Weekly Village Update 10.25.18

Commerce Communications

Be "in the know" with Chamber news, local happenings & more!

Chamber Events & News

Back-to-Back Ribbon Cuttings in Blowing Rock! Last week ended with the welcoming of two exciting new businesses to our community! On Thursday, October 18th, we started off at Tanger Outlets with the grand opening ribbon cutting celebration for Fireflies. On Friday, October 19th, artist and gallery owner Mike Gaydon welcomed the community to Martin House Gallery located on the second floor of the Martin House. The ribbon cutting and artist reception was held in the Martin House courtyard. Read More

Representative Roundtable & Candidates Forum Recap

Representative Roundtable Photo by: Amanda Lugenbell, Blowing Rock TDA On October 22nd, Representative Virginia Foxx hosted a roundtable discussion in Blowing Rock, focusing on the deferred maintenance backlog for the National Park Service. The roundtable was an opportunity for Representative Foxx to hear from local leaders and organizations... Read More

Candidates Forum Audio Photo by: Kayla Lasure, Watauga Democrat Candidates from eight races appearing on the November ballot in Watauga County participated in the 2018 Watauga County Meet the Candidates Forum on October 23rd. The event was co-hosted by the Blowing Rock and Boone Area Chambers of Commerce. Click here for a full audio archive from the individual sessions of the forum.

The Local Holiday Gift Guide will be available at the Chamber, promoted in our newsletter and posted on social media. It's FREE advertising!

LAST CHANCE for the Local Holiday Gift Guide We want to encourage everyone to shop local this holiday season! Send us your holiday gift items or promotions before October 31st to be included in our stand-alone Local Holiday Gift Guide email blast on November 7th! Holiday items submitted to us by October 31st will be included in our local shopping guide that folks can refer to over and over again! Holiday items and promotions will not be listed separately in the newsletter, don't miss your chance! Learn More

For more events, visit the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce online calendar!

Plan Ahead for Thanksgiving Weekend Several area restaurants and eateries will be open for Thanksgiving dining. We encourage you to call now for reservations; most seatings will sell out! Don't miss Christmas in the Park on Friday, November 23rd and the Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 24th! Plus, the local Choose & Cut Christmas Tree season gets underway during Thanksgiving weekend. Make time to get your family tree at a local farm!

The Holiday Stroll Map will be available at the Chamber, promoted in our newsletter and posted on social media. It's FREE advertising!

Participate and Stroll into the Holidays This year's Holiday Stroll will be December 7th, 5 - 8 pm. It's always a lot of fun and people are ready to shop! The more participants, the merrier! Participants will be listed on the Holiday Stroll Sip & Shop map for the event. Signing up to participate is easy, just email Loni. We can't do this without you! Commitment deadline is December 3rd. Learn More

WinterFest Advertising Opportunity Foothills Magazine is running a two page editorial spread on WinterFest in their winter 2019 issue. They have a half page ad available within the editorial, in addition to any size available on both sides of it. The issue also contains an article on snow sports that promotes visiting the High Country. Ad deadline is November 10th! Learn More

NC Chamber Announces Lew Ebert to Retire N.C. Chamber Chair David Fountain announced today that Lew Ebert, President & CEO, has informed the Executive Committee of his intention to retire effective November 30, 2018. Gary Salamido, current Vice President of Government Affairs, has been named the Chief Operating Officer and Acting President. Read More

Member Events & News

4th Annual Masquerade Ball October 26th at 6:30 pm Join Hunger and Health Coalition at Blowing Rock Country Club for the Masquerade Ball! Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction, costumes, dancing, drinks, performances from Appalachian Musical Theatre Ensemble, fortune tellers and more! Learn More or visit the Facebook Event

High Country 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer October 27th at 9 am The 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk starts at the American Legion and the route takes you through a gorgeous Blowing Rock neighborhood. This fun-filled morning includes free food, music and activities for kids and adults. Press Release 100% of the funds raised by this event will be used to provide for the needs of breast cancer patients, survivors and their families in the NC High Country. Register Online Facebook Event

Teaching Math and Literacy in the Garden October 27th, 11 am - 4 pm This workshop held at Mountain Pathways School is for educators interested in learning more about utilizing the garden as a tool to teach curriculum standards and promote mindfulness. Participants will learn hands-on skills that will help them complete school garden projects, come away with easy to implement lesson plans, and earn CEUs through Appalachian State University's Math and Science Education Center. Lunch will be provided. Learn More & Register

Artist Reception for Amos Westmoreland October 27th, 11 am - 5 pm The public is invited to drop in at Alta Vista Gallery to enjoy the new show (hanging through November 17th) and to hear Westmoreland discuss his art. Refreshments will be served. Gallery guests always enjoy hearing from Westmoreland, who excitedly shares about the painting process. Read More or visit the Facebook event. Learn More

Spooky Stories & Creepy Crafts October 27th at 3:30 pm Join Blowing Rock Art & History Museum for an open house! Kids of all ages are invited for story time and crafts in the education center. Drop in; no registration required! Learn More

Blood Drive and Halloween Spooktacular October 31st, 1 - 6 pm and 5 - 7 pm Head over to Tanger Outlets and donate blood in the "blood lab" with The Blood Connection and you'll receive a $10 gift card! Plus an additional $10 will go to our local High Country Breast Cancer Foundation. Bring the family and stay for the Halloween Spooktacular Event from 5 - 7 pm. Join Tanger Outlets for a fun, safe, family event! Enjoy trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, fun prizes, DJ, photo booth and more. Facebook Event

15th Annual Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit November 2nd, 9 am - 5 pm Business owners from across the region will present and discuss entrepreneurial issues in a full day of speakers and workshops focused on entrepreneurial inspiration. The summit will be held in Plemmons Student Union on the campus of Appalachian State University. This is an opportunity for students of all majors and community members to meet, network and learn from successful entrepreneurs. Registration and parking are free. Learn More & Register

Food for Kids Through November 4th Now until November 4th, when you purchase a pair of Merrell Footwear at Mast Store, Merrell will donate funds to fill a backpack with food for the weekend. Hunger and Health Coalition will then fill backpacks with kid-friendly foods to last a weekend, when kids are without the services found in schools and aftercare programs. Read More Facebook Event

Community Events & News

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival October 27th, 2 - 10 pm Join us in Blowing Rock for some Halloween family fun! Enjoy a movie, games & funhouse, hayrides, monster march, trick-or-treating, costume contest, moonlight scavenger hunt and more! Questions? Call 828.295.5222 Learn More or visit the Facebook Event

NCDOT Wants Public Input on the Future of Transportation in North Carolina From now until November 30th, residents can participate in an online survey and leave comments on an interactive map about the future transportation challenges across North Carolina and what should be the future focus of transportation in their regions. Examples include: ·     Safety ·     Better connections to key destinations ·     Better connections to jobs ·     Better transit ·     Better bicycle and pedestrian accommodations Links to both the survey and interactive map are available at www.ncdot.gov/ncmoves. NCDOT will use the feedback to help shape the vision and goals for its next long-range transportation plan, called NC Moves 2050.

Chamber Information and Meetings

Halloween Festival: Saturday, October 27th, 2 pm - 10 pm, Downtown Blowing Rock Economic Development Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 6th at 3 pm Community, Government & Education Committee Meeting: Tuesday, November 13th at 3:30 pm Board of Directors Retreat: Thursday, November 15th, 9 am - 3 pm, BRMC Clubhouse and Grill Business After Hours: Thursday, November 20th at 5:30 pm, hosted by Blue Ridge Realty & Investments at Blowing Rock Ale House Christmas Parade: Saturday, November 24th at 2 pm, Downtown Blowing Rock Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, November 27th at 8 am Holiday Stroll: Friday, December 7th, 5 - 8 pm, Downtown Blowing Rock Chamber Christmas Party: Tuesday, December 11th at 6 pm, Inn at Crestwood All meetings are held in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.