Now Open

The newest Oreck Clean Home Center is in Mooresville at the corner of Highway 150 and Williamson Road (between Starbucks and Panera Bread), adding to their more than 450 Oreck Clean Home Centers coast to coast. Managed by Cathy Thiel, the center repairs all brands of vacuum cleaners and floor machines. www.oreckstore.com/carolinas.

Zootastic Park is coming to Troutman, bringing a new zoo to the area in spring 2010. The facility is kicking off with a Christmas Wonderland of Lights, a two-mile drive giving views of over 1 million lights, followed by petting zoos, an old-fashioned candy shop, pony rides, Santa Claus and more. Runs through New Year’s Day, seven days a week from 6-10 p.m. $5 per person or $20 per car. Take Exit 42 off Interstate 77, turn left, make a right on Ostwalt Amity Road, then travel one mile to Zootastic Park on the Left. 888-ZOO-0069 or 704-245-6446. info@zootasticpark.com; www.zootasticpark.com.

Visual artist Diane Pike, known for her landscapes, has relocated from Boulder, Colo., to Denver and is holding an open studio event Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at 2004 Hickory Hills Drive in Denver. Refreshments offered. www.dianepike.com.

Kevin Cole of Kevin Cole Photography and Angie Benton, a yoga instructor and owner of Divine Shanti Yoga, teamed up to launch Get Your Pants On!, an inspirational clothing line including T-shirts available in 24 different designs. A portion of proceeds benefit local charities including Levine Children’s Hospital and the Hope House Foundation. www.GetYourPantsOn.com, info@GetYourPantsOn.com or 704-464-6625.

Acquisition

Cornelius-based Aquesta Bank has acquired Oswald, Trippe and Company of the Carolinas, Inc., a full-service insurance agency, for an undisclosed sum. Aquesta will rename the agency Aquesta Insurance Services, Inc., and will retain general manager Denis Bilodeau as president. The company will retain the agency’s locations and affiliates, which include The Lake Agency of Cornelius, BMC Insurance Company of Denver, Kannapolis Insurance Agency and Glasgow Hicks Insurance Agency in Wilmington. 704-439-4343 or www.aquesta.com.

People News

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center has welcomed orthopedic spine surgeon Ben Garrido to its medical staff. Dr. Garrido joins Dr. Ken Wood in practice at Lake Norman Orthopedic Spine Center at 170 Medical Park Road, Suite 102, Mooresville. More info: 704-660-4750.

Awards

Terrell Camping Center Inc. was named one of RV Business magazine’s Top 50 RV Dealers in North America. The center is at 7995 Hwy. 150 in Terrell. www.RVBusiness.com.

The skilled nursing facility at Iredell Memorial recently received an overall quality rating of five stars from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The facility is the only one within 30 miles of Statesville to receive the highest ranking possible. www.iredellmemorial.org.

Compiled by Leigh Dyer. Got business news? E-mail updates to lnmag@lakenormanmagazine.com.