Hickory Living February 2023

Welcome to the February Issue!

By Kathy Wheeler

There is so much to celebrate this month! Valentine’s Day is February 14th—a holiday filled with heart-felt expressions of love. Let your soulmate know how much they mean to you. If you are looking for gift ideas, our advertisers can help with spa gift cards, a new outfit, or jewelry!

The American Heart Association celebrates American Heart Month by educating people on heart health and bringing awareness to cardiovascular disease. National Wear Red Day is February 3rd. Wear red to show your support in eradicating heart disease and stroke.

Are you ready for some football?! I hope you plan to get together with family and friends to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 12th. Enjoy your day pulling for your favorite team and gloating to those pulling for the losing team!

A few other days of interest this month are Mardi Gras on the 21st and Ash Wednesday is the 22nd, the begining of 40 days of Lent. One of my favorites is Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th. Buy someone a cup of coffee. Pay for someone’s lunch without them knowing who did it. Send a friend a card...just because. Leave a goodie bag for the mail carrier, or take a neighbor some fresh-baked cookies. Compliment strangers in line at the grocery store. Just do something kind for someone. It not only makes others feel good, it makes you feel good as well.

Our area has such talented people performing in several fabulous local theaters. Hickory Community Theatre presents Cadillac Crew by Tori Sampson. The performance is held in the Firemen’s Kitchen on Thursdays through Sundays from February 17 through March 4th. The Green Room Theatre in Newton presents Char-

lotte’s Web in the McCreary Theatre on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from February 17 through the 26th. Get your tickets today by visiting their respective websites.

Our cover story this month features Killian’s Hardware. This family-owned business has thrived for four generations and is celebrating their 70th year in business. Read their story beginning on page 10.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have an article about Oz’s Jewelers, one of our Best of the Foothills winners. They have been voted Best Jewelry Store three years in a row and this year celebrate their 40th year in business. See their article on page 14.

Thank you for reading the February issue of Hickory Living! We hope you enjoy this month and find much to celebrate!

Celebrating 70 Years!

By Kathy Wheeler | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

When a family-owned business has been serving their community for over 70 years, we should pay attention because they are obviously doing something right. Killian’s Hardware started as a feed store in 1953, run by Emory Killian. His son, Elmer, expanded the feed store into a hardware store in 1964. Elmer’s daughters, Susan Killian Kirby and Sharon Killian Radke, now the owners of Killian’s Hardware, took over managing the store in 1997. The daughters had grown up helping their dad with the store, so it was a smooth transition. Jennifer

Gott, Sharon’s daughter, joined the family business over 11 years ago. Across four generations, Killian’s Hardware has shown continued success and growth, with each generation preparing the next, embracing and implementing the new generations’ ideas and skills. This has allowed Killians to keep abreast with the times, while holding onto the values and traditions their family established before them. As Sharon said, “We are always looking forward to how we can better serve our customers and community, so the best is yet to come!”

Photos: On the cover–Killians third and fourth generation owners Sharon Killian Radke, Jennifer Gott, and Susan Killian Kirby. The family-owned and operated business celebrates 70 years of business this year. • Above–The Killian team

RELATIONSHIPS

“Business is not always about the bottom line but it is totally about the relationships you develop along the way. From suppliers to customers and community, our relationships keep us successful. When we commit to a relationship, we do so on a long-term basis. Being a good customer of our suppliers is important to being able to offer our community excellent products and service. When COVID hit and a lot of businesses were experiencing supply chain issues, we were still going strong. Our suppliers came through for us, and we made the appropriate and necessary inventory investments and requirements to make sure our customers could keep working,” explained Sharon.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

It is important to Susan, Sharon, and Jennifer to support their community. They open their memorabilia-filled museum to the community during customer appreciation celebrations. Killians offers Pro Days for their professional landscapers, when they can get the credentials they need to do their jobs. One of the most popular events is Breakfast with Santa in December. In December 2022, around 300 people, from one-month-old to 100 years old, attended. Customers still remember visiting Killians from their childhood and now bring their children and grandchildren to visit Santa. As the fire department delivered Santa to Killians this past Christmas, a customer showed the owners a photograph of the local fire department delivering Santa over 50 years ago. “These traditions are sweet memories that are worth keeping alive,” said Jennifer.

In addition to their community events, Killians continues to support local high schools and churches, CVCC, and various non-profit organizations. One organization is Rising Hope Farms that Killians supports with a Toro commercial zero turn mower donation every year to help with property maintenance.

Sharon believes that iron sharpens iron and that it’s important to surround yourself with good people and to give back. This year she is serving on the OPE (Outdoor Power Equipment) Dealer Council and Kohler’s Dealer Council to stay on the cutting edge of the business and help shape the outdoor power equipment industry.

• Department

Derek Willis (Sales), Howard Mourglea (Parts), Scott Miller (Service), and John Valencia (Hardware)

Art

• Sales team, Derek Willis and Peter Rees, assisting a customer to find the right mower for his needs.

• Service Manager Scott Miller, and Commercial Technician Chris Houser, discussing a work order.

Photos, top to bottom:

Managers:

Meadows (Warehouse),

TEAM MEMBERS

Speaking of iron sharpening iron…Killians employs competent and solid team members in all departments. “We are blessed to have such a wonderful staff,” said Susan. “From our sales department and hardware department, to our warehouse, parts and service staff, every employee is knowledgeable in their area of service to the customer. We’re still having fun, and that’s what is important. It is about people serving people.” Susan shared. “Every department works together, and that is exactly what it takes to succeed in this industry.”

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The store is best known for quality mowers and lawn equipment for both the professional and the homeowner. Killians has an extensive selection of Toro, Cub Cadet lawn tractors, Billy Goat, Stihl, and Echo products. Their showroom amazes customers! Not only do they have an impressive amount of product in stock, they offer expertise on those products to ensure you select what best fits your needs.

Their inventory doesn’t stop with mowers. Killians has a full line of hardware, electrical, and plumbing. They also carry top-quality grass seeds that are formulated for our area, professional turf fertilizers, lime, garden seeds, and a variety of herbicides and pesticides to keep your lawn in its best

possible condition. Not only do they offer excellent products, they service what they sell. Killians has the largest parts inventory in the Southeast. When you buy from Killians, you can be assured of excellent service for that product for years to come.

For the landscaper, Killians offers service within a 24-working hour turnaround time for products that are purchased there. Products are only as good as the support received from dealers, and Killians strives to be the best. “We align ourselves with the leading manufacturers in the OPE industry so we can provide the support in parts and service that our landscapers need and deserve,” said Jennifer.

Residential homeowners will find everything they need from hand tools to push mowers and zero turn mowers. Come in and demo any model. All equipment is sold set-up, serviced, and ready to take home to get you started on your home or commercial landscape project. Products are not sold in a box, they’re assembled by Killians’ highly-qualified warehouse staff. The staff also educates you on proper use and maintenance so your equipment will last. Killians offers drive-thru service for your yearly maintenance. Call and make an appointment to service your mower, and enjoy a coffee or bag of popcorn while you wait.

Warehouse Department–Chuck Lindsay and Brent Townsend, setting up and servicing a mower before it is sold

This year, Sharon plans to take a step-back from the various day-to-day operations while still staying involved with the company and continuing to serve on industry boards. As Killians moves forward into the next decade, their values remain the same. Keeping the traditions of generations past and adding new technology gives Killians’ customers the best of both worlds. Great products and services, knowledgeable team members, staying at the forefront of the industry, and giving back to their community are the cornerstones that have made Killians successful. These time-proven values will ensure their future success. As a landmark in our area for 70 years, Killians is committed to improving and enhancing the areas that have served them and their valued customers so well, while continuing to meet the demands of the times and servicing their existing and new customers for the next 70 years!

828-256-2147

3790 Springs Road • Hickory

Hours: M-F 7:30 - 5:30 • Sat 7:30 - 2:00

www.killiansinc.com

www.toro.com

Photos:

• Parts Department–Rigo Gasca, Joseph Wakefield, and Howard Mourglea. Killians has the largest parts inventory in the Southeast, and these gentlemen are always ready to help you find what you need to get your equipment running properly.

• Technician, James Westbrook, repairing a carburetor.

• John Valencia, Hardware Manager, keeps his department tidy and well stocked and is always available to help customers find exactly what they’re looking for.

Featuring one of our Best of the Foothills Winners Oz’s Jewelers has won Best Jewelry Store three years in a row!

Since Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year for marriage proposals, featuring Oz’s Jewelers this month is more than fitting. They have been voted the best jewelry store in Hickory Living’s Best of the Foothills Readers’ Choice Awards three years in a row for good reason.

Oz and Brenda Hefner started the business 40 years ago doing jewelry repair. The couple has grown the business to become a Hickory destination for those looking to find the perfect gift for someone they love. From engagement rings to something special for Valentine’s Day, Oz’s has a great selection of rings, fine stones, and settings to choose from as well as wedding bands. Whether you want something traditional, contemporary, or looking for vintage estate jewelry — or maybe you want a unique one-of-a-kind design — Oz’s Jewelers is where you want to shop!

What if you’ve already proposed and are just looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? They have lots of options from bracelets, charms, and casual rings to pendants and earrings. I would suggest a gift from Oz’s personally designed line, the Steal Her Heart Collection. In every piece you’ll find Oz’s heart design. Anything from this collection would make a lovely gift that will be treasured for years to come.

This Valentine’s Day stop by Oz’s Jewelers to let their team help you choose the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. When you get to know Oz and Brenda, you’ll discover that the quality and beauty of their jewelry, the integrity of the entire team, and the value you receive with each purchase or repair will confirm that Oz’s should be your family’s jeweler.

Photos: Above–You will find beautiful engagement rings and wedding bands in all sizes and cuts at Oz’s Jewelers.

Left–Oz and Brenda Hefner, owners of Oz’s Jewelers

Located at: 1839 12th Ave NE Hickory, NC 28601 (828) 328-5565

ozsjewelers.com

©iStockphoto.com | Prostock-Studio

Tips For Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Over time, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease. Speak to your doctor about how to monitor your blood pressure at home and schedule regular check-ups. Here are some things you can do to help lower your blood pressure.

Lose Weight

If you are overweight, losing pounds can translate to lower blood pressure, especially losing inches around your waist.

Eat Healthy

The DASH diet is a good place to start and is designed to reduce hypertension. It limits fatty meats, full-fat dairy, sugary beverages, sweets and, of course, sodium. On this diet, you can eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low fat dairy, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and seeds, and vegetable oils. Keeping your sodium around 1500 mg per day and no more than 2300 mg is a good number to reach.

Exercise

30 minutes of moderate exercise a day is a good place to start whether it’s walking, jogging, or dancing. It’s also good to do strength training a few times a week.

Limit Alcohol

Women should drink no more than one alcoholic beverage per day and men should drink no more than two. One beverage is 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. If you don’t drink, don’t start.

Quit Smoking

Smoking raises blood pressure. Don’t just cut back...quit.

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Taking long naps during the day can disrupt your nightly sleep schedule. Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time. You need about six to eight hours of good sleep each night.

Reduce Stress

Long-term stress can cause high blood pressure. Figure out what stresses you out and find ways to work around it. Take time to relax, breathe, and do something you enjoy.

What’s Cooking?

Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of the food blog, The Tasty Bits. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.

A Twist to Traditional Pasta Sauce

There is something truly special about a slow-cooked hearty Ragu sauce. It’s the perfect meal for a chilly winter evening, and the flavors that develop while it simmers away all day are truly worth the wait.

A traditional Italian Ragu sauce includes a mix of beef and pork. But if you want to make this sauce truly special, use only the best ingredients. I suggest:

Sensational Slow Cooked Ragu

Servings: 8-10 • Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 7-8 hours

INGREDIENTS

4-5 lbs. bone-in beef, short ribs

4 oz. diced pancetta (or 3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped)

1-1/4 cups dry red wine, such as Sangiovese

1/2 cup low sodium beef broth

2 28 oz. cans crushed San Marzano tomatoes

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

1 yellow onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 ribs celery, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

2 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 Tbsp. dried thyme

1 Tbsp. fresh chopped sage, or 1 tsp. dried sage

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 stick (8 Tbsp.) butter - divided

1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, save the rind

1 lb. dry pappardelle or tagliatelle pasta

INSTRUCTIONS

Beef short ribs – Since the meat is still on the bone when you cook it, it brings so much more flavor than ground beef.

Pancetta – If you are not familiar with this ingredient, pancetta is like diced bacon but with Italian spices.

San Marzano crushed tomatoes – San Marzano is a region in Italy, and the plum tomatoes grown there have less seeds and less acidity than other tomatoes. They are in the canned tomato aisle in most groceries, you just have to look for them.

When you use these ingredients, you will have a sauce that is delicious today, and even better tomorrow!

Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain off all but 1 tablespoon. Add the short ribs and sear 2 minutes on both sides. Remove the ribs and transfer to the slow cooker along with the pancetta.

To the slow cooker, add the parmesan rind, wine, broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, thyme, sage, red pepper flakes and 4 tablespoons butter. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Once done cooking, skim off any fat floating on the top of the sauce before removing the short ribs to a plate. Shred meat with two forks, and discard the bones and the parmesan rind from the sauce. Mix the shredded meat and shredded parmesan into the sauce. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and toss the pasta with 4 tablespoons butter.

Add 4-5 cups of sauce to the buttered noodles and toss well before serving with additional parmesan and crusty bread. Enjoy!