Although I missed the deadline to submit a column for The Paper’s Mother’s Day edition, I couldn’t let the national observance of godly mothers completely go by without an accolade to my …

Whisper Smith and Jacob Cioffoletti are the current Program Directors for The American Adventure and Service Corps (TAASC). They became directors in 2020 when the founder of TAASC and their mentor …

Here at The Paper we cling steadfastly to a couple of cardinal rules. Rule Number One is never to write anything bad about cardinals. They are, after all, the North Carolina state bird, they …

When I ran for public office, I knew nothing about politics. My intentions were to try to do what was best for the citizens and taxpayers. It seems that most politicians think they know what is best …

Alas and behold! After over 200 days of virtual silence from Burke County’s political leaders about their prized Megasite, an expert on the project clearly and unequivocally disclosed long-awaited …

It was the start of summer 1974 between high school and college. Summertime. ChillAxe-to-the-Max. To the dismay of my parents and their Morganton supper club friends, I made it through high school …

The Pilot Club of Morganton would like to acknowledge the generous support of local sponsors for our recent Denim, Diamonds & Pearls fundraising event. The list includes the following individuals …

My weekends are typically spent catching up on housework, yardwork, running errands, getting in a workout, and preparing for the next week’s agenda for The Paper. The weekend of Mother’s Day was …

I recently submitted my application for the Morehead-Caine Scholarship to UNC to my school’s nominating committee, which will nominate three students for the next round of the application process. …

I was brushing my teeth when my husband walked into the bathroom and announced he had a column idea for me. Marshall placed his phone beside the sink for me to see his screen. I laughed so hard that …

The famous author Kurt Vonnegut once issued a piece of advice I’ve found helpful over the years. We should, he said, strive to produce art, not for monetary gain nor public acclaim, but simply for …

Ma & Pa Kettle on the road again for a long April weekend. Destination Chattanooga. Google Maps drive time 4.5 hours. My superbly curated itinerary called for a noon departure and 4:30 p.m. …

Tracy Ollis Hicks had a 30-year career teaching in Burke County Schools and has been serving churches throughout our community in music ministry roles for over 40 years. She has lived in Burke County …

Back in the late summer of 2008, Draughn High School was opened on a beautiful tract of land to the north of Lovelady Road in Valdese. The wooded acres between the campus and the Catawba River were …

The famous author Kurt Vonnegut once issued a piece of advice I’ve found helpful over the years. We should, he said, strive to produce art, not for monetary gain nor public acclaim, but simply for …

We really appreciate the Burke Arts Council, their Director, Deb Jones, Courtney Wheeling and their board and volunteers for the tremendous job they did hosting The Blue Ridge …

I’m a watch guy. Something about the design, engineering, and functionality. I have an old shoebox with dozens of dusty mass-market relics. They are missing bands, or batteries, or covers. Only a …

One of the reasons my grandparents came to Morganton in the '90s is because of the mountains that tower over our town. The hills reminded them of the geography of their hometown in Guatemala. As a …

North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and Georgia accounted for 93% of the nation’s population growth in 2022 and 67% in 2023. There is no denying the fact that our region is growing. Many are attracted …

Parents of the incoming juniors at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics-Morganton will arrive this weekend to learn more about the school and town where their children will spend the …

Over the years I started and guided many different groups in ministry to single adults. Back then, before internet dating and our current vibrant downtown venues, Morganton was a difficult place for …

Adult Programming Author Betty Bullock will discuss her book “Spinning Threads” on Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at the Morganton Public Library. “Spinning Threads” tells about her grandfather, …

Drug use has been a big problem in America for a while. Since the Industrial Revolution, people have been using mind-altering substances, but as science has advanced, so has drug usage, as synthetic …

When I was in fifth grade, my class took a field trip to Catawba Meadows Park for the annual Environmental Field Day for fifth graders from around the county. I still remember this field trip from …