hickory living magazine march issue

HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2015 1

Complimentary

March 2015

Keeping Your Family

Comfortable

Efficient Comfort Systems, Inc

2 HICKORY LIVING • MARCH 2015

Mailing Address - 1670 E. Broad Street, Suite #195 Statesville, NC 28625 828-464-4060E-mail - [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKristie Darling • Meredith Collins

Cheryl Grant • Kathy WheelerLauren Davidson

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYShane Greene Photography

COVER STORY72 Degrees Air Conditioning & Heating

Editorial Stock photography, unless otherwise noted,

is from ThinkStock.

March 2015Living the Good Life


LIVNG

I from the publisherWelcome to the March issue.March promises to be a busy month, and it ushers in my favorite time of year–spring! I'm hoping for lots of warm, sunny weather to lift us all out of the winter doldrums of the past few months. The smell of freshly mowed grass in the air and warmer days is just the tonic I need to get me excited about all that spring has to offer!

Daylight Savings Time starts on March 8th as we “spring forward” and move our clocks up one hour. It always takes me at least a week or two to get used to losing this hour, but I really enjoy the longer days and extra daylight in the evening. I can put this time to good use by starting my exercise later in the day or working in the yard...There is so much to do!

Don't forget to wear your green on St. Patrick's Day, and here's hoping the luck of the Irish is shining on you! Whether you are Irish or not, this is a day to have some fun and remember you get pinched if you're not wearing green!

Thank you for reading the March issue of Hickory Living Magazine!

Find Hickory Living Magazine on Facebook.http://twitter.com/HickoryLiving

W W W . H I C K O R Y L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E . C O M

LIVINGLIVINGHickory

Myron T. GoughPublisher, Hickory Living

Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Myron T. GoughPublisher/[email protected](828) 464-4060

Kathy WheelerArt Director/[email protected](828) 238-3224

Bob [email protected](336) 686-7271

Linda B. [email protected](704) 657-0237

Heather [email protected](704) 962-8080

Lauren [email protected](704) 929-1440

Find Hickory Living Magazine on Facebook.http://twitter.com/HickoryLiving



March 2015LIVNG

I content

8 • Prepare For The Season!

12 • 72 Degrees Air Conditioning & Heating Keeping Your Family Comfortable

18 • Catawba Radiological Associates, Inc. Imaging And Intervention

22 • Act Happy Week

25 • What's Cooking?! A Quick Lunch For Two

26 • The Luck Of St. Patrick

30 • Hickory Resources25

22 18 holiday | food | local business

©ariwasabi | iStock | Thinkstock


Prepare for the

Season!By Kathy Wheeler

©fotohunter | iStock | Thinkstock

March ushers in the first

day of spring on the

20th, which means warm

weather is just around the corner! Get

outside and replenish your vitamin D

with a little sunshine. According to Dr.

Oz, as little as 15 minutes in the sun will

offer 10,000 units of vitamin D for fair

skinned people. He suggests that you

apply sun block to your face and hands,

but not the rest of your body. The darker

your skin, the more sun you need to get

a comparable amount of vitamin D. If

you take a vitamin D supplement, take it

with the largest meal of the day for bet-

ter absorption.

It is time to start choosing a new color

pallet for both our homes and our ward-

robes. The experts at Pantone predict

the spring and summer color pallet will

consist of cool colors mixed with muted

warm pastels. You will be happy to

know that classic blue is going to be a

staple this spring. So pull out those navy

and white striped sweaters or t-shirts.

The bright pop of colors from the 2014

season will be replaced with muted

versions of warm tangerine, strawberry

pink, custard, sand, cool blues, and

greenish turquoise colors. Classic blue

and light gray will be the neutral colors

for spring wardrobes, and some design-

ers predict that black and white, blue

and white, and white on white will be

popular this spring and summer season.

Likewise, it is time to brighten some of

your home décor. Packing away those

heavy comforters and replacing them

with lightweight, fun-colored quilts are

good ways to do just that. Changing out

decorative pillows and throws, open-

ing the windows to air out your home,

opening the blinds and drapes to let the

sunshine in are other ways of inviting

spring into your home. Don’t forget to

add some fresh March flowers from the

garden!

The winter months have taken their toll

on our homes, and a little bit of spring

cleaning will help you start the season

with a fresh, new look. Remove clutter

and go through winter clothes before

packing them away for the season. In

general, clean, organize, and store away

any items that you won’t need for the

season. With warmer weather, you may

consider having a yard sale for unused

items or donate them to a local charity.

If you are in the market for something

new, spring is the perfect time for shop-

ping some of the re-sale stores for items

you can refurbish and reuse. I love see-

ing a classic end table come to life with

an unexpected color of paint!

Plan your outdoor projects for entertain-

ing. Do you need a larger deck? Or, do

you plan on purchasing new furniture

for your outdoor space? Spring is the

perfect time to make those purchases so

you can enjoy them during the warm

season ahead. Prepare your flowerbeds

for planting by pulling out winter debris

and adding some fresh mulch.

Enjoy the fresh air, the warm sun, and

the beginning of spring!


©fotohunter | iStock | Thinkstock


LIVI cover storyGN

By Kristie DarlingPhotos by Shane Greene Photography

Photos: On the cover–Dempsey Miller and Sidney Smith, owners of 72 Degrees Air Conditioning & Heating.

Pictured–Management team members–Derek Wolfe, operations manager; Dempsey Miller, administration manager; Sidney Smith, general manager; and Michael McDaniel, office manager. Operations and warehouse building is pictured in the background.

Keeping Your Family Comfortable




You wake up in the middle of the night, and something seems different. You feel a chill, the floor is cold, and then it hits you–the furnace isn’t running. We take it for granted that our home will stay warm in winter and cool in the heat of summer, but when that’s not the case, we need a heating and cooling expert that we can trust. We need someone to keep our family comfortable and safe year round. In the greater Hickory area, folks know they can rely on 72 Degrees to do the job right, the first time, with a 100% guarantee to stand behind their workmanship in the rare case there’s a prob-lem. You can expect exceptional “we care” customer service matched with top of the line, affordable HVAC products from Sid Smith, Dempsey Miller, and their professional team of comfort advisors, service technicians and system installers when called on. The entire team has your comfort at the top of their priority list. NEW OWNERSHIP, NEW LEADERSHIP72 Degrees of Hickory has been in business in our region since 2004. Sid and Dempsey purchased the company last May. “I wanted to be part of a customer service oriented busi-ness, something that people really value,” Sid told me as he showed me around. “I have a mechanical engineering degree from NC State and an MBA from Wake Forest, so I am into efficient operations and getting things right. Making improve-ments and keeping our customers truly satisfied with our products and service are critical to me.” Sid is a GE certified Six Sigma black belt with a full understanding of process improvement and quality-driven standards that are reflected in 72 Degrees’ daily operations. Dempsey Miller is a civil en-gineer and also a graduate of NC State. Both men believe their leadership role at 72 Degrees is to be accessible and operate the company hands-on so that quality, value, and customer service are the focus. “We honor everything we sell and install beyond the factory warranty for up to ten years,” Dempsey explained. “We don’t pass off problems, we solve them.” The new owners were impressed with the knowledge and dedica-tion of the employees they inherited when they purchased the company, and so many of the team have years of experi-ence and the skills it takes to get it right and ensure complete customer satisfaction.

MORE THAN HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING“When we install a system, we do an engineering evalua-tion and load calculation to determine our customer’s actual needs,” Dempsey continued. “We ask the homeowner what’s important to them, determine the best choice to meet their priorities, and provide a written recommendation and quote on the spot. Often, customers want more than just maintain-ing a comfortable temperature; they’re looking for improved air quality in the home, eliminating hot or cold spots, or

Photos: Above, top to bottom–Dempsey Miller and Sid Smith, owners of Efficient Comfort Systems, dba 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heatingand Watts and Holmes Electric Services.

Derek Wolfe, a 10-year veteran of 72 degrees, plans and manages daily operations.

Derek is shown above training technicians.


keeping everything affordable. We’re after a holistic solu-tion where we address every concern and provide what the customer needs.” Written replacement guarantees, a warranty against lemons, frustration-free service, provid-ing the comfort you need and want, competitive financ-ing (0% interest up to five years), and guaranteed utility cost savings help make 72 Degrees the heating and air conditioning company of choice.

72 Degrees is the area’s exclusive dealer for the HVAC Smart Chip, which they can install in your thermostat or air handler to increase energy efficiency and save money. “It controls the fan’s running time after the heating unit has turned off and delivers latent heat into your home,” Sid said. “We guarantee a 10% savings and return on investment within 18 months.” Also exclusive to 72 De-grees is the innovative, new Talking Thermostat. Michael McDaniel, office manager and all-purpose go-to guy, explained, “Sid had an idea for a walking, talking, family friendly mascot, and so Tempie the Talking Thermostat was born…check out our Facebook page to meet him! He represents our brand commitment to providing qual-ity service and comfort.

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCEIndoor air quality is a critical component of 72 Degrees’ expertise. The company is fully invested in state-of-the-

Photos: Above, top to bottom–• Service Technician Jesse Wright working on an AC system • Watts and Holmes will discover and resolve any electrical

mysteries confounding your home or business.

art equipment and up-to-date technical training to keep customers’ in-home environments clean and safe. Indoor air pollution is a con-siderable health risk, especially to those with respiratory conditions or allergies. 72 Degrees not only cleans your home’s air ducts, but they can also seal them to help keep them clear between cleanings, recom-


Photos: Top–Office Manager Mike McDaniel sets the bar for world class customer service.

Above–Customer care team members, left to right–Paula Bowman, Lisa Long and Scottie Burns greet customers everyday with “It’s a beautiful day at 72 Degrees. How may I make you smile today?”

mend and install air filtration systems, and make sure the humidity level in your home is not contributing to the growth of fungus or mold.

Two Comfort Club memberships, silver and diamond, pro-vide biannual inspections, tune-ups, filters, and discounts if something isn’t working right. Diagnostic services at the diamond level cost you nothing, and you can call in as much as you need. Keeping your equipment running smoothly ensures the most cost effective operation and peace of mind. Service extends from the greater Hickory area into Caldwell, Lincoln, Iredell, Alexander, Burke and Mecklenburg counties. When you need electrical work done, call 72 Degrees’ partner company, Watts and Holmes. They operate at the same high quality and customer service standards.

IN THE COMMUNITY SPIRITSid and Dempsey summed it all up when they told me they are “a God-centered company doing our work with excel-lence. We’re in the community in many ways, supporting our churches, schools, and service organizations whenever possible.” Dempsey is on the visitors’ team at Victory Chris-tian Center, and Sid serves on Redemption World Outreach’s operations and first impressions team. They sponsor local high school players of the week on WHKY TV and are making plans to offer scholarships to Unifour area high schoolers to help them attend trade school. Dempsey is on the board of di-rectors of Community Link, a regional nonprofit that purchas-es and re-habs homes for veterans, and volunteers with Trips for Kids, sponsoring bike rides for at-risk youth. This gener-ous volunteer work in the community reflects the nature of 72 Degrees’ owners. They are prepared to provide emergency heating and air conditioning service 24/7 and to stand behind their work and their employees. “We offer opportunities for our people to advance in training and provide a team-based environment for success,” Sid said. “They are reliable, honest and respectful when they work in your home. Our techni-cians do not swear, they are drug free, wear uniforms and shoe covers, and they clean up after every job is done.”

Michael said Sid and Dempsey make it easy for him to get his job done: “They have built a culture of integrity where team members support each other to make sure every customer is honestly comfortable referring 72 Degrees to their family and friends.”

72 DEGREES’ VALUESWhen you’re in need of heating and air conditioning service, think 72 Degrees. The company is client focused with a goal to provide the greatest service experience for each and every customer. The team is committed to being on time, clean,

respectful, and honest on the job, resulting in a very high level of performance and quality products. You will be well served, and your family will benefit from 72 Degrees’ high standards, their guarantee of optimal service, and customized heating and air conditioning installations.


HICKORY - 828.449.8256www.72degreesofhickory.com


Catawba Radiological Associates provides radiology services

for patients throughout Catawba, Caldwell, and Alexan-

der counties. The practice serves the region with a broad

spectrum of diagnostic and interventional services. Teams

of board certified radiologists provide specialties and sub-

specialties care in neuroradiology, mammography, musculo-

skeletal, body MRI, PET, nuclear medicine, and vascular and

interventional radiology (VIR).

Diagnostic imaging refers to technologies radiologists use to

look inside the body to investigate a medical condition. De-

pending on the issue and part of the body being examined,

this can include X-rays, CT scans, nuclear medicine scans,

MRI scans and ultrasound.

Interventional radiology is a subspecialty of radiology in

which minimally invasive procedures are performed using

image guidance. Some are done to diagnose a medical issue

and others for treatment purposes. Images guide the radiolo-

gist who uses small needles or tiny instruments to do the

procedure.

Dr. Brian Rhodes is a vascular and interventional radiologist

who joined the team in 2014. Dr. Rhodes brings a passion

and specialty to CRA and his teams. Born and raised in Loui-

siana, Dr. Rhodes attended Louisiana State University and

the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He com-

pleted his residency at Tulane University School of Medicine

and his fellowship in interventional radiology at University of

Florida Health.

By Meredith Collins Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Dr. Rhodes decided to specialize in interventional radiology

because it’s an exciting field with a lot of technological advance-

ments that benefit patients in treatment and care. He also enjoys

interventional radiology because “there is increased patient

interaction. We meet with patients to explain the procedure and

enjoy a more established patient-doctor relationship.”

The field of interventional radiology is quite broad. “Many peo-

ple don’t realize that it is a specialty within itself,” Dr. Rhodes

said. “Interventional radiologists originally invented angioplasty

and vascular stenting. Our field also includes cancer treatments,

peripheral arterial disease treatment, atherosclerosis, migraine

Photos: Above, top to bottom–Dr. John C. Bools and Dr. Brian B. RhodesOpposite page–Dr. Bools and Dr. Rhodes are part of CRA's interventional radiology team.Dr. Steve D. Harlan, FACR, reviews an interventional radiology case.

Imaging and Intervention


headache relief and women’s care,

including fibroid treatment…anything

that is a minimally invasive procedure

is within the realm of the interventional

radiologist.”

Advancements with interventional ra-

diology have greatly benefited patients.

For example, one procedure Dr. Rhodes

performs is to go in through a blood

vessel to apply chemotherapy directly to

a tumor. The targeting of chemotherapy

directly to the tumor can help increase

treatment effectiveness and decrease

unpleasant side effects.

Dr. Rhodes encourages patients to look

at all potential options. “Oftentimes,

people do not know that intervention-

alists exist,” Dr. Rhodes said. “Before

people get a certain treatment or surgery,

I encourage them to talk with their

doctor and research minimally invasive

therapies. It can be much simpler, safer,

and cost effective.”

In addition to the procedures performed

by Dr. Rhodes, the entire team of 18

physicians provides the highest level of

radiological services at multiple inpa-

tient and outpatient locations across our

area, including Caldwell Memorial Hos-

pital, Catawba Valley Medical Center,

and Frye Regional Medical Center.

Mammograms, PET scans, X-rays, CT

scans, kyphoplasties, biopsies, varicose

vein procedures, nuclear medicine, ul-

trasound–Catawba Radiological Associ-

ates’ physicians have the expertise!

Catawba RadiologicalAssociates, Inc.18 13th Ave NE, Hickory

828-322-2644www.catawbaradiology.com


Like Us On Facebook!


Act Happy week

Have you ever lost your sense of humor?

It is no fun! When it happens to me,

I go to bed and sleep it off and try to

wake up with a better attitude. I can’t

imagine life without humor. The benefits

of a smile or a good laugh are not only

physically and mentally healthy, they are

contagious. It’s one thing you want to

catch during flu season!

The third Monday in March is the begin-

ning of Act Happy Week. Now I don’t

know who started this week, but I’m

in! Apparently you reap benefits from

acting happy even if you don’t feel that

happy. What a concept–fake it until you

make it!

Your brain doesn’t know the difference

between a fake smile and a real one.

When you smile, even a phony smile,

your body releases those feel good en-

dorphins, which, in turn, reduce stress

hormones. With less stress hormones,

your body relaxes and boosts the im-

mune system. Imagine what a good

hearty laugh does for you!

LOL is an acronym that we use fre-

quently nowadays, but how often do we

really Laugh Out Loud? Hopefully all of

you have experienced a time when you

started laughing with a friend, and you

couldn’t stop. You laughed until you

cried. At some point, whatever initially

started the laughter became insignifi-

cant, and you were just laughing for the

sheer joy of it. Or, have you ever been

in a situation where laughter was totally

inappropriate, but you just couldn’t help

yourself and once you got started, it was

on–you couldn’t stop. That has hap-

pened to me more than a few times.

Once I was sitting with a good friend in

church on the back pew. I typically like

the back pew, I guess I’m afraid of be-

ing judged if I start to doze, get fidgety,

bored, or in this case, tickled. During

this particular service, the minister

paused for a split second in his thought,

and at that moment someone in the

congregation passed gas. It was as if my

friend and I were the only two people

who heard it, because everyone else

looked straight ahead. We took one look

of surprise at each other and our bodies

started to shake with silent laughter. We

tried to contain ourselves, but it was

useless. Luckily, we got out of the sanc-

tuary before we totally lost ourselves in

full blown, glorious laughter! Tears were

streaming down our faces from laugh-

ing so hard. Was it a juvenile act for

two fairly sophisticated women to laugh

at such a thing? Absolutely! But could

we stop ourselves? Absolutely not! We

couldn’t help it. Our laughter became

contagious between the two of us, and

we lost it.

Later, we had to explain to the pas-

tor why we had slipped out. It was

like being in trouble and knowing you

shouldn’t laugh but couldn’t help it, and

it started all over again. I would have to

say that I received more from the laugh-

ter that day than from the sermon.

Have you ever heard a child laugh until

they can hardly catch their breath? You

can’t help but laugh with them. Occa-

sionally, we need to laugh until we are

exhausted! So during Act Happy Week,

share your laughter. Rent a comedy,

post a joke, tell a funny story, visit with

friends who make you laugh, think of

a time when you laughed so hard you

cried. Laughter truly is like medicine

with the only side effect being hiccups.

By Cheryl Grant



A quick lunch for two for those busy schedules.

Mediterranean Chicken PitasPrep time: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

1 (10-ounce) can chicken breast, drained and flaked1/2 cup finely chopped cucumber 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained1/4 cup Greek yogurt2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill2 whole wheat pitas4 lettuce leaves

What's Cooking?!A Quick Lunch For Two

DirectionsIn large bowl combine chicken, cucumber, red bell pepper, green chilies, yogurt and dill; toss to mix well.

Cut each pita in half horizontally; carefully open each pita half. Fill each with 2 lettuce leaves and half of chicken mixture.

For more info visit CansGetYouCooking.com, Source: CMI

Fudgy Raspberry Mug Brownie

Servings: 2

3 tablespoons miniature choc-olate chips

1 tablespoon butter2 tablespoons packed brown

sugar2 tablespoons flour

DirectionsMicrowave chocolate chips and but-ter in microwavable coffee mug on high 30 seconds or until melted. Stir. Add remaining ingredients; mix well.

Microwave on high 45 seconds to 1 minute or until center looks almost set. Let stand 5 minutes before serv-ing.

1 egg yolk1 teaspoon milk3/4 teaspoon McCormick Raspberry Extract

Note: For a Fudgy Peppermint Mug Brownie, replace Rasp-berry Extract with 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract and 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract.

Caution: Mug may be hot. Use pot holders when removing from microwave.

Photo and recipe courtesy ofMcCormick & Company, Inc.

For More Mug Desserts,Visit www.McCormick.com


I think we can all recall a time where someone we know–if not ourselves–got pinched on March 17 for not wearing green. Many of us also eat green cupcakes, drink green beer, and wear shirts that say “Kiss Me, I’m Irish.” We might be familiar with celebrating the holiday, but what exactly are we celebrating?

St. Patrick, originally from Roman Britain (today’s lower part of Britain), was captured by the Irish raiders and taken as a slave. He then worked as a shepherd and received a message from God that took him from port to port, eventually guiding him home. When he finally escaped Ireland and returned home safely, he continued to follow the call of God and became a priest. Instead of staying at home with his family, though, he did something completely unexpected and returned to Ireland, the land that enslaved him, to convert the then Pagan Irish to Christianity. St. Patrick eventu-ally died on March 17. Ireland has long celebrated his legacy with a feast day that has given way to the many parades and parties that we are familiar with today.

So what’s with all the green, four-leaf clover stuff? Well, legend has it that St. Patrick used the more commonly seen three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish. As for the color green, it’s been worn to celebrate Ireland since the late 1600s. It reflects the coun-try’s rolling hills and is featured in their flag and their nickname: The Emerald Isle.

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t a legally recognized holiday here in the United States, but we all seem to rally behind it anyway. In fact, the tradi-tion of pinching people started in America in the 1700s. There was a myth that wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns who would pinch you if you were wearing any other color.

Like Ireland, the United States celebrates the day with parades and pub-crawls. The first official parade was held in New York City in 1762 to celebrate Irish soldiers. This is now the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration nationwide, with over 15,000 participants and over three million viewers. Many holiday observers celebrating the holiday also eat the traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cab-bage, which was typically eaten by Irish immigrants. This is also an American-born tradition, by most accounts.

This St. Patrick’s Day, show your Irish pride by putting on your dancing shoes and sporting some green. May the luck of the Irish

be with you this March!

The Luck of St. Patrick

©incomible | iStock | Thinkstock

By Lauren Davidson



Women’s Resource Center828.322.6333

www.wrchickory.org

Catawba County Historical Association

www.catawbahistory.org828.465.0383

Catawba Science Center828.322.8169

www.catawbascience.org

Hickory Museum of Art828.327.8576

www.HickoryMuseumofArt.org

Hickory Community Theatre828.327.3855

hickorytheatre.org

The Green Room Community Theatre

828-464-6583www.the-green-room.org

Hickory Choral Society828.322.2210

www.hickorychoralsociety.com

Hickory Landmarks Society828.322.4731

www.hickorylandmarks.org

Western Piedmont Symphony828.324.8603

www.wpsymphony.org

United Arts Council of Catawba County

828.324.4906www.artscatawba.org

Catawba Valley Community College

828.327.7000www.cvcc.edu

Lenoir-Rhyne University828-328-7300

www.lr.edu

Hickory Downtown Development Association

828.322.1121www.downtownhickory.com

Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau828.322.1335

www.hickorymetro.com

City of Hickory828-323-7400

www.hickorync.gov

Hickory Police Department828.324.2060

Hickory Parks & Recreation828.322.7046

Hickory Regional Airport828.323.7408

Catawba County Library System828.465.8661

www.catawbacountync.gov/library/

Catawba County Chamber of Commerce

828.328.6111www.catawbachamber.org

Catawba County Government828.465.8200

www.catawbacountync.gov

Catawba County Sheriff’s Department

828-464-5241www.catawbacountync.gov/Sheriff/

N.C. State Highway Patrolwww.nccrimecontrol.org

Catawba County Schools(828) 464-8333

www.catawbaschools.net

YMCA828.324.9622

www.ymcacv.org

Hickory Motor Speedway828.464.3655

www.hickorymotorspeedway.com

Hickory Crawdads828.322.3000

www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t448

Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry

Client Services: 828.327.0979www.ccmhickory.com

HickoryResources


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good life4 hickory living

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luck of

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