⏰ LAST CHANCE, PICKLEBALLERS! ⏰
Time is running out to register for the 2nd Annual Picklin’ for Profits Charity Pickleball Tournament, benefiting the Education Foundation for Catawba County Schools! Don’t miss your chance to hit the courts, compete with friends, and support student scholarships and teacher grants across our district.

🏓 Tournament Day: Saturday, January 24, 2026
📍 Hickory Metro Convention Center
⏳ Registration CLOSES Thursday, January 15
✔️ Women’s, Men’s, and Mixed Doubles
✔️ 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 brackets
✔️ Ages 14+
✔️ Round Robin or Double Elimination play
✔️ FREE Picklin’ for Profits tournament towel for all players

🏅 Medals for top finishers + 🎁 five raffle baskets up for grabs!

⚠️ Important: All registration, payments, communication, and scoring will be handled through Pickleball Den, and a DUPR number is required to register.
👉 Spots are filling fast—register HERE before the deadline and be part of this exciting day for a great cause!

Thank you to our sponsors:
Thrive Counseling and Wellness

Dana's Fine Jewelry

Hickory Public Library revamps 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge
 
HICKORY – Hickory Public Library is excited to announce a revamp of its 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge, an initiative designed to instill a love of reading in young children while preparing them for lifelong learning success.
 
This free nationwide early literacy program encourages parents and caregivers to read 1,000 books to their children before they enter kindergarten.
 
The revamped challenge begins Monday, Jan. 12. Parents can register in-person at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library or Ridgeview Branch Library, or sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/hpl1000bbk.
 
Track reading progress on the Beanstack app or paper reading logs. Every book counts, no matter how long, who completes the reading, or where the book is read.
 
For every 100 books read, visit either library branch for a prize. Additional prizes are awarded at the 500 and 1,000 book benchmarks, with a special prize book awarded to all children who reach 1,000 books.
 
Children who were enrolled in Hickory Public Library’s original challenge will automatically be enrolled in the updated challenge at their current progress point.
 
Kick-off events will be held at 10 a.m. at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14. Another kick-off event is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ridgeview Branch Library on Saturday, Jan. 17.
 
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is located at 375 3rd Street NE in Hickory.
 
Ridgeview Branch Library is located at 706 1st Street SW in Hickory.
 
For more information about Hickory Public Library and its early literacy initiatives, contact Head of Youth Services Stephanie Abbott at sabbott@hickorync.gov


Families in Newton and Hickory are invited to register for Spring 2026 Flag Football with the New Age Flag Football! This co-ed league is open to boys and girls of all skill levels, ages 6U–14U. Practices and games will be held on Sunday afternoons at Westside Jaycee Park. It’s a great opportunity for students to stay active, build teamwork, and have fun playing with friends.
Registration is now open and closes February 22. Learn more and register at newageffl.com.