Smith Mountain Laker - July/August 2022 by Smith Mountain Laker Magazine

Great Summer

board the

PIRATE SHIP THAT RULES THE LAKE

The Smoked Heifer Napoli By The Lake J U LY/AU G U S T 2 02 2 s m i t h m o u n ta i n la k e .c o m

SIX LOCAL CREATIONS WE’RE CRAVING RIGHT NOW

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SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

MEET YOUR LOCAL REAL E S TAT E E X P E R T AND TEAM LEADER

MARGARET CR AYÉ When it comes to working with our clients, we always anticipate success by putting together a comprehensive marketing package and always putting education at the forefront for all of our clients. This includes, but is not limited to, giving the client local market information, offering on-demand high resolution photography (including aerial photography), and creating a property video that not only highlights the local lake culture in order to attract buyers, but is also a great way to help families preserve the memories they’ve made in their home. If we can make your house feel like a celebrity, we’ve done our job! Because we consider ourselves multi-media marketing experts, our goal is to be present on as many different platforms as possible. This includes print, postcards, email campaigns, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and more! Follow this link to see our proof of success and other current market analytics: bit.ly/sellatsml2022

W H A T O U R C L I E N T S H AV E T O S A Y A B O U T M A R G A R E T C R A Y É

Darlene T.

Kristen and David O.

HOMES SOLD

HOME PURCHASED

Purchasing and selling your home is a life experience. I don’t know what I would have done without Margaret! She always had my interest at heart! She is truly an exceptional and knowledgeable Realtor in every respect. Here are just a few qualities she displayed: Expert at marketing your property including Videos, Open House and Social Media. Great at communicating next steps from list date to close. Understands the market in price and trends. She takes pride in showcasing your home and collaborates with staff to ensure your home looks the very Best! She is responsive to all your needs. She negotiates with all parties to ensure you get the most value out of your property. I am so appreciative that I had Margaret in this process, I recommend her to anyone buying or selling a home! By Far the Best of the Best in her profession!

Margaret was instrumental in helping us find our dream lake home. We found her by a stroke of luck and knew instantly she was the right agent for us. She knows the lake like the back of her hand and has countless resources at her fingertips. She took the time to get to know our family and understand our needs. Margaret showed us homes by land and by boat, and once we found the one, her expertise in the negotiation process was crucial in our landing the deal. Throughout the entire process we never felt a single regret and really enjoyed getting to know her in the process. Margaret is a gem of an agent.

Margaret Crayé

www.lifestyleandlake.com

margaretcraye@lifestyleandlake.com

Editor’s Note 8

Travels 12

Calendar 88

Shorelines

Crossword 92

Dock Tale Hour 93

40 In the Buffer Zone Tips for building a protective buffer garden.

GARDENING |

22 Summer Styles Three local retailers on looks to rock on the docks this summer. By Alia Boyd FASHION |

28 Building a Dream Alan Frederick is building a boat unlike any other on the lake. By Jason

PROFILE |

Dunovant

32 Motorboat Ministry Thomas Brown’s nonprofit combines faith and fun on the water. By Alia Boyd

PROFILE |

36 SML Still a Top Draw? Local officials say record tourism is likely to continue. By Jason Dunovant

TOU RISM |

By John Rupnik

42 Fishing Into the Deep REE L ADVENTU RES | When the weather gets hot, the stripers go deep. By Chad Gilmore

Mountain Muse 44 Poem: Search & Rescue Poet Michael Chitwood chronicles a life at the lake.

LAKE ARTISTS |

Plus photography from Kathleen Riordan, poems from Anita Firebaugh and Peggy Clutz, an observation from Ferne Hale and an original song by Jerry Hale.

IN THIS ISSUE

Contents

Features 54 Great Summer Burgers Hungry? Here are six local restaurants making summerworthy burgers. By Molly Hunter

72 Lens on the Lake Three local photographers who draw their inspiration from the lake. By Molly Hunter

84 A Century of Faith Goodview Baptist has grown into a faith community all its own. By Aila Boyd

Ken LaBrake’s ‘pirate ship,’ the Overboard, has become a lake favorite for its size and details.

38 Bouyed Businesses More visitors and permanent residents are a boon to local business owners. By Jason Dunovant

BUSINESS |

ALL ABOARD the

OVERBOARD Go inside the ship that rules the lake on Pirate Days. By Ferne and Jerry Hale

PHOTO: HEATHER TURNER

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

Trussted Advisor. Stellar Service. Exceptional Results.

Smith Mountain Lake

May's Monthly Market Report

Luxury Collection Specialist Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

Waterfront Property Total Sales

Condominiums / Townhomes

Waterfront Lots

100%

92%

$1,354,169/ $336.66

$383,870/ $281.88

$522,452/ $183.93

$239,494

Average Days on Market

363

Currently Active

Currently Pending

List to Sales Price

Avg. Sold Price / Sq. Ft.

100%

Water Access Homes

Interested in more inside market information? Simply reach out for my pre recorded webinar link. For Sellers:

For Buyers:

Strategically navigating multiple offer situations Proven and effective marketing tips that put profit in your pocket Options for a private and discreet sale, that prevents a double move and allows you to move when you want, on your own terms

What you should know when investing in property at Smith Mountain Lake Five of the most important questions to ask every agent you interview to represent you Where to find secret inventory and how to structure an offer that will put you in first place for acceptance.

www.JadaTurnerRealtor.com | 540.263.0202 ©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Market data pulled 6/03/2022 by Jada Turner, Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors MLS.

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From Aila

A heron flies near The Pointe at Mariners Landing.

Summertime is When the Lake Soars

elcome to the July/August issue! I don’t know about you, but I feel so lucky to get to spend the summer at Smith Mountain Lake. Compared to when I started with the magazine last year when summer was giving way to the slower-paced off-season, the lake has really come alive! Now that long-distance traveling has picked back up, we’ve AILA BOYD started receiving a steady stream of photos for our Travels secEditor tion. If you end up traveling somewhere fun, be sure to snap a photo of yourself with a copy of this magazine. We’ll print it in the September/October issue. With that being said, I won’t blame you if you decide to stay local this summer. As you can tell from our chock-full calendar, there’s plenty to do around the lake. I want to thank the individuals who read our Lake Views call in the previous issue and decided to send something in. If you happen to snap a truly beautiful shot of the lake or the surrounding area, please consider sharing it with us. You don’t have to be a professional photographer. Since we’ve all been turned into amateur photographers by the cameras on our smartphones, don’t be afraid to capture the next beautiful lake

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

sunset that catches your eye. Even though travel is heating up this summer, tourism here at the lake is still holding its own as Jason Dunovant reports into two separate articles. For one article, he spoke with officials around the lake about the trends that they’re expecting to see throughout the duration of the season. The other article highlights the ways local business owners are faring this year. I had the pleasure of talking with Thomas Brown who has found a way to bring together his faith and his love of water sports. If you have school-aged children, he has several upcoming day camps on the books that might be of interest. Perhaps you can drop your kids off for a day of fun on the water with Brown while you take time to sample some of the burgers and breweries that Molly Hunter profiled. As you’ll find out, the greater lake area has a wide variety of burgers to sink your teeth into. Jerry and Ferne Hale have a nice feature on the family who went overboard (pun intended) for this year’s Pirates Day. As you’ll soon learn after looking at the photos, no expense was spared! I wouldn’t be surprised if Ken LaBrake receives a call from a Hollywood props department to consult on the next “Pirates of the Caribbean” installment. Our Mountain Muse section this issue doesn’t disappoint. It features a wide variety of poems, essays and photographs from some of the lake’s most artsy residents. I’m especially excited we were able to include a poem from Michael Chitwood’s latest poetry collection. “Search & Rescue” was actually inspired by Smith Mountain Lake. Additionally, I talked with the pastor of Goodview Baptist about the church’s upcoming 100th anniversary. Founded long before the Smith Mountain Dam was built, it started off as a humble satellite location of another church. Now, 100 years later, the church has a goodsized congregation and a robust youth offering. As always, thank you for reading Laker Magazine.

PHOTO: SCOTT YATES

JUMP ON IN

The Smith Mountain Lake Specialist.

Glenda McDaniel

TheLakeSpecialist.com • 540-797-2247 • glendamcd@aol.com

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EDITORIAL

Editor Creative Designer

Aila Boyd shawn garrett

contributing writers

Christine Arena, Michael Chitwood, Peggy Clutz, Kimba Dalferes, Jason Dunovant, Anita Firebaugh, Chad Gilmore, Ferne Hale, Jerry Hale, Molly Hunter, John Rupnik contributing photog raphers/artists

Jason Dunovant, Bob Houpt, Molly Hunter, Alan Raasch, Kathleen Riordan, Heather Turner, Scott Yates

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advertising

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

Barry wright

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

HOW TO SUBMIT

Laker Magazine welcomes story ideas, photos for our Travels section, calendar items and creative works (essays, poems, paintings and photography) by local artists. Submissions must include your name and telephone number. Contact aila.boyd@roanoke.com for more information. PICK U P YOUR FREE COPY

BEAUTIFUL TREES MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

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

Great Summer

SIX LOCAL CREATIONS

board the

PIRATE SHIP THAT RULES THE LAKE

WE’RE CRAVING RIGHT NOW

The Smoked Heifer

Few foods say summertime like a great burger, and there are several delicious options to be found around the lake. Read about 6 of our favorites starting on Page 54.

napoli By The Lake

J U LY/AU G U S T 2 02 2 • S m i T h m o U n TA i n L A k e .c o m

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

Cover photo: Scott Yates

where to find us

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

BARTLETT.COM 540-343-9376 10

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©2022 The Roanoke Times. Smith Mountain Laker Magazine is a community publication solely owned by The Roanoke Times. It is published for the residents of Smith Mountain Lake and is subject to The Roanoke Times’ editorial policies. The views and opinions are those of the authors. The opinions expressed, unless otherwise noted, should not be construed to be those of The Roanoke Times or its affiliates. Lists are for reference only and do not necessarily imply approbation. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from The Roanoke Times. All rights reserved. Real estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.

P R IN T P roducts

2022 -2023

lake r visitor g u ide

Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

D I G I TA L P R O D U C T S

R E G I O N A L

V I S I TO R ' S

G U I D E

lakerweekly.com

Executive director stepping down

2022-2023

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

for lake lovers

Great Summer

Finley took over position in 2019 after Gardner retirement

board the

PIRATE SHIP THAT RULES THE LAKE

LAKER WEEKLY

PHOTO COURTESY OF DONNA MARTIN

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

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

executive board has appointed a search committee led by Chairman Zach Wimmer to conduct a search for the organization’s next executive director. The board of directors has appointed Cheryl Ward to serve as interim executive director during the transition period. Finley will also continue to support the organization as needed to ensure a seamless transition. “On behalf of the board, and the community, while we’re disappointed to see Chris step down, we wish him continued success,” Wimmer said. “Chris assumed his role at a time of transition and has done a great job leading our organization during a difficult year.” Despite the challenges of 2020, Finley helped start the SML Leadership Academy with 14 participants in its inaugural class and secured $30,000 in grant marketing funds from Virginia Tourism Corporation. With that funding, the chamber launched tourism initiatives, including a monthly consumer e-newsletter, a destination travel blog, a new brochure and a commercial to market Smith Mountain Lake. Additionally, Finley achieved enrolled the most-ever participants in the 2021 Chamber Champions program. He also developed the framework for two new tourism initiatives to launch this spring, including SML Restaurant Week and a SML Getaway Sweepstakes campaign. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served as executive director and I’m proud of the accomplishments and new initiatives we’ve executed during my tenure,” Finley said. “Backed by a

Please see LANDING, Page R2

Please see FINLEY, Page R2

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

The Landing Restaurant, a longtime ﬁne-dining establishment at Bernard’s Landing, will relocate to Mariners Landing in Huddleston later this year following an announcement last week. Lake residents Bruno and Tiffany Silva, owners of The Landing Restaurant, will move to a waterfront location at The Pointe at Mariners Landing. The restaurant will be open to the public and accessible by boat or car. An opening date has not been set, but Tiffany Silva said they hope to be operational by May 1. This will be the most recent change at Mariners Landing following its purchase last year by real estate developer Waller Perrow and business partner Tom Branch. The two have spent the past few months reshaping the golf and lake community with several improvements and additions. In addition to relocating The Landing, Perrow said the Silvas will oversee all catering and special events at the resort, will establish a private restaurant at the golf clubhouse called Bruno’s and operate a seasonal poolside

eatery called Chubby’s. The Silvas’ plans also include opening a wine shop and gourmet market called Bottles & Bites. B. Silva “The wine shop will be open to the public and will feature wine and craft beer, a gourmet market with grab-and-go food items, and gifts,” said Tiffany T. Silva Silva, noting that she’s also working to organize a weekly farmer’s market starting in the spring. “Bruno and I have cherished our time as part of the Bernard’s Landing community, but are excited about expanding our brand and our business offerings signiﬁcantly by moving to Mariners Landing,” she said. “We are thrilled with the new direction the resort is heading, and this is an exciting opportunity for us, our family and our staff.” Perrow said discussions began earlier this year to move The Landing to Mariners Landing. He said he keeps in touch with the Silvas and what started as casual conversations became a reality very quickly. “Bruno and Tiffany are uniquely qualiﬁed to direct the

JASON DUNOVANT, LAKER WEEKLY

The Landing Restaurant will be moving to the ground level of Building 1 at Mariners Landing overlooking The Pointe. The Landing Love Project will occupy the catering and event kitchen in the ground level of Building 3. current and future food and beverage offerings at Mariners Landing,” Perrow said. “They are experienced, professional, and have a comprehensive knowledge of the Smith Mountain Lake market in terms of dining, catering and overall coordination of special events such as weddings and conferences. We couldn’t be more excited about the partnership.” Initially, while Virginia’s COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, Silva said service will be limited to takeout and dockside delivery.

Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christopher Finley announced his resignation effective Feb. 26 after having served in the role since late 2019. Finley will leave the chamber’s top job to take a position as director of marketing and public relations at LewisGale Regional Health System, a part of HCA H e a l t h c a r e ’s Capital Division, based in Salem. Finley The chamber’s

SIX LOCAL CREATIONS WE’RE CRAVING RIGHT NOW

The Smoked Heifer napoli By The Lake

J U LY/AU G U S T 2 02 2 • S m i T h m o U n TA i n L A k e .c o m

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

Plus!

FISHING CHARTERS

MARINA GUIDE

ESSENTIAL SML INFO

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

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

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

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

ate feedback from wakesurfers and homeowners, who are divided on the issue. Wakesurﬁng has been an increasingly popular water sport at the lake. Homeowners said the wakesurfers are sending large waves crashing into the shorelines, preventing them from enjoying the water and damaging their docks. Wakesurfers said they’ve been largely courteous and aren’t responsible for dock damage. “This is creating big problems, and as you might imagine, a lot of division,” Byron said. Byron’s bill would have kept wakesurﬁng 200 feet from the shoreline. She was going to try and change it to 150 feet from the

shoreline as a compromise. While mostly homeowners supportive of regulations spoke during committee meetings, most of the more than 60 submitted written comments came from people opposed to the proposal. “This bill is an overreaction to a few boaters who would best be handled individually through local enforcement for unsafe boating,” wrote one lake homeowner. “Denying recreation for 99% of the boaters because of the misdeeds of 1% of inconsiderate jerks is overkill and taking away people’s rights of lake enjoyment. This is LAKER WEEKLY FILE classic use of a canon to do what The bill introduced by Del. Kathy Byron last month would require a riﬂe shot could do.” wakesurfers to be at least 150 feet from docks. The bill failed in the House Please see WAKESURFING, Page R2 of Delegates last week.

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

Easily navigate Smith Mountain Lake on the water and off with the annual Laker Map. The print map designates channel markers, marinas, restaurants, communities, shopping centers and more. On the reverse side is information on the lake-area’s largest retail destinations along with detailed inset maps.

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

2022-2023

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

marina listings

al l a b o ut

LAKER MEDIA

Access current and back issues of Smith Mountain Laker Magazine on your tablet by visiting issuu.com/smithmountainlaker4. It’s free and available on desktop devices, too.

channel markers

local maps

and more!

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

Smith Mountain Laker Magazine is produced eight times per year by Laker Media, the premier publisher of print and digital products at SML. All Laker Media publications are free and available at business locations around the SML area and at our offices (Page 13). In addition, Laker Media products are available online by visiting smithmountainlake.com. Find links to digital versions of all Laker Media products by visiting smithmountainlake.com. For even more, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/Laker365 or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Laker365.

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S M I T H M O UN T A I N L A K E R

g •

e t r o

Antarctica

S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | JU m ay/ LY/AU j u nGeU 2S 0T2 2 0 2 2

WANDA GREEN's

recent expedition to the southernmost continent is helping us think cool thoughts as the summer weather heats up here at the lake.

 PHIL AND

h e

Antarctica

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

mil es away

13,000

s e r

PERU

Machu Picchu, Peru  Gayle Schwartz and her husband, Don Rumberger, who live on the Hardy side of Smith Mountain Lake, visited Peru in March. Schwartz, a sales representative at Ultradent Products, won the President's Club for 2021, which included a trip to Peru.

CO S TA R IC A

Costa Rica  Jeff and Annette Giles got away from the winter weather with a trip to Costa Rica last February.

St. Lucia all photos submitted

 Michele and Dave Pare pose aboard the Viking Sea in St. Lucia Harbor in December. Their nine-island West Indies cruise ended in time to be back at the lake for Christmas. Behind them is the German cruise ship AIDAprima. S T . L U CI A SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

YOUR SHOTS

Travels

French Polynesia  In April, Dr. Larry and Hollie Kalp , residents of The Waterfront, enjoyed a 20-day cruise of French Polynesia (Tahiti) and the Pacific, crossing on the Windstar Star Breeze. The gentleman in the picture was their Faaroa River guide, who is of Royal Polynesian heritage.

St. Maarten

South Carolina

Honduras

Spain

 Todd and Kay Rosenthal of Moneta took the Laker on vacation to Maho Beach St Maarten for New Years.

 Dave and Kathy Petroski and Johnny and Junellen McCall enjoy a great day of wine tasting and live music at La Bell Amie winery in Little River, S.C.

 Walt and Jo Ann Droge took a cruise to Roatan, an island off Honduras, on March 29th. It was their first time on the Royal Caribbean, Symphony of the Seas.

 Wanda and Gary Starnes from Union Hall (Channel Marker B23) traveled to Barcelona, Spain, in May with the Laker.

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

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

S O U T H C A R O L IN A

S PA IN

all photos submitted

HON D U R A S

S T . M A A R T EN

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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Shorelines J U LY/AUGUS T

Summer is here and we’ve got a look at new styles for ladies, a boat builder’s unique creation and where to find the fish when the weather heats up SUMMER STYLES 22 building a dream boat 28 MOTORBOAT MINISTRY 32 TOURISM FORECAST 36 businesses buoyed 38 BUFFER GARDENS 40 FISHING INTO THE DEEP 42 MOUNTAIN MUSE 44

PHOTO: istock/getty images PLUS

Featuring “Search & Rescue,” a poem by Michael Chitwood

Water infused with fresh lemons, lime and mint is one of our favorite ways to refresh after a day on the water.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

YOUR SHOTS

Lake Views

Spring Hayfields MONETA Grant West took this photo off

Hendricks Store Road in Moneta right after the hay was cut and bailed. “My favorite time of year is fall and taking pictures of the mountains and waterfalls, but I also love pictures of the lake at all times of the year as the seasons change,” West said.

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

SHOW US YOU R L A K E V I EWS! Have a photo of our stunning scenery that you’d like to share? Email it to aila.boyd@roanoke.com. Photos can be of anywhere around the lake (not just the water) and must include your name, the location of the photo

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

YOUR SHOTS

Lake Views

Betty’s Creek WESTLAKE James Absher took this sunset photo on Betty’s Creek. “Whether it is images of mountains, lakes or wildlife, I’m committed to every detail,” said Absher, who is the CEO of Absherarts LLC, a local photography business.

S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | JU m ay/ LY/AU j u nGeU 2S 0T2 2 0 2 2

Smith Mountain Lake

design consultation.

Smith Mountain Lake

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

ar o u n d t h e la k e

Summer Styles Local retailers show us some of their favorite looks to rock on the docks this season.

M G. Enslow is ready for a day on the water in this bright summertime ensemble available from Bridgewater Sportswear.

S M I T H M O U N T A I N L A K E R | JU m ay/ LY/AU j u nGeU 2S 0T2 2 0 2 2

PHOTO: courtesy bridgewater sportswear

as told to ALIA BOYD

Looking to buy or sell? Give us a call today!

540-297-3679 www.ml-realty.com

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Summer Styles

hether you're a full-time Laker or just stopping by for a weekend, you'll likely want to look your best. For summer days on the dock, entertaining at home or out and about, we reached out to some lake area retailers to find out what fashion trends are hot this season.

Bridgewater Sportswear BRIDGEWATER PLAZA Describe your idea of summer lake attire Harriet Tyree, manager and buyer for Bridgewater Sportswear: Bridgewater Sportswear’s idea of the perfect lake attire is attire that allows you to go on and off the water doing a variety of activities. Activewear with an SPF of 50 is most commonly sought after by our customers. They want to play golf, take a walk, go boating, kayaking, swimming and out to eat without skipping a beat!

HT: Trending this summer are reversible swimwear for the women. They allow a two-piece swimsuit to be mixed and matched four different ways. For the men, built in rash guards as opposed to the traditional mesh liners in swim trunks are becoming increasingly popular. Describe an outfit you have for sale that you think is the perfect lake ensemble HT: The bright and colorful outfit that M G. Enslow is wearing in this photo is made by one of our ladies favorite brands — Lulu B. Lulu B meets all the requirements for that perfect lake outfit — looking stylish while doing any activity you can think of on and around the lake. Her Maui Jim sunglasses give her triple the polarization as an ordinary pair of sunglasses and her Olukai sandals are non-slip and water friendly. Engineered by orthopedic doctors from Hawaii, Olukai has quickly become our number one selling sandal. Bogg bags are indestructible and can carry all you need for any activity or event. We have even sold them as small dog carriers! n  16430 Booker T Washington Hwy # 9, Moneta, 24121, (540) 721-1040, On Facebook: Bridgewater Sportswear

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Lulu B Top: $50.99; Lulu B skort: $48.99; Olukai O’Hana sandal: $70.99; Capelli pony tail hat: $14.99; Maui Jim Blue Hawaii sunglasses: $329.00; Bogg Bag: $74.99; Suncloud beach towel: $49.99; Natural Life water bottle: $35.00 (also on page 20).

PHOTO: courtesy bridgewater sportswear; page 23: courtesy sassy boutique at taibella

What are some of the big trends you are seeing this summer?

Describe your idea of summer lake attire Sandra Clapsadl, owner of Sassy Boutique at taiBella: My idea of summer clothing is cute and comfy and being able to interchange outfits throughout the day whether you are swimming, skiing or just being out on the water and maybe even going for a picnic or going out shopping with your friends. I think people want to have several outfits that work together — maybe a bathing suit with a cover-up. To go with it, you could wear a cute top with a pair of jean shorts or add a tank top. You can add a pair of sunglasses and a cute pair of sandals or flip-flops. You can also go with a dressier option and wear a cute dress and then add a cover-up to it and the same flip-flops or sandals.

Sassy Boutique at taiBella WESTLAKE CORNER

What are some of the big trends you are seeing this summer? SC: I think people are wanting outfits that are comfortable, cool, casual and easy to pack. A sundress or a dress is an option. Also, leggings, capris or shorts with a comfy top is a good way to go. Then, you're set for the day. This outfit is comfortable, cute and stylish. It can be easily swapped out or you can remove the cover-up depending if you want more or less sun. It's great for a day out on the water or just hanging out around the house or dock. Describe an outfit you have for sale that you think is the perfect lake ensemble SC: Versatile styles are always popular at Smith Mountain Lake. Versatile pieces can include shorts and a cute tank. Cover-ups and dresses are good because they can go over your bathing suit so you can go from being out on the boat on the lake all day and right into one of the restaurants here at the lake. n  13105 Booker T. Washington Highway Suite A5, Hardy VA 24101, (540) 2068638, sandraclapsadl01@gmail.com

White dress: $15.99; button up: $14.98; shorts: $12.98; shirt: $25; jewelry: $8.50; red dress: $17.98.

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Summer Styles

Comfort & Joy Boutique WESTLAKE CORNER Describe your idea of summer lake attire Donna Miller, owner of Comfort & Joy: The perfect lake attire must feature flattering lines, offer comfort and deliver trendsetting style. It should be distinctive, easy on the eyes and easy to care for. I spent 25 years in the clothing design business as one of Atlanta’s most respected and successful designers. I am well studied in body and proportion and color analysis. What are some of the big trends you are seeing this summer? DM: Debbie is wearing our famous paparazzi pant, which boasts the most luxurious stretch cotton fabric and fit imaginable. Talk about comfort! We offer this pant in a wide variety of sizes, colors and gorgeous prints. The accompanying top is a feminine tailored piece also available in several colors sure to satisfy any preference.

DM: Welcome to the spellbinding trends that are this Summer of ’22! The trends are so much fun — it’s all about beautiful prints and vivid colors. Long flowing casual dresses provide the flexibility to be comfortably and perfectly dressed for any affair at SML. Equally important and all the rage is the perfect costume jewelry to complete your ensemble. Cheers to your summer in style! n  400 Scruggs Rd Suite 800, Moneta, 24121, (540) 719-0976, On Facebook: ComfortandJoyStore Paparazzi pant: $69-$79; feminine tailored top: $39.

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PHOTO: courtesy comfort & joy

Describe an outfit you have for sale that you think is the perfect lake ensemble

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WI R T Z

Building a Dream Alan Frederick is creating a boat that will be unlike anything else on the water at Smith Mountain Lake — with an engine that roars “like an old aircraft.” story & photos by JASON DUNOVANT

idden away in a lakeside workshop in Wirtz, Alan Frederick has spent the last year and a half working on his dream project. A unique and massive 35-foot runabout is starting to take shape that he hopes to one day put into Smith Mountain Lake. Frederick, a member of the Smith Mountain Lake Antique and Classic Boat Society, has rebuilt several old boats over the years and has continued the hobby since moving to the lake 11 years ago.

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The runabout Alan Frederick is building was inspired by a ride in a 38-footer with a “torpedo” stern. He expects the boat — which he is creating from scratch — to take about three more years to complete.

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This project, planned for more than 30 years, is to build a boat from scratch that will be unlike anything else before it. “I wanted something different than everyone else had,” Frederick said. The inspiration for Frederick’s boat build came to him in 1990 while at a boat show near Buffalo, New York where he used to live. At the show he took a ride in a 38-foot runabout with a pointed “torpedo” stern. “It was just awesome,” Frederick said of the boat and the long wood boards that covered it. Since that time, Frederick said he wasn’t actively working on the project, but he slowly began accumulating items to be used for construction. He purchased a large inventory of African mahogany timbers in anticipation for the project one day. He said the wood is popular for boat building since it doesn’t rot. Frederick made the first steps toward building

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the boat four years ago when he contacted Syd Young, a well-known boat builder and former CEO of StanCraft which has built and designed boats since 1933. Young drafted the blueprint for Frederick based on his ideas. Frederick said the design is totally unique to any other designs by Young. It is also the only boat designed by Young that wasn’t built in the StanCraft facility. While planning the boat design, Frederick said he visited Young in his shop in Idaho and even helped him briefly on a boat he was working on. The two have stayed in contact, especially as he finally begins to build out Young’s blueprint. “He’s on my speed dial now,” Frederick said. One piece that will not be designed from scratch is the boat’s engine. Frederick had the idea to use a unique engine for his one-of-a-kind boat and purchased an engine built during World War II by the Hall-Scott Motor Car Company.

To power his boat, Frederick plans to install this 80-yearold, 2,350-pound, 6-cylinder gas engine built during WWII by the HallScott Motor Car Company. The engine was originally used in landing craft during the war.

Alan Frederick said the work of building a boat from scratch can be daunting at times. “Some nights instead of counting sheep, I’m counting mahogany.”

The 2,350-pound, 6-cylinder gas engine was used in the World War II landing craft. Markings on the side of the engine read “Hudson,” since the company assembled the engines during the war. Frederick said the roar of the engine will be unlike anything else on the water. “It sounds like an old aircraft engine,” he said. Restoring the old engine was difficult, Frederick admitted. It has been hard to find replacement parts for the 80-year-old engine. Luckily, he was able to purchase a second Hall-Scott engine from a museum in Nevada that was going out of business. He said the engine is now in storage if he ever needs it for replacement parts. Since beginning the build a year-and-a-half ago, work has slowly progressed. Frederick said he spends 15 to 35 hours a week on the project. His main help comes from Franklin County High School student Olivia Dow who has assisted with the project when her schedule permits. Much of the frame of the runabout is now in place, but there is still much more to do before it is completed. Frederick expects it to take another three years to finish. While three years isn’t much time, at 77, Frederick admits his time is limited. He wants to complete this project while he is still healthy and able. The scope of the project can be daunting at times. Frederick said he is sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of work that still needs to be done. And it can be frustrating when wood won’t behave after he cuts, sands or bends it into shape. “Some nights instead of counting sheep, I’m counting mahogany,” Frederick said. His goal is to unveil the boat at a Smith Mountain Lake Antique Boat Show in three years. He would then like to take it to other boat shows around the country. He said it may be hard to dock the boat anywhere. At 35 feet, it won’t fit in most boat slips. While the project has been a challenge for Frederick, he is eager to see it through to the end. When the work seems impossible, he makes himself a list of goals for a day or week to check off to help him move toward the eventual goal of having it out on the lake. “My dad had a saying: ‘The impossible just takes a bit longer,’” Frederick said.

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Motorboat Ministry Thomas Brown’s nonprofit program for teens uses water sports adventures to combine faith and fun. written by aila boyd

Deeper Waters Ministry offers a range of summer camps where participants go out on the lake and engage in water sports and Bible study.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEEP WATER MINISTRY

homas Brown found a unique way to marry two of his passions — his Christian faith and spending time on the lake — when he founded the nonprofit Deeper Waters Ministry. Leading up to his establishment of Deeper Waters, Brown, who was born in New York, said he “felt the hand of the Lord leading me to open a camp to give others the opportunity to experience the Lord in their own life.” Brown describes the purpose of his ministry as “an opportunity for people to set aside distractions, get outdoors and connect with God. Deeper Waters wants to help individuals experience new adventures and conquer new challenges with activities that are not normally a part of our everyday lives.” His love for camp ministry began when he was in the eighth grade, when he accepted Christ. In high school, he felt that God was calling him to minister full-time. “Not yet knowing exactly what that would look like, but desiring to grow and prepare myself for whatever God might be calling me to, I faithfully served in Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes while continuing to participate in various camp ministries,” he said.

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He later started working with Kanakuk Kamps in Missouri in the summer of 1995. As a leader, he guided young people in accepting Christ. “We would use boats as a means to entertain people and put them in a good mood. We used that as a bridge to talk about what’s important to us — a relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said. He continued to work at the camp for the next four summers until he was called to serve at as the pastor of youth and college at a church in Roanoke. “I feel in love with Roanoke, Virginia. It’s very gorgeous. It’s a great place to raise a family,” he said. It was at this church that he met a woman named Heather who is now his wife and ministry partner. For many years, Brown spent two weeks every summer helping out a camp in Georgia. Every time he made the drive back to Roanoke, he would question why he couldn’t do something similar in this area. One year, he remembers, he felt that God led him to make the plunge and actually go for it. With access to a boat at Smith Mountain Lake, he started combining ministry and watersports on a part-time basis. “If we can get some kids who want to come out, that can be our bridge to Christ,” he

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said of his initial goal. The cost of maintaining a boat and constantly filling it up with fuel started to rack up, so a nonprofit was set up. After about a year, Brown decided that he needed to devote himself to the endeavor on a full-time basis. “My wife and I stepped out on faith. We felt this was what God was leading us to do,” he said. “We stepped away from health insurance and a regular paycheck. We went ahead with the nonprofit. We wanted to see if we were doing it full time if more people would give to what we were doing. We learned very quickly that God is faithful.” This year marks the fourth summer Brown and his wife have been doing Deeper Waters Ministry full-time. He offers a range of summer camps where participants go out on the water and engage in Bible study. “I just want kids to enjoy coming out

“I just want kids to enjoy coming out here and learning a new sport and getting to hear the message of Christ.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEEP WATER MINISTRY

This year marks the fourth summer Thomas Brown and his wife, Heather, have been running Deeper Waters Ministry full-time. “We have kayaking and paddle boarding. These kids that come out really get to experience some neat things.”

here and learning a new sport and getting to hear the message of Christ,” he said. “We have kayaking and paddle boarding. These kids that come out really get to experience some neat things.” Brown also offers a free program called Wake & The Word for college-aged individuals. Every Thursday at 4 p.m., he welcomes young adults to have fun on the lake, including surfing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and kayaking. Once the sun starts to go down, they come in from the water to eat hotdogs and participate in Bible study. In addition to the camps and Wake & The Word, Brown offers his services to individuals and families who want to go on the lake but aren’t interested in renting a boat. “Some people hire us to take them out. Maybe they aren’t comfortable driving a boat. Smith Mountain Lake can be intimidating because it’s big and it’s crowded,” he explained. In return for taking them onto the lake,

he asks that they make donations to his nonprofit. Church staff groups occasionally utilize Brown’s services as a way to connect and decompress. “I was on a church staff for so long. I know how it can be very overwhelming. I give them a day where they come out and don’t have to worry about ministry and all their responsibilities. I minister to them. I pour into them as they have been doing to so many people for so long,” he said. “It’s like filling the cup of the ones that fill the cup.” Jeremy Kingsley, a bestselling author, keynote speaker and president of OneLife Ministries/OneLife Leadership, said, “For years I have watched God use Thomas in multiple ministry settings. His love of Jesus and people is consistent and a joy to see.” Looking forward, Brown’s goal is to one day have a large camp where weeklong camps could be held.

Deep Water Ministries Summer Schedule  Middle school days for rising sixth, seventh and eighth graders are July 18 and 25 and Aug. 1 and 8. High school days for rising 9th-12th graders are July 19 and 26 and Aug. 6 and 9. The cost for each day is $80 and there are eight open spots each day. Schedule: • Drop off, 9:30 a.m. • Icebreakers/instructions, 10 a.m. • Wakeboarding, 10:30 a.m. • Lunch, noon • Wakeboarding/tubing, 1 p.m. • Free time, 4:30 p.m. • Bible study, 5 p.m. • Dinner, 5:30 p.m. • Pick up, 6 p.m. deeperwaters.life

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Tourism

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Still a Top Draw? Fueled by the pandemic, Lake tourism hit record highs in 2020 and 2021, a trend officials say is likely to continue. written by Jason Dunovant

ith the passing of holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day, the summer season is well underway at Smith Mountain Lake. While the last two years have seen record highs for tourism, there is some question of how this year may shake out. Smith Mountain Lake saw a record number of tourists in the past two years. The influx was fueled by the COVID-19

pandemic which hit in early 2020. Visitors found a safe, socially distanced vacation spot that offered multiple recreational activities away from large crowds. Andy Bruns, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, said he estimates the lake community had more than 50,000 new visitors in 2020 and 2021. The information was gathered through Datafy which tracks cellphone movement.

Bruns expects to see a lot of those new visitors return this summer despite travel opening up and COVID-19 restrictions easing. He said people can easily get hooked once they visit Smith Mountain Lake for the first time. “I think we are going to have another really solid year,” Bruns said. Bedford County, which borders Smith Mountain Lake, is also expecting another busy year for tourism. The county’s director of tourism, Nicole Johnson, said she is also counting on those first-time visitors from the past two years to return. “I think we’ll continue to see a high number of travelers as now more people have heard about Bedford,” Johnson said. “We’re the type of destination that is very appealing to many who are interested in a slower pace, connecting with nature and the outdoors, and not being in crowded places.”

A boater enjoys a fine day on the water this past May.

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photo: scott yates

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In addition to Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford County boasts several tourist destinations such as the National D-Day Memorial, Peaks of Otter and the Blue Ridge Parkway just to name a few. Johnson said Bedford County reported a record amount of occupancy tax collected in fiscal year 2019 which includes the first half of 2020 when tourism exploded in much of the area. It also reached a new high in fiscal year 2021 and she said expectations are that this year could be another record. On the southern side of Smith Mountain Lake, Franklin County is also preparing for another tourist season. Lorie Smith, member of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors representing much of the lake area, said COVID-19 brought a lot of new people to the county. She believes that will continue even if COVID19 is now less of a factor. “I think the environment that COVID19 ignited is going to continue,” Smith

said. While Smith Mountain Lake is a popular tourist destination in the county, there is also another lake on the county’s southern side — Philpott Lake. Franklin County also boasts a vibrant music scene in downtown Rocky Mount with the Harvester Performance Center and a variety of recreational opportunities with its many parks. The recent pandemic has given Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding region two years of heavy tourism as well as an influx of new residents with more people working from home and deciding to relocate to someplace with better scenery. Those overseeing tourism in those areas are now looking to capitalize on the past two record years. Bruns said the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce is using Datafy to find better ways to reach out and connect with those people who have visited Smith Mountain Lake as well as those that

haven’t but may be interested in coming. He is also working to increase outreach to the community as well as the many businesses that make up the chamber. Some of those outreach efforts include the many chamber sponsored events that will be making a return this year including the SML Wine Festival that has been canceled for the past two years due to COVID-19. Bruns said preparations are already underway for the event set for Sept. 17 and 18 at Mariner’s Landing. Johnson said Bedford County will continue to promote its Destination Bedford marketing campaign that was kicked off in 2019 just before the pandemic as a way to continue attracting new visitors. Smith said Franklin County has hired a new staff member who is focused on tourism with the goal of continuing to build enthusiasm for Franklin County as well as Smith Mountain Lake into the summer.

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Business

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Buoyed Businesses Even if the visitor boom tapers this year, an influx of permanent residents has some owners eyeing year-round opportunities. written by Jason Dunovant

acationers have made their way back to Smith Mountain Lake in recent months, and after two years of record crowds, lake-area businesses are wondering what to expect this summer. Several businesses reported their biggest profits in 2020 and 2021 as many tourists visited for the first time. Reservations skyrocketed at area short-term rental spots and boat rental locations

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as vacationers looked for a socially distanced destination. Crowds also quickly filled restaurants as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease. The question for many businesses this summer is if the record crowds of 2020 and 2021 will continue even as COVID-19 fears seem to be waning or will the lake return to more traditional summers like 2019. Memorial Day is the first big holiday

for the lake that can often help gauge where the rest of the summer is going. Based on what some businesses reported with the recently passed holiday, this could be another record year. “We had our best Memorial Day in history,” said Jeff Prowse, co-owner of Mitchell’s Point Marina. The marina sold 9,000 gallons of gas during the three-day weekend with 7,000 of that sold on Saturday and Sunday. Prowse said the marina usually sells around 4,500 gallons of gas on an average weekend. Boat rentals at the marina are also going strong so far this year. Prowse said reservations for boat rentals are already ahead of where they were last year. “Right now, it’s on pace to be another banner year,” Prowse said. Mary Lou McDonald, broker/owner of ML Realty who also works with Mariner’s Landing Hospitality, said short-

photo: laker weekly, file

Mango’s Bar and Grill was a popular destination during the pandemic due to the vast outdoor seating.

term rentals remain strong. She has noticed a slight dip in reservations so far this year, but said it could be attributed to the significant increase in short-term rentals in the area since the start of the pandemic in 2020. The dip could also mark a return to a traditional summer at Smith Mountain Lake. McDonald said she has noticed boating traffic slow considerably during the weekdays and ramp up for the weekend. During the past two summers, boat traffic remained steady throughout the week. “I think we are going to have a good year,” McDonald said. “It’s just going to be a bit softer than the last two years.” Jason Hodnett, general manager at Mango’s Bar and Grill, said he is also expecting things to settle down this summer after two incredibly busy years. Although, he said this Memorial Day weekend was busier than either of the past two years.

While many lake restaurants were able to survive the state-mandated restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, Hodnett said Mango’s was able to do better than most due to a large outside seating area that allowed for more customers. Patrons also felt more comfortable eating outside, even preferring it over inside seating. With COVID-19 fears waning, Hodnett said people looking for a place to eat no longer have the same concerns for indoor seating. Due to that, he expects more customers to return to restaurants they may have avoided during the pandemic. Even if business doesn’t hit the same peaks as it has in the past two summers, Hodnett said he expects business to continue to increase in the off season. A large increase of people moving to the area has led to more regulars at the restaurant, he said. Due to the increase, Hodnett said

Mango’s will be open year-round starting this year. The restaurant usually closed at Thanksgiving each year and reopened March 1. While forecasts for the summer look positive based on trends so far after Memorial Day, several economic issues could have a major impact. Hodnett said inflation, high gas prices and a possible recession have not slowed down business yet. He wonders what impact they may have if those trends continue later this year. Prowse said, while gas sales were at a record pace over Memorial Day, he did notice that boaters traveled less. Several did not travel as far in their boat as they did in previous years likely to save on gas prices. Even though Smith Mountain Lake seems primed for another big summer, there are a lot of unknowns that could finally put a stop to the record growth of the past two years.

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Gardening

In the Buffer Zone Buffer gardens help protect shorelines and keep the lake healthy. Here’s what you need to get started creating one of your own. guest column by John Rupnik

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Gently-sloped shorelines Many lots on the lake, like those around Park Place in Franklin County, are gently sloped. Developers and/or homeowners have chosen to plant grass or sod from the home down to the riprap. They complement the dwelling and promote great views. But rain will cause water to flow over the grass and bring all of that fertilizer recently spread to the lake water. This introduction of nutrients is perfect for creating harmful algae blooms, which have closed Lake Anna to swimming and other water activities for the past three summers. Some homeowners on these lots have expressed their concerns that a buffer garden will inhibit their view, whereas the grass will not. Gardens can be created using low-lying vegetation that does not impact the view. We like to use the term, “framing the view” with trees and smallish understory native flowering trees. They not only don’t block the view if

photos courtesy of John Rupnik

uffer gardening is one of the easiest ways that lakefront homeowners can impact the water quality of our lake. But a lot of neighbors and contacts often tell me that these gardens either cost too much or are too hard to plant. Typically, I’m asked: How long? How wide? What type of plants? How dense? To mulch or not to mulch? What does AEP require? All good questions. It really depends on the slope of your lot and shoreline; the steeper the shoreline and lot, the deeper (wider) the garden should be. Water runoff is what you need to abate, so the steeper the lot, the faster the water wants to drain off it, as it doesn’t have the time to penetrate the ground before it hits your riprap. Your garden should be sized accordingly — as wide as needed to capture flow and from 10 feet deep in gently-sloped shorelines to 30 feet or more with steeper lots.

positioned properly, but provide spring color and year-round filtering. Dogwoods, fringetree, redbud, serviceberry are good choices for this. These can be planted in groups with shrubs or standalone on the edges of the property. A good example of a starter garden at a gently-sloped waterfront includes shrubs, ornamental grasses, mulch and Virginia Sweetspire. Mulch was used on the gentle slope to inhibit heavy runoff. It also helps capture runoff along the deeply-rooted plants within the mulch bed.

Using Mulch Mulch presents a consistent, wellmaintained look for the shoreline, and it does help inhibit nutrient, pollutant and sediment runoff. But be aware that during high-water events, much of this mulch may end up in the lake as the water recedes to normal pond. The more recently the mulch was laid, the more likely you will lose some of it. The older the mulch, the more likely it has settled and firmed up.

Steeply-Sloped Shorelines SML has even more steeply-sloped lots than the gently-sloped lots mentioned above. Of course, this does not mean that you cannot have a buffer garden. Your choice of plants and size of the garden now become the critical variables. The steeper the lot, the deeper the buffer garden and the larger the plants are needed. In many cases you may take advantage of the foliage that is already there, such as mountain laurels and existing trees. Our lake is known for its mountain laurel growing near the shoreline. Use it! An example comes to mind of a steep lot where the homeowner took advantage of exisiting native foliage, including mountain laurel, but also supplemented this with new deep-rooted vegetation, such as viburnum.It represents a more mature garden. No mulch is needed here when plants are dense and planted right to the riprap.

AEP Requirements American Electric Power does not require a permit to plant below the 800-

foot elevation. But if you are removing trees and shrubs, you must first file a vegetation removal permit. However, you may still limb up the tree to enhance your views. AEP supports plants that are native to Virginia, and these must be your choices for plants below 800 feet. Many common species sold at nurseries are non-native and often invasive, such as Japanese Barberry, Nandina, Periwinkle, English Ivy and Japanese Spiraea. A list of nonnative plants to Virginia can be found at: www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/ invsppdflist. For an extensive list of native plants, please refer to the Smith Mountain Lake Association website (smlassociation. org) under Programs/Buffer Landscaping. This site will also provide you with a great foundation for planning and planting your buffer garden. Should you need assistance in planning your garden, you may contact the SMLA office (theof-

fice@smlassociation.org) and ask for a buffer landscape advisory support team (BLAST) visit. Certified Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists will visit your property and coach you through the process — for free! The photos included are other examples of excellent buffer gardens that use native plants and trees on both gentle and steeply-sloped lots. One is simpler than the other, but both are highly effective. Do drop by the 4H Center in Franklin County to observe a buffer garden prepared by our Buffer Landscaping Committee members. Or as you cruise the lake by boat, you can observe many excellent buffer gardens created by our lake residents just about everywhere.

John Rupnik is the chairman of the Smith Mountain Lake Association’s Buffer Landscaping Committee.

Buffer gardens help stop harmful chemical runoff from entering the lake. The steeper your slope, the wider your buffer garden should be.

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Reel Adventures

Into the Deep When the dog days of summer hit Smith Mountain Lake, the striped bass head for the the cool deep water.

mith Mountain Lake is a great place to be during the “dog days” of summer. The Smith Mountain Lake area experiences warm and humid days but the lake provides some relief from the sweltering heat. Residents and visitors look for ways to cool off during the summer by taking boat rides, enjoying water sports and swimming in the refreshing water of SML. There isn’t anything much better than jumping off your dock or boat on a hot day! So, what do the striped bass, also known as Morone saxatilis, do when the water temps at SML rise during the summer warm-up? The surface

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temperature at SML during the summer months is usually in the mid-80s. Striped bass have a preferred temperature range from 55 F to 68 F. Where can the striped bass find their comfort zone? Deep water is the easy answer, but let’s read on to learn more about how dissolved oxygen factors into finding suitable summertime striped bass habitat. Deeper freshwater lakes like SML have three layers during the summer months. The epilimnion is the upper water that is usually warm and well oxygenated. The metalimnion is the middle layer of water where there is a rapid change is temperature and oxygen concentrations. The lower layer is

PHOTO: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

column by chad gilmore

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

the hypolimnion where the temperature is cold and oxygen level could be high or low. For about two weeks in the spring and again in the fall, SML is entirely mixed from top to bottom with only a few degrees separating the surface temperature from the temperature near the bottom. This phenomenon is known as “lake turnover.” During the summer stratification (three layers) a thermocline develops. The thermocline is a steep temperature gradient in a body of water such as a lake, marked by a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures. A thermocline prevents dissolved oxygen produced by plant photosynthesis in the warm waters of the well-lit epilimnion from reaching the cold dark hypolimnion waters. The hypolimnion only has the dissolved oxygen it acquired during the short two-week spring turnover. This finite oxygen supply is gradually used by the bacteria in the water to decompose the dead plant and animal organic matter that falls into the hypolimnion from the epilimnion, where it is produced. With no opportunity for resupply, the dissolved oxygen in hypolimnion water is gradually exhausted, according to information from Michigan State University. SML is unique because of the constant pumping and pump back by American Electric Power to generate power. The lower part of the lake doesn’t experience a dramatic thermocline like the upper Roanoke River arm, the upper Blackwater River arm and most major creek arms. So, what does this all mean? Can’t you just tell me where to go catch striped bass in the summer? It isn’t as easy as telling you to just find cool, deep water. We talked about dissolved oxygen earlier, let’s see how it relates to water temperature to find the ideal summertime habitat for striped bass. The traditional view of landlocked striped bass habitat was that they need dissolved oxygen levels above 2-3 mg/L and temperatures below 77 F to thrive. However, striped bass are found in reservoirs where hypolimnetic hypoxia (absence

of oxygen at the hypolimnion level) forces them into warmer temperatures for much of the summer, and contrary to expectations, these populations do not consistently experience poor growth or mortality. As summer stratification develops, striped bass select preferred temperature ranges of 68F-73 F as long as the dissolved oxygen was at least 2 mg/L. According to information from the American Fisheries Society, once hypoxia forces striped bass into warmer water, the fish concentrate at the top of the oxycline (defined as the depth just above the largest decline in dissolved oxygen occurring over a 3-foot change in depth), which could be 5 degrees warmer but had greater dissolved oxygen levels (4-8mg/L) than the coolest water, with dissolved oxygen of 2 mg/L. If you are looking for striped bass in the summer, they won’t be in warm water (epilimnion — top layer) for

long. They cannot tolerate water temperatures above 82F for long periods of time. Striped bass probably won’t be extremely deep in the summer because the depletion of dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion (bottom layer). Your search needs to be focused on the most well oxygenated, cool water that SML can offer. Due to fluctuating water levels, summer rainstorms, boat traffic, wind and available forage that “sweet-spot” habitat can move day-to-day. In our last article we explored the 4 types of forage available to the striped bass. Gizzard shad and threadfin shad prefer warmer, shallow water. The alewife herring and the blueback herring prefer cooler, deeper water. If you can find forage near the cool oxygenated water, the striped bass shouldn’t be too far away. A network of good fishing buddies and good electronics are essential for summer striped bass fishing.

For More on Striper Fishing  There are many other ways to present live bait to striped bass in Smith Mountain Lake. The Smith Mountain Striper Club holds regular meetings that feature guest speakers that explore these very topics. More information can be found on our website, smithmountain striperclub.com or by joining the club. Membership information is available on the website. Chad Gilmore is the president of The Smith Mountain Striper Club.

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Mountain Muse literary and visual artworks from creators around the lake

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Glade Hill Quilt Barn by Kathleen Riordan  Behind the photos:

“Glade Hill Quilt Barn” was shot after a snow in February 2022. It won first honorary mention at the 2022 Smith Mountain Arts Council Photo Show. (See more photos on Page 47). Kathleen Riordan is originally from western New York on Conesus Lake. Her introduction to photography was in college at the State University of New York at Potsdam.

Riordan enjoyed a 40-year software sales career at IBM, spending most of that time in Raleigh, North Carolina where she raised three sons. She stayed involved in the art world by being a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art, visiting every art museum she could on European business trips and collecting paintings by regional artists. She discovered Smith Mountain Lake in 2000 and bought a second home here. She moved here permanently and worked from home until she retired in 2018. The beauty of the Smith Mountain Lake area inspires her amateur photography. Riordan enjoys making photo note cards out of her pictures and printing them on gallery wrap to be donated as fundraisers around the lake for auction or given out as gifts.

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LAKER ARTS

Mountain Muse POEM

Search & Rescue by MICHAEL CHITWOOD

Memorial Day weekend, the lake is thronged with boats and jet skis, memory’s water walkers. He’s lost count of the drownings. It’s all down there, tobacco fields, the old homeplace, cross-cut saws, creek stones that marked un-named graves, woodstoves and chicken coops, spinning wheels and chestnut cradles and coffins, the old rugged cross and all the yellowed almanac hokum. After the first frost, he found a hornet’s nest latched to a low limb, which meant a mild winter. He brought it in and spent hours peeling off the gray whispering layers. It was a kind of translation, unweaving the work of so many mouths. At the core of the nest was the comb with its tiny pharaohs entombed. What to do now with this pile of paper, too delicate to accept even the slightest mark? The ancient blank text kept mum. The barn was his get-gone. Long empty and beginning to shed siding, it still smelled of harness and hay, of long field hours brought in. Mud daubers had hung their clay flutes just under the eaves. Swallow nests tufted the rafters and the swallows carved the dusk. This was the use of disuse. Loft, grain bin and stall organized the silent dimness. One summer, he found a litter

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of kittens in the manger. Five fur blots, eyes squeezed shut, wriggling. A day or two later their limp stillness. A tom had neatly slit each throat. Six years old, he went with her to decorate the church for Christmas, clapboard Baptist, sanctuary like a barn. Her parents had given the land to the faithful, though they had precious little land. They had to wait for another woman to come, She had the Virginia Creeper they’d wind around the white candles in each sanctuary window. They sat in the front pew and waited. It was cold and they kept their coats on. It was the best sermon he’d ever heard, the tall silence of the empty place, the smell of talc in her old coat and when the grumbling old basement furnace finally kicked on, some dust leapt up from the vents and danced around the pulpit. After a week’s visit, he finds, on the nightstand, a mound where his daughter peeled her sunburn, a small pyramid of skin. He was to be paid a penny per thistle. He was to keep count. The swing blade said tsk, tsk like a frowning grandmother. By noon his hands were blistered. His arms that night would remember the swinging blade. He lost count sometime in the afternoon. How many thistles could a pasture hold? It was riddle from a Sphinx. The purple blooms on the spikey stalks were plundered by bees, honey for the combs.

Continued on Page 48

PHOTOGRAPHY

Sunset Reflections & Misty Reflections

photos by

“Sunset Reflections” (top) was taken on Kathleen Riordan’s dock on Little Bull Run in February. It won first place in the Smith Mountain Lake scenes category in the 2022 Smith Mountain Arts Council Photo Show. “Misty Reflections” (below) was shot in February of 2021. 

Kathleen Riordan

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LAKER ARTS

Mountain Muse They troll for a drowning with a grappling hook, though the body, once it bloats, will rise. It’s a courtesy Search & Rescue does for survivors, taking some action for the living. When the power company exec explained what they would be paid for the land to be under water then left in a black Lincoln Continental his father said, “I reckon there’s nothing to be done about it, just have to live beside it. All the old thinking will be underneath.” Even his way in words would be drowned. The boys on the stand-behind mowers glide over the hillside across the cove. He doesn’t speak their language. They don’t speak his. But they know grass. They cross-hatch the green and glide like a stately procession of jackal-headed gods across a papyrus. The dam was sealed the year he was born. “A monument to human engineering,” the paper said. Sometimes at dusk he stands on the bank and thinks, “You and me, lake, we’re the same age and what we have we have underneath.” The troll boats are out again, dragging their grappling hooks. Someone has come up missing. That’s the story of our lives, he thinks. They’re half throttle as they work a grid in what has no grid, the big cave of the water. He wonders if the two drowned rivers are still moving, still sliding in their beds beneath, water under water. Dusk in its shepherd cloak is walking out. Search & Rescue calls it a day. The hooks come up without their man.

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Cicadas sing like the shrill of the depths. There was the store with the screen door, the man with three days’ growth of beard, always, how did he do that? Never clean-shaven. And the fat woman with her pencil stub and brown paper bags she totaled up tabs on. The oiled wooden floor cried for the pacing of this or that, what could be done without. Moses in a basket floating in the bulrushes. What were bulrushes? He clipped the picture with the safety scissors. His Sunday School teacher said there weren’t any bulrushes in the mountains. Everything miraculous happened somewhere else. After watching the news at noon he goes out to the shop to work on the weedeater. He puts the shaft in the vise and starts to tinker. The carburetor’s gunky. He thinks about his shifts at the mill, the banked hours he lives on now. The shop’s tin roof ticks. His daughters live in other states. Glass baby food jars of saved nuts and washers line the dusty shelves. The bed was one of two strangenesses in the house. It was an odd contraption, too big for the bedroom and chrome-shiny, out of place under the stiff, yellowed portraits of a man and woman he didn’t know. She rested there, the bed cranked up part way. She was an old queen on her throne, eyes shut, with a difficult choice to make. His father’s father spent the afternoons with his head bowed over the Bible or a baseball game on the crackling Philco. Clouds slid their shadows through the windows like great fish were quietly passing overhead. ‘Live beside it.” What he’s done for 50 some years.

On paper he’s wealthy. The summer people slide by, oiled bodies in pleasure craft, gunning of a torqued engine. The busy gray nest swallows hornets like words returning to the mouth. Summer afternoons he read. There was nothing else to do. Too hot to ride his bike. Tales of empires, great kings. From the porch he watched the old red hay baler making its rounds in the field behind his grandfather’s ruin of a barn. His father rented the field to a man who raised beef cattle. The square bales dropped from the baler’s chute. The field was being organized into neat blocks. It’s what we do, he thought, arrange the grass, make stacks. At the field’s edge the rising water shimmered.

BLACKBERRIES: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

He thinks it’s barn-light down there, the silt swirling like barn dust, seeming to climb the shafts of light that plunge in from above. Of course it’s going nowhere and everywhere all at once. It’s murky and the sound is like the blood you hear thrumming in your ears when all is very still. Then a smallmouth pocks a mayfly from the surface and the spell is broken. Wavelets work out from the center, the bull’s eye widening until it’s gone.

Michael Chitwood

is a Franklin County native who divides his time between Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Smith Mountain Lake. He teaches at the University of North Carolina. “Search and Rescue” is the title poem from Chitwood’s latest book, Search & Rescue. The book was published by LSU Press and received the L.E. Phillabaum Award from LSU and the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Poetry.

POEM

Blackberry Weather by ANITA FIREBAUGH

The hayfield's cut across the road, eleven rows of orchard grass need the hay rake's caress. Another twenty acres wave emerald in a chilly May breeze, waiting for the slice of the mower's blade. When new leaves whoosh with wind, the tulip poplars spit blooms, and the cardinal in the spruce cries 'wetchoo,' it's mowing time. Clouds, sun speckle the sky, crows cry from the pines. Blue Ridge Mountains reach out, grab the green hills in a hug. Sunlight dances across Stone Coal Gap — remember that story of the long lost gold? The hay smells sweet, mixed with honeysuckle. Taste the blade of grass when it's caught in a whistle. Touch the blackberry brambles, filled with pink and white flowers. If rains bring plump berries this summer we'll make wine.

Anita Firebaugh

is an award-winning writer who has published poetry in Artemis and multiple non-fiction articles in a variety of local publications. She lives on a farm in Botetourt County with her husband, 40 cows and an infinite number of birds. She enjoys watching the deer outside her window, seeing the occasional bear, playing guitar and keeping up with family and friends. She has a master’s degree from Hollins University

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LAKER ARTS

Mountain Muse

OBSERVATION

Lake Pet by FERNE HALE

hether we are vacationers or full time residents of Smith Mountain Lake, we all have something in common: we love the lake. What we do with the lake varies. We might like to fish, swim, float, water ski, surf, go wakeboarding, kayak, sail, ride around on a boat or personal watercraft, drift in a boat to relax or read, go paddle boarding, or we might just like to look at great lake views. All those activities are enjoyable. Truth is, we’ve all come here because of Smith Mountain Lake. Vacationers and residents share a warm feeling about the lake—as if it were our pet, as if every laker had the same breed of dog. If you’ve had a dog, you know the feeling. When you see someone walking your same breed, and you rush up to the person and chat about their dog. You have an instant bond. Some lakers care for their ‘pet’ by working to keep it healthy: checking the bacteria levels, monitoring for invasive weeds, providing for pump-out of boat toilets and picking up branches or debris that happen to float in. People install rip-rap to prevent shoreline erosion and buffer vegetation to strain water runoff. When visiting someone on the lake, the

preferred mode of transport is by boat, but a laker who arrives by car will invariably go to the window or deck and peer out asking, “Where are we on the lake?” What we do with out “pet” may determine where we want to be located on the lake. If we just want to zip around in our boat and have fun, we can do that from any lakeside location. Likewise, if the lake only provides a beautiful backdrop for those who like to look at it, most any lake view will do. The lake, however, has ideal locations for all sorts of specific activities. In order to fly radio-controlled airplanes off a dock, one man sought out a protected cove with plenty of length. An artist friend wanted her studio to look out on the lake and have north-facing light, so she planned her home accordingly. To get sunset views right from your deck, be sure that portion of the house faces west. To avoid the blazing afternoon sun on your deck and lake-facing windows, make sure the back of your house faces east. To sail easily from your dock, be located near the wide-open big water where breezes blow, and there’s plenty of room for tacking. The opposite is true if you seek calm water; creeks are good for water skiing. To see all the “action” of boats, skiers, wake boarders and tubers, opt for the main channel. To have the quiet and safety of being able to swim or float with friends or family, opt for living in a cove. Fortunately our “pet” does not require training or grooming, but it’s always there to provide us with comfort and enjoyment.

The lake is like a pet we all share, Ferne Hale writes.

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

(page 52) escaped the cold of western New York state in 1965 going to college in Virginia and again in 2004 when she moved to Smith Mountain Lake. Out on her back porch one spring afternoon an eagle flew by and landed in a tulip poplar tree. The branch did not break but something inside Clutz did — the floodgates of storytelling. A blanket invitation to submit material to an anthology through Lake Writers at Smith Mountain Lake made it possible for Peggy to have her first two stories published. At age 73 she is still going strong writing daily.

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Ferne Hale

was a lake fan as a child, escaping Chicago summers with family for lakes in Northern Wisconsin. Once married, she and her husband, Jerry, bought a boat before they bought a sofa and boated and water skied on rivers that feed the Chesapeake Bay. After spending time on those rivers, lakes in Pennsylvania and Michigan, they discovered Smith Mountain Lake and rented vacation homes for 17 years before building a home here in 2003. They recently moved to The Cottages at Contentment Island. Hale, a former French and English teacher, has taught in Hawaii, Illinois, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

DOG: UNSPLASH

Peggy Crowley Clutz

SONG

Life Here at the Lake by JERRY HALE

A brilliant sunrise and a songbird's call; A glassy lake that beckons all y'all; A summer that includes the spring and fall — That's our life here a the lake. A mountain view that takes your breath away; A place to veg-out and a place to play; Enjoy the stars at night and sun by day — That's our life here at the lake. That's our life here at the lake; Being here is nothing short of GREAT! Friends and neighbors who are so first-rate — That's our life here at the Lake. A cup of coffee in the morning air; Baldacci novel in a soft deck chair; An attitude that's strictly lassie-faire; That's our life here at the lake. A trip to dinner you can take by boat; No end to fun things you can do afloat; Far from all the things that get your goat; That's our life here at the lake. That's our life here at the lake; Being here is nothing short of GREAT! Friends and neighbors who are so first-rate — That's our life here at the Lake. All the happiness that you can take All the mem'ries that you want to make A traffic pattern that's a piece of cake — That's our life here at the lake.

Jerry Hale

has been a lake lover since childhood and discovered SML for family vacations back in the 80s. He wrote this piece as lyrics to an original song, first publicly performed at a New Crusty Minstrels concert to benefit SML Good Neighbors in 2008. He remains passionate about the joys of living at SML. He currently resides at The Cottages of Contentment Island.

That's our life here at the lake; Being here is nothing short of GREAT! Friends and neighbors who are so first-rate — That's our life here at the Lake. That's our life here at the Lake.

 “Life Here at the Lake” was composed for The New Crusty Minstrels' Buffett and Beach Boys Concert.

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LAKER ARTS

Mountain Muse

LAKE READS

POEM

Getting Comfortable With a Little Discomfort

The Fountain

by CHRISTINE ARENA

ead outside your comfort zone. I often hear fellow readers and book club members advise this, and sometimes I follow their advice. I’ve learned that some of the books that I initially balk at are the ones that nudge me to become a better critical thinker. Neil Gaiman’s books shove me squarely into discomfort. Gaiman, a best-selling author who boasts a cult following and the admiration of peers, critics, educators, and librarians alike, works in, among other genres, horror, fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism—genres I rarely read. But his novel “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” intrigued me for being described as a fable for adults. Also, it is short. At 178 pages, it offered a baby step into Gaiman’s prolific canon of The Ocean at The work. The cover design by Adam JohnEnd of The Lane son caught my eye, too. (Yes, it’s okay By Neil Gaiman to judge a book by its cover.) A girl in Headline Book a gentle ballet-like pose suspends in Publishing, 178 pp. a body of light-filled water, blowing Paperback: $10 bubbles toward the ruffled surface. The image is lovely and serene. It does not convey danger, distress or helplessness—the very themes that surge through Ocean alongside hope, friendship and survival. The story begins when its unnamed narrator — a 40s-something artist — returns to his childhood home in Sussex, England. He visits the farm at the end of the lane from the house he shared with his parents, sister and, for a time, a nanny that unbeknownst to everyone but the boy is sinister, having hailed from a primordial and alien power. The nanny makes the boy’s heart literally hurt. The narrator remembers that Hempstock Farm was inhabited by three generations of women unbound by time or place. The Hempstocks, including 11-year-old Lettie, comforted and protected him when, at age 7, he grappled with real and imagined terrors. Early in the story there is a death that unfurls a malevolent force that infiltrates the boy’s life. The narrator plunges into this and other memories when he stops by the duck pond on the farm. He remembers Lettie calling the pond an ocean and he remembers a magical conflict that arose before the beginning of the universe. Lettie’s ocean is a portal not just for the narrator’s act of remembering, but it is also an entry into a space and time that first give him an experience of infinite knowledge, then later

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by PEGGY CLUTZ

It’s now summer and our outdoor fountain is full The peaceful sound of water gurgling Soothes us both day and night when The windows are open and cool, fresh air Enters and swirls around us Especially at night, when it lulls us to sleep And into our dreams and contentment Away from the swirl of the world and 24-hour news reports of all that is bad I watched a YouTube video today About Mark — a guy on the Internet who Dances with people all over the world And I’m sure my heart rate dropped And the smile on my face got wider as I saw how happy we all are when We connect through something so Simple as a silly dance with strangers — Yes strangers who are really Just like us, only far away Ready to like us as well Because we are all one in this world With nowhere else to go, right? Mark is showing us how easy it is to connect Feel the surge of love in your heart Dance and let us all be one

protectively subsumes Lettie during her recovery from battling the evil force on the boy’s behalf. If I described the plot in more detail, I’d give too much away. Ocean is not about good vs. evil; rather, it is about the sometimes clumsy journey of reminiscing and, in particular, remembering from a child’s perspective when things seem more inexplicable, frightening and disempowering than in adulthood. I’ve read Ocean twice. Gaiman’s writing is elegant and descriptive, and Lettie and the boy are intelligent, resilient and likable. The story is ambiguous yet compelling in its elusiveness. Having read it twice, Ocean is no longer outside my comfort zone. I’ve since taken a stab at Gaiman’s “American Gods” and “The Graveyard Book.” Both are weird, unnerving stories that leave more questions than answers, but I could not not finish them. When it comes to Neil Gaiman, I just can’t resist being uncomfortable. Christine Arena coordinates adult programming, marketing and outreach for the Franklin County Public Library.

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JULY/AUG.–P.54 LAKER MAGAZINE

HUNGRY? WE WERE! SO WE SET OUT TO FIND OUT HOW LOCAL CHEFS ARE PUTTING THEIR OWN DELICIOUS SPIN ON A SUMMERTIME CLASSIC. SO READ UP—THEN GO EAT!

STORY BY— MOLLY HUNTER featuring: NAPOLI / JAKE’S PLACE / MEXICO VIEJO AT PENHOOK / THE BLACKWATER CAFE / JOE’S PIZZA & ITALIAN RESTAURANT / OLD OAK CAFE

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The Smoked Heifer WHERE: Napoli By The Lake WHAT’S ON IT: The burger includes an 8-ounce Certified Angus Beef patty, cherrywood-smoked bacon, sautéed onions, smoked Gouda cheese, cherrywoodsmoked bacon and Chipotle mayo on a Kaiser roll.

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The Classic WHERE: Napoli By The Lake WHAT’S ON IT: An 8-ounce Certified Angus Beef patty, served with cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a Kaiser roll.

ALSO ON THE MENU ... Napoli Cowboy serves a burger called The Texan (not pictured) that includes barbecue sauce, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, bacon and fried onion straws.

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Napoli Cowboy, 6674 Burnt Chimney Road in Wirtz, is open Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Napoli by the Lake, 775 Ashmeade Road in Moneta, is open Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

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B U R G E R S • A T • S M I T H M O U N T A I N photos: above and page 55: scott yates

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Napoli Cowboy & Napoli By The Lake  Kicking things off are the burgers offered at Smith Mountain Lake's two Napoli restaurants — Napoli by the Lake and Napoli Cowboy — both of which are family-owned and -operated. Ray Wilson and Sue Wilson own the restaurants and their son Ray-Ray Wilson; daughter, Melanie Eames; and her husband, Brad Eames, help operate them. Eames said Napoli Cowboy, located on Burnt Chimney Road, has been in the black since it opened in November 2017. The restaurant gets its name from the owners' backgrounds. Sue's family is from Naples, Italy and Napoli means Naples in Italian, Eames said. “And the cowboy part is from Ray, the owner — he's from Texas — so it's like Italy and Texas collide,” Eames said. “It's very eclectic there. We have a lot of neon signs and photos of customers and family members and we have a big horseshoe bar ... it's very laid back and chill,” Eames said. “You can go and eat dinner there for anywhere between $9 and $35, and we have kids' menus.” The Cowboy offers two different burgers, the first of which — the Texan Burger — honors Ray's roots. “The Texan Burger has barbecue sauce, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, bacon and fried onion straws on it,” Eames said. “That is probably one of our biggest-selling burgers.” All Napoli burgers start with the same foundation: a fresh, 8-ounce, non-frozen 80/20 Certified Angus Beef burger. For the uninitiated, that's 80/20 as in 80% lean meat, 20% fat; in the right hands, beef with higher fat content results in juicier, more flavorful burgers. The Cowboy's other burger, the Classic, is served on a brioche roll with lettuce, tomato, onions, American cheese and pickles, which are made inhouse using a recipe Eames developed in 2017. The same burger — minus onions and pickles — is served with mayo on a Kaiser roll at Napoli by the Lake, located right on the water at Bernard's Landing. The Smith Mountain Lake location recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. “The lake is a little bit more upscale, the price point is a little bit higher,” Eames said. “It's basically a steak and seafood restaurant.” Napoli by the Lake's other burger is the Smoked Heifer, which comes with sautéed onions, smoked Gouda cheese, cherrywoodsmoked bacon and Chipotle mayo. n

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Smashed Burger WHERE: Jake’s Place WHAT’S ON IT: Two 3-ounce patties, American cheese, pickles, garlic dill aioli and house seasoning (served here with a raspberry mojito).

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Jake’s Place, 1041 Harbor Inn Lane in Moneta, is open Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Smashed @ Jake’s random Mondays will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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JAKE’S PLACE B U R G E R S • A T • S M I T H M O U N T A I N •

 For a more laid-back atmosphere that’s still right on the water, burger-lovers can head over to Jake’s Place, where 6-ounce, hand-pattied Angus beef burgers with house blend seasoning await. Jake’s Place — owned and operated by Tom and Lynn Gordon, their son Mike and his fiancée Ashley — recently celebrated its 10th year in business. “Our vibe is family-friendly, casual waterfront dining. Great views, easy boat parking and large outdoor seating,” Tom said. The original Jake’s Burger has been a staple on the restaurant’s menu for more than 10 years, and is loaded with an assortment of cheeses — pepper jack, Swiss, cheddar, American, provolone, smoked Gouda — and lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and bacon. “Over the years we have added many specialty burgers like the Apollo Burger, Remie Burger and Santa Fe Burger, all of which are on our regular menu,” Tom said. “We are particularly fond of our Smash Burger which can be found on our ‘Sunday Funday’ menu as well as our upcoming Smashed@Jake’s random Mondays. ... Smashed@Jake’s will consist of a rotating eight or so smash burger menu. Follow us on Facebook for more details.” The Smashed Burger consists of two 3-ounce patties, American cheese, pickles, garlic dill aioli and house seasoning. A nice following allows the restaurant to stay open year-round, and Tom said the intention is to be open as much as possible this summer for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. n

L A K photo: scott yates

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MEXICO VIEJO AT PENHOOK  Next up is the specialty burger menu at familyowned Mexico Viejo at Penhook. The Penhook location has been open for three years and is the only Mexico Viejo location to feature a specialty burger menu, which owner Jasmine Aguirre introduced in December. “I just wanted a little bit more variety for our customers,” Aguirre said. “We had people who’d come consistently, on a weekly basis, and I just thought about bringing something a little bit different for them to have every once in a while.” She initially intended to take it off the menu

after about a month, but the burgers were selling consistently, so it stayed. The Mexican Burger is currently the star of the specialty burger menu. “The Mexican Burger is your wagyu patty, and it has grilled jalapenos and onion, pepper jack cheese and it’s topped with lettuce, tomato and then you have the option of our specialty sauce or ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise,” Aguirre said. Mexico Viejo is known for its orange chimichurri specialty sauce. “It’s almost sweet and spicy at the same time,” Aguirre said. Aguirre noted that the burger options have increased the restaurant’s appeal to large groups. “When you come in a huge group...not everybody always wants a Mexican dish,” Aguirre said. If the name wasn’t already a dead giveaway, Mexican food is typically the specialty at Mexico Viejo. “We’re a little bit more modern than a typical Mexican restaurant...we have live music...and of course we’re family-friendly as well,” Aguirre said. n

I T H M O

lets go!

Mexico Viejo at Penhook, 3585 Smith Mountain Road in Penhook, is open Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m.

U T A

Grab a Local Brew

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SIP A SPELL AT SUNKEN CITY BREWING COMPANY  Sunken City Brewing Company, Smith Mountain Lake's resident microbrewery, is home to several signature beers. The brewery is located about 300 feet from the community of Monroe, which flooded with the creation of the lake in the 1960s. Depending on when they come, summer visitors to Sunken City want to try both of its German-style brews, the Surfside Wheat beer and the Sunktoberfest Lager. Meanwhile, the American style amber Dam Lager and award-winning Red Clay IPA and Steamboat Beer are available year-round. n

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brewery: the roanoke times, file; opposite page: courtesy mexico viejo

Mexican Burger WHERE: Mexico Viejo at

Penhook WHAT’S ON IT: Grilled jalapenos and onion, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato, topped with a special sauce (optional).

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NO. 4

THE BLACKWATER CAFE  Tom and Lynn Gordon, of Jake’s Place, also own and operate the Blackwater Café, in conjunction with their son John and daughter-in-law Miranda. “We only use Certified Angus Beef (CAB) in all of our burgers and have won awards for Best Burger in the past,” Tom Gordon said. The eponymous Blackwater Burger is the restaurant’s bestseller, and no discussion of it would be complete without mentioning the fresh, crispy side of fries that comes with it. “The Blackwater Café opened in 2005 as a family-run restaurant at the current location on Scruggs Road,” Tom Gordon said. “We usually do monthly wine dinners but have curtailed the dinners during COVID and hope to start back up soon.” n

lets go!

PHOTO BY MOLLY HUNTER

The Blackwater Café, 4730 Scruggs Road in Moneta, usually opens Wednesday through Sunday at 5 p.m., but labor shortages may cause continued Sunday closures.

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Blackwater Burger WHERE: The Blackwater Cafe WHAT’S ON IT: Certified Angus Beef topped

with white cheddar, bacon, honey balsamic onions & Dijon aioli.

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Cheesburger

B U R G E R S • A T • S M I T H M O U N T A I N

NO. 5

WHERE: Joe’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant

JOE’S PIZZA & ITALIAN RESTAURANT

WHAT’S ON IT: An 8-ounce beef patty, salt, pepper and other toppings.

 The specialty items at Joe’s Pizza and Pasta should be selfevident, but if pizza and pasta aren’t your speed, there’s always the cheeseburger. “We have just a plain burger with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and onions ... ground beef, 8 ounces, salt and pepper and then we just put the cheese and whatever items they want on it,” Lawrence Altadonna said. Joe’s has been in business for 16 years at its current Scruggs Road location and is family-owned. “We are a family restaurant, pretty casual — we’re not a fancy restaurant. ... And of course, we’ve got more than just burgers here,” Altadonna said wryly. Joe’s prolific menu includes sandwiches, subs, lasagna, customizable pasta dishes, pizzas, strombolis and calzones and even gluten-free pizza and pasta options. n

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lets go! Joe’s Pizza, 130 Scruggs Road in Moneta, is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m

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NO. 6

OLD OAK CAFÉ

joes burger: courtesy JOE’S PIZZA & ITALIAN RESTAURANT; old oak cafe burger courtesy old oak cafe

 Burger-loving early birds can head to Old Oak Café to get their fix. “Sandwiches, burgers, breakfast all day until 2 p.m.,” Jo-Ann Ernandes, one of the owners, said. “The whole menu is available all day.” And yes, we checked: that includes the burgers. The Old Oak Cafe has been around since June 2011 and offers guests a home cooking experience. The café has an assortment of burgers on the menu, running the gamut from the basic café burger — lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese — to the Hawaiian burger, which is served with teriyaki sauce and topped with grilled pineapple. “We have what we call the ‘Not Too Hot to Handle,’ which is made with pepper jack cheese and jalapeno peppers,” Ernandes said. Finally, there’s the onion burger, which is made with lettuce, tomato, grilled onion and cheddar cheese. “Any of our burgers can also be made with chicken, instead,” Ernandes added. n

lets go!

Old Oak Café, 400 Scruggs Road in Moneta, is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

WHERE: Old Oak Café

BBQ Bacon Burger

WHAT’S ON IT: Sweet BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a fried onion ring

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Owner Ken LaBrake estimates as many as 250 hours went into creating the Overboard.

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ALL ABOARD the

OVERBOARD Capt. Ken LaBrake’s arr-guably amazing pirate ship has become a favorite sight at the annual Pirate Days celebration. story by FERNE AND JERRY HALE photos by HEATHER TURNER

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which supplied endless fun for kids and adults at their party-inspiring Gills Creek waterfront) and storage for water toys. But, he thought, the boat’s enclosure could be reinforced with paneling that was just then being removed from the inside of a neighbor’s old trailer. The diving board became the requisite “plank;” a few pirate-y decorations plus openings along each side for water balloon slingshots, and he felt ready to sail into battle at nearby Crazy Horse Marina. But with his first sopping water battle experience under his costume’s pirate belt, Ken realized that indoor-rated — and thus hardly water-resistant — paneling would not hold up long-term. He soon began developing a plan for a serious rebuild that would include residing the ship with durable cedar exterior siding over a cleverly-engineered ventilation space behind the boards. Since the cedar would add significant weight, he would also need more flotation. A used center pontoon tube, found on eBay,

The Overboard is full of fun pirate details. “I wanted the result to look a bit sinister, but still fun,” Ken LaBrake said.

o do Pirate Days right, you really need a pirate ship!” That’s the thought that haunted Ken LaBrake as he considered how he and his family might best support this rapidly-growing lake event that’s occurred every second weekend in July since it’s creation by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2016. “That’s the logic I used on my wife,” Ken said. “But she was a surprisingly easy sell.” “It’s a nice family fun event,” Valerie LaBrake agreed. So Ken set his sights on readying a water-battle contender for Pirate Days 2019. The family already owned a 1985 camping pontoon boat that they kept dockside in their cove and used mostly as a diving platform (Ken had installed a surplus Olympic-caliber diving board on the roof

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above photo courtesy of the laBrake family

would meet that need. He drew up plans, and in June 2020, he hauled the boat to his driveway where four weeks of dedicated effort accomplished the transformation. The entire family helped, including Madeleine, 20, who painted; Brie, 19, who fabricated the bow skeleton’s rib cage from PVC pipe. The whole family, including Sophie, 16; Dallas, 11, and Valerie, worked on the rigging and painting. “I probably have 140 hours in this refit, and with everybody’s work, it’s more like 250 total,” Ken estimated. Along the way, he had downloaded photos from “Pirates of the Caribbean” to get the look of the ship just right. For improved all-around driver visibility, he moved the enclosed steering console to the center and replaced the camper’s front wall with see-through slats. The holes in the sides for water cannons are large enough for Captain Ken to keep track of boat traffic and surrounding attackers. “We take both fun and safety seriously; there are three fire extinguishers and plenty of life saving

throws on board. And, yes, it is fully Coast Guard equipped and DWR registered,” he said. As Ken’s transformation work became apparent, Valerie shook her head and said, “Sometimes you get a little carried away with your ideas.” “That’s when a friend suggested we name the ship ‘Overboard,’” Ken said. “I wanted the result to look a bit sinister, but still fun,” Ken noted, so it is loaded with pirate-y details. The windows of the “captain’s cabin”—it’s not a real cabin, just a shelter in the stern to protect water balloon fillers below deck—are ornately decorated with gold and red flourishes. After Halloween, Ken found Lowe’s closeouts that were perfect decorations: the large skull for the bow plus other

The ship has become a popular target for the Pirate Days water battle. But it can more than hold its own: PVC cannons capable of shooting 40foot streams of lake water line the outside. One cannon on each side also lights off M-80 firecrackers for authentic booms.

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The Overboard can carry a crew of 14. “No one is allowed aboard unless they’re in full pirate costume.”

pontoon courtesy of the laBrake family

skeletons that became a peg-legged captain and his dog topsides and a fisherman with fish bones dangling off his pole at the stern. At Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Ken spotted two water cannons from a theme park, and with PVC pipe, he crafted other cannons capable of shooting 40-foot streams of lake water. They’re powered by an on-board pressure tank and operated by crew members who open appropriate valves as the ship maneuvers against attacking vessels. One cannon on each side also lights off M-80 firecrackers for authentic cannon-firing booms. Overboard’s rigging and mast were taken from

an old sailboat. “We used thin sail material, sort of a greenhouse mesh, that is lighter than normal sailcloth and allows see-through visibility,” Ken pointed out. In 2020, the family’s excitement paled, however, when the vessel’s outboard refused to start on Pirate Days’ Saturday morning. Undaunted, Ken towed the pirate ship into battle. “I was accused of ‘abandoning ship’ but that got us into the water battle in Crazy Horse Cove,” Ken recalls. By Pirate Days 2021, the motor was repaired and everything worked fine. “The ship can accommodate a crew of 14 family and friends,” said Valerie. “No one is allowed aboard unless they’re in full pirate costume.” The men and boys stay below decks, operating the cannons and filling water balloons. The women are stationed on the upper deck, lobbing water balloons and using forceful squirt guns. For the upcoming battle, Ken has perfected a filling device to load 25 balloons in tandem; in previous outings, keeping the balloon throwers adequately supplied one fill at-a-time was impossible. He’s also added a pump-fed trough up top where squirt gunners can quickly reload. “We get really soaked up there,” Valerie said with a laugh, “but it’s all in good fun. When our pirate ship arrives, everyone stops spraying one another and we become the target for all.”

The Overboard began life as a 1985 camping pontoon boat. The rigging and mast came from an old sailboat.

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Catch of the Day alan raasch A heron is caught catching its dinner on the water. Raasch, who shoots often from his kayak, said he enjoys the challenge of capturing wildlife in a unique way.

LENS on the

LAKE The beautiful views at Smith Mountain Lake inspire and sustain many amateur and hobbyist photographers. We went behind the scenes with three of the area’s best. story by MOLLY HUNTER photos by bob houpt, KATHLEEN RIORDAN and ALAN RAASCH

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LENS ON THE LAKE

Bob Houpt Not least among local photographers is Bob Houpt, a Roanoke native and lake resident for the last eight years. For him, photography has been “a bit of an obsession” for the last 40 years. The lake is one of his recurring subjects. “I’m always out there taking pictures. I take a lot of boating pictures — I find it challenging. ... You’re just bouncing around on your boat — and I’m using telephoto lenses usually and I’m taking pictures of other boats out there — so it is challenging to get a good image but I get some nice ones,” Houpt said. Smith Mountain Lake State Park is one of his favorite spots. “I like the winding, twisting roads that are in the state park, with the water on the edges of the road,” Houpt said. A retired press operator, Houpt has a deep appreciation for color photography, which he prefers over black and white. His favorite time of year to take photos is probably the fall, he said, specifically because of the colorful foliage. Houpt confessed that his vacation destinations are not wholly uninfluenced by possible photo-ops. “Sometimes I’ll travel because I know the photography would be good there. It does kind of control our vacations,” Houpt said wryly. “Certain parts of Florida are really good in the wintertime for birding and taking bird pictures.” Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks are also near the top of his list. Houpt has been in the game long enough that he was there for the shift from film to digital. He made the switch around the year 2000. “I’d go to great lengths to make my exposure correct and whatnot, using film back in the day. And I’d go to photo labs and it would be averaged by a computer and my prints never came out the way I envisioned them,” Houpt said. “Once I got into digital and doing things myself in Photoshop and Lightroom and I was able to control all these elements, I never looked back.”

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DRIFTING SAILBOAT

 Bob Houpt said boat photos can be tricky to capture. “You’re just bouncing around on your boat ... so it is challenging to get a good image but I get some nice ones.”

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blue ridge parkway BOB HoUPT

Houpt said his favorite time of the year to take photos is in the fall for the colorful foliage. He said sometimes his vacations are dictated by where he thinks he might find good photography subjects.

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SMITH MOUNTAIN

 Kathleen Riordan prefers using a cellphone over a traditional camera and most of her photos are taken spur-of-the-moment. Her work has been recently recognized by the Smith Mountain Lake Arts Council.

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More of Kathleen Riordan’s work can be found in this issue’s Mountain Muse section, beginning on Page 44.

LENS ON THE LAKE

Kathleen Riordan Kathleen Riordan is a spur-of-the-moment photographer who shoots on her cellphone. “It’s such a beautiful spot up here, it’s hard for me not to take pictures,” Riordan said. Formerly a part-time lake resident, she has lived there full-time for the last 10 years. “I definitely like to take pictures on the lake but I also like the barns and the rural scenes around the lake,” Riordan said. Sunsets are another favorite, especially during wintertime. “I’m not a morning person so you won’t see any sunrises from me,” she said. Much of her work consists of “u-turn photos.” “My friends, we always joke because I like to do what I call ‘u-turn pictures’ —I’ll drive by something and I’ll say, ‘Oh, nope, I need to go back and take a picture of that,’” Riordan said, laughing. A friend’s husband once asked Riordan if she returns to the same location over and over until she achieves a good photo. “His wife didn’t even let me answer. She goes, ‘Oh, no, no— Kathleen’s pictures are very happenstance. She just gets out of the golf cart and takes the picture,’” Riordan said, chuckling again. “Back before cellphones I took them on a camera and I would develop a whole bunch of pictures and then decide which ones I wanted. Then finally I converted to digital,” Riordan said. “I do some editing on my phone — not a great deal. ... I took a class at the Taubman Art Museum several years ago on cellphone photography and since then I’ve been a fan of the Snapseed app.” When she began getting into photography about 15 years ago, Riordan glued her pictures to note cards and sent them to friends and family members. She eventually graduated to wrapped canvas prints, but she still shoots on her cellphone, which she finds easier and more convenient than lugging around a camera body and lens — especially when it comes to her u-turn photos.

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stormy SUNSET KATHLEEN RIORDAN

“It’s such a beautiful spot up here, it’s hard for me not to take pictures,” Riordan said of the lake. A June storm and sunset captured by Riordan paint the sky over Smith Mountain Lake purple, pink and gold.

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K AYAK VIEW

 Alan Raasch said he loves using his kayak “as a platform to get a different view of things and to see some things that I wouldn’t ordinarily see on land.”

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LENS ON THE LAKE

Alan Raasch Alan Raasch in AltaVista is another amateur photographer, whose other hobby—kayaking—has sent him exploring around Smith Mountain Lake. “I’m not scared to put the camera in the kayak and go out and shoot from there. I love using that as a platform to get a different view of things and to see some things that I wouldn’t ordinarily see on land,” Raasch said. “I have been up to the lake after an ice storm, which is beautiful — everything fringed in icicles...and you get along the shore and you see all of the ice. It might be hazardous but it sure is pretty.” Raasch has been taking photos since he was very young, but began perfecting his craft later in life. “As far as actually getting to the point where I felt good enough to show my work and start selling work, that would probably be in the last eight to 10 years,” Raash said. A self-professed “gadget guy,” Raasch was drawn to digital photography. “Digital was really appealing, not just from the photography aspect, but from how you can post-process images as well — that’s what I enjoy doing,” Raasch said. “If I shoot something and ... I can just tell from the shapes and textures ... where I want to go with it... and it comes out as well as I had envisioned it, then I’m happy.” Feedback from peers in the Blue Ridge Photographic Arts Society and a desire to achieve new effects in his photos have propelled his growth. “Waterfalls, actually, are one of the things that got me started with looking at new techniques and new gear and ... using filters to slow down my shutter speed or getting a tripod to make sure everything was rock solid. It just led from one thing to another,” Raasch said. “I’ve gone more towards wildlife because of the challenge of not only trying to locate them but also trying to capture them in a unique way. It also gives me a great opportunity to get outdoors and get some fresh air and exercise.”

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A CENTURY OF

FAITH Originally formed as a branch of Diamond Hill Baptist Church, Goodview Baptist Church, which turns 100 this summer, has grown into a faith community in its own right. story by AILA BOYD

LEFT: Courtesy of Joey Phillips; right: Courtesy of Goodview Baptist Church

Goodview Baptist is led by (left to right) Kelly Phillips and senior pastor Joey Phillips, associate pastor Chris Walker and Jessica Walker, and children’s director Nicole Sensenig.

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hile most locals nowadays have no memory of the time before Appalachian Power constructed the Smith Mountain Dam, which created the lake, it’s safe to say that no one alive today remembers the establishment of Goodview Baptist Church. Founded in 1922, the church is celebrating its 100th anniversary in August. Unlike how some churches are started as the result of a split, Goodview Baptist was specifically set up to function as a branch of Diamond Hill Baptist Church. The location allowed those in the area who had difficulty walking to Diamond Hill Baptist easier access to church services. The structure of the church largely remained unchanged from the early 1920s through the 1970s, when a new sanctuary was erected. The majority of the sanctuary, which was dedicated on June 1, 1975, was built by the hands of members of the congregation. The loan for the project was close to $10,000. Throughout the years, the church has had 10 senior pastors: Samuel Moses, R.L. Chadwick, L.C. Coffman, Rev. Holland, J.V. Ashwell, Doby Salmons, Elwood McQuaid, Charlie Jones, Robert LaFon and Joey Phillips. The salary

The church’s Family Life Center was dedicated in 2002.

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been there for 26 years. “The people were so kind and so receptive. I felt at home,” he remembers. During his time at the helm of the church, the size of the congregation has grown significantly. In 1985, an average of 55 people attended services – today the average is 235. Phillips attributes the growth to the personality of Goodview Baptist. “I think when people come to church, they’re looking for a place where they feel welcomed and loved. That is a key to any church’s growth,” he said. Families, he added, look for churches that have good youth programs so that their children can get involved. “We’ve seen growth through our youth offering,” he said. One of the investments the church has made in that regard is the Family Life Center. Associate Pastor Chris Walker, who joined the church in 1998, has also devoted most of his time at the church to youth ministry. Like most churches, Goodview Baptist was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic has been a challenge,” Phillips said. Coincidentally, the church had planned to offer a livestreamed version of its 2020 Easter service as a form of outreach. With the equipment in place, the church simply moved up its timeline and started streaming its weekly services when the pandemic arrived in the area. “We’ve just tried to keep preaching and loving on people,” he said. While the majority of those who Phillips ministers to have returned to in-person services, he continues to offer streaming options for those who

Anniversary Celebration  Goodview

Baptist will hold an anniversary celebration and homecoming at 11 a.m. on Aug. 21. A covered dish meal will be offered after the service.

Goodview Baptist Church offers a variety of youth programming. Church leaders say a focus on youth offerings has contributed to its growth.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Goodview Baptist Church

Moses was offered was $200 per year. The church currently owns 11 acres of land surrounding the structure. The church once again looked to expand is physical space in 1998 when a groundbreaking was held for its Family Life Center. The dedication service for the center was held in 2002 along with a homecoming celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of the church. Phillips, who joined the church in 1985, continues to serve as the senior pastor today. Originally from West Virginia, he moved with his family to Vinton as a child where he attended Blue Ridge Baptist Church. It was under the preaching of Jimmie Jones and John Gamble at Springs of Life Camp that he received a call to minister. “I wanted to give the Lord my life and let him do with me whatever he wanted to do,” he said of the inspiration he felt during the summer camp. Between his sophomore and junior years at William Byrd High School, he stopped playing sports in order to start a Bible class. From there, he also started teaching a Sunday school class and occasionally preached. After graduating high school in 1978, he started preparing for the ministry at Piedmont Bible College. He later returned to his home church in Vinton to become its associate pastor. The following year, he became pastor at Goodview Baptist and graduated from Columbia Bible College. Within a couple weeks of praying for his own church, he received an invitation to speak at Goodview following the death of the pastor who had

Senior Pastor Joey Phillips attributes Goodview Baptist’s growth to the church’s personality. “I think when people come to church, they’re looking for a place where they feel welcomed and loved.”

100 Years at goodview baptist church

June 20, 1922: Church is dedicated 1924: Sunday school classes begin

are health conscious. Although there are a couple of families that attend church at Goodview Baptist when they are at Smith Mountain Lake during the summer season, the majority of the congregation is comprised of year-round members. Ruth Fielder started attending Goodview Baptist a year ago after she relocated to the area from Botetourt County with her husband the year prior. “A year ago we decided it would be good to get involved in the community where we now live, so we started visiting nearby churches. Goodview stood out because the pastor and associate pastor immediately made us feel comfortable, the teaching and inspiring sermons were excellent and we were welcomed into the various groups of the church,” she said. “This church has a rich history of having a family atmosphere where everyone works together to get things done. Daniel and Katy Adkins have been attending the church for 11 years. They initially started visiting the church because their niece, who was involved in youth ministry, would invite them to various special music programs. Finding the congregation to be friendly and welcoming, they started attending regularly as their family grew. “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at Goodview Baptist,” the couple said. “We look forward to the years to come and how we will grow.” Creig and Ruth Rogers started attending the church five years ago because their son and his family were regular attendees. “The people in the church have made us feel very welcome! There is definitely a feeling of love and caring that a church family puts forth,” they said. Howard Duval started attending services at the church after moving to the Good-

view area in January of 1993. He immediately found the church to be very active in youth ministry. “One of the best parts of our church is the fellowship and friends we have made here,” he said. “The Sunday School program allows members to get to know each other better through weekly Bible study and group outings.” Unlike some, Abby McGuire has been attending Goodview Baptist her whole life. Saved roughly 10 years ago, the 18-year-old feels that the church has shaped her into the person she is today. “The support and excitement from the church is one of the most prominent things in our church family,” she said. Some of McGuire’s fondest church memories are from “Youth Sundays.” The biannual event involves the youth taking over the church’s services for a day. The youth band plays, skits and dramas are performed and the youth pastor speaks. “We have so much fun planning and getting together to practice for these big days,” she said. “It’s also fun to see how different our music is than the normal praise band.” At 11 a.m. on Aug. 21, an anniversary celebration and homecoming will be held. A covered dish meal will be offered after the service. “At the service, we will highlight how our church was founded and how God blessed us with its founding,” Phillips said. “We want to highlight how God blessed us with the teaching of his word and how it has been used to transform lives through the years.”

Goodview baptist church 1057 Grace Ct, Goodview, 24095, (540) 890-4822, goodviewbaptist.org. Services held at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays.

1933: First Christmas program presented 1936: First homecoming service 1945: Electricity installed in church 1950: Furnace installed in church 1952: Church rents Dora Meador’s house as a parsonage 1955: Parsonage was built and dedicated 1956: Vacation Bible School begins 1962: Sunday school building dedicated 1972: Groundbreaking service for new sanctuary 1974: New sanctuary dedicated 1998: Groundbreaking service for Family Life Center 2002: Dedication service for Family Life Center 2020: Sunday service began to be live streamed. Aug. 21, 2022: 100th anniversary celebration of Goodview Baptist Church

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

OUT & ABOUT

Calendar

Plenty to do

Find more events in Laker Weekly and online at smithmountainlake.com

B I G I S L AN D

Concerts by Canoe  Friday, Aug. 12: Bring your canoe, kayak, SUP, tube or float and enjoy live music starting at 6:30 p.m. Twin Ridge Recreation Area, Philpott Lake. Free. Life jackets are required.

July & August July 20 |

Wednesday

Floral Design with Local Flowers: Learn floral design techniques such as balance, shape, texture and flow. Supplies are provided. Students will need to bring their own container. 10 a.m. to noon. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $50 per workshop. Registration one week before class at playfranklincounty.com

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

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

21 |

Thursday

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

21 |

Friday

Eric Wayne Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

Birthday Bonanza: Bring a dish to share and enjoy a variety of birthday activities. 11 a.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. Free. Register in person or call 540-483-9238

23 |

Saturday

Ray Judd’s “Music in the Park”: Live music at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston featuring The Country Boys. 8 to 10 p.m. at the Beach Pavilion. 540-297-6066

canoe: istock/getty images plusl christian q: courtesy of Christian Quesenberry

w h at to d o

ar o u n d th e lake

Christian Q.  Lake-based singer/songwriter playing an eclectic blend of blues, funk, pop, & originals. Sunday, July 24: at Drifter’s in Moneta. 2 to 5 p.m. Drifter’s on Facebook. Friday, Aug. 19: at Magnum Point Marina, Union Hall. 6 p.m. Magnum Point Marina on Facebook

Vinyl Nation: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

Jodie Davis: Live music at Drifter’s in Moneta. 2 to 5 p.m. Drifter’s on Facebook

Canoe Basics at Woody Lake: Develop confidence tracking, prying and using your j-stroke in this beginner level flatwater canoe class. All equipment is provided. Bring water and a snack. 9 a.m. to noon. Woody Lake, Franklin County Parks and Recreation Department. $25 per class

24 |

Sunday

Hospice 101: Mountain Valley Hospice hosts the workshop to explain grief and bereavement phases and how they can help families and individuals. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. Free. Registration deadline: July 25 by calling 540-483-9238

28 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3- to 5-mile run/walk on road. Free. 6 p.m. Living Proof Beer Co., Rocky Mount. Shine Runners on Facebook

Compost Workshop: Construct your own tumbler-style composter. You’ll need a power drill, drill bits and a Phillip head drill bit for wood screws. The composter you make will be 3- to 5-feet deep by 31 inches wide by 4.6 feet tall. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $100. Registration deadline is one week before workshop

29 |

Friday

Movies on the Move: Featuring “Luca” at Franklin County Recreation Park. All movies start at dusk and are rated PG. In case of inclement weather, the movies will be shown at Essig Center. Before the movies, yard games will be played. Concessions available for purchase. Bring a blanket, lawn chair and flashlight.

Adam Rutledge: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

30 |

Saturday

Frequency: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

Chris Suter: Live music at Drifter’s in Moneta. 2 to 5 p.m. Drifter’s on Facebook

31 |

Sunday

Shaunna Glessner: Live music at Drifter’s in Moneta. 2 to 5 p.m.

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

OUT & ABOUT

Calendar

Drifter’s on Facebook

August 2 |

Tuesday

Batty Wagon: At Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston. 8 p.m. Other dates are: Aug. 9 (8 p.m.), 16 (7:45 p.m.), 23 (7:45 p.m.) and 30 (7:30 p.m.). Enjoy a hay wagon ride with a park interpreter. 540-2976066

Line Dancing Classes: No experience needed, just a little rhythm and a willingness to have fun. Other dates include: Aug. 9, 16 and 23. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $10 per month. Registration one week before class at playfranklincounty.com

Thursday

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

Rain Barrel Workshop: Take home a 53-gallon rain barrel measuring 42 inches tall by 24 inches in diameter. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $60. Registration deadline is one week before workshop

5 |

Friday

Apple Butter Soul: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

6 |

Saturday

Sunset Saturdays at Hickory Hill Vineyard: Live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Other date includes Aug. 13. Information at smlwine.com

Matthew Weeks: Live music at Drifter’s in Moneta. 2 to 5 p.m. Drifter’s on Facebook Annalyse Marie with Tim Rowlett: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar in Moneta. 6 p.m. Portside Grill & Bar on Facebook

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

U NION HALL

RSO at The Coves  Sunday Aug. 28: Live music at The Coves Amphitheater. 7 p.m. Tickets at covesatsml.com.

MisBehavin: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook Shanolan! Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2 to 5 p.m. fablesandfeatherswinery.com

7 |

Sunday

Troy Coleman and Mark Ryan: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar in Moneta. 3 p.m. Portside Grill & Bar on Facebook

8 |

Monday

Folk Art Painting: Learn the joy of painting in watercolor and acrylic. Includes demonstration, individual assistance and discussion. Supplies are not included. Other dates include: Aug. 15 and 22. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $45 per session. Deadline is one week before class at playfranklincounty. com

9 |

Tuesday

Daytime Drive-In Bingo: Tune your car radio to an FM station and if you get bingo, honk your horn. The hour includes 12 games. 10 to 11 a.m. Waid Park, Baseball Field Parking Lot. Free Watercolor Expressions: Discover the joy and fluid beauty of watercolor painting. Includes demonstration, individual assistance and discussion. Class is designed for all levels. Supplies are not included. Other dates include: Aug. 16 and 23. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $45 per session. Deadline is one week before class at playfranklincounty.com

10 |

Wednesday

Virginia Naturalist 101: Learn about becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. Free. Register by Aug. 8 by calling 540-483-9238

11 |

Thursday

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

Photo courtesy of Reed Dillon

4 |

Runners on Facebook Sturgeon Moon Full Moon Night Hike: These guided hikes will take you 3 to 5 miles throughout the trails at Waid Park. Bring a light. $15 per hike. playfranklincounty.com

12 |

Friday

Virginia Electric: Live music at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m. Crazy Horse Marina on Facebook

Out of Spite: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

Concerts by Canoe: Bring your canoe, kayak, SUP, tube or float and enjoy live music starting at 6:30 p.m. Twin Ridge Recreation Area, Philpott Lake. Free. Life jackets are required. Tunes & Treats with the Templetons: Karen and Mark Templeton provide an afternoon of fun with music and sweet treats. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. Free. Register by Aug. 8 by calling 540-483-9238

13 |

Saturday

Fuzzy Logic: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook SML Civitan Cornhole Tournament: Benefits local nonprofits. Ramulose Ridge Winery, Moneta. 10 a.m. $20 per person, $40 per team. Contact John at 540-874-4016

14 |

Sunday

Annalyse Marie with Tim Rowlett: Live music at Mitchell’s Point Marina in Huddleston. 2 p.m. Mitchell’s Point Marina on Facebook Canoe Basics at Woody Lake: Develop confidence tracking, prying and using your j-stroke in this beginner level flatwater canoe class. All equipment is provided. Bring water and a snack. 9 a.m. to noon. Woody Lake, Franklin County Parks

and Recreation Department. $25 per class

17 |

Wednesday

The Evolution of Hospice Workshop: With Affinity Care of Virginia. Light refreshments served. 10 to 11 a.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. Free. Register by Aug. 15 by calling 540-483-9238

18 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3-mile run/walk on trails. Free. 6 p.m. Brooks Mill Winery. Shine Runners on Facebook Compost Workshop: Construct your own tumbler-style composter. You’ll need a power drill, drill bits and a Phillip head drill bit for wood screws. The composter you make will be 3- to 5-feet deep by 31 inches wide by 4.6 feet tall. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. $100. Registration deadline is one week before workshop

19 |

Friday

Evening Drive-In Bingo: Tune your car radio to an FM station and if you get bingo, honk your horn. The hour includes 12 games. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Waid Park, Baseball Field Parking Lot. $2 per person The Odd Fellows: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook Christian Q. & The Groove: Live music at Magnum Point Marina, Union Hall. 6 p.m. Magnum Point Marina on Facebook

20 |

Saturday

Mended Fences: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

25 |

Thursday

Shine Runners Pub Run: A 3- to 5-mile run/walk on road. Free. 6 p.m.

Living Proof Beer Co., Rocky Mount. Shine Runners on Facebook

26 |

Friday

Eric Wayne Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook

Wood & Strings: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar in Moneta. 6 p.m. Portside Grill & Bar on Facebook

The Floorboards: Live music at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m. Crazy Horse Marina on Facebook

Birthday Bonanza: Bring a dish to share and enjoy a variety of birthday activities. 11 a.m. Essig Center, Rocky Mount. Free. Register in person or call 540-483-9238 Movies on the Move: Featuring “Sing 2” at Burnt Chimney Elementary School. All movies start at dusk and are rated PG. In case of inclement weather, the movies will be shown at Essig Center. Before the movies, yard games will be played. Concessions available for purchase. Bring a blanket, lawn chair and flashlight.

26-27 |

Fri.-Sat.

Joyous Junque Sale: At Resurrection Catholic Church. Check out the details at joyousjunque.org

27 |

Saturday

Frequency: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill at Bridgewater Plaza. 7:30 p.m. Mango’s Bar & Grill on Facebook Ray Judd’s “Music in the Park”: Live music at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston featuring The Hard Times Band. 8 to 10 p.m. at the Beach Pavilion. 540-297-6066

28 |

Sunday

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Live music at The Coves Amphitheater, Union Hall. 7 p.m. Tickets at covesatsml.com

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

PLAY TIME

Crossword All-Star Break

by Doug Burnikel & C.C. Burnikel

Across 1 Lab warning 5 Provence city that inspired van Gogh 10 Duolingo, e.g. 13 One in a onesie 17 Mystical glows 18 __ kebab 19 Utter delight 20 Ohio border lake 21 Stopped suddenly 24 Makes public 25 Initials between names 26 Dada 27 “Black Dog” singer Parks 28 Avoided a deer in the road, say 30 Summons for a certain assistant 32 Medication warning 35 “Let’s do this!” 36 New Year celebrated with b‡nh chu’ng 38 Bic Clic __ pens 39 Truly bizarre 40 JFK alternative 42 Princess who wields a chakram 45 Place for a catnap 47 Statue bottom 48 “Marie Antoinette” director 53 Gets higher 55 Vietnamese soup 56 “I did it!” 57 Comfy slip-ons 59 Writer Ana•s 60 County fair animal 63 Stop on the Taj Express 65 The least bit 67 Jujitsu kin 69 Zen temple feature 72 Tide fluctuation 75 Work boot tip 76 Climbing needs 78 “Pretty please?” 79 Toss into the mix 80 “You hate to see it” 82 Attempt 83 Schedule info 86 Director Browning 87 Thyme unit 89 Many a Pro Bowl player 92 Paul who plays the Riddler in “The Batman” 95 Cat costume part 97 “My goodness!” 98 “Who, me?” 99 Like some watches 101 Maasai Mara antelopes 103 School in L.A. 105 Author Evelyn 109 News program format 113 Dessert with a crushed cookie crust 115 President after Jack 116 Per person 117 Court plaintiff 118 Ohtani’s team, on scoreboards 119 Glowing review 120 Get an advantage over 124 Western Shoshone neighbors 125 Colonnade trees 126 Borden spokescow 127 Malt-drying kilns 128 Gets in a pool 129 Ginger paste amt. 130 Bench planks 131 Gumdrops brand

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

Answers on Page 95

Down 1 Fried chicken container 2 Ordered displays 3 Issa of “Hair Love” 4 Persevering with 5 Barbecue receptacle 6 Seehorn of “Better Call Saul” 7 Kimchi jar top 8 “ÀC—mo __?” 9 Clambake locale 10 Pie __ mode 11 Stabilizing appendage for a shark 12 Fizzle (out) 13 Grizzly youngsters 14 Short operatic piece 15 Cardinals’ followers, say 16 “You betcha!” 17 Sapporo competitor 19 Cuts off contact with 22 Jam ingredient? 23 “What a shame!” 29 Fair-hiring letters 31 Recital high points 32 Sch. that hosts the Sun Bowl 33 J’adore perfumer 34 “Bessie” director Rees

37 Open more stores, say 41 Obamacare, initially 43 Propose for an award 44 __ tikki: potato patties 46 From China, e.g. 48 City-state known for its austerity 49 “Happy to hear it!” 50 Not natural 51 What hydrogen lacks 52 Feigned toughness 54 Oklahoma city 58 “ÀQuiŽn __?”: Spanish “Who knows?” 60 “Jesus Christ Superstar” character 61 Emphatic denial 62 Miss a field goal attempt, say 64 “Best in Show” org. 66 Fish in Hamburg Aalsuppe 68 Largest fast-food chain in China 70 Sound of surprise 71 Not together 73 64-Down concern 74 “The Thin Man” dog 77 Glass artist Chihuly 81 Bishop’s paths

84 85 87 88 90 91 92 93 94 96 100 102 104 106 107 108 110 111 112 114 117 119 121 122 123

20s source Bathroom fixture Post-marathon feeling “Suits” actress Torres Stretched tight “Fuller House” actress Ashley Cable alternative “Is there still time?” Former Seabee, say Cough drops brand Not yet settled, briefly “Get lost!” Two-door cars Batting ninth Titans Coin flip choice Word often used as a synonym for “thesaurus” Dull pains Snail’s home “The Pioneer Woman” host Drummond Rotisserie part Tofu steak coating Little rascal Erin Jackson’s Olympic team “Ni __”: “Hello,” in Hangzhou

LAST CALL

Migratory Patterns Heeding the call to go home again. “Human migration is the movement of people from one place in the world to another. Human patterns of movement reflect the conditions of a changing world and impact the cultural landscapes of both the places people leave and the places they settle.” — National Geographic Society

istock/getty images plus

n my youth, I could not wait to leave home. Like most of my Floridian teenage tribe, I yearned to migrate beyond the Florida/Georgia state line. Initially, I didn’t make it past Tallahassee where I spent my college years and young adulthood forming my identity (and having a dang good time — Go Noles!). Finally, in my thirties with my son in tow, I traversed up the coastline to make my way to where I’ve resided ever since — our beautiful state of Virginia. However, as I approach my sixth decade, I’ve sensed a definite pull to venture back to the Sunshine state. I’ve wondered if this is true for everyone. Is there something in our nature that compels

by KIMBERLY DALFERES

us to revisit our past and the localities we once called home? My recent 40th high school reunion provided an opportunity to see if my childhood memories are fantasy, reality, or somewhere in between. I’ve shared previously (Dock Tale Hour, “Sundays at Five,” May 2020) that my inner circle of high school friends remains a close-knit bunch who have stayed in good contact over the years. We were a bit of a nerdy high school crowd but wore our geekiness as our badges of honor. As I stepped off the plane into muggy South Florida humidity, I was eager to see not just my “peeps,” but also many of my fellow members of the TLHS Class of ’81. Yes, you may notice that we were a year late in celebrating the year of our graduation 40 years ago. Meh, it’s laidback Florida, comes with the territory. All was as I remembered, and nothing as I remembered. The sky has a unique brightness, and the air is heavy. Thunderstorms still roll in and out quickly throughout the day. Vegetation grows thick and you can see how unkept yards

Dock Tale Hour

can quickly go feral. But much has also changed, and I found myself often uttering phrases such as “Didn’t that used to be a Dairy Queen?” The entire downtown area where our high school still stands has morphed into a shopping and dining extravaganza, with no hint of our ’70s blight. My classmates were also as I remembered, and yet different. I recognized everyone, even with the fine lines and wrinkles. The smiles, the laughs, the sounds of their voices all triggered an instant feeling of familiarity and warmth. Our conversations often led to family photo sharing and the most popular question of the evening was “So, when are you retiring?” As heartwarming as the reunion was, the weekend highpoint was a day at the beach. Sitting there in my beach chair, I was transported back to days spent laughing with my besties, no cell phones, no kids, our futures wide in front of us. Except, in present day we were slathered with sunscreen, sitting under beach umbrellas, and drinking bottled water in lieu of cans of Tab. Walking across the hot sand and into the ocean was the homecoming I needed, as if I tapped back into the Earth’s pulse. I bet many of my Smith Mountain friends feel the same way about our lake. To quote Bon Jovi, “Who says you can’t go home?” TLHS Class of ’81, Go Rams! Kimberly Dalferes is the author of I Was In Love With a Short Man Once and Magic Fishing Panties. Her humor blog, “The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats,” is online at kimdalferes.com.

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

media

Advertiser Index may/june 2022 BUSINESSES

PAGE / MAP ID*

A Level Above Construction

Atlantic Bay Mortgage

Bartlett Tree Experts

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Carilion Clinic

Construction Marketing

F&S Building and Remodeling

J.M. Blair Co.

Little Pet Ponderosa

National Pools

SiteOne Landscape Supply

Smith Mountain Lake Dental

7 37

TBS Construction

100

Craye, Margaret Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate Horne, Jane Sullivan Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

C11

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

Lake Retreat Properties C11

McDaniel, Glenda Long & Foster Realtors

McDonald, Mary Lou ML Realty

D11

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

Oct./Sept. 2022

CAROLYN CRABTREE 540.520.2486

VAN CASTEEL DANIEL 540.493.8659

ERIC FANSLER 540.871.8655

TOM FANSLER 540.871.8355

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

CATHIE DANIEL Principal Broker 540.721.8659 JANE SULLIVAN HORNE 540.493.1690

ADAM LYNCH 540.420.8657

9899

JAN MCGRAW 540.400.9882

VICKI MILLEHAN 540.520.2401

DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

XAN PILGRIM 540.226.9504

CAROLYN PRUETT 540.493.1919

PETE ROBERTS 540.525.4510

LUKE SCHMIDT 540.400.3373

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

JADA TURNER 540.263.0202

MICHELLE TURNER 540.309.1265

JEANNIE VILLWOCK 540.529.0212

KIMBERLY WILLARD WATERS 540.798.3151

PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

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

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

At Home 30 YEARS

Smith Mountain Lake

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

Plus!

540.721.8659

SmithMtnLake.com

Montgomery, Dana Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

Turner, Jada Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

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

september/october 2021

SML Charity Home Tour

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

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

39 43

PAGE / MAP ID*

l aker maga zine

Faber CPA Gills Creek Marina

REAL ESTATE

FALL FESTIVALS GUIDE

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

NO OFF SEASON FOR PET RESCUERS P. 56

COMMANDING NEIGHBORS WHY THE LAKE DRAWS THE TOP BRASS P. 52

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

Deadlines Advertising scheduling and materials: Aug. 5 CROS SWOR D PUZZLE A NSW ER S

Find this month’s crossword puzzle on Page 92.

Final ad corrections: Aug. 12 Call or email for rates, circulation and distribution information: Barry Wright Marketing Consultant 540-981-3262, 540-797-4444 barry.wright@roanoke.com

Calendar of events submissions: Aug. 12 *Map ID corresponds to the map on the following pages, as well as the larger, more detailed Laker Map produced each year by Laker Media. Laker Map is available in racks around the region, including the offices of Laker Media, 272 Westlake Rd., Hardy (behind Kroger).

Email complete details to aila.boyd@roanoke.com

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

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Selling and Renting Smith Mountain Lake for over 42 years

635

R73

681

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800

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

R85

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877

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634

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

116

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626

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Fishing Regulated from April 15th to May 31st.

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711

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626 DR NT

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734

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Blackstone Point

Q AN TR

663

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Crown Point

940

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Rabbit Island

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616

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740

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608

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Buck Run

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656

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626

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Lucky Island

2 4 1 0 4

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SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE STATE PARK

R16

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831

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Chimney Island

B18 B19 Piney Pt

Clearwater Acres

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MERR IMAN RUN

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B12

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938

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967

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834

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R13

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905

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673

Stone Ridge

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926

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662

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945

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KING

938

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B26 Morningwood B26a STERLING CIR

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Brooks Point

Sandpiper Bay

BACKW

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B35

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Collinsville Land Corp

OODS LN

670

Twin Chimneys

B29

Royal Estates

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EEK

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655

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942

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HO MA LL JOR A CR ND R D

834

703

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D LN IGOL MAR FLAT ROC K LN

674

Smith Mtn Lake 4-H Center

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B30

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D R

B46

B45

B43 655

834

944

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944

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665

668

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OKS BRO

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Village North

IMP

942

Sleepy Hollow

Bonadventure Estates

Price & Dean

Admirals Landing

DG RI

C NI

2 4 1 2 1

670

B49

833

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EEK

853

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670

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HOUS

668

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Holiday Hills

734

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608 Occaneechi Hills

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Surfside Estates

CLOV

739 HO

835

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616

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K AN R D

The Inlet

965 Franklin Franklin Hills Shores

668

RO AD

M O N E T A SCRU

834

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Crown Point East

Pagans Store

RID

RS FARME CIR PE VIE AKS W RD

NE NI

YS CK BE L RD MIL

Becky’s Creek

Poplar Cove

Sunny Shores

608

654 CA

OK LO R ER L D OV HIL

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Dillons Cove CLIP

655

HICK ORY COVE LN

Weatherwood

ARD WINDW DR

626

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Wilderness

R26

O HP

TR IN

R27

K BAC

667

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PALM

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IDE

Mariners Cove

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900

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654

Lakewood Forest

TU C KR D

Whisperwood Cove

LN D OO Y W R FIT ICKO H L HIL

CAMP RD

D RD

White Oaks

MERRIMAN CORP K REE SC

RHONDA T Y T DR CA CO RD VE INA LN L H ID

LS HAL LN

LEIGH S CT

ERS MARIN DR COVE

836

654

TR EE

H RC

SHORES DR YSTAL CR

IN D

S RE FO D OO W WE RD LLSP RIN G

RTE T WA ON FR R D

ETAIL RD

MOREWOO

666

949

TA LL

Windtree Point W

RIW

616

636

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RD AY W

Confusion Acres

River Bay

U CH

WHISP ERWOO

High Point

655

Radford

Crystal Shores

ARER

PENINSULA DR

DOV

948

WESTLAKE

YF WA LN

C AT W

Westlake Towne Center

N MA RI MER

978 Oak Place

OA RED K RD

LAK

TIKI TER GULL WAY SEA

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N WAY R MERRIMA

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122

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SWEDB

950

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951

666

616

CHESTNUT CREEK DR

122

CH CR ESTN EE U KD T R

LOW RD

732

654

R NAKE SPIN WAY

Snug Harbor

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TO RE

D OR DF RA

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KS S

823

W W IND AY W AR

Beechwood Shores Twin R28 Coves

Bridgewater Plaza

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S LA VIL ND E A R TH GR BOU AT AR H CAMBRIDGE CT

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TRANQUIL TR

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REEK IAN C IND

IN OW PT DIA ARR D N LN R

R31

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Lakeview Estates

WN LA

L IT

EE PAWN TR

Indian Pointe

BRIDGE WATER LN CA PA MPE RA RS DIS E

T ES

RE D

Chestnut Creek

677

R FO TR

O LO ER D R

Hales Point

R37 Pagan Silverwood Estates Isle

Indian Run

678

R36A

ISLAND RD

INDIAN RUN

G E RD

R37A Harbor Club

KINS

GA T

SOUR WOO DL D DR O AK O EW OO EW D LN

RI D

616

Brandywine Estates

IAR WO

Lakewood Acres

750

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STONEY CREEK

R39

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Hales R42 Rebel Creek ER SNID Shores Roanoke LESTLN O W Point DR R32A Martin Snidow R41

GRIMES CREEK

NO RT H

MINNOW LN

734

WATER

E PIN T C

ER AFTON TRIP D R S VE LN CO

738

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Smith Mountain

737

HOUS

ST R CO IPE V R RD E

NT MO T C AR

LN TOSH

Y BR OR P EM N GA L

OR RB R HA GE D RID

WHITE

2 4 1 2 1

Cliff View Estates

Striper Coves

Harbor Ridge

R47

Deer Path

MS SA Y A W

NE STO PL OR MAN

R49

608

Eastlake

LE S HA

653

M O N E T A

616

R TIKI TE

CARTER ISLAND RD

HIL

RO AD

750

RUN DR

626 805

122

BE LARGL O

TRA IL EN RD D

743

DIA MO ND

R50

JUMPING

DOWNTOWN MONETA

ILL RD

Jumping Run Farms

DIAMOND H

R PA DS

655

805 L FE

MAYBERRY CROSSING DR

RD ND BE

C RO

655

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W IE DV

655 NG RI SP

654

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G OO

DOE VA

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LLEY

616 653

WAGONW HEEL TRAIL BOCOVA RD FERNCLIFF CT CR LITT CL EE LE HO EA K RW RD LA S DR ATE LN BARN R HILL RD

MONE TA RD

757

SMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM

AWARD-WINNING

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SMALL TEAMS

in Virginia 1ST QUARTER 2022

MILLEHAN & SHELTON

TOP HALF OF 1%

IN VIRGINIA

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Known for their personalized approach and unmatched expertise in Smith Mountain Lake real estate, Vicki and Debbie provide consistent, award-winning service across all price points.

IN THE NETWORK

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

MILLEHAN SHELTON Vicki and Debbie deliver outstanding customer service, a strong work ethic, and innovative marketing to get homes SOLD, not just listed. With more than 45 years combined experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to ﬁnd agents with more insight and such a consistent track record of proven results. 98

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

We have the experience to get your home SOLD.

$5,250,000

$3,750,000

$1,950,000

MLS#888621 15 Tranquility Road Moneta, VA 24121

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

MLS#889087 574 Menefee Road Ferrum, VA 24088

$900,000

$849,000

$625,000

MLS#889711 Tract 3 Gobbler Ridge Lane, Huddleston, VA 24104

MLS#888537 13132 Old Franklin Turnpike Penhook, VA 24137

MLS#888784 6 Highland Lake Road Union Hall, VA 24176

Luxury Collection Specialist

GRI, CRS, ABR

540.520.2401

540.797.3177

SmithMountainLakeHomes@gmail.com

Debbie@DebbieShelton.com

VickisLakeHomes.com

DebbieShelton.com

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

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CAROLYN CRABTREE 540.520.2486

VAN CASTEEL DANIEL 540.493.8659

ERIC FANSLER 540.871.8655

TOM FANSLER 540.871.8355

AMELIA GERNER 540.580.3510

JANE SULLIVAN HORNE 540.493.1690

ADAM LYNCH 540.420.8657

JAN MCGRAW 540.400.9882

VICKI MILLEHAN 540.520.2401

DANA MONTGOMERY 540.314.1798

XAN PILGRIM 540.226.9504

CAROLYN PRUETT 540.493.1919

PETE ROBERTS 540.525.4510

LUKE SCHMIDT 540.400.3373

DEBBIE SHELTON 540.797.3177

Smith Mountain Lake community CATHIE DANIEL for 35 years, our Principal Broker 540.721.8659 agents’ mastery of the local market will ensure that you successfully navigate the process of selling your home or finding the property of your dreams. Call or visit us today, and rest easy in the knowledge that your needs are cared for by consistent leaders in sales and service, backed by a company that’s trusted worldwide.

540.721.8659

SmithMtnLake.com JADA TURNER 540.263.0202

MICHELLE TURNER 540.309.1265

JEANNIE VILLWOCK 540.529.0212

KIMBERLY WILLARD WATERS 540.798.3151

PARKER WATERS 540.400.2681

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