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All too often we see and hear the stories of friends and neighbors in need. Whether from downsizing or restructuring, the choices for those caught in the crossfire can often be limited. The impetus for this publication was seeing firsthand the effects of our manufacturing base move overseas and the plight of those left in its wake. In this issue we address the theme of WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT and what our region is doing to retrain our workforce for the jobs of the future.
IMPROVING SITUATION
Our region has made great strides in building the infrastructure necessary to support the retraining of our workforce. Local governments, businesses and educational resources are creating exciting new partnerships in order to provide for existing and future workforce needs. Providing a knowledgeable, skilled employee-base to incoming businesses will be crucial in our ability to recruit new opportunities to our area.
CONTAGIOUS POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT
The mission of Piedmont Magazine is to be THE Positive Voice for Positive Growth in our region. With each issue, we strive to bring you the good news about happenings right here, where we live, work and play. Yes, we are ‘glass-half-full’ kind of people. But, we only achieve this through the support of our advertisers. They provide us with the means to produce the quality publication you see. I encourage you to support our advertisers. When visiting, be sure to mention that you read about them in Piedmont Magazine. If you are not a current advertiser, I ask that you consider us as part of your marketing plan for the upcoming year. We are the only publication covering two-states and six-counties for as little as $6 a day!
LET US KNOW!
I encourage you to visit our web site, www.piedmontmagazine.com. You can participate in online surveys, let us know how we are doing, get answers to the PM QUIZ or tell us what topics you feel are important to our region. Thanks for your support and welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!
Gary CornsPUBLISHER
Our education system, is it working? Can it be improved? What is currently available to our residents? These are just some of the questions we approach in this issue: REGIONAL EDUCATION. The chart below illustrates the number of residents over the age of 25, who are high school graduates and those who have a bachelor’s degree or higher. We also see how our numbers compare with those on a state and national basis. The educational process is constantly evolving as the demands of the marketplace changes. Read how a world-class education is readily available... locally!
Notes of interest. First, we want to welcome Mary Louise Smith to our sales staff. Mary Louise will be supporting our southern region advertisers. She has a great enthusiasm for Piedmont Magazine. Additionally, we are expanding distribution into the following counties: Caswell, Guilford and Stokes. Check our website for specific locations. As this issue marks our first full-year of publishing, let us know how we’re doing and what topics you would like to see discussed. And, as always, welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!
Gary CornsPUBLISHER
Health care. How blessed we are to live in a country that has what we need, when we need it and most often, where we need it. The opportunity to seek out the health care of our choosing distinguishes us from many parts of the world. Nine years ago, I proceeded into my family doctor’s office for a standard, yearly physical. I exited his office as a cancer patient. I was thirty-four and ‘healthy as a horse,’ my doctor commented ‘well... except for the cancer’. However, within a week I had undergone surgery and within another three weeks, I had commenced radiation treatment. Within a matter of months of my diagnosis I was declared ‘cancer-free’ and I am forever grateful to all of those involved. In our four-county, two-state Piedmont region we are fortunate to have five exemplary hospitals and countless professionals providing medical care to our citizens. In this issue you’ll find out what our area hospitals are doing to maintain the level of services that we sometimes take for granted. You’ll also read about innovative new advances in areas of health care that you may not have realized were available locally. From massage and laughter therapy to dental and audiological breakthroughs, Piedmont Magazine is spreading the positive news!
A continued thanks to our advertisers. Without you this magazine would not be possible. We also want to thank you, our readers, for your continued support. If you have thoughts or comments, please send me an e-mail. I would love to hear from you and, as always, welcome to your Piedmont Magazine! -PM
Gary CornsPUBLISHER
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: As an alumnus of Virginia Tech (‘85), my heart broke as the events of April 16th unfolded. For the victims and their families and for the medical, professional and academic providers who attended to the needs of all, you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
I still recall, growing up in Patrick County, walking with my family down Stuart’s Main Street on a Saturday afternoon. It was more than just a ‘trip to town’ as mom often referred to it but an opportunity to learn, explore and see our friends and neighbors. After a quick stop by the local bank, which kept Saturday hours before it came back into vogue, and lunch at the Coffee Break (still serving today, see page 58 of the current issue) my dad, brother and I would drop in for a haircut at the local barbershop. After the haircuts, which were usually received along with tales of recently caught citation trout or bagged trophy bucks, we would head next door to the store of all stores, a store stocked floor to ceiling with the most diverse range of products a young boy could ask for, that’s right... the local Western Auto Store! It had it all: nuts, bolts, washers, lawn mowers and even the coveted, Western Flyer Wagon! What made the store even more appealing were the folks inside who greeted us by name and offered their help, even if they knew we were there only to pretend drive the latest model of riding lawn tractor.
This childhood memory offers a glimpse of what made ‘downtowns’ of the late 1960’s successful; Service! That item that once fueled your local gas station, is now fueling downtown growth. In this issue we focus on Downtown Revitalization. In it you will find unique and informative stories on how local businesses are using great service to lure new shoppers to their stores and how that is helping drive the economic growth throughout our communities, downtown and beyond. We hope you learn something new, explore something different and maybe recognize an old friend! Thanks for your continued support and welcome to your latest Piedmont Magazine!
Gary CornsPUBLISHER
All too often we see and hear the stories of friends and neighbors in need. Whether from downsizing or restructuring, the choices for those caught in the crossfire can often be limited. The impetus for this publication was seeing firsthand the effects of our manufacturing base move overseas and the plight of those left in its wake. In this issue we address the theme of WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT and what our region is doing to retrain our workforce for the jobs of the future.
