Friday, January 22, 2021

Weekly Village Update 1.21.21

 

Chamber News
WinterFest January 28-31
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

Winter Blanket Drive, Chill at the Hill, Gem Stone Demonstrations and more all weekend long! Visit BlowingRockWinterFest.com for a full list of activities.
Voting will close Friday, January 22nd
at 5pm.
Chamber Awards - Vote Now!
Thank you for submitting your nominations! Now is the time to vote for the finalist in each category.

The 2020 Blowing Rock Chamber Awards Presented by SkyLine SkyBest will be announced on Thursday, February 11th.
Leadership Class Project Update
The 2019 Blowing Rock Chamber Leadership Class raised over $60,000 to build a restroom to be located at Blowing Rock School. The restroom will serve BRS Students and the community. Thank you to Watauga County Schools, Cash Custom Homes and the Town of Blowing Rock for all of their partnership and support.
Blowing Rock Leadership Class of 2019
Josh Cash of Cash Custom Homes, Blowing Rock Mayor Charlie Sellers, and Charles Hardin, President/CEP of the Blowing Rock Chamber
5th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff
The 5th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, January 28th from 9:00-10:30am, produced from the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country and distributed via Zoom by AppTV.

The event is co-hosted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and is presented by Peak Insurance Group, with additional support from Skyline National Bank4 Forty Four and Allen Wealth Management.
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 2021 Economic Forecast. Dr. Davis serves as both Dean and Instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking. 

Register online HERE. Use code "BRCHAMBER" for a $5 discount.
North Carolina is currently in phase 1b, group 1, which includes all adults 65 years or older.
Vaccine Interest Form
Press release from AppHealthCare:

We have launched a COVID-19 vaccine interest form for anyone interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone can fill out the form regardless of which phase they will fit into.

The interest form will provide us basic information about someone in order to determine which phase they will fall in. If someone is eligible for the vaccine in the current phase and has provided a valid email and phone number, they will receive a link to schedule an appointment. If someone is eligible for the vaccine outside the current phase, their information will be collected and will receive notification when it is their turn to get the vaccine. The information someone provides will be kept private and secure. We will not ask for any personal information like credit cards, passwords, social security numbers, etc. The form can be found on our website here.
To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday.

Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday!
Upcoming Activities & Meetings

Member News
Hospitality House Blanket Drive
January 25-30
Our partners at the Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina are in need of new or gently used blankets. Please consider making a donation to help those in need during WinterFest! The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and Mystery Hill will be collection sites during WinterFest.

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is located at 132 Park Ave in downtown Blowing Rock. The Chamber is open from 9am - 5pm (closed 12-1pm).
Chill at the Hill
Mystery Hill is hosting family friendly events during WinterFest including the Tomahawk Throwing Competition.

Visit their website to learn more: https://mysteryhill.com/chill_at_the_hill/
BRAHM Donates 1,500 Art Kits to Local Schools
This coming week over 1,500 kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth graders from all eight Watauga County Elementary Schools will receive a wonderful surprise.

Thanks to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) and the generosity of the
Kennedy-Herterich Foundation, and other donors, students will receive a free art supply kit during their public school materials pick-up. Each kit contains colored sulphite papers, glue, scissors, crayon, brushes, heavyweight drawing paper, and a packet of collage inspiration lessons created by BRAHM’s Education Center Director, Jennifer Garonzik. Read more here.
The Schaefer Center Presents
The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, kicks off its Spring 2021 virtual season with An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith: Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adversity, Thursday, Feb. 4 at 8pm. This one-time livestream event with celebrated playwright/actor/educator Smith features moderation from the Schaefer Center stage by Dr. Paulette Marty, Professor of Theatre Arts at Appalachian State University. Ms. Smith will begin the evening with a storytelling presentation live from her home in New York City. An interactive Q&A session will follow the performance. The event is free, but registration is required. The event is supported in part by the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series at App State.
Purses for Paws
The Watauga Humane Society is proud to announce their First Annual Purses for Paws event. Each ticket purchased will be entered in the drawing for the purse of purchaser’s choice and entrants can enter as many times as they want and for as many purses as they wish. All funds raised will go toward the Watauga Humane Society’s non-profit no kill shelter for the care, feeding and medical needs of the animal inhabitants.
Head to our website to buy your tickets now!
- $10 for 1 ticket
- $50 for 6 tickets
- $100 for 12 tickets
- $200 for 24 tickets
Volunteer Fair
Resolve to volunteer this year! Join Red Cross’ “Kick Off the New Year- Virtual Volunteer Fair” on Thursday, January 28th, 2021 from 12-1 pm to learn how to help your neighbors and community in times of need. Red Cross Team Members will virtually showcase how to assist with blood drives, disaster response, virtual opportunities, and more! *All volunteer opportunities follow CDC guidelines*
RSVP required by 1/26. RSVP by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/RedCrossFair
We'd love to see you!
The Chamber Team is glad to see our businesses re-opening! Email Regina to let us know you're open and we will stop by for a socially distance visit.
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!

Weekly Village Update 1.14.21

 

Chamber News
WinterFest January 28-31
This year we will not be hosting the Polar Bear Plunge or any ticketed events, but we are working on creating a fun weekend focused on celebrating the restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities in Blowing Rock.

Want to add something to the schedule of events? Email Suzy the information.

Check out BlowingRockWinterFest.com for a listing of activities.
5th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff
The 5th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, January 28th from 9:00-10:30am, produced from the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country and distributed via Zoom by AppTV.

The event is co-hosted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and is presented by Peak Insurance Group, with additional support from Skyline National Bank4 Forty Four and Allen Wealth Management.
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 2021 Economic Forecast. Dr. Davis serves as both Dean and Instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking. 

Register online HERE. Use code "BRCHAMBER" for a $5 discount.
North Carolina is currently in phase 1b, group 1, which includes all adults 75 years or older.
Vaccine Interest Form
Press release from AppHealthCare:

We have launched a COVID-19 vaccine interest form for anyone interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone can fill out the form regardless of which phase they will fit into.

The interest form will provide us basic information about someone in order to determine which phase they will fall in. If someone is eligible for the vaccine in the current phase and has provided a valid email and phone number, they will receive a link to schedule an appointment. If someone is eligible for the vaccine outside the current phase, their information will be collected and will receive notification when it is their turn to get the vaccine. The information someone provides will be kept private and secure. We will not ask for any personal information like credit cards, passwords, social security numbers, etc. The form can be found on our website here.
To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday.

Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday!
Upcoming Activities & Meetings

Member News
Real Estate Report
Real estate professionals in the four-county area sold 3,253 residential listings worth $1.18 billion, both metrics record highs, in a year marked by a national pandemic, historically low interest rates and North Carolina becoming a top destination state for people looking for a new home.
At year’s end, the number of High Country homes sold was up 25 percent from 2019 and the sales value was up 48 percent. That’s according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service. It records all REALTORS® transactions in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.
The median sold price - the point at which half of all homes sold above or below - was $285,000. It was $240,500 the year prior.
Chill at the Hill
Mystery Hill is hosting family friendly events during WinterFest including the Tomahawk Throwing Competition.

Visit their website to learn more: https://mysteryhill.com/chill_at_the_hill/
Hospitality House Blanket Drive
January 25-30
Our partners at the Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina are in need of new or gently used blankets. Please consider making a donation to help those in need during WinterFest! The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and Mystery Hill will be collection sites during WinterFest.

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is located at 132 Park Ave in downtown Blowing Rock. The Chamber is open from 9am - 5pm (closed 12-1pm).
Volunteer Fair
Resolve to volunteer this year! Join Red Cross’ “Kick Off the New Year- Virtual Volunteer Fair” on Thursday, January 28th, 2021 from 12-1 pm to learn how to help your neighbors and community in times of need. Red Cross Team Members will virtually showcase how to assist with blood drives, disaster response, virtual opportunities, and more! *All volunteer opportunities follow CDC guidelines*
RSVP required by 1/26. RSVP by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/RedCrossFair
Horton Hotel Rooftop Photo Sessions Available
JANUARY 28TH & 29TH!
We know it's cold outside, but nothing warms your heart like getting your photo taken with your bestie, your sweetie or the rest of your family members! So many of us are stuck inside this winter, which is why we are providing a fun experience and outing on the Horton Hotel Rooftop. 

Enjoy the view of downtown Boone complete with a cozy fire, refreshments and a fun photo mini-session! 

Blood Drive
The Blowing Rock Rotary Club and the Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Drive at Tanger Outlets on Tuesday, January 19th from 11:30am - 4:00pm.
We'd love to see you!
The Chamber Team is glad to see our businesses re-opening! Email Regina to let us know you're open and we will stop by for a socially distance visit.
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!
Important Contacts

NC Governor
Roy Cooper
US Senator
Thom Tillis
US Senator
Richard Burr
US House Representative
Virginia Foxx
NC House Representative
Ray Russell
NC Senator
Deanna Ballard

US President
Donald J. Trump