Summer Under Full Sail

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.

Stunning Lake Home With Large Covered Dock

Extraordinary Lake Home With Gorgeous Views

Neslted on a private lake lot with Beautiful Lake V iews. Entr y Level Primar y Suite and 2 additional guest rooms. Custom Kitchen with Granite Counter tops. Lower Level Family Room with Full 2nd Kitchen. Screen Porch, Car t Path to Dock. MLS 897176

Lakefront Investment Propert Y

Located in the prestigious South Harbour Waterfront Community. Custom Built with attention to detail, Great Rm with Towering Windows, Gourmet Kitchen with Huge Custom Island Bar, Turreted Sunroom, Entr y Level Primar y Suite, Elevator, Screen Porch, Family Rm, lots of room for family and friends, Car t Path to Custom F ire Pit and Large Covered Boatdock. MLS 896237

New Lake Construction With Boatdock

4 Covered Boatdocks Included. Two Office Spaces

Metered Separately,Great Location on Main Road, Public Water Hookups MLS 896777

Great Location, ver y convenient, Street Lights

Public sewer and water. Large Great Room, Entr y Level Primar y Suite, Lower Level Primar y Suite. Large Sundecks. MLS 896754