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Hickory names poet Scott Owens as city poet laureate, schedules public reception
Summary
The Hickory City Council and library announced Scott Owens as Hickory’s next poet laureate, effective Jan. 1, 2026; Owens read a poem at the Dec. 16 meeting and the library will host a public reception Dec. 16 at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library.
Scott Owens was introduced as Hickory’s next poet laureate at the City Council meeting on Dec. 16, 2025, and is scheduled to begin the appointment on Jan. 1, 2026. Sarah Green, speaking for the Library Advisory Board, said the board found Owens an "ideal candidate" and invited the community to a reception Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library.
At the podium Owens read an original poem titled "Begin Again," describing it as an early draft and reflecting on themes of renewal and resilience. Owens was identified at the meeting as a longtime Hickory resident, a teacher at Lenoir Rhyne University and a co-owner of Tasteful Beans Coffee House.
The library and the council framed the appointment as part of local cultural programming; the reception will include a short reading and an opportunity to meet Owens. There was no formal vote required for the announcement.
The appointment and reception provide a public opportunity for residents to meet the new laureate and for the library to highlight its arts programming.
