NANCY REIGEL October Woman Of The Month By Sherrie Norris She is referred to as “Superwoman in Volunteerism” by an associate who knows first hand of her involvement in the community since coming here just a few short years ago. She has been a diligent leader in the areas of conservation, the environment and sustainable communities. She is Nancy Reigel, an individual who gives many hours each week to a number of causes in which she strongly believes. For these reasons and many more, Reigel has been named Watauga County’s Woman of the Month for October. A friend has told us that Nancy came to Watauga County in 1997 “as a very young retiree” who had spent thirty years working for a large corporation in the northeastern part of the US. “Nancy did not come to sit on the porch and rock!” In her own words, Nancy conveys, “ When I retired and moved to Boone, I realized that just because I do not “earn a living” in the community does not mean I do not want to be relevant in the community, so this is a way to be relevant….hopefully, it is!!??” Nancy grew up in neighboring Tennessee, came to NC as a student at UNC-CH, and later worked in Charlotte then followed her career with AT&T to New Jersey where she retired as a Division Manager. Nancy had a sincere desire to relocate to the scenic mountains – dreaming of a home “nestled in the breathtaking valley amidst some of the oldest, most scenic mountains in the world with cascading waterfalls, wildlife, and an unsurpassed botanical paradise filled with a variety of plants, matched by few places on earth.” That dream became a reality for Nancy and her husband, Terry, who came to know The High Country as home. “Nancy knew that she wanted to contribute to her new county and to become involved and part of the local community where she and Terry were planning to settle for the remainder of their lives.” It all started, we’re told, when an article in a local paper drew her attention to a Master Gardener’s Class at Cooperative Extension, into which she enrolled and completed the course. A 40-hour “volunteer” requirement of the course set the stage for her community involvement. Soon, she became involved in the Master Gardener Organization – serving on the Steering Committee, By-Laws Development Committee, Secretary, Board of Directors, Newsletter Editor, Producer and Distributor, and Seed Swap Coordinator. “Nancy was really involved, but she wanted even more involvement in the community,” states Sue Counts, Extension Director, who recalls Nancy “hinting” that she might be willing to help out on a community project – and that’s where it all began. She was soon volunteering at least twenty hours a week with a variety of projects –mainly related to conservation, the environment and sustainable communities. Nancy quickly accepted an invitation to join the Green Valley Extension and Community Association, welcomed as “an outsider,” she recalls, “with generosity and warmth.” She has given much to the organization, through serving on various committees and as presenter for numerous ECA programs. Additionally, she has been on the County Council, serving in similar capacities. Nancy became a member of the Sustainable Tourism Council, was coordinator and General Manager for the first Sustainable Tourism Conference, held in 1999, which focused on “Options for the Future” – Issues and Possibilities. She was Co-Chair and Public Relations Chair for the 2000 Agri-tourism Workshop; Program Chair and Communications Director for the September 2000 Sustainable Tourism Conference, which focused on Cultivating Partnerships for a Healthy Environment. Nancy’s commitment to the value of Sustainable Communities kept her involved during the transition from Sustainable Tourism Council to MountainKeepers. “She rarely missed a meeting during the process of developing the “Green Sheet,” which included: “Who We Are, Why We Exist, Principles of Sustainable Communities, and What We Believe In.” Nancy also hung in there as By-Laws were developed and as MountainKeepers applied for a 501 (c) (3). Nancy is committed to the safekeeping of a special character of our communities and region, the preservation of our natural resources, unique heritage and culture, and an enhanced quality of life for all citizens.” Her dedication to MountainKeepers is “admirable,” we’re told. She has served on the Board of Directors, and as Treasurer since established; and “WebMistress” for the website She chaired the Conservation Summit in 2002, which brought together a large number of people representing about 30 conservation and environmental groups; co-chaired the November 2002 Conservation Expo and is Co-Chair for the upcoming October 16,2003 event. Mrs. Reigel has been involved with the Committee on Community Character, which was instrumental in making the “The Dollars and Sense of Preserving Community Character,” a huge success. In addition, Nancy’s efforts helped to make the Watauga . . . By The People” a success. “This project encouraged the people of the communities to start understanding and identifying those things that make our county special to us,” states Sue Counts. “Approximately 300 recyclable “free cameras” (and photo processing) were made available for residents to capture photographs of places, sights and events that make this area so unique. Those photos were returned and digitalized into a computerized database.” As a charter member of the Stop the Litter! Organizing Team, she has participated in: the Launch Breakfast, Sept. 2002; Communications Coordinator & “Brag Line,” ongoing meetings, organization and communications, Trash To Treasure Committee and Grand Finale Chair; Organized two litter brigades for Boone Parades; ASU ACT Don’t Throw It Away Dumpster Diving Chair, The One Year Anniversary Celebration Planning and Implementation Committee. Nancy and husband Terry are the “Adopt A Highway” volunteer team for Troy Norris Road and a stretch of Hwy. #194N – leading by example, as in most of her efforts. She was Watauga’s Chairperson for the Big Sweep in 2000, as well as for the Western NC Litter Summit – Clean NC 2000. Since October 2002, Nancy has served on the Board for the Volunteer Outreach Center, participating in strategic planning to broaden the mission – “to position the VOC as “a proactive proponent for the value of volunteering in the community – in both non-profits and for-profit organizations, and to position the VOC for training and information on volunteering and volunteer recruitment and nurture. Most recently, during the VOC’s transition, she is serving as Acting Chair, since August 2003. As Chamber of Commerce member and volunteer, Nancy served on the 2003 Education Summit Steering Committee. She Chaired the Second Unity Breakfast and is co-coordinator of ongoing meetings fostering “Unity” or Inclusiveness” in the community; there have been four so far since the June 12,2003 Unity Breakfast. “Janet Pepin and I are working together on this with participation across the community including the “I Have A Dream Task Force” Our tentative name is “Inclusive Community through Unity Coalition” (ICUC). In that same vein, she stresses an important personal belief...”The notion that we are more alike than different...” Nancy also serves as a Cooperative Extension Service Board member, and participated in developing and presenting the Report to the People in the spring of 2003. As an active member of Hopewell United Methodist Church, Nancy serves on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Secretary of Program Resources for the North Wilkesboro District United Methodist Women, responsible for seeing that all UMW materials, books, brochures, programming information, etc. are available at all district meetings. She also compiles and publishes the weekly Hopewell Church bulletins. She is also a member of the Highland Book Club. We have to agree with Sue Counts, who states, “In the short time that Nancy Reigel has been in Watauga County, she has truly made a difference in her community. She is most deserving of this award.” Thank you, Nancy Reigel for giving of yourself to Watauga County.