News & Events

After you’ve explored beautiful North Carolina mountain homes for sale, and found the perfect place to live, there’s no better feeling than being welcomed with warm and open arms.  Once you’ve settled into your new home, now’s the time to discover all sorts of incredible things to do in Hickory NC alongside your close friends.

For those of you who are fresh to Hickory, the Newcomers of Catawba Valley will make you feel connected from the moment you walk through the door. Perhaps you didn’t have the time to take part in social clubs while you were working full-time or raising your family. Now you may find yourself with the luxury of establishing those essential friendships we all deserve.  

Keep in mind… most new members join social clubs during their first three years of residency, when they feel they need to find new friends the most.  Some of us are fortunate to have resided in this beautiful area for ten years or more.  Many of the members of the Newcomers of Catawba Valley are retired, but residents of all ages are welcome from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba Counties. Membership dues are reasonable—only $30.00 per family and you are free to try the Newcomers of Catawba Valley membership for a month before deciding to join. 

There are so many things to do in Hickory NC on a monthly basis, from enjoying fine dining, music, and theater, to joining in your favorite recreational games or stretching your brain by trying out some new ones.  Each month the Newcomers hold a general meeting on the second Wednesday, at the Hickory Regional Airport’s Crosswind Café.  Grab a cup of coffee at 10:30 in the morning, meet some new friends, and listen to the educational speaker of the month.    

Anyone interested is welcome to attend the meeting—folks who are new to the area, or long-time residents looking to meet new neighbors. Each month we have a short educational talk about our area’s organizations or events. Come to the meeting, introduce some newcomers in your neighborhood, and learn something new about our community.

Other Newcomer’s Activities:

 • The Book Club; normally meets the forth Wednesday of every other month from 1:30 – 3:30PM;Women’s Resource Center, 125 3rd Street NE; last month’s meeting was on November 16 (due to Thanksgiving)  for a lively discussion of Paula McLain’s, The Paris Wife, led by Joyce Dennis.  This book revolves around Hemingway, love, and life in Paris in the 1920s. For more information, contact either Sue Asp twoasps@gmail.com or Betty Schwartz bettysch69@gmail.com

• Book Club Holiday Salad Pot Luck; Wednesday, December 7, 12-2:30PM; 182 Mariners Point Lane, Hickory, NC.  Sue Asp is hostess; bring a salad to share.  Lunch is followed by a movie.  

• The Newcomers Bowling League; every other Thursday—late September through April; 6:30PM; Pin Station Bowling Center, West A Street, Newton.  Warm-up at 6:20PM; co-ed, casual, and all skill levels are welcome to have a ball.  Cost is $8.00 for three games.  Contact Vince LeGrand, legravin@gmail.com for any additional information. 

• Busy Hands meets at the Westmont Senior Center every Thursday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.  All are invited to the Senior Center to play games, cards, or chat will you sew. There’s plenty of parking and lots of chairs and tables in a spacious room.  Any questions, please contact Collette Wronek.

• Coffee Club—Coffee and Conversation; usually the last Friday of the month, 2-4PM at various locations in the Unifour Area.  An informal gathering over a cup of coffee or tea and pastry. We are introducing Newcomers to the different coffee and tea shops in the area. Let Sheri Binning know if you can join us at ronald.binning@gmail.com or feel free to just show up!  Get to know the different coffee and tea places while sharing some conversation.  

• Evening Social—check the calendar for the next night of food and fun!  Past socials were memorable occasions—a Mardi Gras celebration, a chili cook-off, a fondue party, and a ‘60s dance–to name a few. 

• Games

Bridge–due to popular demand, several groups have formed for Catawba Valley Newcomers who want to play “Party Bridge.” This are  non-competitive folks interested in advancing their Bridge skills. Lessons are being pursued. Members take turns hosting Rubber Bridge once a month.

Canasta–interested members meet once a month to play a version of Canasta known as Hand and Foot. The group meets at 11:30AM for lunch. Card play begins about 12:30PM. This event is scheduled on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Dominoes–if you enjoy a fun get-together, please join us for Dominoes on the first Tuesday of each month in a member’s home. Alternating between Mexican Train and Chicken Foot– fun and fast games. Bring $2 and your favorite snack to share for dinner. We are happy to teach new players this easy-to-learn game.

Mah Jong—Tuesdays @ 1:30-4PM at Pinecrest Retirement Center, 915 29th Avenue, NE Hickory.  This American active version is a rummy-like game using tiles instead of cards. It’s easier than bridge and harder than canasta. Instruction is available.   Contact Dianne Straley, dfwhit@gmail.com

Rummikub—usually meet at a member’s home to play a fast-moving rummy tile game–a combination of luck and strategy and very easy to learn. The hostess provides a dessert and drinks but feel free to bring along finger foods and let the hostess know if you plan to attend.  All are welcome.

• Game Night–held twice monthly, 6-10PM on the second Wednesday and the third Thursday at the Hickory Regional Airport, 3101 9th Avenue Drive Northwest, $10 fee. Catered dinner  at a very reasonable price accompanied by Canasta, Mah Jong, Mexican Train Dominoes, Cribbage and other games. Reservations required to Shari Kidd, kidd915sl@gmail.com coordinate dinner and game tables.  Shari supplies cards and dominoes; members bring along the other games.

• Lunch Out–Member’s Lunch Out meets at different restaurants at 11:45AM during the first week of each month. This is a great opportunity to try new restaurants and meet new friends. In order to reserve enough seats, please email Chuck Bethany, bethanycw@charter.net in advance. ALL members and their guests are welcome!  

• Shooting Practice– Springs Road Gun Club on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 and the fourth Thursday of the month at noon. Open to any member interested in target shooting. This indoor 25-yard range allows hand guns and small caliber rifles. Pay by the hour or  join the gun club with memberships for as short a time as one month. Springs Road Gun Club offers gun rentals, and they offer many different classes.   Contact Vince LeGrand legravin@gmail.com. 

• Special Events–Attending plays, taking nature tours, touring wineries, taking in art exhibits, or hiking are just some of the activities available at the Newcomers who always appreciate social clubs and the varied and wonderful things to do in Hickory:

• Hiking
• Piedmont Wagon Tour
• Pontoon Party
• Charlotte Tour
• Pool Party
• Picnic
• Virginia Creeper Bike Ride

And don’t forget, anyone can start a new activity by attracting enough members who are interested in participating in fun things to do in Hickory NC.  All activities need a contact person, and the idea needs to be presented to the board via the Activities Coordinator before beginning, stating the activity’s purpose, day, time, month and location proposed. Activities must be inclusive for the entire group, and if not, a rotation plan needs to be implemented.  The contact person must notify the Activities Coordinator each month regarding all notices for the calendar. 

If you and your family are exploring North Carolina mountain homes for sale, The Coves should be your first and last stop. We have a variety of spacious homesites available to satisfy your wish list and make that dream a reality. Here’s a few:

• Lot 2 –  On gorgeous Round Mountain Ridge, the site has 2.17 acres for $39,900.   Envision The Cumberland Trace on this land, by MossCreek, which will create a “rest stop for travelers.” There’s true spaciousness to the open plan living, accompanied by a Master Bedroom. Generous Guest Bedrooms add the touch to the perfect floor plan.

Natural materials of wood, stone, and glass, create the perfect small rustic mountain home. It is a two story model with 1,630 square feet. The 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths home has an option of a detachable garage. The starting price is  $224,490 and does not include NC mountain land. There is also a 3 story 2,600+ square foot option too!

• Lot 21 on Round Mountain Ridge is located on a private cul-de-sac with almost a 1/2 acre.  This homesite is a relatively flat build site which is perfect for the ease of  single-story living, and affords a beautiful long-range mountain vista to the Northeast. The cul-de-sac has gentle topography for relaxing strolls–sunrise or sunset–throughout the seasons.

The 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Black Bear builder floor plan would compliment this property beautifully. The design features three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, with a master on the main level.  A large story-and-a-half vaulted Great Room with exposed timber trusses and an open Kitchen / Dining Room all create this home’s dramatic interior. The lower level provides an economical solution for sloping lots, while creating a spacious recreation room and two bedroom suites.  A full veranda along the back completes the relaxed feel of this small NC mountain cabin retreat.

• On Lot 204A, on  1.49 acres at Riverside at the Coves,  there’s a gentle, sloping homesite for $79,900 where you and your family can take in the awesome splendor of Grandfather Mountain with nearly a  360-degree view of the mountain range in your cottage or cabin home.

• The sloping homesite of Lot 921 has stunning views of Table Rock Mountain, Round Mountain and is in close proximity to hiking trails and a community park. For $79,900 with a lot of 1.75 acres, it’s easy to imagine viewing those majestic sunsets from the fresh air of your custom deck. 

• Lot 923 is a beautiful and private 1.83 acre homesite with stunning views of Table Rock Mountain, Round Mountain, and Hawks Bill. From your custom build home you would find easy access to one of our community parks and over 39 miles of hiking trails at $99,900. 

•Lot 817 in High Country Farms at $109,900, is 19 acres that will afford plenty of elbow room and the privacy you’ve been seeking.  This property stands out with many perks of nature– a major spring that forms the headwater of Celia Creek, a bold creek running from the spring and two creeks that meet in a rustic pasture.  A  1/4 acre tree farm of mature Leland cypress trees also graces the property.  This land is in close proximity to our Pisgah Mountain Lodge and Highland River Falls.

Looking for more space?

•Lot 812 in High Country Farms is a super-sized 24-acre land parcel perfect for those who love to ride.  For $119,900, this land will accommodate almost any Builder Floor Plan in our collection.  If you settle on this property, you will find yourself near more than 39 miles of hiking and horse trails.

• Lot 723 is a relatively flat, estate-size, private homesite on the top of a knoll. Views you’ll never grow tired of–Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock Mountain, Brown Mountain, Adams Knob, and Hawks Bill.  For $139,900, these 20 acres will win you heart in your custom built home in the Riverside at The Coves neighborhood.  

How about riverfront property?

•Lot 718 in The Coves Boxwood Estates, is 10 glorious acres that is graced by 400 feet of the mountain-fed John’s River and two cascading waterfalls.  For $225,000, this homesite holds a gentle slope and two possible build sites for those who like the freedom to choose between mountain or river views. 

We encourage you to stop by and take a look. We’re happy to share with you many more nearby social clubs like the Newcomers of Catawba Valley.

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our 84 page Complimentary Magazine