This edition features a look at the ongoing upgrades and expansion efforts at Watauga Medical Center, the life story of longtime Watauga County resident Bettie Bond, a feature on Makoto’s owner Gwen Dhing, and a heartfelt salute to Woodlands BBQ. The magazine also takes a deep dive into a recent tourism impact study in Blowing Rock. The study looks at ways to help ease traffic and parking issues, how to pay for additional parking areas and how both tourists and residents can get the best experience possible in Blowing Rock. The final results of the study will be made public this fall. This story highlights how data was collected and how several different voices were heard through questionnaires that were taken into consideration.
