Karlene Doby, Rowan County Farm Bureau president, was recognized among her peers at the Presidents’ and Agents’ luncheon during the annual meeting of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, which was held Dec. 2-4 at the Sheraton Four Seasons and Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten presented each winning county president with a limited edition Case knife. Special plaques were also presented to the agents and agencies with production that was superior during the contest period.

Crescent Financial, VantageSouth Bank merger complete
RALEIGH — Crescent Financial Bancshares Inc., Crescent State Bank and VantageSouth Bank have completed the merger of VantageSouth Bank into Crescent State Bank.  The combined bank now operates as VantageSouth Bank.
“We are small enough to be close to our customers, and with fresh capital, we have a greater ability to lend money than other banks our size,” said Scott Custer, CEO of the combined bank. “The merger of Crescent State Bank and VantageSouth Bank is the perfect combination for building relationships and helping meet the lending needs of businesses and individuals in the communities we serve.”
Each outstanding VantageSouth Bank share was converted into Crescent Financial shares at an exchange ratio of 5.3278. 
The merger combines VantageSouth’s five locations, including one in Salisbury, with Crescent State Bank’s 15 and offers customers a total of 19 ATM locations.
Crescent Financial’s majority owner, Piedmont Community Bank Holdings Inc., was formed in 2009.

Intimidators, CMC-NorthEast Stadium tapped for honor
KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis Intimidators and CMC-NorthEast Stadium earned praise from Cabarrus Business, which named the team and ballpark Best Entertainment Venue in 2012.
The Intimidators, Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, have been around for 18 seasons.  Cabarrus Business “conducted a series of online polls” each month, getting reader feedback to determine their “Best of” winners.
The Kannapolis Intimidators are preparing for the team’s 13th season as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.  The 2013 season home opener is on April 11.

Brisbin is Home Instead’s CareGiver of the month
Charlotte Brisbin is the November CareGiver of the Month for Home Instead, where she has worked for six months.
Dominique Abram, recruitment retention coordinator for Home Instead. said, “Charlotte is a gem, and that is why her clients and co-workers love her. We are truly blessed to have a CareGiver like Charlotte on staff.”
Home Instead has offices in Concord, Lexington and Salisbury.
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