Discover Smith Mountain Lake
WINTER 2016
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caving in, “but when I cut into it, it was the
most beautiful piece of walnut you’ve ever seen.”
She’ll be using that lumber somewhere in the
construction of the hall where Kalee will dance
with her groom for the first time.
Poplar trees that had to be removed to make
room for the structure were taken by Melba to a
local saw mill, and cut into lumber that was used
for the board and batten exterior of the pavilion.
She also salvaged some cedar that she found in
one of her father’s old packing sheds on his North
Carolina farm. She used the cedar on an accent
wall in the rear of the building.
“I think of him every time I look at this wall,” she
said as she touched it. Melba lost her parents-
first her father, then her mother, several years
ago. She’s sorry that they won’t be here for
Kalee’s wedding, but is thankful that they lived to
be elderly and had the opportunity to know and
enjoy their grandchildren.
An old trapdoor, still sporting its hinges and
weathered to a silver gray, is mounted on the
face of the pavilion, announcing its name. Using
a router, Melba carved the lettering into the
door and Kalee stained it black. It was another
of Melba’s “finds”, and a perfect addition to the
project.
Melba is somewhere between 5 feet 4 inches to
5 feet 7 inches tall, and still has a girlish figure.
To look at her, you wouldn’t suspect that she can
operate a bobcat or a chain saw, or plumb a house.
She’s had to do these things, because she manages
a family investment of multiple rental units. Her
history also includes building individual family
homes in her home state of North Carolina.
If you’ve ever been boating on the Blackwater
you’ve probably seen Melba pulling her sons, Trey
and Coy (or one of their friends), on wakeboards
behind the family boat. She taught all three kids
how to wakeboard.
With Trey, it really stuck. He has competed in
wakeboarding events professionally in Florida
over the past three years. Coy, who graduates
from college next year, was more interested in
pole vaulting, and as a high school and college
student competed in local, State and national
competitions. He has been ranked eighth in the
sport nationwide. All three children have been
honor students involved in athletics. Kalee was in
the Governor’s school and ran track. Trey was also
a runner. Melba’s husband, Russell, another busy
person, is a successful auctioneer with Woltz and
Associates.
No surprise, then, that Melba is making such
preparations for her only daughter’s wedding.
When Dad gives the bride away, he’ll be doing it
in a structure that is designed and built by his
wife. When asked if an architect had drawn up the
blueprints, Melba laughs and admits, “I’m making
this up as I go along.”
Kalee’s reception hall, which is located just off
Route 834 (Brooks Mill Road), has been named
The Pavilion at Black Water Junction, and it is
blossoming into a family business. The Seneffs’
residence is on the Blackwater section of Smith
Mountain Lake, within view of the 4 H Center,
and just a mile or two from where their farmland
is becoming a venue for marriages, anniversaries,
family reunions, and other such gatherings. The
overall size of the pavilion is 72 feet by 40 feet.
Approximately 12 feet of that length includes
space for bathrooms and
a kitchen.
Kalee, who is employed
as an events planner,
will be handling
reservations for the
pavilion. Her brother,
Coy, who majored in
Media Production, will
be available to produce
drone-assisted footage of
weddings and receptions.
Brother Trey, has been
hands-on during the
entire construction
phase of the project.
The first thing to catch
your eye as you approach
the pavilion is a red
metal roof with a large
field stone chimney
rising above it. The
stone fireplace, which
dominates the back wall
of the pavilion, includes
a pizza oven, which has
already come in handy.
Melba and Russell have used it to prepare lunch
for family members who had come to help with
the project.The open pavilion allows guests to
enjoy the natural landscape, which includes
a view of two ponds, and of course that old
twisted tree. Simple, elegant, black, wrought iron
chandeliers of modern design provide a fetching
Melba, pictured with her husband Russell, was inspired to create The
Pavilion at Black Water Junction for Kalee’s dream wedding.
Guests to The Pavilion at Black Water Junction are greeted by Eli, the newest addition to the Seneff family, who
was born on the family’s farm.
