September Headlines

     (September 24, 2009) -- Approximately 200 people were in attendance as Coffing Hoists, H.W. Little & Co. and Brown Creek Animal Hospital were recognized as outstanding businesses; and farmers Allen Molaro and the Milton Baucom family were honored at the annual Farm-City Week dinner program on Sept. 22 at South Piedmont Community College's Lockhart-Taylor Center.
     Don Scarborough, chairman of the Anson Economic Development Corp. (AEDC), presented the "Outstanding Corporate Leader" award to Joe Ombrello, Jarvis Woodburn and Bob Stowe of Coffing Hoists. "Coffing Hoists is so important to our community," Scarborough said. "They are an excellent corporate citizen and are very deserving of this award."
     Scarborough presented a history of the company, which was established in Danville, Ill., and purchased by the Duff-Norton Co. of Charlotte in 1955. The Coffing manufacturing line was moved to Charlotte in 1960 and then to Wadesboro in 1966. "Since then, there have been three plant expansions and, now, the best news of all -- the new expansion announced in July that will add 60 more jobs to the Wadesboro facility," Scarborough said, adding, "The employees of Coffing Hoists pride themselves in offering a wide range of products to meet lifting, pulling and rigging needs. Years of experience and know-how, dedication to superior manufacturing and valued customer input has led to the design and continuous refinement of each Coffing product."
     Ombrello, general manager of the Wadesboro facility, commented, "Thank you. This is a teriffic honor for Coffing Hoists. We are looking forward to expanding our opportunities in Anson County and to move forward."
     Previous winners were Hornwood Inc. and Pee Dee Electric Membership Corp.
     Elbert Marshall, AEDC secretary, announced the "Outstanding Small Business" recipient, saying, "H.W. Little & Co. was founded in 1894, observed a century of community service in 1994. If you add another 15 years to the present timeline, you have a family-owned business that has been located on Greene Street in historic uptown Wadesboro for 115 years."
     Marshall commented that a visit to H.W. Little is like a step into the past and that he always has been impressed by the friendly faces that greet customers. "Sadly, we lost the patriarch of the hardware, Henry, back in 2005," Marshall said. "But his wife, Cynthia, and his daughter, Carly, have been carrying on his ideals of service to the community."
     He said Carly, now the store manager, began as a part-time employee after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "She stocked shelves, priced items and did janitorial chores ... and slowly learned the business from the ground up," Marshall said. "Carly has continued the service to community tradition. H.W. Little sponsors a basketball team in the parks and recreation program, sponsors the homecoming parade on People Fest eve, has a lighted float in the annual Christmas parade, and has provided monetary and/or store items to clubs, churches and organizations."
     Cynthia and Carly were joined at the podium by long-time employee Donnie Wall. Carly thanked the AEDC for the recognition and thanked the faithful H.W. Little employees, observing, "I could not do it without my guys there to help me."
     Previous winners were Peaches 'n' Cream and Papa Joe's Pizzeria.
     Lynn Edwards, executive director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, surprised Danny Wright of Brown Creek Animal Hospital with the "Outstanding Agri-Business" award. "This year's award winner started out as an entrepreneur with a small number of employees, but quickly grew into a well-known, thriving business that many of you have visited from time to time," Edwards began. "The owner of this outstanding business has lived in Anson County his entire life -- except for the time he spent at North Carolina State University while receiving his degree in veterinary medicine. He built and began his business in 1999.
     "Now keep in mind that has only been ten years ago," she said. "Since then, he has built onto his establishment three separate times to accommodate his growing list of patients, which includes animals as small as a rabbit and as big as a horse.
     Edwards said Wright employs about 20 people, both full-time and part-time, and two who are also veterinarians.
     Previous winners in the agri-business category has included Chamber members Cobb-Vantress, Kiker Forestry, IGA and Carolina Farm Credit
     Janine Rywak, director of the Anson County Cooperative Extension Center, presented the annual "Outstanding Farmer of the Year" award to Allen Molaro. "Allen runs about a 25-brood cow operation and manages them very progressively," Rywak said.
     "He has been a seeker and a sharer of knowledge. He does not look to keep it to himself ... he enjoys seeing other people improve their operations," she said. "He is extremely unselfish with his knowledge and time ... He will often pull his own portable head gate around the county and help others work their cattle in it. He is usually the first to volunteer to help someone work their cows or calves. And, that was true even before he retired (from the Anson County School System) and became a full-time 'rancher.' He is not hesitant to try new things and adopts and promotes concepts he has seek work for him."
     Rywak said Molaro has presented programs to cattle groups across the state, that he has been a champion of the Anson County Cattlemen's Association scholarship program and that he is "a true friend of Cooperative Extension."
     Robert Ross, chairman of the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation District (BCSWCD), recognized Milton Baucom as the "Anson County Conservation Farm Family." Baucom, whose cattle are certified organic-fed, was joined at the podium by his wife, Harriett, daughter, Courtney, and son, Bayden.
     Eddie Edwards, BCSWCD treasurer, presented sponsor awards to the North Carolina Farm Bureau, Carolina Farm Credit and Martin Brothers Equipment; and Tina Rowell, BCSWCD district administrator, introduced Cody Kiker as the resource conservation workshop participant. He is the son of Tom and Carolyn Kiker.
     Ronnie Morgan, BCSWCD vice chairman, recognized Envirothon teachers -- Daphne Mills, an eighth grade science teacher at Anson Middle School; and Lanette Phillips, director of the Wadesboro Rotary Planetarium and Science Center. "For the last several years, Brown Creek Soil and Water has had teams competing in the Southern Piedmont Envirothon," Morgan said. "These teams are started through the dedication of teachers and volunteers working with the Brown Creek staff.
     The local North Carolina Farm Bureau board of directors was the dinner sponsor (beef, carrots, mashed potatoes, green beans and dessert) that was prepared and served by members of the Anson County Cattlemen's Association.
     Todd Moore, chairman of the Anson Agricultural Advisory Board, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program.
     For entertainment, Rywak hosted "Farm-City Week Jeopardy" -- a series of Jeopardy-like questions between three teams (chosen by dividing the audience up). The Brown Creek Soil and Water team score 27 points, followed by the Chamber of Commerce team with 17 and the Extension staff with 16 points.
     Podium appearances also were made by Eloise Harrington, president of the Anson County Farm Bureau; Pearl Blount, chair of the Anson Advisory Council; Roshunda Blount, 4-H agent; Clinton McRae, South Central District extension director; Erin Dempsey, 4-H Youth Promise; Aimee Marshall, extension agent; and Sharon Edwards, 2009 Ag Fair coordinator.
     Edwards explained that the Anson Ag and 4-H Youth Livestock Show will be held Sept. 25-26 at South Piedmont community College's Lockhart-Taylor Center; and that the Anson Ag Fair will be held during People Fest, Oct. 10, at the Leavitt House. For more information on the livestock show or the Ag Fair, call 704.694.2915.

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