Weekly Village Update 5.21.20

Chamber News

Rock United Relief Fund Tops $100,000 The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock recently announced that the Rock United Relief Fund has exceeded $107,094 in donations and that it has received and reviewed 44 grant requests from small businesses in Blowing Rock. The specially formed Grants Review Committee (Tim Hilton, chair, Charlie Sellers, J B Lawrence, Carol Dabbs and Tim Gupton) has approved, to date, grant requests totaling $97,250.  Tim Hilton, speaking for the Grants Review Committee, stated that “this process has been both a humbling experience and a true joy to be able to help so many local businesses”.

Blowing Rock Farmers Market Cancelled Today Due To Flash Flood Warnings The Blowing Rock Farmers Market will begin next Thursday, May 28th, from 3pm-6pm on Park Ave. The Farmers Market will be every Thursday till September 24th. The Blowing Rock Farmers Market will include familiar vendors including Summer Fresh Flower Farm, Blue Goat Dairy, as well as new vendors this year, BFR Beef and B & L Farms Produce. Visit the Blowing Rock Farmers Market Facebook page to stay up-to-date!

Phase 2 begins Friday, May 22nd at 5:00 pm Phase 2 will begin tomorrow at 5:00 pm. This means restrictions on some businesses are being eased and the "Stay at Home" Order will be lifted. However, the State of North Carolina is still promoting "Safer at Home." What does this mean? Retail remains at 50% occupancy in the store Restaurants will be allowed to open for dine-in service at 50% occupancy Hair Salons will be allowed to open at 50% occupancy Bars, Gyms, and Event venues will remain closed. For more information click here.

Self Quarantine and Short Term Rental Restrictions to be Lifted at Phase 2 On May 19 the Watauga County Commissioners voted unanimously to modify its original plan to align with the governor's phases, allowing short-term rentals to resume at the beginning of Phase 2, instead of two weeks in, and to lift the 14-day quarantine order at the same time. This would include local campgrounds. Short-term rentals will operate at 50 percent of occupancy capacity or 50 percent of available rental units; short-term rentals can operate at 100 percent capacity at the start of the statewide Phase 3.

Count On Me NC  “Count on Me NC” initiative the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), along with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), the North Carolina Tourism Bureau (VisitNC), and the North Carolina State University, just launched.  “Count on Me NC” is a program specifically created to provide customers reassurance that participating restaurants, lodgings and businesses have implemented and are practicing the highest sanitation and safety measures. Training and certification are free. For more information, please visit: countonme.org For a list of Blowing Rock businesses who have already completed the training, visit https://countonmenc.org/participating-businesses/#business-list and input Blowing Rock, NC in the "Search by City" field.

Town of Blowing Rock - Special Meeting The Town Council will have a special meeting on this afternoon, Thursday, May 21st at 3:00 pm to discuss and consider possible actions on COVID-19 restrictions. Click here for the agenda. Click here to view the meeting.

Take the Census! Have you filled out the Census yet? It is important that everyone fill out a census to provide Blowing Rock with the appropriate representation. https://2020census.gov/

Business Resources You can find business resources and COVID-19 safety guidelines on the Blowing Rock Chamber website under "COVID-19 Toolbox."

Member News

Event Cancellations and Updates Please let us know if you are forced to cancel or alter your events. Art in the Park - May 23 show Cancelled Concert in the Park - May 24 Cancelled Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Cancelled Singing on the Mountain Cancelled Blowing Rock Horse Show - Saddlebred Cancelled An Appalachian Summer Festival - Live Events Cancelled Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music 2020 Season Cancelled Lees-McRae Summer Theater Cancelled A Day out with Thomas at Tweetsie - Cancelled Horn in the West - 2020 Season Cancelled Blowing Rock Tour of Homes - Cancelled Sculpture Walk at Chetola - Cancelled

Price Lake Boat Rentals Reopening May 23 Opening day for the 2020 season is Saturday May 23. There will be reduced hours of operation, 11am-6pm, with the last rental at 5pm. A few things to be aware of when arriving. 1. Sign up and payment for rentals will be through a window on the front of the building. 2. PFDs will be assigned through a window on the front of the building. 3. Cones along the walkway leading down from the parking lot will indicate social distancing guidelines set forth by the CDC. 4. Please help keep our staff and your family safe by abiding with social distancing practices. 5. Safe cleaning of equipment and surfaces will take more time than usual so please be patient.

BRAHM Nominated Blowing Rock Art & History Museum has been nominated as Best Museum in the state as part of the 2020 Carolina’s Finest Awards! Please show your support by voting for BRAHM in the "Museum" category! You'll even be entered for a chance to win $100 gift card!! Register for BRAHM's Summer Lecture & Luncheon featuring renowned author and floral designer, Margot Shaw and our 2020 BRAHM Gala: A Brush with Genius at the beautiful Perry Car Barn.

High Country Magazine celebrates 15 years! High Country Press turned 15 years old on May 5, and they used the occasion to hold a fundraising drive for their publications. Like everyone else in business, they have missed out on nearly 3 months of loss revenue this spring while their printed publications have been put on hold as our state and local counties had to shut down in our fight against the pandemic. They turned to their readers for donations to carry them through this unprecedented time as they wait for a chance to fire up their printing presses again. Here’s that link:  https://issuu.com/highcountrymagazine/docs/high_country_magazine_15_years

Donated Supplies, like N95 respirator masks, can be dropped-off at the front entrance of Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville or the security checkpoint at Watauga Medical Center in Boone. If you have any questions, or to receive a gift receipt for your donation, please contact: Brian Whitfield at bwhitfield@apprhs.org or  828-262-9105. Consider giving some of your extra time, supplies, food and funds to the following organizations: Hunger and Health Coalition Community Care Clinic Hospitality House of NW NC Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S. Casting Bread Ministries ARHS is accepting donations of personal protective equipment including: Medical grade surgical and procedure masks N95 respirator masks Face Shields Gloves Gowns Hand sanitizer Homemade cloth face coverings 

We'd love to see you!

The Chamber Team is glad to see our businesses re-opening! Email Regina to let us know your open and we will stop by for a socially distance visit.

The Blowing Rock is open! Did you know they have 1o turtles?

My Mountain Home is ready for customers.

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Chamber Board Member, Joyce, shared this photo of her husband picking up take-out from The Speckled Trout. McCoy Minerals is open and ready to show visitors their collection of gems!

More events and updates can be found on our online calendar. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday!

Thank you to our 2020 Chamber Partners!