Staffing company acquired by national firmBy Jessica SeamanCorrespondent

Last June, Ablest Inc. became a nationwide company when it was acquired by !e Select Fam-ily of Sta"ng Companies.

Select Sta"ng will be the new name for 44 of the Ablest Inc. o"ces. With the acquisition of Ablest Inc. comes a better screen-ing process, more competitive pricing, more o"ces and more resources.

Ablest Inc. was established in 1978 by C.H. Heist Corp and provides its clients with sta"ng solutions, managed services, and vendor-on-premise programs. !e sta"ng solutions that Ablest Sta"ng Services and Ablest Technology Services provided its clients with were clerical, indus-

trial, and information technology personnel.

With Select acquiring Ablest Inc., the local o"ce will be “in-creasing our presence throughout the East and Southeast while strengthening our ability to pro-vide our customers with national solutions and a wider service of-fering,” said Steve Sorenson, CEO. “We have set aggressive goals and the addition of Ablest will help us accelerate our growth.”

Select was founded in Santa Barbara, California in 1985 and is one of the nation’s fastest-grow-ing, full-service sta"ng compa-nies. !e local o"ce is managed by Melissa White.

Nursing center changes name

Surry Community Nursing Center has changed its name to Golden Living Center-Surry Community so that the name reflects its objective of providing

improved services. !e company celebrated the change with a new sign last week at its site at 542 Allred Mill Road.

“Our vision is to become a long-term care organization that is all about living — a place that is focused on enriching the lives of our residents, and providing them with dignity and purpose.” said Julie Braswell the Director of Nursing Services.

Since 1979, the facility has provided health care for up to 120 residents, including those that need skilled nursing and re-habilitative care.

Golden Living Center — Surry Community will continue to maintain its commitment to the residents, employees and to the community, Braswell said, “Providing quality care in a safe environment will continue to be our number one priority and a responsibility we take very seri-ously.”

By Brook R. Corwnbrook@surrymessenger.com

!e opportunity to meet travel-ers from around the world is what attracted Robin and !urman Hester to open a bed and breakfast in Mount Airy. One year later, the impression made on those guests are reaping an extra reward.

Overwhelmingly positive reviews by visitors have propelled the So-botta Manor near downtown to a top ten ranking from the nation’s largest bed and breakfast website.

!e rankings are compiled by www.bedandbreakfast.com, which lists more then 6,000 di#erent B&Bs across the country. Sobotta was the only North Carolina B&B to make this year’s list.

!at news came as a “shock” to Robin Hester, who said Monday that just opening a B&B fulfilled a lifelong dream. With a mother and grandfather both accomplished chefs, Hester grew up learning and how to cook and loving every min-ute. Her career as a commercial real estate manager gave her the chance to travel and stay at B&Bs fre-quently, which solidified a passion in opening one herself.

“You really got to know the own-ers and they always seemed so happy with what they did,” she said.

!e Hesters, Florida na-tives, came about Mount Airy “by accident” during one of many excursions up to the Blue Ridge Parkway after the furniture market in High Point. !ey later pur-chased two homes as poten-tial B&B sites in Virginia, but didn’t decide to refur-bish one for that purpose until they came across the manor on Pine Street.

!urman Hester said the first time they saw the old Sobotta Manor, they imme-diately jumped on the o#er, even with a long trip back to Florida looming. !e paper-work was signed almost im-mediately after.

“We stayed here and looked at it for four hours,” he said. “It had everything you need for a bed and breakfast.”

!at started a two-year journey of painting, rewiring and decorating to prepare the old manor for guests. !e building was structurally sound and the Hesters didn’t want to knock out any walls, thus renovating the electricity and utilities proved a lengthy task. Paula Gray, an artist from Patrick Springs Va., helped with design and paint finishes. !e Hesters, meanwhile, searched furniture and antique shops for items to fill the living room and five bedrooms.

“It was 18 months of shopping, which is not a sad thing for any woman,” Robin Hester said. “But now I can’t stop, and I don’t have any places to put it.”

!e result is four guest bedrooms — each with its own bathroom — with its own design and paint finish. !ere are also two separate dining rooms and gardens in the back. !e soft lighting and ambiance of the liv-ing room is contrasted by the lively presence of the manor’s two canine “mascots,” bijons Cher and Clayton.

About a year ago, the house was opened to guests. !e quality and quantity of their reviews posted on www.bedandbreakfast.com is what gave the manor its national rank-ing. !ose reviews are posted on the site.

“Clearly Sobotta Manor Bed and Breakfast earned high marks from reviewers for their fine accommoda-tions, romantic amenities, and won-derful hospitality and service,” said Sandy Soule, editor of the site.

!e visitors come from a wide range of locales stretching from Germany to England to the United Arab Emirates. About 500 arrived during the first six months and the Hesters estimate that the following six-month period eclipsed that. !e four guest bedrooms at the house are booked full for every weekend until November.

More than 90 percent of guests arrive to see local wineries in Surry and Yadkin counties. After fre-quently renting limousines for guided tours, the Hesters purchased their own last week to lead visitors through the Yadkin Valley wine country.

“You spend more time with peo-ple on those tours and get to know them better,” Robin Hester said. “We didn’t know people would keep asking for it, but they have.”

!e house has also served as the destination for bridal showers, a cor-porate retreat, wedding receptions and a visit from David Sobotta, son of the home’s original owner.

Meeting such a variety of people has paid o# in more ways than one for the Hesters. !e guests have not only submitted the positive reviews, they o#ered their own accommoda-tions to return the hosting favor.

“We’ve made so many new

friends,” Hester said. “Everywhere we go, we have some new friends we can stay with.”

Have an idea for our business page? Call Brook at 719-0040 or e-mail brook@surrymessenger.com

The Messenger, Tuesday, September 25, 2007 — Page 3

High rankings

Bed and breakfast earns top mention

Brook R. Corwin/The MessengerRibbon cuttingMount Airy Mayor Jack Loftis cuts the ribbon Saturday morning on “Boyd’s Super Duper Teddy Bear Factory” Saturday at “Beary” Country off of N.C. 89. The factory is located inside the speciality store, allowing customers to “birth” their own bears, including the chance to stuff, dress and name the furry friend. The ceremony also celebrated “Beary” Country’s 20th anniversary. Pictured are owners David and Rhonda Collins, Store Manager Melissa Wyatt, Boyd’s CEO Bob Coccoluto and Dave Miller, the vice president of marketing for Boyd’s.

Business Bulletin

Brook R. Corwin/The MessengerThe manor includes four guest bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, along with an elegant living room.

Robin and Thurman Hester opened Sobotta Manor Bed & Breakfast a year ago and have since greeted guests from around the world.

In addition to the main dining area, the manor has a second dining room for smaller groups.

“

”

It was 18 months of shopping, which is not a sad thing for any woman.

—Robin Hester

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