» FIR S T IN THE REG I O N T O PE RFO R M:
• Open hear t and hear t valve surger y in 1982
• TAVR (transcatheter aor tic valve replacement) procedures
• Device implants for stroke prevention for patients with AFib (atrial f ibrillation) patients
• LVAD (lef t ventricular assist device) implants
• Complex hear t ablation procedures
• Cardiac cath and PCI (percutaneous coronar y inter vention) in 1978
• EVAR (endovascular aor tic repair) and TEVAR (thoracic endovascular aor tic repair) procedures
» FIR S T AND O NLY IN THE REG I O N T O PE RFO R M:
• Complex A A A (abdominal aor tic aneur ysm), including FEVAR (fenestrated endovascular aor tic repair) procedures
Largest c ardiac and vascular team in the region, available 24/ 7/365. We are involved in research studies that are answering questions about future patient c are advancements.
Dedic ated operating rooms (ORs) for hear t and vascular procedures. Our t wo hybrid ORs are the only ones of their kind in the region.
Dedic ated c ardiac, vascular and thoracic surger y intensive c are units for post-surger y c are.
We’re the most experienced option for your c are, per forming the most c ardiac & vascular procedures in Southwest Virginia. Looking to the future, we’re building our dedic ated Cardiovascular Institute to continue as your comprehensive hear t c are center.
m p l y r e a c h o u t f o r m y p r e r e c o r d e d w e b i n a r l i n k .
P r o v e n a n d e f f e c t i v e m a r k e t i n g t i p s t h a t p u t p r o f i t i n y o u r p o c k e t
O p t i o n s f o r a p r i v a t e a n d d i s c r e e t s a l e , t h a t p r e v e n t s a d o u b l e m o v e a n d a l l o w s y o u t o m o v e w h e n y o u w a n t , o n y o u r o w n t e r m s
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We are a five star pet resor t located near Smith Mountain Lake five minutes from Halesford Bridge.
Our resor t is a full ser vice resor t offering, Boarding, Doggie Daycare, Training and Spa Ser vices
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memorial Day has come anD gone. inDepenDence Day celebrations will be in full swing shortly after this issue arrives on newsstands. summer at smith mountain lake is zipping by. There is still plenty to get into, though, and we take a look at some strong possibilities in this issue of Laker magazine.
ever watch a houseboat chug by, or see one at dock and wonder how cool it would be to live aboard one? chad amrhein and his wife, Beckie spaid, figured it out long ago and are onto their second floating weekend party palace, punnily christened the get nauti. maybe that sounds fun to you, but more of a long-term investment than you care to make in watercraft. smith mountain lake is home to parrot cove Boat rentals, with multiple houseboats at dock for vacation use. We headed for moneta to visit with amrhein and the parrot cove work family.
as a bonus, we put together a list full of pontoon boat dealers — because it’s hard to beat them for your one-day party excursions, and there are a lot more of them than rental houseboats docked at parrot cove.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pirate Days, when the lake becomes a swashbuckling cove full of fun events. check out our c alendar on Page 60 for more info.
sonality for sharing lake lore with tourists as they have nautical skills to keep them out of Davy Jones’ locker.
houseboats and sidewheelers are relatively slow-moving compared to the vessels churning up tall waves while pulling surfstyle riders on wakeboards. lake residents are familiar with the fun and the controversy, and reporter Jason Dunovant dived into a task force’s work on promoting safety and cordiality in and around a sport that is growing like a tsunami.
a large fleet of fishing charters, full of children and the adults in their lives, pushed off from two lake area marinas recently for an event called Take a Kid Fishing. a lake-area nonprofit called reel connections For Kids organizes the event each spring, to share their angling joys with children, who have yet to tie on bait or cast a line. according to rcK board member Karen hughes, who contributed an article and photos from the day, there was plenty of joy to go around on a gorgeous sml day. it’s never all about the water in summertime. plenty of gardening hobbyists are gussying up their properties and raising their own food. guest columnist Tim Durham digs up a fact harvest of integrated pest management, the modern (and smart) way to approach insects that like to come around and rob your joy.
TAD DICKENS Editor
a lake aficionado can’t get into party boat discussions without mentioning the Virginia Dare, the faux sidewheeler that has ferried thousands about sml during decades of service. Writer reed Dillon did more than mention the venerable craft — he got slices of its history and upkeep requirements at its namesake moneta marina. he chatted up her three skippers, all armed with as much per-
Boating: c heck. Fishing: check. gardening: check. still itching for more to do? Don’t miss our calendar, with info about the 10th anniversary of smith mountain l ake’s p irate Days; great concerts still to come this season at The coves amphitheater and harvester performance center; and other “mark these” items with entertainment potential.
There’s even more in this issue. stick a copy of the laker in your beach bag, with plenty of sunscreen and snacks.
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grant west captured all three of these scenes. at left, cows punctuate the bright greens and golds of a summer field on radford church road in moneta. Below, a pair of rainbows light up stormy skies over Bridgewater plaza.
SHOW US YOUR LAKE VIEWS!
Have a photo of our stunning scenery that you’d like to share? We’d love to showcase your landscape and wildlife photos in our next issue. Photos can be of anywhere around the lake (not just the water) and must include your name, the location of the photo and a short description. Email them to lakermag@roanoke.com
s usan Currey , of Moneta, wrote that she just happened to have her Laker magazine with her while visiting St John, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Bay is in the background.
Conn I e an D Bo B LeMasters pose in front of Mt. Fuji, Japan. The pair visited Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Hiroshima in late March and April.
t o M an D g wen Har D , of Moneta, spent a long weekend at the end of April in Dry Creek Valley, California, visiting multiple sites.
De BBI e an D J IM Mou LD, L I n Da an D Mar K wILH e LMI , p eg I an D tIM g rant an D a rno LD an D sH eree Covey pose in Koper, Slovenia. The couples, all from Moneta, sailed to countries including Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy, where they received an abundance of history and wine tasting.
Pesticides, and the “spray and pray” method they often encourage, can do more harm in a garden than good. Luckily, there are several better ways to keep the (bad) bugs at bay.
by guest columnist TIM DURHAM
thomas Je FF erson mar how “agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happi ness.” granted, at the time, fully 90% of the can population were farmers, with a smidgen of other vocations.
Fast forward to 2023, and only 1.5% of us are involved in production agriculture. s ing — aggies by proxy — has a certain allure, with a population eager to hone their green thumbs. Just how many avowed gardeners are in the U.s.? The number is elusive. Fifty-five percent of households seems to be a reliable estimate.
That’s a staggering community of practice, and a testament to the Zen-like qualities of plant rearing. it literally commandeers hearts and minds, bordering on obsession. generationally distanced from their farmer forbearers, gardeners are getting reacquainted with this noblest of pursuits — and all its frustrations. Farmers welcome you back into the fraternity with open arms!
cucumber beetles, which come spotted or striped, can wreak havoc on your cucumbers, squash, corn, beats, beans and other vegetables.
rest assured, hordes of unrepentant pests and pathogens are eyeballing that delectable foliage (or scrumptious fruits) planted in impeccably prepped beds, mulched with straw, and fertilized with the latest bio-based concoction. For all your efforts, you’re an epidemic away from waving the red flag.
short of a greenhouse, some factors are beyond our control, like the weather (torrential downpours, temperature extremes and hail, among others). These are generally a lost cause, an unplanned reset. concede defeat, salvage what you can and start anew.
it’s best to focus on factors that we can manage (more on this later). This is where integrated pest management (ipm) comes into play. ipm has many variants in the agriculture multiverse – integrated crop management (icm), integrated disease management (iDm) and integrated weed management ( i W m ) among others. Whatever the acronym and target, the fundamentals are identical. For simplicity, i tend to generalize by using ipm as a catch-all.
The theory and practice of ipm traces its beginnings to the 1970s. inspired by agroecology — the realization that plantings are miniature (albeit human-
influenced) ecosystems — it stresses that we should try to work within the parameters of nature’s model. how is this best accomplished? By leveraging a multifunctional toolbox of strategies and tactics that antagonize the pest and/or pathogens. it’s a veritable swiss army Knife, informed by science and economics.
in a short fifty years, ipm has evolved into the universal decision support system for farmers and gardeners alike. rational, systematic and scalable, it focuses on management rather than control. What’s the difference? control implies a 100%, scorched-earth, death-
to-the-enemy-at-all-costs approach. management doesn’t have that same degree of dogged absolutism, with the understanding that a few escapes won’t undermine success of the overall mission. in fact, a decision to intervene is dependent on a critical threshold. Does a single insect pest on a tomato plant portend disaster? Does it necessitate deploying an entire division of proverbial troops? is that a sound use of resources for minimal gains? probably not. But twenty pests might raise some security eyebrows. Time to pull a solution out from that miracle toolbox, because once the plant has fifty insurgents, it’s effectively been annexed by the enemy — game over for your dreams and aspirations.
Whatever solution you choose is entirely up to you. ipm deftly straddles art and science. This is where strategies and tactics come into play. Flexibility is a hallmark (and arguably a moral and artistic overlay) on this otherwise scientific system. if you’re on the (threshold) cusp of no return, you need instant gratification. a chemical pesticide (the strategy, while the specific material in a jug that you choose would be your tactic) would be the most cost-effective and fastest-acting solution.
however, you might be philosophically against pesticides. as such, your gut tells you to use take a different tact because it’s more compatible with your ideals. ok, then biocontrol (beneficial predatory organisms are the strategy, and the specific critter you choose is the tactic) might be a better bet. however, there are tradeoffs. Biocontrols take longer to establish and kick in to reduce pest numbers, and you may lose more plants in the process, or the entire planting.
after weighing this potential consequence, you ultimately decide to use a natural pesticide as a short term fix to whittle down enemy combatants. you’ll follow-up with periodic introductions of predatory ladybugs (hired mercenaries) into your garden as a long term,
In 50 years, IPM has become universal for gardeners and farmers. It focuses on management of pests, not control.
more sustainable solution. Just make sure to use a domestic ladybug; there are plenty of exotics on the market that displace ones native to Us shores.
The major knock against ipm is that it’s time- and knowledge-intensive. essentially, it requires an FBi dossier on the enemy’s mo — a voyeuristic recounting of their reproductive habits, known vulnerabilities, preferred hosts, etc. only with this information in hand can you make an informed decision. luckily, short of an exotic introduction, this empirical legwork has already been done by scientists at land grant universities, ag experiment stations and cooperative extensions. however, it does require that the practitioner head out to the field/garden and individually scout plants (take pest counts) to see if those critical thresholds have been met.
still, one of the beauties of “spray and pray” on a calendar basis (spraying blind, without any scouting whatsoever) is that it generally works, more or less instantaneously. and it requires no information other than a known susceptibility to chemical XyZ. many individuals understandably gravitate to this reductionist mindset. yet it’s also potentially costly to the applicator and the environment atlarge. your mileage may vary.
ipm can be divided into several strategies:
• Chemical toxicants: can be organic (botanical), biological (microbial), or synthetic. insect growth regulators that interfere with molting, as well as pheromones that can be used to attract, trap and quantify pests are also considered “pesticidal” in nature.
often viewed as incompatible with ipm principles, pesticides are not expressly forbidden, nor are they necessarily used as a last resort. most are used at exceptionally low use rates, a few fluid ounces per acre. Do bear in mind that many are restricted use, only available to those with an applicator license. oth-
ers are over the counter “general use”. example: The pesticide (strategy) neem (tactic) to manage leafminers (target) in tomato (host).
• p hysical/Mechanical: employing a barrier or disrupting the environment with an implement. For example, laying down floating row covers (mesh) to prevent cabbage maggots from laying eggs at the base of plants. or tilling a garden to destroy any crop residues that allow a host to overwinter and reemerge the following spring.
• Cultural: a modification of the environment to make it less hospitable. intercropping and crop rotation with non-hosts are examples, as is using a trap crop to divert attention away from a main crop. consider avoidance, timing planting (earlier or later than customary) to avoid shared windows with pests/pathogens, etc. c ultural also includes sanitation, the removal (rogueing) of infected/infested plants to reduce the possibility of spread.
• Biocontrol: This employs living predators, parasitoids and pathogens. if you’re a ways off from the threshold and can tolerate a more deliberate, long-term approach, this is highly recommended. self-explanatory, predators are voracious, often polishing off many individual prey. parasitoids are small wasps that lay eggs in or on prey species. The larvae gestate and subsequently burst out, much like a chestburster from the film “alien”. pathogens are microbes formulated to infect and kill pests or antagonize and outcompete harmful microbes. interestingly, they’re typically formulated as a sprayable (bio) pesticide, so they often spill over into that category as well.
• resistance: The ground floor of any pest/pathogen management plan, gardeners should always strive to acquire varieties or cultivars that have demonstrated resistance. This makes them unpalatable to pests, and incompat-
ible as hosts to pathogens. Tolerance is a poor man’s substitute. These varieties are fully susceptible to ravages, but will regenerate any tissues that are lost to herbivory or disease, if given enough time. Both of these may be considered subsets of cultural management.
• Proper identification of the pest: This is critical, as any measures you take will be attuned to that specific issue. improper identification will start a cascade of largely ineffective actions!
• Quantify: scout, either manually by eye or use traps. is the pest at or near threshold levels? Use past history as a guide.
• Consider your management options: refer to your earlier measurement. What strategies and tactics are situationally appropriate? it may be prudent to do nothing for the time being.
• Select and implement options: may be singular, may be multifactorial. consider compatibility. a pesticide application plus biocontrol agent would probably be detrimental to the biocontrol agent!
• Measure and evaluate results of the intervention(s): This provides useful feedback. leverage that knowledge base for inevitable future skirmishes. you’re likely going to have the same perpetrators every year.
The brainchild of what was once a fringe eco-consciousness, ipm is now the de facto system of choice. a mid a backdrop of relentless saboteurs, it injects a commonsense dose of sanity, tailored to your ethical sensibilities. it truly is the noblest of endeavors in the spirit of Jefferson’s original quote.
aneW organiZ aTion Will take over running the smith mountain lake Wine Festival, as it returns to its former venue of crazy horse marina for this year’s event.
The smith mountain lake regional c hamber of commerce announced Wednesday it will transfer ownership of the venerable wine festival — well aged at 32 installments over 34 years — to hook lines and singers inc.
That’s a nonprofit formed
by Tim reith, the owner of mango’s Bar & grill, to help songwriters show their talents and to raise money for charities.
This year’s event will happen sept. 23-24 at crazy horse marina.
“We are looking at choosing one national and seven local charities with an aggressive goal of raising $5,000 to $10,000 for each this year,” reith said.
“We are honored that the sml chamber is allowing us an amazing opportunity to help those in need.”
The S m L wine Festival, held last year at m ariner’s Landing, will move back this year to crazy h orse m arina.chamber president andy Bruns said the pandemic prompted the business
group to shift focus.
last year’s event, held at The pointe at mariner’s landing, was the first since 2019 due to the pandemic. it drew just shy of 2,000 visitors. The event had been held at crazy horse previously.
“The chamber continues to evolve and focus its efforts on member education, networking opportunities and government affairs,” Bruns said. “The Board of Directors feels it’s wise to use our efforts and energy to promote smith mountain l ake as a tourist destination through wide-reaching print and online advertising year-round as opposed to organizing a large-scale event one weekend per year.”
ryan Walters, chairman of the smlrcc Board, said hook lines and singers inherits a sound business model, excellent reputation and a number of valuable assets, including positive vendor relationships, email database, the smlwinefestival.com domain name and an inventory of physical items such as wine glasses, tote bags and lanyards.
iT Was 4:30 a.m. on m ay 21, a sunday. ryleigh, 6, alaina, 10, and 12-year-old e mma ran into their father’s bedroom and said, “Dad, get up! it’s time to go! Do you want us to make you some coffee?”
HUGHESSmith Mountain Lake program provides area kids with a chance to catch big fish — and make bigger memories. by KAREN
Dustin Via got out of bed, got dressed and shuttled the three children to crazy horse marina in moneta, to participate in the Take a Kid Fishing event offered by reel connections for Kids inc. Dustin and daughters arrived at the marina at 5:30 a.m., just in time for their boat chaperone, John hughes to greet them. after giving him big hugs, ryleigh, alaina, and emma were fitted with sea Towprovided life jackets. next, the girls each received a cooler that contained water, juice and snack bars.
They were ready to go fishing.
The sun wasn’t up yet when professional striper guide Tommy Thompson, operator of rock creek striper guide service, arrived to pilot hughes, Via and his three daughters to catch some fish. Thompson was one of 13 professional fishing guides who arrived at crazy horse marina and captain’s Quarters to take young anglers and their parents out for a morning on the lake. Via noted that daughter ryleigh started the fishing trip by declaring that she would catch the biggest fish, adding that the siblings “were all excited about going out on a boat and trying to catch a big fish.”
hughes, aka “m r. John,” said that Tommy Thompson began the adventure by explaining such safety rules as seating arrangements, the fire extinguisher’s location and the importance of staying seated while the boat was moving.
sean sabol volunteered for Take a Kid Fishing as a chaperone on The Fat shad, with skipper Dakota Wright. sabol added that the guides went to areas of the lake where they were most likely to find lots of fish. The captains then told the anglers to get ready when the fish were nearby, gave encouragement
and high-fives, and shared information about the lake, water safety, conservation and different baits.
Via said that he enjoyed watching his daughters try to hang onto the poles while struggling to land fish. his favorite memory of the day was the look on their faces when they got a fish into the net. The proud father recalled that ryleigh, as promised, landed the biggest fish. his other daughters were not left out, though, as each child on Tommy Thompson’s boat caught at least six fish. The young anglers on the other guide boats caught fewer, but each took home at least two stripers, along with some catfish and a few perch. “m r. John” noted that emma, alaina and ryleigh decided to let the fish go after they had each landed two “keepers.” The girls took turns releasing the fish, saying that they were “freeing Willy,” hughes added. after about 3 ½ hours on the lake to Take a Kid Fishing, the guide boats gathered at crazy horse marina. other boats whose captains volunteered to ferry the young anglers were hooked Up c harters, captain Tom c harters, captain marc charters, clint’s striper guide service, Kenny’s striper service,
ALL ABOUT
Reel Connections for Kids, Inc. provides the event each spring, as well as a reunion event in the fall. Reel Connections for Kids Inc. is a nonprofit organization that works closely with Smith Mountain Striper Club, Lake Christian Ministries and SML Good Neighbors to organize and recruit participants for activities that connect children with angling opportunities. Visit the organization's website at reelconnectionsforkids.org to see a list of sponsors, view additional photos, see a list of upcoming events and learn about ways to support its Mission. Hughes, who wrote this piece, is a board member.
Freedom Fishing, squid hound, spikes prime Time Fishing, striper Frenzy and patriot Fishing.
at crazy horse marina, emma, elena and ryleigh met up with 22 other junior anglers who had enjoyed a successful morning of fishing. “The kids were fascinated by the process of cleaning the fish,” hughes said.
While volunteers cleaned the fish and put them in coolers for the families to take home, the kids, parents, guides and volunteers ate hot dogs and hamburgers that magnum point marina staff grilled for them. Two Department of Wildlife resources officers gave brief talks about working together to take care of the lake for future generations. each child received a reel connections
T-shirt, a rod and reel, and a tackle box filled with fishing supplies. l iberty University gave out goodie bags, each of which included a voucher for four passes to a liberty home football game.
Via said his daughters had such a wonderful time that they are ready to go fishing again. The father had a ready answer for anyone who wanted to know about signing up their children for the event. “it’s a great experience for kids and parents,” Via said. “This is a great group of people who really care. This was definitely good for me and my girls”.
he added that the family cooked striper for the first time after arriving home that evening, and it was really good. Folks can get a nice haul when they take a kid fishing.
“This is a great group of people who really care. This was definitely good for me and my girls.”
o pposite page, clockwise from top left: Alaina Via, 10, fishes with c apt. Tommy Thompson; i saiah h ouf, 9, shows off his catch; Dillon Ashby, 12, holds a citation Striper; and Ryleigh Via, 6, fishes with her father, Dustin Via. This page: ShaQuon Battle with his sons Jayceon Battle (standing), 10, and Sencere Battle, 8.
Big brothers are there to knock you down a peg when you’re young — and help lift you up when you’re older. by KEN BRITSKE
The author, right, with his brother and best man, Steve Britske.
wiTh moTher’s Day anD FaTher’s Day JUsT in The rear VieW, i had to stop and ponder: Why don’t we have a “Big Brother’s Day?” Don’t they deserve some praise and a moment in the sun? heck no, they are a big pain in the butt! Don’t you remember the pain and torture your big brother inflicted on you during the first decade or so of your life? a big brother would push you around as if he were the young dominant buck in the herd, letting you know: “i’m in charge here.” That’s what they do!
growing up, i remember the household skirmishes in which he would inflict major pain and suffering on me (i might be exaggerating a bit). Do you remember the wedgies so bad you would think he was trying to pull your drawers up over your head? With them still on?! or the purple nurples, or the WWe body slams off the back of the couch while you were lying on the floor watching TV? how about enduring his stinky armpit tortures until you cried uncle? i can even remember an upside down puddle dunking!
i thought i could put an end to the pain and suffering by squealing to mom, but that backfired. The payment for squealing was worse than what was
inflicted beforehand! i think most big brothers are the same, and that’s what they do.
a m i overreacting a bit? m aybe. Things started looking up for me as i approached my teens. my big brother, steve, was already in his teens and transferring his attention to our dad. (a needed break for me!) he was at the age where he could hunt and fish with our dad. There were many mornings i would stare out the window as the taillights of that Volkswagen Beetle would fade into the darkness. as much as i considered my big brother to be a big pain in the butt, i was missing him. it took me a few extra years to join their trips, since i was always the runt. i was too small to draw
a bow or handle a shotgun. striving to be the no. 1 son is what all big brothers do. maybe out of guilt (or mom or dad made him), he would start including me in touch football games, although i never got the ball. That was oK, i was just thrilled to be back in his life. he took me under his wing and taught me street hockey skills. For c hristmas he bought me hockey sticks and a chicago Blackhawks jersey that i wore all the time. if the bigger guys ever got rough with me due to my lack of size, he was always there to protect me. he wasn’t the biggest but he never backed down. like all big brothers, he always had my back. That’s what they do. about the same time, our parents purchased a shore house. spending much time there during the summers, we wanted our own boat. The deal was we had to pay at least half and pay for our own gas. We each had a paper route; his was larger and earned more money. We did odd jobs like spreading gravel in the neighbor’s yards; i could barely push a half full wheel barrel so he always outworked me. We would dig clams and sell them to the local fish markets; i would shiver till my lips would turn blue, as i tried to match his efforts but would always fail. it’s easy to see he would always outearn me, but he never held it over my head, applying his earnings with my meager contribution to the boat fund. he did this because this is what all good big brothers do.
a s i approached my teens, my big brother turned his attention to girls, cars and rock ’n’ roll. it’s like i no longer existed. however, and maybe unknown to him, i became his shadow, watching him pull out car engines and transmissions. i would watch him do body work and trick out his gTo, which our father was against him buying (Dad was right). it was so cool to be in high school and say “yes, that is my brother’s black gTo with two skulls on the rear dash that light up at night”. he got a kick out of telling the young neighborhood kids the skulls were from our grandparents. creepy, i know. i would also listen to all his albums and 8-tracks (yes i’m that old). he was a good teacher and still is. (not too much information about girls; maybe that’s the next
chapter). he had no problem teaching me all he knew about cars and helping me customize my first one. That’s what they do.
steve got me my first summer job working with him installing hVac systems. he taught me how to solder, fabricate ductwork, how to wire electrical circuits, how to charge air conditioning systems and so much more. This led to me furthering my education as an engineer in the field of hVac technology. Who would have known this would have led to the two of us starting our own successful business together that lasted for 17 years before we sold the company? he made many sacrifices getting this business started while i guaranteed him financial support if needed, as i maintained employment elsewhere. he did what he had to do to make the business grow while supporting his family. he never needed a penny in financial sup-
port. That is what a big brother does. Who i am today is because of my dad. my morals, values, drive, common sense, sense of humor and some say my similar looks are all due to my dad. But what i am in life is without a doubt influenced by my big brother, steve. my brother has taught me all things
mechanical and how to invest, establish and run our business. my success in life is mostly due to him. certainly, many skills in life come from my dad, but far too many to mention i would attribute to my older brother, steve. molding a younger brother to be the best he can be in life is what a big brother does.
The first two paragraphs painted a pretty bleak picture of the relationship between a little brother and big brother. But as the story progressed, that picture greatly improved. i must say steve was everything i would expect in a big brother and more. i hope all little brothers everywhere can say the same. and if you are a big brother, step up and help us little guys. We need it! ask me again, should there be a holiday celebrating big brothers? absolutely, yes. i want to thank my big brother steve, for all he has done for me in the past 62 years.
and that is what little brothers do.
Who I am today is because of my dad. But what I am in life is without a doubt influenced by my big brother, Steve. My success in life is mostly due to him.
What makes a prize fish? For one dog, it’s love at first smell.
by VICKI GARDNER
someone caUghT a priZe Fish aT smiTh mountain lake, near marker r-50, but left the catch behind. i didn’t see the angler, but i’m sure the loss was a disappointment. however, from my perspective, the now-defunct lake creature must have been enormous! The fish and me, well, a part of it anyway, have come to know each other well. While strolling along our shoreline, picking up floating debris, i spotted the head of a huge striped bass. Buddy, my shadow and constant companion, saw it too. his instinct must have been, “mom, i’ll save you.” Buddy, a King charles cavalier spaniel, is not one for mischievous behavior. Thus, he looked at me for a
signal. i responded with a stern, “no Buddy, don’t go near the fish head.” i pointed toward the house and told him to, “go home now!” Buddy, who can pretend not to know english, grabbed the fish head and ran. here’s a Buddy fact: he clearly understands the words “puppy treat.”
aquatic carcasses are a breeding ground for diseases. it leads me to wonder what the immunity difference is between a dog and a human. This disgusting semi-corpse is the new object of Buddy’s attention. he carries it around, gnaws on it and rolls over it. i just know if one of our grandkids even touched that same putrefied carcass, their parents would spend summer break at a medical clinic. is it possible that toys were first introduced to entice children away from decomposing fish heads?
aside from the health and well-being of our (otherwise) sweet canine, there’s the smell to contend with. a decaying fish head is rank. its stench permeates every square inch of breathing space on our property. it overpowers an entire hillside of fragrant honeysuckle. it repulses flies, and yet Buddy will fight anyone to protect his treasure.
Buddy thinks he is human, although in human years … he should be dead. maybe he is senile. That would explain his erratic behavior over this reeking fish. Being a concerned pet owner, i’m unsure of what to do in this situation.
rubbing his nose in it might only encourage his obsession with fish. Throwing his fish away may prompt him to stockpile expired creatures on the property. he may begin scouring our shoreline in search of dead animals to bring home.
What i have found since the fish’s head entered our lives is that Buddy is not scratching from fleas and ticks. There could be an important correlation here. perhaps chemicals and flea collars aren’t necessary after all! Dead fish collars may be the key to a happy and healthy canine. stretching that idea to rid your home of insects: place a dead fish in every room. or not.
The captain doesn’t put much faith in the fish theory for house extermination. he contends that the odors from spoils in our refrigerator will repel all insects from our house.
his decree gives me a reprieve from cleaning the fridge. Buddy gets to keep what is left of his fish and all is well … for now.
Rebecca Raybon aims to evoke emotion with her photography.
by DIANNA WEINER
la K e-area phoTographer
rebecca raybon is the latest smith mountain arts council spotlight artist. raybon recently shared her background with us.
“my interest in photography started at a young age. i began with your typical instamatic-type point and shoots, then on to a yashica slr. i was hooked. i started seeing different shades in all the colors, shadows and reflections that popped up to be seen.
“i grew up in northeast Texas then moved over to northwest l ouisiana.
But when i moved to Virginia in 1999 and the digital age came about, i was fully involved. There was nothing better than the instant gratification of seeing your image, to know if you actually captured what you had just witnessed. i started with a two megapixel nikon c oolpix and changed about every year; i now use a full frame canon 6D. i love shooting landscapes, wildlife, water, nature of any kind and still lifes. i love doing spooky, creepy things, and occasionally do a wedding or maternity shoot, usually for friends. i love applying different filters to photos to achieve different moods.
“i think photos should invoke some type of emotion to be good. i joined the sml camera club several years ago and have so enjoyed learning from other talented photographers in the group. John o’connell and Tom cerul have always made sure we had topics and speakers of interest and usually include settingup stations to apply what we learn in a practical setting. i won my first award in the sml John Faber show in 2009. i was so honored to be awarded Best in show. since then i have also won several smaller awards in various shows.
“photography is not just an art; it is also an outlet, an insight to so many things that you might not otherwise see. it will make you look at the whole world in a different light.”
“A m other’s Love,” opposite page, and “ o tter creek,” by local photographer Rebecca Raybon.
ALL ABOUT
arts at s mith Mountain Lake
The Smith Mountain Arts Council, which supports multiple artistic endeavors at the lake and beyond, provides content for this section. Find them online at smac-arts.com
There are plenty of options for staying at Smith Mountain Lake, but what about staying on the lake? From waking up on the waves to a sunset dinner anywhere, houseboats offer a unique way to experience the Jewel of the Blue Ridge.
story by TAD DICKENS | photos by SCOTT P YATES
sU mmer rela X aT ion on some friends’ lakeside dock brought one roanoke couple a life-changing view. c had a mrhein and Beckie spaid took note of the houseboats motoring by as they enjoyed the smith mountain lake scenery about a decade ago.
The pair have owned two since, with amrhein fully renovating the second one himself. They set off from their c rystal shores marina slip almost every weekend, either to head for the dock where they first
discovered this joy or to tie up with other friends’ watercraft for a weekend outdoor party on the water.
a mrhein and spaid are among many houseboat owners at sml, some of whom live full time aboard their vessels.
“i cannot imagine not having a houseboat,” amrhein said during an interview aboard the get nauti.
“We’ve made some amazing friends down here that have houseboats, people that will do anything for you … you don’t find that a whole lot.”
he has put years of real toil into remaking his boat, but that’s a daunting task, and the idea of getting on the water every weekend might not fit everyone’s vibe. For folks who are just looking for the occasional weekend or a full-on vacation, there is one option on the lake, parrot cove Boat rentals & sales, across from Bridgewater plaza in moneta. parrot cove built each of its 17 Keycraft cruisers and continues to maintain and refurbish the fleet, which the business started in 1986.
even a landlubber can pilot one, by watching a 15-minute video to receive a temporary boating license. after that, a dock hand orients patrons to their boats and gives them a lake map, along with tips on the best places to drop anchor. But they don’t even have to leave the dock, marina manager Jacob Blair said.
“sometimes there are bad weather days,” Blair
said. “The safest place on the water is the docks. you’re more than welcome to stay here. you can plug into the shore power. you’re not burning any fuel, and the boat’s fully operational.”
The vessel now named get nauti was docked at parrot cove, where marina owner David oliver was looking for a buyer, amrhein said. oliver’s family has owned the boat rental outfit for decades. his father, the late roy oliver, had used the old aluminum-hull Kingscraft to entertain folks for the roanoke county business where he was co-owner and ceo, lock manufacturer medeco.
amrhein and spaid already had a houseboat, and amrhein had pulled it from the water for its
• Bayside Marina & Yacht Club: 500 Shoreline Circle, Moneta, 540-721-3664, baysidemarinasml.com
• Bridgewater Marina Boat Rentals: 16410 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, 540-721-1639, bwmarina.com
• Bernard’s Boat Rentals: 775 Ashmead Road, Moneta, 540-721-7800, bwmarina. com/locations/bernards-boat-rentals
• Captain’s Quarters: 16525 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, 540-7211175, smithmountainlakeboats.com
• Crazy Horse Boat rentals: 400 Crazy Horse Drive, Moneta, 540-721-1639, bwmarina.com/locations/crazy-horseboat-rentals
• Gill’s Creek Marina & Lodge: 790 Fox Chase Road, Wirtz, 540-721-2451, gillscreekmarina.com
• Halesford Harbour Inn & Marina: 1336 Campers Paradise Trail, Moneta, 540-2971500 (option 3), halesfordharbour.com/ boat-rentals
• Mariner's Landing Boat Rentals: 1217 Graves Harbor Trail, Huddleston, 540297-3642, bwmarina.com/locations/ mariners-landing-boat-rentals
• Parrot Cove Boat Rentals: 16441 Booker T Washington Highway, Moneta, 540-592-4411, parrotcove.com
• Parkway Marina Boat Rentals: 16918 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, 540-297-4412, parkwaymarina.com/boat-rentals.html
• smith Mountain Boat rentals: 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, 540-2973642, smithmountainboatrentals.com
• s ML Boat rentals: 3553 Trading Post Road, Huddleston, 540-484-3980, mitchellspoint.com
• s ML premiere Boats: Moneta-based delivery service, 540-488-4079, smlpremierboats.com
• state park Boat rentals: 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, 540-297-3642, bwmarina.com/locations/smith-mountainlake-state-park-boat-rentals
• the Dock at s ML: 188 Locust Lane, Penhook, 540-565-0222, smldock.com
• westlake Boat rentals: 2050 Morewood Road, Hardy, 540-721-1159, westlakeboatrentals.com
“Stupid
regular repair regimen when he started looking around for boat jacks. someone suggested David oliver, so he headed to parrot cove.
“[oliver] said, ‘you know anybody looking for a houseboat?’ i told him not really but if i heard of someone i’d let him know,” amrhein remembered. They repeated the process when he returned the
jacks, with one crucial difference in the interaction.
“stupid me, i looked at this boat and fell in love with it,” he said.
The port windows captured his imagination, and its vintage 1970s style was something both he and spaid love. still, he had to talk his wife into it. The one they had was fine, she told him. But at 24-foot long by 8-foot wide, it was also significantly smaller than the 45-by-15 one docked at parrot cove. They were sleeping on a fold-out couch, because the only beds were bunks in the back, he said. oliver’s boat had a full bedroom.
Finally, he persuaded her to look and talked her into going along with the purchase. Then the fun began.
“i didn’t think that the work it needed was going to be so extensive,” he said.
amrhein ticked off a long list that has kept him occupied for much of the last five years since he bought the vessel they would christen get nauti.
Both engines were locked up, with water in them and resulting stalactites. he had to take off the carburetors. he pulled the generator, along with both engines. he rebuilt the transmission. “Basically everything you see on the inside has been ripped
Amrhein has put extensive work into remodeling the Get n auti.
Houseboat owners Chad Amrhein and Beckie Spaid typically meet up with other boating friends and tie up together for the weekend. One boat drops an anchor. “The wind blows, and you all just sway around your anchor,” Amrhein said.
chad Amrhein said the only thing original left on the 50-yearold Get n auti is the helm, but restoring the boat has been a labor of love for him and his wife, Beckie Spaid (below, with their pomeranian, h azel Sazerac).
out and put back,” he said.
amrhein is a project manager for Vinton’s enlex construction company and he deals with insulation inside boilers, rotary kilns, furnaces and incinerators. so, he was plenty handy for all the boat work. spray painting walls, applying coats of insulation, replacing flooring and even some subfloor were all part of the process. he built the bar and all the cabinets.
The only thing original left on the 50-year-old craft is the helm, he said. The get nauti last went to dry dock two years ago and got fresh paint on the bottom work. There are still things to do – for example, the flybridge, the open bridge up top with
a second set of navigating equipment, isn’t working. But spaid and amrhein can focus primarily on enjoying the boat during summer weekends, including the July 4 fireworks and the upcoming pirate Days. also aboard: the couple’s pomeranian, hazel sazerac, aka sazzie.
“i joke, when people ask me how many can you sleep, i say we sleep two,” amrhein said. “But we sleep six.”
They and whatever guests are aboard typically meet up with other boating friends and tie up together for the weekend. one boat drops an anchor. “The wind blows, and you all just sway around your anchor,” he said.
it even worked during the coViD-19 pandemic, though not quite the same as it does now.
“We tightened up with our friends,” he said. “We would still go out together, but we would primarily stay on our own boats. We would go up top and we could pretty much see everybody, still talk and be able to communicate with them. it was different, but it was nice to be able to get out and socialize, do all the things to make it as normal as possible.”
Back at parrot cove in late may, crews were getting
the fleet ready for memorial Day and beyond. The vessels are a mixture: 53-footers that sleep 10 and can hold 20 for gatherings; and 39-footers that sleep six and can hold up to 12.
at those sizes, and prices that range up to $3,840 for a sunday-to-monday rental, it’s the floating equivalent of a beach-house rental. parrot cove also rents pontoons and other watercraft.
Forrest Dickerson has been in the thick of it for 23 years, 20 of them as head mechanic. he said he learned the trade from his mentor, James “Butch” crawford, who built each of the cruisers. his wife, Joyce Dickerson, and their children were there too that day, cleaning boats. They help in the summer when more than the usual crew is required to make ready for tourists arriving for their houseboat vacations. Forrest Dickerson said that otherwise he wouldn’t spend so much time with his family in the busy season, due to long weeks and longer hours. With 17 boats, breakdowns are going to happen.
“if it’s functionality of the vessel, you fix it on site; you have to,” he said. “... motor-wise, if there’s a blown engine on the lake, you send a runabout
to replace it … even in three-foot swells. Whatever gets the customer going. We all work all year just for three to four days of vacation. i don’t get much time with my family during the summer, being the only mechanic here, so i try to make sure others get to experience theirs.”
The tourists come from multiple states, even multiple nations, said Blair, the marina manager.
Josh perdue works the service dock, or the workshop in off-season, and does orientation for the rentals after gassing up the boats.
“We get quite a few that we send out and we’re like, ‘i don’t know if they’re going to make it back,’” he said, joking. “We get so many people that have no experience with boats. They’re going out here and i’ve seen ’em take off full-speed and run into the dock.”
his key advice to would-be skippers who prefer smooth sailing? “stay away during the busy times, July 4 and memorial Day weekend. if you’re going to go out and you don’t have any experience, go out a lot earlier when there’s a lot less traffic. Try to avoid the crowds.”
October6-8,2023
Toureightspectacular SmithMountainLakehomes tobenefiteightareacharities. Comebycarorboat!
The best way to experience Smith Mountain Lake is by boat, and few can compare to The Virginia Dare, an old-time attraction that makes new memories for hundreds of visitors each year.
by REED DILLON
nameD aFTer The FirsT KnoWn english child born in america in the colony of roanoke island, the Virginia Dare cruise boat has been an icon and symbol of smith mountain lake for more than 33 years.
“The Virginia Dare is definitely our star attraction,” said garrett meyer, who with Darrin main owns the boat, the Virginia Dare marina and accompanying Beacon pub and portside Bar and grill. They bought it in 2018.
“people have come from all over the world to ride on her,” meyer said. “she has held up well over the years but does require frequent maintenance to keep her shipshape.”
The 37-ton, 63-foot-by-20-foot faux paddlewheeler is powered by twin caterpillar diesel engines. The boat takes visitors on two-hour sightseeing voyages around the lake, averaging 150 cruises a year.
each year, the U.s coast guard gives the Virginia Dare a full inspection. a crew gives it a new paint job annually, and every five years, she is taken out of the water to have her hull and welds inspected.
skipperliner industries in lacrosse, Wisconsin, built the Virginia Dare, which has sister ships all over the country, including at lake norman, north carolina, Bradenton, Florida, and one on the mississippi river.
aside from sightseeing excursions, the cruise boat books special holiday trips, corporate and special event charters for weddings, graduation celebrations and bachelor parties.
The law requires a vessel this size to have a coast guard-approved captain. The Virginia Dare has three — Victor clarke, Barry Bridges and gary Fisher. They take turns piloting her.
although each comes from diverse backgrounds, histories and experiences, each is united in his love for smith mountain lake, boating and people.
clarke, originally from alexandria, is the newest Virginia Dare skipper. The longtime lake resident spent much of his life in sales and previously owned a printing company in lynchburg.
a couple of years ago, clarke achieved his oUpV/ six-pack captain’s license, which allowed him to take up to six individuals on his private boat. oUpV stands for operator of Uninspected passenger
In addition to sightseeing tours, the Virginia Dare has hosted private parties, weddings, even a funeral. “People come from all over the world to ride on her.”
Vessel. The license allows a pilot to operate fishing and sailing charters, run a dive boat or offer sightseeing tours. With that, clarke started a sightseeing tour business, captain Vic’s sea ray services, which has been a big hit.
“everyone is always happy on a boat,” clarke said. after connecting with 14-year Virginia Dare capt. gary Fisher, clarke set his course toward helming the faux paddlewheeler.
The process took some time and required additional paperwork, testing and on-the-job training, but clarke was up to the challenge.
When asked to identify the biggest challenge with the Dare, clarke said, “When the wind is blowing, the boat can act like one big sail, which can make docking tricky sometimes.”
capt. Barry Bridges has his 50-ton coast guard rating and has served as a master captain of the Virginia Dare for more than three years, although he’s had his master license for more than seven years.
Bridges, a lake resident since 2000, makes his living as a realtor and broker of Bridges and co. a lifelong boater, Bridges obtained his captain’s hours piloting for
sea Tow—smith mountain lake and by navigating a 45-foot catamaran in the Virgin islands.
Bridges said he most enjoys interacting with the Virginia Dare passengers: “you have to be a people person if you’re a captain.”
oftentimes, Bridges said, passengers will come to the wheelhouse and ask questions about the lake, such as how long it is, how deep it is and what celebrities live on the lake.
With more than 14 years at the helm, Fisher has the most seniority of the Virginia Dare captains.
like clarke and Bridges, Fisher loves being on the water, boating and meeting the Dare’s passengers.
“i just love the people,” Fisher said. “ you get to meet people from all over and from all walks of life. i just love hearing their stories.”
he recalled one recent hourlong special charter that served as a funeral service. he took the Dare to special places around the lake to memorialize the deceased, who was an avid lake lover.
While the majority of the Dare’s cruises go off without a hitch, there has been the occasional mishap, including a few medical emergencies and, on one occasion, an unruly guest who became a conservation police issue.
“i love the weddings,” Fisher added, recalling one particular ceremony in which the Dare ferried guests from nearby Bernard’s landing to a lakefront home
Regular, in-season sightseeing cruises last about two hours, during which Virginia Dare captains will point out local landmarks and explain the lake’s history and how it was formed.
The Dare also offers themed cruises with a twist, such as Taco Tuesdays and Wildlife Wednesdays. Other speciality cruises include casino nights, live music and the ever-popular (and usually sold out) annual July 4th fireworks cruise.
Cruises start at $30 per person. Learn more at vadaresml.com/virginia-dare
where a couple tied the knot. and while docking the Dare at a non-commercial sized dock was challenging, Fisher said it was a lot of fun.
“everyone had a good time, we were happy to do it and kept people safe so they would not have to drive,” he said. “The bride especially enjoyed her wedding, so much that she had to be carried onto the boat.”
m arinas, short-term rentals and a variety of lake businesses are providing etiquette guides and maps showing the best places to play safely.
Boat wakes are essential for popular towed watersports, like wakesurfing, but they can also be disruptive to other boats, smaller craft and shorelines. A new task force aims to educate everyone on staying safe and cordial while out on the water.
by JASON DUNOVANT
smi T h m o U n Tain l a K e visitors and longtime residents may have noticed a renewed effort on boater education this summer. a new task force is working to make sure everyone is safe and responsible while enjoying some of the lake’s more popular activities.
a newly formed Wake education Task Force is finding fresh ways to reach the
public with its campaign to keep people safe and cordial to others while wakesurfing or doing other towed watersports. marinas, short-term rentals and a variety of lake businesses are providing etiquette guides and maps showing the best places to play safely.
“i think we’ve gotten a lot more done than most of us expected,” said Josh mc c lure, president of the task force, about the group’s accomplishments.
The task force’s education effort centers on four major points:
1. minimize repetitive passes.
2. stay away from docks and shorelines.
3. avoid coves and congested areas.
4. avoid driving unpredictably and erratically. The points are printed on pamphlets available at boat-centric locations and on billboards visible from lake-area roads. people renting boats, boat key floaties, life jacket whistles and kill switch armbands will find Qr codes. scan a code with a phone and it will direct to the task force’s website, which provides information on how to boat safely when participating in towed watersports and wakesurfing. The site also provides videos on water sport safety.
Website visitors can provide feedback to help the task force improve its message methods. Find
the website at tricountylakes.org, under the Wake education Task Force tab.
Joy manning, the task force’s secretary, said this most recent effort will likely take time to get momentum. she expects some people will not pay attention at first, but she is optimistic that people will eventually see it as a positive.
“Be courteous to others, that is all we are asking,” manning said.
The task force is the most recent effort by the Tricounty lakes administrative commission to curb bad behavior that sometimes comes with wakesurfing and other towed watersports. The activities can create massive wakes that damage docks and shorelines — and endanger anyone nearby.
Tlac and other lake organizations have been working for at least the past decade to improve wake education at sml . The effort stems from
Putting wakesurfing supporters and critics together on the task force helped create a bridge of understanding. They agreed that they wanted the same thing: a safe lake for everyone to enjoy.
wakesurfing’s growing popularity and concerns about the large wakes.
anyone that has spent time on smith mountain lake in recent years has likely seen people wakesurfing behind specialized boats. such craft use ballast tanks filled with water to weigh them down and generate big waves. surfers towed just a few feet behind the boat can catch that wave and let go of the tow line, essentially surfing.
concerns about larger wakes and the damage they can cause led to a 2017 campaign asking boaters to wake responsibly. Four years later, a bill was introduced in the Virginia house of Delegates to restrict wakesurfing within 150 feet of a dock, pier, boat house, boat ramp or other person in the water. The bill ultimately failed, for lack of legislative support.
a few months after the house bill failed, Tlac
began looking into creating no-wakesurfing zones in sections of the lake. The first no-wakesurfing zone application last year for a section of merriman run created a firestorm of debate, which culminated at a public hearing on July 19. most speakers in the two-hour public hearing urged Tlac to consider giving education efforts a second chance before creating no-wakesurfing zones.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife resources ultimately decided against the no-wakesurfing zone, but Tlac took notice of calls for more education and created a task force that included some of the people who spoke at the July meeting.
about a dozen lake residents came together to form the Wake education Task Force last fall. it included several wakesurfers, who urged Tlac for more wake education, and some lake residents who have called for more regulation, due to the damage that wakes can cause.
putting wakesurfing supporters and critics together on the task force helped create a bridge of understanding. mcclure said once the two sides starting talking, they agreed that they wanted the same thing — a safe lake for everyone to enjoy.
“We are not against each other in this,” mcclure said. “We all have the same goal.”
if this renewed education effort is successful, manning is optimistic that it will prevent future nowakesurfing zones or even legislation that could inhibit wakesurfers from fully enjoying the activity. That is why she is pushing to get the information to as many people as possible this summer.
randy stow, a longtime lake safety proponent, is on the education task force. he has also participated in previous education efforts intended to curb dangerous and damaging wakes.
he said he is more optimistic about this group, due to its broad reach. signs and pamphlets can reach an older audience while Qr codes are intended to reach younger individuals.
stow agrees the effort will likely take time to reach everyone. even then, he said it would only take a small amount of people curbing their behavior to make a noticeable difference. he believes that some wakesurfers are beginning to understand that a change in bad behavior is necessary, lest efforts resume to legislate the sport.
Tlac announced earlier this year that it would halt any new applications for no-wakesurfing zones at smith mountain lake to allow time for the new education effort to reach the community. The commission will be watching closely to see if this new task force can make the lake a bit safer and more courteous for everyone.
People renting boats, boat key floaties, life jacket whistles and kill switch armbands will find QR codes. Scan a code with a phone and it will direct to the task force’s website, which provides information on how to boat safely when participating in towed watersports and wakesurfing. The site also provides videos on water sport safety.
July 14-16: c elebrate all things pirate at S m L! Vendors, costume contests, events, water battles and more. smlpiratedays.com
n ote: 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.
4 | Tuesday
Independence Day Celebration at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest: Come celebrate the 247th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in historic style. Poplar Forest. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 adults, 15-under free. poplarforest.org
6 | Thursday
aL so aug . 10 Rain Barrel Building Class: This old idea is making a big splash — harvest rainwater for your garden! Have suitable transportation for this 42-inch high by 24-inch diameter project. Essig Recreation Center, 295 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. $60.
Registration deadline: one week before class. playfranklincounty.com
7 | Friday
LIve M us IC Michael Franti & Spearhead, with Fortunate Youth: The Coves Amphitheater, 301 Ivy Lane, Union Hall. 7 p.m. (gates open 4:30 p.m.) $57.50-$87.50. covesatsml.com
(click on Amphitheater)
8 | Saturday
LIve M us IC Homegrown Music
s eries: A community event for all ages! Open jam 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Band plays 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food truck available. (No alcohol.) Rocky Mount Depot, 52 Franklin St., Rocky Mount. Free for jam, $5 band admission, 12-under free. depot@rockymountva. org, 540-489-0948
12 | Wednesday
Little Town Players Theater Camp: Introduction to basic theater skills such as stage presence, projection, enunciation, improv and using costumes to create or enhance a character. For 3rd to 8th graders.
Moneta/SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free. Jenifer Golston, jgolston@bpls. org , 540-425-7004, ext. 1410
Wildlife Wednesday Cruise: Smith Mountain Lake State Park has teamed up with Virginia Dare Cruises to offer this informative and fun lunch cruise. Reservations required. Virginia Dare Marina, Moneta. Noon to 2 p.m. $45 adults, $30 10-under with lunch ($30/$20 without). 540-297-7100, vadaresml.com
13 |
Thursday
LIve M us IC The Weight Band: Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $32-$47. harvester-music.com
14 |
Friday
Family Bingo Night: Come take your chances on winning some awesome prizes. Essig Recreation Center, 295 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount. 6:30 p.m. $2 per card. playfranklincounty. com
Family Movie Night: Presented by Bedford County Parks & Rec. Movie TBA. Smith Mountain Lake Pavilion. Movie begins at dark. Free and open to the public.
July 4: Celebrate the 247th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in historic style. Enjoy colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations, children’s activities, pony rides, and more.
10tH ann Iversary s mith Mountain Lake pirate Days: Avast! Dress up as a pirate and join in one of the lake’s most beloved annual traditions. Over the weekend, several area buinsesses offer discounts, promotions, contests and and events. Vendors and main events at Crazy Horse Marina. For a full list of events, visit smlpiratedays. com. Highights include:
Pirate Days water Battles: Watch as elaborate local pirate ships compete for control of the lake using water cannons and hoses. July 15 and 16, 2 p.m. Crazy Horse Marina
Pancakes with Pirates: Enjoy breakfast of pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee, plus face painting, balloon animals and a treasure chest filled with goodies for the kids. Come in costume for photos and live interactions with the Pirates of Smith Mountain Lake. July 15, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Mexico Viejo, Bridgewater Plaza. 8 to 10 a.m.
Disc Golf for Seniors: Reduce the effects of aging. Come learn the basics of this low-impact, low-cost sport. Ages 50-older. Waid Park, 701 Waid Park Road, Rocky Mount. 9 to 11 a.m. $12 per family. Registration deadline: July 12. playfranklincounty.com
LIve M us IC Rodney Crowell: The Chicago Sessions Tour. The Coves Amphitheater, 301 Ivy Lane, Union Hall. 7 p.m. (gates open 5 p.m.)
$47.50-$77.50. covesatsml.com (click on Amphitheater)
Faux Stained Glass Boxes: Learn about stained glass and its history and significance, then make a faux stained glass box to take home. Supplies provided. Ages 16-older. Moneta/SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Jenifer Golston, jgolston@bpls.org, 540-425-7004, ext. 1410
16 |
Sunday
c anoe Basics: Develop confidence during this beginner flatwater class. No experience necessary. All equipment provided. Ages 17-older. Woody Lake, Sontag Road. 9 to 11 a.m. $25. Registration deadline: one week before class. playfranklincounty.com
LIve M us IC Tommy e mmanuel, c .G.P. with Richard Smith: The Coves Amphitheater, 301 Ivy Lane, Union Hall. 7 p.m. (gates open 5 p.m.)
$47.50-$77.50. covesatsml.com (click on Amphitheater)
19 | Wednesday
Rainbow Puppet Productions presents “That’s the Truth:” Join us for a whirlwind visit with three classic characters from children’s literature: Pinocchio, Rumpelstiltskin, and the Wolf Crier. For all ages. Moneta/SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Jenifer Golston, jgolston@bpls.org , 540-425-7004, ext. 1410
20 | Thursday
Stitch i t, Don’t Ditch i t: Adults and teens will learn how to make simple repairs to clothes and other fabric items from members of the Lake Quilters Guild. Materials, supplies and equipment provided. Bring fabric item(s) in need of simple repair. For adults and teens; ages 12-15 must attend with an adult. Moneta/SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free. Jenifer Golston, jgolston@bpls.org , 540-425-7004, ext. 1410
21 | Friday
m ovies on the m ove: “Puss in Boots.” Outdoor games and kids activities 30 minutes prior to movie. Dress accordingly and bring a chair, blanket and light source. Snacks and drinks for sale. Recreation Park, Sontag Road (rain location: Essig Rec Center). 8:45 p.m. Free. 540-483-9293, playfranklincounty.com
21-23 | Friday-Sun.
aL so J u Ly 28-30 “Annie warbucks:” The sequel to the beloved musical “Annie.” Little Town Players, Bedford. Time, price TBA. littletownplayers.com
22 | Saturday
LIve M us IC, aL so aug . 26 Ray Judd’s m usic in the Park: The Friday n ite Band: Bring the whole family for an evening of foot-stompin’ music. Band will be accompanied by the Old Dominion Cloggers dance group. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Beach Pavilion. 8 to 10 p.m. $7, 12-under free. 540-297-6066, smlake@dcr.virginia. gov
Virginia Boating Safety e ducation
classroom course: This course covers the required topics that all recreational boaters must know. SML Water Treatment Facility, Moneta. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. $40. Register at register-ed.com/ events/register/193017. Randy Stow at 540-588-0270
24 | Monday
LIve M us IC n ickel creek with Aoife o’Donovan: The Coves Amphitheater,
August 1 and 30: August features two full moons this year, known as blue moons. e njoy a casualpace hike under the moon at waid Park in Rocky m ount. m ust Register by July 27. playfranklincounty.com
301 Ivy Lane, Union Hall. 7 p.m. (gates open 5 p.m.) $57.50$87.50. covesatsml.com (click on Amphitheater)
27 | Thursday
Family Fun Back-to-School clothing Swap: Come pick out some new-toyou clothes to add to your child’s back-to-school wardrobe. Shopping is by appointment only; please call to schedule your time. Moneta/SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free. 540-4257004
28-30 | Friday-Sun.
“Annie warbucks:” See Friday, July 21.
29 | Saturday
Scruggs Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Triple event: Open house, Touch a Truck, and a backpack school supplies collection. 2130 Bluewater Drive, Moneta. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations appreciated. scruggsfirerescue.com
1 | Tuesday
aL so aug . 30 2 m oons of August n ight h ikes: Every few years there are two full moons in the same month; the second is called a blue moon. Join us for a casual-pace hike during the first full moon of August. Ages 10-older. Waid Park, 701 Waid Park
Road, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $10. Registration deadline: July 27. playfranklincounty.com
6 | Sunday
LIve M us IC Dustbowl Revival: Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $37, $27, $200 VIP table. harvester-music.com
9 | Wednesday
wildlife wednesday cruise: Smith Mountain Lake State Park has teamed up with Virginia Dare Cruises to offer this informative and fun lunch cruise. Reservations required. Virginia Dare Marina, Moneta. Noon to 2 p.m. $45 adults, $30 10-under with lunch ($30/$20 without). 540-297-7100, vadaresml.com
10 | Thursday
Rain Barrel Building class: See July 6.
LIve M us IC chatham Rabbits: Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $32, $22, $180 VIP. harvester-music.com
11 | Friday
Family Bingo Night: Come take your chances on winning some awesome prizes. Essig Recreation Center, 295 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount. 6:30 p.m. $2 per card. playfranklincounty. com
LIve M us IC Yellow Brick Road – A
Tribute to e lton John: Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 to 10 p.m. $37-$47. harvester-music. com
12 |
Saturday
LIve M us IC h omegrown m usic Series: A community event for all ages! Open jam 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Band plays 7 to 9 p.m. Food truck available. (No alcohol.) Rocky Mount Depot, 52 Franklin St., Rocky Mount. Free for jam, $5 band admission, 12-younger free. depot@rockymountva.org , 540489-0948
SedaliaFEST. This year’s theme for our annual fundraiser is Suburban Cowboy. Check out our car show and live music. Sedalia Center, Big Island. 5 to 10 p.m. $10 advance, $15 at the gate, 12-under free. sedaliacenter.org
13 |
Sunday
LIve M us IC Sierra h ull: (Rescheduled from May) Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $32-$52. harvester-music.com
14 |
Monday
S m L n ewcomers: Our topic will be volunteering opportunities presented by SML Charity Home Tour and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Free refreshments starting at 10 a.m. All are welcome. Trinity Ecumenical Parish, Moneta. 10:30 a.m. Free. 540721-4330
16 | Wednesday
LIve M us IC Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-whirl Band with “ king” Solomon h icks: Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $47-$67. harvester-music.com
18 | Friday
Family Movie Night: Presented by Bedford County Parks & Rec. Movie TBA. Smith Mountain Lake Pavilion. Movie begins at dark. Free and open to the public.
m ovies on the m ove: “Lightyear.” Outdoor games and kids activities 30 minutes prior to movie. Dress accordingly and bring a chair, blanket and light source. Snacks and drinks for sale. Jamison Mill Park, 2000 Jamison Mill Road, Henry (rain location: Essig Rec Center). 8:30 p.m. Free. 540-4839293, playfranklincounty.com
19 | Saturday
Face the Forest 5 k o bstacle course Run: Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s retreat. Poplar Forest. 7:30 a.m. Price TBA.
poplarforest.org
Disc Golf for Families: Looking for an affordable activity and a chance to get outside? Come learn the basics of this game. All ages. Waid Park, 701 Waid Park Road, Rocky Mount. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. $12 per family. Registration deadline: Aug. 16. playfranklincounty.com
20 | Sunday
LIve M us IC Arrival From Sweden – The m usic of ABBA: The Coves Amphitheater, 301 Ivy Lane, Union Hall. 7 p.m. (gates open 5 p.m.) $42.50-$62.50. covesatsml.com (click on Amphitheater)
26 | Saturday
LIve M us IC Ray Judd’s m usic in the Park: h andmade m usic Band by Floyd country Store: See July 22.
LIve M us IC kinnfolk: Celtic folk music from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford. 6:30 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at the door. bowercenter.org
30 | Wednesday
2 Moons of August Night Hikes: See Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Country Fair & Gathering: A gathering of local farmers, gardeners and other folks dedicated to rural life — what it gives to us and what it needs from us. Sedalia Center, Big island. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10, 12-under free. sedaliacenter.org
Ongoing
StoryWalk. See July listing.
SEND US YOUR EVENTS! Email the date, location and a brief description including admission cost and contact information to christina.koomen@roanoke.com
The Fourth of July is a blast — mostly.
the croWD gaThers along the water’s edge, stretching across the backyards circling the cove. Towels and blankets are strewn every which way across the grass as neighbors and their families seek out the best vantage point.
it won’t be dark enough for at least another hour, and the onlookers have brought coolers stocked with drinks and snacks. eventually a beach ball materializes to be tossed and bounced above and across the viewing parties. The smell of bug repellent is thick since
it’s summer, when mosquitoes and heat arrive together each year like an old married couple. it’s warm this July, but not sweltering, and the thunderstorms that threatened earlier in the day have moved on to ruin someone else’s celebration.
as the skies darken, the crowd volume lowers to a murmur as all wait with anticipation for that first booming sound in the distance.
i’ll let you in on a little secret. Well, it might be kind of a big secret. i’m a bit reluctant to let this out into the universe. o nce i admit this there’s no turning back. Well, here goes: i don’t really like July 4. Wait, that’s not right, i do like July
4 — i just don’t really like fireworks.
i know, i know, it’s downright una merican to not love, love, love our annual pyrotechnic obsessions. i ’m sure many of you are thinking — come on Kimba, what’s not to like about fireworks? i hear others gleefully ooh and aah in the darkness and gasp in delight as stars explode and cascade across a dark sky. and i do enjoy the beauty of an initial big loud burst of shimmery gold lights fading into colors of red, blue, and green. however, and i’m just putting this out there, after about ten minutes, it’s boring.
if you’re being honest, during most fireworks displays, about midway through you’re either thinking about the desserts left out back on the picnic table or kitchen counter, or you’re contemplating how to beat potential traffic issues on your way back home.
you know what’s the worst? When you think the fireworks are over, but’s it’s a mini finale fake out, and you stand up and wipe grass and dirt off your backside only to hear another boom and realize, damn, there’s more. so you squat back down, but now you’re uncomfortable and thirsty and your last beer has tipped over into the grass (you knocked it over when you stood up) and there’s something furry and multi-legged crawling across your foot and it somehow seems even muggier than just a few minutes ago and great, now you also need to pee.
But you sit back down because might as well since you’re already here and you wonder if you’ll make the effort to do this again next year, but you know you will for one very important reason: because the hubs loves to watch things go boom. and so, you sigh and look up above and wait for the next burst of stars and you smile as the hubs holds your hand and whispers “Do you think there’s any éclair cake left?”
happy July Fourth, everyone.
Laker Magazine is a premier lifestyle publication covering Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding counties. The magazine covers recreation, tourism, arts and culture and local events through orginial reporting, photography and columnists. Also included in this bimonthly publication is a map, calendar of events and newcomer information.
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.
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.
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 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 six 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. 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
As fall approaches, we look inside some of the most interesting homes at Smith Mountain Lake. Be sure to pick up our guide to this annual tradition benefiting local nonprofits.
Plus:
*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.
