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Check It Out:
Looking for something to do this holiday weekend? See our picks for some fun local events.
Sanctuary, sympathy and sounding board
It’s been said that one of the best things about being a grandparent is that you can enjoy your grandchildren and at the end of the day, turn them over to their parents. But some grandparents, instead of sending them home, are providing their home. At Smith Mountain Lake, as is the trend across the country, more and more grandparents are taking sole responsibility for their grandchildren. The reasons vary — the parents’ substance abuse, illness, financial problems, job loss, death, incarceration.
Beer flows at Smith Mountain Lake's first microbrewery
The business of making craft beer is booming nationwide, and on May 10, Smith Mountain Lake bellied up to the bar. An estimated 500-600 patrons turned out for the long-awaited grand opening of the $2.2 million Sunken City Brewing Company, a microbrewery beside Westlake Towne Center in Hardy. “It was a great crowd; everyone enjoyed the first batch of Dam Lager, finally brewed right here at the lake,” said owner Jerome Parnell. “We went through 12 kegs of our new beer, Red Clay IPA.” Parnell described Red Clay, which along with Dam Lager will be available in cans in mid-summer, as having a “flowery aroma and a malty backbone.” Sunken City will launch a third production beer this summer, Parnell said.
Police officer joins Weichert Realtors
Michelle Vandergrift has joined the sales team at Weichert, R ealtors – Bridges & Co. Vandergrift, a former resident of Vinton, now lives in Hardy. She will assist homebuyers and sellers at Smith Mountain Lake and surrounding areas, specializ ing in residential sales and working with first-time buyers. She is a member of the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors. Vandergrift has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Ferrum College.
CASA volunteers recognized for longtime service
CASA of Central VA held a reception on May 14 to show appreciation to Court Appointed Special Advocates for their dedicated service to abused and neglected children. Twenty-eight CASA volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service Awards at the Lynchburg Public Library. Leslie J. “Sandy” Morrissett of Moneta received the Gold Award for contributing more than 500 hours. Kennie Dickson of Bedford and Al Gorman of Forest received Silver Awards for
Summer calendar
Following are some of the events that will take place this summer at SML. May 25 and the fourth Saturday through August Smith Mountain Lake State Park Food, live music and Old Dominion Cloggers. 8 p.m. $5. 297-6066. June 3 Swing Fore a Cure American Heart Association golf tournament. The Water’s Edge Country Club. Tom Watson, PGA Hall of Fame member and captain of the 2013 Ryder Cup team, will
TLAC soliciting comments on Take Pride
The Event Oversight Committee for Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake has mailed surveys to former participants in an effort to find out how the lake cleanup event can become more effective. For 26 years, SML residents have turned out in early May to clean up the lake and its surroundings. Pam Dinkle, lake management and project coordinator for the Tri-County Lake Administrative Commission, said the committee is seeking input
Penhook man named Free Clinic Volunteer of the Year
Monty Blizard of Penhook was named Volunteer of the Year by his peers during the Free Clinic of Franklin County’s annual volunteer/staff gathering. Blizard began volunteering for the clinic at the encouragement of a friend and neighbor in 2009. Soon after, he joined the board of directors to assist with financial planning. “Participating on the board let me see first hand how important the Free Clinic is and how under-manned
SML businesses make life jackets their business for a day
If you were out and about on Saturday, you may have noticed that employees at a number of lake businesses looked like they were dressed for sailing instead of selling. They were part of Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day, an initiative to encourage the wearing, not carrying, of life jackets on docks, as well as on the water. Bridgewater Marina, one of 19 participating businesses, led the way
World War II aviators recount experiences for SML Pilots Club
It was a rare opportunity for history and aviation enthusiasts last week when not one but four surviving World War II aviators from the 8th Air Force visited the SML Pilots Club in Moneta. The group, along with a full house of club members, had dinner at Chopsticks at Bridgewater Plaza before the meeting at the Moneta Community Room. For an hour, the veterans recounted their wartime experiences, which ranged
Wirtz veteran writes about Korean War in third book
Every morning, Bob VandeLinde thanks God for hot water and soap. It is a n after-effect of his service during the Korean War and of the research he has done since for the three books he has written. VandeLinde recalled a South Korean woman who told of being held in a prison camp. Her captors disciplined her by pulling out her finger nails when she was 4 years old. U.S.
Dinner honoring female veterans draws big crowd
About 200 people turned out for a dinner to honor female veterans on May 17 at Faith Fellowship Church in Wirtz. The event, hosted by David Cuff, commander of Post 60 DAV, included video presentations by Jon Hatfield of the Virginia War Memorial and April Cheek-Messier of the National D-Day Memorial. After Bernard Marie spoke about his youth in Normandy, France, during WWII, keynote speaker Frances “Rusty” Brennan Rice recounted
Discovery Shop honors volunteers
The Discovery Shop at Smith Mountain Lake, a resale shop benefi ting the American Cancer Society, honored its volunteers at a brunch on May 16 at The Waverly clubhouse. On Wednesday, the store marked the 100th birthday of the American Cancer Society with balloons, cake and a special sale. Manager Lori Hurt said she expected sales to pass the 1.5-million mark by the end of the month. “We opened in
Calendar
Today-Monday Memorial Day Weekend at Peaks of Otter Winery Start your summer at Peaks of Otter Winery with a glass of wine while gazing at the mountains and valleys. Where: Peaks of Otter Winery, 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford When: Noon to 5 p.m. Cost: Free Contact: 586-3707, www.peaksofotterwinery.com Today SML Community Park Beach Where: SML Community Park Beach, Huddleston When: 10 a.m. Cost: $2 per person; free for children
SML Democrats on hand for campaign kickoff
Members of the SML Democratic Club were on hand for the Katie Webb Cyphert campaign kickoff at the Moneta/SML Library on May 14. Cyphert, a Democrat, is running for delegate from Virginia’s 22nd District, which includes Burnt Chimney, Coopers Cove in Franklin County, half of Bedford County, four precincts in Campbell County and six precincts in Lynchburg . Cyphert is an educator, mother and businesswoman in Lynchburg. The SML Democratic
Festival proceeds to help save sports programs
Organizers of the Franklin County Strings & Spirits Festival, which will be held June 1 in Rocky Mount, said they will use proceeds from the event to help save Franklin County athletic programs, which were cut by the school board earlier this month. In a cost-saving measure, the board cut all ninth-grade and middle school sports. The move prompted the resignation of Chairman Ed Jamison. Money raised will go directly
Father, son dealt the best and worst of poker run
Dana Kuhn and his son, Jason, both were winners, but father trumped son in the 16th-annual Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run, a fundraiser held May 17-18 on and around Smith Mountain Lake. Dana Kuhn’s four sevens won the $1,500 prize for best hand in the poker run, while Jason took home $200, not bad for the winner (or loser) of the worst-hand award. Weekend festivities kicked off on Friday morning
Lake Christian Ministries becomes United Way affiliate
United Way of Franklin County recently announced that Lake Christian Ministries has been named its newest affiliate agency. Lake Christian Ministries provides food, financial aid, clothing and household goods to qualified clients in order to avoid homelessness and strengthen families. The nonprofit operates with an all-volunteer staff. Pat Koger, executive director of United Way, said the affiliate status would allow donors in the upcoming campaign who wish to support LCM
Real estate transfers
Bedford County Charles F. and Pamela O. Werz to Happyours, LLC, The Bridgewater Bay Condominium, Unit C, Building C-p, Phase 11, $335,000. Franklin County Russell A. and Jean M. Macaluso to James F. Laseter III and Carla D. Laseter, Waverly, Lot 9, $1,000,000. Lea A. Lang to Waeil A. Nur, Compass Cove, Lot 40, $900,000. Carolina Blank to David H. Hassenflug and Cynthia D. Hassenflug, Golfer’s Crossing, The Water’s Edge,
Big fish
Nine-year-old Luke Faber caught a 20-pound flathead catfish while night-fishing with his father, Erich Faber. “He fought this monster from the depths of Smith Mountain Lake for 10 minutes and was one very happy boy,” according to his father.
FCHS student wins golf scholarship
Kolton Cooper of Franklin County High School has been awarded the 2013 Don Holliday Memorial Scholarship for $20,000, the largest golf-related scholarship in Southwest Virginia. Kolton, a senior with a 4.07 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, history club and foreign language club. He plans to attend Roanoke College. He placed first in the Western Valley District golf tournament in 2011; was third in 2012; and was
SML Garden Club learns how to go from garden to plate
Flowers were on the menu at Smith Mountain Lake Garden Club’s annual spring luncheon May 14 at The Waterfront Country Club in Moneta. Chef John Hanek of The Waterfront and The Water’s Edge country clubs provided a demonstration on how to incorporate flowers into food. The salad, entree and dessert served to members and guests included flowers such as dandelions, marigolds and nasturtiums. President Mary Ellen Whyte announced that the
1. Botetourt County shooting victim tried to start 'new chapter in her life' amid divorce
2. Virginia Tech closing in on ACC baseball tournament title tilt
3. Police seek suspect in Vinton robbery that led to school lockdowns
4. Police seek 2 male suspects in Roanoke CVS robbery
5. Roanoke police seek man missing from retirement home
6. Woman's body discovered by Botetourt County authorities Thursday evening
7. Virginia Tech advances to ACC baseball title game; awaits winner of UNC-NC State
8. No one hurt in 1-car crash on Bent Mountain Road
9. Planning board approves $14 million for Roanoke River Greenway
10. Virginia Tech names presidential search committee members
THE ROANOKE TIMES
