On Aug. 14, the Burke County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon
cutting for Tropical Smoothie, 1018 Burkemont Ave., Morganton.
Owner Kalpeshkumar Patel cut the ribbon alongside Morganton Mayor
Ronnie Thompson, team members, friends, and supporters. Also in
attendance were Morganton Councilman Chris Jernigan; Burke County
Commissioner Mike Stroud; President and CEO of the Burke County
Chamber of Commerce Tonia Stephenson; Burke Chamber Board members
Shaun Cline and Bryan Fish; Chamber Board Member and Ambassador
Ryan Morgan; Chamber ambassadors Carl Beardsworth, Ryan Cato, Janet
Hannah, Lauren Huskey, Kelly Messenheimer, and Logan Smithers.
On Aug. 14, the Burke County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon
cutting for Tropical Smoothie, 1018 Burkemont Ave., Morganton.
Owner Kalpeshkumar Patel cut the ribbon alongside Morganton Mayor
Ronnie Thompson, team members, friends, and supporters. Also in
attendance were Morganton Councilman Chris Jernigan; Burke County
Commissioner Mike Stroud; President and CEO of the Burke County
Chamber of Commerce Tonia Stephenson; Burke Chamber Board members
Shaun Cline and Bryan Fish; Chamber Board Member and Ambassador
Ryan Morgan; Chamber ambassadors Carl Beardsworth, Ryan Cato, Janet
Hannah, Lauren Huskey, Kelly Messenheimer, and Logan Smithers.
Ribbon cutting at Tropical Smoothie
Education
SAR chapter announces 2026-27 youth contests
The Colonel Alexander Erwin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is one of many state chapters that provide opportunities for youths to participate in several youth scholarship competitions designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of our nation’s founding through expression in art, writing and oration.
These contests are first sponsored at the local chapter level, then the local winners advance to the state level, and finally the state winners advance to the national contest held annually at the SAR national congress.
AMERICANISM POSTER CONTEST
Americanism Poster Contest is directed at students in the third, fourth, or fifth grades, depending on which year the American Revolution is taught in their educational system — including ecumenical and home-schooled students.
Chapter deadline for entry is March 26, 2027. Chapter award is $50; state awards are $250 (first), $150 (second), and $75 (third).
MIDDLE SCHOOL BROCHURE CONTEST
The Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest is directed at students in the seventh to eighth grades, depending on which year the American Revolution is taught in their educational system — including ecumenical and home-schooled students.
Chapter deadline is March 15, 2027. Chapter award is $50; state awards are $250 (first), $150 (second), $75 (third).
VIDEO CONTEST
The SAR Youth Video Contest is an exciting new format where you can share what you know about the American Revolution. Tell us about a person, battle, document, or event during the American struggle for independence and do it in video form. This contest is directed at students from sixth to 12th grades.
Chapter deadline for entry is Jan. 15, 2027. Chapter award is $100; state awards are $500 (first) and $250 (second).
ESSAY CONTEST
The George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest is designed to give high school students an opportunity to explore events that shaped American history. The contest is open to all students in grades nine to 12.
Chapter deadline for entry is Nov. 23. Chapter award is $100; state award is $750 (first).
HISTORICAL ORATIONS
The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Orations contest is open to all students in ninth to 12th grades. This contest supports the Secondary School and SAR education objectives by perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, tragedy, and triumph of the men and women who achieved the independence of the American people.
Chapter deadline for entry is March 15, 2027. Chapter award is $100; state awards are $750 (first), $250 (second), and $100 (third).
HISTORY TEACHER AWARD
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, whose mission and objectives are patriotic, historical, and educational, wish to identify, recognize, and commend Outstanding Social Studies Teachers.
The Dr. Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award winner will represent a teacher whose instruction on the Revolutionary War era from 1750–1800 demonstrates educational efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above current, accepted, curriculum requirements.
Chapter deadline for entry is Nov. 23. Chapter award is $250; state awards are $500 (first), $200 (second), and $100 (third).
Women’s Resource Center (WRC), at 125 Third St. NE in Hickory, will host its sixth annual Art in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The fundraising event, which helps WRC provide crucial resources for women in Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Alexander counties, will be held at Sally Fox Park on the campus of WRC. It will last from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is free, and the event will include local artwork, food trucks, live music, children’s activities, a beer garden, and a silent auction. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about the services offered by WRC.
All money raised through Art in the Park directly aids WRC’s mission of supporting women’s self-sufficiency by providing individualized services and connections to local resources.
Artists are invited to enter a juried showcase as well. Entrants are expected to explore this year’s theme, “Rooted & Rising,” as a celebration of where we come from, a reflection of what grounds us, and a reminder of the powerful ways we can rise when our roots are strong.
Those interested in entering the art competition, which is held in memory of Janice and Ted Taylor, can contact WRC Executive Director Michelle Morgan at 828-322-6333 for more information or register online at tinyurl.com/bdhwu6k5. The first-place winner will receive a $500 cash prize.
According to a news release from WRC, a $4,000 Project Pool Grant from Arts Culture Catawba helped make the sixth annual Arts in the Park possible.
To become a sponsor, artist, volunteer, or donor for Arts in the Park, contact WRC Development Coordinator Bridget DeVos at developmentcoordinator@wrchickory.org.
— JM
Culture_community
Morganton the site of international film festival this month
The Historic Morganton Courthouse Square will be filled with young filmmakers from all over the world during the final weekend in September when Planet Frame presents its second annual International Youth Short Film Festival.
Attendees on Sept. 25 and 26 will experience a curated program of international short films, the Planet Frame 2026 awards ceremony, opportunities to meet members of the international jury and filmmakers, and the unique atmosphere of an outdoor cinema in the heart of downtown Morganton. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening and conclude at approximately 9:30 p.m.
American actress Carrie Stauber, who appears in the newly released feature film “The Rivals of Amziah King” alongside Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, will serve as a special guest during the two-day festival.
As part of the awards ceremony, the festival will present the Water Conservation Award, sponsored by the Lake James Environmental Association. The award recognizes films that inspire awareness of water conservation and environmental stewardship.
The festival will feature an open-air cinema experience, with major events also available through live online streaming. Admission is free and open to the public.
Visit planetframe.net for more information about the festival, including the schedule, the weather contingency plan, and more. The festival also has a Facebook page.
After launching his mobile outdoor theater at the Drexel Fairgrounds during the final weekend in June, Morganton native Rex Willis announced via a Facebook post on Tuesday the three classic movies that his business, The View, will show at the same location over the next few weekends.
Although licensing agreements prohibit Willis from naming the movies in the media, he does mention the movie titles in the aforementioned social media post.
The first film was shown Friday, Sept. 4, and will be shown twice more: Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.
The second film will be shown Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12.
Finally, the third film will be shown Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19.
Gates open at 6 p.m. each evening, with the movies set to start after dark. Tickets are cash-only and are $20 per carload or $5 for walk-ins.
Willis noted in the Facebook post that local food truck Hazel’s Festival Foods will be on site during the Sept. 5 showing, while he’s still looking for food trucks for future dates. Concessions such as popcorn, boxed candy, and drinks will also be available.
According to a story published in the June 27 edition of The Paper, only four places in North Carolina provide an experience similar to what The View offers, with the closest being a drive-in theater in Belmont. And it has been decades since Burke County offered such a venue.
“I have put so much into this, the past four years,” Willis said in June. “I just hope it brings the community together because that’s really what we need in the world these days.”
Willis also told The Paper on Thursday that he plans to show movies at the Drexel Fairgrounds most weekends through the end of October.
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