Category — Virginia real estate

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

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 be driving, take along a small winter weather driving kit. Make sure to include extra blankets, this really can be a life saver if you end up getting stuck in the snow. Keeping extra snack bars in your vehicle can be a good idea too. Of course you will want the basics of a small shovel, ice scraper, and booster cables. Candles and matches are always good to have on hand, but remember to crack the window open to avoid carbon monoxide build up. A bag of kitty litter or sand will come in handy if you run off the road. By spreading some in front of your tires, it will help you get the traction you need to get back on the road.

Smith Mountain Lake doesn’t normally get a lot of snow or ice. More wintry mix is being called for over the holidays, so make sure and plan ahead if you need to travel. Always let someone know where you are going and how you are getting there. Keep your cell phone charged in case you need to call for help.

While all this may seem like simple things, it is easy to forget when you don’t normally have to deal with this much snow. If you want to live somewhere that doesn’t normally get 18 inches of snow, come for a visit, if you like it then move here!

If you want more information on living in Franklin County and Bedford County Virginia, call Vicki Millehan! She is a long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake and a local real estate expert!

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 the recognition doesn’t stop there! Southeast Tourism Society has also voted it a Top Twenty Event in the Southeast! The Dickens of a Christmas started out as a way to encourage local shopping, but it quickly grew a life of its own! Shop owners and employees dress the part as downtown Roanoke is transformed into Victorian England for the holidays. They would offer cookies and cocoa to ease the stress of the holiday shopper. That tradition continues but as its popularity grew, so did the events!

Families can enjoy carriage rides, carolers in the street and vendors selling their wares! On December 18th you can even bring your four legged family members down for a pet costume contest! If that weren’t enough, St Nick can be found taking a stroll through the streets telling Christmas stories! Rumor has it that he may even have a few treats for children who have found their way onto the Nice List! Everyone can enjoy roasted chestnuts, hot apple cider, and cocoa!

If you are ready to live in a place rich with tradition, call Vicki Millehan! She can help you find a home to call your own in Franklin or Bedford County! Come for a visit, and if you like it, then move here!

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 not paying for the tree to be shipped across the country. Lastly, many local farmers will even offer Tree Delivery services, so be sure and ask about it!

Make a Holiday Memory!

You can sometimes even do a little Christmas shopping while you are there! At Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm in Bedford you can create Christmas memories. Bring the whole family and the dog too! Everyone is welcome to help you find that perfect tree. They have hot chocolate and cider to keep you warm, and a Gift Shop to browse for that one of a kind gift! In Bedford County, you can also buy live potted Christmas trees at Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm. They will be having a family fun day Sunday December 13th from 1pm – 5pm with free Christmas crafts for the kids and even pony rides available.

At Ponds-n-More in Roanoke you can purchase pre-cut trees that have been grown chemical and pesticide free. Most tree farms also have greenery for roping and have wreaths available too for all your holiday greenery!

Living in Smith Mountain Lake has many advantages, from fresh Christmas trees to summer fun on the lake! It is a great place to call home! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here! When you are ready to make Smith Mountain Lake your home call Vicki Millehan! Luxury home or lakeside cottage, she can help you find your Virginia home!

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 area. What they ended up discovering was the largest series of caverns on the East. Purchasing the land at public auction, the men began to prepare the cave for visitors. The rest is history!

In 1880 The Smithsonian Institution sent nine scientists to examine the cavern system. They were amazed at the stalactite and stalagmite formations they found. One of the most popular formations is the Stalacpipe Organ! Located in the Cathedral, you really can play music on these stalactites! Using a system of electronically controlled rubber mallets you can hear the rocks make music! It has even been featured on Ripley’s Believe it or Not!

As most of you know the Home Buyers Tax Credit program has been continued. You can read most of the details in the recent blog: Buy a Smith Mountain Lake Home, Get a Tax Break! With current homeowners now being eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500, many are asking for details on the expanded program and what it means for them. It seems to be almost custom made for those who are ready to retire or downsize their home!

You can buy a lot of house for $800,000, but not everyone wants a lot of house to take care of! There is a whole generation of Baby Boomers who are just starting out on the road of retirement! On the top of their list is buying a retirement home. The new repeat buyer tax credit can be applied to a home that is smaller and even less expensive than your current home. There are many types of homes that qualify, if you want a condo or cottage on the lake, no problem! If you prefer to live on the lake in a houseboat, you are covered there as well! As long as it is a primary residence, you can buy the right sized home to fit your retirement plans!

Another benefit for retirees is the wider pool of buyers that will be looking for homes. Many of those ready to retire owned homes that were considered a few steps beyond what most first time homeowner would consider. These homes are now in demand for repeat buyers who are ready to take on the next level of home ownership! With the new program, you can sell your city home and buy a smaller home in the country and still qualify!

You can use the tax credit towards your home or you can use it as a down payment on that new sailboat! Whatever you choose to use it for, don’t miss out on this opportunity! You can take advantage of this program through April 30th, 2010 and will need to close by June 30th, 2010. Smith Mountain Lake is a wonderful place to retire! Golf courses, fishing, sailing, hiking; these are just a few of the things you can enjoy in Franklin County!

There is so much to do in Franklin County, Virginia; come for a visit, if you like it then move here!! If you want to see what kind of homes are available in the area call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert and long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake!!

“I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with



old age, the true old man’s milk and restorative cordial.”

Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Benjamin Rush


Poplar Forest, 1811

According to an old Italian proverb, good wine makes for good cheer, and this will be the case November 21st at the first ever Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival. The festival will take place at Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s Virginia retreat. Thomas Jefferson was a big advocate of the benefits of wine. He was pivotal in the import of wines from such countries as Italy and France.

At the festival you can enjoy, food, wine, crafts and live music! You must be 21 years old to enjoy the wine tastings, so be sure and bring your ID! You can enjoy wines from around the region! All of the wineries of the Bedford Wine trail will be there with some of their award winning wines to sample! Some of the wineries in the area, like the Savoy-Lee, actually use both red and white European and French American grapevines. It is these lovingly tended vines that produce the quality wine Virginia is becoming known for.

Located in Huddleston, the Savoy-Lee is a family run winery located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you have considered the life of a wine maker, you may want to check out this vineyard that is currently for sale! The beautiful surrounding area includes Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford and Roanoke! This is a turnkey operation that is already producing award winning wines. Many of the wines produced here are lovingly barrel fermented before being moved to the more modern stainless steel vats. This allows the wines to have a complexity that may be missing in some other wines.

You can sample the wines from this and other vineyards along the Bedford wine trail at the Festival. Come for a visit and if you like it then move here!! From wineries to luxury waterfront homes, call Vicki Millehan for all your real estate needs in the Smith Mountain Lake area!

Virginia has long been known as an agricultural state. In recent years we have become known for our beautiful wineries and orchards. It only makes sense that Farmer’s Markets are a wonderful place to take full advantage of the area we live in. Right here in Smith Mountain Lake/ Moneta we have Moneta /Smith Mountain Lake Community Market. This market is a season market open through October 31st. Roanoke Natural Food Co-Op has locally grown food available all year round and is open to members and non-members to purchase fresh and organic produce.

Green is Good!

“Going Green” is a very popular catch phrase. Many people are doing their best to “buy organic” in an effort to be more environmentally friendly. But did you know buying at a local farmer’s market can make a larger “green” impact than just buying organic? The more shipping involved, the more damage you can have to the environment. Roanoke Natural Food Co-Op has the Gold Standard when it comes to produce; locally grown organic food. If you don’t have this available in your area, buying at the local Farmer’s Market is the next best thing!

Show Me the MONEY!

One of the top reasons for shopping at a local Farmers Market is economic. Normally, you can get fresher produce at a lower price than what you will find at a supermarket. By eliminating the costs of shipping and handling you get to keep more money in your pocket! Even better, by buying produce at the local market, you are helping keep your money in the community. This will help keep the economy healthy in your area!

Closer = Healthy

Did you know if you buy from a community market, you may be buying foods that pack a more nutritional punch than food that has been shipped across the country? Locally grown food can be picked when it is ripe, farmers do not have to allow for shipping time. Fruits and vegetables increase in nutritional value the closer they get to ripening, so the closer=the healthier!! Not to mention it tastes so GOOD!!

Other Local Farmer’s Markets

In Franklin County and Bedford County VA, we have several local markets! The Westlake Farmer’s Market (next to Lake Inn Motel) is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 10.The Bedford Farmer’s Market in Centertown Bedford is open Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.The Farmer’s Market in downtown Rocky Mount is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

So come on out this Saturday and enjoy the fall bounty of our local markets! Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! If you are ready to live healthy and happy at Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan! She can help you find the pick of the crop when it comes to Lakefront properties!