Emmitt H. Black, who recently retired as president of CM Black Construction Co. in Concord, was named to the F&M Bank boards of directors Thursday.

Black will serve a two-year term.

“We are very fortunate to add an individual with such a high level of integrity and experience to our boards,” said Steve Fisher, CEO and chairman of F&M Financial Corp., F&M Bank and F&M Investment Services Inc. “Emmitt brings small business experience and perspective as well as much-needed representation from the Cabarrus County market area to our company. He will be an excellent addition to the F&M boards and the extended F&M family.”

Black graduated from Mount Pleasant High School and immediately went to work for the family’s construction company, which was started by his father in 1950.

He is married to the former Sandy Edwards. They live on the Cabarrus County side of the Gold Hill area. The Blacks have four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Health Department receives $5,000 grant from Delta Dental

The Rowan County Health Department Smile Center has received a $5,000 “Smiles for Kids” grant from the Delta Dental Foundation.

The grant is aimed at increasing the number of uninsured Rowan County women who receive prenatal dental care and promoting education and outreach about the importance of good oral health during pregnancy.

The American Dental Association says visiting the dentist during pregnancy is safe and ignoring oral health problems can contribute to negative pregnancy outcomes. Changes that occur during pregnancy can increase the mother’s risk of gingivitis and cavities. It is important that both a pregnant woman’s obstetrician and dentist discuss oral hygiene throughout pregnancy, a news release about the grant said.

“We are so grateful for the support of Delta Dental,” said Nina Oliver, director of the Rowan County Health Department. “With their support, we are able to provide treatment and access to important dental care to a population who would otherwise go without care, which we all know is not healthy for both mom and baby.”

The grant is one of 19 totaling $70,000 that the Delta Dental Foundation is donating to North Carolina oral health organizations and programs. This is the fifth year that the Rowan County Health Department Smile Center has been awarded a Smiles for Kids grant, totaling $17,000 since 2011.

‘Ladies Night Out’ to support Wallace Cancer Center

Novant Health will sponsor a night of shopping and health screenings Tuesday in support of the Rowan Medical Center Foundation’s capital campaign for the new Wallace Cancer Center.

The 30,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to open next summer, will bring all cancer services together in one location.

Ladies Night Out will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the West End Plaza events center, 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd. A $10 donation to the foundation is encouraged for those attending.

The annual gathering aims to promote women’s health by providing a variety of screenings in a relaxing environment. Guests will have the opportunity to enter drawings for door prizes from local vendors and enjoy chair massages and mini manicures. Vendors will be selling jewelry, clothing and personalized items. Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

For more information, contact Jessica Ijames at 704-210-5630.

Home care business celebrates eight years

TenderHearted Home Care, at 225 N. Main St., Suite 406, celebrated eight years in business in May.

Owner Renee Gray says she feels blessed to have seen the business grow to help more than 350 seniors be able to age with dignity and grace in their own homes.

In a news release, TenderHearted Home care said it wants to thank the more than 65 “CarePros” who assist seniors as well as the administration staff — Traci Collins, Tracey Barbee, Trevor Gray and Peter Gray.

TenderHearted serves Rowan and surrounding counties and can be contacted at 704-612-4132 or online at TenderHeartedHomeCare.com.

Carpet cleaning business opens Piedmont location

Oxi Fresh, a fast-growing carpet cleaning franchise, has opened in Piedmont North Carolina.

The Piedmont operation serves Salisbury, Lexington, Kernersville, Gum Tree, Colfax, the Piedmont Triad, High Point, Greensboro and other areas.

The new location is led by entrepreneur Mandral Blackmon.

Before opening this Oxi Fresh location earlier this year, Mandral worked in school systems in Virginia and North Carolina as an education consultant, school principal, science teacher and football coach.

The Colorado-based franchise, which has more than 370 locations across the United States and Canada, offers oxygen-powered, green cleanings that dry in about one hour, a news release said. The company achieves this through a cleaning method that requires only 2 gallons of water per home as opposed to the 40 to 60 gallons that other carpet cleaners use.

For more information about the new franchise, call Blackmon at 704-212-2600.