My Catawba County
Scotty Powell vs the Groundhog
Friday, February 2nd is Groundhog’s Day, and we’ll witness the annual tradition of predicting the first day of spring. While we appreciate Phil’s efforts, we thought it might...
View full story
Building a Healthy Community
You may not have heard of the Community Health Assessment (CHA), but the CHA touches and impacts every resident’s life here in some way. To learn more about the CHA and what...
View full story
5Q: Tracy Hall
Our latest 5Q is with someone who gets to play with alligators and stingrays at work. Nope, she’s not the new Crocodile Hunter; she’s Catawba Science Center Executive Director...
View full story
Gratitude for Trails & Parks
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, November is an ideal time to show gratitude. As North Carolina continues to celebrate 2023 as the Year of the Trail, this month we show...
View full story
5Q: Nathan Poovey
This month’s 5Q is with Catawba County’s Senior Resident Superior Court Judge, Nathaniel J. Poovey. When he’s not in the courtroom, Nathan can be found enjoying the outdoors...
View full story
Local Fall Color Forecast
Fall leaves are peaking this week in Catawba County! To find out the best places and times for local leaf peeping, we asked the superintendents for the Catawba County Park...
View full story
Exploring the Catawba Nation
Explore the history of the Catawba Nation at the next Catawba History 101 event hosted by the Historical Association of Catawba County...
View full story
5Q: Hal Row
This month’s 5Q is with the man behind the microphone – WHKY radio’s Hal Row. Host of the ever-popular “First Talk with Hal Row” airing Monday-Friday mornings on WHKY Radio...
View full story
Calling All Green Thumbs!
Have you ever wanted to dig deep into the world of gardening? Then apply to become a Master Gardener through Catawba County Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program...
View full story
Fall-ing in Maiden
Looking for a fun way to celebrate fall? Check out the Town of Maiden’s Fall Festival, an annual event in the center of town designed to help kick-off the season...
View full story
Field Days for Fifth Graders
Every year, the Catawba County Soil & Water Conservation District organizes Environmental Awareness Field Days for fifth graders across the county. The days are packed with...
View full story
Todos Somos América
Centro Latino is offering a fun way for our community to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with Todos Somos América (We Are All America) – a cultural festival taking...
View full story
5Q: Hani Nassar
Our newest 5Q is with someone who has spent several decades giving back to Catawba County: Hani Nassar...
View full story
Race United
As the Catawba County United Way kicks off its annual fundraising campaign, the community can enjoy Race United – a free night of racing at Hickory Motor Speedway combined...
View full story
Little Boxes of Wonder
Little Free Libraries provide a fun and creative community book exchange by enabling people to take a book to enjoy or leave a book to share with others...
View full story
It’s Time for 828 Day!
It’s back-to-school season in Catawba County – which means it’s time for 828 Day, an annual Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) tradition celebrating the new school year....
View full story
LITeracy Trail Round-Up
LITeracy Trails (LIT = literature, information, and technology) offer an innovative, delightful way to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Since children learn to...
View full story
Ridin' the Loblolly Loop
It's the Year of the Trail in NC - so why not explore some trails on two wheels, like this fun mountain bike ride on Mountain Creek Park's Loblolly Loop?...
View full story
5Q: Nat Auten
This month’s 5Q is with Nat Auten, President & CEO of the YMCA of Catawba Valley. Nat’s passion for the community is evident in his commitment to the YMCA organization...
View full story
The Playground That Gives Back
Imagine coming home for the summer after your first year in college and starting a nonprofit that has granted more than $69,000 to public schools in Catawba County and beyond...
View full story
Newcomers to Lifelong Friends
What do you do when you move to a new community and want to meet people? You join Newcomers of Catawba Valley (NCV), a social organization that provides...
View full story
Read Like a Redhawk
Over the past seven years, Catawba Valley Community College has published nearly 125 books under the banner of Redhawk Publications – one of only three literary presses...
View full story
Presenting Our Nation’s Colors
The Fourth of July is all about the red, white and blue – and so is the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, a group of deputies who present our nation’s colors...
View full story
Stoked to Sk8
Local skatepark action gets kicked up a notch when Hickory Skate Jam returns to Stanford Skate Park July 15...
View full story
5Q: Clarissa Starnes
The art of relationships: not exactly what you’d expect to see at an art museum, but if Clarissa Starnes has a say, it’s definitely what you’ll get at the Hickory Museum of...
View full story
Building Houses, Opening Doors
Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley builds and repairs houses for low-income families and individuals in Catawba County. If you dig a little deeper, what you’ll see are the...
View full story
Farmers' Market Roundup
Summertime is a great time to get your local food fix at the many farmers markets now open in Catawba County...
View full story
What Just Happened?!
The Catawba County Street Team recently staged its third ambush to thank someone for Making. Living. Better. in Catawba County...
View full story
Trail Runner's Heaven
Riverbend Park is known as a "trail runner’s heaven" - and this Catawba County Park System trip report in honor of NC's Year of the Trail demonstrates why...
View full story
Teen Empowerment, COA-Style
The Council on Adolescents (COA) is the lead agency in teen education and prevention programs in Catawba County. To learn more, we reached out to COA Executive Director Jordan...
View full story
5Q: Johann Louchez
This month’s 5Q spotlights someone who walks the talk of community building: Johann Louchez. As Foothills Market President and SVP of Truist Bank, Johann helps businesses get...
View full story
Hum, Hum, Hummin' Along
What do you do when you and your friends want to see more live music in your town? You get together and create “the hum,” an outdoor music venue designed to serve not only as...
View full story
Birth of an Arts District
Over the past several years, the Old Lenoir Road area in Hickory has been transforming into a budding arts community known as the OLLE Arts District...
View full story
Celebrating & Supporting Women
Women’s Resource Center is a local nonprofit with services available to all women in Catawba and surrounding counties. The Center’s staff and volunteers work to help women...
View full story
X Marks the Spot
Later this month, TEDxHickory – one of the most uniquely informative and inspiring events in our community – will celebrate its tenth anniversary here in Hickory...
View full story
Whatcha Lookin' At?
In early March, a new mural began to take shape in Downtown Newton’s Yount Park… which reminded us of the many amazing murals that have been popping up all over Catawba County...
View full story
Making Your Way Around MCP
Our North Carolina Year of the Trail adventure continues with the Outer Perimeter Route at Mountain Creek Park...
View full story
5Q: Zackary Cranford
When we learned Zackary Cranford was recently appointed to serve as board president for The Chamber of Catawba County, we thought it was about time to get to know him better...
View full story
Closing the Gap
Centro Latino works to help close the cultural gap between Spanish and non-Spanish speakers in Catawba County...
View full story
Hundred-Plus Harmony
What happens when 100 voices come together to perform a single piece of music? Magic...
View full story
Book Lovers Unite
Read Across America Day is coming up on March 1 – but what about reading across Catawba County?...
View full story
5Q: Dennis Johnson
This month’s 5Q introduces us to Dennis Johnson, president and CEO of Catawba Valley Health System...
View full story
Feeding the Soul
A community’s spirit of compassion can often be seen through its local nonprofits – and their many donors and volunteers – who are working to lend a helping hand...
View full story
A Gathering of Poets
Catawba County is known not just for its arts, but for its artists – including its poets...
View full story
Year of the Trail Starts Here
It's the Year of the Trail in NC, and we invite you to spend it at Catawba County Parks! We're posting monthly trip reports starting with the Bakers Mountain Loop Hike...
View full story
Good Jobs, Great People
For local job seekers, the NCWorks Career Center in Conover is an amazing resource – not just for jobs, but also for a wide variety of career development services...
View full story
5Q: Dr. Philip Greene
This past November, Frye Regional Medical Center named Dr. Philip Greene its new chief executive officer...
View full story
Music to Our Ears
When people say Catawba County has an incredible amount of arts organizations for a community our size, they’re not kidding. We even have a symphony...
View full story
The Other New Year
With a new year stretching before us, we thought it would be a great time to learn about the other New Year celebrated in Catawba County: Hmong New Year....
View full story
Top Stories of 2022
As 2022 comes to a close, the My Catawba County team sincerely thanks the many community members who shared their stories with us on a weekly basis...
View full story
First Day Hikes 1/1/2023
To kick off the new year, the Catawba County Park System will host First Day Hikes on January 1, 2023 at Bakers Mountain Park, Mountain Creek Park and Riverbend Park...
View full story
Adopt a Pup... 'n Play!
What would a shelter dog love almost as much as finding his forever home? Playing with other dogs, of course!...
View full story
Happy Birthday, Catawba County
On December 12, 2022, Catawba County celebrated its 180th birthday...
View full story
This Is How We Roll
The Catawba County Library System offers way more than books on shelves – as evidenced by its award-winning Library to Go, a pop-up library on wheels...
View full story
5Q: Scott Millar
Scott Millar is Catawba County’s veritable economic development Wizard of Oz...
View full story
ICYMI: Microsoft Is Coming
On the list of things to be thankful for in Catawba County: Last week, local officials announced that Microsoft will be investing a minimum of $1B in Catawba County...
View full story
That Holiday Spirit
Holiday season is upon us in Catawba County – and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to attend a local Christmas parade or tree lighting?...
View full story
Veterans Helping Veterans
Foothills Veterans Helping Veterans (FVHV) is a local nonprofit that helps veterans and their families access community resources, such as housing, healthcare and employment...
View full story
Your Desk Vacation Starts Now
Stuck at your desk and longing to get outdoors? As avid park-goers, we can relate – which is why today, we’re bringing our parks to you...
View full story
Best Place for Fall Color
There’s no better place to watch the leaves change than Bakers Mountain Park. Part of the Catawba County Park System, Bakers Mountain is the county’s highest peak – and once...
View full story
Who's Haunting Your House?
Have you ever thought your house might be haunted? That is one of many mysteries our resident genealogy detective, Catawba County Associate Librarian Alex Floyd, loves to help...
View full story
A Legacy of Leaders
Last week, we had the opportunity to host this year’s Leadership Catawba cohort at Mountain Creek Park as part of the program’s “Telling Our Story” month...
View full story
Hummingbird Banding 101
For the past 15 years, Riverbend Park has hosted a hummingbird banding demonstration for the public. This year, we had the chance to get a close-up look at what it's all about...
View full story
5Q: Dana Killian
This month’s 5Q is with Dana Killian, President and CEO of Carolina Caring...
View full story
Movie Buffs Rejoice!
This is the week local movie buffs eagerly await each year: the week of the Footcandle Film Festival...
View full story
Notable Names Coming to Town
Having hosted an incredible roster of authors, poets and playwrights, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Visiting Writers Series has helped put Catawba County on the cultural map...
View full story
A Most Elegant Car Show
Elegance, sophistication and speed: what a European car show brings to mind – and to Hickory, when HMA's Autolawn Party and Euro Classic Car Show returns this weekend....
View full story
5Q: Avery Staley
This month’s 5Q features Avery Staley, J.D., M.A., who joined Lenoir-Rhyne University last year as the university’s inaugural Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion...
View full story
They're at it again...
The Catawba County Street Team recently staged its second ambush to thank someone for Making. Living. Better. in Catawba County: Douglas Locascio (plus video!)...
View full story
Local Tourism is Thriving
The data are in - Catawba County continues to be a great place to visit...
View full story
Teachers Shop for School
Back-to-school shopping isn’t just for kids – it’s also for teachers, especially at local nonprofit Classroom Connections...
View full story
Inside the Sheriff's Office
Have you ever wanted to learn more about public safety and the local justice system? The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office offers a Citizens Academy to help you do just that...
View full story
River the Therapy Dog
Sometimes our idea of what it means to be Making. Living. Better. in Catawba County can take a fun and surprising turn – which is exactly what happened when we met River...
View full story
A Very Cool App
Looking to get a birds-eye view of our great quality of life? Check out the NC Foothills Experience Web App, a dynamic, highly visual map-based digital tool...
View full story
5Q: Lindsay Keisler
This month, The Chamber of Catawba County is celebrating its 50th anniversary – which makes it the perfect time to catch up with Chamber President and CEO Lindsay Keisler...
View full story
Got Diapers?
One of the newest resources available from the Children’s Resource Center is the Our Nest Diaper Pantry, a supplemental diaper supply for families in need...
View full story
Healthy Eating Made Easy
For the past ten years, Catawba County Public Health has operated a farmers market in its parking lot...
View full story
Ambushed!
The Catawba County Street Team recently surprised Jordan Ledford, executive director of the Council on Adolescents, to thank her for Making. Living. Better. in Catawba County...
View full story
More SALT, Please
The SALT Block is a hub for arts in Catawba County - and it's also home to the SALT Block Foundation, which supports local arts in the most unique way...
View full story
Welcome to Mountain Creek Park
Mountain Creek Park, the Catawba County Park System’s newest outdoor destination, will open to the public with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 18...
View full story
Happy Birthday, Bakers!
This month, Bakers Mountain Park (part of the Catawba County Park System) celebrates its 20th birthday – but the history of the site goes back several centuries...
View full story
5Q: Douglas Locascio
This month’s 5Q is with Douglas Locascio, General Manager of the Hickory Crawdads, the High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers in Minor League Baseball’s South Atlantic League...
View full story
Largest Aviation Museum in NC
Did you know that Hickory is home to the largest aviation museum in North Carolina?...
View full story
Most Affordable Metro in U.S.
Hickory, North Carolina ranks among the country’s best places to live and takes the lead as America’s most affordable metro, according to a new report released by U.S. News...
View full story
Meet Our Rangers: Lori Owenby
Meet Superintendent Lori Owenby, who will be leading a team of rangers at Mountain Creek Park when the county's newest outdoor destination opens to the public June 18...
View full story
Folk Art Festival Returns!
A popular tradition is returning to Downtown Newton Saturday, May 14 – the Foothills Folk Art Festival...
View full story
County Parks Artwork Unveiled
Three CVCC students – Stephanie Huitron, Gideon Hart and Maddie Barrymore – created a four-piece artwork series representing the Catawba County Park System...
View full story
Go Sailing in Hickory
The City of Hickory's Sails Original Music Series is returning to downtown Hickory this spring and fall...
View full story
5Q: Vidal Sipe
This month's 5Q is with Newton Police Chief Vidal Sipe...
View full story
Festival Season Has Arrived
The second-annual Catawba Valley Festival of the Arts will be celebrated April 22-24. We asked CVFA Planning Committee Chair Twyla Deese to give us the scoop...
View full story
Meet Our Rangers: Tabitha Hope
Meet Tabitha Hope, who has been playing with pups at St. Stephens Park for the past ten years...
View full story
Foster One, Save Two
Catawba County Animal Services received a grant from Best Friends Animal Society to support their foster program. That got us wondering about what it takes to foster a pet...
View full story
5Q: Ingrid Anna-Lisa Keller
This month’s 5Q is with Ingrid Anna-Lisa Keller, the newly-minted executive director of the United Arts Council of Catawba County...
View full story
We're Getting Social!
Social districts have recently been established in two of our community’s vibrant downtowns, and we were curious to learn more...
View full story
Learning in Two Languages
All three school systems in Catawba County have begun offering dual language immersion programs. What exactly is dual language immersion, and how does it benefit students?...
View full story
Meet Our Rangers:Dwayne Martin
Learn about what it's like to be a ranger at Riverbend Park through the eyes of Superintendent Dwayne Martin...
View full story
Calling All Mountain Bikers!
Our ears perked up when we heard about the Lake Hickory Short Track Mountain Bike Series coming to Lake Hickory Trails this March and April...
View full story
Libraries Are for Lovers
Love is in the air this week… and in case you haven’t noticed lately, there’s lots to love at your local library...
View full story
5Q: Dr. Bryan Taylor
This month’s 5Q (Five Questions) features Dr. Bryan Taylor, who joined Hickory Public Schools as superintendent this past July...
View full story
The "Other" Four-Year Degree
Do you know a high school student who might be interested in getting paid to go to college – with a job already lined up after he or she graduates? If so, read on...
View full story
Meet Our Rangers: John Sutton
Learn more about Bakers Mountain Superintendent John Sutton, who has worked at Bakers Mountain Park for the past 20 years...
View full story
5Q: Mandy Pitts Hildebrand
This month’s 5Q features Mandy Pitts Hildebrand, CEO of the Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau...
View full story
K-64: Innovating Education
When people hear about K-64, their first thought often turns to Chromebooks. But that’s not all K-64 is working to accomplish in Catawba County...
View full story
What's All the HYP?
Hickory Young Professionals believes that a region influenced by young professionals is a region that can attract and retain them...
View full story
Thank you.
Our New Year's resolution is to share even more great stories about this place we call home...
View full story
The Season of Giving
In this season of giving, we shine a spotlight on community service as shared through the perspectives of people directly involved in making a difference....
View full story
Sneak Peek?
Imagine our delight at seeing our very own downtown Hickory featured on the Our State website...
View full story
ICYMI: App State Hickory!
In case you missed it, Catawba County’s education system just took a huge leap forward...
View full story
Sherrill Furniture Expansion
Sherrill Furniture, a manufacturer of high-end, custom upholstery and case goods, plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Conover...
View full story
PYN2K: George + Soraya Place
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...
View full story
Thankful for Meals on Wheels
As many families prepare special meals for Thanksgiving this week, we’re giving thanks for Meals on Wheels of Catawba County...
View full story
Five Questions: Dedra Flournoy
This month’s “Five Questions” features Dedra Flournoy, CEO of Thrive Forward Collective, who currently chairs The Chamber of Catawba County board of directors...
View full story
Post-Military Careers:HKY4Vets
HKY4Vets works to make local employment connections for military service members seeking to transition back into civilian life...
View full story
The Story of the Newton Mural
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 Newton...
View full story
Free Books for Kids? Read On!
What if your child could receive a free book every month through the age of five?...
View full story
What Do You Love?
We asked this year's Leadership Catawba participants to share what they love most about living or working in Catawba County. Here’s what they had to say...
View full story
WestRock Expands in Claremont
WestRock Company, a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, plans to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Claremont...
View full story
Five Questions: Jon Carfagno
“Five Questions” is a series of Q&As with local leaders and visionaries. Next up is Jon Carfagno, executive director of the Hickory Museum of Art....
View full story
Pöppelmann Grows in Claremont
Pöppelmann Plastics USA, the US-based division of global plastics manufacturer Pöppelmann GmbH & Co. KG, plans to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Claremont...
View full story
PYN2K: Kevin Lyford
"I'm where I am today because of the people around me. That is a community."...
View full story
McCreary Modern Grows: Maiden
Economic Development News: McCreary Modern expands in Maiden...
View full story
Riverbend Park in the Fall
Visiting Riverbend Park this fall? Check out these pro tips from longtime ranger Lori Owenby...
View full story
Corning Expands at Trivium
Corning Incorporated has planned a manufacturing expansion in Trivium Corporate Center and will invest $150 million and create 200 jobs...
View full story
Five Questions: Mark Bumgarner
“Five Questions” is a series of Q&As with local leaders and visionaries. We’re kicking things off with Mark Bumgarner, executive director of the Catawba County United Way....
View full story
MSC: Innovating in Conover
The Manufacturing Solutions Center has helped make Catawba County a national hub of industrial innovation. But what exactly is the MSC, and why is it such a game-changer?...
View full story
Hart Square: History Preserved
What makes Hart Square Village so special? We asked Rebecca Anne Hart, executive director of Hart Square Foundation, to fill us in...
View full story
Hickory MSA Best Place to Live
The Hickory MSA ranks among the best places to live in the state and the most affordable metros in America...
View full story
Welcome to My Catawba County!
We hear countless stories from people who love life in Catawba County, North Carolina. My Catawba County was created to share some of those stories...
View full story