Category Archives: Spotlight

The MESH

Local leader Alan Jackson, of Jackson Group Interactive, noticed one day that he no longer flipped through the television channels, or scanned radio stations. Increasingly, he has chosen his own entertainment venues, through Apple TV, Podcasts, Netflix, and the internet in general. This got him thinking.

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Rock Barn Spa

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle it is important to have escapes. For the Catawba Valley Region one of those escapes is Rock Barn Spa.

Nestled in the hills of Rock Barn Country Club’s famous 36-hole golf course, Rock Barn Spa often gets overlooked because of the club’s rich golf history and high-profile events like the annual PGA Tour sponsored Greater Hickory Classic. Those who do discover this local favorite are never disappointed. This is where both club members and locals go to receive their “stress reducing, beauty enhancing and mind relaxing” services.

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Strictly Clean and Decent

Strictly Clean and Decent is an acoustic trio which features Patrick Crouch, Ron Shuffler, and Kay Crouch whose blend of stellar vocal harmonies tops a solid instrumental foundation. They love to  perform a variety of musical styles in an acoustic setting, of course, always keeping it Clean and Decent. Their eclectic repertoire includes “Modern folk songs by American, Canadian, and Irish songwriters. Add to this swing, jazz, and a handful of classic country songs.

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Hickory Museum of Art

Our region has always had a strong arts base, and a large part of that can be contributed to the Hickory Museum of Art, which opened its doors in 1944. That makes it the second oldest art museum in the state with a rich history. The museum was started by Paul Whitener.

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Hickory Community Theatre

The Hickory Community Theatre has always been a vital part of our region’s arts community. The first performance was set for May 24, 1949, and the theatre was called “The Hickory Little Theatre”. Since then, the theatre has been providing the region with a steady diet of quality theatre. The theatre has always been located in Hickory’s Old City Hall, with a major renovation happening in 1984.

The Hickory Community Theatre focuses on producing very high quality live shows. Each season includes some classics, and some brand new, hot from Broadway plays. There are plays produced for the younger crowd, called “Rug Bug Plays”, and plays for the senior set, called “Encore Players”.  A season consists of about 15 different plays and at least 3 special events.  The Hickory Community Theatre often pushes the boundaries, challenging the audience.

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Hickory Crawdads

Hickory is a baseball town. The region is home to several youth teams, CVCC’s Junior College team and the Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball team, but at the top of this baseball ladder is the area’s Minor League Team: The Hickory Crawdads.

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Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace

The Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace is a much needed refuge in this age. Opening on May 27th, the Center exists to promote civility, understanding and peace through the arts and education. They are located on Union Square in Downtown Hickory, and strive to deepen the rich artistic community in our region. The Center, a nonprofit organization,  will host art events, from musical performances to exhibitions of local and international artists.

Michael Barrick says “We live in a time of discord and incivility in which we seem to be screaming and bullying each other. None of the traditional outlets (politics, churches, etc.) are adjusting and addressing this issue. Traditional sources are not solving the problems. We believe a grass-roots approach is necessary. People are getting sick of violence and war, and they want to turn it around.

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Downtown Hickory Farmers Market

It’s that time of year again! Fresh fruits and vegetables abound at the Downtown Hickory Farmers Market. They are open, in their new location each Saturday morning, from 8 to 1, and every Wednesday from noon to 5:30. This year, they are located in Union Square, in Downtown Hickory. The Conover Farmers Market is also open each Saturday from 7:30 to Noon, in their new location by the Conover Post Office.

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The Green Room Community Theatre-A Bright Spot in Newton, North Carolina

The Green Room Community Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the quality of life in Catawba County and surrounding communities through the preservation and growth of the dramatic arts.
The organization is highly reliant on volunteers, and is run by a small staff and a Board of Directors. It is an annually funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.

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Abingdon Glen Village

Abingdon Glen is Catawba County’s only Active Adult Community. It is a housing development designed for people aged 55 and older. It’s a gated town-home community with completely barrier free construction. This means there are no steps anywhere in the community, all the doorways are wide, and there are wheelchair accessible pathways around the campus. Subtle changes make a big difference to an aging community.

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