The Water's Edge
By Andie Gibson

     Already considered the premier golf course at Smith Mountain Lake, The Water’s Edge Country Club has been
undergoing major renovation the past nine months. It’s a project expected to take another 3-6 months to complete at an estimated cost of nearly $4 million.
     “The main reason we decided to do the renovation is to improve the quality of the greens,” said Ron Willard II, Vice President of The Willard Companies, which owns and operates the club along with The Waterfront and The Westlake. “We also wanted to tweak the course a little. We’re renovating all the tees, all the bunkers, all the greens.”
     Willard explained the original Bent Grass greens had become infested with Annual Bluegrass or Poa annua, a persistent, self-seeding weed.
     “We were just battling and battling and really had nowhere to go,” he said. “The new varieties of Bent Grass are much more durable and allow you to increase the speed of the greens significantly.”
     Originally designed by Buddy Loving and opened in June of 1988, Willard said The Water’s Edge had outgrown some of its initial design features.
     “With the renovation, we were able to develop a plan that will sustain us for the next 20 to 30 years,” Willard said. “It is really taking what we had – which we thought was really good – and making it better.”
     After interviewing four golf course architecture companies, The Willard Companies hired Richard Mandell of Richard Mandell Golf Architecture in Pinehurst, N.C., for the project. Mandell has worked on more than 30 golf course designs, including several as a design associate for Dan Maples Designs, Inc. He has written for national golf magazines and serves as a visiting lecturer at N.C. State’s Department of Landscape Architecture.
     “We had a good rapport with Richard,” said Willard. “He was not trying to promote himself or put his name on the course. He just wanted to help us build upon what we already had. … It was important that we didn’t take away from the original architect’s
design. We wanted to just tweak it and make it better, but still have it remain a Buddy Loving golf course.”
     When complete, the course will be lengthened only 100 yards to just over 7,000 from the back tees. In addition, numerous cart paths have been moved and taken out of view on most of the holes for aesthetic purposes. Willard said the finished layout will be spectacular – well worth the wait for club members who have had to drive 30 minutes to The Waterfront or The Westlake to play
golf during the construction.
     “Not a week goes by that I don’t get a note or a phone call from a member saying it looks great, we’re glad you guys took the plunge,” Willard said. “They’re ready to play.”

Sensational Sandhills
Discover golf’s rich history and tradition in Pinehurst
By Andie Gibson 

     It’s known as the home of American golf, an oasis of lush green in the Sandhills of North Carolina. Famed course architects Donald Ross, Ellis Maples, Rees Jones, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have all worked their magic here. The quick-draining soil, rolling hills, abundant pine trees and mild climate make the area ideal for golf. But Pinehurst – and the neighboring towns of Southern Pines and Aberdeen – has many other hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.  
     The area is best known for the Pinehurst Resort. Internationally recognized for its relaxing accommodations and exceptional golf, the resort features three world-class hotels near the quaint Village of Pinehurst as well as villas and condos for rent. All come with deluxe accommodations and are convenient to the resort’s many amenities, including eight golf courses, other sporting venues and a luxurious spa. Rates are steep and vary by season (with spring being the most  
expensive), and golf and spa packages are available. pinehurst.com, 800.ITS.GOLF  
     Pinehurst Resort is home to the famed No. 2 Course, which celebrates its centennial anniversary this year. Built in the early 1900s, No. 2 is Ross’ crown jewel and consistently ranks in the top 10 golf courses in the world. It has hosted numerous championships, including the Ryder Cup (1951), U.S. Men’s Amateur (1962), U.S. Senior Open (1994), PGA Tour Championship (1991, 1992) and the PGA Championship (1936). It was also the site where Payne Stewart outlasted Phil Mickelson in the final round to capture the 1999 U.S. Open title. Four months later Stewart was killed in a plane crash, but his emotional response to a clutch putt on the final hole – fist pumping in victory – is immortalized in a statue on the first tee. The course also hosted the 2005 U.S. Open, won by New Zealander Michael Campbell.  
     If you’re looking for a spot with just as much history and atmosphere but without the big price tag, consider a stay at  
the Pine Crest Inn. Once owned by Ross, the Pine Crest – from its cozy front porch to its beautifully furnished rooms – oozes charm and hospitality. Mr. B’s Bar is where locals (and an occasional PGA Tour player) gather to quench their thirst, share stories and perhaps sing a song at the lively piano bar. In fact, Mr. B’s was recently voted one of the “50 Coolest Places in  
Golf” by Golf magazine. Room rates start at $76 per person per night and include a huge country breakfast and dinner in the  
upscale dining room where the atmosphere is warm and the food is fresh and delicious. pinecrestinnpinehurst.com, 800-371- 
2545  
     The Pine Crest is located in the heart of the Village where inviting antique shops, delightful specialty stores, boutiques,  
salons and a variety of restaurants are all within strolling distance. The Village is host to numerous shows, festivals and events throughout the year, including the annual Holly Arts and Crafts Festival on the third Saturday in October. Sponsored by the Pinehurst Business Guild, this quality event features more than 150 quality craft vendors, food and entertainment. villageofpinehurst.org  
     Two great bets for dining in the Village are Theo’s Taverna (910.295.0780), a cozy, elegant restaurant with authentic Greek and Italian specialties, and Dugan’s Pub (910.295.3400), where you’ll find traditional Irish and American fare and plenty of cold beer. Worth the 5-minute drive from the Village is the Ironwood Café (910.255.0000) on Midland Road – unassuming  
on the outside, but chic and eclectic inside. The food, prepared by chef/owner Nathan Continenza, is American cuisine with  
unique twists and beautiful presentations.  
     The Ironwood is convenient to the Pine Needles and Mid Pines resorts, also exceptional places to stay and play when visiting the Pinehurst area. These Donald Ross-designed courses are owned by 85-year-old Peggy Kirk Bell, a pioneer in women’s professional golf who is ranked among the top women’s golf instructors in the country. Pine Needles, one of 10 golf clubs selected for the prestigious “Best New Remodel Course” by Golf Digest for 2005, will host its third U.S. Women’s Open June 25-July 1. For information and tickets, visit 2007uswomensopen.com.  
     Of course you don’t have to stay at a resort when visiting the area. There are several major hotel chains, many of which have golf coordinators on staff to help plan your course selections and tee times – whether it’s a twosome getaway  
or a large group staying for the week. Low season for hotel and golf rates is February and June-August while high season  
includes March-May and September-November.  
     For the non-golf enthusiast, the area features numerous history museums, including the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in nearby Fayetteville. Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base is also close by and includes the JFK Special Warfare Museum, JFK Hall of Heroes and the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum. One of the world’s largest military complexes, Ft. Bragg is open to the public. Call 910.396.8682 for information on self or guided tours.  
     For horse enthusiasts, the Pinehurst Harness Track (910.644.TROT), Carolina Horse Park at Five Points (910.246.9808) and McLendon Hills Equestrian Center (910.673.4971) offer a full range of activities. Nature lovers can enjoy the Sandhills  
Horticultural Gardens (910.695.3882) or the Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve (910.692.2167). The drive from  
Smith Mountain Lake is just over three hours, south through Greensboro and Asheboro, home of the North Carolina Zoo. This worthwhile detour is a 500-acre natural habitat zoo that ranks among the top 5 in North America. 800.488.0444, nczoo.  
org. Other great stops include the North Carolina Pottery Center (ncpotterycenter.com) and the Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery (seagrovepotteryheritage.com) in nearby Seagrove.  

For more information, visit the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, homeofgolf.com, 800-346-5362. 

Abracadabra! Smith Mountain Lake’s “Great Arnoldo” is full of suprises
By Ferne Hale

Arnie Kropf’s boat name — “Magic” — says it all.

This Laker, a card-carrying magician and current vice-president of the Roanoke Magic Club, is a man full of surprises. How did a former Air Force “Top Gun” F- 4 Phantom fighter pilot, who retired as a full colonel, and former legislative liaison for the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington become a magician? Surprise! Though many start this hobby as youngsters, Arnie became interested in magic later in life. “My wife Dee bought me a small coin trick for a Christmas present about 15 years ago,” he said. “At the time, I was volunteering one night a week at a teen crisis shelter in D.C. When I did the trick for the teens, it was a big hit. I bought a few more simple tricks, and it snowballed from there.” “Teens can be a challenging audience, but they are also a lot of fun. It was a good way to start,” he added. At a D.C. magic store, Arnie learned about a magic club. He explained, “Most magicians are very generous and will spend a lot of time helping a beginner. They don’t reveal their signature tricks, but they enjoy helping others with technique.” Speaking of technique, most people think that good magic is all about ‘the trick’ and fooling people. “Surprise!” said Arnie. “Magic is really about entertaining people! You hope to fool them, of course, but entertainment is the most important ingredient. Two people might successfully perform the same trick. But if one is theatrical and amusing, he’ll be far better than the other, who’ll fall flat. A good magician is an actor playing the part of a magician.” Performing as “The Great Arnoldo” sounds like an interesting retirement career. But here’s another surprise: Arnie never earns a dime with his magic. “I decided right away that I would never do magic for money,” he said. “I do it only for fun or as a volunteer. That way I am never competing with my friends who do magic for a living.” Last year, The Great Arnoldo performed numerous times at Roanoke’s Ronald McDonald House. For five years, he and wife Dee donated a gourmet dinner for eight and a magic show for the local Rally for the Cure golf tournament and auction, which raised money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Great Arnoldo has also entertained at several other local events. Since Arnie is not a professional money-earning magician, his hobby must be small-scale, right? Surprise again! It’s an absolute passion, as one large closet in his home, neatly filled to overflowing with books and magic items, attests. Arnie explained, “I love magic! It’s endlessly fascinating, fun and challenging. I enjoy it by myself and also when I entertain others. There are so many types of magic and skill levels that you can go in a thousand different directions and never get bored.” “As my wife and I get older, we strongly believe in continuing to challenge our brains,” said Arnie, who especially enjoys coin, card, rope, and rubber band tricks. “We do crossword and sodoku puzzles; we volunteer. I teach English for the Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley. I’m president of the SML Wine Tasters Club and The Waterfront Men’s Golf Association. But for me, magic is the ultimate challenge. With cards, I now do intricate routines requiring many steps in exactly the right order. With one step out of order, the trick won’t work, and I’ll look very foolish. I like that challenge.” A final surprise: You, too, can learn enough magic to delight family and friends. Arnie would like to start a magic club at the Lake. Having belonged to clubs in D.C., Maryland, Greensboro and Roanoke, he described them as “…great fun and a good way to learn and improve in magic.” Since gaining grandchildren, he’s especially interested in magic appealing to youngsters and would like to teach a class, “Magic for Your Grandchildren.” For more information, contact Arnie at 540.721.5055.

Hot Rod Classic
Todd and Tracy Webber’s 1937 Ford Five-Window Coupe
Story and Photography by Charlie Self

     Smith Mountain Lake resident Todd Webber said his interest in cars began “... at conception. By age two, I was pointing out all the Chevrolets on the road.”
     Throughout the years, Todd’s curiosity continued to grow to “early ’50s and ’60s rods and customs, to muscle cars, to gasser drag cars. I also enjoy all types of cars and the people who enjoy and preserve them.”
     Todd first saw his car – a 1937 Ford Five-Window Coupe – while with some buddies at the Salem Civic Center when he was 15 years old.
     “I saw this coupe, with its metal flake paint and blown small block Chevy, chrome everywhere, with diamond tufted crushed velvet upholstery,” he said.” At first, I thought it was
a California pro car.”
     Todd later learned Bob Pope built the car locally.
     “I went completely nuts over this car,” said Todd, and he and Bob became fast friends. Eventually, Bob let Todd drive the ’37, a singular honor.
     The blue coupe changed hands several times over the years, spending a lot of time in storage. (Todd says it was covered for a full decade.) When Todd married his wife Tracy – another car buff – he bemoaned the fact that he had two chances to buy the car but neither time had the money.
     One morning in 2001, Tracy rousted Todd from bed and said it was time to go get the coupe. That became an adventure that included a bidding war with another hopeful buyer. The Webbers won, but after the deal was made, the blue coupe had to be placed on a rollback truck for the drive home. Getting the hot rod to the rollback involved moving some of the collector’s restored ’40 Ford coupes, a nervewracking process because of their value.
     Finally, Todd and Tracy had their ride.
     For those of us past a certain age, the rumble of the pipes as Todd idles the car brings back those youthful days in a sudden surge. The metal flake lacquer paint job speeds that transition into the past. In fact, Todd said, “The paint job is about 30 years old.” The ghost flames on the front fenders are a touch that don’t always show up well in photos, except on days that are cloudy or overcast.
     The car uses a 350C Chevrolet four-bolt V8 engine with a GMC blower (supercharger to most people). Chrome in the form of Moon valve covers and the coil cover dress up the engine. Bringing back really old memories are the Mallory dual point distributor and Hedman headers. Stewart-Warner gauges dominate the dash, while the stopping power comes from 11-inch front disc brakes and drum brakes at the rear.
     Little touches abound: The stereo is in the glove box, out of view. Almost no body work had to be done; the body was left nearly stock, except for removing the hood wings on the engine compartment. “It was blocked [block sanded] and painted. That was it for the body. The flames were added later,” Todd said.
     The restoration is 30 years old; a close inspection of the paint finds the same kind of crazing you see in fine old china. The paint still protects the car well, and there is no visible rust. Up close and personal, the coupe looks simply fantastic.

If you own or know of a car you think should be featured in a future issue of the Laker, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and tell us, “What’s in Your Garage?”

Outside the Box
You don’t have to look to far for fresh organic and artisan foods
by Karol L. Armbuster

     Ken Brodin has the reputation of being one of the most accomplished home builders at Smith Mountain Lake. But what many don’t know is that he and his family also own a 120-acre working farm in Moneta where they raise sheep following established organic guidelines.
     Ken’s love affair with farming began years ago out of the simple necessity to feed a growing family. More recently, the Brodins have chosen to go “all natural” to achieve better health through good nutrition. Ken’s wife Renee has made it her personal mission to find the very best locally grown, organic and artisan foods for her family. Artisan foods are those that are handmade on family-owned farms or by family-owned companies.
     “When we moved here over 20 years ago, there were not many choices, so we had to become more resourceful,” Renee said. “Then I realized I only had to look in my own backyard. We had a big vegetable garden and were raising sheep and some chickens for eggs. … It made sense to grow the flock, to make good use of the acreage, to become a real farm.”
     Today, there are more choices in the Smith Mountain Lake area for healthful, whole foods grown locally with care. According to localharvest.org, a non-profit web site where farmers can market and sell their products directly
to consumers, of the almost 2 million farms in the United States, 80 percent are small, family-owned farms. With the
increasing demand for higher quality food, more and more farmers are choosing to sell directly to the public.
     By buying locally as much as possible, consumers can support the small farmer, develop a solid connection to the community, and help build a stronger local economy.
     “I buy where I live,” said Paulette Chitwood, a horticulturist at Lakescapes Nursery in Union Hall. “I won’t go to a ‘big box store’ just to save fifty cents. I’d rather pay a little more and support [a farmer] in my own community.”
     Following are just a few of the local choices in the Smith Mountain Lake community:
     For the widest selection of locally raised meats, EcoFriendly Foods is the place to shop. EcoFriendly Foods offers “pasture pure” beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, as well as eggs, specialty meat items and other gourmet and artisan product lines, which owner Beverley Eggleston said go “beyond organic’ standards.” They also ensure the humane handling and processing of their products. The store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and is located just a few miles north of the Hales Ford Bridge on Stony Fork Road in Moneta (540.297.9582). It occupies a space at the Westlake Farmers’ Market throughout the summer as well.
     Beginning again in May, the Westlake Farmers’ Market, located next to Smith Mountain Building Supply, is the gathering place for many local farmers to sell their vegetables, fruits, eggs, meats, baked goods, fresh herbs and artisan crafts. John and Janice Walke established the market last year and expect many more farmers and artisans to participate this year. The market will be open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 5-Oct. 13.
     Great-tasting dairy products like Creamline milk, buttermilk, butter and fresh eggs from pastured chickens can be found at the Homestead Creamery, a local favorite in Burnt Chimney. The Creamery strives to maintain all-naturalstandards. Their farmers do not use harmful, milk-production hormones and they grow their own feed and raise their own cows on local, family owned farms. Because it is supplied locally, the milk is extremely fresh. Purchase the milk directly from the farm store and it’s likely to have been bottled that same morning (540.721.2045).
     A little bit farther down the road from the Creamery is Beckner’s Farm Fresh Produce. The large farm stand is open every Monday through Saturday, rain or shine, from May through October. For in-season produce grown naturally, harvested daily, and sold at peak freshness, Beckner’s is an excellent choice. In addition to a large variety of vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, green beans and sweet corn to-die-for, they offer the sweetest blueberries, peaches, apples, and melons throughout the summer and pumpkins in the fall. They also sell fresh-baked zucchini bread and sweet rolls daily (540.721.2446).
     The shopping may require a little extra time (so throw the cooler in the car), but the good eating and good feelings from
supporting our local farmers will be worth the effort! For a complete list of resources, visit smithmountainlaker.com.