Virginia “Ginny” Stevens          Photo by Lonnie Webster

By Jan Todd

Virginia “Ginny” Stevens, a passionate preserver of Blowing Rock history, passed away last Wednesday. Ginny had enormous impact in saving treasures and recording moments that help make Blowing Rock the charming town loved by tourists and locals alike.

Ginny and her husband, David, moved to Blowing Rock in 1985. Recognizing the value of the town’s rich history, Ginny wasted no time and co-founded the Blowing Rock Historical Society that very year. Long time friend Kitty Norris, who was another charter member of the BRHS, commented, “Ginny was a teacher, and was very curious about things. She wasn’t satisfied with a question or two; she’d really dig in and research. She was interested in history, and a preservationist. Before she moved to Blowing Rock, she was very involved in Preservation North Carolina, in Raleigh. She helped save a number of buildings there in Raleigh. So she brought that interest with her.”

The Blowing Rock Historical Society has since grown to over 300 members, and plays a vital role in protecting the town’s historical character. Under Ginny’s leadership, the BRHS restored and opened the Edgewood Cottage, home of artist Elliott Daingerfield. Ginny often worked at the Edgewood Cottage, where she enjoyed speaking with guests about her life in Blowing Rock. She also worked at the 1888 Museum, housed in the last remaining cottage of the historic Watauga Hotel.

She was once described in “Our State” magazine as the “sprightly attendant at the tiny white cottage-turned history-museum adjacent to the town’s picturesque Memorial Park.” Ginny would tell visitors about the town’s tourist trade in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, when wealthy guests flocked to the grand hotels, The Green Park Inn, the Mayview Manor, and the Watauga Hotel.  

One guest who wandered into the 1888 Museum on Ginny’s shift was Rita White, who is now the president of the BRHS. “I had just moved here in 2010,” recalled Rita. “I walked into the Museum, and commented that I was new to the area. Ginny started telling me about Blowing Rock, and I sat and visited with her the entire afternoon! She told me about the history of the town, and asked me all about myself.”

When she learned that Rita had moved from Albuquerque by herself, Ginny invited her to spend Christmas with her family. “That’s how she was,” described Rita. “It snowed that Christmas. That was the year we got 95” of snow! I didn’t think I could make it over to her house, so she sent her husband and son to pick me up. We had a wonderful time.”

Many remember Ginny’s presence at the Blowing Rock Town Council meetings, where she would always sit in the front row and be ready to “speak her mind” about matters pertaining to development or any threats to the historical preservation of the town. “She was an asset, an ambassador, and interested in what went on in the town,” said Kitty. “She worked very hard for Blowing Rock, and her legacy will live on for a long time.

Ginny initiated the historical marker program with BRAHM (the Blowing Rock Arts and History Museum), as was instrumental in the preservation and move of the historic Hayes House. She and her husband were honored by BRAHM with the dedication of the Stevens Gallery, a permanent exhibit on the top floor of the museum, featuring “The Village of Blowing Rock: Exploring Our History.”

Recognizing the value of a good ambassador, Ginny proposed the declaration of “Jerry Burns Day,” an annual event held at the American Legion to honor and celebrate the birthday of the man known as “Mr. Blowing Rock.” Each year, historians and interested citizens gather to eat birthday cake and hear presentations about historical events in the area. Ironically, Ginny herself was awarded the 2014 Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Ginny loved Blowing Rock, and Blowing Rock loved her. In an issue of “My Hometown,” Ginny herself once wrote, “Living here is the best of all worlds as far as my husband and I are concerned. We have been nurtured and loved and found so many treasured memories that are unique to Blowing Rock, its people, and the beautiful mountains that we feel we could have no better place to live. We count our blessings daily.”

The last eighteen months of her life, Ginny and her husband lived at The Pines retirement community in Davidson, NC. Ginny returned to Blowing Rock to serve as Grand Marshall in the Blowing Rock 4th of July parade in 2016, in recognition of her many contributions she made to the town.

A reception will be held on Thursday, January 4 from 4-6pm at the American Legion Building in Blowing Rock, where the family of Ginny Stevens invites her friends to honor and remember all that she did to celebrate and preserve the history of Blowing Rock.

Photos by Lonnie Webster

Virginia “Ginny” Stevens

Ginny was the Grand Marshall at the 2016 Blowing Rock Independence Day Parade.

The tiny white cottage-turned history-museum

The Edgewood Cottage

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Fishing at Broyhill Lake in last year’s Blowing Rock Trout Derby. Photos by Lonnie Webster

By Luke Weir

Following a five week restocking period, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will reopen hatchery-supported trout waters Saturday at 7 a.m. In celebration, the 39^th annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby Day at Broyhill Lake will begin shortly after, at sunrise.

Hatchery supported trout waters, distinguishable by green and white signs, have been closed since March 1 for restocking, according to a statement from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

“Staff will continue to stock certain streams through June,” the statement said. “Over the four months, staff will stock nearly 916,000 trout — 96 percent of which will average 10 inches in length, with the other 4 percent exceeding 14 inches in length.”

Anglers are limited to harvesting a maximum of seven trout per day, with no size limits or bait restrictions, the wildlife commission’s statement said.

The statement also said hatchery supported trout waters are open to public fishing, but some waters reside on privately owned land. The commission’s statement urged anglers to respect the property they fish on, lest property owners revoke public access.

Meanwhile on Saturday, a High Country fishing tradition will continue when the 39^th annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby Day takes place at the freshly-stocked Broyhill Lake from sunrise until 4 p.m., according to a release from Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Association Tracy Brown.

The event is completely free to participate in, and will include brown, speckled and rainbow trout for anglers’ enjoyment, the release said. Some of the fish are even tagged as prizes.

“Trout fishing in this area is something that helps set our destination apart from other places across the state and brings many visitors to town,” Brown said in the release. “Our whole area looks forward to the Blowing Rock Trout Derby. It’s the unofficial start of spring in our town.”

There will be first-place trophies in five divisions: men, women, boys, girls, and small fries younger than 11. Special prizes will also be awarded and there will be free t-shirts.

“Derby headquarters, where information is distributed and participants’ fish are measured and registered is the Blowing Rock Clubhouse at 108 Lakeside Drive in Blowing Rock,” the release said.

According to the release, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission supports the Trout Derby with free ‘Fish for Fun’ bags, including a tackle box, regulation book, bumper sticker, stringer and bobber.

For a complete list of all Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, as well as trout maps, the complete stocking schedule, and daily stocking updates on Hatchery-Supported Trout Waters, visit the Commission’s trout fishing page.

For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit the Commission’s fishing page or call the Inland Fisheries Division, 919-707-0220.

For more information on the Trout Derby and overnight accommodations in the Blowing Rock area, visit blowingrock.com or contact the Visitor Center at 828-295-4636.

Hatchery Supported Trout Waters:

Avery County:
Boyde Coffey Lake Elk River (S.R. 1305 crossing immediately upstream of Big Falls to the Tennessee state line),
Linville River (Land Harbor line [below dam] to the Blue Ridge Parkway boundary line, except where posted against trespassing),
Milltimber Creek North Toe River —upper (Watauga St. to Roby Shoemaker Wetlands and Family Recreational Park, except where posted against trespassing),
North Toe River—lower (S.R. 1164 to Mitchell Co. line, except where posted against trespassing),
Squirrel Creek,
Wildcat Lake

Ashe County:
Beaver Creek (N.C. 221 to South Fork New River),
Big Horse Creek (Mud Creek at S.R. 1363 to S.R. 1324 bridge),
Big Laurel Creek (S.R. 1315 bridge to confluence with North Fork New River),
Buffalo Creek (S.R. 1133 bridge to N.C. 194-88 bridge),
Cranberry Creek (Alleghany Co. line to South Fork New River),
Nathans Creek North Fork New River (Watauga Co. line to Sharp Dam),
Old Fields Creek (N.C. 221 to South Fork New River),
Peak Creek (headwaters to Trout Lake, except Blue Ridge Parkway waters),
Roan Creek,
Three Top Creek

Watauga County:
Beaverdam Creek (confluence of Beaverdam Creek and Little Beaverdam Creek to an unnamed tributary adjacent to the intersection of S.R. 1201 and S.R. 1203),
Beech Creek Buckeye Creek (Buckeye Creek Reservoir dam to Grassy Gap Creek),
Buckeye Creek Reservoir Cove Creek (S.R. 1233 bridge at Zionville to S.R. 1214 bridge at Sherwood), Dutch Creek (second bridge on S.R. 1134 to mouth) Elk Creek (S.R. 1510 bridge at Triplett to Wilkes Co. line, except where posted against trespassing),
Laurel Creek (S.R. 1123 bridge at S.R. 1157 intersection to Watauga River),
Meat Camp Creek (S.R. 1340 bridge at S.R. 1384 intersection to N.C. 194),
Middle Fork New River (adjacent to intersection of S.R. 1539 and U.S. 321 to South Fork New River),
Norris Fork Creek South Fork New River (canoe launch 70 yards upstream of U.S. 421 bridge to lower boundary of Brookshire Park),
Stony Fork (S.R. 1500 bridge at S.R. 1505 intersection to Wilkes Co. line)

Last year’s winner in the girl’s division in the Blowing Rock Trout Derby

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It’s a happy day for those who are looking forward to walking or riding their bikes on a safe, 10-ft wide, asphalt path from Blowing Rock to Boone.  The Town of Blowing Rock has been awarded $2 million dollars from the Eastern Federal Lands Access Program (EFLAP) to construct a 1.3 mile segment (Section One) of the Middle Fork Greenway (MFG) across town and national park service property.

The EFLAP funding will be available in 2018.  In the meantime there is plenty to prepare to get “shovel ready” says Kevin Rothrock, Town of Blowing Rock Planner.  According to Rothrock “topographical surveys, final engineering and design work to include bridge structures, culvert underpasses, stream crossings, stream restoration, and retaining walls will need to be completed for permitting and final construction bid documents.”

Ed Evans, Blowing Rock Town Manager said, “Our target is to be ready to construct when the funding opens up.  The development of the Blowing Rock section of the MFG will be a catalyst for economic development as tourists will have one more activity to do while visiting the High Country, and locals can have a safe space to recreate and commute.”

Section One of the MFG will connect Blowing Rock’s Middle Fork Greenway Trail Head in front of Shoppes on Parkway to the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System’s (ARHS) recently constructed post-acute care facility, The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge.  In 2016, ARHS’s board provided a 2,000 foot easement through The Foley Center property for the MFG to follow the Middle Fork New River’s meandering path.  President and CEO of ARHS, Chuck Mantooth, said, “We are excited about being a partner in this community-led effort to create a walking and cycling trail which I truly believe will improve the health and wellness for people of all ages. As a healthcare organization, we are continually focused on initiatives that promote an active lifestyle and result in healthy outcomes.”

With goals to promote increased physical activity levels and improve overall wellness for the community by providing infrastructure necessary for safer pedestrian and bicycle travel, The Appalachian District Health Department, through a community block grant, helped fund preliminary surveys and engineering through this section of the MFG.   “There have been so many community supporters who have seen the vision over the years and contributed financially to get to this point” says Bill Hall, long-time MFG advocate.

The Town of Blowing Rock is eligible for this grant because of connections the Greenway will provide across federal lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) on the Blue Ridge Parkway.   Blue Ridge Parkway’s Acting Superintendent, John Slaughter, expressed excitement about working with Middle Fork Greenway leaders to provide recreational access. To facilitate safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure along the highway 321 corridor, NC Department of Transportation provided $145,000 last year to go toward a pedestrian bridge in this area.  In addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway connection, the Middle Fork Greenway will intersect with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, thereby allowing through-hikers safe access to walk to town.

Non-profit leadership for the Middle Fork Greenway is provided by the Blue Ridge Conservancy, a local land trust working to protect agricultural, ecological, cultural, and recreational land in seven High Country counties, in partnership with High Country Pathways, a local organization that plans, develops, and steward trails and greenways throughout the NC High Country.  The leadership team knows how important it is to protect the land and water resources through the development of greenway projects.  “As this project develops we will stabilize streambanks, provide in stream habitat, and plant vegetation along the river to shade the stream and lower water temperatures for trout and other aquatic organisms”, says Wendy Patoprsty, Director of the Middle Fork Greenway.

The EFLAP grant requires a 20 percent match of $514,000 which will be provided by the Middle Fork Greenway initiative’s numerous grants and private donations.  According to Patoprsty, “Many partners and supporters are helping with the match requirements, including the NC Department of Transportation, NC Division of Water Resources, Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority, People for Bikes, and Blowing Rock Community Foundation. There are also many individuals who have given to the Greenway. Our team is so grateful for this support.”   Patoprsty indicated that there is still a financial gap for Section One, and that additional private donors are needed to help fill the $200,000 difference.

Patoprsty also expressed gratitude to ZAP Fitness in Blowing Rock for funding all operational and administrative costs of the greenway.  Because of Zap’s generosity, every dollar raised for the Middle Fork Greenway goes directly to trail development.

Currently, one mile of Middle Fork Greenway is completed from Tweetsie Railroad parking area that heads south (toward Blowing Rock) past High Gravity Adventures, Mystery Hill, under Hwy 321 to a 3.5 acre pocket park that was donated by the Whitener Family for the Greenway.  For more information or directions, please visit our website www.MiddleForkGreenway.org  or contact Wendy Patoprsty at Blue Ridge Conservancy.

About Blue Ridge Conservancy

Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) is a private, non-profit, non-governmental organization incorporated in North Carolina. BRC has protected over 20,000 acres in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey Counties.  In addition to protecting working farmland, BRC’s efforts have resulted in the creation of state natural areas like Beech Creek Bog, Bear Paw State Natural Area and Bullhead Mountain. We continue to help Elk Knob State Park and Grandfather Mountain State Park expand their borders and established Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County.  More information about Blue Ridge Conservancy is available at www.blueridgeconservancy.org

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