Laurel thelaurelmagazine.com
Your Guide To Highlands And Cashiers | Winter 2013
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events • arts dining • maps
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Publisher’s Note
In the quiet of the winter months, we have time to reflect on what has been and what can be. Each new year - and new day - offers us a blank page to continue our story. We at the Laurel are looking forward to a new year and many new stories to share with you. Thank you for your continued support in reading - and writing - along with us. Janet and Marjorie
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Contents
The Laurel Magazine • Winter 2013
Events
14 • Chili Cook Off 15 • Highlands Cashiers Players 16 • Celebrate Spain Weekend 17 • Chocolate Cook Off 19 • Rotary Club Coat Drive 20 • Area Calendar
The Arts
Dining
24 • Cover Artist Susan Friedland 26 • The Betsy Paul Art Raffle 27 • The Bascom News 28 • The Making of a Sailboat 30 • PAC Youth Theater
Maps
18 • Highlands Map 34 • Cashiers Map
32 • Dusty’s Deli 35 • Wine Dinner 36 • Russian River Valley Pinot 38 • Dining Guide
History
40 • Highlands History 41 • Cashiers History 42 • Scaly Mountain History 43 • Apple Tree Cottage
Volume Twelve • Issue One • www.thelaurelmagazine.com • 828-526-0173 email: editorial@themountainlaurel.com • P.O. Box 565 • Highlands, North Carolina 28741 12 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
Contents
The Laurel Magazine • Winter 2013
Staff
Giving Back
Homes & Lifestyles
Janet Cummings, Managing Partner
Marjorie Fielding, Managing Partner
janet@ themountainlaurel.com
marjorie@ themountainlaurel.com
Michelle Munger, Art Director
Luke Osteen, Writer
(828) 371-2689
46 • Sapphire Ridgeline Views 48 • Artificial Sweeteners 49 • Investment Strategies 50 • Chivalry is not Dead 51 • A Room With a View 52 • Thresholds 53 • Cold and Flu Season 54 • Resolution Schmezolution
60 • Friends For Life 61 • Carpe Diem Farms 62 • Valley Garden Club 63 • Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust 64 • J-M Conservation Alliance 65 • Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society 66 • Highlands Biological Station
mungerclan5@aol.com
(828) 371-2764
(828) 342-3551
dumbdogs@ earthlink.net
Wiley Sloan, Writer
Donna Rhodes, Writer
Guides wileyandsarah@ nctv.com
18 • Highlands Map 34 • Cashiers Map 20 • Area Calendar 38 • Dining Guide 56 • Where’s the Water? 58 • Service Directory 64 • Advertisers Index
donna847@ frontier.com
Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Gary Wein, Kathy Bub, Mary Adair Leslie, Elizabeth Fletcher, Sue Blair, Michael Rich, Sue Aery, Jim Johnson and Resa Johnson, and Michelle Price
Copyright © 2013 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Laurel Magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel Magazine nor any of its staff is responsible for advertising errors, omissions, or information that has been misrepresented in or to the magazine. Any substantial errors that are the fault of the magazine will be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.
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Chili Cook Off Events
By Luke Osteen
Highlands’ Annual Chili Cook-off will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9th.
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et’s face it – by the time March rolls around, we’re all a little desperate for a bit of spice. Winter’s gone on forever and the blush of color that was Valentine’s Day seems like a million years in the past. That’s why the Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Chili Cook-off, slated for 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9th, is always such a welcome part of the social calendar. You’ll be treated to a full spectrum of culinary delights, ranging from the comfortable embrace of a down home corn bread recipe to a spoonful of chili that calls to mind a fire storm of biblical proportions. Add in music that demands a trip to the dance floor and you have the formula for an evening as irresistible as a neon “Good Food” sign blinking on a frigid winter’s night. As for the lineup of the chilies themselves – it’s a palate-pleasing spectrum that ranges from the sublimely spiced to the tongue searing. There’ll be prizes awarded for Most
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Unusual, Hottest, and People’s Choice. You’ll also be able to enjoy the entrants to the corn bread and salsa competitions. Add music and dancing to the mix, and it’s a recipe for the hottest night of the winter. To cool everything off, soft drinks, beer and wine will be served. Tickets are $20 and will be sold at the door the evening of the event. Children 12 and under get in for free. If you’d like to participate, contact the Highlands Visitor Center. at (828) 526-5841, or via email at visitor@highlandschamber. org for an entry form and instructions. You can also fax your request to (828) 526-5803. If you have a can’t-miss chili, corn bread or salsa recipe, join the competition. It’s open to everyone. And if your taste buds have gotten a little sleepy this winter, wake them up with this palate-challenging lineup. As we went to press, the location still hadn’t been decided. You can learn it by calling the Highlands Visitor Center.
Highlands-Cashiers Players Events
By Wiley Sloan
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Laughter abounds at HCP’s Winter comedy - Social Security by Andrew Bergman.
hase away the winter doldrums as you are transported back to New York in the mid-1980s. You’ll relate to the complexities of family – yours and theirs – as you peer into the lives of two Jewish couples, each facing changes in their middle-aged lives. Meet Couple One, well-adjusted, successful art dealers who seem to have their life in order. That life is thrown curve after curve when Barbara’s goody-goody nerd-type sister and her CPA husband (Couple Two) stop by for a visit. Do you remember when your daughter went away to college? Could you cut the apron strings easily or did you fret about how she would adjust to being away from home? Did you approve of all of her friends and her college activities? Throw in the responsibilities of sharing your home with your aging mother and you will understand some of the challenges that Couple Two is facing. When Couple Two determines that they must take some time away, Mom needs to come to New York to visit. Having someone new in the house proves challenging for Couple One. Introduce a retired gentleman (a feisty, elderly artist) whom Mom (the Matriarch) decides could
be a “love interest” into the equation and you have the formula for more laughs. This fast paced comedy will keep you laughing for hours on end. Written by popular playwright/novelist Andrew Bergman, “Social Security” provides entertainment galore. If you were fortunate enough to see the play when it debuted on Broadway, you enjoyed Marlo Thomas in the lead role. Highlands-Cashiers Players Director Mary Adair Leslie has amassed a cast of talented actors and actresses who capture the character of each person with aplomb. The cast includes HCP veterans Jennifer Royce, Lance Trudel, Dean Zuch, Marsha Shmalo, Stuart Armour and newcomer Nancy Gaddy. Mark your calendar for evening performances on Thursday through Saturday, February 21st through 23rd, and Friday and Saturday, March 1st and 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday Matinees are offered on February 24th and March 3rd at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands. For tickets or more information check out the HCP website at www.highlandscashiersplayers.org or call (828) 526-8084.
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Celebrate Spain Events
Weekend
Flamenco guitarist Aris Quiroga Nieto is back by popular demand during Old Edwards Inn and Spa’s Celebrate Spain Weekend.
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izzle with the sights, sounds, flavors and romance of Spain in this colorful weekend at Old Edwards Inn and Spa. Tapas, Tango, Flamenco guitar and more February 22 – 24, 2013. Sample sumptuous Spanish items on Madison’s menu and in the Hummingbird Lounge, including a tasty assortment of tapas. Celebrate Spain with Flamenco guitarist Aris Quiroga Nieto on Friday and Saturday evenings. Aris ensnares his listeners in a wonderful world chock full of melody & infectious vibes. Hailing from Bogota, Quiroga has spent his life learning, teaching, composing, & performing guitar, completely immersing himself into a world steeped in rich musical tradition & theory. A clear veteran of the stage, the Bogota musician has over 25 years experience performing in countries from the Netherlands to Puerto Rico, including shows on national television & radio. Celebrate Spain Weekend Activities: Relax to the unique melody & infectious vibes of Flamenco guitarist Aris Quiroga Nieto in the Hummingbird Lounge Friday and Saturday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm. Enjoy an assortment of colorful Tapas in Hummingbird Lounge. Sample Spanish Items at Madison’s Restaurant Develop your Spanish Wine palate with a complimentary tasting in Hummingbird Lounge Get your Tango on with Joe Extine, professional ballroom instructor. Learn the saucy moves of this sensuous dance on Saturday, February 23rd from 11:00 a.m. to Noon and 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information on Celebrate Spain weekend, call (828) 787-2625 or visit www.oldedwardsinn.com/CelebrateSpain.
For a comprehensive list of area events and happenings visit highlands-cashierscalendar.com
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Events
Chocolate Cookoff By Luke Osteen The Second Annual Cashiers Chocolate Cookoff is a passionate celebration of this most sensual food, February 9th at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.
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he Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library are serving up their second Chocolate Cookoff, Saturday, February 9th, in the library’s Meeting Room. Cost is $5, with children under 5 free. “This’ll help us get rid of the winter blahs – and what better way than to gorge ourselves on chocolate – celebrate Valentine’s Day and support the Friends of the Library,” says organizer Bonnie Zacher. “It’s an opportunity for some friendly competition to make the best chocolate dish in town. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Library to advocate for and enhance library services for Cashiers residents.” There will be two categories: one for professionals (chefs, banquet coordinators, caterers) and one for
the public. For more information, contact the Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library at (828) 743-0215. “Chocolate confections can be anything made with chocolate from candies, to cakes to brownies, and other desserts,” said Mrs. Zacher. “Each entrant will make one dessert that will be judged and later sold and there’ll be additional small bites for the public to taste. Judging will be based on taste, texture, aroma, creativity and eye appeal.” Membership in the Friends of the Library is open to all who believe in the importance of public libraries to individuals and the community. Membership forms are available at the desk at the Cashiers Library.
For a comprehensive list of area events and happenings visit www.highlands-cashierscalendar.com
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Accommodations
Meadows Mtn. Realty............
Hen House..............................
4-1/2 Street Inn .....................
White Oak Realty...................
High Cotton............................ Martha Anne’s........................
Colonial Pines Inn.................. Inn at Half Mile Farm............
Restaurant
Peak Experience....................
Whiteside Cove Cottages......
Lakeside Restaurant..............
Scudders.................................
Mountain Brook Suites.........
Paolettis...................................
The Summer House...............
Mountain Laurel Rest............
Pescados.................................
Whole Life Market.................
Rosewood Market..................
Highlands Fine Art ...............
Wild Thyme Gourmet...........
Highland Hiker.......................
Laurel Magazine.....................
Wolfgang’s Restaurant &
Mirror Lake Antiques............
Mill Creek Gallery & Framing ..
Wine Bistro.............................
Arts
Services
Museum of American Cut Glass.......................................
Retail
Creative Concepts Salon.......
The Bascom ...........................
Alyxandra’s ............................
Highlands Visitors Center.....
Bear Mountain Outfitters......
Warth Construction...............
Real Estate
Cabin Casuals.........................
Aery Chiropractic &
Country Club Properties.......
Drake’s Diamond Gallery ....
Acupuncture..........................
John Cleaveland Realty..........
Dry Sink..................................
High Country Photo.............
Sundrops on Caney Fork.......
Dutchman’s Designs..............
View the Highlands, North Carolina interactive map at www.thehighlandsmap.com for addresses, phone numbers and website links to local businesses. To promote your business in both the print version and on-line Highlands map for only $20 per month, email marjorie@themountainlaurel.com. 18 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
Rotary Club Coat Drive Events
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Contributed by Lydia Doyle
inter often brings to mind images of curling up by a warm fire, blanket across lap, dog at feet, warm cocoa and book in hand. These are days to go out and play in the snow then come in and warm up over a bowl of hot soup. For many of us, however, winter brings an endless stream of difficulties where every day is a fight to stay warm and healthy. To help alleviate the stress that this season can bring, the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, in partnership with Fishes & Loaves and the Community Care Clinic in Highlands, is hosting its third annual coat drive. For the past two years, the coat drive has provided about 300 coats per year to people who otherwise would have trouble finding appropriate coats and staying warm. Coats may be dropped off at Ingles, Fishes & Loaves, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, JJ’s,
Buck’s Coffee Cafe, Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Wendy’s, Community Bible Church, Church of the Good Shepherd and the Cashiers United Methodist Church. Coats may be picked up at the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers or at the Community Care Clinic in Highlands. Fishes and Loaves is open Monday and Thursday 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.. The Community Care Clinic in Highlands is open Thursday eve-
nings from 5:00-9:00. The coat drive will continue throughout the winter, and any extra coats that are no longer worn or needed would be much appreciated and will make a huge difference to somebody in our community. Please consider donating any coats that are no longer needed or worn at one of the drop off locations and make somebody’s winter a little easier.
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The Highlands Map 18A | Winter 2012 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com 22 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
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Mark Your Calendar Community Library, (828) 743-0215. • Monticello Vineyards Wine Dinner, Saturday, February 2, as part of Romance Weekend, The Farm at Old Edwards, $125 per person including wine with courses. Exclusive of taxes and gratuities. Limited seating. Call (828) 787-2625 to book. • Celebrate Spain Weekend, February 2224, Old Edwards Inn and Spa, (828) 7872625. • “Social Security” by Andrew Bergman, Thursday-Saturday, February 21-23 and Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday Matinees, February 24 and March 3 at 2:30 p.m., Highlands-Cashiers Players, Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-8084. • Highlands’ Annual Chili Cook-off will be • Free Children’s Movies, 3:30 p.m., held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Wednesday, January 2, and Wednesday, March 9. Call the Highlands Visitor February 6, Hudson Library, (828) 526-3031. Center at (828) 526-5841 for location and • In These Mountains exhibit featuring participation. painter Ann DerGara and sculptor Christine Kosiba of Brevard through January 4, The Bascom, (828) 526-4949. Every Monday • Appalachian Music Church Service, 9:09 • Core Yoga, 8:30 a.m., Cashiers Valley a.m., Sunday, January 6, Fellowship Hall at Fusion, (828) 743-9000. the United Methodist Church, Highlands, • Hatha Level 1-2, 9:30 a.m., Yoga (828) 200-6165. Highlands, (828) 526-8880. • Story Swap, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January • Fundamentals of Yoga-Beginners, 8:30 8 and February 12, The Ugly Dog Pub, a.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743Highlands Writers Group. Pre-registration is 9000. required, (828) 369-1927. • Dulcimer Lessons - Intermediate Class • Recently Released Movies, 2 p.m., 10 a.m., Beginners noon, Highlands Wednesday, January 16 and Wednesday United Methodist church, (828) 787February 20, Hudson Library, (828) 5261586. 3031. • Yoga All Levels, 5:30 p.m. Yoga •“The Bascom Instructors,” January Highlands, (828) 526-8880. 5-March 10 in the Atrium. Opening • Pilates with Sandi Trevathon, 4 p.m., Reception is Saturday, January 5, 5-7 p.m., Jane Woodruff Clinic, Highlands-Cashiers The Bascom, www.thebascom.org or (828) Hospital, (828) 526-5862. 526-4949, • Barn Jamming with James, Fressers • “Polly Knipp Hill: Marking a Life Through Eatery, (828) 526-8847. Etching” collection in the Loft Gallery, Every Tuesday January 12 - March 10, The Bascom, www. • Hatha Yoga-Level 1-2, 10:30 a.m., thebascom.org or (828) 526-4949, Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. • The Annual tradition at The Bascom: • Dulcimer Acoustic Jam, 10 a.m., Bird “Regional Art Leagues: Selected Works, Barn and Gift Emporium, Cashiers, (828) January 19-March 31, in the Bunzl Gallery, 743-3797. The Bascom, www.thebascom.org or (828) • Highlands Rotary Club, noon, 526-4949, Highlands Community Center. • The Betsy Paul art raffles for the Cashiers • Duplicate Bridge, 12:45 p.m., Albert Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, will be Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. held on January 31 and February 28, in the (828) 743-0215. afternoon. For more information, call (828) • Weight Watchers, 5:30 p.m., Highlands 743-0880. Rec Park. • Second Annual Cashiers Chocolate • Mat Pilates, 5:30 p.m., Cashiers Valley Cookoff, February 9, Cost is $5, with children Fusion, (828) 743-9000. under 5 free, Albert Carlton-Cashiers
Weekly Events
Every Wednesday • Highlands Mountaintop Rotary, 7:30 a.m., dining room at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. • Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, 8 a.m., Cashiers United Methodist Church, (828) 743-2243. • Mat Pilates, 9 a.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. • Hatha Yoga Level 1-2, 9:30 a.m., Yoga Highlands, (828) 526-8880. • Cashiers Quilters Guild, 12:30 p.m., Cashiers Methodist Church. • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:30 p.m., Highlands Civic Center. • Mah Jong games open to the public, 1 p.m., Albert Carlton Cashiers-Community Library, (828) 743-0215. • Pilates with Sandi Trevathon, 4 p.m., Jane Woodruff Clinic Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, (828) 526-5862. • Slow Flow Yoga, 5:30 p.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. • Bluegrass, 8:30 p.m., Ugly Dog Pub, (828) 526-8364. Every Thursday • Fundamentals of Yoga-Beginners/ Level 1, 10:30 a.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. • Yoga Foundations, 3:30 p.m. Yoga Highlands, (828) 526-8880. • Zumba, 5:30 p.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. Every Friday • Mat Pilates, 9 a.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. • The Zachary-Tolbert House Tours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., (828) 743-7710. • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:30 p.m., Highlands Civic Center. • Live Music, 6 p.m.-close, Hummingbird Lounge, Old Edwards Inn, (828) 7872625. Every Saturday • Birding Field Trips, 7:30 a.m., Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, meet at Highlands Town Hall, (828) 743-9670. • Yoga All Levels, 9:30 a.m., Yoga Highlands, (828) 526-8880. • Vinyasa Flow Yoga, 9 a.m., Cashiers Valley Fusion, (828) 743-9000. • Bascom Community Knitters, 10 a.m., The Bascom, (828) 526-4949. • The Zachary-Tolbert House Tours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., (828) 743-7710. • Live Music, 6 p.m.-close, Hummingbird Lounge, Old Edwards Inn, (828) 7872625.
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Cover Artist Susan Friedland The Arts
by Donna Rhodes
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f they ask if you can teach photography, you say, “Yes!” That’s what artist/photographer Susan Friedland, said years ago when she applied for a much-needed job. She says, “Nothing like agreeing to teach to force you to learn something new and, as a result, open the door to a grand adventure.” As a student at Oberlin College in Ohio, Friedland focused on sculpture, so teaching darkroom photography (this was in the pre-digital age) was a stretch. But she rose to the occasion and wound up teaching photography in several large cities, among them, Boston, Atlanta and Augusta. Teaching led to showing her own work and the rest is history. Art came naturally to Friedland. Her parents encouraged a leap into the arts and it took no coaxing to make art her career…, a very successful one at that. Just look at the fine art galleries and impressive homes where her photos have hung. “My work has been shown at Summit One, John Collette Fine Art, Ann Jacob Gallery, and most recently the Cashiers Trading Post.” In addition, it is being featured at the Time Warner Building in New York City. Friedland is honored to be included in the private collections of Sir Elton John, Ralph Lauren and Judge Judy. While Friedland is passionate about her art, she is also a very devoted wife and mother. She finds her deepest and best support comes from her husband, Dr. Lance Friedland
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and three children, Sam, Dave, and Mariah, each talented in their own right. But she has a third passion: horses. She says, “There is something magical and regal about the way horses move. They are walking art. I am thrilled when I capture their raw energy in perfect light.” Friedland is presently working on a collection of splendid equine photo encaustics. Hot melted wax encases photos and collage, giving images a rich, almost mystical appearance. Friedland says, “When I am creating, when I am out shooting photos, or am in the studio, I am excited by what I do. When I am around horses or riding my horse Leon I am ecstatic. I am very blessed with my husband and three kids. They encourage me. They push me to continue to create and I watch them as they pursue their own passions and their dedication inspires me.” Now after raising a family and managing a flourishing career, she is still saying “Yes” to life. Who knows what the next adventure will be? If you’d like to know more about that adventure, you can contact her at lancef@ mindspring.com. Or visit her website at www.susankfriedland.com. Or call her at (678) 358-3193. Better yet, see her images firsthand in the Cashiers Trading Post, 16 Chestnut Square in Cashiers. Susan K. Friedland is also available for portrait commissions.
The Arts
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The Betsy Paul Art Raffle The Arts
The Betsy Paul art raffles for the Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, will be held on January 31st and February 28th, in the afternoon. For more information, call (828) 743-0880.
The art of Jill Wolfe Hill
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he art raffle artist for January is Sam Summers. This is the fourth year that Sam has generously donated to the raffle which benefits the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department. Each year his wooden bowls/vases bring a lot of interest to the art raffle because of their beauty and fine quality workmanship. This year’s donation is another one-of-a-kind specially crafted wooden bowl. All of his creations are handmade and make wonderful additions to any home! Sam produces his artistic bowls and vases from native mountain hardwoods. Each piece is a unique work of art, designed to enhance the natural grain and figure of the wood. Sam operates a one-man shop on a mountain top off of Big Ridge Road in Glenville. Many of the woods used are recycled from downed timber or harvested directly from the forest behind his shop. Jill Wolfe Hill is excited to contribute her first painting as the February prize for the monthly raffle that benefits the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department. Jill moved to Cashiers full-time from Atlanta six years ago. One of her goals in leaving the hectic city life behind was to begin painting, something she has wanted to do for years. However, raising two sons, volunteering for many causes and her work seemed to get in the way! Her small home renovations/interior design company, AngelHouse Designs, kept her busy until the real estate world 30 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
The art of Sam Summers
slowed down in 2009. Jill comes from a very creative and artistic family. Her mother was an accomplished water-colorist who studied under AWS artist Wayne Wu. Her dad took up oil painting when he retired and was surprised to find out he had a gift. Elder Jones, her older brother, is a local concrete sculpturist who has taught several workshops at The Bascom. Three years ago Jill finally took the big leap by taking an intensive course at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. She was most fortunate as this Basic Introduction to Oil Painting was taught by renowned artist and art educator Kathleen Staiger. It was a very challenging 12-week adventure, and she definitely “got the bug” to keep going. Since that first course she has taken other workshops at the VBMA. Currently, she is in the mentoring program at the Atlanta Academy of Fine Arts taught by Jim Richards. She has a stack of blank canvases to keep her busy this winter at her studio in Cashiers. Hopefully you will see Jill’s work for sale in the future in one of our wonderful local galleries. Viewers are invited to see each month’s raffle item on display from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday at Betsy Paul Properties, 870 Highway 64 West, Cashiers. Checks can also be mailed directly to the CashiersGlenville Fire Department, P.O. Box 713, Cashiers, North Carolina, 28717. For more information contact Betsy Paul Properties, (828) 743-0880.
Bascom News The Arts
by Donna Rhodes
Winter at The Bascom is anything but sleepy thanks to a jammed calendar.
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s Jack Frost crafts his own crystalline beauty across Highlands’ peaks, The Bascom offers a warm reception to winter visitors inside the gallery gate. Three wonderful showings begin in January. The first, “The Bascom Instructors,” is displayed January 5th through March 10th in the Atrium. The Opening Reception is Saturday, January 5th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This exhibition is presented as a preview of talent from the dedicated artists who will share their gifts through teaching at The Bascom. These instructors are at the heart of The Bascom’s education programs. Their work speaks for the quality of instruction they so graciously provide to scores of students all year long. Second is the delightful Polly Knipp Hill collection in the Loft Gallery January 12th through March 10th. “Polly Knipp Hill: Marking a Life Through Etching” is a retrospective of artist Polly Knipp Hill’s life and career. She began working as an artist in the 1920s and garnered increased recognition in the decades that followed. Although she initially focused on European architecture, in her mature period her broad body of work grew to encompass poignant, amusing, and slightly satirical scenes that reflected American culture. The exhibition is organized iconographically according to the categories into which the artist herself divided her print oeuvre: Paris, America with “street and countryside scenes,” Florida: Arcadia, children’s games, and mountain culture. She lived and worked in Highlands for a few years. The third exhibition is an annual tradition at The Bascom: “Regional Art Leagues: Selected Works.” It is on display January 19th through March 31st in the Bunzl Gallery. Showcasing the talents of selected artists of the surrounding regional art guilds and organizations, Regional Art at The Bascom will also feature, for the first time the People’s Choice Awards, chosen by exhibition visitors. Please visit the showing and cast your vote for the exceptional work The Bascom annually celebrates. If after seeing these three outstanding exhibitions, you are inspired to create your own masterpiece, call The Bascom to inquire about the Art by Appointment program tailor-made to your schedule. Let the Bascom make a one-on-one class just for you. Make 2013 your year to start making art. For a complete listing of classes and workshops, go to www.thebascom.org or call (828) 526-4949 for more information on classes, exhibitions, and all things art. www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 31
The Making of a Sailboat The Arts
By Wiley Sloan
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hroughout the busy summer season, it is common to hear area visitors ask us year-rounders, “What do you all do during the winter?” The answer to that question is as varied as are the people who call Highlands home. Some people travel, others hone their bridge skills, others take a class at one of the nearby colleges. For Cullasaja resident Larry Ray the answer is, “Well, for several years I constructed a sailboat.” Larry and his wife Mary Ann moved to Highlands in 1998, three years before he actually retired. As that joyful day neared, Larry began to plan how he would transition from his work-a-day life to the slower pace of retirement. An avid hunter, fisherman and golfer, Larry looked 32 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
forward to enjoying more free time. In addition to these sports and spending time with family, he is active in his local church, Highlands United Methodist. Larry tells me, “You can only hunt, fish, and golf so much. I was looking for something for those days when the weather was bad and it was not fun to be outside.” He learned that one of his friends had attended a boatbuilding school in Maine where they taught how to build old-fashioned wooden boats. With an engineering background, the opportunity to learn more about how early boats were built sounded intriguing. In addition to construction skills, the class taught photography and provided the opportunity to go sailing – a winning combina-
The Arts
tion. Plus, the class location was wonderful – on the Maine coast, just south of Bar Harbor. Who wouldn’t enjoy spending two weeks in that locale? Mary Ann thought that it would be fun to explore the area while Larry was in class, so plans were made. Larry said, “I registered for the class with no intention of ever building a boat. I just thought that it would be fun to learn the techniques.” Oh, but the seed was planted. In the fall of 2001 Larry attended the first class. Spring 2002 he ordered the specialized lumber from Wilmington, North Carolina and the boat was begun. It took almost two years to build the “mold” (the shell upon which the outer extremities of the boat would rest). First he created the components in the basement workshop; then he began the assembly. The boat soon took over the garage. As the boat began to take shape, additional specialized tools were needed. The oak ribs had to be steamed, joints had to be clamped. Larry even recruited some of his friends to come work on the boat. From 2004 through 2007 Larry continued to add planks to the boat. He even attended his second school. He would work a few days, break for other adventures, and then come back to the boat. We’ve all heard the adage “Measure twice, cut once.” Larry learned that boat building can be painstakingly precise. He read the directions, sketched out the various components that were needed, cut patterns from scrap wood and fitted them in place to be sure that each piece of the boat fit securely. In 2008 and 2009 the boat was assembled and it was
time for finishing. Applying the proper varnish and sealant is not a simple process. There’s sanding, and varnishing, then more sanding and more varnish. Larry knew that there would be nothing worse than a boat that was not properly sealed. No leaks allowed. He picked up tips from seasoned boat builders: don’t mix brands of paint, let the mixtures cure adequately before starting application, etc. It is now 2010 and time to craft the rudder, the tiller and the mast plus all of the accessories. Larry worked diligently to finish his boat. He was motivated because now he could see how the finished product would look. He was also receiving encouragement from Mary Ann who was ready to have the garage back. Imagine now — this boat had been sitting in one side of the garage for more than seven years. During the winter of 2010 Larry completed the remaining components and assembled the boat. Spring 2011 the boat was ready for its inaugural voyage. Before Larry could finalize plans for launching the boat, an area woodworker happened by his house and saw the boat. He made Larry an offer he couldn’t refuse, so Larry sold the boat. No, he is not sad that he never got to sail the boat. He had many years of adventure learning how to create all of the components, and assemble them. He has many stories to share with his grandchildren. He honed his woodworking skills that he can now use to build playhouses and tree houses that his grandchildren will enjoy. What’s Larry’s next adventure? Who knows? How do you spend your winters? www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 33
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Dusty’s Deli dining
By Wiley Sloan
Winter in Highlands is a lot cozier thanks to the delicious fresh treats served up daily at Dusty’s Deli, at 493 Dillard Road.
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fter the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays, quiet days of winter are a welcome relief. There’s time to grab that book that we’ve been meaning to finish. Winter also means we can enjoy some of the hidden treasures of Highlands. Many Highlanders count on Dusty’s at 493 Dillard Road for their meats, hors d’oeuvres and wonderful homemade rolls. They are memorable but have you enjoyed lunch at the Dusty’s Deli? Don’t miss that treat. The tantalizing smells of the daily soup special welcome you to the Deli. The turkey noodle soup is hearty and brimming with flavor. Enjoy the broccoli and cheese or the potato or one of Kitty’s other great treasured recipes. Each day is different. Choose from the smorgasbord of salads. Popeye recommends Lou’s layered salad featuring spinach, bacon bits, boiled eggs, lettuce, green onion, red pepper, feta cheese topped with Greek dressing. Savor the blended flavors of the Asian chicken salad featuring tasty chicken served stop mixed greens and spinach, paired with mandarin oranges, pecans, and feta cheese with sesame dressing. I enjoy the Cranberry Almond Crunch salad which features mixed greens, almonds, chicken, dried cranberries, celery, onion, feta. Choose either Greek or Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing. Sandwiches at Dusty’s are as unique as its many customers. Choose your bread: multigrain, sourdough, rye, or croissant. Top that with roast beef, turkey, ham, salami or bologna. Add your favorite cheese and a variety of vegetables plus, your favorite spread. The best part is that you relax 36 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
with your friends as Kitty puts the sandwich together for you. Wraps at Dusty’s cover a wide spectrum. With more than 11 to choose from, I am always in a quandary as to what I should order. Chicken lovers have multiple options including the Chicken BLT, Chicken Caesar or my favorite the Chicken Brie. Looking for a little spice? Try the Thai chicken wrap that includes cukes, carrots, and ginger, with sesame vinaigrette. Roast beef lovers always go for the Dusty’s wrap that features their famous bleu cheese spread. Enjoy your meal in the cozy dining room in front of the fireplace. Save room for one of Kitty’s devilish desserts. They tempted you while you ordered, so indulge. Chocolate lovers rave about the brownies and the chocolate chip cookies – both oh-so-good. A cup of coffee and a piece of the caramel cake or a freshly made scone is another tasty option. Scone flavors change with the seasons. Cranberry almond and pumpkin are fall favorites while blueberry leads the way in summer. Ask Kitty about the flavor-of-the-day. When you have limited time, call ahead and Kitty will have your order ready for you. If you are entertaining at home you may want to add some of Dusty’s appetizers to your order. Kitty can prepare vegetable, cheese or party sandwich trays for you. Winter lunches are served 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dusty’s is located at 493 Dillard Road, a short drive from Main Street. Call them at (828) 526-2762.
www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 37
CASHIERS MAP KEY
AccommodAtions High Hampton inn & country club the mountain Laurel inn Arts Blue Valley Gallery
dovetail Antiques
Fiddlehead designs
GG’s consignments *etc Highland Hiker Highlands emporium interior enhancements into the Woods Home interiors
cashiers Hillside Artists chivaree southern Art and design mountain mist Gallery
Lenz Gifts & Linens Lotsa consignment shop midnight Farms
reAL estAte Betsy Paul Properties
nature’s Vitamins nearly new/ellen’s nora & co
Landmark realty Group silver creek real estate Group restAurAnts Boar’s Head deli
rusticks ryan & company s’more Kids Klothes summer Place Antiques the Look Jewelry and Gifts
cafe 107 crossroads Grill/Village scoop Hunts Brothers Pizza sapphire Brewery & Pub the Bodacious Bear Pub the Zookeeper Bistro
tom sawyer tree Farm Victoria's closet Vc for men Vivianne metzger Antiques Woof Gang Bakery Zoller Hardware
retAiL
the designer’s market
Bear’s den Bird Barn and Gift emporium Blue ridge Bedding/ carolina rustic Furniture Bounds cave Brooking’s cashiers Village Anglers Bumpkins
serVices cashiers chamber cashiers BP cashiers exxon cashiers Printing cashiers Valley Preschool Fancy Paws dog Grooming
cashiers customs
Jennifer Haynes massage therapy
catbird seat
Keystone Kitchen & Bath
cJ Brownhouse consignment market corner store
Peter J Pioli interiors signal ridge marina
To promote your business on the Cashiers Map for only $20 a month, email janet@themountainlaurel.com. 38 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
Monticello Vineyards Wine Dinner dining
Old Edwards Inn and Spa is planning a Monticello Vineyards Wine Dinner Saturday, February 2, 2013 as part of Romance Weekend. The Farm at Old Edwards will set the perfect backdrop for a fun and festive wine dinner.
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oin Old Edwards for the popular Winter Romance Wine Dinner, this year featuring wines by Monticello Vineyards and Steve Wohlrab Live. The enchanting setting at The Farm makes for a memorable winter wine dinner each year, and this year promises to be no exception. Book now because this event fills up fast. A four-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Johannes Klapdohr will be paired with Monticello wines chosen by Old Edwards Inn and Spa’s Sommelier, Curt Christiansen. Monticello Vineyards have taken great care to ensure
that the variety, rootstock, clone selection, vineyard spacing and trellis design are matched to the soil and microclimate of each vineyard. The winemaker’s hand is used to bring these flavors together into a cohesive whole, protecting and promoting the intense aromatics and presenting a full-bodied, elegantly textured and seamless wine. $125 per person including wine with courses. Exclusive of taxes and gratuities. Limited seating. Call (828) 787-2625 to book. For more information, menu and wine pairings log on to oldedwardsinn.com/MonticelloWineDinner.
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Mtn. LaureL ShoppeS Dining Shopping Accommodations Slabtown Road off Hwy. 107 N. Cashiers, NC
Map of Cashiers 42 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
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Russian River Valley Pinot dining
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Contributed by Mary Ann Hardman
ottles of wine that consistently have special meaning to me are usually from places that I have visited, walked in the vineyards where the grapes were grown, and perhaps even met the winemaker. Sometimes understanding the area in which a wine was grown gets rather confusing — especially for someone who took
Latin in high school in order to avoid the perils of geography class. The Left Bank and the Right Bank of Bordeaux really do produce different wines… but which ones? The Russian River Valley in California is a growing region that intrigues me. This viticultural area sprawls over 126,000 acres and offers a canvas of three different microclimates for Pinot Noir to express herself. Pinot Noir from the cooler region of Green Valley compared to those wines from the warmer Middle Reach region do taste different. Pinot Noir, when grown in warmer areas, is often opulent, voluptuous, and full-bodied which makes perfect sense when considering that wine is liquid sunshine. More sun, more sugar, bigger wines. How-
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ever, too much ripeness does not bode well for finicky Pinot Noir. Think about Tammy Faye Baker and her overload of mascara and false eyelashes! Overdone is not always beautiful. Cooler climates are where Pinot Noir reaches its peak. Pinot Noir is an early ripener, but she prefers to stay on the mothervine as long as possible in order to obtain complexity and complete maturity. Lingering morning fogs and cool days are her optimal climes. Curt Christiansen, wine director at Old Edwards Inn, shares my enthusiasm for Pinot Noir as well as for making wine as approachable as possible. He enjoys Martin Ray Winery’s Pinot Noir. As one of the oldest wineries in California (even surviving Prohibition!), Martin Ray
is known for reliability, quality, and value. For more artisanal Pinot Noirs, Curt recommends Stewart Cellars and Chasseur Vineyards. Paul Hobbs is consulting winemaker at Stewart Cellars. Hobbs is well known for his work at Simi, Opus One, and his own eponymously named label. Chasseur Vineyards, (chasseur meaning “hunter” in French) , crafts a handful of vineyard specific Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs, offering a vinous passport to discover the appellation. Here are some other notable Russian River Valley classics to search out and enjoy. Watch out for the 07, 08, and 09 vintages which were excellent: De Loach, Dehlinger, Rochioli, Rodney Strong, Patz & Hall, Merry Edwards and Williams Selyem.
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Vegetarian Selections
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Your Guide to the Restaurants of Highlands & Cashiers
Breakfast
Mountain Dining
Sunday Brunch
dining
Highlands’ Restaurants The Bistro at Wolfgang’s • 460 Main Street • 828-526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • L •
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Dusty’s • 493 Dillard Road • 828-526-2762
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Flip Side • 30 Dillard Road • 828-526-4241 ¢ $ • • • • C • • •
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Fressers Eatery • Helen’s Barn • 828-526-4188 $ $ $-$$ • • • • C/NC • •
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Ghangri Asian Fusion Restaurant • 490 Carolina Way • 828-526-8500
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Highlands Smokehouse • 595 Franklin Road • 828-526-5000 *
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The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering • 350 S. Fifth St. • 828-526-2110 $-$$ $-$$ • •
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Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden • 445 Main Street • 828-787-2525 $ $$ $$ • • • • NC • • 4 On the Verandah • Hwy. 64 (Franklin Road) • 828-526-2338 $-$$ $-$$ • • • • • NC • • •
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Paoletti • 440 Main Street • 828-526-4906 $-$$ • •
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Ruka’s Table • 163 Wright Square • 828-526-3636 $$$ • • • • • NC • • • 37 SweeTreats • Mountain Brook Center • 828-526-9822
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SweeTreats Deli • Corner of Main and South 4th St. • 828-526-9632
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Ugly Dog/The Ugly Dog House • 294 South Fourth Street • 828-526-8364
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Wolfgang’s Restaurant • 460 Main Street • 828-526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • L •
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Wild Thyme Gourmet • 343 Town Square, Main Street • 828-526-4035 $ $-$$ • • •
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cashiers’ Restaurants Café 107 • Highway 107 South • 828-743-1065 ¢ • • C • ¢ $
Pricing Guide Minimal, most entrees under $10 $$ Deluxe, most entrees $15-$20 Moderate, most entrees $10-$15 $$$ Grand, most entrees over $20
Highlands Restaurants 23 Steps Steak House - 828-787-2200 Altitude’s at Skyline Lodge - 828-526-2121 Bella’s Junction Cafe - 828-526-0803 Bistro on Main/Main Street Inn - 828-526-2590 The Bistro at Wolfgang’s - 828-526-3807 The Brick Oven - 828-526-4121 Bryson’s Deli - 828-526-3775 Cafe 460 - 828-526-8926 Cyprus International Cuisine - 828-526-4429 Dominick’s Restaurant - 828-526-0527 Downhill Grill - 828-526-1663 Dusty’s - 828-526-2762 El Azteca - 828-526-2244 Flip Side - 828-526-4241 Fressers Eatery - 828-526-4188 Ghangri Asian Fusion Restaurant - 828-526-8500 Golden China - 828-526-5525 Highlands Smokehouse - 828-526-5000 Kelsey Place Restaurant - 828-526-9380 The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering - 828-526-2110 Lakeside Restaurant - 828-526-9419 Madison’s Restaurant
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Checks Local Only * Takeout Only
& Wine Garden - 828-787-2525 Mountain Fresh - 828-526-2400 On the Verandah - 828-526-2338 Pescado’s - 828-526-9313 Pizza Place - 828-526-5660 Paoletti - 828- 526-4906 Rosewood Market - 828-526-0383 Ruka’s Table - 828-526-3636 Rustico at The Log Cabin - 828-526-0999 Southern Belles Restaurant - 828-787-2299 Sports Page - 828-526-3555 Subway - 828-526-1706 SweeTreats - 828- 526-9822 The Ugly Dog/Dog House - 828- 526-8364 Wild Thyme Gourmet - 828-526-4035 Wolfgang’s Restaurant - 828-526-3807 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - 828-526-0020 Cashiers Area Restaurants Ashbys - 828-743-7889 Brown Trout Mountain Grille - 828-877-3474 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - 828-743-9997 Cafe 107 - 828- 743-1065 Carolina Smokehouse - 828-743-3200
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C Casual
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Dress Code NC Nice Casual J Jacket
Chester’s Chicken at Cashiers Exxon - 828-743-5041 Chile Loco - 828-743-1160 Cornucopia - 828-743-3750 Four Season Grille - 828-743-4284 Grill at Jimmy Mac’s - 828-743-1180 Happ’s Place - 828-743-2266 High Hampton Inn - 828-743-2411 Hunt Bros. Pizza at Cashiers BP - 828-743-2337 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - 828-743-7778 Jorge’s Place - 828-743-4175 Mica’s Restaurant - 828-743-5740 On the Side at Cashiers Farmers Market - 828-743-4334 The Orchard - 828-743-7614 Rosie’s Café - 828-743-0160 Subway - 828-743-1300 The Gamekeeper’s Tavern - 828-743-4263 Tommy’s Coffee Shoppe - 828-743-2010 Wendy’s - 828-743-7777 Zeke & Earl’s 828-743-2010 Zookeeper - 828-743-7711
www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 47
Reckless Jack history
by Donna Rhodes
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here have been many times, but always many stories about managed to out-think the magic of the or outrun the enemy. In Highlands Plateau, fact, he was such a fine among them, tales of the horseman Custer made mountaintop’s curative him his personal courier. powers. Perhaps a temHe was so good at what perate climate, clean air, he did his comrades ofand a slower pace conten said, “Reckless Jack tribute to the mystique. always comes back.” So it’s no wonder many a Who knows what would patient seeking a miracle have happened at Little cure made Highlands a Big Horn had Reckless recuperation destinabeen around, but he tion. Some in the throes missed that calling, havof consumption or othing been discharged five er debilitating ailments years prior. were given only a few In Highlands folks weeks to live. But after a called him “Papa” for move to Highlands, prehe had mellowed into a cious weeks turned into gentle, endearing friend years and sometimes deto many. He and his cades. friend, Jonathan HeaSuch is the case of one cock, also an old Indian of Highlands’ most colorfighter, would get toful characters, John H. gether and swap stories. “Papa” Durgin. His wife Both were stone deaf, was advised that Durgin so the whole town could was at death’s door, and tune in to their loud, even if they moved to wild and woolly tales Highlands there was no from blocks away. John H. “Papa” Durgin guarantee he would live Durgin lived to be 95, longer than a few weeks. having the last laugh on Photo courtesy of the Highlands Historical Society’s Carolyn McClanahan Collection. In fact, the move might the doctors who had told be so stressful, Mrs. Durhim 56 years earlier he gin could wind up sendhad only weeks to live. ing her husband back to his home state of Massachusetts Maybe there is something to the notion that the Highin a pine box. lands Plateau is indeed a magical place. Folks from all But she knew her husband lived a charmed life. He had over the country seem to think so. Perhaps that’s why been nicknamed Reckless Jack by his fellow soldiers unthe pack always comes back. der the command of General Custer. So she and Reckless To learn more about Highlands’ enchantment read made the journey to North Carolina, convinced a moun“Heart of the Blue Ridge” and “Highlands (Arcadia’s Imtaintop sickroom was, if nothing else, closer to heaven. ages of America)” by Ran Shaffner or visit the Highlands In the Wild West Reckless had come close to heaven Historical Society’s website: www.highlandshistory.com.
To read more articles about the history of Highlands and Cashiers visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/news 48 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
Cashiers History history
Contributed by Jane Gibson Nardy, Historian, Cashiers Historical Society
Civil War Soldier’s Cave inside Highlands Falls Country Club
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hat do a Civil War Soldier’s Cave and a 1787 Mountain Trail and the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad have in common? Several years ago, I learned of the existence of a Civil War soldier’s cave and a mountain trail blazed by Andre Michaux in 1787, both located in the Cashiers-Highlands area. This fired up in my historical imagination a yearning to see these sites with my own eyes but I quickly learned they both were partially or completely on private land and not open to the public. A small group of fit, experienced historically-minded hikers plus one “wannabe,” (yours truly) eventually received permission to cross the private properties and an early November date was chosen for the adventure. Our starting point was the Civil War Soldier’s Cave, located inside the Highlands Falls Country Club. The late Harry Wright had told of this cave where Confederate soldiers who went AWOL had slipped back to their mountain home area and hid out in caves to wait out the war. To access this particular cave, one must climb vertically for a short distance, hanging onto Rhododendron bushes for dear life. Everyone, except yours truly, easily moved straight up to the cave, then turned and pulled me from above and pushed me from below until I joined
them in the cave. I realized that my enthusiasm to visit these sites had blinded the reality of my condition of fitness but I soldiered on. After a long rest stop, drinking lemonade and eating brownies, it was time to make the several mile hike down to Whiteside Cove. We were on the trail built in June 1787 by Andre Michaux, French botanist, as he and his group, led by Cherokee guides, explored the area for new specimens of plants.* Most of the trail is now on National Forest Land and is not routinely kept up. I soon noticed I was not keeping up with the others and about an hour down the trail the muscles in my thighs quit working. My fellow hikers, kind beyond imagination, did their best to render aid. One of the men decided he would carry me on his back but after getting onto his back, we both fell down and rolled a ways off the trail. One group member suddenly got a cell-phone signal and quickly called 911. The Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad came and carried me out to safety. The diagnosis was dehydration due to my not drinking enough water and wearing the wrong clothes. Mea Culpa. A hard history lesson. *Read “Memoirs of the Life and Botanical Travels of Andre Michaux” by J.P.F. Deleuze. www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 49
Scaly Mountain history
Contributed by Margie Spraggins
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caly Mountain, a small and intriguingly diverse community, is one point in a triangle of early Appalachian settlements. Pioneers who located in the valley floors below were drawn to the area as a summer pasture for their precious cattle and a respite for themselves. Although raising cattle for more than personal use is a thing of the past, the cool air, beautiful views and downto-earth people continue to be a serious enticement to those seeking a quiet lifestyle. Original settlers were from Ireland and Scotland, drawn to the area because it reminded them of home. The name Scaly remains unclear as to origin. Perhaps it came from the multilayer of huge boulders shot with mica sparkles. Or you can take your pick from a colorful variety of other suppositions. Schools and churches were important to early residents as places not only to worship and get educations, but also as places to socialize, get information and plan to work together for a common good. Scaly was initially in Smithsbridge township and then, when boundaries were redrawn, became part of what was, and is, called the Flats. Many descendants of the original settlers still live in
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Scaly Mountain. Although they enjoy modern conveniences, many of the traditional old ways of mountain life are still faithfully adhered to. Although Scaly was remote in many ways, residents kept in touch with those in other communities, often walking if necessary to trade goods. Faint traces of early roads can be found trailing across present day pastures on some of the old home places. Late spring, summer and early fall finds gardens being planted. While transportation to mega-stores is now done with ease, the tradition of putting in a large garden to harvest and preserve for winter meals remains a respected ritual. When the United States government began to acquire land for the National Forest Service, the process brought significant change to Scaly Mountain. Land set aside for recreational camping and fishing introduced many to the beauty and natural pleasures of the area. Thankfully, descendants of some of the original settlers still live on the land. These residents, along with the newcomers, make up a diverse and special culture who feel very fortunate to call the area home.
The Historic Apple Tree Cottage history
By Wiley Sloan
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riends of Atlanta native Natalie Hammond still talk about the days that they spent at her beautiful Apple Tree cottage here in Highlands. Oh, what a beautiful house that was! The front portico with its Chippendale-style columns welcomed guests like a cheery smile on a child’s face. Flanked by beautiful boxwoods basking in the shade of the huge evergreens towering above, the front door was open from early morning to late evening. Oh what a blessing to enjoy the slower pace of Highlands! The name Apple Tree Cottage evokes a quieter time – serenity and beauty. Hear the song birds that nest in the nearby woods. Imagine counting the wildlife as they scampered through the woods between Aunt Tudie’s forest and the Rabbit Hole directly across Spring Street. Like vintage 3-D cutout Christmas cards and ropes of popcorn garland remind us of Christmas at Grandmas, the cottage recalls the simpler times of early Highlands. Imagine the excitement that filled cottage owner Natalie Hammond as she watched the cottage come to life in 1936. Living in busy Atlanta, her father a judge and U.S. Senator, and she with a busy life of her own, Natalie wished for a time to get away and entertain friends. The cottage was her respite. Nestled behind large rhododendron and mountain laurel, the cottage overlooks Spring Street, between Third Street and South Fourth Street. Miss Natalie only lived one year after the house was built, but her sister Laura knew that Natalie loved to share the house. Laura ran the home as a boarding house for more than 30 years. She created a beautiful spring-fed pond that she named the “Fairy Pool” to memorialize her sister. Wildlife gathered around the edge of the pond to drink and to be invigorated.
Hardwood floors welcomed guests throughout the house. Flames in the living room’s stone fireplace danced gingerly off the room’s pine-paneled walls. Peals of laughter filled the dining area as family and friends enjoyed a meal together. The double French doors opened to the screen porch to usher in gentle breezes. The fragrance of apple blossoms wafted through the windows and doors. From the kitchen window, the cooks could eye the fruit that they needed for that day’s menu. A study or small bedroom and full bath complete the first floor. At day’s end guests would amble up the stairs to the roomy second floor where they found two generoussized bedrooms and a full bath. Each room’s large windows framed views of the surrounding mountain tops and escorted in cool mountain breezes to relieve the heat of summer. The Highlands United Methodist Church had used the cottage for years as it formalized plans for its expansion. They acknowledge the historic character of the home and surrounding property, and have worked diligently to try to incorporate the home into its expansion plans. Unfortunately it just is not meant to be. Therefore the Apple Tree cottage is offered to anyone in the community who will move the home from its present site no later than February 28th. HUMC Pastor Paul Christy tells me, “We would be so blessed if someone would adopt the cottage and give it a new home. We don’t want to lose this historical gem, but our future needs require that we have a larger space. Several people have shown interest but have not been able to find the proper site for the cottage.” To adopt the cottage and arrange to move it, please call the Church Office at (828) 526-3376.
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Sapphire Ridgeline Views Homes & Lifestyles
By Wiley Sloan | Photos by Sarah Valentine
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he quieter days of winter provide time to daydream – to envision your perfect mountain getaway. You want spectacular views, an eye-catching design comfortable for two or 20, plus all of the 21st century amenities enjoyed in the city. Look no more. Located atop Sassafras Ridge in a gated community minutes from the Cashiers crossroads is Camp Chimney, a magnificent lodge-style home anyone would cherish. Feel stress melt away as you traverse the Country Club of Cashiers Valley and proceed up the mountain slopes. The gates of Sassafras Ridge welcome you as you climb through the trees to the top of the mountain. The home site is beautiful in all seasons but especially in summer when mature azaleas, rhododendron and mountain laurel shower you in blossoms. Each of the home’s three levels offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains including Bald Rock and the Blue Ridge. The property is surrounded by National Forest Service and a land conservancy to ensure no one will encroach on your idyllic setting. The home’s open floor plan provides the perfect layout for every occasion. Light abounds in each and every room. Abundant windows frame the million-dollar views. The main floor includes a Great Room with cathedral ceiling and river rock fireplace, a kitchen featuring granite counters and cherry cabinets plus a wonderful dining area with spectacular views. The adjoining screened outdoor living room sports its own fireplace and separate dining nook. Gather on the open deck for sunning, star gazing or just relaxing in the cool breezes. At day’s end, escape 52 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
to the owner’s suite with its own private deck, sitting area and large master bath. A “wood-lover’s” delight, this home incorporates pine paneling on the walls and ceilings. Sunlight sparkles as it dances across the heart-of-pine flooring. Antique walnut doors from upstate New York add grandeur throughout the home. Each room is beautifully appointed providing a casual elegance that warms the heart. Let guests draw for their own private digs. No one will be disappointed. Gather in the loft study at the top of the stairs for reading or reminiscing. The two large guest suites include their own private baths and covered porches. Travel down the spiral log staircase with its sourwood handrail to the Terrace Level to enjoy the large family room-home to a Grand piano. With its own fireplace and kitchenette, guests can be pampered in style here. Two additional large guest suites offer accommodations that any celebrity would appreciate. Walk out into the garden with your cup of coffee from this level and peruse the grounds. This “smart” house includes Lutron lighting, whole house audio with room controls, a sophisticated lightning protection system, an elevator and whole house generator, plus high speed internet that allows for remote monitoring. This home and many others of varying styles and settings are offered by Dorothy Swearingen at NCMountainLife.com. Call Dorothy at (828) 553-3391 to arrange a private showing. For more info go to www. ncmountainlife.com.
Homes & Lifestyles
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Are Artificial Sweeteners Good? Homes & Lifestyles
Contributed by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture (828) 526-1022
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o you use artificial sweeteners in order to cut calories? Have you ever heard of Aspartame? The top three brands of these products consist mainly of this chemical (yes, that’s right, aspartame is a chemical!),
discovered by accident in 1965 by a scientist testing an ulcer drug. Next thing you know, these chemical sweeteners were a billion dollar industry. Why not? Aspartame is about 200400 times sweeter than regular sugar so it fools the brain and then the pancreas into falsely recognizing higher serum glucose levels. This results in an excess release of insulin in order to lower the false levels. Over time, this is extremely damaging to the body and the pancreas. The resulting effect of excess insulin, which drastically lowers glucose levels in the body, produce hypoglycemic conditions. Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condi-
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tion that deprives the brain and organs of their needed energy, glucose. The brain’s response is to increase food craving messages -- not exactly what you might want if you are trying to cut calories and lose weight! Aspartame is made of three major ingredients: aspartic acid, phenylalanine (both amino acids) and methanol which is a wood alcohol. The problem with the amino acid content is that they are damaging to the brain. Aspartic acid can act as an excitotoxin, causing over stimulation of neurons. Phenylalanine in excess can result in lower levels of Serotonin, which can result in depression and sleep disorders. Knowing this vital infor-
mation, do you really want to use artificial sweeteners? Raw sugar, honey and stevia are the best sources of sweetener and are still okay to use as long as not used in excess. The best way to wean yourself off artificial sweeteners is to completely rid your diet of this chemical and then, after a period of time, slowly introduce your choice of sugar, honey, stevia or maybe you’ll find that you need none at all! If you have already been diagnosed with Diabetes II, keep your sugars to a minimum, watch your glycemic index and stay away from artificial sweeteners. Be healthy and sweeten naturally.
Investment Strategies Homes & Lifestyles
Contributed by Granville Younce, Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Highlands at (828) 787-2323.
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hile there are many individuals who have plenty of money to invest, more than a few hesitate to do so because they are unsure of exactly how or where to invest their money. Financial investment strategies can still be broken down
into simple, easy-to-understand terms. Asset Allocation — One of the most important elements of a successful financial strategy is proper asset allocation. This refers to the mix of investments you have in your portfolio, and it’s important to keep a good balance of different types of investments — like stocks, bonds and cash. Equity Investment Strategies — When investing in stocks, a good rule of thumb is to diversify your stock portfolio across a number of sectors; you may also want to overweight industry sectors whose stocks you believe are likely to benefit from the current outlook for the economy. Once you have identified these sectors, you can begin to select specific stocks from within them. You may want to con-
sider stocks that pay dividends, which can give your investment an added boost. Another good idea is to select companies that have a solid foundation and have the potential to continue to grow over the long term. While it’s not easy to predict the future, the advice of a Financial Advisor and a little research of your own should enable you to meet your long-term objectives. Fixed-Income Investment Strategies — When you buy a bond, you are usually promised the return of your principal as long as you keep it until maturity. In addition, you earn interest on your money before the bond matures. There are a wide variety of fixedincome products available. Some can be tax-advantaged, and many generally
afford you a fixed rate of return. Estate Investment Planning — Regardless of your age, an estate plan is a valuable tool that can help preserve your estate in the unexpected event of your incapacitation or even death. It can also ensure your assets are properly managed, according to your wishes, for your heirs. Proper estate planning can even help reduce federal estate taxes for your heirs. While this is just a simple overview of some of the many financial opportunities available to you, it’s important to begin your financial strategy right away. Talk to a Financial Advisor to find out more about the ways you can tailor your asset management strategies to help you enjoy your money now and in the future.
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Chivalry is Not Dead Homes & Lifestyles
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t’s not often you see men still opening car doors for women, pulling chairs out and waiting for women to enter doors first. Manners seem to be a thing of the past and with the 80’s feminist movement, men have even been unsure of the reaction they may receive. Early mornings I go to my gym and often see a husband opening his wife’s car door, pulling up under the awning to let her Photo by Tina Rowden out at the door and always allowing her to go through the door before he does. Today I was working out in the same room with the couple and I overheard the wife call the husband “love” and this was not the first time. How nice – it renewed my faith in relationships and gave me hope for the future. This isn’t the only couple that I have seen exhibit affection and respect for one another. The health club manager of Hampton Health Club and Spa, Faith Hartle, is married to the Golf Pro Craig Hartle at High Hampton Inn and Country Club, and he brings his wife a Buck’s coffee every day and at least twice a month gives her flowers. Faith states, “Craig is still my boyfriend after 28 years of marriage and I love that he still courts me.” Hartle also knows the importance of reciprocation and tries to take Craig lunch occasionally and provides an orderly and clean household. She
firmly believes that behind every great man is a good woman. Craig states, “I found out a long time ago giving up one glass of wine a week could provide flowers twice a month for my lovely bride.” That says a lot about their relationship. Pat and Wendy Carlton of Chinquapin Development also work out at the club and have a wonderful story to share. After an elopement they are still blissfully married after elizabeth@idoeventsatlanta.com 16 years and share their home with three children, two dogs, two bearded dragons and three hermit crabs. They originally met on a dove field hunt and years later they were reacquainted through work, and Wendy and Pat believe that the success of their relationship is purposeful communication and that their relationship is faith-based. Alice Cooper once said, “Treat your wife as if you were trying to take her home for the first time.” And I like that thought. Maybe I am one of only a few individuals who believe that chivalry still exists in some aspects of life. In modern society men work to support their families and some still continue to adhere to the chivalric code of the knights of old. One of these days my knight in shining armor will appear. Happy Valentine’s Day! Cashiers and Atlanta resident Elizabeth Fletcher makes event planning and public relations seem as effortless and anxietyfree as a day at the spa. Part of that is predicated on her years of experience as the publisher of four regional bridal magazines, bridal events spokesperson for Federated and Belk department stores, and guiding force behind media campaigns for exclusive inns. Equally important are her boundless energy, effortless imagination and fanatical attention to detail.
For information on Highlands and Cashiers visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/cashiersnc and www.thelaurelmagazine.com/highlandsc
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A Room With A View Homes & Lifestyles
Contributed by Bryan & Tricia Cox - Highlands Travel (828) 526-5243 HighlandsTravel.com
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hat do you get when you combine a boutique hotel with the ability to explore several charming towns and cities without
the need to schlep bags from one place to the next all while soaking up some scenery? What you get is the ultimate room with a view…a luxurious stateroom on a river cruise ship! We had the opportunity to sail onboard Uniworld’s River Beatrice in November, and it may well have been the best trip we have ever taken. River cruising embodies all the things that we love about cruising without any of the things that people often object to when they think of sailing on larger, ocean going ships. First and foremost, because the river cruise ships are smaller and carry so few passengers (typical-
ly 100 to 160), the embarkation and disembarkation processes are a piece of cake. No crowds, no lines, no waiting hours for your luggage upon your arrival or searching through a sea of black bags on the day of your departure. Because you are sailing at a leisurely pace along the rivers, there is no need to worry about feeling seasick. Many of the greatest towns and cities in the world grew up around rivers. Because of this and due to their smaller size, the river ships often dock right in the city center. In most cases, excursions for each port are included with your cruise. Your tour guides are
local and both knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour groups are small and can move at a pace dictated not by the guide, but by the group itself. The service is top-notch with a staff waiting to attend to your every need and that knows your name from the moment you step onboard. The cuisine is most often local and always delicious and plentiful. The staterooms are appointed with luxurious bedding and fine furnishings. No matter if you have traveled parts of the world extensively or never ventured far from home, a river cruise is something that should be on everybody’s list.
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Homes & Lifestyles
Thresholds
Ashby Underwood-Garner is a Rolf Structural Integration Practitioner and Yoga Therapist at Yoga Highlands. Contact her at mtnyogins@gmail.com.
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appy New Year, Everyone. Here we are at the beginning, and we’ve been here before. The entire planet follows the Gregorian calendar and we can synch
up with the momentum to cross into a New Year and new personal territory. Anniversaries of any sort call for review, and this can translate into a platform for what’s to come next. The word “resolution” needs a closer look. In our private practice, we help clients address different kinds of resolve, in the form of back issues, hip and knee replacement pain, and poor digestion. Too many folks are resolved to “that’s just the way it is,” and are surprised and thrilled to have a breakthrough. What if we change the word from resolution to New Year’s “Revolution?” After all, when the ball drops, we throw the confetti up, not down. The
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movement for better health is an uprising, and to keep on track with real change takes awareness of momentum. The old adage of “sticking with my resolution” seems double sticky, maybe more like cement. Change is more fluid, like a river that we navigate with responsiveness. One basic discipline in yoga is Svadyaya (Sanskrit for Self Inquiry), teaching us how to flow with change. Using powers of observation and reflection, we gain self-knowledge and then apply that to selfmastery. The “New Year’s Resolution” is a turn toward self-mastery each year. If we want to be better each year…stronger, more or-
ganized, more flexible, happier, then effective and lasting change begins with Self-Inquiry. This means taking a look at patterns: what we do and why we do it, and in the context of current times, before adopting more and more resolve. Freedom of body movement combined with growing self-knowledge is an exciting way to live. Resolving to a more “unstuck” body can support the changes to positive habits that one is looking for this time of year. Healing a painful back, a sore foot, a ‘frozen’ shoulder, or tight hamstrings can surprise us with well-being and bring energy for personal change. Let’s just move skillfully forward in 2013.
Cold and Flu Homes & Lifestyles
Season
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o you dread the wintertime because you usually get sick? Do you typically end up getting a flu shot? We at Mountain Air Wellness Centers believe in being your own advocate and doing your research before resorting to getting that shot! Though many consider the flu vaccine a “preContributed by Jim Johnson, ventive” approach, there DC, DACBN & Resa Johnson, DC, is considerable evidence DACBN, Mountain Air Wellness to the contrary. A well(828) 743-9070 guarded secret in the medical community is that the Cochrane Database Review (recognized internationally as the “highest standard in evidence-based healthcare”) does not lend indisputable scientific confirmation to the belief and/or propaganda that flu vaccines are safe and effective! Furthermore, there are other alarming findings about the flu shot, including the fact that the “receipt of the seasonal flu vaccine among Canadians actually increased the rate of medically attended pandemic H1N1 infection. Vaccines, therefore, may actually decrease resistance to viral infection via their immunosuppressive actions.” (PLOS study) Basically, the flu shot is not the helpful vaccination that some health agencies claim. Fortunately for all of us, avoiding the flu does not require a flu vaccination. Whether you choose to get the flu shot or not, there are a few simple guidelines for keeping your immune system functioning properly in order to avoid getting sick, as well as being suitably equipped for faster healing time if you do become ill during the winter season. Important steps to take include cutting sugar, wheat, dairy, caffeine, and processed foods out of your diet when you’re experiencing symptoms. Avoid stress as much as possible, and get plenty of rest—but don’t forget your regular exercise. Take your vitamin D, omega-3s, and probiotics; these products assist in avoiding infection, creating a healthy gut, boosting your immune system, and maintaining overall health. And finally, don’t disregard your hygiene — wash your hands! Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and steer clear of those that are sick. The unscientific claim that the flu vaccine is safe and completely effective is a myth—don’t let it stand in your way of having a happy and healthy winter season! www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 59
Resolution Schmezolution Homes & Lifestyles
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by Donna Rhodes
t’s time for New Year’s resolutions. Every year I reframe my weight loss vow in a futile attempt to make it sound more palatable than the year before. My diet plans are about as easy to swallow as gelatinized cotton balls. Don’t laugh. Some people really do eat cotton wads. It’s filling they say. And the fiber, oh, the fiber. But I am not that desperate… yet. The most promising 2013 diet is the Hallelujah Diet, based on foods listed in Genesis 1:29. God said, “Look, I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.” Vegans rejoice. Of course in Genesis 9:3 God lifts all these restrictions, but the Hallelujans pretty much ignore that. Fifteen percent of the diet can be cooked. The rest, toss it in a blender and chug it down. Or be prepared to chew a lot. Get tons of rest, exercise, and sunshine. Let’s face it; you have to lose with this diet no matter what God says. Of course, where the protein and many essential vitamins minerals and calcium are going to come from remains a mystery, but you’re losing weight. Isn’t that what really matters? In the spirit of this holy-istic approach to eating, I offer the following, which I took the liberty of writing in a King
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James style. I hoped it would make me feel commanded and thus less likely to stray (fat chance). Thou shalt not eat anything that tastes good or satisfies thy craving. Instead, thou shalt practice abstinence and long-suffering. For it is in torment and deprivation that one truly achieves supreme happiness and weight loss. Thus stateth the Book of Guilt and Character-Building. For the stomach eternally feeleth hollow and void and hath a mind of its own. The left hand knoweth not what the right hand sneaketh. Thus stateth the Almighty Conscience. Thou mayest partake of any fruit and vegetable except that which cometh from the Tree of Lard, for if you eat of this tree you shall surely die and be buried in a plus size box. Thus sayeth the Medical Practitioner. Whatever thou eateth reflecteth upon thy upbringing. Thus sayeth thy Mother. There. That pretty much covers my diet plan for this year. I have a stockpile of cotton balls and sugar-free Jell-O if this is a fail. Who am I kidding? Resolution, schmezolution. Somebody pass the deep-fried-peanut-butter-stuffed-chocolate-dipped bananas. I feel a binge coming on.
Waterfall Guide Where’s the Water Cashiers Waterfalls Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow & Stairstep Falls In the Horsepasture Wild & Scenic River area - 64 E. to Sapphire; to Hwy. 281; .7 miles to gated road on left — follow trail. John’s Jump 64 E. to Sapphire; to Hwy 281; 4.8 miles - park on shoulder and follow path.
Highlands Waterfalls Bridal Veil Falls Hwy. 64, can be seen from road.
Where’s the Water
King Creek Falls Hwy. 107 S.; about 13 miles; turn right on Burrells Ford Road — park at campground parking. Schoolhouse Falls In Panthertown Valley - Hwy 64 E. to Cedar Creek Road; to Breedlove Road — park at dead-end. Silver Run Falls Hwy. 107 S.; 4.1 miles from crossroads, look for gravel pull-off on left — follow trails.
Dry Falls Hwy. 64; turn at Dry Falls sign. Glen Falls Hwy. 106 S., left at Glen Falls sign. Kalakaleskies Falls Hwy. 64; just below Sequoyah Lake. Lower Cullasaja Falls Hwy. 64 at pull-offs.
Picklesiemer Rockhouse Falls Hwy. 28 S. to Blue Valley Road; 4.3 miles - park at dirt road on right take trail - about 1 mile to falls. Upper & Lower Satulah Falls Hwy. 28 S.; both can be seen from road.
Whitewater Falls Hwy. 64 E. to Sapphire, to Hwy. 281 — look for signs.
To view photos and videos of the waterfalls in Highlands and Cashiers visit thelaurelmagazine.com/cashiersnc_outdoors.php and thelaurelmagazine.com/highlandsnc_outdoors.php www.thelaurelmagazine.com | Winter 2013 | 61
Service Art lessons
Cabinet design
CONSTRUCTION
BEAUTY
Cabinet design
Framing
BEAUTY
Cabinet design
MASSAGE
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Peace of Mind Giving Back
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Contributed by Kathy Bub, Executive Director, Forever Farms
of their lives. We believe that ia and Amy have not only compassion, but also been with Friends commitment, are the two esfor Life for over eight sentials of “animal rescue.” years. They may be sisters, or We will never turn our backs “cousins,” as they came from on an animal that has at some the same abandoned house. point been in our care. They Amy has a limp from her collar are part of our family. bone being broken at some In this new year we will point in her life, and both girls continue our mission to prowere semi-feral when they vide “hope for senior and came to us. They have bespecial needs animals.” We come “touchables” over time, also hope that with your but will probably never be help, we can assist more and adopted. The Forever Farm more of these special anigives them a safe, secure and Mia and Amy mals. Please make a tax dehealthy, home where they can ductible donation to Friends spend the rest of their lives. All of the animals at the Forever Farm can count on for Life and the Forever Farm through our website: that same “peace of mind.” Some may be lucky enough www.friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org or by mail to P.O. to be placed with a loving family – but to many, Friends Box 340, Sapphire, NC 28747. For more information call for Life will be their loving family, caring for them the rest us at (828) 508-2460.
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Another Exciting Year! Giving Back
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Contributed by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms Executive Director
posted. We are also in the development s we begin our 21st year of the stages of programs specifically working foundation and the 16th year at with home-schooled children throughout the farm, we would like to take the community. Again, we look forward this opportunity to wish all our readers a to telling you more about this program as very Happy New Year! May your year be it develops. Finally, we have a new memfilled with joy, good health and prosperber of the Carpe Diem Farms family! My ity. We look forward to another year filled husband Jack Conway has recently purwith activities, new programming opporchased an American Quarter Horse, fivetunities, educational offerings through year-old Reebok Mercedes, a National the Equine Institute™, and continued reReining Horse Association member. Mersearch of the hoof. We eagerly await the cedes was trained by Heather Johnson, final patent approval of Easy’s Slipper® Reebok Mercedes NRHA 2011 and 2012 National Pro Freefrom the US Patent Office so that we can style Champion and bred, owned and ridbegin marketing our revolutionary shoe and improve the health and well being of horses in every den by her husband, Kyle Johnson the 2011 non-pro Futudiscipline. In our effort to continue to learn about the rity Champion from Ringgold, Georgia. It is exciting for us latest technology, medical information and devices avail- to have such an amazingly trained addition to our herd. able, we will attend the International Hoof-Care Summit It also gives us a new opportunity to have a performance in Cincinnati at the end of this month. Farriers, veterinar- horse in our hoof study. Carpe Diem Farms is a 501©(3) non-profit foundaians and interested horse owners from around the globe attend to share and learn. We have just begun conversa- tion whose mission is to “explore the human potential tions with Western Carolina University to create a part- through equines.” Please visit our web site: carpediemnership of learning through the horses. We’ll keep you farms.org or call (828) 526-2854.
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Giving Back
Valley Garden Club
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Contributed by Kathie Blozan
he Cashiers Christmas Parade was quite an event this year featuring the theme “Songs of the Season.” The Valley Garden Club entered with a float containing a giant watering can. Club members performed a routine involving song and choreography while “watering” fellow members. With a certain amount of rehearsal and coordinated outfits, we managed to garner the “Tin Soldier” award for best marching or walking group. The event was preceded by two Christmas tree meltdowns. Thanks to Matt Smith at the Cashiers United Methodist Church, we were able to stabilize the tree in time for the parade. Special appreciation goes to the husbands of club members who did much of the heavy lifting and hammering: Gus Schrader, John Hill, Bob Reimann, Tom Hannon and Carl Blozan. The Valley Garden Club oversees the landscaping and takes care of planting and maintaining flowers at The Point and the Post Office in Cashiers.
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“Gardening Angels” was the title of this year’s entry in the Cashiers Christmas Parade.
Giving Back
Protecting the Water Supply
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Contributed by Kyle Pursel, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
cliff community type. ater is an important reThe Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust source and, as droughts has made protecting the water supcontinue to plague parts of ply to the Town of Highlands a major the US and around the world, protectgoal for the organization. Prior to the ing water supplies is becoming even acquisition of the Big Creek Gorge more important. The Highlands-Caconservation easement, HCLT has shiers Land Trust (HCLT) just wrapped protected approximately 22 acres and up a new conservation easement that nearly 300 linear feet of Big Creek and protects part of the Town of Highlands its tributaries in the Big Creek waterwater supply. The Big Creek Gorge shed. It is the hope of HCLT staff that conservation easement was recentWaterfall on the Big Creek Gorge this project will jumpstart other projly donated by Bertis and Katherine conservation easement. ects within the vicinity of Big Creek. Downs and protects a 25-acre piece Other properties HCLT currently manof the Big Creek watershed, which is the major source for the Town of Highlands water sup- ages and protects in the Big Creek watershed include ply. The new conservation easement protects over 2,700 the locally popular Pinky Falls Preserve off Flat Mountain linear feet of Big Creek and small tributaries that drain Road and two conservation easements. HCLT also is working to protect water throughout the into Lake Sequoyah. By protecting this property, the landowner and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust are Highlands-Cashiers area. You too can help HCLT protect protecting the integrity of the Big Creek watershed in our water! If you have any questions or would like to help perpetuity. In addition to the water, the Big Creek Gorge or donate, please contact us at (828) 526-1111, hitrust@ conservation easement also protects over 20 acres of earthlink.net, or stop by our office in the Peggy Crosby mature forest and a remote waterfall with the rare spray Community Service building at 348 South 5th Street.
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Make it a Green New Year Giving Back
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Contributed by Anna Vandenbergh for the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance
t’s that time of year again: time to ring in the New Year with a resolution to change something about you or your lifestyle. Most people make resolutions to lose weight or eat healthy, both noble causes, but have you considered making the resolution to be more environmentally friendly in 2013? Here are some ideas of how to make an environmentally friendly New Year’s resolution: Start Recycling – Did you know that it is illegal in North Carolina to throw away aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and cardboard? If you aren’t recycling, now is a great time to begin. In the United States we generate approximately 250 million tons of waste each year. Of that 75 percent is recyclable and only 34 percent is actually recycled. Take a look at www.earth911.com to find out where to recycle and what you can and cannot recycle near you! Get Reusable Shopping Bags – Not only do plastic bags take a considerably long time to decompose, they also contribute to the pollution of our oceans, killing thousands of birds, turtles, and other sea creatures each year. It takes millions
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of barrels of oil to produce the billions of shopping bags we throw away each year. Paper is not much better. It takes over 14 million trees per year to make paper bags, the vast majority of which are not made from recycled paper. Eat less red meat – It takes approximately 2,464 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. That’s enough for a seven-minute shower every day for six months! Habitat is destroyed, topsoil is depleted, and a massive amount of energy is used to produce your everyday hamburger. If going vegetarian is not for you, just try consuming less. Meatless Mondays are a great way to break into the habit! Join the Fight – There are many organizations out there nationally and locally that are working hard to keep our world and our own communities clean, healthy, and sustainable. Environmental nonprofit organizations work hard on behalf of the environment and they need your help to do what they do. Consider volunteering if you can’t make a monetary donation. Get involved!
Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound Giving Back
Contributed by David Stroud, Executive Director, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society
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ne of the most common New Year’s resolutions goes sometime like this: “Starting now, this is the year I am going to lose weight and get into shape!” To help you achieve that goal, there is a multibillion-dollar industry out there anxious to separate you and your pocketbook, from gym memberships and equipment purchases, to shakes, supplements and pills. But at the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, we have a better idea, and it won’t cost you a single penny. Plus, you can enjoy clean, fresh air, take in the wondrous beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and best of all, tap into your love of animals and what we call “unleashing your animal magnetism.” So what is this magical, no-cost way to trim a few pounds and get that heart rate going? Become a CHHS “Be PAW-sitive” Volunteer! Walk one of our shelter dogs throughout our beautiful rolling 10-acre campus, and you will not only achieve your fitness goals, but you will be helping our canines become more socialized and learn behaviors that will increase their chances of finding a forever home. Dog walkers are welcome at our no-kill shelter seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and
for those folks who wish to participate in more advanced training, we also feature 90-minute Canine Coach classes two days a week. So forget all those expensive gyms and pricey equipment, and ignore those diet pills and food membership plans. Come out to the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and walk a hound, lose a pound! Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is located on Highway 64, 2.3 miles east of the Cashiers Crossroads behind Reid Real Estate. Shelter hours are 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit CHHS online at www. chhumanesociety.org to see pictures and descriptions of all the adorable, adoptable dogs and cats looking for forever homes. For more information, call (828) 743-5752. Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit animal welfare organization and no-kill shelter that receives no federal, state, or county tax dollars, and no funding from the Humane Society of the United States. CHHS relies solely on donations, grants, bequests and special events to further our mission of rescue, compassionate care, and finding forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals.
To read more on the philanthropic efforts in Highlands and Cashiers, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/news
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Highlands Biological Station Giving Back
Contributed by Michelle Ruigrok, Highlands Biological Station
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or over 80 years, the Highlands Biological Station has served as a center for research and education focusing on the biodiversity of the southern Appalachians, and has served as the mountain field site for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment since 2001. The Highlands Field Site offers a unique experience for students interested in biodiversity and conservation issues, where they spend a fall academic semester living at HBS and learning in the “natural classrooms” that are the southern Appalaclhian Mountains. The program is also unique for the local community as students conduct research in and around Highlands, North Carolina, often helping local environmental organizations that are short-staffed. Students participating in the program take classes at HBS, offered by staff as well as visiting scientists. In keeping with the applied and integrative approach of the field site, research is an important component of the program. Students conduct research both as an individual in an internship and as part of a collaborative group project. For the past several years, the topic of the collaborative group project has been water quality. While the focus of the project has been the Upper Cullasaja Watershed in
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Highlands for many years, this year field site director Dr. Karen Kandl took an interest in the Tuckasegee River and its tributaries. Nine students representing four universities in North Carolina braved both the heat and cold this past fall semester to collect data on the quality of water in Cullowhee Creek and Savannah Creek. Cullowhee Creek flows down along Cullowhee Mountain Road and through Cullowhee where it meets the Tuckasegee River. Savannah Creek runs from Pumpkintown along Hwy. 441 to the Tuckasegee River in Sylva. By gathering data on fish, aquatic insects, chemical and physical properties, and habitat at sites along each creek, Dr. Kandl hopes that they can gain insight into the health of the streams and the factors that affect them and, in turn, share this with interested community members who are curious about the state of our streams. The project is also an in-depth field research experience for the students, which is an opportunity that a university cannot provide. The results of the project will be presented in a paper that should be available to read at www.highlandsbiological.org by February.
Business
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index of advertisers Accommodations Cashiers Resort Rentals www.cashiersresortrentals.com Country Club Properties www.ccphighlandsnc.com Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins www.firemt.com Landmark Vacation Rentals www.landmarkvacations.com Old Edwards Inn www.oldedwardsinn.com Whiteside Cove Cottages Antiques & Home Furnishings Acorns Boutique www.acornsboutique.com Bound’s Cave www.boundscave.com Cabin Couture Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Peak Experience www.peakexp.com The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Art Galleries/Artists The Bascom www.thebascom.org Blue Valley Gallery Cabin Couture Calderone Fine Art Gallery www.calderonegallery.com GG’s Consignments, Etc.* www.ggsconsignment.com Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Mountain Mist Gallery Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Oakleaf Flower & Garden Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Bedding/Linens Blue Ridge Bedding www.blueridgebedding.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Lenz Gifts Bird Supplies Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Builders Arrowood Construction www.arrowoodconstruction.com Mountainworks Design www.mtnworks.com Srebalus Construction Co. Warth Construction www.warthconstruction.com Caterers Café 107 www.cafe107south.com Fressers Eatery www.fresserseateryhighlands.com The Kitchen Carryaway & Catering www.thekitchenofhighlands.com Churches Wayfarers Unity www.wayfarersunity.org Clothing & Accessories Acorn’s Boutique www.acornsboutique.com Cabin Casuals www.cabincasuals.com Ellen’s Mountain Mist Gallery Peak Experience www.peakexp.com VC for Men www.victoriasclosetnc.com Victoria’s Closet www.victoriasclosetnc.com Victoria’s Sportswear www.victoriasclosetnc.com Vivace Clothing Consignment The Blue Elephant Victoria’s Closet www.victoriasclosetnc.com Cosmetic Surgery Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, M.D. www.plasticsurgerytoday.com 72 | Winter 2013 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com
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Custom Cabinetry/Countertops Black Rock Granite & Marble www.blackrockgraniteandmarble.com Keystone Kitchen & Bath www.keystonekb.com Welcome Home Kitchen & Bath www.welcomehomecashiersnc.com Dentists Dr. Joe Wilbanks www.wilbankssmilecenter.com Education Rabun Gap Nacoochee School www.rabungaporg Events Highlands Cashiers Players www.highlandscashiersplayers.org Florists Cosper Flowers Fiddlehead Designs Oakleaf Flower & Garden Furniture Carolina Rustic Furniture www.carolinarusticfurniture.com Consignment Market Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Nearly New Oakleaf Flower & Garden The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Furniture Consignments The Blue Elephant Consignment Market GG’s Consignments, Etc.* www.ggsconsignment.com Nearly New Furniture Refinishing Furniture Barn www.thefurnitureman.com Gift Shops Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Cabin Couture The Dry Sink www.thedrysink.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Fiddlehead Designs Lenz Gifts Stone Lantern www.stonelantern-highlands.com Golf Cars Appalachian Golf Cars www.appalachiangolfcars.com Grading/Excavating Larry Rogers Construction Grocery Stores Dusty’s Hair Salons Creative Concepts Head Innovations Health Food Supplies Nature’s Vitamins Heating and Air Madco www.holleyheating.com Home Accessories Acorns Boutique www.acornsboutique.com Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Cabin Couture Carolina Rustic Furniture www.carolinarusticfurniture.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com GG’s Consignments, Etc.* www.ggsconsignment.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Lenz Gifts Oakleaf Flower & Garden Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Stone Lantern www.stonelantern-highlands.com The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com
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index of advertisers
Hospice Care Four Seasons Hospice www.fourseasonCFL.org Ice cream SweeTreats www.sweetreats.com SweeTreats Deli www.sweetreats.com Interior Design & Home Furnishings Bound’s Cave www.boundscave.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Raffa Design Associates www.raffadesignassociates.com The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Investment Planning Wells Fargo Advisors Jewelry - Fashion Acorns Boutique www.acornsboutique.com Calderone Fine Art Gallery www.calderonegallery.com Ellen’s Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Mountain Mist Gallery Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Vivace Jewelry - Fine Drake’s Diamond Gallery Stone Lantern www.stonelantern-highlands.com Kitchen Accessories Bird Barn and Gift Emporium The Dry Sink www.thedrysink.com The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Landscapers Laurel Crest Landscapes www.laurelcrestlandscapes.com Lighting Carolina Rustic Furniture www.carolinarusticfurniture.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Into the Woods Home Interiors Lenz Gifts The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Masonry Laurel Crest Landscapes www.laurelcrestlandscapes.com Palillos Stone Masonry www.palillosstonemasonry.com Massage Therapy Tranquility Cove Massage www.tranquilitycovemassage.com Mattresses Blue Ridge Bedding www.blueridgebedding.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Museums Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Nail Care Creative Concepts Painters Quality Painting Pet Care/Supplies Fancy Paws Pharmacies Cashiers Valley Pharmacy Photography Charles Johnson Fine Photography www.charlesjohnsonfineart.com Valentine Photo Studio www.valentinesphotostudio.com Picture Framing Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Pottery Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Calderone Fine Art Gallery www.calderonegallery.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com
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Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com The Hen House Mountain Mist Gallery Printing Companies Cashiers Printing Pubs The Ugly Dog www.theuglydogpub.com Radio Stations WHLC FM 104.5 www.whlc.com Real Estate Sales Betsy Paul www.betsypaulproperties.com Chambers Agency www.chambersagency.net Country Club Properties www.ccphighlandsnc.com Green Mountain Realty Group www.greenmountainrealtygroup.com Hattler Properties www.hattlerproperties.com John Cleaveland Realty www.jcrealty.com Landmark Realty Group www.landmarkrg.com Meadows Mountain Realty www.meadowsmtnrealty.com NC Mountain Life www.ncmountainlife.com Old Cashiers Realty, Inc. www.oldcashiersrealty.com Silver Creek Real Estate Group www.ncliving.com Restaurants Highlands-Cashiers Directory Café 107 www.cafe107south.com Dusty’s FlipSide www.highlandsrestaurantgroup.net Fressers Eatery www.fresserseateryhighlands.com Ghangri Asian Fusion Restaurant www.ghangri.com Highlands Smokehouse www.highlandsrestaurantgroup.net The Kitchen Carryaway & Catering www.thekitchenofhighlands.com On the Verandah www.ontheverandah.com Ristorante Paoletti www.paolettis.com Ruka’s Table www.highlandsrestaurantgroup.net SweeTreats www.sweetreats.com SweeTreats Deli www.sweetreats.com The Ugly Dog/Dog House www.theuglydogpub.com Wild Thyme Gourmet www.wildthymegourmet.com Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro www.wolfgangs.net Rugs Bound’s Cave www.boundscave.com Into the Woods Home Interiors The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Shipping Services Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship Socks Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Telephone Books Yellowbook www.yellowbook360.com Theatre Highlands Cashiers Players www.highlandscashiersplayers.org Transportation Highlands Transportation Company Vacation Specialists CruiseOne/Highlands Travel www.highlandstravel.com Vitamins/Food Supplements Nature’s Vitamins Wedding Venues Cedar Creek Racquet Club www.cedarcreekracquetclub.com Window Treatments Into the Woods Home Interiors Wine & Accessories Dusty’s Yarn Silver Threads Golden Needles www.silverthreadsyarn.com
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