The Benda Home
Located in the Baywatch subdivision off Scruggs Road, the Bendas’ classic Cape Code-style home offers approximately 6300 sq ft of living space, with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. Retired Army Colonel Greg Benda and his wife, Linda, moved 32 times during his military career, and their home reflects a lifetime of service, travel, and treasured memories. While Greg was deployed in Afghanistan, Linda discovered this lakefront property and purchased it with his combat pay. She surprised him upon his return with the lot and a billboard welcoming him home.
The home showcases exceptional craftsmanship and global inspiration throughout. Arched iron double front doors from Mexico welcome visitors and open into the dining and living areas, where striking timber-frame arches crafted in Floyd and a chandelier from Spain immediately capture attention. A compass commissioned from Russia is inlaid in the wide-plank hickory floor, and hand-carved fireplace mantel supports from Ukraine add distinctive artistry.
Downstairs, visitors will discover the engineering, military history, and entertaining spaces that complete this extraordinary home. In particular, visitors will see a dedicated Bourbon Room and a glass cabinet showcasing a Berlin Wall fragment and a pack of the famous “Most Wanted” military playing cards used to identify members of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq in 2003. A complete second kitchen and two more guest bedrooms round out the lower level.
The Free Clinic of Franklin County
The Free Clinic of Franklin County at Bernard Healthcare Center provides primary health care to adults who are uninsured and whose income falls below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. FCFC offers a robust range of services including the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness, physical examinations, laboratory testing, in-house pharmacy services, mental health counseling, and referrals to specialists. In 2025, FCFC staff and volunteers provided nearly 1,000 patient visits and 2,372 prescription medications valued at $578,768, all at little or no cost to the patient. Without the healthcare safety net that the FCFC provides, the 7.19% of Franklin County residents who are uninsured would not be able to access quality primary care and medications affordably.