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Woodridge Psychological Associates would like to announce the expansion of the practice of Rita L. Pettit, M.A., LPA in our Columbus office, located in the Feagan building at 60 Walker Street.

Pettit is a licensed Psychological Associate with specialized training in women&squo;s issues, couples work, and survivors of abuse. She is seeing clients in the Columbus office on Mondays.

Prior to joining Woodbridge, Pettit worked for many years with the local Polk-Rutherford Mental Health system and also with New Vistas. She accepts Medicaid as well as many other insurances. To make an appointment call 828-287-7806 or on Mondays at 894-2935.

The Polk County Community Health & Wellness Center Inc. held an open house this morning to celebrate the opening of its new medical practice in Columbus.

The Polk Wellness Center, a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation founded by a group of Polk County concerned citizens, will offer treatment services for mental health and substance abuse disorders, as well as primary health care services.

Anne Marie Lester is the executive director, Dr. Gordon Schneider, is the clinical director, and Dr. Jeffrey Viar is the medical director.

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Walk-in clients are welcomed. The center accepts Medicare, Medicaid and N.C. IPRS payments, as well as insurance and direct payments on a sliding scale. For more information, call the Polk Wellness Center at 894-2222.

Business Notes

Thermal Belt Outreach is pleased to welcome Frank Ortiz as the new Board President for 2009.

Ortiz has lived in Polk County for 14 years and is very active in many aspects of the community. Most notably, he served on the committee to build Rogers Park in Tryon and as Lt. Governor, Rotary District 7670, which includes 52 clubs in Western North Carolina.

Currently, Ortiz serves on the Harmon Field Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the House of Flags Museum that will be located in Columbus, NC.

&dquo;We are extremely proud to have Frank serve as President on our Board of Directors&dquo;, said Eloise Thwing, Executive Director. &dquo;His experience and enthusiasm will be a wonderful asset&dquo;.

Alliance Kitchen & Bath, 202 E. Mills St. in Columbus, was recently named as a &dquo;President&squo;s Club Award&dquo; winner by Showplace Wood Products for &dquo;exceptional kitchen and bath cabinetry sales.&dquo; Showplace Wood Products are sold through more than 800 dealers nationwide.

Pinecastle Records of Columbus, N.C. announced that five Pinecastle artists won 2009 awards from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America at its Bluegrass Music Awards and 26th National Convention held Feb 12th to 15th at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, TN.

They are Dobro Performer Of The Year:&bsp; Phil Leadbetter; Guitar Performer Of The Year:&bsp; Josh Williams; Mandolin Performer Of The Year:&bsp; Alan Bibey; Banjo Performer Of The Year:&bsp; Kristin Scott Benson; Entertaining Group Of The Year:&bsp; Nothin&squo; Fancy.

Asheville Regional Airport officials showed off $17 million worth of improvements to the airport&squo;s boarding ramps, guest services and baggage handling facilities during a Four Chamber Business After Hours reception last week.

An enlarged baggage claim area, guest services including fax and copy machines, and new explosives detection machines. The airport is served by four carriers: Delta, Continental, Northwest and US Airways.

Melissa LeRoy was named the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce&squo;s Outstanding Business Person of the Year last week at the chamber&squo;s annual banquet. LeRoy serves as executive director of the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE).

The Tryon Riding & Hunt Club has engaged ClearWater Environmental Consultants Inc. to study the wetlands and stream impact and Dave Odom of Odom & Associates Engineering Inc. to engineer the site plan for the new Green Creek Equestrian Park. Kim Alexander of the Small Business Center at Isothermal Community College is writing a business plan for the Park.

Jay Geddings, financial advisor for Edward Jones in Columbus, says that Edward Jones was the highest-ranking financial services firm in a recent evaluation of client statements by Dalbar, Inc. Dalbar develops standards for, and provides research, ratings, and rankings of intangible factors to the financial services industry.

Jeff Byrd, publisher of the Tryon Daily Bulletin, was named treasurer of the N.C. Press Association recently. Byrd filled the unexpired term of Jordy Wichard III, who retired in January as publisher of The Daily Reflector in Greenville, N.C.