One morning at breakfast a while back I was talking with Lawson Callahan, proprietor of Pat’s Snack Bar, about old cars. It turns out that he has been the keeper of a certain old Ford for a long …

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Your energy is as vibrant as the blooming dogwoods this week. Harness this vigor and take a spirited hike through South Mountains State Park. Your enthusiasm will inspire …

Options, a local organization focused on domestic violence and sexual assault, will host The Art of Chocolate, on Saturday, May 4, at Morganton’s Community House. Chocolatiers from throughout the …

Spring is in full bloom and “Nature’s Playground” is open for business.  Now that the weather is warming up, outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities in our beautiful area. …

SATURDAY, MAY 4 UKULELE JAM Ukulele enthusiasts are in town this weekend for the second annual Blue Ridge Ukulele Festival. The public is invited to a concert at 7 p.m. in the barn venue at …

If you use your imagination, you can feel the tropical breeze, smell the sunscreen in the air and hear the chatter of “all of those tourists, covered with oil.”  If you’re a fan of the …

The popularity of Open Studio offered on Thursdays at the Rock School Arts Foundation has grown to the point that a second studio time has been added to the weekly schedule. RSAF has provided....

During the month of May, Brandi Silver, FCS Agent with the Burke County Cooperative Extension office, is rolling out something exciting: Discover May: Explore New Hobbies for Mental Wellness. It's …

The Paper's Publisher, Allen VanNoppen, was the speaker at the annual Author's Luncheon sponsored by the Burke County Friends for the Library. The sold-out event was held at the First Baptist Church …

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19): This week, your energy is as vibrant as the May flowers in Burke County. Tackle new challenges with the confidence of a pioneer at Linville Gorge Wilderness, where nature …

Saturday, April 27 Singing Gators The Alligators, a blues/rock combo, will make you get up and dance, stomp your feet and grin, or just kick back and enjoy the show. Join the fun at Silver Fork …

Less than two years have passed since the fitness facility in the shadows of UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton became the Phifer Family YMCA.  “People still tell me all the time they didn’t …

The late, legendary, country singer and songwriter Guy Clark famously asked, “What would life be without homegrown tomatoes?” For some folks, life would indeed seem pretty bleak without …

Late April. It’s the time of year when experienced gardeners decide whether to bet on when the last hard frost will occur. Novice planters or recent transplants are sometimes fooled by warmer days …

Three new dynamic sculptures sprang up around downtown Morganton last week as the city's Cultural Arts Commission unveiled the larger-than-life exhibits, part of Morganton’s “Sculpture on the …

BCPS presents "The Little Mermaid " Come celebrate all things “under the sea,” as Burke County Public Schools presents “The Little Mermaid” at CoMMA. The 7:30 p.m. production will be staged …

Aries (March 21 - April 19): This week, your energy rivals the rushing waters of the Catawba River. Take a kayak trip to channel this vigor. The occasional shower will only enhance the adventure …

The following are the dates and bands for downtown Morganton’s 2024 TGIF concert series. All concerts are free to the public and run from 7-10 p.m. on the Historic Burke County Courthouse …

Saturday, April 20 Red Dirt Revelators Join Willie and the fellas as they bring the hits to Bones Jones Burgers and Butchery, 3221 NC-126, Morganton. The show begins at 6 p.m. Questions? Call …

Galleries I and II at the Rock School Arts Foundation are changing out this week to make room for the works of three artists. Stacey Heffner Abboud, Melissa Smith, and Maria Velez Campagna will be …

The watercolor and colored pencil designs hanging in Morganton City Hall in February and March have made way for quilts created by two grandmothers. Friends Tina Sclarandis and Dianne Kolb are …

Morganton’s weekly TGIF summer music lineup typically brings a wide variety of festive sounds to downtown, and 2024 is no exception. This year’s lineup includes everything from Latin-infused rock …

Nothing says spring quite like fragrant flowers and bright colorful umbrellas. Downtown visitors will be treated to both on April 18, during this year’s initial Third Thursday Art Crawl.  Main …

Valdese is going to rock, go country,  get the blues, dance, and just about every other musical genre when the Family Friday Nights Summer Concert Series begins on May 17. The series spans 16 …

More hours of sunshine and warmer temperatures make April the perfect month for the annual Drexel Spring Carnival, April 16-20.  Between 5,000 and 6,000 people are expected to attend over the …