the August 1 - Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

August 1, 2013
Volume 8, Number 6
Symphony By The Lake ...................................... pg. 1
Upcoming Events ................................................. pg. 2
Director’s Cut (Exec. Director) .......................... pg. 2
Member/Other News ......................................... pg. 2
Symphony (cont) ................................................. 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.
A Great Night Was Enjoyed By All!
Photos by Lonnie Webster
Once again, patrons
lined up at the back
gate to Chetola with
blankets and chairs in
hand in eager anticipation
of what has become
the high point of Blowing
Rock’s summer season
– Symphony By
The Lake, now in
its 26th season.
The gates opened
at 5:30 last Friday,
July 26th, to allow
everyone to enter
the grounds of Chetola;
and to everyone’s
delight, the skies remained
clear and offered
a gorgeous evening for everyone to enjoy.
This year, a Scottish/Celtic area was set
up in the field beside the lake where vendors
of Appalachia offered their wares to
guests. There were fly casting demonstrations
and even a border collie sheep and duck
herding demonstration by Bill Corbern.
Two opening bands, The Mountain Laurels and the
Grandfather Mountain Highland Pipe Band kicked
the night off with bagpipes and Celtic music. The
main event, Symphony of the Mountains, went on
stage at 7:30. Symphony of the Mountains is a professional
orchestra of more than 65 musicians from
the Kingsport area, conducted by Cornelia Laemmli
Orth. 2013 marks the fourth straight year that
they have performed at this event.
Conductor Cornelia Laemmli Orth and Tracy
Brown, Director of the Blowing Rock TDA,
perform the cell phone concerto at last Friday
night’s Symphony By The Lake.

Blowing Rock Farmer’s Market
Park Avenue
Thursdays thru October 10, 4:00-6:00pm
Art in the Park
American Legion Grounds
August 10, 10:00am-5:00pm
Homes In The Village
American Legion Grounds
August 10, 12:00-5:00pm
(Houses available to preview)
Concert In The Park
Grandfather Mountain Highland Pipe Band
Memorial Park (American Legion if it rains)
August 11, 4:00pm
Business After Hours
Hosted by the Blowing Rock,
Boone and Ashe County Chambers
Lifestore Bank in Boone
August 15, 5:30-7:00pm
Business Meetings
Board Meeting
Chamber Board Room
Wednesday, August 7, 8:00am
Resource Development
Chamber Board Room
Monday, August 12, 4:00pm
Membership Committee
Chamber Board Room
Wednesday, August 14, 3:00pm
Business Support
Chamber Board Room
Thursday, August 22, 9:00am
Executive Committee
Chamber Board Room
Tuesday, August 27, 3:00pm
Economic Development
Chamber Board Room
Wednesday, August 28, 4:00pm
For more info and calendar:
www.blowingrock.com
Downtown Merchant Operating Hours
In 2009, the Blowing Rock TDA retained a consultant
to conduct a survey and study of our Downtown retail
businesses to determine how those businesses can better
serve our visitors and residents and improve their
profitability. This Report entitled, “Blowing Rock
Downtown Retail Strategy 2009”, identified a number
of issues and opportunities for our retail businesses,
one of which pertained to hours of operation. The
survey results revealed that the number one improvement
desired by survey participants related to hours of
operation. The 2009 Retail Report concluded:
“In an ideal world, retail businesses would be open
from 10 am to 7 pm during season (May-October) in
Downtown Blowing Rock. At a minimum, Downtown
businesses would be open from 10 am to 7 pm
on Fridays and Saturdays during season.”
Four years have passed since the 2009 Retail Report
was issued and not much has changed with respect
to retail hours of operation in Downtown. Very few
of our businesses remain open after 5 pm, especially
on weekdays, or after 6 pm on weekends. Many of
our retailers do not post hours of operation, and our
hotels report confusion and frustration among visitors
as to which retailers are open on which days and
for how long they are open. In short, there are no
standard operating hours in our Downtown.
At the request of the Downtown Partnership, the
Chamber of Commerce has revisited this issue by (i)
interviewing many of our Downtown retailers and
asking for their input on this issue, (ii) contacting our
“competitor” towns in the High Country to determine
hours of operation of retailers in those towns,
and (iii) conducting basic research on retail hours of
operation in small, tourist/resort towns generally.
Member and Other News
7th Annual Blowing Rock
Art & Antiques Show
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
Friday, Saturday, August 2-3, 10am-6pm
Sunday, August 4, 11am-5pm
Admission: $10 (Good For Entire Show)
Tickets Available At The Door
Featuring English, American, and European
Furnuture, China, Estate Jewlry, Pottery,
Linens, Paintings, Crystal, and much more!
BRAHM Tea Room Open Daily, 2-4pm
Serving desserts, coffee, tea
As a result of these inquiries, the Chamber determined
that there is no consensus among our retailers
on this issue, and very little interest in staying open
later than current hours on any day. Without question,
our retailers know their businesses best, and
their experience indicates that, currently, few sales are
made after 5 pm or around the 6 pm to 7 pm dinner
time hours. The unknown, of course, is whether
this is attributable to shoppers knowing that Blowing
Rock is basically closed for business after 5 pm, and
therefore are not coming to shop, or whether this is
cultural to this area and will not change regardless of
shop hours.
The Chamber does not profess to know the answer to
this question. However, the Chamber does believe that
we should make an effort to rationalize and standardize
hours of retail operation in our Downtown. In this
regard, we ask that our retailers consider the following
hours of operation for the remainder of the 2013 season
and for the 2014 season: Monday through Friday
10 am to 6 pm; Saturday 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday 10
am to 5 pm. We also ask that our retailers be flexible
regarding closing hours on holiday weekends and special
event weekends outside peak season.
We thank our retailers for their consideration of this
request. In considering this request, we ask that our
retailers be mindful that certain competitor stores in
our area are open until 9 pm six days a week, including
Shoppes on the Parkway.
Our hotels and motels have requested that the
Chamber prepare a schedule of retail operating hours
for the convenience of their guests. We will do this in
the next few weeks. If you wish to be listed or if you
have questions, please contact the Chamber.
More info: www.blowingrockcf.org
Our Community invites You to Come Play!
Play Tennis Friday, 8/16 & Saturday, 8/17 Call (828) 295-9347
Play Golf Saturday, 8/17 Call (828) 295-7311
Play Table Games (Mahjongg, Gin Rummy, Bridge Call) Friday,
8/23 For Bridge, Call (828) 295-3171
Groovy Nights! Sunday, 8/11, Tuesday, 8/13 & Friday, 8/16
Dinner, Music & Awards Saturday 8/17
Sunset Stroll Friday, 9/16
Bring Your Community to Play in Ours!
We support scholarships for students living in the Blowing Rock school district and
award grants to local non-profits. Tax Deductible. All events to be held at the Blowing
Rock Country Club. For dress code and more information, visit
www.blowingrockcf.org.

Symphony (cont from p.1)
Their special musical program included
several Scottish songs including Danny
Boy and tunes from Lord of the Dance.
The tent competition this year featured
37 patron tents decorated to varying degrees
across the lawn. The winner of the
social tent category was Linville Friends
headed up by Trish Hutchens, who
won a gift basket from the Blowing
Rock Ale House & Inn. The winner
of the commercial tent was Celeste’s,
Dan and Celeste Phillips, who won
a gift package from the New Public
House and Hotel.
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers
and to our sponsors: Wells Fargo,
Paramount Porsche, The Blowing Rocket
and Chetola Resort.
The night concluded with a spectacular
fireworks show that delighted
everyone and added an
exclamation point to what turned
out to be a very successful evening.
Border Collie, sheep and duck herding
demonstration by Bill Corbern was held at
Symphony By The Lake. Photo By Lonnie webster
Can you believe it’s August And just six weeks
from Beach Blast on the Blue Ridge at Blue Ridge
Mountain Club! Saturday, September 14th The
Embers and The Tams take the stage for a wonderful
beach music concert in some of the most
picturesque mountains in the High Country.
Last year was our first concert of this type and we
had such a great time, we are expecting an even
bigger crowd this year. We advertised it during
Symphony by the Lake and have had numerous
folks purchase tickets. We also have a number
of tents already spoken for but we do have one
available for you and your beach party!
I would like to welcome all our new members!
New Individual Memberships:
Ron & Hilah Autrey, Vilas, NC
Anne Smart, Blowing Rock, NC
New Business Memberships:
27 E-Words That Will Change Your Life (Susan Farah), 200 Seven Springs Road, Blowing Rock
(828) 467-9418 | With 25+ years in healthcare, life management, coaching and mentoring, Farah encourages
and empowers others to reach their full potential. This book will help you take an honest look at your life and your
level of engagement. Get suggestions on how to live more honestly and fully aligned with your life purpose.
Call Billie to reserve it today or call the Chamber
to purchase your tickets ($28 for adults,
$10 for children under 12). Food and beverages
will be available for purchase or bring
your own. Of course we’ll have a dance
floor but you’ll need to bring your own
camera. Tell all your fun friends! They
won’t want to miss this one!
Ashe High Country Realty, Inc. (Vivian Miller), 7 South Jefferson Ave., West Jefferson
(336) 246-6348, www.ashecountyrealestate.com | Do you need an experienced, professional Realtor
to represent you in your real estate purchase Someone who is a “Real Estate Expert” as well as an expert
on the area where you choose to buy Our twelve Realtors live, work and play in the beautiful North
Carolina Mountains and will represent you as your “buyer agent” in NC and Southwestern VA. Also, our
marketing expertise is one of the best!
Blowing Rock Shuttle Service (Buddy Barker), 480 Fair Park Drive, Blowing Rock
(828) 295-3140 |
RiverGirl Fishing Company (Kelly McCoy), 4041 Todd Railroad Grade Road, Todd
(336) 877-3099, www.rivergirlfishing.com | Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman, newcomer wanting
to learn fly fish or seeking kayaks, tubes, biking, our one-stop shop supplies the expertise and equipment
ensuring an unforgettable experience in the flawless wilds of the New River, Historic Todd, North
Carolina.
The crowd enjoyed the Grandfather Mountain
Highlands Pipe Band, made possible by an
anonymous donation. Photo By Lonnie webster

Zak Linkins, Concierge at Chetola, was
‘surprised’ with June’s Customer Service Star
award. If you have a question about Blowing
Rock, call Zak! He knows the answer!
Cullie Tarleton smiles for the camera
at last week’s Farmer’s Market, held
on Park Ave. every Thursday from
4:00-6:00pm.
John Aldridge, president of the Blowing Rock
Chamber of Commerce, greets the crowd at
Symphony By The Lake. Photo By Lonnie webster
This year, Modern Automotive is presenting
sponsor for Art in the Park. Pictured here is
Brian Johnson from the Winston-Salem office
chatting with a vendor.
Symphony of the Mountains, conducted by
Cornelia Laemmli Orth, went on stage at 7:30.
2013 marks the fourth straight year that they
have performed at this event. Photo By Lonnie webster
BUSINESS TIP: Networking is about building relationships, earning trust and
cultivating individual connections. As you build your personal network, focus
on quality. Quantity will follow naturally. When you think about networking,
forget about short-term rewards. Focus your time and energy on the long-run.
2013 OFFICERS
JOHN ALDRIDGE
President
Airlie Enterprises, LLC
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
DAVID BARKER
Blowing Rock Market
BETSY COLLINS
Individual Representative
RITA DAVIS
First Citizens Bank
DICK GOOSMAN
Meadowbrook Inn
CATHY ROBBINS
1st Vice President
Tweetsie Railroad
MARGARET HOLDER
Past President, Chetola Resort
DON HuBBLE
Individual Representative
SuZANNE MILLER
Blowing Rock Antique Center
CINDY MILNER
Bistro Roca
CHELSEA GARRETT
2nd Vice President
diSanti, Watson, Capua & Wilson
KEITH NEAVES
Neaco
DOuG PEGRAM
Village Real Estate
MANDY POPLIN
Doncaster Outlet
STEVEN PRICE
Westglow
KEVIN TROYER
Secretary
4 Forty Four Inc.
MELISSA PICKETT
Treasurer
Blowing Rock Inn
KEVIN TROYER
4 Forty Four Inc.
CATHY WILLIAMSON
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream
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
132 Park Avenue • PO Box 406 • Blowing Rock, NC 28605 • 828.295.7851 • fax: 828.295.7651 • membership@blowingrock.com