By David Rogers. June 26, 2015. BLOWING ROCK, NC — Conversations were varied, ranging from Jimmy Hoffa’s destruction of his own labor union to personalized banking in the technological age; from the features of the Canon 7D Mark III and a fixed f-stop lens to the widening of U.S. 321 through Blowing Rock and the nuances of Hole #13 at Blowing Rock Country Club (BRCC). Paul Broyhill borrowed the Wilcox house for a Friday night party on Green Hill Circle — and it may well prove to be one of the finest shindigs of the year.
Almost a year ago at a BRCC-hosted fundraiser, Mr. Broyhill was the high bidder for a special performance of the hot High Country jazz ensemble, Shane Chalke’s BE jazz at a private party. With the calendar turning its pages to the NEXT year’s fundraising event, the now retired furniture czar decided it was time to cash in his prize. So he recruited George and Betsy Wilcox to host the event — for an estimated 60 guests to enjoy the jazz ensemble’s music, each other’s company and conversation, and of course that eastward view to the edge of the world.
They even got a bit of a light show donated by Mother Nature. Dusk darkening toward night proved the perfect backdrop for a lightening storm over the distant foothills of the Piedmont — until the arriving storm’s torrential downpour chased everyone inside, with Betsy thanking God for a large and spacious living room.
The energetic Mr. Broyhill didn’t miss anyone in thanking them for coming to his party. Here he has a word with Nancy and Len Capel.
Although bringing lots of “wet,” the storm did nothing to dampen the spirits of the evening revelers. Bankers by trade hobnobbed with truckers and oil men and lawyers and retail executives and real estate mavens and university professors. Most knew each other, but some were meeting for the first time.
Catered by Blowing Rock Country Club and its attentive staff, it was high times in a high place Friday night, in God’s country.