April 2022: The Laurel Magazine

a e

L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau for 20 Years

Rusticks Celebrating 30 Years pg. 114

Woman with

an Ibis

Cover Artist, Mase Lucas April 2022

4 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

5 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

CON T E N T S April 2022

13 What To Do

18 Bear Shadow Music Festival

61 Recreation & Creation 70 Wildflower Explosion

75 Arts

78 Laura Moser

91 Dining

92 Oak Steakhouse

111 Shopping

142

112 Plateau Picks

124 Lake Toxaway

38

124 Headwaters Outfitters

133 History

136 20 Years of Sharing Art

141 Lifestyles & Wellness 151 Cat Companions

155 Giving Back

158 Literacy and Learning

164 Business

166 Country Club Properties

50

A Year of Learning

At a Glance Guides

68

Preserving Wild Spaces

30 Calendar | 60 Dining Guide | 62 Accommodations Guide | 72 Highlands Map | 74 Cashiers Map | 102 Service Guide | 128 Advertiser’s Index 56 Calendar | 104 Dining Guide | 106 Accommodations Guide 118 Highlands Map | 120 Cashiers Map | 130 Lake Toxaway Map | 152 Service Directory | 192 Adver tiser’s Index 6 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

117 7 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

VOLUME TWENTY, ISSUE THREE

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARLENE OSTEEN Writer marlene.osteen@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

DEENA BOUKNIGHT Writer dknight865@gmail.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Publisher’s Note Hello, and Welcome to our April 2022 Issue!

Consider this issue an engraved invitation to shed those covid-cramped inhibitions and once again join the Dance. You’ll find it leavened with events as large as Bear Shadow and as small as a joyous brunch with friends. And along the way you’ll discover some of the sweet, quirky personalities that give this Plateau its passion and pandemic-resistant surprises.

So lace up your hiking boots, slip on your dancing shoes, and pull up your Wellies – let’s get back to April on the Plateau!

Sincerely, Janet and Marjorie

Visit us online thelaurelmagazine.com phone 828.526.0173 email info@thelaurelmagazine.com mail Post Office Box 565 Highlands, North Carolina 28741

Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, David Stroud, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Ann Self, Zach Claxton, Ashby Underwood, and Chris Wilkes. Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes, and Colleen Kerrigan.

Copyright © 2022 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.

WHAT TO DO Pages 14-56

photo by Susan Renfro

W H AT TO DO

Our Hearts

in April

April is a Garden of Sensual and Spiritual Delights. Plus, there’s beer on the 7th.

T

h e April winds are magical, / And thrill our tuneful frames; / The garden-walks are passional / To bachelors and dames.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, “April”

April is a busy month – full of celebration, remembrance, and delight. Dormant bulbs spring forth in yellow, red, and blue in April. Furry creatures emerge from winter burrows. Trees bud in verdant profusion. Ah, April.

April quickens the human heart. It’s National Poetry Month.

April 2 starts Ramadan. April 15 is Good Friday and the start of Passover. Easter is April 17. The 22nd is Earth Day, the 29th Arbor Day, and the 30th International Jazz Day. There’s something for everyone this month.

A monumental month, the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912; our revolutionary war began on April 19,1775; and our civil war began and ended in April, 500,000 dead. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed on April 4, 1968. On a lighter note, William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564: “What light through yonder window breaks?”

14 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

If you’re a foodie, and most of us are, the 5th is Deep Dish Pizza Day; the 7th, National Beer Day and National Burrito Day; the 12th is National Grilled Cheese Day; and the 26th, National Pretzel Day. Yum. April is a love month, presaged by February 14, Valentine’s Day. April love has been celebrated in poem and song: It Was An April Morn: Fresh And Clear, by William Wordsworth in poem and April Love by Pat Boone and others in song.

My favorite April song is April in Paris. With apt local references – try to remember the melody of April in Paris – here ‘tis: April in Highlands, chestnuts in blossom Holiday tables under the trees April in Cashiers, this is a feeling No one can ever reprise I never knew the charm of spring I never met it face to face

W H AT TO DO

I never knew my heart could sing I never missed a warm embrace Till April in Glenville Whom can I run to What have you done to my heart?

I never knew the charm of spring I never met it face to face I never knew my heart could sing I never missed a warm embrace Till April in Scaly Whom can I run to, what did you mean to What have you done to my heart?

What indeed? How sweet our hearts in April!

Wishing you all the joys of the new season.

by William McReynolds 15 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Tastes of

Spring

Chef Craig Richards, the impresario of Atlanta’s Lyla Lila Restaurant, ser ves up his favorite dishes and a host of front-of-the-house stories and back-of-the-kitchen tales for the Spring Fling at The Farm at Old Edwards, Thursday, April 14.

For more information, visit oldedwardshospitality.com

I

spoke recently by phone with Chef Craig Richards of Atlanta’s Lyla Lila Restaurant, as he was preparing for the Italian Feast menu he will present for the Spring Fling at The Farm at Old Edwards on Thursday, April 14.

emissary of Italian cooking – Lidia Bastianich – in her kitchens in Kansas City and Pittsburg. There he began his journey on mastering the art of pasta and discovered a love for regional Italian cooking.

Richards, who had just received word that he was long-listed for a James Beard Best Chef Southeast Award, was in good spirits.

He acknowledged that the news had come both as relief and validation following the challenges of the past two years.

He went on to lead the brigade at high profile restaurants in Atlanta, most notably St. Cecilia before teaming up with Streck.

Three months before the start of the Pandemic, Richards and his partner Billy Streck had opened their dream restaurant in a sleek new building in midtown Atlanta, designed by the gifted and esteemed team at Smith Hanes Studio.

For two months following the onset of Covid, the restaurant was able to offer take-out only. When they were able to reopen, it was “like opening the restaurant all over again.”

Thankfully, through it all they managed to retain their regular clientele and today are busier than ever.

Richards earned his stripes behind the stoves of the reigning

16 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Asked about the inspiration for his menu, Richards explained that, “We take local ingredients and prepare them with an Italian spirit and aren’t afraid to bring in other ingredients from other cultures if they fit the flavor profiles we’re going for.”

The philosophy seems evident in his upcoming menu for Spring Fling: which includes: Passed Hors d’oeuvres: Crostini with Crab, Green Harissa and Crème Fraiche; Roasted Beets with Castelvetrano Olive Aioli and Sardinian Cracker; and Gem Lettuces with Gorgonzola, Crispy Prosciutto and Pickled Jalapenos Dinner First Course: Tuna Crudo with Almond Butter, Strawberries, Cucumber; Second Course: Duck Lasagna

W H AT TO DO

Craig Richards

with Cocoa Bechamel, Parmigiano, Carrot-Coriander Puree; Third Course: Red Snapper with Spring Onion Soubise, Heirloom Carrot, Pistachio and Crispy Caper; Dessert: Tiramisu.

Richards will also be hosting the guests at Half-Mile Farm throughout the weekend with special cocktails, Italianthemed hors d’oeuvres and a special lemon yogurt cake for Easter Sunday breakfast. On Saturday afternoon at 4:00 P.M. in the Woodland View Room at Half-Mile Farm he will teach a class on the art of making fresh pasta and will present his dish of Cacio e Peppe Agnolotti.

It’s not Richards’ first time in Highlands. He annually rents a house here over the Fourth of July weekend, and he tells me, “It’s a nice break from the city and everyone is so friendly.” Plans for his visit also include hiking with his wife and reconnecting with some of the local chefs he met on previous visits.

Cost is $175 per person plus tax and gratuity. Please note the event is for guests 21 and over. This is just one of a fabulous line-up of other chefs visiting Highlands this year. Check lodging and availability at oldedwardshospitality.com.

by Marlene Osteen

17 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Bear Shadow

Music Festival

Bear Shadow brings its wide-open sounds and euphoric spirit to the Plateau at the end of the month. For more information and tickets, visit bearshadownc.com.

18 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

A

t last – it’s finally and nearly here!

The Bear Shadow Music Festival, that is – a weekend that knits together a wealth of musical talent into a joyous whole.

The festival takes place outdoors beginning on Friday, April 29, and concluding on Sunday, May 1.

Now in its second year, the festival returns with a celebration of events that provide a big rolling jubilee of sweet sounds.

Friday, April 29 Band of Horses – known for a signature sound that combines atmospheric guitars with lived-in Southern storytelling; Curtis Harding – though primarily a soul artist, his “slop ‘n’ soul” style is influenced by blues, gospel, R&B and rock; Susto – an American Indie rock band from Charleston, South Carolina, with

Cuban roots; Saturday, April 30 Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real – the son of country music star Willie Nelson, known for alternating between “rowdy rock and roller” and “sensitive troubadour;” Wild Rivers – this Canadian Indie pop trio composes and performs melodies deeply reflective and undeniably relatable; 49 Winchester – an Alt-country group that delivers “poetically straightforward songs;” Sunday, May 1 Trampled by Turtles – a Progressive Bluegrass band famous for its fast-paced songs and plaintive ballads; Jamestown Revival – Western-accented folk songs from a Texas based duo;

Bluegrass quartet melds bluegrass and folk genres to create homegrown stories.

Also on the agenda, a feast of events with some particular delights, including daily in-town programming that focuses both on live music and enjoying the great outdoors: Bearfoot in the Park – a chance for yoga fans to indulge in one-hour flow in downtown Highlands; Hike & Mic – guided tours that begin with hikes through Highlands forests and trails led by experts from HighlandsCashiers Land Trust and Highlands Biological Station, and end with musical performance by Wild Rivers on Friday and Jamestown Revival on Saturday; Wine, Women and Song – three female music virtuosi on stage at the Skyline Lodge will raise a glass of wine and their voices in song and conversation.

Kitchen Dwellers – Progressive

19 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Nurturing

Nature

Ear th Day, set for April 22, is a joyous celebration of the mysteries and miracles bestowed upon all those who call this planet Home.

T

he Plateau is a place where not much needs to inspire or motivate one to think about, appreciate, and respect nature. The beauty and natural surroundings are what draws people year-round.

Saturday, April 23, at 8:00 A.M.: “Early Bird Stroll at North Campus,” an early morning bird walk;

Yet, annually the wide world and the world around us recognizes an opportunity to hyper focus on nature. Earth Day, while officially celebrated April 22 this year, is mostly a month-long spotlight initiative to bring about even more awareness of the environment. It was started in 1970. Reportedly, more than a billion people in almost 200 countries are mobilized annually to make sure people understand the importance of treating the planet right.

Information about these programs will be available; at highlandsbiological.org.

During the week around Earth Day, the Highlands Nature Center (located at the Highlands Biological Station, will be offering the public a number of free, informative, naturenurturing activities. Paige Engelbrektsson, the Nature Center’s education specialist, shared the following: Tuesday, April 19, at 1:00 P.M.: “Nature 101: Beautiful Blooms,” which is a program about spring wildflowers; Thursday, April 21, at noon: “Spring Wildflower Walk in the Botanical Garden,” a tour of currently blooming wildflowers;

20 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Saturday, April 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM: “Flower Fest in the Meadow;” a family-friendly event with games, crafts, and snacks

Since its inception in 1927, HBS has grown to a campus of 24 acres, with four residences sleeping up to 52, fully equipped research and teaching labs and classrooms, two outdoor classrooms, a historic WPA-built Nature Center, and a unique native-plant Botanical Garden.

The public is welcome at any time, not just during the month of April – when Earth Day is a focus – to enjoy all that the nature-centered facilities have to offer.

In February, HBS hosted the first-ever Student Sustainability Summit, at which students at schools all throughout Macon County participated in three days of education and discussions on how to protect the earth.

by Deena Bouknight

W H AT TO DO

21 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

E

aster, the season of hope and renewal, is a special time on the Plateau and there are lots of opportunities for guests and residents to worship and play.

Due to ongoing pandemic concerns, uncertainty about when restrictions would be lifted, and out of an abundance of caution to the Town of Highlands is not hosting any of their traditional activities, but area churches are planning their holy week services.

Easter Event

Guide

Easter will be celebrated across the Plateau in all its post-Pandemic Glor y.

22 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

The Village Green in Cashiers will be home to many of the Plateau’s Easter events beginning with the Stations of the Cross. This ecumenical walking devotional is open to all. It features scripture and prayer to recall the events of Good Friday. Participants will meet at 4:00 P.M. Friday, April 15, at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers.

The 9th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Green will begin at 10:30 A.M.

Saturday, April 16, for children 10 years old and under.

“Grab your Easter basket and hippityhoppity over to the Village Play area” says Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, Executive Director of The Village Green. Hundreds of treat-filled Easter eggs will be scattered around the park for hunters who will be divided according to age.

Activities will also include entertainment and the opportunity to visit with the Easter Bunny at The Village Green Commons Event Hall (Reservation required). Visit villagegreencashiersnc. com/programs-events for more details and to register.

The annual Community Sunrise Service will be the following day at 7:00 A.M., Sunday, April 17, at the Village Green Commons Lawn on Frank Allen Road.

Those attending need to bring a lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather, the Cashiers Area Clergy will lead this as a virtual experience, please check

W H AT TO DO The Village Green website for streaming information.

Churches that had finalized their opportunities to worship as of press time are listed below, but all area churches are planning meaningful services, open to all.

Highlands United Methodist Church: Holy Wednesday Service of Healing – April 13 at 6:00 P.M. (Faith and Fellowship Center) (Supper at 5:15 P.M.) Holy Thursday Communion Service – April 14 at 5:30 P.M. (Sanctuary)

Church Sanctuary

Maundy Thursday, April 14 – 5:30 P.M.

Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church:

Good Friday, April 15 – Noon

Lenten Schedule:

The Great Vigil of Easter, Saturday, April 16 – 8:00 P.M.

Stations of the Cross—following Wednesday Noon Mass (March 16, 23, 30, Apr 6 & 13)

Easter Sunday, April 17 – 9:00 AM & 11:15 A.M.

Holy Thursday, April 14 — 6:00 P.M.

Maundy Thursday, April 14 – 6:00 P.M.

Good Friday, April 15 — Stations of the Cross Noon; Confessions 12:30-1:00 P.M., Liturgy 3:00 P.M.

Christ Church in Cashiers: Good Friday, April 15 – Noon Easter Sunday, April 17 – 10:30 P.M.

Holy Saturday, April 16 — 8:00 P.M.

Good Friday Worship Service – April 15 at 5:30 P.M. (Sanctuary)

Easter Mass, April 17 — 11:00 A.M.

Easter Sunday – Sunrise Service at the Easter Cross on the front lawn, April 17 at 7:00 A.M.; 9:09 A.M. Bluegrass Worship Service followed by brunch and children’s Easter Egg Hunt in the Faith and Fellowship Center; 10:50 A.M. Traditional Worship Service in the

Palm Sunday, April 10 – 10:30 AM

by Mary Jane McCall

Episcopal Church of the Incarnation: Monday in Holy Week, April 11 – Noon

-

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 12 – Noon Wednesday in Holy Week, April 13 – Noon

23 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Songs That

Create Sparks Mike Kinnebrew

Mike Kinnebrew brings his tales of Love and Life to the Orchard Sessions at The Farm at Old Edwards, Thursday, May 19. For updates and to book online, visit OldEdwardsHospitality.com/OrchardSessions.

O

n Thursday, May 19, at The Farm at Old Edwards one can hear the music of Mike Kinnebrew who shares tales told from the heart.

Orchard Sessions, so named for its locale at The Farm is an artful interplay between its blissful milieu and the soulful music of the performer. From 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., as sunlight falls and dusk and then dark ascend, amidst the light and shadows cast by a canopy of trees, it’s easy to fall under the spell of Kinnebrew’s achingly intense songs.

He says that, “Hopefully, it all makes us feel less alone.”

Often Kinnebrew’s music discloses a relatable and familiar narrative – exploring memory and sentiment to create a song’s meaning and demonstrating how a piece of music can shape our lives.

As it happened in the title song from his latest album, One Way to Find Out, written for Old Edwards General Manager Jack Austin as a way to resolve a pivotal point in Austin’s life.

Or as written in the standout track from the same album, Daring You to Fall in Love with Me, when the artist tells the tale of a fellow musician’s quest to romance the woman who became his wife.

24 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

As Mathew Perryman Jones describes him, “Mike Kinnebrew has a unique way of pulling people into his songs, through his gently demanding voice and melodies to speak a little truth to you.”

Kinnebrew has performed since age 14 when his Dad taught him the guitar. He was influenced by the music played on the family station wagon – from Tom Petty to Jackson Browne and James Taylor.

In 2010, Kinnebrew traveled to Nashville to record his first CD, Between the Living and the Dying, produced by Andy Hunt (Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors) at the famed Smoakstack studio. His second and latest album, One Way to Find Out, was recorded live at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia – it was as he said, “the best way to keep the creative spark alive.”

Shows begin at 6:00 P.M. and finish at 8:00 P.M. There is a $40 cover charge for the public, with online sales opening two weeks in advance. Every ticket includes light bites and a cash bar. The session will move indoors to the Orchard House in the event of rain. For updates and to book online, visit oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.

by Marlene Osteen

W H AT TO DO

25 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Sweet Sounds

of Music

Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine provide Highlands’ off icial Soundtrack of the Season.

They’re free and ever yone is invited.

26 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

S

pring, that glorious season when our senses come alive, is once again upon us.

Blooming flowers are emerging from winter’s gray to carpet the landscape, their smell wafting through the air beckoning us outdoors. All around you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the season as the busy season once again returns to the Plateau.

One of the sweetest sounds of the season is the sound of music in downtown as our outdoor concert series start once again, drawing us all together to listen, visit, dance, and revel in the sweet knowledge that this season we can once again come together just for the joy of it, a bit more unencumbered by the constraints of pandemic worries.

Friday Night Live is provided by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, celebrating traditional mountain music, and offering local and

regional artists the chance to share their love of traditional and contemporary Appalachian sounds. Shows are every Friday night in Town Square from 6:00 until 8:30 P.M.

wide-ranging playlist from Jimmy Buffet to classic rock and everything in between. Get your shag on when Continental Divide brings their smooth beach sounds to town on May 28.

It’s fitting that the season starts on May 13 with the sounds of local favorites, The Johnny Webb Band, playing country favorites old and new. McIntosh & The Lionhearts bring a softer sound on May 20. Sycamore Flats plays old time, foot stomping bluegrass on May 27.

For more information, call the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center at (828) 526-5841 or visit highlandschamber.org.

Saturdays on Pine, held at KelseyHutchinson Founders Park every Saturday night from 6:00 until 8:30, shakes things up a bit with music of every kind. The Breakfast Club starts things off on May 14 with, you guessed it, sounds of the 80s, that lively, buoyant music that will make you want to shake your booty. The Caribbean Cowboys play on May 21 and this crowd-pleasing group never disappoints with their

by Mary Jane McCall

Scan to learn more.

27 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

The Village

Nature Series

The Village Nature Series roars back to life with a series of in-depth explorations of our heritage, both Cherokee and natural.

28 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

T

he Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and The Village Green have announced that the popular Village Nature Series is back live and in person, and they expect it to be bigger and better than ever.

Now that Covid restrictions are mostly in our rearview mirror, activities that were sidelined or moved to online formats are once again planned, and the enthusiasm is contagious.

The Village Nature Series programs begin at 5:00 P.M. on the last Tuesday of each month, beginning in May and continuing through October at The Village Green Commons Event Hall on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers. They offer visitors and residents the opportunity to learn about wildlife in the area and the various features of their natural habitats. Attendance is free and this season’s schedule is as follows: May 31: Mountain Wildlife (featuring live animals) presented by Rose Wall, Education Director & Senior Naturalist of the Balsam Mountain Trust, will be bringing a host of mountain wildlife that is endemic (native) to our Blue Ridge Mountains. Come prepared to interact with some of Western North Carolina’s most beloved creatures. This is great fun

for adults and kids.

June 28: Cherokee History on Nikwasi Mound. Elaine Eisenbraun, Executive Director of The Nikwasi Initiative, will give our group a history lesson on Cherokee culture and history in our area, including the significance of The Nikwasi Mound and those like it around the nation.

July 26: Living with Bears. Cynthia Strain with BearWise will help our group explore the nuances of bear behavior and how we can peacefully, and happily, co-exist with a treasured mountain species.

This subject is always timely, informative, and well attended.

Aug 30: Healthy Headwater Streams. Patrick Weaver, Education Coordinator with Headwaters Outfitters, will give us information on how you can help keep the headwaters of The French Broad and The Chattooga Rivers pristine for generations to come.

Sept 27: Whose Track is That? Details on this program are still in the development phase.

by Mary Jane McCall / photo by Ed Boos

29 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Springtime Pages and

Programs

The Plateau’s twin libraries offer an entire suite of programs to illuminate the magic and majesty of the season.

30 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

L

ibraries are the places to go for every imaginable seasonalsubject-focused read. And with spring in the air, books on nature- and outdoor-related topics are just the ticket to bring one out of hibernation from winters’ chill.

“We have numerous materials on various warmer-weather subjects,” said Carlyn Morenus, branch librarian for Highlands’ Hudson Library. “Identification guides for birds, animals, trees, wildflowers, insects, snakes, and more. Plus, we have great hiking guides to check out, and additional maps and guides in the library, including topographical and threedimensional contour maps of the region.

We have great books about hiking North Carolina waterfalls, geology of the Plateau, and some beautiful oversized books celebrating regional photography as well.”

Morenus also reminds the community that Hudson Library participates in the

Kids Hike Highlands program, which makes available maps to get families started hiking, and it rewards kids who complete the four designated hikes.

And we also have a lovely map of old Hamburg [Township] and its landmarks before the lake [Lake Glenville] was created.”

Also for kids this spring is the monthly series called LEAP Into Science, programs for children as part of Hudson Library’s Kids Zone afterschool programming.

The library can provide more history about the Cashiers and Lake Glenville areas as well as local hikes and wildflower walks for anyone interested in embracing spring.

“In April we’ll focus on Light and Shadow with a program on April 21 at 3:30 PM,” noted Morenus.

“The library has also provided a new book on the StoryWalk at the Village Green, so families can get outside with a fun book and enjoy the spring air,” said Richards.

LEAP Into Science was developed by The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and is sponsored in North Carolina by the NC STEM Ecosystem.

Many of the same books and programs offered by Hudson Library are also available at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

Serenity Richards, the library’s branch librarian, shared, “I just refreshed some of our local hiking and gardening books.

Speaking of enjoying books, The Cashiers Library’s Bibliophiles Book Club will be diving into John McPhee’s The Headmaster at 5:30 P.M. Wednesday, April 13, at the library.

Everyone is invited.

by Deena Bouknight

31 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

32 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Liz Harris A TOP BROKER ON THE CASHIERS-HIGHLANDS PLATEAU

8 2 8.342.319 4

liz@c a sh ie rs.c o m

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

33 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Run for the

Fun of It

The Twilight 5K Race is set for August 13. That gives you plenty of time to get those abs, hamstrings, glutes and calves into springy shape.

And f ind some comfy shoes, too!

34 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

O

n August 13, Highlanders can expect to see a pack of runners whirring out of KelseyHutchinson Founders Park, past splendid Harris Lake, ascending and descending hills and trails before returning to the park.

The sneaker-clad feet breezing past you are participating in the annual Rotary Club of Highlands Twilight 5K Race – reveling in the diverse flora and idyllic scenery of the Highlands Plateau.

It’s a winding yet mostly flat course suited to participants of all athletic prowess, and ideal for enthusiasts at any age. From its beginnings in 2013, it has been both a USA Track & Field qualifying event, and the race of choice for running enthusiasts from amateurs to the more accomplished seeking to improve their time.

Runners completing the course will celebrate their accomplishment with a complimentary beer from the Ugly Dog

Pub and light up necklaces for the kids.

Awards will be presented to overall top male and female, and top 3 finishers in each 5-year age division.

Performing free for all – racers or not – are McIntosh and the Lionhearts.

Founded in 2019 by Brevard native and front man Spalding McIntosh, the Lionhearts are a versatile ensemble of pros, presenting Spalding’s complex compositions on home, love, and the challenges of manhood, all in a tight, rolling groove.

Like so many other sporting events, the last two years have been fraught with difficulties. As Twilight Race organizer Derek Taylor told me, “Proceeds from 2020 and 2021 events combined have equaled only one year.” Owing to the pandemic, the August 2020 race was canceled, and postponed to May 2021.

In an effort to recoup the past year’s losses, a second race was set for August.

It was to be the second race of the year.

Instead, just as officials were about to pull the trigger on the starting gun, thunder blared, lightning flashed, and rain poured down. Once again, the race was called off.

Taylor remains hopeful that 2022 “will be a return to normal,” and urges everyone to “Please get off the couch and come run and help us raise money.” He anticipates about 250 runners and hopes that 2022 will generate funds equivalent to those of past years (the 2019 race generated $25,000) on behalf of the Highlands Education Committee which supports the Highlands School directly.

The race attracts everyone from young to old and fit to not so. Free for kids under 5 and $10 for those 5 to 9. There is an introductory price of $30. $40 on race day. More race details are at highlandstwilightrun.com.

by Marlene Osteen

35 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

A River Runs

Through it

The Three River Fly Fishing Festival, set for April 2123, offers plenty of challenges for both veteran anglers and clever novices of all ages. For more information, to register a team, or to become a sponsor, email ThreeRiverFest@gmail.com or call (404) 307-1415 or sign up at 3river f lyf ish.com.

36 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

T

he 1976 semi-autobiographical novella A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean propelled interest in an age-old method of fishing for trout in moving water.

But the many streams and rivers throughout this region have always been replete with individuals trying their mettle at fly fishing. For two days this month, beginning Thursday, April 21, fly fishermen (and women) will converge on streams in Western North Carolina for the Three River Fly Fishing Festival.

While opening night is Thursday, April 21, the tournament is Friday and Saturday, with the closing awards night Saturday evening, April 23.

The 12th annual festival is named “Three River” because criteria dictate that participants must catch a fish from a native stream, a delayed harvest stream, and a hatchery-supported stream within the two-day tournament.

All the money raised through fees, donations, silent auction prizes, etc. are donated to the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund, which gives scholarship money to all graduates from Highlands High School who are furthering their education through college, junior college, trade school, and more.

Everyone participating in the festival, including sponsors and guests, will gather the evening of April 21 at Lullwater House in Highlands for an opening reception to receive all the pertinent information regarding rules and guidelines.

from near and far have an opportunity to enjoy fly-fishing fun and comradery while enjoying more than 2,200 miles of beautiful public streams and rivers.

Fishing is guided or unguided, teams or individuals.

Entry fees are payable to the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund and they are 100 percent tax-deductible.

by Deena Bouknight

Then, participants will fish all day Friday and Saturday, with social time on Saturday evening, which includes not only a fishing-theme goodie bag and awards and recognitions, but also a silent auction to raise further funds for students.

Men and women anglers of all ages and

Scan to learn more.

37 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

L Performance A Drop Dead

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead marks a manic return to live theater on the Plateau. It’ll be staged April 21-May 1 at Highlands Performing Arts Center. For information and tickets, visit highlandsperformingarts.com.

ive theater is back! The Highlands Cashiers Players have eagerly been awaiting their return to the local stage and the time is now. Join them this month for the lively murder mystery Drop Dead at the Highlands Performing Arts Center on Chestnut Street. Show dates are scheduled for April 21-23 at 7:30 P.M.; April 24 at 2:30 P.M.; April 29-30 at 7:30 P.M.; and, May 1 at 2:30 P.M. Serentity Richards of HCP says “We are very excited to be getting back in the swing of a real performance season as we hopefully get to the other side of the pandemic. The cast is having a ball bringing this show to life. The cast is a wonderful mix of newcomers to HCP and veterans of the Company, led by Director Todd Lipphardt and Assistant Director Lisa Blakenship.”

Drop Dead by Bill Van Zandt and Jane

38 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Milmore features an odd-ball cast of hasbeen actors trying to revive their careers in “Drop Dead!,” a potboiler murder mystery directed by “Wonder Child of the Broadway Stage” Victor Le Pewe. At the dress rehearsal, nothing goes right, and people start turning up dead. But the show must go on. During the opening night performance, the deaths continue.

The remaining thespians must save the show and their careers, solve the mystery, and stay alive for curtain call.

The cast, crew and directors of HCP are a bit like kids running loose in a candy store as they can hardly contain their enthusiasm at being able to return to the stage. This nonstop physical comedy is just the right vehicle for all that energy.

Drop Dead will be a performance you shouldn’t miss.

by Mary Jane McCall

W H AT TO DO

39 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Mt. Retreat’s

Music Week

The hills are alive when The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center stages its Music Week, April 10-15.

For more information and registration please visit themountainrlc.org/ music-week.

40 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

T

he Mountain Retreat and Learning Center is hosting Music Week April 10-15. Participants will have daily opportunities for group and individual participation and instruction in songwriting, guitar, voice, ukulele and more with event coordinators and leaders, Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay of Friction Farm and Tret Fure.

You can venture in lightly, explore something new, or dig in deeper and hone your craft.

There will be plenty of music appreciation sessions: history through the lens of song, discovering fun, unexpected musical connections across genres, song circles and concerts.

We will also incorporate music into morning reflections and make musical connections to nature and art.

Friction Farm combines storytelling, social commentary and humor to create songs of everyday life, local heroes, and quirky observations. Their lyrically rich, harmonydriven songs earned them spots as Kerrville New Folk Finalists, Falcon Ridge Emerging

Artists, and South Florida Folk Festival Songwriter winners. Friction Farm’s latest CD, Evidence of Hope, which debuted at Number 10 on the Folk Radio Chart, witnesses the collision of strong political polarity with personal kindness, the intersection of fragility and breathtaking beauty.

Tret Fure began her professional music career in her teens. By her twenties, she was playing guitar and touring with Spencer Davis. Her solo career blossomed as she became well-known in women’s music. Tret is a prolific writer whose heartfelt lyrics and impressive fingerpicking keep her songs on the folk radio charts.

They are also looking forward to John McCutcheon’s Songwriting Camp, set for May 22-26, so make plans now to check that out as well.

For more information and registration please visit themountainrlc.org/music-week or call (828) 526-5838.

by Mary Jane McCall

41 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Locally Grown

on the Green The Green Market offers a panoply of f lavors and sensations on the Cashiers Village Green, ever y Wednesday through October.

42 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

I

t’s never too early to start planning those fresh spring meals that herald the start of the verdant growing season on the Plateau. Fresh, local products are a joy to shop for and add color and flavor to your table that are unequaled by products from store shelves.

The Green Market-Locally Grown on The Green, Cashiers’ farm stand and local market, begins this season on April 20. Held every Wednesday from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. at The Village Green Commons, this is your go-to place for the freshest and finest products. Admission is free and parking is plentiful.

This market is “producer only,” meaning that the vendor must be the grower or producer of all the products they sell.

Vendors must produce within a 125-mile radius of Cashiers. This extended radius ensures that we have access to the longest possible growing season and the largest selection of products

available. The market also provides the unique opportunity to talk to the people who actually grow and produce the food. This is farm-to-table fresh with an extraordinary personal touch. These hard working vendors take pride in bringing their products to you and are always happy to answer any questions.

Here you can fill your basket with naturally grown meat, fresh dairy items and eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, honey, pickles, and freshly-baked breads and baked goods. Complete your tablescape with flowers so fresh the dew has barely dried since the morning harvest or buy hardy perennials to plant in your yard.

Their motto is “Always Fresh, Always Local.” We’ll add “Always Fun and Always Delicious.”

by Mary Jane McCall

43 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Marketplace

Magic

With Covid restrictions fading into the rear view mirror, Highlands Marketplace is a dazzling showcase for local farmers and ar tisans, Saturdays from 8:00 A .M. until 12:30 P.M. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Come for the intriguing merchandise, stay for the inviting conversation.

44 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

H

ighlands Marketplace, staged every Saturday from 8:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street, serves up a bounty of the products of the Plateau.

Local farmers, artisans, and growers gather to offer the freshest and most colorful selections you’ll find anywhere.

Whether it’s spring lettuces, organic salves and tinctures, eggs, or handmade crafts you’ll not be disappointed.

Farmers will be offering the first fruits of their fields and you’ll find fresh eggs from contented chickens, honey, and a full spectrum of fresh flowers harvested locally.

There’s also an irresistible selection of fresh-baked pastries and breads. Look for canned goods, jams and jellies, and herbal teas and tisanes.

This is also a place to visit if you’re seeking handmade soaps and essential

oils, and homemade salves that are crafted using formulas that date back hundreds of years.

The Highlands Marketplace is a great way to start your weekend, so bring your baskets and your market bags and load ‘em up! If you choose to bring your four-legged friends, please make sure they’re leashed.

But just as important as all the foods, all the treats, all the goods, is the sense of community that forms the bedrock of this entry on the town’s social calendar.

This is where Highlanders gather.

Stories are told, gossip is exchanged, and jokes are swapped. People of all ages and all social standings stroll through and weigh their purchases.

If you don’t spend part of your time talking with the vendors and artisans, well, you’re not getting your money’s worth.

by Luke Osteen

45 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Gearing Up Highlands Motoring Festival revs up the excitement for their June gathering.

P

lans for the Highlands Motoring Festival are full speed ahead. What started as a local car show and single-day event back in 2008 has grown into a four-day festival featuring eight different events.

“The high quality of the show cars and the related events have made it a major happening in the classic car world,” explained Festival Coordinator Steve Ham. He shared that in 2019, the festival gained the national spotlight after Classic Motorsports Magazine readers voted it “The Best Concours.” That year, HMF also attracted Dennis Gage to film an episode of his weekly television show, My Classic Car, for his millions of viewers around the world.

To make HMF a reality, a team of more than 20 dedicated volunteers work year-round to plan logistics, staging of cars, fundraising efforts, and more. This year’s festival takes place June 9-12, with activities including a Grande’ Driving Tour, Movie Night in the Park, Speciale’ Driving Tour, Cars in the Park Invitational Classic Car Show, Awards Gala, and the High Octane Car Show and Social Gathering.

“The centerpiece event of the festival is the Saturday car show

46 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

‘Cars in the Park’ that will exhibit more than 80 of the most desirable classic cars in existence,“ said Ham. “Every car must go through a rigorous application process to gain an entry invitation. These cars come from the pre-computer days (prior to 1990) and span nine decades of automotive evolution. The cars will be judged in eight classes, in addition to the 2022 featured marque, Porsche, which will draw more than 20 of the brand’s historic, limited production, and competition cars.”

Some of the cars already invited and accepted into the 2022 Cars in the Park are a 1968 Porsche 908 Short Tail Coupe; a Porsche 906, which has an extensive race history from 1966-68 with many first place finishes; a 1931 Packard 840 Dietrich Custom Convertible Sedan, which is one of only four produced; a 1930 Aston Martin International; and, a 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS. In 2021, the festival was able to donate $81,000 to support local needs. Visit HighlandsMotoringFestival.com for more information.

by Deena Bouknight

W H AT TO DO

47 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Whiskers, Wags

& Whiskey

Whiskers, Wags & Whiskey, set for Wednesday, June 29, at Wildcat Cliffs Countr y Club is a howling good time benef itting the residents of CashiersHighlands Humane Society.

For information, visit chhumanesociety.org.

48 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

A

n all-new event at an all-new venue sets the stage for the first in-person fundraising event in three years for the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society.

This brand new fundraiser and “funraiser” for the animals is Whiskers, Wags & Whiskey at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club on Wednesday, June 29, at 5:30 P.M. The evening will feature a live and silent auction combined with a magnificent dinner and beer, wine and spirits. Live music will be provided by George Skaroulis. His Chopin-styled, gentle ambient piano music has been embraced by romantics, spa industry professionals, surgeons, and teachers, as well as the Atlanta Humane Society to calm anxious pets waiting for adoption.

George has graciously donated 100 percent of his appearance fee and travel expenses to benefit the Cashiers-

Highlands Humane Society.

Whiskers, Wags & Whiskey is limited to just 200 guests. Tickets are $195 per person and tables of 10 can be reserved for $1,800. A portion of the ticket/table purchase is a generous, tax-deductible contribution to support our lifesaving mission of rescue, spay/neuter and adoption, and community outreach programs such as humane education, summer camps, rabies vaccination clinics, pet therapy, and a free food pet pantry.

A highlight of this preeminent fundraiser for the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society will be the presentation of the coveted awards for “CHHS Humane Heroes of the Year.” Awards will be bestowed to recipients who have significantly contributed their time, heart, and resources to help further the mission of CHHS on behalf of the abandoned and neglected animals in our community.

A fundraiser for the CHHS shelter pets is

always the “must-attend” party for party animals on the Plateau and always sells out quickly. You can reserve your seats today by calling (828) 743-5769.

Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, 1 ½ miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. Visit us online at chhumanesociety.org. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

Scan to learn more.

49 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Paula Nix and Fallon Hovis

Get Up, Get Out, Get Going Oh, The Lessons They Learned – the Center for Life Enrichment’s 2022 slate of classes offers tales both comical and dire, accounts of ar t and passion, and sweet, sweet sips and savors. For more information, visit clehighlands.com, call (828) 526-8811, or email off ice@clehighlands.com.

T

he CLE (Center for Lifelong Enrichment) crew is a class act. Fallon Hovis and Paula Nix are a cheerful, get-itdone team who see to it that taking a class or attending a lecture is effortless, exciting, and enriching. And now, with COVID finally easing off, this is your opportunity to get up, get out, and get going with CLE. So many choices, so little time. Let’s look at just five of CLE’s 2022 offerings.

June 23: The Art & Heart of Stories with Connie Regan-Blake Here she comes, the spinner of yarns you’ve been waiting for: Connie Regan-Blake, world-renowned story-teller. Prepare yourself for her husband’s legendary clothing encounter: “Dorky Spandex vs. Macho Leather.” Travel to Scotland and a sparkling, traditional Scottish account, “Well at the End of the World.” In and between stories Connie will share what she’s learned and developed through her amazing, trailblazing storytelling career. It’s a double delight: Entertainment & Education packed into a day full of laugh-out-loud enjoyment.

July 11: The Mueller Investigation: Lesson from an Insider with Andrew Weissmann Andrew Weissmann is a member of Robert S. Mueller’s investigation team which examined Trump’s campaign and possible Russian collusion. He will speak about two ongoing issues raised in the Special Counsel Report: The threat of continuing cyber-attacks on America’s political and economic systems; and whether criminal investigation and prosecution can be effective tools to hold perpetrators accountable.

50 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

July 20: Churchill: A Passion for Painting at the Bascom with wine reception Sir Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, is a portrait of ambition, confidence, creativity, and bravery. Five decades after his death his name is still revered and his deeds celebrated. His eccentricity, audacity, and defiance are qualities that helped win WWII. But there is another picture of him to be painted … that of the artist. This course will examine Churchill’s artistic passion.

Painting informed and inspired him lifelong. See why.

August 3: Bourbon Basics (A Tasting) Join Louisville-based bourbon expert, Susan Reigler for a Bourbon Basics Tasting. Learn what sets bourbon apart from other whiskeys. While tasting three world whiskeys – traditional, wheated, and bottled-in-bond - you’ll learn the fascinating history of each brand.

August 9: Apiary Tour & Honey Tasting Highlands is a hive-home for millions of bees. Learn more about the hive, its queen and the fierce loyalty of her female subjects. Suit up and enter the queen’s realm as you hold a frame full of honeycomb and workers. Savor honey from the apiary, paired with a light lunch and champagne. Learn how to evaluate honey varietals. Take home a souvenir bottle of honey straight from the hive.

For more information, visit clehighlands.com, call (828) 526-8811, or email: office@clehighlands.com.

by Donna Rhodes

W H AT TO DO

51 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Youth Theater Workshops

Let’s put on a Show! Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center’s Youth Theater program roars back to exuberant life with a series of classes and workshops, April 12 through May 14. For information or to register, email mpotts@fontanalib.org, or call (828) 200-0889 or (828) 743-0215.

H

ighlands Performing Arts Center’s Youth Theater Program will be staging its spring workshops for young people in grades Kindergarten and up, from April 2 through May 24.

Classes on performance will be offered at the Cashiers Library (249 Frank Allen Road) on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M. for K-third grades on April 5 through May 24; and on Saturdays for students in the seventh grade through 12th from 1:00 to 2:30 P.M. on April 2 through May 14.

There’ll also be classes at the Highlands Performing Arts Center (507 Chestnut Street) on Tuesdays for seventh graders and up who are interested in Technical Theater, Design, and Production from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M., April 5 through May 24.

Classes on Performance will be held in Highlands on Saturdays for 7th graders and up from 9 to 10:30 A.M., April 9 through May 21; and on Saturdays for fourth through sixth graders from 10:00 through 11:30 A.M., April 2 through May 14.

Participants in the performance classes will learn the fundamentals of performance (including blocking, memorizing lines, character development, and basic stage makeup); and those taking the Technical Theater, Design, & Production classes will learn those fundamentals (including sets, sound, lighting,

52 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

and costuming). Classes are led by Program Artistic Director Megan Greenlee Potts and graduates of the Youth Theater Program, some of whom have gone on to careers in theater.

“I like to remind parents that there are some critical lessons embedded in our classes, things they might not realize are taught in Theater – learning to take direction (literally), lessons about science, history, language arts, and technology,” says Greenlee Potts. “Plus, this is a collaborative art form, so everyone has an important role to play and we learn to work together for the audience.”

Class sizes are limited. Places will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Like all PAC Youth events, these classes and workshops are free of charge & open to all students in Western North Carolina, northwestern South Carolina, and northern Georgia.

To register or for more information, contact Greenlee Potts at highlandspac.info/youth-theater, email pacyouth.highlands@ gmail.com, text (828) 200-0889, or call (828) 743-0215.

by Luke Osteen

W H AT TO DO

53 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

Garden Club

Plant Sale

Just in time for Plateau Planting, the Highlands Mountain Garden Club’s beloved Annual Plant Sale returns to the Town Ball Field on Saturday, May 28.

54 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

S

pring is the time to start digging in the dirt and refreshing our gardens.

The perfect place to start is at the Highlands Mountain Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale to be held on Saturday, May 28 from 9:00 A.M. until noon.

On this magical day in May the Town Ball Field at the corner of Highway 64 East and Hickory Street in Highlands is transformed into a shining green sea of possibilities, covered with plants gleaned from some of the area’s most prolific gardens.

Dahlia bulbs. If you’ve admired a plant in any local garden, you’ll most likely be able to purchase its cousin here.

This is also the perfect chance to chat with Mountain Garden Club members and ask any questions you might have about your garden or the plants you’re purchasing. These are …Highlands is transformed serious gardeners, so by all means, into a shining green sea of ask the experts.

possibilities…

This once-a-year opportunity allows everyone the chance to purchase native plants grown by some of the most accomplished gardeners on the Plateau. No big box plants here, these have all been lovingly cultivated in native soil and are plants native to our region, so they’ll grow and thrive for years to come.

You’ll find plants of all kinds, from those that attract pollinators such as Bee Balm, Astilbe and Clematis, to the always popular Hosta in its many varieties, Cinnamon Ferns and many other offerings, including

Be prepared to come early as the sale is extremely popular and long lines quickly form. Proceeds are used for scholarships for local students who are studying horticulture, environmental studies, and education, as well as for other community projects.

It’s a chance to beautify your garden while giving to a good cause. Cash or check only, please.

by Mary Jane McCall

55 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

A PR IL “April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go.” – Christopher Morley

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm open 11 AM - 3 PM.

1

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Live Music, 9:30 PM, The High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm open 11 AM - 3 PM.

8

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. National Theatre of London, The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, 1 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Live Music, 9:30 PM, The High Dive.

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

3

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

10

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Music Week, April 10-15.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM to 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

17

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church,

24

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

Art League of Highlands-Cashiers meeting, 4:30 PM, The Bascom.

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Music Week, April 10-15.

Sunrise Service, 7 AM, Village Green Commons Lawn, Cashiers.

Sunrise Service, 7 AM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

“Flower Fest in the Meadow;” 1 to 4 PM, Highlands Nature Center.

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 2:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

4

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

11

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Music Week, April 10-15.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

18

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

“Nature 101: Beautiful Blooms,” 1 PM, Highlands Nature Center.

25

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

56 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

5

Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

6

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, United Methodist Church..

Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

12

19

Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

The Green Market - Locally Grown on The Green, 2 PM - 5 PM, Village Green Commons.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

26

Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

The Green Market - Locally Grown on The Green, 2 PM - 5 PM, Village Green Commons.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

7

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Music Week, April 10-15 Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

Bibliophiles Book Club, 5:30 PM, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

13

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Music Week, April 10-15, Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, United Methodist Church.

Highlands Storytellers, 2 PM - 4 PM, at The High Dive.

Spring Fling at The Farm at Old Edwards.

Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

20

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM to 6 PM, United Methodist Church.

The Three River Fly Fishing Festival, April 21-23.

“Spring Wildflower Walk in the Botanical Garden,” noon, Highlands Nature Center.

Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

27

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church.

Betsy Paul Art Benefit supporting the CashiersGlenville Fire Department, 5 PM drawing.

Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

2

9

14

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Music Week, April 10-15.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Stations of the Cross, 4:00 PM, Village Green.

15

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Exhibition: formative, Thompson Gallery at The Bascom.

Easter Egg Hunt, 10:30 AM, Village Playground.

Live Music, 9:30 PM, The High Dive.

21

The Three River Fly Fishing Festival, April 21-23.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

22

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Park.

“Early Bird Stroll” 8 AM, Highlands Nature Center.

Three River Fly Fishing Festival Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. MET Opera Live via Satellite Cinderella ,12:55 P.M. Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

28

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Bear Shadow Festival, April 29 - May 1.

Betsy Paul Art Benefit supporting the CashiersGlenville Fire Department, 5 PM drawing.

Color Me Goodwill - Fashion With A Mission, 6 PM, The Orange Peel, Asheville.

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Park.

Bazaar Barn, open 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Bear Shadow Festival.

Bear Shadow’s Wine, Women and Song, 2 - 4 PM, Skyline Lodge.

Rasa String Quartet Free Public Concert, 5 PM, First Presbyterian Church in Highlands.

Highlands Cashiers Players’ Drop Dead, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

29

16

23

30

W H AT TO DO

57 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RECREATION & CREATION Pages 62-71

photo by Susan Renfro

OUTDOORS

Vast and

Varied

Though the summit of Whiterock Mountain is magnif icent, there are little treasures embedded throughout the hike.

W

hile it might seem like the route to the Jones Gap parking lot is nothing akin to a hop, skip, or a jump from the turn off on Highlands Road, the hike from there to a rock shelf at the top of Whiterock Mountain far outweighs any driving inconveniences.

But the Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain hike is a naturelover’s feast for the senses.

Considered a moderate hike, Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain on the Bartram Trail is a 4.6-mile, moderately trafficked, out-and-back trail.

In colder weather, icicles hang on embankments from emerald green moss; year-round patches of curly, pale teal lichen covers boulder surfaces; spring trilliums peek up creamy white and pale pink from forest beds; and, summer blooming stands of rhododendron and laurel color large swaths of the hiking path.

Signage occasionally educates about various plant species.

Pick up a Bartram Trail map from any local outfitters’ store – or purchase online – to see just which part of the 78-mile, Georgia-into-North Carolina section is being traversed with this hike.

Yet it’s the vast views that make all the driving and hiking effort worth it. The cliff at the top of Whiterock Mountain, named for its sheer stone face, tiers down to offer expansive, breath-drawing vistas.

The trail, and historical sites and sections throughout several southern states, is named for William Bartram, an American botanist, ornithologist, natural historian, and explorer. Bartram is the author of the first-person book Bartram’s Travels, which chronicles his adventurous explorations from 1773 to 1777.

There are sections of the Bartram Trail just over the line in Georgia, as well as from Whiterock all the way past Nantahala Lake on the other side of Franklin.

The trail is primarily used for hiking, but pack-in/pack-out camping is permitted and evidence of a few oft-used spots are evident along this section of the Bartram. Dogs are welcomed, but must be on a leash if not voice command-trained.

62 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

While April to November is considered ideal hiking weather, especially when the elevation is over 4,000 feet, this section of the Bartram Trail is open year-round.

OUTDOORS

Rachel Newcomb of Mainspring Conservation Trust discovered the hike a few months ago: “Hiking along this section of the Bartram Trail was very enjoyable! As a conservation professional, gazing over the viewshed from the rock face gave me a feeling of gratitude for this corner of the world that I’m fortunate enough to call home.”

Added Meta Sadlon, who made the hike during a chilly February day, “It was very stimulating, from the vegetation to the amazing views of Tessentee Valley.”

To get there, turn onto Gold Mine Road off US 64 (Highlands Road). Take Gold Mine for a short distance before turning left onto Dendy Orchard Road.

Travel Dendy Orchard Road, which will turn to gravel and there will eventually be a sign at a right-hand turn that reads: “Nantahala Forest Access – Bartram Trail.”

Take the right and follow the windy, narrow, gravel road for what might seem like an eternity but is only two miles and ends at the trailhead. The AllTrails app includes the hike.

by Deena Bouknight

63 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

Sustainable

Farming

The Many Hands Peace Farm springs to glorious life, with planting advice for gardens across the Plateau.

64 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

W

ith the return of warm weather and regular rains, many of us are longing to get back to playing in the soil.

That’s why I turned to Many Hands Farm Manager Joey Kyle to learn how best to get started.

Now is the time to prepare your garden space – weeding and adding fertilizer and compost. He’s an advocate of mulching, “covering all the bare ground, because we get so much rain on the Plateau.” It’s important to blanket the dirt with leaves or straw to shelter it from erosion, and to add carbon which prevents drying out by direct sunlight.

As Joey told me further, “Carbon is a building block of plant life,” and he advised a traditional compost recipe of 2/3 carbon or “browns” to 1/3 nitrogen or “greens.

April is the ideal month to start warm weather crops indoors – squash,

cucumbers and tomatoes – they should be ready for planting in the garden in about 4 weeks. And, I learned that it is the perfect time for installing in the ground some frost-resistant vegetables – snap peas and beets and carrots. I was advised to wait until Mother’s Day to plant warmer weather vegetables.

And don’t overlook mushrooms. A certified mushroom forager, Joey is an enthusiastic promoter of the fungi for home gardens. It’s as simple as purchasing a $25 bag of “mushroom spawn” that will in six months produce a fresher and tastier mushroom than can be purchased.

A simple method involves laying down cardboard in the aisles of your garden beds, sprinkling on the sawdust spawn and covering with fresh hardwood chips – the fresher the better. Recommended for planting is the Wine Cap - a vigorous mushroom that grows naturally on outdoor beds of woody debris.

But the thing with gardening – as I

learned from Kyle – if you want to achieve that perfect world of potential and promise, the end product of one’s own homegrown vegetables, you have to invest in the hard work. The key to success: weeding, mulching, and composting. Kyle reminds us “As plants grow so do weeds.” So weed first, then mulch. Prepare your bed by moving aside the old mulch first, pull any weeds and then apply a layer of fresh mulch.

For good measure, add worm castings or good compost.

The rules for planting are equally straightforward. It’s important to make sure that your plants are properly spaced – placed too close together they will compete for sun, water and nutrients and run the risk of mildew.

For more advice, you can chat with Joey by email at farm@themountainrlc.org or visit themountainrlc.org.

by Marlene Osteen

65 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

Hooded

Merganser

There’s nothing shy about the Hooded Merganser – this bird with the star tling plumage means business.

Male and female Hooded Mergansers

66 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

M

ove over Daffy and Donald Duck, this native American duck was first in our hearts and minds.

The Hooded Merganser (Lophdytes cucullatus) sports distinct, richly colored plumage: the male having a black back with white accents, a bright white breast, rich chestnut side panels and a retractable crest with a large white spot, and the female a black and brown body with white stripes and rich cinnamon head plumage that looks like she is having a bad hair day.

These skilled divers feed while submerged, propelling themselves forward underwater with their webbed feet and using their retractable crests as a fore rudder. Their thin, serrated bills are uniquely suited to catching small fish, a favorite prey. Aquatic insects and crusty crayfish are also on the bill of fare. These are skilled predators. Their underwater vision is aided by extra

eyelids that act as goggles.

Hooded Mergansers breed from late February to June. They nest in tree cavities and nest boxes where they compete with Wood Ducks for nesting real estate.

Beavers help by damming streams and creating ponds. Choice nest sites are near water in wooded areas, 50 feet or more in elevation off the forest floor. The nesting cavity will be lined with wood chips and debris, softened with down.

As many as 15 thick-shelled eggs are incubated for about 33 days. The hatchlings leave the nest within 24 hours of emerging from the shell. The mother places herself on the forest floor below the nest calling to her progeny. The new hatchlings must pull themselves up to the nest opening and make a bold leap – perhaps 50 feet down – to a hopefully soft landing on the forest floor. Being a young Hooded Merganser takes a large dose of courage and unshakeable confidence!

The hatchlings feed themselves on insects

under the mother’s care for about 70 days.

They then strike out on their own in the watery forest and the next generation is launched. Female Hooded Mergansers often lay eggs in the nests of other female Hooded Mergansers, an adoptive arrangement called “brood parasitism.”

Hooded Mergansers are recognizable in flight by their low altitude and trajectory and rapid wing beats. Their life span has been known to be over 14 years. They benefit from nest boxes and the construction and placement of appropriate nest boxes is described on the Audubon national website.

The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, focused on enjoying and preserving birds and their habitats, is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society and a 501(c) (3) organization. For information on all our activities and membership, please visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org.

by William McReynolds

67 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

Preserving

Wild Spaces

Outf itted with youthful energy and f ield-tested ideas, Andrew Renfro is leading Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust’s stewardship effor ts.

Andrew Renfro

68 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

A

s the weather warms and the Plateau comes alive, there will be much to see on a visit to Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust’s public access properties.

Sprouting wildflowers at Brushy Face Preserve, a view of the greening valleys from Sunset Rock – whichever HCLT property you find yourself exploring this season – keep a lookout for more than just signs of spring as you may just have the pleasure of seeing a new smiling face working on the trail!

Back in February, HCLT brought on a new staff member to lead our stewardship efforts. We are proud to welcome Andrew Renfro to the team!

As Stewardship Coordinator, Andrew will be responsible for managing our public access lands, including trails and habitat restoration projects, and monitoring our conservation easement properties.

Having been born and raised on the

Plateau, environmental stewardship has played a big role in Andrew’s life.

Andrew grew up in Cashiers, attending Summit Charter School from kindergarten to 8th grade and then Highlands High School through 12th grade.

He went on to college at Appalachian State University where he graduated with a BSBA in Marketing and Risk Management & Insurance. Upon graduation he returned to Cashiers to accept a role as Lonesome Valley’s Resident Services and Activities Director. While at Lonesome Valley, Andrew worked extensively with a local environmental consulting group to create environmental management plans for the community greenspaces.

Andrew has also worked to help improve other trail systems in the area by volunteering with local trail groups, such as the Highlands Trail Trimmers.

enjoys fly fishing, photography, hiking, and hunting. Throughout his lifetime, Andrew witnessed the local impact of the invasive plant species, the hemlock woolly adelgid, increased tourism and development, and the ensuing environmental strains on our treasured natural areas. Andrew’s direct connection and experience with the local area fuels his passion to protect, preserve, and promote wild spaces and the natural beauty of the Plateau. We are thrilled to have him as a part of our team!

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that conserves more than 3,700 acres of ecologically rich lands in Highlands and Cashiers. Visit hicashlt.org to learn more.

by Sarah Pursel, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

Now living in Highlands, Andrew

69 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUTDOORS

Plateau’s Wildflower

Explosion

Forget what you learned in grade school – wildf lowers aren’t waiting for May to make their Plateau debut. To learn more, visit highlandsbiological.org and par ticipate in the workshops laced throughout the month.

S

pring has officially arrived on the Plateau! If you’re anything like me, you may have the familiar grade school saying “April showers bring May flowers” circulating in your mind as the days grow longer and warmer, and we’re reminded just how much rain comes with living in a temperate rainforest.

I’m certainly not denying that the saying holds true, however, it would be a mistake to wait until May to explore our beloved Plateau for wildflowers.

In fact, I’ve been witnessing signs of spring since late February, when yellow daffodils began sprouting along our winding mountain roads.

One of the Plateau’s most beloved wildflowers, Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia), began to bloom recently as March came and went. These daring early-bloomers were just a sneak peak 70 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

of the flourishing plant life found in our incredibly biodiverse region, and the perfect way for folks to see many of the flowers set to sprout this month is by visiting the Highlands Botanical Garden.

As we move into April, the Botanical Garden will welcome blooms of various trillium species such as Little Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum - pictured) along with Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum), Pinkshell Azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi), Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), and more. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the garden year-round, free of charge, to explore our native blossoms.

For those seeking to learn about these beauties during their visit, the Highlands Nature Center has several free, educational wildflower programs coming up this month!

OUTDOORS

Join the Highlands Biological Station’s Horticulturist each Thursday in April from noon to 1:00 P.M. as they guide visitors through the Highlands Botanical Garden on spring wildflower walks.

The Highlands Nature Center will take a deeper dive into our native flowers during their April Nature 101 program “Beautiful Blooms” on Tuesday, April 19, from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. For those seeking a family-friendly adventure, the Nature Center will be hosting a Flower Fest in the Valentine Meadow (888 Horse Cove Rd) featuring flowerthemed games, crafts, snacks, and more on Saturday, April 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. The Highlands Nature Center and the Highlands Botanical Garden are part of the Highlands Biological Station is a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.

by Winter Gary Communications & Events Coordinator, Highlands Biological Foundation

71 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

ARTS Pages 76-87

photo by Susan Renfro

A RTS

Woman with an

I

Ibis

Take a closer look at the ar tistr y and profound myster y embedded within our Mase Lucas covers. n celebration of The Laurel’s 20th anniversary, we invite you to take a retrospective tour of Mase Lucas’s Laurel contributions over the years.

back. With your finger, trace the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. Feel the motion in your arm as if the line were a calligraphic pen stroke.

She’s known for her transcendent paintings of iconic horses like the one on the Laurel cover of May 2006 (you can find it in our online Laurel archives – thelaurelmagazine.com/archives).

As your eyes travel around the rest of the painting, see how shapes relate, how colors repeat (creating continuity), how the woman’s eye and the ibis’ eye form a relationship – or do they?

While you’re revisiting it, look for the Mase feature in the April 2019 issue. The April 2004 cover, Woman with an Ibis, shown here, provides an opportunity for readers to critique Mase’s exceptional work. And her latest cover, Two Lambs, is a perfect representative of her strength as painter and creative master.

When finished, recount three or four elements/ideas you take away from the painting.

Take a few moments to enjoy Woman with an Ibis. What part of the painting first pulled you in? The ibis? Follow its curved bill as it swings your eye around head and neck in a serpentine, backward S. Continue, up and around the bird’s curvilinear

76 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Compare your observations to mine: The textural feel of the painting struck me first. Edges were soft and inviting. The only tension I felt was the juxtaposition of wild and human. That gave the painting, for all its softness, just the right amount of edginess. Is the ibis going to fly away?

Will it strike at the woman? What’s its connection to her? What keeps the ibis there?

RR TS O U T D OAO

I felt a loving look from the woman, Madonna-like. Her body is relaxed, arm draped across knee. She’s focused on the bird as though it were a child. Her expression registers empathy. The background, while abstracted, has a warm, impression of sun and flowers. Perhaps it suggests nurturing/balancing the world and all things in it.

Everyone has a life metaphor or theme. My theme is compassion blended with safety, perhaps why I saw mothering in the images. Another viewer might think the painting is simply a portrait of a woman who likes waterfowl. A few might feel a vague reference to Leda and the Swan. The intrigue of art is that its message/story is unique to every viewer based upon their catalog of experience.

Now that you and I have made our observations, here are some of Mase’s comments about her work.

Content: “Early on, my subject matter was almost entirely the figure and I’m so glad for a chance to revisit Woman with an Ibis. This painting is a quintessential example of the work I was doing at least 20 years ago, and well before that even. But

horses captured my heart and eventually my work became identified with equine themes.”

Style: “I don’t think my style has changed much, although my recent work attempts to show some of the preliminary drawing.

I like seeing glimpses of the history of a painting. And it keeps the work from becoming too precious. For me, leaving in some of the work-up is a reminder that first and foremost a painting is about the use of paint on a substrate, of mark makers. More than subject, that is what I find most compelling.”

Conceptual expression: “This goes to the heart of creativity. I will excerpt here from every artist statement I’ve ever written regarding my own work: My work generally expresses commonality and narrative. Commonality if there’s more than one identifiable subject, which is usually the case; and narrative because there is an implied story going on usually outside the picture plane, unstated and open to interpretation.”

by Donna Rhodes

77 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A RTS

Art League’s

Laura Moser

Ar tist Laura Moser showcases her evocative creations at The Ar t League of HighlandsCashiers’ inaugural 2022 meeting, Monday, April 25, at The Bascom.

78 A pprr iill 220022 22 || TTH H EELL A AU U RR EELL M MA AG GA AZ ZII N N EE ..C CO OM M A

RR TS O U T D OAO

T

he Art League of HighlandsCashiers begins its 2022 season at The Bascom on Monday, April 25. Refreshments will be served at 4:30 P.M., with the meeting at 5:00. We are pleased to have as our guest speaker, local artist Laura Moser.

Laura received a communications degree from the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, and at various times for the next 20 years she enjoyed a career in commercial design, working for ad agencies in Charlotte, Dallas and Denver, as well as doing freelance work.

When she, her husband and her teenage daughter and son relocated to Texas for a second time, she enrolled at the University of Houston, seeking an MFA. Her coursework required her to paint, and it was then that her interest changed to a freer art form than is offered in commercial design.

Six years ago, her family relocated to Atlanta. Without a suitable space for a studio in her home, she shared space in an open studio with other artists. It was there that Laura further developed her style. When the pandemic hit, she and her husband moved from the big city to a small cottage in Cashiers. Again finding shared space to work, she continued to advance her art.

quiet power in all of us, regardless of our station in life, enabling us to achieve our full potential and to share a hopeful and positive outlook. You may view some of her art at lauramoserdesign.com.

Laura prefers to work in acrylics. As primarily an abstract painter, the quick drying time of the medium allows her to more easily layer her work as the image emerges.

by Zach Claxton,

She views herself as an eternal optimist, and while many pieces start with an underpainting of bold colors, representing a hectic world, she almost always layers that with softer hues as her optimism begins to make sense of the chaos. Her paintings speak to the

Celebrate the new season with us by attending the social and presentation.

See more of the Art League’s activities at artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com.

The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers

Scan to learn more.

79 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A RTS

Co-curators for

The Bascom’s Form•ative

A new exhibition spotlights the intricate ways that metal shapes and def ines our sense of Place.

Ana M. Lopez

80 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RR TS O U T D OAO

T

his spring, The Bascom welcomes two guest curators from Appalachian State University to assist in the realization of our spring/ summer exhibition, form•ative.

Co-curators Frankie Flood and Elizabeth Walton are a professor-and-student team bringing their artistic experiences in metals to share with The Bascom’s audiences a fresh take on jewelry and sculptural metal works that reflect on the art center’s annual theme of Place.

Frankie Flood is Professor and area head of the Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design Department at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Flood previously served as Director of the Digital Craft Research Lab at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and is a MFA graduate of the University of Illinois.

Elizabeth Walton is a Studio Art metalsmithing and jewelry design BFA candidate at Appalachian State

University in Boone, NC. Her most recent work investigates beauty, function, and wearability through the creation of small wire multiples that allows for exploration in finding new and unique forms that can be activated by the body.

The exhibition, form•ative, is a collection of functional and non-functional metal objects by craftspeople whose locations have been formative in their development of their artistic trajectories.

Metal has traditionally played a prominent role in the built environment and the places we inhabit. Artists featured in this exhibit are engaged makers and community participants who utilize their skills and ideas to shape the world through the objects they create.

the importance of providing professional opportunities for their students that are essential for forming the next generation of artists and curators.

by Billy Love, The Bascom

Thomas Campbell

The Bascom is pleased to work with individuals that embrace our mission, and applaud the work being done in our regional institutions of higher education.

Places where mentor educators realize

81 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A RTS

Theatre, Opera

Live via Satellite

April brings two Live via Satellite screenings at the Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center, sone whimsical tale from the MET Opera and a cautionar y thriller from the National Theatre of London. For tickets and more information, visit HighlandsPerformingArts.com.

82 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RR TS O U T D OAO

A

t 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 9, The National Theatre of London will present The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage. This show is based on the iconic books by Phillip Pullman which carry a huge fan base, and is a prequel to His Dark Materials. Two young people and their demons, with everything at stake, find themselves at the center of a terrifying manhunt.

In their care is a tiny child called Lyra Belacqua, and in that child lies the fate of the future.

Cendrillon

Highlands PAC will present the MET Opera’s encore production of Cinderella at 12:55 P.M. Saturday, April 23. Laurent Pelly’s whimsical storybook staging of Cendrillon, which first premiered at the Met in the 2017–18 season, is presented in a 90-minute abridged version with an English translation by librettist and dramaturg Kelley Rourke. Conductor Emmanuel Villaume leads Massenet’s elegant music from the podium, with

mezzosoprano Isabel Leonard starring in the title role and mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo as Prince Charming.

The cast also features soprano Jessica Pratt as the Fairy Godmother, with mezzosoprano Stephanie Blythe as Madame de la Haltière and bassbaritone Laurent Naouri as Pandolfe, Cinderella’s feuding guardians.

Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo hosts the live cinema transmission.

Highlands Performing Arts Center is located at 507 Chestnut Street.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

Scan to learn more

83 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A RTS

Branching Out

W

Dave Ferrell’s chainsaw wizardr y draws magical f igures from ordinar y blocks of wood.

hen you’re a kid in Wisconsin, the materials for winter ice carving are right outside your door. But when you get a little older, you might trade your chisel for a chainsaw and the fun really begins, especially if you are leaning toward culinary arts. Carved swans, lions, mermaids, octopuses birds become the centerpieces for elegant dining.

a front yard welcomer: a wizard, gnome, wildcat, gargoyle, or dog.

That was Dave Ferrell’s life early on, but he took one more step, graduating from ice to wood. For the next 20+ years he has carved pine and cedar into bears (oodles of bears), eagles, owls, cardinals, fish – just about anything a customer can imagine.

This time of year you can find Dave at Hwy. 441 in Dillard, Georgia, or Scaly (Scaly Mountain Crafters, which also helps support the local food bank.

Occasionally he’s hired to carve an existing tree stump into

84 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Every December he makes a trek to Tallahassee where he demonstrates and sells tropicals – manatees, parrots, palm trees, pelicans, anchors, and seahorses. It’s his last hoorah before winter sets in at his Wisconsin home where he hibernates until March.

Watch him take a raw log, debark it, block it down, then detail it with his array of 12 chainsaws (48-inch to 12-inch bars). Step

RR TS O U T D OAO

Dave Ferrell

back. Chips are flying, but the sound of the saw’s revving and the flying chips are part of the excitement of experiencing Dave weaving his magic. Thanks to his skills and unceasing imagination, a chunk of felled tree becomes a mythical beast or a soaring eagle right before your eyes.

Later, he finishes his sculptures with sanding, wood burning, sealing, and occasionally painting to emphasize features.

If you don’t catch him roadside in Dillard or Scaly (where he’s cranking out inventory all season long), visit him on Facebook: Ferrell’s Custom Chainsaw Carving; or you can email him at dwf15@aol.com.

by Donna Rhodes

85 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A RTS

A Year Of

Art Events

Ann Lea Fine Ar t Galler y has unveiled a sweeping calendar of events to spotlight its exclusive stable of ar tists. To witness their works, visit the galler y at 976 US 64 east in Cashiers.

86 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RR TS O U T D OAO

A

rt connoisseur Ann Lea turned more than a few heads last August when she opened her eponymous fine art gallery in Cashiers, even as the country remained in the throes of Covid.

But it turns out that Ann knew precisely what she was doing, as evidenced by a 2022 calendar that’s packed with events and programs.

First up, there’s the gallery’s season opening this month, giving her public the opportunity to view Ann’s personally-curated inventory.

Visitors will be able to buy the works of artists whose works have appeared in these pages – Bill Jameson, Mase Lucas, Leslie Jeffery, Mary Lou Carpenter, Barbara Jamison, Stuart Coleman Budd, Sherry O’Neill, Jean Cauthen, Merrell Thompson, Lauren Betty, Vivian Jendzio and more. Their works include

landscapes, impressionist scenery, still life, sculpture, and abstract (non-representational) – a variety of genres executed brilliantly in a host of mediums.

The gallery’s opening sets the stage for the Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery Tent Sale, set for April 13-16.

And the events continue throughout the year – there’ll be an elegant Summer Celebration Party on May 26; the gallery will host a Bill Jameson exhibition from June 9 through June 25, with Jameson himself offering a demonstration, Laying in a Large Painting (48” x 72”), on June 15, and a workshop June 16-18; followed by a Sue Fazio exhibit from June 30 through July 16; Sherry O’Neill will host an art talk aand a book signing on July 28; a dazzling Abstract Extravaganza in the middle of the summer season, July

21 through August 13, that’ll include a Jean Cauthen art talk on August 4; a Stuart Coleman Budd exhibition, August 18 through September 17; and finally, a lavish Autumn Exhibition from October 13-29.

“This season, we will feature a diverse collection of outstanding artists. Each of the events on the 2022 calendar will help our customers to understand and appreciate how these experienced individuals find inspiration and emotion on each and every one of their canvases. We are very excited to share the exceptional talents of such a wonderful group of artists!” promises Lea. You can keep up with all this by visiting annleafineartgallery. com, but this is a gallery that truly demands a careful browse – 976 US 64 east in Cashiers.

by Luke Osteen

87 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A RTS

88 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RR TS O U T D OAO

89 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

DI NI NG

90 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

DINING Pages 92-105

photo by Susan Renfro

91 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

It’s Brunch

Time

The arrival of Brunch at Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge is a cause for celebration.

Reser vations are a must – (828) 482-4720.

O

ver the years, I’ve told you about the virtues of starting your day with a good breakfast, echoing bromides by my sainted mother and the fifth grade science lessons of Mrs. Evelyn Delaney.

But in all those reviews, all those imprecations to enjoy this all-too-rushed morning ritual, I never turned my attention to Brunch, breakfast’s more civilized and elegant sister, until the April 2020 issue of The Laurel.

Here’s what I said back then: “Brunch is an invitation to savor the exquisite suite of palate provocateurs offered by the finest of breakfast and lunch choices.

“It’s a chance to share bites with someone you love; and a golden opportunity to kindle friendships at a large, loud table.

“I can’t recall a brunch crowd that didn’t feature lively conversations punctuated with explosions of laughter. It seems to me that brunch is a meal that’s an undeniable celebration.”

But here’s the thing – look at the date that those words appeared in print, April 2020. That means I wrote them back in

92 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

mid-March 2020, approximately a week before the entire world slipped into a Covid-fever dream.

Taken off the table immediately were those dishes meant to be enjoyed amidst a boisterous table of friends. Gone were the free-wheeling conversations and exchanges over Bloody Marys and Mimosas or, for a tea-totaler like me, a pot of English Breakfast Tea. That’s why the news that Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge was instituting Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M, galvanized Tricia and me and our circle of friends.

Finally, finally, we could revel in the experience of languidly dining and sipping and mirroring the rich palaver of the Lost Generation. (Though there’re no Steins or Fitzgeralds or Hemingways among us – we’re closer to the Jim Gaffigan and David Mitchell and Sarah Milican school of expression.)

And fortunately for us and the rest of the Plateau, Oak Steakhouse’s Brunch sets the table perfectly for this exquisite interlude.

DI NI NG

Let’s start with the dishes that kept appearing at our table over the course of two-hours: the singular Highlands Breakfast (Scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, biscuit, and potatoes), Bubble and Squeak (an Anglophile’s dream of seasonal vegetables, potatoes and bangers), Mountain High Chicken Fried Steak (a tower of biscuit, mashed potatoes, country sausage gravy, sunnyside eggs, bacon and chives), and, straight from Brooklyn, a Latkes Stack (salmon, whipped cream cheese, pickled red onion, arugula, bagel seasoning, and apple butter), Green Eggs & Ham Deviled Eggs (straight out of a storybook) and Breakfast Poutine (a hearty blend of scrambled eggs, cheese curds, bacon bits and sausage gravy).

stifled by two years of isolation and covid-cramped distancing.

Oak Steakhouse is located at Skyline Lodge, 470 Skyline Lodge Road in Highlands.

Though there was nothing Small Plates about this tableptop composition, we embraced the tapas spirit and shared with one another. What a sweet blessing – a grace note that’s somehow survived these last two years.

The gears of all of this cheery conversation were lubricated by an extremely clever cocktail cart that was wheeled to our table.

Bloody Marys were constructed with a concierge’s attention, and Mimosas were built with fresh-squeezed orange juice and Perelada Cava.

These creations put the “languid” in our brunch and sweetened what was already a celebration of friendships that wouldn’t be

by Luke Osteen | Photos by Molly Harris 93 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

Provençal

Lamb

Marci Sherwood

T

Marci Sher wood’s f lavor-rich Lamb creation brings a fresh, undeniably Provençal f lavor to the Plateau.

his month, Marci Sherwood, the newly appointed Events and Program Manager at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce shares two favorite recipes with our readers.

Marci and her husband, Todd, first visited Highlands on vacation in July of 2018 and, like so many before them, were so captivated by the community, they immediately resolved to relocate.

And so, they did.

The next year, they gathered their belongings, their three children – now 13, 12, and 9 – bought a home in Highlands, and decamped their former locale in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Marci cautions to “make extra, you’ll want more” and confesses that she often eats the vegetable casserole leftovers for breakfast.

Provençal Grilled Lamb (serves 4 – 6) Ingredients 4 Garlic Cloves, minced 1 tablespoon chopped Rosemary 1 tablespoon chopped Thyme 1/4 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Cooking has long been a metaphor for love and as Marci told me, it was Todd who first prepared this beloved dinner. It was Marci’s birthday, 2011 and the couple were on a three-month hiatus in Carmel, Carmel.

2 1/2 pounds boneless butterflied Leg of Lamb

As Marci describes it, it was an “I Want To Show You Love kind of a meal.” Since then, the dishes have attained status as a family tradition –frequently served at holidays, Easter in particular.

1. In a bowl, mix the Garlic, Rosemary, Thyme, and Oil. Season the Lamb with Salt and Pepper and rub the herb oil all over the meat. Let stand at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours or refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

94 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper Directions

DI NI NG 2. Bring the Lamb to room temperature if necessary.

Light a grill. Grill the Lamb over moderate heat, turning once, until browned outside and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the meat registers 125° for medium-rare, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Thinly slice the lamb across the grain and serve.

Provençal Vegetable Casserole (serves 6) Ingredients 3 tablespoons extra-virgin Olive Oil, plus more for drizzling 2 large Beefsteak Tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick Salt and freshly ground Pepper 1 large Onion, thinly sliced 2 Garlic Cloves, minced 2 teaspoons Chopped Thyme One 1 1/2-pound Eggplant, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick Two 1/2-pound Zucchini, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick 2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the Olive Oil. Add half of the Tomatoes, season with Salt and Pepper and cook over high heat for about 10 seconds per side. Transfer the Tomatoes to a large plate; repeat with the remaining slices.

2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Oil to the skillet.

Add the Onion, Garlic, and Thyme, cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Season with salt and pepper; remove from the heat.

3. Oil a 9-by-13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish.

Arrange one-third of the Eggplant on the bottom of the dish, drizzle with oil and season with Salt and Pepper.

Scatter half of the Onions on top, followed by half of the Zucchini. Drizzle the Zucchini with oil, season with Salt and Pepper and sprinkle with half of the Parsley. Arrange half of the Tomatoes and their cooking juices over the Zucchini. Repeat the layering, ending with a final layer of Eggplant. Drizzle with oil; season with Salt and Pepper.

4. Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the upper third of the oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil, tilt the baking dish, and baste the top of the casserole with the juices.

Continue baking for 30 minutes longer, until very tender.

by Marlene Osteen 95 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

Get Your

Fix

The Fix Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, located at 3093 US 64 East in Sapphire, arrives in this quiet community as an exclamation point for food and fun and conversation.

You can learn more at thef ixsapphire.com, but you really should stop in.

xpect to have more fun than usual at Sapphire’s new hot spot – The Fix Restaurant, Bar & Lounge. Billed as the “go to sports watching and upscale bar eating hotspot,” it’s the creation of country artist Erica Nicole.

E

standby. His finesse shows up in prior menus he created that included dishes like Piquillo Peppers stuffed with Poached Chicken Thigh, Curry and Parsnip Puree, or Lamb Lolly Chops with Minted Chimichurri and Duck Fat Fingerlings.

The menu (served nightly) at the bar and lounge is both playful and refreshing – a persuasive invitation to join the party – and so stocked with crowd pleasers it’s difficult to choose. The selection of starters includes Shrimp Boil Tacos, Sticky Pork Ribs, Collard Greens & Andouille Dip, and Smoky Pimento Cheese. No less seductive are offerings of a Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich, the Brasstown Beef Burger, an entrée of Steak Frites made with Hanger Steak or a plate of New Orleans Shrimp and Grits. (I want to eat it all!)

Recognizing the synergy of food and music, the Experience (scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month), kicks off at 4:30 P.M. with live acoustic performances from primarily local singer songwriters, and complimentary beer and wine. A prix fixe ($125 per person) multi-course meal with wine pairings, and composed of local, seasonal ingredients, beautifully orchestrated, follows at 6:00 P.M. Guests can bring their favorite beverage to enjoy with their meal, and/or order beverages from the open bar. Dinners are by reservation only.

One can enjoy a relaxed and yummy breakfast, brunch, or lunch at The Fix Restaurant, but it shines brightest at the monthly Fix Experience. Conceived as a farm-to-table monthly dinner, Nicole’s culminating move was to enlist Chef Jonathan Reid to create the menu. Reid formerly worked at Table 64, which he steered to its status as a popular neighborhood

Asked if she would be performing, Nicole responded, “Well, I guess you will just have to make your reservation and be there!

Essentially, the entire idea is to get your Fix on great food and great music.”

96 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

by Marlene Osteen

RR TS O U T D OAO

97 AAP pRrI iLl 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

DI NI NG

Chadwick Boyd

A May Day

Feast

Chef Chadwick Boyd brings plenty of downhome f lavor (with some 21st Centur y innovations) to his Chef ’s Dinner at The Farm, Sunday, May 15.

For more information and to book online, visit oldedwardshospitality.com/chefdinners.

F

inally, what the pandemic set asunder two years ago is coming together. That was when Chadwick Boyd was first invited as a visiting celebrity chef at one of the Chef Dinners at Old Edwards. On Sunday, May 15, Boyd will at last visit The Farm to host a May Day Celebration.

Boyd is a big deal – a true mogul and a culinary Energizer Bunny. He’s an author, teacher, television host, marketer, gastronomic raconteur, innovator, brand spokesperson, food stylist, a James Beard Foundation journalism judge, and a member of the board of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

And if all that seems intimidating, it’s not. A down-to-earth guy, eager to share, Boyd is impassioned about food – particularly biscuits. Which is actually my very favorite thing to know about him.

Biscuits, as he says, “are in my blood. My great grandmother, Zella, a proper Virginia-born Southern lady could whip up lard, flour and sour milk into fluffy golden biscuits. Her biscuits were magical.”

98 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Boyd’s specialty is, “in creative biscuits – baking fruits and vegetables into the dough.” His recipe for Celery RootPotato Biscuits appeared on the cover of the Thanksgiving edition of Food & Wine Magazine last year, and he has for the past three years been researching and working on a book about biscuits.

Raised in a restaurant family that included cooks and farmers, and a descendant of Virginia-born grandparents, Boyd refers to himself as a “cellular Southerner.”

At home, food was always center stage and by the time he was seven, he had launched his first culinary enterprise selling “Chadwick’s Refreshments” from a lavish roadside stand built by grandfather. He’s been cooking ever since. After graduation from UNC Charlotte nearly three decades ago, Boyd settled in Atlanta where his business is still headquartered.

When we talked on the phone recently, it was clear that Boyd was excited about finally coming to Highlands. “We’re going to have a great time, and that’s for sure!” he told me.

Dishes for the weekend events – Friday night hors d’oeuvres

DI NI NG

and drinks, Saturday biscuit demonstration (Carrot-Sage Biscuits), Sunday Brunch, and Sunday’s May Day celebration – promise to be a telling of his Southern food story. It’s a tale told through ingredients on the plates throughout the weekend – a hyper-seasonal celebration of local produce and meats.

Though “twists and turns and tweaks” are always on the menu as dictated by the weather and harvest, contained in the promise are Salad of Benton’s Bacon with Mustard Greens; Confit of Green Tomatoes in a Spicy Lemon Dressing; Spring Vegetable Pot Pie Bathed in Celery Cream; Chicken Bites with Salted Honeycomb; Georgia Peanut Biscuits Stuffed with Creamy Collards; Charred Vidalia Onion Blossom with Georgia Shrimp Ceviche; and Coconut Chamomile Layer Cake.

In sum, Boyd emphasized that guests can, “Expect a few surprises, and a joyful, wonderful experience – more than just a coursed dinner, I hope folks will want to come outside to engage in a true May Day celebration complete with a maypole and an accompanying musical trio, on a gorgeous property.” For more information and to book online, visit oldedwardshospitality.com/chefdinners.

by Marlene Osteen

99 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

Wine, Women

& Song

“A Jug of Wine, A Loaf of Bread and Thou” – somehow the 11th centur y’s Omar Khayyam predicted the vibrant spirit of Bear Shadow’s Wine, Women and Song, 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Saturday, April 30, at Skyline Lodge. To reser ve your spot, visit bearshadownc.com.

Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters, and Suzy Bogguss

100 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

A

mong the many gifts of Bear Shadow to festival-goers is the Wine, Women and Song event on Saturday, April 30. Hosted by Indigo Road Hospitality Wine Director Vonda Freeman, the program guarantees to bring an added dimension of joy and wonder to the weekend experience.

During the two-hour session, three awardwinning songwriters will strap on guitars and bring their unique voices in song and conversation while pondering the delights of a fine glass of wine.

Appearing on stage are: Suzy Bogguss: Born in Aledo, Illinois, Bogguss made the passage to Nashville in the mid-80’s, and quickly climbed the music charts to become one of the key artists that defined the golden days of 90’s country. Recognized for balancing country tradition with mainstream sensibility, she won the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association and was recognized as “Top New Female Vocalist”

by the Academy of Country Music.

Gretchen Peters: From the first song she wrote at age 5, Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, the Neville Brothers, and Patty Loveless.

She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014 and last year received the Poets Award by the Academy of Country Music.

Matraca Berg: Known for blending “the sensuality of urban blues and soul with the wit and immediacy of rock,” Berg is one of the most consistently successful songwriters in America.

And that’s just the music!

The same level of distinction tracks across the gathering.

Freeman, a Certified Sommelier and a 20year veteran of the industry, gently orients the program exploring the nuances of the celebrated wines, selected from across the globe, and all except the last produced by

female winemakers: Pierre Sparr Cremant; Jolivet Sancerre Rose, Yalumba Viognier, Marchesi Barbera Maraia, Torres Celeste Crianza, and Brandlin Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon.

The format allows attendees to float from one element to another. As wines are tasted, they are paired with bites from Oak Steakhouse – nibbles representative of the restaurant’s most beloved dishes from Angus beef to seafood and seasonal, local produce. It is a first glance at the talents of the newly inducted and gifted Executive Chef, Matt Weinstein.

Looking at this lineup, it’s clear: Top to bottom, it’s my kind of party!

This will be staged at Skyline Lodge’s Outdoor Pavillion (weather permitting, of course). Cost is $125 per person.

by Marlene Osteen

101 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

Proper Wines

for Passover & Seder

The details of our Passover and Easter meals are leavened (and unleavened) with deep cultural traditions.

102 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

W

hether inspired by Easter or Passover, April marks the true beginning of spring and the season of Hopefulness.

If you feel as I do that celebrating the holidays this year seems more essential than ever, the suggestions that follow may be of help.

For The Passover Table: A very good way to start the customary meal is with Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls. It’s my belief that a great way to start any meal is with bubbles – perhaps a French grower champagne. Not a fan of champagne, then a leaner style California Chardonnay works.

Forever present on the table is Gefilte Fish – poached fish mixed with matzoh.

It will pair well with Chenin Blanc.

Braised Brisket, warming, cozy, rich, and hearty, may be more often thought of as the centerpiece of a cozy winter meal, but when Seder-celebrating cooks plan

their meals, it’s almost always on the menu – the gravy-covered centerpiece year after year.

The wine match for the brisket should reflect the weight of the dish – Zinfandel or Syrah.

For Easter Dinner: Eggs are for more than just hunting. Easter demands eggs and so on the menu are Deviled Eggs, quite delicious – that perfect mix of mayonnaise, mustard, and egg, perhaps gussied up for the occasion with shrimp.

Although Deviled Eggs can be enjoyed with various types of whites, Pinot Gris is a slam dunk.

Nothing says spring like Asparagus.

Although often thought of as a hard food to match with wine, it is a delicious with the famous grape from the island of Santorni, Assyrtiko. On the palate, Assyrtiko is a very acidic wine with strong minerality and an undeniable saline quality.

A perennial Easter favorite is Ham – whether it be the glazed ham that led directly to the invention of Ham and Pineapple Pizzas or a fresh Ham, slowly roasted under a glaze of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar it makes for a holiday centerpiece of some distinction.

The best wine with Ham is Riesling – hands-down! You can stop reading now and just go buy yourself a delicious bottle of Riesling. It should be “off-dry.”

Happy Holidays all!

Specific recommendations and bottlings on the varietals mentioned can be found in Highlands at The Highlands Wine Shoppe, Bryson’s, and Mountain Fresh Grocery, and in Cashiers at The Wine & Provisions Shop at the Hotel Cashiers, and the Wine Cellar of Cashiers. Or you can email me at marlene.osteen@gmail.com.

by Marlene Osteen

103 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG thelaurelmagazine.com/cuisine

Ad On Page

n

5

C

n

n 100

n n n

C

n

n 105

n

n C

n

15

n

C

n

n 102

n n

C

n

n

99

n

57

n

95

64 Highlands Plaza

(828) 526-5002

L, D

n

n

n

The Bistro at Wolfgang’s

460 Main Street

(828) 526-3807

D

n

n

n

Calder’s Cafe

384 Main Street

(828) 200-9308

B, L

n

L, D

n

Dress Code

Take Out

Outdoor Dining

Live Entertainment

Reservations Recommended

n

Full Bar

95

Wine

n

Meals

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Vegetarian Selections

Plateau Dining Guide

Children’s Menu

To see the most up-to-date information about dining on the plateau visit thelaurelmagazine.com/restaurants

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4118 Kitchen + Bar

476 Carolina Way

The Dancing Bear at The High Dive

C n NC

Reservations Required

(828) 526-4446

B, L

465 Main Street

(828) 787-2990

L ,D

n

Fressers Courtyard Cafe

Village Square, 470 Oak Street

(828) 526-4188

L ,D

n

Hummingbird Lounge

455 Main Street Highlands, NC

(828) 787-2525

L

n

350 S. Fifth Street

(828) 526-2110

L, D

Smallwood Avenue

(828) 526-9419

D

n

n n n

n NC n n

n 101

470 Skyline Lodge Rd

(828) 482-4720

D, SB

n

n

n NC n n

n

Highway 64 (Franklin Road)

(828) 526-2338

D, SB

n

n n n

440 Main Street

(828) 526-4906

D

n

n

298 South 4th Street

(828) 526-8364

L, D, SB

n

n n n

460 Main Street

(828) 526-3807

D

n

n

25 Frank Allen Road

(828) 743-3000

L, D, SB

n

n n n

C

n n

n 105

45 Slabtown Road

(828) 743-7711

B, L, SB

n

C

n

n 100

3093 Hwy 64 East, Sapphire

(828) 743-7477

B, L, D

C

n

n

97

The Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Lane, Lake Toxaway

(828) 966-4700

NC n

n

4

Panthertown Cafe

16614 Rosman Hwy, Lake Toxaway

(828) 862-3663

Fire + Water Restaurant Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar

*

The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering

Lakeside Restaurant Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge On the Verandah Paoletti’s The Ugly Dog Pub Wolfgang’s Restaurant

n n

n

NC

n n n n

C

n

n NC C

90

n 103 n 101

n n

n NC

n

n 105 5

n

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS The Ugly Dog Pub Zookeeper SAPPHIRE/TOXAWAY AREA RESTAURANTS The Fix Bar & Lounge

B Breakfast

L

Lunch

D Dinner

SB Sunday Brunch

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bella’s Junction Cafe - (828) 526-0803 Black Bear Restaurant - (828) 482-7020 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 Bridge at Mill Creek (828) 526-5500 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar - (828) 421-2042 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 Fressers Courtyard Cafe - (828) 526-4188 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands Burritos - (828) 526-9313 Highlands Deli/SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632 Highlands Smokehouse - (828) 526-3554 Los Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant - (828) 482-7040

104 pR r i Il L2 20 02 2 2| |TTHHE EL LAAUURRE EL LMMAAGGAAZZI N AP I NE E. C. COOMM

*

n

n

n

B, L, D, SB n

n

n

B, L, SB

Takeout Only

Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Rosewood Market - (828) 526-0383 Ruffed Grouse (828) 526-2590 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Tug’s Proper - (828) 526-3555 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Cashiers Farmers Markket (828) 743-4334 Cashiers Valley Smokehouse - (828) 547-2096 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

n n

Dress Code: C Casual

C NC Nice Casual

n

n 127 J Jacket

The Falls Cafe and Grill - 828-877-3322 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Mountain Cafe - (828) 577-0469 Panthertown Cafe LLC (828) 862-3663 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Slab Town Pizza -(828) 743-0020 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Subway - (828) 743-1300 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Town and Country General Store Deli - (828) 547-1300 Villa Amato (828) 885-7700 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226

DI NI NG

105 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

NG I NI N GG LDOI D

Ad On Page

Pet Policy

Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet

Cable/Satellite TV

In Room Microwave/Fridge

Exercise Facility

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Whirlpool Rooms

On Site Restaurant

Plateau Lodging

On Site Bar/Lounge Pool

thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS 19386 Rosman Hwy | Sapphire blackbearlodgeofsapphire.com | (828) 553-6535

Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

firemt.com | (800) 775-4446 n n

Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway

thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700 n n

445 Main St | Highlands

Old Edwards Inn and Spa

470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands

Skyline Lodge

n

n n

n n 128

n

n n

15

n n n n

4

oldedwardsinn.com | (866) 526-8008 n n n n n n n n n

57

skyline-lodge.com | (828) 526-4008 n n

n n n n

90

VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals

488 Main Street | Highlands meadowsmountainrealty.com | (828) 526-1717

107

401 N 5th St | Highlands

highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

66

Landmark Vacation Rentals

17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers

landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

153

Rent in Highlands - CCP

507 Main Street | Highlands

rentinhighlands.com | (800) 684-2171 x 302

26

341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers

ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999

168

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals

CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 648-4252 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Reid Resort Rentals - (828) 743-5955 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 The Wells Hotel A Cashiers Experience - (828) 761-6289 GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482 HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717

106 106

AAPpRr Ii lL 22002222 | | TTHHEELLAAUURREELLMMAAGGAAZZI INNEE. .CCO OMM

The Chateau - (561) 613-1496 Fairview House - (866) 526-8008 Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186 Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380 Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899 Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839 The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999 The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560 Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799 Mitchell’s Lodge & Cottages - (828) 526-2267 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 The Wells Hotel - (828) 482-7736 Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222

SAPPHIRE, NC Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire - (828) 553-6535 Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-3441 Foxhunt At Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-7667 Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-4545 Mt Toxaway Lodge & Motel - (828) 966-4582 Sapphire Run at Whisper Lake - (863) 412-5734 Whispering Falls - (352) 470-4085 Woods at Buc - (770) 714-9211 SCALY MOUNTAIN, NC: Fire Mountain - (800) 775-4446 The Vineyard at 37 High Holly - (828) 505-6190 LAKE TOXAWAY, NC Cabins at Seven Foxes - (828) 877-6333 Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700 Lake Toxaway Realty Company - (828) 508-9141 DILLARD, GA: Julep Farms - (706) 960-9600

DI NI NG

107 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

108 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DI NI NG

109 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPING Pages 112-117

photo by Susan Renfro

SHOPPI NG

STYLISH COMFORT

Dress with confidence and conquer the world in these Martin Dingman sneakers. Handcrafted with water-repellent nubuck leather, each step will have you walking on air.

Mar tin Dingman Sneaker | $269 TJ Bailey’s | Highlands & Cashiers

Pl at e a u s Pi c k

a fe w o f o u r fav o r it e fi n d s

WHIMSICAL BLESSINGS

STANDING STAG

Handcrafted by Highlands artist Cedar Chen, these colorful fairies will add a whimsical touch and magical blessings to any home.

This large bronze, representing a Standing Stag with nuanced patina, is signed Barye for Antoine-Louis Barye. Barye was a prolific French sculptor, painter, and printmaker whose subject was primarily animals. He is known as the father of the modern Animalier school.

Handcrafted Wall Fairy | $150ea Smitten | Highlands

“Standing Stag” by Antoine-Louis Barye c.1883 | $ 5500 A List Antiques | Cashiers

112 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPI NG

MODERN RUSTIC

We love this stunning bench, featuring a genuine cowhide seat in varying grey and brown tones with a polished stainless steel x-base. Add this functional accent piece along the entryway, in the bedroom, living room, or foyer.

Cowhide Modern Bench | $389 Blue Elephant | Highlands

AMBIANCE & ATMOSPHERE The strike of the match, the flicker of the wick, the glow of the candle, there’s nothing like a candle to calm a day or to mark an occasion.

Sunday Edition Roman Taper Candles | $38 Taper Candles $14 | Safety Matches $20 | Tin Travel Candle $26 The Wine & Provision Shop at Hotel Cashiers

STYLIN’ WHILE CHILLIN’

This fluted edge ceramic chip & dip is perfect for entertaining filled with your favorite dips, salsas, and chips or breads. A combination of ash glaze and copper red glaze creates a vibrant, eye-popping red that will look great on your table. It’s handcrafted in Seagrove, NC where the Ray family have been throwing pottery since the 1700s.

Ray Pottery Chip and Dip Platter | $112 J Gabriel | Cashiers

113 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPI NG

Mountain

Chic

Rusticks, located on the shore of Cashiers Lake, has 30 years’ experience in decorating and designing elegant mountain homes.

114 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPI NG

R

usticks at 32 Canoe Point on tranquil Cashiers Lake has become a treasured institution on the Plateau as the go-to place for all your home furnishing and design needs.

They’re celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and continue to grow and flourish.

Achieving such an iconic milestone is never easy but with the constant goal of customer service and satisfaction, as well as a finger on the pulse of current trends and tastes, Rusticks stays on course to the delight of their new and returning customers.

Rusticks specializes in tasteful mountain chic furniture, lighting, accessories, rugs, and gifts for inside and out, so whether you’re building a new home, remodeling an older home, or just want to update a room, stop in here. Recognizing that outdoor living is part of what makes mountain life so relaxing and enjoyable, they will be

doubling their display space for outdoor items this summer.

Their experienced design team of Stacie Platt and Ann Sherrill offers decades of design experience and know just what it takes to make your mountain home an oasis. They understand that it isn’t only about the look, but also the comfort. Sit back, relax, and let them help you create your best life.

Check in with Rusticks often this summer as they plan a host of customer appreciation events in honor of their 30th. From a collaborative rug event in May, gardening seminars through the season, and a book signing this fall, Rusticks is focused on giving back to their customers this year.

by Mary Jane McCall photos by Susan Renfro

Scan to learn more.

115 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPI NG

The Bird Barn

Well, it turns out the old adage is true: “Birds of a feather f lock together.” Bird lovers of all shades are f locking to The Bird Barn.

C

alling all bird lovers, and that means all of us, because who doesn’t love birds?

Blend, a Highlands-Cashiers staple for over 40 years.

These folks know birds and they can help you with any questions you might have, including how to make your garden more attractive to birds.

Treat yourself to a visit to Bird Barn and Garden next to Zoller Hardware at the Cashiers Commons in Cashiers for everything bird-related. You can shop here, chat here, exchange bird sighting stories here, and revel in everything bird related.

It’s all about our feathered friends here, and the people who love them. There are feeders and birdhouses of every type and description for all your feathered friends, many of which are handcrafted by local artisans. You’ll even find a vast array guaranteed to outsmart those wily, pesky squirrels as well. It’s your one stop shop for bird seed. They offer many mixes, including a special finch mix and a shell free mix, but their all-time bestseller is the ever popular Bird Barn

And speaking of gardens, they offer a wonderful assortment of garden goods for all your gardening needs, including gardening books, ornamental items, gardening tools, seeds, decorative pots, lawn ornaments and signs.

Whether you’re a casual browser or someone looking to elevate your yard to an Audubon Society-worthy bird sanctuary, this should be your first stop. The folks are friendly, their knowledge is vast, and the inventory unsurpassed.

The Dry Sink

Though it bears a vast new inventor y of necessities and surprises, The Dr y Sink is still built upon warm, personal ser vice.

T

he Dry Sink is located at 450 Main Street in Highlands.

Julie, Susie and Alan

This delightful store has been a Highlands shopping institution for almost 50 years, having been lovingly and expertly navigated by Alan Mayer since the early 90s.

When Alan suddenly passed away last year, his sisters Julie Mayer Bollinger and Susie Mayer Gardner found themselves at the helm of his thriving business.

It’s been a bittersweet task trying to fill their brother’s shoes, but these sisters have risen to the occasion, making each day a loving tribute to Alan’s memory.

This gem of a store is a must stop during your Highlands downtown shopping experience. Be prepared to stay a while and walk out the door with more than what you went in for – it’s 116 A pr il 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

that kind of store! Light, bright, and airy; you’ll be greeted by the smiling faces of their knowledgeable staff.

The Dry Sink offers a luxurious array of bath products, lotions and soaps, candles, cute gardening items, housewares, glassware, puzzles, kidsware, as well as an extensive array of greeting cards. A cook’s delight, offering everything you need to stock your home and kitchen, including pots, pans, knives, utensils, table linens, and every kitchen gadget imaginable. The large collection of colorful Le Creuset cookware and utensils will delight the serious chef and make even the casual cook want to up their game.

Swing by The Dry Sink and see why it will surely be blessing our town for the next 50 years.

SHOPPI NG

Cashiers Candy Shoppe

D

A trip to the Cashiers Candy Shoppe is a head-f irst plunge into sugar y bliss.

are we say that Spring and Easter are the perfect times to skip on down to the Cashiers Candy Shoppe at 3 Chestnut Square in Cashiers for all your sweet and sugary needs?

Let your imagination run wild and create a custom Easter Basket for your children or surprise an adult with one. Proprietor, Amy Jones will be happy to help you create the perfect basket.

Indeed, we do. This colorful, playful, charming space in the back of A Jones Company is a whimsical delight.

Amy can also create custom baskets for hostess gifts, bridesmaid gifts, party favors, birthday gifts, and baskets for all seasons, and can incorporate gift and pampering items from A Jones Company to make it

A hit with young and old alike this little slice of heaven has a delicious array of sweets, chocolates, truffles, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, colorful gigantic lollipops, and smallbatch confections from around the country such as Toffee to Go and Southern Caramels, as well as gourmet chocolates from Castronova and Charles Chocolates.

Did we mention they have truffles? Or, that you can fill a bag of Jelly Bellys with your one favorite flavor?

truly one-of-a-kind.

There’s also a delightful array of children’s toys and games, many interactive, that will delight young and old. Your children will enjoy the visit and you’ll enjoy connecting with your inner child.

The Summer House

T

The Summer House by Reeves is prepared to bring the panache to a room, your entire home, or your outdoor spaces.

he Summer House By Reeves at 2089 Dillard Road in Highlands has long been the go-to home furnishing and accessory store on the Plateau, having been recognized by Southern Living as a Favorite Furniture Store. Their expert, experienced, friendly staff and design team know how to help you achieve your perfect décor, balancing comfort, looks, mountain charm, and quality products to make your house a home that you’ll never want to leave.

Whether you’re furnishing a room, an entire house, an outdoor space or just looking for a special piece to bring a bit of new life into your home, The Summer House will have what you’re looking for.

They have fine furnishings for every room, many customizable

by fabric and wood choice; premier bedding; accessories; floral arrangements; lamps; paintings; a bath shop; linens; dinnerware and glassware by Vietri; a playful collection of melamine pieces; rugs for your indoor or outdoor spaces; and, fireplace screens and accessories.

Always aware that our outdoor spaces need to be as inviting as our indoor spaces, they can help you design and furnish your outdoor living spaces as well. If you’re fortunate enough to visit on a cool, cloudy day they just might have a roaring fire in their outdoor seating area so you can cozy up to the fire while you consider your selections.

With your imagination and their skillful eye and extensive collection your dreams can become a reality here.

117 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPI NG

Visit Our Advertisers WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant 5. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 6. The Bascom Shop 7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar 27. Dauntless Printing 30. The Literacy Council 38. Lupoli Construction 39. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group 44. Scott Neumann Law Office 47. ACP Home Interiors 48. Nancy’s Fancys/ The Exchange 50. The Summer House 57. Blue Elephant Consignment Studio 58. Head Innovations 59. Cake Bar & Chocolate Heaven

MAIN STREET

100. Main Street Nursery 103. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 134. The Southern Way 136. Dutchmans 140. The Toy Store/The Book Nook 141. Bags on Main 142. Main Street Gifts 146. Wit’s End Shoppe 147. Calders Coffee Cafe 148. Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry + Wine Shop 152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty 153. Allison Diane Clothing 160. TJ Bailey for Men 163. Spoiled Rotten 167. The Christmas Tree 169. Country Club Properties 174. Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear 178. McCulley’s II 180. White Oak Realty Group 185. Ristorante Paoletti 187. The Dry Sink 189B. Smitten 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 194. Old Edwards Inn 195. Madison’s Restaurant 196. The Wine Garden 197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 202. Country Club Properties 205. Silver Creek Real Estate Group 206. The Business Spot 207. Creative Concepts Salon

118 AP pR r i Il L2 20 02 2 2| |TTHHE EL LAAUURRE EL LMMAAGGAAZZI N I NE E. C. COOMM

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN

(Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero) 113. Edward Jones 117. Country Club Properties, Wright Square Office

ON THE HILL

303. Mirror Lake Antiques 305. Jeanie Edwards Fine Art 306. Acorn’s Designer Fashions & Home Interiors 310. McCulley’s 312. The Ugly Dog Public House 313. Old Edwards Inn 318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering 319. Lakeside Restaurant

SHOPPI NG

SPRING VILLAGE 406. Brookings

OAK STREET

601. Highlands Playhouse

VILLAGE PARK

613. Cleaveland Realty 615. Shakespeare & Co. 617. Fressers Courtyard Cafe 618. Elevated Properties

CAROLINA VILLAGE

707. Yoga Highlands 709. High Dive 709. Truckin’ at the High Dive 711. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

NORTH END

801. Green Mountain Builders 814. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center 814. Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

OUT NC 106

➡ Peak Experience ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Highlands Outpost ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ Fire + Water ➡ Pat Calderone Gallery

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Granite ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden ➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Highlands Cashiers Hospital ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Center for Plastic Surgery ➡ Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group ➡ Roman’s Roofing

For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com.

Being added to our listing is easy!

Simply advertise with The Laurel.

119 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SHOPPI NG

Visit Our Advertisers SLABTOWN

2. Zookeeper Bistro

NORTH 107

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship 19. The Look Boutique

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS 27. Bird Barn & Garden 28. Cashiers Kitchen Co. 29. The Business Spot 30. Bombshell Hair Boutique 33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS 37. Landmark Realty Group

WEST 64

155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 156. Creekside: - Silver Creek Real Estate Group 173. Betsy Paul Properties 176. Lenz Gifts

DOWN 107 SOUTH ➡ Silver Run Reserve

VISIT CULLOWHEE ➡ Four Seasons Landscape

VISIT GLENVILLE

➡ Silver Creek Real Estate Group

CHESTNUT SQUARE 43. A Jones Company 47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders 55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness 55. The Bungalow Boutique

EAST 64

64. Alexander Gardens: - Victoria’s Closet - Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses - Vic’s for Men 75. Carolina Rustic Furniture 76. Blue Ridge Bedding 78. Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery 79. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques 80. Josephine’s Emporium 80. Laura Moser Art 82. The Village Hound 89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment 90. Gracewear Boutique

SOUTH 107

102. TJ Bailey’s for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 104. Brookings Fly Shop & CashiersVillage Outfitters 107. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 108. Landmark Realty Group 109. Ugly Dog Public House 110. McCulley’s 111. Rusticks 112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques 123. Caliber Fine Properties 128. Mountainworks Custom Home Design LTD. 131. Tampa Bay Trust Company 136. McKee Properties 137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery

THE VILLAGE GREEN 142.Village Green Commons 143. The Village Green 147. Bazaar Barn

120 AP I NE E. C. COOMM pR r i Il L2 20 02 2 2| |TTHHE EL LAAUURRE EL LMMAAGGAAZZI N

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY ➡ Bear Tracks Travel Center ➡ Catatoga ➡ Earthshine Lodge ➡ Killer Bees Honey ➡ The Greystone Inn ➡ Headwaters Outfitters ➡ Lake Toxaway Company ➡ Panthertown Cafe ➡ Southern Highlands Reserve

VISIT NORTON : ➡ Town and Country General Store VISIT SAPPHIRE : ➡ Appalachian Golf Cars ➡ Black Bear Lodge ➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate ➡ The Fix VISIT SYLVA : ➡ Imperial Security

SHOPPI NG

, s r e i h s Ca arolina C th r o N For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com.

Being added to our listing is easy!

Simply advertise with The Laurel.

121 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

L A K E T O X AWA Y

30 years at

Headwaters

Whether you’re set on tubing down the French Broad River, or mounting a guided canoe or kayak expedition, or f ly-f ishing down the French Broad, make sure your f irst stop is Headwaters Outf itters, located at 25 Parkway Road (the intersection of Highways 64 and 215) in Rosman.

L A K E T O X AWA Y

I

t’s commonly said that the French Broad River is the third oldest in the world and at more than 300 million years, it’s older than the mountains that surround it.

Called the Long Man by the Cherokees, the river cuts a path through the Southern Appalachian Mountains, flowing from Rosman, North Carolina, into the state of Tennessee.

At the confluence of the river’s West and North Forks, at mile marker zero where the river takes its name, and just steps away from the water, is Headwaters Outfitters.

Started in 1992 by Debi and David Whitmire as a modest canoe livery service, Headwaters has since become the “face” of water sports along this stretch of river. Their daughter Jessica came aboard in 2014 as Operations Manager, and Jessica’s husband Chris was named head fly fishing guide the following year.

Headwaters’ excursions and programs promise an enriched experience of the French Broad River, an authentic way to explore the region, and to get closer to nature. So myriad are the offerings that selecting “the” sport is often the most difficult decision. Or as David Whitmire says, Headwaters strives “to match the wonders of this river with the interests of new generations.”

Whether patrons are seeking to improve their form or just want to catch a fish, seven full-time Fly-Fishing guides offer instruction year-round – ranging from basic technique to a course for experts.

Popular from April through October are one to two-hour tubing escapades and canoeing and kayaking river trips on the first 20 miles of the French Broad River. In all, about 15,000 customers a year visit Headwaters to enjoy a day of adventure – from tubing down the river, to guided canoe and kayak expeditions, and fly-fishing trips.

The Headwaters Shop stocks a complete supply of everything water-related including a full fly and paddling shop.

Unique in the paddling and fly-fishing world, is a solid selection of gear and apparel for women. Snacks, provisions, and local items are also available and local family food trucks are parked there daily.

At the Forks of the River Taproom, visitors and regulars enjoy a rotating selection of local beers, brewed exclusively with water from the French Broad watershed.

Because of the popularity of many of these activities, Jessica advises that “it is important to make reservations several weeks in advance – especially during the height of the season.”

Visit headwatersoutfitters.com for more information.

by Marlene Osteen

L A K E T O X AWA Y

Award-Winning

Dining

The Greystone Inn’s Lakeside Dining Room has earned international honors with Opentable. com’s Diner’s Choice Award. To evaluate the wisdom of this honor, make reser vations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, visit greystoneinn.com.

L A K E T O X AWA Y

F

or the last few years, we’ve been keeping up with the return of Greystone Inn to its glory days in the early years of the 20th Century.

Thanks to new owners Shannon and Geoff Ellis, who bought the place in 2017 and poured a small fortune into restoring this landmark, she’s once more a jewel on the shores of Lake Toxaway.

In 2019 our Luke Osteen visited the Inn’s venerable Lakeside Dining Room and said, “I’m not suggesting that The Lakeside Dining Room offers enlightenment with every meal. But I will say that it offers the possibility of transcendence to those seeking the original meaning of the word ‘refreshment.’ We left with lighter spirits and the simple, unalloyed joy.”

Well, it turns out that a lot of people heard Luke’s evaluation – Witness Greystone Inn’s being awarded Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers’ Choice

Award as one of the Top 20 Resorts in the South.

In fact, Greystone Inn pulled off an astonishing hat trick, having earned a place on the Reader’s Choice List for 2019 and 2020 as well and far outpacing its competitors in Western North Carolina.

But the honors extend beyond Condé Nast Traveler and its readership.

Greystone Inn has also secured a spot on Travel+Leisure’s 2021 15 Best Resort Hotels in the South.

“The top resorts across the American South have one important thing in common, and it’s a factor that keeps guests returning again and again: it’s unparalleled hospitality, which draws rave reviews from T+L readers year in and year out,” said the editors of Travel+Leisure in announcing their decision.

And continuing The Greystone Inn’s

trend of soaking up nearly every accolade afforded by the travel industry, Open Table, the online arbiter of dining excellence has awarded the inn its Diner’s Choice Award, based on real-time reviews by those who’ve experienced the restaurant. In bestowing the award, Open Table cited the Lakeside Dining Room’s overwhelmingly Superior Scores for Food, Service, and Ambiance.

“To secure this award we have really worked hard by looking internally – we’ve worked extensively to train our staff from the bottom up,” says the restaurant’s General Manager, Matthew Arnal. “We have gone through education courses, and service training. We have reworked our wine program, cocktail list, and started offering higher end product. While we want to deliver excellent service and top tier quality products we want to do it all in a comfortable manner that never feels stuffy.”

by Luke Osteen

L A K E T O X AWA Y

L A K E T O X AWA Y

L A K E T O X AWA Y

130 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

L A K E T O X AWA Y

131 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

132 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

HISTORY Pages 134-139

photo by Susan Renfro

H ISTORY

Call of the

H

Wildfire

A hot time in the Old Town tonight?

Not when Ole Betsy and Hose Buggy were on duty.

ave you heard about Ole Betsy and her sidekick, Hose Buggy?

Maybe the pair didn’t set the world on fire, but they extinguished many a flame in Highlands history.

Ole Betsy and Hose Buggy were the makings of our modern-day fire department. Hose Buggy, Highlands’ first fire engine, arrived on the scene in 1909.

The buggy wasn’t really a fire engine. Its only motor was fireman muscle. It rolled on a pair of wagon wheels supported on an axle. On that rested a box filled with fire hose. When the alarm sounded, Hose Buggy was on a roll.

The Fire Marshall at that time was Ed 134 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Potts, oldest son of Billy Potts. Hose Buggy’s first home was a $200 fire station, not even the size of a modernday tiny house. It was more like a closet in a tiny house. It was located at the roadside near where the fire station is currently located.

What became today’s Volunteer Fire Department was created by town ordinance in 1939. Its staff included a chief, chief’s assistant, captain, and a lieutenant for each of two companies: the Hose and Chemical Company and the Hook and Ladder Company. The operation was run by 6-12 firemen. Ages ranged from eighteen to forty-five.

The town was eager for a fire station, but it still took over 2 years to elect a fire chief (Tom Potts). He had to be authorized to organize a fire department.

He managed all this with no salary for himself or the crew. But townsfolk had a big investment in protecting the community by looking after each other’s property. Saving someone’s house was pay enough, and someday that someone might return the favor.

In 1953, Ole Betsy, a new, four-wheeldrive rural fire truck arrived from Wisconsin. The town paid a little over $12,300. Four wheels replaced two, but Hose Buggy retired as a Highlands Hero.

H ISTORY

Title

title

Cashiers Historical Society has loaded the calendar with lore and lessons for the entire family. For more informatton, visit Cashiers Historical Society at 1940 NC 107 South or call (828) 743-7710.

I

n a few short weeks Cashiers Historical Society will celebrate the official beginning of the 2022 season and once again CHS will offer a full and active calendar of events.

Each year, it’s the goal of the society to provide the community with children, adult, and family events and activities.

Eventually the fire department upgraded from closet to a proper station, but in the first half of the 1900s it was Ole Betsy and Hose Buggy who answered the call of the wildfire.

If you’re burning for more Highlands history, read Ran Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge. Or visit: www.highlandshistory.com or email: hhs@ highlandshistory.com.

by Donna Rhodes

This year, adults will have an opportunity to enjoy three different lectures as part of the Mountain Heritage Lecture Series with the first on June 9, followed by lectures on July 14 and August 11. Other adult programs include the Jan Wyatt Symposium in June and a special Ramble in October. Family events for this year include a first-time event Airing of the Quilts.

The Cashiers Quilters Guild will help with this event, taking place Memorial Day weekend May 28-May 30. Another popular family event is Christmas at Col. John’s Cabin, November 25-27.

Children’s events and activities are many and focus on local school children. Founders Day for area third- and fourth-graders is September 22, and Art in the Park for fifth and sixth graders is September 30 and October 7.

Additional events and activities on this year’s calendar are reunions by the Zachary and Tolbert families. And just to round off the activities, area campers visit the grounds and there are always grandchildren with their grandparents stopping by for a day’s activities.

And most importantly there are guests for tours. 2022 promises to once again be a busy season at CHS. With the 2022 season soon beginning, mark your calendar and visit Cashiers Historical Society at 1940 NC 107 South or call 743-7710 for additional information. CHS is a 501(c) (3) organization.

by Sandi Rogers, Cashiers Historical Society 135 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

Marjorie Christiansen and Janet Cummings

20 Years

of Art

“To say that The Laurel Magazine is an instrumental inf luence to our ar ts community would be a huge understatement. They feature ar t on each cover, and have since their f irst issue 20 years ago.” – Mar y Adair Trumbly, Executive Director of the Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center.

W

elcome to our April 2022 issue, part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration.

I’ve included the above quote from Mary Adair because she gets to the heart of our magazine – our undying support for the local arts scene and the endlessly fascinating men and women who give it color and life.

his many talents, they demand to be showcased. He’s also the embodiment of what’s best about the Plateau – stop by the Highlands ABC store, where he serves as general manager, and see how easy it is to fall into conversation with him or to lose yourself in one of his stories.

And that first cover – well, just look at it.

When my Business Partner and Sister-from-Another-Mister Janet Cummings and I were talking about launching a magazine specifically for Highlands and Cashiers (and all the little communities in between), we knew we wanted to showcase local artists and their creations.

The explosion of Mountain Laurel blossoms backed by a bed of green, that’s how Janet and I envisioned this magazine springing to life – beautiful in its simplicity, yet inviting you to look closer and be seduced by its underlying complexity. It’s pure and bold, and so eloquently a part of the Plateau.

That’s why we embraced the idea of creating a high-quality glossy magazine to capture their creations in all their sublime glory. With my lifelong passion for photography and our relationship with so many nationally-recognized photographers here on the Plateau, we knew what was possible in terms of coverage and presentation.

Or consider Mase Lucas, our cover artist whose work has graced our pages many times throughout the years. Give that cover a careful look and you’ll discover the complexity that underlies the entire composition. You can autopsy the image and label the components that constitute the entire work, yet through some strange alchemy Mase is able to lace it with something transcendent and vital.

As for our desire to find top drawer artists living and working here, well, that was never going to be a problem.

That’s why we asked Kevin Vinson to provide our inaugural cover, all those years ago.

Kevin is a native Highlander and, though he’s modest about

136 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

That’s what we try to do with every issue of The Laurel. Look at the pages of this issue and see if you can detect the subtle balance between our photos and text – each is composed with an artist’s sensibilities.

H ISTORY

Or consider the wise words of our writers. Mary Jane McCall is simply incapable of writing a story that isn’t imbued with a dose of Plateau warmth and optimism. Deena Bouknight can turn a simple trail hike into something rich and strange and resonant, like a Southern Appalachian Mary Oliver. And our Marlene Osteen takes her decades of working with some of the finest restaurants in the country and turns something as simple as a recipe column into a tale that’s wise and witty and imminently readable.

Even our contributors bring art and color to their work.

William McReynolds never fails to deliver portraits of our winged neighbors that are animated and passionate.

And finally, consider the astonishing Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society story featured in our April 2021 issue (you can find it in our archives at thelaurelmagazine.com/archives).

Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society’s Executive Director David Stroud’s account of his beloved Max is simple and profound (and caused our editor Luke Osteen to “cry great tears upon my keyboard”).

That’s art of the highest level, and it’s something that we’ve been bringing to you since the birth of this Labor of Love.

Please enjoy this issue of The Laurel and never, ever, forget to notice the Art and Beauty that’s all around you.

by Marjorie Christiansen, Managing Partner, Laurel Magazine

137 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

Baboonery on

the Boulders

In which Mr. Ferguson continues his deconstruction of the life of the peripatetic Felix Oswald (with monkeys).

138 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

A

destiny that ranges from Belgium to the short-lived Mexican Empire of Maximilian Habsburg and then to the mountains of North Georgia is strange enough. But throw in Buddhism and baboons and you’ve got the adventurous Felix Oswald.

Oswald (1845-1906) was born in Namur but went to Mexico in 1865 as a doctor in the Belgian Legion supporting Maximilian’s doomed regime. (His consort was the Belgian princess Carlota; catch the trailer for the 1939’s Juarez! on YouTube, with Bette Davis chewing scenery as the mad empress).

It all collapsed in 1867, and Maximilian met his end in front of a firing squad (see Edouard Manet’s famous painting), “shot like a highway robber” according to a fellow physician quoted by Oswald in his 1880 Summerlands: Sketches of Mexico and Central America, which recounts Oswald’s subsequent travels in remotest Mexico and Guatemala. The author was

interested in the flora, fauna, ancient ruins, and modern characters encountered enroute as he dispensed medical treatment.

Oswald, who came to the U.S. in 1873, was worried even then about deforestation and climate change, and advocated for preservation of old-growth lands. He wrote treatises in favor of a vegetarian diet and fasting and against vaccination. He worked at a standing desk and believed Christianity an offshoot of Buddhism (The Secret of the East is that book). He would have fit right in now.

I think that by the time Summerlands was published, Oswald (according to a 1963 article about Tallulah Falls in the Georgia Historical Quarterly) was probably living in William Rembert’s old house overlooking the junction of the Tallulah and Chattooga rivers, mentioned in last month’s column. There he composed articles on natural history and health for Popular Science, Harper’s Young People, and Lippincott’s, with occasional travel to

the West Indies to gather animals for U.S. and European zoos.

Oswald was particularly fond of monkeys, returning with new varieties (Bonnet Macaques, Southern Pig-Tailed Macaques, Chacma, and Cutch Baboons) for himself, which were given free range of his house.

Actually, it’s clear from his writings that Dr. Oswald was obsessed with monkeys, which he labeled “fourhanders,” there’s no mention of a Mrs. Oswald and only rarely of a child; contemporaries referred to him as a hermit who cooked over an open fire.

In 1887 one of his baboons escaped and according to Oswald “caused an excitement as if the chained beast of the Apocalypse had broken loose” as it spent weeks roaming the gorge.

I bet.

Could this account for some of the legendary Bigfoot sightings in our mountains?

by Stuart Ferguson, Local Historian, Co-Owner Shakespeare & Company

139 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

H ISTORY

140 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIFESTYLES & WELLNESS Pages 142-151

photo by Susan Renfro

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Steve and Delaine Mehder

The Heart &

Start of it

For Delaine and Steve Mehder, their differences have somehow led to an abiding complementar y love that will not be denied.

T

he first conversation Steve Mehder had with Delaine was shortly after his graduation from Western Carolina. It was the start of summer 1968 and a week or so into the beginning of Delaine’s summer job at Highlands Country Club.

would marry.

As Steve recounts, “I was told there was a girl there from Mocksville, so I asked her if she knew Anne Stewart. Anne and I had dated while I was in college, and as it turned out she and Delaine were good friends. So, we started talking.”

And it was there they got married, on June 14, 1969, at The First Baptist Church. Shortly thereafter, Steve decided to forego Law School and join the faculty teaching math at a Junior High School in Aiken, South Carolina. Delaine began a career with a local newspaper in town.

Immediately, he fell for her, and she for him. They began dating, seeking out mountain tops and pastoral spots to go with their friends – to build a fire, drink and talk, making sure to return before Delaine’s 1:00 A.M. curfew.

It must have been the case that those nights piled up to create something meaningful, because by the Fall they knew they 142 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

At summer’s end Delaine returned to college at Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory and Steve started law school at UNC-Chapel Hill.

They continued to see each other on weekends at Delaine’s family home in Mocksville, just west of Winston-Salem.

A few years later, Steve accepted a position with Burlington Industries, and they spent the next five years in Burlington, North Carolina.

Delaine gave birth to a son in 1976, and two years later Steve was promoted to a position at corporate headquarters in

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Steve and Delaine Mehder Nassau Honeymoon, 1969

Greensboro, North Carolina. They remained in Greensboro until 2012, building three houses during their time there – “proof of their bond” as Delaine said. They also paid regular visits to Steve’s parents in Highlands – the place that he called “home,” where his family had moved when he was in the 10th grade. In 2010 they bought a house in Highlands and the next year moved back as full-time residents. Steve continues to work part time as an accountant here.

It’s clear that their marriage has been a happy one – strengthened by an acceptance of their individuality.

Steve likes to say that, “We are the poster children for opposites attract. The only thing we have in common is we got married on the same day.”

While Steve enjoys spending free time volunteering, target shooting and enjoying classic cars, Delaine prefers reading, bridge, and pickleball.

a reflection of his work, and I tend to think more with my heart.

The fact is we don’t always think alike but we listen to each other and are able to work through our spats.” At the same time their union has been forged by love of travel and service to community. From the early days of their marriage, they have dedicated time and energy to volunteer work.

Today, they both work at Mountain Findings, and Steve is active with the Highlands Motoring Festival – as he has been from its beginnings.

Delaine told me that “We strongly believe in giving back to the community we live in. The bonus of volunteer work is we have made a lot of friends and it’s become the thing we can do together.”

by Marlene Osteen-

As Delaine says, “We have some significant differences that make for a more interesting marriage. Steve is very analytical, 143 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Pilates:

The Internal Shower

The careful application of the principles of Pilates can rejuvenate the body and refocus the mind.

144 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Ashby Underwood Garner

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

P

ulleys, springs, carriage and bumper – this is the anatomy of a pilates reformer.

Partly a system of endurance, partly a system of refinement, in Pilates Whole Body Movement we learn to use just the amount of effort needed to complete the exercise correctly – no more, no less.

Knowing when to relax and when to engage is the balanced body approach.

Pilates has become a household word thanks to the work of first generation teachers who kept the work of Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) alive.

The movement he started began during World War I and his successful physical training system was born out of a need for therapeutic restoration of function.

As a child who was very ill, he held fast to a belief that a healthy body and mind was an ideal to pursue. According to stories by Mr. Pilates, when the Influenza Epidemic of 1918 broke out,

none who followed his regimen got sick.

The vitality that was released through his exercises he called “the internal shower” – a glow of good health.

Pilates is a low impact form of muscular exercise and is easy on the joints. It’s “core-centric,” teaching a person to be acquainted with their abdomen, back, hips and ribs, and internal 3-dimensional self-support.

In private sessions and classes, we teach centering and precision combined with rhythm and flow to sync new neural pathways in achieving lasting change. Similar to Dr. Rolf’s Structural Integration, in Pilates we are reshaping the body from the feet up.

The body conversation goes beyond what you believe are your inherited limitations. Yes, your physical body can be molded by your life experiences.

These experiences may define you for a time, however they do not have to define you for your entire life. You can train to become stronger than you ever thought possible.

Schedule Pilates therapeutic sessions at our studio- 460 Carolina Way in Highlands. Visit yogahighlands.com for updates on classes/ apparatus.

by Ashby Underwood-Garner Yoga Therapist, Rolf Practitioner Owner of Yoga Highlands

Establishing a personal sense of core can feel like home-base. Once you take a deep core breath, you know the wellspring of renewal. This is activated again and again in a Pilates session, until vitality is your new normal.

145 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Let’s Look at

Both Sides!

Pain doesn’t need to be your ever yday companion – there are some sensible, safe steps you can take to liberate your life!

146 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Dr. Sue Aery

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

P

ain is miserable, no doubt!

Being in the business of treating pain all day, every day, I often field the question that goes like this – why don’t I just get a steroid shot? For some people, I know this seems like a logical choice, but let’s look at both sides.

First, a very basic explanation of pain is that it’s a process in the body that signals injury and loss of function. There is usually an excess amount of inflammation, which can cause dysfunction, loss of movement and Pain! Whether it involves the spine, a joint in the arm or leg, feet or hands, pain Hurts!

It can also disrupt life and that is no fun at all. As a “natural medicine” physician, patients often come to me for alternative treatments that don’t involve steroid injections. I often have to explain that taking the natural route can take time, but it has a more likely chance of fully healing the injury, instead of just putting a temporary

Band Aid on the problem.

Now, there are rare times when a steroid shot can help the body fully resolve the problem. We need to consider long term effects on the body from steroid use – damage to tissues and a weakened immune system, even elevated blood sugar for those dealing with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Think of it this way – you get a flat tire so you change it for that small donut of a spare but never change it back to a normal tire. You can drive on it for a while but it’s never the same as the real tire. This scenario can be similar to taking a steroid or epidural injection. It helps for a bit, maybe, but it seldom heals the problem.

I often use myself as an example, as this has resolved my back pain and now I have full function again!

No harmful shots, no surgery or invasive procedures, just the amazing process of healing from the body’s natural action in response to an injury by way of its own stem cells. Pretty miraculous, really!

Now you know the choice – you can choose between the spare tire and the associated risks or go for your real tire that can continue to be sturdy and take you all the places you want to go!

by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture

When we choose a natural approach, like TRT, which is stem cell activation using acoustic waves to stimulate the process of healing, you have a much greater chance of full healing and no more pain!

147 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Welcoming

Michael Schoonover

Michael Schoonover joins the dynamic team at Highlands Dermatology.

Find out more about Michael and Highlands Dermatology at highlandsdermatology.com or call (828) 526-1232.

Michael Schoonover and Dr. Paul Cabiran

148 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Q

ualified, experienced, caring.

Those three words speak volumes about Highlands Dermatology, and they usher in the practice’s newest addition to the medical staff, Michael Schoonover PA-C. Michael hails from Rockford, Tennessee, just outside Knoxville. He graduated high school in 2012, an exemplary student and soccer player and gymnast.

He met his future wife while in division I travel soccer. It was love at first sight. He says, “After 2 years of courtship I finally convinced her I was the love of her life.

We have been together ever since, going on 11 years.”

It’s no surprise Michael was drawn to the medical field. His parents were a CT and an MRI technologist and passionate about their work. He pursued a PA profession right out of high school. He and his wife enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While working as a Research Fellow in the

Molecular Biology Lab he pursued a degree in Molecular Biology. In addition, he worked as the Chief Microbiology Lab Technician and Organic Chemistry Teachers Assistant.

Graduating Cum Laude he worked in the Emergency Department as a scribe.

Within a few months he was accepted into a number of Physician Assistant programs. He accepted a job at Wingate in Hendersonville. Wingate has a highly-recognized program. The campus reminded him of his grandfather’s farm in Ohio, a favorite hangout as a kid.

Graduating from Wingate’s PA program in 2019 he began his career with Pardee Urgent Care. His experience there, working with emergency acute injuries and then frontline work with Covid, helped him focus on his specialty, Dermatology.

He found his professional home with Highlands Dermatology Group and it didn’t hurt that the mountain beauty captivated him, his wife, and Beagle,

Porthos. It’s a perfect match medically and personally.

He says, “I believe in a team approach between the provider and the patient to discern the best diagnostic approach and treatment methods to best improve the patient’s quality of life. I look forward to growing with, and having a positive influence on this community over the coming years.”

Find out more about Michael and Highlands Dermatology online at: highlandsdermatology.com or -call (888) 565-8828.

by Donna Rhodes

Scan to learn more.

149 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Financial Advisors Can Help Reduce Anxiety

T

he long-running Coronavirus pandemic has fueled a lot of anxieties – including financial ones. But some people have had far fewer worries than others.

Consider this: Among those investors who work with a financial advisor, 84 percent said that doing so gave them a greater sense of comfort about their finances during the pandemic, according to a survey from Age Wave and Edward Jones.

Of course, many people experience investment-related fears even without a global health crisis, and that’s probably not surprising, given the periodic volatility of the financial markets. But financial guidance can come in handy during relatively normal times, too.

A financial professional can help you look past the headlines – Inflation, interest rates, pandemics, elections – there’s

150 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

always something in the news that could affect the investment world in the short term. But by helping you construct a portfolio that’s built for the long term and reflects your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon, a financial advisor can enable you to look past the headlines.

Avoid emotional decisions – Many people let their emotions drive their investment choices. When the market goes through a downturn and the value of their investments drops, they sell to “cut losses,” even though these same investments may still have good business fundamentals and promising futures.

Conversely, when the market is on an uptick, some people chase after “hot” investments, even when they become overpriced and may have very little room to grow. But a financial advisor can help keep you from making these

fear and greed-based actions by only recommending moves that make sense for your situation.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Todd Holder

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Notes From

Cat Companions Though they’d tell us that ever y day is National Cat Day, felines across the countr y are probably overjoyed (it’s hard to tell) that the Ladies Who Love Them f inally get a day of their own.

If you can’t conform

Fashion advice to cat owners:

To what you have been told, Be the round, furry peg

Toss your sticky lint rolls;

In a big square hole

Air spreads hair aplenty. If You’re not fuzzy head to toe,

Move over, human,

Then life is pretty empty.

This one is mine Go find your own circle

Enthusiastic dogs are cool

Of toasty-warm sunshine.

They have no reproach Perhaps you should hire a dog

Advice from your kitty to its peers: Lay claim to the bed…

Say … ten square feet.

As Kitty’s 9-Life Coach And speaking of those 9 lives (Incarnations to adore)

If denied, scratch, shed.

‘Tis why cats are the drama queens

No results? … then repeat.

Who leave you wanting more.

Hide your owner’s skivvies

Love your beastie, treat it well

Stuff kibbles in his beard

Like royal ma’ams or sirs.

Review chapter: “Going Crazy”

And while you’re at it, ne’er forget

In the Feline Book of Weird.

The Power of the Purr.

If you fall off of your cat-tree Or step smack in your poo

by Donna Rhodes illustration by Norma Jean Zahner

Act like nothing’s wrong, cuz That’s what you meant to do.

151 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

L SI FE ER SVTI C YE LES & WELLNESS

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

CABINETRY

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

HOME CARE

HOME DECOR

152 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

L I F E S T Y L E S & WS E L LN RV I CEES S

HOME MONITORING

PICTURE FRAMING

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

SNAKE REMOVAL

SERVICE

153 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

BUSI NESS

154 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

BUSI NESS

GIVING BACK Pages 156-160

photo by Susan Renfro

155 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

GI V I NG BAC K

Reflecting on

156 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

the Past 20 Years

GI V I NG BAC K

Though her attention is clearly focused on the busy year ahead, Sue takes a few moments to cast her gaze to the early days of this magazine and her plunge into painting.

S

ix months after the first issue of The Laurel Magazine was published, I was asked to write an article for the readers to learn about Carpe Diem Farms, a nonprofit educational foundation, exploring the human potential through equines.

It has been the blessing of my life to have had 24 magnificent horses. (Seven of them still reside on the farm, 14 in our St. Francis Cemetery, one’s on loan to a vaulting program in Tennessee, and my childhood horse is buried in Delray Beach, Florida.)

Apart from three issues our story has continued monthly. It is both an honor and a privilege to be a contributor to this magnificent publication.

The daily operations of the farm, caring for the aging herd, now ranging in age from 16-35; the continued development and production of Easy’s Slipper here on the farm keeps us all busy and my painting time is limited.

I was selected as the cover artist for the September 2011 issue.

A pastel of our magnificent CDF Lola’s Promise graced the cover. The accompanying article contained photos of nearly the total of my fledgling artistic efforts. Since then, I’ve continued the series, “through the eyes of the horses, my life in the herd.”

One day I see a book telling their story and that of the farm through my painting.

I thought it would be fun to share a few more in the series.

Thank you to all our loyal readers, volunteers and staff who continue to make Carpe Diem Farms the incredible place it is.

by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms 157 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

GI V I NG BAC K

Literacy

& Learning

Jenni Edwards, Bonnie Potts, and Anna Norton

A GED from The Literacy & Learning Center is a Golden Ticket to a vast world.

F

inishing high school isn’t always in the cards and life can get in the way sometimes.

But it’s never too late to get your high school diploma! A GED not only open new doors for career goals, but it increases self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. The Literacy & Learning Center wants everyone to experience this feeling, and the organization strives to do this by offering a free GED class, which includes materials.

158 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Additionally, The Literacy & Learning Center will pay for the GED test for students that complete their GED prep coursework. If you or someone you know would like to obtain a GED, please call TL&LC (828) 526-0863 or email info@ maconncliteracy.org.

by Jenni Edwards, Literacy & Learning Center

GI V I NG BAC K

159 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

GI V I NG BAC K

Busy Times

Local Rotarians are embracing the challenges of philanthropy.

L

ocal Rotary club members are anything but complacent. Being a member involves much more than meeting and socializing. And the opportunities to serve and support local communities is exactly what draws Rotarians to become involved.

Highlands Rotary Club’s Sherry Holt points out that the months leading up to a fundraiser golf tournament and other spring and summer events are generally, “very busy. But in the spring of 2020, just like everyone else, we were shut down, so we are so very excited to be back to our normal activities.”

Besides the early May HRC golf tournament is the Highlands High School Athletic Banquet and the Highlands School Academic Reception. These events are set for May 3 at 6:00 P.M. at Highlands Recreation Park.

160 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

“We feel it’s so important to recognize students for their accomplishments and to honor their parents by hosting the Athletic Banquet each year,” says Holt. “I know this is one of my favorite events, and I actually remember attending this event when I was in high school. The Rotary Club of Highlands has been doing this for years and years and hopefully will continue to do so for years to come.”

One way RCH has spotlighted and supported Highlands High School students year-round is through “Student of the Month.”

Holt notes, “It has been so rewarding.

Student of the Month is a student chosen by the faculty and they’re awarded for helping others, just as Rotarians do.

The students and their parents join our weekly meeting for lunch once a month.”

RCH’s Tom Graham is also overseeing

planning of the 2022 golf tournament at Highlands Country Club, set for Monday, May 2. For more information, visit highlandsrotary.org.

Highlands Mountaintop Rotary recently wrapped up several winter projects, such as distributing firewood for Highlands Emergency Council, distributing more than 500 coats during the Winter Coat Drive, creating and delivering food boxes for the “Rise Against Hunger” program, and more.

This month, HMR celebrates its 20th anniversary. For more information about how to become a member and get involved with HMR, visit mountaintoprotaryclubhighlands.org.

The Rotary Club of Cashiers provides event and involvement information at cashiersrotary.org.

by Deena Bouknight

GI V I NG BAC K

161 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RECREATION

WHAT TO DO DINING

THE ARTS

LIFEST YLES

Have the Heart of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau delivered monthly to your mailbox 162 thelaurelmagazine.com/subscribe A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

CREATION

.L ove has arrived

SHOPPING

WELLNESS

a e

L UR L 163

A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

BUSI NESS

Keeping It

Green & Clean

Thomas Taulbee

Y

Keeping the highways and byways around Cashiers in pristine condition takes a small army of dedicated men and women. ou may notice when enjoying scenic drives in the area that the roadsides are remarkably litter free.

In the Cashiers area you can thank the Cashiers Area Chamber and a group of dedicated volunteers for that pristine beauty. They spearhead local anti-litter campaigns to ensure that roadside trash and debris don’t detract from our natural beauty. Commissioner Gayle Woody leads the county-wide Jackson County litter initiative.

Cashiers Area Chamber Director Stephanie Edwards says, “we must continue to promote responsible stewardship of our scenic roadways and environment. The Plateau’s extraordinary natural

164 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

resources are threatened by the casual disregard of those who trash our mountain beauty either intentionally with a swift toss of cans and food wrappers from an open car window, or without concern to cover truck and trailer beds spewing construction waste, and more blatantly, those who leave tires and other large debris on the roadside.”

The Chamber annually pays David Young’s crew to deep clean from the Crossroads to Jackson County line at Bear Shadow Rhodes Overlook. Maggie Carton and her many Vision Cashiers volunteers regularly pick up other Cashiers area roadways, for which the Chamber is very grateful. Parents Sarah Jennings, Kristina Newsom, Collins Zimmer, and Kati

BUSI NESS

Miller and their children frequently attend to Norton Road and other byways. These are a few examples of the many who join in our efforts.

In February volunteers picked up 24 bags of trash and discarded waste from area roadsides and reinforced NCDOT fencing at the Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation.

Everyone is always welcome to join in the effort to keep our area green and clean. NCDOT bags, vests and grabbers are available at the Cashiers Area Chamber for their use. Call (828) 743-5191 to reserve your supplies. Plans are also underway to participate in the late April NC Clean Sweep and Jackson County Cleaning Up the Mountains.

by Mary Jane McCall

165 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

BUSI NESS

Real Estate. Real People.

Danny Gato

Linda Thompson

Mary Jane McCall

A trio of professionals (including our Mar y Jane McCall) have joined the team at Countr y Club Proper ties. For more information, visit ccphighlandsnc.com.

T

he Potts family has been in Highlands since the town was founded in 1885. Why is that important to real estate buyers?

Because the Potts family has been a leader in real estate sales for a very long time. Associates in the Potts agency, Country Club Properties, know every square inch of the area, its provenance, and its value. When Owner Terry Potts adds new agents, he makes darn sure he picks the very best.

Welcome three new members to their award-winning realty team: Danny Gato, Linda Thompson, and Mary Jane McCall.

Danny and his family lived in Miami when he was young. The overcrowding became unbearable, so they found a respite in Highlands (yes, they bought it through CCP) which they visited every available minute. Danny, smart, ambitious, outgoing (his mom, Claudia is his best fan) was so taken by the natural beauty, that a couple of years ago, ingratiating himself to everyone, particularly Terry Potts, he got his RE license and a job with Country Club Properties.

Of Honduran and Cuban heritage, Danny is a bilingual boon to the agency. Plus, he’s a fabulous cook. He looks forward to making this his forever home, a wife and children on his horizon. This hard-working young man took a client all the way to Murphy (two hours away) to see a house. So if you’re looking for a go-the-extra-mile (literally), personable, self-starter agent, Danny is your man. Contact info: ccp4danny@outlook.com; cell (352) 284-0301; gatorealty.com.

Every season for the past 25 years, Linda Thompson and her 166 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

family have been part of the Highlands community.

She says, “We have done numerous transactions with Country Club Properties over the years and are homeowners, as well.

Building relationships, servicing others, and always keeping commitments – working to help clients buy or sell a home, is one of my greatest joys.”

Linda’s a powerhouse of talent and experience. Let her connect you with your dream. You can reach her at (770) 313-5446 and ccp4lindat@gmail.com.

Mary Jane and Country Club Properties are a natural fit. As a Highlands native, her roots run deep. She knows every peak, valley, and switchback on the Plateau and all the people who call those places home. If you’re not her friend, you just haven’t met her yet.

Real Estate agent is one of many hats she wears. You may also know her as a talented Laurel writer who enjoys sharing stories of our regional people, businesses, and natural beauty. When she’s not showing homes and writing articles, she’s imparting town history as docent for the Highlands Historical Society.

She says, “I worked in the insurance industry for many years, which proved invaluable in learning that superior customer service is the key to success in any business. Now more than ever we all need a restorative getaway. Helping people find their little slice of heaven and their best life is deeply rewarding.”

You can reach Mary Jane at ccp4maryjane@gmail.com.

You can contact all three agents through Country Club Properties, (828) 526-2520. Visit online at ccphighlandsnc.com.

BUSI NESS

Heritage

& History-rich

Highlands

An unlikely conf luence of natural treasures, events, and quirky personalities created the endlessly surprising Highlands community that continues to beguile.

D

raw a line from New York City to New Orleans and another from Savannah to Chicago. Where they cross is the historical X that marks the spot. That spot has grown its reputation into the History and Heritagefilled Highlands.

Only the most resilient pioneer spirits made the trek to Highlands in the second half of the 19th century. And there, in 1875, they founded an extraordinary town atop one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful, forested plateaus.

The pioneers’ migration brought a mix of unique demographics: entrepreneurial tradesmen from the north, Scots-Irish laborers and craftsmen/women from the surrounding region, and aristocratic agriculturalists and professionals from the South.

The diverse talents of the original settlers gave rise to ac-

complished artists, authors, musicians, photographers, scholars, scientists, and educators. Highlands grew into a creative cultural center, accompanied by businesses that drew visitors and potential residents from America’s four corners.

All this in combination with the splendor and serenity of the land is a welcoming invitation to IMMERSE oneself in the magic of Highlands and the surrounding Nantahala National Forest. Highlands and the southern Appalachian Mountains, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world, still tantalizes travelers and locals alike with its stunning beauty and rich history.

To learn more about hiking trails, area waterfalls, or cultural events, visit highlandschamber.org.

by Donna Rhodes

167 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

o n e

BILLION s o l d

Be a part of the next billion.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group has sold over $1 billion in real estate on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau since our inception.

C A L L T O D AY T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T S I LV E R C R E E K R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P A N D O U R T E A M .

N C L I V I N G . C O M | C A S H I E R S : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9 | H I G H L A N D S : 8 2 8 - 5 2 6 - 2 9 9 9 168 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Silver Creek’s total sales volume in 2021

$1 B

$257 M

Number of closed transactions by Silver Creek in 2021

409

Office locations serving the Plateau

3

OUR 202 1 P E R F O R M A N C E

Over $1 billion dollars in sales since our inception

NCLIVING.COM C a s h i e r s : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9 Highlands: 828-526-2999 L a k e G l e n v i l l e : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9

*Statistics according to HCBOR MLS as of 1/12/2022

169

A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUR T E A M JOCHEN LUCKE

president/broker

L O C A L LY O W N E D .

I N D E P E N D E N T LY O P E R A T E D .

DAN ALLEN broker

PA R K E R A N D E R S O N

C H R I S D U F FY

B A M B I FA M O U S

D E B BY H A L L

R I C K J AC K S O N

K E V I N KOAC H

E D DY M C D O N A L D

JODI MOORE

CASSIE NEAL

KAT I E N I C H O L S O N

LINDA PRIDGEN

CHUCK SELF

M E R RY S O E L L N E R

K E N TA F T

RAY T R I N E

ROB WHITNEY

R I VA S M I T H

C A I T L I N S TA R N E S

broker

broker

broker

broker

170

S AVA EARG A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L 2N0 2A 2H | T HH E LO A UP R EPL M assistant

broker

broker

broker

broker

LOTA H OW E L L assistant

broker

broker

broker

broker

assistant/broker

broker

broker

broker

broker

assistant

w e ’r e lo c a l .

We’re National.

A SYMBOL FOR EXCELLENCE We combine the knowledge of local firm BILLION IN with the best national HOME SALES exposure, thanks to our VOLUME IN 2020 AMONG exclusive membership THE TOP 500 U.S. FIRMS with the largest network of market leaders in the country, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. Membership is OF TOP 125 U.S. MARKETS only offered to market WHERE A LEADINGRE AFFILIATE RANKS leaders with stellar NUMBER 1 local reputations. The LeadingRE logo is a symbol of the best of the best in real estate.

$296

40%

1.3 MILLION GLOBAL TRANSACTIONS ANNUALLY

120

CLIENT INTRODUCTIONS MADE DAILY WORLDWIDE

L O C A L LY O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D W I T H G L O B A L R E A C H Your property will receive extensive exposure to discerning buyers through only the finest channels across the country, in addition to our comprehensive marketing locally. Unlike franchisees who pay their national network for generic advertising, we use our own expertise to advertise your property across the Plateau and beyond.

LISTING A LUXURY PROPERTY? MEET LUXURY PORTFOLIO In the U.S. alone, luxuryportfolio.com lists more properties priced over $1 million than any other luxury property website. What does this mean for you? It means that more high-net-worth buyers will be seeing your property in a setting dedicated solely to significant properties, resulting in more inquiries.

MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY? Looking for a home in a new city? We can help with that, as well! As an affiliate of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® network, we can connect you with real estate pros in 65 countries across six continents. The network handles over $368 billion dollars in property sales every year. When buying or selling property outside of our local market, our world-class connections can help with your real estate needs anywhere in the country.

NCLIVING.COM | CASHIERS: 828-743-1999 | HIGHLANDS: 828-526-2999

171

A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

WE ’ R E

S OCIAL Every listing is given equal screen time on our active, highly-followed social media channels.

Silver Creek’s social: facebook.com/silvercreekreg instagram.com/silvercreekrealestate

NCLIVING.COM

172

C a s h i e r s : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9 Highlands: 828-526-2999 L a k e G l e n v i l l e : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9

A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

ESSENTIAL MARKETING CHECKLIST w h at e v e ry h o m e s e l l e r n e e d s to s u c c e e d





THE VISUALS 

Photography



Aerial drone footage



Videography



3D virtual home tour



Custom floor plans



Possible editorial exposure on HGTV.com via the HGTV Ultimate House Hunt



Delivered to the mailboxes (direct mail marketing) and inboxes (email marketing) of our extensive network of potential buyers and brokers around the globe



Pushed out to all major digital real estate syndicates such as Zillow.com and Realtor.com



Marketed on Facebook and Instagram through our top-performing channels



Custom brochures

E X P E R T LY P O S I T I O N E D 

Thoughtfully composed property description, written for top SEO performance



On our award-winning website, NCLiving.com



Advertised in esteemed publications such as, NC Living Magazine, Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair, The Laurel Magazine, and The Real Estate Magazine



To the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s global network by ways of LeadingRE.com and LuxuryPortfolio.com



Published on Wall Street Journal’s MansionGlobal.com



HANDLED WITH CARE 

White-glove service from start to end. because it is

our honor to list your home, we treat it with the respect you and your home deserve.

E XC E P T I O N A L M A R K E T I N G D E L I V E R I N G R E S U LTS NCLIVING.COM | CASHIERS: 828-743-1999 | HIGHLANDS: 828-526-2999 173 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

DOWNTOWN CASHIERS 341 Highway 64 West Cashiers, NC 28717 828-743-1999

LAKE GLENVILLE DISCOVERY CENTER 4312 Highway 107 N Glenville, NC 28736 828-743-1999

DOWNTOWN HIGHLANDS 537 Main Street Highlands, NC 28741 828-526-2999

174 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

BEST V I SUAL DESIGN

* Top according to 2021 Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Website Quality Certification Results Bottom according to 2021 Real Trends® Website Rankings

#1

BEST OVERALL W E B S I T E and

#6

B E S T O V E RA L L R E A L E S TAT E W E B S I T E I N T H E N AT I O N

#2 BEST VIDEO #3 BEST MOBILE #6 BEST DESIGN

NCLIVING.COM | CASHIERS: 828-743-1999 | HIGHLANDS: 828-526-2999

175

A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

RECREATION

WHAT TO DO DINING

THE ARTS

LIFEST YLES

Have the Heart of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau delivered monthly to your mailbox 176 thelaurelmagazine.com/subscribe A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

CREATION

.L ove has arrived

SHOPPING

WELLNESS

a e

L UR L 177

A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

A private, low-density mountain community, located five minutes from Cashiers, NC on the prestigious 107 South corridor.

With five distinct residential offerings, including cottages and estate homesites, Silver Run Reserve features curated and natural amenities for indoor and outdoor fun and wellness.

LIVE WELL. RUN FREE. SilverRunReserve.com

178 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ CO-OWNER / BROKER 828.342.3194 (CELL) LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 179 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUR TEAM OF BROKERS BETH TOWNSEND Co-Owner / Broker

LIZ HARRIS

Co-Owner / Broker

ANN MCKEE AUSTIN Co-Owner / Broker

COLEEN GOTTLOEB Broker-In-Charge

SANDY BARROW Broker

JOHN BARROW Broker / Rental Coordinator

WAYNE MONDAY Broker

PHILIP BRADLEY Broker

MAGGIE ELMER Broker

JOANNE BRYSON Broker

GUS BRIGHT

Broker Associate

CLAY CANTLER

Broker / Licensed Asst.

LOGAN CROCKER

Broker / Licensed Asst.

JESSICA HOHEISEL

Broker / Licensed Asst.

KARALINE SHOMAKER Broker / Administrator

619 HWY 107 S 180 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

|

828.743.3411

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC MINNIE COLE HOUSE

A Founding Partner

McKee Properties is proud to be a Founding Partner of G&G Land, a feature program of Garden & Gun magazine, highlighting properties that are dedicated to an “authentic sense of place and inherent responsibility to the natural world.”

MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE IN THE CASHIERS-HIGHLANDS AREA

M C K E E P R O P E R T I E S. C O M

181 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Winfield Farm 142+/- ACRES — Nestled between National Forest and a ridgetop of gorgeous mountain views lies the beautiful Winfield Farm. This multigenerational family farm is located in Scaly Mountain on the southern edge of the Nantahala National Forest just 10 minutes from Highlands, North Carolina. Winfield Farm features long range mountain views, gently rolling pastures, heirloom apple trees and gardens, spring-fed lakes and ponds, mountain streams, multiple homes, barns, and other structures.

The main home is perched on a gentle knoll overlooking the farm, while two other homes are within easy walking distance. Another lovely home is tucked in a large meadow bowl that looks up to the surrounding

OFFERED FOR $6,950,000 mountains. Two large barns, workshops, and a historic lodge are also contained within the 142 acres. Fabulous views can be enjoyed from everywhere on the farm/estate and the gentle topography makes the land very usable. A portion of the property fronts Dillard Road, offering great commercial potential on this parcel. Winfield Farm is just two hours from Atlanta and minutes from hiking trails, waterfalls, and all the clubs and amenities the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau has to offer. This is the first time on the market for this beautiful farm that has caught the eye of all who pass by. I look forward to showing it to you! MLS 97357

619 HWY 107 S 182 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

|

828.743.3411

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ CC 828.342.3194 828.342.3194

|

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

183 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Magnificent Private Estate OFFERED FOR $6,950,000 3 BR / 2 BA; 214+ ACRES — This fine estate property boasts all the wonderful outdoor features that draw people to Cashiers, NC: spectacular, long-range mountain views; rolling, open meadows (some fenced and cross fenced); a pond with an active, flowing stream and private waterfalls; and miles of trails! This property is unrestricted. The renovated cottage with recently updated bathrooms is charming and overlooks the majority of the property. Plus, there are many fine additional building sites for a future main house or subdividing. It is conveniently located only 9.5 miles from the middle of Cashiers. MLS 95503

619 HWY 107 S 184 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

|

828.743.3411

Cedar Creek Road 200 ACRES — This pristine large tract, located approximately five miles to the center of Cashiers, is almost completely surrounded by three conservation easements: Chinquapin’s (700 acres), The Webb family’s (600 acres), and Campbell’s (50+ acres). This parcel has old logging

Bright Mountain 2 BR / 3.5 BA — This craftsman-style home features stunning views of Lake Glenville and the Smoky Mountains! Located behind the gate in the popular Bright Mountain community, this mountain cabin is the perfect retreat. The trademark highlights of the home include multiple bonus

OFFERED FOR $2,800,000 trails, rock outcroppings and a central “bowl” — prime for clearing as a meadow. A pretty stream headwaters on this high elevation tract and has several small sets of ripples and falls. The views have not been cleared, but will be substantial. MLS 92920

OFFERED FOR $739,000 rooms, large deck spaces overlooking the view for entertaining, and custom stained glass and rock work throughout the house. Conveniently located close to Cashiers, Lake Glenville and Highlands, this home gives you easy access to dining, shopping, and countless outdoor activities. MLS 98043

UNDER CONTRACT

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

828.421.6193

|

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

185 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Wade Hampton Golf Club 5 BR / 5.5 BA — This is a charming, classic mountain home located in the highly sought-after community of the Wade Hampton Golf Club, a McKee Development just five minutes from Cashiers.

The home has gorgeous, sweeping, long-range views year round and is located on a spacious 1.42 acre homesite. The exterior features beautiful stacked stone, cedar shingles and gentle, nearly-level topography. The interior boasts a stunning semi-open floor plan with nice entertaining flow through the large great room, kitchen, screened porch, and dining room. The great room offers gorgeous, pristine views to the east of the mountains in nearby National Forest, soaring ceilings

OFFERED FOR $2,695,000

and a beautiful masonry stone fireplace. The spacious master suite also offers great views, a beautiful stone fireplace and an adjoining office/ den. Additional accommodations include a guest suite on the main level with views and a private deck, and three additional, large guest suites upstairs all featuring beautiful vaulted and peaked rooflines. The large kitchen, located just off the great room, is perfect for a chef’s finest cooking and for family fun cooking and gathering. It offers stacked stone surrounding the range, a large island, lovely vaulted ceilings and plenty of pantry storage. MLS 98055

UNDER CONTRACT

619 HWY 107 S 186 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

|

828.743.3411

Glenville Lake Estates 4 BR / 4 BA — This beautiful lake home is set up to enjoy immediately with its updated interior, expansive decks and large dock, all resting in a quiet cove on the desirable southeast side of Lake Glenville, close to town. The home features a master suite and guest room on the main level, a third guest suite on the upper level, and a fourth suite on the lower level. The dining, kitchen and great room featuring a stone

OFFERED FOR $1,995,000 fireplace, flow together with vaulted ceilings and lake views off the front deck to enjoy the pristine setting on the lake. The large family and game room on the lower level provides for cozy evenings around the fireplace and a fun family game room, all while enjoying beautiful lake views.

MLS 96991

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

|

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

187 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Little Ellijay Farm 4 BR / 4 BA — This beautiful 63-acre farm in the Cashiers/ Glenville area beside the Snowbird Community is full of charm. It features gorgeous views, rolling land, a main house, a guest house, an

OFFERED FOR $1,772,000 art studio, a large functioning barn, gardens, a chicken coop, fruit trees, fenced pasture land, fresh water ponds, springs and creeks throughout!

Contact Liz today for a tour of this beautiful mountain farm. MLS 97011

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ 188 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

C

828.342.3194

|

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

Glenville

$875,000

High Hampton

$825,000

22.96 ACRES — This unrestricted property offers mountain views

1.02 ACRES — On the “original” amenity side of the neighborhood,

in multiple directions. Accessed by a well constructed, long, private driveway, the original 1970s summer cabin recently burned to the ground. The primary homesite sits at 3,930ft elevation amongst large deciduous trees and a rolling mossy yard. Plenty of options for additional homesites. Location, view, topography and an existing driveway make this a prime property for an estate or light development. MLS 97957

this almost pancake flat lot offers easy ingress and egress, and great walking routes to the Hotel and Club. The lot is so gentle that it would be one of the few to offer the ability to build all on one level. The Cherokee Campgrounds greenspace is right across the road from this lot. There will be a ridgeline view of Rock Mountain with approved minor clearing. MLS 97954

High Hampton

Bear Wallow Springs

$759,000

1.53 ACRES — It is rare to find a resale lot in High Hampton, and this one is prime! The property is located on the “original/Inn” side of the neighborhood, which means no highway crossing is needed to walk to the great amenities. Grand potential view of famed Rock Mountain with approved clearing, this lot also fronts the Cherokee Campgrounds’ greenspace with direct access to the trail system. East to southeast views to the mountain provide sunsets “on the rock.” MLS 97439

$100,000

4.44 ACRES — Private wooded lot with plenty of building potential

adjacent to the Fazio Learning Center at Lake Toxaway Country Club.

MLS 98257

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

828.421.6193

|

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

189 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

LOTS & LAND LOT

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

N/A

30

Mountain views adjoining National Forest

97163

CASHIERS

$895,000

R-22

2.50

Near the Clubhouse with Whiteside views

97365

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$550,000

E-32

0.92

Golf and mountain views

95880

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$475,000

B-6

0.51

Flat lot near the Clubhouse

96186

CHATTOOGA CLUB

$325,000

7

2.86

Mountain views with a stream running through

97119

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

$175,000

N-55

0.81

Gently rolling with winter golf course view

95803

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$160,000

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB / MLS 97365

MLS

SUBDIVISION

PRICE

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB / MLS 95880

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ 190 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

C

828.342.3194

|

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

Wade Hampton Golf Club LOTS & LAND

LOT

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

MLS

LOCATION

PRICE

ESTATE PARCELS

L-8

3.85

National Forest and mountain views

94616

Silver Springs Road

$375,000

GOLF FRONT

E-32

0.92

Golf and mountain view

95880

Chimney Top Trail

$475,000

N-19

0.66

Great golf views

96232

Fox Fire

$225,000

N-55

0.81

Winter golf views, gently rolling

95803

Chimney Top Trail

$160,000

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

R-22

2.50

Near the Clubhouse with Whiteside views

97365

Chimney Top Trail

$550,000

D-17

2.87

Long range mountain views

97956

Cherokee Trace

$320,000

S-10

1.56

Mountain view, gently sloping

94614

Cherokee Trace

$195,000

R-50

0.65

Mountain and golf views

96573

Cherokee Trace

$ 60,000

FOREST FLOOR

R-43

0.72

Gently rolling, end of cul-de-sac

95244

Ox Lock Road

$185,000

R-46

0.91

Wooded, gently rolling

98231

Ox Lock Road

$110,000

R-25

0.91

Wooded, gently rolling

94896

Cherokee Trace

$100,000

R-26

0.94

Wooded, easy build site

97657

Cherokee Trace

$ 85,000

E-25

0.98

Gently rolling and wooded

96006

Mayapple Road

$ 75,000

619 HWY 107 S

|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

|

828.743.3411

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

191 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SE RV IC E

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

CABINETRY

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

HOME CARE

HOME DECOR

192 152 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SE RV IC E

HOME MONITORING

PICTURE FRAMING

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

SNAKE REMOVAL

SERVICE

153 193

APPRRIILL 22002222 || TTH HEELLA AU URREELLM MA AG GA AZZIIN NEE..C CO OM M A

PARTING SHOT

by Greg Clarkson

194 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

195 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

196 A PR I L 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M