Business roundup: Kluttz Piano in Our State magazine

Old forgotten pianos come to this rehabilitation warehouse, where the Kluttzes will save them. Inside the walls of Kluttz Piano Co. in Granite Quarry, old can become new, and forgotten can become remembered.

One family keeps alive a piano restoration business that opened more than 75 years ago, says Our State writer Michael Graff in the February issue.

Piece by piece, the Kluttz family deconstructs, reconstructs, and saves these wooden boxes returning them to an instrument form, so that a memory can remain. The Kluttzes have restored more than 12,000 pianos since opening in 1931.

Our State's February issue features other unique treasures across the state, from Greensboro's old-fashioned drugstore, Brown-Gardiner, to the monthly bluegrass jams at Clear Run Grocery. Our State is the premier statewide magazine devoted to North Carolina travel, history, people, and places. Published for 76 years, Our State showcases the beauty of North Carolina and is the perfect source of information for those who have lived here all their lives or those looking to visit.

To read more about Kluttz Piano Co., pick up the February issue of Our State or call 800-948-1409 to subscribe. For a sneak peak into the February issue, visit www.ourstate.com.

Bill's Exterminating honored

Bill's Exterminating Co. has been awarded the QualityPro designation by the National Pest Management Association.

QualityPro is a mark of excellence that shows Bill's Exterminating has taken extraordinary steps to ensure consumers will be satisfied. From running criminal background checks on employees to using environmentally sound integrated pest management practices, QualityPro companies are committed to providing consumers with the highest level of service.

"Becoming QualityPro was important to me, because I strive to offer consumers the best in pest management," said Kip Peeler, CEO. "This designation offers consumers solid proof of the thoroughness and quality of my company's termite protection and pest management services. We continually raise the bar of performance and professionalism for all of our employees and this has been the foundation of our success."

QualityPro companies have met qualifications in business operations, consumer relations, environmental stewardship and technician training.

Bill's Exterminating has been in pest management for 42 years in Salisbury. For more information, call 704-636-0674 or visit www.BillsExt. com.

Local accountants merge

Gary L. Davis has acquired the accounting practice of Angela Hall.

Hall will serve as a senior manager. Shelby Ratledge also joins the staff and will provide client bookkeeping and payroll assistance.

Established in 2003, the Gary L. Davis, accounting firm offers tax planning and preparation for corporations, partnerships, trusts and individuals. The practice offers bookkeeping and payroll services, including time clock solutions, for small to medium size businesses.

Serving clients in Rowan County and across North Carolina, the offices are located at 640 Statesville Blvd. and can be reached at 704-636-1040. For more information visit www.garyldaviscpa.com.

Miss Carillon contest Feb. 18

The third annual Miss Carillon contest will be Feb. 18 at 2 p.m at 1915 Mooresville Road.

The event raises money for The Fallen Firefighter's Fund and the Justin Monroe Scholarship Fund.

Carillon Assisted Living of Salisbury is looking for brave men to dress as women and compete for prizes. All contestants will be "escorted" by real firefighters. Carillon also is seeking contributions — gift certificates, food items, T-shirts, etc. — for gift baskets, which go to the winners.

Judges for the pageant are also needed.

Call 704-633-4666 for more information.

Rowan Mutual Fire officers

Officers were elected at the annual meeting of Rowan Mutual Fire Insurance Co. on Jan. 16.

They are Larry A. Poteat, president; Carl H. Goodman, vice president; Clyde S. Lippard, Jr., secretary/treasurer; and Rhonda F. Smith, assistant secretary/treasurer.

Poteat, Goodman and Lippard were also elected as the directors for 2010, along with David Corriher, Carl Brown, Mary Lou Howe, Jerry Waller, Patsy Sexton, Jewell Alley, Tom Snider, Jerry Sides and Phillip Kepley.

The board of directors voted to keep rates the same as the last 13 years.

The Rowan Mutual Fire Insurance Co. is now serving its 108th year in Rowan County.

Veterinarian attends conference on calf, heifer nutrition

Dr. Jay Moore of Rocky Creek Vet in Cleveland,was among 28 bovine veterinarians who participated in Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC's new continuing education program, which provided an overview on the latest research, technology and insights of dairy calf and heifer nutrition. The conference was held in St. Louis.

Galen Grant, Land O'Lakes Purina Feed's calf and heifer specialist, hosted Moore, who represents his profession in a key dairy production area. At the conference, industry-leading experts spoke on the latest insights relative to calf immunology, disease pathogens, and several new technologies and approaches for improved calf feeding.

Audience surveys were used to identify perceptions and opportunities for further education. One such discovery, for example, was that most veterinarians believe that dairy calves are often underfed, compared to optimal nutritional requirements.

A highlight of the second day was a tour of LongView Animal Nutrition Center, including the calf started and grower units, state-of-the-art milking parlor, and the newly expanded Large Animal Metabolism Unit.

Lowe's presents carrier award to China Grove trucking outfit

Corriher Trucking Inc. of China Grove was awarded the "2009 Platinum Carrier Award" by home improvement retailer Lowes Companies Inc.

The event took place in North Wilkesboro.

Lowe's presented the Platinum Carrier Award for the best carrier out of the Lowe's DC Plant 989 in Thomasville to Bryan Corriher, Vice President Transportation and

Glenn Corriher is vice president/general manager of Corriher Trucking Inc., which has received many awards through the 10 years working with Lowe's.

Corriher also gave an award to Driver of the Year Derek Barriet. He has been with the company four years. This award was based on on -time deliveries for 2009. Corriher holds on-time deliveries to Lowe's at 99.8 percent.

Cheerwine Cup up for grabs at Wake Forest MBA summit

For the first time, the winning school at Wake Forest University's annual MBA Marketing Summit will receive the Cheerwine Cup.

With applications from more than 100 MBA and undergraduate teams, eight MBA schools were selected to participate in the Summit and have a chance at first place and the Cheerwine Cup: Notre Dame; Ohio State; Wake Forest; London Business School; IESE Business School (Barcelona, Spain); Brigham Young; Dartmouth College; and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The student-run Summit hosts 14 MBA and undergraduate schools that are given cases to solve in 36 hours. They present their recommendations to a panel of executives from various corporations, including Cheerwine. This year's case sponsor is IBM Corp. The winning MBA team will not only receive the Cheerwine Cup, but also a $50,000 cash prize.

Artist Tom Ogburn, who is also a former professor at Wake Forest University, designed the Summit's debut trophy — a bronze cup sculpted as a cracked-open gold egg. The hatched egg symbol was selected to represent the nature of the Summit, where valuable new ideas and relationships are born every year.

Camp Freightliner discounting for February classes

GAFFNEY, S.C. — Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) will waive the $50 co-pilot fee for Camp Freightliner for classes in February.

Interested pilots and co-pilots can participate in Camp Freightliner classes for $100 rather than the regular fee of $150 for both attendees. Discounted rates apply to Feb. 15-16 and 18-19 classes.

Camp Freightliner is a comprehensive two-day training course at FCCC's Factory Service Center in Gaffney, S.C.

During the course, motorhome operators are educated about the benefits of and maintenance of their specific FCCC chassis, reviewing such topics such as the air brake and electrical system, maintenance intervals, weight distribution and vehicle storage. In addition, pilots and co-pilots have the opportunity to learn the intricacies of a Freightliner chassis firsthand, examining a bare chassis to highlight and review its features.

Camp Freightliner is also now open to anyone interested in learning more about motorhoming. Visit the FCCC Web site to register at www.freightlinerchassis.com.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.

First Bank, nonprofit group join to donate foreclosed home

HIGH POINT — First Bank has partnered with SHARE of North Carolina Inc. to donate a local foreclosed home to the nonprofit group for a low- to moderate-income family.

The bank joined the organization for a donation event involving city officials, First Bank local board members and other community leaders.

SHARE stands for "self-help and rewarded efforts" and works to provide education, training and affordable housing. The organization was founded in 2001 and promotes economic and financial growth as the cornerstone of their operation. The organization serves communities in the greater High Point area of North Carolina. For more information, visit ShareofNC.org.

First Bank is committed to supporting those causes and events that strengthen the communities First Bank calls home. Through numerous donations, sponsorships and volunteer hours, First Bank supports community service, educational and charitable efforts across the region.

To learn more about First Bank, visit www.FirstBancorp.com

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