2015 Award Winners
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2015 Award Winners After 10 weeks of online voting, the results have been tallied in our 14th Best of Smith Mountain Lake Awards. You’ll find winners in 61 categories representing business, food and drink, lifestyle, activities, organizations, events and entertainment on the following pages. Several lucky voters were drawn at random to win a $100 gift certificate to participating shops and restaurants. Be sure to turn to Page 61 to see if you were among them. Congratulations to all the Best of Smith Mountain Lake Award winners and thank you to everyone who voted!
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Gold Silver Bronze
Business New Business
Marina
Dock Builder
Just Made Scents
Bridgewater Marina
Turner's Building
Benny Adelina's Pizza
Crazy Horse Marina
Dock Solutions
Sugar and Slice Cupcakery & Confections
Bayside Marina and Yacht Club
Plyler Homes and Docks
Honorable mention: Mitchell's Point Marina, Webster Marine Center, Gills Creek Marina and Lodge
Honorable mention: Michael Dillon Custom Docks, W.E. Shoreline Construction, Peter Beckman
Honorable mention: Rusty Stars and Mason Jars, Sunken City Tavern, Bedford Landings Bed & Breakfast
Place to Buy a Boat or PWC
Customer Service
Landscaping and Lawn Care
Webster Marine Center
Capps Home Building Center
Seven Oaks Landscape and Hardscape
Crazy Horse Marina
Virgil Naff Lynchburg Kawaski Yamaha and Sea-Doo
CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop
Bayside Marina and Yacht Club
D&P Landscaping
Honorable mention: All Fired Up, The Blackwater Café, SML Massage and Spa
Honorable mention: Hughes Marine Service, Smith Mountain Boat & Tackle, Conrad Brothers Marine
Honorable mention: Top Notch Lawncare, Ruggieri Lawns LLC, Crockett's Lawn Maintainance
Auto Service
Southern Landscape Group Inc.
Home Builder
Westlake Automotive Service
Plumber / Electrician / Home Repair Service
TNT Auto Body Repair and Service Center
M.H. Eades Inc. Floyd Enterprises Inc.
Moser Electric
Absolute Collision of SML
Noonkester Construction
Billy Dudley Plumbing
Honorable mention: Tucks Tire and Auto Center, Team Coach Works, Pagan's Garage
Honorable mention: Plyler Homes and Docks, Brockworks Inc., TBS Construction
Cliff Mascitelli General Contractor Honorable mention: Southern State Electric and Plumbing, Mike Blair, Wisler Plumbing and Heating
Just Made Scents Since opening her shop last summer at Westlake Towne Center, Vicky Clarke (right) has enjoyed success with customers looking for handcrafted gifts, candles, bodycare products, herbs and herbal remedies, gift baskets and more. She offers one-of-a-kind jewelry and crocheted items and can tailor candle and soap sizes and scents from 250 fragrances.
MEAGAN CARPENTER
BEST NEW BUSINESS
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Business Gold Silver Bronze
Place to Buy Home Décor/ Furnishings
Place to Buy a Gift The Cottage Gate
The Cottage Gate
Just Made Scents
All Fired Up
Gifts Ahoy
Envisions Honorable mention: Lake Wicker and Patio, Grand Home Furnishings, Capps Home Building Center
Honorable mention: Mountain Treasures, All Fired Up, The General Store
Place to Buy aN SML Souvenir
Interior Designer
Gifts Ahoy
Janice Thurman, Envisions Distinctive Interiors
All Fired Up The General Store
Kris Willard, Interiors by Kris
Honorable mention: The Cottage Gate, Crazy Horse Marina, Bridgewater Marina
Miranda Shotwell, Designer Solutions Honorable mention: Blinds and Beyond, Pat Cundiff, PAC Interiors, Interiors by Taylor
Place to Buy Art The Little Gallery ArtVisions Gallery
Place to Buy Clothing and Accessories
Artfully Framed at the Lake
Smith Mountain Wake Company
Honorable mention: All Fired Up, Crowning Touch, The General Store
The Cottage Gate
Hair Salon
Goodwill Honorable mention: Bridgewater Sportswear, Kara's Closet, J&J Fashions
Westlake Salon and Spa Emma Williams Hair Studio Eric and Company Premier Salon
Place to Buy Jewelry Haywood's Jewelers, Westlake Carter's Fine Jewelry and Gifts
Honorable mention: Hair Designs by Whitney & Brandy, Salon One, Salon at Westlake
Gifts Ahoy Honorable mention: The Cottage Gate, The General Store, The Little Gallery
Best Hair Salon: Westlake Salon and Spa One of the lake area’s most established spots for pampering, readers vote Westlake Salon and Spa a perennial favorite in this category. In addition to fullservice hair care, the salon specializes in manicures, pedicures, massages, facials and full-body waxing. It’s located in Westlake Towne Center near the library.
MEAGAN CARPENTER
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Nail Salon
Physician
Insurance Agency
Modern Nails
Dr. Todd Dehli
Phil Hager Insurance Agency
Mimi Nails
Dr. George Chaconas
Westlake Salon and Spa
Dr. Steven Lewis
State Farm Insurance (Debbie Robbins)
Honorable mention: Eric and Company Premier Salon, Nails by Tina, Salon One
Honorable mention: Dr. Eric Bourhill, Dr. Leonard Cohen, Dr. Susan Irby
Pet Grooming / Sitting / Boarding Service Smith Mountain Lake Animal Hospital Westlake Veterinary Medicine Bark Avenue Grooming Honorable mention: All American Kennels, Pawsitively Perfect, Lake Country Grooming and Kennel
Skin Care or Day Spa Westlake Salon and Spa Westlake Massage and Spa Massage Works Honorable mention: SML Massage and Spa, Carter's Fine Jewelry and Gifts/ Merle Norman
Place to Work Out
Dentist Dr. Bryan Sicher
JollyJen Photography
Dr. Vishal Shah Honorable mention: Dr. William Morris, Dr. Millard Radford, Dr. David Black
Law Firm Gilbert and Bird
Heather Turner Photography Nicole Colwell Photography Honorable mention: Charlie Atkins, Mae Photography, Amy Ellis Photography
Place to Stay Overnight
Vogel and Cromwell Stanley, Houchens and Griffith Honorable mention: Davis Davis and Davis
Bank / Mortgage Company Franklin Community Bank, a division of American National Bank and Trust Company
Bernard's Landing Resort and Conference Center Lake Inn Motel Mariners Landing Resort Community and Conference Center Honorable mention: Bedford Landings Bed & Breakfast, Halesford Harbour Inn, Westlake Waterfront Inn
BB&T Hometown Bank
Underground Fitness
Honorable mention: MemberOne Federal Credit Union, Bank of Botetourt, Suntrust
Honorable mention: YMCA - Moneta Area Family, Curves, SML Zumba
Honorable mention: Virginia Farm Bureau; Holdren, Eubank and Stanley; Holley Insurance
Photographer
Dr. Shelia Hardee
YMCA - Smith Mountain Lake Jazzercise
Simmons Insurance Agency
Best Auto Service: Westlake Automotive Service Westlake Auto opened in 2009 and has filled one of the top spots in the Best Automotive Service category every year since. Readers say Ricky Hodges, Roger Thomas and Paul Hazelhoff (pictured right) offer top-notch service with polite, professional Capps Home Building Center.
huong fralin
attitudes. Westlake Auto is located on Virginia 122, next to
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food and drink Gold
Chef
Buffet
Silver
Bruno Silva, The Landing Restaurant
Jonathan's Restaurant
Bronze
Cara McClaine, The Landing Restaurant
Joe's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Jason Hardy, Kroger Honorable mention: Adam Morse, The Landing Restaurant; Jonathan Willard, Jonathan's Restaurant; Devon Abrell, The Blackwater Café
Chopsticks
Sandwich CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop Moosie's Restaurant Oar Knot
Restaurant Service Old Oak Café The Landing Restaurant The Blackwater Café Honorable mention: Mexico Viejo, CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop, Chopsticks
Honorable mention: Hot Shots, Hawk's Country Store and Deli, Ole School Sports Pub and Grill
Salad Old Oak Café The Landing Restaurant Mexico Viejo
Breakfast Old Oak Café CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop Carl's Place Honorable mention: Hot Shots, Jonathan's Restaurant, Joe's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Honorable mention: CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop, The Blackwater Café, Jonathan's Restaurant
Burger Ole School Sports Pub and Grill The Landing Restaurant Jonathan's Restaurant
Lunch CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop Moosie's Restaurant
Honorable mention: The Blackwater Café, Jake's Place, Mango's Bar and Grill
Old Oak Café Honorable mention: Hot Shots, Jake's Place, Jonathan's Restaurant, Carl's Place
Best Chef: Bruno Silva, The Landing Restaurant Whether he’s preparing upscale fare at his popular lakeside restaurant, sharing tricks of the trade to members of a gourmet cooking class or cranking out customer favorites in his mobile food truck, Bruno Silva is always at home in the kitchen. Silva, a native huong fralin
of Peru, along with wife Tiffany, owns and operates The Landing
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Restaurant and Bruno’s GastroTruck, which placed in the top 101 Best Food Trucks in America on the food and dining website The Daily Meal in 2013.
Pizza
Italian Fare
Coffee
Benny Adelina's
Tuscan Tavern
CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop
Joe's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Joe's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Old Oak Café
Tuscan Tavern
Casa D'Amici
Crazy Horse Marina
Honorable mention: New York Pizza, Downtown Pizzeria, Lago Pizza
Honorable mention: Benny Adelina's, Lago Pizza, Michael's
Honorable mention: Sugar and Slice Cupcakery & Confections, Bojangles, Hot Shots
Steak
Mexican Fare
The Landing Restaurant The Blackwater Café Casa D'Amici Honorable mention: Jonathan's Restaurant, Mango's Bar and Grill, Olde Liberty Station, Heath's Waterfront Grill
Seafood The Landing Restaurant The Blackwater Café Waller's Edo Grill and Sushi
Mexico Viejo
Mexico Viejo
Jake's Place
El Toreno
Mango's Bar and Grill
Short-Order Grill Moosie's Restaurant CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop Hot Shots Honorable mention: The Westlake Golf and Country Club, Ole School Sports Pub and Grill, Waller's
Honorable mention: Jonathan's Restaurant, Casa D'Amici
Bakery / Deli / Treats Homestead Creamery
Asian Fare
Outdoor Dining
Cancun Mexican Restaurant and Grill
CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop
Honorable mention: The Landing Restaurant/Sunken City Tavern, Portside Grill and Bar, Waller's
Place to Come by Boat Bridgewater Plaza Mexico Viejo The Landing Restaurant Honorable mention: Jake's Place, Portside Grill and Bar, Waller's
Bar Atmosphere
Chopsticks
Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt
Ole School Sports Pub and Grill
Edo Grill and Sushi
Honorable mention: Sugar and Slice Cupcakery & Confections, Kroger, O'Kelly's Deli and Pasteries
Mango's Bar and Grill
Teriyaki House Honorable mention: Jonathan's Restaurant, Peking Chinese Restaurant, Min's China City
Sunken City Tavern Honorable mention: Waller's, Jake's Place, Hot Shots
Best Restaurant Service: Old Oak Café If you’re looking for made-to-order comfort food served with a smile, readers suggest your best bet at the lake is Old Oak Cafe. This cozy spot on Scruggs Road serves an extensive breakfast and lunch menu. The restaurant’s website sums “We recognize that one of the best parts of good home cooking is the feeling that you are not only welcome, but it is a pleasure see you and to cook for you.”
huong fralin
up the service patrons have come to expect at Old Oak:
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food and drink Gold Silver
LAKER MEDIA FILE
Bronze
Cocktail Sunken City Tavern Mexico Viejo Jonathan's Restaurant Honorable mention: The Blackwater Café, Ole School Sports Pub and Grill, Waller's
Best Pizza: Benny Adelina’s The top award for Best Pizza at SML this year goes to the
Wine Selection
new kid on the block. Since
Kroger The Landing Restaurant The Blackwater Café Honorable mention: Oar Knot, Diamond Hill General Store and Garden Center, Jonathan's Restaurant
opening at Westlake Towne Center
last
June,
Benny
Adelina’s has already built a loyal clientele. The only menu item at Benny’s, part of a regional chain, is pizza. Order
Winery Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery Brooks Mill Winery
a 14-inch slice ($4-$5) or 28inch whole pie ($28-$35).
Ramulose Ridge Winery Honorable mention: Chateau Morrisette, Peaks of Otter Winery, Valhalla Vineyards
BEST PIZZA
Ole School Sports Pub and Grill At Ole School, burgers are serious business. Available
BEST BURGER
in a variety of incarnations, including the Messy Face Burger (pictured left) smothered with barbeque sauce and topped with onion rings, the burgers feature
huong fralin
scratch-made beef patties served on a fresh brioche
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bun. Ole School, located on Burnt Chimney Road in the former Dudley School building, also took top honors for Best Bar Atmosphere and Best Place to Hear Live Music.
2015 SML GUIDE
Smith Mountain Laker Magazine will publish its 2015 Home & Garden Guide in the upcoming March/ April issue. If you are an SML-area business that provides products or services in one of the categories listed, please submit the following information prior to Jan. 23 to receive a FREE listing.
Business Name Contact Name Address/City Phone Website E-mail address (not published) Year Established Number of Employees 3 Business Specialties (Ex: Interior painting)
E-mail complete info to editor@smithmountainlaker.com.
CATEGORIES: Architectural Design Services Attorneys/Title & Settlement Companies Banks/Mortgage Lenders Builders/Contractors Building Supplies Developers Dock & Deck Contractors Electrical Contractors Excavating & Earth Moving Contractors Exterminating Flooring Handyman Service Heating & Air Conditioning Home Inspection Insurance Interior Design/Furnishings Kitchen & Bath/Cabinets
Landscaping/ Lawn Maintenance/ Plant Nurseries Media/Home Security Miscellaneous Moving/Storage Painting/Power Washing Plumbing Pools & Spas Remodeling Roofing Water Treatment/Well Drilling Windows & Doors For more information on placing an ad to further showcase your business, please contact Carol Craighead at 540.721.4675, ext. 409, Mishelle Brosinski at ext. 410 or e-mail ads@ smithmountainlaker.com.
Coming in the March/ April issue!
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lifestyle and activities Gold Silver Bronze
Club or Civic Organization Lake Christian Ministries SML Regional Chamber of Commerce Friends of SML State Park Honorable mention: SML Model Railroad Group, Smith Mountain Lake Assocation, Rotary Club of Smith Mountain Lake
Charity Event or Service Project
Annual Community Event
Place to Take a Visitor
SML Wine Festival
On the water
Fourth of July Fireworks
Bridgewater Plaza
SML Charity Home Tour
All Fired Up
Honorable mention: Pirate Days, SML Chili Festival, Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake
Honorable mention: Westlake Cinema, Booker T. Washington National Monument, Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Place to Watch a Sunset On the water
Kid / Family Outing
Near Smith Mountain Dam
Bridgewater Plaza
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Honorable mention: Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery, Bernard’s Landing Resort and Conference Center, Crazy Horse Marina
Place to Meet New People
All Fired Up Honorable mention: On the water, Hot Shots, Smith Mountain Lake Community Park, Westlake Cinema
Local Band
SML Charity Home Tour
Bridgewater Plaza
Barefoot West
Wake the World SML
Crazy Horse Marina
Fuzzy Logic
SML Wine Festival
Jazzercise
The Worx
Honorable mention: SML Good Neighbors Day Camp, Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake, Charity Chug
Honorable mention: Sunken City Brewing Company, Mango’s Bar and Grill, CJ’s Coffee and Sandwich Shop
Honorable mention: Marc Brisson Band (formerly the Barflys), Dragonfly, The Willies
Best Annual Community Event: SML Wine Festival Each year, the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival attracts thousands of wine enthusiasts eager to sample from 27 Virginia wineries, peruse 85 artisan craft and food vendors and enjoy live music from multiple bands. The festival is don petersen
the main non-dues fundraiser for the the SML Regional
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Chamber of Commerce. Make plans to attend the 27th version of the event, scheduled for Sept. 26-27.
CONGRATULATIONS
$100
GIFT CERTIFICATE Place to Hear Live Music Ole School Sports Pub and Grill
WINNERS!
Mango’s Bar and Grill Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery Honorable mention: Sunken City Brewing Company, The Blackwater Café, Jake’s Place, Waller’s
Place to Play Golf The Water’s Edge Country Club Mariners Landing Golf and Country Club The Westlake Golf and Country Club Honorable mention: The Waterfront Country Club, Ballyhack Golf Club, Willow Creek Country Club
Hidden Jewel at SML that More People Should Know About Just Made Scents
Absolute Collision: Linda B., Moneta BlueCrane Medical Acupuncture: Pat K., Collinsville Capps Home Building Center: Ashley P., Union Hall Haywood’s Jewelers, Westlake: Patti G., Moneta Jake’s Place/The Blackwater Cafe: Lee Anne D., Moneta JZ Lock & Key: Wendy S., Moneta Moneta Farm & Home Center: Chelsea R., Wirtz Phone Axiom: Jackie B., Moneta Ramulose Ridge Vineyards: Cheryl W., Moneta The Little Gallery: Alicia D., Penhook Virginia Dare Cruises & Marina: Tim D., Roanoke
Crazy Horse Marina Peaks of Otter Honorable mention: CJ’s Coffee and Sandwich Shop, Ole School Sports Pub and Grill, Sunset Saturdays at Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery
Names were chosen at random from all eligible entries.
Best Local Band: Barefoot West Barefoot West is a quintet of musicians who have performed in the Smith Mountain Lake region and throughout Southwest Virginia since 2006. With a laid-back vibe and sound reminiscent of the Zac Brown Band and Jack in this category. The 2011 movie “Lake Effects,” filmed in and around SML, featured six original songs performed by Barefoot West.
JEFF MAIDEN
Johnson, it’s no wonder the band is a perennial favorite
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