By David Daggett on 1/26/2009 7:54 AM

Personal Crime Safety

      According to FBI statistics a violent crime occurs in the United States every 22.2 seconds. With our economy in decline the threat of crime on individuals is increasing. Therefore, it is prudent to review a few personal safety tips to help you avoid being a victim of crime.

      At Lewis and Daggett we have had intra-office programs the last two weeks to learn how to avoid being a victim of violent crime. Our first program focused on basic tips for personal and home safety, and the second program, held in a gym, focused on some basic self defense tactics. Both programs were enlightening and educational for us.

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By David Daggett on 1/19/2009 7:54 AM

Winter Driving Safety

     We have been lucky so far this year - we have had no really bad weather to affect driving conditions, as yet. Winter driving can be dangerous, inconvenient, even infuriating. But you can offset those aggravations and minimize the special risks of winter driving by practicing safe habits for winter driving.   

      First, the best rule is not to drive if you don’t have to when the weather is bad. Certainly, you should minimize your driving and only do what is necessary. Please wait until after the snow plows have been through and allow yourself extra time so you are not in a hurry.

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By David Daggett on 1/12/2009 8:54 AM

Welcome Judge Taylor

     We are proud to welcome Judge Kimberly S. Taylor to our Lewis & Daggett team. Judge Taylor retired after 25 years on the bench as a Resident Superior Court Judge of the 22^nd Judicial District which includes Alexander, Iredell, Davie, and Davidson Counties.

     Judge Taylor has received many honors and is very highly respected. She has been the NCAWA Judge of the Year and is a past president of the 22^nd Judicial District Bar Association.

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By David Daggett on 1/5/2009 8:54 AM

A Big Deal

     Hunting in North Carolina is a Big Deal! I’m not much of a hunter, but recently the nephew of one of our long term employees hunted a record deer that hit many of the news outlets and hunting periodicals.

 

     Preston Cave recently got a 180 class buck with a muzzleloader in Yadkin county.

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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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