images bedford, va: 2011
DESCRIPTION
Located between the metropolitan areas of Lynchburg and Roanoke, Bedford is the seat of Bedford County and one of the state’s fastest-growing areas. It’s also one of Virginia’s most scenic and charming cities, with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, the James River to the northeast and Smith Mountain Lake to the south. The Peaks of Otter – twin mountain peaks that make up one of the best-known natural features of the Blue Ridge Parkway – can be seen from virtually anywhere in the city. CenterTown Bedford, the vibrant, historic downtown district, is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, art galleries, historic buildings, one-of-a-kind shops, festivals and a bustling farmers market.TRANSCRIPT
THE FUTURE IS WOW
World class engineering center opens in 2011
BUSy BOdIESRecreation options offer something for everyone
Pristine SceneBeautiful sights include Peaks of Otter, Abbott Lake
Take a tour of the
National d-day Memorial
What’s Online
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26
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ON THE COvER Sharp Top Mountain rises above Abbott Lake Photo by Todd Bennett
departments
6 Almanac
18 Biz Briefs
20 Chamber Report
21 Economic Profile
22 Image gallery
26 Arts & Culture
28 Education
30 local Flavor
33 Health & Wellness
35 Sports & Recreation
36 Community Profile
2011 EdITION | vOlUME 1
BEdFORd, vIRgINIA
®
cOntents
Features
8 THE FUTURE IS WOWWorld-class engineering center opens in 2011.
12 A SIgHT TO SEESmith Mountain Lake offers real estate variety and value.
16 A STRONg FOUNdATION FOR BUSINESSEconomy includes a healthy mix of industry, tourism and agriculture.
12
35All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
please recycle this magazine
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Digital eDition
THE FUTURE IS WOW
World class engineeringcenter opens in 2011
BUSy BOdIESRecreation options offer something for everyone
Pristine SceneBeautiful sights include Peaks of Otter, Abbott Lake
Take a tour of the
National d-day Memorial
What’s Online
SPONSOREd By THE BEdFORd AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANd THE BEdFORd COUNTy ECONOMIC dEvElOPMENT dEPARTMENT
2011 | IMAgESBEdFORdvA.COM
®
BEdFORd, vIRgINIA
Facts & statsDig deeper with in-depth data on industries, schools and more
Real estateLearn about the local housing market and get started finding your place
ViDeoGet a moving glimpse at favorite local places and attractions
What’s Online imagesbedfordva.com
BedfORd 5
BEdFORd, vIRgINIA
®
PROjECT MANAgER MiTch kLinE
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COPy EdITORS LiSA BATTLES, JoycE cARuThERS, JiLL WyATT
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cARy ESTES, cARSon o’ShonEy
MEdIA TECHNOlOgy dIRECTOR chRiSTinA cARdEn
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BeDFoRD in action
Don’t just take our word for it – see for yourself how great Bedford is in our quick videos at imagesbedfordva.com, highlighting a little bit of everything that Bedford has to offer.
imagesbedfordva.com
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Welcome to BedfordAn intROductiOn tO the AReA’s PeOPLe, PLAces And events
hit ‘Em Long and StraightBedford county has golfing down to a tee, with nine nice
courses to choose from. one of them – Mariners Landing in
huddleston – was named one of the Best Places to Play in the u.S.
by Golf Digest. other Bedford county venues include four courses
in forest (ivy hill, London downs, Poplar forest and colonial hills)
as well as Sycamore Ridge in Goodview, Boonsboro country club
in Lynchburg, The Westlake Golf & country club in hardy, The
Waterfront country club in Moneta and the Bedford country club
in Bedford.
Peaks of otterfrom almost any outdoor location in
Bedford county, you can look up and see the Peaks of Otter mountainscape, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. the peaks are surrounded by many trails, ranging from a strenuous 1 1/2-mile trek to the summit of sharp top to an easy one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. speaking of the lake, fishing there includes catfish, smallmouth bass, golden shiners, sunfish and bluegill.
Almanac
Raise your GlassTaking a trip along the Bedford Wine Trail is a great way to
spend a virginia weekend.
The trail features five wineries nestled in the Blue Ridge
Mountains, where fertile soil and a favorable climate lead to
good grape-growing. The five venues are hickory hill Wineries,
LeoGrande vineyards & Winery, Peaks of otter Winery, Savoy-
Lee Winery and White Rock vineyards & Winery.
in addition, the Thomas Jefferson Wine festival, held
at Poplar forest, has become a popular fall event.
PhOtO cOuRtesy Of meRidith KhAn
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POPUlATIONBedford: 6,350
Bedford county: 67,154
lOCATIONStrategically located between the
metropolitan areas of Lynchburg and
Roanoke, Bedford is part of the Lynchburg
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
BEgINNINgSThe city of Bedford, which was originally
the town of Liberty, was established in
1782. The town of Liberty was changed
to the town of Bedford in 1890 and to the
present-day city of Bedford in 1912. The
city of Bedford is the county seat of
Bedford county but isn’t part of the
county – which was established in 1754.
in virginia, cities and counties are
separate entities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION305 E. Main St.
Bedford, vA 24523
Phone: (540) 586-9401 www.bedfordareachamber.com
Bedford at a glance
Fast Factsn each fall, more than 10,000 people gather in downtown Bedford for centerfest, which features food vendors, artists, live music and activities for kids.
n there’s gold in them thar hills. thomas Jefferson Beale is said to have buried a vat of gold, silver and jewels in Bedford sometime between 1819-1821.
n the 2009 film Bedford: The Town They Left Behind tells the story of the “Bedford Boys,” men who served with company A, 116th infantry, during the d-day invasion.
City
City
City
City
STATE
James River
Main City Name312
3121
65
13
To City
Bedford
BEDFORDEDB DDLynchburg
Moneta
Roanoke
Smith Mountain Lake
460
2424
43
122
What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Bedford, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesbedfordva.com.
Bedford
invasion of normandyhere’s a salute to the national d-day Memorial, an 88-acre tribute in
Bedford to the men who fought and died on the beaches of normandy
during WWii.
The memorial opened in 2001 and is visited by 85,000 people each
year. divided into plazas that tell the story of the invasion, the memorial
took seven years to build and cost $25 million. Admission is $5.
Bedford county suffered the nation’s highest per capita d-day losses.
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It has been 30 years since the last nuclear energy plant was built in the United States. But the next one might not be too far away, thanks
to an impressive construction project underway in Bedford County.
The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) is being built in Bedford County in the New London Business and Technology Center, and will open during the first quarter of 2011. A key goal at CAER will be to assist existing local companies with their research and attract more science-based companies to the Bedford County region.
“Ten years ago when Ericsson and other high-tech electronics companies were here, they had research needs to
advance their businesses but we didn’t have a research facility,” says Bob Bailey, CAER executive director. “Now, we’ll be able to provide the best R&D for our region’s technology companies that are looking for new innovations.”
Nuclear and Wireless Will Benefit
Bailey says CAER will concentrate mainly on two technology clusters – nuclear energy and wireless communications.
“Those two industries have significant opportunities for economic growth in this region because of related companies that are already located here,” he says. “Areva and B&W (The
Babcock & Wilcox Co.) are in the nuclear energy field, while many small and medium-sized local companies have a niche in wireless communications.”
Bailey says the high-wage, high-growth nuclear energy industry will utilize research at CAER to eventually license the next generation of power plants.
“CAER will provide the opportunity to accelerate the licensing process with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, so that Areva and B&W can be ready to construct new plants when the time is right,” Bailey says. “The new generation of nuclear plants will deal with advancements in digital controls and control rooms, and the Center will play a big part in that research.”
SToRy By kEvIN lITWINPhoToGRAPhy By TOdd BENNETT
Bryan david, executive director of the Region 2000 economic development council, at his office in Lynchburg
The
Is WowFuture
WORld-ClASS ENgINEERINg CENTER OPENS IN 2011
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As for wireless communications, Bailey says products such as cell phones, MP3 players, iPods and other electronic devices are changing so quickly that the need for R&D support is vital.
“Research in wireless sensors, wireless networks and cognitive radio is huge right now, and CAER will be right there on the cutting edge of it all,” he says.
CAER an Economic Boon for Bedford
Bryan David, executive director of the Region 2000 Economic Development Council, says CAER is a major coup for Bedford County.
“Regional economies of the future will need to rely on creation and commercialization of knowledge, and economies around any research university will thrive,” David says. “Just
look at places like Research Triangle in Raleigh-Durham, California’s Silicon Valley and Boston’s Route 128 corridor. Those areas are booming and will always boom thanks to research centers, and we expect the same from CAER.”
David adds that Bedford County is ranked among the nation’s Top 30 large metro areas as the Best Places to Do Business according to Forbes.com, and the Center will add more jobs and prosperity to the local economy.
“Besides nuclear energy and wireless communications, CAER will offer continuing education for any regional engineers who want to upgrade their knowledge,” he says. “Also, the Center will outreach to schools to emphasize the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum, and thereby grow workers to eventually supply our businesses with ready-to-go talent.”
By the numbers
25,000Approximate square footage of CAER
6-1/2Acres CAER will occupy at the New London Business and Technology Center
70Percentage of space to be devoted to research at CAER
$7.6 millionFunding from the Virginia Tobacco Commission
the center for Advanced engineering and Research is under construction at a business park in Bedford.
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It used to be that living in the Smith Mountain Lake area required a tradeoff – give up the convenience of having shopping and enter-
tainment options for a beautiful view. Not anymore.
New developments have come to Smith Mountain Lake, bringing modern amenities with new homes. For example, downtown Moneta, with neighborhoods Mayberry Hills and Mayberry Villas, offers a quaint, small-town feel with shops, restaurants and entertainment options around a town square.
“These neighborhoods are only three miles from the lake and the properties are indeed selling, even in these down times,” says Michelle Aznavorian, a developer with NBI Development in Moneta. “Apartments, condos and single-family homes are all moving, and are within walking distances to shops, restaurants, a library, the YMCA and the Cardiovascular
Group Heart Center. Moneta residents get the Smith Mountain Lake address and are in the middle of everything, yet retain a small-town feel.”
Smith Mountain Lake, nicknamed “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” is Virginia’s most visited waterway thanks to 500 miles of shoreline. Water sports and recreational activities include an annual ESPN Bass Master tournament and an annual Beach Bash social mixer sponsored by the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce.
lakefront PropertiesAs for real estate, Smith Mountain
Lake is diverse – especially along the lakefront itself. A one-bedroom, 500-square-foot condominium can start at $125,000, while an older lakefront single-family home on a shallow cove will go for around $300,000.
In this buyer’s market, there are currently about 50 lakefront homes
SMITH MOUNTAIN lAkE OFFERS REAl ESTATE vARIETy, vAlUE
SToRy By kEvIN lITWINPhoToGRAPhy By TOdd BENNETT
SEEA Sight to
the mayberry hills neighborhood in downtown moneta
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priced near $500,000 and another 50 mansions above $1 million. Six-thousand- square-foot luxury homes are in the $2 million-plus price range.
“During the first half of 2010, my company sold, among other things, three choice waterfront lots, each to cash buyers,” says Jeanette M. Childress, owner and broker with Lake Retreat Properties, Inc. “The three lots total 2.6 acres and the total price for all three was $1.4 million. I look at that as an affirmation that solid investments at the lake are still happening.”
ConvenienceBesides the beauty of Smith Mountain
Lake, residents are within 30-45 minutes’ driving distance of Roanoke and Lynchburg, which provide convenient big-city amenities such as commercial airports. Full-service hospitals – including a regional heart and trauma center – are in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Rocky Mount.
Today, Smith Mountain Lake is home to about 18,000 permanent residents, with a potential for many thousands more. The average air temperatures at the lake are 73 degrees in the summer and 41 degrees in the winter. The annual snowfall average is 10 inches – but the snow usually melts in a day or two.
“Smith Mountain Lake is everything that people want in an investment property,” Childress says. “What it is and who it attracts are the people who have worked hard elsewhere and made their money elsewhere, and are bringing their families to experience an area that is truly wholesome, truly beautiful and the ultimate in relaxation and recreation.”
left: smith mountain Lake offers many recreational activities. Right: downtown moneta at smith mountain Lake features a variety of cafés, shops and restaurants.
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Bedford County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Virginia, and boasts a strong, diversified
economy, with a mix of industry, commerce, tourism and agriculture. A strong and diverse labor market provides excellent resources for companies, from manufacturing facilities to high-tech operations.
“It seems like a small community, but we have some major business and industry in the area,” says Susan Martin, president of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce. “A lot of business and industry growth has taken place in the Forest area of our county – particularly growth related to technology.”
A diverse EconomyThe New London Business and
Technology Center in Bedford is home to the 25,000-square-foot Center for Advanced Engineering and Research, an industry-based research hub. The new center is a nonprofit organization that creates working relationships between high-tech industries, major R&D centers and university researchers, and facilitates professional development opportunities
for scientists and engineers in the region. Some of the area’s largest employers include Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, which produces generic pharmaceuticals; InService America, which offers direct-mail service, call centers and other outsourced services; Georgia Pacific, one of the country’s largest paper manufacturers; Andrew Wireless Solutions, a wireless technology company; and Cintas Corp., producers of uniforms and apparel.
Abundant AttractionsBedford’s scenic beauty, historic sites
and abundant natural resources attract thousands of visitors each year, creating another important segment of the city’s economy. A major attraction is the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic highway extending 470 miles along the crest of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, including the Peaks of Otter – twin peaks rising to 4,200 feet. Jefferson National Forest, Smith Mountain Lake, the region’s five wineries (Bedford Wine Trail) and pick-your-own farm operations also draw crowds. One of Bedford’s major draws is its vibrant downtown area, called CenterTown
Bedford. This historic area is home to a mix of art galleries, restaurants, antique stores and more.
Convenient locationThe area’s pro-business climate
makes for smooth transitions, and industrial space is plentiful. Five business and industrial parks are available in the region: Montvale Center for Commerce, Bedford Center for Business, New London Business and Technology Center, Little Otter Business Park and Lake Vista Corporate Centre. Four highways pass through or are easily accessible from the Bedford area, and the east-west line of Norfolk Southern Railroad connects the agricultural Midwest, the industrial Great Lakes and the Allegheny coalfields with the Atlantic Coast. Major trucking firms provide excellent daily carrier service, and the Lynchburg and Roanoke Regional airports provide air service.
Higher EducationThe Bedford area is home to Central
Virginia Community College and the Region 2000 Career Center. Many other schools are a short commute away in Lynchburg and Roanoke.
ECONOMy INClUdES A HEAlTHy MIx OF INdUSTRy, TOURISM ANd AgRICUlTURE
BusinessSToRy By REBECCA dENTONPhoToGRAPhy By TOdd BENNETT
A Strong Foundation for
Clockwise from top: the Bedford county courthouse; the Bedford Wine trail showcases five wineries; the new London Business and technology center is home to the center for Advanced engineering and Research.
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Biz BriefsBusinesses – BOth LARge And smALL – thAt heLP define
BedfORd’s ecOnOmic cLimAte
lITTlE TOWN PlAyERSBiz: Performing arts troupeBuzz: This long-standing acting ensemble is in its 35th season, performing four plays a year from September through May. The 2010-2011 lineup features Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Love, Sex & The IRS, Bus Stop and Little Women: The Musical. The theater is on Ashland Avenue in Bedford. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for ages 12 & under.www.littletownplayers.com
scorecardBUSINESS AT
A glANCE
$297,077Retail sales ($1,000)
$4,801Retail sales
per capita
13,434Accommodations
and food service
sales ($1,000)
4,837Total number
of firms
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HICkORy HIll vINEyARdS & WINERyBiz: Wine tasting and salesBuzz: Here is a toast to Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery, which planted grapes in 1984 and began selling vintages in 2001 at its Smith Mountain Lake location. The winery offers a Lake Series variety as well as chardonnay, vidal blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Hickory Hill also hosts a Sunset Saturday music series on various Saturday evenings from May to October.http://sites.google.com/a/smlwine.com/hickoryhill
lIBERTy STATIONBiz: Restaurant and cheesecake storeBuzz: Harry Leist first began baking cheesecakes in the 1980s as a special treat for his large family. Now he sells hundreds each year at his Olde Liberty Station restaurant in Bedford. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and customers can order cheesecakes in person and online. Key lime, butterfinger and chocolate swirl are some flavors in the cheesecake line.www.oldelibertystation.com
FOSTEk CORP.Biz: Plastics, rubber manufacturingBuzz: Need thermal or acoustic insulation? Fostek Corp. manufactures high-quality plastic and rubber blends along with closed-cell foams at its 150,000-square-foot plant and warehouse in Bedford. Fostek makes a large line of products for the construction, automotive and appliances industries, manufacturing specific items such as gaskets and seals, shock absorption foam, pipe wrap, moisture sealants and flotation insulation.www.fostek.com
OldE WAySBiz: Country home décor storeBuzz: Olde Ways is a primitive and country home décor store in Forest that offers a full line of unusual products. Included are tabletop linens, window treatments, furniture and shelving, potpourri, braided and accent rugs, framed prints and dishes and place settings. Olde Ways also carries several name-brand items such as Yankee candles and Paula Deen dips and salsas.www.oldewaysinc.com
Of all the services we offer, excellent customer service is our biggest attribute.
Forest • 17011 Forest Rd. • (434) 455-0888
FREE Deposit ServiceChecking*, Online Banking, Online Bill Pay, Visa Check Card, ATMs – over 37,000 Allpoint locations
Mortgage ServicesPurchase, refinance and home improvement
Commercial LendingConstruction, acquisition, development and business capital improvement
*Minimum deposits to open personal checking is $50
Investment & Retirement AccountsPersonal attention through investment specialists who put your interests first
Agricultural ServicesThe only USDA-FSA preferred leader in the state
Left to right: Ginny Blanks, Penny Hubbard, H.B. Hunter, Deanna DiCaprioBill Herbert, Jena Zuidema, Carey Wrenn, Courtney Brown, Gina Kurtz
The Bank with Human Interest.
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chamber reportchAmBeR succeeds in tOugh ecOnOmy
The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce has a lofty goal – to be
the premier driving force for business and community prosperity in central Virginia.
“We just celebrated 70 years of doing business in the Bedford area and now host more than 100 annual networking opportunities to help our membership,” says Susan Martin, president of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce. “Even in this current tough economy, the chamber just experienced a year of strong growth by adding 126 new business/organization members.”
Martin says business-to-business networking is an ongoing commitment of the Bedford Area chamber, with more effective methods of networking being developed all the time. Current networking opportunities include
Business Before Hours, Business After Hours, Leadership Bedford, an Annual Chamber Dinner, Bedford Area Business Expo, and Lead Groups in Bedford, Forest, Lynchburg and Smith Mountain Lake.
“Our individuals and businesses are able to connect in atmospheres that foster growth and success for their companies and this community,” Martin says.
The chamber recently reinvented a Networking Before Nine event by turning it into a successful monthly Business Before Hours breakfast. It also hosted a Beach Bash Sip-n-Shag at Smith Mountain Lake, which attracted more than 1,000 guests to the area and highlighted the region’s best wineries.
“We also coordinated with area busi-nesses to showcase our annual Career Exploration Day for 700 students from Forest and Staunton River middle
schools,” Martin says. “And lately, we’ve also been focusing on the need to improve broadband service in this area. We specif-ically provide chamber representation for the County Broadband Coalition.”
The chamber invites its members to serve on special committees and task forces related to education, government affairs, marketing, membership, tech-nology and transportation. In addition, members are encouraged to serve as Ambassadors, volunteers who play essential roles in chamber communication and membership retention.
“Each Ambassador becomes more involved in the business community, resulting in increased networking opportunities and enhanced visibility to their own business,” Martin says. “It’s all about networking for our chamber.”
– Kevin Litwin
Lynchburg College’s CLaytor Nature Study CeNter
For further information: (434) 544-8360 • [email protected] www.lynchburg.edu/claytor
our 470-acre outdoor classroom located at the foot of the Peaks of otter provides nature education and research opportunities for all ages including:
• Laboratory and discovery spaces
• Conference, meeting and retreat facilities
• Beautiful gardens, primitive campground, three miles of hiking trails
Coming soon! environmentally sustainable eco-Village
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COST OF lIvINg
food, 96
utilities, 96
Miscellaneous, 99
overall, 93
u.S. Average is 100.
TAxES
State Sales Tax, 5%
HOUSEHOldS
households, 2,514
households family, 1,578
households non-family 936
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
Bedford Area
Chamber of Commerce
305 E. Main St.
Bedford, vA 24523
(540) 586-9401
Bedford County
Economic development
122 E. Main St., Ste. 202
Bedford, vA 24523
(540) 587-5670
Sources:
www.bedfordareachamber.com,
www.bedfordeconomic
development.com
BUSINESS ClIMATEA good mix of industry, commerce and agriculture ensures a
strong, diversified economy and a positive business climate.
A good labor environment exists, providing availability at
reasonable costs, and a strong work ethic results in high
productivity and low turnover.
ECONOMIC PROFIlE
BUSINESS/ INdUSTRIAl PARkS
Bedford Center for Business
(100 acres)
independence Boulevard
Bedford, vA 24523
lake vista Corporate Centre
(151 acres)
u.S. Route 221
forest, vA 24551
little Otter Business Park
(69 acres)
u.S. Route 221 near Bedford
city limits
Montvale Center
for Commerce
(19 acre commercial; 45 acre
industrial)
u.S. Route 460
Montvale, vA 24122
New london Business
& Technology Center
(500 acres)
u.S. 460 and Meade Road
forest, vA 24551
dISTANCE TO OTHER CITIES
norfolk, 215 miles
Washington, d.c.; 210 miles
Richmond, 115 miles
Roanoke 29 mile
Lynchburg, 24 miles
MAjOR INdUSTRIES
No. of
Company Industry Employees
TEvA Pharmaceuticals 587
inService America call center 389
GP Big island, LLc Paper Products 330
Mail America direct Mail 315
Sam Moore furniture furniture 300
Sentry Equipment Manufacturing 231
information Management
valtim, inc call center 225
Andrew Solutions circuit Boards 155
harris Radio Systems 150
Smyth co. Packaging/Printing 135
cintas Specialized Business Services 130
Bedford Weaving Textile Manufacturing 125
RST Marketing Mail distribution 100
coleman-Adams const. General contractor 90
National D-Day Memorial
Photo by Todd Bennett
image Gallery
22 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm
Poplar Forest in Forest was the personal retreat for President Thomas Jefferson.
Photo by Todd Bennett
BedfORd 23
image Gallery
24 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm
The view of the Peaks of Otter from the Claytor Nature Study Center
Photo by Todd Bennett
BedfORd 25
rich in scenic beauty, history, agriculture and the arts, Bedford celebrates its roots with a wealth of diverse attractions and lively festivals. This vibrant city enjoys a friendly, small-town atmosphere that people are drawn to.
living histOryhistory buffs can find plenty to
keep them busy in Bedford. historic
centerTown, a national historic district,
features antique and specialty shops, art
galleries, cafes and restaurants in historic
buildings. The historic Bedford Walking
Tour offers a self-guided adventure
through 21 stops in the city. The Avenel
mansion was once the focal point of a
200-acre plantation. The 1830s home is
listed on the national Register of historic
Places and the virginia Landmarks
Register. Also in centerTown Bedford is
the Bedford Museum and Genealogical
Library. housed in a 1985 Masonic Temple
in centerTown Bedford, it’s the city’s only
example of Romanesque Revival
architecture. Bedford suffered the
highest per-capita d-day losses in the
nation, which makes it a fitting place
for the national d-day Memorial. This
striking memorial on 88 acres features an
English garden, an invasion tableau and
victory Plaza. Poplar forest is a historic
octagonal home and plantation built by
President Thomas Jefferson as his
personal retreat. it’s one of two homes
Jefferson designed and built for his own
use – and the first octagonal home in
America. franklin county is home to
the Booker T. Washington national
Monument, located on the former
abundant attractionsBedfORd cuLtuRe ceLeBRAtes histORy, AgRicuLtuRe And the ARts
Arts & culture
Top: Avenel mansion in Bedford has been a Bedford landmark for more than 150 years. Bottom: the Bedford museum and genealogical LibraryP
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tobacco plantation where
Washington was born into slavery
in 1856. The African-American
leader rose to prominence as an
educator, orator and founder of
the Tuskegee institute in Alabama.
This historic site interprets
Washington’s life through exhibits,
film, a living history farm, guided
tours and special events.
Fun at the FestivalsBedford offers a lively roster of
festivals and events. new in 2010
are the Second friday events in
centerTown Bedford. Second
friday is a gallery walk held on
the second friday of each month,
and more than 30 shops,
restaurants and art galleries
participate in this free event.
Businesses stay open until 8 p.m.
or later, and many feature live
music. centerfest , one of the
region’s largest street festivals,
features artisans, live music,
children’s activities and food
vendors each September in
centerTown Bedford. Many local
farms and wineries offer a variety
of festivals and music events. one
example is the annual Apple
harvest festival at Gross’ orchard
in Bedford. This october event
features crafts, jam, cider, games,
rides, entertainment and apple
butter-making. The fat Tire frenzy
Mountain Bike Race & Bike festival
takes place each June at falling
creek Park in Bedford.
heart OF the artsThe Bower center for the Arts
is a nonprofit art center in the
heart of Bedford. The vibrant
center offers a variety of music
and art classes for adults and
young people, along with concerts,
performances and exhibits. Little
Town Players, Bedford’s award-
winning community theater troupe,
offers a yearly fall-to-spring
season of comedies, dramas and
musicals with summer theater
camps for young people.
Performances take place in the
Elks national home Theatre. The
nonprofit Bedford community
orchestra has two seasons each
year, culminating in free public
concerts in the spring and fall.
cOnnected tO the land
Bedford still has strong ties to
agriculture, and visitors have
plenty of opportunities to explore
local farms and orchards. known
for its peaches, apples and wine,
the area is home to several family
operations that give visitors a
chance to pick their own produce
and sample locally made products.
The Bedford area has five wineries,
with many offering vineyard and
orchard tours, picnic areas, wine
festivals and other special events.
The Bedford Wine Trail offers
visitors an easy, fun way to
experience each winery.
– Rebecca Denton
BedfORd 27
Bedford county provides excellent opportunities for traditional education as well as modern vocational training, ensuring a skilled and educated workforce for area employers.
puBlic schOOlsEducation is key in Bedford county,
offering students an excellent traditional
education, as well as up-to-date
vocational training. The school district has
15 elementary schools, three middle
schools, including Bedford Middle School
with an enrollment of 458 students, forest
Middle School with an enrollment of 1,027
and Staunton River Middle School with
839 students. Bedford county also has
three high schools, as well as the Bedford
Science & Technology center. Liberty
high School has an enrollment of 1,038
students, and Jefferson forest and
Staunton River high schools have student
enrollments of 1,375 and 1,127 respectively.
BedFOrd science and technOlOgy center
The Bedford Science and Technology
center was established in 1970 with an
enrollment of 222 students in 11 programs.
Enrollment has grown to more than 500
students in 16 programs. in a unique
relationship, the center operates as an
extension of the three local high schools.
Students who are taking part in a technical
program attend the center for half of the
school day and then attend their classes at
their base high school for the other half.
The result is a system that provides
students with valuable vocational training,
while also ensuring that they receive a
core high school education.
Education
NestledatthefootoftheBlueRidgeMountains,BedfordCountyisthefifthlargestcountyinVirginia,covering754squaremiles.LocatedbetweenthecitiesofLynchburgandRoanoke,BedfordCountyhasbecomeknownforitsfabulousviews,excitingparks,the
NationalD-DayMemorial,lakesandotherrecreationalopportunities.PubliceducationhasbeenafocusinthecountysincetheBedfordCountySchoolDivisionbeganinAugust1846.Morethan150yearslater,thedrivetoprepareourstudentstobeproductiveandresponsible
citizensinourcommunityandintheworldisstrongerthanever. BedfordCountyPublicSchoolsofferseducationalservicestoapproximately10,500studentsenrolledinelementary,middle,highandalternativeschools.Morethanhalfofallstudentsreceiveadvanced
studiesdiplomasupongraduation.Nearly800teachersservechildrenthroughoutthecounty’s22fullyaccreditedschools,preparingourstudentstobesuccessfulincollegeandvariouscareerfieldsinthe21stCentury.
Bedford County PuBliC SChoolS A community dedicated to our students and their futures.
www.bedford.k12.va.us
skills to last a lifetimeLOcAL schOOLs PROvide OutstAnding PROgRAms
cvccCentral Virginia
Community College offers associate’s
degrees in the arts and sciences. Many
of the credits can be transferred to four-year
colleges. The college receives funding from
numerous sources, including local, state and
federal governments, as well as businesses, individual donors and
student tuition.
28 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm
NestledatthefootoftheBlueRidgeMountains,BedfordCountyisthefifthlargestcountyinVirginia,covering754squaremiles.LocatedbetweenthecitiesofLynchburgandRoanoke,BedfordCountyhasbecomeknownforitsfabulousviews,excitingparks,the
NationalD-DayMemorial,lakesandotherrecreationalopportunities.PubliceducationhasbeenafocusinthecountysincetheBedfordCountySchoolDivisionbeganinAugust1846.Morethan150yearslater,thedrivetoprepareourstudentstobeproductiveandresponsible
citizensinourcommunityandintheworldisstrongerthanever. BedfordCountyPublicSchoolsofferseducationalservicestoapproximately10,500studentsenrolledinelementary,middle,highandalternativeschools.Morethanhalfofallstudentsreceiveadvanced
studiesdiplomasupongraduation.Nearly800teachersservechildrenthroughoutthecounty’s22fullyaccreditedschools,preparingourstudentstobesuccessfulincollegeandvariouscareerfieldsinthe21stCentury.
Bedford County PuBliC SChoolS A community dedicated to our students and their futures.
www.bedford.k12.va.us
The center offers technical courses
in automotive body repair, carpentry,
cosmetology, drafting design tech-
nology, electricity and cabling, masonry
and computer repair. The vocational
training also includes special courses
for seniors that provide on-the-job
training in fields such as teaching,
practical nursing and computer
networking. Many of the center’s one-
and two-year programs also qualify
for college credit, which gives
students a leg up on higher education.
central virginia cOmmunity cOllege
central virginia community college
opened in 1968. it is a two-year
institution established as a member of
the virginia community college
System. The college serves more than
228,000 people in its geographical
area, which includes the cities of
Lynchburg and Bedford, as well as
Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and
campbell counties. in addition,
Bedford is home to a satellite campus.
– Braxton Shoop Ph
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30 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm BedfORd 31
Local flavor
With a variety of distinctive restaurants located in Bedford’s centertown – the city’s vibrant historic downtown district – and throughout the county, Bedford serves up a smorgasbord of rich dining experiences.
“centerTown has an interesting mix of restaurants
in all price ranges,” says Sergei Troubetzkoy, director
of Bedford’s Tourism and Welcome center. “We also
have a nice concentration of art galleries and antique
shops, and a three-mile walking trail is right on the
edge of downtown, within a couple blocks of the
main shopping district.”
visitors to historic centerTown can choose from
casual coffee shops and bakeries, cozy cafes, pizza
parlors or more upscale eateries – each with its own
characteristic flair.
Located in a renovated, early-1900s railroad station
house, liberty Station is one of the most popular
dining destinations in town. The locally owned and
operated restaurant offers a diverse menu of fresh
steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
Established in 2001, this bustling eatery is also famous
locally for harry’s famous cheesecakes – rich and
creamy cheesecakes made with fresh ingredients by
Liberty Station’s proprietor, harry Leist.
The Bedford Social Club is another popular local
hangout in centerTown. This public restaurant (not
a private club, as its name might suggest) offers
elegant, upscale cuisine such as honey-glazed seared
scallops in jalapeno peach salsa, coarse mustard- and
macadamia nut-encrusted rack of lamb, and steak au
poivre. dessert options include homemade ice cream
in flavors such as honey lavender or coconut rum.
And the restaurant offers more than 150 wines, a full
bar and 38 different beers.
Across from the Bedford Social club is Clam diggers Seafood Restaurant, a fresh seafood
restaurant and market known for its excellent food,
friendly, lively atmosphere and live music. Just
across from the centerTown Park, IvyBridge Café
offers a fresh salad bar, sandwiches and wraps,
homemade soups, boxed lunches, pastries, desserts,
and a soda fountain serving milkshakes, smoothies,
malts and floats.
Another welcoming spot, Artisan Cafe on East
depot Street, specializes in handcrafted soups and
sandwiches made with organic vegetables and other
fine ingredients. This artsy café’s desserts and soups
are made from family recipes, and food is served in
the middle of an art gallery – a cozy and unusual
atmosphere.
on crenshaw Street in Bedford, the duchess of Bedford Bakery and Café offers fresh pastries and
desserts made on-site every day, along with specialty
coffee and espresso drinks made from beans roasted
in virginia. homemade quiche, fresh-baked artisan
breads, cheesecakes, pound cakes, and Boar’s head
meats and cheeses are also on the menu.
BeyOnd centertOWnoutside of centerTown, just north of Bedford, the
elegant and comfortable Millstone Tea Room focuses
on locally grown ingredients served in an intimate
dining room that seats 40. owned by husband-and-
wife team Melanie and Jared Srsic, the restaurant
serves only pasture-fed meats, seafood from
sustainable wild or responsibly farmed fisheries,
seasonal produce from its own gardens on the
property, and in-season virginia produce.
Also outside of Bedford, on the Blue Ridge Parkway,
is lake view Restaurant at Peaks of Otter lodge.
overlooking picturesque Abbott Lake, the restaurant
serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily year-round,
including a friday seafood buffet, a Sunday breakfast
buffet and a Sunday country buffet in the afternoon.
Benjamin’s, in forest, is another must-visit
restaurant, offering fine dining in a casual
atmosphere. Specializing in hand-cut steaks and
fresh seafood, the locally owned and operated
restaurant features dishes such as beef tenderloin
and Alaskan Snow crab legs, Maryland Blue crab-
stuffed ravioli in a bistro crab sauce, and grilled ahi
tuna served with mango slaw.
Benjamin’s has another location, Benjamin’s at the Pointe, located on Smith Mountain Lake at
Mariners Landing, a resort community and
conference center in huddleston.
for more information about restaurants in and
around Bedford, go to www.visitbedford.com and
click on “Where to dine.”
– Rebecca Denton
all in good tasteBedfORd RestAuRAnts seRve uP cuisine With chARActeR
30 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm BedfORd 31
Liberty Station
515 Bedford Ave.
(540) 587-9377
bedford SociaL cLub
124 S. Bridge St.
(540) 586-9454
cLam diggerS Seafood reStaurant 109 S. Bridge St.
(540) 587-6727
ivybridge café 104 N. Bridge St.
(540) 587-8780
artiSan cafe 207 E. Depot St. (540) 587-8878
ducheSS of bedford bakery and café 405 Crenshaw St. (540) 587-8777
getting to the center of the action in centertown
Harry’s Famous Cheesecake at liberty StationThe Millstone Tea Room
dining downtown
32 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm BedfORd 33
Bedford residents can rest easy knowing they have convenient access to several top-rated medical centers in Bedford, Roanoke and Lynchburg. Two of the region’s leading health-care organizations – centra health and carilion clinic – operate facilities nearby, providing even more top-notch choices.
BedFOrd memOrial hOspital
Bedford Memorial hospital is
a 50-bed facility that also has 111
long-term-care and skilled beds
in its oakwood health and
Rehabilitation center. The
hospital, on oakwood Street in
Bedford, is an accredited pain
center and offers surgical care,
emergency services and a wide
range of outpatient services.
Bedford Memorial is jointly owned
and operated by carilion clinic
and centra – two of the region’s
foremost health-care organizations.
if needed, emergency transport
to larger medical centers in
Lynchburg, Roanoke and
charlottesville is provided by
rescue squad ambulances and
medical helicopters.
“it’s a true treasure to have a
hospital like Bedford Memorial in
our community,” says Anita Lowe,
community health service advisor
for Bedford Memorial hospital.
“We offer high-quality care with
a special touch, and we’re in a
convenient location for residents.”
lynchBurgcentra virginia Baptist hospital
is a 317-licensed-bed facility in
Lynchburg, about 30 minutes east
of Bedford. This top-quality facility
is a regional hospital for cancer
care, women’s and children’s care,
mental health and chemical
dependency treatment, outpatient
surgery, physical rehabilitation and
home health. Also in Lynchburg is
centra Lynchburg General hospital,
a 270-bed emergency and critical-
care center specializing in
cardiology, emergency medicine,
orthopedics, oncology, neurology
and neurosurgery. Lynchburg
General is recognized nationally for
its nursing, oncology, cardiac and
neurosciences programs.
rOanOkeWith 731 beds and an additional
60-bed neonatal intensive care
unit, carilion Roanoke Memorial
hospital in Roanoke is one of the
largest hospitals in the state.
Located about an hour’s drive
west of Bedford, the cRMh facility
also includes a Level i trauma
center and the carilion clinic
children’s hospital, complete with
a pediatric emergency room. Also
available is carilion Roanoke
community hospital, which
includes an urgent care center and
some outpatient services.
– Rebecca Denton
the picture of healthBedfORd-AReA hOsPitALs OffeR cOnvenient cARe cLOse tO hOme
health & Wellness
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visit ouradvertisersBedford Countywww.bedfordcountyva.gov
Bedford County Public Schoolswww.bedford.k12.va.us
Bedford Memorial Hospitalwww.bmhva.com
Bedford Ready Mixwww.lynchburgreadymix.com
Carilion Clinicwww.carilionclinic.org
Centra Healthwww.centrahealth.com
Central Virginia Federal Credit Unionwww.cvfcu.com
Century 21 All Servicewww.c21all-service.com
Claytor Nature Study Centerwww.lynchburg.edu/claytor
Coleman Adamswww.coleman-adams.com
First Bank and Trustwww.firstbank.com
H&R Block – Toni Orange CPA
Olde Liberty Stationwww.oldelibertystation.com
Piedmont Eye Centerwww.piedmonteye.com
The Summitwww.summitlynchburg.com
Please plan to come visit Olde Liberty Station.While the station house has a rich and colorful background, its present-day
use as a full-service restaurant showcases the history of the building and of the Bedford, Virginia area. Our menu of delicious American fare, created with the best
ingredients available, will satisfy the appetite of travelers and locals alike.
Best of all, our guests can complete their meal with a slice of Harry’s Famous Cheesecake – in any of our tempting flavors that will leave you wanting more!
515 Bedford Ave. • Bedford, VA 24523 • (540) 587-9377www.oldelibertystation.com
©Photos by Vickey Duncan
34 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm BedfORd 35
Bedford has family fun for all ages, from outdoor adventures such as hiking the Appalachian Trail to ice skating to hitting the links at the lakeside golf courses in the area. Agri-tourism activities and an old-fashioned drive-in theater add to the fun.
appalachian trailBedford is located in the Blue
Ridge Mountains, giving residents
plenty of opportunities for
outdoor recreation. The famous
Appalachian Trail runs right by
Bedford, through the nearby
Washington-Jefferson national
forest. Sights along the trail
include a wide variety of
wildflowers and wildlife, along
with gorgeous scenery. While the
Appalachian Trail is the most
popular, those looking to hike or
walk trailways have many other
options in Bedford. falling creek
Trails offer more than 8 miles of
hiking and biking trails - along
with a park featuring a disc golf
course, shuffleboard and
playgrounds. The Montvale Trails
offer nearly 7 miles of entirely
wooded biking and hiking single-
track trails.
Blue ridge parkWay and smith mOuntain lake
if you’d rather enjoy the
beautiful scenery from the
comfort of your car, the famous
Blue Ridge Parkway also runs
through Bedford. While making
the scenic tour, drivers can stop
by the Peaks of otter Lodge to
take a break or stay for a weekend
amidst the gorgeous scenery.
virginia’s most popular lake,
Smith Mountain Lake, is also
located in Bedford. named the
Jewel of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, the lake features 500
miles of shoreline, and serves as a
great place for all sorts of water
recreation. Powerboating,
canoeing, sailing, swimming,
water skiing, parasailing, fishing,
wakeboarding and jetskiing are all
popular activities on Smith
Mountain Lake. The surrounding
land is home to many activities,
such as camping, hunting,
picnicking, and shopping.
lakeside gOlF cOursesGolfers also flock to the area
for the great lakeside golfing from
three fun and challenging courses
– Mariners Landing, Sycamore
Ridge and The Westlake. other
golf options in the area include
the Boonsboro country club and
colonial hills and ivy hill golf clubs.
Family activitiesfamilies have many activities
they can share in Bedford,
including Gross’ orchard Apple
valley, where visitors can pick their
own mountain-grown apples and
peaches. More high-energy activity
can be had at Lynchburg’s Lahaye
ice center, which offers rinks for
open skating along with rentals for
parties and lessons for kids for
hockey, ice skating and more. for a
relaxing evening, the Mayberry
drive-in Theatre & diner is a great
location to watch movies in the old-
fashioned way, from the comfort of
your car. – Carson O’Shoney
Busy BodiesRecReAtiOn in BedfORd PROvides sOmething fOR eveRyOne
Sports & Recreation
smith mountain Lake state Park
36 imAgesBedfORdvA .cOm
UTIlITIES
ElectricityAppalchian Power,
(800) 956-4237
Southside Electric
cooperative, (800) 552-2118
city of Bedford, (540) 587-6047
Natural gascolumbia Gas of virginia,
(800) 440-6111
TelecommunicationsShentel, (800) Shentel
cox communications,
(888) 360-7075
Bax online, (540) 555-5555
verizon-virginia,
(800) 837-4966
comcast, (888) 266-2278
WaterBedford county Public Service
Authority, (540) 586-7679
Montvale Water co.,
(540) 947-0261
city of Bedford, (540) 587-6012
MEdICAl FACIlITIES
Bedford Memorial hospital
1613 oakwood St.
Bedford, vA 24523
(540) 586-2441
www.bmhva.com
carilion clinic
1906 Belleview Ave.
Roanoke, vA 24014
(800) 422-8482
www.carilionclinic.org
centra health
centra has many facilities
throughout central virginia.
(877) 635-4651,
www.centrahealth.com
INCOME
Median household income
$34,964
Average household income
$42,487
Per capita income
$18,982
Median disposable income
$30,968
NEWSPAPERS
Bedford Bulletin, weekly
402 E. Main St.
Bedford, vA 24523
(540) 586-8612
www.bedfordbulletin.com
Smith Mountain Eagle, weekly
1650 Scruggs Rd.
Wirtz, vA 24184
(540) 719-5100
www.smithmountaineagle.com
Vinton Messenger, weekly
1633 W. Main St.
Salem, vA 24153
(540) 473-2741
www.ourvalley.org
Roanoke Times, daily
201 W. campbell Ave.
P.o. Box 2491
Roanoke, va. 24010-2491
(800) 346-1234, (540) 981 3211
www.roanoke.com
Lynchburg News
& Advance, daily
101 Wyndale dr.
Lynchburg, vA 24501
(800) 275-8830,
(434) 385-5440
www2.newsadvance.com
SNAPSHOTBedford abounds with natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, offering residents and visitors a pleasant environment in which to live, work and play.
ClIMATE
Average Maximum January
Temp, 44.2
Average Minimum January
Temp, 24.9
Average Maximum July Temp,
86.2
Average Minimum July Temp,
65.1
Annual Precipitation, 44.8
EdUCATION
The Bedford county Public
School System provides
education to children in grades
k-12. Special programs for
academically gifted and
handicapped students are
available. other programs
include: career and technical
education at the Bedford
center for Science and
Technology; participation in
the district’s Governor’s Math,
Science, and Technology
schools; advanced placement
courses; and dual enrollment
courses.
Bedford County Public Schools
310 S. Bridge St.
Bedford, vA 24523
(540) 586-1045
www.bedford.k12.va.us
REAl ESTATE
Median home Sale Price
$132,000
COMMUNITy PROFIlE
Ad Index C4 BedfordCounty
29 BedfordCounty PuBliCSChoolS
32 Bedford MeMorialhoSPital
C3 BedfordreadyMix
19 CarilionCliniC
C2 Centrahealth
10 CentralVirginia federalCreditunion
1 Century21allSerViCe
20 Claytornature StudyCenter
10 ColeManadaMS
19 firStBankandtruSt
C3 h&rBloCk– toniorangeCPa
34 oldeliBertyStation
32 PiedMonteyeCenter
27 theSuMMit
BedfORd 37
More Than 60 Years of Continuous Service to Central Virginia
Left:
National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA
LYNCHBURG(434) 846-6563
AMHERST(434) 946-5562
APPOMATTOX (434) 352-2829
BEDFORD READY MIX CONCRETE CO. INC.
(540) 586-8380 www.lynchburgreadymix.com
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Toni Orange, CPAFranchise Owner
406A E. Main St. Bedford, VA 24523 (540) 586-3469