1000 x 90

Easter Weekend Fundraiser for the Middle Fork Greenway Project Nets $48,350

20150423_161241
Local business owners gather at a “check collection celebration” to benefit the Middle Fork Greenway. Photo by Jesse Wood

 

By Jesse Wood

Fifty five businesses and seven individuals raised $48,350 during the Easter Weekend fundraiser on behalf of the Middle Fork Greenway project. The results were announced at a “check collection celebration” in between Mystery Hill and Tweetsie Railroad on Thursday afternoon.

Appalachian Ski Mtn.’s General Manager Brad Moretz, who plans to make this an annual fundraiser, spearheaded the fundraiser by announcing that he would extend the ski season at the resort through Easter Weekend and donate all ski-ticket sales on that Saturday to the Middle Fork Greenway initiative. Dozens of other business jumped on board with the majority agreeing to pledge 25% of Easter Saturday sales or $500 or more in cash.

“We were touched by the generous and enthusiastic response from our many locally-owned businesses,” Moretz said. “In our tourism-driven economy, local businesses recognize the value of the Middle Fork Greenway will bring to both residents and visitors.”

Middle Fork Greenway Executive Director Ann Browning called the response “overwhelming.”

Proceeds from this benefit will provide matching funds for outstanding grant requests, land purchases and construction of the next segment of the greenway.

The Middle Fork Greenway is a 6.5-mile pedestrian and cycling trail located in between Boone and Blowing Rock. Of the proposed 6.5 miles, only one mile of trail has been developed so far.

The Middle Fork Greenway will be a part of the New River Headwaters Trail, a network of three trails – Middle Fork Greenway, Boone Greenway and South Fork Greenway – connecting Boone, Blowing Rock and Todd. New River Headwaters Trail is a project of High Country Pathways.

The Middle Fork Greenway is a collaboration between the Middle Fork Greenway Association, Blue Ridge Conservancy and High Country Pathways – along with other community and local government partners.

For more about the Middle Fork Greenway project, click here and view the master plan of the project here. For more information about the Middle Fork Greenway Association, click here.

Contributing Businesses

  • Yadkin Bank, presenting sponsor
  • ECR Software, presenting sponsor
  • Mast General Store, presenting sponsor
  • Alpen Acres Motel
  • Damon Anagnos, MD, Plastic Surgery
  • Appalachian Mountain Brewery
  • Appalachian Ski Mtn.
  • Basil’s Fresh Pasta and Deli
  • Black Cat Burrito in Boone
  • The Blowing Rock Attraction
  • Blowing Rock Brewing Co.
  • Blowing Rock Inn
  • Blowing Rock Market
  • Boone Drug
  • Carolina Mountain Lodge
  • Chesseburger’s Grille
  • Chetola Resort
  • Comfort Suites of Boone
  • Dianne Davant Interiors
  • Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine
  • Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Boone
  • Farm to Flame Food Truck
  • Foggy Rock Eatery & Pub
  • Jane Fonvielle
  • Footsloggers
  • Foscoe Rentals/Echota
  • French Swiss Ski College
  • Gaines Kiker Silversmith
  • Grandfather Mountain
  • Green Park Inn
  • Hemlock Inn
  • Highland Hills Motel & Cabins
  • Adam E. Hill, DDS, PA
  • The Inn at Ragged Gardens
  • Jenkins Rentals
  • Kilwin’s of Blowing Rock
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites
  • Lost Province Brewing Company
  • Magic Cycles
  • Makato’s Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
  • Meadowbrook Inn
  • Melanie’s Food Fantasy
  • Mellow Mushroom (Boone and Blowing Rock)
  • Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins
  • Mystery Hill
  • The New Public House & Hotel
  • Norwood’s Commercial Appliances
  • Jim and Suzie Parnell
  • Pepper’s Restaurant and Bar
  • Ray’s Weather
  • Recess Ridge Shop
  • Red Onion Cafe
  • Roots Restaurant
  • Xan Sanders
  • Jim and Suzanne Shaut
  • Sleep Inn Boone
  • Stick Boy Bread Company
  • Sunset Tee’s and Hattery
  • Super 8 of Boone
  • The Ethel and George Kennedy Foundation/The Herterich Fund
  • The TApp Room
  • Ed Winebarger
DSC_9360
Danny Wilcox, Appalachian Mountain Brewery

 

DSC_9350

DSC_9340
Ray Pickett of Blowing Rock Inn, Kent Tarbutton of Chetola

 

DSC_9351

DSC_9356
Rob Dyer of Best Cellar Restaurant

 

DSC_9357
Charlie Sellers of the Blowing Rock Attraction

 

DSC_9363
Brad Moretz of Appalachian Ski Mountain

 

DSC_9354

DSC_9366
Jack Pepper of Pepper’s Restaurant

 

DSC_9355
Lynn Mason of Lost Province Brewery

 

DSC_9348