Dr. Lonnie Lassiter, owner of Tryon Family Physicians in Columbus and a bluegrass music fan, has purchased Pinecastle Records.

In early February 2010, Pinecastle, one of the leading bluegrass recording companies, closed its doors in Columbus because of an unfortunate series of events. Owner Col. Tom Riggs began to have serious health issues.

The Riggs family made the decision to close the label and focus on the colonels health. Artists were caught in limbo and their product was quickly going out of print. A prominent player in the bluegrass industry suddenly went silent.

When Lassiter, a physician, entrepreneur, lover of bluegrass music, and friend of the Riggs family, heard of Pinecastle closing, he immediately began taking the steps that would ultimately lead to him purchasing the label from the Riggs family. &bsp;

As of August 1, 2010, Dr. Lassiter took ownership of the company. &bsp;

His first decision was to tap two of the companys former executives, both with around five years of experience with the previous company, to head up the new venture. Ethan Burkhardt was named the companys vice president of operations and Matt Hood its vice president of public relations.

Cort Riggs, the son of Col. Tom Riggs, sent the following message to staff, and recording artists:

Many of you may have met Lonnie at festivals or the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) convention with my father and the staff of Pinecastle.&bsp; He is a fan of our music and plans to continue to expand the catalog with new releases and exciting compilations of the vast Pinecastle catalog. In what I feel is a solid vote of confidence, several of the Pinecastle staff have signed on to help Lonnie grow the label. I am thrilled to see the label in capable hands and look forward to the great music to come!

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Keller Williams Mountain Partners has been nationally recognized as&bsp; Best in Home Buyer Satisfaction by J.D. Power & Associates for the third year in a row. Keller Williams Realty is the third largest real estate company in the United States, and Keller Williams Mountain Partners is the #1 Real Estate Company in units sold in Henderson County this year. The company also handles some listings in Polk County.

The satisfaction rating was based on the buyers experience with their agent, the real estate office and a variety of additional services. Additionally, the study noted that the importance of real estate agents has increased substantially in the past year, with buyers and sellers relying on the negotiating skills of their chosen agent and their help in navigating the market.

Keller Williams Mountain Partners has more than 90 licensed real estate agents serving in Henderson County, located at 404 S Main Street, Hendersonville.

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William M. Bill Yonce of the Carolina Auction Team Inc. was inducted into the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Hall of Fame during the associations 61st International conference in Greensboro, N.C. recently.

Yonce is a member of the S.C. Auctioneers Hall of Fame, former president of the National Auction Marketing Institute, former chairman of the S.C. Auctioneers Commission and served on the NAA board of directors.

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Pardee Pavilion Adult Day Health Services is hosting a free educational presentation on Alzheimers disease and memory loss on Monday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. until noon.

The presentation, entitled Questions about Memory Loss, will be held at the Pardee Pavilion located at 114 College Dr. in Flat Rock, adjacent to Blue Ridge Community College.&bsp; Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required by calling (828) 697-7070. &bsp;

Participants will learn about Alzheimers disease and related causes of memory loss and community resources for families affected by memory loss.&bsp; This event is provided by, the Alzheimers Association (Mountain Regional office), Land-of-Sky Regional Councils Family Caregiver Support program, and Pardee Pavilion Adult Day Health Services.

Pardee Pavilion Adult Day Health Services provides quality day services for adults who cannot or should not stay home alone during the day because of physical or mental impairments and the frailties associated with aging. Adults at the Pavilion participate in activities, take day trips and remain active in the community. Call 1-866-790-WELL today for more information.