2024
August Issue Welcome to the
By Kathy Wheeler
As the end of the month approaches, students will be heading back to school and families will need to adjust to new routines. To ease this transition, begin a few weeks early by establishing a new bedtime schedule and waking up with enough time for getting dressed and having breakfast. Set up a dedicated study area and encourage your child to brush up on their reading skills before the school year starts. Further prepare by decluttering and organizing their room, and of course, go shopping for new school supplies. Finally, enjoy the rest of their summer break! There is still time to hit the beach or the mountains for a vacation.
Sending your child off to college for the first time is a whole new challenge. They need to learn self-care, adhere to schedules, stay organized, do laundry, and manage their finances. Hopefully, they have developed most of these skills during their 18 or so years. However, one thing that can sneak up on you is the part where you have to let go. It’s a busy time and easy to bury your emotions while preparing them to leave home.
When I sent my oldest son off to col-
lege, the emotions I felt totally took me by surprise. He had spent the night with a friend on campus and we planned to meet the next day at orientation. While waiting to meet, I was watching from an upstairs window. The moment I spotted him walking across campus, the tears started to fall and I couldn’t stop them! He looked so grown up yet so innocent. I was proud and sad simultaneously. If I may, let me offer a piece of advice…don’t wait until orientation before acknowledging your emotions! It was embarrassing; my eyes leaked through the whole presentation!
Whether you are enjoying time with your children before school starts or your newfound freedom without them, check out the fun events on page eight. There’s a list of local outdoor concerts and movies to enjoy. Make plans to attend the 49th Annual Waldensian Festival in Valdese on the 10th and get tickets for the Hickory Women’s Expo held at the Hickory Metro Convention Center on August 24th and 25th. There’s plenty of local fun in August!
This month in Hickory Living, we celebrate women in business. Starting
on page 21, we feature women from various fields, including medical and real estate. These smart entrepreneurs are educated, caring, and passionate about their work, diligently serving their clients and community. When you visit them, let them know you saw their article in Hickory Living!
Our August cover story features Lake Hickory Dental and Dr. Robert Steljes, known as Dr. Rob to his patients. He and his team help patients achieve beautiful smiles in a calm and welcoming environment. Learn about their services and treatments starting on page 10.
It is certainly an achievement when a small business reaches their 25th anniversary. Scenic View Landscapes is celebrating that milestone this year. Owner Kevin Sipe and his team have been creating scenic views for homeowners for the past quarter-century. We congratulate Kevin and invite you to read their feature on page 16.
Thank you for reading the August issue of Hickory Living. We wish all of our students a safe and successful school year!
Atstock Productions
AUGUST EVENTS
HICKORY
August 10, 24, 25
Saturday Screenings
Downtown Union Square, Hickory • Bring a lawn chair or blanket. 8:30PM weather permitting.
August 10: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
August 24: The Princess Bride
Hickory Women’s Expo
August 24–25, 10AM–4PM
Hickory Metro Convention Center • 1960 13th Ave Dr SE #5186, Hickory • For info and tickets, visit: www.HickoryWomensExpo.com
VALDESE
August 2, 9, 10, 16, 23, 30
Valdese Family Friday Night
Held at Temple Field behind The Old Rock School Bring a lounge chair • Music starts at 7PM.
August 2: Unknown Artist Band
August 9: Ace Party Band
August 16: Southside Saints
August 23: Darrell Harwood
August 30: The Tonez
49th Annual Waldensian Festival
Downtown Valdese - Main Street
Festival opens at 9AM Saturday, August 10th. Entertainment all day, 140 vendors, your favorite festival food, and a Kidz Zone. Check out From This Day Forward performances. townofvaldese.com
BLOWING ROCK
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Music On The Lawn
The Inn at Ragged Gardens • 203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock • Bring a lawn chair, no coolers, no pets. Friday nights 5:30PM–8:30PM.
August 2: Harris Brothers
August 9: Nixon Williams and Gage
August 16: Soul Benefactor
August 23: Shelby Rae
August 30: King Bees ragged-gardens.com
on the cover
An Exceptional Team for a Beautiful Smile
By Amy Casil
Some people know from an early age what they want to do in life, and Lake Hickory Dental’s patients and staff are fortunate that Dr. Rob is one of those people. When I first spoke with Dr. Robert Steljes at Lake Hickory Dental, I enjoyed learning the story of how he got interested in dentistry through his mother, a dental hygienist, as well as attending a science camp at Wake Forest University, where his interest in dentistry really took off.
Lake Hickory Dental offers a wide variety of Dental services and is continuing to welcome new patients.
The Team at Lake Hickory Dental
Lake Hickory Dental’s office manager, Carol, continues to schedule appointments, greet patients and assists them in every way she can. When booking an appointment with Lake Hickory Dental, patients will meet the hygiene team, Megan and Natalie. When further treatment is needed or desired, the practice’s dental assistants, Laura and Lauren, will step in.
The practice’s team members greet patients with a calming and welcoming environment. Dr. Rob said that “Many
© Photo by Shane Greene
of our patients say that when they first arrive, it’s as if they’re meeting with an old friend.” The office’s welcoming environment provides each patient with the comfort and reassurance they need at every dental appointment.
Current Services
Dr. Steljes and his team offer a wide variety of services including implants, orthodontics, crowns, veneers, bridges, whitening, root canals, extractions, bone grafts, fillings, dentures, partials, and dental cleanings. They have a new 3D X-Ray machine that allows Dr. Steljes to see details of teeth and bone structure and create digital mockups for treatment plans, and also offer same-day crowns made possible by CEREC technology.
Personalized Treatment at Lake Hickory Dental
Lake Hickory Dental offers personalized treatment, and I asked Dr. Steljes how this type of treatment works. He said that personalized treatment begins with collecting photos along with radiographs and a complete comprehensive exam. He talks with each patient about their cosmetic goals and how they want their smile to be transformed.
Finances are also discussed; treatment plans can be personally customized to fit within each patient’s desired budget. When all the information is gathered, Dr. Steljes reviews the patient’s information and creates a treatment plan that meets a patient’s functional and cosmetic desires. He is always available to answer any questions about each treatment plan, which can be modified further depending on patient needs and changes in dental health.
Lake Hickory Dental also offers Smile Makeovers. When a patient is curious about how their smile can be transformed, they can get a free consultation for cosmetic dentistry, including tooth replacements, tooth alignment, or whitening. The no-cost consultation tells patients about the procedures that can benefit their smile as well as pricing options.
Tooth whitening is a wonderful option for patients who are looking to brighten their smiles. Lake Hickory Dental currently offers two options: in-office Zoom whitening or take-home whitening kits. Dr. Steljes explained that takehome whitening kits are more affordable than in-office whitening procedures, but they need to be used more frequently to see results similar to in-office whitening.
Tooth Alignment and Implant Considerations
Lake Hickory Dental currently offers Suresmile Aligners, which are clear aligners fabricated from 3D scans. The
Photos
:
On the cover–Dr. Robert Steljes and Lake Hickory Dental’s amazing team. Photo by Shane Greene
Opposite page–Dr. Rob and his team–from left to right: Lauren, Natalie, Megan, Carol, and Laura
Pictured above:
• Assistants Lauren and Laura working on the design of same-day crowns
• Dr. Rob and Laura giving a patient a smile transformation
• Hygienist Natalie and Megan
© Photo by Shane Greene
© Photo by Shane Greene
© Photo by Jason Barr
Photos: Pictured above:
• Office Manager Carol presenting a new patinet mug!
• Dr. Rob showing a model of SureSmile Clear Aligners, which are used to straighten teeth
• Megan collecting radiographs which is a very important part of a comprehensive exam!
Lake Hickory Dental 1235 4th Street Drive NW, Hickory (828) 322-6731 lakehickorydental.com
scans help Dr. Steljes to create 3D models that serve as the molds for the clear aligners, which straighten the teeth over time. While orthodontics can be costly, Dr. Steljes says that the practice offers in-office financing options along with third party financing options to make Suresmile Aligners accessible to patients.
Dental implants help to replace teeth that are lost or missing. They can also be used to support dentures, where they provide more support and give the patient a more natural bite and feel when compared to traditional dentures. Dr. Steljes mentioned that very few patients are satisfied with traditional dentures, especially lower dentures, and that dental implants are a muchpreferred choice for replacing teeth in the lower jaw.
Success Stories from Lake Hickory Dental
Several patients have discussed concerns with either spacing or crowding between teeth which is noticeable, especially when they smile. Lake Hickory Dental has had many cases of success with providing the smiles that patients desire, whether it involves closing gaps or making teeth more proportional within the smile line with veneers, crowns, or Suresmile Aligners. As a result, patients have seen improvement in their smiles, and Dr. Steljes said, “Now they can spread their contagious smiles around town.”
Other patients who have had old crowns which no longer match the color of their teeth have also desired to see a change in their smile. Dr. Steljes said that we all rely on well-matched teeth when we smile, and if there are gaps or changes in coloration, this can make us reluctant to smile.
He added, “being able to improve the appearance and health of one’s teeth gives a person confidence when they smile.” Lake Hickory Dental works with great ceramists and they’ve been able to match new crowns to existing crowns and natural teeth, transforming many patients’ smiles.”
Visiting Lake Hickory Dental
When you visit Lake Hickory Dental you will find a dental practice with up-to-date equipment and procedures that also offers old-fashioned personalized care and a gentle, caring atmosphere. When dental emergencies arise, during office hours, team members can answer patient’s questions and concerns about what they should do. After hours, the practice also provides an emergency number.
Dentistry can be expensive and this can lead to patients putting off dental treatment. Whether it is a smile makeover that is desired or necessary dental treatment that is needed, Dr. Steljes and the team at Lake Hickory Dental are available to help.
© Photo by Shane Greene
© Photo by Jason Barr
© Photo by Jason Barr
business spotlight
Celebrating 24 Years of Successful Service LANDSCAPES,LLC
By Amy Casil | Photos by Shane Greene Photography
Scenic View Landscapes is in its 24th year of business, something that Kevin Sipe said their entire team is very proud of. “Being in business for some time means we’ve weathered a lot of storms,” Kevin said. He wasn’t referring as much to the storms the Scenic View team helps to clean up and restore after, but to the ups and downs of our economy and daily life.
There have been some changes at Scenic View over the past year, most notably the retirement of well-liked and much-trusted Debbie Sipe as office manager. Debbie handed her position over to another Debbie, Debbie Williamson, who has excelled in her new role. Kevin says they often refer to this position as “Director of First Impressions.” Clients reaching out to them connect with Debbie first and she is doing a phenomenal job in her first year with the company.
What Scenic View Landscapes Does
As a major part of their business, Scenic View Landscapes provides both landscape design and installation. Kevin designs landscapes using his years of experience and education, providing clients with formal proposals including scaled drawings and images. Upon approval, Scenic View’s installation teams step in and make the design into reality with plantings, hardscapes, and more. They can also maintain the landscapes they install. Scenic View Landscapes’ projects can be viewed in many of Catawba Valley’s prestigious neighborhoods, from Anchor’s Landing to Player’s Ridge, Fox Chase, Catawba Springs, and Moore’s Ferry.
Maintenance Services from Scenic View
Another significant part of Scenic View’s activities include maintenance, which encompasses horticultural gardens and
Photos: Left–Scenic View Landscapes’ team at their Hickory office
Above and opposite page
• Kevin Sipe, owner, sales, and design
• Debbie Williamson, office manager
• Left to right: Operations Manager Bryson Henry, Maintenance Team Leader Cameron Cook, Quality Control Manager Erin Sipe, Owner and Sales – Kevin Sipe, Maintenance Team Leader Katherine Lynn, Maintenance Team Leader Ethan Owensby, Installation Team Leader Camron St. Louis
bed spaces as well as turf. The company will maintain everything in bed spaces, including pruning, weeding, and re-mulching or pine needling.
They also plant annual color in beds and planters in the spring and fall, and manage water features. “Not every company provides this service,” said Kevin Sipe. “We manage water features and clean streams, ponds, fountains and other water displays.”
In addition to maintaining garden beds, features, trees, and planters, Scenic View also maintains turf with applications of fertilizer, pest control, and of course, mowing. Scenic View does not provide mowing services alone; they offer mowing to customers who also receive horticultural garden and turf maintenance.
If a property owner has invested in a professionally-designed landscape, they can retain and build the value of their investment by maintaining it properly. Whereas some companies may just install landscapes, Scenic View handles the entire process of garden design, installation, and maintenance.
Quality Control:
The Scenic View Difference Scenic View has a strong quality con-
trol system led by Erin Sipe, quality control manager. They use a grading process to evaluate the status of each client’s landscape. Erin visits a property and assigns grades, she returns to the office and discusses the results with Bryson Henry, the company’s operations manager. Together, they prioritize maintenance services and hand them off to their team leaders to ensure that all properties maintain an “A” grade in appearance, health, and performance.
With over two decades of serving and beautifying the community, Scenic View Landscapes has the experience and ability to design, install, and maintain thriving landscapes throughout the area, and is a company in which homeowners and building owners can trust.
www.ScenicViewLandscapes.net
successful powerful passionate
Celebrating
Women In Business
Hickory Living is proud to celebrate women in business this month. On the following pages, you will meet successful women in our area who are following their passion. They possess an entrepreneurial spirit and the ambition and positive outlook that it takes to grow their businesses. We appreciate all that they contribute to our local economy, and we celebrate their success!
blanaru
Women in Business
REALTORS®/Brokers, pictured from left to right, are:
Lindsay Philyaw
Ashley Carmichael
Claudia Vargas
Amanda Stokes
Amy Harline
Michelle Galloway
Sandi Dingler
Erin Horton
(Not Pictured: April Tyner, Grisel Torres, Danielle Stone, and Kristen Knox)
Of the 18 real estate agents at RE/MAX Legendary, 12 of them are women motivated to helping you with your real estate needs. Educated, professional, and resourceful, the RE/MAX Legendary women understand that buying a home is more than just a significant financial transaction. It’s about finding a great neighborhood for your family and a place you can truly call home. These professionals listen to your needs and strive to exceed them, leveraging their knowledge of the area and staying up-to-date on new listings to find not just any home, but YOUR home. After all, home is where your life happens!
If you’re relocating or wanting to sell your property, the ladies at RE/MAX Legendary want to get you top dollar and can assist in preparing your home for sale. Professional agents understand which renovations and updates will maximize your selling price and can recommend professionals to get the work done quickly. “Sometimes simple changes can increase the price of a home. It’s all in the presentation,” says Amanda Stokes, co-owner of RE/MAX Legendary.
Once your property is ready, the savvy marketing team ensures it gets maximum exposure online, in print, and with inhome showings.
Agent expertise also extends to commercial and investment properties. As a client of RE/MAX Legendary, you’ll find their agents can handle nearly all your real estate needs. These ladies are passionate about the industry, the area, and helping people.
Navigating the complexities of buying or selling property is no problem for this Legendary team. These pros manage complicated situations daily and are equipped to handle your transactions seamlessly.
If you’re seeking a real estate professional to partner with, give RE/MAX Legendary a call. Their REALTORS will help you achieve your goals with a smile. Many clients return because the agents at RE/MAX Legendary are dedicated to building long-term relationships and serving the community with exceptional real estate services.
© Shane Greene Photography
Women in Business
A Woman’s View is an OB/GYN practice that cares for women through every stage of their life. From a young woman just learning about her body, through her child bearing years, to balancing careers, children, or grand children, and then gracefully aging into maturity, you will find a trusted provider at A Woman’s View. The providers are all women who have experienced much of what their patients are going through. They know how to help, both as a women and medical professionals.
Dr. Vickie Lovin established the gynecological practice in 1996. In 2005 primary care was added, and obstetrics was offered in 2008. Following Dr. Lovin’s retirement in 2020, primary care was discontinued the following May to focus solely on obstetrics and gynecology.
“Obstetrics is a big part of our practice,” said Dr. Claire Harraghy. “We love helping women through every stage of their pregnancy, and our reward is delivering precious, healthy children to their parents. It’s a very magical experience.”
Patients are seen for so much more than annual gynecological physicals. Birth control, PMS, infertility treatments, breast health, HRT and menopause management, STDs, gynecologic and bladder surgery are all part of the medical treatment you can receive at A Woman’s View.
Besides gynecology and obstetrics, what services do you offer?
“Many women who are in need of tests appreciate that we offer 3-D mammography, ultrasounds, lab
GYNECOLOGY
Laura Faruque, M.D.
Alicia Walsh, M.D.
Teri Herman, W.H.N.P.
Kim Rector, F.N.P.
Anita Montes, M.D.
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Claire Harraghy, M.D.
Jennifer Conway, M.D.
Jessica Gibney, M.D.
Lauren Hill, M.D.
Heather Carswell, CNM
Natalie Broadway-Robertson, M.D.
services, and weight management inhouse,” said Dr. Laura Faruque. “Our patients are comfortable here, so getting a test done isn’t as stressful when they trust their provider. Also, every stage of our lives come with their own unique challenges. Some we breeze through, while others require a little help. We have counselors that we refer patients to who can help them navigate these challenges.”
For more than 28 years, A Woman’s View has been an active member of our community offering excellent medical care to women and supporting non-profits that help women. To receive OB/GYN healthcare designed for women and administered by women, call today to make an appointment!
915 Tate Blvd SE, Suite 170 Hickory, North Carolina 28602
Phone: 828-345-0800
Fax: 828-345-0350
HOURS: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM www.awomansview.com
Women in Business
The real estate market can be a challenge. Whether you’re an old-hand at selling or buying a home or a real estate newbie, working with a professional team at your service is the most valuable asset you can have. Kathryn Illig Herman and Carly Black Pruitt are that team…and they are always available to serve you!
Carly and Kathryn have been friends since their Hickory High School days. “We’re home-town girls with deep family roots here in Catawba County,” Kathryn said. They each began their real estate careers right out of college. Kathryn has 23 years of experience and Carly has 20 years.
While Carly is great with the numbers, Kathryn’s expertise in marketing gets your listing in front of a huge audience of home buyers. “We partner 50-50 in everything—whenever you call, either one of us can answer your questions or get things done. You get twice the experience and twice the effort!”
Not everyone is tech-savvy, and the duo makes a point to be attentive to all their clients’ needs. “In this day and age, some things are easier, with online signatures and all, but we’re very flexible and adaptable, especially with folks who don’t do much on the computer. Lots of longtime homeowners are downsizing, and sometimes they don’t have access to all that’s online. And, if they don’t know or understand the information about buying and selling, we’re there for them. As with all our clients, we hold their hand through it all, helping with estate sales, finding qualified, affordable vendors for repairs, painting, or packing and moving. We don’t want selling or buying a home to be hard. People trust us to give sound, reasonable advice, anytime,” Kathryn said.
Many say Kathryn and Carly’s success in a nutshell is their professionalism as each transaction unfolds is beyond reproach. They work together in harmony for the good of their clients.
Kathryn and Carly have positioned themselves as one of our area’s most desired realtor teams, and they’ve done that through hard work, dedication, and smarts. “We’re both detail-oriented, and in real estate, the details are a huge part of success,” Carly said. “We do so much of the work ourselves because we always want to get it right. Every listing is unique, and every purchase means so much to families—so we focus on the unique factors in every case. Our customers get everything they need, and then some, when they work with us.”
The real estate market is always changing and Kathryn and Carly will always adapt with the ebbs and flows to be most helpful and successful in every way!
Women in Business
Grace McLaurin, DMSc,
Owner and partner in:
PA-C
Grace McLaurin is a physician assistant with 24 years of experience and a doctor of medical science. She is owner, and partner in Vitality Anti-Aging Center, V-Infusion Hydration Center, and owner of Aesthetic Consulting & Training (ACT) in Hickory.
Grace opened Vitality Anti-Aging in 2006 and offers integrative health and non-surgical aesthetics, such as Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers, Coolsculpting, Cooltone, laser services, PRP, HydraFacial and SaltFacial as well as weight management, nutrition, skincare, and more. “Where Health and Beauty Meet,” is Vitality’s slogan, and Grace and her staff always put patient care, safety, and results as the main focus of the practice. She has a passion for helping her patients achieve a complete sense of well-being through both looking good and being well.
She has extensive experience in internal medicine, women’s health, bio-identical hormone replacement, thyroid disorders, and non-surgical aesthetics. Grace is a certified instructor for Allergan, the makers of Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, and SkinMedica. She is also a speaker/trainer for MedShift and a trainer for Galderma, the maker of Restylane, Dysport and more.
How did you decide on this career track?
“I’ve wanted to be in medicine since I was a young child. I pursued a different path earlier in life, getting married and having my children. When I moved to Hickory, I realized I was close enough to Wake Forest to go after my dream, and the PA profession seemed to be the perfect fit,” said Grace.
“We started in the spring of 2006 with five people, and we’ve seen growth every year since opening. With an amazing staff who always put patient care, safety, and results as number one, we were blessed nine years ago to have the opportunity to move into Moretz Mills and have continued to grow.”
What are the latest trends in your field?
“Body contouring is very popular right now. Vitality offers non-surgical options that can help people achieve the body they have always dreamed of. Vitamin infusion and preventative health are certainly of special interest. In the aesthetics realm, attractive lips are always popular, and a natural, healthy, refreshed look is huge for both men and women...we can achieve with threads, Sculptra and lasers.”
What do you believe sets you apart from others in your field?
74 8th St SE Suite 101, Hickory • (828) 322-1498 vitalitymedicalspa.com
“Our goals are simple––to provide superior service to patients and clients to help you achieve your personal goals for health and appearance. To provide a comfortable, clean, safe, and relaxing atmosphere for all. To educate patients and the community about methods to take control of your health and appearance. Lastly, to set a standard for wellness in our community,” explained Grace.
Women in Business
Living in North Carolina, you are probably no stranger to environmental allergies. Add to that asthma or food allergies and you need a doctor who can help you navigate these health concerns and make your life more comfortable and manageable. Dr. Kelly Boyd and Amy Thompson, PA-C with Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center in Hickory, are specialist in treating asthma, allergies, hives, and eczema in both adults and children. They also offer peanut oral immunotherapy.
Dr. Boyd grew up in Hickory and is very familiar with the common allergies in our area and the environment. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Chemistry before pursuing her medical degree at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Medical Center Dallas which is affiliated with the University of Texas Southwestern. Following that, she went to the University of Virginia where she trained in Allergy and Immunology. During her fellowship training, Dr. Boyd presented her research focused on pediatric asthma at numerous conferences. She received the prestigious Clemens von Pirquet Award, which is given to a fellow-in-training for the best research.
Dr. Boyd is extremely qualified and her patients describe her as being “very personable, knowledgeable, super friendly, and genuinely caring.” You really can’t ask for more than that in a physician! She enjoys working with patients to develop a personalized plan to help ensure the highest quality of care for each individual and strives to treat every patient with compassion and respect.
Amy Thompson, PA-C, joined Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center in 2003. In her 20 years of experience, she has discovered a particular interest in treating and educating children with food allergies and also patients with more severe/complicated asthma. One of her greatest joys is seeing patients’ improvement after receiving the proper education and treatment regarding their condition or disease state.
Mrs. Thompson completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Alderson Broaddus University. She is board certified with the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants, American Association of Physician Assistants, and The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Education. One patient stated that she always enjoyed seeing Amy. She listens to your concerns and takes her time. She said, “If more doctors would be like her, people could get help faster.”
Dr. Boyd and Mrs. Thompson, along with their friendly staff, work together to provide our community with exceptional diagnosis and care for allergies and asthma. If you are experiencing problems, give Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center in Hickory a call and start your journey to wellness and relief.
Kelly K. Boyd, MD
Amy Thompson PA-C
