![]() Smith Mountain Lake certainly does have diversity! When you look around, you will see the sparkling lake surround by the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Looking at different real estate options in the area, you will find waterfront properties to golf communities! Having diversity in the real estate market means that just about anyone can find their dream home here. Prices for real estate at Smith Mountain Lake are diverse as well. You may be surprised by what you can afford to buy. There is something for everyone’s budget, from older lakefront homes that offer great deals, to newly remodeled condos right on the water. There are several things that can influence the value of lakefront property. Location is an important factor, and when talking about Smith Mountain Lake, the view can be just as important. You have to ask yourself what kind of view do you want to have right outside your door…mountains, water, wildlife, or all of the above. The norm is generally the better the view, the higher the price. And there are many who will gladly sacrifice a bit of privacy to wake up to a picturesque scene every day. Another factor in the price of a waterfront home is the slope. Around SML, there are some lots that are nearly flat, with a very gentle slope that meets the water. These homes are only five to ten feet above the water level. And then there are some lots that are so steep, the owners put steps in to make it easier to reach the water’s edge. Another rule of thumb is the more gentle the slope, the higher the price. BUT, that also means that if you are willing to live on a steeper slope, you can get a nicer home for a great price! Come for a visit…and stay for a lifetime! Contact Mary Lou McDonald for more information.
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![]() I am always looking for things to do with my family, friends and out of town guests. When I tell them where I live, they automatically think boating. But there is so much more to do in the Smith Mountain Lake community. If you have little ones around, you can choose from a number of Easter Egg hunts this weekend. If Sunday brunch is your thing, take a leisurely drive to Mariners Landing Resort and enjoy the famous Easter Sunday Brunch at Heath's Waterfront Grill! 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Waid Park in Rocky Mount This annual event will feature more than 20,000 eggs, as well as photo opportunities with the East Bunny. There will also be door prizes, food and bounce houses. Arrive by 1:30 p.m. to register as the hunt begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. Easter Extravaganza at the Discovery Center, Smith Mountain Lake State Park There’s no better place to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather than at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Gear up for the Easter Bunny with an afternoon of rabbit facts and fun. Bring your own basket and hop on down to the Discovery Center for an Easter Egg hunt. There will be over 1,000 eggs to find! Then you get the chance to meet and take a picture with “Sunny Bunny.” You can also enjoy hands-on crafts, hay wagon rides, and a whole lot more. The Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:15 p.m., fun crafts from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and hay wagon rides from 1:30 -2:30 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt at Bridgewater Plaza And there is always the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bridgewater Plaza that takes place at Harbor Town Mini-Golf. Kids ages 5 and under will hunt at 1 p.m. followed by kids ages 6-8 at 1:30 p.m. Be sure to bring your camera to get photos with the Easter Bunny at Harbor Town Mini Golf Course with prizes and candy – rain or shine! Easter Sunday Brunch at Heath’s Waterfront Grill at Mariners Landing What a beautiful place to enjoy a delicious Easter Sunday brunch while taking in the gorgeous view of Smith Mountain Lake and the mountains. Heath’s will have a home cooked buffet so you can choose exactly what you want…and don’t forget to have a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary! This is a very popular event, so reservations are strongly encouraged by calling 540-632-0163. Brunch at Home! Easter is a time meant to be spent creating memories with friends and loved ones. Even when hosting duties fall on your plate, creating the perfect brunch spread doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Always use quality ingredients and recipes that feature simple preparation to impress even the pickiest of guests. The recipe you choose doesn’t have to be complicated but look for ones where you can incorporate some diverse ingredients…like a versatile cheese like Jarlsberg, which is easy to cook with. Here is an easy, but impressive recipe for your special day! ASAPARAGUS TART 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, shredded 1 pound asparagus 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves Salt & pepper
I sometimes think about what makes up a community. Better yet, what makes a great community? Is it the geographic location, common interests, or perhaps something more? I reflect on this as we can be a part of multiple communities. We can be part of the “parenting” community, part of the “sports-minded” community, part of the “outdoor” community, part of the “art” community, or part of the “business” community. I am part of so many communities and in each one, there are folks that I share something with – be it beliefs, interests or experiences.
Community is quite a large concept that can include so much, but for me it ideally includes this notion of inclusivity or belonging. Sure, there are those who will argue that one can be geographically in a community and not “belong,” but that is not my definition of community. Then I think about what are the key ingredients to a successful community? Economic developers strive to make their communities better, but what does better look like and how do we get there? One thing is clear to me – great communities don’t happen by accident. They are formed by strong leaders with vision and purpose. One of the best communities I have belonged to is the community in Mariners Landing at Smith Mountain Lake. This community shares a vision of inclusiveness and teamwork. There is a sense of shared purpose and a sense of creating together. There are a number of community social events to bring everyone together like the monthly community dinners and bingo night as well as a karaoke night! There is warmth, compassion and friendship in this community. Come see if it is right for you! Have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date every year? I’m sure there are other people at Smith Mountain Lake that wonder why it falls on different weeks and even in different months from year to year. After some research, I finally figured it out!
The date of Easter Sunday is usually the first Sunday after the first Full Moon occurring on or after the March equinox. Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The March equinox coincides with Easter Sunday and holidays that are related to it. The dates of many Christian holidays depend on the Easter date like Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, and Pentecost/Whitsunday. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection occurred around the time of the Jewish Passover, which was celebrated on the first full moon following the vernal equinox. This soon led to Christians celebrating Easter on different dates. Easter is delayed by 1 week if the full moon is on Sunday, which decreases the chances of it falling on the same day as the Jewish Passover. To a lot of people, Easter represents Easter egg hunts, candy, and chocolate bunnies. Whichever way you choose to celebrate Easter, you no longer have to wonder why the date changes from year to year! What a great time to get out and get your kinks out on the links at Mariners Landing Resort’s Golf & Country Club. Book a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom condo and play a round or two on Smith Mountain Lake’s 18-hole championship golf course with an original design by world-renowned architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The golf facility offers a clubhouse with a grill and lounge area. The golf practice facility also offers a full driving range and a chipping and putting practice green.
This unique course is a par 72 and has six different sets of tee boxes, offering fun and challenging golf to all levels of golfers, from beginner to professional. The staff is led by the Club Manager, Doug Schmidt, and Golf Professional, Kyle Johnson. Together they bring a friendly and inviting atmosphere for all of the golfing guests. In addition, they are trained to help golfers through instruction and golf club fitting and repair. Looking for some new apparel or equipment? Take a look at the Mariners Landing ProShop that offers PGA Tour played equipment like Bridgestone, and discounted balls like Wilson, and Precept. They also have golf apparel including shirts, shorts, golf gloves, golf shoes, and PGA belts and wallets. After a fun day on the course, relax in the heated indoor pool or hot tub at the Cabana’s indoor aquatic center, and then go to Heath’s Waterfront Grill, that overlooks the water, for a delicious dinner. Mariners Landing Resort has it all for your next golf getaway! There is a buzz around Smith Mountain Lake over spring break. Friends and family come in from out of town to enjoy the beginning of spring and can choose from a variety of activities occurring around the lake. Whether it’s taking a hike at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, enjoying an East egg hunt, going to a sunrise service, flying a kite, going to brunch or sitting on your balcony at Mariners Landing Resort enjoying the view, here are some great activities to check out.
Mariners Landing Resort – Indoor Aquatic Center, Hiking & Biking Trail, Golf You can rent a beautiful condo that overlooks the tranquil Smith Mountain Lake and enjoy the indoor heated pool, the 24/7 fitness center, go for a hike or bike the trail within the resort, play a round of golf or dine at Heath’s Waterfront Grill. It’s a great place to spend spring break with your family and friends! Barrels, Bottles & Casks Spring Tours – March 23-24 at Poplar Forest You can toast the arrival of spring with friends and family and explore the beautiful Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest with a special tasting tour! This event focuses on the beverages and spirits consumed by Jefferson and the enslaved residents of Poplar Forest in springtime. The tour begins in Jefferson’s “modern” kitchen and progresses through the house, with stops along the way to sample beverage and learn about the culinary trends during that time. Tickets for the springtime Barrels, Bottles & Casks tasting tours are $25 per person and reservations are required. Jimmy Fortune – March 23rd at the Harvester Music Center Jimmy Fortune toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. He joined them first as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt, after Dewitt heard him singing at a ski resort. He wrote the group’s second No. 1 hit “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits – “My Only Love” and “Too Much On My Heart.” Spring Break – Spring into Nature Activities – March 23rd – April 8th at SML State Park Looking for an economical way to spend your spring break? Smith Mountain Lake State Park has several opportunities for the whole family to connect with nature this spring. There are more than 12 miles of groomed trails for hiking. Trail guides can be picked up at the Visitor Center, Discovery Center or Turtle Island Trail Parking. You can also mountain bike along the trails or enjoy a leisure bike ride along of the scenic roadways. Bike rentals are also available from the Visitor Center on a first come, first serve basis. Grab your GPS (or rent one from the Visitor Center) and head into the park to discover the thrill of geocaching. You can see a list of park caches at the Visitor Center or go online to geocaching.com for more information . 7th Annual Furball – March 24th at the WE Skelton 4H Educational Conference Center This event will benefit the animals of Franklin County, VA. It is a dancing event with music provided by The Kings. The fundraising event significantly contributes to saving a lot of the local animals and the cost for medical care, shelter, food, and re-homing. Back Door Sale – March 24th at the SML Discovery Shop This is a bi-annual sale where you can get the best prices for the SML Discovery Shop’s merchandise. These are items that must go in order to make room for new items from the High Point market and local donations. The sale will be between 9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. One of the entertainment hubs at Smith Mountain Lake is Bridgewater Plaza and very convenient from the Bedford or Franklin County side of the lake. And it’s only 15 minutes away from Mariners Landing! Whether it’s shopping, dining, playing games, listening to music or painting your own pottery, it’s all there at Bridgewater Plaza.
Bridgewater Sportswear – SML’s favorite resort wear and lifestyle clothing store. They carry items for the entire family and have custom SML t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats that are unmatched. Gifts Ahoy – brings you a wonderful array of gifts ranging from Vera Bradley handbags and accessories, Spartina 449, sandals by Yellowbox, Bernie Mev and Turvis Tumblers. They also have gourmet foods like homemade fudge, truffles and chocolates by Sweet Shop and gift items such as Woodwick Candles, personal care items from Thymes, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Naked Bee. They are a Simply Noelle boutique and offer other apparel lines such as Simply Southern and LakeGirl. The Little Gallery – features more than 200 internationally, nationally and locally know artists. In addition to fine art, the gallery sells handmade pottery, jewelry, fine art prints and blown glass in a wide range of sizes and prices. As a member of ASID, they offer art consultation for residential through experienced staff and commercial through the gallery’s corporate program. Smith Mountain Wake Company – their mission is to promote safe and healthy family lifestyles through water sports recreation. Smith Mountain Wake Company was created to satisfy a craving for competitively priced water sporting equipment, apparel and accessories. Glazed Bisque-It – offers over 300 different ceramic pieces to choose from to create your own ceramic masterpiece. Adults, teens and children of all ages are welcome and there’s no experience required! They provide everything: stamps, stencils, sponges, idea books, a little coaching and a lot of encouragement. You can drop in anytime or schedule a painting party. Fun-N-Games Arcade – the arcade has been an entertainment destination since 1992. They have 60 games that range from nostalgic, classic video games to the newest and most exciting, high-tech redemption games. Harbortown Miniature Golf – an 18-hole miniature golf course perched high above Bridgewater Plaza. It is actually built right on top of the boat docks, providing breathtaking view of picturesque Smith Mountain Lake. Lucky Duck Entertainment Center – try your hand and win someone special a prize at one of the carnival style games, test yourself on the climbing wall, or flip your way to fun on the exciting bungee trampoline. The signature “Lucky Duck” game is a winner every time game that the little ones love. Ice Cream Cottage – enjoy your favorite Hershey’s ice cream on a cone, as a sundae, or in a milkshake. They have hand-dipped ice cream as well as soft-serve ice cream that will hit the spot! Mango’s Bar & Grill – it’s not just a place to eat or a local pub or even a night club with the best DJ’s and live music…it’s a state of mind! It’s the place to go for good food, good company and good entertainment. Inside and outside dining available. Moosie’s – a family restaurant and bar with great sandwiches, burgers and salads that overlooks the lake. A great place to go after a day on the water! Pizza Pub – prides itself on hand spun pizza, subs and classic sandwiches. It also has inside and outside dining that overlooks the lake. Bridgewater Marina & Boat Rentals – is #1 for Smith Mountain Lake boat rentals! They rent out a new fleet every year where you can choose from a Tritoon, Deck Boat, Ski Boat, Surf Boat or Waverunner. For those of you who may not know how St. Patrick’s Day evolved, here’s the quick “CliffsNotes.” St. Patrick’s Day is in observance of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. What began as a religious feast day in the 17th century has evolved into a variety of festivals across the globe celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole…lot…of…green.
If you live at Smith Mountain Lake, or visiting the area, there are a number of ways to celebrate! You can start the day with the Shamrock Hill 5K and 1-mile race that begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Roanoke Catholic High School. And the highlight of the day is the annual Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 11:00 a.m. on Jefferson Street and Elm Avenue. Be sure to keep an eye out for floats from various groups from Smith Mountain Lake…such as the Smith Mountain Lake Society often has a float that celebrates its patron, a sixth-century Irish saint named Brendan from Tralee. The celebration continues at the Shamrock Festival that starts at noon at the Wells Fargo Plaza. The festival is free and you can enjoy delectable bites and live music! If you are traveling with children, don’t miss the Freedom First Kids Zones – one in front of the Taubman Museum of Art and the other in the Market Square. This is also free and kids can enjoy face painting, bounce houses and great games. Stay at Mariners Landing Resort for St. Patrick’s Day! Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We have luxurious and cozy condos available for your stay. Browse our condos today http://www.smlvaca.com/accommodations.html Even with the snow this week, spring is right around the corner! It looks like we are going to have a beautiful weekend giving you the perfect opportunity to plan an impromptu getaway and enjoy the views of Smith Mountain Lake from your private glassed in balcony. If you can’t wait to swim, we have an indoor aquatic center with a heated pool, hot tub, kiddie pool and training pool.
There are so many things to do in our community this week as well! Do you love drawing with pencils, coloring in coloring books or just doodling in general? Then go learn the Zentangle Method of drawing! It’s an easy to learn, fun (and relaxing) drawing method that uses structured patterns to draw an image…and the best thing is no drawing experience is necessary. The class will be held this Thursday, March 15th, at Southern Roots, 400 Scruggs Road Suite 1100 in Moneta, from 2-5 pm. The cost is $35 which includes all of your supplies. To reserve a spot, call 540-814-0604 or email southernrootssml@gmail.com. You can beat the winter blues and warm up to the warm, Caribbean sound of Skiffle USA Steel Drum Orchestra from Trinidad. This group was founded in 2013 to foster ongoing cultural exchange and will be performing at the Bower Center for the Arts, 305 North Bridge Street, in Bedford on Friday, March 16th, from 7:30-9:30 pm. So put on your Bermuda shorts and flip flops and enjoy an evening of great music and a fun atmosphere. If you don’t feel like beer on St. Patty’s day, and need a cure for spring fever, go for a St. Patty’s Day picnic at nearby Hickory Hills Vineyard, 1722 Hickory Cove Lane, Moneta from 12-5 pm. You can sip on their award winning wine in their scenic picnic area over-looking the vineyard. Bring your own picnic or create your own picnic in a bag from a selection of Boar’s head cheese and meat. Try your hand at corn hole or ladder golf while you’re there. Are you in the mood to listen to some incredible music? Then consider visiting the Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount at 450 Franklin Street, a mid-size music venue with great live performances in all kinds of genres. On Friday, March 16th, The Embers, best beach music band in the land will be having you shaggin’ the night away starting at 7:30 pm. On Saturday, March 17th, world famous Southern Culture on the Skids will be spreading their rock and roll gospel performing a musical gumbo of rockabilly, and country-fried garage beginning at 7:00 pm. And then on Sunday, March 18th, the incredibly talented Anders Osborne with be playing a solo gig (along with Ryan Motbleau) will be bringing his fiery anthems and tumultuous confessional songs punctuated with raw, inspired guitar. He was hailed in USA Today as, “Rich and glorious…Osborne possesses a voice that rises out of the darkness to the light of a soulful, tremulous wail.” And right around the corner from Mariners Landing Resort, you can learn how to make THE fluffiest biscuits ever at the Biscuit and Egg School, held at Bedford Landings, 1995 Buccaneer Road in Moneta from 2-5 pm. This wildly popular biscuit school returns and has room for 6 lucky attendees. Jack will lead you through the steps and then you can try your hand at a batch. Karen will teach you more about eggs and demonstrate how to make a simple, savory omelet. The cost to participate is $35 and you can reserve your space by contacting Karen at karen@bedfordlandings.com or call 540-488-4600 for this Sunday, March 18th class. My job is to make the buying and selling process stress free for my client’s. I offer ways to simplify the process and get them into their dream house. This is a great checklist to refer to as you are going through the homebuying process.
1. First you have to know how much you can afford.
2. Before you start looking, get pre-approved for a mortgage.
3. Determine your needs and wants in a home.
4. Research neighborhoods.
5. Work with a buyer’s agent who is familiar with the area.
6. Search for homes that fit your criteria.
7. Time to offer and negotiate.
8. Finalizing the deal.
9. Close.
10. Enjoy your new home! |
AuthorWe will bring you all the fun things to do around the lake all year long! Archives
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