The new publishers will be Smile Broadcasting LLC, known as WSLK 880 and run by Timothy Ernandes. The hope is that the merger of the magazine and the radio station will offer Discover SML magazine’s readers/supporters a fresh and rich media mix crossover.

The partnership between MacBen Marketing and Smile Broadcasting offers Mr. Ernandes’s teams entertaining and insightful ideas combined with MacBen Marketing design, creative concepts and web development. They believe this duo of talents will ensure the magazine is the best in design, photography and overall audience appeal. You can look for the first issue under Smile Broadcasting is due out the first part of January 2012.

You can visit Discover Smith Mountain Lake on the web at  http://www.discoversmithmountainlake.com/.

The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau has limited seating for its annual meeting and luncheon on May 12th so if you are interested you should hurry. It is an event many will be willing to pay the $45 per ticket in order to attend as it will be featuring a speech by actress Jane Seymour, best known for her role as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

The luncheon will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center on May 12, 2011. For more information, contact Heidi Mowry at 342-6025, ext. 116, or hmowry@visitroanokeva.com.

The producers of the award-winning film team for Lake Effects and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Music Director, David Stewart Wiley, have announced that the RSO will record a portion of the music for the film. The music by the 57 year old Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, which performs recordings for national distribution and collaborates with international stars in the classical and pops world, will be inserted into the film during the coming month.

Maestro Wiley commented “It is exciting for our professional musicians to be a part of this feature film.  Rather than use a studio orchestra from L.A. or New York, the producers and directors have recognized the treasure that we have here in Virginia with the RSO.  This project will help bring even more awareness to the remarkably high quality of music in our region, and we are thrilled to collaborate on this project.”

Film Producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins commented: “Lake Effects” has exceeded all of our expectations, with major talent like Jane Seymour, a truly stellar cast and now the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra!”

Exciting stuff folks! I don’t know about you but I am greatly looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Here are the basic details (link for more info. at bottom):

In keeping with SML Lake Effects LLC’s community spirit and Life Out Loud Films’ desire to provide new opportunities for talent, they are searching for someone to design the poster for the film. (The final winning Art must meet the approval of L.A. distributors to qualify.)

Here are the rules:

• Contest is open to all levels of experience, individuals or groups, as well as companies.
• SML Lake Effects, LLC has the right to suggest adjustments to any submitted art.
• Winner selected by SML Lake Effects must pass the Distributor’s approval to qualify for the cash prize of $500.  This may require additional changes to submitted art.
• All submissions must be received by 12 noon  EST April 4  in a .jpg file.
• By submitting, all contestants grant SML Lake Effects the rights to use the poster images  in all media; and the winning poster will become the property of SML Lake Effects and may be used as the Key Art by the film and all related Marketing/Publicity.

How to register?

• Send an email to Chinah@LifeOutLoudFilms.com subject line: Poster Contest.
• Include your name, phone and email address
• Upon receipt of the email, you will be entered and you will receive an email with the high resolution copies of the reference photos you can use in the art as well as some more specifics on the theme, images and story.  Please allow up to 24 hours for this return email.

More information is available on-line at: http://www.lifeoutloudfilms.com/Poster_Art_Contest.php.

In Nov. 2010, Sara Elizabeth traveled to Richmond to accept the First Lady’s Opportunity Hall of Fame Award on behalf of the film “Lake Effects.”

First Lady Maureen McDonnell created this recognition program in an effort to shine a spotlight on those individuals, activities, programs and organizations who are taking the opportunity to leave the Commonwealth a better place than they found it.  ”Lake Effects” was recognized for the economic opportunities its brought to our community and the Commonwealth.

“Lake Effects” also received the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Grant for the economic growth it has provided for the SML Community. This grant exists to support the film and video industry in Virginia by providing grants for production companies and studios that produce projects in the Commonwealth using Virginia employees, resources, good and services.

Just in case you have not heard (or have forgotten) the details here they are:

- This is a benefit parade to raise money for toys to give to needy local children.

- November 27th from 7 to 9pm.

- You can be a sponsor or donate gifts for the flotilla.

- If you own a boat you can participate in the boat parade with family and friends on board waving and having a good time.

- You can book a seat on the lead boat in the parade, the Virginia Dare. Dress in your favorite Christmas attire and join in the fun. Santa and Rudolph will be there.

- EVERYONE PLEASE drop a toy in one of toy drop boxes or drop your spare change in one of the change jars

Toy and Change Jar Locations
Smith Mountain Lake Visitor Center
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Virginia Dare Cruises & Marina, Mariners Landing, Moneta Farm, Dr. Garst, The General Store, Chopsticks, Capps, Dollar General, Blackwater Café, UPS Store, Stellar One, Joe’s Pizza, Mayberry Drive Inn and Diner, Hot Shots, A Shade Brighter, Shoprite, Whitehouse Store, Franklin Community Bank, Print-N-Paper, Tuscan Tavern, Anchor’s Family Restaurant, Westlake Veterinary Medical Center, Southern Best

For More Information, To Book a Reservation or To Be a Sponsor Please Call 540-297-7100 Ext 0 or visit www.vadarecruises.com.

Many of you may already know that the SMP is being updated in coordination with an appointed steering committee.  The updated 2010 Shoreline Management Plan will be submitted to the FERC later this year.  On this informative new website, you can read about open issues, study what AEP is planning to change in this update and read steering committee minutes and correspondence and more.

Visit www.smpreview.com to take surveys and read about Appalachian Power’s 2010 SMP Review & Update.

Teresa Criner, a local realtor with Smith Mountain Homes and Wainright & Co. arrived at Cottage Gate in Hardy, Va. for the book signing around 5:45pm. and found herself near the end of a line that went clear past the Westlake Library and Haywoods Jewelers. The signing had begun around 5pm. and lasted until 7pm. with so many people showing up that the gift shop ran out of books!

In Ms. Criners own words, “In the beginning Jane was personalizing notes on all the books, but she had to discontinue that because of the large number of people waiting in line. They even ran out of books for people to purchase, although those without books were able to order them for Jane to autograph and be delivered to the store at a later time.”

“After waiting about an hour and a half, I was very pleased to be able to meet Jane personally and have my books signed. I also thanked her for being there for the book signing and for the movie filming of ” Lake Effects” that everyone around SML is so excited about. She asked me if I was enjoying her book and I let her know that I certainly was. I also gave her a copy of Paul Moore’s book The Definitive Guide to Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate. I told her I hoped she had enjoyed her time at the lake and she seemed genuine as she replied that she had enjoyed it.”

Jane Seymour left town on Sunday after wrapping up her part in the filming of the Lake Effects movie.

We are privileged not only to have Jane Seymour here at Smith Mountain Lake as an actress in the film “Lake Effects”, but also as an acclaimed author. Her latest book is titled “Among Angels” and you can attend one of two events where Ms. Seymour will be signing copies of her book personally.

“Among Angels” celebrates the angels all around us who inspire us by bringing us messages of joy, hope and love. The book will include a personal foreword and art by Jane Seymour, quotes from literature, spiritual texts, and personal stories that honor the importance of the angels among us.

Several people have asked who was cast for the other parts in the movie. The other actors/actresses named so far are as follows:

- Ray Tisdale – the family father will be played by Jeff Fahey (From TV show “Lost” and movies such as “Grindhouse” and “Machete”)
- Sara Tisdale – the main character, will be played by Scottie Thompson a Virginia native (From “NCIS”, and soon to be realeased thriller “Skyline)
- Lily Tisdale – Sara’s sister is played by Madeline Zima (From TV show “Heroes”, “The Nanny” and the Movie “Cinderella Story”)
- Carl Berger, President of the Smithy Research Society – will be played by Ben Savage (From ”Boy Meets World”)

Other characters include: Mark Futterman played by Sean Patrick Flanery, Ash played by Casper Van Dien, Tyler played by Eyal Podell, Old Vic played by Richard Moll, Jim McCarren played by Richard Riehle, Winchester played by Ron Canada, Elizabeth played by Mary McDonough (Waltons) and a tourist played by Barry Papick.

Our congratulations to all these talented folks. This is truly some exciting stuff happening at the lake! Can’t wait to see the movie. If you would like to read more about the Lake Effects movie, cast or production you can visit http://lifeoutloudfilms.com/Services.html.