June 2025 | The Laurel Magazine

L aURe L

The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Mountaintop

Rotary Art & Craft Show

June 28 & 29

pg. 44

Art, the Big Kind

Cover Artist, Diane Kilgore Condon

June 2025

Publisher’s Note

Welcome to June 2025 – everything is in full bloom, and the Plateau’s event calendar is crammed with celebrations and presentations big and small.

Wander through these pages and find your Golden Space. We promise you, with an open heart and an open mind you’ll discover a wonder meant just for you!

Chat with the people around you (it’s the Plateau Way), uncover the funny bit embedded within each day and, always, tell us your story!

With appreciation, Janet and Marjorie

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARY ADAIR TRUMBLY Account Manager maryadiar@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARJORIE N. DEAL Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

EMILY MUNGER Account Manager emily@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

MARLENE OSTEEN Writer marlene.osteen@gmail.com

Contributing Writers: Stuart Ferguson, William McReynolds, Debbie Hall, and Deena Bouknight

Guest Writers: Jeanne Piazza, Sue Blair, David Stroud, Lance Hardin, Billy Love, Johanna Fein, Susan Gregory, Josh Bryson, Todd Holder, Anna Norton, Shelby Ward, Linda Kirkman, Danielle Hernandez, Dr. Kristin Lander, and Courtney Scarborough

Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Mary Gillan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes, Ryan Karcher, and Colleen Kerrigan.

Copyright © 2025 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. Visit us online thelaurelmagazine.com phone 828.526.0173 email info@thelaurelmagazine.com mail Post Office Box 565 Highlands, North Carolina 28741

Pages 14-75

Photo by Susan Renfro

The Pearl of Summer

Is June the bustling center of the year? Let William count the ways.

This is a favorite month among brides and grooms.

Following the merriment of May, June is the culmination of verdant spring and prelude to the lazy days of summer, a good time to start a new life together.

Juno, the Roman protector Goddess, arrives with gifts and blessings.

June 1st is the World Milk Day, so declared by the U.N. Food and Agriculture sector.

June 3rd is National Donut Day in remembrance of Salvation Army volunteers, “Donut Dollies,” who “mothered” WWI soldiers by making and sending them donuts.

June 4th is National Cheese Day. On this day in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair a single cheese weighing 34,000 lbs. was put on display. Worldwide, cheese is an important part of our diet.

June 5th is World Environment Day, so declared by the U.N. General Assembly in 1972. “Heal Mother Earth by reducing human consumptiveness.”

June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. President Reagan tipped his hat to the National Ice Cream Association and named this day in 1984.

June 8th is National Best Friend Day, unofficially recognizing the difference best friends make in our lives.

June 14th is Flag Day. President Truman signed this Congressional Proclamation into law in 1949. Flag day commemorates the signing of the National Flag Resolution on this day in 1777 creating Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes.

June 14th is also National Bourbon Day. After celebrating it, no one can remember who or when this day began.

June 19th is Father’s Day, first celebrated in 1910 in Washington

State, made a Federal Holiday in 1972 by President Nixon. Praise Papa.

June 19th is also Juneteenth. This brand-new Federal Holiday was signed into law by President Biden in 2021. On this day we celebrate the ending of slavery, our national disgrace. On this day in 1865 the Federal Proclamation ending slavery reached Texas, freeing 250,000 black slaves. God love them.

June 21st hosts the Summer Solstice, the beginning of summer, so ordained by Mother Nature.

June 27th is National Ice Cream Cake Day. Why not?

June 30th is National Handshake Day. Who knows how this Medieval male greeting became a national holiday? I guess two guys shook on it.

So June is here. Glory be! Eat, drink and be merry, or married, as the case may be.

by William McReynolds

Catch the Rhythm

Slip on your dancing shoes – Highlands’ Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine Outdoor Concert Series are gracing the sweet summer twilights. For more information, visit highlandschamber.org or call (828) 526-2112.

Slip on your dancing shoes – Highlands’ Friday Night

Live and Saturdays on Pine Outdoor Concert Series are gracing the sweet summer twilights. For more information, visit highlandschamber.org or call (828) 526-2112.

From now until September, the vibrant tunes of live music fill the air in downtown Highlands every Friday and Saturday night. Shows on both nights are free and take place from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M.

Friday Night Live showcases traditional mountain music and exceptional local talent on Main Street’s Town Square. The Friday night concerts are part of the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, an initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership and the N.C. Arts Council that works to sustain the rich music traditions of the region.

The Friday Night Live season schedule is as follows:

June 6 – The Foxfire Boys

June 13 – Southern Highland Band

June 20 – Curtis Blackwell & Dixie Bluegrass Boys

June 27 – Spare Parts Bluegrass Band

July 4 – Diverse Groove, Special holiday Friday concert in Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park

July 11 – Nitrograss

July 18 – Johnny Webb Band

July 25 – ABC Combo

August 1 – Ezra & Katie

August 8 – McClain Family Band

August 15 – Shawn Lane Trio, featuring Lane Brothers

August 22 – Spare Parts Bluegrass Band

August 29 – The Foxfire Boys

September 5 – Silly Ridge

September 12 – Johnny Webb Band

September 19 – Curtis Blackwell and Dixie Bluegrass Boys

September 26 – Nitrograss

Saturdays on Pine features a variety of popular, regional bands and musicians at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

The Saturdays on Pine season schedule is as follows:

June 7 – Peggy Ratusz

June 14 – Boogitherapi

June 21 – Spalding McIntosh and The LionHearts

July 5 – Silly Ridge, Special holiday Saturday Concert in Town Square

July 12 – Shane Meade and The Sound

July 19 – The Breakfast Club

July 26 – The Boomers

August 2 – High 5

August 9 – HC Oakes Band

August 30 – Southside Station

September 6 – The Parks Brothers

September 13 – Continental Divide

September 20 – Brandon Crocker Trio

September 27 – Shedhouse Trio with Darren Nicholson

The Outdoor Concert Series is made possible by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC.

“Highlands thrives on the spirit of community, the rhythm of live music, and the breathtaking beauty of nature,” says Kaye McHan, Executive Director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC.

“So, grab your lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic, and come join us!”

There will not be a Chamber-presented concert on June 28, August 16 and August 23 due to other events being held at Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park.

by Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC

HMF is Here

Highlands Motoring Festival revs up for its 18th year –June 12-15. It’s free to the public, but donations are welcome. To volunteer or for more information, visit the festival’s website at highlandsmotoringfestival.com.

The 18th annual Highlands Motoring Festival is right around the corner. Join four days of fun-filled activities where wild automotive excitement awaits organizers and participants alike. Each year the event has been exceptional, but this year … Wow!

This year’s festival is “The Cars of Enzo Ferrari.” Many rare, classic Ferraris will grace our show field. And of course we will have our exhibit of exceptional Porsches, BMWs, Corvettes, and many others, hotrods and custom cars as well. The weekend begins with the passionately popular guided drives, the One Lap of the Mountains “Grande” and the “Speciale” set for the 12 and 13 of June.

Friday evening, car-owners and drivers wishing to participate in the Main Street Parade gather in Kelsey Hutchinson Park at 5:30 P.M. to drive down Main Street to the delight of the spectators lining the street. The highlight of the weekend is the “Classics in the Park,” an invitational judged car show on Saturday, June 14 in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park from 9:30 A.M. until 3:45 P.M. Awards will be given out in many categories.

The Gala is planned for Saturday evening, June 14, and tickets are still available, available for purchase on the website. Corky Corker, the Grand Marshall and celebrity guest will be presenting that evening at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club.

The weekend wraps up with “High Octane” Sunday morning at Kelsey Hutchinson Park giving anybody who wants an opportunity to show off their cars.

From its inception, the HMF has served multiple purposes. Sharing the organizers’ love for the art and progression of the automobile is primary. HMF supports the Town of Highlands and its businesses by inviting visitors to share in the beautiful environment that we enjoy every day. Raising money for local humanitarian nonprofits is key. Over the years the festival has raised over $650,000 for our charities. The recipients this year will be the Community Care Clinic, R.E.A.C.H. of Macon County, and The Literacy and Learning Center of Highlands.

The HMF is organized by a 100-percent volunteer group who put out maximum effort to please the most serious car enthusiast and the casual car lover. It’s still not too late to volunteer.

All monies raised are through our One Lap drives, sponsorships and donations. More information about volunteering, donating or sponsoring can be found on our website, highlandsmotoringfestival.com.

Elevate your drive!

by Ricky Siegel, Highlands Motoring Festival

Paint Your Pet is Back

It’s Art! It’s Fun! Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society’s Paint Your Pet is now double the excitement – with events slated for July 10 and 11 in Sapphire and August 7 in Highlands. To register or for more information, visit chhumanesociety.org/paintyourpet-2025.

Paint Your Pet is back and bigger than ever!

Last year’s inaugural Paint Your Pet event at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center completely sold out, so this year… we’re hosting two Paint Your Pet nights in Sapphire, and a brand new Paint Your Pet in Highlands! Join us for a fun-filled two hours of creativity and love for the four-legged members of our family.

No painting skills are necessary. Chances are, the less artistic you feel you may be, the more fun you will have. Just send us a head shot photo of your pampered pet when you register (chhumanesociety.org/paintyourpet-2025) and that evening you’ll have a personalized line drawing sketch of your pet on a 16” x 16” canvas ready for you to paint. Brushes, paints and aprons will all be supplied. Attendance is limited, so register early!

Paint Your Pet takes place at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center on Thursday, July 10, and Friday, July 11, and at the Highlands Community Building on Thursday, August 7. Times are 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. and check-in begins at 4:30 P.M. Cost is $50 per person. There will also be some awesome prizes we will raffle during Paint Your Pet, so bring some extra bucks (raffle tickets are $10 each) to support the shelter pets and a chance to win some great prizes!

The fun doesn’t stop at 7:00! At the Sapphire Valley Paint Your Pet, our animal-loving friends at Slopeside Tavern are offering a special dinner promotion for Paint Your Pet participants. In case your tummies are growling while you are creating your pet’s masterpiece, walk right next door to Slopeside Tavern after the event and present your Paint Your Pet ticket, and not only will you enjoy great food and

friendly service, Slopeside will donate 25 percent of each dinner’s purchase price to support CHHS.

Thank you to our awesome event partners: Be a Light Painting, Sapphire Valley Resort, Slopeside Tavern, The Village Hound, and Cashiers Valley Real Estate.

Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717. For more information visit chhumanesociety.org or call (828)743-5752.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

Do It for the Kids

The mysteries of mushrooms and the wonders of our waterways are explored in a pair of June Nature Series presentations at the Village Green in Cashiers.

Join Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and the Village Green for our Youth Village Nature Series! This series is geared toward youth and children of all ages.

Join Gina Patton, Education Outreach Coordinator at Balsam Mountain Trust, on June 10 for Fungi Fanatics, an engaging youth lecture exploring the fascinating world of mushrooms and fungi. This session offers young learners a hands-on introduction to mycology –the study of fungi.

Participants will discover the diverse species of mushrooms native to the Blue Ridge Mountains, learn about their ecological roles, and, weather permitting, embark on a mushroom hunt to observe these organisms in their natural habitat.

Gina, with her background in environmental education and passion for connecting children with nature, will

guide attendees through this interactive and educational experience. This program is designed to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Gina, an AmeriCorps Service Member/ Education Outreach, recently completed her master’s degree at The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in Environmental Education and Interpretation. She promptly moved to North Carolina and is loving exploring all the radiant beings of her new biome. She is also a writer, artist, and naturalist who incorporates art, nature connection, and childlike wonder into the programs she leads.

Then, on June 25, adults are invited to attend the Village Nature Series presentation A Tale of Three Watersheds, led by Callie Moore of MountainTrue.

Learn what a watershed is and about the

three watersheds that drain the Cashiers area of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Where do the rivers go when they leave the Plateau? Do they all contain the same species of fish and other aquatic life? This talk is meant to provide a basic understanding of streams and rivers in the Cashiers area, as well as threats to their quality and what we can do to protect them.

Since 2019 Callie Moore has served as the western regional director for environmental nonprofit MountainTrue. For 17 years prior she was the executive director of the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition based in Murphy. She has a master’s degree in water resources from Indiana University and is a graduate of Western Carolina University’s Environmental Health Program.

by Hope Corbin, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

Library’s Enjoyment

The days at the Plateau’s twin libraries are filled with projects and personalities and a full spectrum of events.

Pippa and Andry Seichrist

Summer paints the Plateau in broad strokes of green and gold – and inside the libraries of Highlands and Cashiers, a different kind of color is coming to life, one story, one song, one adventure at a time. Rather than filling summer days with screen time, these libraries offer interactive experiences that engage multiple senses and foster real world connections.

At Hudson Library in Highlands, the Summer Learning Program is ready to “Color Your World,” this year’s vibrant theme that invites readers to dive into stories, creativity, and exploration. Children can jump into the weekly Kids Zone, where programs like Didgeridoo Down Under, Professor Whizzpop’s magic and mayhem, and the Mainspring EcoSplash stir up a lively mix of science, storytelling, and hands-on fun. Bingo for Books guarantees every young reader heads home with a new story to treasure. Adults have their own adventures waiting. Hudson Library will host a

lineup of local author talks throughout June, showcasing creative voices from the Plateau and beyond.

On June 20, Martha Novak – awardwinning author and spiritual teacher – will discuss her new mystery novel Blood Mountain, set in the North Carolina mountains.

On June 24, Pippa Seichrist and her adopted son Andry will share the story behind their co-authored memoir, My Life Before: A Memoir of Family Created through Adoption. And on June 27, Highlands’ resident Diane Heiler will speak about her just-published memoir A Widow’s Fire, an exploration of love, loss, and resilience

June is no less colorful in Cashiers at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. Their Summer Learning Program also embraces the “Color Your World theme,” with reading challenges and prizes designed to spark excitement in readers of every age.

Program highlights include the beloved Friends of the Library Book Sale, running June 10–14, where browsing becomes a small adventure of its own. On June 7, Dia del Niño promises a joyful celebration of children with crafts, music, and games. The Cashiers Kids Color Course returns on June 16, offering young participants a chance to run, laugh, and splash their way through a canvas of summer fun. Outdoor enthusiasts can join the Blue Ridge Garden Quest, continuing every other Friday. Music fans will find Bryan Heller performing on June 26, while those with a flair for writing can develop their talents at the Summer Writing Workshop launching this month.

For complete program details and registration information, visitors can check the Fontana Regional Library website, fontanalib.org.

by Marlene Osteen

Highlands July Fourth

Something Old, Something New – Highlands’ Fourth of July celebration offers the best of small town life.

Let’s wake up on Friday, July 4, don our red, white, and blue apparel, and hit downtown Highlands for a day-long small-town Independence Day celebration.

The young and young at heart will appreciate timeless old-fashioned activities mingled with newer traditions and dazzling fireworks.

Community organizers have been hard at work planning a weekend of fun and excitement, resplendent with games, music, and fireworks.

Start Friday, July 4, with the traditional games and hotdog lunch at the Town of Highlands Ballfield. The Boy Scout rocket launch will be from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., immediately followed traditional field games which are fun for the entire family.

All that activity will surely work up an appetite so the Rotary Club of Highlands will be serving free hot dogs from 11:00

A.M. until 2:00 P.M.

The MAMA (Mountain Area Medical Airlift) Helicopter will be landing at Noon so see this life-saving medical marvel of the skies and thank their devoted team. Cool off by frolicking in the Highlands Fire Department’s annual Ladder truck spray down.

The young and young at heart will appreciate timeless old-fashioned activities…

Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC sponsors the celebration’s evening entertainment.

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is the place to be at 6:00 P.M. to hear the lively sounds of Diverse Groove, a high-energy group playing, you guessed it, diverse favorites from a wide range of genres, including Top 40, beach music, Motown, R & B, rock, and reggae. Let’s all get on our feet and dance this July 4. Bring a picnic or purchase a bite from an area restaurant to enjoy while watching the show.

The afternoon is the perfect time to stroll Main Street and enjoy all the storefront patriotic displays before heading to Mill Creek at 2:00 P.M. for the Rotary Club of Highlands’ annual Duck Derby. Purchase a rubber duck and cheer it on to victory. Tickets are available from any Rotarian.

Following the concert, settle in with your most comfortable lawn chair and find a spot to watch the annual fireworks display, which starts just after dusk. There is nothing small about the magnitude of this display as the skies fill with explosive color.

by Mary Jane McCall

Look to the Sky

Fireworks will be blazing the sky in Southern Jackson County. If you’re seeking the Crackle and the Flash and the Boom on the Third (and Fifth), cast your gaze skyward across Cashiers and Glenville.

The Cashiers/Glenville communities are Celebration Central during the July Fourth weekend. because you will be treated to not one but two fireworks extravaganzas.

The annual Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green, will take place on Thursday, July 3, at 6:30 P.M., rain or shine, on The Village Green Commons Lawn.

Entertainment will start at 6:30 when The Caribbean Cowboys take the stage. Local crowd favorites, the Cowboys have been entertaining audiences for over 30 years, and their return to Cashiers is always eagerly anticipated year after year. Fireworks follow at approx. 9:30 P.M.

Admission is free; however, donations will be collected to help with the cost of the event. The Village Green relies on the generosity of donations to continue bringing this event free to the community.

Plan to bring lawn chairs or blankets and find a comfortable spot to enjoy all the evening’s events. Food and beverages will be available on-site or bring your own coolers and picnic. Please leave dogs at home due to the nature of the event, and please don’t bring personal tents or awnings.

A portion of Frank Allen Road will be closed starting at 6:00 P.M. and will not reopen until after the fireworks show. Parking will be limited along Frank Allen Road.

The Friends of Lake Glenville are presenting the 28th annual Fireworks Over the Lake on Saturday, July 5, at approximately 9:30 P.M, but you’ll want to get there much earlier so you can enjoy the annual July 4 Gala Boat Parade that lines up at 8:00 P.M. and starts promptly at 8:30 P.M.

You might even want to gather your crew, register to participate, and decorate and enter a boat in this floating, festive parade.

Use your imagination and choose a theme to wow the prefireworks crowd gathered to celebrate the Independence Day weekend.

There are great viewing opportunities off 107 N along the roadside from near Hamburg Baptist Church (south to the pullover/open areas along the lake). Be sure to have your vehicle entirely off the road and be mindful of traffic. Fireworks are held rain or shine, unless dangerous conditions develop, such as lightning.

The Friends of Lake Glenville and major sponsor Signal Ridge Marina are responsible for the organization and financing of this event and relies exclusively on private contributions from additional sponsors and attendees. If you’d like to contribute or enter a boat visit FriendsOfLakeGlenville.com.

by Mary Jane McCall

Art Brings Us Together

It’s Art for All –Community Day Returns to The Bascom on July 5. It’s free and open to everyone – 323 Franklin Road in Highlands.

Every July, as mountain mornings warm and the Plateau settles into summer’s easy rhythm, The Bascom celebrates what it does best – bringing people together through the visual arts. Community Day, now a cherished tradition more than a decade in the making, invites residents and visitors alike to experience the joy of creativity, connection, and shared place.

On Saturday, July 5, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., The Bascom’s six-acre campus will come alive with free, art-filled festivities designed for all ages.

From the Terrace to the Studio Barn to shady spots along the sculpture trail, guests can take part in hands-on art activities, watch live artist demonstrations, explore the grounds, and enjoy fresh-popped popcorn.

It’s a day not just for viewing art – but for making it and sharing it.

Inside the galleries, The Bascom’s sum-

mer exhibitions offer a contemplative look at legacy, growth, and artistic innovation. In celebration of the institution’s 40th anniversary, two retrospectives trace its evolution and impact: Inspiring & Empowering: A Journey Through The Bascom’s Exhibition Legacy and Looking Back: A Retrospective of The Bascom’s Artists-in-Residence Program.

Also on view is The Rain Crow, a new body of work by 2025 Photography Resident Margaret Adams, whose exhibition brings a poetic lens to Southern landscape and memory.

The Bascom Shop will be open throughout the day, offering a curated selection of handmade work by regional artists in an array of mediums, ceramics, textiles, woodturning, glass, and more, celebrating the depth and diversity of creative practice in our region.

Visitors can also explore the Atrium Series, on view in the Greehey Atrium.

Showcasing exceptional works not typically available for purchase at The Bascom, the Atrium Series offers collectors and art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to acquire distinctive pieces from some of the region’s most soughtafter makers.

Whether you’ve visited many times or are just passing through, Community Day is an open invitation to create, to connect, and to feel at home in the heart of the Plateau’s creative community.

by Bianca Mitchell,

The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts

Scan to learn more.

Orchard Sessions

Andrew Wooten brings every ounce of his Appalachian upbringing to his Orchard Session at The Farm – Wednesday, June 11. Book your tickets at oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.

June brings more than just summer blooms to Highlands when Andrew Wooten takes the stage at Orchard Sessions at The Farm on Wednesday, June 11. These gatherings have become our summer ritual, those precious midweek moments when the world contracts to nothing more than music, mountain air, and familiar faces nodding in shared appreciation.

Wooten stands apart from the parade of passing troubadours. His voice carries Appalachian authenticity – soul and spirit inseparable from sound. When he sings of heartbreak or redemption, it feels less like a performance and more like a remembrance.

Nominations for the Upstate Music Awards and a recent signing with Roadside Music Management merely confirm what becomes clear within the first few notes: this is an artist who understands our landscape, both physical and emotional.

Raised where music floated through church doors and

kitchen windows, where hymns and hollers merged into one long, seductive note, Wooten learned early that songs weren’t just meant to be heard, they were meant to be kept. His originals bear that legacy: clear-eyed, unhurried, and textured with the familiar grit of real experience. Each note feels earned, not performed.

There’s a gravity to a Wooten performance. No bluster, no hurry –just songs unfolding the way twilight unfurls across an orchard: gradually, then all at once. Expect a set that weaves together new originals and reimagined favorites, shaped by a voice that can carry a room without ever raising itself above it. Somewhere between the first chord and the last sip of wine, the evening will find its own quiet current.

The Farm’s setting amplifies this intimacy. The perfect midweek pause. It’s the kind of evening where you might catch

Andrew Wooten

the eye of a neighbor across the way, sharing that unspoken recognition: this, right here, is why we live here.

Doors open at 6:00 P.M., with music from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Light bites will satisfy appetites, and a cash bar will add to the easy, unhurried rhythm of the night, all in accompaniment to Wooten’s music, which surely feeds something deeper. At $25 for Old Edwards guests and members, and $50 for the public, it remains one of our community’s most accessible, richest luxuries.

So claim your place beneath the branches and let the evening unfold. At the Orchard Sessions, music doesn’t just fill the night—it becomes part of it. Book online today at OldEdwardsHospitality.com/Events.

by Marlene Osteen

Groovin’ on the Green

Commodore Fox takes the stage Friday, June 20, as Groovin’ on the Green shifts into high gear. You can learn more at villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts.

Now that we’re deep into what’s shaping up to be the Plateau’s busiest Busy Season, we’re all invited to enjoy the happy sounds of Groovin’ on the Green – a bangin’ summer-long jam that has visitors and locals swinging all season long to performances by some of the area’s most entertaining bands.

Commodore Fox takes the stage on Friday, June 20 and they’re ready to party. Their audience is invited to join in the fun as they reel through their playlist – beloved hits from the 1970s and 80s through to today’s house party favorites.

“We here at The Village Green love being able to offer free and fun family programming, that’s accessible to everyone in our community, and that can be enjoyed without having to drive down the mountain,” says Ashlie Mitchell, the Village Green’s executive director.

• Rain or Shine, concerts will go on

• General admission is free and concerts are open to the public

• Donations are encouraged and accepted to support The Village Green and this beloved event! Donations will be collected at each concert and individuals are welcome to donate through The Village Green’s website at villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts/

• Groovin’ is family-friendly and fun for all ages

• Concerts are held on select Fridays from 6:00 - 8:30 PM

• Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics, however, local food and beverage businesses will be on site for purchase

• Dogs are welcome as long as they remain leashed and with their owners at all times

• A limited number of 10x10 tent rentals are available for purchase at villagegre -

encashiersnc.com/concerts. These tents will be set up on the Commons Lawn, providing a comfortable, shaded space to enjoy the show.

• The Village Green is a 13+ acre nonprofit park system that is not funded by any government, state, or federal entity. We rely solely on the generosity of private contributions to continue our treasured community events and programs, like Groovin’ on The Green.

Schedule of Performances:

• June 20: Commodore Fox

• July 25: McIntosh & The Lionhearts

• August 1: Martin & Kelly

• August 22nd: The V8s

• August 29: Gotcha Groove

by Luke Osteen

Covered in Color

A splash of color and a dash of delirious fun – the Annual Cashiers Kids’ Color Course makes its debut Monday, June 16 at the Cashiers Rec Center Ball Field.

At 10:30 A.M. June 16, at the Cashiers Rec Center Ball Field we’ll be coloring our world.

Join the fun as we run the field, play games, and have a colorful dance party! Wear white and be covered in color as you run, walk, or roll the course.

And of course, we’ll end the morning with a giant color fight! We guarantee that anyone that wants to be covered in color, will be. Adults – you may want to bring some towels to protect those car seats!

The colorful throws are corn starch and chalk, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Be sure the clothes you wear are something you don’t mind being colorful for a few washes. The ball field is accessible for those with mobility concerns; the field is grass, level, and well maintained. Water and snacks will be provided for all participants. We run – rain or shine – as long as there is no lightning in the area! Rain date is June 23 at 10:30 A.M. The Color Course would not have been possible without the generous support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina – Cashiers and Highlands and the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau.

This program is free and open to the public and children of all ages. Adults can join in the colorful shenanigans, as well. We’ve even had a dog or two enjoy the color.

To sign up or volunteer to be a color tosser, contact the Library at (828) 743-0215, or stop by the desk.

by Serenity Richards, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

Local Farm Markets

Here it is – the Season of Goodness blossoms at the twin Farmers’ Markets. For proof? Consider the products of Donna Alley’s kitchen.

Our two local homegrown/ homemade markets support community farmers, and they, in turn, support us with baskets full of Western Carolina’s healthiest, finest produce at very reasonable prices.

This season Don Deal, manager of the Highlands Market, has a few spring and summer surprises.

He says, “I am happy to have a full-time mushroom vendor, a honey vendor, and two meat vendors, one with chicken, beef and pork. We also have four produce vendors, three-to-four bakery vendors, and flower vendors.

In June, we will have strawberries, blueberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, and more.”

Another feature at Highlands Market is Donna Alley’s homemade fresh jams

and preserves.

Her products are farm-fresh finds. The most-popular is a co-mingle of five local berries: blue-, straw-, rasp-, black-, and cran-, blended together with jalapeño pepper. The result: lip-smacking, pepperberry spreads which can be slathered or daubed on companionable foods like brie, pimento cheese, PB & J (J for jalapeño berry jam).

It is a complement for the charcuterie board, not to mention a basting/infusion for pork and chicken grilling. Think ahead for a fall special: cranberryjalapeño condiment for turkey and dressing. You can contact her by email: twoalleys@gmail.com.

Locally Grown at Village Green opens every Wednesday, now through October, 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Many

of your favorite vendors are back this year. Look for their fresh produce, dairy, baked goods, honey, jams, and so much more.

Besides edibles, explore the markets’ crafted-goods and other handwork. Find unique gift items for celebrations, treats, and parties.

The Highlands Market is open 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. each Saturday now through October. Note three dates they are closed: Craft shows June 28 and August 23 and the Highlands Motoring Festival, Saturday, June 14. Call Don Deal if you’d like to be a vendor: (828) 342-8239.

Meet at the markets where tradition joins freshness.

by Donna Rhodes

Donna Alley

Center for Life Enrichment

Dive into politics, science, history, and the intricacies found in a glass of wine with the HighlandsCashiers Center for Life Enrichment. For a full list of June’s offerings, visit clehighlands.com.

Guy Davis

Charles Darwin

Raise a glass to discovery this month with the HighlandsCashiers Center for Life Enrichment. From wine tastings to history lectures, CLE has something for everyone.

On Tuesday, June 10, CLE is delighted to partner with Guy Davis on “Introduction to Wines,” the first of many exciting CLE collaborations with High Country Wine & Provisions this season. Whether you are a casual wine connoisseur or embarking on your voyage du vin, this program will leave you feeling knowledgeable and confident in your wine exploration. Guy Davis, founder of Davis Family Vineyards and owner of High Country Wine and Provisions, will introduce the fundamentals of wine styles, discuss tasting techniques, and elaborate on the art of food pairings, all while keeping the experience fun and relaxed.

Award-winning architect, author, and lecturer Mario Cartaya will return

to CLE on Wednesday, June 25 for “Remnants of a Golden Era: Exploring Six Decades of Cuban-American History and Cooperation.” He will discuss the history of Cuba’s buildings, streets, and artifacts that have remained largely untouched since 1960. Cartaya, who immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. as a political refugee in 1960, graduated Magna Cum Laude in Architecture from the University of Florida in 1975 and founded Cartaya and Associates Architects in 1979.

This year marks the centennial of the most famous intersection of science, politics, and religion in American culture: Tennessee v. Scopes, or the “Tennessee Monkey Trial.” Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian Ed Larson, will return to CLE on Tuesday, July 8 for a discussion on “The Culture Wars at 100: A Century After Scopes.” Larson is the recipient of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History for “Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and

America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion.”

On Wednesday, July 9, Highlands Biological Station Executive Director Dr. Jim Costa will present “Darwin’s Circle and the Evolution of Belief.” Disagreement over Darwin’s theory of natural selection is often depicted as a “science vs religion” debate. The truth, however, is more nuanced. Non-religious and religious people alike, including clergy, were found among Darwin’s supporters as well as his detractors. Dr. Costa will examine the development of the Darwin-Wallace theory, its implications for society, and how doubt and devotion played out in unexpected ways within Darwin’s circle.

For more information on program times, pricing, registration, or membership, please visit clehighlands.com, call (828) 526-8811, or email office@clehighlands.com.

by Audra Bullard, Center for Life Enrichment

Members of the PAC Youth Theatre will be performing scenes from their recent hit show Matilda during June’s Mountaintop Rotary Art & Craft Show.

A Celebration of the Arts

In addition to the artistic creations on display, the Mountaintop Rotary Art & Craft Show offers an irresistible array of treats to enjoy or to take home, June 28-29 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Don’t miss the 20th annual Mountaintop Art & Craft Show on Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29, at the KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. This show keeps getting better, drawing more than 120 of the most respected artisans from the southeast and beyond. Locals and visitors return year after year to enjoy this amazing celebration of the arts. Always evolving and growing this year there are several exciting changes and additions.

For the first time, the show includes a juried exhibition and will award prizes across several categories. The show’s jurors include Zach Rogers, Director of Exhibitions at The Bascom; Mary Lou Carpenter, respected Plateau artist; and Bianca Mitchell, Director of Marketing and Communications for The Bascom. These judges will pool their collective wisdom to launch this inaugural program.

Another first for the show is the Sip and Stroll on Saturday the 28. Beer, wine and small bites will be available for purchase from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. High Country Wine and Provisions will offer a selection of wines and small bites, and another Highlands local, Western Carolina Brewing and Wine will serve locally crafted beer.

This enjoyable activity is another opportunity to raise the all-important funds that are at the heart of this event. This year, all proceeds go to support the PAC Youth Theatre group, so sip, stroll, and nibble for the good of our youth.

Entertainment is always top-notch, and this year there is something to delight everyone. Saturday brings the ever-popular crowd favorites Nitrograss to the stage. Members of the PAC Youth Theatre will also be performing scenes from their recent hit show Matilda. Sunday afternoon shop all the fine art accompanied by the sounds of the

wonderful Lisa Rankin.

The Teddy Bear Hospital hosted by the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital will be back with plenty of teddy bears to give away and doctors and nurses on hand to help the young and young at heart administer care to their bear.

The expanded Kid’s Zone offers lots of free activities including an art activity hosted by The Bascom and a chance for young artists to pose with their masterpieces. And what Kid’s Zone would be complete without popcorn, snow cones and face painting?

While the delightful works of art, family fun, and music are what draw the crowds, let’s not forget that this effort is Mountaintop Rotary’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Attendance and parking are free, but donations are welcome and encouraged. by Mary

Jane McCall

photo by Susan Renfro

Rise and Shine

Wake up! The Highlands Community Fund is staging its wildly popular Rise and Shine celebration from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Saturday, June 28, at the Highlands Falls Country Club.

Rise and Shine is a sophisticated gathering of community members to benefit the Highlands Community Fund, an affiliate fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Last year’s Rise and Shine event raised nearly $70,000 thanks to the generosity of our community.

Funds raised by the Highlands Community Fund since the event began in 2015 have been added to an endowment fund that has grown to over $2.4 million to-date.

The investment income from this endowment is used annually to provide

grant support for nonprofits that serve the Highlands community. Last fall, the Fund was able to award 17 grants totaling $96,555.

This year’s Rise and Shine event will be Saturday, June 28, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. The event will be held at the Highlands Falls Country Club and brunch will be served.

The Junior Appalachian Musicians of Jackson County will perform. These students, ages 8 to 18, participate in an after-school program during which they learn traditional old time and bluegrass music, as well as Appalachian dance and culture.

Their band, The String Beans, performs for local festivals, such as Sylva’s Greening up the Mountain and Canton’s Cold Mountain Music Festival. Recent performances include the Youth Talent Celebration of Asheville’s renowned Mountain Heritage and Dance Festival, as well as Echoes Across the Smokies at WCU’s Bardo Center, where they opened for the award-winning Kruger Bothers. Tickets are $125 per person, $60 of your ticket is tax deductible. For more information, please visit highlandscommunityfund.org or contact Florence Holmes at (404) 291-0933.

by Melissa Edgington

It’s Time to Toast

Summit Charter School launches its 2025 Festival of Trees with its exclusive Toast to the Trees, set for July 29.

Toast to the Trees returns for our Benefactors and Corporate Sponsors at the Garland level and above.

This summer event kicks off the Festival of Trees and celebrates our top supporters with a night of gratitude and fun. Join us at the newly renovated Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley, where an enchanting woodlands theme will meet the magic of the holidays, transforming the space into a dreamy forest scene. Venue styling is by the talented Growing Studio.

This is our fifth year and the event has sold out every single year! We are very grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, Cashiers Valley Real Estate, for their continued support. We are especially excited for the event to be at Canyon Kitchen this year, which has undergone a significant and exciting renovation. From twinkling greenery to timeless tunes, this year’s bash promises a

delightful evening, blending nature’s beauty with the holiday spirit. We’re also thrilled to introduce this year’s Toast hosts: our dear friends Sharon and Joe Pryse, who made history as our very first donors to the Festival five years ago! Known for throwing a fantastic party, we’re thrilled to have Sharon and Joe at the helm of Toast this year.

We are proud to once again showcase the finest offerings from our wine and spirit partners: North Carolina’s Weldon Mills, named the best distillery for four consecutive years, will bring their artisanal spirits to the event. JP Bourgeois will provide a rare collection of wines, as well as bubbles from Phillippe Fontaine Champagne–a family-owned champagne house that brings elegance and heritage to each bottle. Canyon Kitchen Executive Chef Ed Selle will curate a menu paired to perfection with our libations, enhancing the evening’s magic.

As we raise our glasses to toast our

generous donors, we also raise our spirits in anticipation of another year of fostering local education and community support.

At Toast, what you wear is half the magic – style takes center stage alongside the festivities. For this year’s Forest Formal Attire, think whimsical meets woodland elegance. Guests are encouraged to wear nature-inspired attire: flowy fabrics, earthy tones, floral details, and touches of magic. Whether it’s a hint of mossy green, a crown of wildflowers, or a cloak fit for a forest guardian, let your imagination wander.

To learn more about Toast to the Trees and the Cashiers Festival of Trees and the good things that are delivered every day at Summit Charter School, visit summitschool.org.

by Melissa Hudson, Summit Charter School

Ways to Make a Difference

A Rosman woman brings the message home – the Community Volunteer & Resources Expo illuminates the possibilities of plunging into the life of the Plateau.

Caitlyn Muniz

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to the Community Volunteer & Resources Expo on Wednesday, June 11 – a celebration of service, connection, and collaboration in our mountain community.

Whether you’re looking to volunteer, seeking support for a cause, or eager to network with local organizations, this is the perfect opportunity to discover ways to make a difference.

We’re especially excited to welcome Caitlyn Muniz, our summer intern through NC State University’s Rural Works! program. Caitlyn, a Rosman native and rising senior studying communications, brings fresh energy and perspective to our team. Thanks to the Rural Works! partnership, which provides paid internships and professional development for students in rural areas, Caitlyn will support a number of Chamber initiatives this summer, including community engagement and digital communications.

Come meet Caitlyn, explore opportunities to get involved, and learn more about the nonprofits and service providers that keep our community strong.

The Expo will be held at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., and all are welcome to attend. Let’s work together to build a more vibrant and connected Cashiers community—one act of service at a time.

Questions? Contact the Chamber at (828) 743-5191.

by Susan Gregory, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce

Taste of Scotland

The mountains are ringing with the happy sounds of the 26th Taste of Scotland Festival & Highland Games, June 13-15 in Franklin.

The 26th Annual Taste of Scotland Celtic Festival and Highland Games will be held in Franklin June 13 through June 15.

The festival begins Friday, June 13, at 6:00 P.M. in downtown Franklin with a parade featuring Appalachian Pipe and Drum Band, the Inspire Dance Group from Franklin, Clan Hay, our Honor Clan, and a variety of other clans marching with their clan flags.

Following the parade will be the Ceilidh in downtown Franklin at the Gazebo. Tuatha Dea will play some awesome Celtic Rock music from 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. We hope to have local businesses with Scottish food available.

On Saturday, June 14, gates open at 9:00 A.M. There will be craft vendors, food vendors, Bella the Highland Coo, the Jamestown Pipe and Drum band parading through the Fairgrounds, and

the Highland Games. There will also be youth games presented where the youth will have access to scaled down versions of the adult games.

There will be craft vendors, food vendors, Bella the Highland Coo, the Jamestown Pipe and Drum band parading through the Fairgrounds, and the Highland Games.

Stage performances include Inspire School of Dance, Misty Mountain Dulcimer Assembly, Jacobites by Name, Tuatha Dea, and Finn McGill (presented by the Macon County Arts Council).

The Highland Games will feature SHAG (Southeastern Highland Athletics Group). SHAG will bring both male and female athletes to compete in traditional fests of skill such as the hammer throw,

the sheaf toss, and the stone throw. A very popular event is the caber toss, where an athlete must pick up a caber (long log) and try to toss it so that it flips end over end while simultaneously getting it to land in the perfect 12 o’clock position.

On Sunday, June 15, the Presbyterian Church in downtown Franklin will host the Blessing of the Tartans. The various tartans will be led into the church where they will be blessed for the following year.

The Friday parade and Ceilidh are free of charge. Saturday admission is $15 for age 12 and over, 5 to 11 are $5, with under 5 being free. All are welcome for the Blessing of the Tartans.

This happy event is funded by a grant from the Tourism Development Authority and TDC. by Lucy Thorne, Taste of Scotland Society

A History of Giving Back

For 80 years, the Rotary Club of Highlands has quietly transformed the community – one project, one dollar, one helping hand at a time. This year’s Twilight 5K Race, set for Saturday, August 16, continues that rich tradition.

On Saturday, August 16, that legacy of service steps into the spotlight with its sponsorship of The Twilight 5K Race, launching at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Founders Park, with its open green space and nods to Highlands’ past, couldn’t be a more fitting backdrop.

“It’s where Highlands comes together, and it’s filled with markers of our history,” says Rotary Club president Randy Foster. “It felt like the perfect place to invite past presidents, longtime members, and the entire community. We want this event to reflect that spirit.”

Foster knows that spirit well.

A Rotarian since 1991, he joined the Highlands club after making the move here full time five years ago. When asked to serve as president, he saw an opportunity to honor the club’s legacy in a big way. “I’ve been trying to delegate to the right people, and I chose Marci

Sherwood and Tracy Wade to head up the day-to-day details of the event. They’ve done an amazing job bringing this vision to life.”

The race starts at 6:00 P.M. at Kelsey\Hutchinson Founders Park. The 5K course is undulating, beginners or walkers will find it friendly, yet the faster runners will be challenged. Race Day registration and check-in will start at 4:00 P.M. Early packet pickup is slated for 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. Friday, August 15 at Highlands Recreation Park.

For more information and to register, visit runsignup.com/highlandstwilight5k.

The Rotary Club of Highlands counts the Twilight 5K as one of crown jewels upon its fundraising calendar.

Last fall’s Highlands Twilight 5K raised nearly $30,000 for a new playground at the community recreation center.

Recent golf tournaments contributed $25,000 toward renovating the

Community Building kitchen. The annual Fourth of July hot dog roast and Duck Derby continue to provide crucial support for the local food pantry. The club’s emergency response efforts recently delivered 100 heaters to western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Perhaps most symbolically, a new Peace Pole—created in partnership with Mountaintop Rotary—will soon stand in the community, bearing a message in English, Gaelic, Spanish, and Cherokee: Let peace prevail on earth.

by Marlene Osteen

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It’s All for the Learning

The Swingin’ Medallions will raise the (barn) roof at The Farm at Old Edwards, Sunday, July 27, at The Literacy & Learning Center’s fundraising party.

Thanks to the overwhelming fun had at last year’s sold-out fundraiser, The Literacy & Learning Center is thrilled to welcome the Swingin’ Medallions back to Highlands! Mark your calendars for a foot-stompin’ good time at the Swingin’ Soiree on Sunday, July 27, at The Farm at Old Edwards from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.

The legendary Swingin’ Medallions will bring their infectious energy and timeless beach tunes to the mountains again, so get ready to dance the night away for a great cause!

These Carolina boys have captivated audiences for over 60 years with their signature horn-driven sound. Remember “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love?” It’s not just great music… their high-octane performances and infectious energy will get your toes tappin’ and your heart pumpin’. Lewis Grizzard labeled the Medallions “The Party

Band of the South,” a moniker that has become forever synonymous with the Medallion name.

This is more than just a fun night out. TLLC relies heavily on community support to offer its incredible programs, all of which are provided entirely free of charge. By attending this fundraiser, you’ll directly invest in enriching lives and expanding knowledge for people of all ages. That is a feel-good double shot!

The celebration includes an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and of course, dancing. Free shuttle service from 200 Main is provided. General admission is $175 per person.

A VIP Patron Package is available at $500 per person and includes some sensational perks such as express checkin and meet the band, table service, reserved seating, reserved priority parking, and a professional shag lesson prior to event.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate a musical legend, support a worthy cause, and experience a night of mountain magic! So, grab your partner and practice your shag because, on July 27, the Medallions are bringing the party to Highlands!

For tickets and more information, visit theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/ swingin. For questions or information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jenni Edwards at JEdwards@ TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org or (828) 526-0863.

by Anna Norton, Literacy & Learning Center

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The Joy Garden Tour

The Joy Garden Tour, set for July 18-19, explores the exquisite green beds, fields, and terraces that adorn Cashiers – and celebrates the magnificent Hydrangeas. For more information, please email director@cashiersgreen.com.

The beloved Joy Garden Tour returns to the heart of Cashiers Village this July, offering a stunning celebration of horticulture, community, and artistic inspiration. Held biennially, this signature event raises essential funds for The Village Green, a 13.2acre nonprofit park that serves as the cultural and natural centerpiece of the area.

This year’s theme, Celebrating Hydrangeas, shines a spotlight on one of the region’s most iconic blooms. Tourgoers will explore four private gardens, each carefully curated and located just minutes from the Crossroads. These gardens are rarely open to the public and promise a truly enchanting experience filled with seasonal beauty and creative landscape design.

In addition to the tour, Benefactors will experience two exclusive events:

The Benefactor Symposium and Luncheon –This elegant gathering features special guest Mieke ten Have, renowned interior stylist and former editor at House Beautiful and Elle Decor. Mieke will share expert insights into the relationship between floral design, interiors, and timeless beauty.

Supper on the Green – Benefactors will also enjoy a sophisticated evening under the stars with curated cuisine and fellowship on the Common’s Lawn at The Village Green. This elegant outdoor affair is a highlight of the weekend.

Throughout the weekend, the Garden Shops at Lewis Hall will host 20 curated vendors offering garden accessories, plants, sophisticated clothing, antiques, and gifts. Stop by the Garden Shops located at 160 Frank Allen Road inside Lewis Hall on Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and Saturday from 10 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

All proceeds from the Joy Garden Tour directly support The Village Green’s mission to preserve and enhance the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and sense of community in Cashiers.

For more information please email director@ cashiersgreen.com. You can learn more about the tour at villagegreencashiersnc.com/jgt2025.

by Ashlie Mitchell, Executive Director The Village Green

A New Chapter Begins

Books and Bluegrass, Hudson Library Foundation’s fun frolic of food, drink and lively conversation, is punctuated with the music of The Foxfire Boys – 6:00 P.M. Thursday, June 19, at Fire Mountain Inn. For tickets, visit Hudson Library and The Book Worm.

As the owner and stewards of the Hudson Library building and grounds, the Hudson Library Foundation is committed to ensuring that this historic and remarkable resource remains relevant today and ready for the future.

For 137 years, our community library has served Highlands’ residents and guests, providing access to information, technology, and a welcoming space for learning and connection.

To uphold this legacy, we recognize the need to not only keep the library up-to-date with necessary technology, equipment, books, and learning materials but also to undertake long-awaited projects that improve our environment and ensure the long-term viability of our services.

That’s why we are launching a capital campaign aimed at modernizing and enhancing the library. We are partnering with the library system to make sure our library nestled in the heart of Highlands is equipped with the latest technology and has updated yet comfortable furnishings so that all can enjoy this free community resource.

After analyzing data and feedback from a community-wide survey, the Board of Trustees has collaborated with three incredible architects to finalize plans that reflect the needs and desires of our community.

We invite you to join us in this initiative and invest in the future of this community fixture. Our goal is to reach $1.5 million by the end of the summer. We need your commitment to make this happen. Your sustained support makes it

possible for us to bring these plans to life and continue serving our community for many years to come. Together, we can ensure that the Hudson Library remains a vital resource, open and accessible to everyone. Would you consider supporting our capital campaign with a contribution? We would love to discuss how you can be a part of this transformative journey.

To learn more about the enhancements, see the proposed plans, or make a donation, please visit hudsonlibraryfoundation.org/

by Diane Levine Hudson Library Fundation Trustee

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Antique Treasures Await

The 47th Cashiers Annual Antique Show, set for August 8-10 at the Cashiers Village Green Commons, is bustling and nearly filled-to-bursting with exhibitors.

Attendees can register to win this beautiful quilt.

One does not have to be a history buff or a collector to enjoy attending the 47th Cashiers Annual Antique Show, August 8-10, at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers. Show manager Hazel Giles said she has been organizing the show for 21 years, but she has exhibited at the show for 45 years.

“I’ve been in the antiques business for over 50 years,” she says. “In fact, antiques have been my love since I was a little girl. I shopped with my mother and sister in Charleston and the coastal areas of North and South Carolina while I was growing up. It was a wonderful experience, and it still is.” Giles still attends some shows and estate events, and she often appraises antiques.

So what can collectors and careful browsers discover at the show? Giles’ reply is exhaustive:

“18th and 19th and early 20th Century American, European and Asian furniture

Fine Art; stunning porcelain; a fabulous selection of silver; Garden art of the finest quality; fine Majolica; exquisite jewelry of all styles and ages; bronzes; a great selection of Black Forest carvings; early tall case clocks; Scandinavian antiques; the finest in English Figural Staffordshire; highly polished brass and copper; quality Oriental Rugs; brilliant period cut glass; beautiful lighting; handsome barometers; an incredible array of fine linens; designer purses and accessories; difficult-to-find antique Chinese gambling coins fashioned into fine jewelry; one of the finest collections of ironstone and yellow ware in the country; the unusual and the rare; and fascinating small antiques and historical finds.

“Think a frying pan can’t be beautiful?” says Giles. “Guess again. You’ll want them on the living room wall when you see these expertly finished beauties. Early buying tickets are $35 and are

good for the entire weekend; regular admission tickets are $18 and are also good for the entire weekend.

Every visitor must enter through the front Entrance of the Lewis Building first to receive their wrist band.

“We have a gorgeous red and white door prize quilt for some lucky attendee,” says Giles “You can sign up in the Lewis Building right below the quilt.”

Please, absolutely no food or drink except water in the tent.

“This is a nature conservancy and the bears can’t tell the difference between flowers, perfume and food,” explains Giles.

For tickets and more information, visit cashiersannualantiqueshow.com or check out the Antique Show site on Facebook. by Luke Osteen

Five Bam One Crack

Experienced Mahjongg players are invited to test their battle-sharpened skills and instincts when the Friends of Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library stage their Afternoon of Mahjongg and Mimosas at the Village Green’s Lewis Hall on June 24. For more information and to register, visit Cashiersfriends.com

On June 24 in Lewis Hall at the Village Green, there will be a clicking of tiles, voices saying, “five bam, one crack” followed by “Mahjongg!”

Those who have played this ancient Chinese game will know Mahjongg is being played!

The Friends of the Albert CarltonCommunity Library is hosting An Afternoon of Mahjongg and Mimosas on June 24, with all the proceeds benefitting the library.

This fundraising event is a first-of-itskind for the Cashiers Library. Co-chairs Chris Jefferson and Candy Sommer decided it would be a perfect event as Mahjongg is played at the Library on Monday afternoon year-round.

Candy Sommer emphasizes, “This event is not a tournament. It is just what the name implies – an afternoon of mahjongg. To start the event on a

festive note, all players will be offered a mimosa or other festive beverage upon arrival. The Village Green is the perfect venue to hold this event and we have lots of fun activities planned. We are certain the attendees will enjoy the afternoon.”

Players can choose to register as a table of four players or as an individual. Individuals will be seated at a table with other experienced players.

Individuals and table of four hosts can register to play at cashiersfriends.com/ mm-registration.html.

Refreshments and snacks will be available throughout the afternoon. There will be prizes for winning hands and a prize for a guest who can correctly answer true/false questions about our library. Additionally, there will be raffle and auction items donated by local stores and businesses.

Chris Jefferson notes that sponsorship efforts have been very successful.

She explains, “When asking for sponsorship money, I heard ‘of course!’ rather than ‘no.’ Candy and I are so grateful to have received philanthropic support from generous friends and library supporters.”

Many people are unaware that the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is a public-private partnership. While the salaries and building maintenance are paid by Jackson County, the books, services and supplies are made possible through philanthropic funding.

Event details: An Afternoon of Mahjongg and Mimosas, will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 24, at Lewis Hall at the Village Green. There will be refreshments, snacks, prizes, and gifts. Doors open at 12:30. Tickets are $60 for individuals, and $200 for a table of four. We will not be able to have beginners at this event -- experienced players only. Reservations will be held at the door.

Summer Shines in Highlands

Join us in the elaborate dance that’s Highlands in the High Season. For a full calendar of events, visit highlandschamber.org.

In Highlands, summer isn’t just a season, it’s a feeling. A rhythm. A celebration of everything that makes this mountain town so special. Thanks to the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC, this summer promises to be more vibrant, more musical, and more memorable than ever.

From the first lively notes of Friday Night Live on Main Street to the surprise sounds of the Pop-Up Pipers echoing through town, Highlands will be alive with energy. Saturdays mean Saturdays on Pine at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, an open-air concert series where cool mountain breezes and great music set the perfect scene.

And when the Fourth of July rolls around, Highlands will sparkle with a spectacular fireworks show that brings the whole community together under the stars.

But the Chamber’s efforts don’t stop with concerts and celebrations. Behind the scenes, they’re partnering with dozens of local nonprofits to keep the creative spirit of Highlands thriving. Grants and sponsorships this summer

A celebration of everything that makes this mountain town so special.

are supporting beloved events like The Bascom’s art programs, Highlands Chamber Music Festival, Porch Fest by the Center for Life Enrichment, Friends of Founders Park’s Low Country Boil, and so many more.

Whether you’re an art lover, a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a new adventure, you’ll find it here.

From the Highlands Biological Foundation to the Highlands Motoring Festival, Mountain Theatre Company, and Mountaintop Rotary’s Arts and Crafts Shows, there’s something happening almost every weekend.

It’s all part of a bigger mission: strengthening the ties that bind the Highlands community together — while welcoming everyone who comes to experience it.

Get ready to make your summer unforgettable.

by Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC

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The Vineyard at High Holly offers a gorgeous venue for your special occasion. From live music to intimate wine tastings, Barrel & Vine offers something special. Join them for events that celebrate food, wine, and community in a setting like no other.

The Barrel & Vine menu evolves with nature, highlighting fresh, local ingredients in every dish. Each bite tells the story of the Vineyard’s surroundings, from vibrant summer produce to hearty winter flavors. Discover what’s in season at the table.

Explore the art of pairing with curated wine flights designed to complement these chef-inspired creations. Whether you’re a sommelier or simply a wine enthusiast, our pairings promise a flavor journey worth toasting.

The Vineyard at High Holly June events

Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. (Closed every Saturday for private weddings)

Sunday, June 1: Live Music with Monica Spears 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Sunday, June 8: Live Music with Tim Austin 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Sunday, June 15: Father’s Day Buffet (Reservations Required)

Live Music with Blue Jazz 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Sunday, June 22: Live Music with Jordan Denton 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Sunday, June 29: Live Music with Rail Town Music 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Happenings at The Vineyard at High Holly

The Vineyard has a jampacked June filled with fine food and toe-tapping tunes.

Bluegrass, 10 AM-1:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House.

Live Music, Monica Spears, 2-5 PM, The Vineyard at High Holly.

Glory Crampton & 3 Tenors, 4 PM, PAC.

“June is the time when the earth laughs in flowers.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church.

Live Music, Doug Ramsey, 6 PM, Happs Place.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

Music Bingo, 7 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. 2 1 3 4

Book Nook Studio, 1 PM, Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library.

Kids Clay Camp - Handbuilding Camp, 2-4 PM, The Bascom.

Laurel Cover Artist Reception, 5:30-7 PM, High Country Wine and Provisions, Highlands.

Beginning Drawing with Oil Pastels, 10 AM-4 PM, The Bascom. Locally Grown on The Green, 11 AM-3 PM, Village Green.

‘Atelier’ Tasting featuring Keenan Winery, 5 PM, Buck’s Coffee Cafe.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Summer Writing Workshop, 1 PM, Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library.

Live Music, David Cheatham, 6 PM, Trailborn Highlands. Blues Music, 6 PM, Ruffed Grouse Tavern. Trivia, 7 PM, High Dive.

5

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

6

Airing of the Quilts, 10 AM-4 PM, Cashiers Historical Society. CLE Opening Soiree, 5-7 PM, High Country Wine & Provisions. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

Wine Reception, 4-6 PM, Art Highlands.

Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, Foxfire Boys, 6-8:30 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Live Music, Corey Stevenson, 6-9 PM, Happs Place.

Highlands Farmers Market, 8 AM-12: 30 PM, KH Park.

Lake Glenville Clean-Up, 9 AM.

Bluegrass, 10 AM-1:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House.

Live Music, Tim Austin, 2-5 PM, The Vineyard at High Holly. Music Bingo, 7 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Bluegrass, 10 AM1:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House.

HMF | High Octane Social and Car Gathering, 8:30-11 AM, KH Park

Live Music, Blue Jazz, 2-5 PM, The Vineyard at High Holly. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 2 PM, PAC.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church. Live Music, Doug Ramsey, 6 PM, Happs Place.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church. The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Kids Nature Series, 4 PM, Village Green. Under the Stars, on the Rocks, Chef Jill Mathias, 6 PM, Skyline Lodge.

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Sinatra Sunday Karaoke with DJ Bill Travers, 2 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Music Bingo, 7 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Bluegrass, 10 AM1:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House.

Forever Plaid, 2 PM, PAC.

9 8 10 11

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church. Cashiers Kids’ Color Course, 5 PM, Cashiers Rec Center Ball Field.

CHHS | Pawsitively Purrfect Party, 5 PM, The Country Club of Sapphire Valley.

Live Music, Doug Ramsey, 6 PM, Happs Place.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church. The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. HCCMF | Steinway Piano Dedication 5 PM, Village Green.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

Locally Grown on The Green, 11 AM-3 PM, Village Green. Community Volunteer & Resources Expo, Cashiers/ Glenville Rec Center, 4-6 PM. Rosé Soirée Summer Kickoff featuring ENVIE Catering 5 PM, Buck’s Coffee Cafe, Live Music, Andrew Wooten, 6-8 PM, The Farm at Old Edwards. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

Locally Grown on The Green, 11 AM-3 PM, Village Green.

Look-Think-Paint, 10 AM-4 PM, The Bascom.

Forever Plaid, 2 PM, PAC.

Live Music, Corey Stevenson, 6 PM, Happs Place.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

HMF | Grande Driving Tour, 8 AM- 4 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. Volunteer Fair, 11 AM-2 PM, Highlands Rec Park. Thirsty Thursday Summer Kickoff Rosé Soirée! 4 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Reception, 5 PM, The Bascom. Zahner Lecture Series, 6 PM, Highlands Nature Center. Live Music, 6 PM, Trailborn. Trivia, 7 PM, High Dive. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC. 12

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 2 PM, PAC. Spanish Gems, 4 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Great Art on Screen: 5 PM, PAC.

Live Music, Melissa McKinney, 6 PM, Trailborn Highlands. Books & Bluegrass, The Foxfire Boys, 6 PM, Fire Mountain Inn. Torii Mor Wine Dinner, 6 PM, On the Verandah.

HMF Mountains Driving Tour, 8 AM, Highlands. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM.

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Live Music, 5-8 PM, The Local.

HMF | Classic Car Parade, 5:30 PM, Main Street, Highlands. Wine Reception, 4-6 PM, Art Highlands.

Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, Southern Highland Band, 6-8:30 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Live Music, Blue Jazz, 6 PM, Happs Place.

Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Bazaar Barn,10 AM-2 PM.

Forever Plaid, 2 PM, PAC.

Calm Creek Farm presents The Amazing Honeybee, 2 PM, Buck’s Coffee Cafe.

Wine Reception, 4-6 PM, Art Highlands.

Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, Commodore Fox, 6-8:30 PM, The Village Green.

Live Music, Curtis Blackwell, 6-8:30 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Live Music, 6 PM, Happs Place.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Paws on Parade Dog/Puppy Show, 11 AM, Sapphire Resort. Lyrics on the Lawn, 3 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Pop-Up Pipers, 4:30 PM, Highlands. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, Peggy Ratuz, 6-8:30 PM, KH Park. Live Music, Dillon and Company, 6 PM, Happs Place.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church.

Live Music, Jordan Denton, 2-5 PM, The Vineyard at High Holly.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Music Bingo, 7 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Bluegrass, 10 AM1:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House.

Mountaintop Art and Craft Show, 9 AM-5 PM, KH Park.

Live Music, Doug Ramsey, 6 PM, Happs Place.

24 23

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist Church.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM.

Afternoon of Mahjongg and Mimosas, 1-4 PM, Village Green.

Live Music, The Motown Legacy, 7-9 PM, Sapphire Valley Resort.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM.

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Locally Grown on The Green, 11 AM-3 PM, Village Green.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, 2 PM, PAC.

Village Nature Series, 5:30 PM, Village Green.

Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Forever Plaid, 2 PM, PAC.

Dirty Truth about ‘Clean’ Wine, 4 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:30 PM, Cashiers Methodist Church Choir Room.

A Taste of Summer, Chef Chris Hall, 6 PM, Farm at Old Edwards.

Live Music Juan, 6 PM, Trailborn Highlands. Rotary Club Bingo, 6:30 PM, Highlands Community Building. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC. Trivia, 7 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, 2 PM, PAC.

Wine Reception, 4-6 PM, Art Highlands.

Live Music, Spare Parts

Bluegrass Band, 6-8:30 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Live Music, Charles Walker, 6 PM, Happs Place.

Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Highlands Farmers Market, 8 AM-12: 30 PM, KH Park. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. HMF | Classics in the Park Judged Car Show, 9:30 AM-4 PM, KH Park. Forever Plaid, 2 PM, PAC. Live Music, BoogiTherapi, 6-8:30 PM, KH Park. Live Music, Corey Stevenson, 6 PM, Happs Place. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

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Historical Homes Tour, 10 AM1 PM, Highlands Historical Society. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 2 PM, PAC.

Lyrics on the Lawn, 3 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Low Country Boil, 5 PM, KH Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, Spalding McIntosh & The Lionhearts, 6-8:30 PM, KH Park. Live Music Rock Holler, 6 PM, Happs Place. Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Live Music, James Gang, 6 PM, Happs Place. Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC. Trivia, 7 PM, High Dive. 26 27 28 17 16 20 19 18 21 7 22

Mountaintop Art and Craft Show, 9 AM-5 PM, KH Park. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Forever Plaid , 2 PM, PAC. Lyrics on the Lawn featuring. Doug Ramsay, 3 PM, Highlands Wine Shoppe. Bucks Beats with Musician Brooke Campbell 5 PM, Buck’s Coffee Cafe. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, Remnants, 6 PM, Happs Place. The Marvelous Wonderettes, 7:30 PM, PAC.

30 29

Live Music, Rail Town Music, 2-5 PM, The Vineyard at High Holly.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, 2 PM, PAC.

HCCMF | Winds at The Bascom, 5 PM.

Forever Plaid, 7:30 PM, PAC.

Music Bingo, 7 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Methodist.

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

Live Music, Doug Ramsey, 6 PM, Happs Place.

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

July Events

THURSDAY, JULY 3

Cashiers Fireworks Extravaganza The Village Green

The annual Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green will take place rain or shine, on The Village Green Commons Lawn. Entertainment will be provided by the Caribbean Cowboys, and a fireworks show at dark featuring 1000s of colorful bursts! villagegreencashiersnc.com

SATURDAY, JULY 5

Community Day at The Bascom The Bascom

An event made for you and your family! Join us for a day filled with free art activities for the whole family. thebascom.org

ON THE HORIZON August Events

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 - SATURDAY, JULY12

Mountain Theatre Company’s The Marvelous Wonderettes Highlands PAC

This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! mountaintheatre.com

FRIDAY, JULY 4

Highlands Independence Day Celebration

Highlands, North Carolina

Enjoy a family fun day of Water Rockets, Hotdog Lunch, Field Games, Ladder Truck Spraydown, Duck Derby, Live Music, and of course - Fireworks. visithighlandsnc.com

SATURDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 19 - 20

Summer Colors Fine Art Show

Held at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center, this event will feature the original artwork of talented regional artists. Paintings, photographs, glass, wood, one-of-a-kind jewelry and other original artwork will be on display and for sale. artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 10

Cashiers 47th Annual Antique Show The Village Green

With 40+ exhibitors from across the country and as far away as Great Britain, antique lovers will find a myriad of treasures of 18th and 19th European and American Furniture, including formal and country pieces, as well as lodge looks. cashiersannualantiqueshow.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16

The Rotary Club of Highlands’ Twilight 5K 6 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

While many avid runners will find the course challenging enough, beginners, stroller pushers, and walkers can tackle it without becoming overwhelmed. There are some ascents and descents along the Plateau route. highlandstwilightrun.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

Mountaintop Art and Craft Show

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

From pottery and photography to weaving and basketry, you’ll find a wide variety of art and crafts. One thing our show specializes in is rustic furniture and wood accessories. Enjoy live music. Dogs and children welcome. highlandsartshow.com

EVENT SERIES

Locally Grown On The Green Wednesdays | 11 AM | The Village Green Friday Night Live Fridays | 6-8:30 PM | Town Square

Highlands Marketplace Saturdays | 8 AM-12:30 PM | KH Park Saturdays on Pine Saturdays | 6-8:30 PM | KH Park

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12

Salamander Meander

8 PM, Highlands Nature Center

Join Naturalists on a nighttime search for our secretive salamander friends. highlandsbiological.org

AUGUST 22 - 30

Cashiers Designer Showhouse

Each year, top designers from the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau and across the Southeast bring a stunning home to life with inspired design and fresh ideas. From bold statements to timeless touches, they blend creativity with the latest trends. cashiershistoricalsociety.org

Village Nature Series Select Dates | 5:30 PM | The Village Green June 25, July 30, Aug. 19, Sept. 30 Pop-Up Pipers First Saturdays | 4:30-5 PM | Around Highlands Orchard Sessions Select Dates | 6-8 PM | The Farm at Old Edwards June 20, July 11, Aug. 15, Oct. 10 Weekly Monthly

Old Edwards Chef Dinners Select Dates | 6:30 PM | The Farm at Old Edwards | June 23, July 12, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Nov. 9

Old Edwards Chef Dinners Select Dates | 6:30 PM | The Farm at Old Edwards | June 23, July 12, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Nov. 9

Groovin’ On The Green Select Fridays | 6:30 PM | The Village Green | June 7, June 21, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 6 Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays | July 6 - August 11

Groovin’ On The Green Select Fridays | 6:30 PM | The Village Green | June 7, June 21, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 6

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays | July 6 - August 11

|

Coleen Gottloeb

A CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALIST

(CLHMS)

“My husband and I have had the great fortune of knowing Coleen for more than 20 years. What started as new neighbors grew into a long friendship and working relationship.Throughout multiple real estate transactionsColeenrepresenteduswithpatienceandintegrity.Shenevertiredwhenwewereindecisive. Sheisalwayscommittedunconditionallytoherclientsinthelongrunandmostpeoplethatworkwithher remainfriendsforalifetime.Werecommendherwholeheartedly.” –

ROSEMARY AND GARY M

“We have worked with Coleen on multiple purchases and sales over 20 years. She quickly learned our likes and dislikes with properties and has been very helpful as we looked for properties that fit our desires.Herassistanceturnedadreamintoreality.Sheispatientandthorough.Intheprocess,Coleen hasbecomeaveryclosefamilyfriend.WecannotrecommendColeenenough.” – KAY AND WATSON J .

Get to Know Coleen, Broker | Learn More by Visiting

With nearly 30 years of real estate experience in the Cashiers area, Coleen is excited to be a part of The McKee Group at Cashiers Sotheby’s International Realty. As a seasoned Broker she has crafted a career out of transforming the seemingly ordinary into the extraordinary. Helping to unite buyers and sellers in pursuit of their desires and dreams.

But it’s not just about the numbers and deals. Her true passion lies in forging connections, understanding the unique aspirations of each client and transforming their vision into a tangible reality. She prides herself on being not just a Broker, but a trusted confidant and advisor throughout the entire process.

A native of St. Cloud in central Florida, Coleen holds a bachelor of science in marketing from Florida State University, making her a thirdgeneration Seminole. She earned her NC real estate license in 1996. Her professional designations include Certified Residential Specialist (CRS); Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI); Green; Resort & SecondHome Property Specialist (RSPS); Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES); and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS),

$7,850,000

6 BR / 7.5 BA / 1.20 ACRES / MLS 1000724

• Golf front home on 10th hole of award-winning Fazio course

• Large lot has mountain view, pond and stone walled gardens

• Great room has new skylights and “dueling” stone fi replaces

• Newly updated chef’s kitchen has enormous butler’s pantry

• Primary suite has high ceilings,stone fi replace and luxurious bath

• Sunny gallery access to guest bedroom suites gives garden views

• Screened Carolina room near kitchen has grill and fi replace

for $4,295,000

6 BR / 5.5 BA / 18.46 ACRES / MLS 1000716

• Unrestricted private mountain estate in “old Sapphire”

• Custom designed, one-owner property built in 2005

• Very convenient to Burlingame Country Club and the River

• Boasting antique wood floors, shiplap walls and 4 stone fi replaces

• Chef’s Wolf and Thermador kitchen with custom cabinetry

• Three level home with lots of guest privacy and common rooms

• Gated, paved driveway with two car garage

Cedar Ridge Estates

4 BR / 3.5 BA / 14.99 ACRES / MLS 1000130

• Custom home on double lot in close-to-Cashiers area

• Garden-centric home with lovely exterior vignettes

• Every room light filled with generous use of windows

• Expansive great room with dramatic rock face view

• Custom kitchen that will please an expert chef

• Three bedroom suites on the main level

• Permitted, and existing interior space for 5 Bedrooms

Rainey Knobs Offered for $1,225,000

2 BR / 3 BA / 42.95 ACRES / MLS 104493

• Unrestricted “playground” with woods, pond, old fi eld and trails

• Adorable cottage is perched over private pond

• Adjoins conservation easement and near HQW River

Toll House Village Offered for $799,000 (JUST REDUCED)

3 BR / 2.5 BA / 1.28 ACRES / MLS 106324

• Rustic yet comfy “tree house” cottage with fi replace

• In-town location in restricted, small neighborhood

• Fully furnished with great rental history

Beth Townsend

A TOP 1% AGENT ON THE PLATEAU OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS!*

Land Planner and Project Manager for William McKee’s Wade Hampton Golf Club, and others + Cashiers roots since 1970 + Landscape Architecture degree, University of Florida + Broker & Co-Founder of The McKee Group

“When selling a challenging property, you want Beth on your team.Sheisdetermined,creativeandperseverestomeetyour goals. From emails and texts on the weekend to going above and beyond her ‘broker duties,’ you know instantly that you haveanessentialadvocateonyourside.” – SEAN L

BETHTOWNSENDBROKER.COM

*According to data from the Highlands-Cashiers MLS, 2004-2024

Ridge

for $2,500,000

3 BR / 3 BA / 14.64 ACRES / MLS 105777

• Classic ranch style home on a level lot with garden space and pavilion

• Enjoy breathtaking mountain views of Chimneytop and Rock Mountain

• Multiple parcels allow for ample privacy in gated community in town

Horse Cove

Offered for $1,350,000

11.26 ACRES / MLS 106019

• Panoramic views of Whiteside Mountain, Chimneytop, and more

• Limited restriction acreage that could be developed with multiple homesite or a large estate property

• Enjoy end of the road privacy located between Cashiers and Highlands

Photo by Susan Renfro

Explore Katie’s Falls

What Katie’s Falls lacks in spectacle, she makes up for in irresistible charm.

Katie’s Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to observe. The hike difficulty rating is zero on a scale of one to ten. It is a roadside waterfall that requires a walk of just a few steps. At 45 feet in height, like many waterfalls, its beauty is more pronounced during rainy periods. The waterfall is on private property but can be easily viewed from the right-of-way.

Before his death in 1933, Jacob Moore named the waterfall in honor of his daughter, Katie who passed away. After her death, a plaque in her honor was placed at the base of the waterfall.

Directions

From Highlands, drive approximately 13 miles on US 64/NC 28 to Ellijay Road. Turn right and drive 5.25 miles and look for a

small parking area on the left side of the road. The view of the waterfall will be just feet from your car. Keep in mind that you may not be able to see it driving on the road as it is partially obscured by trees.

by Ed and Cindy Boos

At a Glance Waterfall Guide

Enjoy this sampling of area waterfalls, for a deep dive visit thelaurelmagazine.com/recreation.

HIGHLANDS

Bridal Veil Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 2.3 miles west on US 64; Waterfall GPS: N35.07180 W-83.22910. Difficulty: You can park your car in a little parking area and walk 50 feet.

Dry Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 3.15 miles west on US 64 to a parking area on the left; Waterfall GPS: N35.06884 W-83.23869. Difficulty: There are lots of steps you must go down to get behind Dry Falls.

Bust Your Butt Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 6.35 miles west on US 64 to the pullout on the left; Waterfall GPS: N35.09268 W-83.26573. Difficulty: Don’t stop on the road itself!

Glen Falls

From the junction of US 64 and NC 106 in Highlands, drive 1.75 miles south on NC 106 and bear left at the sign for Glen Falls. Take Glen Falls Road, not Holt Road. Drive 1.05 miles to the parking area. Waterfall GPS: N35.03128 W-83.23829. Difficulty: There’s some climbing involved here.

Upper Middle Creek Falls

From the intersection of NC 106 and US 64, follow NC 106 South for 9.3 miles. Exactly 1 mile before you reach the Georgia state line, and about 0.3 miles after NC 106 crosses Middle Creek, a yellow School Bus Stop sign will be on the right. Park on the right side of the road right at the sign. Waterfall GPS: N35.00714 W-83.32916. Difficulty: The four-tenths of a mile hike is not strenuous but it can be confusing.

CASHIERS

Silver Run Falls

From US 64 in Cashiers, head south on NC 107 for 4.05 miles – there’s a pullout area on the left. Waterfall GPS N35.06599 W-83.06558. Difficulty: No difficulty.

Whitewater Falls

From US 64 west of Lake Toxaway, take NC 281 for 8.5 miles and turn left at the sign for Whitewater Falls into a parking area. Difficulty: Not strenuous, though the paved path is a bit uneven.

Cashiers Sliding Rock

Cashiers Sliding Rock, a million miles from the cares of the 21st century, is easy to get to. From the Cashiers Crossroads, travel south on NC 107 to Whiteside Cove Road. Head down the road for 2.6 miles to where the road crosses the Chattooga River and pull over just across the bridge. Difficulty: A piece of cake.

Spoonauger Falls

From Cashiers, travel on NC 107 8.2 miles. The name changes to SC 107 – travel for 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Burrells Ford Road. Drive approximately 2.0 miles to the Chattooga Trail parking area on the left (look for the Forest Service Bulletin Board) Hike north on the Chattooga Trail, which roughly parallels the Chattooga River for 0.25 mile, then cross Spoonauger Creek. Immediately on the right will be a side trail. Difficulty: There’s nothing tricky.

Schoolhouse Falls

Scan for more information on the many waterfalls in the Highlands and Cashiers area.

From US 64, take NC 281 North for 0.85 miles and bear left on Cold Mountain Road. Stay on the road. When it becomes unpaved, travel about 0.1 miles. Take the road on the right and travel for 0.1 miles to a parking area. Take the trail to the right of the information kiosk. At the intersection, proceed straight on Panthertown Valley Trail. Turn left onto Little Green Trail. Schoolhouse Falls is about 0.15 miles ahead. Waterfall GPS N35.16330 W-83.00674 Difficulty: The hike isn’t challenging.

Warblers are Back

Look high in the canopy to find these elusive songsters.

Our warblers are back!

This large family of birds includes some of our best songsters and some of our most colorful migrants.

Featuring just one, the Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) was first described while wintering in the Dominican half of the island of Hispaniola, hence its Latin name of dominica. It sports grey dorsal plumage with double white wing bars, a white belly and under-tail, and a black facemask with long white eyebrows. Its bright yellow throat is a clear field sign. Look also for the long, sharp bill and notched tail.

Yellow Throats’ summer breeding grounds include the Southeast US from Florida and the Gulf Coast north to Pennsylvania and west to the Mississippi Valley, Missouri and West Texas. They winter in Florida, the Caribbean and Mexican Gulf Coast. Their typical sum-

mer habitat is coniferous woods, with tall trees, near water. Some are year-round residents of Florida.

Regarding diet, Yellow Throats are bark foragers that “creep” the upper branches of tall trees, finding beetles, caterpillars, flies and scale insects. Not being seed eaters, they rarely appear on our seed feeders. You might need binoculars to follow their treetop song of sharp, descending whistles: teedl teedl teedl… tew tew twee.

Yellow Throats nest in the canopy using moss, bark, grass and weeds. The interior of the small cup nest is softened with feathers and tender vegetation. The male establishes and defends the territory and might help the female build the nest. (Sometimes the best thing the male can do is get out of the kitchen!) A clutch of 3-5 speckled eggs incubate for 12-13 days before hatching. There are usually two broods per season.

Happy June birding from the Highlands

Plateau Audubon Society. Our migrants are here, some still arriving, perhaps, coming north on the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways. Use the free Merlin app, easy to operate, as an aid in recognizing songs but don’t neglect the joy of actually seeing the bird in your binoculars or camera lens.

The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them. HPAS is a 501(c)(3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society.

Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities.

by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

Whiteside’s Peregrine Falcons

The

Isoaring Peregrine Falcons of Whiteside Mountain are an enduring symbol of our wild heritage.

f you’ve hiked the trail along the cliffs of Whiteside Mountain hopefully you’ve spotted swirling and soaring Peregrine Falcons. While majestic by many measures, perhaps most impressive are their stoops, the steep and spectacular dives in pursuit of prey that can approach 200 miles an hour, making the Peregrine Falcon the fastest animal on earth.

Highlands and Cashiers are located within the Blue Ridge Escarpment of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, commonly called the “Blue Wall.” Here erosion-resistant metamorphic mountains have created drastic elevation changes in very short distances, among the steepest in the United States. The extreme contrast in elevation causing passing clouds to rapidly cool, resulting in prodigious amounts of rainfall which in turn supports a wealth of biodiversity. These ancient mountains also provide one of the largest concentrations of exposed rock faces and cliffs in the eastern United States, resulting in prime

Peregrine Falcon habitat.

But it almost wasn’t so; the use of pesticides such as DDT in the mid-20th century nearly extirpated the Peregrine Falcon, which was listed as an endangered species in 1970 according to the U.S. Forest Service. Thankfully, following the banning of such chemicals, the birds reacted well to breeding efforts and in 1984 the N.C. Wildlife Commission began to reintroduce Peregrine Falcons into the wild and reestablish populations across the state. In 1999 Peregrine Falcons had recovered sufficiently that they were removed from the U.S. Endangered Species list.

But human activity remains one of the Peregrine’s major threats. Fortunately, partnerships between public and private organizations have been developed in western North Carolina to help mitigate these concerns; members of the Carolina Climbers Coalition proactively identify and monitor nesting sites, known as eyries, and coordinate with biologists from the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission.

The U.S. Forest Service factors this information into decisions about closing identified sites in the Nantahala and Pisgah Forests. And organizations such as the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust protect and conserve surrounding property that provides habitat for the Peregrine’s food sources.

And the good news is that it’s working! According to the U.S. Forest Service, “in 2021 across western North Carolina, 15 sites were occupied by peregrine falcon pairs and seven successfully reproduced with a total of 12 offspring.”

So please respect any signage you encounter indicating a closure due to nearby nesting peregrine falcons, but also take the time to look for these magnificent birds in flight – and be grateful that they once again call Western North Carolina home!

by Lance Hardin,

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust photos by

Andrew Renfro

The Joy of Gardening

Gardening on the Plateau is measured by careful motion and wise routine, even as things reach an emerald intensity.

Gardening in Highlands is a little different from most places. At over 4,000 feet, we’re on mountain time—literally and figuratively. June doesn’t come in hot and fast. It kind of rolls in gently, with cool mornings, fog drifting through the trees, and flowers that take their sweet time waking up.

This is one of my favorite times of year in the garden. Everything’s just starting to fill in after a long wait through our chilly spring. I like to walk the yard in the early morning with a cup of coffee, just checking in on what’s blooming.

Right now, the rhododendrons are close to putting on their big show. They bloom along the edges of the woods in big clusters—those lovely white flowers fill our woods. The bees love them and you can hear that low buzz as soon as you get close. And the mountain laurel is doing its thing too—those little pink

and white cup-shaped flowers that almost look like icing.

In the shadier parts of the garden, the ferns are getting huge, and the hostas are just starting to become full. It all feels very alive but not in a rushed way. There’s no need to hustle here, everything grows at its own pace, and that’s one of the things I love most about it.

I’ve gained more interest in planting native flowers over the past few years – columbine, bee balm, wild geranium — Not only do they look great, but they also bring in the butterflies and hummingbirds.

If you have the same interest or curiosity, keep an eye out at the Old Historic Jail. My fellow gardeners in the Highlands Mountain Garden Club will be planting natives around the jail, it should be a great way to learn these lovelies.

Of course, deer are part of life up here. They wander through now and then, es-

pecially at dusk. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) which plants they’ll leave alone—lavender, yarrow, and mountain mint seem to hold up pretty well.

By the end of June, the garden really fills out. Everything is lush and green, and there’s always something blooming, even if it’s just a surprise wildflower that’s popped up in a corner.

The rain comes often enough to keep things happy, and our cool mountain air keeps our vegetation lush. This may be one of the easiest places I’ve ever gardened. What I love most about gardening here is that it slows you down. You learn to pay attention – to the light, the weather, the way a bloom opens a little more each day. It’s not flashy or fast. But it’s full of little moments that make you stop and appreciate where you are.

Happy Gardening! by Debby Hall

A Shared Passion for Nature

Highlands’ wildest summer tradition, the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, spans the season with discoveries large and small.

Dr. Kelly Oten

Photo by Dr. Kelly Oten

Dr. Rada Petric

Photo by UNC Endeavors

Each summer, locals and visitors alike gather at the Highlands Nature Center for one of the community’s most beloved traditions –the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series. Hosted by the Highlands Biological Foundation, these weekly talks offer a chance to hear from some of the region’s leading scientists, conservationists, artists, and writers, all while celebrating our shared passion for the natural world.

The tradition of summer lectures at the Nature Center actually dates back to the 1930s, and today’s series honors the legacy of Dr. Robert Zahner and his wife Glenda, two champions of land conservation here on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Thanks to the generosity of donors and local organizations, these lectures remain free and open to everyone. No registration is needed—just come with a curious mind!

This year’s lineup is as exciting as ever. We’ll kick things off on June 12 with

Bonnie Claxton (Chickasaw), who will talk about the vital role Indigenous voices play in conservation. From there, we’ll dive into topics like coexisting with black bears, building healthy landscapes in the face of development, and the surprising ways hurricanes have shaped our Appalachian mountains. You’ll even learn about the hidden healing powers of local mushrooms, how bats are affected by human disturbance, and when to worry (or not!) about tree pests.

Lecturers include experts like Tanya Poole from NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Sonya Carpenter of Co-habitate Inc., mycologist Christopher Parker, and forest entomologist Dr. Kelly Oten. We’ll also hear from celebrated nature writer Georgann Eubanks and Megan Sutton of The Nature Conservancy, rounding out a summer full of insight, discovery, and inspiration.

Lectures are held Thursday evenings at 6:00 P.M. from June 12 through August

14 (with no lecture on July 3) at the Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road.

Space is limited at the Nature Center, so for full program details, including parking information, please visit highlandsbiological.org/zahner.

Come spend a Thursday evening with us this summer – you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the incredible natural world we call home.

by

Marissa Nieddu , Highlands Biological Foundation

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Don’t Make It a Routine!

Without new streams and new schemes, the magic built into Fly Fishing can vanish.

Routines are boring!

What’s not boring is the great sport of fly fishing. Fly fishing is an interactive game with nature that will take you to beautiful destinations you would otherwise not see.

As a fly shop owner, I get to interact with lots of people before they go out for their day of fishing.

Too often I see people getting in a “rut” when it comes to enjoying their time on the water. They once went to a certain stretch of a certain river and caught a fish on a certain type of fly. Because that outing was a success, they decide to repeat it over and over again. Successful or not, that gets boring after a while.

Go to a new river, try a different style of fishing, try a different time of year, just don’t make it a routine. It’s amazing the new things you will learn and put into your bag of tricks to becoming a more proficient angler by staying out of the “rut.”

I’ve been fly fishing all my life, and have turned it into a career, and I’m still finding new things to try.

Recently I decided to combine two of my favorite hobbies: Fly Fishing and Mountain Biking. I’ve found that this new mode of transportation to the trout stream has opened up way more options of where I can go and find un-pressured fish.

Yes, that’s a photo of a native Brook Trout caught and released underneath the tire of my mountain bike in a remote part of the

Cashiers /Highlands Plateau. It would have taken me most of the day hiking in and out of this particular location, but with the bike it was done in just a few hours.

You don’t have to take it as extreme as I did, but just try and spice up your most valuable commodity (your time in nature) by trying something different. There are tons of techniques and methods of how to fool a trout into biting that often get overlooked.

If you need ideas of a new place to try, and new technique, or even a new species to target, your local fly shop is always a great place to start!

by Matt Canter, Brookings Fly Shop

The Highlands Plateau Greenway

A walk on the Wild Side is incredibly easy when you lace up your hiking boots (or comfy sneakers) and step upon the Highlands Plateau Greenway.

Our 22 years of publication should demonstrate irrefutably that The Laurel is passionate about the outdoors.

Every month, we chronicle the events offered by the Highlands Biological Foundation and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. There’re reports about the birds and the beavers, hidden waterfalls, and Deena’s wise excursions on both the beaten paths and the roads less traveled.

For me, I’m drawn to the local hikes. I lack the time for big extended treks through the wilderness, yet for my mental and emotional health I need to turn away from the laptop at least once a day and fall back into Nature’s Bounty.

I’ve written before about the glories to be discovered at the Highlands Botanical Gardens and the Cashiers Greenway Ramble and the Horst Winkler Sculpture Trail at The Bascom.

Somehow, I’ve never written much about The Highlands Plateau Greenway, an

emerald belt that connects natural settings and historic sites across the town.

It’s a locally-owned and managed trail system along a continuous, safe, green route, easily identified through signage, maps, and user guides with emphasis on the natural and historical environment.

What sets the Highlands Plateau Greenway apart from other trails are these unique environmental features upon which the Greenway’s trail system is superimposed, with opportunities for recreation, education on regional and natural history, art, and conservation for the Plateau’s tens of thousands of residents and visitors.

The Greenway is intended for foot traffic only and its trails are rated as easy, moderate, or difficult to indicate health and fitness opportunities for all user levels.

Youth organizations such as the Highlands Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Eckhardt Campers and AmeriCorps have learned trail construction techniques through Greenway volunteer programs. The Highlands

Biological Station’s Nature Center shares the Greenway’s trail system through the Station’s 25-acre Botanical Garden, which it uses extensively for science programs, serving diverse communities and urban populations with its over 15,000 annual visitors.

The Greenway connects established trail systems within the town, allowing users to visit sites of special interest without the use of motorized vehicles through tracts owned by Greenway Partners: the Town of Highlands, Highlands Biological Station, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, and Bascom Center for the Visual Arts.

If you’d like to discover for yourselves the trails that lace this community and link us to our natural and human histories, visit highlandsgreenway.com. You can print out the maps and learn more about the magic embedded within each step along these trails.

by Luke Osteen

Photo by Susan Renfro

Art, the Big Kind

Diane Kilgore-Condon’s art is built upon a mélange of memories centered on gardens, a beloved grandmother and unassailable good times.

Diane Kilgore Condon loves to paint big.

Really Big – In size and substance.

Each painting is inspired by nature’s beauty and recollections of idyllic times with her beloved grandmother (Helen to grown-ups and Gram to grandkids) who loved big, too.

Helen’s bigness was a powerful aura that wrapped itself around many. She

never flashed fireworks. She had fire nonetheless, warming the world with her inner muse.

Helen owned a Victorian home in Wisconsin bedecked with heirloom gardens, meandering pathways, and trellises hung in ruffles of color, texture, fragrance, and sheer magic. The family savored Gram’s veggies, buds, blossoms, and divine afternoon dinners. Diane says, “It was in her grandmother’s simple joys and small

choices that several of her grandchildren became artists, I among them.”

The family also spent a great deal of time in Florida. There, they’d garden in a warmer clime. Imagine alternating between Victorian and tropical environs. The best of everything.

Family themes are everywhere in Diane’s life. She embeds her childhood wonder and the art of gardening into her own layers of life at home, studio, and the ArtBomb.

ArtBomb is a renovated general store she and cohorts transformed into what’s approaching a 25-year booming business in Greenville, South Carolina. It’s boosted the art scene, helping restore business and attraction to West Greenville.

‘Tis no surprise Diane has marvelous gardens at ArtBomb. Renovating an old, bedraggled general store and establishing gardens took a lot of artists and massive time to materialize Diane’s dream.

She says, “My superpower is, I can make something out of nothing,”

She’s not bragging. It’s just the truth.

Her Gram taught her how. This explains why each big build or each big canvas requires not mere inches, but feet, maybe yards or an entire block.

Diane’s paintings celebrate the animal kingdom: songbirds of the sky, the delightful depth of dog-ness, and the captivating creatures whose powers spring forth while colors flash. These images and more (the Big kind) have been featured at Bob Jones University (where Diane attended school), many galleries and businesses in the Greenville area and all over the Southeast.

On the Plateau, Toby West Home is a

gallery home for Diane. It’s where antiques and the Kilgore-Condon aesthetic merge into jaw-dropping interiors.

See more of her work online at artbombstudios.com, or at Toby West Home, or visit her studio at 1320 Pendleton Street in West Greenville. On Facebook, look for artbombstudios.

Meet Diane at The Laurel’s June Cover Artist Reception at High Country Wine and Provisions in Highlands on Tuesday, June 3, 5:30 - 7:00 P.M. – and raise a glass to her. RSVP to info@thelaurelmagazine.com.

by Donna Rhodes

Helping Emerging Artists

The Bascom’s Emerging Designer Program gives artists the tools and knowledge to design and execute 21st century storytelling techniques.

Parks Felton

Seth Baker

The Bascom’s Emerging Designer Program gives artists the tools and knowledge to design and execute 21st century storytelling techniques.

This summer, The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts is introducing a new initiative designed to support the next generation of creative professionals.

The Emerging Designer Program is a mentored internship that offers aspiring graphic designers hands-on experience in arts marketing and communications, allowing them to contribute to the visual storytelling and design strategies that support a nonprofit arts organization during its busiest season.

Rooted in The Bascom’s broader Creative Community Initiative, the program embodies the organization’s mission to empower individuals and communities through the visual arts – offering meaningful professional development opportunities for artists at

all stages of their careers. It also addresses a regional need: in rural Western North Carolina, access to career-building experiences in the arts can be limited by distance, resources, or awareness. The Emerging Designer Program helps bridge that gap by providing real-world learning in a mission-driven environment.

This year’s inaugural cohort includes Seth Baker and Parks Felton, both graphic design students at Western Carolina University. Throughout the summer, they will work directly with Bianca Mitchell, The Bascom’s Director of Marketing and Communications, on design collateral for two key projects: Chatov: A Retrospective and the Dazzling Dahlia Festival. From print layouts to visual storytelling, the internship offers experience in design strategy, creative communication, and nonprofit arts marketing.

At The Bascom, we’re dedicated to

developing professional pathways that help emerging artists apply their talents in meaningful ways. It’s incredibly rewarding to support these young designers as they grow creatively and contribute to the visual voice of our region.

Baker, a senior whose studies at Glasgow Caledonian University broadened his global design perspective, shares, “I look forward to designing for art I’m genuinely passionate about.” Felton, a junior, adds, “Working with and contributing to the community I’ve grown to love so much is something I’ve aspired to since I moved here.”

Interns will be on campus each Friday through July 25, and The Bascom invites visitors to stop by and help welcome these emerging designers to the Plateau. by Bianca Mitchell, The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts

Graced with Glory

The sounds are passionate and unforgettable when Highlands Performing Arts Center welcomes both Glory Crampton and The Three Tenors.

Glory Crampton and The Three Tenors

The Highlands Performing Arts Center is set to host a spectacular performance featuring the internationally-acclaimed Glory Crampton and The 3 Tenors on Sunday, June 1, at 4:00 P.M. This event promises an unforgettable afternoon of soaring vocals and musical artistry.

Glory Crampton, a celebrated soprano, has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages. She performed as a soloist alongside José Carreras of The Three Tenors at Radio City Music Hall and Merkin Hall in New York City. Her international acclaim includes a performance as a soloist for His Royal Highness Crown Prince Guillaume. Crampton’s illustrious career also boasts starring roles in over 30 Broadway Musical Theatre Productions, including a notable turn in Phantom of the Opera She collaborated with The National Symphony at Abbey Road Studios in England as a solo recording artist.

Joining Crampton are The 3 Tenors, a trio of exceptional vocal talent.

Marc Devigne was a finalist on Canadian Idol and The Voice Canada; Devigne has been featured on PBS Specials such as “Bailamos Live at the Empire” and “A Mark Masri Concert Live.” He has also shared the stage with renowned tenor Mario Frangoulis.

Alexei Kutznietsov is an international opera and crossover tenor; Kutznietsov is a winner of Ukraine’s X-Factor. He debuted at Lincoln Center in 2018 as Lensky in P.I. Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin and his La Boheme debut with CVAI in Montreal, Canada, in 2019. Jason Forbach recently starred opposite Sara Bareilles in Broadway’s Into the Woods. His Broadway credits include Raoul’s roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Enjolras in Les Miserables. He has performed on opera and symphony stages, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

This performance at the Highlands Performing Arts Center offers a unique opportunity to experience the collective talent of these extraordinary artists. From operatic arias to Broadway hits, the program is designed to showcase their versatility and power of voice.

Don’t miss this chance to witness Glory Crampton and The 3 Tenors in what promises to be a highlight of the season. Tickets for this event can be purchased at HighlandsPerformingArts.com/ concerts. For any inquiries, you can also reach out to the box office at boxoffice@highlandsperformingarts.com or (828) 526-9047.

by Jeanne Piazza, Executive Director, Highlands PAC

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Fusion of Melody and Magic

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival launches its busy 44th season with Winds at the Bascom – an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and sublime music, Sunday, June 29, at 5:00 P.M. at The Bascom Center for Visual Arts. For tickets and information, visit h-cmusicfestival.org or call (828) 526-9060.

James Zellers

Anthony Georgeson

Alexandra Prior

Jesse McCandless

Jack Bryant

As summer returns to the Plateau, so does one of its most cherished traditions: the HighlandsCashiers Chamber Music Festival.

Now in its 44th season, the Festival offers imaginative programs, world-class performers, and unforgettable settings, with concerts running from July 5 through August 10.

Festival performances continue their familiar rhythm, with Highlands concerts on Saturdays and Mondays at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, and Cashiers concerts on Sundays and Tuesdays at the Village Green Commons — two beautiful spaces where music and mountain air meet.

Among the early highlights is Winds at The Bascom, a gathering that feels as natural to Highlands, as the soft drumming of summer rain on the forest canopy.

On Sunday, June 29, at 5:00 P.M., The

Bascom Center for Visual Arts opens its doors for an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and soaring music. Sponsored by J.F. and Peggy Bryan and Phyllis and Tom Davis, tickets are $80 per person, with reservations required.

The evening features a quintet of accomplished musicians whose résumés reflect the best traditions of American classical training. Jesse McCandless, Principal Clarinetist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, brings technical precision paired with lyrical warmth.

Joining him are flutist James Zellers (a Juilliard graduate), oboist Alexandra Prior, French hornist Jack Bryant, and bassoonist Anthony Georgeson, known for his sensitive orchestral work with the Atlanta Symphony. Georgeson performs on a rare 1934 Heckel bassoon, producing a sound both characterful and controlled.

The main Festival, under the artistic direction of William Ransom, continues

its tradition of balancing masterworks with fresh voices. Violist and composer Paul Coletti joins the Viano Quartet for the North Carolina premiere of his new Viola Quintet, and young virtuoso Zitong Wang inaugurates the Kathy and Mark Whitehead Family Young Pianists program. Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin appears with the acclaimed Pacifica Quartet.

The season closes on August 10, when Grammy winner Zuill Bailey leads eight cellists in a spectacular “CelloBration” at the Gershon/Cohn Gala.

Summer, after all, is a season for soaring – and nowhere will the music soar higher than here.

by Marlene Osteen

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Capturing that Feeling

The breathtaking creations of Bijou’s Sky Gilbert are a fanciful blend of the essence of nature filtered through an artist’s sensibilities.

Sky Gilbert, the newest talent at Bijou, “the little jewel of Highlands,” brings a distinct vision to the boutique. Her pieces, designed to transform the old into something new, stand out both for their beauty and for the stories they evoke of nature and memory.

A graduate of Winthrop University with a degree in jewelry and metals, Gilbert brings formal training and a free-spirited

approach to her workbench.

“I’m inspired by nature,” she says, “but I’m not trying to copy it. It’s more about capturing a feeling, a texture—something that moves.” That sensibility pulses through her designs, from gold bands wrapped in bezel-set diamonds to negative-space rings that feel as airy as branches traced by wind.

Her 18K eternity bands—sleek, stackable, and timeless—are perennial

favorites, while her current commissions include a pendant of sapphire and diamond with sharp architectural lines, and a cocktail ring that plays with garnet, diamonds, and sculptural swirl motifs. She’s also known for her innovative earring jackets—elongated teardrops in 14K or 18K high quality gold, created from a client’s old jewelry and finished with martini-set studs for an, Art Deco edge.

Sky Gilbert

Gilbert’s love for transformation runs deep. She thrives on custom work, especially when it involves repurposing heirlooms.

“People bring in pieces they haven’t worn in years—something from a grandmother or an old gift—and I get to help them turn it into something meaningful and wearable again,” she says. “It’s one of the best parts of the job.” Many of her clients are surprised at what’s possible— from melting down old gold to resetting small, sentimental stones in a completely reimagined design.

Her artistry isn’t limited to fine metals and diamonds. During the pandemic, she refined her skills in beading techniques, which are now revealed in pieces tactile, and versatile—necklaces and bracelets strung with citrine, aquamarine, and touches of gold vermeil, each one knotted by hand. Often worn in layers, they’re an echo of her belief that jewelry should move with the body, not just decorate it.

Bijou is known for its custom work and curated selection—Italian lines, gold-filled staples, pre-loved handbags,

and fashion jewelry. But Gilbert’s pieces bring something unique: a maker’s hand, and an artist’s eye. Most of her work is crafted in-house, with custom projects taking four to six weeks.

To explore current designs or start a commission, visit bijoujeweler. myshopify.com or email Sky directly at sky@highlandsjeweler.com. by Marlene Osteen

Village Green’s Steinway

The magnificent sounds of a Steinway Grand Piano will resonate throughout the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s 44th Season. Everyone is invited to a free dedication concert at 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 17, at The Village Green’s Lewis Hall.

William Ransom

ASteinway is a Steinway, and there is nothing like it in the world.” – Arthur Rubinstein

That unmistakable resonance – the one that has moved audiences to tears and standing ovations for generations – has found its mountain home.

This summer, the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival marks a transformative milestone: the acquisition of a magnificent new Steinway grand piano for Lewis Hall in the Village Green, made possible by an extraordinary act of anonymous generosity.

On Tuesday, June 17, at 5:00 P.M., the community will gather for a free dedication concert celebrating this remarkable gift.

Festival Artistic Director William Ransom’s hands will be the first to officially awaken the Steinway’s voice, offering a program that travels from Chopin’s stormy Ballade No. 1 to

Debussy’s shimmering L’Isle Joyeuse before culminating in Gershwin’s quintessentially American Rhapsody in Blue. A reception follows, inviting all to toast this pivotal moment in the Plateau’s cultural evolution.

As the Festival enters its 44th season, Ransom is an ideal choice to inaugurate this instrument. An accomplished pianist who has performed with major orchestras across the globe, he brings technical precision and artistic sensitivity to this special occasion. His program has been selected to demonstrate the full range of the Steinway’s capabilities.

Steinway pianos are legendary for good reason.

Since 1853, Steinway & Sons has set the world’s benchmark for craftsmanship, with each instrument taking nearly a year to build and passing through the hands of over 200 master craftspeople. Every curve of wood, every hammered string, is a small act of devotion to sound

– a tradition that continues to define the Steinway mystique today.

It’s no wonder that great pianists like Vladimir Horowitz insisted on touring with their personal Steinway, refusing to perform unless their favored instrument, Steinway CD 503, was onstage with them.

For attendees at the Festival’s Cashiers home in Lewis Hall, the difference will be immediately apparent. Every note will resonate with enhanced richness and clarity, every performance elevated by the Steinway’s unparalleled tonal range and responsiveness.

The June 17 dedication concert is free and open to the community.

For more information about the entire 2025 season, visit h-cmusicfestival.org.

by Marlene Osteen

Mountain Theatre Company

A pair of talented directors are helming Mountain Theatre Company’s bravura run of The Marvelous Wonderettes and Forever Plaid . The Marvelous Wonderettes opens Wednesday, June 11, with Forever Plaid opening on Friday, June 13. Tickets and more information can be found at mountaintheatre.com.

Mountain Theatre Company, Western North Carolina’s oldest professional theatre, is excited to welcome two dynamic directors to kick-off their summer season with The Marvelous Wonderettes, directed and choreographed by Amy McCleary, and Forever Plaid , directed and choreographed by Jonathan Van Dyke.

Both McCleary and Van Dyke are award-winning directors and choreographers making their MTC directorial debut this summer.

McCleary, who brings a passion for female-led stories, was immediately drawn to The Marvelous Wonderettes for its all-female cast and heartfelt storytelling. “There is something magical about a story that focuses solely on the relationship between women, “ she shares. With a nostalgic score and rich character work, McCleary and Executive Artistic Director, Scott Daniel are leaning into a “memory play” approach. “As you age, I believe we color our pasts with brighter memories,” she explains. “We’re imagining how the Wonderettes might look back on these special moments in

their lives.”

As both director and choreographer, McCleary values the chance to unify vision and movement. “My movement is always based in storytelling,” she states. “By creating both the movement and the staging, I’m able to create one cohesive vision.”

Jonathan Van Dyke returns to a show close to his heart

with Forever Plaid, which he calls “joyful, funny, sweet, tender, and crowd pleasing.”

Having performed in the show himself, he brings deep familiarity and affection to the production. “The whole is bigger than the sum of its parts,” he says. “At its heart it’s a tender message about dreams and

friendship.”

Van Dyke, too, emphasizes ensemble. “This is a true ensemble cast,” he says. “How they work together and support each other is always wonderful to see.”

With two nostalgic, heartfelt musicals led by passionate and experienced directors, this summer promises to be a musical celebration of connection, memory, and timeless tunes.

The Marvelous Wonderettes and Forever Plaid will be presented in repertory with each other, offering audiences a fun and nostalgic summer experience.

This “girls vs boys” summer experience will pair the harmony-rich, female-led “Wonderettes” against the charming, all-male quartet of “The Plaids.” While the two shows may seem like vastly different entities, they share a common thread–a rich tapestry of harmonized voices that not only weave together in perfect blend to support the chord, but also beautifully reflect the way the characters support and uplift each other through friendship.

By running these shows in repertory, MTC invites audiences of all ages to experience the best of both worlds, celebrating the iconic sounds and styles of a bygone era.

by Erin Leigh Knowles Mountain Theatre Company

Amy McCleary

Jonathan Van Dyke

Art League’s June Meeting

The creative talents of Mariya Dunn, nurtured in the Soviet Union, and finding their full flowering here on the Plateau, will be explored and honored at the Art League’s June 30 meeting at The Bascom. For more information, visit artleaguehighlandscashiers.com.

Mariya Dunn

The June meeting of the Art League will be held on Monday, June 30, on the terrace at The Bascom.

A reception will begin at 4:30 P.M. with the meeting following at 5:00. This month’s guest speaker will be Mariya Dunn.

Born in the former USSR, Ms. Dunn moved to the United States in 1999, where she lived in Texas for 20 years until finally settling in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Much of her inspiration comes from the surrounding natural beauty.

In her youth, she attended four years of formal art school with studies of drawing, watercolor, sculpture and history of arts. She was encouraged to continue her studies with The Academy of Arts, but at that time in the USSR, art was not considered to be a “profession.”

Instead, she attended and graduated

medical school and became a physician. She practiced in Odessa, Ukraine, until immigrating to the United States. Here she enjoyed working as a clinical nurse until retiring in 2020.

Mariya has always been moved by the beauty of the world around her and sought to capture it through photography.

Her retirement and move to North Carolina increased that fascination with nature, and photography quickly transitioned to painting in oils, using a multi-layering technique. She considers herself fortunate to have learned from masters like Mark Carder, Jo Ridge Kelly and many others.

She enjoys working in different genres, but her main focus is landscapes, especially those of Western North Carolina.

A member of the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers, her paintings received First Place and Honorable Mention in the club’s 2023 Fall Colors

Fine Art Show. Also a member of The Bascom, her works are on display there. She is the sole owner/artist of Mariya Dunn Fine Art.

In her words, “I love painting – trying to capture that elusive magic, which differs from photography. When I am one with nature, canvas and my own feelings, time stops and that’s how my art is born. I am my own biggest critic (after my always supportive husband, of course).”

Please join us for this presentation. Both the reception and presentation are free and open to the public.

by

Zach Claxton, Art League of Highlands Cashiers

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Catch the Cinema Fever

Highlands Cashiers Film Festival, set for September 18-21 at Highlands Performing Arts Center is a glittering celebration of all things cinematic.

Pass the popcorn!

A small troupe of dedicated volunteers are bringing into focus a passionate valentine to the magic (and mystery) of movies, both contemporary and classic, with the Highlands Cashiers Film Festival – unspooling September 18-21 at Highlands Performing Arts Center.

You may be glancing at those dates and asking, “But Luke, we’re here in June – why are you spotlighting an event that’ll be held in September?”

That’s an easy one – tickets for the screenings and the panels and the celebrations go one sale July 1 and believe me, this thing is going to be Big!

…four unforgettable days, including competition film screenings, workshops, emerging filmmakers, and panels…

“Join us for four unforgettable days, including competition film screenings, workshops, emerging filmmakers, and panels with acclaimed industry presenters and award-winning professionals,” says Alison Knapp, who with Darren Whatley is pulling together this massive endeavor. “We will showcase all genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, and international films.”

If you’re as big a film buff as I am, you’re going to be astonished at the richness of the lineup – screenings of classics like 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood, restored to its brilliant widescreen Technicolor glory; and the Gregory Peck-Audrey Hepburn

romantic comedy Roman Holiday, introduced by Catherine Wyler, the daughter of its director/producer William Wyler; and new masterpieces like the darkly humorous Ghostworld, introduced by star Illeanna Douglas, unforgettable as Roberta Allsworth – balanced by lively seminars led by saucy Film Freak Central critic Walter Chaw; Robert Hoffman on the world of Technicolor; Plateau-resident and Oscar-winner Wesley Wofford on Hair and Makeup; Steven Poster, the cinematographer of the unforgettable Donnie Darko; and Art Director Bill Brzeski on his work on Matilda and Stuart Little 2

(In a lovely bit of Plateau synergy, Brzeski’s presentation will be preceded by a series of songs performed by the young actors of last month’s Highlands Youth Theater’s Matilda.)

(In another strange resonance, Ms. Wyler is the producer of 1990s Memphis Belle, the Hollywood version of her father’s extraordinary documentary Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. Both films told the story of a legendary B-17 piloted by Capt. Robert Morgan, an Asheville native who used to visit Highlands.)

Whether you’re a Saturday-night-at-the-cinema kind of fan or a passionate student of the art of film, there’s a place for you in the middle of the event-filled four days of the Highlands Cashiers Film Festival.

Tickets for the festival and the parties and special events staged around it go on sale July 1 at highlandscashiersfilmfestival.com.

by Luke Osteen

50 Years of Whiteside

There’s plenty of history (local and family) at The Whiteside Art Gallery. Discover for yourself at 1057 US 64 West in Cashiers or visit whitesideartgallery.com.

I’d heard about William Whiteside long before I’d met him at The Crossroads Chronicle in 1991.

Well – not exactly. I’d heard about the “crazy guy” who’d salvaged Cashiers Baptist Church, built in 1865, and had its seven constituent chunks slowly trucked through the Crossroads to be delivered to a site on 64 West, where a team of local men worked with intention to join the pieces together and give us Whiteside Art Gallery (which received the Cashiers Historical Society’s Village Heritage Award in 2021).

But the man who walked through the doors of the Chronicle those decades ago wasn’t “crazy.” Bill Whiteside was a natural raconteur, an instant opinion machine, a natural ally of kids and amateurs and pros who’d evinced talent

in the arts and perhaps needed a bit of guidance and encouragement, and an observer of the small triumphs and quiet tragedies that animate southern Jackson County and the rest of the Plateau.

…in addition to his own watercolors and acrylics, he displayed the creations of local artists…

Consider his influence on the world of Plateau art – in addition to his own watercolors and acrylics, he displayed the creations of local artists, some of whom have been featured within this magazine. And I should mention that there in the gallery, taking it all in, was his daughter Susan who absorbed his lessons and careful observations and along with an education in art at American Intercontinental University, created her own style.

He was my immediate friend, and the chance manner in which he nurtured my son Alex’s lifelong love affair with the arts (accomplished with an unconscious grace and kindness) merely reinforced my natural affection for that funny, (or let’s call him “quirky”) force of nature.

Bill left us in 2017, and Whiteside Art Gallery was shuttered, looking forlorn to those of us who’d always remember this endlessly fascinating character.

But in 2021 Susan and her husband, Peter Williams, re-opened the gallery utilizing her background in the arts to curate the gallery and his finance expertise from Coca Cola to run the business.

Susan and Peter Williams

Together, giving it a modern presentation while maintaining its historic essence. She’s branched out to assemble a new stable of nationally and internationally recognized artists, giving the entire gallery a more contemporary, impressionistic style.

Collectors will discover the works of Dirk Walker, George Charriez, Jen Starwalt, Annell Metzger, and, of course, the great William A. Whiteside.

You can visit whitesideartgallery.com to view times and special events. But really, you owe it to yourself to visit the gallery itself and meet and chat with Susan (she has her father’s natural garrulousness and his instinct for storytelling). Arrive with an open heart, and I promise you, you’ll sense Bill somewhere amidst the paintings.

by Luke Osteen

/ photos by Mary Gillan Renfro Scan to learn more.

Susan Williams and William Whiteside

Painting by William Whiteside

The Art of Good Vibes and Bold Journeys

The DeBilzan Galleries represent more than just a collection of paintings — they embody the spirit and storytelling of renowned artist William DeBilzan, whose work has captivated audiences for over three decades.

Now entering his third professional decade, DeBilzan’s art is collected and exhibited across the globe — from the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai to the distinguished Marriott Central Park in New York City.

Known for his elongated abstract figures, layered textures, and Caribbeaninspired color palettes, DeBilzan’s work evokes a deep sense of emotional connection and personal reflection.

Collectors, hoteliers, and designers often speak of the “good vibes” his paintings bring into their spaces — a signature quality that makes his art both instantly recognizable and memorably uplifting. DeBilzan began his journey as a self-taught artist in Laguna Beach,

California, where he opened his first gallery more than 30 years ago. His unique vision quickly gained national attention, leading to the expansion of his galleries into Santa Fe, New Mexico; Miami Beach; and now for over 23 years, Delray Beach, Florida, where his flagship gallery remains a cornerstone of the local art scene.

Now, Art Highlands Gallery in Highlands, North Carolina is proud to introduce William DeBilzan’s celebrated work to the Blue Ridge Mountains. His presence adds a dynamic and worldly dimension to the gallery, offering residents and visitors a chance to engage with an artist whose work transcends borders and speaks to the universal human experience.

This expansion also marks a new chapter in DeBilzan’s creative evolution.

Merging his passion for art with innovation and design, he recently launched the DeBilzan Art Car Movement, featuring

a Tesla Cybertruck wrapped in his artwork — a striking fusion of mobility and expression. This mobile masterpiece is more than just an eye-catching vehicle; it’s a statement of freedom, individuality, and the power of creativity in motion. Whether his work is hanging in a fivestar hotel, displayed in a luxury gallery, or cruising through mountain roads on the side of a Cybertruck, William DeBilzan continues to create immersive, feel-good experiences that connect people to art in meaningful ways.

His story is one of passion, reinvention, and relentless imagination — and now, thanks to Art Highlands Gallery, his journey finds a new chapter nestled among the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Highlands.

There’ll be wine receptions every Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. in June. For information about appearances by Debilzan, visit arthighlands.com.

by Beata Gola

DINING Pages 134-157

Photo by Susan Renfro

An Exceptional Dining Experience

The Restaurant at The Greystone Inn is elevating, invigorating, and deeply satisfying. Reservations are a very good idea – visit greystoneinn.com/dine or call (828) 885-3143.

Tucked onto one of the shores of Lake Toxaway is a dining experience – not just a place to dine. Sometimes just good food is enough. However, The Restaurant at Greystone Inn delivers so much more. Mostly an elevated dining restaurant, the establishment that is in-site of the iconic Greystone Inn also serves up history, exceptional wines, beautiful views, and extraordinary service.

For individuals visiting or living on the Plateau who are not familiar with this restaurant, it is an offering of the Greystone Inn. It all grew out of a vacation home established at Lake Toxaway by Lucy and her husband, George Armstrong, a prominent Savannah,

Georgia, businessman at the turn of the 20th century. Affluent socialites, the Armstrongs entertained at their home the likes of such historically recognizable families as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Firestones. For many years the couple enjoyed the property, and Lucy continued to live there, remarrying after George died.

She died in 1970, but the home was eventually purchased by an Atlanta family and developed into what it is today: an offering of relaxing accommodations, spa services, and – of course – The Restaurant, with its seasonal cuisine consisting of much locally raised fare. Steeped in history and listed on the National Register of Historic Places,

it is no wonder that the inn is replete with Armstrong antiques, books, and accessories.

However, the restaurant is as well – giving the interior an ambiance of a cozy, but sophisticated, mountain home. The stone fireplace is often lit and features a hand-hewn beam mantel decorated with antique baskets, dried flowers, and vintage bottles.

Sumptuous leather seating vignettes add to the home-like feel, as does the ceiling punctuated with beams and real deer antler chandeliers.

But contrasting the lodge decor is the vast wine selection – around 150 varieties – which decorates paneled walls via horizontal wine displays. Wine bottles are

also arranged on room-dividing bar carts. Most all of the upholstered dining chairs pulled up to polished wood tables are within view of Lake Toxaway.

Yet, as lovely as the lake is – and as sensory-focused is the interior and exterior experience overall – the main attention at The Restaurant is on the food. The menu is not extensive, but the delicious descriptions of the seasonally changing items make choosing difficult.

Manager Jack Johnson explained that the menu typically presents variations on a crab cake starter and a trout entrée. When I visited The Restaurant in the spring, the crabcake was creatively wrapped around a small pimento cheese souffle and topped with a tarragon aioli. Polenta and an apple cider coulis accompanied the pecan-crusted trout. The Angus beef tenderloin was cooked to perfection – medium rare to my liking.

While the menu theme is decidedly American overall, influences abound. A tuna poke included kimchi, avocado, pickled ginger, unagi sauce, and wasabi potato chips. Carolina Gold rice from South Carolina was paired with the pork tenderloin dish, and chimichurri flavored the crab-stuffed salmon.

The Restaurant caters to vegans and gluten-free diners as well. Plus, fun for kids is the popular and distinct Fairy Bread topped with butter and sprinkles.

A Sunday brunch has everything from yummy buttermilk biscuits with locally made jam to avocado toast on locally made sourdough bread to poached eggs with prosciutto and asparagus.

Desserts are delightfully arranged and must-tries. An almond crème Brule with swirls of caramelized turbinado sugar and a cobbler packed with fresh mountain berries and topped with a streusel

are just a few options.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention the stellar service. Of all the countless establishments all over the globe at which I have dined (including the top-rated Plaza in New York City or an exclusive restaurant in Finland), The Restaurant is the first to pull up a folded, cloth stool next to my chair on which to set my purse so that it was not on the floor. That’s service!

I ended my time at The Restaurant at Greystone Inn satiated on so many levels – fine food and wine, interesting history and natural beauty, and an atmosphere beckoning me to return.

by

Deena Bouknight photos by Susan Renfro Scan to learn more.

Rosé is the perfect complement to a mellow Plateau June. Drink it Pink

Rosé doesn’t ask much of you. Just a porch, a breeze, and maybe a bowl of strawberries.

It’s the easygoing friend of the wine world—effortlessly charming, stylish without trying, and always in season once the jackets are off and the daylight lingers.

It’s been called “summer water,” “the outdoors in a glass,” and even “liquid joy.” If red is drama and white is restraint, rosé is the spirited middle child who shows up with a chilled bottle, a mischievous grin, and a playlist that gets everyone dancing.

But don’t mistake its pink hue for predictability – or simplicity. Rosé can be flinty or floral, featherlight or structured, still or sparkling, and like all wines, it varies in quality.

Some bottles are made with intention and skill; others are churned out to ride the summer wave. That’s where a good recommendation (or a great wine

shop) comes in.

This month, I’ve teamed up with Stephanie Miskew – sommelier, wine writer, and co-owner of Highlands Wine Shoppe – to share five bottles that capture the bright, expressive spirit of rosé.

Stephanie brings a passion for food, wine, and travel – and a taste for wines that are thoughtful, a little glamorous, and never boring.

Start with Tablas Creek’s 2023 Patelin de Tablas Rosé, a Provençal-style blend from Paso Robles. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Vermentino, and Counoise deliver red fruit and citrus with zingy acidity and a clean, succulent finish.

The Gallica Estate Rosé 2023 from Napa is a blend of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, whole cluster pressed and fermented in stainless and neutral oak. Expect notes of alpine strawberry, oolong tea, and a savory whisper. Dry and nuanced, it’s the rosé for a linen

tablecloth and a little candlelight.

From the French Riviera, Wölffer Estate’s Summer in a Bottle – Côtes de Provence is floral, peachy, and citrusy with a mineral finish. A breezy blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, and Syrah, it’s as beachy as its name.

Craving bubbles? June’s Rosé NV, crafted in Austria by Master Sommelier June Rodil, is a sparkling blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt. Bursting with hibiscus, ripe berries, and cherry, it’s a cheerful sparkler with substance.

Finally, the 2024 Round Pond Rosato di Nebbiolo brings Italy’s noble grape to Napa with juicy notes of blood orange, rhubarb, and strawberry. Aged in stainless steel, it’s bright, crisp, and utterly refreshing.

Five bottles. Five excuses to pour another glass. Summer’s here – why not drink it pink?

by Marlene Osteen

Mason Jar Salad Dressing

Rachel Lewicki’s Mason Jar Salad Dressing and Blueberry Burrata Salad bring the best of the season’s many sensations to palates here on the Plateau and far beyond. Her Simple Grilled Salmon completes the experience.

Perhaps it was the scent of mirepoix simmering in her grandmother’s kitchen that teased her nose, awakened her senses, and set her on that long-ago culinary journey. Years before her Johnson & Wales degree made it official in 2008, Rachel Lewicki was learning the language of flavor in that herb-scented kitchen.

Born in Charleston and steeped in Low Country tradition, she brought her coastal sensibilities to Highlands as a middle schooler – flavors and instincts shaped by salt air, summer tomatoes, and the slow patience of home cooking.

Three and a half years ago, Rachel turned a longtime dream –and a gap in the community – into The Secret Garden, a one-woman operation she runs daily, year-round.

But the space has grown far beyond its origins. These days, it’s where school kids swing by for sodas after class, and during summer, those same kids return to work behind the counter. In the courtyard, regulars meet to uncork wine and stretch conversations into the late afternoon. Book clubs settle in. Celebration showers bloom. Pickleball players recharge at tables

where strangers rarely stay strangers.

The Secret Garden isn’t just a café – it’s a heartbeat.

Rachel’s cooking reflects that same open-armed, deeply rooted ethos. Her mason jar dressing, a staple she keeps stocked all summer, is both a recipe and a ritual: step outside, see what’s growing, and shake up something fresh. Maybe it’s an armful of herbs. Maybe it’s lemon, basil, and local honey. Always, it’s bright, flexible, and personal.

A dressing that doubles as marinade, mood-lifter, and memory. Try it over her blueberry burrata salad, or as a citrusy finish for simply grilled salmon. Either way, you’ll taste what makes Rachel’s food – and her garden – a place worth returning to.

Mason Jar Salad Dressing Makes about One Cup

Ingredients

½ cup apple cider vinegar

½ cup olive oil

2 tsp Dijon mustard

Rachel Lewicki

1 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until emulsified. Store in the refrigerator and shake again before using.

Chef’s note: “This is my go-to dressing all summer long. It’s fresh, versatile, and easy to customize with honey, lemon, or a handful of herbs from the garden. Keeps for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.”

Blueberry Burrata Salad Serves 2-4

Ingredients

4½ cups arugula

1½ cups fresh blueberries

½ cup pecans (or any nut you prefer)

8 oz burrata cheese

Mason Jar Salad Dressing (above)

Fresh lemon zest, for garnish

Instructions

Layer arugula, blueberries, and pecans on a serving platter. Place burrata on top and drizzle generously with Mason Jar Salad Dressing. Finish with a touch of lemon zest.

Chef’s note: “Perfect as a light lunch or elegant starter.”

Simple Grilled Salmon with Dressing Serves 2

Ingredients

2 salmon fillets (approximately 6 oz each)

Salt and pepper

Mason Jar Salad Dressing (above)

Instructions

Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Grill to your desired doneness. Just before serving, drizzle with the dressing. Serve alongside a fresh salad or seasonal vegetables.

Chef’s note: “Grilling salmon is my favorite way to enjoy this dressing. The bright flavors complement the rich fish perfectly.”

by Marlene Osteen

photos by Susan Renfro

A Taste of Summer

Chef Chris Hall of Local Three in Atlanta leads an evening of fresh, seasonal cuisine for The Farm at Old Edwards Chef Dinner, June 26. Reservations are required and available online at OldEdwardsHospitality.com/Events.

On June 26, Chef Chris Hall of Atlanta’s Local Three will bring his seasoned, ingredientforward cooking to The Farm at Old Edwards for A Taste of Summer, part of Old Edwards’ Chef Dinner Series.

Among Atlanta’s super star restaurants, Local Three is one of the city’s most reliably interesting. Co-founded in 2010 with Chefs Todd Mussman and Ryan Turner, the three friends built a

restaurant grounded in the belief that high quality food should be approachable and rooted in community. Their mantra— “People matter most, local is priority, pretense stinks”—has made Local Three a mainstay of Atlanta’s dining scene.

The multi-course dinner marks Hall’s first appearance in Highlands and will spotlight the flavor-driven, no-nonsense style that defines his cooking. “Southern

ingredients, handled with precision, layered with texture, and never overdone.” That quote, taken from Hall’s commentary on his own menus, reflects the tone and integrity of what will be served at The Farm: thoughtful, seasonal cooking, humble ingredients lavished with respect.

Although the evening’s menu remains under wraps, Hall’s repertoire suggests what diners might expect. Diners might

recognize dishes like short rib ragù with hand-cut pappardelle, pork belly served over Carolina Gold rice with pickled okra, or seared trout paired with creamed field peas and charred lemon. The thrill of offerings like cornmeal-fried oysters with house-made hot sauce, and roasted duck breast with farro and blackberry, is the sumptuousness found in the humble preparations. Salads too are prepared with palpable reverence: local lettuces with accents like pickled fennel, preserved lemon, or sorghum-glazed pecans. Local Three’s high standards for vegetable sides are a fair part of the magic—charred okra, butter-braised

cabbage, or heirloom carrots with thyme and sherry vinegar.

Hall’s appearance is part of Old Edwards’ ongoing effort to bring respected regional chefs into dialogue with the Plateau’s culinary audience. The dinners are carefully curated collaborations that invite chefs to respond to the setting, the season, and the expectations of a well-informed dining community—each offering a distinct point of view shaped by the chef’s own culinary background.

Guests will be seated at long communal tables inside The Farm’s barn,

a timber-framed space with an open kitchen. Dinner will unfold over several courses, each paired with wine. A small musical ensemble will provide music, low and happy.

Tickets are $270 per person and include all food, beverages, tax, and gratuity. Reservations are required and available online at OldEdwardsHospitality.com/ Events.

by Marlene Osteen

Scan to learn more.

25 Years of Yum

With its 25 years of delicious service to the community, The Orchard has earned the status of Cashiers Landmark. You can find out for yourself at theorchardcashiers.com, but come on – it’s a restaurant – stop in at 905 Highway 107 South.

Twenty-five years ago, Chad and Travis Boswell took a chance on a weathered 100-year-old house in Cashiers and turned it into what would become one of the Plateau’s most beloved restaurants: The Orchard. With family roots deep in the hospitality business – their father ran the White Goose Café and Oakmont Lodge, and their grandparents owned a restaurant in Florida – the brothers brought complementary skills to their new venture.

They purchased the old residence, renovated it themselves, and opened The Orchard on May 23, 2000.

“We were fortunate to be busy from day one,” Chad recalls. “But we also had a lot to learn – especially about surviving the winters.”

The early years brought unexpected challenges, from the seasonal slowdowns to the limitations of operating in a dry county.

“We didn’t realize how much not being able to serve alcohol

would affect the bottom line,” he observes. “We made it workbut those first couple of years were tight.”

Travis, who oversees the kitchen, adds, “Balancing work and family life was probably the hardest part, and it’s something we’re still figuring out.”

Today, Chad manages the dining room while Travis oversees the kitchen and events program. Though The Orchard has grown – adding a guest cottage and an event barn – their focus remains the same: honest food, warm service, and an experience that keeps guests coming back.

Chef Iwayan Sudiartama—a 20-year Orchard veteran from Bali—orchestrates a menu that’s both innovative and comfortingly familiar. Trout prepared four different ways, the legendary Orchard chicken stuffed with apple, sage, walnuts and cheese, and Boswell’s crab cakes (their father’s treasured recipe) remain perennial favorites.

Travis and Chad Boswell

May 23, 2000

“We’ve focused on doing what we know we can do best,” Travis emphasizes. “We always try something new but never take away the most popular items.”

Over the years, their connection to Cashiers has deepened.

“I’m proud to be part of this community,” Chad says. “Cashiers has grown a lot, and I feel like food and hospitality have played a real role in that growth. We’ve been lucky to be part of it.”

Travis agrees, adding, “It’s given me and my family a real sense of place – something I probably didn’t see in the beginning.”

Perhaps most telling of The Orchard’s impact: the restaurant now welcomes the grown children of their original guests and even employs the offspring of longtime staff members.

The Orchard Restaurant serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5:15–9:00 P.M., continuing a tradition of Southern hospitality – now deliciously aged to perfection.

Reservations are a must.

by Marlene Osteen

May 23, 2000

An EveningShaped by Wine

On the Verandah will stage an exclusive wine dinner spotlighting Oregon’s Torii Mor Winery, with expert guidance from Michael Searles of Grapevine Distributors at 6:00 P.M. Thursday, June 19. For reservations, visit ontheverandah.com or call (828) 526-2338.

On June 19 at 6:00 PM, On The Verandah invites you to settle in for an evening shaped by wine — its nuance, its story, its ability to turn strangers into companions. The occasion: a multi-course dinner ($225 per person) featuring the elegant, earth-driven wines of Oregon’s Torii Mor Winery, with expert guidance from Michael Searles of Grapevine Distributors.

This is more than a pairing. It’s a conversation — between vintner and chef, grape and soil.

Chef Andrew Figel is no stranger to that dialogue. A Highlands native raised in this very kitchen, Figel has helmed On The Verandah since 1999, layering global sensibility onto Appalachian roots. His wine dinners are especially transporting — smart, thrilling, and always deeply pleasurable. What

elevates them is not just culinary talent but his instinct for how food and wine can amplify each other’s finest notes.

Torii Mor offers plenty of those notes. Founded in 1993 by Dr. Donald Olson, the winery is built on a reverence for Pinot Noir and its uncanny ability to reflect the land. The name comes from the torii gate in Olson’s Japanese garden and the Old Norse word mor, meaning earth — a fitting symbol of the winery’s grounding philosophy. From just 1,000 initial cases, Torii Mor now produces 10,000 annually, including not just Pinot Noir but Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Rosé, and a rare Syrah Port. These are wines made with restraint, integrity, and the quiet kind of confidence that rewards attention.

While the dinner’s menu is a surprise, the restaurant’s regular

Chef Andrew Figel

fare offers a preview of Figel’s voice in the kitchen: chewy, tender sea scallops over angel hair in a bright gingerscallion sauce; tangy and savory pomegranate-glazed lamb ribs with perfectly crisped edges; lush, lemon-laced lobster piccata that somehow manages to be both decadent and refreshing. These are not guaranteed to appear — but they set the stage for what’s possible.

And then, there’s the setting. Built in 1937 as a speakeasy and reborn in 1981 by the Figel family, On The Verandah sits at the edge of Lake Seqouyah, shaded by old trees, and warmed by the buzz of shared enjoyment. These wine dinners invite something deeper than dining — they invite conviviality. Laughter flows easier. Stories linger longer.

To reserve your seat, visit ontheverandah.com. Some dinners are meals. This one’s a mood.

by Marlene Osteen

by Susan Renfro

photos

A Southern Seafood Sensation

The Low Country Shrimp Boil, set for Saturday, June 21, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, is a delicious boost to the park’s future.

The Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown Highlands was the outcome of 20 years of vision, planning, and highly collaborative work, to bring together a “jewel of the community.”

Every day “Founders Park” is enjoyed by many and throughout the year is used for diverse purposes that are now part of the fabric and function of our community, bringing valuable experiences and meaningful memories to locals and visitors alike.

From day use, small get togethers, lunches, concerts, and major events –there is always something fun taking place.

Friends of Founders Park is a coalition of individuals and civic clubs representing over 500 caring people and still today provides funding and expertise to keep the park in top condition.

Since its inception, “Friends” have made improvements throughout the

park including water feature renovation, tree replacement, drainage upgrades, expansion of walkways, steps and patios, additional native shrubs and perennials, pruning, adding signage, annual color, umbrella replacement and concert stage repair.

Legendary chef Marty Rosenfield will be dishing out his delicious combination…

Please buy tickets and donate to our 8th annual Low Country Shrimp Boil held on Saturday June 21. This popular annual event is the park’s major fundraiser.

Legendary chef Marty Rosenfield will be dishing out his delicious combination of shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, and

other extras including dessert. The Ugly Dog Pub provides two drinks of wine or beer. Tea and water are also available. Held rain or shine under the big tent, the annual dinner sells out quickly.

Our event is held at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown Highlands from 5:30 until 7:00 PM. A concert in the park adds to the ambiance and fun after the dinner. Tickets are available at The Dry Sink and online at FoundersParkHighlands.com. The ticket cost is only $85 per person for this generous meal with drinks and all the fixings. Sponsorships for the event are available as an additional donation to the park.

by Hank Ross, Friends of Founders Park

Scan to learn more.

Plateau Dining Guide

Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS

4118 Kitchen + Bar

64 Highlands Plaza (828)

Don Leon’s 462 Dillard Roads (828) 482-1513

Dusty’s

Dillard Road (828) 526-2762

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main Street (828) 787-2990

The High

CASHIERS, NC

Cashiers Valley Smokehouse - (828) 547-2096

Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160

Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750

El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

Native Prime Provisions (828) 743-3743

Subway - (828) 743-1300

Ugly Dog - (828) 743-3000

Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000

GLENVILLE, NC

The Local - (828) 743-7778

SCALY, NC

Magliocca’s Ristorante - (828) 526-0803

HIGHLANDS, NC

Asia House - (828) 787-1680

Black Bear Cafe - (828) 482-7020

The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922

Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775

Divine South Baking Company - (828) 421-2042

Fressers Courtyard Cafe - (828) 526-4188

Highlands Tavern - (828) 526-9002

Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525

Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400

The Ruffed Grouse - (828) 526-2590

Secret Garden - (828) 305-7509

Spinx Highlands - (828) 526-4191

Stubbon Buddha - (828) 482-4822

The Stubborn Bull - (828) 200-0813

Subway - (828) 526-1706

Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC

Los Vaqueros - (828) 966-7662

Sweetwater Perk & Creamery, LLC - (828) 577-0469

Villa Amato (828) 885-7700

SAPPHIRE, NC

The Fix Bar & Lounge - (828) 743-7477

Jim’s Place at Sapphire Country Store - (828) 966-4011

Library Kitchen + Bar (828) 743-5512

Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740

Panthertown Cafe - (828) 862-3663

Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655

Plateau Lodging Guide

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

BREVARD, NC:

Meraki Escape - (828) 463-7440

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

Silver Creek

Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999

The Wells HotelA Cashiers Experience - (828) 761-6289

FRANKLIN, NC:

Southern Belles

Glamping - (828) 371-9890

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

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717

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 Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839

The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999

Lotts of Sky - (404) 395-4000

Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799

Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008

Outpost Inn (828) 482-7736

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

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-2999

Trailborn Highlands (828) 482-1581

Valentine Manor - (561) 613-1496

Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222

SAPPHIRE, NC:

Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-3441

Foxhunt at Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-7667

Hampton Inn & SuitesCashiers-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 Resort & Spa - (800) 775-4446

The Vineyard at 37 High Holly - (828) 505-6190

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC:

Cabins at Seven Foxes - (828) 877-6333

Earthshine Lodge - (828) 862-4207

Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700

Lake Toxaway

Realty Company - (828) 508-9141

Photo by Susan Renfro

WHIMSY AND DELIGHT

This one-of-a-kind clay sculpture by Thai artist Arjan Deng evokes cheerful feelings of whimsy and delight. A true work of art, it’s the perfect conversation piece for your mountain home.

“Birds Nest” Sculpture Joan Anderson Interiors | Cashiers

CAPTURING IMAGINATIONS

In the realm of art and interior design, few things capture the imagination quite like a well-preserved 19th-century portrait. One such captivating piece is this English oil on canvas portrait featuring a young boy proudly holding a shotgun, displayed in a beautiful antique frame.

Oil on Canvas c.1900 | $ 3,250

Plateau Picks A few of our favorite things

TIMELESS BEAUTY

This circa 1820 Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Cabinet, is a stunning example of the exquisite craftsmanship that characterized the era. This three-tier jewelry box is a functional piece of art, featuring intricate carvings and a thoughtful design.

Black Forest Jewelry Cabinet | $ 795 Vivianne Metzger Antiques | Cashiers

Edgewood Antiques | Cashiers

TASTEFUL FASHION

Elevate your style with this hand-beaded purse in sparkling silver and gold. 3D wine glasses are artfully arranged with a bottle of white wine and grapes as they chill on a layer of ice-like beads so realistic you won’t be able to resist touching them. It’s the ultimate accessory for those who appreciate both fashion and fine taste. Beyond being a chic purse, it can serve as an attention-getting table centerpiece, adding a touch of elegance to any setting.

Mary Frances Chilled Champagne Bag | $ 439 Spoiled Rotten | Highlands

FUN AND FUNCTION

This beautiful dress boasts a contemporary design that flows gracefully – offering a relaxed, stylish fit. Its playful flutter sleeves, with the inclusion of pockets brings together fun and function in one colorful statement.

Gilded Coral Shift Dress | $ 228 Mountain Mermaid | Cashiers

MORNING WINGS

Sip into serenity with this stoneware pottery mug, adorned with a large dragonfly – a symbol of transformation. Handcrafted in Highlands by Pat Taylor, it combines artisanal charm with everyday functionality, perfect for your favorite hot beverages and our cool mountain mornings.

Taylor Pottery Mug | $ 40

Calders Coffee Cafe | Highlands

HANDWOVEN TREASURE

This classic is a handcrafted treasure, woven by Bali artisans using ata grass, a vine native to the island’s volcanic foothills. To achieve its rich golden hue, the bag is traditionally smoked over a coconut and honey fire, creating a finish as unique as its craftsmanship.

Lisi Lerch Bali Bag | $ 238 Wits End | Highlands

IT’S TIME TO BLOOM

Discover tranquility and elegance with Dutchman’s newest candle, Bloom. This exquisite scent is a graceful blend of delicate florals and soft greenery, designed to bring a touch of elegance and calm to any space.

20 oz jar candle | $ 35

Square votive candle $ 5.50 | Glass votive $ 4.25 Dutchmans | Highlands

Acorns’ Summer of Extraordinary

The artisans whose labors give Acorns its unique panache and flavor will display their creations throughout the month.

As the Plateau eases into the easy rhythm of summer, there’s a natural urge to lighten things up–to refresh our spaces, add a pop of color, and trade the practical for the playful. June is the season for entertaining, for porch lounging, for finding that one piece that turns a table, a room, or an outfit into something extraordinary.

That’s exactly the spirit you’ll find at Acorns this month. The Old Edwards home décor and gifts store–known for its curated mix of artisan collectibles, fine jewelry, and inspired gifts–is rolling out a series of designer showcases, seasonal sales, and pop-ups that inject fresh energy into summer living.

The month kicks off with a Tabletop Sale from May 23 through June 8: spend $200 on glasses, linens, plates, or serving pieces, and receive 20 percent off your entire tabletop purchase.

From June 20-22, Asheville ceramicist Michael Hofman returns with a trunk

show of his exquisite porcelain. Starting with a simple slab of clay and imprinted with vintage lace, Hofman’s pieces are finished with gem-toned glazes that evoke worn metals and precious stones. The result? Soulful, tactile treasures meant to be handed down.

Jewelry takes center stage June 27-29 with the return of Elizabeth Locke. Her collection includes the beloved Queen Bee Ring–crafted in 19K hammered gold and studded with diamonds–along with moonstone pendants, ancient coin medallions, and her popular Big Baby Hoops with interchangeable charms.

That same weekend kicks off Ali & Bird’s two-week showcase (June 27–July 13). Designed in Atlanta by Ali Howell and her daughter Lindsey, the line features resort-ready pieces made from coral, agate, pearls, and crystal–handcrafted with magnetic or hoop clasps for effortless everyday wear. (Fun fact: Lindsey’s childhood nickname was Bird,

which inspired the brand’s name.) Also new for the season: totes and cosmetic bags from Marilyn Valerio’s Sunshine & Lemmons line–playful, practical accessories with a splash of whimsy that make perfect travel companions or gifts.

Finally, Acorns wraps the month with a Linen Sale from June 30 through July 13, offering 20 percent off all bed, bath, and kitchen linens–perfect for creating your summer sanctuary.

“There’s a perception that Acorns only carries high-end items,” says Holly Watson, Director of Retail for Old Edwards. “But we really aim to have something for everyone–whether it’s a hostess gift, a teacher present, or a splurge-worthy piece of jewelry.” Indeed, treasures await at every price point.

by Marlene Osteen

Annawear Fashion High

Step inside Annawear and you’ll understand why it’s a Highlands favorite. Located in the historic Galax Theatre building, this vibrant boutique has been dressing locals and visitors since 1986. Owner Anna Herz brings a seasoned eye and a playful spirit to her ever-evolving mix of fashion, accessories, and personality-packed finds. The vibe is relaxed, the style is current, and the prices are friendly making it easy to walk out with something you love. Think flirty tops, flowy dresses, jeans and laid-back pieces from Free People, Z SUPPLY, Mother and other coveted brands. Upstairs, the fun continues in a cozy loft space that houses a shoe boutique and an always-buzzing sale room. Whether you’re after something casually cool or a piece that pops, Annawear delivers with flair. And best of all, shopping here feels less like a transaction and more like catching up with an old friend.

Annawear

355 Main Street, Highlands (828) 526-4660

Ava Schmitt (left) is wearing skirt by Free People, denim shirt by Mother, tee by Free People, and boots by Miracle Mile. Haley Hayes (right) is wearing blouse by Free People, jeans by Mother, and shoes by Free People.

The Greystone Inn | Lake Toxaway NC photos by Susan Renfro and Mary Gillan Renfro

Molly Grace Fashion High

The Molly Grace on 4th Street brings a fresh, fashion-forward edge to the Plateau shopping scene. Sleek yet approachable, this boutique blends elevated everyday style with creative flair. The racks are thoughtfully curated with modern silhouettes, smart staples, and a few playful surprises—embroidered tunics, draped dresses, statement sleeves, and accessories that turn heads. The boutique’s signature Charm Bar invites customers to design their own jewelry, adding a personal, bespoke touch that feels thoroughly of-the-moment. It’s the kind of place where the styling is effortless but intentional, and where each piece is chosen to make women feel confident, chic, and entirely themselves. The atmosphere is as polished as the pieces, but never pretentious—think attentive service, inspiring finds, and a hint of Southern sparkle. Whether you’re building a wardrobe or hunting for that standout piece, The Molly Grace is a destination for those with an eye for style and individuality.

The Molly Grace

207 N. Fourth Street, Highlands (828) 526-8390

Greystone Inn | Lake Toxaway NC

photos by Susan Renfro and Mary Gillan Renfro

Kedra McCall is wearing romper by Saltwater Luxe, and jewelry by Dean Davidson, J.Mills, and Beaded Blondes.

Gracewear Boutique Fashion High

Inside Gracewear Boutique in Cashiers, there’s a sense of joy, light, and purpose. This cheerful, welcoming shop is the brick-and-mortar home of the Shield of Faith Jewelry Collection, a signature line of inspirational pieces that blend elegance with spiritual strength. Designed to be worn as daily armor, each bracelet, necklace, and ring in the collection carries a deeper meaning—faith in motion, beauty with intention. Beyond jewelry, Gracewear offers a thoughtfully curated mix of resortwear, meaningful gifts, and uplifting abstract art that reflects the boutique’s heart-centered mission. Searching for a stylish dress, a one-of-a-kind gift, or a piece that speaks to your soul, you’ll find it here—along with the kind of warm hospitality that turns customers into friends. The full Gracewear Collection is also available online and in select retailers nationwide, extending its message of grace and empowerment far beyond the Plateau.

Gracewear Boutique

82 Village Walk Way, Cashiers (828) 743-3999

gracewearcollection.com

Haley Hayes (left) is wearing dress by Flying Tomato, hat by Shiraleah, and jewelry by Gracewear.

Ava Schmitt (right) is wearing dress by Laroque, hat by Shiraleah, and jewelry by Gracewear.

Greystone Inn | Lake Toxaway NC

photos by Susan Renfro and Mary Gillan Renfro

Allison Diane Clothing Fashion High

A few steps off Main Street in Highlands, Allison Diane Clothing is all about feel-good fashion that works from morning coffee to mountain evenings. Known for its blend of mountain charm and modern flair, the boutique offers a wearable mix of jeans, dresses, and handpicked accessories. Think supple ABLE leather jackets and bags, easy-on Charleston Shoes, and a selection of Brighton jewelry that adds just the right shine. You’ll also find the latest from Dolce Vita and Kork-Ease—perfect for the woman who wants comfort with edge. Whether you’re layering up for a crisp morning walk or dressing for an evening out, Allison Diane has something to suit your day. Owner Becki Bryson’s eye for timeless pieces means you’ll leave with a look that feels fresh but lasting. Stop by the welcoming shop on North Fourth Street and discover clothing that fits your life—stylish, functional, and always a little fun.

Allison Diane Clothing

114 N 4th Street, Highlands (828) 526-5404

Greystone Inn | Lake Toxaway NC

photos by Susan Renfro and Mary Gillan Renfro

Hannah McCall (left) is wearing sweater by Gilli, jeans by Unpublished, shoes by Kork-Ease, and purse, belt, and jewelry by Able. Becki Bryson (right) is wearing dress by THML, purse by Able, Jewelry by Brighton, and shoes by Charleston Shoes.

Building a Joyful Brand

Sunshine and Lemmons’ exclusive cotton bags are the fruits of one woman’s imagination and artistic abilities and lots of labor. To learn more, visit shopsunshineandlemmons. com or Acorns (212 South 4th Street in Highlands).

Marilyn Valerio

From the mountains of Highlands to boutiques across the country, 23-year-old Marilyn Valerio is building a joyful brand, one quilted, block-printed bag at a time – armed with a sketchpad, a love of florals, and a whole lot of hustle.

Sunshine and Lemmons, her line of handcrafted cotton bags, launched shortly after her graduation from East Carolina University in 2024 with a degree in fashion merchandising.

“I’ve always loved clothing and textiles,” she says. “I’m a girly girl –I love pinks and anything with a romantic, feminine feel –and bags just kind of screamed my name.”

Each piece is handmade in India using traditional block-printing techniques on high-quality cotton.

“India has some of the best cotton in the world,” Marilyn explains. “The prints are all hand-stamped, which gives them that slightly imperfect, beautiful character. I wanted the bags to feel personal.”

The line includes totes, cosmetic bags, and recently, duffels—with more in the works.

Though Marilyn handles everything solo – design, production, marketing – she’s already landed in 10 retail stores, including Acorns in Highlands and Martin’s Family Clothing in Alabama.

“It’s just me putting myself out there,” she says. “My customers have found me through social media—usually a DM or email after seeing my post.” Customers are often surprised to learn the bags are the work of a one-woman operation.

“People assume I have a whole team,” Marilyn says with a laugh. “But it’s just me – every shipment, every design.”

That personal touch is part of what makes the brand special. She’s also found inspiration in the community that raised her.

“There’s something really meaningful about building a business in the place that built you.”

The brand’s name Sunshine” comes from a nickname Marilyn has always been called, and “Lemmons” is for her fiancé, Sebastian Lemmons, a banquet bar manager at Old Edwards. He was the one who encouraged her to bring the brand to life – and that’s how Sunshine & Lemmons was born.

The couple met in Highlands as teenagers and are planning a spring wedding next year.

Her dream is to open a storefront on Main Street that features not only her bags, but a collection of home décor and, one day, her own clothing designs. Until then, Sunshine and Lemmons will deliver handcrafted beauty with every stitch.

To learn more, visit shopsunshineandlemmons.com or Acorns (212 South 4th Street in Highlands).

by Marlene Osteen

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WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant

2. Highlands Smokehouse

3. High Country Wine & Provisions

5. The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts

6. The Bascom Shop

7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

23 Highlands Supper Club

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar

27. Dauntless Printing

37. Lupoli Construction

38. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group

39. Highlands Decorating Center

44. Unfurl Wellness Spa

45. Don Leon’s

46. Dusty’s

48. ACP Home Interiors

50. The Summer House

51. Nancy’s Fancys/The Exchange

59. Head Innovations 60. Divine South Baking Company

MAIN STREET

101. Main Street Nursery

102. Rosewood Market

104. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

106. Los Vaqueros

120. Eight on Oak

121. Highlands Wine Shoppe

123. The Park on Main Hotel

124. Landmark Realty

128. Primary Kitchen + Bar

134. The Southern Way

136. Dutchmans

137. Celebrity Collections

141. 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

158. C. Orrico

160. TJ Bailey for Men

163. Spoiled Rotten

166. Annawear

169. Country Club Properties

170. Highlands Pizza Place

180. Bijou

185. Ristorante Paoletti

187. The Dry Sink

191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Meadows Mountain Realty

195. Old Edwards Inn

196. Madison’s Restaurant

197. The Wine Garden

198. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar

202. Hudson Library

203. Country Club Properties

208. Highland Hiker Shoes

210. Creative Concepts Salon

211. Highland Hiker

WRIGHT

SQUARE on MAIN

(Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero)

115. The Baked Bunny

117. Country Club Properties, Wright Square Office

119. Highlands Pharmacy

ON THE HILL

302. Wish & Shoes

303. Mirror Lake Antiques

305. Jeanie Edwards Fine Art

306. Acorns

308. Highlands Burrito

310. McCulley’s

311. Martha Anne’s on the Hill

312. The Ugly Dog Public House

313. Old Edwards Inn

318. Peggy Crosby Center:

- Center for Life Enrichment

- Counseling Center of Highlands

- The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering

- Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation

319. Lakeside Restaurant

SPRING VILLAGE

400. Jannie Bean Fine Custom Jewelry

405. McCulley’s

406. Brookings

VILLAGE PARK

611. ACP Home Interiors

612. The Highlands Hatter

613. Cleaveland Realty

619. Christie’s Internatonal Real Estate Highlands Cashiers

NorthHighlands,Carolina

NorthHighlands,Carolina

NORTH END

801. Green Mountain Builders

805. Art Highlands

807. Highlands Recreation Park & Civic Center

808. Whole Life Market

815. Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

815. Highlands Cashiers Players

815. Highlands Performing Arts Center

815. Mountain Theatre Company

OUT 28 SOUTH

➡ Satolah Creek Farm

OUT NC 106

➡ Highlands Chiropractic & Wellness

➡ Peak Experience

➡ Allan Dearth and Sons Generators

➡ Steve Holt Landscaping

➡ The Vineyard at High Holly

OUT 64 WEST

➡ Jackson Hole Gem Mine

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Design Build

➡ Berkshire Hathaway

Homes Services

Meadows Mountain Realty

➡ WHLC

➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden

➡ High Camp

➡ Highlands Automotive

➡ Bryson’s Grading & Paving

➡ Rejuvenate Laser Center

➡ Reclamations

➡ The Brier Patch

➡ Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group

➡ Highlands Dermatology

➡ Roman’s Roofing

VISIT FRANKLIN

➡ The Attic Antiques

➡ Diva’s on Main

➡ Garcia Paint Expert

➡ Whistle Stop Antique

VISIT CLAYTON

➡ Butler Galleries

➡ Calhoun Irrigation & Landscaping

➡ Camp Hollymont

➡ C&C Design Studio

➡ Clayton Merchants

Business Association

➡ Georgia Shuttle

➡ Live Edge Exotic Wood

➡ Mountain Lakes Physicians Group

➡ Poss Realty - Cheryl Justus

➡ Mountain Gate Systems

➡ SoulCraft Systems

➡ Willow Valley RV Resort

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

Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

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NORTH 107

2. Zookeeper Bistro

6. Slab Town Pizza

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship.

19. The Look Boutique

20. Mountain Mermaid

21. Sashay Around Ladies Boutique

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS

COMMONS

22. Joan Anderson Interiors

25. Bella Ctn.

27. Bird Barn & Garden

28. Cashiers Kitchen Co.

29. Dr. Anita, Medical Aesthetics

30. Bombshell Hair Boutique

31. The Watershed Shoppe

33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS

36. Buck’s Coffee Cafe

37. Landmark Real Estate Group

39. Cashiers Farmers Market

41. Highland Hiker

CHESTNUT SQUARE

45. Cashiers Valley Real Estate

47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders

54. Mountain Home Consignments

55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness

55. The Bungalow Boutique

58. Cashiers Fine Jewelry

59. Las Margaritas

EAST

64

62. Laurel Terrace:

- Natural Element Homes

63. Alexander Gardens:

- Victoria’s Closet

- Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses

- Vic’s for Men

67. 72. Ingles Plaza

- Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group

69. Kitchen by Design

74. Carolina Rustic Furniture

76. Blue Ridge Bedding

79. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques

80. Josephine’s Emporium

80. Beth Poindexter

80. Laura Moser Art

82. The Village Hound

84. Village Pantry

85. Children’s Edit

86. Nora & Co.

89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment

90. Gracewear Boutique

95. Objet D’Art

SOUTH 107

102. TJ Bailey’s for Men

107. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Meadows Mountain Realty

110. McCulley’s

111. Rusticks

112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques

113. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters

116. Tampa Bay Trust

118. Chattooga Gardens Nursery

121. Robin’s Nest

123. Caliber Fine Properties

127. David Harley MD

128. Mountainworks

Custom Home Design LTD.

130. The Cashiers Store

131. Poane Gallery

136. Cashiers Sotheby’s International RealtyThe McKee Group

137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery

138. The Orchard Restaurant, Events Barn & Guest Cottage

THE VILLAGE GREEN

142. Village Green Commons

143. The Village Green

WEST 64

145. Edgewood Antiques

146. Shoppes On The Green: - Sugar Creek Custom Cabinets

151. Allure Home & Gifts

155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center

172. Whiteside Art Gallery

173. Betsy Paul Properties

176. Lenz Gifts

DOWN 107 NORTH

➡ Bazaar Barn

DOWN 107 SOUTH

➡ Silver Run Reserve

VISIT BREVARD

➡ Brevard Music Center

➡ Number 7 Arts

VISIT GLENVILLE

➡ Crawford Construction

➡ Four Seasons Landscape

➡ Happs Place

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY

➡ Balistreri Realty

➡ Charlie’s Hot Buns

➡ Grand Olde Station

➡ The Greystone Inn

➡ Headwaters Outfitters

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY

➡ Historic Toxaway Market

➡ Lake Toxaway Company

➡ Los Vaqueros

➡ Moondance Kitchen

➡ Mountain Construction Engineering

➡ Sweetwater Perk & Creamery

➡ Village at Longclif

VISIT SAPPHIRE :

➡ Burlingame

➡ Casa Amigos Bar and Grill

➡ Osteria del Monte

➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate

➡ Whistlin’ Dixie

VISIT SYLVA :

➡ B.H. Graning Landscape, Inc.

➡ Riverstone Development Group

➡ Western Carolina University

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

Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

Liz Harris & Jessica Hoheisel

TWO SISTERS, ONE GOAL: YOUR REAL ESTATE SUCCESS

As sisters and brokers, we bring a powerful blend of synergy, passion, and market expertise to the CashiersHighlands area. With deep roots in the community and a shared commitment to excellence, we’ve combined our individual successes to create a powerhouse real estate duo—offering our clients twice the knowledge, strategy, and personalized service.

Liz, has been a leader in the region’s luxury real estate market for over 20 years and is currently the top ranked broker in Cashiers and the 2nd ranked broker on the Highlands/Cashiers plateau for 2024. Specializing in exclusive club communities, land and estates, and lakefront properties, she pairs strategic marketing with a keen eye for staging, ensuring every listing reaches its full potential.

Jessica’s solution oriented attitude is the driving force behind her career. Mentored by Liz Harris over the past five years, she’s quickly becoming an expert in high-end real estate, seamlessly navigating transactions and building strong client relationships. Possessing an innate ability to understand and connect with people, and a sharp eye for market trends, she helps buyers and sellers navigate the real estate process with confidence and ease.

Together, we offer a full-service real estate experience, combining elite marketing, expert negotiation, and an extensive network of industry professionals. Whether buying, selling, or investing, we ensure a smooth, strategic,

“Liz and Jessica have guided us through the purchase and sale of several homes in Cashiers and we could not speak more highly of their expertise, attention to detail or the care and services they provided us as clients.You would be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable agent; they have led us to a few of our best investments. This team will just about bend over backwards to find you the perfect real estate for your family. We are so grateful for their professionalism and assistance.” –

“Liz has successfully been my Broker on two occasions. First, she coordinated with other Brokers to get top-dollar for my home in Mountaintop. Next, she was able to secure a property I really wanted after it was just sold to someone else, and find a solution that satisfied everyone. In a word she is tenacious, and gets the job done.” – CHRIS E

Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club

6 BR / 5.5 BA / 2.32 ACRES Nestled in the prestigious Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club in Cashiers, NC, this exceptional estate offers mountain chic luxury with breathtaking views of Whiteside Mountain. The property features a gently sloping yard, surrounded by beautiful terraces and multiple outdoor spaces to take in the stunning scenery. Crafted with the finest materials, the home boasts reclaimed wood and stone accents throughout the ceilings, walls, and floors. Large floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the home in natural light, accentuating its exquisite craftsmanship. Four masonry stone fireplaces, custom doors, intricate trim details, and high-end finishes throughout create a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. This residence includes six spacious bedroom suites, with a primary suite on the main level, four guest suites upstairs, and a bunk room suite on the lower level— providing privacy and comfort for family and guests. The top level features a spectacular lookout with sweeping mountain views and a cozy sitting room with a bar, perfect for relaxation or entertaining while soaking in the panoramic landscape. On the main level, the great room offers a striking stone fireplace, reclaimed wood beam details, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Entertaining flows seamlessly from the great room into the expansive kitchen and dining areas, and out to the adjoining covered and open stone patios,

for $14,500,000

complete with a fireplace—ideal for enjoying cooler mountain evenings. The lower level is designed for exceptional entertainment, featuring a spacious family room, game room, sitting room, artist studio, and a covered stone patio with a built-in firepit. This estate is the ultimate blend of luxury, nature, and mountain living, both within the home and at the Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club. Mountaintop is an exclusive, invitation-only retreat offering a refined North Carolina mountain experience. Members enjoy world-class golf, lake recreation, and unforgettable outdoor adventures in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountain lodge-inspired clubhouse is the centerpiece of the community, featuring luxurious amenities including a fine-dining restaurant with golf course views, a renovated spa, a state-of-theart fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis courts, and more. The Outdoor Pursuits center offers a range of activities for all ages, including croquet, indoor basketball, pickleball, volleyball, a kids’ treehouse playground, and a dog park. Just a short drive away, the Mountaintop Lake Club provides boat rentals, dining, private beach access, and fishing. Escape to the mountains and experience the refined mountain lifestyle this home offers — the ultimate in mountain living. MLS 1000479

4 BR / 4.5 BA / 1.48 ACRES Welcome to this exquisite new construction home now completed and ready to move-in! Conveniently located in the highly sought-after neighborhood of Cedar Hill, just minutes from the heart of Cashiers. Offering long-range, expansive views from the Primary Suite, Living Room, Kitchen, and Guest Suites, this property blends luxurious living with breathtaking scenery. The Main Level is designed for both comfort and elegance, featuring a spacious Primary En-Suite with a dualsided fireplace, seamlessly warming both the bedroom and the bathroom. Adjacent is a charming study, complete with its own cozy fireplace, perfect for quiet relaxation. At the heart of the home, you’ll find the vaulted-ceiling Living

for $4,395,000

Room, featuring a full-stone fireplace and a glass-enclosed wine storage room, ideal for showcasing your collection. The open-concept Kitchen offers two large islands and connects to a Breakfast Nook, Keeping Room, and Formal Dining Room—perfect for both casual meals and elegant entertaining. A wellappointed Laundry Room and spacious Walk-In Pantry enhance the home’s functionality. Upstairs, discover three additional very spacious En-Suite Bedrooms and an office. The unfinished space above the three-car garage offers potential for additional square footage, ready for your personal touch. Don’t miss the chance to own this one-of-a-kind property with luxury finishes, unparalleled views, and a prime location in Cedar Hill. MLS 105907

Wade Hampton Golf Club

4 BR / 4 BA / 0.84 ACRES This beautifully renovated home blends timeless character with modern luxury. The great room serves as the heart of the home, featuring vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace that creates a welcoming atmosphere. Natural light pours through large windows, while the open flow leads seamlessly into the beautiful kitchen and formal dining room. Completing the living areas, a charming Carolina Porch with its own fireplace provides a relaxed outdoor setting for enjoying morning coffee or entertaining guests. The Primary En-Suite is a true retreat, offering a serene ambiance and glimpses of the mountains beyond the golf course below the property. A spacious, remodeled bath with dual vanities, a large walk-in shower, and an expansive walk-in closet completes this retreat. The main level also features a cozy study, a second bedroom, and a beautifully appointed guest bath, ensuring comfort and convenience for both residents and visitors. The Terrace Level offers even more living space, with a cozy

for $3,695,000

family room anchored by a stone fireplace and a full wet bar—ideal for relaxing or hosting. Two generously sized en-suite bedrooms offer privacy and comfort, while the terrace-level Carolina Porch extends your living space outdoors, inviting you to take in the fresh air and views. Every detail in this home has been thoughtfully curated with exquisite custom furnishings and decor, creating a refined yet welcoming atmosphere throughout. Outside, the gently rolling lot boasts terraced gardens, lawn spaces, and an inviting outdoor fire pit. Situated just minutes from the charming mountain village of Cashiers and located within the gates of the prestigious Wade Hampton Golf Club, this home offers the perfect balance of privacy, luxury, and convenience. With its impeccable renovation, stunning surroundings, and thoughtful design, this home is an exceptional find for those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat. MLS 32855

4 BR / 3 BA / 1 ACRE Located just minutes from the heart of Cashiers, this sophisticated and recently updated mountain residence is tucked within the low-density enclave of Stonefly—where privacy, serenity, and natural splendor converge. Residents enjoy privileged access to tranquil hiking trails and the pristine Chattooga River, winding gracefully through the community. Thoughtfully designed for elevated mountain living, this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home boasts an open-concept layout connecting the great room, dining area, and kitchen—creating an ideal setting for both intimate gatherings and entertaining.

3 BR / 2.5 BA / 1.35 ACRES — Nestled just minutes from the heart of Cashiers, this charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom mountain cottage offers year round views of Whiteside Mountain, Shortoff Mountain and is a perfect blend of comfort and nature. Set within a serene community, the property fronts a greenspace and features a boutique lake stocked for catch-and-release fishing. Inside, the inviting open-concept living area features a cozy living room with a fireplace, dining room and expansive windows that showcase the mountain and forest views. The well-appointed kitchen includes granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and ample storage. A spacious Carolina porch provides the perfect spot to unwind and take in the fresh mountain air. A primary en-suite

Starting at $2,285,000

Rich textures, fine finishes, and a beautiful stone fireplace anchor the living space, while expansive windows and doors invite the outdoors in. Step onto the spacious Carolina Porch to take in a view of the iconic Whiteside Mountain, and unwind beside the outdoor fireplace—an idyllic setting for year-round enjoyment. Additional features include an attached two-car garage, gently terraced gardens, and manicured lawn spaces that blend beautifully into the surrounding landscape. A rare opportunity to own a refined retreat where nature and mountain elegance meet—just moments from Cashiers’ dining and shopping. MLS 1000631

$1,425,000

can be found on the main level with two additional guest rooms, an office and bathroom on the second level. The home also includes a two-car carport with a bonus space above, offering great potential for expansion, as the property is already equipped with a 4-bedroom septic system. Beautiful garden spaces can be found around the front of the home and terraced down the back yard which features a built-in stone patio and firepit area. Whether as a full-time residence or vacation retreat, this mountain cottage offers the ideal balance of seclusion and convenience! Call or text Liz Harris today at 828.342.3194 for a personal tour of this property! MLS 1000305

In-Town Cashiers Garden Cottage Offered

2 BR / 3.5 BA / 0.54 ACRES — Tucked away in the heart of Cashiers, this charming mountain cottage offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and natural beauty. Built less than two years ago, the home sits on over half an acre of unrestricted land with lush garden spaces and serene creek frontage, creating a private oasis just a short stroll from Cashiers Lake and beloved local favorites like Cornucopia Restaurant, Brookings Fly Shop, and The Wine Cellar. Inside, cozy mountain cottage ambience abounds with a wood-burning fireplace at the center of the main level, and which also includes a spacious

Laurel Meadow Cottage

3 BR / 3.5 BA / 0.33 ACRES Discover this pre-construction sale of a charming new cottage, perfectly situated just outside the gates of Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club and a quick 4-minute drive to downtown Cashiers. Nestled in a serene, sunlit setting, this home boasts picturesque views of the community meadow and glimpses of the prestigious Whiteside Mountain. The main level features an open-concept living area that seamlessly flows onto a spacious covered porch and wraparound decks, ideal for outdoor entertaining. You’ll find the primary bedroom on this level, along with

for $1,295,000

Primary En-Suite and thoughtfully designed living areas. Upstairs, you’ll find a Guest En-Suite, an Office, and a versatile Bonus En-Suite Room. Offered fully furnished and move-in ready, the home is perfectly equipped for immediate enjoyment. Outdoor living is elevated with a large screened-in Carolina Porch complete with its own fireplace, plus a stone grilling and dining patio nestled among the gardens. The expansive backyard, bordered by a gentle creek, offers tranquility and space to unwind, while glimpses of Chimneytop Mountain from the front porch and upstairs suite add a touch of scenic magic. MLS 1000555

Offered for $1,295,000

a versatile office or nursery space. Upstairs, two generously-sized bedrooms with en suite baths await, complemented by a roomy loft area perfect for a second living space or family room. Located in the new Laurel Meadow community, this low-maintenance home allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without the hassle—including HOA maintained landscaping! With only eight homes in this quaint neighborhood, you’ll find the perfect blend of convenience and tranquility, all at an exceptional price point. Don’t miss out on this idyllic retreat! MLS 106184 LIZ HARRIS,

Pages 192-201

Photo by Susan Renfro

Happy Place in High Country

Beauty and forging warm personal relationships are Kathy Balistreri’s ingredients for a happy life. If you’re curious, contact Kathy at (828) 883-4848; email balistrerirealty@ gmail.com, or visit laketoxawayliving.com.

Kathy Balistreri

Kathy Balistreri has a delightful way of looking at the world. With an eye for beauty and order she began her Interior Design business shortly after college. Hence–her enchantment for fine dwellings. Kathy grew up in South Florida, so she loves being on water. In 1964 her dad opened a real estate business which boomed. Over the years, her two brothers expanded the business.

At age 18 Kathy was the youngest licensed broker in the Ft. Lauderdale Board of Realtors. At the time men dominated the industry, but her passion for selling fine homes helped her overcome any anxiety. Kathy points out today that women lead the residential real estate businesses.

How did she wind up in North Carolina? South Florida summers are unmerciful, and the terrain is flat-out-flat compared to Western North Carolina. So, the Plateau, its beauty, and its coolness ap -

pealed to her and her family. They built a home on Lake Toxaway and the family found their “Happy Place” in the high country. It started out as their vacation home, but six years later they left Boca Raton and never looked back.

…the Plateau, its beauty, and its coolness appealed to her and her family.

seem like work.” Her real estate team helps with the prep and research which frees her up to share her enthusiastic vision of possibilities with her clients. Kathy adds, “I do enjoy introducing people to our diverse areas and communities. There is something for everyone. My love for living in the mountains is contagious.” Potential buyers feel that.

Kathy’s two children were in high school in Brevard when she got her N.C. Real Estate license. She went right to work, opening her own office selling property from Asheville to Brevard, and Lake Toxaway to Highlands.

She has an incredibly busy life, and continues to thrive in an ever-changing world of real estate.

She says, “I love what I do, so it doesn’t

If you’re feeling that love, and looking for your happy place on the Plateau, contact Kathy at (828) 883-4848; email balistrerirealty@gmail.com, or visit laketoxawayliving.com. You can also contact Kathy at P.O. Box 210, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747.

by Donna Rhodes

photos by Mary Gillan Renfro Scan to learn more.

Lake Toxaway Company, located at 100 Waterfall Circle in Lake Toxaway, has been serving the area for 65 years, and they have been the leading full-service brokerage firm in the Lake Toxaway region since the beginning.

In 2024 they were involved in 65 percent of all real estate transactions in Lake Toxaway, whether as listing agents, buyer’s agents, or both. They have been ranked Number One in both MLS systems for the Lake Toxaway area from 2009-2024.

They understand that Lake Toxaway living is a way of life unlike any other because they were instrumental in the rebirth of the area.

In 1903 a few visionary men dammed the Toxaway River to create Lake Toxaway, built the five-story Toxaway Inn, and a resort was born, one visited by the Fords, Edisons, and Rockefellers among other notable families.

A decade or so later, after a series of floods and tropical storms, the dam burst. And just like that, the lake (and the tourists) disappeared.

All that changed in 1960 when Reg Heinitsh and a new group of visionary investors rebuilt the dam, restored the lake, and began attracting new generations of visitors and families to the Lake Toxaway way of life.

That investment in the community and belief in its appeal and possibilities resulted in a love and understanding of the area unique to Lake Toxaway Company. That, combined with their commitment to their clients, has elevated the agency to its well-deserved Number One position.

They know this area better than anyone, and they understand the value of the area’s lifestyle. The lake, the forests, the wildlife, the exceptional views, and the sense of community all combine to make this the perfect place for those seeking an active lifestyle far away from the hustle and bustle of the stresses of everyday life.

Will Heinitsh, Executive Vice President and Broker-InCharge says that, “Leading a third-generation company rooted in this region is an honor, and our long-standing team is a key part of that success. Their decades of experience and dedication continue to shape the exceptional services we provide to our community.”

Whether you’re buying or selling, Lake Toxaway Company can help your real estate dreams come true. For those wanting to test the waters and visit before purchasing a home, they have 22 rental homes available, many of which allow Lake Toxaway Country Club access (by application).

by Marlene Osteen

Photo by Susan Renfro

An Ebenezer for Highlands

The history of Highlands, a series of comings and goings and sudden disasters, is illuminated in a new walking tour of the town.

An Ebenezer for Highlands: “Samuel took a large stone and set it up … He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” –1 Samuel 7:12

If you are like me, the first Ebenezer that you ever encountered was the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol. While true that it was an uncommon given name for males through generations, you may also know that it has its root in the Bible.

In 1 Samuel 4, it is told that Ebenezer is a name of a place where the Israelites camped before defeating the Philistines in battle.

Later, there was a subsequent battle again won by the Israelites that Samuel wished to memorialize as described in the verse above.

At this time, an Ebenezer became a type of altar or memorial. The purpose of Samuel’s alter was to remind the Israelites of what God had done for

them. It was a visual reminder of His faithfulness and was erected to provide them hope for the future.

Today, Highlands has its own Ebenezer of sorts. It is inconspicuously located in the parking lot in the rear of the Falls on Main Shopping Center. You may have passed it by many times, without realizing its importance to the history of our small town.

There, in the middle of the back parking lot, is a sturdy stone chimney that is all that remains of the first home constructed in Highlands in 1875 by Town founder, Samuel Kelsey. Kelsey and fellow founder Clinton Carter “C.C.” Hutchinson chose this remote area due to its temperate climate, beautiful vistas and the prospects of creating a commercial hub.

Hutchinson stayed less than one year, but Kelsey brought his wife, Katherine, a daughter and three sons to live in Highlands where he built the two-story

home that once stood on the spot. After putting up the initial money to buy the 839 acres that would form most of the town, Hutchinson sold the whole town to Kelsey for $6,000 three years later.

The house Kelsey built had a central hall, parlor, living room and dining room downstairs. In back, there was a wing containing a butler’s pantry, kitchen and back porch. Upstairs there were three large bedrooms with closets. The house was built at a cost of $350 and a barn was built for $100 at the back of the property.

The Kelseys soon had a second daughter, Edith, who was the second child to be born in the new Town of Highlands in 1878.

Kelsey sold the home in 1890 to Professor Thomas Harbison, the headmaster of Highlands Academy, and left to found Linville, North Carolina. Harbison later sold the home to Miss Minnie Warren who christened it

Kanonah Lodge. The home was then eventually owned by Rebecca Harris for whom Harris Lake was later named.

In 1976, while owned by Steve Potts and occupied by a local entertainment and dining group, sparks from a newly installed wood stove drifted up the chimney and ignited, consuming the house in flames.

Despite the best efforts of local firemen, the fire completely destroyed what was the oldest house in Highlands, leaving only the chimney – which remains the oldest chimney in Highlands today. Originally built in 1875 by Hanson McCall, who walked five miles each day to earn his dollar, the stones were laid with such skill that the joints show no mortar, but could survive an intense fire over 100 years from being laid.

The chimney’s importance as an Ebenezer to those who settled Highlands is further evidenced by the fact that a full replica of the chimney now stands in

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

In this, the year of the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Town of Highlands, we should all raise our “Ebenezer” to those who came before us to create what we are now blessed to call home. Like the stone of Samuel, it also symbolizes our hope for the future.

This story, and many more like it, will soon become part of a 17-building walking tour established by the Highlands Historical Society to honor the 150th Anniversary, beginning July 1.

Maps for the tour will be available at the Chamber of Commerce or the Historical Village, located at 524 N. 4th Street. The Historical Village is now open for the 2025 Season – Thursday to Saturday, from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and on Sundays, from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. by Tracy Foor, Highlands Historical Society

Homesteads and History

The roots of the Edwards family, ubiquitous in nearly every aspect of Highlands, go way back.

This 1907 photo was recently found by descendants of the Edwards family pictured here. Prominent in the history of Highlands, they lived on a dairy farm at the north end of Fifth street, where they had a barn, granary, carriage house, apple orchard, cider press, and vegetable garden. Their property ran along Hickory and Poplar streets to the Cashiers Road, and is located at the head of the Kelsey Trail. Highlands historian Ran Shaffner wrote about their “bucolic homestead” in the Oct. 22, 2004, issue of Highlands Newspaper:

“Only one family in Highlands has lived this long on land their ancestor bought even before the official founding of the town. Indeed, no other family within the town limits can claim to have lived continuously on land they bought from the town’s founder, Samuel Kelsey, himself, as Charles B. Edwards did 126 years ago. And the Edwards family still

lives on almost 10 acres where 5th Street vanishes into the Kelsey Trail.”

Laurel readers, as we mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Highlands, I’m here to tell you the Edwardses are there yet, in their 1891 farmhouse! (The first having burned down).

I recently spoke with first cousins Rosemary Fleming and Anne McDonald, who told me about their ancestors in the photo, and their own memories of growing up in Highlands, some of which I will include in a future article.

Their grandfather, Grover David Edwards (1884-1942), son of Charles B. mentioned above, stands on top of the rock, in shirt and tie and light-colored hat. His mother, Sarah, is the lady seated in white blouse and dark skirt, closest to the viewer. Her husband Charles is not shown because he disappeared years earlier. Grover was one of eight children. Aside from running the family farm,

Grover also worked as a forester for Prioleau Ravenel Jr., who owned most of the land between Highlands and Cashiers. Grover’s younger brother, Charles, is the four-square looking fellow standing far left, holding a gun. Three of their six sisters are shown. Reading left to right they are: Gertrude Edwards Richert (sitting in profile, looking at her children Marguerite and Joseph Richert); Gertrude (standing next to Grover); and Mary Edwards Wright, who died the very next year.

Her husband was Charlie Wright, later famous for his daring rescue on Whiteside Mountain.

But by then, the widower had married Helen, of Helen’s Barn fame. by Stuart Ferguson

Photo by Susan Renfro

An Asylum of Cuckoos

Written by a cluster of kids centuries ago. Their reference to fowl, got them a Pullet Surprise.

You’ve heard of a murder of crows. If there were a flock of cuckoos, they’d be called an asylum. Great. Like we need flying rubber ramadas.

The cuckoo nomenclature inspired One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, written by Ken Kesey in 1962–for those unfamiliar. The book was made into a movie starring Jack Nicholson, released in 1975. It won a plethora of awards. Worth a look.

The ‘60s/70s were a time America was swimming in cray-cray soup, a dish in which we still slosh about. In tribute to Kesey’s brilliant treatment of individualistic principles, here is a brief new version of an old fable:

An asylum of cuckoos flew into town.

Granted, cuckoos are usually solitary beasts, but a very powerful cuckoo had a very big following. The leader was tricky, seductive, yet charming. Satan at his best.

He told his followers to lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. Nesting parents would do all the dirty work for them. Further, the cuckoo fledgling would knock all the other babies out of the nest so he’d get all the goodies.

Why didn’t parents recognize the invader and his danger?

They weren’t that educated. Plus, they were complacent to hang on to what they had. Yet, Mrs. Warbler cried to Mr. Warbler, “We’ve lost all out babes except this very big one. He must take after

your family.”

“More like your Aunt Brassy.”

“Hmpf. Well, Aunt B. does sing with the opera–and she does have a very large diaphragm.”

I hate to refer to birdbrain here, but Mother Nature plugged birds into caring for what they are stuck-with without stopping to think about alternatives. That’s when a shifty cuckoo sneaks in to undermine the system.

The moral of this cuckoo story: Be mindful of whom you let run the asylum. You might get plucked.

by Donna Rhodes art by Norma Jean Zahner

Another Successful BEE Kind Mental Health Awareness Month Comes to a Close

A Plateau built upon the spirit of kindness is a goal to carry through the rest of the year.

As we bid farewell to another impactful Mental Health Awareness Month in May, it’s important to reflect on the progress we’ve made in creating a more understanding and compassionate world for those struggling with mental health challenges. This year, the BEE Kind Mental Health initiative once again sparked conversations, encouraged empathy, and fostered a sense of community support for individuals dealing with mental health issues.

Throughout the month, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation and Counseling Center of Highlands have been working to promote mental

health awareness. Through programs and partnerships, the initiative was able to open conversations and reduce stigma around mental health and wellness. The Health Foundation and Counseling Center of Highlands also provided mental health resources to the graduating seniors at Blue Ridge Early College, Highlands School, and Summit Charter School. These efforts have undoubtedly contributed to reducing stigma and fostering openness about mental health struggles.

As our awareness month wraps up, it is crucial to remember that support and resources are available all year round. Whether you are looking for therapy options, support groups, crisis hotlines, or educational materials, there are numerous avenues to explore. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and no one should feel alone in their mental health journey.

If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Speaking with your primary healthcare provider is always a good place to start. Additionally, here is a list of local and national resources available that provide a safe space for individuals to express their emotions, share their concerns, and receive professional guidance along their mental health journey. These resources can include therapy, counseling, support groups, and hotlines.

Counseling Center of Highlands, NC: www.counseling-center.org

Blue Ridge Health: www.brchs.com

Community Care Clinic of Highlands Cashiers: www.highlandscashiersclinic.org

National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ find-help

Mental Health America: www.mhanational.org

Psychology Today: www.psychologytoday.com/us

During times of immediate crisis, knowing where to seek help is essential. For life-threatening emergencies, individuals are urged to call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room promptly.

In cases of suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24-hour confidential support through calls, texts, or online chats with trained crisis counselors. Call or text 988 or chat online at www.988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

For veterans specifically, the Veterans Crisis Line offers a similar 24-hour, confidential service that connects veterans and their supporters with trained responders for aid and guidance. The service is available to all veterans and those who support them, even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA healthcare. To access the Veterans Crisis Line, call 988, then press “1,” send a text to 838255, or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net.

Let’s carry the spirit of BEE Kind forward, advocating for mental health awareness, support, and understanding every day. Together, we can continue to create a more compassionate and supportive community for all.

To learn more about the Health Foundation, visit www.healthyplateau.org.

by Josh Bryson, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation

The Outpost Inn

A chimera of rare proportions, the Outpost Inn is its own cozy animal. It can be experienced at 790 North 4th Street in Highlands.

It’s the Outpost Inn, the output of historic preservationist Jason Reeves, the tangible manifestation of his most outlandish design fantasies – where a hippie commune shacks up with an Appalachian lodge and leaves its toothbrush on the sink.

Part ‘60s motor court, part Woodstock revival, it’s a place where the analogies pile up as quickly as the vintage quilts: Burning Man meets summer camp for the beatnik era; Topanga Canyon and the Catskills have a baby and raise it on the edge of the Blue Ridge.

You get the picture – but only sort of, because the Outpost isn’t trying to be pinned down.

Reeves doesn’t just renovate buildings, he resurrects their soul.

The Outpost Inn, recently named one of Esquire Magazine’s Best New

Hotels in America, is the second of his Highlands ventures.

After transforming the Main Street Inn into the Highlander Mountain House, Reeves couldn’t stop thinking about a curious cluster of early 20th-century buildings just down the road. They’d been a retail center, a doctor’s office, later a hotel called The Wells. Now they stood awkwardly polished, waiting to be rescued from their own renovation.

“I kept driving past it,” Reeves says, “and it reminded me of Deetjen’s Inn in Big Sur. There was something about the bones of the place, the way the buildings sat on the land, that got under my skin. I couldn’t let it go.”

Haunted, inspired, and a little obsessed, Reeves finally leapt when the property came back on the market. His vision? A hippie-modernist retreat for creatives, seekers, and anyone who’s ever felt more

at home barefoot and by a fire.

The Outpost, then, is no ordinary hotel. You don’t check in so much as drop into a world that feels both transported and timeless. The 14 guest rooms – all petfriendly, with private exterior entries – wrap around inviting courtyards with open-air fireplaces, plenty of covered porches, and the occasional stash of complimentary s’mores supplies. When rain moves in (and in Highlands, it often does), guests don’t retreat – they just reconfigure.

Inside, the lobby riffs on the old mercantile with rough-sawn floors, shiplap walls, and a fireplace worthy of a group guitar jam. Reeves wanted it to feel like a summer camp gathering spot – where you come back from your cabin to commune, tell stories, drink something warm or strong, and reconnect.

The rooms are just as layered and per-

sonal. There’s no hotel-grade monotony. Instead, each space is a composition— somewhere between a vintage fever dream and a designer’s thesis. There are Noguchi lamps and Appalachian rockers, Pendleton blankets, antique pottery, and handmade walnut headboards. Reeves sourced nearly everything himself, dragging back pieces from Round Top, flea markets, and backroad antique barns.

“It’s meant to feel like the mountain cabin of my eccentric uncle from the 1970s,” Reeves says. “Each object stirs a memory. Nothing’s perfect, and that’s the point.”

The result is a kind of immersive nostalgia that’s difficult to describe and even harder to leave.

And that’s exactly what Reeves is after: a place where guests don’t just sleep, but stay. Stay to read the Foxfire books stacked on the shelves, thumb through a dog-eared copy of Ron Rash or Charles Frazier or sketch out a new song lyric at one of the lobby tables.

“I wanted it to be a haven for people who make things – music, writing, art. A creative camp with good bath products.”

And now open to the public, the inn’s coffee and wine bar is a soulful extension of that spirit. Espresso and banana bread by morning; natural wines and small plates by evening. The menu is simple and thoughtful: smoked trout dip, Appalachian charcuterie, housemade chips dusted in za’atar. Designed to spark conversation or let you sink deeper into your book, the offerings echo the inn’s central vibe – unhurried, communal, and quietly compelling.

But what makes the Outpost most remarkable is that it never slips into pastiche. It’s not a theme. It’s a feeling – an atmosphere conjured through design, intention, and the quiet energy of someone who believes deeply in place. Reeves, who also co-owns The Greystone Inn and is repositioning it with Wild Air Ventures, may have degrees in historic preservation and real estate design, but his real talent is mood.

He knows how to animate space—how to make it feel lived in, longed for, and strangely familiar.

And that might be the secret of the Outpost’s appeal. You arrive expecting a hotel. You leave wondering how a place you just met already feels like home. Located just a six-minute walk from Main Street, it’s close enough to town but feels miles removed.

“I think what we’re doing here is helping people unplug,” Reeves told me. “Reconnect with what matters. Inspiration through the arts. Slowing down. Listening again.”

You don’t need to be an artist to stay here. But it might make you one.

by Marlene Osteen

Financial Focus® Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

You should always be able to ask as many questions as you’d like when working with your financial advisor.

So, before you have your annual review, think carefully about what you’d like to ask.

Here are a few suggestions:

Are my goals still realistic? When you first began working with your financial advisor, you may well have articulated several financial goals.

For example, you might have said that you wanted to pay for most of your children’s college education, or that you’d like to retire at age 55, or that you hope to travel internationally every year during retirement.

continue with the financial strategies you’ve been following; but if you aren’t, you may need to adjust them.

The same is true if your goals have changed. You and your financial advisor will want to build a strategy to address any new or different goals such as emergency cash needs, having adequate insurance protection or estate planning.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

In fact, you could have many different goals for which you’re saving and investing. When you meet with your financial advisor, you’ll certainly want to ask whether you’re still on track toward meeting these goals. If you are, you can

Am I taking on too much — or too little — risk? Put market declines in perspective. The financial markets always fluctuate, and these movements will affect the value of your investment portfolio. Suppose you watch the markets closely every day and track their impact on your investments. You may find yourself fretting over their value and wondering whether you’re taking on too much investment risk for your comfort level.

Conversely, if during an extended period of market gains your own portfolio appears to be lagging, you might feel that you should be investing more aggres-

sively, which entails greater risk. In any case, it’s important to consult with your financial advisor to determine your risk tolerance and use it as a guideline for making investment choices.

How will changes in my life affect my investment strategy? Your life is not static. Over the years, you may experience any number of major events, such as marriage, remarriage, loss of a spouse, birth of children or grandchildren, changing jobs or illness leading to early retirement.

When you meet with your financial advisor, you will want to discuss these types of changes, because they can affect your long-term goals and your investment decisions.

How are external forces affecting my investment portfolio?

Generally speaking, you will want to create an investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

And, as mentioned, you may need to adjust your strategy based on changes in your life. But should you also make changes based on outside forces, such as interest rate movements, political events, inflation, new tax legislation or news affecting industries in which you have invested substantially?

Try not to make long-term investment decisions based on short-term news. Yet, talk with your financial advisor to make sure your investment portfolio and spending strategy are not out of alignment with relevant external factors. By making these and other inquiries, you can help yourself stay informed about your overall investment picture and what moves, if any, you should make to keep advancing toward your goals. A financial advisor is there to provide you with valuable guidance — so take full advantage of it.

Todd Holder

My Kitty Cat Cuddle Bug

Mary Jane’s cats travel in her heart everywhere, always.

This month, the I Grew Up in Highlands feature takes a personal turn as I was faced with the loss of a very loved cat, unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer. It prompted a trip down memory lane about the role of cats in my life, and I think it illustrates the cat’s evolving place in rural America.

Growing up, I don’t recall many house cats. Cats were around. We fed them. Many loved them, but they were enigmas floating in our periphery.

My first cat, Tigress, was an orange beauty who appeared on our doorstep, and we formed an instant bond. She followed me everywhere. She is part of my story. She was the epitome of ruthlessness and love, charming with me, a killing machine in the wild. Never a house cat, but every morning we would wake up to a persistent cry at our door, and when we opened it, she was there with a gift for me, usually the remains of her nightly hunt. She was the happiest

and saddest part of my childhood. Her demise was traumatizing.

Skipping ahead to the early days of my marriage, my husband came home with a shiny black kitten from a construction site. Charles was also the epitome of sweetness and savagery. Coyly accepting affection one minute, attacking the next. He was an indoor-outdoor cat, coming and going at will, the king of his domain. We loved him madly. He was run over by a dump truck, and I think it was the equivalent of a silver stake through the heart; nothing less would have killed him.

Time travel again to my sweet Rosie, another gift from the cat distribution system. I was picking up the ashes of my cat Boo-Boo from the vet when they said, “We have kittens”- very young, sickly kittens they were nursing back to health. I fell in love with the tiny male. “Don’t you want the little girl, too?”

“Heck no,” I said, “she’s the wildest

thing I’ve ever seen.” No bigger than a mouse, she was climbing up my leg, meowing like a banshee.

You guessed it, when the kittens were healthy enough to come home, I adopted both. There was just something about Rosie, and she never stepped out of character. She was a pistol who lived life as an indoor princess. Independent, mischievous, entertaining, and a total cuddle bug when she wanted to be. Every morning, she leaped into bed when the alarm went off, snuggled close, and we exchanged daily affirmations. I told her what a special cat she was, and judging from her chatty responses, I think she was telling me the same. Rosie left tiny pawprints on my broken heart, but take it from me, if the universe drops a cat in your lap, scoop it up.

by Mary Jane McCall

A Wealth of Knowledge

The secret of Nth Degree, bursting onto the design and construction fields in Toxaway and this corner of Western North Carolina? Wise management, warm personal attention, and a vast inventory of décor and home furnishings. For a seamless real estate experience, call Nth Degree at (614) 332-1563 or visit nthliving.com.

Neal Hauschild and Jeff Ramm

Nth Degree is the newest face in real estate and interior design in the Sapphire and Lake Toxaway area, but trust us, they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm, and innovation with them.

Associated with Coldwell Banker Advantage, partners Neal Hauschild and Jeff Ramm have over 23 years of real estate and design experience with offices in Ohio and Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Their move further west into the Lake Toxaway market was a natural step since they own a home here and couldn’t wait for an opportunity to spend as much time here as possible.

Their love of this area is contagious, and their passion for helping clients make their real estate and design dreams come true is evident.

Both have roots in North Carolina. In addition to vacationing in Western North Carolina whenever possible and

falling in love with the area, Neal has a master’s degree in engineering from Duke. He also spent time at Fort Bragg when he served in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm. Jeff managed and owned restaurants in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Cherokee.

Nth Degree offers their clients comprehensive service from start to finish, as they are a true one-stop real estate and interior design company. Imagine a company that can find your perfect home or land, design and build a new home, or reimagine and renovate an older home, as well as help with all your interior design and home décor needs. In this fast-paced world, that sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?

Jeff and Neal can streamline your purchase, build, or renovate by managing your project throughout, employing licensed construction crews and tradesmen.

They will ensure that the job is done right

– as Jeff says, “the buck stops with us.” Exceptionally visionary and talented interior designers, they will also work with you in creating spaces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply personal as they take the time to listen to what you need and what fits with your lifestyle. They maintain a 5,500-square-foot home décor and furnishings showroom in Ohio so they can curate your space effortlessly from their extensive inventory or through the retailers of your choice

Neal and Jeff also enjoy renovating older homes themselves, and they are renovating a recently purchased second home on Lake Cardinal in Lake Toxaway. They consider it their Inspiration House, and prospective clients can see their artistry firsthand. Upon completion in the fall, they plan an unveiling party with proceeds to benefit a local non-profit.

by Mary Jane McCall

Pandemic of Loneliness

The silent assassin of our modern age

Sitting in my New York City apartment listening to the untamed wind and rain on my window in the solitude of skyscrapers during the covid-19 pandemic, I see another silent pandemic slowly creeping through our locked doors and windows.

This spirit is a subject of our greatest poets and has been a nearly unobserved risk factor to our health.

Loneliness is a silent killer and we are now at a higher risk than ever before. First a little story.

As a precocious child from rural North Carolina where the nearest restaurant was 45 minutes away, the concept of loneliness seemed to me a lot like how Emily Dickinson described it: “It might be Lonelier without the Loneliness” and is something I intuitively understood. Emily always capitalized the word Lonely like one would the word God. That alone is quite a statement.

From telling my mother at age six that I thought God might be Lonely to being the little girl with braids who one old man called Rabbit because I ran around visiting the old folks on their blue floored porches listening to their stories of visiting “Haints” (southern

for Ghosts), fighting in the wars, seeing the first car or some other adventure, Literature was my companion and poets like Wordsworth “I wandered lonely as a cloud...”, Shakespeare, Keats, Yeats, and of course the master of ceremonies herself, Emily Dickinson, were my constant companions.

Lines like “I fear me this – is Loneliness – the Maker of the soul” were as close friends to me as your best physical friend might have been to you.

Later as a pulmonary critical care physician, I remember a specific catch-this-memory-and-learn-fromit-moment. I gleefully entered into an elderly patient’s room but observed his reticence to be discharged home after a long hospitalization. There was a sense of fear that prevailed over his room.

I asked him what was the matter? I remember he answered me with the clearest tear-filled blue twinkling eyes and said, “I am afraid of being Lonely again.”

This one sentence has had a profound effect on my practice of medicine.

I recognized there was a connection between Loneliness and our health.

From that day on, I always had such things as touch therapy, hairdressers,

and music as an essential part of my ICU. I always asked the family to bring in a photo of the patients to put on the wall so that family and the staff could see the person as a person, not as a sometimes unrecognizable overinflated Pillsbury Doughboy look-alike on a ventilator – no longer a human being. This was a real problem.

Yet only in the recent years has the medical and scientific community begun to study the impact of loneliness.

But exactly what is it?

First of all, Loneliness is not the state of being alone.

Loneliness is the physical and mental state of feeling isolated and irrelevant. A person may feel invisible to humanity and of no matter to anyone. I would define it as the state of feeling unloved.

A person can feel the loneliest in a crowded room or can be alone all day with their favorite book and never feel lonely at all..

Humans have varying levels of the need for quality social interactions and much of this scientists have found is built into our genes. Poets seem to tolerate better than most and actually seem to welcome it as a companion for

Anita Dormer, MD

their creativity.

But for many their brains are not wired for Lonely. Fifty percent of how we feel “loneliness” is gene related much like inheriting diabetes, etc.

In fact, the location in our brain that lonely seems to hide out is the dorsal raphe nucleus.

What I find very intriguing is that 25 percent of the cells there make dopamine, but scientists don’t know the function of the other 75 percent. Loneliness truly remains a mystery. One researcher named Cacioppo has a theory called The Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness. It may not have the exact impact of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but then again, it just might. He demonstrated that, much like Maslow’s Hierachy of Needs, love and social interaction are essential for human well-being and survival. Just as we seek to satisfy our hunger or thirst, we try to remove the disconnection from others. From studies in isolated mice, he determined that isolated mice become temporarily hypersocial upon re-entering a social network.

I believe we will certainly see such a rebound in socializing since the social distancing and quarantines have been lifted.

This all seems so obvious, but I was never taught about loneliness in medical school and I doubt most doctors were.

As physicians, we should be aware of the effects of Loneliness and isolation.

In fact, in 2018 Britain appointed a Loneliness Minister of Health named by the very British name of Tracey Crouch – a character name right out of Dickens – to help combat Britain’s chronic Loneliness problem.

According to the British Red Cross, one-fifth of the British suffer from Chronic Loneliness. Governments around the world are increasingly aware of the health and economic impact of the state of a lonely nation.

What are some of the health risks of Loneliness?

In the Care Study, $6.7 billion in annual federal spending is attributable to social isolation among older adults.

That staggering number is set to increase as our populations continue to be, on average, more elderly.

People just stopped having children and this problem carries a huge public health and financial punch, especially when anticipating who will pay for social programs.

There is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease – a 9-percent increase in risk of coronary heart disease and a 32-percent increase in the risk of stroke.

But it’s not just a matter of the heart! There’s also the increased risk for premature death. The Holt-Lunstad study involving 3.4 million people revealed that physical and emotional isolation can lead to a 30-percent chance of increased risk of premature death.

A 2007 study by Cacioppo and Cole found that lonely people’s immune system seems to increase the body’s ability to fight bacterial infections and lowers the ability to combat viral infections.

Loneliness is having a direct impact on what we are seeing play out on the world stage. I believe that one day a retrospective study will reveal a significant factor in the covid-19 mortality will be the level of social isolation the person had preceding the illness.

People have a greater degree of Loneliness at age 75 and older. Often the elderly have lost most of their friends and maybe even some children by this point in life. For the first three months after the death of a spouse, the risk for the living widowed spouse dying can be as high as 60-percent.

I remember visiting one of those old southern porches and hearing the theme that there just was nobody left anymore.

They were all alone with their stories sitting there waiting to tell someone who would be interested to hear.

The deep losses of each family we as society will feel for a long time.

The unknowable losses of talent – of inventors and of artists is a great, great sadness to me.

But this is not new.

One hundred years ago almost to the day when we starting hearing about covid-19, another pandemic cost us an extraordinary man.

His name was Sir William Osler, the father of modern medicine.

He died of complications from the Spanish Flu pandemic.

Now here was a man well-acquainted with the impact of loneliness and psychology on health. We may never truly realize our devastating loss to this pandemic, just as the Spanish Flu took the life of the greatest physician of the modern age.

One of his quotes has stayed with me through my years of treating patients and will serve us all again to remember:

“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”

Make a list of how you might affect change in loneliness in the people around you and then act on it.

Be loving, be kind and when you feel lonely perhaps reflect on what has filled your heart with pleasure as Wordsworth did when Lonely crept into his mood, he recalled “a host of golden daffodils.”

This Spring of 2025, may you find some way to have your heart and those you meet dance with the memory of a host of golden daffodils.

by Anita Dormer, MD Dr. Anita Medical Aesthetics Regenerative and Cellular Medicine

The Hidden Cost of Inactivity: Why Your Joints Need You to Move

Dr. Kristin Lander, DC

After a long winter, there’s nothing quite like spring on the Plateau—sunshine, warmer temperatures, and the return of favorite activities. By June, golf courses are buzzing, hiking trails are alive, and movement is back on the calendar.

But if you’ve been feeling more stiff than spry, you’re not alone. Inactivity over the colder months can quietly take a toll on your joints—and your overall health.

Why Joints Get Stiff

Your joints rely on regular motion to bring in nutrients, flush out waste, and keep cartilage healthy. Without consistent movement, the fluid that lubricates your joints becomes stagnant, and supporting muscles weaken. This leads to stiffness, discomfort, and even pain when you try to get moving again.

Inactivity Affects Your Entire

Body

What many people don’t realize is that inactivity impacts your health at the

cellular level. Movement triggers your cells to repair and regenerate. Without it, mitochondria (your cells’ energy producers) slow down, inflammation rises, and the aging process speeds up. Movement doesn’t just help you feel better—it helps you function better, too.

The Problem with “Resting” Too Much

Joint pain often causes people to rest more—but too much rest can accelerate joint decline. The key is the right kind of movement: low-impact, consistent, and focused on full range of motion.

Simple Ways to Get Moving Again

You don’t need to overhaul your routine. Try these easy strategies:

• Warm up before tee time. Gentle stretches like arm circles and leg swings prepare joints for activity.

• Walk more. A daily 20-minute walk, especially on uneven terrain, re-activates joint and core stability.

• Add mobility work. Exercises like cat-cow, bird-dog, and hip hinges keep joints fluid and strong.

You

Were Made to Move

Movement is more than exercise—it’s medicine. As the weather warms and activity picks up, your joints and your cells are ready to move with you. The sooner you start, the better you’ll feel—not just this summer, but for years to come.

by Dr. Kristin Lander, DC Highlands Chiropractic & Wellness

Scan to learn more.

Four Seasons Landscaping

Serving the plateau for 30 years and counting, Four Seasons Landscape reflects the passion and artistry of its owners and dedicated crew. For more information, call them at (828) 743-1046 or (828) 507-8789, and visit fourseasonslandscapehighlands.com.

Left to Right: Fernando Luna, Silverio Yanez, Donita Cline, Juan Yanez, Laura Shields, and LaToya Shields

Beautiful, livable, luxurious outdoor spaces are cherished here on the plateau, and the folks at Four Seasons Landscape are the people to call when you are ready to transform your outdoor space into the paradise of your dreams. Donita Cline and the Four Seasons Landscape crew have been designing, building, and maintaining many of the loveliest gardens across the Plateau for the past 31 years.

FSL lost its founder, Rick Haight in 2023. While Donita will always miss her husband, the addition of fellow designer Laura Shields has brought fresh creativity and rekindled the love of gardening within the entire Four Seasons team. When Donita and Laura put their collective knowledge to work, you know they will produce a design whose reality matches your dreams.

Construction leader Silverio Yanez oversees a talented crew of over 16 employees, many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years, and all of

whom are skilled and experienced. They transform gardens across the plateau. Client relations specialist LaToya Shields keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes and ensures that client services exceed expectations.

Whether you’re looking for an outdoor living space or courtyard, a patio with a fireplace or fire pit, water feature, walkway, stairway, terrace, gazebo, fence, handrail, rock work, retaining wall, or simply beautiful trees and plants, Four Seasons can handle it all.

Donita has shown that they excel at turning difficult terrain that appears to be unusable into something beautiful and functional. In addition to making these spaces usable, these transformations often help with erosion control or drainage issues, thereby maintaining the integrity of your landscape and protecting your home. They are problem solvers.

Audrey Hepburn said, “to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Four

Seasons Landscape always aims to build gardens that last a lifetime. Donita says that landscaping is their collective attempt at immortality.

Four Seasons also has a seven-acre nursery in Glenville, where they maintain an extensive inventory of plants, flowers, shrubs, and mature trees, ensuring that the materials needed for your design are always available, so your project proceeds smoothly.

The Four Seasons team has lived and worked in the area for decades and has developed relationships with local companies that assist them in offering complete landscape services, including gutter cleaning, large tree removal, and electrical services.

Their comprehensive services, attention to detail, skilled workmanship, and exceptional customer service have made Four Seasons Landscape the thriving business it is today. That is why so many clients have been with them for two or three decades.

Creative Concepts New Faces

A pair of new stylists has deepened the design team at Creative Concepts, 541 Main Street in Highlands.

Bailey Schmitt and Hannah Shuler

Spring has worked its magic across the Plateau.

Even businesses joined in the celebration of new life, and Creative Concepts, your bustling full-service hair salon at 541 Main Street in the Falls on Main Shops, caught the fever and sprouted exciting new growth.

Owner Lacy Jane Vilardo added two new, talented, fresh faces to her group of talented stylists.

You might recognize Bailey Schmitt, who has enjoyed working as a receptionist here for several years. She realized that this warm, welcoming space was where she wanted her home away from home to be, and watching clients leave with big smiles and bounces in their step after their hair and nail transformations made her realize she wanted to join the ranks as a stylist.

Bailey is a Highlands native and attended cosmetology school at North Georgia Tech.

Bailey says she’s “excited to meet new clients, learn new things, and work with some of my family and closest friends”. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Hannah Shuler, the other bright new face, hails from Bryson City, and she, too, has found her home at Creative Concepts, enjoying the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of the most accomplished hair professionals on the Plateau.

Hannah says she “wanted to become a cosmetologist to help people look and feel the best they can, and she’s excited to work at Creative Concepts.”

Like Bailey she spends her spare time with friends and family, and she loves to play softball.

Hannah and Bailey are perfect additions to this warm, welcoming salon that is a staple on the Plateau, offering a full range of services to women, men, and

children, including cuts, color, perms, extensions, and more. Whether you’re looking for a subtle change or something bolder, Creative Concepts Salon can help you achieve your look. Wedding parties are a specialty.

Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure while you’re there, or possibly a little nail art for a special occasion or to simply show your artistic flair.

Keeping your sun-kissed glow year-round is a cinch when you take advantage of their spray tan services. They offer a full line of hair care products and will happily help you choose the right ones for your needs. Add to that a stylish modern collection of jewelry and hair accessories, and you can work in a little retail therapy while you’re there. Call them at (828) 526-3939 and make an appointment today. You’ll leave happier and looking your best.

by Mary Jane McCall /

photo by Susan

Renfro

Women in Investing

With wise counsel and a careful strategy, women can take control of their financial destiny.

To learn more, visit SuncoastEquity.com or call (828) 487-8009 to speak with a prosperity advisor.

Investing has historically been viewed as a male-dominated sphere, but the landscape is changing dramatically. Women are increasingly taking charge of their financial futures, yet significant gaps remain in terms of participation, confidence, and financial literacy.

This article explores the current state of women in investing, the challenges they face, and the steps they can take to empower themselves in the financial realm.

A 2024 report from Fidelity Investments (2024 Women & Investing Study), reveals that 71 percent of women are now investing in the stock market, marking a notable rise compared to previous decades. This surge mirrors broader societal shifts, such as higher educational achievements and greater workforce participation among women.

Despite increased participation, a confidence gap persists. A 2021 survey by Ellevest (Financial Wellness Survey) found that 57 percent of women feel that they lack the necessary knowledge to invest confidently. This feeling of inadequacy can stem from various factors, including societal expectations, historical underrepresentation in financial sectors, and a lack of mentorship or role models. This lack of knowledge can lead to missed opportunities and lower returns on investments.

Women tend to be more risk-averse than men when it comes to investing. While this cautious approach can be prudent, it can also result in conservative investment strategies that yield lower returns over time.

A 2016 survey by BlackRock (Global Investor Pulse Survey) found that women are more likely to hold cash or conservative investments rather than stocks, which can hinder long-term

wealth accumulation. Women may also have accumulated less wealth due to leaving the work force to care for children and elderly parents.

Women frequently encounter systemic obstacles in the financial industry, such as gender bias and underrepresentation in senior investment positions.

Many women feel overlooked or dismissed by their spouse’s financial advisor, which is a troubling issue. This disregard results in an estimated 70% or more of women choosing to leave their husband’s financial advisor after his passing.

These challenges can lead to a lack of tailored financial advice and investment products that don’t resonate with women’s specific needs and goals.

Women can take steps to empower themselves in the financial realm.

1. Women should define their financial goals. Whether saving for retirement, a home, education, or travel, having a clear objective can guide investment decisions. A solid, well thought out financial plan helps ensure your savings last throughout your lifetime.

2. Women should increase their financial literacy. Educational programs, workshops, and resources that teach the fundamentals of investing can empower women to make informed financial decisions. Financial advisors and mentors can also play a vital role in guiding women on their investment journey.

3. Women should invest to gain financial independence. Women often live longer than men. Women on average become a widow at age 59. And 49% of women 65 and older are single according to Pew Research Center. Women need to take charge

Robin Cook

and accumulate the necessary funds to support themselves during their retirement years.

4. Women should consider a mix of assets, including stocks, bonds, and real estate, aligned with their risk tolerance and financial goals. Diversifying investments helps manage risk while maximizing potential returns.

5. Women should seek financial advisors who understand their unique financial needs and provide personalized guidance. Look for an experienced advisor who prioritizes transparency, is non-gender biased, shows empathy, and has a track record of working with female clients. A 2017 study by Fidelity Investments (Women and Money Survey) shows that when working with a financial advisor, women’s investments often perform as well or better than men’s due to women’s tendency to listen to and follow the advice of their financial advisors. By adhering to sound financial guidance, maintaining long-term focus, managing risks effectively, and fostering strong relationships with their advisors, women can navigate the complexities of investing with greater confidence.

The future looks promising for women in investing. With increased awareness and efforts to address the gender wealth gap, more women are taking charge of their financial destinies. As the investment landscape continues to evolve, the importance of empowering women through financial education and supportive advisory relationships cannot be overstated. By recognizing the factors that contribute to women’s success in investing, both women and their advisors can work together to achieve better financial outcomes and long-term security.

At Suncoast, we take pride in the fact that the majority of our financial advisors are women, setting our firm apart from others in the industry. We are committed to partnering with our female clients to educate, empower, and engage them in achieving financial security while addressing their unique needs.

Suncoast Prosperity Advisors, a division of Suncoast Equity Management (a Tampa-based investment management firm established in 1997), is a boutique wealth management firm with offices in Tampa, FL, Sanibel, FL, and at 431 N. 4th Street in Highlands, NC. We are a Registered Investment Advisory firm and fiduciary committed to helping clients achieve financial security through transparent, high-quality investments and a strong partnership. Our experienced team works closely with clients to create personalized strategies that align with their unique financial goals.

by Robin Cook

Photo by Susan Renfro

13 Years of Life-Saving Work

With a loyal, resilient staff, extraordinary facilities (indoors and out), and a national reputation for compassionate care, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society enjoys the support of a generous community.

CHHS Executive Director David Stroud with adopted CHHS shelter dog Billy.

Acustom-built rescue trailer deployed at the scene of puppy mill raids, hoarding and cruelty cases, natural disaster response, off-site adoption events and spay/neuter transport.

The Canine Adoption Center and Feline Adoption Center debut as two of North Carolina’s most modern animal welfare facilities, with both buildings opening debt-free on the first day of operation.

Expansion of our famous outdoor play yards from nine to fourteen, and they’re currently undergoing a comprehensive, modern renovation.

A beautiful onsite trail carved through the woods on our property for our beloved dog walking volunteers.

Two new “caretaker houses” added to our campus to provide full-time residency for our shelter manager and assistant manager, also ensuring that our shelter animals are protected in any after-hours emergency.

Innovative new community outreach programs developed, including pet therapy visits, Hikers for Hounds, the foster-dog-in-residence at The Park on Main Hotel, and the immensely popular Critter Camp summer program for elementary schoolchildren. It’s been a magical journey.

After serving as the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers, I was given the greatest opportunity I have ever experienced as a lifelong animal advocate.

On May 1, 2012 I was named the Executive Director of the CashiersHighlands Humane Society.

Our staff – I cannot say enough great things about them. In an industry that averages about 50 percent turnover each year, last year our turnover rate was zero. And our top four managers have all been with CHHS for 10 years or more. I have also been honored and humbled by my peers when I was elected as

Chairman of the North Carolina Animal Federation, and named to the North Carolina State Council of the Humane Society of the United States.

And I’m not done. Folks sometimes ask what motivates me, and my answer is always the same: “Fulfilling unfulfilled potential.”

This month at our annual fundraising gala, we are going to make an announcement about the largest initiative in our 38-year history. One that will not only benefit the hundreds of animals we save and care for each year at our no-kill shelter… it will benefit all of the animals in our community.

May 1 was my 13th anniversary with the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society. And through it all, I’ve always felt that I was the lucky one.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

The Vibrancy of Carpe Diem

It’s the Season of Surprises and Celebrations and Sudden Arrivals at Carpe Diem Farms.

The speed in which months pass by is keenly felt by this writer! It seems I just submit one article before the next one is due. I am so proud and grateful that we are given a space each month to share our events, news, happenings, joys and sorrows.

Carpe Diem Farms is a vibrant place, full of life and activities primarily centered around the horses.

I promised last month that I would include some photos of the birthday celebration held April 18 for our 4-year-old Journey, the Shire. The five-and sixyear-olds from the Boys and Girls Club were a big hit, especially when they broke out singing, “Happy Birthday!”

The big surprise for me was the presence of a “girl” with whom I graduated from high school and haven’t seen since. She read about the party on Facebook and together with her husband came from

Asheville to celebrate, meet Journey, and surprise me!

Another surprise was Dale Stewart, a friend who hasn’t been to the farm in several years. As he describes himself on Facebook, “Explorer, Guardian of the Wild, Natural History Storyteller, and

the Company of Horses, Learning Their Language,” the weekend workshop I created to allow others to experience the magic and miracles the horse can bring to our lives.

Carpe Diem Farms is a vibrant place, full of life and activities primarily centered around the horses.

Award-Winning On-Air Personality.”

I would add an avid horseman who has a herd of 22, including two retired Budweiser hitch horses! Neighbors and friends of the farm also joined in the fun.

June is full of activities including the Boys and Girls Club participants coming regularly for horse interaction and outdoor fun! We will once again host “In

We welcome guests to the farm to meet the horses, walk the labyrinth, sit by a creek or have a picnic. Our only request is that you call (828) 200-9725 in advance and make an appointment. There are always activities, especially work, fixing fences, mowing fields, cleaning stalls, grooming and exercising horses that fill our time. We can only be available for you if we know you are coming. Thank you.

Carpe Diem Farms, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational foundation.

by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms

It’s All About the Kids

The vital relationships forged between the Bigs and Littles of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands are deep and unbreakable.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America is a well-known national mentoring organization, but not many people realize that it was established in Highlands in 2002 and Cashiers in 2012.

Although the Plateau area is full of world-class golf and recreational opportunities, fine dining, and luxury real estate, there is a startlingly high number of at-risk youth living here. These children contend with instability in their homes, exposure to substance misuse, academic and social challenges, financial hardship, and food insecurity.

But Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers Highlands (BBBSCH) offers proven solutions that transform these childrens’ lives.

Children enrolled in the program, Littles, are carefully matched with Bigs, who can be high school students or adults. These Bigs play an invaluable role for Littles and their parents.

Big Sister Karla explains it this way: “kids don’t always like to talk to their parents. So, it’s nice to have somebody that the parents trust, but also that the child feels comfortable to talk to. Better to talk to that adult than friends who may not give the best advice.”

Community partner Serenity Richards adds, “It takes a village. If you’re working three jobs, you need another adult who you can trust to help with your child, and you need to know your child has a safe space.”

For example, when Anniemae’s husband tragically passed away three years ago, she had her hands full keeping their family afloat, and she knew that her 7-year-old daughter needed extra support.

Maddie had always wanted a sibling, and BBBSCH offered a surrogate sister. And even though Big Sister Sidney is only in high school, she has been able to guide Maddie through her grief and offer stable

support that Maddie lacks from her peers at school.

Because of having a Big, she has learned to look out for others who don’t have anyone looking out for them, and Anniemae says Maddie will “100 percent want to be a Big herself” when she is old enough.

Being a mentor can sound intimidating, but veteran Big Sister Liz says it isn’t really that difficult.

“Everything someone can give a child is a gift. Even once a month or twice a month adds to that child’s life. Anytime you know a child is learning things to be a better adult, that’s good.”

When Liz was first matched with her Little, the main concern was her anger issues, but Liz used simple strategies to help: “First of all, we just talked about it. Then we did breathing exercises together and practiced counting slowly from 1 to 10.”

That was so effective that her Little’s parents noticed the improvement. The bottom line for Liz is that “every kid in the world should have a Big Sister or Big Brother. Every kid needs another adult that’s crazy about them besides Mom and Dad. It’s a wonderful gift [to give them].”

Big Sister Karla’s Little has ongoing struggles with her peers at school and is sometimes bullied. “I feel like she wants to hide something about herself or change something, and I tell her she doesn’t have to do that because the right people are going to come into her life and love her for who she is.”

Big Sister Liz remembers that the first time she went back to her other home in Florida, she and her Little were both devastated. She sent cards and care packages while she was gone.

Then when Liz returned to Cashiers, “she ran to me and wouldn’t let me go. After that she got a phone and that helped a lot. She always answers me

when I call or text. I had to build trust. Now she knows I’m always going to come back.”

Richards, who is also the branch librarian at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library in Cashiers, sees many Littles several times a month. “The difference in how open and self-confident they are is very apparent. Before (joining BBBSCH) they couldn’t say two words, and now they come in and they’re chatterboxes.”

A member of a half a dozen community organizations, Richards knows very well that “nobody has enough time in their lives.”

But she treasures her involvement with BBBSCH. “If I’m going to choose to give up my free time, it’s going to be because something is doing such a large amount of good that I have to help them achieve it, so here I am.”

by Catherine Anne Duchac

A Successful Fest

Food, fun, tooth fairies, and a heroic helicopter –the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau’s May Fest, staged May 3, had it all. (And llamas!)

The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau held its annual May Fest event on Saturday, May 3, at the Club’s headquarters located on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers.

This year, 30 local organizations and nonprofits took part, providing a range of engaging activities!

Despite the rain, hundreds of families and community members gathered to enjoy the festivities. Children engaged in petting llamas while others danced to the vibrant music played by the DJ. The tooth fairies enchanted young ones with tales of dental magic and the importance of healthy habits. Paws, the beloved mascot from Western Carolina University, added an extra layer of excitement, posing for photos and high-fiving fans of all ages.

These were just a few of the many highlights!

Slab Town Pizza and Lonesome Valley generously supplied a food truck with

complimentary food for this event, which enhanced the event from years past. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, community spirit, and the warm aroma of delicious food wafting from the food truck.

This event would not have been possible without the invaluable support of volunteers, local organizations, nonprofits, and the entire community!

Kayla Deaton, Resource Development Director at the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, said, “It was so special to witness the community come together for this event. I cannot thank everyone enough for their participation as attendees, community members, or volunteers. There is something truly remarkable about seeing everyone come together.”

This May Fest was not just an event, but a celebration of community resilience and togetherness. It offered a chance for the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau to express gratitude for the unwavering

support from the local community and to strengthen the bonds that make the Plateau such a special place.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau serves youth from kindergarten through 12th grade in the Cashiers and Highlands communities. BGCP is nationally recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as one of the top 20 Clubs out of 5,200 in the country.

The club offers a wide range of programs focusing on academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles. BGCP is committed to ensuring that all children, especially those who need it most, have access to a safe and supportive environment after school and during the summer months.

For more information, please contact Kayla Deaton at (828) 743-2775 or via email at kayla@bgcplateau.org. Visit bgcplateau.org.

A Hive of Community Service

Once a hospital, the Peggy Crosby Center has opened its doors to a host of tenants who’ve enriched the entire Plateau.

As the Peggy Crosby Center gallops into the midst of this busy year, it’s an appropriate time to glance back to see how important this building and its tenants are to the entire Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

For instance, the center hosted a Business After Hours event for the Highlands Chamber of Commerce last August 6. The PCC held the event outside at the back parking lot with two tents and a porch that was available for food and beverages. Inside the building some tenants offices were open to display their work.

The food was catered in house by The Kitchen. There were light bites that were healthy fare and were beautifully displayed by Suzanne. Wine and beer was available.

The Peggy Crosby Center had brochures available to advertise the center’s work. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable rents to small

businesses in Highlands.

You know it now as the Peggy Crosby Center, but did you know it once housed Highlands’ first hospital?

When the present hospital was opened, a group of visionary citizens inspired by one man’s wife arranged the purchase of the then-vacant building. She had asked for a birthday present more permanent than just another sweater or piece of jewelry. Since 1996 Highlands has enjoyed affordable office space for nonprofit organizations and small businesses providing community services.

The vital services offered by these entities are key to the well-being of the community. Via affordable rents, the board of directors ensures that these agencies can focus the majority of their funds on their clients. PCC’s rents are modest − just enough to cover operating expenses for the building. Building improvements are funded by grants and donations.

Since 2010, “The Peggy” has been completely upgraded. Tenants revel in their refurbished square footage while applauding updated infrastructure, increased parking, and enhanced landscaping.

PCC’s tenants bring new life to our community by helping immigrants learn to live in America, by offering a wide variety of adult classes covering the arts, geography, technology, history, the environment and more. Other PCC tenants ease the lives of those in mental or physical pain or enhance our lives with a multitude of tasty foods.

To learn more about the Peggy Crosby Center and its tenants, stop by at 348 South Fifth Street or visit peggycrosbycenter.org.

by Luke Osteen

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Where is God in My Pain?

Church of the Good Shepherd’s pastoral care committee is staging a series of ministries of hope and care. These are two and we’ll highlight others in our future issues.

Twice a year, Church of the Good Shepherd offers an eight-week grief program available to anyone in the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau area. This program is different from other grief programs. Founded out of the need to answer the question – “Where is God in my pain?” This is a ministry grounded in prayer and community and in the healing power of Jesus’ love.

We welcome any who professes a Christian faith to attend. At the heart of the program are eight weekly small group workshops. The program has partnered with faith communities around the country to reach out and serve those who grieve in their church and their communities.

Contact PastoralCare@ GoodShepherdcashiers.org if you’re interested in participating in the next program. Visit goodshepherdofcashiers. com/pastoral-care for more information on our other pastoral care ministries. Join us at The Church of the Good

Shepherd on Monday’s at 10:00 A.M. as we read and study Richard Rohr’s book “Breathing Under Water.” While this book links the Gospel message of Jesus with the message of Bill Wilson in the 12 Step Program, it is also quite germane to living everyday life of human existence. This class always engenders great discussion as we strive to better understand our relationship with God and one another! Come weekly, or when you are able, as each class is an independent topic and discussion.

All are welcome indeed for a lively and fruitful discussion! Books are available in the church office for $15.

Contact PastoralCare@ GoodShepherdcashiers.org if you have any questions about this ministry. Visit goodshepherdofcashiers.com/pastoral-care. html for more information on our other pastoral care ministries.

by Lida Herring Church of the Good Shepherd

Making a World of Difference

The joys and surprises at the heart of all Big and Little matches lie at the heart of the CashiersHighlands Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, visit bbbswnc.org, email cashiers@bbbswnc.org, call (828) 399-9133.

In every community, there are children who need guidance, encouragement, and a positive role model to help them navigate life’s challenges. While parents and teachers play essential roles, mentorship provides a unique opportunity for growth and development. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) connects children with caring adult mentors, creating relationships that not only change the lives of the mentees but also send ripples of positive change throughout the entire community.

When an adult steps forward to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, they provide a consistent presence in a child’s life. Many Littles come from single-parent households, face economic hardships, or experience other challenges that limit their opportunities.

Having a mentor offers them emotional support, helping them feel heard, understood, and encouraged. It also fosters academic improvement as mentors assist with schoolwork, instill good study habits, and inspire a love for learning. The self-confidence of a child grows when a mentor believes in them, leading to better decision-making and a stronger sense of self-worth.

A single mentorship relationship can spark a lifelong impact, helping a child build resilience and set higher aspirations for their future. But the influence doesn’t stop there—it extends to families, schools, and entire communities.

Parents and guardians of Littles often express immense gratitude for the mentors in their children’s lives. While they

provide love and care, they sometimes face barriers such as financial stress or limited time. When a mentor steps in, they become another trusted adult who reinforces positive behaviors and supports the child’s growth. Parents experience relief knowing their child has a dependable and caring role model. Mentorship can also encourage better communication between children and their families as Littles develop confidence in expressing their feelings and aspirations.

Education is a key determinant of a child’s future success, and BBBS mentors play a significant role in academic achievement. Schools that partner with mentorship programs often see improved academic performance as Littles are more likely to complete homework, participate in class, and achieve higher grades.

Mentored children tend to have better attendance because they are more engaged and motivated to attend school regularly. Additionally, mentorship helps reduce disciplinary issues as mentors provide guidance that helps children make better behavioral choices.

Educators also notice the difference mentorship makes and are more likely to support students who have mentors, reinforcing the positive impact. With each child who thrives academically and emotionally, schools become stronger, creating a learning environment that benefits all students.

The long-term benefits of mentorship extend beyond the

individual to the broader economic and social landscape of a community. When young people receive guidance and support, they are more likely to pursue higher education or vocational training, leading them toward successful careers.

Many Littles go on to college, trade schools, or meaningful jobs they never thought possible. A well-supported youth is more likely to become a productive, skilled worker, strengthening the local economy. Former Littles often become mentors themselves, serve in leadership roles, and invest in their hometowns, furthering the positive cycle.

When people witness the transformative impact of mentorship, they are often inspired to take action themselves. Communities with strong BBBS programs often experience increased volunteerism as more individuals and businesses step up to support mentorship and other service initiatives. Local partnerships between schools, businesses, and civic organizations grow stronger, creating additional opportunities for youth.

Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister is a meaningful and rewarding way to create lasting change. BBBS offers various mentorship options to accommodate different schedules and lifestyles. Community-based mentoring allows mentors and Littles to spend time together doing activities they both enjoy. School-based mentoring involves meeting at school during lunch or after classes to provide academic and emotional support. Virtual mentoring offers flexibility for those with busy schedules by allowing them to connect with a Little through online meetings.

No matter the format, a mentor’s presence and commitment make a difference. For those unable to mentor, there are still many ways to support BBBS, such as donating, volunteering at events, or spreading awareness.

The impact of mentorship goes far beyond a single child – it strengthens families, improves schools, boosts the economy, and fosters a culture of giving back. When one person steps up to mentor a child, the effects ripple outward, shaping a brighter future for the entire community. If you have ever considered becoming a mentor, now is the time. With just a few hours a month, you can create a legacy of change that will be felt for generations to come. Are you ready to be the spark that sets off the ripple effect? Join BBBS today and help transform lives – one mentorship at a time.

by Danielle Hernandez, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Transforming Lives For Generations

David Moore and Darren Whatley

A Highlands couple pledges an estate legacy gift in excess of $10M to Western Carolina University.

Highlands residents David Moore and Darren Whatley place a lot of value on public education, having both attended public universities. Moore is an alumnus of the University of South Alabama and began his graduate studies at the University of Tübingen, Germany, while Whatley attended Louisiana State University and the University of Texas.

But Western Carolina University holds a special place in their hearts, as the Highlands residents have pledged an estate legacy gift in excess of $10 million to the university. It’s the largest planned gift in WCU’s history.

“We’re excited about the potential at Western,” Moore said.

“We’re excited for the students who are attracted to Western and graduate from Western, the productive lives they will lead, and the impact that they will have in their communities.”

Whatley and Moore’s generous gift will be allocated to several programs and departments that the two have an interest in.

Forty percent of the gift will be designated for the David Moore Office of Global Engagement, which supports WCU’s academic activities abroad, including the hosting of international students, faculty-led travel and study abroad programs and other resources.

Another 40 percent will be devoted to the Darren Whatley

School of Art and Design. The school offers undergraduate degree programs in interior design, studio arts, graphic design and art education, as well as a Master of Fine Arts program.

The last 20 percent will be issued to the Moore Whatley Honors College Program Endowment, which will support programs within the Brinson Honors College.

Moore and Whatley are very interested in all three of these programs, as Moore is an advocate for international learning, Whatley, an interior designer, has a rapport with the interior design program at WCU, and they have both supported the Brinson Honors College for several years.

“The generosity of David Moore and Darren Whatley to WCU over the years is unmatched,” said WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown. “Their ten-million-dollar legacy gift, the largest planned gift in Western Carolina University’s history, will transform the lives of our students for generations to come. I am profoundly grateful that David and Darren have chosen WCU to receive this gift, which is a tangible expression of their passion and commitment to the future of western North Carolina.”

WCU has played a part in their lives, and they know that WCU is of great importance to this part of the state. Whatley said that “WCU is the economic engine of the western part of the state.”

The fact that nearly 40% of the students at WCU are first generation college students and that tuition is only $500 per semester for North Carolina residents, are additional reasons that Moore and Whatley support the university.

While both grew up near the Gulf Coast, the couple has called Western North Carolina home for more than 25 years, and they’ve certainly made it home with their community involvement.

Moore, a retired corporate banker, is chairman of the Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers and serves on several Highlands-Cashiers boards, as well as the Brinson Honors College advisory board and the WCU Foundation.

Whatley, who leads a local interior design firm, is chairman of the Town of Highlands Planning Board and serves on the Highlands Performing Arts Center Board of Directors.

“This has been home,” Whatley said. “Western Carolina is a special place and WCU is a primary focus for us.”

by Cam Adams

Building Confidence for Kids

In caring for the community’s youngest members, Cashiers Valley Preschool builds a stronger Plateau for everyone. To learn more, visit cashiersvalleypreschool.com.

Cashiers is a place defined by natural beauty, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to caring for one another.

One of the most meaningful investments we can make in our shared future is in the early education and care of our youngest residents.

At Cashiers Valley Preschool, we see firsthand how high-quality early education shapes lives – both for children and the broader community. It’s not just about getting kids ready for kindergarten. It’s about creating a foundation for a lifetime of success.

The first few years of life are critical for brain development. Children are learning not just how to speak and count, but how to interact with others, manage emotions, and explore the world around them. Early education programs support this growth by providing nurturing, engaging environments guided by skilled teachers. These experiences help children build

confidence, curiosity, and resilience –traits that carry them through school and into adulthood. When children are given the tools to thrive early on, they are more likely to perform well academically, graduate high school, and become productive, engaged members of society.

In a place like Cashiers, where many families rely on seasonal and servicebased work, having dependable early care options allows parents to pursue opportunities, build careers, and contribute to the community without sacrificing their children’s early development.

Early education is also one of the most effective ways to reduce disparities among children from different backgrounds. When all children—regardless of income, zip code, or family circumstances—have access to highquality learning from the start, they enter kindergarten on more equal footing. When we invest in early education, we’re not just shaping individual futures

– we’re shaping the future of Cashiers itself. Children who attend quality preschool programs are more likely to stay out of trouble, contribute positively to society, and build healthy relationships throughout their lives.

Early learning centers like Cashiers Valley Preschool are also gathering places – where parents connect, friendships form, and support systems are built. They strengthen the fabric of our community in quiet but powerful ways.

As a board member of Cashiers Valley Preschool, I’ve seen how transformative early education can be. I’ve seen children blossom under the guidance of caring teachers. I’ve seen working parents breathe easier knowing their kids are safe and thriving. And I’ve seen our community grow stronger when we rally around our youngest citizens.

by Danielle Hernandez, Board Member, Cashiers Valley Preschool

MCE Opens a Highlands Branch

Mountain Construction Engineering is a comprehensive residential engineering company serving Western North Carolina and all of the Plateau.

Mountain Construction Engineering is a leader in instructional design and engineering services. MCE is expanding by opening up an office in Highlands.

This new location will complement its existing facility in Sapphire Valley, allowing the company to meet the growing demand for high-quality engineering services across Western North Carolina. Thomas Hessling, construction engineer with 41+ years’ experience, has worked on major infrastructure projects in over eleven states international and nationally. He founded MCE in 2017. It’s grown steadily in response to the needs of numerous clients.

If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of working with Mountain Construction Engineering, here is one of many tributes to its outstanding work. This accolade is from Tyler Gross, Senior Project Manager of Loudermilk Homes: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with

Mountain Construction Engineering on multiple projects, and they consistently deliver on exceptional constructional analysis and plans with impressive speed. Their commitment to customer service is evident in their flexibility and willingness to come on-site whenever needed. Tom and his team are reliable partners who truly go the extra mile to ensure project success.”

MCE serves many areas (of different terrains) in Western North Carolina. It’s continually growing, best known for promoting structural design and engineering services, which is the core of the business. MCE also offers second opinions, inspection services to realtors and home owners, absentee homeowners representation, disaster relief, design and inspections, foundation, retaining wall services, and much more. Most recently, MCE has added POA support reviews.

Architect Jason Gordon welcomes the

MCE expansion: “I wholeheartedly recommend Tom as an engineer who brings the necessary technical skill but an appreciated personal touch to every project. Working with Tom now feels more like a partnership than a transaction, and that makes all the difference.”

Hessling is extremely excited about opening the Highlands office, a favorite spot surrounded by the Plateau’s unique community spirit. Town business owners and community are deeply welcoming.

Please drop by the office at 434 Carolina Way in Highlands. If you get lucky you might meet the hairless, Samoyed dog, “Oscar,” the company mascot.

Contact info: thomashessling@mountaince.com, 434 Carolina Way, Highlands, (828) 226-1218 (Office), (917) 299-2019 (cell). Website: mountain-ce.com.

by Donna Rhodes

Cashiers Burger Week Winner

Favorite Burger: Slopeside Tavern

The (hungry) people have spoken – the winners of the 2025 Cashiers Burger Week competition have been announced.

The votes were tallied up at the end of Cashiers Burger Week (staged at restaurants in southern Jackson county from April 26 through May 4) and there were a pair of clear winners – Favorite Burger – Slopeside Tavern;

and Most Creative Burger – Whiteside Brewing Company.

I think everyone relished the whoppertunity to sample all the marvelous hamburgers on offer around the area.

Participating restaurants crafted unique, limited-time burgers, each priced at an enticing $10. These specialty burgers were offered à la carte, with sides and beverages available for an additional cost. This event provided a fantastic op -

The Zookeeper’s Bistro

The Fix

The Village Pantry

Mica’s Restaurant El Manzanillo

portunity to explore the diverse culinary talents within the Cashiers area, as chefs put their creative spins on classic and innovative burger recipes.

Diners utilized a Burger Week Passport, which guided them to the participating restaurants and gave them space to record their burger adventures.

As they savored each burger, they got

their passport stamped at every location. Collecting stamps tracked their culinary journey and qualified you to vote for the “Best Burger” and “Most Creative Burger” awards. To be eligible for prize drawings, they had to visit at least three participating restaurants. Visiting five or more establishments earned them a bonus entry, increasing their chances of winning prizes from

local sponsors and restaurants.

Burger Week was sponsored by the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce. We thank all the restaurants who participated and the voters, who dug into the competition with a carnivore’s delight.

by Luke Osteen

Chile Loco Happ’s Place

The Local

On the Side Barbecue

Fast Break

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Steve

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