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Lake Love Lures Channel 10's Karen McNew to Blackwater Shores by Jerry Hale Many Laker Magazine readers have no-doubt tuned in to WSLS “10 On Your Side” for area news, weather and sports. Not so many, however, know that Channel 10’s accomplished evening and late-night news anchor is also a Laker. “I never thought I’d love the Lake as much as he does,” says broadcaster Karen McNew, referring to husband Matt McGuire who grew up weekending at Smith Mountain Lake. “But living here is something we both treasure.” The couple bought a home on a secluded Blackwater cove in the fall of 2003, shortly after becoming engaged. “We both had condos in Roanoke, neither of which was well-suited to married living,” Karen recalls. “We figured a waterfront home was out of our range but went ‘What if?’ shopping just to see what living at the Lake would be like.” They stumbled across an appealing home, made an offer they could afford, and ended up proud owners of a Lake weekend retreat. Karen’s route into broadcasting was a bit like the drive across Windy Gap from SML to Roanoke – lots of twists and turns and a few ups and downs. Bit parts in two high school plays in Blacksburg put “Hollywood, here I come!” on her brain, but Karen’s mom convinced her to attend Virginia Tech first. She earned a degree in broadcast journalism and completed an internship with Roanoke’s WSLS her senior year. “I loved it and wanted to work there in the worst way,” she says, “but without real work experience, it wasn’t going to happen.” Many resumes later, she landed a night producer’s job in Bluefield, W.Va. “…editing tape midnight to 9 a.m., but with occasional chances to cover stories as a fill-in reporter.” Her on-camera work earned her a morning anchor’s job where she was live every weekday until a similar position opened at WSLS. “February 3, 1998,” Karen pinpoints without hesitation. Before long, station executives promoted Karen to the 5 p.m. newscast. Later she earned the lead anchor job for the entire 90-minute evening news broadcast plus each weekday’s concluding newscast at 11 p.m. A bit of a night owl, Karen doesn’t mind the late nights. “I have mornings, early afternoons and weekends for home life,” she says, and she finds the drive to and from Roanoke relaxing. “Not much traffic…and it’s a time when I can listen to Spirit FM, talk with God about my day, and reflect on my many blessings.” When they lived in Roanoke, Karen and Matt often met for dinner during her hour or so of downtime between the evening and 11 p.m. broadcasts. Now she’s more likely to unwind at the gym. And the couple’s “together time” is focused on SML. “We water ski, especially down at Bull Run Creek,” Karen says. “Matt’s a pretty good wakeboarder; I’m just learning.” Boat rides into the many coves along the Blackwater, often with a picnic aboard, are peaceful and relaxing. “And I love just hanging out on the dock or floating on a life belt.” She giggles as she admits to periodic romps down the hill and off the dock to “…see how far out I can jump.” So what’s it like to be already familiar to many Lake people you meet? “I’m really flattered to hear they enjoy watching Channel 10 News,” she admits. But she promptly dismisses the idea of “celebrity.” “Mom taught me to treat everyone the way I want to be treated…with dignity and caring.” She does her best to answer viewer email and routinely smiles an acknowledgement to strangers who notice her in a restaurant or crowd. Karen’s evident compassion also drives her support of area non-profit organizations — Roanoke’s Jingle Bell Run, Rescue Mission, Spina Bifida Association, Mended Hearts, the Discovery Shop and SPCA. “My one-eared beagle, Lucky, is a really important part of my life. Both of us are indeed ‘lucky.’” And with that word, the Karen McNew interview returns once again to how much she loves Smith Mountain Lake. “Most of my jogging routes include Lake views, and I always slow to a walk and say a prayer of appreciation and thanks at those spots. Matt and I are so enjoying being part of the Lake community.” Karen’s in-laws, Gene and Linda McGuire, also live on the Lake. “There’s a spectacular view of the Cliffs from their deck,” Karen effuses, “and it’s a neat place to tackle my latest challenge: learning to play a respectable “Margaritaville” on the guitar.” One thing Karen loves about her job: “You never know what will happen on any given day.” But she says she knows what to expect from Smith Mountain Lake: “Serene, calming, friendly, picturesque – just a great place to call home!”
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