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The Italian Dinner: A Community Tradition Supporting Catawba Science Center

Posted on February 6, 2025January 23, 2026 by Emily

The Catawba Science Center opened in 1975, originally known as the Creative Museum for Youth. It was founded by the Service League of Hickory and housed in the historic John Cilley Victorian-era home in downtown Hickory. By 1986, the center had outgrown its space and moved to its current 35,000-square-foot location at the SALT Block, where it continues to serve the community today.

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Coffee, Cats, and Cozy Vibes: A Visit to Brews and Mews in Lenoir

Posted on January 29, 2025January 23, 2026 by Emily

Brews & Mews Cat Cafe, located in downtown Lenoir, offers the ultimate cozy experience by combining coffee and cats, all for a good cause. With its inviting storefront and warm atmosphere, this cat café is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a delightful drink while spending time with adoptable felines.

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Victorian Splendor in Hickory: A Christmas at the Harper House

Posted on December 16, 2024January 23, 2026 by Emily

I grew up in the charming coastal town of Edenton, North Carolina, where history seemed to whisper from every street corner. My family’s roots stretch back nearly 350 years in that area, grounding me in a deep sense of connection to the past. When we moved to the Hickory area a few years ago, it took some time for me to find that same kind of bond with my new surroundings. That’s why it was so special when my oldest son and I attended the Victorian Christmas this past Saturday at the Harper House—it felt like stepping into a piece of history right here in our new home.

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Experience Innovation and Inspiration: TEDxCatawba 2025

Posted on December 12, 2024January 23, 2026 by Emily

Are you ready to be inspired, challenged, and uplifted? Mark your calendars because TEDxCatawba is coming to Hickory next June! This highly anticipated event is more than just a conference; it’s a celebration of ideas worth spreading. And the best part? Tickets went on sale this week! If you’re as excited as I am, you’ll want to secure your spot early.

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Discovering Unique Christmas Gifts at The Graceful Geese Mercantile

Posted on December 9, 2024January 23, 2026 by Emily

Christmas shopping has become increasingly challenging for me over the years. Gone are the days when I could hand my kids a Toys R’ Us catalog and have them circle their favorite items. And let’s be honest—there’s no catalog for Rachel in HR to help her choose her gift. While my kids have endless wishes for holiday cheer, finding the right Christmas gifts for those secondary and tertiary relationships is another story.

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Hi, I’m Emily — the creator behind Nothing to Do WNC.

My family and I moved to Western North Carolina in 2021 from the coast, drawn here by the mountains, the slower pace, and the feeling that this was a place meant to be lived in — not just passed through. We now call a six-acre patch of land home between Lenoir, Morganton, and Hickory, where we’re slowly building a life surrounded by gardens, animals, and a deep appreciation for the seasons.

Nothing to Do WNC began as a way to explore our new home, but it’s grown into something more: a love letter to Western North Carolina and the everyday beauty of life here.

This is a place to celebrate backroads and small towns, gardens and trails, local food and community gatherings — the simple, meaningful things that make this region feel like home. My hope is to help both locals and visitors fall in love with where they live (or where they’re visiting), and to see Western North Carolina not just as a destination, but as a way of life.

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