Every year, since 1976, the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce has encouraged residents and members to nominate citizens and businesses that have made a positive impact over the past twelve months. A committee, after hours of evaluation, makes the decision as to the winners and in February the announcement is made as the winners are honored at a festive banquet
Seven categories make up the awards presented, with tradition being that the winner of the award the year before present the award to the most recent recipient.
“We have hundreds of individuals that leave the community a better place every year, and our judges have a very difficult task to determine the winners,” said the Chamber’s Executive Director, Charles Hardin. “The distance between the winner and the other nominees is unmeasurable.”
While the winners announced this Tuesday night at Meadowbrook Inn’s Ciao Bello Restaurant was the highlight of the gathering, officers and directors used the banquet to introduce and install officers and directors that will serve the Chamber during 2008.
Also announced and acknowledged at the banquet were the winners of this seasons Best Christmas Decorations competition.
The Award Winners
Chetola’s Kent Tarbutton presented the Business of the Year award to Jenkins Realtors, Inc.
The New Business of the Year, presented by Nancy Santay of Cabin Fever, went to United Community Bank.
Enterline & Russell was named the recipient of the New Construction Award, presented by Wachovia Bank’s Rita Davis. The award focused on their work on the Hanna Family Trust Building on Main Street.
Leslie Peet of Westglow Spa Resort presented the Renovation Award to Sonny’s Grill.
The Blowing Rock Historical Society was the recipient of the Cultural Contribution for 2007, and their award was presented by Jeff Clark, Executive Director of the Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Art Center.
Recognized as the Civic Contribution award winner during 2007 was Meadowbrook Inn, and presenting the award was Virginia Jones, owner of Tucker’s On Main.
The Blowing Rock Community Library and the Blowing Rock Community Club were honored as the recipient of the Exterior Enhancement Award for 2007. In presenting the award Heidi Ellis, Manager of Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway pointed out the beautiful improvements made to the exterior of the Main Street landmark.
The Volunteer of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards of the year, went to Marsha Greene of Chetola, who for years has a record of volunteer support for many projects that is second to none. Blowing Rock’s First Lady, Lynn Lawrence, last year’s winner, presented the award, detailing a number of specific projects, programs and initiatives that were successful in 2007, thanks to Marsha’s efforts.

The Leaders Installed
As the result of a recent mail election, the Chamber will introduce newly elected Board Members that will serve the organization for the next few years.
Elected to new terms of office were Tim Miller of Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery, Heidi Ellis of Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway, and Margaret Holder of Chetola Resort.
The newly installed Executive Committee and officers included Bill Hall of Blowing Rock Realty as President; Rita Davis of Wachovia Bank as 1st Vice President; Nancy Santay of Cabin Fever as 2nd Vice President; Jeff Clark, Executive Director of the Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Art Center, Treasurer; Linda Gilleland of Greystone Insurance, Secretary; and Pam Vines of Jenkins Realtors as Past President.
The banquet program also introduced Stephanie Roark Keener as the new Director of Membership Services.
The Christmas Decoration Winners
Annually the Chamber sponsors a holiday decorating contest, with a team of judges naming their choices for the best Window Decorations and the best Outdoor Decoration.
The magnificent Christmas pixies of Carriage Trade Antiques captivated the judges and the public throughout the Christmas season. Not only were the charming little fellows playfully demonstrating in the window on the ground level and throughout the store, but many noticed the cute characters celebrating the holiday in the windows on the second floor of the building. Taking the award for outdoor decorations, with a classic Americana theme was historic Crippen’s Country Inn & Restaurant.