By David Daggett on 12/29/2008 8:54 AM

True Meaning

      What gives your life true meaning? I don’t pretend to be able to answer that for you, but perhaps can help you explore the issue a bit further for yourself.

Mom, Dad, Siblings at

     We have previously discussed Anchors in life, and I would suggest that if your anchors are intact then you are on track for finding true meaning.

ASU Classroom Dedication

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By David Daggett on 12/22/2008 6:54 AM

Holiday Season Safety Tips

      From our Lewis & Daggett family to yours, we send wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. Please remember to keep safe this holiday season so you are left with happy memories. Please consider the following safety tips.

     We reviewed a number of safety tips for Thanksgiving, and you can review those tips here.

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By David Daggett on 12/15/2008 6:57 AM

Three Questions

      This past Saturday morning our Lewis and Daggett team participated in the kickoff brunch for the 34^th Annual Frank Spencer Holiday Basketball Tournament featuring 12 local high school teams. Present were approximately 200 high school players, coaches, principals, administrators, and senior school system officials.

      We presented a talk with visual accents to encourage, challenge, and support the student athletes. Jeff Battle, Associate Head Basketball Coach of the 11^th Ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacon Basketball Team, gave a motivational talk. Coach Battle is a kind, passionate, and intense man with a likeable demeanor.

      Coach Battle presented three questions which when put together add up to "Do I want to play with this guy." Those three questions seem appropriate for families, organizations, and even businesses, as well as basketball players and teams. Accordingly, we will briefly review Coach Battle’s three questions.

     Question No. 1: "Do you play hard?" Coach Battle stressed that there is no substitute for playing hard. He noted that we presently live in a "cool society" where it seems everyone wants to be "cool" and "chill." Coach Battle stressed that great performers check their coolness at the door and just play hard.

      Question No. 2: "Do you have a good attitude?" He emphasized that everyone has a good attitude when things are going well, but how do you react when things don’t go so good? What you do and how you respond is reflected in everything you do. He particularly emphasized body language and how that body language can have either a positive or negative effect on those around you. He emphasized the importance of only worrying about being good. Don’t worry about things that can’t make you better.

      Question No. 3: "Are you unselfish?" Coach Battle stressed that unselfish players make the team better, as well making the individual better at the same time. His words reminded me of a quote from the famous and successful longtime UCLA Coach John Wooden, "When you score, give the other guy credit."

      Play hard, have a good attitude and be unselfish. Coach Battle’s words were simple, memorable, and can help us all improve personally and collectively.

 

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By David Daggett on 12/8/2008 7:53 AM

Heart of the Triad

     The financial markets are down, unemployment is up, and the economic forecasts for the upcoming months are bleak. However, locally we have a bright ray of sunshine. According to some recent national statistics and reports the Triad area ranks No. 2 in the nation in per person charitable giving.

     Last week Chuck Harmon of the Second Harvest Food Bank was a guest speaker in our office. Our entire Lewis & Daggett team decided unanimously to support the Second Harvest Food Bank at this holiday time. We are so proud of our team members, and their concern for others.

     Reverend Harmon gave a very moving report depicting the need during this particularly difficult time. However, citing the charitable giving in our community, and the hope it provides, he described the "Heart of the Triad."

     We recently discussed our community’s high level of support for one another regarding the Parkinson’s event. This high level of community participation in charitable and special cause giving and donations gives us all hope. This hope is the belief we have in one another, and the overall goodness and long-term welfare for our community.

     At our firm, we are proud that people want to give back to others in need. We have previously discussed that this sort of attitude is simply part of our firm’s values and culture. We are proud that our team takes pride in our community as a whole, and is willing to step forward to be part of the solution during difficult times.

As Reverend Harmon noted, during difficult times people don’t look to the government. Although we hear a lot about the financial "bailout," here the bailout comes from individual members of our community who continue to care for one another.

     The "heart of the Triad" is actually the hearts of individuals pulling together to help their neighbors through difficult times. In the Triad we know that our heart is in the right place, and that heart assures us that we will pull through the difficult times, together.

 

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By David Daggett on 12/1/2008 6:57 AM

Every Penny Counts

     We were impressed by the success of the Special Parkinson’s Event held a couple of weeks ago at the A Touch of Class beauty salon in King. Our Lewis & Daggett team was proud to be a small part of the effort, and we had a lot of fun too!   

Every Penny Counts

     Tonya Wood and her team at A Touch of Class rolled out the red carpet to all customers who came to participate in the event. All receipts for the day were donated to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. Additional donations were received from members of the community.

     We were proud of the turnout for the event. Moreover, we were impressed by the good spirit and all the fun everyone had. New friends were made. We have posted some photos from the event here.

     As off last week the event had raised $3,385, and donations are still coming in. Our L & D Team gave out specially designed T-shirts and stadium cups. There was a drawing for prizes including a number of prizes donated by Team Fox. The grand prize was a book personally signed by actor and Parkinson’s activist Michael J. Fox.

     During these difficult economic times it is amazing how our community continues to pull together. Many charities and public service causes are having their resources stressed, which makes these local grass roots efforts more important than ever. We all need to pull together for special causes and for those less fortunate

     Many thanks to all the folks in our community who help and contribute to the lives of others during this holiday season. Additional thanks to WXII TV 12, King Lawn and Garden, Ad Color, and WSJS Radio for their help. This community spirit really is what makes our Triad area special.

     Remember, Every Penny Counts!

 

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By David Daggett on 11/24/2008 7:54 AM

Giving Thanks Safely

     Our Lewis & Daggett family wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. We also hope you and your family are safe, so we will share with you a few safety tips we have researched for the holiday.

     Home fires are the number one most frequent calls to fire departments, and cooking fires are the most frequent reason. Thanksgiving is the day with the highest number of home fires with three times more fires than on normal days. The leading cause of fire is unattended food on the stove or in the oven. Stay in the kitchen while cooking food. Pot holders and towels should be kept away from the stove. For more tips see www.firesafety.gov

      Food safety can easily slip with large meals and lots of leftovers. Be careful to thoroughly wash hands and counters after touching raw turkey, and other meats. Be sure to keep hot food hot, and cold food cold until the leftovers are safely put away.

Take care when carving the turkey. We don’t take out the family carving knives very many times during the year, so we usually are not in good practice using them. Please be careful carving the turkey and ham, and keep those knives out of reach of youngsters.

      Choking hazards are increased during big holiday meals. The very young and the very old are particularly susceptible to choking. Eat slowly and enjoy the meal. Only encourage talking after food is swallowed. Remind children to take small bites and not to talk with food in their mouths.

     Take care of your pets too. They may like a little turkey, but please be sure the little pieces are free of bones. Turkey bones splinter causing a severe threat of choking and other damage.

     Lastly, Thanksgiving is the kick off for the holiday season. Drinking and driving seems to go way up making our roads more dangerous. Please join our L & D team and encourage safe sober driving as well as being defensive and courteous on the road.

     Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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By David Daggett on 11/17/2008 7:52 AM

Special Parkinson’s Event

     Special community events in support of needy causes are part of the Values and Culture here at Lewis & Daggett. Sometimes these special causes are close to the hearts of our folks here. Support for Parkinson’s Disease research is one of these extra special causes.

Mrs. Brown with her four daughters on her birthday.

     Karen Googe, our firm administrator, and her family fought Parkinson’s disease for many years with their late mother, Inez Brown. Mike Lewis’ mother-in-law has Parkinson’s and at 87 continues to be valiant in her fight. We have been fortunate to have known both of these ladies. We respect and admire the dignity these ladies have displayed in their fight, and in their lives.     

     Karen and Mike's families feel that education and research are a very important part of coping with this debilitating disease. For those who have never experienced anyone going through the stages of Parkinson’s, it can be quite overwhelming to the family if the effects of this disease have not been communicated properly.

     Our L & D Team is supporting the efforts of A Touch of Class Beauty Salon in King, North Carolina to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in memory of Inez Matthews Brown. This special event will be held on Saturday November 22, 2008 at 513 South Main Street in King, North Carolina.

     Tonya Wood, the owner of the salon and granddaughter of Mrs. Brown, will donate all proceeds of the day to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. No appointments will be necessary - first come, first served with the salon opening at 9AM and remaining open until the last customer is served.

     Lewis & Daggett will contribute free specially designed T-shirts, stadium cups, and other gifts for those who come to the salon during the event. Our firm has a special interest in this dreaded disease, and we are very happy to play a small role in this fund raising effort.

     Please come out and join us in supporting this cause. For more information, call A touch of Class at 983-6446. Members of our firm will be at the event all day to lend support, encouragement, and a hand. We thank WXII 12, King Lawn and Garden, and Ad Color for joining us in our efforts.

 

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By David Daggett on 11/10/2008 7:52 AM

Post Election Hope And Promise

     Election day has now come and gone. We have all read all of the articles, and continue with our daily activities. Perhaps now is a good time to look at some lessons learned and look to the future with hope and promise.

      There are so many aspects to this past election that a complete treatise on the subject could be written. Let’s leave most of the opinions and analysis to the commentators and pundits. Instead, let’s focus briefly on a few seeds of thought and information that are lessons for us all.

      Participation – Last week’s elections set records for the highest amount of participation in history. This means the important right to vote is still valuable to our citizens. Further, it means that we all took an interest, listened to the issues, and were engaged in the process. Continued participation in our system will make our government even better in the future.

     Reconciliation - This season was long and tough and, at times, even nasty. However, immediately following it seems that our leaders immediately started mending relationships and putting the past behind them. With the difficult times we have coming, this reconciliation is necessary for us to successfully move forward.

     Unity – Now that the election is over there seem to be areas of unity. The main topic on everyone’s mind seems to be the economy. An election can’t decree a change in the economy. We all have to become united, work together, and do our own little parts in order to get through these troubled times.

     Example – After all was said and done, John McCain, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all came forward with positive words, well wishes for one another, and messages of hope and promise for the future of our country.

     Hope and Promise - We have many present difficulties, and yet we are still the greatest nation on Earth, and have the richest history of preserved liberties and freedoms in the history of mankind. "O’ Beautiful for Spacious Skies" seem to be as true today as when it was written over a hundred years ago. The last verse is particularly fitting for our country today.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self control,
Thy liberty in law.

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By David Daggett on 11/3/2008 6:54 AM

Our Valuable Right

~Please Vote~

     Election Day is this week. It seems like it has been a long campaign season, but one of the real positives is that it appears there are record turnouts in the number of people voting.

     The right to vote is one of the most important rights granted by our forefathers in the Constitution. The right to vote is so important that it is repeated in the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Further, our Supreme Court has recognized that the right to vote in a free and unimpaired fashion is a bedrock of our democracy.

     This political season has seen long, and at times more adversarial than we might like. However, at the same time it seems that people are more engaged in the process than ever before in our recent history. Predictions are for record turnouts. This high participation portends well for the future of our great nation.

     The right to vote is a patriotic duty that all of us are part of protecting now and for future generations. The right becomes a duty because if we don’t exercise that right, history has shown that rights can erode and ultimately be sacrificed. The right to vote is a unique hallmark of our free country so it is important for all of us to do our part in protecting that right.

     Voting also allows all of us to participate in the process. To truly participate, we need to be engaged. We need to study the issues and learn. This learning is part of our duty and perpetuates our ability to preserve our rights.

     Sometimes we take it for granted, and sometimes it sounds a bit corny, but we truly do live in a unique and great nation. When our forefathers founded the United States of America, it was a unique experience in the history of humankind. The right to vote is part of a fundamental difference that maintains and perpetuates the freedoms we all enjoy.

     Our Lewis & Daggett team encourages, in a non-partisan way, each individual to exercise their right to vote. Please be part of a process that helps maintain and preserve the liberties and freedoms we enjoy in this great country.

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By David Daggett on 10/27/2008 6:54 AM

Rules for Goblins and Ghouls

~Halloween Safety Tips~

     We hope you and your family have a happy and safe Halloween. While you are watching out for witches, ghosts, and goblins please remember a few safety tips so that you and your family has a safe and fun Halloween.

• Your children should be closely supervised by adults.
• Older children should go out in groups, never alone.
• Use flashlights and reflective clothing to make certain you are visible to cars.
• Always walk facing traffic (on the left side of the road). Take care when crossing streets.
• Walk - do not run on dark streets and driveways.
• Limit visits to homes of neighbors you know.
• Limit visits to homes that have their front porches lit with a welcoming light. Politely choose one piece of candy when you are offered a selection.
• Remember to kindly thank those who offer treats.
• Wear makeup instead of masks if you need to decorate your face.
• Be sure your costumes are comfortable and easy to walk in.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Refrain from eating candy while out trick or treating.
• Once home, adults should help younger children to sort candy and be sure all wrappers are in tact. Older children should do this too.
• Be extra careful of flowing costumes near open flames such as jack-o-lanterns.

     Have a goblin good time!

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