By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Three special moments stood out on Nov. 13, at the Meadowbrook Inn for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards presentation.

None were more poignant than the standing ovation that erupted when Kim Jenkins Rogers was revealed as the 2025 winner of the Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award, presented posthumously by Erin O’Hara of the Meadowbrook Inn, with Rogers’ sister and business partner, Pam Vines, accepting the award on behalf of Kim. Rogers passed away on Aug. 7 after a nearly 6-month battle with cancer. Vines, representing the extended Jenkins and Rogers families, recalled how Kim was always serving others, always rooting for Blowing Rock and helping to make it better. The Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award was particularly special because the late Jerry Burns was one of Kim’s closest friends.

The Series: Remembering Kim Jenkins Rogers

Presenter Erin O’Hara of Meadowbrook Inn revealed that Kim Jenkins Rogers was the 2025 recipient, posthumously, of the Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award. Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News

The gathering of Blowing Rock business leaders offered a heartfelt standing ovation when Kim Jenkins Rogers was announced as the 2025 recipient of the Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award. Photo by Lonnie Webster

David Rogers, left, husband of Kim Jenkins Rogers shares a moment with Kim’s sister, Pam Vines, after her acceptance remarks on behalf of Kim at the Blowing Rock Chamber Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Nov. 13. Photo by Lonnie Webster

Tweetsie Railroad was named Business of the Year, with Cathy and Chris Robbins coming forward to accept the award from Erica Brinker of The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Speckled Trout Outfitters. Tweetsie Railroad continues to operate as the area’s longtime attraction in entertaining and thrilling thousands of visitors (of all ages) every year.

Commissioner Melissa Pickett and Chetola Mountain Resort general manager Albert Mertz joined at the end of the awards presentations to recognize the service to Blowing Rock of Shane Fox, who will leave his position as Town Manager to become Caldwell County’s County Manager on Dec. 1.

Left to right, Shane Fox, Melissa Pickett and Albert Mertz at the 2025 Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, Nov. 13 Photo by Lonnie Webster

Tracy Brown of the Blowing Rock TDA served as emcee for the luncheon while Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce CEO Robin Miller led the business proceedings as host of the event.

In addition to the Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award and the Blowing Rock Business of the Year Award, other awards included:

The Charles Hardin Leadership Award, sponsored by ERX, was presented by Ashli Kemo of ERX to Kathy Beach, Pastor at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Outstanding Non-Profit Award to Samaritan’s Purse, sponsored by Mountain Times, represented by Moss Brennan
Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Lifestore Bank and presented by insurance executive Sandra Williams to Ashli Kemo
Best Customer Service, presented by Howard Hanna Allen Tate, went to Mustard Seed Market