Becky Vernon, a member of Burnt Chimney United Methodist Church, and Burnt Chimney Ruritan Club President Glen Bolling helped dish out the club's poor man's supper Saturday at the church. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Red Valley Rescue Squad, Burnt Chimney Fire Department and the Scruggs Fire & Rescue Squad.

SML Wine Festival

About 6,000 people attended the 20th annual SML Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday at LakeWatch Spa and Resort site to sample vintages from 27 wineries, peruse 95 vendors and dance to the tunes of four bands. Although Saturday's rainfall kept some people indoors, Jim Shauberger, events manager for the SML Chamber of Commerce, said there was an increase in attendance on Sunday compared to previous years.

All five Bedford County wineries were present, including Peaks of Otter Winery, with its variety of fruit-based wines, and Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery, where Scott Sutton serenaded tasters with his backpacker guitar. Other Virginia wineries included White Fences Vineyard (left) of Irvington, whose employees traveled more than 200 miles from the East Coast for the festival. Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Chamber, said the 2009 event will be held at the same location.  

SML Wine Festival visitors danced to The Embers, a long-standing beach-music band from Raleigh, N.C., playing for their first time at the annual lake event.

Scouts' sale

Girl Scouts from Troop 37 Vanessa Lin, Tabitha Maus and Lesley Bowman and the rest of their troop held a yard sale Saturday beside The General Store in Moneta.