Hart Square Village, a collection of restored 19th century log cabins from all over the county, is the site of one of the best-attended one-day festivals in Catawba County. What is it that makes Hart Square so special? We asked Rebecca Anne Hart, executive director of Hart Square Foundation, to fill us in. What is Hart Square Village, and what… View More
making living better
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“Five Questions” is a series of Q&As with local leaders and visionaries who are actively Making. Living. Better. in Catawba County. This month we're talking to Jon Carfagno, executive director of the Hickory Museum of Art. What are the chief responsibilities of your role? One of the things that I love best about my job is that it affords… View More
Why drive to the mountains when you can experience all the beauty of fall right in our own backyard? Catawba County's own Lori Owenby, Mountain Creek Park superintendent and a longtime Riverbend Park ranger, has penned a great post about exploring Riverbend Park in the fall entitled "Ranger Days: Autumn Leaves." Check it out - along with posts about other amazing things to do in our community - on the… View More
“Five Questions” is a series of Q&As with local leaders and visionaries who are actively Making. Living. Better. in Catawba County. We’re kicking things off with Mark Bumgarner, executive director of the Catawba County United Way. What are the chief responsibilities of your role? I have the best job ever! I… View More
"I'm where I am today because of the people around me. That is a community." Meet Kevin Lyford – Catawba County paramedic, EMS program director and instructor at Catawba Valley Community College, and co-owner of CrossFit Catawba Valley. He’s not just one of the busiest guys we know – he’s also one of our Featured… View More
The Story of the Newton Mural Catawba County is known as a vibrant arts center, and nothing demonstrates that more than the amazing murals that keep popping up all over the community. We asked Anne Jordan, chair of the Newton Public Art Commission and former Newton mayor, to give us the backstory on the new mural now taking center stage in Downtown… View More
Earlier this month we were invited to meet this year’s participants in Leadership Catawba, an 8-month leadership development and community engagement initiative led by The Chamber of Catawba County. As we talked about “telling your community story,” we asked participants to share what they love most about living or working in Catawba County. Here’s what… View More
This month’s “Five Questions” features Dedra Flournoy, CEO of Thrive Forward Collective, who currently chairs The Chamber of Catawba County board of directors. We asked Dedra to share her insights about her role with The Chamber and her vision for our local business community. What are the chief… View More
As many families prepare special meals for Thanksgiving this week, we’re giving thanks for Meals on Wheels of Catawba County. For nearly 50 years, Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals to homebound seniors across our community. We asked Michele Francois, who oversees the program on behalf of Catawba County Social Services’ Senior Nutrition Services division, to share more about the work of the organization and its many… View More
He was hitchhiking in El Salvador while on a Peace Corps mission, and she was riding in the back of her cousin’s pickup truck. This chance encounter led to the perfect match (and another stint with the Peace Corps, this time together!) of Soraya and George Place - two highly engaged individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping others in the most interesting and adventurous ways. This power couple is now making a… View More