Just fiddlin' around

All skill levels welcome to play at ‘slow jams'

When Lake Norman Jam lights up its fiddle tunes, you might as well be sitting around a campfire two centuries ago.

Barber leaves lasting legacy

You could get more than a trim at William Colson's shop. He's a lesson in perseverance.

William Colson is at peace with the bulldozers that will level his longtime barbershop on Gilead Road this week.

A furniture maker with a difference

Just enough sales to cover overhead is the goal at Just Plain Country.

Just Plain Country makes primitive reproduction furniture in a workshop at the end of Iredell Avenue, but this is no everyday manufacturer.

Iredell County to dip into fund balance

Board holds tax rate steady in $169 million budget but plans fewer hires than in 2007.

Iredell County commissioners unanimously approved a 2008-09 budget that keeps the tax rate at 44.5cents per $100 assessed valuation but uses $5 million of the county's fund balance.

`I'm a Renaissance redneck'

Singer of songs about N.C. releases his 1st CD

`I'm a Renaissance redneck' Singer of songs about N.C. releases his 1st CD HUNTERSVILLE -- Danny Hargis finally did it.

• Video: | See, hear Danny Hargis

`Just people taking care of people'

As pastor's wife fights cancer, family gets yard makeover

Sixty people descended on Lee and Amy Chewning's south Iredell home Saturday with shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows.

A picture of region's past

Depression-era mural reflects a time when cotton was king

Around the Lake Walk into the Mooresville Graded School District building on Main Street and you suddenly step back 70 years in time.

BOARDS AND THE LORD

Denver Baptist plans skate park

Denver Baptist Church has found a cool new use for a vacant manufacturing building it owns, one sure to be a hit with the younger set.

His sees fine art inside cast-off wood

Around the Lake John Melius collects tree limbs with growths so ugly that most of us wouldn't even think of using them as firewood.

There's always a party on board this bus

Racing fan's ride includes TVs, beds, space for spectators

Jim Hatfield is a star at every Lowe's Motor Speedway race.

Add Beijing Olympics to his sculpture repertoire

Jon Hair will forever be a part of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, even though he's in his 50s and a bit too old to compete.

Inventive WWII vet combats gas prices

Motorized bike takes him where he wants to go

Like the rest of us, Samuel Berry was fed up with rising gasoline prices. Five months ago, the World War II vet decided to do something about it and put his knack for tinkering to work.

• Video: See Samuel Berry on his motorized bicycle

It takes a lot to keep a good farmer down

William Cook was baling hay when I called on Friday.

It takes a lot to keep a good farmer down

William Cook was baling hay when I called on Friday.

It's OK for family, but North leaves me cold

A trip to Canada? I must really love my wife

Sometimes you do for family what you wouldn't do otherwise.

Culture exchange is a valued trade

Visit by group from Taiwan is a lesson in commonality

Culture exchange is a valued trade Visit by group from

Option for life: Homebuilder promotes sprinklers

Huntersville builder Chris Ebel will have his custom home in rural Iredell County finished and decorated for the Parade of Homes in June.

Cherished cat uses up 1 life after taking tumble

Alease Davis never suspected her beloved cat, Babee, had leapt into the hot tumbling dryer when Davis opened the door to put in more clothes.

Shag club has fun on the slide

Group likes kicking it up with a classic Carolinas shuffle

Shag club has fun on the slide Group likes kicking it up with a classic Carolinas shuffle MOORESVILLE -- I had barely finished my plate of barbecue smothered in hot sauce when the fun really kicked up a notch at Fat Boys Restaurant.