Category — Smith Lake Mountain

Plans for lunch on Friday, March 2? Chuck that plain old brown bag or cancel your reservations, because Bruno’s GastroTruck will be in the CAPPs Home Building Center parking lot from 11:30am until 2 pm!

Can’t make it to the truck? Head out to Bruno’s GastroPub, located inside The Landing Restaurant, THE place for waterfront fine dining at Smith Mountain Lake. While you’re there, be sure to try the Pad Thai Popcorn appetizer (a fork is optional!) and ask your bartender to pair it with the perfect brew.

Jake’s Place, established by Tom and Lynn Gordon of The Blackwater Café fame, is open for business and offering a little Island flavor to residents of Smith Mountain Lake. The restaurant is family friendly, and boasts four big screen televisions and plenty of space to dine on the deck. What’s more, it’s waterfront with boat and jet-ski docking.

The menu is now available online, so be sure to check it out. Some particularly delicious offerings are the Island Wings with jerk sauce, the Mango Mahi-Mahi, and the Coconut Shrimp with sweet chili sauce. Jake’s Place opens for dinner at 4pm, Thursday through Monday. For more information, call 540-297-4732.

Starting as an idea in January of 2003, “The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail“ quickly became an amazing and well-received over 300-mile trail accentuating the extraordinary vitality of the region’s musical heritage. Due to the tremendous response from counties, cities, towns, state agencies tourism organizations and music venues, a steering committee with representatives from these organizations and places meets every month to guide the direction this is going, make decisions and even implement policies. Many of the events take place near Smith Mountain Lake, making it convenient for residents to take the “crooked road” to fun.

If you are a music lover, you don’t want to miss out on this incredible chance to experience the history of this region’s music in such a distinctive way. Keeping in mind that the focus of “The Crooked Road” is the musical heritage, do not just dismiss experiencing this unique opportunity because you are not necessarily a music enthusiast. There are plenty of other things included on the trail such as museums, crafts, historic and cultural programs and even outdoor recreational activities.

As mentioned above, the trail includes so many different venues-over 300 miles worth. In Franklin County alone, there are at least a dozen places included in the trail. For instance, on Mondays 7pm – 9pm, 77 Restaurant would be a great place to go. Thursdays can be fun-filled days beginning at Dairy Queen on Franklin Street (weekly Sept-May) from 9am-10am. Then, on the 3^rd Thursday of the month, head on over to Franklin County Department of Aging on Tanyard Road from 11am-Noon. Also, on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month, Waidsboro Ruritan Building on Ruritan Road is the place to be from 7pm-9:30pm.

Maybe you’d prefer a weekend musical treat; in Franklin County, Rocky Mount Community and Hospitality Center is part of the trail on the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays of the month from 6pm-9pm. There is a small admission of $5 per person, but is a great time for all. If you’d rather experience part of the trail on a Friday for free, on the 2^nd Friday of the month, go to Crossroads Ruritan Building on Dry Hill Road from 7pm-9pm (except December).

Franklin County even has weekly Saturday events as part of the trail. If you want something earlier in the day, go to Sheriff Shively’s Storehouse from 11am-4:30pm (weekly through Nov 7^th). But if you would enjoy something a little later in the evening, the place to be is Redwood Ruritan Building on Old Franklin Turnpike beginning at 7pm. There are plenty more Franklin County participants in the trail and whatever your schedule preference, it is well worth your while to experience “The Crooked Road” and see first-hand where the unique musical heritage has led Virginia throughout history.

For more information about events in your area, click on The Crooked Road Interactive Map. For assistance in buying lakefront property, contact Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience selling waterfront homes in Smith Mountain Lake and am a long-time resident of the area.

Smith Mountain Lake has a fine array of cultural events for anyone with a creative spark to enjoy and participate in. For those interested, The Little Gallery serves the community with a wide collection of fine art. They not only sell handmade pottery, jewelry, stained glass, blown glass and prints from impressionist to wildlife and oil to watercolor, but they offer lake residents a chance to become immersed in local art and culture and dive into their creative side with demonstrations and other events featuring some of the lake area’s premiere artists and artisans.

Sky, Sea, and Isle by Greg Osterhaus shown above

During July, The Little Gallery has a full schedule of demonstrations. The events are as follows:

• July 14 & 15th-Greg Cartmell painting demonstration and display of new work (from 1:00-3:00 pm)
• July 16th-Gary Dulac Jewelry Trunk Show
• July 23rd-Carrie Mcnutt artist demonstration
• July 30 & 31-Ruth Cline (the “Bead Baker”) jewelry-making demonstration and trunk show

Each month, The Little Gallery also has a feature artist on display. The featured artist for August is Greg Osterhaus, who will be visiting The Little Gallery on August 6th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. To see Greg’s works for sale at the shop, visit their site at Greg Osterhaus at The Little Gallery.

The Little Gallery is conveniently located on the lower level of Bridgewater Plaza, just south of Halesford Bridge at 16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy. in Moneta, VA. Click for directions, and for more information on these events send an email to Carol Swain and Kay King or call at 540-721-1596.

Whether you are an amateur just getting started or an experience creative genius, we could all use a little more art, culture, and community in our lives. Come out to The Little Gallery to enrich your mind and delight in the diverse art scene that beautiful Smith Mountain Lake has to offer!

Smith Mountain Lake offers spectacular views and sightseeing, and Virginia Dare Cruises are a wonderful way to get out and experience the atmosphere of the lake in a new and exciting fashion.

Virginia Dare Cruises and Marina (located at 3619 Airport Road in Moneta, Virginia) is offering unique specialty cruises this summer in order to celebrate Parents’ Day and to enable participants to learn more about the wildlife here at the lake.

On Sunday, July 24th from 2-4 pm you are invited to give mom and dad a special gift for Parents’ Day-send them on a cruise where they can relax and indulge in a catered lunch while enjoying the plentiful sights and scenery. Parents are welcome to bring their children along. Children 5-12 are ½ of full rate and children 4 & under are ¼ of full rate. All prices include a 2-hour cruise, a delicious meal, tax, service charges, coffee & tea. A minimum of 30 people per cruise is required to sail.

Wildlife Wednesdays is another specialty cruise offered by our friends at Virginia Dare. On the first Wednesday of the month (April-November) from 12:00-2:00 pm, you can again enjoy a 2 hour cruise and a meal while a Smith Mountain Lake State Park Ranger teaches you more about the wildlife here at the lake. The next Wildlife Wednesday event will be held on August 3rd.

The menu for Wildlife Wednesdays includes: an appetizer, herb roasted pork loin, roasted chicken in a balsamic crème sauce, seasoned green beans, French onion rice, bread/butter, dessert, and coffee/tea.

The cost is $42.00 for adults, and the group rate is $38.00 per adult. Group rates apply for 30 or more adults.

To learn more about these special events, visit the dining and menu section of VA Dare Cruises at http://vadarecruises.com/cruises/dining-menu/.

Take some time out of your hectic schedule to enjoy these opportunities to have a day of cruising on the lake, relaxing and spending time with friends and neighbors, and enjoying a delicious hot meal!

Keeping up with the tradition carried over from last summer’s success, The Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Inc. presents the Music in the Park event, taking place throughout the 2011 summer season.

Are you a fan of warm summer nights, live bluegrass music and delicious hot dogs, snacks and drinks? This is the perfect chance for you to come out and enjoy local live entertainment from talented bluegrass bands and the Old Dominion Cloggers at each event. Bring a picnic or buy ice cream, hot dogs and other treats whose proceeds help support and fund the Smith Mountain Lake State Park community facility.

When/Where: The fun takes place every 4th Saturday during the summer at 8 p.m. at the Beach Pavilion in Smith Mountain Lake’s State Park, located at SML State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA.

Fees are $5.00 per person and there is no parking fee. Children 12 and under are admitted for free.

The exciting lineup of bands is as follows:
July 23rd- Friday Night Band
August 27th- Wound Tight

Seating is limited, so bring your own lawn chairs or spread out a blanket and enjoy the beautiful weather, fine scenery, and family-friendly atmosphere that the Smith Mountain Lake area has to offer!

For more information, call (540) 297-6066.

The National D-Day Memorial located in Bedford, VA and near to Smith Mountain Lake offers its visitors an emotional and educational experience as they remember the events that took place on June 6, 1944. This summer, they are offering two unique opportunities to get your whole family involved in the rich history of the Bedford/Smith Mountain Lake area.

• The 2011 D-Day Memorial Family Day is “an opportunity to discover the lessons and legacy of World War II through interactive programs, tours and projects”. Throughout the day on Saturday, July 16th, 2011 there will be activities such as Victory garden projects, book-signings, models on display, and more, as well as many contests for family members to get involved with.
  

  Click image above for PDF of poster

  Contests/Attractions include:

  • More than 30 activity stations, all hands-on and family-friendly
  • Project Vintage Runway, taking place at noon on Saturday, July 16th-no registration fee is required but participants need to register with the Memorial by July 11th. Bring 40s attire in order to participate in the runway show: prizes will be provided to the winners. All ages are welcome.
  • D-Day Memorial Car Show-visitors can enter their cars in the show, but it is restricted to military vehicles and cars manufactured before 1950. Visitors vote on the winner, who will receive a People’s Choice Award.
  • A USO Idol singing competition, broken into two youth categories for ages 6-18 and one adult category
    (Performers must register by July 11th. There is a $10 entry fee and limited space available.)

  The event is sponsored by Woodmen of the World, Lodge 175 and the Kiwanis Club of Bedford. Regular fees apply for adults, but students under 18 are free.

  For more information contact April Cheek-Messier at (540) 586-3329 or at acheek@dday.org regarding any questions you have or to register for competitions. Also visit www.dday.org for more information or call (540)586-3329.

• In addition to the Family Day, there is also a D-Day Memorial WWII Day Camp called “Growing up in World War II” being held from Wednesday, July 27th through Friday, July 29th from 8:45am-1pm.

  The camp is open for registration for fourth through sixth grade students who will enjoy hands-on history activities, crafts, period games, and rationing-era snacks. A t-shirt and souvenir for all campers is included in the fees, and the children receive the opportunity to meet with living history veterans and re-enactors.

  Fees are $60.00 for the first child and $50.00 for each additional child, which include a t-shirt, craft and activity materials, daily snacks and instruction. Pre-registration is required and a $20.00 nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of registration.

  Take this opportunity to enrich the lives of your children by providing them with a glimpse of history!

  The camp is sponsored by the Bedford Elks Lodge #2844. Contact the Education Department of the National D-Day Memorial at (540) 586-3329 for more information or to register.

  Space is limited (only 35 participants) and you must pre-register, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to help give your child fuller understanding and greater appreciation of the sacrifices of those in military service during WWII and throughout history!

For more live musicians and entertainment as well as an opportunity to enjoy some great local wine, consider stopping by Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery located in the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake area on Saturdays this summer.

Each event will be held on Saturdays through September 3rd and will run from 7:00-10:00 pm.

The lineup of local musicians is as follows:

July 2nd: Kevin Marshall-a songwriter from Charlotte, NC who previously played in the Sutton Ain’t Right band. He is the cousin of local musician Scott Sutton.
July 16th: Square Peg-a jazz duo performing live
July 23rd: Kat Mills-an acoustic singer/songwriter based out of Blacksburg, VA
July 30th: Sparks Will Fly-A blues/rock/acoustic group based out of Roanoke, with Brittany Sparks on vocals, Billy McCray on guitar, and Scott Sutton on bass.
Hear some of their music at ReverbNation
September 3rd: Larry, Mike & Chip-a group of songwriters who will be performing as “songwriters in the round.”

The cost is $10 including glass and tasting. Kids & DDs get in free.

Bring lawn chairs and a picnic spread and sample Hickory Hill’s fine wines, available for purchase by the glass or bottle, all while enjoying live local musicians!

Offering fine wine and delicious gourmet cuisine, Chateau Morisette is the perfect place to spend your Sunday listening to free live music and enjoying grilled foods, soft drinks and wine available to be purchased beginning at noon. You can even bring your own picnic and just enjoy the atmosphere and free entertainment.

Chateau Morrisette holds these events every Sunday through October. On Sunday, June 26^th, the live music and entertainment begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00. They are located at:
287 Winery Road SW in Floyd, Virginia.

This Sunday’s entertainment is Crusher Run, who has been playing bluegrass, traditional folk country, and folk music since the fall of 2000. They describe themselves as a “Goodtime Band”. You can hear their music at http://www.myspace.com/crusherrun

Come out for free entertainment and purchase some food from the grill. Be sure to bring your own seating.

If you’d rather do something earlier in the morning, a Sunday Brunch Buffet is held every Sunday June-October from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

The buffet is $23.95 per adult and $12 for children under 12.

A limited a la carte menu is also available.

Take advantage of Chateau Morrisette’s special summer events!

For more information visit http://www.thedogs.com, email info@chateaumorrisette.com, or call (540) 593-2865

Every Friday this summer, Mariners Landing, located at 1217 Graves Harbor Trail in Huddleston, Virginia, is now hosting their “Finally Fridays” series. This series boasts live musical acts, delicious seafood cuisine with their signature Grand Seafood buffet available, and discounted overnight accommodations for those interested in staying for a little rest and relaxation at the resort.

Admission to the event is FREE each Friday.

On Friday, June 24, the Breeze Brothers are providing the musical entertainment.

The Breeze Brothers are set to play from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

For more information call (540) 297-4900

or visit http://www.marinerslanding.com