HOW AWESOME IS THIS! October was Fire Safety Month and I posted about the BARK 10-4 Program where you can donate a pet oxygen mask to your local fire department. I used paypal and donated a mask to my local volunteer fire department in Forest, Virginia. I just received notification that THE MOST PET OXYGEN MASKS EVER (I counted 143!!!) had been shipped to the following fire departments:

Alpine Fire Department
Blue Ridge Fire Department
Plainfield Fire Department
Town of Sheboygan Falls Fire
Kohler Village
Menasha Town Fire Department
Pickerel Fire & Rescue Squad
Whitewater Fire Department
Town of Greenville Fire Dept
Milwaukee Fire Department
Richard Hansen Fire Chief
Lewis County Fire District #5
Easton Fire District #3
Bothell Fire Department
Fire District 1 DJ Evans, Fire Chief
Springfield Fire Station
Bailey's Crossroads Volunteer Fire Depart
North Pointe Fire Station #39
Station 12 - Volunteer Organization
Scruggs Volunteer Fire Department
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue
Forest VA FD
Ebony Volunteer Fire Department
Matewan Fire Department
Fire Deputy Chief Virginia Beach VA
Public Safety Dept.,
Pearland Fire Department
Waco Fire Department
Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Midlothian TX
Greenville Fire Department
Freer Volunteer Fire Dep & Ems
Travis County Emergency Service District #9
Village Fire Department
Flower Mound Fire Station 2
North Montgomery County Fire Dept
Frisco Fire Department Administration: Station No 1
Flat Creek-Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department
Lonas Fire Station #12
Munford-Atoka Fire Department
Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Dept
City of Cookeville Fire Department: Chief
Nashville Fire Department‎
Lexington Fire Fairview Fire Station #14
Conway Station 1 Fire Dept.
Greer Fire Dept -
Charlestown Fire District‎
Newtown Square Fire Company
Lititz Fire Company No 1‎
Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department Station 3‎
Mont Alto Fire Co‎
Independence TWP VOL Fire Department
Reliance Fire Co
Greater Valley EMS
Elfinwild Volunteer Fire Company
Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Department
Union township Vol fire dept
Hampden Twp Volunteer Fire Co
Clarendon Fire Department
Mifflinburg Borough: Mifflinburg Hose Co #1
Lowell Rural Fire Department‎
Yukon Fire Department‎
Norman Fire Department‎
Tulsa Fire Department‎
Sharon Township Fire Department
Cincinnati Fire Department
Upper Arlington Fire Division
Norwich Fire Department‎
Scioto Twp Fire Department‎
Coolville Fire House‎
Bath Fire Department‎
Harrison Township Fire House‎
Coolville Fire House‎
Bellbrook Fire Department‎
Mason Fire Station No 1‎
Washington Township Fire Dept Fire Department
Village of Ottawa Hills: Fire Department‎
Bloomfield Hills Fire Department‎
Lawrence Cedarhurst Fire Department‎
Hook, Ladder and Hose Co., No. 1
Lily Dale Volunteer Fire Department‎
Walker Fire Station
Unionville Volunteer Fire Department
Pine Island Volunteer Fire Department
Oswego Fire Department
Ransomville Fire Co No 1
Jackson Volunteer Fire Co‎
Gordons Corner Fire Co‎
South Wall Fire Rescue,
Long Branch Fire Department‎
Allendale Volunteer Fire Department
Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company
Oakland Fire Department‎
Colonia Fire Co‎
Ho Ho Kus Fire Department‎
River Vale Fire Department‎
FIRE CHIEF Acworth NH
Somersworth Fire Department‎
Epping Fire Department‎
Concord Fire Department‎
North Conway Fire Dept: Fire Station
Juniata Fire Department Station
Hubert Volunteer Fire Department‎
Winston-Salem Fire Department‎
Cary Fire Department‎
Denver Fire Department‎
Harrisburg Fire Department‎
Sidney Volunteer Fire Department‎
Reidsville Fire Department‎
Cary Fire Department
Beaufort Fire Department‎
Montana City VFD
Marble Hill Fire Department‎
Knob Noster Fire Department‎
Ballwin Fire Department
David Frazier Jr Chief of EMS & Fire Services
Lake Elmo City Fire Department‎
St Michael Fire Department‎
City of North Branch: Fire Dept‎
Montevideo Fire Department‎
Fire Station No. 1
Bemidji Fire Department
Auburn Hills Fire Department
Rochester Fire Dept
Niles Fire Dept
Bloomfield Township Fire Department‎
Ottawa Hills Village Fire Department‎
Pepperell Fire Department
Andover Town Fire Department
Acushnet Fire Department‎
Stoughton Fire Department
North Attleboro Fire Department‎
Weymouth FD
Provincetown Fire Department
Oxford Fire Department
County of Anne Arunde FD
Level Fire Dept
Fallston Vol Fire Co
Kent Island Fire Department
Long Reach Fire Station 9
Neck District Fire Co
Kennebunkport Fire Dept
Bowdoinham Fire Department‎
Fire CHIEF Shelby Township

I know times are tough, but if you're considering making a donation to a local cause this holiday season, please consider Bark 10-4. Our pets thank you.

 

Despite the negative national economic news, a report this past week from the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service is promising for Central Virginia. It concerned the growth in our local community from 2007 to 2008. Though certainly not large increases, the population in Lynchburg, Bedford City and the surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell continue to rise thanks in part to low taxes and a stable local economy.

Local Population Growth

                                    2007                            2008                            Change

Lynchburg City     70,056                         70,732                         +1%

Bedford City                6,056                           6,356                           +5%

Amherst Co.               32,205                         32,341                         +.4%

Appomattox Co.      14,191                         14,414                         +1.6%

Bedford Co.                65,712                         66,274                         +.9%

Campbell Co.             51,971                         52,595                         +1.2%

• The state of Virginia lost 31,100 jobs between December 2007 and December 2008.

• Lynchburg was one of only three regions in Virginia to gain more jobs in December 2008 over 2007.
  

• The Lynchburg area added 1,300 jobs, for a job growth rate of 1.2 percent. In one year, the region gained 1,900 service-related jobs, but lost 600 jobs in fields such as manufacturing, construction and mining.

• Unemployment reached 5.3 percent for the Lynchburg area, and 5.2 percent for the state in December.

• In 2008 the  Milken Institute released a report ranking the country’s top 324 metropolitan statistical areas.  Due to growth in local high-tech industries the Lynchburg, Virginia area was ranked #71 out of the nation’s top 100 areas for sustaining economic activity.Lynchburg ranked #110 in 2007. If local wages and salaries had grown at a faster pace, Lynchburg would have been rated even higher.

• Lynchburg is part of Region 2000 and has a diverse economic base. Also in 2007:

Kiplinger's  ranked Lynchburg #42 on its top "50 Best Places to Live"

Businessweek listed Lynchburg among America's best affordable housing markets

Men's Journal - The April edition lists Lynchburg as one of the "50 Best Places to Live"

Forbes magazine lists Lynchburg at #109 in their top "200 Best Metros for Business and Careers"

Feel free to contact me for more information on business or homes for sale in the Lynchburg area.

 

With 500 miles of shoreline, many people spend their summer vacation at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

With Fall's arrival and upcoming activities- including the 20th Anniversary SML Wine Festival and SML Charity Home Tour- this is a great time to visit the lake.

A favorite destination while at the lake is Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta. One of several  communities at Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta has a population of 8600 and was the location for much of the filming of the movie What About Bob?

You can drive to Bridgwater Plaza or arrive by boat. On a summer evening, this place is hopping; live bands play at Mango's and the music can be enjoyed as you dine or shop. Pizza Pub has indoor and outdoor seating and we often take our dog with us. He's very content to people watch and the servers are glad to bring him a cup of water. There are several casual dining restaurants to choose from including:

• Moosies
• Pizza Pub
• Mango's Bar and Grill
• The Mouse Trap
  
• Chopsticks
• Ice Cream Cottage
  

Shopping:

• Bridgewater Sportswear
• Bridgewater Marina
  
• Gifts Ahoy
• Wake & Skate
• The Veranda
• The Little Gallery
• Oriental Decor

Activities:

• Fun-N-Games Arcade
• Harbortown Mini-Golf

My favorite activity at Bridgewater Plaza is feeding the fish. I freeze all my day old bread to take along when we go to the lake. These are the enormous fish you'll find at the dock. It's a feeding frenzy!

Bridgewater Plaza is open seven days a week. CLICK HERE for individual hours of operation.

The weather is still nice enough to take the boat out and enjoy the beautiful scenery and changing leaves. So come on out and visit Smith Mountain Lake this fall. For more information, contact:

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

(434) 546-0369

 

Fall is the time to be outdoors- especially in Bedford County, Virginia.

With cooler weather and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, this is the time to meander down some country roads, taking in the natural beauty ~ and we have miles of country roads! We've made a date to take the girls apple picking in Bedford County next week.

Two of our favorite orchards are:

Gross' Orchard Apple Valley

6817 Wheats Valley Road

Bedford, VA 24523

Gross' Orchard has been in business since the late 1800's. Family owned, they specialize in growing peaches and apples and you couldn't pick a better location as the orchard is located at the foot of the beautiful Peaks of Otter. From June 20th -Sept 15th you can find peaches ready and waiting or you can pick for yourselves.

Beginning Sept 1st, apple picking begins and there is a great variety of apples to choose from. The retail outlet also features homemade items, cider and jams. Want to ship a gift pack? Gross's will ship nationwide for you. Field Trips, Tours and Tour Buses are  Welcome! Call (540) 586-2436 to set up appointment.

Johnson’s Orchards

2122 Sheep CreekRd

Bedford, VA 24523

We started coming to Johnson's on field trips with my girls when they were in the first grade. The 15 foot Johnny Appleseed statue was a favorite photo op. This is another beautiful farm with over 200 acres, over 7,000 apple trees of 200 different varieties. Johnson's also has several hundred peach, nectarine & damson trees. You would love their pumpkins in the fall.

Bring your lunch: there is a pavillion for picnics, many walking trails through the orchards, a log cabin and restrooms. Don't forget to stop in at the Peaks Of Otter Winery located at the orchard. For more information, call (540) 586-2436

While you're in the area, consider having dinner at The Peaks of Otter Lodge. Relaxed atmosphere, excellent food in the most beautiful setting overlooking Abbot Lake and Sharptop Mountain. What a way to end a great day.

For more information on things to do in Bedford County, Virginia, contact:

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

(434) 546-0369

 

Looking for something to do this weekend? There are a lot of activities to choose from throughout Central Virginia including Centerfest.

If you don't want to wander too far from home, make plans to attend the 27th Annual Bedford Centerfest. The Festival start on Friday from 7pm-11pm and continues Saturday from 10am-9pm.This is one of the largest festivals in Virginia. Highlights include:

• Friday Night Concert
• Saturday Street Fair
• Car Show
• Motorcycle Show
• Book Festival
• Kids Activities
• Art Show
• Safety Fair
• Artisans
• Crafts
• Antiques
• Food Vendors

Admission during the day, Saturday Sept 27 is free. There is a Friday night concert featuring "The Worx" Band. Admission on Friday evening is $10.00 for adults, children 12 & under free. Service animals only. No pets.

Location:Centertown Bedford, Farmer's Market Washington & Center Streets

Phone: 540-586-2148

Would you like more information on Bedford, Virginia? Contact me at:

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

(434) 546-0369

 

I love Fall in Virginia: the crisp air, the leaves changing colors, apple picking and all of those Festivals.

I received a call this afternoon from a gentleman who read a blog I wrote last year on the Appomattox Railroad Festival. He's planning to come to this year's events and asked about the local accomodations.

The 36th Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival will be held on Main Street, downtown Appomattox. This has become one of the largest festivals in Virginia drawing over 30,000 people in 2006 and shouldn't be missed. This year the festival takes place the weekend of October 11-12, 2008. Appomattox is located approximately 30 minutes from Lynchburg.

Norfolk & Southern Railroad donated the Appomattox Depot to the Town of Appomattox. This street will be packed with people enjoying the parade, live music, arts & craft vendors, food, demonstrations, games and rides for the kids. There are lots of great shops on Main Street to peruse. Don't forget to visit the railroad station where there are train exhibits on display.

the

A short drive away is Appomattox Court House, where General Lee surrendered to General Grant on April 9, 1865. You can enjoy both locations - Come for a visit!

Appomattox Court House NHP

Visit the park daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Call 434-352-8987 for scheduled events. The park is closed on: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Would you like more information on the town of Appomattox, Virginia? Contact me at:

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

(434) 546-0369

 

2008 marks the 18th year of the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour. 

Smith Mountain Lake is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves start to change. If you've ever wanted to peek inside some of the most beautiful properties on the lake, here is your chance. Eight homes will be open in the lake communities of Penhook, Moneta, Huddleston October 3-5. Tickets for the tour may be purchased in advance for $25 online or at many businesses throughout the lake. $30 on the days of the tour at any of the featured homes. To see which homes are open, go to: www.smlcharityhometours.com. Come out and enjoy the lake and the homes- by land or lake- and support the following charities:

• The Free Clinic of Central Virginia
• The Crisis Line of Central Virginina
• Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network
• Bedford Hospice House
• Lynchburg Daily Bread
• Bedford Christian Ministries
• Moneta Volunteer Fire Department
• Free Clinic of Franklin County

Map Courtesy of Google Maps

Daily Hours: 10am-5pm   Rain or Shine

Sorry, no children under 12, no babies in arms or carriers

DIRECTIONS BY LAND OR WATER

Due to the current economy, sponsorship for the event is down but the need for these organizations has increased. Volunteers are still needed- I'll be a greeter and my husband will be helping at the dock- please consider coming out to help, you'll be glad you did.

Call  (540) 297-TOUR to volunteer. For more information on sponsorships call Bonita DeLooper at (540) 297-6678.

 

Thirty years disappeared at the lake last night- suddenly I was sixteen again! STYX performed at Mariner's Landing, the second act in their Summer Concert Series. We arrived early in the afternoon and decided to get  a bite to eat at The Pointe Restaurant. The band was just unloading the bus and we actually said hi to one of the band members on the way in. (I was still an adult at this point).

The organizers hold a Pre-Concert Party starting at 4pm. For $15, there are appetizers, cash bar, live music, free fold up chairs and a shuttle back and forth to the concert. We got our pass, listened to the music, ate a little food and watched the boats on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake. Not a bad way to spend a summer afternoon in Virginia.

At six pm, a shuttle arrived to start taking people over to the concert location. Once we got to the location (the field across from the entrance to Mariners Landing) we knew we had made a wise choice; the general admission line was long. We were taken right up to the stage and were able to get DEAD CENTER, FRONT ROW SEATS!!!!  I couldn't believe our good fortune. We were six feet from the stage. PAY THE $15.

The opening band is local TK421 out of the Roanoke, Virginia area. They had quite a following and they were excellent. They played for almost an hour and after a short break, STYX came onstage!

Oh My Gosh.... Tommy Shaw was right there! RIGHT THERE!!!!

After two hours of screaming like a teenager, I was hoarse but did manage to yell "throw me a pick!" ( I got one) "throw me a photo!" ( I got one). I was smilin' all night!

All good things must come to an end and after the performance we took the little train back up to the shuttle and back to Mariner's Landing. There's still time to take in an awesome concert under the stars:

Lonestar August 16 (okay, you missed this one)

Grand Funk Railroad August 22

Blake Shelton August 23

TobyMac August 28

Diamond Rio August 29

All concerts start at 7pm, and include special guests. Ticket prices range from $25-35 if purchased in advance. For tickets and information, go to: www.smlconcerts.com, www.tickets.com or call (888) 397-3100

Mariner's Landing Resort and Conference Center is a beautiful facility located in Huddleston, Virginia, approximately one hour from Lynchburg. If you are interested in the Smith Mountain Lake area and would like more information, feel free to email or give me a call. 

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

(434) 546-0369

malone1981@aol.com

www.debmalone.com

 

The Peaks of Otter Lodge is located on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford, Virginia.

                    Peaks Of Otter Lodge

                         Sharp Top Mountain                                                              Deer outside Lodge

The lodge is set on the banks of Abbott Lake at the base of Sharp Top Mountain. This is a favorite destination for a special dinner and is a scenic 45 minute drive from Lynchburg. Take a stroll around the lake or peruse the gift shops before dinner in the Lake View Restaurant. Enjoy an after dinner drink at the Sharp Top Cocktail Lounge or in the bar. Stay overnight at the lodge and enjoy a hearty breakfast before hiking the 1.5 mile trail up Sharp Top, one of the three peaks that make up the Peaks of Otter. In non-winter months, you can take the Sharp Top bus to the top as well. For more information on lodging and dinner reservations, contact the front desk at 1(800)542-5927 or online at http://www.peaksofotter.com/

                 Lake View Restaurant                                                                                           Lounge Fireplace

From Lynchburg: 460 West to first Bedford Exit. Take Peaks Street (Route 43) to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Lodge is located 500 yards on the right.

Posted by Debbie Malone, Realtor  - (434)546-0369  

RE/MAX 1st Olympic, 20395 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502