For almost as long as there has been a Blowing Rock, there have been efforts put forth by volunteers to make it the most beautiful little village in North Carolina. From the Community Club to the Garden Club and from individuals to municipal programs, people have given hours to picking up trash and replacing it with banks, lots, poles and planters cover in fresh flowers.
But it wasn’t until Col. William Koerschner came up with a plan that he presented to the City Council in 1978 that one group of citizens, appointed by the Commissioners, would lead a volunteer effort whose sole mission was making the village more beautiful.
Today its hard to think of Blowing Rock without BRAAC, a concept that not only proved its success in short order, but became the pattern for other such programs across the state and the south.
The Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission was more than a beautification committee. It was an organization with the teeth of ordinances, the passion of board members appointed by the Mayor and Board, and initial funding to put a plan into operation that would range from input into zoning matters to assembling one of the strongest volunteer forces in the town’s history.
BRAAC was a success from the start, and while the town still allocates funds to support the organization, and makes appointments to its Board of Directors, the public has stepped forward adopting the BRAAC efforts with more than simply volunteering a few times a year to clean up, plant or develop a specific project. Today, because of the vision and success of BRAAC thousands of dollars are donated each year, with every penny going to meet their mission.
From one end of the town to the other, in every vacant plot, bank or available green space, from lamp poles and planters, literally thousands of flowers are put in the ground in both spring and autumn and so rich in color has the downtown become that many travelers venture many miles out of their way to experience the flowers in bloom in Blowing Rock.
The dream of Col Koerschner has come true, and while he stepped down as Chairman a few years ago, the torch was picked up and not only has the organization maintained the status quo, but actually increased its efforts, project and success.
And still, up until his death last week, Col Koerschner was there - picking up trash, planting flowers, weeding the gardens and being an advocate for BRAAC at every opportunity.
“Col. Koerschner has been a passionate and devoted citizen, donating hundreds of hours of his time and talent to our organization,” said Genie Starnes a BRAAC Board Members trying to generate a good turn out for the organization’s Clean Up on Saturday, May 3 and the Spring Planting Day on Saturday, May 24th.
“What a great tribute to Bill and his dream if we have the largest participation in our 30 year history,” Starnes said. “No better acknowledgement of what he has given to this community could be made than for everyone able to do something, make a positive contribution in keeping with the BRAAC mission.”
The first opportunity for celebrating the life and gift from Col Koerschner will come on Saturday, May 3 with BRAAC’s annual Spring Clean-Up Day. At 9:30 a.m. volunteers will meet BRAAC members at the Gazebo in Memorial Park on Main Street, where street assignments will be given to those without a definite street or space selection.
BRAAC will provide bright colorful safety vests and all the garbage bags necessary to rid every nook and cranny of unsightly litter.
The clean up will conclude around noon with a free lunch at the American Legion for everyone participating.
“Our Clean Up Day is always a special time for volunteers, both new residents and friends as well as dependable folk who turn out year after year,” Starnes says. “Those who have helped in the past know well that many hands make light work, so we’re asking everyone to bring a neighbor or friends, maybe even a stranger to help our town look its best.”
The Town of Blowing Rock also plays a key role in the Spring Clean Up, both picking up all the bags left beside the highway by volunteers working May 3, and setting an entire work week aside to assist residents in the Spring Bi-Annual Clean-Up. From May 12 to May 16th the town will dispatch trucks daily to pick up accumulations from private home owners, items such as white goods, yard debris such as leaves and tree branches, mattresses, paint cans, and other unwanted eyesores. (paint cans must be dry or have an absorbent added to eliminate the paint or liquid).
Property owners are requested to make their accumulations as easy to remove as possible by placing them in containers at curbside if possible. Residents should take care to not block any ditches or driveways and there is no need to call Town Hall to have their names on a list as trucks will be dispatched on a regular basis all over the village.
BRAAC volunteers return on Saturday, May 24 to literally plant the town at the annual Spring Planting Day.
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. members and volunteers will gather in front of Town Hall and from there spread out across town turning brown areas in to rainbows of color, with the only brown areas remaining hosting bulbs to bloom later.
“Believe it or not we have more plants to put in the ground than last year, and that was a record year for us,” said Genie Starnes. “We hope that as a ‘thank you’ to Bill Koerschner, we will have a record turnout of friends bringing their garden gloves, planting tools, their enthusiasm and a friend or neighbor, or both.”
Joining the effort will be two gifted experts that have donated hundreds of hours in the past - Perry Davis and Graeme Justice, who will not only lead the physical efforts but share freely their expert planting advice.
“Again we hope this year’s clean up and planting will be a special way to express our appreciation to Bill for his hard work down through the years,” Starnes said. “What he left this village is one of its most precious gifts - the gift of shared beauty. This is our opportunity to say thank you.”