First State Bank of Chapel Hill celebrates its 75th anniversary

First State Bank of Chapel Hill held its 75th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 28th and hosted several hundred guests. The morning began with a brunch to honor Stockholders and a historical presentation by Chairman of the Board Bob Stammer. Chairman Stammer covered important developments of First State Bank from its founding in 1931 to the present day and included a listing of the original stockholders that formed the bank. Chairman Stammer thanked First State Bank's customers, Stockholders and employees for the many successful years of banking and community service.

Bob Stammer is the third generation of his family to serve the bank following his father, Robert E. Stammer and his grandfather and founder, Walter Stammer. By resolution of the Board of Directors, First State Bank's community room was dedicated and named the Stammer Community Room to honor the service of the Stammer family. Along with Chairman Bob Stammer, Joy Stammer Lewter and Sally Lewter Hobbs currently serve as Directors of First State Bank.

The Culbertson family has also had three generations to serve First State Bank as members of the Board of Directors. Dr. N.H. Culbertson served as a director before his death and currently his son, N.H. Culbertson, Jr. and his grandson, N.H. Culbertson III (Hunter) serve as Directors. A resolution was adopted at the October board meeting to honor the years of faithful service by the Culbertson family.

During the anniversary celebration, President/CEO Mike Moorehead was honored for 25 years of service with First State Bank. Two other long time employees were also recognized: Jean Chrisman with 39 years of service and Connie Howard with 37 years of service.

The Stammer Community Room displayed dozens of statements, memories and pictures shared by long time customers. Many of the customers and employees documented their thoughts and memories on a video which ran throughout the day. Stories were shared by customers that included the bank robbery in 1969, receiving a first loan to buy a house or car and even when the bank first opened in 1931. Many long time customers noted how much banking has changed since 1931.

First State Bank thanked its loyal customers by hosting Customer Appreciation Day in the bank lobby and serving lunch. The festive atmosphere drew in hundreds of long time customers and some new faces as well. Customers were very excited to see the outcome of the month long Winning Key Contest. 75 finalists were chosen throughout the month of October to be eligible for 10 lockboxes full of prizes including the grand prize of $750. Each of the 75 finalists came to the bank and drew for the 10 winning keys that opened the lockboxes. The ten key winners ended weeks of suspense by seeing which lockbox they had won. The prizes were awarded as follows:

$750 Grand Prize Winner

Martha Cook

Louis Blackwell

Margaret Nutt

Jack Logue

Angel Long

Sarah Harris

Ben Piper

1922 Silver Dollar

Mark Hart

Dawn Karpinski

The Rocketeer School Bank also joined in First State Bank's anniversary celebration by giving away a Schwinn bicycle. CHES students with Rocketeer Bank accounts registered throughout the month for the chopper style bike and Brooks Lamb was the lucky winner.

Moorehead said he wanted to thank to all customers for their support and to everyone who visited the bank and shared in the anniversary celebration.