07/21/2026
Yes! Power, phone Iines, and internet are now restored and we will be OPEN FOR NORMAL BUSINESS this Wednesday serving dinner starting at 5pm. While we continue to clean up and remove the tree debris, we will likely be utilizing the covered deck for patio dining reservations. Reservations for dining this week can now be made by calling 434-374-2866. Our phones lines and internet have been down since Saturday so we apologize if you were not able to reach us.
To our patrons, friends, and other local businesses who offered fridge space, extra generators, chainsaw help😆, and even areas to prep food a HUGE THANK YOU. ❤️Our hearts are full with the outpouring of love and support we received from the community.
I usually do not take the time to address negativity, but to those of you who felt the need to send us messages like "other people suffer because your tree took out power" and "way to ruin Lake Fest" and "don't you perform maintenance" all I can say is if you do not have anything nice to say during a time like this, then do like you mama said, "and keep your mouth shut!"
When you questioned whether we do routine maintenance . . . you clearly have never owned a historic home. All it feels like we do around here is maintenance! We actually had a reputable tree company out about three weeks ago to look at that tree and one we have already contracted to be removed at the wedding area next to the gazebo. When he looked at the crack in the tree he stated "just the bark is cracked and you have a good 10 years left in that tree!"
Obviously with the lightening strike and high winds we did not get 10 more years of shade from that beautiful tree!
To those of you who questioned our integrity as business owners and ability to perform maintenance, when you own a historic home and pay for premium commercial insurance, you are subject to annual inspections and rigorous review. Those of you who have dined under that tree for years have probably witnessed us trimming and cutting back branches as dictated by our insurance company.
This was merely an act of nature so we are going to move forward and focus on the positives. We feel beyond blessed that an act of God protected us, our staff, and our patrons. The only reason we even knew the tree was coming down was Terrill and I were on the patio accessing how the winds were picking up and if we should hold the Happy Hour that started in 30 minutes on the covered deck. Fortunately, the tree came down about 30 minutes before Happy Hour began or someone could have been badly injured or even killed.
Les and I have poured our hearts and souls into this business for the last 24 years and this occurrence was not an act of negligence and to suggest it was malicious is absurd.
To our patrons who had dinner reservations over the weekend we too are so disappointed that you could not join us and we all look forward to welcoming you back this week. Thank you for your understanding and for filling the dining rooms of the local restaurants who did keep power and for your support in the upcoming weeks!
To our Inn guests who understood that the situation was beyond our control a HUGE THANK YOU for being understanding and "camping out inside." I do think the candlelight complementary happy hour at the pool probably helped! To our Inn guests who threw tantrums and demanded their weekend be comped, you clearly are not our people, but we will be issuing refunds anyway because customer satisfaction is our number one priority.
To our other nature lovers, we too are saddened by the beauty and shade our beloved tree provided, but we are already brainstorming ways we can create a new romantic and inviting place to dine.
Personally, It is next to that tree that we have taken all our own family and staff pictures for the holidays over the years and she will truly be missed.
We THANK YOU for all the love and support we have received over the last four days and we are gong to continue to focus on the fact that no one was hurt and we are truly blessed that the tree Gods spared the Inn! Much love, Les & Nichol ❤️❤️❤️
