Happy holidays, Lake Norman. In today’s edition: Balloon pilots’ 2.5-ton food drive, booger-filled story time with John Deaver, free New Year’s Eve transit, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Airborne goodwill lifts community: Local balloon pilots donated over 2.5 tons of food to Iredell Christian Ministries during a Statesville drive-thru event, with cash gifts boosting the total and city partners lending support — see who pitched in.

City project advances: Crane removal in Statesville marked a new phase in the police department expansion. Work is moving toward installing stormwater drainage along Tradd Street, with updates available on social media — read the full story.

Fresh flavors and stories: Five Charlotte dining experiences stand out, from Seaboy in Cornelius with a rotating seafood menu to Mooresville’s Thai Thai Cafe, reopened under new owners, plus chef collaborations and smaller plates — check out the full lineup.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!

Highlights this week

• Dance to benefit Carolina Migrant Network
• Ring in 2026 with family bowling
• Walk Hogmanay’s path to prosperity
• Booger-filled story time with John Deaver
• Make your own elderberry syrup
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Shops and parking deck planned: Huntersville unanimously approved Station South, a 21.3-acre mixed-use project at a future Red Line station. Plans include 278 apartments and 70 townhomes. Homes will target 80 to 120 percent AMI for 15 years, with safety emphasized. The project still depends on county voter approval of a transit tax. Read the full story.

Decades-long safe ride tradition: On New Year’s Eve, Molson Coors and CATS will offer free transit in Charlotte from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. This marks year 37 of the program, which has provided nearly 10 million free rides since 1988 and more than 440,000 in 2024, with six other cities participating. Get all the details.

Sweet start, zero regrets: Craving glazed or chocolate-covered? The Bakery Shoppe quietly turns out fresh donuts like Boston creme, maple iced, and raspberry-filled, plus legit lattes and cappuccinos. A small joy with big payoff your future self will appreciate.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

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

This week

🎄 Build-A-Tree: Edible Xmas @ Troutman ESC Park | Tuesday (12/23) at 11:30 AM – Edible Christmas tree decorating is popping up at Troutman ESC Park, free and kid-approved for ages 6 and up. You stick around, they get creative, then burn off the sugar on the playground, and everyone wins. Space is tiny, so RSVP before the candy disappears.

🎤 An Evening of Christmas @ Southside Baptist Church | Tuesday (12/23) at 6:00 PM – Trade the tinny store playlist for the real deal. Nashville singer-songwriter Robert May is in town with a free concert built around his new album, Christmas, all rich vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and just enough sparkle. Low stress, high cheer, wallet stays shut.

🍳 Christmas Eve Community Breakfast @ St Paul Church at the Lake | Wednesday (12/24) at 8:00 AM – Christmas Eve at St. Paul Church at the Lake means one thing, a free community breakfast with neighbors, coffee, and actual cheer. Skip the stove and the drive-thru, swap it for pancakes, conversation, and a reminder why Mooresville still feels like a small town.

🧘 Spiritual Development Class @ Ahlara International Day Spa and Boutique | Wednesday (12/24) at 12:00 PM – Wednesday lunch is looking less canned soup, more soul tune-up. Lori Petty leads a weekly spiritual development class with mindfulness, meditation, energy work, and the kind of ancient wisdom your group chat needs. Welcoming, practical, a little woo, and only $20 to exhale on purpose.

🍽 Christmas Day Dinner @ The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen | Thursday (12/25) at 12:00 PM – Christmas Day at The Serve means one thing, freedom from your kitchen. Let someone else handle the roast and the inevitable gravy drama while you sip, relax, and enjoy special holiday menus that feel indulgent without the cleanup. Reserve a table, call it self-care.

✂ Walk-In Craft Bar @ AR Workshop Davidson | Friday (12/26) at 12:00 PM – If your attention span maxes out at a podcast episode, swing by AR Workshop Davidson’s walk-in Craft bAR. No sign-up, no fuss, just pop in, pick a quick project, and make something cute in under an hour, then head to dinner, smug and paint-speckled.

This weekend

🎒 Downtown Mooresville Ruck @ Downtown Mooresville | Saturday (12/27) at 8:00 AM – Lace up at the Mooresville War Memorial Building for a free 5K ruck through historic downtown. It is a brisk walk with a backpack, about an hour if we behave, so bring water, wear comfy shoes, and call it cross-training for grandkids, festivals, and stairs.

🕉 The Chakra Sound Journey @ Ahlara International Day Spa and Boutique | Saturday (12/27) at 9:30 AM – Give your nervous system a tune-up that doesn’t involve kale or crystals you have to dust. Heidi Stapula leads a guided chakra reset with opening prayer, grounding meditation, Yoga Nidra, breathwork, and crystal bowls, so you float out grounded, clear, and actually relaxed.

🐉 Dark/Epic Fantasy Author Popup @ Fred & June’s Books | Saturday (12/27) at 12:00 PM – Ezu Feboke is popping into Fred & June’s, serving dark magic, palace intrigue, and the kind of leadership crisis you can enjoy with coffee. Meet the mind behind Ven of Nordia, get books signed, and swap HOA politics for hidden heirs, curses, and satisfying betrayals.

🏍 Brit Bike Breakfast @ Sun Up Cafe | Sunday (12/28) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats Brit bikes, breakfast, hot coffee, and the usual tall tales at Sun Up Cafe. Ride after if your fingers thaw, or stay and uphold the sacred tradition of coffee and telling lies. Even if your bike sulks, you’re still in.

🥃 December B&F Bourbon Dinner @ Barrel & Fork | Sunday (12/28) at 5:45 PM – If your idea of holiday spirit involves a rocks glass, this five-course bourbon pairing at Barrel & Fork is your kind of festive. Expect thoughtful pours, chef-driven plates, and the smug satisfaction of skipping another crowded Santa pop-up, all in good company.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

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

• 12/23 Joshua Kendrick @ The Cedar Stump Pub-Troutman – 7:00 PM
• 12/26 Post-Christmas Magic @ Harp and Crown – 6:00 PM
• 12/27 Full Band @ BoatYard LKN – 8:30 PM
• 12/27 House of Hair @ Tropicana Cornelius – 10:00 PM
• 12/30 Sam On Someday @ Petra’s – 8:00 PM
• 12/31 New Year’s Eve @ Bin 110 – 8:00 PM
• 12/31 The Mojo Band @ The Turn Sports Lounge – 9:00 PM
• 1/1 Open Mic Night @ Two Trees Sports Bar & Grill – 7:00 PM
• 1/2 Radio Source @ Tropicana Sports Bar – 10:00 PM
• 1/6 Tosco Music Open Mic @ The Evening Muse – 6:30 PM