Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on February 17, 2005 2:09 PM
New company formed
A new company formed from 11 Deans Specialty Foods plants, including the one in Faison, is expected to have sales of more than $700 million this year.
Sam Reed, former president and CEO of Keebler, will lead the new company called Specialty Foods Group. He and other members of the new management team have made a cash investment of $10 million in the specialty unit, representing 1.67 percent ownership of the new business.
This will create a publicly traded private label and regionally branded consumer packaged goods company with about 1,700 employees.
"We are excited by the opportunity to lead this business as an independent company," said Reed. "It is a strong business and offers a unique opportunity for growth. We look forward to working with the talented employees of the Specialty Foods Group to realize the potential of the new company."
Substitute teacher training
Wayne County Public Schools is offering substitute teacher training at its administrative offices on Royall Avenue next month. The two-day training will be held March 23 from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and March 24 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Participants must attend both days.
Registration opens March 1 through the school system's Web site, www.waynecountyschools.org.
Lions pancake day
The Goldsboro Host and Downtown Lions clubs will hold their annual pancake day fund-raiser from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County at 1401 Royall Ave.
All-you-can-eat plates of pancakes, sausages and drinks will be sold for $5. Take-out plates also will be available. Members are selling advance tickets.
An auction of donated items will be conducted at 10 a.m. Baked goods also will be sold. Proceeds will be used to help the sight- and hearing-impaired in Wayne County.
Festival hat wins award
The N.C. Pickle Festival has received the first-place award for its festival hat.
The award was presented during the annual meeting of the N.C. and S.C. Associations of Festivals and Events held Sunday and Monday in Greenville, S.C.
The award-winning hat design reflects the 2004 racing theme with a dill pickle as the driver of a race car. The hat was designed by the art department of Sutton's Sportswear of Billings, Mont. One of the owners, Susie Sutton, is a Mount Olive native.
Attending the event were Julie Beck, festival co-chairman, and Kim Bowers, special events committee chairman.
The festival this year is set for April 22 and 23 at the airport and downtown and on April 23 downtown.