THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: [email protected] Since January 1990 February 2021
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THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: [email protected] Since January 1990 www.WIFMRadio.com February 2021 PTC Buys Cooke Trucking delicately blending five consistencies of flour from a 100-year-old supplier in Atlanta. Dom’s has a rich Brother Jim York called at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 to tradition of techniques developed by David, a Mas- announce his family and company, Petroleum Trans- ter Baker. He says a bakery is a fun happening and port Co., had finalized the purchase of Cooke Truck- it starts with a spotless environment. ing Co. PTC, founded by H.L. and Sam Hennis in the Dom Bakeries features specialty pizza in 16- early 1950s, was purchased by Tom and Jim York in and 18-inch sizes and available by the slice. We 1984. With the astute contributions of wife Tammy, brought an assortment of 18-inch pies to Elkin last PTC is a formidable regional petroleum carrier op- week and the buzz was lively about the heavenly erating 150 tractor-trailers in North Carolina, South crust and delicious fresh toppings. Upstairs at Dom Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and Flori- is a spacious, all-purpose room, 30 by 40 feet, for da. Its basic operation is serving regional c-store parties, meetings and accommodation for 60. Dom and travel center customers. Its tractors are Mack, also features the skills of cake designer Elana. Freightliner and Kenworth and tractors are Heil. Becoming a Dom regular will enhance life and Cooke Trucking was started in the mid-1950s family values. For unmatched creativity and quality, in Mount Airy by Freddy Cooke. It has 65 Peterbilt give us a call at 336-990-9243. tractors and 150 utility trailers with ThermoKing cooling units. Its revenues are primarily from pro- Tanner Phillips duce loaded in California and Arizona and delivered to food markets on the East Coast. Its long haul to Tanner Phillips is an accomplished gunsmith the West Coast is furniture and other dry goods. who practices at Ace Music and Pawn Shop, 117 Cooke’s drivers are mostly two-person teams who W. Main St. in Elkin. He started to follow his trade turn the 5,000-mile roundtrip in 85 hours including in his teens and pursued his vocation at Wilkes loading and unloading. Cooke’s unique feature is a Community College. An instructor there, Charles warehouse in Mount Airy that assembles less than Joines, in the words of Tanner “took a liking to me full truck loads of products and converts them to and we became close. Mr. Joines is the best teacher full loads to be delivered to the West Coast. Cooke’s I’ve known and I’m where I am today because I’ve also maintains full-service garages that provide trip- worked at mastering the trade as he has.” by-trip tractor warranty and maintenance services. Mr. Joines said, “Tanner is an advanced student, We share the excitement, hope and euphoria of so eager to learn, from a teacher’s perspective the acquisition and divestiture. ideal student in that he wants to know how, when and where, and retains everything he learns. As you Dom Bakeries know, the great students usually credit the teacher with most of their success. He checks on me often Owned by the Barricklow family, Dom Bakeries and calls a lot when he’s stumped. I own virtually originated near Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1970. David all the equipment one would ever need. Maybe I and Bronwyn built a chain of eight stores before can pass my years and workshop to Tanner. He’s divesting. As their four children migrated to North knowledgeable enough to carry our trade to the Carolina and with grandchildren being 1,200 miles next level.” away, the couple moved to North Wilkesboro in I spoke to Mr. Joines after one of those heavy 2012 and bought an Anytime Fitness Center. Da- rains and as I asked about his large Angus herd he vid, with years of baking to go, opened the Dom said, “We had water out of banks that have never Bakeries in December 2019. With the help of Bron- flooded. We are working on restoring the washout wyn and daughter Elizabeth, the thriving business because our stream feeds directly into the New at 908 D St. in North Wilkesboro is becoming a River and we are conscious of and responsible for social and nourishment mecca open from 7 a.m. keeping the river one of America’s cleanest.” to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with kitchen, Mr. Joines does everything extremely well. drive-through and takeout. Freshness is assured by Thanks to Tanner for sharing his hero and teacher. The Shepherd’s House late Herschel Bunker who grew up in Surry County. Rudy’s lifelong fascination is in all aspects of Mike Bowman, retired Renfro Corp. executive, the automobile business. Since his youth, years called in early December to share information about buying, selling, rehabilitating and financing vehi- the capital fundraising campaign for The Shepherd’s cles has been his moment-by-moment vocation. House’s $2-million expansion in Mount Airy. The His company, Southeastern Cars and Parts, owns shelter, for people who are homeless, opened in a fleet of conventional and rollback wreckers. In 2003 and is growing from housing 18 to 48. Mike August 2010, Rudy sent a wrecker to Statesville to reported he’ll stay on board with the fundraising assist the Roanoke College Basketball Team led by campaign until his team raises another $300,000 to Coach Page Moir. Rudy’s help arrived in 31 minutes finish the project. He also complimented the out- and provided transportation to return the team to standing efforts of Director Mary Boyles, her staff Salem, Virginia, before dark. and the 24-member Board of Directors. Several days before Christmas, traveling north Tonda Phillips was the 2020 Board Chair and on U.S. Highway 601 at the Yadkin River, our Chrys- Traci George is the 2021 Board Chair. Traci says ler developed an engine failure at 6:05. I called Campaign Manager Mike Bowman’s influence is the Rudy to share my helplessness. His one and only key to The Shepherd’s House’s monumental fund- statement was, “Where are you?” In 25 minutes, raising success. She said he always spreads cheer Southeastern Car and Parts’ Adam and his trusted and fellowship, has the special ability to commu- rollback was loading my vehicle. The next day, A1 nicate in positive ways that inspire, and makes a Automotive astutely had me back on the road. A1’s difference by giving, cheering and loving in the right owners, Lou Fracassi and Rudy, have been together direction. Mike credits follow-up phone calls for en- for 35 years. couraging givers to give. Willing helpers simply say, “Where are you?” The Shepherd’s House has broken ground on Immediately respond. its expansion project at Spring Street just west of the City of Mount Airy’s government complex. J.G. Coram Construction Co. Inc. is the project’s general Ronnie Swaim contractor. “We’ll raise the $300,000,” Traci vowed. “Ev- We are grateful for this opportunity to honor eryone on board believes in our mission. Go to pharmacist Ronnie Swaim for his dedication to his our website, ShepherdsHouseMA.org, and see our high calling and his astute professionalism. video. Our family is amazing. Call Mary Boyles at Growing up in northeast Yadkin County and 336-786-1420. We help people and never judge.” graduating from West Yadkin High School in 1964, Traci credits the influence of Workforce Unlimit- Mr. Swaim continued his education by graduating ed founder and CEO Teresa Lewis for recruiting her from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in to serve the regional personnel staffing giant. Traci 1969. In his formative years he was inspired by now is Director of Client Development. She joined Tom Burgiss at Bridge Street Pharmacy to become a the company in 1995 and has loved every minute of pharmacist. Ronnie joined D-Rex Pharmacy in 1988. her 25 years. We met at D-Rex in 2008 and I was impressed She stated, “Teresa is the most community- and by the ways he honors his profession, the ways he charity-minded owner in our parts. In our corporate counsels customers, his immaculate attire and more footprint we support countless projects and worthy importantly his servant’s heart and his willingness causes. Our company officers, CEO Mike Brannock to give time and attention. One of my keepsake and Kendra Claybo, live to help others.” photographs is Ronnie proudly sporting his ev- er-present white monogrammed jacket, standing in front of D-Rex’s counter. What They Do Best Ronnie Swaim always personifies the expecta- tions of trust and confidence we place in our phar- Rudy Holbrook, a living legend in Wilkes Coun- macist. Properly filling a prescription can be life- ty, and I met in 2002, being introduced by Elkin saving. A pharmacist enjoys one of society’s most High School Superintendent Dr. Stephen Laws. Dr. respected and trusted reputations. That period of Laws was in the process of taking the Wilkes Coun- time between leaving a doctor’s office and ingesting ty Schools’ leadership and Rudy was to become its a medication is a critical period. school board chairman. Ronnie Swaim always stands ready to share his Rudy, a graduate of East Wilkes High School, experience and hope with patients. Knowing Ronnie during his senior year was a member of its Future is filling a prescription exudes diligence, training, Farmers of America state championship soil judging trustworthiness and confidence in his trade.