BEST OF SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE 2002
Most Influential People

RON WILLARD, Sr.
Who doesn’t know Ron Willard?  Since 1972, his operations have assisted 1,200 families from 42 states in the move to Smith Mountain Lake. The Willard Companies have sold more than 825 lots, 147 townhouses, 126 condominiums, 14 golf villas and 44 Nantucket style cottages. The Willard Companies have developed The Waterfront, The Water’s Edge, The Boardwalk and their most recent project, Westlake Towne Center, a 140-acre site site currently under construction. When complete the Westlake Towne Center will bring retail shops, professional office buildings, a theatre, condominiums, an assisted living retirement center and a Par 3 nine-hole golf course. The community will include sidewalks and a 25-acre lake. Willard says his biggest reward is bringing cornerstones to the community.

GLENDA MCDANIEL
   Glenda’s father and mother were raised in the Redwood and Glade Hill Areas of Franklin County.  After school in Roanoke, she moved back to the lake in 1976.
   With sales on average from 14 to 18 million a year it’s no wonder she was presented with the this year’s TOP REALTOR Award for the entire Roanoke Valley.
   Glenda says its not her wallet that drives her but a heart to help people find what they want.

PAT BAILEY
   Pat Bailey, a fun-loving, savvy  businesswoman,  has earned a reputation as a strong-willed, decisive figure - a major player in real estate at the Lake.
   In 1982, Bailey, a single mother of two, began her real estate career. She began to purchase stock in Coldwell Banker, Countryside Realtors in 1993. In 1994, she opened CB Rentals & Sales which today manages more than 90 vacation rentals on the Lake. She purchased the majority interest in Coldwell Banker Countryside in 1998.
   Every year since 1982 she ranks in the top three percent in sales nationally among realtors.  In addition to managing two companies, Bailey sold $9 million in real estate in 2000. And, under her leadership, Coldwell Banker Countryside Realtors did more than $89 million in home sales in 2001. Bailey credits her success to “a little bit of luck,” and personal traits that are the legacy of her father, who resided with her until his death in November, and her mother, a native of the area.

JOHN WHITE
In 1992 J.W. Development bought Deerwood Point - Mariners Landing. An 80 acre farm provided access to Rt. 608 and land for another 18 holes of golf; a 12 acre parcel facilitated drain fields. The site now has 1,300 feet of waterfront and about 1,000 acres.
Construction began in 1995: a golf clubhouse added in 1996 and the water system upgraded. Amenities include two lighted tennis courts, heated swimming pool, fishing pier, picnic area, pavilion, street lights, private beach, 48 boat slips at the point, 33 at the condos, 44 being completed; 34 planned. Two 12 unit condos are complete, another ready in 2002 and a fourth in spring. Single family, townhomes, duplex villas line the fairways. Future plans include a condominium hotel; shopping mall, supporting EastLake YMCA by donating land and contributing general contracting of the YMCA.

THE CHICKEN
The signage issue came home to roost at The Lake Plaza this year.  Feathers were ruffled, some called fowl, and media folk flew their coop and did live broadcasts from the side of the road. Inquiring minds wanted to know if Smith Mountain Lake residents couldn’t tell the difference between a chicken and a rooster. But in the end, the “chicken” has plenty to crow about...a victory in the courtroom. Be sure to catch the SML chic chick in its holiday regalia!

DAVE CAPPELLARI
Cappellari, president of Capps Home Building Center, has been active in all facets of the Smith Mountain Lake community since moving here in 1978. He is a past president and director of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership, a member of the Smith Mountain Lake Rotary Club and was a charter member of the Smith Mountain Lake Lions Club. Cappellari is also an active member of Resurrection Catholic Church, serving on the Parish Council and teaching religious education classes. In addition, he has coached youth soccer and basketball through the Franklin County Parks and Recreation Department. Cappellari also enjoys lending a helping hand to charity organizations. Capps has been a sponsor of the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour since its inception in 1990 and recently donated the building and land for a permanent site for Lake Christian Ministries in Moneta. In 1999, the Moneta Ruritans named him Citizen of the Year. Cappellari said he's happy to have been able to contribute - both personally and professionally - to the lake's development and is grateful to all who have helped him along the way. "I wouldn't be anywhere without the support of family, friends and colleagues," he said.

DON FINK
   Don Fink retired to Smith Mountain Lake after a 35-year-career in aviation and journalism. Having earned his pilot’s license at age 12, he went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
   He served in the U.S. Air Force which was followed by a career with the international journal, Aviation Week & Space Technology. He retired after 10 years service as editor-in-chief and editorial director for the Aviation Week magazine group.
   At Smith Mountain Lake, Fink helped coordinate a tri-county “vision” for the lake. He is president of Smith Mountain Lake Arts Council and the Smith Mountain Lake Association. His contributions are many in promoting the arts at the Lake which include the possibility of building a community arts center.
   Fink also serves on the Board of Directors of the Roanoke Symphony, teaches an adult Sunday School class at Trinity Ecumenical Parish and is a member of the Lake Lions Club.

JOE ALTADONNA
   There’s more to Joe Altadonna than the “chicken,” even though it’s a story he loves to tell. In 1984 Altadonna and his wife Maria, who are originally from Italy, moved to Roanoke from New York and opened “Sal’s.”. He eventually brought his family and love of cooking to SML and opened another “Sals.” Actually there were several “Sal’s Restaurant” in various locations including one at Ferrum College.
   Altadonna has been a busy man. In addition to operating an eatery, Grande Italian Restaurant and a shopping mall in Union Hall, he built the Lake Inn, which son Larry, manages. Then came The Lake Plaza, Safari Mini Golf, the chicken and controversy.
   Altadonna spends mornings at The Lake Inn then heads to the restaurant in Union Hall where children, Joe, Jackie and Grace are preparing food of the homeland - Calzone, Stromboli, and of course, chicken with a flare all it’s  own.

ED WATERS
   There was almost no commercial development 20 years ago when Ed Waters and his family moved to Smith Mountain Lake. A sales manager for Carnation Co., Waters and his wife Linda, relocated to the area and fell in love with the land.
   When asked to relocate again, the couple decided to make the lake their permanent home.. Waters and his brother Greg opened Water’s Edge, a dock building business in 1984. “The Lake was starting to take off - Waterfront and Bernard’s Landing were being built and property was coming up for sale.”
   Seizing the initiative, Waters purchased several parcels of land, hired an architect to lay out “Bridgewater Plaza” and began to build a “mall on the water.”
   Stage 1 was the Welcome Center area which filled quickly. Stage 2 was Gifts Ahoy and Bridgewater Marina; Stage 3 was Moosies and Coldwell Banker, Countryside Realtors. The miniature golf course was added in 1989. The final stage houses The Veranda, Sweet Peas and Chopsticks.
   Water’s dream however was to build a hotel. The concept evolved into Bridgewater Pointe, a condominium complex that was to be built on the point next to the Plaza. “We’re currently rethinking that whole project,” he said, adding that he plans to build 100 floating boat slips for public parking and a 1,200 foot boardwalk around the point.

BEST OF SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE 2002
Special thanks to everyone who took the time to     complete and submit the questionnaire ballot. We received hundreds of responses online and in the mail. The results are not meant to exclude but rather to promote and reward Smith Mountain Lake businesses who take care of you, the customer. Congratulations to all the winners and keep up the good work.

FOOD AND ENTERTAINING
Best Dancing
 R.T.’s Dock-N-Dine
 Portside at VA Dare
 

Best Pizza
 Mario’s and Pizza Pub - tie
 Lakehouse Restaurant
 New York Pizza

Best Take-Out
 China City
 Mousetrap
 Diamond Hill Store

Best Italian Restaurant
 Vieira’s
 Mario’s
 La Grande

Best Fast Food
 Dairy Queen
 Subway
 Bojangle’s

Best Chinese Restaurant
 China City
 Chopsticks
 China Palace

Best Bar
 Moosies
 Lakehouse Restaurant
 R.T.’s Dock-N-Dine

Best Wine Selection
 Mousetrap
 Diamond Hill Store
 Food Lion

Best Deli:
 Mousetrap
 Diamond Hill Store
 Food Lion

Best Grocery Store
 Super Wal-Mart
 Food Lion
 Shop Rite

SHOPPPING
Best Hardware Store
 CAPPS Home Building Center
 SML Building Supply
 Moneta Farm Supply

Home Furnishings
 Furniture At The Lake
 Lindys
 Interiors By Kris

Best Antique Selection
 Echoes of Time
 Danita’s
 SML Auction

Best Art Gallery
 Little Gallery
 Perspectives
 Westlake Wildlife Gallery

Best Greeting Card Selection
 CVS
 Gifts Ahoy
 Brenda’s Pack & Ship

Best Marina
 Webster Marine
 Bridgewater
 Crazy Horse

Best Boat Dealer
 Webster Marine
 Yacht Club
 Conrad Brothers

Best Fishing Guide:
 Capt.Dale Wilson
 Spike and Kathy
 Capt. Mike Coley

Best Contractor/Builder
 Eddie Fort, General Contractors
 Oakenshield Dev.
 Danny Dudley Construction

Best Interior Designer
 P.A.C. Interiors
 Interiors by Kris
 CDS- Creative Design Service, Inc.

Landscape Contractor:
 Beauti-Scapes
 Lake Landscape & Erosion
 Greenscapes

Best Movers:
 Virginia Varsity Transfer

Best TV Station
 Channel 10
 Channel 7
 Channel 12

Best Bank
 Wachovia/NBC
 BB&T
 First Virginia Bank

Best Mortgage Company
 Salem Financial
 Bedford Federal Savings Bank
 First Financial

Best Cleaners
 Midway
 Office Supply Services
 Westgate Clean Center

Best Physician/Medical Practice
 Dr. Steven Lewis
 Dr.  George Chaconas
 Dr. Gretchen Deel

Best Dock Builder:
 Turner Dock Building
 Venning Homes & Docks
 Prestige Docks Inc.

Best Insurance Agent/Company
 Debbie Robbins
 Farm Bureau of Virginia
 Phil Hager/Holley

Best Stock Broker
 Edward Jones
 Chris Gibson, Raymond James
 Dabareiner and Associates

Best Auto Repair
 Tucks
 Lake Auto Repair
 Pagans

Best Attorney
 Vogel and Cromwell
 Jim Gilbert
 Garrett & Garrett

Best Beauty Salon:
 Good Looks
 Salon at the Lake
 Eric & Co.

Best Bed & Breakfast
 Stone Manor
 Overhome
 The Claiborne House

Best County To Live:
 Franklin
 Bedford
 Pittsylvania
Best area musician
 Key West Band
 Terry & Tony
 Noreen Hartkern

Best Photographer
 Paul Calhoun
 John Hinkle
 Rod Dixon

Best Artist
 Whitney Brock
 Kim Krienitz
 Patricia Carr

Best Area TV Personality
 John Carlin - Channel 10
 Keith Humphry - Channel 7
 Kathy Skala - Channel 12

Best Golfer
 Todd Hammock
 Chris Gibson
 Floyd Strelow

Best Lake Symbol
 The Chicken
 The Dam
 The Cliffs

HAPPENINGS
Best Old Thing on the Lake:
 The Dam
 Visitor’s Center
 The Bridge

Best Prediction For the Lake:
 More growth
 Four Lane Hales Ford Bridge
 Ski Slope

Best Idea
 New SML Addresses
 Catering by Water
 Outback Restaurant

Best Kept Secret
 Vieira’s
 Consistent Water Levels
 Bananas Foster at the Landing

Best New Building:
 Dr. Bryan Sicher’s Dental Office
 SML Building Supply
 Bridgewater Plaza addition

Best Water Event:
 Poker Run
 Wakeboarding Championship
 Christmas Boat Parade

Best Annual Event:
 4th of July Fireworks - Saunders
 Wine Festival
 Chamber Golf Tournament
 
Best Charity Fundraiser:
 SML Caharity Home Tour
 Echoes of Time Holiday Cheer
 SML Charity Home Tour Gala

Best Golf Course
 The Water’s Edge
 Mariner’s Landing
 The Waterfront
 The Westlake

Best Place to Meet People
 Church
 R.T.’s Dock-N-Dine
 The Lakehouse
 Portside VA Dare

Best Landmark:
 Booker T. Wash Natl. Monument
 SML State Park
 D-Day Memorial

Best Thrill:
 Wakeboarding
 Parasailing
 Cliff Jumping

Best View:
 Bernard’s Landing
 Peaks of Otter
 Parkway Marina

Best Place to Fish:
 The Dam
 Craddock Creek
 Waterwheel Cove