Realtor of the Year award presented to Bonzie Everson

The 2009 Realtor of the Year award was presented to Bonzie Everson of Wallace Realty at the Christmas luncheon and regular monthly meeting of the Salisbury/ Rowan Association of Realtors.

The gathering was held at the Country Club of Salisbury on Dec. 1.

Everson was selected for her Realtor spirit, civic activity, local activity, accomplishments with the North Carolina Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors and business accomplishments.

Realtor of the Year Committee Chair Margaret Kirby of Kirby Realty presented the award.

Richard Everson was on hand for his wife's surprise award presentation.

Kelly Lowe of Apple House Realty also received an award for Rookie of the Year, which is awarded to a Realtor who has been in the business less than five years. The award was presented by Dianne Greene of Century 21 Towne & Country.

Wendy Lowe was on hand for her husband's award presentation.

James Poe of Wallace Realty and current president of the association was awarded the 2009 Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service and leadership. The award was presented by Debbie Miller of Rowan Realty, incoming 2010 president.

Nancy Poe, who is also with Wallace Realty, was present.

The seventh-grade girls honors chorus from Southeast Middle School, under the direction of Monica Otten, sang five Christmas selections for the attendees.

Members collected 31 pounds of food items plus $585 for Rowan Helping ministries and $520 for Godstock.

Allstate agency owner honored

Allstate agency owner Jason Allen has been designated a Premier Service Agency for 2009.

Bestowed upon less than 22 percent of Allstate's nearly 13,000 agency owners across the country, this designation is being presented to Allen for his commitment to exceeding customer expectations. The Premier Service Agency designation is awarded to Allstate agency owners who have consistently met designated levels in customer service and business performance.

Comfort Keepers honors employees

Comfort Keepers will honor caregivers for their years of service at an annual holiday party Thursday, Dec 17.

One Year: Landon Beard, Brenda Childress, Shinita Campbell,Gwen Cuthbertson, Josephine Dillon, Beverly Gabard,Marie Gilbert, Brittany Graham ,Marilyn Harrison, Sheena Head, Janet Hogue, Battina Hooper, Heather Horne, Rhonda Horne, Deja Hunter, Charlene Kellam, Miata Kennedy, Nyanpu Kennedy,Shirley Lane, Tracey Lear, Tia Livengood, Tammy Marley, Frances McCombs, Pat McDonald, Kelana Parks, LaBreia Pemberton, Marta Plass, Cynthia Roberson, Rosetta Spearman, Melissa Summers, Jennifer Taylor, Makisha Tucker, Edith Walker, Dawn Young, Carol Kirker and Emily Propst.

Two Years: Kathy Anderson, Tonya Apple, Dawanna Brown, Destiny Covington, Tawanna Coward, Julia Hall, Sasha Harris, Janet Jordon, Maggie Lyerly, Gerarda Myers, Stacey Phillips, Tashiana Pride, Bill Shafer,Carol Scott, Angela Shanks, Renesha Walker, Emily Overcash, Ann Measmer and Andy Fortune.

Three Years: Peggy Allen, Vernocia Allison, Cynthia Blackwell, Debora Brown, Overia Brown, Cynthia Douglas, Alice Dunne, Freddia Ford, Debra Funderburke, Holly Hawkins, Stephanie Jordon, Cheryl Kondek, Pam Lipe, Shelia McRae, Elke Nuemann, Michael Overcash, Mavis Spratt, Susan Stinett, Sherry Stokes

Four Years: Lynda Butler, Angie Childers, Beverly Patterson, Francine Craige, Alice Fields, Lois Finger and Deborah Stokes.

Five Years: Jennifer Cole, Betty Moten, Denise Torrence, Sonya Vann and Kay Stokes.

Six Years: Sheila Gaegan and Patrice Gordon

Seven Years: Victoria Grier and Toni Bolt

"For the past 8.5 years we have been focused on providing dependable and compassionate caregiving services for families throughout the area. Our caregivers are the key to our success and we could not do it without them. It is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize our most valuable resource for their dedication to our seniors and to our company." said Lori Eberly, owner of the local Comfort Keepers.

Evening Post promotes former Salisbury Post publisher

Former Salisbury Post publisher Cathy Wilkerson has been promoted to president of Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group.

Wilkerson succeeds Dan Herres, who has been promoted to executive vice president of Evening Post Publishing Co., the Charleston-based media company announced last week.

In his new role, Herres will be engaged in corporate planning and report to John Barnwell, chief executive officer and vice chairman of Evening Post Publishing Co.

Wilkerson, who had been vice president of the newspaper group, will report to Travis Rockey, president and chief operating officer of Evening Post Publishing Co. Both promotions take effect at the end of the year.

Evening Post Publishing Co. is the parent of the Salisbury Post and other newspapers and media outlets.

Magazine names Rhodes Family Physician of the Year

Dr. Charles Rhodes of Mt. Pleasant was named the 2009 NCAFP Family Physician of the Year.

Rhodes was recognized for embracing all of the key ideals of the specialty, including his lifelong commitment to education, comprehensive and coordinated care of his patients, helping to advance the specialty of family medicine and serving his community.

He is a 1983 graduate of the ECU Department of Family Medicine and currently sees patients at Cabarrus Family Medicine in Mount Pleasant. Look for a complete background on Dr. Rhodes in the next edition of The NC Family Physician magazine due out in mid-to-late January, 2010.

Santa visits Tiger World for Christmas with the "Claws"

Santa will be visiting Tiger World on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

With your paid admission to the park you can get your picture taken with Santa Claus. You will also get an opportunity to meet our Bengal Tiger cubs Ares and Athena.

The cubs will be out and about with their animal handlers. Come and see Santa and get up close and personal with endangered species.

Tiger World is a non-profit animal conservation center dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation, education and preservation of exotic animals.

Tiger World is open to the public for educational guided tours in Rockwell.

Davidson agent an honored member of Biltmore's Who's Who

Deanna Feigl, Commercial Account Manager for The JJ Wade Insurance Consultants of the SE, has been selected as an honored member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Deanna Feigl's commitment to excellence in the Insurance industry.

Deanna "Dollie" Feigl, a property and casualty underwriter, has been working in the insurance field for the past 31 years, since 1977 and working for JJ Wade since 2005.

As a licensed insurance agent, Feigl makes many presentations to various businesses, gathering information to get each one the coverage they are looking for. She also maintains existing accounts, provides quotes and services two agencies. Feigl also acts as the commercial lines team leader and system administrator.

First Bancorp recognizes retirements and service awards

First Bancorp, parent company of First Bank, recently held its annual Retirement and Service Awards Banquet at the James H. Garner Center in Troy. A number of employees were honored and presented with awards.

The bank recognized 2009 retirees for their many years of service and presented them with retirement gifts. The group included LeGrand Bennett, Annette Biddle, Bonnie Chellman, Ann Floyd, Jo Ellen Fox, Peggy Hunt, Dave Lockhart, Martha Lunday, Carol Moody, Ruth Self and Johnnie White.

First Bancorp presented awards for employees with 30 or more years of service. Recipients included Linda Bailey, Frances Cagle, Wanda Marks, Janice Nash, Charlotte Small, Mark Spencer, John Todd and Linda Turner.

The company awarded "Special Recognitions" to Walt Brown, Johnny Burns, Charlie Vance and Melanie Whitaker.

Submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to bizbriefs@salisburypost.com. Include a daytime phone number.