Winery to introduce champagne house

Crown Valley Winery of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., will introduce the first champagne house in the Midwest with a grand opening Feb. 17. The state-of-the-art facility in Farmington, Mo., will produce Crown Valley's sparkling wine using two fermentation processes and will feature tours, a gift shop and a deli.

Healthy Start hands out volunteer award

The Missouri Bootheel Healthy Start's annual volunteer appreciation program was held recently in New Madrid, Mo. More than 150 people attended the event, which recognized the efforts of more than 200 community volunteers from Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Scott counties. The Beverly Pipenbrock Health Professional Provider Award was given to Bobbi Morris for volunteering her time and services to the organization and its programs. Morris was also praised for her work in implementing Southeast Missouri State University's SHOW Mobile, a mobile health clinic.

Firm named elite agency for workers' comp

W.E. Walker-Lakenan LLC recently earned the designation of Elite Signature Partner with Missouri Employers Mutual, the state's No. 1 provider of workers' compensation insurance. The designation recognizes the agency for its partnership during 2006 and can be renewed each year based on continued success. MEM's Signature Partners program, new for 2006-2007, recognized agencies based upon criteria for excellence with one of three designations: Preferred, Premier and Elite, the highest tier. W.E. Walker-Lakenan, LLC is one of the 10 agencies in the state of Missouri to obtain the Elite designation. Based in Columbia, Mo., the company has locations in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Benton, Mo.

Local AT&T agency tops its quota

Automation Services Co. Inc. of Cape Girardeau achieved 110 percent of its AT&T agency quota for 2006. Automation Services was the top AT&T agent in the St. Louis market for 2005 and 2006. The AT&T team at ASC, led by Jim Bauer, provides business solutions for voice, Internet and networking.

Goodman Distribution opens Cape site

Goodman Distribution Inc., a wholesaler of air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, air handlers, evaporator coils, flexible ducts and other heating and cooling products, has opened a showroom and warehouse in Cape Girardeau. The facility opened its doors Jan. 15 in the 26,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Cape Shoe Co. at West End Boulevard and Southern Expressway. Local commercial broker Tom Kelsey facilitated the deal. Five people are employed at the facility after transferring from Goodman's now-closed facility in Sikeston, manager Don Taylor said. Goodman Distribution has nearly 700 locations nationwide.

-- From staff reports