Celebrate the Fun Side of Winter!

January 15, 2015
Volume 10, Number 1
WinterFest............................................................... pg. 1
Upcoming Events.................................................. pg. 2
Director’s Cut (Exec. Director)........................... pg. 2
Awards Nominees................................................ pg. 3
2015 Business After Hours................................. pg. 3
The Inner Circle (Membership)......................... pg. 3
The Turn of Events (Events)............................... pg. 3
Freeze Frame (Photo Spot)................................ pg. 4
To promote, protect and improve business through the cultural, social and economic development,
growth and sustainability of Blowing Rock while preserving the charm and character of the village.
Celebrate the Fun Side of Winter!
Join the Village of Blowing Rock as we celebrate the fun
side of winter at the 17th Annual Blowing Rock Winterfest! The dates for WinterFest are January 22-25 and
there are fun activities planned for everyone. The event
kicks off next Thursday with WinterFeast where the best
restaurants in the Blowing Rock area come together at
Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort.
Grab a fork and go “Dishing Through The Snow”, sampling
some of the best bites in the area at the High Country Small
Plate Crawl! Dozens of independently owned restaurants
will create special Small Plate Menus, priced from $3 to $8.
Crawl from restaurant to restaurant all five days from
7:00am to 9:00pm. Info: www.platecrawl.com/passport
You will find items ranging from lodging at area hotels and
inns, spa day packages, packages to area parks, massage
and wellness certificates, outdoor adventures, fly fishing
lessons, theatre subscriptions, art work by local artists,
gift certificates to area restaurants, and many more! In
addition, buy raffle tickets for baskets of goodies from
your favorite shopping stops. Last year we had more than
$20,000 worth of items from over 200 businesses!
Go to page 3’s “The Turn of Events” for other events or
visit www.blowingrockwinterfest.com for details and
ticket information. There are fun events for everyone to
enjoy!
Then on January 23, Blowing Rock retailers join forces to
bring you the finest ladies apparel and accessories during
the WinterFest WinterFashion Show. The newest winter
and spring fashions will be featured from the area’s top retail stores including Doncaster, Monkees, TazMaRaz,
Couture by Finley House, JW Tweeds, and
more! Doors open at 11:00am with a
cash bar available. The runway
opens at 11:30am followed
by a “Winter Warming”
lunch of soup, salad, quiche and a light dessert.
Another great event is the Silent Auction & Raffle brought
to you by Mountain Alliance on Saturday, 10am-4pm. Come
to the Blowing Rock School Cafeteria and bid on the many
awesome items donated by area retailers and businesses.
Show off your
four legged be
st friend or co
to see the cutest
me
dogs around in
the WinterPaw
Dog Show! Ja
n 25th.
s
Winterfest
January 22-25
Passion to Profits
was January 22 Rescheduled for June.
More info coming soon.
Guerrilla Marketing
February 5, 1:30-4:30pm
Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue
Awards Luncheon
Green Park Inn
February 10, 11:30am
Tickets: 295-7851
Social Media Marketing
March 12, 8:30-11:30am
TBA
Business Meetings
Business Support
Chamber Board Room
January 22, 9:00am
Winterfest Meeting
Chamber Board Room
January 22, 2:00pm
Executive Committee
Chamber Board Room
January 27, 8:30am
Economic Development
Chamber Board Room
January 28, 4:00pm
Resource Development
Chamber Board Room
February 9, 4:00pm
Executive Committee,
Chamber Board Room
February 24, 8:30am
For more info and calendar:
www.blowingrock.com
Wow! Can you believe it is 2015? It really sounds like
something from a 70’s or 80’s sci-fi movie. It seems
like yesterday that we were all toasting in the new millennium and wondering if the Y2K bug would take
down the power grid and we would all be drinking our
champagne in the dark.
I hope you have had a great business year. Most indications are that business in 2014 was generally between
good and great. The forecast for 2015 seems to indicate
that with more Americans re-joining the work force, for
the first time in some cases since 2008 as unemployment
continues to decline and more are starting to get back
to full time employment. This coupled with extremely
low prices at the pump saving the average family over
$700 per year will help lift the spirit of consumers. This
good news should translate to all sectors of our Blowing
Rock economy. More consumers with interest in spending will travel in their cars (for less money) to a destination and spend more money on things they want rather
than only spending money on essentials. Real Estate will
continue to improve which will result in more second
home purchases which will reduce the existing inventory requiring more construction. Once the homes are
built, services will also be needed and the homes will
need furnishings and décor. No one including me has
a crystal ball, but if we continue to stick to the basics of
good sound business and excellent customer service, we
will certainly have a good chance at a successful 2015!
The Chamber seated its 2015 board of directors Wednesday. New board members include: Billy Chick, Edward
Jones Investments, Jay Vincent, Vincent Properties, Jim
McDowell, Mountaineer Inn and Log Cabins, David
Harwood, BRAHM, Justin Lawrence, Sweeting Appraisals, and Jim Williams. In spite of the ice, the board
took up the Chambers plan of work, 2015 budget and
the appointment of Jess Wehrmann as Chair of Business
Support Committee. Board Chair Cathy Robbins announced that the strategic plan is almost complete and
hopefully will be introduced at the Awards Luncheon.
Partners: The Chamber is excited to announce that
there are two Gold Level Partners: Westglow Resort &
Spa and Chetola Resort and 16 Silver Level Partners:
Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Blowing Rock Antique Center, Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery, Blue
Ridge Mountain Club, Blowing Rock News, Blue Ridge
Mountain Rentals, First Citizens Bank, 444 Construction, Green Park Inn, Chick fil A, LifeStore Banking &
Insurance, JW Tweeds, neaco, Monkee’s, The New Public House, Outback Steakhouse, and Tweetsie Railroad.
The Chamber is grateful for these businesses both large
and small for graciously stepping up financially to help
with the many programs the Chamber offers to benefit
all its members and the community.
Winter Wonderland Lighting: The Chamber would
like to encourage all businesses to consider adding additional warm white LED lights to their property or to
create new winter wonderland themed windows. The
best lighting displays will be recognized at this year’s
Awards Luncheon. White lights may now be kept up
through March. If you have not been downtown at
night since the new winter lighting was installed, you
will find it to be a more vibrant “winter wonderland”.
The Chamber thanks all the businesses and individuals who made the optional $50 contribution in their
dues remittance this year. This money will be used
by the Blowing Rock Chamber Foundation to grant
funds to the Town to purchase more white lights. The
Foundation plans to continue to raise money this year
through grants, donations and other means to install
a spectacular lighting display in Memorial Park next
Christmas. The Town gave us a taste of what is possible
this year by wrapping two of the maple trees in lights.
This is COLLABORATION!
Business Support: The Chamber would like to thank
Cindy Milner for her many years of service both on
the Chamber board and as Chair of Business Support
Committee. She has worked tirelessly for the businesses
and led the committee to many accomplishments. The
board approved Jess Wehrmann to be the next Chair of
Business Support. Jess is an energetic, enthusiastic supporter of Blowing Rock and the Chamber. She is also a
graduate of the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge. If
you have any ideas or suggestions on how this committee can help your business, please contact her. She can
be found at Monkee’s most of the time. The Business
Support Committee has put together a great lineup
of business education seminar offerings for 2015 in
partnership with CCC&TI and in collaboration with
Boone Chamber. The first seminar is “Guerrilla Marketing for Small Business” and is scheduled for Thursday, February 5th from 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm. The
seminar will be held at Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue
in the upstairs training room. Other seminars include:
Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, Growing Your Business with Social Media, eBay Your Way to Success: The
Basics of Selling on eBay, and Customer Service for the
Business Owner, Watch for times, dates, and locations
in the Chamber Update or Village Current.
Economic Development: The Committee will be
involved in developing a strategic plan for economic
development for the Town this year. The Chamber will
collaborate with the Town and the TDA in this effort.
Economic Development and Business Support have
collaborated to create another “themed month”. This
concept was originally conceived to address slow or
shoulder season times. One of the biggest challenges
business owners in Blowing Rock face is how to make
their business models work on 5-6 great months, 3-4
really bad months and 3-4 months that can go either
way. The Chamber’s approach has been to focus on the
shoulder season months. Thus the Blue Ridge Wine
& Food Festival was created in 2007 to help get April
out of the red. The month of April was designated
Wine & Culinary month. June was designated as Garden Month with several community groups partnering with the Chamber to host garden themed events
throughout the month. Last year, September was designated as Arts Month and a series of art related events
were planned by a group of dedicated volunteers. The
theme was titled “Arts Rock”.
Last year, the February Initiative was rolled out. With
good success the first year, several merchants are planning “Valentines Rocks” to help generate (cont. p.3)
Nominations for the Annual Awards Ceremony
The Annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon sponsored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of
Commerce will be held at 11:30am on February 10th, 2015 at Green Park Inn. The cost is $25
per person or $185 for corporate tables of eight. If you would like to attend, call the Chamber
at 295-7851 to make reservations by February 6. We had many fantastic nominations this year;
and for the first time ever, the Chamber encouraged the membership to vote for the winners.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their votes! The following is a list of the nominees:
1. United Community Bank’s
Commercial Renovation | New Construction
• Blue Ridge Mountain Club Sales Office
• Mellow Mushroom
• Southern Comforts
5. Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award
• Lynn Lawrence
• Ginny Stevens
• Cullie Tarleton
WinterFest is January 22-25th
New Events:
• Roots Wine Dinner: Weds, Jan 21, 6pm. Roots is
2. Renaissance II Productions’
partnering with Franciscan Winery to present
Award for Cultural Enrichment
fabulous Napa Valley wines with Roots fantastic
• The Blowing Rock Attraction
food! $100 inclusive and includes a $20 gift
• The Blowing Rocket Newspaper
certificate to use on a future meal at Roots!
• Blowing Rock Memorial Park Story Walk
Limited seating, reservations: 828-414-9508.
Plus, we will award our Volunteer of the Year,
• High Country Small Plate Crawl: Weds–Sun,
our Customer Service Stars will be recognized
3. Blue Ridge Mountain Club’s
Jan 21-25. Several area restaurants including
and a very special award will be given to both
Award for Service to Community
Gamekeeper, Foggy Rock, Timberlake’s at Cheta business and an individual in recognition of
• John Aldridge & Jim Pitts – Gateway Project
ola, Mellow Mushroom, Casa Rustica and The
• Ron Cutlip – Blowing Rock School Playground their outstanding impact on Blowing Rock.
Table at Crestwood will be featuring small plates ranging
• Steven Price – Memorial Park Gazebo
from $3-$8. See complete listing at www.platecrawl.com.
Get your tickets now and come support your
Must See Events:
4. Lowe’s Companies, Inc.’s
local businesses!
• WinterFashion Show: Friday, Jan 23rd, 11:00am at
Winter Wonderland Lighting
Meadowbrook Inn featuring the village apparel stores
• Chetola Resort
showing both winter and spring fashions. Space is lim • Cliff Dwellers Inn
ited. Tickets are $27 so get your “besties” gathered and
• Memorial Park - Town of Blowing Rock
buy your tickets from the Chamber quickly.
• The Polar Plunge – of course: No explanation needed
from this group of flakes! Benefitting Western Youth
Network and Hospitality House.
• Ice Carving Demos: In the park on Saturday from
noon-4pm. US Army Special Operations Ice Carving Team building 5 foot ice sculptures. We plan to
leave them up overnight so I suggest a moonlight stroll
through the park on Saturday evening.
• Wine Tasting and Auction: Saturday 2-5ish at
the Green Park Inn. Taste a fantastic variety of
Welcome To Our New Member!
wines from 2-4pm then grab an auction number
and bid on wonderful wines by the case or bottle.
Business Member:
Several other items up for bid too! A portion of the
On the Windfall
proceeds go to Alzheimer’s research.
(George Ford) Lane on the Windfall, Lansing, NC, (704) 634-3261, www.onthewindfall.com
• The Hay Ride: a specially constructed John Deere
On The Windfall, rustic elegance developed in the spirit of the mountains. A gated 215 acre retreat located in
hay wagon and tractor perfectly fitted to hold all
northwestern Ashe County at 4000’. Property includes The Pascova event venue, three luxury cottages with accomyour friends – a great way to get around town!
Brought to you by Country Boy Landscaping.
modations for 17, stocked trout pond, working farm and more.
• The Chili Cookoff: by the Blowing Rock
PTO to help raise money for the playground
The Business After Hours Events For 2015
renovations. Come out and support them!
The Chamber has been providing Business After Hours opportunities to our members since 2007. This event’s sole
Businesses are strongly encouraged to compete
purpose is to showcase host member businesses and to provide networking opportunities for members of the Chamwith their own chili for a banner in the gym!
ber. Over the years, many member businesses have benefitted from the exposure they have received from hosting these
Changes:
events as do business owners and community leaders spending time in their business. It is a great opportunity to let
• The Kid’s Activities will be run by High
Country Girl Scouts and feature crafts and
other businesses know where you are and what you do - so be sure and mark your calendars for the following dates!
activities. More Kid’s Activities at BRAHM!
March 17 – The Blowing Rock Attraction
• Hayrides will be offered only on Saturday.
April 21 – The Inn At Crestwood Restaurant And Spa
• Foggy Rock is having a Pancake Breakfast
May 19 – Wahoo’s Adventures
at the restaurant on Saturday morning.
June 16 – Blowing Rock Country Club
• Schedule will be available online & printable.
August 18 – BRAHM & Di Santi Watson Capua Wilson & Garrett
September 15 – Doncaster
Director’s Cut (cont. from p.2)
October 20 – Green Park Inn
some
excitement in a slow time. Retailers should
November 17 – Blowing Rock Frameworks
consider a fresh new window theme for February.
Hoteliers should consider packaging themes around
The Membership Committee is busy at work under the direction of Mandy Poplin planning the
warm cozy fires and romantic getaways. Restaurants
Awards Luncheon scheduled for Tuesday, February 10. The event will be held at Green Park
should think about some hearty valentine’s “sweetheart”
Inn. Networking and registration begins at 11:30 am with the program and lunch starting
specials. If we all collaborate and focus all our efforts, we
at noon. Membership Committee has reviewed all the voting for the awards and
may be able to build this otherwise lackluster month to
recipients will be announced at the luncheon. It all sounds pretty exciting!
something that will entice more visitors. Please contact
We also welcome Billy Chick to the Membership Committee.
Jess Wehrmann if you will get involved.
6. Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce’s
Business of the Year
• Blue Ridge Mountain Club
• VPC Builders
• Woodlands BBQ
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Chamber Awards Luncheon
Call the Chamber to make your reservations for the Chamber’s Awards Luncheon to be
held at Green Park Inn on February 10th at 11:30am. $25 per person. 295-7851.
2014 Officers
Melissa Pickett
Vice President
Blowing Rock Inn
KEVIN TROYER
Secretary
4 Forty Four Inc.
DAVID BARKER
Treasurer
Blowing Rock Market
Billy Chick
Edward Jones
CAROL DICKERSON
J. W. Tweeds
Marcia Greene
Chetola Resort
David Harwood
BRAHM
DON HUBBLE
Individual Representative
Justin Lawrence
Sweeting Appraisals
Jim McDowell
Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins
SUZANNE MILLER
Blowing Rock Antique Center
Keith Neaves (Executive Board)
Neaco
Jim Pitts (Executive Board)
Blue Ridge Mountain Club
MANDY POPLIN
Doncaster Outlet
STEVEN PRICE
Westglow
Cullie Tarleton
Individual Representative
Jay Vincent
Vincent Properties
Jess Wehrmann
Monkee’s
Jim Williams
Individual Representative
CHARLES HARDIN
Executive Director
hardince@blowingrock.com
TERRI BAILEY
Membership Services Director
Art in the Park Coordinator
terri@blowingrock.com
Billie Rogers
Events Director
billie@blowingrock.com
Marcia Vaughan
Travel Counselor
marcia@blowingrock.com
CATHY ROBBINS
President
Tweetsie Railroad
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
132 Park Avenue • PO Box 406 • Blowing Rock, NC 28605 • 828.295.7851 • fax: 828.295.7651 • membership@blowingrock.com