Author: Gretchen Tipps

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company, announced its 2010 Third Quarter Sales Professional award winners.

Within the Prudential Real Estate Network, Vicki Millehan, REALTOR® with Prudential Waterfront Properties, was named 2^nd place Sales Professional Award winner for the state of Virginia for sales measures in both closed residential GCI and closed residential units during the third quarter of 2010.

Since 1991, Millehan has remained one of Prudential Waterfront Properties top producers. Millehan received the “Top Individual Sales Award” by Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors in 2004 and 2005. Millehan is a member the Virginia Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce. During her real estate career, Millehan has earned the certified Fine Homes Specialist and the Resort & Recreation professional designations. Millehan has also placed in Prudential’s prestigious “Chairman’s Circle” five consecutive years and is a “Legend Award” recipient.

The Blue Ridge chapter Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) held its annual Summit Awards Gala on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the Hotel Roanoke. Prudential Waterfront Properties and the GO Agency were honored with two Summit Awards.

The Summit Awards recognizes the best practice of public relations in Southwest Virginia and highlights the creative and effective ways in which communications impacts our lives.

The companies received a Gold Summit Award in the “Public Relations Campaign” category for “Bridgewater Pointe”. This award recognizes a public relations campaign featuring a variety of elements designed to promote a product or service. The companies also received a Silver Summit in the “Lin Chaff Award for Creativity” category for the “Check Our References” campaign, which features customer-based testimonials. This award recognizes outstanding creativity in any project, program or public relations tool.

According to Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing and PR for The Willard Companies, Prudential Waterfront Properties parent company, “We are extremely humbled to be recognized for our public relations and marketing efforts. Whenever we set out to create a new campaign, our goal is to generate interest as well as expand on the strong brand identity that we have built for over twenty years.”

According to Micah Gaudio, President of the GO Agency, “It’s great to be recognized for not just your creative work, but what matters the most is the results. PRSA scores highly on campaign effectiveness and execution. If good design doesn’t sell, then it’s just art.”

Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced additional appointments to various Virginia boards and commissions. Local Smith Mountain Lake REALTOR®, Jane Sullivan Horne with Prudential Waterfront Properties, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority. Sullivan Horne will serve a term of four years ending June 30, 2014.

Sullivan Horne has enjoyed a successful real estate career for over 23 years and has remained one of Prudential Waterfront Properties top producers. Sullivan Horne is a member the National Association of Realtors, Virginia Association of Realtors, Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors and Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce. Sullivan Horne is a Certified Residential Specialist and has also achieved the certified Fine Homes Specialist and the Resort & Recreation professional designations. Sullivan Horne has placed in Prudential’s prestigious Chairman’s Circle five consecutive years and is a Legend Award recipient. A native of North Carolina, Sullivan Horne resides in The Water’s Edge and became the first permanent resident of the community in 1986. Sullivan Horne has a degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University. Sullivan Horne is married to Bill and has one son, Trey.

The Willard Companies is pleased to announce Smith Mountain Lake’s Fourth Annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony at Westlake Towne Center on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

The companies are also partnering with “We Care of Franklin County” for a holiday toy drive during the event. The first 150 individuals who donate a new, unwrapped toy to “We Care of Franklin County” will be given a complimentary ticket to a special showing of “Miracle on 34^th Street” at Westlake Cinema. The holiday classic is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. following the event. Collection boxes will be located inside the retail stores during the event and movie vouchers can be picked up after toy donation. Tickets are not available for purchase.

In addition to the tree lighting and toy drive, several other festive events will take place including holiday photo opportunities with Santa Claus as well as horse and carriage rides sponsored by Kroger. Live entertainment will include a radio remote, holiday concert featuring the Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers and a performance by two local elementary school choirs. Also, Blue Ridge Pets R.E.A.D. will also be at Westlake Library during the event for children to read Christmas stories to service animals. There will also be an antique car show at the Kroger Fuel Center during the event. Participating Towne Center businesses will be offering previews to exclusive holiday gifts while serving refreshments including Kroger, Westlake Library, Haywood’s Jewelers, Westlake Salon & Spa and Cottage Gate. Also participating at the event are Carilion Clinic and Smith Mountain Building Supply. All events will take place in front of Westlake Library.

The Douglas-fir holiday tree, picked from Joe’s Tree Farm in Craig County, will stand approximately 20’ tall. The tree will be centrally located at the retail shopping center and stand in front of Westlake Library at Westlake Towne Center.

According to Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing and Communications for The Willard Companies, “We are very excited to continue offering this wonderful forum for the community to come together and celebrate the spirit of the holiday season while at the same time collecting toy donations for a worthy cause.”

Today we will pause to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces who served in previous wars, who are serving today, and who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  The origin of Veteran’s Day dates back to 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I.  The end of the war happened at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.  The name of this historic day was changed to Veteran’s Day by Congress in 1954.

We honor each of America’s veterans who served so faithfully and with courage and commitment.  Through your sacrifices you have secured for millions of others the blessings of freedom, democracy, and the unmatched opportunity that we enjoy in the U.S. today.  Our message this week salutes these heroes.  We are deeply thankful for the veterans who served our country with great honor in the past, and to those who uphold their duties today.

Heroes

By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken

Men and women giving their best to defend what they love

They defend their country, their honor, their people.

Some call them soldiers

Others call them heroes.

Our veterans have risked their lives for us

They have lived through hell and fought with honor

Many have killed, and regret doing so.

For every life, there is a soul

For every soul, there is a life

For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance

For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle

Some, memories of defeat

Some, memories of victory.

Our veterans were more than soldiers

They were, and still are, heroes.

Coming Up! 8th Annual SML Fall Chili and Craft Festival November 6, 11am – 4pm.   Enjoy a full-day event featuring crafts and a competitive chili cook-off.  Trophies will be awarded for “Best Chili,” “People’s Choice,” and “Showmanship.”  It’ll be a hot time at Smith Mountain Lake.  The event is held lakeside at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, near the Hales Ford Bridge. Tickets are $5 and will be available in advance at the SMLRCC Visitor Center at Bridgewater Plaza, or the day of the event.

For more information, click on www.visitsmithmountainlake.com

The 21st Annual Art Show, sponsored by the Smith Mountain Arts Council, will be held Oct. 22-24 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta. Categories include Oils/Acrylics, Watercolors, Pastels, Mixed Media, and other. An opening reception will be Friday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. The show will be open for public viewing Saturday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

In all the recent debate about the value of homeownership in America today, an article in the Wall Street Journal online recently caught our eye – “10 Reasons to Buy a Home.”

Owning a home isn’t for everyone. NAR advocates responsible, sustainable homeownership. But for those who are ready and able to make this commitment, the article offers some good reminders about the benefits, both social and financial, of owning a home.

To read the full article, visit: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703376504575492023471133674.html.

Talk to a Prudential Waterfront Properties Realtor® about why they do what they do. For example, what does the opportunity to own their own home mean to their clients or how does homeownership affect the surrounding community? They can share experiences about why Smith Mountain Lake homeowners decided to own a home in the first place, and whether they would still make the same decision today and why or why not.

A new NAR research report demonstrates a correlation between homeownership and social benefits for both families and the community at large. According to the research detailed in the report, The Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing, homeownership boosts the educational performance of children, encourages higher participation in civic and volunteering activity, improves health care outcomes, lowers crime rates and reduces welfare dependency.

The research also revealed that most American households still aspire to homeownership, which helps families to accumulate wealth as well as social status.

To read the full report, visit www.realtor.org/research/research/homeownershipbenefits

Ask a Prudential Waterfront Properties Realtor® to identify popular communities in the Smith Mountain Lake area so of which include The Water’s Edge, The Waterfront or The Boardwalk to name a few. A Prudential Waterfront Properties Realtor® has access to homeownership rates in those communities (and many others) to levels of community involvement, neighborhood amenities, and educational opportunities.

The Emerald Bay “Opportunity Investment Drawing” held Sunday, October 17, 2010 at The Waterfront Country Club yielded six properties that are now under contact. Properties under contract include three lots, two village homes and a 5.053 acre tract with the old farm house all of which resulted in over $1.5 million in real estate sales.

“While we recognized we were not in the prime SML selling season as we were for Bridgewater Pointe, the decision to utilize the “Opportunity Investment Drawing” format proved to be a great jump start to selling the Emerald Bay project. We are excited to witness the transformation of Emerald Bay as it evolved into an inviting and beautiful setting which people can now begin calling home,” said Ron Willard, President of The Willard Companies.

The sellers proved their commitment to the project by investing over $1.2 million to finish out the development while The Willard Companies and Prudential Waterfront Properties is committed to representing the community and will continue marketing Emerald Bay. “Opportunity Investment” pricing will be honored on any contracts closed by year end with prices increasing effective January 2011.

According to Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing for The Willard Companies, “Our partnership with the Emerald Bay sellers allowed our company yet another great opportunity to promote lake-front real estate throughout the East coast to prospective families for their retirement, as a second home, or as a primary residence at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake.”

For more information about Emerald Bay, contact Prudential Waterfront Properties at (800) 858-4653 or visit www.smithmtnlake.com.