Beach Blast on the Blue Ridge is Back

September 4, 2014
Volume 9, Number 8
Beach Blast.............................................................. pg. 1
Upcoming Events.................................................. pg. 2
Director’s Cut (Exec. Director)........................... pg. 2
Board Nominations.............................................. pg. 2
Beach Blast (cont)................................................. pg. 3
The Inner Circle (Membership)......................... pg. 3
The Turn of Events (Events)............................... pg. 3
Freeze Frame (Photo Spot)................................ pg. 4
To promote,
and improve
business
through
the cultural,
social
and economic
development,
To promote,
protectprotect
and improve
business
through
the cultural,
social and
economic
development,
and sustainability
of Blowing
Rock preserving
while preserving
the charm
and character
of the village.
growthgrowth
and sustainability
of Blowing
Rock while
the charm
and character
of the village.
Beach Blast on the Blue Ridge is Back
Anybody out there love some good ol’ Carolina Beach Music? Well, slip those shaggin’
shoes on ‘cause there is gonna be some
dancing in these mountains this coming
Saturday, September 13th.
The Blowing Rock Chamber is hosting
their third annual music event called
Beach Blast on the Blue Ridge. The
gates to this outdoor concert sponsored
by Blue Ridge Mountain Club will open
at 5:00pm on Saturday, September 13th at Blue Ridge
Mountain Club.
Owen Campbell from Australia’s Got Talent will kick
off the party with bluesy riffs and soulful finger picking
and even lap steel guitar solos using a shot glass slide. At
6:30pm, The Catalinas will take the stage, so let the shagging begin! Some of their classics include, “You Haven’t
The Right”, “Dancin’-Romancin’”, “Hey Little Girl (aka
Rainy Day Sunshine)”, and their signature song “Summertime’s Calling Me” from 1975. Then around 8:00pm,
Band of Oz will get your feet moving to songs like “Ocean
Boulevard” and “Shama Lama Ding Dong”, one of the
most requested beach songs of all time.
Tickets are $28 in advance or $35 at the gate for adults, $10
for children under 12. Bring your own chair or blanket.
Continued on p.3
Band of Oz
Partner Appreciation
Blowing Rock Farmer’s Market
Park Avenue
Thursdays, May 29-October 16
4:00-6:00pm
Art in the Park
American Legion Grounds
Saturday, September 6, 10:00am-5:00pm
Homes in the Village
Art in the Park
Saturday, September 6, 10:00am
Concert in the Park
Sponsored by Blowing Rock Antique Center
Sunday, September 7, 4:00pm
Beach Blast on the Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge Mountain Club
Saturday, September 13, 5:00pm
Business After Hours
The Art of Living Retreat Center
(639 Whispering Hills Rd., Boone)
Tuesday, September 16, 5:30pm
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Chamber Lawn
Tuesday, September 23, 5:30-7:00pm
Help Us Help You (Lodging)
Chamber Board Room
Thursday, September 25, 1:00pm
Business Meetings
Resource Development
Chamber Board Room
September 8, 4:00pm
Membership Committee
Chamber Board Room
September 10, 9:00am
Executive Committee
Chamber Board Room
September 23, 8:30am
Economic Development
Chamber Board Room
Wednesday, September 24, 4:00pm
For more info and calendar:
www.blowingrock.com
The Chamber’s Partner Appreciation event was held
August 26 at Chetola Resort. This event is designed
to honor and thank all of the Chamber Partners and
event sponsors for the current year for their financial
support of the Chamber and its events. The Chamber
Partnership program will be in its 5th year in 2015. For
additional information on the Chamber Partner Program and how it can showcase your business and significantly increase your exposures, please call Charles
or Billie at the Chamber. We will gladly review all the
many opportunities for event sponsorship or Chamber
Partnership that will most suit your business.
In 2014, the Chamber is pleased to have Westglow Resort & Spa as the gold level partner and Appalachian
Regional Healthcare, Blue Ridge Mountain Club,
Blowing Rock News, Blue Ridge Electric, Chetola Resort, First Citizens Bank, Four Forty Four Construction, The Historic Green Park Inn, Greystone Insurance, Jenkins Realtors, Life Store Bank & Insurance,
Monkee’s of Blowing Rock, neaco, The New Public
House & Hotel, Outback Steakhouse and Tweetsie Railroad as silver level partners. The money these
businesses pay to enhance their exposure goes for the
Chamber’s general programing. The businesses benefit
from additional exposure on the website, in the Chamber Visitor Center, in emails, at all our events; both
public and members only events. Partners also get ads
in the Visitor Guide, tickets to the awards luncheon,
and tickets to all the events.
Event sponsors this year include Hendrick Northlake
Luxury Auto Mall, Constellation Brands, Blowing
Rock Tourism Development Authority and Blue Ridge
Mountain Club for WinterFest; Hendrick Northlake
Get Involved in the Chamber
The Blowing Rock Chamber is looking for a few good
people to serve on its board of directors. Each year at
this time the board takes nominations for board seats
from the membership at large. If you know of someone, perhaps yourself, who would be interested in
being part of a very active group of business leaders
helping to forge the future of our community while
supporting and promoting our business members,
please let us know. These nominees along with those
submitted by the board will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and a slate of directors will be submitted to the membership for a vote in early November.
Board members are selected in accordance with the
chamber’s by-laws. There are specific requirements to
ensure all business categories are represented fairly and
equally. There are also “at large” seats available for board
seats that are not designated. The board has 20 members at this time and can be more or less depending
on availability of qualified, enthusiastic, interested
Luxury Auto Mall, Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Pure
Leaf Tea, Cupcake Wines, Blowing Rock Brewing
Company and Blowing Rock Tourism Development
Authority for Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival; Hendrick Automotive Group, Wells Fargo Wealth Management, Charles Schwab, 100 West Union, Monkee’s
of Blowing Rock, Party Reflections, Chetola, and
Brushy Mountain Motor Sports for Symphony by the
Lake; Modern Toyota of Boone, Modern Subaru of
Boone, and Carolina West Wireless for Art in the Park;
Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Republic Services (GDS),
Build Me Up…Sponsors (local building subcontractors), Hendrick Northlake Luxury Auto Mall, Brushy
Mountain Motor Sports, Watauga County Tourism
and Blowing Rock Tourism for Beach Blast on the
Blue Ridge; and Blowing Rock Antiques for Concert
in the Park. Without the investment of these fine
companies and organizations, both inside and outside
Blowing Rock, we simply would not have over 50,000
attendees shopping in your stores, eating in your restaurants, and sleeping in your accommodations. The
Chamber is extremely grateful for these sponsors.
This year’s Partner Appreciation event was also an opportunity for current partners to renew their partnerships and for the Resource Development Committee
members to secure new partners for 2015. Renewing
for 2015 at the event were The New Public House &
Hotel, neaco, Blue Ridge Electric, First Citizens Bank,
Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Tweetsie Railroad,
Monkee’s of Blowing Rock, Blue Ridge Mountain
Club, and The Historic Green Park Inn. The Chamber
welcomes Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery, Chick Fil A,
and Blowing Rock Antique Center as new Partners for
2015. Chetola Resort has signed on to be a gold level
Partner next year. Thanks to all these businesses for their
continued support.
Continued p.3
candidates. The board meets the first Wednesday of
each month except February (Annual Meeting) and
July (too busy) at 8:00 am. Each board member is expected to attend these meetings as well as serve on at
least one committee. Board members are encouraged
to seek increasing responsibility and leadership in the
organization. Board members are also expected to be
champions of the organization and its program of
work. They must be positive, enthusiastic, committed
as well as attend Chamber sponsored events and functions. As is the case with all boards, the board is charged
with fiscal support of the organization through fundraising, membership development and sponsorships.
Board terms are two years and begin in January. Board
members may choose to run for additional terms and if
re-elected can serve up to three two-year terms. If you
know of someone who might fit this description, please
consult them before submitting their name. It is only
through strong leaders that we can be the Chamber that
our community needs.
Click HERE for a nomination form.
Beach Blast (continued from p.1)
Tickets are available here at the Chamber or at
www.blowingrock.com/music. Food and
beverages will be available for sale at the site
or you may bring your own.
As for directions to the concert, take the
Parkway going north. Turn right onto
Sampson Road. Turn left onto State View
Road and very quickly you will see the
entrance to Blue Ridge Mountain Club.
Enter the gate and follow the signs. The
concert location is about 20-25 minutes
out of town and has some of the most
spectacular views in the High Country.
Hope to see you there!
Beach Blast on the Blue Ridge at Blue Ridge
Mountain Club, less than two weeks away!
Saturday, September 13th, The Catalinas and
The Band of Oz take the stage for a wonderful
beach music concert in some of the most picturesque mountains in the state. As a special
treat, Owen Campbell will be the opening
act. An Aussie who was a finalist on Australia’s Got Talent, Owen is definitely easy on the
eyes AND the ears. He just released his third
album worldwide, the Pilgrim, a bluesy mix
sure to make you feel good.
Owen Campbell
from Australia’s
G
go on stage at
5:30pm and play ot Talent will
bluesy riffs with
soulful finger pi
cking and even lap
steel guitar solos
using a shot glas
s slide.
Blue Ridge Mountain Club is hosting an Open House
featuring 8 homes on the property including million
dollar homes and the new Watson Gap Cottages. Get
your first sneak peek at the new condominiums which
are next on the construction agenda. The Open House
is free and runs from 3-5pm so come early!
Call the Chamber to purchase your tickets to Beach
Blast on the Blue Ridge ($28 in advance, $35 at the
door, $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!
Welcome to all of our New Members!
Blowing Rock Grille (Larry Imeson)
349 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock, NC, 828-295-9474, www.theblowingrockgrille.com
Join us at the Blowing Rock Grille for an upbeat, exciting dining experience offering a wide variety of prices
and choices. Enjoy your meal outside on our scenic sidewalk garden courtyard or dine in our warm and inviting
atmosphere. We are located down the street from the Park on Sunset Drive. The restaurant has been a favorite for
locals and visitors since 1982.
Director’s Cut (continued from p.2)
Many thanks to the Resource Development Committee’s
sub-committee chaired by Linda Gilleland and the
salesmanship of Lynn Lawrence, Brenda Fairbetter,
Suzanne Miller, Jim Pitts, Mandy Poplin, Betsy
Collins and Jim Williams. Additionally, we received great testimonials from Greg Tarbutton,
Ben Shoemake, Keith Neaves and Cathy Robbins.
Cliff Dwellers Inn (Oscar Vasquez)
116 Lakeview Terrace, Blowing Rock, NC, 828-414-9596, www.cliffdwellers.com
Superb mountain and lake views. Large, well-appointed rooms featuring 60s style decor, with refrigerator, coffee maker, hair dryer, Cable TV, and wireless internet. Suites, one and two-bedroom, with gas log fireplace, Jacuzzi,
den and kitchen. Non-smoking (facilities provided outside). Light breakfast items in Lobby. Open spring, summer, and fall.
Distinctive Cabinetry of the High Country (Dave Parks)
3990 NC 105 South Suite 9, Banner Elk, NC, 828-898-9633, www.distinctivecabinetrydesign.com
Do you want the perfect look and feel of the mountain lifestyle for your kitchen? We will give you hand-crafted
cabinets and unique designs that are created just for you so your kitchen will always feel warm and inviting.
Board Nominations
September is board nominations month.
Terri will be sending out nominations forms
to the general membership. Anyone who is a
member in good standing can be nominated with their consent. The board Chair will
call a nominating committee to review the
nominations and prepare the slate. Please
think about good potential candidates and
submit to Cathy or me or nominate them.
We have several board members who will be
completing their 6 years and must go off.
Don’t Forget to login to your account at www.blowingrock.com/members.php using the user
names and passwords that you received recently. You will be able to report your sales (up or down by
percent) for the past month. This will eventually enable you to know how you are trending against
Business After Hours
the other similar businesses in your segment. If you have any questions about this reporting,
The next Business After Hours will be Tuesday,
please ask a member of our Membership Committee, Business Support Committee or call the
September 16 at The Art of Living Retreat Center.
Chamber. If you experience any trouble using your password, please call the Chamber.
I strongly encourage you to make the short drive to
And remember, your information is completely confidential.
see this little known (locally) facility. While few locals are
familiar with the work of this organization, it is a worldBusiness After Hours: If you would like to host a Business After Hours at your
wide organization bringing large conferences here annubusiness in 2015, please call Terri at the Chamber. Business After Hours
ally. Their guests stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants
events are held March-November on the third Tuesdays.
and shop in our stores.
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Other Events in the News!
A warm welcome goes out to our newest Board Member, Carol Dickerson from
J.W. Tweeds.
2014 Officers
CATHY ROBBINS
President
Tweetsie Railroad
Melissa Pickett
CHELSEA GARRETT
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
diSanti, Watson, Capua & Wilson Blowing Rock Inn
KEVIN TROYER
Secretary
4 Forty Four Inc.
DAVID BARKER
Treasurer
Blowing Rock Market
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
JOHN ALDRIDGE, Immed Past President
Airlie Enterprises, LLC
BETSY COLLINS
Individual Representative
CAROL DICKERSON
J. W. Tweeds
DICK GOOSMAN
Meadowbrook Inn
Marcia Greene
Chetola Resort
DON HUBBLE
Individual Representative
LYNN LAWRENCE
First Baptist Church
SUZANNE MILLER
Blowing Rock Antique Center
CINDY MILNER
Bistro Roca
Keith Neaves
Neaco
DOUG PEGRAM
Village Real Estate
Jim Pitts
Blue Ridge Mountain Club
MANDY POPLIN
Doncaster Outlet
STEVEN PRICE
Westglow
Cullie Tarleton
Individual Representative
Jess Wehrmann
Monkee’s
CHARLES HARDIN
Executive Director
[email protected]
TERRI BAILEY
Membership Services Director
Art in the Park Coordinator
[email protected]
Billie Rogers
Events Director
[email protected]
Marcia Vaughan
Travel Counselor
[email protected]
132 Park Avenue • PO Box 406 • Blowing Rock, NC 28605 • 828.295.7851 • fax: 828.295.7651 • [email protected]