Hickory Living December 2022

Complimentary December 2022

And the Winners Are...

HickoryLIVING

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On the Cover

page 12 HICKORY LIVING • DECEMBER 2022

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contents DECEMBER 2022 FEATURES 12 •

MacAdam Smith

COVER STORY Wild Birds Unlimited Hickory’s Specialty Shop For Bird Watchers

Publisher mac@oasisluxuryhomes.com (484) 769-7445

18 • BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT HealthSmart Pharmacy A Pharmacy You Can Count On

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HOLIDAY ISSUE 22 • Getting Into The Christmas Spirit 26 • Christmas At The Harper House

Kathy Wheeler Design & Advertising Sales kathylivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 238-3224

34 • Doing What You Love 37 • Holiday Shopping In Hickory

IN THIS ISSUE 6 • Welcome To The December Issue

26 Hickory

LIVING 10225 Hickorywood Hill Ave., Unit A Huntersville, NC 28078 (484) 769-7445 HickoryLiving@gmail.com

www.HickoryLivingMagazine.com 4

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Holiday Glazed Pork Loin CONGRATULATIONS

HickoryLIVING

To the 2022 Winners of Best of the Foothills, Hickory Living’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Sharon Simpson Advertising Director sharon@lncurrents.com (704) 677-9159

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Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

contributors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kathy Wheeler • Amy Casil Cheryl Grant • Kathy Dicken

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

by Shane Greene Photography

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Welcome to the

December Issue

©iStockphoto.com | RomoloTavani

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s we experience one of the busiest months of the year, I hope you take time to truly enjoy the season and the holidays. Try to simplify things as much as possible. Make the chores a family affair and another opportunity to spend time with each other.

Light up the fireplace, drink hot chocolate, sit on the sofa and watch a movie.

Go for a walk in the crisp cold air of December and enjoy the decorations.

Pull away from the hustle and bustle and just breathe. The important things on your to-do-lists will get done.

gifts on your list and the services you need, and congratulate those winners!

Our small business owners give back to our community in so many ways.

This month, we are happy to announce the winners of Hickory Living’s Best of the Foothills Readers’ Choice Awards!

When I delivered the plaques to each business, they were so excited, honored, and grateful for your support. Thank you for voting for your favorites, and the winners are...on page 31. With this being the busiest shopping season of the year, we hope you shop local for those

HealthSmart Pharmacy is our business spotlight on page 18. With four locations in the area, they offer so many services to help us stay healthy, from cold and flu vaccines to home delivery of medications, and consultations on Medicare Part D and medication plans.

Also, if you are looking for gifts, they offer a good selection of self-care products and many items for children.

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Our cover story this month features Wild Birds Unlimited. They have everything a bird watcher needs to keep birds visiting their backyard. If you are looking for a relaxing and fun hobby, visit Wild Birds Unlimited. They love educating customers on the best products to attract our feathered friends. Their story begins on page 12.

If you are needing some help getting into the Christmas Spirit, the article on page 22 will help. You will find some fun things to do and suggestions to help you enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

A good way to experience the season is with a visit to the Harper House, an historic, Victorian mansion all decked out for the holidays! Check out their article on page 26.

With the close of 2022 and the beginning of a New Year, it’s a good time to evaluate our lives and think about the changes and improvements we want to make in 2023. If you are considering turning your passion into a business, the article on page 34 is for you!

Thank you for reading the December issue of Hickory Living! We hope you and your holidays are merry and bright, filled with the love of friends and family!

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What’s Cooking?

juice make the perfect glaze to do just that. The sweet and sour glaze pairs perfectly with one of the many savory marinated pork tenderloins available in your meat department. We used marinated pork tenderloin in this recipe, since it is always juicy and flavorful, but you certainly could use unflavored pork in this recipe as well.

This recipe is perfect for the holidays or everyday! I hope you love it as much as we do!

Roasted Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin & with Brussels Sprouts Servings: 4 • Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS 1 package Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin (27 oz.)

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts - trimmed & halved 2 oz. diced pancetta (½ of a 4 oz. pkg.)

Salt and pepper to taste

Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of the food blog, The Tasty Bits. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.

Holiday Glazed Pork Loin Here’s how to transform ordinary pork tenderloin and Brussels sprouts into the brilliant centerpiece of your holiday dinner table!

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Cranberry Orange Sauce 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ½ cup (4 oz.) sweet orange marmalade ½ cup (4 oz.) canned whole cranberry sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Optional: fresh or dried cranberries for garnish Cranberry Orange Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Brussels Sprouts is such a colorful, festive and simple holiday meal. The cranberry orange glaze is the perfect flavor complement to pork tenderloin, while the cranberries and Brussels sprouts add the classic red and green to your plate.

I love how you can elevate an ordinary meal to the next level with just a few of the delicious flavors of the season. Cranberry sauce and orange

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with foil and set aside. Remove tenderloin from the package and pat dry. Rub tenderloin with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Heat a cast iron skillet or dutch oven over Mediumhigh heat. When hot, sear the pork tenderloin for two minutes on each side, or until browned. Continue to sear the remaining sides for another one to two minutes per side until the whole tenderloin is browned. Remove from the pan and place tenderloin on one of the foil lined sheet pans. Set aside.

Turn heat under skillet to Low before adding orange juice, balsamic vinegar, marmalade, cranberry sauce & spices. Stir sauce to combine and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Spread half of the sauce over the tenderloin, then roast the tenderloin on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Meanwhile, toss the Brussels sprouts with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and spread in one layer on the second sheet pan. Place the pan of sprouts in the oven with the pork tenderloin for the last 15 minutes of cook time.

After 25-30 minutes of cooking, remove both pans from the oven. Check to ensure the internal temperature of the pork has reached 145°. If so, tent pork with foil and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Brussels should still be green and tender, with just a slight bit of browning. Serve pork tenderloin slices on a platter, drizzled with reserved sauce and surrounded by sprouts. Top with a garnish of fresh or dried cranberries for a festive touch! Delicious with a side of mashed potatoes too!

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on the cover

Photo:

On the cover– Sean Ryan, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited of Hickory.

Pictured–Sean and Store Manager Tina Johnson welcome you to Hickory’s bird watchers paradise, Wild Birds Unlimited.

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Hickory’s Specialty Shop for Bird Watchers

By Amy Casil | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Do you enjoy watching the birds and wildlife in your yard?

You’re not alone: over 41 million people in the U.S. are backyard birders, the Audubon Society reports. According to Wild Birds Unlimited’s owner, Sean Ryan, “Backyard birding is the second-most popular passive hobby next to gardening.” How can you join in this hobby and experience an endless variety of birds in your own back yard? Visit Wild Birds Unlimited’s charming and well-stocked store in Hickory and speak with the helpful and knowledgeable staff!

How Does Backyard Birding Work?

Sean says that it’s a very easy hobby to get into. “Put the food out, and, while it may take a little bit, birds come and feed.”

It’s exciting to watch the birds come and go. In North Carolina, people can expect to see chickadees, wrens, finches, eastern bluebirds, woodpeckers, chickadees, cardinals, and more.

Different birds prefer different kinds of food, and Wild Birds Unlimited has many choices of food and feeders, specifically suited to the species that visit your yard or those you would like to attract.

Different Foods for Different Yards and Birds Sean and I discussed the difference between quality bird food that is optimized for different bird species, and non-specialized, lower-quality food sold in mass-market stores.

Wild Birds Unlimited offers over a dozen choices of food, but right now, Sean’s favorite food is No-Mess Blend. This highquality food attracts many types of birds and has no shells to make a mess around the yard and feeder. No-Mess Blend also comes in a version with added calcium. Calcium supports strong eggshells, bones, and beaks. In general, Wild Birds Unlimited’s seed mixes start with sunflower seeds—feeding a mixture with shelled sunflower seeds lets the birds immediately get to their preferred food without scattering small shells everywhere.

The specialized foods available at Wild Birds Unlimited also include spicy blends like Fiery Feast, with spices that birds don’t mind but critters like squirrels don’t like and won’t touch. Sean

Above–At Wild Birds Unlimited you will find colorful bird

houses, garden décor, and prewrapped gift baskets for easy holiday shopping!

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said that there are a number of ways to discourage squirrels from gobbling food meant for their feathered friends. At the Hickory store, you can purchase squirrel-proof feeders that help birds access the food they enjoy while discouraging furry visitors. The store also carries hopper feeders, Bark Butter feeders, and systems for hanging and mounting feeders.

The store has dozens of options in food, feeder, bird baths, bird houses, and more.

Why Get Involved with Backyard Birding?

“It gives you peace and joy to see the birds flying and enjoying themselves,” Sean said. “Watching birds is relaxing and enjoyable.” When birds like cardinals visit your yard, they contribute a splash of color and happiness. The daily lives of many bird species provide endless opportunities to see nature in action and witness, in the words of Sean, “The cycle of life.”

Participating in backyard birding also helps wild birds. You may have heard about the Audubon Society’s State of the Birds report that keeps track of how many wild birds live in the U.S. and Canada. The studies show that about half of wild bird species are in decline. Over the past 50 years, bird experts estimate that almost 3 billion birds have disappeared.

How is this possible? One cause is habitat loss that creates a lack of sufficient food; birds have a fast metabolism and can lose up to 40% of their body weight in a single night. Backyard birding gives these birds a vital boost in nutrition, and the hobby provides you with a peaceful, enjoyable pastime.

You can create a safe harbor for hungry birds in your own back yard.

Happiness Abounds at Wild Birds Unlimited Sean speaks so enthusiastically about the great experiences customers and staff alike have at Wild Birds Unlimited. “The people who work at Wild Birds Unlimited enjoy working there. It’s a positive, happy experience,” he said.

Photos, top to bottom:

• Add a little spice to your feeding to help thwart those pesky squirrels • Preston the Penguin is a perfect starter feeder.

• Wild Birds Unlimited’s APS hardware easily supports any feeder in your yard.

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When customers enter the store, they immediately see a relaxing, pleasant environment displaying a variety of food, feeders, accessories, books, and gifts related to backyard birding and wild birds. The team of five staff at the store love it when people stop in to talk about birds and create an environment at home for these precious creatures.

Education and Community Support Store manager Tina joined Wild Birds Unlimited last February and now offers community talks about wild birds. Wild Birds Unlimited has been a part of Hickory’s community for almost two decades, and one store employee, Roger, has been with the store for much of that time. Other team members include

Clay, Rick, and Emily. Every employee of Wild Birds Unlimited, along with its owner Sean, is committed to educating others about the beauty and benefits of backyard birding.

Sean wanted to emphasize that the store is part of the community, and that residents and community groups can request a talk from a staff member to learn more. It’s simple to request that Sean or Tina offer a talk by coming into the store or using the website’s request form.

Talks can inform the public about wild birds and what everyone can do to help them. For example, birds can lose their lives because they don’t recognize the dangers of glass windows. An estimated 1 billion birds die every year because they accidentally fly into windows, confused by reflections in the glass. A screen on the outside of the window, or film, paint, or string that breaks up the reflection can prevent these accidents.

House cats also pose a danger to birds. A shocking 2.6 billion birds are estimated to be killed by cats each year, making this the top cause for the loss of birds, besides habitat loss.

A Joyful, Peaceful Hobby Speaking with Sean, I couldn’t help but feel his deep enthusiasm for a hobby that’s almost 100% positive for everyone involved. “Watching wild birds provides a sense of peace and joy,” he said. He loves owning the Hickory store. Wild Birds Unlimited has many repeat customers because they visit the store not just to buy products but also to talk about their pleasant, peaceful, and enjoyable hobby.

Sean explained that North Carolina’s birds are mostly in the area year-round, including woodpeckers, who enjoy eating suet (seed mixed with beef fat), robins and mourning doves that feed off the ground, and chickadees and finches who like loose seed. Some birds like to feed in the air, while others prefer whole seeds that they cache throughout their territory so they will have food now and later.

The cardinal’s song and bright red color is considered an emblem of the holiday season but there are a few migrant birds that will be visiting Hickory over the holiday season, including the black-eyed junco and the yellow-bellied sapsucker, a black-and-white striped woodpecker with a red head and yellow belly. Juncos like millet and cracked corn, while the yellow-bellied sapsucker is a fan of suet when not boring holes in trees for sap. These are just a few of the interesting facts you can learn by visiting Wild Birds Unlimited.

3014 North Center Street • Hickory, NC 28601 828.855.0991 • Visit: myWBU.com/hickory

Photos, top to bottom:

• EcoTough feeders help improve the environment and are great for the birds too!

• Specialty food feeders add variety to your birds’ diets!

• Shop for nature-themed holiday gifts for your bird lover, and ornaments you Christmas tree.

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business spotlight

Photos:

Left–HealthSmart Pharmacy staff–Leticia Ayala, Melissa Fisher, Carrigan Elrod, Kristan Sigmon, Lauren DeBerry PharmD, and Andrea Ramsey Opposite page, clockwise– • HealthSmart Pharmacy ready for holiday shoppers!

• Kristan and Lauren previewing some holiday merchandise.

• Carrigan helping customer with her ever present smile!

A Pharmacy You Can Count On

By Amy Casil | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Having a pharmacist you can trust and a welcoming local pharmacy that is there for you when you need it is helpful during any season but especially during the winter months. And, if you can’t get to the pharmacy, delivery services are that much more appreciated. With seven locations in North Carolina, HealthSmart Pharmacy is the welcoming, caring, friendly pharmacy that meets all those needs and much more.

“Now more than ever, people need to have a pharmacy they can count on,” said Andrea Ramsey, manager of the Claremont location. “HealthSmart Pharmacy gives personalized service and strives to make every experience a great one.”

Cold and Flu Season With cold and flu season underway, 18

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HealthSmart Pharmacy is ready, Andrea said. They have a full range of over the counter (OTC) cold and flu products to relieve symptoms and speed recovery.

The pharmacy also offers the flu vaccine along with other vaccines like the pneumococcal and shingles vaccines. It’s easy to schedule an appointment for a vaccine. All customers need to do is speak with a staff member at their local branch.

Keeping Prices Affordable Many people are concerned about rising prices, and Andrea wants customers to know that HealthSmart Pharmacy does everything possible to keep prices affordable. “Patients do not need to ask if there is any type of coupon or discount when filling a prescription,” Andrea said. When the pharmacy receives a promotion or discount, it passes it on to the customer.

HealthSmart Pharmacy also has coupons and promotions for retail products that can make OTC products and healthcare items like durable medical equipment and home health supplies more affordable.

Gifts and Self-Care You can locate gifts for all ages at HealthSmart Pharmacy, including Hallmark products at select locations.

In addition to holiday-themed gifts and cards, HealthSmart offers makeup and grooming products for both men and women, including Glo Minerals.

The pharmacy also offers CV Sciences’ Health Transformed CBD products, including oils and topicals.

“This season, we’ve have added more gifts and items for children,” Andrea said. “We stock small toys, baby toys and teethers, pacifier holders, and stocking stuffers. So, if you’re headed out to pick up a prescription and would like to pick up something for a special child in your life, we’ve got you covered.”

Consulting on Medicare Part D and Medication Plans One of the most important services that HealthSmart Pharmacy offers is a consultation about Medicare Part D and Medicare Open Enrollment. They also offers consultation and assistance with medication adherence, including pill packs, medication therapy management, and medication synchronization.

And, if you can’t get to the pharmacy, HealthSmart offers free delivery. Andrea said “We have many customers who take advantage of our free delivery.”

The pharmacy delivers to a broad range of areas, going out toward Catawba and others. The staff at HealthSmart Pharmacy cares about their patients and continually offers their expertise and support to maintain the best possible health outcomes for the community.

3119 North Oxford, Claremont 828.459.2149 • Other locations in

Viewmont, Conover, & Newton

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©iStockphoto.com | Mikhail Konoplev

GETTING INTO THE

Christmas Spirit

By Kathy Wheeler

Everyone’s idea of the perfect Christmas is different. For some, they would rather avoid it if they could, while others dream of their childhood Christmas where the excitement of the holiday was magical.

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Experiencing Christmas as an adult is much different than when we were children waiting for Santa to arrive...We were “tucked in our bed while visions of sugar plums danced in our heads.” Instead of being tucked in, we are up all hours trying to prepare for the holiday, and instead of thinking of sugar plums, we are going over lists upon lists of gifts to buy, knee deep in decorating, and entertaining family that we see once a year. How do we escape or at least get some of the magic back? You will find some tips in this article!

day trips with friends and family to places that have a whole staff who decorate. For instance, the Biltmore House offers candlelight tours this time of year and is a beautiful way to spend the day exploring what Christmas may have been back in the late 1800s. Omni Grove Park Inn is another location to help you get into the Christmas spirit. It opened in 1913 and has beautiful architecture. The Inn is lavishly decorated for the holiday and hosts the National Gingerbread House Competition yearly. If your budget doesn’t allow for you to stay at the resort, consider just visiting to take in the decorations, gingerbread houses, and maybe have lunch at one of several restaurants located on the property. The Blue Ridge restaurant offers gorgeous views of the mountains.

If you want to avoid all things holiday, take a cruise or go on vacation. In other words, get out-of-town and just be unavailable for all of the expectations. If a renewed passion for the holiday and that magical feeling is what you are looking for, think experiences instead of gifts. Plan some

Locally, the Harper House is hosting a fundraiser where their rooms are decorated by different groups and you pay to vote for your favorite. What a nice way to spend time with friends, while helping the Historical Association of Catawba County.

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Hart Square Village hosts Christmas in the Village, December 3rd and 4th from 4 until 8 p.m. See their website for tickets at https://www.hartsquare.com/events/.

The Newton Performing Arts Center presents A Charlie Brown Christmas–Live on Stage December 9th, 10th, and 11th. Tickets can be purchased at https://ncauditorium.com/ charliebrown.

Visit McAdenville, Christmas Town USA, and drive or walk through downtown to see the display of lights.

Here are some other options that may help you get the magic of Christmas back: • Attend a church Christmas pageant.

• Go on a group shopping trip.

• Organize some singers and musicians for Christmas caroling in your neighborhood.

• Plan a trip to a tree farm. There is nothing quite like cutting down your own tree and getting fresh greens to decorate with. The fresh air will do you as much good as anything.

• Throw a cookie party where friends bring their favorite homemade cookies and recipes to share with everyone at the party. Maybe you could provide a nice cookie tin or recipe box to your guests.

• Choose a family in need and make their Christmas special by purchasing gifts for them, or participate in a charity that does the same, like Toys for Tots, United Way Christmas Bureau, or Cops for Tots.

You have a CHOICE for Rehab Ask for Conover Nursing & Rehab!

Our goal is to get you back to those you love and the life you love living.

After an illness, surgery or • Rehab Wing with Central injury, Conover Nursing Gym and Indoor Track and Rehab Center’s team is • Results Oriented Physical, dedicated to your recovery Speech and Occupational and safe transition back Therapists In-House home!

• Family Owned & Operated

Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 828.695.8282

www.ConoverNursingandRehab.com

920 4th Street SW • Conover, NC 28613

The point is to enjoy the holiday, not work through it. Find something that makes you feel like Christmas and share that experience with some of your favorite people.

Merry Christmas!

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Christmas AT THE

Harper House Photos by Ray Mata

Deck the halls with memories of the families who once celebrated Christmas in the beautiful Victorian mansion nestled in downtown Hickory. Considered by the North Carolina Department of Archives and History to possess “the finest Queen Anne interior styling in the entire state,” the Harper House, at 310 N. Center Street, is poised to serve the broad spectrum of Catawbans and visitors from near and far.

Built in 1887 by Daniel Webster Shuler, Harper House stands impressive all year round but shines particularly bright during the Christmas holidays. The three notable families that celebrated the holidays in the stunning home include the Shulers, the Thorntons, and the Harpers.

The Harper Family’s stay was by far the longest—from 1923, when Finley Gwyn Harper, Sr. (1880-1951), who operated Harper Motor Company, purchased it from Mrs. Minnie C. Taylor, to December 21, 2000, when Anne McPherson Harper Bernhardt, Lee Corinne Harper Vason, Mary Gwyn Harper Addison, and Betty Banks Harper Shelander—the daughters of Finley Gwyn Harper, Jr., and his wife Mary Banks McPherson Harper—generously arranged its acquisition by the Historical Association of Catawba County (HACC).

The Harpers’ long stay was providential, for each of the three generations appreciated the house’s architectural significance, preserving the foyer’s carved, coffered ceiling and intricate stained-glass window; the parquet floors of the dining room and family parlor; the ornate brass26

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work of the heavy doorknobs, sashes, keyplates, and many sets of pocket doors; the piano-grade cherry of the staircase with two landings and the dining room’s carved wainscoting, as well as the numerous silhouettes of family friends on the walls of the attic, where Mr. and Mrs. Harper, Sr., entertained during Prohibition.

Today, the HACC staff and volunteers at the Harper House welcomes visitors as a house museum, interpreting both Hickory history, through the numerous significant families who lived in the house, and Victorian life in the South, circa 1887, the date of the house’s construction.

This holiday season, the community has come together to Deck the Harper Halls to raise much needed funds for a new roof on the beautiful jewel of Hickory. Groups have selected rooms to decorate to be voted on by the public. The room that earns the most money (votes are $5.00 each) will be presented with a plaque announcing the winner of the first ever Deck the Harper Halls fundraiser. Decorating of the house will be completed November 30th. Voting will begin during regular open hours beginning December 1. For more information, contact Harper House at (828) 324-7294 or the HACC at (828) 465-0383.

310 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601 https://www.catawbahistory.org/ Hours: Thursday–Saturday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and by reservation for groups of 10 or more.

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HICKORY LIVING’S READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2022

Best of The FOOTHILLS HickoryLIVING

We want to thank all of the businesses who participated in the Best of The Foothills. You are the reason our community thrives! We appreciate what your business brings to our area. Also, we would like to thank our readers who shop local on a regular basis and who took the time to vote for their favorites!

the winners of the 2022 Best of The Foothills Are...

READER’S CHOICE AWARD

Best Auto Repair Services

Best Weight Loss Center

Best Home Builder

Everett Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac

Vitality Anti-Aging Center & Medical Spa

Moss Marlow Building Co. Inc.

Best Auto Dealer

Best Day Spa

Bumblebee Interiors, LLC

Everett Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac

Rock Barn Country Club & Spa

Best Collision Repair

Best Hair Salon

Best Landscaper/Lawn Service

Le Grande Salon & Day Spa

Scenic View Landscapes

Best Women’s Boutique

Best Plant Nursery

Best Insurance Company

Aqua B Boutique

Settlemyre Nursery

Broome Insurance A Legacy Partner

Best Dentist

Best Real Estate Agency

Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Realty Executives of Hickory and Lake Norman

Custom Body Works

Best Breakfast Café Gouda

Best Sandwich Shop Hatch Sandwich Bar

Best Dinner Restaurant Backstreets Bar & Grill

Best Golf Course Catawba Country Club

Best Place for Cocktails/Wine Hickory Wine Shoppe

Best Fitness/Gym Burn Boot Camp Hickory

Best Aesthetic/Med Spa Vitality Anti-Aging Center & Medical Spa

Best Orthodontist Small & Piers Orthodontics

Best Chiropractor Hilton Family Chiropractic Clinic

Best Veterinarian

Best Interior Design

Best Consignment/Thrift Store Safe Harbor’s ReSource Warehouse

Best Wedding Venue

Viewmont Animal Hospital

Hidden Hill Venue & Conference Center

Best Pet Groomer

Best Jewelry Store

Paw Tales Lodge & Day Spa

Best Law Firm Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC

Best Hardware Store

Oz’s Jewelers

Best Caterer L & L Catering

Killians Hardware

Best Cosmetic Surgery Center

Best Art Studio

Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology

Nailed It DIY Studio Hickory

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Doing What You

By Cheryl Grant

©iStockphoto.com | jacoblund

As we close out 2022 and begin another year, it’s a good time to look at our life and think about the things we want to change. Are we happy with what we are doing and where we are headed? Are you doing enough of what you love or do you feel like a hamster on a wheel?

Many people are starting to focus on their passions and creating their life around that. They aren’t so much looking for a career that makes a lot of money, but more flexibility and time to pursue what they love. As with any major shift in priorities, there are pros and cons. Whatever lifestyle you choose, you have to determine how you will meet your financial obligations and make a living. Will you be able to 34

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live comfortably, save for the future, take care of financial surprises, and still have enough left over to do the things you enjoy? As much as people dislike focusing on money, it’s a reality we can’t ignore.

The Dream of Owning Your Own Business We were told growing up that we could be anything we wanted to be if we worked hard enough. However, that sentiment was meant to motivate us and give us confidence. It isn’t a conclusive statement on success. I know plenty of artists who work really hard on their craft, and are excellent at it, but don’t work as hard on critical parts of the business they don’t enjoy…or…ignore

them all together. For example, sales and marketing are typically necessary jobs that many passionate, creative people just aren’t into…Just because you are great at one thing doesn’t make up for neglecting those not-so-fun tasks.

They don’t magically take care of themselves or go away because you don’t want to deal with them. You may be saying, “I don’t know how to do those tasks.” Well, that’s when you either learn how or hire someone else to do it if you can afford it.

Don’t over-romanticize being your own boss. Entrepreneurs will be the first to tell you that owning your own business is not all fun. There is a lot of pressure involved, and you have to decide if you

can handle it. Do challenges energize and excite you or do they stress you out and cause panic attacks? Does financial uncertainty scare you, or are you a person who plans for the worst and hopes for the best, taking it all in stride?

Are you a procrastinator? The answer to these questions may help you decide if you would enjoy being your own boss and starting your own business, or if you prefer to have the security that a job offers.

Turning Your Passion into a Business You may be considering turning something you love to do into a fulltime business. I would advise you to start it as a part time venture. Consider how the shift from doing something for the sheer enjoyment of it to doing it for profit will affect how you feel about your work. You may find the pressure of doing it for profit creates a totally different dynamic that subtracts from your joy. I’ll give you an example.

Recently, I was commissioned to do a painting. Typically, I paint for enjoyment and sell them after they are finished. Because this was a commissioned piece, I felt the stress of getting it just right. The person loved the first painting, and with the pressure off, I did two more paintings using the same colors and enjoyed doing them so much more.

Given the choice between the three, the person chose the second painting. It is my theory that the second and third paintings exhibited more creative freedom compared to the first one.

end, Van Gogh shot himself when he was just 37 years old, feeling as if he had failed as a man and an artist. Remember, you are trying to create a life you enjoy, not one filled with financial stress and feelings of failure. If you want to turn your passion into a business, it will become obvious when the time is right. As the scripture in Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him.” Until then, enjoy doing what you love to do and carve out as much time in your schedule as possible to pursue your passion.

Don’t Be Blinded By Your Passion Always be honest with yourself. Man does not live on passion alone. Just because you are passionate about something, doesn’t mean it will make you a living. Even though Van Gogh’s paintings sell for well over $100,000,000 today, he was a struggling artist when he was alive. His younger brother helped to support him financially, and in the

As you consider what direction you want to take your life in, dream big, but then decide how those dreams will best make you happy and what price you are willing to pay to fulfill them. Here’s to doing what you love and loving what you do! When your passion reaches a place where it’s what drives you, it’s what you want to do the most…go for it and be smart when you do!

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Holiday Shopping in Hickory!

©iStockphoto.com | Scharfsinn86

The holiday season is in full swing and so is Christmas shopping! Double the impact of your gift-giving by shopping local. It not only helps businesses financially, it benefits your community in general. Your support keeps the local job market healthy, keeps the sales tax in your area, and reduces your carbon footprint. You are buying from friends and neighbors who often support community charities, sports teams, and schools.

The Downtown Hickory Association has an event planned for December 3rd that encourages you to visit many of the downtown businesses. The 3rd Annual Cookie Crawl is the perfect way to enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and downtown!

It starts at 11 am and continues through 2 pm and tickets are $15. You will find instructions on how to purchase tickets online by visiting www.downtownhickory.com/calendar.

While you are strolling downtown, pay attention to all of the beautiful window displays, and vote for your favorite on Facebook at downtownhky.

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