Huddleston, VA

"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 21^st 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!

I know what you are thinking, but no, we do not have a lot of "riff raff" at Smith Mountain Lake! What we do have is "Rip Rap" shorelines. Rip Rap is a way to combat erosion along the banks of the lake. Rocks are put into place to help keep soil erosion down to a minimum. So, how can you tell if you need to control erosion, and if so what is the best way to go about that and safeguard your property's value?

What is Rip Rap?

Rip Rap is rock or other material used to protect shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion. It works by deflecting the force or energy of the water from soft soil or sandy banks. Rip Rap rock can be seen in sea walls and even under overpasses along the highways to prevent erosion.

The first thing you need to do to determine if you property qualifies for erosion control on Smith Mountain Lake is check out the Shoreline Management guide. Not all lots on the lake qualify or need erosion control. If you have a beach or a very gentle slope from the land into the water, you probably don't need to even worry about it. If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful beach, the last thing you want to do is put a pile of rocks on it! But if you are having an erosion problem, this simple and inexpensive protection can be invaluable! Some property owners have reported losing 10%-20% of their lots to erosion if they don't take this precaution!

Do You Think You May Have Active Erosion?

It doesn't matter if you have a flat lot or a steep lot. The problem can stem from currents to how much boat traffic you have in your part of the Lake. If you think you may have an erosion problem, you can contact a local landscape expert to come and take a look for you. They can let you know if you have active erosion on your lot. If you do, then contact American Electric Power (AEP). AEP can issue permits to deal with structures for erosion control. For additional information or applications you can contact them at; aepsmp@aep.com or call at 1-540-489-2556.

Working together to protect our shorelines helps keep Smith Mountain Lake the beautiful Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains! If you haven't had a chance to visit us, come on over, and if you like, it then move here! If you want your own beach on Lake, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert for Franklin County and Bedford County VA!!

It isn't often you to participate in the retirement celebration for an American President. This weekend, October 3^rd, you can! Poplar Forest will be celebrating the 200^th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's retirement and his return to Virginia. The Richmond Symphony will be entertaining on the beautiful lawn of Poplar Forest, Jefferson's secluded retreat. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door, they also include a catered reception on the lawns of the retreat.

Jefferson retired from public life in 1809. He returned to what is now the town of Forest in Bedford County VA. The home at Poplar Forest was one of his greatest designs, but unknown to many outside the area. The home itself is described as such: "Poplar Forest is considered Jefferson's most mature architectural masterpiece. At Poplar Forest, elements from ancient, Renaissance Palladian and 18th century French architecture, as well as British and Virginian design, fuse into a harmonious whole." It has also been designated a National Historic Landmark.

This weekend also offers a chance to visit with "Jefferson" himself. Bill Barker of Colonial Williamsburg will visit with guests as late president! Mr. Barker has portrayed Jefferson for the last 20 years. He has even portrayed him at the Palace of Versailles and the White House. It isn't often you can spend the afternoon with Thomas Jefferson and the Richmond Symphony!

Franklin County and Bedford County VA are full of great opportunities! In an area rich with history and natural beauty, there is much to see and do! Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! If you are interested in relocating to the area, call Vicki Millehan! She can help you find your own Virginia retreat!

For many people, buying a home after retirement is not on the agenda. But with the final days of the tax credit upon us, it may be time to take a second look at purchasing a home. In the boom days of the real estate market, many couples who were retiring decided to sell their homes at top prices. But, instead of buying, they chose to rent or maybe even spend time travelling. Well, now maybe a perfect time to become a first time home buyer... again!

If you have not owned a principal property in the last three years, you may qualify for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) $8000 Tax credit for first time home buyers. Time is quickly coming to a close on the program that is scheduled to end on December 1^st. That means if you are considering buying a home you must close no later than November 30^th. First time home buyer can qualify for a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price. The maximum credit is $8000. You can find more information in the previous blog, Attention First Time Home Buyers in Franklin and Bedford County, VA! This is good news for retirees that may be ready to purchase a home again!

Smith Mountain Lake is a wonderful place to retire! There are many different types of communities and homes to choose from. With award winning golf courses to beautiful wineries, Franklin and Bedford County in Virginia are wonderful places to call home. If you are looking for an income producing property, there is even a winery for sale with a great family home on site. With the tax credit incentive; the time is perfect to purchase a retirement home now! Home prices are still low, but are starting to rise. In order to qualify for the ARRA, you should begin the contract process no later than October 15^th! There is still time to find that perfect home!

Golfing, fishing, hiking and boating are all wonderful ways to spend your golden years! Franklin County and Bedford County offer all of that and more! If you want to see what kind of home can meet your retirement needs call Vicki Millehan! She has lived in Smith Mountain Lake for over 20 years and has been lake properties for over 18 years! Come for a visit, if you like it- move here!!