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Hey Lake Norman, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New Sonesta hotel, March Madness ticket scams to avoid, and a jaw-dropping lakefront home + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

Rewards across multiple brands: Sonesta has opened the newly renovated 132-room Sonesta Select Statesville near I-77 and I-40, offering Lake Norman travelers a fresh stopover for Piedmont trips, Blue Ridge getaways, and Southeast drives — get all the details.

Safety and traffic upgrades coming: A $7.8 million contract was awarded to improve Bailey Road in Cornelius, extending it from U.S. 21 to Poole Place Drive with a roundabout. Construction could begin later this month — get all the project details.

What to know before tipoff: BBB of Eastern Carolinas warns Lake Norman fans during March Madness about ticket scams. Most venues won’t accept screenshots. Use mobile tickets on your device or in your wallet — learn the mobile entry rules.

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.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Experience Grammy legend Sheena Easton live
• Kids explore nature at Rescue Ranch
• Learn to craft spring charcuterie boards
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Game night, the low-key way: Dive Bar is that below-street-level hangout where the lights are dim, the music’s lively, and the retro arcade lineup (Skee-Ball, Golden Tee, Big Buck Hunter, darts) keeps the friendly trash talk going. Perfect for a no-fuss night with neighbors in downtown Mooresville. (divebarnc.com)

Let the zoomies fly: When your four-legger needs a quick energy dump, Caldwell Park is the easy, no-fuss off-leash stop to mix, mingle, and chase tennis balls with the neighborhood regulars—aka an effortless way to come home with a tired, happy pup.

Lake Norman self-care fix: Ahlara International is a Mooresville staple with legit unwind-everything vibes—think personalized massages, facials, body wraps, Reiki, and even infrared light therapy. Bonus: there’s a boutique and crystal center plus yoga workshops when you want your reset to last past the massage table.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

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 five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as “normal wear and tear,” and they’re 100% on you. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

💼 Spring 2026 Community Career Fair @ The Christian Mission (Mooresville) | Tuesday (3/17) at 10:00 AM – Thinking about a career switch, or just curious who’s hiring? The Christian Mission and NCWorks have a free career fair in Mooresville with 35+ employers, computers to apply, and chances at same-day interviews. Bring a friend, a resume, and your sensible shoes, which beats doomscrolling.

🏗 Bowman Hall Woodlawn Groundbreaking @ Woodlawn School Loop, Mooresville, NC 28115, United States | Tuesday (3/17) at 2:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day calls for hard hats, golden shovels, and polite applause at the Bowman Hall groundbreaking at Woodlawn. Swing by Tuesday, March 17, 2 to 3 pm, then claim bragging rights forever, and still make it home before rush-hour traffic and dinner.

🩺 Let’s Talk Veins: Free Vein Screening @ USA Vein Clinics – Mooresville | Wednesday (3/18) at 8:00 AM – Give your legs some love and swing by this one-day Mooresville wellness pop-up for a free vein screening. They check the pipes, send you home with compression socks, and feed you lunch, because adults only show up when snacks are involved.

📐 Design Review Board Meeting @ Davidson Town Hall | Wednesday (3/18) at 5:30 PM – Channel your inner armchair architect at the Design Review Board meeting, where Davidson’s look and feel gets a reality check. They interpret the Planning Ordinance, review new commercial schematic designs, and keep flashy mistakes from becoming permanent neighbors.

🎉 Grand Opening Party! @ REAL Massage LKN (Denver) | Friday (3/20) at 4:00 PM – Swing by REAL Massage LKN’s grand opening for free stretch sessions, swag bags, light bites, and a raffle for a 60-minute massage. Book at the party for a one-day founding special, then get back to wrangling kids, golf swings, or lake life minus knots.

🎶 The American Spiritual Ensemble @ Davidson College Presbyterian Church | Friday (3/20) at 7:30 PM – Trade your usual playlist for the American Spiritual Ensemble with the Davidson College Choirs, a powerful program of African American spirituals that honors Davidson’s memorial, bears witness, and uplifts. Led by Dr. Everett McCorvey. Tickets at 704-894-2135, students free with tickets.

🎵 The Trivia Academy: Monday Music Bingo @ Gold Leaf Cigar Lounge (Mooresville) | Monday (3/23) at 7:00 PM – Beat the Monday slump at Gold Leaf Cigar Lounge’s Music Bingo in Mooresville. Expect smooth cigars, comfy chairs, and playlists that prove you remember lyrics better than birthdays. Bring a friend, a lighter, and smug satisfaction of nailing that chorus first try.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lake Norman report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 45°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. North northwest wind 1 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 0%

Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Southeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. South wind around 3 mph.

This house is wild

This contemporary Courtland Homebuilders showpiece overlooks Lake Norman with soaring ceilings and walls of glass. The open entertainment core spills to a travertine patio, saltwater pool, outdoor kitchen, and a pier with boat slip. Refined finishes include a four-seasons room with remote panels, waterfall counters, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, main-level suites, a loft, lounge with bar, and two climate-controlled show garages.

Take a peek inside →