Monday, January 16, 2023

New tools available for propane marketers amid driver shortage - LP Gas magazine

Photo: Urupong/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
At the National Propane Education & Training Conference earlier this year in Dallas, Eric Kuster of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) asked attendees to raise their hands if they were experiencing difficulty finding drivers.
Nearly every hand raised.
The driver shortage affects the entire industry, and propane retailers are searching for ways to combat it while still growing their businesses. Several resources address the issue head-on.
The North Carolina Technical Education Center (NC-TEC) addresses workforce-related issues specific to propane.
Through NC-TEC, students receive the education and training necessary to receive all CETP certifications and obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). NC-TEC partnered with a third-party company that offers CDL training to incoming industry drivers. Through that partnership, students can earn the 80 hours of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-mandated driving required to obtain a CDL. According to Juan Pena, director of education at NC-TEC, the training can be completed in as little as two weeks.
Additionally, the CDL earned through NC-TEC transfers to all 50 states, so students across the country can enroll in the program and work wherever they prefer upon graduation.
“The employee is immediately able to begin their mandated 80 hours of driving, knowing that two weeks later, they’ll be good to be back at the company and working,” says Pena.
GeneratioNext Propane Pros is a job-search website designed to connect prospective industry employees with marketers. Candidates can sign up and apply to various propane companies, filtering by location, job type and more. Students who may not have the experience required to be a licensed professional are able to use the site to find internships and apprenticeships.
Meanwhile, propane retailers can use the site to post job openings for candidates. They can also access a directory of profiles to find potential employees to fill roles at their companies.
In addition to GeneratioNext Propane Pros, Vets2Techs helps marketers hire and train military veterans for open positions. Lpgasjobs.com also connects employers and job seekers.
The National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) Registered Apprenticeship Program includes four pathways: one for propane service technicians and three for drivers. The apprenticeships are competency-based rather than hours-based.
Bobtail driver apprentices must complete 50 core competencies, while utility/service drivers and transport vehicle drivers must complete 44 and 56 core competencies, respectively.
The apprenticeship program is also designed to help marketers retain employees. Mississippi-based Sayle Propane is one of the first retailers to participate as an apprentice sponsor, according to NPGA.
“Sayle Propane is experiencing a very tight labor market in our service area,” says Chuck Clement, director of operations. “Apprenticeship programs have been very successful in comparable industries over the years. We felt like it could help our company set up a formal curriculum to train and develop new employees with little previous experience.”
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June 2022 Photos by LP Gas staff; levkr/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images (sky)
 
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Gardening with Micki: Mums a great autumn flower - Muskogee Daily Phoenix

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Updated: September 26, 2022 @ 7:06 am
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I can’t even think about creating an autumn garden without planting Chrysanthemums. I may be a tad tardy for planting, but mums are one of the most dependable flowers. I always wait before planting to see what new colors mum growers have created. I survey garden catalogs and area garden centers just to see what’s new before planting.
This season I’ve found reds, pinks, purples, blues, yellows, oranges, bronzes, golds and a stunning white. The mums’ colors are as fascinating as a kid’s Crayola box. What I like most about mums is their versatility. One garden source calls them “a sun-loving perennial ranging from single petals to petal packed.”
You can also plant mums anywhere in your garden. Unlike some flowers, which may not like the plants growing beside or near them, mums are truly cordial. They seem to get along well with any kind of flowering neighbor. They are also always dependable, blooming at just the right time, as if on cue, to enhance a late fall garden.
Mums also know how to keep their place in the garden. Some plants seem to like to wander around, invading other plants’ territory. English Ivy is the worst! Mums have better manners. They know how to stay in their own territory. They also have an unusual history. They are native to East Asia, Northern Europe and China. Yet they seem right at home in the United States, especially southern areas.
My favorite garden source, “Gardening Made Easy,” suggests “Plan for autumn color spectaculars by pairing late summer bloomers, shrubs, or crisp white hydrangeas with autumn blooming chrysanthemums. Other perfect companions include Artemesia, Asters, Colchicum, Purple Fall Crocus, Dusty Miller, Flowering Kale, Goldenrod, Lamb’s Ears, Purple Fall Crocus and Sedums in purple or white. You’re creating a colorful festival in your own garden.
Just in case you have a tiny space for fall planting, Better Homes & Gardens offers these tips:
• Save seeds in the ground and enjoy a single patch of flowers.
• Sow several packs of different annuals for a tiny flower meadow.
• Shop for smaller versions of larger plants.
• Not enough ground? Plant in big pots and let flowers — even small veggies — climb a trellis.
For a final touch of color, I sneak in a few pansies. Have fun with fall planting.
Micki J. Shelton is a Muskogee native and master gardener.

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Sunday, January 15, 2023

Amazon Prime Day 2022 must-have electronics and tech deals: Apple, Bose, Sony, GoPro, more - cleveland.com

Beats earbuds have a custom acoustic platform that delivers powerful, balanced sound. (Courtesy of Amazon)
If you’re addicted to the latest technology, Amazon has big tech deals for you during Prime Day 2022, which runs July 12-13. You’ll find plenty of items to enhance your home sound system and feed your need for new electronics. We’ve highlighted sales on sound systems, headphones, speakers and more below with prices that are music to your ears. If you’re not a Prime Member, get a free 30-day trial membership so you can shop Prime Day.
Get theater-like sound that surrounds you with Apple AirPods Max. Great for listening at home or while traveling. (Courtesy of Amazon)
Sony's wireless, portable Bluetooth speaker is an Amazon Choice. (Courtesy of Amazon)
Speakers continue to evolve. If you don’t have the latest, you’re missing out on sound quality. We’ve listed several below.
Prime Day (July 12-13) is Amazon’s annual deeply discounted two-day shopping experience exclusive to Prime members. Amazon Prime is a paid subscription service that gives users access to services and perks. These perks include Prime Day shopping deals, as well as same-, 1- and 2-day delivery of goods throughout the year, as well as streaming music, video, e-books, gaming and grocery shopping services.
Get a free 30-day trial Amazon Prime Membership so you can shop Prime Day
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Best EMBA Jobs: Meet The Artificial Intelligence Expert Who Became A Serial Entrepreneur - BusinessBecause

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Find out how an artificial intelligence expert became a serial entrepreneur—and launched an impact consultancy to fight some of the world’s most pressing challenges
Francisco Palao is the author of three books and has founded a range of tech-led startups
Francisco Palao began his entrepreneurial journey during his undergraduate degree at University of Granada in Spain, when he launched a dating website named BuscarAmigos (Find Friends). 
The experience taught Francisco the power of technology. Though living and studying in Granada, his venture influenced people across the globe—he even spoke with a married couple in Mexico who met through the site. 
Francisco sold BuscarAmigos after three years. In the 20 years since, he’s launched several other tech-led ventures, gained a PhD in artificial intelligence (AI) and enrolled in an Executive MBA (EMBA) program at IE Business School
Today, he is the author of three books and is leading an impact consultancy aiming to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. 
Francisco studied computer science during his bachelor’s degree. After selling BuscarAmigos, he decided to continue his education with a PhD in AI. 
The experience gave Francisco a wealth of highly technical expertise. Graduating in 2010, he quickly launched IActive, an AI-based project management tool helping organizations make key decisions.
Despite success, Francisco again decided to go back to school: “My background was quite technical, I was learning by myself about business, so I felt that I needed to learn more to take my business knowledge to the next level.” 
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Seeking a business degree that would allow him to continue running his 60-person strong company, Francisco looked for a part-time program at a school close to his company headquarters in Granada. 
Despite being an executive program aimed at mid-career professionals, his early entrepreneurial experience helped him secure a place on the Executive MBA program at IE Business School in Madrid. 
Alongside being a practical fit, Francisco felt the school offered a unique environment to continue his journey. “I decided to study at IE because they have this entrepreneurial spirit, they focus a lot on entrepreneurs and startups,” he explains. 
At IE, Francisco studied a range of key concepts that helped develop his business acumen. The curriculum covered a broad spectrum of business industries and functions, with modules ranging from marketing to management. 
Some key modules for Francisco were in subjects like finance, strategy, and organizational behaviour. He was able to channel what he learned in real-time in his role as CEO of IActive. 
“I learned a lot about my startup,” he explains. “We were also working with other companies so I could better understand my clients. I started to understand everything in terms of how they work, their finances, and so on.”
Placed in an ecosystem of entrepreneurs and executives, along with a range of expert professors, Francisco also developed a strong network during the EMBA, many of whom he is still connected with today.
Also key to his later success, the EMBA helped Francisco identify use cases for the AI technology which he’d focused on throughout his academic career. 
“What I learned was that it’s not only about technology, it’s about how to use the technology and how to innovate,” he says. “The key knowledge that I took was understanding what our business is and exploring it in many different industries.” 
Graduating from the EMBA with a firm grounding in business gave Francisco the confidence to take his company to a new level. 
He moved IActive to Silicon Valley—the mecca of the startup world—and set about expanding his business into the US and Latin American markets. At the same time, he began exploring other projects. 
In the following years he was involved in founding a range of projects. They include: a resource teaching fellow entrepreneurs ‘lean startup’ principles; an AI-assisted travel company helping tourists organize trips; and a consulting and professional services firm. 
He served as a mentor in the IE Venture Lab, where students learn how to launch their own startups. He has also written three books—the third of which will launch this month—offering guidance on how to be a transformative and impactful entrepreneur. 
“Basically, [after my EMBA] I have continued as an entrepreneur, but with much more knowledge and a more international approach,” he says. 
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Francisco embarked on a new path. In March 2020, barely a week after lockdowns began sweeping across the globe, he set up ‘The Covid Challenge’, a remote innovation training platform focused on finding innovative solutions. 
After initial success he launched a series of online ‘challenges’ which were attended by a broad spectrum of people from around the world. He named the community that emerged the ‘Purpose Alliance’. 
“I became aware that I can make a positive impact in the world, so that was the point when I decided to launch the community,” he says. “We’re focused on empowering extraordinary people across organizations to create a better world.”  
With a key focus on solving problems through innovation, Francisco says he is channelling much of the knowledge he picked up during his career and on the EMBA. 
“We are basing everything on a new innovation and impact framework that I created which is called Purpose Launchpad, which I actually started working on when I was in the EMBA,” he explains. 
Now, Purpose Alliance is helping to tackle climate issues in the energy industry, improving the quality of healthcare worldwide, and working to create better education systems. 
“We run these challenges to help organizations make a positive impact on the world and on their business.” 
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Saturday, January 14, 2023

This Is the Best Time to Buy These 10 Long-Term Dividend Stocks - Yahoo Finance

In this article, we will be taking a look at 10 long-term dividend stocks to buy right now. To skip our detailed analysis of these stocks and dividend investing, you can go directly to our article This Is the Best Time to Buy These 5 Long-Term Dividend Stocks.
For the long-term, tax-paying investor, strategic investment policies focusing on passive income are the ones that work the best. Investment portfolios including reliable dividend stocks have the potential to deliver strong long-term returns even if the market is unfavorable to most stocks. In addition, the fact that a company is able to consistently pay a dividend, while also raising its payouts year after year, is generally a sign that the company has stronger balance sheets and profitability relative to non-dividend-paying companies.
As a result of the above, stable dividend stocks such as Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) have typically been among the few securities investors never grow tired of. This is because dividends account for over 40% of a company's total return. This has been an observable trend over more than 90 years until 2015, according to a Morgan Stanley publication on dividend investing. These stocks have also historically outperformed their non-dividend-paying counterparts. From 1991 to 2015, dividend stocks outperformed non-dividend-payers, since the former had an average annual return of 9.7% while the latter's average annual return was 4.18%. Additionally, those stocks which consistently raise their yields annually also outperformed the S&P 500 benchmark in 17 out of the 23 years between 1991 and 2015.
A BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund report from this April also showed that in 2022, dividend stocks comprising this fund outperformed the broad S&P 500 over the 12-month period that ended April 30. Additionally, according to a Barron's article published this May, between 1999 and 2019, dividend-payers with higher payout ratios had an annual return of 10.9%, compared to a 6.6% annual return for those companies with low payout ratios.
Photo by Dan Dennis on UnsplashMethodology
We picked strong dividend stocks that also have long-term growth potential. These companies are defensive plays that are positioned to stray strong during the tough economic situation heading towards us in 2023 and beyond. That's why analysts believe now is the right time to pile into these stocks.
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58
Dividend Yield as of November 1: 2.23%
McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is a consumer discretionary company operating in the restaurant business. It operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants in the US and abroad. The company is based in Chicago, Illinois.
On October 20, Jeffrey Bernstein at Barclays reiterated an Overweight rating on McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) shares. The analyst also placed a $270 price target on the stock.
This October, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) beat estimates in the third quarter and rallied in the market. The company's global comparable sales were up by 9.5%, compared to the 5.8% consensus estimate. US comparable sales were also up by 6.1%. According to Valuentum analysts, a compound annual revenue growth rate of 6.2.% can be expected from McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) during the next five years, which is a significantly higher figure than the company's three-year historical compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The company's goal to become 95% franchised in the long run will also help it avoid inflationary pressures and most operating problems.
Bridgewater Associates was the largest stakeholder in McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) in the second quarter, holding 2.1 million shares, worth about $511.4 million. In total, 58 funds were long the stock with a total stake value of $2.7 billion.
McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD), like Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), is among the most reliable dividend stocks in the market today.
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62
Dividend Yield as of November 1: 2.53%
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is a consumer staples company that manufactures and distributes beverages and convenient foods across the globe. The company is based in Purchase, New York. Some of its products include dips, cheese-flavored snacks, and soft drinks under brands such as Pepsi and Quaker Foods.
An Overweight rating was reiterated on shares of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) by Lauren Lieberman at Barclays on October 14. The analyst also raised her price target on the stock from $183 to $185.
The company has raised its dividend consistently for the past 50 years and has a five-year dividend growth rate of 7.39%. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) also commented this October that it is hiking its EPS and revenue forecasts for the year by 2% each. There is also an increase in the forecast for organic revenue growth, bringing it up to 12% compared to the previous 10% guidance. Analysts have a consensus outlook for 7.3% annualized EPS growth for PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) over the next three to five years, based on the company's impressively stable EPS growth in recent years. The company also benefits from its position in a defensive sector, consumer staples. The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF has returned -1.47% over the past 12 months, compared to -16.5% for the S&P 500. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is the second-largest holding in this ETF.
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) was found among the 13F holdings of 62 hedge funds in the second quarter and 60 hedge funds in the previous quarter. Their total stake values were $4.9 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively.
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50
Dividend Yield as of November 1: 2.55%
Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is another consumer staples company on our list, operating through its Oral, Personal and Home Care, and Pet Nutrition segments. The company offers products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, bar, and liquid hand soaps, and more. It is based in New York, US.
Steve Powers at Deutsche Bank holds a Buy rating on shares of  Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) as of October 17. The analyst also placed an $85 price target on the stock.
Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is one of the most stable dividend stocks in the market today, having raised its yield for the past 59 years consistently. This October, the company raised its organic sales growth guidance for 2022 from 5%-7% to 6%-7%. Third Point Investors acquired a large position in  Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) in October, stating that the company is defensive and had significant pricing power in inflationary conditions. It also has specific businesses that are highly profitable, such as Hill's Pet Nutrition business. Hill's has grown organic sales by 11%-12% over the past few years.
The largest stakeholder in Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) in the second quarter was Ayrshire Capital Management, holding 48,328 shares worth $3.4 million. Overall, 50 hedge funds were long the stock, with a total stake value of $2.6 billion.
Third Point, a New York-based investment advisor, mentioned  Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) in its third-quarter 2022 investor letter. Here's what the firm said:
“Third Point recently acquired a significant position in Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL). The investment fits several important criteria in the current investment environment. First, the business is defensive and has significant pricing power in inflationary conditions. Second, there is meaningful hidden value in the company’s Hill’s Pet Nutrition business, which we believe would command a premium multiple if separated from Colgate’s consumer assets. Third, there is a favorable industry backdrop in consumer health, with new entrants via spin-offs and potential for consolidation. Finally, the current valuation is attractive both because earnings growth is poised to inflect higher, and because shareholders are paying very little for the optionality around Hill’s or Colgate’s ability to participate in further consolidation in the consumer health sector.
Colgate has a strong portfolio of brands and operates across four categories that should perform well across most economic conditions: oral care, home care, personal care, and pet nutrition. Although Colgate has delivered organic sales growth of 5-6% over the past few years, earnings growth has been disappointing, and the stock has become a perennial underperformer. Foreign exchange headwinds have pressured reported results. Business reinvestment, supply chain disruption, and inflationary pressures have weighed heavily on margins; those headwinds are now reversing. Stepped up investments in demand generation, product innovation, and digital capabilities are starting to pay off. Global supply chain bottlenecks are easing and product availability on the shelf is improving. And, most importantly, raw material, transportation, and wage pressures are stabilizing, and even reversing in some areas, at the same time additional pricing takes effect. Taken together, the stage is set for Colgate to deliver several years of outsized earnings growth, as sales continue to increase, foreign exchange movements are annualized, and margins finally recover…” (Click here to view the full text)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75
Dividend Yield as of November 1: 2.57%
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) is a consumer discretionary company offering home improvement products. The company sells products such as building materials and lawn and garden products in its retail stores across the US. It is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Citi analyst Steven Zaccone holds a Buy rating on The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) shares as of October 31. The analyst also placed a $340 price target on the stock.
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) has been raising its dividend for the past 12 years in a row, making it a steady dividend-paying stock for income investors. The company's management team has also performed well in the current market environment, raising profits and revenues. The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) had revenue of $82.7 billion in the first half of 2022, which represented a 5.2% increase compared to its revenue in 2021. The company also saw a 4.1% rise in comparable sales during this time.
There were 75 hedge funds long The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) in the second quarter, and 68 hedge funds long the stock in the previous quarter. Their total stake values were $5.6 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively.
Diamond Hill Capital, an investment advisor, mentioned The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) in their second-quarter 2022 investor letter. Here's what the firm said:
“The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) is a high-quality operator in the home improvement industry. Macroeconomic concerns, particularly the rise in mortgage rates, caused the share price to pull back and trade at a greater discount to our estimate of intrinsic value. We believe Home Depot is well positioned to continue gaining share due to its premium real estate locations, strong operations and recent investments in its supply chain. We like Home Depot’s exposure to the professional customer and believe in its ability to take market share in this segment as we believe home improvement spending has the potential to remain resilient in upcoming years.”
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84
Dividend Yield as of November 1: 2.73%
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a healthcare and pharmaceutical company operating worldwide. It offers human and animal health pharmaceutical products. The company is based in Kenilworth, New Jersey.
On October 28, Morgan Stanley's Terrence Flynn reiterated an Equal Weight rating on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) shares, and raised the price target on the stock from $91 to $100.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has raised its yield for the past 11 years without a break and has a five-year dividend growth rate of 9.01%. At the start of 2022, the company offered strong guidance for 2022 with sales at $56.8 billion and earnings at $7.2 per share. Now, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) sees its full-year sales between $58.5 and $59 billion.
Our hedge fund data shows 84 hedge funds long Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in the second quarter, with a total stake value of $5.9 billion. Beech Hill Partners was the largest stakeholder in the company, holding 73,363 shares worth $6.3 million.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), like Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), is a dividend stock many hedge funds and individual investors are eyeing this year.
Click to continue reading and see This Is the Best Time to Buy These 5 Long-Term Dividend Stocks.
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11 Best REIT Stocks To Invest In
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Disclosure: None. This Is the Best Time to Buy These 10 Long-Term Dividend Stocks is originally published on Insider Monkey.
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Shares of Nutrien (NYSE: NTR) took a dive today after the fertilizer company posted weak results on the top and bottom lines and got hit by a slowdown in potash demand. Overall results were strong as the company continued to benefit from higher overall fertilizer prices, but the potash issues weighed on the stock. A reduction in potash purchasing in North America and Brazil led to the weaker-than-expected results as high prices and higher inventory levels from a weather-shortened spring planting season seemed to impact demand for the crop nutrient.
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Thursday was an eventful day for drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA). Not only did the company release its latest set of quarterly earnings, it also reached a settlement in a major lawsuit. Arguably, the more important development is the legal settlement, in which Teva has agreed to pay a total of $523 million to the state of New York.
Fidelity (FIS) is likely to execute share buybacks of around $500 million in the fourth quarter.
Image source: The Motley Fool. Bionano Genomics, Inc (NASDAQ: BNGO)Q3 2022 Earnings CallNov 03, 2022, 4:30 p.m. ETContents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: OperatorGood day, and welcome to the Bionano Genomics third quarter 2022 earnings conference call.
Investment management company First Pacific Advisors recently released its “FPA Crescent Fund” third quarter 2022 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. In the quarter, the fund returned -4.71% compared to a -4.88% return for the S&P 500 Index. In the trailing twelve months, the fund declined 14.68%. However, in the third quarter, the […]

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Opportunities abound in Curacao - Travel Weekly

For travel advisors, the influx of all-inclusive inventory in Curacao presents an opportunity to offer clients something new.
According to Dream Vacations franchise owner Jackie Vernon, who was one of several advisors who attended a Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton fam trip this past September, the island can be a great fit for clients looking for a Caribbean destination that's a bit more "unique and undiscovered" and who are able to embrace the fact that "things may be geared a bit more toward European clientele."
One major draw, Vernon added, is the fact that Curacao sits outside the hurricane belt. (Local tour guides report that the last major hurricane to directly hit Curacao happened in 1877.)
Luann Lamoureax, owner of Dreams Vacations franchise Compass Travel, also said she viewed Curacao as a good option for clients concerned about sargassum, which has continued to be a major issue across other popular vacation destinations, including Mexico.
"Because Curacao is so far south, there is no sargassum," said Lamoureaux. 
Additionally, when posting about the fam on social media, Lamoureaux reported that the content she shared piqued more curiosity than usual. 
"I got a lot more feedback that went beyond [comments like], 'That looks fun,'" said Lamoureaux. "Instead, I got more questions about where I was, and what it's like here." 
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Friday, January 13, 2023

Johnston leads American Home Furnishings Alliance | News ... - Wilkes Journal Patriot

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Joseph “Joe” Johnston

Joseph “Joe” Johnston
A Wilkes County native and resident with a strong family history in the furniture manufacturing industry has been elected to lead the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA).
Joseph “Joe” Johnston, CEO and owner of Johnston Casuals Furniture in North Wilkesboro, was elected 2023 chair of the AHFA Board of Directors during the organization’s Annual Meeting and CEO Conference in Sea Island, Ga., Nov. 3-6.
The alliance acts as the voice of the residential furniture industry on regulatory and other matters impacting the industry. It has a foundation that funds research and educational initiatives aimed at improving management, manufacturing and marketing within the home furnishings industry.
“We just celebrated our 40th Year at Johnston Casuals Furniture. I want to thank the folks who have made their work home with us at Johnston Casuals and American-Drew for the last 95 years,” said Johnston. He added that providing leadership to the AHFA is a way he can give back to the industry.
The AHFA represents public and private companies of all sizes that are responsible for nearly 50% of all home furnishings sold in the United States, stated an alliance press release. Member companies have factories in 23 U.S. states and 17 foreign countries. Residential furniture is a $35 billion segment of the U.S. economy.
With Johnston on the AHFA executive committee are Nathan Cressman of Magnussen Home in Greensboro, first vice chair; and Andy Bray of Vanguard Furniture in Hickory, second vice chair. Roger Bland, president and CEO of Southern Motion in Pontotoc, Miss., remains on the executive committee as immediate past chair.
Johnston has served as president of the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, Wilkes Jaycees, Wilkes Art Gallery and Oakwoods Country Club. He was a member of the North Wilkesboro Board of Commissioners from 2013 to 2019, and currently is on the Wilkes Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors.
Johnston’s grandfather, Andrew “Dick” Johnston, grew up in eastern Wilkes and began factory work in North Wilkesboro at Turner-White Casket Company, where he refined his furniture making skills.
In 1927, Dick Johnston established American Furniture Company along the Yadkin River in downtown North Wilkesboro. It utilized used hardwood timber of northwest North Carolina to build bedroom suites.
In 1957, Dick, Richard Johnston (Joe’s father), Tom Story and Wayne Coffey founded a sister company, Drew Furniture, in North Wilkesboro. The “Cherry Grove Bedroom” national bestselling brand began from this endeavor.
Joe spent summers working at American-Drew in North Wilkesboro while in high school and college and began working there full-time as chair factory production manager after graduating from college in January 1975. At the time of his time of departure in 1980, the chair factory was building up to 1,100 dining chairs daily.
In 1981, Joe and his father began Johnston Casuals Furniture. This company is best known for its hand-crafted, contemporary, metal furniture, as well as its ability to make modifications according to their customers’ needs.
Johnston Casuals, the only remaining furniture manufacturer in Wilkes County, sells barstools, cocktail and end tables, casual dining and accent items made from commercial quality steel. “We make furniture. We make it the old-fashioned way. We make it by hand. Purchasing a piece of Johnston Casuals, though functional, is truly a piece of art,” said Joe.
Joe and his wife, Deborah, live in North Wilkesboro and have three married children and five grandchildren. They are members of First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro. He said that in their spare time, they enjoy hiking and enjoying the fresh air in the Blue Ridge Mountains with friends.
Executives named to new three-year terms on the AHFA Board of Directors include Edward Audi, Stickley Furniture; Mark Franklin, Franklin Furniture; Sean O’Connor, Universal Furniture; Veronica Schnitzius, American Leather; Luke Simpson, Durham Furniture; and Henry Vanderminden IV, Telescope Casual Furniture.
Continuing on the board with terms expiring at the end of 2024 are Steve Elton, Brown Jordan; Fred Henjes, Riverside Furniture; Steve Lehman, Smith Brothers of Berne; Neill Robinson, Legacy Classic | Modern Furniture; and Melinda Whittington, La-Z-Boy Inc.
Board members with terms expiring at the end of 2023 are Caroline Hipple, Norwalk Furniture; Jeremy Hoff, Hooker Furniture; Allan Palecek, Palecek; and Todd Wanek, Ashley Furniture Industries.
Eddie Massood, Massood Logistics, and Andrew Wright, Smith-Leonard, are the 2023 representatives on the board from AHFA’s Solution Partners division.
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Cloudy. High 36F. Winds light and variable.
Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. Winds light and variable.
Sunny skies. High near 45F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 1%
Sunrise: 07:33:49 AM
Sunset: 05:16:24 PM
Humidity: 31%
Wind: S @ 4 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 3%
Sunrise: 07:34:10 AM
Sunset: 05:17:03 PM
Humidity: 62%
Wind: S @ 2 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
Clear. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 6%
Sunrise: 07:34:29 AM
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Humidity: 64%
Wind: SSW @ 3 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
A mostly clear sky. Low 28F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 7%
Sunrise: 07:34:46 AM
Sunset: 05:18:24 PM
Humidity: 68%
Wind: SSW @ 3 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
Clear skies with a few passing clouds. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 24%
Sunrise: 07:35:02 AM
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Humidity: 79%
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Cloudy. Some light rain is likely. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Chance of Rain: 79%
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Humidity: 97%
Wind: SE @ 2 mph
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Periods of rain. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Chance of Rain: 39%
Sunrise: 07:35:27 AM
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Humidity: 76%
Wind: WSW @ 7 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
A few clouds. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable.
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