virginia real estate: Memorial Day In Bedford VA - 05/30/10 08:15 AM
In Bedford, Virginia this weekend you will see a lot of flags on display as we honor and remember the men and women who fought for our freedom. There will be many events in Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas, but here are a few you may not want to miss!
Wreath Ceremony Memorial Day
At the National D-Day Memorial, they will be holding a "Remembering Their Sacrifice" ceremony. There will be free admission from 10 am until noon with the laying of the wreath beginning at 11am. This is all leads up to the 66th Anniversary of D-Day on … (3 comments)

virginia real estate: Taste of Italy on Smith Mountain Lake - 02/23/10 02:36 PM
After the winter we have had, most of us would love to take a trip to warm and sunny Italy. But if you can't make it there, you can still enjoy the flavors of that country right here at Smith Mountain Lake. Benjamin's at The Pointe at Mariner's Landing will be having a "Taste of Italy" Wine dinner!
Chef McGehee will host the third in his popular wine dinner series, "A Taste of Italy", from 6:30 to 9:30pm on February 27th. This five course meal will feature gourmet foods with wine pairings. There will also be an Italian dessert cooking demonstration … (3 comments)

virginia real estate: Winter and Wine on the Bedford Wine Trail - 01/21/10 12:40 PM
The day of wine and roses is just over 3 weeks away! No matter how you celebrate Valentine's Day, you can't go wrong adding a bottle of Virginia wine! Of course picking the right wine takes some research! So shake off those winter blues and hit the Bedford Wine Trail!
100 years ago you would have found tobacco and tomato fields in the landscape of Bedford County. Today, you can find some of the best wines produced in Virginia! You can sample these wines by visiting the wineries that make up the Bedford Wine Trail. Of course this is all just … (11 comments)

virginia real estate: Dirty Dancing in Pembroke, VA! - 01/16/10 09:54 AM
There are several movies that have been filmed in or around Smith Mountain Lake, but one of the most beloved is Dirty Dancing! With last year's loss of the film's star, Patrick Swayze, many are thinking back on the movie with fond memories of their own. You may not know it, but you can stay at the "Kellerman's Resort"! The actual name of the resort is Mountain Lake Conservancy and Hotel in Pembroke VA.
In 1987, Mountain Lake Hotel was featured in the movie Dirty Dancing. If you are a fan of the movie, then you can't miss out on experiencing … (0 comments)

virginia real estate: Virginia Is for Lovers! - 01/02/10 12:44 PM
Go into just about any department store this week and you will have no doubt the Holidays are over. Pre-lit Christmas trees are on sale for $10 and that $3 wrapping paper is now fifty cents! So what will you see when you head down that seasonal product aisle at your local stores? Those candy hearts and heart shaped boxes of chocolates can mean only one thing! Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Virginia is for Lovers! So if you are looking for a romantic place to spend time with that special someone, head to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia!
Now you … (3 comments)

virginia real estate: Breaking Records at Smith Mountain Lake - 12/23/09 03:29 AM
Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding area were in the mood to break records this last weekend. Record breaking snow fall blanketed the area leaving some places with over 2 feet of snow! Lake dwellers saw more snow in this one monster storm than what they normally see for the year! Just as an example, in January of 2008, Franklin County saw a total of 4 inches of snow for the whole month! As residents dig out and road crews work to clear secondary roads, here are a few tips to remember for this wintry weather.
If you are going to … (0 comments)

virginia real estate: Dickens of a Christmas in Roanoke! - 12/12/09 01:57 PM
 
Believe it or not, there are less than two weeks before Christmas! As you hurry about the last of your holiday shopping, don't miss the last Friday of Dickens of a Christmas in Roanoke, VA. This 26 year old tradition is fun for the whole family. You may even get that last little gift you have been looking for! December 18th will be the last of this year's festival.
This Roanoke holiday festival has won a "Best Tradition"-Platinum award from the Roanoker Magazine for the last six years! It has also won two Gold awards for "Best Annual Event". But … (2 comments)

virginia real estate: Christmas Lights in Bedford - 12/10/09 05:25 AM
If you ask someone what the capital of Virginia is and they will tell you Richmond. If you ask someone what the Christmas Capital of Virginia is and the answer will always be Bedford! The light displays at Liberty Lake Park and the Elks National Home is a tradition many return back to Bedford to enjoy! Add the Bedford Festival of Trees and the Holiday Nights in Bedford and you understand why the town has earned that moniker!
It isn't Christmas until the lights are up! You can enjoy over 30 acres of lights at the Liberty Lake Park. If you … (2 comments)

virginia real estate: Buying a Virginia Christmas Tree! - 12/07/09 12:12 AM
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 … (2 comments)

virginia real estate: Buying Waterfront Property on Smith Mountain Lake - 12/02/09 12:46 PM
With 500 miles of shoreline, there is a lot of waterfront property available in Smith Mountain Lake! This community of 22,000 boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets in country. Homeowners can enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains reflecting off the lake right from their own backdoor. It truly is a wonderful place to live. It is these amazing waterfront homes that draw many people to the area. Buying waterfront property is completely different from buying a lot in the average community. Here are a few things to remember when looking at a lake front home.
First and foremost, … (0 comments)

virginia real estate: The Luray Caverns of Page County - 11/21/09 12:12 PM
Virginia is full of natural and manmade wonders! From the Natural Bridge to Smith Mountain Lake, there is no end to all the wonderful things to see and do in Virginia. Nestled in the Shenandoah National Park, north of Roanoke, is Luray Caverns. Discovered in 1878, the Luray Caverns are breathtaking! Rock formations "sing" and bridal veils, the formations are as amazing as the day they were discovered!
It all started with a sink hole. A gust of air from a limestone sinkhole blew out a candle held by Andrew Campbell as he and friends were looking for caves in the … (4 comments)

virginia real estate: Buying a Retirement Home in Smith Mountain Lake - 09/26/09 11:19 AM
For many people, buying a home after retirement is not on the agenda. But with the final days of the tax credit upon us, it may be time to take a second look at purchasing a home. In the boom days of the real estate market, many couples who were retiring decided to sell their homes at top prices. But, instead of buying, they chose to rent or maybe even spend time travelling. Well, now maybe a perfect time to become a first time home buyer... again!
If you have not owned a principal property in the last three years, you … (3 comments)

virginia real estate: Home and Harvest at Huddleston’s Savoy-Lee Winery - 08/05/09 12:42 AM
Well, the month of August has begun and that means one thing at the Savoy-Lee winery:  Harvest time!! Things are beginning to get busy at this award winning winery! The fall crush is when all the labors of spring and summer come to full fruit and marks the birth of this season's wines!! You can feel the excitement building as the fall harvest is just weeks away!! That excitement can be felt all along the Bedford Wine Trail!
The wines produced from this harvest look to be as promising as the 2005 Johnson Mountain Picnic Series that won the Bronze at … (2 comments)

virginia real estate: July 4th Weekend in Bedford County! - 07/03/09 05:39 AM
If you looking for an awesome spot to celebrate the 4th of July, or if you are wanting to just be outdoors enjoying the wonder of Bedford County, this weekend is packed with great things to do! For those looking for the red, white and blue, you can celebrate the Red, White and YOU at Peaks of Otter Winery. Try some Chili Dawg wine!! It is a fun apple-pepper wine that is really something to talk about! You can even take a hike on the Appalachian Trail while you are there!
As you celebrate our independence you can pay tribute to … (0 comments)

virginia real estate: Smith Mountain Lake Second Home Dreams - 06/21/09 05:06 AM
For many people, the low interest rates and lower home prices make for a perfect recipe to finally be able to fulfill their dream of a second home.  Whether you are thinking of that beautiful vacation home or thinking of how you could profit from having second-home rental income, now may be the perfect time for you to consider investing in a second home. So what are some of the things you need to know before heading out into the market?
 
One of the most important things:  Evaluate your needs and long-term goals. You need to consider what type of … (0 comments)

virginia real estate: Treating Dad on the Trail!! - 06/19/09 06:13 AM
This weekend treat dad on the Bedford Wine Trail!! Spoil him with wine tasting at the Father's Day Celebration at the Peak's of Otter Winery on June 20th and 21st. If Dad loves the outdoors you can take him to Hickory Hills Vineyards and Winery where he can hike the beautiful Nature Trail, sample wines and even receive a free gift just for being the World's Greatest Dad!!
Of course, the other wineries on the tour, including Savoy-Lee, Leo Grande, and White Rock Vineyards, offer a great afternoon of tasting in a picture postcard setting.  If Dad has enough ties and … (0 comments)