FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 2, 2012

Goodwill^®, Prudential Waterfront Properties, Earth Environmental and Civil, and Franklin Community Bank, in cooperation with Franklin County, will host the 4th Annual Franklin County E-Cycling Day on Saturday, April 21st from 8:30 a.m. – Noon at three locations.

This year’s locations include:

• Rocky Mount Goodwill store, 1045 North Main Street;
• Prudential Waterfront Properties, 13247 Booker T. Washington (corner of Intersection Rt. 122 and Rt. 616);
• Franklin Community Bank, 400 Old Franklin Turnpike, Rocky Mount.

Once again the E-Cycling Day will focus on the recycling of computers, computer equipment, small appliances, and electronics.  In addition, confidential on-site document destruction will be offered at the Franklin Community Bank location.

“In the past three years this event has been a very successful,” states Larry Moore, Assistant County Administrator for Franklin County. “By collecting and recycling computers, computer equipment, small appliances, and electronics, we have kept 15 tons of materials out of area landfills.  This year we expect another large turnout and hope to collect record amounts of items.”

The Franklin County E-Cycling Day is an extension of a Goodwill partnership with Dell Computers and an effort to increase awareness of recycling and green initiatives throughout the Franklin County area.  Since October 2008, through the Dell RECONNECT^TM partnership, computers and computer related hardware have been responsibly recycled by Dell with proceeds benefiting Goodwill job training and employment programs.

Acceptable items for the E-Cycling event include, but are not limited to:

• Computers and Computer Equipment of any brand in any condition: monitors, keyboards, CPUs, printers, scanners, fax machines, printer cartridges, computer cords, and any related computer equipment.  It is recommended that donors remove all data from hard drives and other storage media before donating.
• Small Appliances: toasters, microwaves, blenders, coffee makers, mixers, vacuums, food processors.
• Electronics: Clocks, radios, cell phones, PDAs.
• Paper: Shredding is available at the bank location only.
• Gently Used Clothing and Household Items: Clothing for the entire family and other items such as dishes, artwork, collectibles, etc.

In 2011, Goodwill kept over 14.3 million pounds of material out of local landfills throughout the 31 county, 14 city territory in Virginia.  Through successful salvage efforts, the organization works diligently to see that the community’s castoffs do not come back to harm the environment. The revenues generated through salvage and recycling operations support Goodwill programs, which train individuals and help place them in competitive, community employment.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, a United Way partner organization headquartered in Roanoke, serves 31 counties and 14 cities in the New River, Roanoke, and Shenandoah Valleys.  Its mission is to help people and families in our community achieve a better life through work and independence.  In 2011 Goodwill assisted 75,734 individuals and in this difficult employment market placed 2,111 people into jobs in the community.

For over 25 years, Prudential Waterfront Properties markets real estate throughout Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas. As members of the Multiple Listing Service, Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS^® are able to assist buyers and sellers with all listed properties in a variety of price ranges and locations throughout the lake and surrounding areas. Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS^® are consistent leaders in sales as well as customer and client service.

Franklin Community Bank, N.A. opened its doors for business in September 2002. Part of its mission is to support through active participation the communities we serve along with providing the highest level of service to help our clients achieve financial prosperity. We invite you to visit with us at one of our 3 locations in Franklin County and you will see why “your bank is here.”

Earth Environmental and Civil, Inc. has been providing environmental and civil engineering service throughout the region for 22 years. With large company capabilities and small company accessibility, our Engineers, Geologist, Scientists, and Planners keep our clients satisfaction as their top priority. At EEC, our emphasis lies in our ability to consistently provide quality service while effectively meeting budgets and schedules. Our experience ranges from project conceptualization through initiation to implementation and finally, the satisfaction of project completion.

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For more information, contact:

Lucie Touchton

Marketing Manager

Office: (540) 581-0620, Ext. 174

Cell: (540) 529-9290

ltouchton@goodwillvalleys.com

Wedding season is fast approaching, so all of you (not so) single ladies, listen up: Smith Mountain Lake is making a name for itself as an “it” wedding destination in our region. For those of you who already know and love our beautiful lake, this should come as no surprise. SML is known for its breathtaking scenery and rural setting; and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains make it an absolutely stunning location for any type of wedding, from the intimate to the splashy to the stately and grand. Accordingly, the wedding business is booming here, turning Smith Mountain Lake into a one-stop wedding hotspot!

Click here for Smith Mountain Laker magazine’s 2012 SML Wedding Guide! Featured vendors include:

• The Landing Restaurant
• Haywood’s Jewelers
• VitaZen
• The Cottage Gate
• Ruthie’s Kitchen
• June Bugs in March
• Print-n-Paper

Just a few hours’ drive from Smith Mountain Lake lays Highland County, VA. Aptly dubbed “Virginia’s Switzerland” due in part to its alpine landscape, Highland is home to the annual Maple Festival; a celebration of one of the county’s primary industries. The festival always draws a crowd, and with this year’s unseasonable warm weather, 2012 is expected to bring record breaking attendance.

The festival will be held over two consecutive weekends: March 10-11 and 17-18. Hotels, B&B’s, and cabins book up well in advance, but there are generally last minute deals available. Visit the festival’s website for more information!

Studies show that engaging only in passive intellectual observation (like watching television) actually leads to cognitive loss. So, if you want to stay sharp, healthy, and well informed, get off the couch and engage that brain!

If you’re in need of a little mid-week intellectual stimulation, head to Roanoke’s Shadowbox Theater and take in a TED Talk. To understand just what a TED Talk is about, just read its mission statement: “We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.”

Basically, TED Talks are positive, intelligent, inspired talks by interesting folks.

The talks are held at noon on Wednesday afternoons. Just bring your lunch and an open mind! Unable to get to the Shadowbox on your lunch hour? Eat at your desk and stream a TED Talk on your own computer from TED’s official Youtube Channel.

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.

Earlier this month when Punxsutawney Phil predicted another 6 weeks of winter, many of us scoffed: what winter? But over the weekend, during one of Virginia’s up ‘til now mildest winters on record, Smith Mountain Lake received a long overdue smattering of snow snow snow.

By late Sunday afternoon, back roads in Moneta, Wirtz, and throughout Bedford and Franklin counties became treacherous and all but 4-wheel drive vehicles met great difficulty navigating hills and curves. The storm wasn’t limited to just the lake area however. The entire state and much of the region was hit hard, with the Roanoke area receiving more than its fair share of the white stuff.

The temperature is supposed to climb into the 50’s by Tuesday, so we can all expect a big wet soggy mess for at least the next week.

This month, the Southern Virginia Wine Trail (SoVa) will host its first annual indoor winter wine festival. 12 local wineries will participate, including Moneta’s own Hickory Hill Vinyard.

All advanced tickets are SOLD OUT! The festival kicks off at noon on February 18, so get there early to get your ticket!

For more directions and more information about the participating wineries and vendors, visit the festival website.

Warm congratulations go out to those honored at the 11^th annual Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, held on January 19^th at The Waterfront Country Club.

Those who attended were treated to an evening of fine cuisine and camaraderie, befitting this years’ theme, “Connect and Reconnect.”

This year’s winners were:

• Roy Enslow, Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals (Business of the Year Award)
• Joanna Hudzik and Harold Ingram, Haywood’s Jewelers (Service Excellence Award)
• Cheryl Ward, Bank of Botetourt (Norma Jean Tess Award for community leadership)
• Matt Brown and Andie Gibson, Laker Media (Regional Advocate Award)
• Phil Hager, Phil Hager Insurance (Enduring Enterprise Award)

The dinner also served to formally welcome and introduce the 2012-2014 Board of Directors, and to thank outgoing board members for their service. Outgoing members are Brian Weitzman, SML Animal Hospital; Frank Chrzanowksi, Hometown Bank and Patricia Dade, Appalachian Power.

Members of the chamber’s board of directors are:

• Lindsey Coley, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore
• Chris Finley, The Willard Companies
• Terri Stanley, Premier Appraisals
• Mike Greer, Virginia Western Community College
• Traci Blido, Bedford County Administration
• Tom Gordon, Blackwater Cafe
• Christopher L. Whitlow, Franklin County Administration
• Helen Wilcox, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
• Tom Buck, Mitchell’s Point Marina
• Peggy Overstreet, Leisure Publishing
• Susan Myers, ServPro
• Lisa Hammock, Appalachian Power
• Dany Turner, Next Generation Designs
• Holly Sweet, Mariners Landing Resort Community and Conference Center
• Cheryl Ward, Bank of Botetourt
• Ted Puzio, Southern State Electric
• Gary Garst, Chirocare

Members of the Ambassador council were also recognized for assisting and mentoring new businesses throughout the year.

The Grand Drawing of the night, provided by Joanna Hudzik of Haywood’s Jewelers, was a set of ¾ carat diamond stud earrings set in 14-karat white gold worth $2,100. Gavin Hager of Hager Insurance won the drawing.

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.

Mark your calendar, ladies and gents, for the Winter Tea Dance at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, VA. It’s an afternoon affair, from 3p.m. to 9p.m., with an elegant dinner buffet (included in the ticket price) at 5p.m.

All styles of dancing are welcome, with live music performed by the show band, as well as modern tunes. The suggested dress code is business casual or proper dance attire. Tickets are $25 per person, with tax and gratuity included. For more information or for reservations, please call 540-985-5900 or visit hotelroanoke.com.