Ringing in 2010 on Smith Mountain Lake!

Out with the old and in with the new!! New Year’s celebrations at Smith Mountain Lake are in the final preparations for the big party! 2009 has been a year to remember! From the opening of The Southern and Southwest Virginia Fishing Trail at the 2009 Bassmaster Tournament to the record breaking snows of December, a lot has happened this year past. If you are ready to ring out the old year in style, the party at the Mariners Landing can’t be missed!

Mariners Landing is offering great “staycation” packages for the New Year celebration. The annual New Year’s Eve party in Huddleston will be featuring musical guest Dragonfly. They will be performing at Benjamin’s at The Pointe during the celebration! With great food, a champagne toast and more, there is no better way to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new!

In Roanoke you can attend the New Year’s Eve Blast at Roanoke Civic Center or the New Year’s Eve Gala at the Hotel Roanoke. The New Year’s Eve Gala is a charity event that will feature a different band in both ballrooms. A balloon drop and champagne toast will round out the evening.

Now if you are looking for something a little more family friendly, you have a few different parties to choose from. You can celebrate the New Year at Still Waters Coffee House in Bedford. The admission is $20 per person and will include a dinner buffet, party favors and a non-alcoholic environment to ring in the New Year! In the Roanoke area you can enjoy an Enchanted Eve! The fun starts at 6pm and the first 500 kids will receive a free glow in the dark necklace! This celebration even includes fireworks at the stroke of twelve!

Over the last year, we have looked at all the different places and events available in Franklin County or Bedford County, VA. If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, make 2010 the year to come! Come for visit and if you like it, then move here! Happy New Year to you and yours from Vicki Millehan! Thank you for making 2009 a year to remember!

Twas the Night after Christmas on Smith Mountain Lake

Twas the Night after Christmas on Smith Mountain Lake,

Nothing stirred on the water, no boat left a wake.

The Marina’s were quiet, sailboats tucked in with care

In the hopes that quite soon, Spring would be here!

The anglers were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of bass danced in their heads.

I with a glass of a sweet Bedford wine

Was enjoying the quiet and resting my mind.

When out on the lake there arose such clatter

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew in a dash,

I heard a boat rumble and a bit of a splash.

The moon on the water cast a beautiful glow,

So I could see clearly the objects below!

There on the water, what should appear,

But a man in a boat with eight tiny reindeer?

I hollered at my wife “you’d better come quick!”

For I knew in an instant that this was St Nick!

I pondered a moment, what’s he doing here?

For Christmas has passed already this year.

Then through the dark I heard him call out,

As the reindeer were rocking the boat all about,

Closer and closer to shore the boat came

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

“To the middle of the boat, be careful don’t rock,

Or we’ll never make it to the tiny boat dock!”

When they made it to shore every one of them dry,

I let a out a whoop and St Nick heard my cry!

A smile on his lips and a nod of his head,

Soon let me to know I had nothing to dread.

So I asked him the question that burned in my mind

What was here at the lake that he hoped to find?

Imagine my shock when he states his desire,

To Smith Mountain Lake he wants to retire!

“I am looking for a place right here on the lake

A place with a pool, now that would be great!”

And I heard he exclaim as he sailed out of sight,

“Glad your Christmas was great! Now have a great night!”

                                                                                       Author: KW

When you are ready to retire, come visit Smith Mountain Lake! If you like it then move here! Vicki Millehan can help you find your dream lakefront home in Franklin County or Bedford County Virginia.

Breaking Records at Smith Mountain Lake

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!

White Christmas on Smith Mountain Lake?

Winter storm warnings are in effect for our area this weekend so we may get that perfect white Christmas after all. So snuggle up next to the fire and break out your favorite Virginia wine and enjoy watching the snow fall! If you still have a few people left on your list to buy gifts for, don’t worry! Luckily you can find great gifts right here on the lake!

You can pick up food supplies and that last minute gift of wine at The Mouse Trap at Bridgewater Plaza. They have one of the largest selections of wines in the area. When you are done there you can head over to the Gifts Ahoy shop. You can find Smith Mountain Lake attire for any season, Vera Bradley accessories and homemade fudge. All wonderful gifts for the holidays!

If you want something unique or artistic, then hurry by The Little Gallery for that last minute gift! The original store is located at Bridgewater Plaza; recently they opened a second location at Westlake Towne Center next to the Westlake Library. They offer a wide range of fine art, handmade pottery and jewelry. Recently they have added woven glass art by Erik Markow and Thom Norris. Their art was featured on CBS News Sunday Morning Show.

It is hard to find a place a beautiful and convenient as Smith Mountain Lake! If you haven’t experienced it yet, then come for a visit! If you like it then move here! When you are ready to live on the lake, call Vicki Millehan! Your local real estate expert!

Christmas at the Savoy-Lee in Huddleston!

If you are in the Holiday Spirit, or if you are looking for some holiday spirits, then head on over to the Savoy-Lee Winery. Starting at noon and ending at 5pm every Friday and Saturday all the way through Christmas, you can enjoy the holiday open house in the winery’s tasting room! You may even find a gift for the wine lover on your Christmas List.


Each open house they will feature their Holiday Sangria. Get a group of friends together and enjoy a glass of wine around the fireplace. Oh… there will be fudge and other goodies too! In the spirit of giving the Savoy-Lee is making the recipe for their fudge available so you can share it with other family and friends! If you are looking for a last minute place to hold your holiday get together, whether it is a family affair or an after work get together, ask about availability of the tasting room.

Be careful though, you may just fall in love with the place! And if a small country winery is on your loved ones Christmas list you are in luck! The Savoy-Lee is currently available for purchase. This turn-key winery is already producing award winning wines! The winery grows both red and white European and French American hybrid grapevines. With the “season” not starting until March, there is still plenty of time to get all moved in and settled before jumping into the thick of things!

Bedford County has a growing reputation for great wines! Take some time and explore Virginia wine country along the Bedford Wine Trail! Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to relocate to Virginia, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert and long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake!

Dickens of a Christmas in Roanoke!

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!

Christmas Lights in Bedford VA!

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 are struggling to get into the holiday spirit, this will definitely get you in the Christmas Mood! Bring the whole family to enjoy the festive displays. December 11th at 5:30pm, you can witness the switch flip and drive through the Christmas Lights at the Elks National Home. These light displays draw over 100,000 visitors to the area through the month of December! Come and see why! There are no admission charges so no need to feel scrooged!!

You can also enjoy the Holiday Nights in Centertown Bedford! Also starting December 11th all evening until 9pm, there will be shopping, carriage rides and you can find the Jolly man himself hanging out at the Bedford Museum. Santa and everyone else will be in Centertown every Friday night until Christmas.

Christmas time or summer time there is no better place to live then Franklin and Bedford County VA! Wineries and waterfront homes, cottages and country homes, whatever style of home you want, you can find it here! If you are looking for a Bedford home call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert!

Buying a Virginia Christmas Tree

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!

Buying Waterfront Property on Smith Mountain Lake

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, you should work with a local real estate expert. That may sound cliché, but when dealing with a waterfront lot, you need the knowledge a local agent will bring to the table. A question such as “How stable are the water levels in the lake?” can make a big difference in the value of the property. In some lakes, the water level can fluctuate drastically; this can mean needing a specialized swivel dock for you to be able to keep your boat in the water. Smith Mountain Lake water levels do not experience large fluctuations, so most boat docks are able to be close to the shore. That brings up another good question; can you build your own dock and or boat ramp on the property? A local real estate agent can help you with these questions.


If you are looking at a more rural waterfront property, you may want to ask who will maintain the roads in the area. When purchasing a lot to build on, you should also ask what utilities are available. Don’t assume you can just hook up. Of course ,along those same lines, you may want to find out what kind of septic system is required for lakeside living. If community living is more your style, don’t limit yourself to just one option. Check out all the Smith Mountain Lake developments. Knowing all your options will help you make a better decision.


Waterfront properties are good investments. By doing your homework and working with a great agent, you can get the most out of your money! If you are ready to look at waterfront properties in Franklin or Bedford County, call Vicki Millehan! She is your Smith Mountain Lake real estate expert and long time lake resident!