishing  There are many other ways to present live bait to striped bass in Smith Mountain Lake. The Smith Mountain Striper Club holds regular meetings that feature guest speakers that explore these very topics.

More information can be found on our website, smithmountain striperclub.com or by joining the club. Membership information is available on the website.

full-service marina 24/7 fuel pumps waterfront lodge daily boat rentals yearly slip rentals ar s r n a s

b13

new marina store in 2022

g2

Chad Gilmore is the president of The Smith Mountain Striper Club. *Average fish size may vary depending on body of water.

VOTED BEST MARINA - GOLD AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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Profile around the lake

A Virtual Success Jess Chattin turned a pandemic layoff into an in-demand business as a virtual assistant. written by stacEy gordon

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

When the pandemic shut everything down, Chattin was let go from her job.

“I wasn’t even worried,” she said. “I knew God would take care of me somehow, financially.”

Chattin said Lakeisha Swain, a “dear” friend of hers at the time, was in need of a virtual assistant for her counseling business.

“I had absolutely no idea what a virtual assistant was, what a virtual assistant did, or how to even fill out papers to start my own company,” Chattin said, “But, God led every step of the way for me and my business.”

During the first year, Chattin spent lots of time learning the ropes and steps to owning her own business.

“This entire past year was solely focused on

Jess Chattin helps businesses manage administrative tasks, marketing and social media, all online. She started her company after being laid off during the pandemic.

PHOTO COURTESY JESS CHATTIN

J

ess Chattin is “thanking God for his goodness” and celebrating her first full year in business.

Jess Chattin Virtual Assistant Services is going strong and, as its owner, Chattin is happy to be able to offer her services to clients around Smith Mountain Lake and beyond.

“The services I provide, which range from administrative assistance, social media management, email management, light bookkeeping, customer service and many other services, provide clients a peace of mind and allow business owners to focus on their clients and to leave the mundane tasks to me,” Chattin said.

The road to owning her own business was a little bumpy at first.

learning the ins and outs of being a business woman, boss babe and business partner,” she said. “I just wanted to get my business up and running in my community to see what the need was at the time.”

Chattin named her business “SML Virtual Assistant Services, LLC” and began running things from her home in Moneta.

Chattin still runs things from her Bedford County home, but often finds herself at the Smith Mountain Lake Coffee Shop when she needs to meet with potential clients or at CJ’s Sandwich and Coffee Shop when she needs to focus on a client’s work.

“My favorite place is EastLake Community Church when I need to focus on my work and thank God for his goodness with my business,” she said.

While her focus is serving clients at Smith Mountain Lake, Chattin said she realized she was limiting herself to the lake when there were potential clients far beyond the lake’s borders who could benefit from her services.

“I didn’t want my business name to limit me from reaching higher goals,” she said. “So, effective February 25, I am ‘Jess Chattin Virtual Assistant Services.’”

Chattin is currently helping local business owners in a variety of fields – from realtors and photographers to contractors and beekeepers.

“My business contributes a lot to the community in many ways,” Chattin said. “I love to just be real and provide a listening ear when business owners tell me that they are drowning in their own work. I am also able to use my counseling skills to provide peace to these owners and listen to them, as I provide them with peace of mind options for my services.”

Since reaching out to Chattin, local beekeeper Chuck Hutto with Hardy Honey is enjoying a larger social media presence and an increase in business connections.

“Hutto gets so excited when I connect him with a new business at Smith Mountain Lake who can sell his honey,” Chattin said. With the help of Chattin, Hutto’s honey can now be purchased at Smith Mountain Lake Coffee Shop and

at Glenwood Hardware Store.

Chattin is also managing social media for Hutto’s son, Ben Hutto, who owns Northridge Construction.

Chattin’s virtual assistance was also extended to Ashley Wainwright Donahue, a broker with Wainwright & Co. REALTORS. “She’s amazing and has been such a joy to work with at Smith Mountain Lake,” Chattin said. “Her company was just voted Best Real Estate Company at SML, so it’s awesome to be part of that.”

Chattin’s expertise also includes email management, which has been a help to Mullins Media Company and local Photographer Adam Mullins.

that in my 25 years of working in the workforce industry.”

If a match is made, the contract will be re-evaluated and Chattin and the client will proceed in their partnership.

“If it’s not a good fit, then we part ways, never once giving the other business any negative feedback, publicly,” Chattin added.

In addition to virtual assistant services, Chattin enjoys photography and offers a package through her website.

“My photography is more ministrybased and fun, than work,” Chattin said.

Owning her own business was never part of Chattin’s life plan. Fear of being unable to provide financially for her

“The current workforce industry doesn’t fit today’s society. Moms are working and want to do it all, but they can’t. When they hire [me], they claim their mental health back.”

“I have several other companies around the country that I work for, but a notable one that just signed a contract with my company is famous social media influencer and TikToker Jen Hamilton,” Chattin said.

Hamilton – a nurse and mother – has 1.6 million followers and enlisted Chattin to help her with social media and email management and with reaching out and responding to inquiries for her business.

“Jen has been featured on MSNBC and Fox News and, more importantly, her mission is to support the nursing field in a time where nurses need so much love and comfort right now,” Chattin said.

To add to her new business name, Chattin has created a new website jesschattin.com Initially, Chattin offers potential clients a 30-day contract for $500. During the 30-day trial period, Chattin and the client work together to determine whether they will be a good match for each other.

“I know not everyone will work well together,” said Chattin. “I have learned

family made owning a business far from reach.

“We have bills just like every other family,” she said. “It’s all about trial and error.”

Chattin said her business is growing and things are better than she ever could have dreamed or imagined.

“I wake up every day with this business and some days I still feel like this is all a dream,” she said. “I’m growing because of the aftermath of the pandemic and I see no plans on stopping any time soon. We live in a time where the current workforce industry doesn’t fit today’s society. Moms are working and want to do it all, but they can’t. When they hire Jess Chattin Virtual Assistant Services, they claim their mental health back and can focus on real life with their growing families. I love that.”

SML Virtual Assistant Services  Contact: hello@jesschattin.com, (540) 580-8743, jesschattin.com.

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Q& A

Sandra Clapsadl (left, holding scissors) describes her shop “like a friend’s house,” comfortable and cozy.

CJ’s Coffee. I now have two local authors whose books are in the store.

Describe your business for us.

SC: The boutique is a very unique shop-

Sassy Start The new Sassy Boutique at taiBella offers local products, fashion, home decor and more. as told to aila boyd

A

grand opening celebration for one of the lake-area’s newest businesses, Sassy Boutique at taiBella, was held in March by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce. Owner Sandra Clapsadl agreed to answer a couple of questions so readers can get to know her and her business better.

What’s your background?

Sandra Clapsadl: My parents start-

ing coming the SML before I was born and as I grew up all our vacations were here on SML. I’ve built two waterfront homes and lived in a few others off the water while my homes were being built.

Now I’m back at the lake but not waterfront. My dream is to have a waterfront property again. I’ve been at the lake off and on since I was a kid.

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What made you want to start a business?

SC: I attended college and graduated with three business associates. I’ve worked in real estate and property management. I’ve also sold real estate.

In last 10 years I’ve owned a cleaning business and I’m also a health coach for weight loss. One of my dreams though is to own a small boutique where people will feel comfortable coming in to shop and just hang out. The reason I wanted to start a business here is because there’s no other consignment or boutiques in the area. I wanted a place that was comfortable, cozy and you feel like you’re coming to a friend’s house and shop.

I am associated with taiBella Spa & Salon. I am a sister store because I’m a part of the hair salon.

I started with a pop up store in the hair salon and did so well we talked about connecting. I told the owner, Laurie, of how I had always wanted a boutique and how I thought a consignment with new clothing and décor would work well. I also wanted to promote other small businesses at the lake. She loved my ideas and we immediately started planning and working towards goals.

I love pairing with the salon and also promoting SML Candle Company and

What is it like owning a business around the lake?

SC: It’s been a challenge getting started but also a good experience. I’ve always wanted to have a boutique or a shop and be able to personalize someone’s shopping experience to them. I love fashion and the experience to excite people about what their purchasing and building relationships that will last for years.

It’s off to a great start!

Sassy Boutique at TaiBella  Address: 13105 Booker T. Washington Highway, Ste. #5, Hardy • Contact: sandraclapsadl01@gmail.com

photos courtesy of SANDRA CLAPSADL

WESTLAKE

ping experience. It will be changing all the time. You can bring your girlfriends and make it a girls day out. Sit have a cup of coffee or tea, while you try out some cute outfits. It will have some consignment items and new fashions as well.

Clothing of all types and sizes, jewelry, footwear and accessories too! Name brand items as well as locally crafted merchandise from artisans around the Smith Mountain Lake area and more.

There are all kinds of gift items and home décor. Essential oils and oil products, even a therapeutic light touch massage (by appointment only). You just have to come out and see this quaint little spot for your self.

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D

emand continues to be high for homes at Smith Mountain Lake even as the supply of available homes begins to dwindle. The recent ability to work from home due to the pandemic has led to an influx of buyers looking to live near the lake full time.

Waterfront homes sales at Smith Mountain Lake hit a 20 year record in 2020 with 431 homes sold. That number reduced slightly in 2021 to 327, but was still the second highest sales volume since 2001.

Tom Fansler, realtor for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, analyzes information on home sales at Smith Mountain Lake for a quarterly report he provides. According to his report, the reduction in sales last year had less to do with a cooling market and was due more to fewer homes being listed for sale.

Due to the popularity of lakefront homes, Fansler said many buyers are purchasing homes sight unseen. The demand is so high that some buyers purchase as soon as a home comes available before it is purchased by someone else.

The sales price of homes at the lake has also increased greatly in recent years. In 2021, the average sales price for a home was $916,302 compared to $717,587 in 2020. Fansler attributed much of that to more expensive homes being sold in addition to the value of homes increasing.

The average waterfront home sold in 2021 at 51.2% higher than their current tax assessment with some selling for substantially more. “There are many houses that sold at 100% more than the tax assessment,” Fansler said.

The high demand and increased cost for lake homes has come after more of a decade where the real estate market has remained flat, according to Fansler. Home prices at the lake generally remained the same following the recovery from the real estate market crash in 2008. In that time the average sales price of a lakefront home each year stayed within $663,000 and $546,000.

The popularity of the Smith Mountain Lake and its communities is also a benefit to the counties in which they reside. Just under half of the lake’s shoreline boarders Franklin County.

Lorie Smith is the Gills Creek District representative on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors.

She said the district’s lake community accounts for 63% of the county’s revenue through real estate and property taxes.

Without the benefit of the lake community, Smith said the county residents would likely face

Real Estate

around the lake

Lakefront Still a Big Lure The pandemic-fueled housing market remains red hot, but the supply of homes is shrinking. written by Jason Dunovant

tax increases or substantial cuts in services. One concern is the potential for a recession that could have a negative impact on the county as a whole, but also the lake’s surging housing market, she said.

While COVID-19 concerns are waning, rising gas prices, inflation and stock market instability could impact the housing market. Discussions of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates could also impact home sales in the future. Those unknowns leave a lot of questions on how waterfront home sales in 2022 will compare to previous years.

In 2021, the average sales price for a home at the Lake was $916,302 compared to $717,587 in 2020.

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Community around the lake

Giving Runs Deep at SML New SML Gives Day raises tens of thousands for local nonprofit groups. written by Jason Dunovant

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Winters said donations from SML Gives will help in providing financial and food assistance to families in Franklin, Bedford and Pittsylvania counties. The nonprofit spent 138% more on just financial aid to families in need last year. They provide financial assistance to families to help pay rent, utilities or crisis medical expenses.

That need has grown as moratoriums on evictions for past due rent and cut offs for past due utility bills were recently ended. Winters said those families are now coming to LCM for assistance.

Inflation and rising gas prices also made the cost of providing food to families more expensive, Winter said.

Lake Christian Ministries volunteers Jon Atchue (left) and Jerry Hale assist Deb Broadwater as she makes a donation to the nonprofit on SML Gives Day. photo: jason dunovant

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new fundraiser focusing on lakearea nonprofits known as SML Gives celebrated a successful first year following the conclusion of the one-day event on March 17. The 24-hour giving campaign saw donations totaling $86,033 for 13 local charities.

“This community never ceases to amaze us,” said Jane Winters, executive director of Lake Christian Ministries. The nonprofit raised the most out of all participants March 16 with more than $28,000 in donations.

The amount surpassed LCM’s goal of $25,000 for the day. Winters said she was pleased with the community support in the first year of SML Gives Day.

SML Gives Donations In its inaugural campaign, SML Gives raised $86,033 for 13 local charities in 24 hours on March 16.

The Agape Center $20,330 agapecentersml.org Bedford Ride / Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living, Inc $1,056 cvacl.org/transportation Children’s Assistive Technology Service, $2,910 hr.atdevicesforkids.org Food For Kids Weekend Pack A Sack Program $6,178 foodforkidspackasack.org Franklin County Family YMCA of SML, $3,586 franklincountyymca.org Franklin County Humane Society Inc./Planned Pethood Clinic & Adoption Center $1,714 plannedpethoodrockymount.com Helping Hands of Franklin County, $3,370 helpinghandsfc.com Lake Christian Ministries $28,908 lakechristianministries.org New Life Center for Thoroughbreds, Inc. $1,016 newlifethoroughbreds.com Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia $561 rmhc-swva.org SML Good Neighbors $13,192 smlgoodneighbors.org Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center $4,801 southernvacac.org Virginia Children’s Theatre, $425 virginiachildrenstheatre.org

Due to the ongoing need for support from the surrounding community, SML Gives was rushed together late last year after the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia announced its annual Roanoke Valley Gives Day would be ending after six years. Lisa Lietz, executive director of SML Good Neighbors, rallied several lake-area nonprofits together to start SML Gives Day. Lietz said she is pleased with how the event’s first year turned out. “Raising $86,000 in 24 hours is pretty incredible,” she said. Her nonprofit, SML Good Neighbors, was also able to raise $13,192.

The fundraiser began at 12 a.m. on March 16 and ending at the stroke of midnight on the following day. Donors were able to go to smlgives.org to make a donation or visit donation locations at Smith Mountain Lake Coffee House at Bridgewater Plaza or C.J.’s Coffee and Sandwich Shop on Scruggs Road.

Lietz joined Heather Kourcklas with New Life Center for Thoroughbreds located in Wirtz and John Naples with Children’s Assistive Technology Service located in Westlake at C.J.’s. They provided assistance to anyone interested in making a donation in person.

Naples, operations manager for CATS, said he was pleased with the first year of SML Gives. The nonprofit received $2,910 in donations for the day.

“I thought it was very successful,” Naples said.

Donations provided to CATS will go toward the purchase of cleaning supplies for the re-use of pediatric rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology devices for children around Virginia.

The equipment is donated to CATS when a child outgrows it and then donated to other children who need it, cutting down on the expense on families.

Naples said CATS in looking forward to a second SML Gives next year. He expects donations to all nonprofits to increase as the the event grows in popularity around the lake community.

Current plans are to continue SML Gives next year, Lietz said. She is hoping to expand the event to between 20 to 25 nonprofits next year.

Susan Tinsley, president of Food for Kids Weekend Pack-a-Sack program,

said she is looking forward to participating in SML Gives next year. The nonprofit raised $6,178 last week, which was short of their goal, but still enough to provide weekend meals for more than 350 Bedford County students in need for two weeks.

“It was a good experience for us,” Tinsley said.

Joyce Moran, executive officer for Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center, also appreciated being one of the participating nonprofits in SML Gives’ first year. The organization received $4,801 in donations.

“This community never ceases to amaze us,” said Jane Winters, executive director of Lake Christian Ministries.

“It was an extraordinary first year,” Moran said.

The donations are expected to help in further bringing down the mortgage cost of the nonprofit’s headquarters in Rocky Mount. Moran said $350,000 remains on the building’s mortgage and each little bit donated helps to free up funds in an already stretched budget to provide support services for area children impacted by abuse or neglect.

Lietz said she is already looking forward to next year. She expects SML Gives in 2023 to continue on this year’s success, especially with additional time to prepare.

Winters agreed that SML Gives Day will likely grow as support builds in the community. She said LCM raised more than $72,000 at the last Roanoke Valley Gives Day before it ended. She is confident donations from the community could reach that level with SML Gives Day. “That’s what we will see with SML Gives if we keep nurturing it,” Winters said.

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Mountain Muse House Hunting a true stor y

A young couple’s quest for a new home takes an odd turn during their “tour.”

O

n a quiet Sunday morning a few years after we had married, my wife, Edie, and I were enjoying a relaxing breakfast in our apartment in Northern Virginia, not far from the Pentagon where I worked. I poured us another cup of coffee and picked up the Sunday Washington Post. From the three pounds of newspaper, I dug out the classified advertisements for houses Essay for sale.

by James W. Like most young couples, we longed to Morrison have a house of our own. The paper listed several columns of houses which their owners or realtors were opening that Sunday afternoon for inspection. I saw an ad for a house in suburban Springfield which looked interesting and was in our price range. I showed it to Edie.

She was excited.

I called the number and identified myself to the owner, whose last name was Jones. I asked if we could visit the house that afternoon. He gave me directions, and I said we’d see him around 2 p.m.

At the agreed time, we pulled up in front of a nice brick rambler with a carport. The house had a large yard, and the house and property looked well maintained. We walked up and knocked on the front door. A man, probably in his forties, opened the door. “Hello,” he said.

“Hello, we’re the Morrisons,” I said, “Jim and Edie.”

“I’m Tom,” the man replied. “Please come in.” We entered the living room and were introduced to the man’s wife and two children. They were watching a Washington Redskins football game, while enjoying popcorn and sodas. They invited us to sit down, turned off the TV, and offered us drinks. We sat and chatted for 15-20 minutes,

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discussing a range of topics from the Redskins to our respective lines of work. He was a major in the Army and also worked in the Pentagon.

After about 20 minutes of conversation, I asked if we might see the house. “Sure,” the major responded. The couple took us through the dining room to the kitchen, which was nice and modern, and then took us to the back deck, which overlooked a well-groomed back yard. We went back inside, and I asked if we might see the rest of the house.

The led us to the bedrooms, which were nicely decorated, and I asked to see the closets. The bedrooms and closets were clean and neat, like the rest of the house, including the bathrooms, which we looked into as we went down the hall. We complimented them on almost every room. It was a really nice house, and we were definitely interested.

After we had spent close to half an hour touring the house, we went back to the living room and sat down.

“When are you moving?” I asked.

The major replied, “Well, we’re not really sure.”

“You’re not sure?”

“No, I haven’t got my orders yet,” he said, referring to Army orders to a new posting.

I was confused. “You don’t have your orders, but you’re selling your house?”

“No, not really.”

Now I was really confused. Something didn’t calculate.

“You are the Joneses, and you advertised your house in today’s paper, right?”

“No. We’re the Smiths. The Joneses live a few houses down the street.”

I looked at Edie. We were both mortified. “Oh, no!” I said, blushing. “I’m afraid we’ve made a terrible mistake.”

The Smiths started laughing. Despite our embarrassment, we could only join in the laughter.

Major Smith said, “When you came to the door and introduced yourselves, I thought you were from our church and were making a Sunday afternoon visitation.”

We had interrupted their Sunday afternoon and football game, and we had even looked in their closets. We could not get out of the house soon enough. On the way out, I complimented the Smiths on how neat they kept their house, even when they weren’t expecting company.

Once in the car, Edie and I shook our heads, and we both said, “I can’t believe what we just did.” We could only imagine what the Smiths were saying.

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME

literary and visual artworks from creators around the lake

“We had interrupted their Sunday afternoon and football game, and we had even looked in their closets. We could not get out of the house soon enough.”

James W. Morrison who is retired from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a founding member of the Lake Writers and author of two WWII-related books, the history Bedford Goes to War, and the novel Class of 1940. House Hunting — A True Story is an extract from Shorts in a Bunch.

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Mountain Muse

PAINTINGS (CLOCKWISE)

Studio View, McAfee Knob & Lake Sunrise

by Jane Stogner

• OIL ON CANVAS

 Behind the paintings: Jane Stogner is a professional artist, educator and leader in the local art community. Educated at the University of North Carolina and Radford University, she taught art at Ferrum College for 33 years. Stogner’s oil paintings capture her vision of the beauty of Southwest Virginia, her forte being her ability to work with the color palette, mixing colors and creating the intricacy of hue that is seen in the landscape around us. She wants her viewers to feel a sense of place, as if they have been there. She sneaks in vivid colors sparingly or uses vibrant color as an under paint to give her paintings more depth, contrast and dimension. Stogner’s advice for aspiring artists is to “Just do it. Create a space. Find the time. Just do it.” At age 75, she is “at the top of her game.”  Jane Stogner’s work can be found at LinDor Arts located at 304 First St in Roanoke.

Anita Firebaugh

is an awardwinning writer who has published poetry in Artemis and multiple non-fiction articles in a variety of local publications. She lives on a farm in Botetourt County with her husband, 40 cows, and an infinite number of birds.

She enjoys watching the deer outside her window, seeing the occasional bear, playing guitar, and keeping up with family and friends. She has a master’s degree from Hollins University

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Fran Koch

(Page 40) is a retired special education paraeducator and entrepreneur, born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. She currently resides at Smith Mountain Lake with her husband, Butch, and their dog, Bear, and their cat, Cassidy. Having never gone to college, Koch found learning about writing through her involvement with the Lake Writers, taking a short story writing course, reading books, and attending Roanoke Regional Writers Conferences. In addition to her poem and working on a short story and a memoir, she enjoys photography, painting, running, hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing and nature.

LAKE READS

Memoir Inspires Epic Adventures on the Water

by Joesephine Clarke

W

POEM

On the Fly

by Anita Firebaugh

The robin with the white wing nests again in the spruce we stole from the strange man who lives up the street.

Stolen trees grow better than purchased products.

The bird likes this one. Her three eggs rest in the little stick circle, comfortable even in Mama’s absence. She chatters from a nearby wild cherry, fussing at my impertinence as I peer into her home.

eggs: istock/getty images plus

The eggs are brilliant in color, larger than expected.

How can a tiny bird give such large things, I ask no one. As if I expect some god to speak, offer me stories or reasons why the robin’s eggs are blue.

ith the weather warming and traffic on Smith Mountain Lake increasing, boats, kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis and canoes will stake their seasonal claim on the lake. As you prepare your watercraft for launch this season, check out Hudson Bay Bound by Natalie Warren. Warren’s 2021 book is her account of canoeing from Minneapolis to the arctic waters of Canada’s Hudson Bay with her best friend Ann Raiho. It’s a story of adventure, friendship, adversity, beauty and history making. Warren and Raiho are the first women to complete the 2,250-mile route made famous by Eric Sevareid in his 1935 classic, Canoeing with the Cree.

It takes Warren and Raiho three months to complete their journey. They start their voyage paddling upstream on the Minnesota River, fighting curHudson Bay rent and wind at a rate of a mile an hour Bound: Two (a typical walking speed is three to four Women, One Dog, miles an hour). Despite the slow start, Two Thousand the women persist, and the reader is Miles to the Arctic treated to an insider account of the pracBy Natalie Warren tical realities of a 2,250-mile water trek.

University of Staying supplied, motivated, safe Minnesota Press, 224 pp. and sane while experiencing constant Paperback: physical exertion, the proximity of being $24.95 aboard a17’4” Kevlar canoe, inhospitable weather, waterfalls, white water passages and canoe repairs are challenges not to take lightly. Luckily Warren and Raiho are committed to getting along, and they experience the kindness of strangers repeatedly on their adventure.

In a world that normalizes high-speed, long-distance travel, the canoeists also reflect on their slower paced journey though the wild environment. When natural conditions shape your day and nature sightings include seals, caribou, wolves and polar bears, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of living, and surviving, in the present. By the end of the journey, the women have added a third traveling companion to their crew — a stray dog named Myhan.

By the time the intrepid trio reached the Hudson Bay, I was ready to break out my own kayak for a ride around the lake.

Although I was inclined toward a modest picnic paddle, Hudson Bay Bound provides the kind of vicarious experience that might make you dream about epic adventures on the water.  Joesephine Clarke is the branch librarian at the Westlake branch of the Franklin County Public Library.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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Mountain Muse

POEM

POEM

Dementia: Outside Looking In

Crystal Blue Paradise

I once lived A life of kings Where the waters ran Both deep and clean Nestled in the mountain wood Life was fun

by FRAN KOCH

by ROLAND INGRAM

Time. The moment. Then it’s gone.

A blip on the radar screen.

Perpetual motion.

Life was good Building palaces Across the land Building my own My family, My plan We grew and we frolicked

Hold that moment.

Through a decade of years

Turns over, can’t stay.

Then came he storm clouds

What does it all mean?

Does it really matter in the end?

Each moment. Memory.

The heartache, The tears It seems there are loopholes In the best laid of plans

Now is then.

Too much faith in humans

Today is yesterday.

Can ruin a man

Clicking away.

I’ll never get over

Memory.

The day we departed

Memory blurs.

Even to this day

Memory dims.

I awake broken hearted

Memory fades.

And though I now live

Memory ceases to exist.

In a place I can roam

What is left?

In my dreams I go back To my Smith Mountain Home Now if I should pass Lord please take me hone To my Smith Mountain Lake

 Roland Ingram previously lived at Smith Mountain Lake for 10 years.

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SHOW US YOU R MOU N TA I N M USE! We want to hear from you! To let us know what you think of the pieces in this month’s Mountain Muse and to suggest writers and artists we should feature in future issues, please email aila.boyd@roanoke.com. We’d love to showcase local sculptures, woodworking, painting, essays, poems and more. Mountain Muse is produced in partnership with the Smith Mountain Arts Council.

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To my Crystal Blue Paradise Where the water runs deep Nestled in mountain wood My soul it did keep

ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Before my next wake

Lifelong SML Resident

Specializing in fine homes, golf communities, waterfront properties, townhomes & condos.

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540-314-1798 • 800-858-4653

danamontgomery.com

View all my listings and search ALL AREA MLS LiStingS at my website:

Download My App By texting BHHSDMOntgOMERY to 87778

© 2021 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

October 7-9, 2022

Tour eight spectacular Smith Mountain Lake homes to benefit eight area charities.

Come by car or boat! www.smlcharityhometour.com

PLATINUM SPONSOR

DIAMOND SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS Charlene Jones 540-874-7002

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

43

Big L ake Summer

Whether you’re a Lake native or a newcomer, there’s no shortage of summertime fun right here (or just a short drive away). compiled by LAKER STAFF

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WORTH the ROAD TRIP!

Savor Local Strawberries ROANOKE in may After a successful drive-through version last year, Southwest Virginia’s favorite summer kick-off, the Strawberry Festival, is back to normal this year. Attendees can sample strawberry-based goodies including shortcakes and chocolate-dipped strawberries, browse among artisan and craft vendors, enjoy live music and more. Proceeds benefit the Community School. Desserts can be ordered in advance online.

May 6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., May 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Elmwood Park, Roanoke strawberryfestivalroanoke.org

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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LAKE SUMMER

Educator, author, orator and adviser to presidents, Booker T. Washington was born into slavery not far from where the lake is today.

Celebrate Juneteenth HARDY in June

On June 19, 1865 — two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Empancipation Proclamation — news reached the last enslaved people in Texas that the Civil War had ended and they were forever free. Our newest federal holiday is a great time to learn about this event and life in 19th century Virginia. The Booker T. Washington National Monument commemorates the event with ranger tours, children’s activities, food vendors and live music.

June 18, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Booker T. Washington National Monument, nps.gov/bowa

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Snag Some Art ROANOKE in JUNE

WORTH the ROAD TRIP!

Fine art including paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and more from across the country are for sale at this massive outdoor art show put on by the Taubman Museum.

June 4-5, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Downtown Roanoke, taubmanmuseum.org

Hit the Beach MONETA in may-sept.

The beach at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park is a great place to spend an afternoon in the sun! In addition to the beach, the park offers hiking trails, grilling and picnic areas, a fishing pier, a canoe/kayak launch and more.

Beach access is $3 per person (children under 3 are free).

Pets are allowed in the park but not on the beach.

Weekends Only: May 29- June 12 & August 11 - Sept. 6, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Daily: June 12- August 10, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

top right and left: dreamstime; art: the roanoke TIMES, file

playfranklincounty.com

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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LAKE SUMMER

WORTH the ROAD TRIP!

See the Salem Fair SALEM in June-July The largest fair in Virginia, the Salem Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year with 12 days of carnival rides, live music, food vendors, blue ribbon competitons and live animal attractions. A spectacular fireworks show is July 4.

June 29 - July 10, Salem Civic Center, salemfair.com

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TOP, LEFT AND OPPOSITE PAGE: DREAMSTIME; TOP LEFT, THE ROANOKE TIMES, FILE

Animal races featuring pigs, goats and dachshund dogs are a major annual attraction at the Salem Fair.

WORTH the ROAD TRIP!

Join Jefferson for the Fourth FOREST in july

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest retreat in Bedford County is a patriotic choice to spend Independence Day. Visitors will enjoy colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations by colonial artisans and craftspeople, archaeological displays, old-fashioned children’s activities, pony rides, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and more.

July 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Poplar Forest, poplarforest.org

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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LAKE SUMMER

Fireworks light up the lake last year at Mitchell’s Point Marina.

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See ‘Bombs’ Burst by Boat HUDDLESTON in july

July 4th fireworks at the lake are something special, and there’s no better way to see them than by boat. Mitchell’s Point Marina’s fireworks can be seen from your boat (at channel marker C3, if coming by water) or from a chair at the marina. The fireworks are free, but donations can be made to the Semper Fi and America’s Fund online or in person at the marina office. Parkway Marina will also be hosting fireworks on the water (channel markers R6 and R8).

Parkway Marina: July 2, Mitchell’s Point Marina: July 3

Yargh! Set Sail for Pirate Days AROUND THE LAKE in july

courtesy jordan wenger via mitchell’s point marina; pirates: laker weekly, file

Dress like a pirate and join a beloved Smith Mountain Lake tradition! Events around the lake include pirate battles on the water, trivia nights, Pancakes with Pirates and the annual pirates’ ball.

July 15, 16 & 17, Pancakes with Pirates: Mexico Viejo Tequila Bar, July 16, 8 - 10 a.m.

Tickets required; purchase in advance. visitsmithmountainlake.com, on Facebook: SmithMountainLakePirateDays

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LAKE SUMMER

Rock Out at FloydFest PATRICK COUNTY in july The five-day homegrown music festival in Patrick County has become one of the biggest concert destinations of the summer. Headliners for this year include Old Crow Medicine Show and Melissa Etheridge, among dozens of other acts. Single-day tickets still available as of April 20.

the roanoke times, file

July 27 - 31, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 170.5, floydfest.com

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L. LANE NASH: SUBMITTED

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LAKE SUMMER

All Aboard Antiques MONETA in SEPT. Well, maybe you can’t climb inside, but the 30th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show (held over from last year) gives visitors a chance to see some pristine classic boats and chat with their owners.

Sept. 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Crazy Horse Marina woodenboats.net

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Sip Stunning Wines MARINERS LANDING in SEPTEMBER Since 1989, the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival as been one of the region’s most anticipated events. Enjoy a wide variety of wines, sample gourmet food, browse artisan vendors and listen to live music. Tickets required.

Sept. 17-18, Mariners Landing

BOAT: DREAMSTIME; WINE: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

smlwinefestival.com

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LAKE SUMMER

Meet Friends at the Ag Fair ROCKY MOUNT in SEPT. The Franklin County Agricultural Fair features the best of local farm living with tractor competitions, horse shows, blue ribbon contests and all the food, rides, music and fun of a traditional county fair.

Sept. 14-17, Franklin County Recreation Park, fcagfair.com

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A cow named Ellie May is led through the crowd at the Franklin County Ag Fair in 2019.

cow: franklin news-post file; eggs, the roanoke tiems, file

WORTH the ROAD TRIP!

G I V I N G B AC K

Help Keep THE LAKE Clean THIS SUMMER n Picking up trash might not be as fun as

heading out on to the water or to a local festival or fair, but a clean lake is vital to visitors, residents and wildlife. n In lieu of one large cleanup day this

year, Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake, a group organized jointly by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, Smith Mountain Lake Association and Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission, is asking volunteers to plan their own smaller events to clean up coves, along the shoreline or on the water any time in May. This includes neighborhood groups, homeowners/property owners associations, civic organizations, families and individuals.

Thinking of purchasing, refinancing, or building a home?Your SmithMountain LakeMortgage Team is ready to help!

n “Last year, we organized a modified

version of Take Pride in SML due pandemic restrictions, and the Smith Mountain Lake community really embraced it,” said Andy Bruns, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, said.

Tom Lusk

Sr.Mortgage Banker NMLS #111939 Licensed inVA 540-314-6462 tomlusk@atlanticbay.com www.atlanticbay.com/tomlusk

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Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All loans subject to income verification, credit approval and property appraisal. Not a commitment to lend. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, L.L.C. NMLS #72043 (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) is an Equal Opportunity Lender.

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The Coves Amphitheater in Union Hall is drawing famous performers to its stage, including country music legend Ricky Scaggs last year.

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JAMMIN’ at the

COVES The Coves Amphitheater is drawing big names to match its big views, making it the hottest place on the Lake to catch a concert this summer. writing and photos by REED DILLON

M

usic is medicine for the soul. It strengthens our sense of belonging and unites us, not only with others in our community, but also across generational, cultural and social divides.

In Union Hall, on the Blackwater arm of Smith Mountain Lake, there’s a concert venue doing just that — bringing people together for the love of art and music.

With stellar views of the lake and the Peaks of Otter, The Coves Amphitheater was built in early 2021 and since then, has hosted acclaimed entertainers, including Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby and Michael Franti, among others.

The venue was the brainchild of Dennis Crumpler, developer of The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake, who partnered with builder D.A. Peters and long-time event organizer Gary Jackson.

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The Coves had previously hosted a series of art exhibitions in conjunction with jazz and classical musical performances in early 2020, which seemed to be well-received by the community.

Because the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing around this time, the trio came up with the idea to provide a safer way to experience and enjoy music in the great outdoors while also helping out area charities.

Benefitting from last year’s concert series, which wrapped up in late October, was sponsor SML Good Neighbors, Inc. Founded in 2007, SML Good Neighbors Inc. helps area at-risk children in Bedford and Franklin counties through after-school and summer enrichment programs. In addition to providing academic support, the nonprofit provides nourishing snacks and meals to keep kids focused and healthy.

“It was a natural fit,” said SML Good Neighbors’ Executive Director Lisa Lietz, when asked how the nonprofit was selected. “They just wanted to help feed children, and that is one of the things that we do.”

To get to the point of hosting high-caliber entertainment took preparation. The first component was to build a stage complete with a state-of-theart sound system and lighting.

With input from Jackson and others, Mountain Retreat Living, a division of Southern Heritage Homes, executed the drawings and plans. After obtaining the necessary permits and materials, excavation was completed. The contracting businesses of Michael LaPrade and Bodie Smith 60

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were secured to frame and completed the finish carpentry. Constructed of treated yellow pine the 54-foot-by-32-foot covered stage took about two to three weeks to construct.

The venue’s naturally sloping hillside offers views of the stage from any angle. And because the past year had been unprecedented given the COVID-19 pandemic, seating areas around the stage were cordoned off into 8-foot-by-8-foot roped spaces, called pods, to ensure audience members practiced appropriate social distancing.

To musician and avid concert-goer, Mark Earnhardt of Moneta, The Coves Amphitheater is a special place. “Being outside it feels more communal, festive and upbeat,” said Earnhardt, who has been to several concerts at The Coves with his wife, Marie.

A keyboardist for The Panini Brothers and SML Boomer Band, Earnhardt has a special appreciation for the caliber of talent The Coves has hosted since opening.

“The musicianship and professionalism has been excellent,” Earnhardt said. “I like to sit up front where I can see them display their craft.”

Jeff and Kay Chitwood of Rocky Mount attended the show featuring Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, last summer. “There’s something different about listening to music in open atmosphere under the stars,” Jeff Chitwood said. “You can hear them great, and it’s more casual being outdoors, more laid-back and festive.”

Because there isn’t another venue like it in the area, he said it’s also a great way for people to dis-

“This is a great venue, and I can’t wait to come back,” Ricky Scaggs said. “I love playing music in the mountains.”

The Coves Amphitheater  Address: 301 Ivy Lane, Union Hall.

Online: covesat sml.com

kenny g.: associated press, file; marshall tucker band courtesy; marty stuart courtesy

cover Franklin County and what the area has to offer.

Improvements are in the works for the coming year that include refining the seating options for guests and expanding the covered stage to include additional performance space.

While the stage was just one component, another necessary element of the venue was a greenroom to serve as a lounge for performers to hang out before and after each show.

A tobacco barn and former blacksmith shop that had once been part of the Board family farm and had been moved about 70 years ago to The Coves development, fit the bill perfectly.

With the help of renovation contractor Damien Gannell, the 18th century structure was meticulously renovated and now features a small kitchen, an eating area and ample lounge space. In addition, the structure is decorated with contemporary art created by a local artist.

For each show, it takes a small army of volunteers to assist in roles such as parking attendants, box office operations, beverage servers and merchandise sales. In exchange for a few hours of work, volunteers are treated to entertainment free of charge.

“I began four years ago as a volunteer at The Harvester and now at The Coves,” said parking attendant Perry Overstreet. “I enjoy volunteering and seeing the shows. My wife volunteers as well.

It is something that both my wife and I enjoy doing together. For a couple of hours of work, it’s well worth it.”

Country music legend Skaggs, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and multiple Grammy Award winner, is no stranger to the area after having played at Harvester Performance Center several times previously.

Skaggs, who plays outdoor shows around the country each summer, said he loved the sound and the atmosphere at The Coves. “This is a great venue, and I can’t wait to come back,” he said. “I love playing music in the mountains.”

All of the performers that Jackson has booked at The Coves have enjoyed the venue. “They say things like ‘have us back … now that we found The Coves, we want to schedule a day off to enjoy all the lake has to offer before or after we play’,” he said.

With Jackson’s connections to world-class entertainers, word is spreading quickly about the venue. And there’s nothing better than live music in a naturally beautiful setting, Jackson said.

“I’ve been involved in presenting live music for 50-plus years,” he said. “There’s a magic that exists between the notes, and live music improves one’s quality of life.”

Summer Concerts at the coves amphitheater

May

OUT & ABOUT

Kenny G.

An Evening with Kenny G Sunday, May 22, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $89.50 - $112.50

June

August

The Mavericks ‘En Espanol’ World Tour

The Marshall Tucker Band 50th Anniversary Tour

Saturday, June 11, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $53.50 - $85

Saturday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $54.50 - $85

Legacy Motown Review

Chris Knight

Saturday, June 25, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $26.50

Friday, Aug. 26, 6:15 p.m.

Tickets: $46.50

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

July

Sunday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $45 - $85

Paul Thorn with Corey Hunley

Friday, July 8, 6:15 p.m.

Tickets: $50 - $65

The Kruger Brothers Friday, July 15, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $42.50

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Saturday, July 16, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $53.50 - $200

Marshall Tucker Band

September Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

Asleep At The Wheel Friday Sept. 9, 6 p.m.

Tickets: $45 - $85

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at ONE Forest School in Bedford County, there are no desks, walls or textbooks; the students learn through exposure to the great outdoors. written by Amy Dye

TAUGHT

a m o n g

t h e

TREES

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A

typical morning at ONE Forest School might begin with a yoga session followed by a morning snack. After a trek to the outdoor classroom, the lead teacher gauges her students’ energy levels and allows them to direct the day’s learning activities.

ONE Forest School, a private nonprofit school located in Bedford County, is conducted completely outdoors. It’s an academically accredited and internationally recognized Forest School. Forest Schools, which started in Scandinavia and have been around since the 1950s, utilize the outdoors — such as woods and water sources — to build independence and self-esteem for all its participants. Catherine Eubank, the school director and a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, said the school’s mission is to teach emotional intelligence and mindfulness through nature-connectedness. “It’s really all about getting kids into nature,” she said. Eubank added that Forest Schools teach children how to manage emotions; they build integrity, self-esteem, tenacity and grit. Students are allowed to learn how to fail.

The school offers enrollment for preschool through eighth grade.

Though facilitated by adults, the school is child-centered and child-focused with its learning approach. There are no desks, walls or textbooks; the students learn through play. “They are working and learning at the same time,” Eubank said.

The educational activities at ONE Forest School are dictated by what the student wants to learn. Eubank explained that at ONE Forest School they are mindful of their students so that they can be mindful in nature.

Danielle Bird, a ONE Forest School parent, the secretary of the board of trustees and the school’s physician advisor, said that children in this environment learn not only to develop relationships with other children of different

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Heidi Sutherland, vice-chairwoman of the board of trustees, is a 20-year teaching veteran. They both developed the curriculum for ONE Forest School.

It is a project-based STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math) curriculum that supports the whole learner and fosters a sense of community and belonging. The overall learning focus of the primary grades is patriotism with a goal to facilitate what it means to be patriotic through the study of early American history. Using the Virginia Standards of Learning, each month has an emphasis. For instance, one of February’s themes is African American history. Projects for the month included building an underground railroad, creating code quilts and using compasses that the students made themselves to navigate the railroad. Eubank said this type of hands-on learning is perfect for students who struggle with the ability to focus.

The school currently has five students enrolled, and 12 pre-enrolled for the next school year. It follows a four nine weeks and two semester model that corresponds with the Bedford County Public Schools calendar. As enrollment continues to increase, ONE Forest School will use the typical

“There is minimal to no technology out in the woods. The stimulation to be creative and problem-solve with your mind and your hands is teaching life skills that will no doubt be a huge benefit [to the students] down the road.”

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BRANCHES AND PHOTO ON 52-53, ISTOCK PLUS/GETTY IMAGES

ages, but they also develop self-confidence and skills far beyond any traditional schooling. “There is excellent adult supervision, so I’ve never worried about the safety of my children. Yet, they are encouraged to test boundaries and go out on the proverbial limb,” she said. “The courage they find to try different activities grows weekly. And the respect they learn not only for people but for all things nature is beyond amazing.” Bird added that the students learn to work together as team members, no matter the age difference, on a variety of projects.

Janelle Hefler, the director of education, has degrees in both education and special education.

Forest School student teacher ratio of no more than five or six students per teacher. While the school does charge a tuition fee to attend, scholarships are available.

LEFT AND ABOVE, COURTESY ONE FOREST SCHOOL

Child Care & Summer Camp ONE Forest School also offers before-and-after school care, as well as a summer camp program. In fact, those programs were how ONE Forest School got its start. Prior to COVID19, it operated under the traditional Forest School model with only a preschool, summer camp and before-and-after school care.

When other schools were shutting down during COVID-19, One Forest School was able to stay open because it was considered a daycare and deemed essential. Because ONE Forest School operates entirely outdoors, masks were

not required (except for during drop-off and pick-up times). Mandatory handwashing stations were installed and temperature checks were done every day during the pandemic. In August of 2020, when Bedford County Public Schools did not open, Eubank and the ONE Forest School board of trustees made the decision to hire two teachers and offer enrollment for kindergarten through eighth grade.

ONE Forest school enrollment rates will double for the summer months when the summer camp program is offered. The camp runs from May 31 through August 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program offers both full-time and part-time enrollment options. Each week has a different focus such as: mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, dendrology, geology, botany and bees. Guest

ONE Forest School is childcentered and child-focused with its learning approach.

Educational activities are dictated by what the student wants to learn.

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speakers are invited to discuss each week’s theme with the campers. Last summer, the camp hosted a certified master arborist who taught the campers about trees, a herpetologist who brought snakes, lizards and turtles and two entomologists from the Virginia Museum of Natural History visited during insect week with their collection of bugs and bug catching tools.

“We strive for a very interactive and engaging summer for the children,” Eubank said. Campers build structures, create crafts from nature and experience storytelling from the comfort of a hammock.

Forest Theatre

Forest School for Adults The School is not only for children. Adults can also benefit from nature-connectedness and play. Forest School for Adults offers classes and play sessions every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with rates for singles, couples and special rates for groups. Classes include campfire and nature crafting, tree and plant identification, whittling circles, water and mud play. After class, adults can engage in games such as tag, hide-and-seek and mud pit tug of war.

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Escape the Forest ONE Forest School recently opened Virginia’s first outdoor escape room aptly titled: Escape the Forest. Adventurers (ages 7 to 107 — says a flyer promoting the game) can choose from a menu of 10 escape options and beginner, intermediate or advanced skill levels. Participants have 90 minutes to solve their chosen puzzle and escape the forest.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from Escape the Forest goes to the scholarship fund for ONE Forest School. Time slots for both the Forest School for Adults and Escape the Forest must be booked in advance through the ONE Forest School website.

The school emphasizes handson learning. Lessons on African American history, for example, included building an underground railroad, creating code quilts and using compasses

The Future Along with its current offerings, ONE Forest School is excited and hopeful for its future. There is a treehouse that needs finishing and a connective bridge that spans two creeks needs to be built. Eubank said that the school is always looking for money to purchase more land so that ONE Forest School can move further into nature. The existing private nature preserve on which the school is currently housed would become open to the public with environmental educators and interpreters onhand to engage with visitors.

But at its heart, ONE Forest School remains devoted to its children. “We’re here for the children,” Eubank said. “We’re putting in the foundation for this beautiful thing.”

ONE Forest School  ONE Forest School accepts donations for scholarships, program and project funding, arts, crafts and building supplies, as well as physical help with gardening, landscaping and building. Visit oneforestschool. org for more information.

COURTESY ONE FOREST SCHOOL

The Forest Theatre is a popular summer camp activity. Every Friday, the campers put on a 10 minute play at the end of the day. Leading up to Friday, about 30 minutes is spent each day working on that week’s play. Every camper must be involved in some way — whether it is writing the script, directing or building the props. Each week has a theme which focuses on a topic that campers might find difficult to discuss in another medium. Issues like bullying, cheating or lying are addressed. Eubank explained that the Forest Theatre teaches children how to handle uncomfortable situations through comedy. “They are learning to find their voice,” she said.

Parents are invited to watch the performances.

Afterward, the campers start a campfire using the flint and steel friction method they’ve learned at camp. Once the fire gets going, parents and campers alike end the week by making and eating s’mores.

Bird said that through ONE Forest School young children are learning in a fun and diverse environment. “There is minimal to no technology out in the woods. The stimulation to be creative and problem-solve with your mind and your hands is teaching life skills that will no doubt be a huge benefit down the road,” she said.

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Lake Effects 10 YEARS LATER

N E W F E AT U R E

Smith Mountain Lake was more than just a backdrop for A hallmark movie — it was its guiding force written by

Aila Boyd Jane Seymour (center, top) starrred in the 2012 film which follows a family who reunite after the death of their father.

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photos courtesy sara timmins; the roanoke times, file

O

n May 6, 2012, Smith Mountain Lake residents tuned into the Hallmark Channel and proudly watched the premiere of the film “Lake Effects.” Many of the lake-area viewers of the film that had been shot in their backyard had been involved in the production to one extent or another.

The film was a true community effort spearheaded by producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins.

Originally from northeast Ohio, she moved to Los Angeles shortly after college to pursue her filmmaking dreams. It was around the time of her move that she first started hearing about the lake. Having no real connections to the area, her mother started exploring the lake on the internet.

From there, her parents started renting houses around different parts of the lake each summer. Eventually, her parents retired to Smith Mountain Lake roughly 20 years ago.

“I came and visited and fell in love with the area. I thought it would be a wonderful place to make a film,” she remembers.

Her realization came at a time when she was struggling professionally.

She was pounding the pavement and enjoyed working in the film industry, but ultimately wanted to work on projects that “put inspirational content into the world.” It was the drive to create content that would make a difference that led her to start her own production company, Life Out Loud

Films.

The ingredients started to come together for the then-unnamed and unscripted Smith Mountain Lake film during a wrap party for a film that Timmins had worked on in Los Angeles.

Timmins, Michael McKay, who eventually became the director, and Matthew Boyd, who eventually became the cinematographer, were talking about what to do next. Timmins brought up her Smith Mountain Lake idea. The three initially thought they might be able to make a microbudget film with a maximum of $30,000. They even thought they would act in it themselves.

Bit by bit, they started piecing together the narrative. While not autobiographical, the three wanted to focus on some of the “aha moments” they had experienced. Other ideas that fell into place including: exploring the idea of growing up in a small town and moving to a big city and focusing on two women.

Scott Winters pitched his idea for a script based off some of the ideas that the three had come up with, which eventually became “Lake Effects.”

The script was impacted heavily by various trips core members of the creative team made to Smith Mountain Lake.

“It was very informed by the lake itself and the people and experiences,” Timmins said of the script.

The final script ended up telling the story of Sara, who is played by Scottie Thompson, who returns to her childhood home at Smith Mountain Lake after years of estrangement. The return is prompted by her father’s death. While home, she seeks to help settle her father’s estate. Eventually a sense of peace and understanding is reached between Sara, her sister Lily, who is played by Madeline Zima, and her mother Vivian, who is played

by Jane Seymour.

As time went on, the project grew in size.

Roanoke businessman Bart Wilner, president of Entre Computer Center, was approached by Timmins for funding. While Wilner didn’t promptly agree to open up his checkbook, he didn’t immediately turn her down either.

Despite not having any experience in the film industry, Wilner did have a connection to the project due to the fact that he had a home at the lake.

During their initial meeting, Wilner was intrigued by the idea for the film, but ultimately told her that he likely wouldn’t invest in the project. However,

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The script was impacted heavily by various trips core members of the creative team made to Smith Mountain Lake. “It was very informed by the lake itself and the people and experiences,” producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins said.

he did say he would do what he could to help her.

Following the meeting, Wilner brought home a prospectus for the project and the “Lake Effects” script. The script quickly found its way into the hands of his wife, who is an ardent bibliophile.

After reading the script, she informed him that she would like to meet Timmins.

The three met for lunch, then Wilner and his wife spent July 4 with Timmins and her family at the lake. Over time, they all became friends. “I thought this could really be big for the community if we could make this work,” Wilner said after giving the film some more thought.

As a diligent businessman, Wilner asked Timmins for a handful of references. All of the film industry professionals Wilner talked with had glowing things to say about Timmins. Feeling more assured about Timmins, Wilner decided to set up a lunch between Timmins and several local businessmen, the majority of which had homes at Smith Mountain Lake.

“I knew tourism and economic development works hand in hand. Filming a movie at Smith Mountain Lake, if it was successful, would really put Smith Mountain Lake back on the map. It would bring a lot of positive exposure, which helps tourism and economic development,” Wilner, who eventually did invest in the film, said of why he wanted to champion the project.

From there, the funding started to flow into the

project.

Filming took place two years prior to the release, in the fall of 2010. It took roughly a month, with six-day weeks to shoot the film.

While many of the people involved in the film were from the greater Los Angeles area, the production became a true community effort.

Although the area around the lake is beautiful, it isn’t like other areas where films are shot. It doesn’t have a commercial airport in the immediate vicinity, there aren’t companies nearby that provide film-quality cameras and lighting equipment and there aren’t companies that specialize in providing craft services.

Despite the challenges, Timmins said “things just kept falling into place.”

Alternative resources were tapped into, many of which came directly from lake locals.

“It gave the local community more of an opportunity to get involved than if we had been able to snap our fingers and had everything that we needed right there,” she said.

Airline miles were donated to fly the talent in.

Local volunteers traveled to the airport and transported various actors back to the set. Various organizations and nonprofits provided breakfast for the cast and crew. Those who didn’t mind getting their hands dirty pitched in and helped with the set construction.

The community contributions also helped the production save money. Throughout filming, the production was guided by the idea that there wouldn’t be a film without the lake.

“We wanted to be really authentic and genuine in how we portrayed the area and the circumstances,” Timmins said.

She explained that after she and crew visited

LAKE EFFECTS n YEAR: 2012 n STARRING: Jane Seymour, Scottie Thompson, Madeline Zima n DIRECTOR: Michael McKay n DESCRIPTION: After

the loss of their father, two estranged sisters reunite with their mother at their enchanting family house on Smith Mountain Lake and find that the secret to overcoming tragedy and rebuilding hope lies in their ability to look deeper at themselves. n AVALABLE ON:

Peacock, Amazon Prime, Pluto, Movie Central, Roku, Tubi, Vudu and iTunes

film without the lake.

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the lake and got to know the people and area, they felt a sense of responsibility to maintain as much authenticity as they could.

To help bolster authenticity, the majority of the extras were locals.

Chinah Jewell was one of the locals who was included in the film. She appeared as herself as Miss Virginia.

She also served as the production coordinator. The lake-area native’s intimate knowledge of the area came in handy, often suggesting locations.

She describes the experience as being a challenge, but also rewarding. A large part of her job consisted of securing volunteers and food for the cast and crew. “It was really eye-opening to see that side of filming,” she said.

Jewell said her time on set helped her grow in boldness. She quickly became comfortable asking for things that would be beneficial to the production. Those who contributed often received acknowledgement in the film’s credits.

“It was really neat to see how Sara Elizabeth married the community, but also the high-caliber level of production. We got the community involved and maintained a lower budget,” she said.

A moment that made her realize how lucky she is to be from this area was when she was helping transport Ben Savage, an actor featured in the film, to the set from the Lynchburg airport. He made several comments about the beauty of the area. “It was interesting to hear his reaction,” she said, adding that she had previously taken her surroundings for granted.

The moment with Savage tied into the reason why the script resonated with her. “The main character had gone away, then she came back and saw the value where she was from,” Jewell said. “When I was going to James Madison University, I had plans to move to D.C. for theatre. I had plans to not come back to Smith Mountain Lake immediately. This opportunity brought me back home and then a series of other opportunities kept me here. It really resonated with me that you don’t have to leave to pursue your dream. Sometimes coming home with a new set of eyes can really show you

the value in what you might have gotten used to.”

After “Lake Effects” wrapped production, Jewell went on to work on the next film Timmins did.

“Wish You Well” was filmed in Giles County. She is now a special education teacher at Burnt Chimney Elementary School.

The 10-year anniversary is cause for celebration for Jewell. “I truly see the film as a celebration of our area. I think the film was so important and still is,” she said. “For years to come, I hope it will continue to drive people to the area and reignite other people’s love for the area if they had moved away.”

GiGi Raines, who went to high school in Roanoke, played a receptionist in the film.

When the production was starting to come together, she had just graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in French and film, with a minor in theatre. “I always knew I wanted to be an actress,” she said.

The timing was perfect. Her mother informed her that the film was going to be shot in the greater Roanoke region. Itching to break into the business, Raines looked up the phone number for Timmins and cold called her. She informed Timmins that she had recently graduated from college, before asking if she could be involved in the production. Timmins told Raines that she would keep her in mind.

Roughly six months went by before Raines heard from Timmins again. At the time, Raines had relocated to Boston to pursue acting. Tim-

To help bolster the film’s authenticity, the filmmakers cast locals 72

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mins informed Raines that they were casting a specific role and invited her to audition for it. Raines jumped at the chance.

In the end, she didn’t land the role she had auditioned for. However, the casting agent made her a different offer. The lead actress, Thompson, needed a stand-in. Raines accepted . Throughout the production, she diligently performed her stand-in duties.

Raines described filming at the lake as being “very beautiful.” She said it was ironic how she had moved to Boston to pursue a film career, but that her first professional opportunity came from her own backyard. She was no stranger to Smith Mountain Lake, having spent time there growing up at her aunt and uncle’s house.

On the last day of filming, the director and assistant director asked her if she would like to actually appear in the film. Raines eagerly informed them she did. She ended up saying: “Coffee, Ms. Tisdale?”

While the amount of screen time she had was very small compared to the 1 hour and 34 minute run time of the entire film, it launched her career. “I was immediately SAG eligible, had stand-in experience and I had my first credit on a TV film,” she said. “It was big.”

She has since gone on to play the daughter of the Tom Hanks character in “Captain Philips” in 2013 and worked as a stand-in on “The Judge” in 2014.

as most of the extras.

The narrative of the film has resonance with Raines, who recently returned to Roanoke after living in Los Angeles for eight years. She is continuing to work with Timmins and her production company. Her work primarily focuses on building out community efforts in the filmmaking world.

“Everything can be so remote now, which is kind of the one good thing that came out of the pandemic,” she said. “It’s really lovely to be back. I needed these mountains so badly.”

In considering the 10-year anniversary of the film, she said that it is still a part of her life. Many people in her life, including her aunt and neighbor, have DVD copies of it that they pull out from time to time.

While not from the area like Jewell or Raines, showbusiness veteran Mary Beth McDonough, who played the role of Elizabeth, has fond memories of the time she spent filming at Smith Mountain Lake.

“Spending time at Smith Mountain Lake was fantastic,” she said. “The lake is so beautiful.”

A fond memory she has from filming was being taken for a ride on a Sea-Doo by a local for a tour of the lake.

The warm embrace the locals gave the production, she said, was quite amazing. “They were a part of it in so many ways,” she said.

Perhaps best known for her stint as Erin in “The Waltons,” McDonough was drawn to the idea of playing Elizabeth because she was unlike most characters she had played in the past. “It was fun to play someone a little trampy, from the other side of the tracks,” she said. “She was somebody who was misunderstood because of her image. That was great for me. I loved adding it to my resume.”

While most films fade from the minds of audiences shortly after their initial release, McDonough feels “Lake Effects” has staying power.

“The themes in the story still resonate today, especially after going through COVID,” she explained. “It’s about family, finding the truth, a relationship between a father and daughter, reconnecting to what’s really important and coming back home. After two years of COVID and separation from friends and family, we’re really reminded of how important it is to connect to your roots.”

Even 10 years after its premiere, the film is still finding audiences. It’s currently available on Peacock, Amazon Prime, Pluto, Movie Central, Roku, Tubi, Vudu and iTunes.

“It’s something that lives on every day,” Timmins said.

Wilner agrees with Timmins. He said, “It’s a lovely project. I think everybody is proud of it. So many positive things happened because of it.”

The warm embrace the locals gave the production was quite amazing, actress Mary Beth McDunough said.

“They were a part of it in so many ways.”

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submitted photos

The old country store was demolished to make way for a 5,000-square-foot center adjacent to the existing Lake Chrstian Ministries property in downtown Moneta.

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As part of its 30th anniversary, Lake Christian Ministries is raising money to build a center to help lift neighbors out of poverty FAITH AT S M L

S

ince its inception in 1992, Lake Christian Ministries has been caring for others by uplifting and assisting area families in need by providing food, clothing, financial aid, education and job placement assistance. Because of COVID-19 and its impact on the economy, the need in recent years has been even more acute.

Before the pandemic, incurring a family or an individual in severe crisis was episodic. “It would happen maybe three or four times a month,” said LCM’s Executive Director Jane Winters. “Now we encounter people every day in crisis and who are on the verge of getting their power cut off or being kicked out of their housing.”

Poverty can be categorized in two different ways: generational and situational. Recently, there has been an upswing in those finding themselves in situational poverty. Individuals or families who are living paycheck to paycheck, caught in circumstances beyond their control, which can resort to people living with no heat or electricity and families living in their car.

LCM staff and volunteers have been tasked with negotiating power bills with Appalachian Power and solving back- rent issues with landlords. With government moratoriums and subsidies on rent ending, some LCM clients have found themselves owing thousands of dollars in back payments, said Winters.

To work more effectively with their clients, LCM is engaging in the Build Hope For Tomorrow Capital Campaign. As part of its 30th anniversary, the goal of the campaign is to raise $700,000 to build a center to facilitate pathways out of poverty.

Constructing an additional facility enables LCM to connect to coordinated community services, forge business partnerships for job placement and stabilize families in crisis more effectively.

“If we can stabilize people at the point of crisis and get them involved in the New Tomorrows program, we have a chance of making a change for the future of their family,” Winters said.

The new, 5,000-square-foot building will be adjacent to the existing LCM property in downtown Moneta where the old country store had been. Unfortunately, it was proven not feasible to restore the existing building due to asbestos and structural issues, and it had to be demolished.

Thankfully, some parts of the original structure were preserved. Six porch columns and some of the wood flooring from the store were retained before demolition. To pay homage to the old store, the columns will be used on the front porch of the new building and possibly some of the original flooring will be used in its interior. Three acres of property on each side of the current LCM facility were purchased in May 2021.

The new building will have a learning center with an open classroom that can be partitioned into three smaller classrooms. It also will include a large clothing selection room. The warehouse will house furniture, appliances, mattresses, bed frames and other large household items in addition to a loading dock for donations and additional parking.

“The reason I’m involved with this project is because I see the need, and I have a skill set to help,” said Jim Bennett, project manager for the LCM expansion. “Lake Christian Ministries needs this new facility because the demand for food, clothing and services has grown exponentially in

BUILDING HOPE for TOMORROW written by

REED DILLION

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our community over recent years, further exacA large part of the need for the new erbated by the COVID pandemic. The new larger facility is because it became apparent warehouse space with a loading dock will enable that just providing food and clothing us to receive and store more donated furniture and major appliances and will free up room in the for people doesn’t necessarily impact existing warehouse for additional food storage. a total transition out of poverty.

The new clothing selection area will enable us to utilize the current clothing space to create additional offices to meet with neighbors.”

A large part of the need for the new facility is because of LCM’s New Tomorrows program. It became apparent that just providing food and clothing for people doesn’t necessarily impact a total transition out of poverty. Staffed by Susan Hughes and Angela Hill, the program’s goal is to help clients move out of poverty toward lives of self-sufficiency and stability. The program, started in 2016, addresses specific financial issues, job search needs, and family concerns.

Clients are selected based on their willingness to move toward greater stability and self-sufficiency and take personal responsibility for their growth. Each client must devote time to work on established goals and work with a mentor to help achieve those goals.

“For 30 years, Lake Christian Ministries has served vulnerable families in our lake community without a request for facility improvement. Their strong commitment toward helping those that are in need and in crises provides the inspiration in making these plans a reality. When completed, the expanded facilities and campus will serve LCM and local families in need well into the future,” said Dave and Cindy Cappellari, honorary co-chairs of LCM’s capital campaign and owners of Capps Home Building Center.

Other community members have rallied around the project, too. Dave Bower, owner of Seven Oaks, has volunteered landscape and hardscape services as an in-kind donation. “We participated in this project because we saw the good that Lake Christian Ministries was doing in the community. In the past we have contributed to some of their efforts but on one of their busier days, we went there, and I came away impressed on how everyone was treated with dignity.

The givers and the receivers felt as one. We wanted to be a part of helping people out of poverty. Seven Oaks has been blessed and we wanted to share our blessings with the community.”

Craig Balzer and Robert Pilkington, of Balzer & Associates, worked with Bower and Matt Peters, of Covenant Engineering, to help shape the overall design and provide the preliminary design plan. A design team also put in countless hours, offering their in-kind support for this project. The design committee includes Bower and Alison Welch of Seven Oaks Landscape and Hardscapes, Balzer and Pilkington of Balzer and Associates and Peters of Covenant Engineering.

LCM is hoping to raise the remainder of the funds needed by summer for construction to begin this fall. Donations to the Build Hope For Tomorrow project can be made by visiting lcm buildshope.org.

Key Moments for LCM

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1991 n Resurrection Catholic Church, Bethlehem United Methodist Church and Trinity Ecumenical Parish collaborate to launch Lake Christian Ministries.

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1992 n LCM starts a food pantry at Trinity Ecumenical Parish.

1994 n LCM provides first Thanksgiving Dinner to food insecure families.

1995 n LCM serves 3,000+ individuals annually and launches the first A Child’s Christmas Program providing gifts and warm clothes to children in need.

jason dunovant, laker weekly

FAITH AT S M L

Warming Shelter Helps Those Left out in the Cold LCM partners with Redwood United Methodist Church to provide for those in need. written by reed dillon

C

Lake Christian Ministries Executive Director Jane Winters (left) speaks with volunteers Al Paul and Nancy Waybright inside the nonprofit’s clothing area.

ommunity partnership is at the heart of Lake Christian Ministries’ mission. In January, Redwood United Methodist Church partnered with the nonprofit to open a warming shelter to area residents who were literally left in the cold due to various circumstances.

Before this, the nearest warming shelter was in Martinsville. After the church’s failure to obtain a grant, the warming shelter almost didn’t happen; however, through a partnership with Lake Christian Ministries and other organizations in the community, the shelter became a reality.

“The church never could have done this on its own,” said Redwood Pastor Sarah Payne. “The warming shelter is an example of the power of partnership. When we come together, as Redwood UMC, LCM, Franklin County Social Services and Homestead Creamery, with our numerous volunteers and supporters, we can make the shelter possible and serve the needs of our community.”

Open from Jan. 3 through March 4, the Warming Shelter of Franklin County offers a hot dinner, a warm place to stay for the night, and a light breakfast for area residents without a home. During the time period, the shelter averaged about 10 guests a night (most were repeat visitors) and served a total of 22 different people, including a family with four children.

Guests, Payne said, expressed their gratefulness for the temporary overnight lodging as they searched for local, affordable housing. To date, she

said, five people have secured permanent housing and two others found employment.

Stephen Kaplan, a volunteer at both the Franklin and Martinsville warming shelters, spent more than 30 nights volunteering at the Franklin County shelter. “Volunteering in these warming shelters has really opened my eyes to the need locally,” he said. “Prior to this I really had no experience with the homeless. After learning about the Franklin County Warming Shelter, I knew that I needed to be involved here at home.”

Kaplan added that “even though we are now experiencing warmer weather that doesn’t fix out homeless problem. Longer term solutions are needed.”

Lisa, one resident who came to the shelter in early January, had been struggling to find a place to live for nearly two months. A few days before the shelter closed, Lisa knocked on the front door of a homeowner to ask about a cottage he owned that looked vacant. Fortunately, the timing was right, and Lisa had found a new home. Because of her involvement with Lake Christian Ministries, Lisa’s security deposit was waived and she was able to obtain much-needed donated appliances.

Kay Saleeby, director of Helping Hands of Franklin County, an organization that provides help with electric bill termination notices, rent or mortgage issues, heating fuel, prescription medication, and other emergency needs, expressed her appreciation for the shelter. Saleeby said she is often the person who gets contacted by law enforcement to provide a motel room for someone who is found on the street in sub-freezing temperatures.

“Helping Hands can help people for a very short term, which isn’t real productive,” Saleeby said. “The Warming Shelter of Franklin County is a longer term solution, and it free’s up money so that Helping Hands can assist others in need.”

After spending the first few days in her new home, Lisa shared her thoughts. “ I went for a walk in the woods behind my home,” she said. “I’m feeling physically and spiritually renewed because now I finally have a home.”

from Jan. 3 through March 4, the shelter averaged 10 guests a night, including a family of 4.

2003 n LCM becomes a Feeding America Southwest Virginia agency partner.

The annual Back to School Program is launched.

2008 n Mobile food pantry program begins for the Penhook area and Moneta Senior Center.

2011 n $150,000 renovation project expands LCM’s building to add much-needed space.

2014 n LCM initiates the New Tomorrows Program, a program to lift people out of poverty.

2022 n $700,000 campaign begins to build an additional facility, renovate the existing facility, and create a service campus to meet growing demand.

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FAITH AT S M L

Lake Houses of Worship A guide to some of the churches around SML

T

he task of finding a church away from home may seem daunting, but the smith mountain lake area is home to several congregations, representing a number of denominations and worship styles, which welcome both seasonal and permanent residents to their services.

EastLake Community Church “We have a lot of people who, throughout the year, will come down here for the weekend and will come and attend the church. But then obviously during the summer time with the influx of people... we have a lot of those people who show up,” EastLake Community Church Executive Pastor Bob Winters said.

The seed for EastLake Community Church, 1201 Timberwood Lane in Moneta, was planted in 2006 by Parkway House of Prayer of Roanoke and by Troy Keaton, EastLake’s current senior pastor.

“We are a Bible-believing, nondenominational church that is committed to being a house of prayer for all nations,” Winters said.

Winters said he would classify the church’s worship style as contemporary and its congregation as fairly young.

“This past Sunday we had 80 children at one service...and we had 40 in the nursery,” Winters said.

EastLake holds services at 9 and 11 a.m. on Sundays, with the 11 a.m. service live-streamed on the church’s website, eastlake-church.com.

“During the July 4 weekend EastLake hosts the community for several events, including the ‘BeastLake’ which is a 5K and obstacle course race. Labor Day weekend we have an outdoor concert and fireworks, and of course our Christmas events,” Winters said. n

eastlake-church.com M O N E TA

Bethlehem United Methodist Church Also located in Moneta is Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 S. Old 78

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Moneta Road. Bethlehem is one of the area’s oldest churches, with roots reaching back to 1804. Bethlehem holds 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday worship services, both of which can be attended in-person or viewed live online. n

Bethlehem United Methodist

bethlehemunitedmethodist.org WIRTZ

Halesford Baptist Church Established in 1832 and located across the lake to the west, Halesford Baptist Church, 2485 Lost Mountain Road in Wirtz, is another long-lived church near Smith Mountain Lake.

“We have a wonderful number of seniors here but we also have a very large number of young adults and everything across the spectrum, we have a lot of children here, we have a lot of teenagers here,” Halesford Lead Pastor Craig Polston said. “We pretty much have ministries for everybody, any age group.”

Halesford holds Sunday services at 8:30 and 11 a.m., and both services feature a blend of traditional and contemporary worship styles.

“We’re not just a strictly traditional church where we do hymns, but we’re also not a high-end contemporary church where there’s lights and fog machines and a rock band,” Polston said. “We have instrumental where we’re doing guitars and drums. ... We’ll start off very modern, contemporary and then we might have a hymn or two in the service.”

Polston said the services are designed to give everybody an opportunity to worship in a way they feel comfortable.

“It is a historical church in the area but the exciting thing about it is that we have a very well-balanced church,” Polston said. n

halesford.com

Hales Ford Baptist

H A R DY

Vitalize Church On the flip side, Vitalize Church is one of the area’s newer congregations.

Launched on Easter Sunday in 2012, Vitalize recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a special worship service and a sunset Easter celebration.

A page on the ‘history’ section of the Vitalize Church website said the church leaders “believe in meeting people where they are,” whether that means being present at local festivals or doing public baptisms in a dunk tank or at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park.

Vitalize’s regular Sunday services take a very contemporary approach to worship.

top: jason dunovant, laker weekly; courtesy; pages 70-71: istock/getty images plus

M O N E TA

“It’s like a rock and roll concert on Sunday morning,” Vitalize Lead Pastor Tony Gray said. “...We consider ourselves non-denominational, but we have Baptist roots.”

However, Gray emphasized that every service is preached straight from the Bible.

Vitalize services are held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at 145 Builders Pride Dr. in Hardy, which has been the church’s home since November 2019.

“We were in a movie theater for seven years...so it’s nice to have a place we don’t Troy Keaton, pastor at Eastlake Community Church, receives a COVID-19 vaccination last year.

Vitalize Church

Trinity Ecumenical

Resurrection Catholic

have to set up and tear down every week,” Gray said.

Vitalize holds its annual Touch A Truck event in June, which Gray said sometimes attracts a couple thousand people.

“We do it on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend. We invite people to bring their work vehicles. We’ll have police there, rescue squad, fire and other vehicles and children get to climb into the driver’s seat of those kinds of vehicles to see how they work,” Gray said. n vitalizechurch.com

M O N E TA

Trinity Ecumenical Parish Back in Moneta, people of Episcopal, Lutheran and Presbyterian persuasions can be found under one roof at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Dr. Trinity has been a blended church since its establishment in 1991.

The blended church traces its beginnings to the 1980s, when Episcopalian, Lutheran and Presbyterian regional clergy separately began investigating the idea of establishing individual churches at the lake.

As the story goes, a consultant hired by one of the denominations recommended that they work together to establish a single church at the lake. Even before that, members of all three denominations were already privately gathering to worship together, since none seemed large enough to begin a solo mission congregation.

The church views its blended nature as one of its strengths.

“We believe that God has called Trinity Ecumenical Parish into being in order to show the world that followers of Jesus Christ can come together from many backgrounds, forming a faith community where diversity is accepted and differences are not allowed to divide us,” the about us section of Trinity Ecumenical Parish’s website said.

The three constituent congregations are led by Pastors Philip A. Bouknight and Bea Miller. Trinity’s services take place in person at 8 and 10:30 a.m. every Sunday, although the church’s 10:30 a.m. services

are also live-streamed on YouTube. n

trinityecumenical.org M O N E TA

Resurrection Catholic Church Moneta is also home to the lake’s only Catholic church, Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Road.

“We like to call ourselves the best little Catholic church at Smith Mountain Lake,” Resurrection Office Volunteer Joe Ferrara said. “We’re a small, unique community of parishioners.”

Before Resurrection was established, local families had to drive to Bedford or Lynchburg to attend mass. The church started about 40 years ago with roughly 70 members. Until the 1987 groundbreaking ceremony for the congregation’s own building, the parishioners met at each other’s homes and in other transitional spaces, including Bethlehem United Methodist Church.

These days, Resurrection has about 460 families, led by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, pastor, and Rev. Barry Welch, deacon and pastoral associate.

Resurrection holds mass on Thursday at 11 a.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and on Sunday at 4 p.m. Sunday’s mass is livestreamed on the Resurrection Catholic Church Facebook page.

For almost as long as Resurrection has existed, it has organized the Joyous Junque sale. The church accepts donated items for the Joyous Junque sale, which is typically held in the summer, and sells them to raise money for local charities like Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County, the Agape Center and Lake Christian Ministries.

“If someone is interested in donating to Joyous Junque, the Joyous Junque team phone number is 540-314-8404,” Ferrara said. n

resurrectioncatholic.org

Non-Christian Denominations  There are no mosques or synagogues directly in the Smith Mountain Lake area.

There are Jewish and Muslim places of worship in Roanoke and Salem, as well as Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh temples and Jehovah’s Witness and Mormon churches.

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OUT & ABOUT

Calendar

B I G I S L AN D

BBQ and Blues

May & June May 4 |

Wednesday

Willie Watson: Live music from Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. $32-$260. harvester-music.com

5 |

Thursday

Victor Wooten - Bass Extremes: Live music from Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. $47$340. harvester-music.com

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3- or 5 mile run/walk on roads. Free. 6 p.m. Chaos Mountain Brewing. Shine Runners on Facebook

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Note: The events listed here were scheduled when this issue went to press. However, it is best to confirm the date and time of these events with the specific venues before venturing out.

6 |

Friday

Jade Bird and Kate Pruitt: Live music from Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. Standing show.

8 p.m. $27-$218. harvester-music. com

7 |

Saturday

Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association Showcase: At Bower Center for the Arts. 6:30-8 p.m. bowercenter.org

Knot-a-Spring-Fling - Songwriters Edition at Crazy Horse Marina: Noon. Tickets and information at crazyhorse-marina.com

Brandie Hanks: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

Sunset Saturdays: At Hickory Hill Vineyard and Winery, Moneta. 6-10 p.m. $10. smlwine.com

Chris Suter: Live music at Drifter’s.

2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

Mayker’s Market: At Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. bowercenter.org

TOP: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; RIGHT: ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE

W H AT TO D O

 Saturday, May 21: Teams from across Virginia compete with some of the best BBQ in the state. Enjoy great food, live music and local vendors Gates open at noon. Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Rd., Big Island. sedeliacenter.org

Plenty to do  Find more events in Laker Weekly and online at smithmountainlake.com

Karlee Raye: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 3-5 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

8 |

Sunday

Calvin Lawhorn: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

12 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3-mile run/walk on trails. Free. 6 p.m.

Hammer & Forge Brewing. Shine Runners on Facebook

13 |

Friday

The Steel Drivers - Night 1: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. Standing show. $37-$57. harvester-music.com

14 |

Saturday

SMAC Coffeehouse Series features Common Ground Bluegrass Band.

Live music with locals Terry Mills, Daniel Pruitt, Laura Ellis-Maxwell and Ricky Ellis. 1100 Celebration Square Suite 101 (lower level) Moneta. 7 p.m. Tickets $15 each ($10 for SMAC members) and available at smac-arts. com

Marie Anderson: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

Spring Festival at Big Otter Mill: Noon-4 p.m. Barbecue, live music and tours. Free. 3533 Big Island Highway, Bedford

Troy Coleman: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

Zach Burnette: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 3-5 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

19 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3-mile run/walk on trails. Free. 6 p.m.

Brooks Mill Winery. Shine Runners on Facebook

20 |

Friday

Percy Abell: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

Rare Form at Crazy Horse Marina: 6 p.m. Crazy Horse Marina on Facebook

21 |

Saturday

National Kids to Parks Day: Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with paid parking. 540-297-6066

FireHouse Fest 2022: Festival and fundraiser supporting Boones Mill Fire Department. Music, vendors, games. Boones Mill Market Place. 1-10 p.m. $5 per vehicle. townofboonesmill.org

Sunset Saturdays: At Hickory Hill Vineyard and Winery, Moneta. 6-10 p.m. $10. smlwine.com

Tate Tuck: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

Rodney Crowell: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. Standing show. $57$360. harvester-music.com

22 |

Sunday

Annalyse Marie with Tim Rowlett: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 3-5 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

Christian Q: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 5-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

An Evening with Kenny G: The Coves Amphitheater, Union Hall. $89.50 plus $5.10 service fee and $8.95 facility fee, or $112.50, plus $5.89 service fee and $11.25 facility fee. 7 p.m. seeticketsus.com

Blue & BBQ Festival: At Sedalia Center, Big Island. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. sedaliacenter.org

Angie Selfridge and Tie-Dye Rick: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

UNION HALL

An Evening with Kenny G  Sunday, May 22: Relax lakeside with Kenny G, the best-selling instrumentalist of all time. The Coves Amphitheater, Union Hall. Tickets: $89.50 -112.50 seeticketsus.com

The Steel Drivers - Night 2: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. Standing show. $37-$57. harvester-music.com

15 |

Sunday

Dave Owens and Elizabeth Davidson: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

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Calendar

OUT & ABOUT

27 |

Friday

Matt Powell: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook Los Gatos: Live music at Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford. 7-8:30 p.m. bowercenter.org

28 |

Saturday

Justin Prillaman: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook Sunset Saturdays: At Hickory Hill Vineyard and Winery, Moneta. 6-10 p.m. $10. smlwine.com Noah Spencer: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

29 |

Sunday

Steve & Robin: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com Noah Spencer: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 3-5 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

30 |

Monday

Memorial Day Commemoration: At National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.

10 a.m.-noon. dday.org

3 |

Friday

Lakeside Singers present “Love Letters”: Concert under direction of Melia Garber at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta.

7 p.m. Tickets $15 each ($12 for SMAC Members) and available at smac-arts.com Blind Boys of Alabama: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. $47-$338. harvester-music.com Seph Custer: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

3-4 |

Fri.-Sat

Joyous Junque at Resurrection Catholic Church Spring Sale: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Furniture, lamps and artworks, lawn and garden equipment, patio furniture, electric and gas lawn equipment, picnic items, personal watercraft, bicycles and water sports equipment.

Information at joyousjunque.org.

4 |

Saturday

Lakeside Singers present “Love Letters”: Concert under direction of Melia Garber at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta.

2 p.m. Tickets $15 each ($12 for SMAC Members) and available at smac-arts.com

Shanolan! Live music at Fables and Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m. fablesandfeatherswinery.com Hiroya Tsukomoto: Live music at Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford.

7-8:15 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. bowercenter.org Annalyse Marie: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com Percy Abell: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

5 |

Sunday

Travis Reigh: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 3-5 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook Justin Prillaman: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

9 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3-mile run/walk on trails. Free. 6 p.m.

Hammer & Forge Brewing. Shine Runners on Facebook

S M L S TATE PAR K

Owl Prowl Night Hike

2 |

Thursday

 Saturday, June 4: Join a park ranger in a night hike calling for owls in the treetops. Space is limited. Registration opens May 27. Free. Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston.

8-9:15 p.m. 540-297-6066

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3- or 5 mile run/walk on roads. Free. 6 p.m. Chaos Mountain Brewing. Shine Runners on Facebook The Petty Hearts: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. $22-180. harvester-music.com

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Barn owls like this one are common in Virginia.

istock/getty images plus

June

10 |

Friday

Jodie Davis: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

11 |

Saturday

The Mavericks “En Espanol” World Tour: The Coves Amphitheater, Union Hall. 7 p.m. $53.50 plus $3.88 service fee and $5.35 facility fee or $83.50 plus $4.90 service fee and $8.35 facility fee. seeticketsus. com Chris Suter: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com Homegrown Music Series: Live music at Rocky Mount Train Depot.

5:30-9 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. $5 (children 12 and younger free).

12 |

Sunday

Christian Q: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 3-5 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

16 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3-mile run/walk on trails. Free. 6 p.m.

Brooks Mill Winery. Shine Runners on Facebook

17 |

Friday

Justin Prillaman: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar 6-8 p.m. Beacon Seafood Pub at the Virginia Dare Marina on Facebook

18 |

Saturday

Noah Spencer: Live music

at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com Moonshine Era Car & Truck Show: Harvest Moon Marketplace, 14917 Moneta Road, Moneta.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Harvest Moon Marketplace on Facebook.

19 |

Sunday

Tate Tuck: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

23 |

Thursday

Natalie Hemby: Live music from Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. $37$280. harvester-music. com

24 |

Friday

SMAC Coffeehouse Series: A theatrical reading with original music from Linda K. Simmons’ novel, “Lightning Shall Strike.”

1100 Celebration Square, Suite 101 (lower level) Moneta. 7 p.m. Ticket information available at smac-arts.com

25 |

Saturday

Annalyse Marie: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com Scruggs Chicken BBQ: Drive-through community event to show appreciation to the community. 3-7 p.m. scruggsfirerescue.com

26 |

Come Stay and Play with US little PonderoSa Pet reSort and SPa We are a five star pet resort located near Smith Mountain Lake five minutes from Halesford Bridge.

Our resort is a full service resort offering, Boarding, Doggie Daycare, Training and Spa Services.

We take great pride in treating each and every pet like they are our own.

Our pets just aren’t LIKE familythey ARE family.

Sunday

Dave Owens and Elizabeth Davidson: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m. drifterssml.com

2533 Feldspar Road Bedford,VA 24523

www.lppetresort.com 540-297-7200 info@lppetresort.com SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

83

PLAY TIME

Crossword Major League Divisions

by C.C. Burnikel

Across 1 Pre-eruption lava 6 Country where Inca Kola originated 10 Remy’s brother in “Ratatouille” 15 Brahma and Vishnu 19 Pungent 20 John of “Coming 2 America” 21 Chart a new course for 22 Samoa’s biggest city 23 Groups for aspiring grandmasters 25 Vocalists who combine musical styles 27 Pump part 28 Selling points 30 Govt. prosecutors 31 Elsie Fisher’s “Despicable Me” voice role 32 Sign gas 34 CBS News correspondent Barnett 36 Hardly holy 37 Weekend trips for two, e.g.

43 National Organ Donor Day mo.

45 Steer clear of 46 Test prep giant 47 Neglected to mention 50 “Kapow!”

51 Knightley of “Colette” 53 Website subunits 55 __ Fridays 56 Clerical vestments 58 Kissing in a crowd, say 59 Poland Spring competitor 62 “Let me put it this way ... “ 64 Swedish autos 66 Frequent changes of direction 69 Drain nuisance 71 Starts a pot 72 Purrfect Delicacies brand 73 Films that may follow a band on tour 78 Chrome or silver 81 Clear the board 82 One millionth of a meter 83 Garlic paste amt.

85 __ musubi: meat-and-rice snack 87 ESPN broadcaster Shriver 88 Forge worker 90 Taquer’a bowlful 92 Gp. with a tour 93 Woke up late 95 __ waist 98 Item that’s made to measure 100 Garment with hooks 101 Well-balanced people?

105 Land division 107 “Wonderwall” Britpop band 108 Lopsided victory 109 Sticky-footed lizard 111 Topological abbr.

112 Audio interference 116 In __ of 119 Unusual sorts 122 Music festival setups 124 “I hate to break up __” 125 To any extent 126 “Pearls” Grammy winner India.__ 127 Flared dress style 128 Topiary evergreens 129 Many a Twitch streamer 130 “Ain’t happening” 131 Navajo Nation tablelands

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

Answers on Page 87.

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 24 26 29

Supersonic unit Tiger Balm target Bright African snake Send down the wrong path Show stoppers?

Chums Fast-running birds Spa wrap One of the largest tenants of Pittsburgh’s tallest building Make a blunder Place for a lark Antelope whose name means “gazelle” in Zulu Highlands girl Prefix with center Present presented for fun Martin Luther King Jr.’s message from Birmingham Jail, for one Desperate Smart talk “__ win ‘em all” Pt. of USNA Mlle., in Managua

33 Short race, for short 35 Did a 33-Down, say 36 “Hanna” actress Creed-Miles 37 Country star McEntire 38 Cameo shapes 39 “Just joking!”

40 Unit in gemology 41 College application fig.

42 Tantra specialist 44 Kicked off 48 “Am I the only one?”

49 Loud noises 52 Dr Teal’s Pure __ Salt 53 So yesterday 54 Actress de la Reguera 57 Stats for NFL defensive linemen 59 Tunisian currency 60 Four-footed Jetson 61 Beer garden mug 63 Necessities 65 Toni Morrison’s “The __ Eye” 67 Timepiece 68 Softens, as sound 70 Sign of spring 73 Powerlifter’s units 74 Maker of Glide floss 75 People who take the shots 76 Minor quibble

77 Unblinking look 79 Fruit-flavored cocktails 80 Golden brew 84 Whole lot 86 Land of Opportunity?

89 Tiny arachnid 90 Tentative taste 91 “The Good Dinosaur” dinosaur 94 Sugar holders 95 UFO beings 96 Diagnostic pics 97 “Please Mr. __” 99 Tiki bar instrument 102 Pep rally shout 103 Pump part 104 Curved structure 106 “Catastrophe” writer/ star Delaney 109 Slate-colored 110 Smooth sailing 111 Parent company of Facebook 113 Sleek, in car lingo 114 Take a tumble 115 Slushy treat 117 Europe’s tallest volcano 118 Puts into play 120 Cleaning cloth 121 Canon choice, briefly 123 Cap with a toorie

LAST CALL

Dock Tale Hour

A Squirrely Home Invasion An unexpected visitor makes for a wild experience.

by KIMBERLY DALFERES

istock/getty images plus

G

reg!” … “GREG!!”

“What?”

“Hurry, COME HERE!” “What?!”

It’s said that 80% of marriage is yelling “what” to each other. The other 20% is pretending you don’t hear them.

“COME. HERE. NOW!” Greg takes an unduly long time traipsing up from the basement, stomping his feet on each stair like a lumberjack throwing a temper tantrum.

“What on Earth is SO damn important that I needed to …”

“STOP!” I shout. “You’re going to scare it!”

“Scare what?”

“There’s a rat next to the fireplace!”

I reply from my perch on the back of the sofa.

Turning, Greg exclaims, “Where…

OH! Damn! How’d that get in here?!”

“Kill it!”

“It’s not a rat, looks like a chipmunk.

Hmm, let’s open the door off the dining room and it’ll run out.”

“I don’t think that’ll work.”

“You got a better idea?”

“Kill it.”

“OK Bloody Mary, calm down. It’s just a … WHOA, it’s moving!”

Oh my God, don’t let it get into the bedroom!” I cry just as the tail disap-

pears around the corner.

“Where’d it go?” Greg asks.

“We lost it?! Well, that’s it, I’m headed to the Holiday Inn Express.”

“Hang on, we’ll find Mickey.”

“You’ve named it, great. Where are my car keys?”

“Shh.” “What?! Don’t shush me!”

“If we’re quiet, maybe we’ll hear it crawling.”

Time stands still as I remain atop the couch and Greg is stationary midstride, hand-to-ear as if he’s acquired ultrasonic hearing.

“What was that?” Greg whispers.

“I don’t hear anything.”

“I think it’s in the basement! Little sucker’s heading for my mancave.”

We quickly tiptoe down the stairs and as the lights flip on, we searchingly peer across the gray slate floor.

“There!” exclaims Greg, pointing toward the pool cue stand in the far corner. Staring through the sticks, large black eyes draw a bead on us, conveying it’s SO game on.

“I’m going to open the doors. Keep an eye on Mickey, scream if he moves.”

“No problem,” I reply.

As Greg opens the last door, Mickey darts out into the middle of the room.

“It’s running!” I yell.

“Where is it?!”

“Right behind you!”

“WHAT?!”

Greg shrieks and jumps to the left as Mickey makes a mad dash for the open door behind him. With one last flick of its tail, Mickey darts between Greg’s legs and scampers outside.

“Shut the doors!” Greg bellows.

We slam doors and turn locks to ensure our fortress is once again secure against all manner of beasts.

“Who says I don’t know how to show you a fun time?” Greg exclaims, reaching for a celebratory hug.

Stifling a snort, I reply, “You always know exactly what to say to a girl.”

Epilogue twas a FLYING SQUIRREL and was not a single little critter, but instead a family that had taken up residence in the attic.

Oh yes, not a Mickey but a Rocky (hat tip to those who understand this reference). I’ve become a walking encyclopedia of Virginia Flying Squirrel knowledge. Rocky and his brood have now been evicted and we have high hopes that they won’t be returning.

Alas, twas not a chipmunk,

Kimberly Dalferes is the author of I Was In Love With a Short Man Once and Magic Fishing Panties. Her humor blog, “The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats,” is online at kimdalferes.com.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

85

3

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

CATHIE DANIEL Principal Broker 540.721.8659 DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

540.721.8659

SmithMtnLake.com © 2021 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

september/october 2021

RS

charity home tour • she Doos • FaLL FestiVaLs • LoNG-LastiNG busiNesses - part 2 • hiGh-raNKiNG NeiGhbors • rescuiNG pets

1

l aker maga zine

5

Get Edition Getthe theDigital Digital Edition LAKER SMITH MOUNTAIN

smithmountainlake.com

july/august 2013 S e p te m b e r/O c to b e r 2 0 2 1

s m i t h m o u n ta i n l a k e . c o m

At Home 30 YEARS

e e ! s Ch Smith Mountain Lake

CHARITY HOME TOUR celeBrates 3 DecaDes oF oPening Doors & giVing Back P. 18

SML WELCOMES ITS FIRST CRAFT BREWERY

Plus!

FALL FESTIVALS GUIDE

AFTER A YEAR LOST TO THE PANDEMIC, SML’S BIGGEST EVENTS PLAN A COMEBACK P. 38

NO OFF SEASON NEIGHBORS Garden World-ClassFORReal Estate COMMANDING Water Breakfast LAKE DRAWS BRASS P. 52 PET RESCUERS P. 56 Sculpture Wakeboarder Revival? WHY THE Safety Tips THE TOP Breakdown

Access to Smith Mountain Laker Magazine just got easier.

Access the Download current issue of Laker Magazine on your tablet the Laker Media app for FREE from the iTunes App Store.

View current and past issues with the swipe of your finger.

for free by visiting issuu.com/smithmountainlaker4.

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

Advertiser Index may/june 2022 BUSINESSES

PAGE / MAP ID*

Atlantic Bay Mortgage

57

Bartlett Tree Experts

10

Carilion Clinic

2

Construction Marketing

17

F&S Building and Remodeling

14

Faber CPA

86

Gills Creek

31

Invisible Fence

23

J.M. Blair Co.

10

Little Pet Ponderosa

83

National Pools

67

Smith Mountain Lake Dental SML Chairty Home Tour TBS Construction

E7

E7

92

E7

Craye, Margaret Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

4

E7

Gresham, Dave Smith Mountain Lake Realty

67

Horne, Jane Sullivan Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate C11

McDonald, Mary Lou ML Realty

7

F9

3

Lake Retreat Properties McDaniel, Glenda Long & Foster Realtors

43 21

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

9 CAROLYN CRABTREE 540.520.2486

VAN CASTEEL DANIEL 540.493.8659

19

Be sure to pick up the next issue of Laker Magazine!

E7

C8 TOM FANSLER 540.871.8355

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

D11

CATHIE DANIEL Principal Broker 540.721.8659

JANE SULLIVAN HORNE 540.493.1690

ADAM LYNCH 540.420.8657

JAN MCGRAW 540.400.9882

VICKI MILLEHAN 540.520.2401

DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

XAN PILGRIM 540.226.9504

CAROLYN PRUETT 540.493.1919

PETE ROBERTS 540.525.4510

LUKE SCHMIDT 540.400.3373

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

9091

JADA TURNER 540.263.0202

MICHELLE TURNER 540.309.1265

Ju l y/A u g u s t 2 0 2 1

the

RETURN

FishinG & maRina GUIDE INSIDE

Summer

C11

ERIC FANSLER 540.871.8655

Our Annual

s m i t h m o u n ta i n l a k e . c o m

of

Inside!

GARDENING ROAD TRIP DISCOVER RECLAIMED QUARRIES P. 14

THE MUSHROOM GUY TEACHES US TO LOVE FUNGI P. 22

STILL STANDING LONG-LASTING LAKE BUSINESSES P. 40

540.721.8659

E7

JEANNIE VILLWOCK 540.529.0212

KIMBERLY WILLARD WATERS 540.798.3151

Montgomery, Dana Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

43

E7

Turner, Jada Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

6

E7

SmithMtnLake.com PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

© 2021 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

JULY/AUGUST 2021

Millehan, Vicki and Shelton, Debbie Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

88

July/August 2022

qUArrY GArdenS • THe MUSHrOOM GUY • WArO HOMe • LOnG-LASTInG BUSIneSSeS • FISHInG & MArInA GUIde

67

PAGE / MAP ID*

l akeR maGa zine

A Level Above Construction

REAL ESTATE

Bright pink geraniums bloom along the shore.

Lake Homes, Profiles, Lake History, Mountain Muse, Community Calendar ... and more!

Deadlines Advertising scheduling and materials: June 3

CROS SWOR D PUZZ LE A NSW ER S Find this month’s crossword puzzle on Page 84.

Final ad corrections: June 10 Call or email for rates, circulation and distribution information: Barry Wright Marketing Consultant

Arita Cimermane, iStock/Getty Images Plus

540-981-3262, 540-797-4444 barry.wright@roanoke.com

Calendar of events submissions: June 10 *Map ID corresponds to the map on the following pages, as well as the larger, more detailed Laker Map produced each year by Laker Media. Laker Map is available in racks around the region, including the offices of Laker Media, 272 Westlake Rd., Hardy (behind Kroger).

Email complete details to aila.boyd@roanoke.com

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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4

A

Search Properties For Sale and Tour Over 60 Lakefront Vacation Rental Homes

B

Selling and Renting Smith Mountain Lake for over 42 years C

D

E

F

Look for our rental brochure in local businesses or contact us to request one.

G

H

I

J

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AWARD-WINNING

REAL ESTATE FIRST FIRST PLACE IN VIRGINIA PLACE 4TH QUARTER-2021

in Virginia 4TH QUARTER 2021

MILLEHAN & SHELTON

TOP HALF OF 1%

Known for their personalized approach and unmatched expertise in Smith Mountain Lake real estate, Vicki and Debbie provide award-winning service that’s both welcoming and rewarding.

IN THE NETWORK

We’ll show you why so many people have fallen in love with Smith Mountain Lake.

MILLEHAN SHELTON Vicki and Debbie deliver outstanding customer service, a strong work ethic, and innovative marketing to get homes SOLD, not just listed. With more than 45 years combined experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find agents with more insight and such a consistent track record of proven results.

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S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 2

We have the experience to get your home SOLD.

PENDING

PENDING

$7,950,000

$5,250,000

$3,750,000

MLS#888112 721 Gobbler Ridge LN, Huddleston, VA 24104

MLS#888621 15 Tranquility RD, Moneta, VA 24121

MLS#885747 5 Lands End Road, Penhook, VA 24137

PENDING

SOLD

$1,499,000

$1,250,000

$950,000

MLS#886525 6623 Horseshoe Bend RD, Goodview, VA 24095

MLS#887329 100 Bay Front RD, Penhook, VA 24137

MLS#885004 112 Twin Coves DR, Moneta, VA 24121

Luxury Collection Specialist

GRI, CRS, ABR

540.520.2401

540.797.3177

SmithMountainLakeHomes@gmail.com

Debbie@DebbieShelton.com

VickisLakeHomes.com

DebbieShelton.com

©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

91

As part of the

CAROLYN CRABTREE 540.520.2486

VAN CASTEEL DANIEL 540.493.8659

ERIC FANSLER 540.871.8655

TOM FANSLER 540.871.8355

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

JANE SULLIVAN HORNE 540.493.1690

ADAM LYNCH 540.420.8657

JAN MCGRAW 540.400.9882

VICKI MILLEHAN 540.520.2401

DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

XAN PILGRIM 540.226.9504

CAROLYN PRUETT 540.493.1919

PETE ROBERTS 540.525.4510

LUKE SCHMIDT 540.400.3373

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

Smith Mountain Lake community CATHIE DANIEL for 35 years, our Principal Broker 540.721.8659 agents’ mastery of the local market will ensure that you successfully navigate the process of selling your home or finding the property of your dreams.

Call or visit us today, and rest easy in the knowledge that your needs are cared for by consistent leaders in sales and service, backed by a company that’s trusted worldwide.

540.721.8659

SmithMtnLake.com JADA MICHELLE JEANNIE TURNER TURNER VILLWOCK 92 540.263.0202 SMITH MOUNTAIN L A K E R | m ay/ j u540.529.0212 ne 2022 540.309.1265

KIMBERLY WILLARD WATERS 540.798.3151

PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

© 2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.