Ken Sevensky carried his three-year-old son Curtis on stage with him after a comical introduction by WKSK owner Jan Caddell and smiled big as his business, Gum Ridge Mill and Flying Pig Furniture, was named the 2010 Ashe County Small Business of the Year at a luncheon hosted by the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, March 16.

Evensky, who opened Gum Ridge Mill in Fleetwood in 2000, said it was "an honor to be recognized by this community and by these business leaders." He later added that Ashe County is "home" and that "we've got to make our community a better place if we can."

Bob Washburn, chairman of the Chamber's member services committee, said that it was a "hard decision" to select a business for the award because they "had a number of good nominations."

Washburn said that Gum Ridge Mill was chosen because "they give back to the community in so many different ways." In addition to Gum Ridge Mill, a company that creates furniture and interiors with reclaimed wood, Sevensky also organizes the annual Blue Ridge Relay relay race that has been bringing hundreds, even thousands, of people through Ashe County since it was first held in 2005. Proceeds from the Relay are given to local non-profit organizations like the Ashe and Watauga County chapters of Habitat for Humanity.

Caddell, who won the 2009 award with WKSK, presented the award to Sevensky after delivering a short speech that earned many laughs from the audience. Candidates for the award are judged on the following criteria: being a chamber member of good standing; having fewer than 25 employees; having been in business for no less than three years; providing a quality product and practicing excellent customer service; and enhancing the community and contributing to the quality of life in Ashe County.

Ashe County Schools Superintendent Travis Reeves delivered the keynote speech at the event, asking everyone present to "accept the challenges of climbing higher." He noted that it is important for the schools to be connected to the local business world and asked for businesses to let the schools know what local industries need in future workers.

"We must acknowledge that education and the world around us are changing," said Reeves, "and we have to adapt quickly."

After the award presentation, the Chamber took a moment to introduce the 2010 Ashe County Visitor and Business Guide. The full color, 88-page guide provides information about local attractions, lodging and restaurants. The guide also got a bigger circulation this year as 35,000 copies were printed - up from 25,000 in 2009. Part of the increase was due to the NorthWest North Carolina Visitor Center that opened in Wilkesboro in October 2009 and has distributed thousands of copies of the guides in the last five months.

To find out more about Gum Ridge Mill and Flying Pig Furniture, click to www.gumridgemill.com. For more information about the new Visitor and Business Guide, contact that Ashe County Chamber of Commerce at (336) 846-9550 or click to www.ashechamber.com.