Mary Arey, co-owner of Arey Realty, was recognized as Realtor of the Year at the February meeting of the Salisbury-Rowan Association of Realtors.

Millie Cress of First bank was recognized as Affiliate Member of the Year and thanked for her many years of service to the association.

Food Lion Feeds Partners with Customers and Vendors to Nourish Local Families through “One Meal at a Time” Campaign
Customers Will Save $1 When They Purchase Five Participating Items through March 7

SALISBURY – Food Lion is partnering with its MVP customers and vendors to help solve hunger while offering customers the opportunity to save on their groceries through its Food Lion Feeds “One Meal at a Time” campaign, Feb. 22 through March 7.

During the campaign, when customers use their MVP card and purchase five participating items, they will save $1 instantly while triggering a donation of 11 meals* to Feeding America® and their local food bank, helping to feed their neighbors in need.

Food Lion Feeds aims to help provide more than 3 million meals* through the “One Meal at a Time” campaign in partnership with Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, and its network of 30 local food banks in Food Lion’s operating area. Feeding America and local food banks within Food Lion’s market will benefit from this campaign.

Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion is working to create a better tomorrow by uniting with customers and partners to help eliminate the difficult choices many families are forced to make when they are struggling with hunger. Working toward its commitment to provide 500 million meals by the end of 2020, Food Lion Feeds has already donated more than 250 million meals through in-store campaigns, like “One Meal at a Time,” its food rescue program as well as local donations and volunteerism.

To learn more about Food Lion Feeds or the “One Meal at a Time” campaign, visit www.foodlion.com/onemeal.

 

 

 

INNOVATIVE YOUNG FARMER AWARD PRESENTED BY FARM CREDIT ASSOCIATIONS OF NC

STATESVILLE, NC – The Farm Credit Associations of NC announce Brandon Batten as the recipient of the 2017 Innovative Farmer of the Year Award given by The Tobacco Farm Life Museum.

Brandon is a sixth-generation farmer in southern Johnston County embracing the challenges of modern agriculture through creative thinking, technology, and adaptability.

The Four Oaks native is a partner in the family business, Triple B Farms, Inc., producing flue-cured tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, and Bermuda hay on 600 acres.  The operation also has 40 head of angus-mix beef cattle.  Brandon’s involvement in the operation reaches in many directions, including evaluation of in-depth monthly financial evaluations of the farm budget.  This process enables sound decision making for the members of the operation.

Brandon is a 2008 NCSU graduate obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering.  He also completed his Master’s in Agricultural Engineering in 2010 from NCSU.  His education has enabled him to have an extensive source of contacts with many producers and experts in the field of agriculture, as well as a wide-range of industry knowledge and practices.

Aside from his innovative work on the farm, he is a proud husband to Jessica and father to Camden.  Brandon is active in the community and in advocating for the future of agriculture in North Carolina.  Batten is a member of Pauline Baptist Church and a captain with the Strickland Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.  He participates in the Johnston County Young Farmer and Rancher Program, as well as the Johnston County Agribusiness Council.  He is an active supporter of Johnston County Extension and is a county representative to the North Carolina Farm Bureau farm labor state advisory committee.

 

For 100 years Farm Credit has been supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.

Carolina Farm Credit serves over 9,200 members with loans outstanding totaling more than $1.4 billion.  The association’s territory covers the western half of North Carolina, with branch offices located in Albemarle, Asheboro, Asheville, Boone, Browns Summit, Burnsville, Carthage, Concord, Conover, Ellerbe, Graham, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Monroe, Murphy, Pilot Mountain, Roxboro, Rural Hall, Salisbury, Shelby, Siler City, Sparta, Spindale, Statesville, Taylorsville, Waynesville, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, and Yanceyville.

Directors for Carolina Farm Credit are L. Kim Starnes, Chairman, Salisbury; W. Rex Bell, Vice-Chairman, Statesville; John M. Barnard, Statesville; E. Bernard Beck, Seagrove; Mark A. Bray, Lawsonville; David M. Coltrane, Pleasant Garden; Susie J. Gambill, Sparta; Joseph A. Lail, Shelby; Clark M. Newlin, Haw River; Thomas E. Porter, Jr., Concord;  Tony L. Ragan, Sanford; D. Kaleb Rathbone, Waynesville; Lewis E. Smith, Lincolnton; Vickie N. Smitherman, East Bend; Dr. Alton Thompson, Summerfield.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Coca-Cola is proud to again take part in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament and events. In addition to supporting the action on the court, Coca-Cola is passionate about providing scholarship opportunities through CIAA programs and individual student grants.

Over the course of the weekend, $70,000 will be awarded to the CIAA scholarship program and $35,000 for individual student scholarships. Hundreds of students at CIAA schools submitted a short essay detailing how they make a positive impact on community relationships in order to be considered for an individual scholarship.

Four Grand Prize winners of the essay contest will receive a $5,000 scholarship grant as well as two tickets to the CIAA tournament, two nights of hotel accommodations, and a $500 travel stipend. In addition to the Grand Prize winners, fifteen First Place winners were awarded a $1,000 scholarship grant. An announcement of the scholarship recipients will be made during the Semifinal games on Friday and Championship game Saturday night.

“Coca-Cola Consolidated has a strong commitment to the education and youth empowerment of our communities,” said Aimee Cox, Director of Sponsorships for Colleges and Universities at Coca-Cola Consolidated. “We are thrilled to support the CIAA tournament and help provide resources for deserving students at CIAA schools.”

 

North Carolina Chamber Reacts to House Bill 186
State Chamber of Commerce Supportive of Bipartisan Effort

RALEIGH, N.C. – Lew Ebert, president and CEO of the North Carolina Chamber, a nonpartisan business advocacy organization, has issued the following statement regarding House Bill 186, introduced yesterday.

“The North Carolina Chamber and the statewide business community have been clear about our goals on this issue; we are encouraged and supportive of House Bill 186 as a bipartisan effort to move toward a resolution. We encourage continued dialogue and collaboration among elected leaders to pass a solution.”

New Flagship Store in Austin, TX Captures the Soul of YETI

Grand Opening of Historic South Congress Avenue Location Announced

 

Austin, Texas (February 21, 2017) — YETI®, the leading premium cooler and drinkware brand, will open a retail and community event space at 220 South Congress Avenue in Austin on Thursday, February 23, 2017. YETI’s flagship store elevates the consumer experience by inspiring visitors to go out and explore the wild, capturing a core tenet of the brand in 8,000 square feet.

 

The space features live entertainment, an expansive indoor/outdoor bar, product customization station, iconic outdoor-themed installations and an array of YETI’s historical artifacts—including prized possessions from founders and Austin locals, Roy and Ryan Seiders.

Founded in Austin, Texas in 2006, YETI is a leading premium cooler and drinkware brand. The world’s top hunters, anglers, outdoor adventurers, BBQ pitmasters, and ranch and rodeo professionals trust YETI to stand up to the world’s harshest conditions. For more on the company and its full line of products and accessories, visit yeti.com.