Business notes

Foothills Financial Group, Inc. (FFG) announces the acquisition of Tryon Financial. FFG is now located at 920 E. Rutherford Street, Unit B, in Landrum. The business is owned by Roland Stadelmann, a registered financial consultant and certified senior advisor, who specializes in personal wealth management, retirement income planning, and estate planning. He has been in the financial services industry since 1989. For more information, call 864-457-2426.

Rachel Box, owner of Merle Norman and Salon Rachelle, has added a new aesthetician and nail tech to her staff. Aesthetician Chelsey Flynn is a Polk County native and received her license last year. She specializes in European facials. Nail tech Susan Lynch received her license in 1981 in California and moved from New Jersey to Polk County nine years ago. She offers acrylic, silk wrap and gel nails as well as manicures and pedicures. Appointments are suggested, but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment call 859-5299. The business is located at 152 N. Trade St., Tryon.

Brett C. Carter, current senior vice president of customer service and business development, has been named president of Duke Energy Carolinas, effective December 1. He succeeds Ellen Ruff ,who will become president, office of nuclear development. The moves for Carter and Ruff are part of broader leadership changes at Duke Energy.

Charter Communications has announced that effective Dec. 7, CBS affiliate WBTV, currently on channel 2, will no longer be available. Customers will continue to have access to the CBS network programs on WSPA, channel 7. For more information, call 1-888-GET CHARTER.

Jay Geddings of Edward Jones, Columbus, has been tapped as a &dquo;field trainer,&dquo; a position created for those financial advisors who give their time and energy to help their new business colleagues succeed. Edward Jones Managing Partner James Weddles says, &dquo;Jay was selected for his dedication and willingness to help others as well as his success at running his own business.&dquo; His office is located at 155 W. Mills Street, Suite 104 in Columbus. 859-2828.

Ted Rozema, MD has recently returned from Taipei, Taiwan, where he participated in the 8th International Conference of Integrative and Longevity Medicine held at the Taipei Medical University. Dr. Rozema is the medical director of the Biogenesis Medical Center in Landrum.

Gary W. Corn has joined First Real Estate in Tryon as a broker/realtor. Gary is a lifelong resident of the area and is co-owner of the Mill Farm Inn. He was formerly employed with the S.C. Criminal Justice System and retired after 22 years of service. Gary has spent the last 20 years buying and selling local properties. First Real Estate has been serving Polk County since 1989 and is owned by Pat Martin, Broker-in-Charge. Call 859-7653.

RE/MAX Advantage Team, Columbus has welcomed Happy McLeod to its sales team. McLeod has returned to the Tryon area after spending most of her adult life on the South Carolina coast. She is licensed in both North and South Carolina and is a multi-million dollar producer who specializes in residential real estate. She can be reached at 828-283-1177 or email happy@tryonrealestate.net.

The 1906 Pine Crest Inn and Restaurant recently took the bronze medal for its dish &dquo;North Carolina Granny Smith Apple & Sweet Vidalia Onion Quiche&dquo; at the Inn-Credible&bsp; Breakfast Cook-off held in Virginia. Video highlights may be viewed at www.selectregistry.com/cook-off.

Tryon Daily Bulletin &dquo;Over the Dam&dquo; columnist Susie Wiley has completed a book of essays entitled &uot;A Thought-filled Journey.&uot; The 118-page book by the former Lake Lanier resident includes 28 brief essays about everyday life. Sketches by local artist Linda Hudgins also appear in the book. Copies are available at The Book Shelf, Tryon.

The State of South Carolina has approved a new $8 million Emergency Room to be built on the main campus of Mary Black Health System. The new ER will be 18,500 square feet, which more than doubles the size of the current ER, and increases patient beds from 14 to 24. Groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled for Dec. 12. Hospital officials anticipate the new ER will be completed within a year.