If you haven't bought your Christmas tree yet this year, it is not too late to get a tree! Living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains has its advantages this time of year! Some of the best trees can be found at the local tree farms. Whatever your preference; firs, pines or spruce, there is a perfect tree waiting for you in Virginia! Buy Local Just like buying from the local farmers market in summer, buying your Christmas tree locally does more than get you a beautiful tree. Buying local keeps your money local. This helps your community and supports the area families. There are immediate benefits too! Buying from a tree farm usually means your tree is fresh cut. This means less drying out, better needle retention and less fire hazard! Prices are usually more competitive because you are... 12/07/2009

Fall is slipping away from the Blue Ridge Mountains, making way for winter and the Christmas season. That means one thing in Smith Mountain Lake; it is time for the Flotilla for Toys boat parade. This year's event will be held on December 5th at 7pm.  The Flotilla for Toys is the annual holiday boat parade led by the Virginia Dare! The parade starts at the Virginia Dare marina and makes it way to the Bridgewater Plaza and Hales Ford Bridge. The boat parade will then circle down Roanoke Channel past the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. You can even participate aboard the Virginia Dare itself! You can call about reservations at 540-297-7100. Boarding starts at 6:30pm and a cash bar will be available.  Participants and spectators bring unwrapped toys to benefit Lake Christian Ministries to ... 11/27/2009

It may sound strange to talk about weddings in November, but when it comes to booking you want to make sure you have your venue in plenty of time. If you are considering a summer or fall wedding at Smith Mountain Lake, now is the time to consider what you want to do for your wedding by the water! Just about every weekend from Spring through late fall, there is someone getting married somewhere at Smith Mountain Lake! With the variety of places to get married, it is no wonder. How about tying a "sailor's knot" and getting married on the Lake!! The Virginia Dare side wheeler offers full blown wedding packages to exchange vows. Their wedding packages vary from rehearsal dinner to the wedding ceremony. The menu choices are fantastic! You can have anything from hors d'oeuvres to a full meal ... 11/03/2009

Downtown Moneta Celebration Square Casa D' Amici  2009 Wine Dinners:540-296-13297 Course Gourmet Meal, each course paired with a hand picked wineMake your Reservation TODAYNovember 16December 7January 11February 8March 15April 12May 10 Fallon's Pub & Grill LIVE BANDS 540-297-4562October31st - Croaton Sound   November6th - Damn Straight13th - Whiskey Myers20th - Ruckus   DON'T FORGET: Saturday, October 31st - Halloween.  Trick or Treating in the town center.  Costume contest for kids and pets.  Cruise In and DJ.  If you're a local business owner, contact me to promote your upcoming events   Adult Beverage Garden, & More 10/31/2009

Make plans to attend Fallon's Halloween Party with the live band Croatan Sound! There will be prizes for: Best Costume Scariest Costume Most Creative Funniest Most Gruesome     The FUN starts at 8:30 pm and runs til midnight. While you're there take time to peruse the shops and restaurants of Celebration Square including Casa D Amici Italian Restaurant, Hawks Country Store, Downtown Pizzeria and Freckles Ice Cream Parlor. Celebration Square is located at 1100 Celebration Ave, Moneta VA 24121 across from Mayberry Hills. For more information on this and upcoming events, contact Stacey at sparrish@celebrationsquareproperties.com, (540) 296-1329 By TwitterButtons.com 10/06/2009

Did you know you could practically visit Key West without ever leaving Smith Mountain Lake? Well if you don't believe me, head on down to the Portside Grill and Bar! Located across from Marker R21, this piece of the tropics likes to boast it is the ONLY restaurant ON the water at the Lake. The reason they feel they can make the claim, is they actually extend out on a dock over the water. So if you are ready for a colorful meal, head on over by boat or by land!! Lynn and Alice Swain run the restaurant right at the Virginia Dare Marina. This is convenient since they also operate the Virginia Dare  cruises on the replica side wheeler!!  With a tropical rhythm and food to compliment, most customers may feel they are in Key West! Every other Sunday, you can even enjoy the Steel Drum band fro... 08/14/2009

      If you’ve recently moved to Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, Virginia these are some important phone numbers and websites to know:: Animal Control (540) 586-7690 American Electric Power 1- 800-956-4237  www.aep.com Bedford County Utilities (540) 586-7679 Building Permits & Inspections (540) 586-7611 Chamber of Commerce (540) 586-9401 Clerk of the Circuit Court (540) 586-7632 Clerk of the General District Court (540) 586-7637 Commissioner of the Revenue (540) 586-7621 Commonwealth’s Attorney (540) 586-7628 Cooperative Extension (540) 586-7675 County Administrator (540) 586-7601 County Treasurer (540) 586-7606 Dept. Of Game & Inland Fisheries (434) 525-7522   www.dgif.virginia.gov DMV (540) 586-7979  www.dmv.state.va.us Economic Development (540) 587-5670 GENERAL INFO (540) 58... 02/22/2009

With 500 miles of shoreline, many people spend their summer vacation at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. With Fall's arrival and upcoming activities- including the 20th Anniversary SML Wine Festival and SML Charity Home Tour- this is a great time to visit the lake. A favorite destination while at the lake is Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta. One of several  communities at Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta has a population of 8600 and was the location for much of the filming of the movie What About Bob?                                                                 You can drive to Bridgwater Plaza or arrive by boat. On a summer evening, this place is hopping; live bands play at Mango's and the music can be enjoyed as you dine or shop. Pizza Pub has indoor and outdoor seating and we ofte... 09/26/2008

About Smith Mountain Lake   Why is there a gorgeous, 40-mile long, 20,600 acre lake, with 500 miles of shoreline, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural southwestern Virginia? Because Smith Mountain Lake was created to generate electricity, and to help manage water flows downstream and nearby. The damming of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers formed Smith Mountain Lake in a filling process that began on September 24, 1963 -- and ended almost 2.5 years later on March 7, 1966. Smith Mountain Lake's surface covers 32 square miles. Its highest normal water level ("full pond") is 795 feet above sea level. There is typically very little seasonal variation in the water level. The daily variation for electricity production is 12-24 inches. During severe drought conditions, including 2007, ... 09/21/2008

About Smith Mountain Lake   Why is there a gorgeous, 40-mile long, 20,600 acre lake, with 500 miles of shoreline, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural southwestern Virginia? Because Smith Mountain Lake was created to generate electricity, and to help manage water flows downstream and nearby. The damming of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers formed Smith Mountain Lake in a filling process that began on September 24, 1963 -- and ended almost 2.5 years later on March 7, 1966. Smith Mountain Lake's surface covers 32 square miles. Its highest normal water level ("full pond") is 795 feet above sea level. There is typically very little seasonal variation in the water level. The daily variation for electricity production is 12-24 inches. During severe drought conditions, including 2007, ... 09/18/2008

Smith Mountain Lake - Rental Accommodations   Smith Mountain Lake is a beautiful and friendly place to visit all-year-round. If you're visiting SML for 2 nights, a week, or longer -- check the rentals listed below. These lodging options at Smith Mountain Lake include these options, where winter rates are lowest:  Bernard's Landing Resort, (lakeview condos, $100-$325/night) - 540-721-8870 Inn at Sunset Cay (lakefront motel rooms, non-smoking only, $69-$99/night) - 540-297-6109 Lake Inn Motel (off-water motel rooms, $55-$95/night) - 540-721-3383 LoveStone Inn (lakefront Bed and Breakfast, $110-$250/night) - 540-296-0510 Mariner's Landing (lakefront condos, $100-$368/night) - 800-851-4988 Westlake Waterfront Inn (lakefront motel rooms with boat slips included, $85-$150/night) - 540-721-330... 09/18/2008

L&F SML REALTORS® formed a small work group in February, 2008 focusing on what contribution we could make to the community and be eco-friendly at the same time.  Many ideas were considered and the culmination is our "GO GREEN with LONG & FOSTER" reusable tote bag distribution program. The basic premise was to sell advertising space to sponsors and put their advertising materials inside the bag along with the agent's card and profile or promotion flyer, then give the bags to the public at neighboring businesses (grocery stores, building supply, bank, etc.) as well as community events such as the SML Wine Festival, Charity Home Tour and many other local events. The bags are sold to the REALTORS® for 25 cents each.  Profit from the sale of the bags to our agents will go towards purchasing... 09/15/2008

     Wine Festival @ Beautiful Smith Mountain Lake   September 27th & 28th, 2008 Advance tickets will be available online until 9/24/08 at 5 PM Advance tickets:  Saturday, 9/27 - Taster ticket - $20.00Designated Driver ticket - $12.00 Sunday Only, 9/28 - Taster ticket - $15.00Designated Driver ticket - $12.00 Tickets ordered online after 9/19/08 will be held at "Will Call" at the festival gate Saturday Bands - Part-Time Party Time Band 11 AM - 2 PMDomino 2:30 PM - 6 PMSunday Bands - Backstreet Band 11 AM - 2 PMThe Embers 2 PM - 5 PM   Designated Driver Advance Ticket - $12   Saturday Advance Taster Ticket - $20   Sunday Advance Taster Ticket - $15  To purchase your Wine Festival Tickets Click Here   Link provided by Smith Mountain Lake Chamber

09/13/2008

Well, here it is, the big Saturday Night, and I am blessed once again to have my grand-baby here.He is now 10 1/2 months old.  He is now walking with you holding your hands, and crawling around and pulling himself up to stand up holding on to the chair or couch.What a wonderful blessing he is.  He is the best baby, unlike me, I was not the perfect baby.When you see a baby smiling, it makes you realize how simple in life things can be.  What a wonderful reminder for you to take it all in and relax and slow down and enjoy life.  Do you remember a time when life's simple pleasures make you happy?  I do, and I also realize that I need to enjoy those things more in my life.That is also what I love most about Smith Mountain Lake.  The beauty of the lake, slower pace of life, and a traffic jam... 04/12/2008