Steps to HOPE has promoted Edith Lance from assistant manager to manager of its Second Chance Thrift Store in downtown Columbus.

Since joining the Second Chance Thrift Store team three years ago, Steps management said, Ediths work ethic and creativity especially with store displays – have impressed staff, volunteers and customers alike.&bsp; &bsp;

Lance assumed the role of manager in late May, and leads her team as they organize, display, adjust prices and clean house in both the warehouse and store.

* * *

Autumn Care of Saluda recently welcomed Kim Chapman, OT, as its new rehab manager.

Kim received her Bachelor of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Florida. She also holds a master’s degree in public health policy and administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Kim comes to Autumn Care with a wide variety of experience in providing rehab services to the elderly. In addition to her skilled nursing facility experience, she has provided OT services in home health, assisted living and hospital settings, including Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital in Asheville and St. Lukes Hospital in Columbus.

We are very excited about Kims addition to our management team, said Glenn Pierce, administrator.&bsp; She will bring new energy to our rehab efforts and expand our therapy programming.

Autumn Care of Saluda is a 99-bed rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility and offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services.

* * *

The Natural Way, owned by Jean Snipes, RN, FNP-C, MS, is a new business in Tryon offering health coaching using a holistic approach for those who desire to maintain and improve their health or work on specific issues.

Using specialized knowledge of health and wellness, motivational techniques, and a real enthusiasm for helping her clients meet their health goals, Snipes works with clients to health and wellness the natural way.

The Natural Way is located at 102 Pacolet Street, across from the Tryon Post Office.

* * *

For the second month in a row, the Asheville Regional Airport Authority has reported a major increase in passenger traffic. The number of travelers departing from Asheville jumped 23.8 percent for the month of April compared with April, 2009, making it the largest increase of its kind in nearly five years.

More telling, perhaps, is the calendar-year-to-date upsurge of 12.3 percent over the same four-month span in 2009, translating to more than 10,000 additional passengers.

Were very excited about the growth weve charted so far this year, says Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Airport Director, who credits much of the growth to the authority boards commitment to gaining new air service.