By David Rogers. February 14, 2012. BOONE -- There was plenty of PDA (public display of affection) going on early this afternoon in front of Wells Fargo Bank, and it had nothing to do with Valentine's Day.

An estimated 35 community notables and media types assembled on the lawn in front of the bank to witness several area business and civic leaders fulfill their end of the United Way's "Kiss the Pig Challenge." In an interview, High Country United Way Executive Director Linda Slade told Blowing Rock News, "This campaign is part of our overall annual campaign.  It started last fall, and today was the culmination of everyone's effort. We raised $37,270 toward our $550,000 annual fundraising goal."

This year's pig kissers got off easy.  "We had some problems wrangling the real pig," Slade said. "Mike Hall of Bandana's was kind enough to lend us this stuffed one. We want to thank everyone that participated in this year's Kiss Off, and helped make it another successful campaign. In the end, this isn't about the money, but about the services the United Way helps support in meeting community needs."

In the picture at right, the pig kissers included, left to right, Mary Wood, Mast General Store' Frank Ruggiero, The Mountain Times; Tom Mayer, Watauga Democrat; Julie O'Dell-Michie, Blue Ridge Electric; Susan Norris, Piedmont Savings; Ray Russell, Ray's Weather; David Burleson, Superintendent, Avery County Schools (behind emcee Steve Frank); Bill Parker, Blowing Rock Rotary and District Governor, Rotary District 7670; and Dick Hearn, President of the Board of Directors, High Country United Way.

Separately, Mountain Times Publications used the occasion as a photo opportunity to present the High Country Women's Fund, a beneficiary of the High Country United Way, with a check for $1,546, which were the proceeds from the recent Women's Expo.

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