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Hi Lake Norman, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Avelo expands with new routes, a flashlight Easter scramble after dark, and Sheena Easton on stage + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many North Carolina drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Schedule extended into fall: Avelo is expanding at Concord–Padgett Regional Airport near Lake Norman, basing jets and crews. It expects to add jobs as it restores routes and adds service to Chicago and Nashville — get all the details.

Franchise-driven expansion continues: Smashburger has opened its fourth North Carolina spot in Huntersville, adding a 1,600-square-foot eatery near Lake Norman. The new location builds on Charlotte-area growth and those signature smashed burgers — read the full story.

Where the church came first: Love Valley is the North Carolina town where cars are banned and horses take over, founded in 1954 with a cowboy vision, featuring riding trails and seasonal rodeos — see what makes it unique.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Learn Mahjong basics with Mahjong Mamas
• Adults scramble for eggs by flashlight
• Celebrate spring with local artisans

💎 This week’s top finds

Classic diner comfort: Whether you swing by pre-commute or after the ballfields, Coffee House Diner serves breakfast all day, burgers from fresh, never-frozen Certified Angus Beef, and hot coffee that hits the spot. It’s the easy, no-fuss place to trade hellos with neighbors and feel right at home this week.

Fresh-baked pie fix: Carolina Pie Company turns out scratch-made 9-inch pies without preservatives in standout flavors like Bumbleberry, Key Lime, and Bourbon Pecan. Perfect for weeknight desserts, gatherings, or a treat-yourself moment. They even host low-key pie classes for friends who prefer flour-dusted fun.

Weekend trail reset: Craving fresh air without the haul? Fisher Farm delivers flowing singletrack, mellow meadows, and a legit archery range, ideal for a quick solo spin or an easy family ramble. Thanks to Greenway access, getting back into the groove is simple this week.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍞 Sourdough & Shamrocks @ Rise Cafe (Mooresville) | Tuesday (3/17) at 11:00 AM – Skip the green beer and get lucky with a St. Patrick’s Day sourdough workshop at Rise Up Cafe, all supplies included, just bring a scale. Whether your starter is legendary or nonexistent, you will leave with dough, know-how, and a loaf to brag about.

🍪 Spring Cookie-Decorating Workshop @ King Canary Brewing (Mooresville) | Wednesday (3/18) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats spring vibes you can eat, so come decorate Easter-meets-spring cookies at this hands-on workshop. Learn a few icing tricks, pipe flowers and bunnies, then leave with a box of brag-worthy treats, a sugar high, and zero plastic grass.

🔦 Adult Flashlight Easter Scramble @ Troutman ESC Park | Friday (3/20) at 8:30 PM – If you’ve been itching to hunt Easter eggs without weaving around toddlers, grab a flashlight and join the 16-plus scramble after dark in the park. Candy, mystery prizes, and bragging rights await, and yes, you must pre-register, no on-site signups, no babies, strollers, or pets.

🏃 Christina Latini Memorial 8K @ Grand Oak Elementary (Huntersville) | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – Lace up for an 8K honoring Christina Latini at Grand Oak Elementary on Stumptown Road in Huntersville. Run, walk, or power-stroll past folks you swear you know, then stick around for high-fives, heartfelt vibes, and the kind of bragging rights that play over brunch.

🌱 Organic Veggie Gardening 101 @ Dearness Gardens Nursery and Landscaping (Huntersville) | Saturday (3/21) at 9:30 AM – Take a break from doomscrolling and get your hands in the dirt with a beginner-friendly crash course in organic veggie gardening. Learn soil smarts, seed starting, and simple upkeep, then go home smug, salad-ready, and slightly sun-kissed. Your backyard, your rules.

🍳 Lake Norman Men That Cook @ The Venues at Langtree (Mooresville) | Sunday (3/22) at 11:00 AM – Lake Norman Men That Cook is serving a fundraiser you can taste, backed by Duke Health LKN Hospital, with teams vying for bragging rights in chili, BBQ, casseroles, vegetarian, and desserts. Eat, vote with your spoon, and call it charity while you lap Langtree.

🎤 Sheena Easton @ Cain Center for the Arts (Cornelius) | Sunday (3/22) at 7:00 PM – Grammy-winning Sheena Easton is back in town, proving the Vegas Hall of Fame plaque is for more than dusting. Expect those iconic hits, a voice that still shines, and classy nods to pop, standards, and Broadway. It’s nostalgia with polish, not a tribute act.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lake Norman report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 70°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of rain showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 98%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Most popular house this week

At the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this Lake Norman retreat spans nearly 8 acres with deep water and sunsets. Light-filled interiors link a refined kitchen and great room to expansive lake views. A resort-style lower-level primary suite connects to a fireside lounge, bar, game area, and a floating dock, the only nearly 8-acre waterfront estate on Lake Norman.

Take a peek inside →