Lake Country Visitor & Newcomer Guide 2009 - (Page 32) 32 After traveling all over the world Bonnie and Don Hoffmann chose Lake Country as the place to settle down. They love the history of the area, the rural feel and the short drives to the city when they crave a metropolitan outing. AROUND THE WORLD AND HOME TO L AKE COUNTRY I t’s been a whirlwind ride for Bonnie L. Hoffmann and her husband, Don. The pair spent years in the military. And now? They have come to the Lake Country – for their love of horses and historic homes – plus a desire to raise their daughter in the country. The Hoffmanns own a 151-year-old plantation home with 25 acres – just enough space for horses and donkeys. “And our closest neighbors are cows – perfect,” Bonnie Hoffmann says. “My husband and I are both retired military officers and have lived around the world, but we chose to settle here,” Hoffmann says. “We love the history of the area, the rural feel of the communities and the fact that we are close enough to drive to metropolitan areas when we want.” What’s the best part of the Lake Country? “The people,” Hoffmann says. “Lake Coun- try folks are friendly and helpful and have a sense of community that we all share.” While in the military, Hoffmann became the first woman soldier to win Soldier of the Year honors for the 172nd Infantry Brigade in Alaska in 1978. A close-up photo of Hoffmann showed up on the cover of U.S. News and World Report in March 1980. In the U.S. Air Force, Hoffmann was in charge of protocol, handling the visits of presidents and other dignitaries, she says. “I have done many different things in many different parts of the world.” Today, though, she simply likes having a place to call home. After all, during her 21 years in the military, Hoffmann moved 15 times – including one stint that took her to Hawaii. Later, Don took a civilian job in Atlanta before moving to Birmingham, Ala. Southern Virginia ⁄ Northern North Carolina’s Lake Country
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