There’s something about the first real chill of November that sharpens the senses. The air is crisp, the streets quieter, and inside studios, theaters, and galleries, artists are busy kindling new ideas against the cold. This month, art and culture offer the perfect excuse to step out from under your blanket and into the glow of creative energy happening all around.
Did you know the oldest inland non-native settlement is just outside of Morganton, NC? San Juan, an early Spanish fort, was located alongside a native settlement, named Joara in 1567, predating Jamestown by 40 years.
September has officially been proclaimed Smart Start Month in North Carolina by Governor Josh Stein—a time dedicated to recognizing the life-changing impact of early childhood programs. Here in Catawba County, the Catawba County Partnership for Children (CCPC) is carrying this mission forward by hosting its 2nd Annual “Building Brighter Futures” event on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 6–8 p.m. at the historic Moretz Mills in Hickory.
Across Hickory, Lenoir, and beyond, cultural institutions are making bold investments in the future. Museums are renovating, arts councils are reimagining their homes, and creative districts are taking shape. The momentum is impossible to ignore—and it tells a powerful story about who we are becoming.
People young and old love seeing and interacting with butterflies. They are so beautiful and delicate. It is not often you have a unique opportunity to touch them in a natural habitat. The Catawba Science Center is offering that experience this summer. Their Flutterby Butterfly Habitat is open now through September 7th and is included in your general admission.