Happy weekend, Lake Norman! In today’s edition: Chris Stapleton tickets, Corvid Technologies expansion, Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, and more.

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Big plans take shape: Corvid Technologies bought 96.8 acres off Transco Road in Mooresville for $14 million, eyeing campus expansion. One hundred acres are under contract tied to a 250,000-square-foot facility planned for 2025 — learn more about the deal.

Small Biz Winter Fest @ Venue at 8470 | Sunday (1/18) at 1:00 PM – Think you know every local gem? Kick off the new year at a family friendly winter fest where small businesses take center stage, cozy vibes rule, and entry is gloriously free. Bring the kids, your reusable tote, and that resolve to shop local — see the event listing.

Country star takes center stage: Chris Stapleton will play Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday, June 20. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. The show is part of his All-American Road Show and features special guests Lainey Wilson and Allen Stone Get all the details.

Inside Charlotte’s growth blueprint: Charlotte closed 2025 with the strongest recruitment in a decade, adding 3,880 jobs and $424 million in investment. 2026 plans for transit and small business support aim to keep momentum — see what’s planned for 2026.

Athletes and artists unite: Registration is now open for Mecklenburg County’s 2026 Senior Games and SilverArts, running March through May for ages 50 and up around Lake Norman. Expect more than 50 athletic and arts events. Early registration runs through Jan. 23 with lower fees. Top finishers advance to state and national competitions. Check out the full lineup.

Funding boosts residential sustainability: Charlotte has launched the Energy Saver North Carolina program, offering rebates for home efficiency upgrades and electrified appliances. Lake Norman homeowners could lower bills with HOMES and HEOS support — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

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.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🕊 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration @ Davidson Town Hall | Monday (1/19) at 10:00 AM – Looking to do more than just conquer the long-weekend laundry pile? Join the community to honor Dr. King with moving speakers, uplifting music, and real opportunities to serve, not just clap. Come for the inspiration, stay for the neighbors, and leave with purpose.

🍷 Wine Tasting & Food Pairing @ The Barrel | Wednesday (1/21) at 6:00 PM – Think you know bold reds? Orin Swift brings big flavors, moody labels, and paired bites that earn their keep, plus a little storytelling. A proper midweek upgrade for Lake Norman, not a rager; seats are limited, grab tickets at TheBarrelNC.com.

✂ Ribbon Cutting Extravaganza @ Heritage House | Thursday (1/22) at 3:00 PM – Heritage House is snipping the ribbon, because nothing says progress like giant scissors and polite clapping. Expect familiar faces, a quick tour of the spruced-up space, and a photo op you can forward to your aunt. Show up, smile, then call it civic engagement.

🎭 Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale @ Armour Street Theatre | Thursday (1/22) at 7:30 PM – Whether you taught it or just pretend you remember the bear, The Winter’s Tale returns, live and local. Davidson Community Players and Charlotte’s Shepherd Shakespeare Company serve jealous kings, seaside hijinks, and clear storytelling you can hear, a better swap for Netflix, takeout, and doomscrolling.

🎭 Agh! A Variety Show for a Cause @ Petra’s | Thursday (1/22) at 8:00 PM – Live variety is still the best excuse to get out, and this one lets you laugh while doing some good. AGH! brings comics, oddball acts, and maybe a kazoo, all for a cause you can feel decent about. 21+, so leave the teens at home.

🍪 Winter Wonderland Cookie Decorating Workshop @ Davidson United Methodist Church | Friday (1/23) at 6:00 PM – Spend a winter evening icing cookies you don’t have to bake, and call it quality time. At Davidson United Methodist, you’ll decorate five sugar cookies with royal icing, learn simple tricks, and leave with recipes, bragging rights, and treats, and kids under five decorate free.

🥃 Burns Night 2026 @ Historic Rural Hill | Friday (1/23) at 7:00 PM – Trade your jeans for tartan and head to Historic Rural Hill for a proper Burns Night, with hearty toasts, dialed-in poetry, and the haggis getting its moment. Expect bagpipes, a wee dram or three, and more charm than a Highland postcard.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lake Norman report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 53°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of rain between 7am and 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain between 7pm and 4am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 41°F – Low: 21°F – Precip: 37%

A chance of snow before 9am, then a chance of rain between 9am and 11am, then a chance of snow between 11am and 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Most popular house this week

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