The Hickory Lighthouse

Just around the corner from my fiancees house is one of the more interesting features you’ll run across here in the land locked Piedmont. A replica lighthouse that sits in the middle of a field with its very own Sea Captain to mind the light.

The light actually operates and if you are lucky you will catch the light circling around as a beacon to guide you as you drive along. This past Christmas Holiday season, the light was on every night. So your chances of seeing it actually lit up increase in December.

322 9th ST DR NE Hickory, NC

Technorati Tags: Lighthouse,Hickory NC,North Carolina,Hickory

New Years Traditions: The Cherryville Shooters

A unique local New Years tradition here in North Carolina, that “dates back to the mid 1700’s” is the reciting of the chant and firing of muskets on New Years Day by the Cherryville Shooters.  A history of the tradition can be found here.

This is a great tradition that I’m going to have to go check out. Cherryville is not all that far from Hickory. If you are in the area, stop by and check them out!

North Carolina Christmas Traditions: Moravian star and Cookies

 

 

 

 

 

moravian star and reflection
Originally uploaded by freeformkatia

 

A very cool Christmas tradition here in North Carolina harkens back to the origins of America’s Christmas traditions. The Moravian Church originally from Germany, gives us most of our Christmas traditions. They hold to many of their original traditions and display them each year at Old Salem in Winston-Salem NC.

One of the most beautiful traditions that I have seen so far is the Moravian Star (an example of which you can see at the top of the page.) This is a star which I haven’t seen much of unti I moved out to North Carolina. I think it is absolutely gorgeous. We actually have a lighted one sitting on top of our Christmas tree this year.

Another great thing about the Moravians and Christmas are the traditional Moravian cookies. Rolled out and made by hand, they are among the flattest cookies in the world. Extremely tasty and a wonderful holiday dessert, they are now going to be part of my holiday tradition.

I bought a three tube pack with sugar cookies, spice cookies, and orange cranberry cookies in them. Oh so good! Get yours from the Salem Baking Company.