Nearly 900 people from Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga and Caldwell counties gathered at Ashe County High School last Saturday for the Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation annual member-owner meeting. They were treated to safety demonstrations and informational sessions, a health fair by Ashe Memorial Hospital, music, food and prizes as they prepared to hear an update on the utility and elect officers for the board. Children enjoyed games and activities just for them while their parents attended the business session, and youth were presented scholarships.

Ashe County students awarded Goodman-Hurt Scholarships are Brooke Freeman ($1,000-$2,000 to attend a four-year school) and Ryan Absher and Devin Little ($800 to attend a vocational or technical college). Chandra Leigh Houck from the Ashe district is among those selected to participate in the Youth Tour to Washington, DC. This is a week-long leadership challenge sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Also at the meeting, Ashe District Director Kenneth Greene was re-elected to the board. And CEO Doug Johnson updated the member-owners on the state of electrical service in the utility’s communities praising Blue Ridge Electric for holding the line on electricity costs and maintaining an excellent service record.