Written for “On The Lake” Summer ‘09 (Premier Issue)

LARKIN’S TAKES ON A NEW LOOK…  AND LOOKS AHEAD!

by April Adams

Situated on the southern banks of Lake Lure is one of the Hickory Nut Gorge’s longest-running restaurants. Larkin’s on the Lake is a rustic yet distinctive log cabin peeking over its mirror image along the smooth waters of the lake. Locals who live here know it as one of Lake Lure’s established landmarks- a comfort to a small community where businesses sometimes struggle to survive the see-saw nature of the quiet winters and fast-paced summers.

 At first glance, Larkin’s is the same restaurant it’s always been- serving up its famed Herb Encrusted Prime Rib and fresh Mountain Trout. But upon closer examination, there are some new sights around here. Owners Mark & Larkin Hammond have spent most of the winter renovating the two-story building. Following the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary in October 2008, they felt it was time to update the look. “Think of it as a little botox,” says Larkin Hammond. “We wanted to look ahead to the next ten years, and a little freshening up was in order”.

 For starters, there’s a beautiful new addition of native river rock to the lower level’s exterior walls. What was once just a slab of concrete is now a lovely representation of the surrounding mountain setting. Inside at the always-lively “Bayfront Bar & Grill”, where golden margaritas and juicy burgers are the main attraction, something else is anew. No, the dollar bills have not been replaced; those are still dangling from the ceiling baring love notes and initials from patrons of summers past. But the bar in particular has received a face-lift. Well, not really a lift… it’s more like a resizing. The bar has actually been shortened. Contractors were hired to reduce the bar’s height in order to create more comfortable seating for those wanting to sidle up for a cold one.

 But perhaps the biggest and most dramatic changes are upstairs in Larkin’s main dining room. Much has changed here- all in an effort to update the restaurant’s look and create a more comfortable, cozy atmosphere. “We want our guests to feel welcomed here,” notes General Manager Lewis Bentley. New walls, ceilings, and lighting were installed to enhance the ambient noise and to modernize the room’s look. While the décor has always been rustic, there are some fun new pieces like a giant canoe that is now the centerpiece- and conversation piece- of the dining room. The porch area, which overlooks the water below, has a new wooden ceiling making the highly popular seating area more attractive. Other add-ons like rugs, lamps, and lake artifacts have enhanced the renovation project.

Larkin’s on the Lake is the perfect spot for enjoying fine cuisine and great wines, relaxing over candlelight while looking out at the moon-drenched lake, and creating fond memories with family and friends that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. Yes, much about Larkin’s on the Lake is still the same. But the changes they’ve made inspire delightful thoughts about the next 10 years to come.

As many of you know- or at least I hope you know after browsing my website- I am a freelance producer & writer for Beachbody, a health & fitness company specializing in workout videos and supplements. You’ve probably seen one of their infomercials on late-night TV. “P90X” is one of their more popular DVD’s. On the Infomercial, trainer extraodinaire Tony Horton promises you’ll get “ripped in 90 days” if you follow his extreme workout plan.

Well, I’ve never been a workout fanatic. I’ve always just done “enough” to keep a healthy figure and weight. Working out for me has always been a “have to”, not a “want to”. But then comes along Beachbody. After years of doing a variety of videos, promotions, commercials, TV shows for a slew of different vendors and advertisers, I’m usually the first to sign up for the “product of the day”. I once did a TV spot for  GE front-load washer and dryers. The next month, I ran out and bought a set for myself. On another production shoot, I discovered the power of Oxiclean. I now use this cleaner for every spot and stain in my house. Now, I’m on the Beachbody bandwagon. Suddenly, I’m fascinated with working out! P90x has become my most recent “favorite product”.

Working for Beachbody as a producer has afforded me the chance to hear so many people’s personal success stories; many of these people are making drastic changes in their lives. People are getting off diabetes medication just by working out and eating right. They are losing hundreds of pounds without surgery. They are reaching out to others in their circle of friends and creating huge networks of support to keep each other focused and engaged in their health. Every week, I get sent new material to write; or I go and interview these people and hear their story first hand. As a result- it’s rubbing off on me! I can’t seem to help myself; all of a sudden I’m craving my next workout with Tony. It’s sort of like drinking the juice that everyone is swearing by and loving it despite that fact it tastes terrible!! These workouts are HARD. They hurt like HELL. They are impossibly frustrating because Tony challenges you do to things you never thought you could do (many of which I still can’t…) Any other time in my life, I would have said “forget this”. Workouts like that would have sent me running for the nearest Mexican restaurant for a plate of enchiladas to make me forget about the torture. Yet, I’m visualizing what this body will look like if I just keep “pushing play”- a favorite tag line of Beachbody’s. Obviously, the results are not in on this one. I’m still a work in progress. But, I have shed the final few pounds of my pregnancy weight thanks to P90X. If you want to check it out for yourself, go to www.beachbody.com 

Ok… enough of my free promotion for Beachbody. Now I have to go workout!

April

During recent trip to Texas, Isabella rolled over… and over… and over… and over. Seems she got the hang of this new trick pretty quickly. Go Bella- See you on the flip side

www.lonestarproduction.net

 

 

 

 

 

April is putting the finishing touches on her website today. Thanks to Ken Williams at CarolinaLand.com for all his help!