Dear Blowing Rock Homeowners,
Spring has sprung in Blowing Rock!
The community is looking forward to your safe return.
We are all hoping to return to a “normal” or a “new normal” life as soon as possible.
I have been getting calls almost daily about returning to Blowing Rock, especially to ask about the Quarantine Order.
You should be aware that there are two levels of restrictions still in effect. The North Carolina governor issued a Stay at Home Order and Watauga County has issued a more restrictive Quarantine Order requiring all returning resident to self-quarantine for 14 days at your property. The purpose of the more restrictive order is to limit the risk of importing the virus and to protect the ability of our small healthcare system to care for patients.
The 14 day quarantine can be managed easily by bringing food and prescriptions with you supplemented by delivery of food by local restaurants and grocery stores. Neighbors are also helping neighbors as well by making runs to the grocery store and sharing all of extra cooking we are doing during this time. I included links below for local businesses and Publix to access some of the resources.
There is talk and speculation about “opening up” but no one is sure when or how that will be implemented. Our local businesses and their furlough employees do need our help. First of all they need us to spend money locally now and as they reopen. Secondly, I would encourage you to consider helping to meet the immediate local needs that I have described below.
Once you arrive, you will experience the impact much more than in your larger cities. The good news is that you will experience a desire to help because you know these people and you can directly help those in need. It is not like sending money off to a national relief organization. You can help locally.
Most all of the local service employees have lost their jobs, so the families who live paycheck to paycheck are hurting the most. Our two local food pantries are experiencing unprecedented demands. We have two food pantries located in Blowing Rock – Blowing Rock CARES at Rumple and Casting Bread at Faithbridge that are meeting the local needs in Blowing Rock and even around the county. Please consider a cash donation or contacting the food pantry to determine the need for food donations. For example, I contacted Blowing Rock CARES and learned that they have a need for cans of fruit and bags of rice.
Business owners are facing little to no revenue. Our hotels have no revenue, the retailers may have some limited online revenue or sales by appointment and some restaurants may have 10% to 15% of their normal revenue by offering pick-up and delivery.
The Village Foundation established the Rock United Relief Fund to provide small grants up to $5,000 to local businesses to help them survive and recover with their personal sacrifices and savings and Federal funds that have already “run out”. I am serving on the review and interview committee and I am inspired by our local entrepreneurs who make our small town the vibrant village we love. Imagine Blowing Rock without our fine retailers, restaurants or hotels. We rely on the businesses for our quality of life and should consider helping them in this devastating time. I have provided a link below for you to consider offering support. Many have stepped up with small and large contributions, but the need is great. So, please consider making a contribution to the Rock United Relief Fund.
Stay safe, optimistic and generous!
Tim Gupton, President
919-418-855
RESOURCE LINKS
Publix Grocery Delivery – InstaCart
https://delivery.publix.com/store/publix/storefront
Local Businesses and Restaurants with Curbside Pick-Up and Delivery
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wE9TWKCNUgNgpTWakX4ZvdCyYxeWEv2fxmaArScPW9c/edit#gid=0
Local Food Pantries
Blowing Rock CARES – Rumple Church
http://blowingrockcares.com/wordpress/
Casting Bread – Faithbridge Church
http://www.faithbridgeumc.org/casting-bread-food-pantry.html
Rock United Relief Fund
http://villagefoundationofbr.org/rockunitedrelieffund