Weekly Village Update 12.30.21

 

Chamber News Upcoming Meetings & Events Chamber Office /Visitors Center will be closed December 31st App Ski NYE Extravaganza - December 31st Blowing Rock Chamber Board Meeting - January 5th Blowing Rock Town Council Meeting - January 11th High Country Economic Kickoff Breakfast - January 20th Blowing Rock WinterFest Blowing Rock WinterFest is January 27-30th, 2022! If you're business is interested in participating, please reach out to Suzy Barker at Suzy@BlowingRock.com. For a list of events visit www.blowingrockwinterfest.com Blowing Rock Visitors Guide & Directory Don’t Forget! The Blowing Rock Visitor Information Guide & Membership Directory is being updated and we need your assistance.   Please review your membership listing to make sure it is updated and accurate. Communicate any updates and also let us know if you are interested in placing an ad. Contact Cathy Barker at 828-295-7851 or email Cathy@BlowingRock.com for assistance.   Directory Ad Deadline:  January 7, 2022 Download Ad Contract Click Here to View the 2021/2022 Guide 6th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Breakfast The 6th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, January 20th, from 7:30am-9:45am in the Grandview Ballroom of Appalachian State University.   The event is co-hosted by the Boone Area Chamber and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce and is presented by Peak Insurance Group.   Additional event support comes from Skyline National Bank, Allen Wealth Management, and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.   Dr. Harry Davis, longtime Appalachian State Walker College of Business faculty member and member of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, will deliver his 2022 High Country Economic Forecast. Dr. Davis is a regionally renowned economist and serves as both Dean and Instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking.    Christopher Chung, President/CEO of The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, will provide remarks that detail 2022 for EDPNC, while also outlining current economic development trends in rural areas of North Carolina.    During the presentation, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will reveal the recipients for the 2021 Watauga County Business of the Year Awards, presented by the Watauga County EDC. Business of the Year winners will be recognized in three categories: Large Business, Small Business, and Startup Business.   Doors open at 7:30am for an excellent opportunity to network with event attendees from across the High Country. A buffet-style breakfast will be served prior to the presentation.  Purchase Tickets Here. Town of Blowing Rock Board Applications Are you interested in the future of your community and have extra time to volunteer? Would you like to serve on one of Blowing Rock’s municipal boards?   The Blowing Rock Town Council will soon consider appointments to the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment, the Tourism Development Authority, the Alcohol Beverage Control Board and the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission. Each of these boards has an essential role in preserving and protecting the quality and character of our community. Learn more here. Restaurant Hours With unpredictable staffing and abrupt changes in travel patterns due to covid-19, restaurant hours have been changing often. The Chamber of Commerce is currently maintaining a listing of Blowing Rock restaurant hours. The hours are updated weekly. Bookmark this page for reference so you can help your guests and customers when they are looking for dining!  Restaurant Hours List Watauga Covid-19 Update  In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant, and to protect others. Watauga County is considered an area of High transmission. AppHealthCare offers COVID-19 testing by drive-thru Monday through Friday 8:30-10:00am at each of our clinic locations. No appointment is needed. Read the full weekly Watauga County Covid-19 Update here. Member News High Country Dinning Pass This "After Christmas" flash sale is different than we've ever done before, enabling you to get special bulk purchase discounts! We're doing this to help you continue to enjoy eating out while still bringing much needed business to our wonderful local restaurants. During these unprecedented times, it is so important for us as a community to come together and help each other when everything around us is so unsure. By purchasing in bulk you will help the restaurants, help your food budget, give as a gift, all while helping local schools with the cards that give back! Purchase online here. Watauga County Parks and Recreation hosts second annual “Food for Friends” drive For the second year, Watauga County Parks and Recreation will host its “Food for Friends” drive. Watauga County residents are invited to make donations of non-perishable food items at the Watauga Community Recreation Center between December 13 and February 11 to benefit Hospitality House, Hunger and Health Coalition and Casting Bread. According to Stephen Poulos, director of Watauga County Parks and Recreation, “Last year the community gave around $1,250 and over 1,875 pounds of food. We are excited to see how the community responds this year.” 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 2021 Chamber Partners!