I'm not sure why this ground level sculpture is titled "Otter Out of Water" but I nearly tripped…read moreover it as I returned to my car after visiting Sally Fox Park. It looks more like a long eel but hey, that's just my opinion. Installed in 2017 and surrounded by low shrubbery, it would be a little hard to find if you didn't know it's here. As well, it's not in the park itself but on a triangle shaped piece of land across the street. If you've seen pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, or at least the tails of it, that's what we have here. But definitely not an Otter. Odd. The caption gives us the title and the name of the artist, "Harry McDaniel" and that it was installed by the City of Hickory Public Art Commission. And as tempting as it might be, please don't climb on it! [Review 15870 overall - 3088 in North Carolina - 1374 of 2021.]

Installed in 2016, this interactive work initially looked like some sort of Greek letter. As I got…read moreclose to it, I noticed the bell shape was hanging loose from the support and just to the side, there's a metal striker with a rubber end to it. Yes, this giant piece of art is a huge gong. And at 9:30 am, am I going to bang the gong? YOU BET I DID! And wow, the sound it made was just so beautifully satisfying. A calming, bong that echoed back from the trees as it slowly dissipated. And while I was tempted to hit it again, I recognized that a second strike would never be as pleasing as the first surprisingly mellow tone so I returned the striker to the handle and stepped back with an exhale. The artwork is titled "Generations" and it is by artist Stefan "Steebo" Bonitz. It is near the western end of Sally Fox Park. If you're in the park, give it a go. [Review 15869 overall - 3087 in North Carolina - 1373 of 2021.]

Love it here. Love the school district have great neighbors! Very supportive town !!!read more

Mayberry revisited…read more I like Maiden. It reminds me of the fictional Mayberry of the 1960's. It's quite with a nice downtown lined with the main street lined with Churches, businesses although most are in re-purposed buidling that have been restored and beautiful houses, many of which are approaching 100 years old. Maiden is a walking town and people take advantage of it. People feel safe and like to go out for a nice walk at sundown when the air begins to cool off. If they don't do that, they like to sit on their big front porches and watch things go by. One thing of interest if Halloween. Every year at Halloween, they close off about a 10 block area for the trick-or-treaters and kids come for miles and are welcome even if they are not from the area. Kids and residents both enjoy themselves. Another facet about Maiden is their love for HS Football. Only in Texas and in Western PA and NE Ohio have I seen such a dedication to the local HS Team, the Maiden Blue Devils. My hometown which was Brevard, NC was like this back in the 50's and 60"s and it was a great place to grow up in. Unfortunately they have moved on but Maiden has been able to maintain that calm peaceful atmosphere that was so great back then.

Installed in 2019, this whimsical art piece stands on a traffic circle at the entrance to Hickory…read moreCity Park. The nearly 9-foot-tall metal sculpture depicts a catlike figure riding a vintage bicycle. According to the city's website, "Several members of the Public Art Commission first experienced the sculpture, described as a "children's book come to life," while on display at the 2018 Caldwell Arts Council Sculpture Celebration and later presented it to the commission for consideration in September 2018. The sculpture was selected for its whimsical nature and connection to Hickory's growing bicycle community." New York-based metal sculptor Corky Corrado created the work of art. Corrado's sculptures have been featured in Plattsburgh, New York's prestigious Museum Garden Tour and at the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts. [Review 15418 overall, 921 of 2021, number 2968 in North Carolina.]

This 13 foot tall artwork graces this small corner that would otherwise be an empty green space…read more There are no benches or other features here. The sculpture is titled "Revolution Rise" and it looks like a handful of pickup sticks stuck together. The artist is Desmond Lewis and it was installed by the Hickory Public Art Commission in 2017. It's pretty but I just don't understand it. Why these colors, why this shape, why this name? Ideas, people? [Review 15880 overall - 3096 in North Carolina - 1384 of 2021.]

Food was good which is the only reason for 3 stars. With no…read morereservation was told it would be better to come on a weekday but you can order at bar if seats are open. Greeted at bar (without eye contact) with "you'll just have to wait". Then two sets of people walking up to bar after us got served. Person finally asked what we wanted to drink - didn't have ingredients to make a common drink. Went back to hostess stand to wait for a table rather than continue with the over stressed bartender. Much shorter time than told to get a table. A plus! Waitress new and unfamiliar with menu and admitted before we left, new to Italian food. There was more that went wrong but being new I have to give her a pass. But, as far as kitchen goes, I ordered veal piccata. What I got was veal (excellent veal) with mushrooms and capers in light brown sauce. It was good, just not classic piccata sauce w/lemon/butter/wine. Caprese appetizer excellent. Shrimp FraDiavolo was excellent, perfect amount of spice. Advice- order from the menu parts that spell out what is in the dish - I ordered from the "pick one" section where you choose meat/ pasta/ sauce separately. And one last note- ladies bathroom is an embarrassment, needs repair/renovation.

Food is wonderful! We go often, because the food is so good! But their ladies bathroom is lacking,…read moremajorly. We have been going there for years. They have 3 stalls, one is always closed. And one doesn't have a working lock. It's been this way since we've been going.

The service is always friendly and helpful. They help you carry your order to the car if needed…read more Food itself is consistently great. I usually order the same things over and over. Everyone likes the complimentary issues from local publications. Highly recommend Geppeto's!

We ordered on the app for delivery. 1 pizza and 2 subs. It said 1 hour. This was at 7:00pm. At…read more8:15pm my husband called to make sure they got the order. We were told it was on its way with the driver. Fine, great! 8:45pm.... Still nothing. My husband calls back and after placing him on hold to find out where our food was, they told us they delivered it to the wrong house. They offered to get another one on the way, but after almost 2 hours and it's almost 9pm... we were all tired and starving. So they refunded the money. I make this review because this was a terrible experience. Just because the food is already paid for, doesn't mean you just deliver it and don't have some kind of verification... why wouldn't there be some kind of verification process? I hate to say it, but I don't have faith in this service and I won't be using it anymore.

This striking art sculpture is located along west 6th Street next to the Newton-Conneover…read moreAuditorium. An appropriate place for a piece titled "Symphonic Gate". The artwork is by Greensboro sculptor Jim Gallucci and is made of galvanized and powder coated steel pipe. The central gate is on a pivot making the red gate spin 360 degrees. [Review 15421 overall, 925 of 2021, number 2971 in North Carolina.]