November 2020 | The Laurel Magazine

a e

L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Life’s Wonder A Seasonal Reminder of Gratitude pg. 14

Door Closes, Another Opens Our cover artist, Mary Lou Carpenter November 2020

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CON T E N T S November 2020

13 What To Do

22 Elevated Wines

49 Recreation & Creation 52 Talking Turkey

65 Arts

78 The Moulthrops at The Bascom

91 Dining

34 38

96 Honey Spiced Pumpkin Streusel

109 Shopping

112 Plateau Picks

127 History

128 The Marett Brothers

133 Lifestyles & Wellness

146 Jimmy and Veda Sherrard

151 Giving Back

158 Paying it Forward

92

DonLeon’s

110

Irresistible Shopping

42 Calendar | 104 Dining Guide | 106 Accommodations Guide | 120 Highlands Map | 122 Cashiers Map | 148 Service Guide | 224 Advertiser’s Index

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VOLUME EIGHTEEN, ISSUE TEN

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner

janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LORNA ALEXANDER Account Manager lorna@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

DEENA BOUKNIGHT Writer dknight865@gmail.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Publisher’s Note Well, here we are in November, in the season of Thankfulness, when the blessings of this year have at times been unrecognizable at first – with the anxieties of everyday life elevated to an unceasing background whine.

But please take comfort in this issue of The Laurel. It’s filled with stories of love, of people reaching out to comfort their neighbors, of events being staged (safely) to bring us a measure of comfort and joy in the midst of so much uncertainty, and of a majestic natural bounty that continuously offers us moments of majesty and mystery and unexpected delights.

Please know that we’re grateful and continuously inspired by the people who inhabit these pages, by our advertisers and their courage in this disastrous year, and of course, always, our readers.

Sincerely, Janet and Marjorie

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

Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, David Stroud, Jeannie Chambers, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Ann Self, Zach Claxton, Mary Abranyi, Ashby Underwood, and Chris Wilkes Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes and Kevin FitzPatrick Copyright © 2020 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Laurel Magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel Magazine nor any of its staff is responsible for advertising errors, omissions, or information that has been misrepresented in or to the magazine. Any substantial errors that are the fault of the magazine will be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.

WHAT TO DO Pages 14-42

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reminder of

life’s wonder

Kaye McHan

“Even in…well, especially in…this challenging time, we need to remind ourselves of Life’s wonder,” a seasonal reminder from the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

K

aye McHan, Highlands Chamber CEO/President shares that philosophy, offering a host of reminders of the Plateau’s many gifts: “We are grateful for living in a pristine national forest. Covid altered our habits and, in doing so, created a positive impact on the environment.

“When a need arises, our neighbors rise to meet it with everything from charitable offerings, errand-running, dog-walking, or simply an exchange of kind words.

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“Respect may be struggling in other towns, but in Highlands, people still revere and practice it.

“Our first responders, essential workers, and teachers put their lives on the line every day and deserve extra stars in their bag full of thanks.

“Quarantine has nudged us into learning new skills, rekindling old friendships, enjoying board games, catching up on our reading, expanding our minds, upgrading our social media

skills, and merely talking, or using the time to self-examine or home-in on a new craft.

“What about that book we always wanted to write, the victory garden we wanted to plant, that yoga program we’ve been intending to incorporate into our morning rituals, and that culling of collections we’ve been meaning to do since forever?

“Kaye concludes, “It comes down to this: At the heart of gratitude is making

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the most of what we have in a time of crisis.”

“A grateful heart lifts us through every minute, hour, and day. Highlands’s glass is always at least half-full. . .sometimes with water from a crystal spring, sometimes wine from a favorite vineyard, sometimes nectar from a garden bouquet, but always sips tapped from elation and elevation.

“The Highlands Chamber of Commerce puts Highlands, its residents, and business-owners at the top of their gratitude list. It is their privilege to serve you. A toast with that aforementioned glass, to you and yours this season of gratitude.”

To learn more about the Chamber’s activities visit highlandschamber.org.

by Donna Rhodes

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tutorials

& tools

A host of resources available through Alber t Carlton-Cashiers Community Librar y and Hudson Librar y can help you master the challenges of 21st centur y technology, the complications of Covid living, and even give you a head star t on your Christmas List.

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resurgence in crafty and creative has partly defined this unique year so far.

Local libraries are resources for learning or improving arts and crafts skills as well as diving into understanding a long-held interest.

And November is the time to begin thinking about homemade gift ideas for the holidays.

At Hudson Library and AlbertCarlton Cashiers Community Library, free tutorials and tools abound. Library cardholders can check out equipment through MakerTools. For example, a dremel tool will perform drilling, grinding, sharpening, cutting, cleaning, polishing, sanding, routing, carving, and engraving. Tutorials guide users through various projects using such a tool. And, there are MakerTools’ starter kits for quilting, needlework, latchhook rugs, and much more.

Even sewing machines are available to check out at local libraries.

Memory Lab equipment enables people to organize and digitize old photographs, documents, maps, etc. Whether for personal reasons or as a gift idea, the step-by-step instructions lead users through the process of organizing and saving.

Even outdated media, including audio cassette tapes, floppy discs, VHS videos, slides, and negatives can be preserved through Memory Lab. There is no charge to use Memory Lab at the library, but an appointment must be made, and users need to bring their own storage device, such as a flash drive, external hard drive, or DVD. Another holiday gift idea involves genealogy.

Offering loved ones insight into their heritage, and then compiling that information is doable through such

free-with-library-card resources as ArchiveGrid, Digital Public Library of America, DigitalNC, HeritageQuest, and more.

And finally, Universal Class – available at libraries in the Fontana Regional Library system – has more than 70 online tutorials. Want to make some gift tags or cards for friends and loved ones? Take Western Calligraphy. Interested in learning how to paint beautiful mountain landscapes? Sign up for Acrylic Painting 101. Or, for foodrelated gift ideas, find out canning and preserving techniques as well as how to bake quality breads and cakes. Universal Class is free through libraries, and users can glean instruction at their own pace.

Visit www.fontanalib.org.

by Deena Bouknight

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I the rink awaits

The opening of the Highlands Skating Rink at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is a cause for celebration. To schedule your time on the ice, call the Highlands Recreation Depar tment at (828) 526-3556.

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f this season of quarantine and anxiety has made you restless and longing for a measure of simple, pure exuberance, make a big red mark on your calendar for Thursday, November 19.

That’s when Highlands Skating Rink opens at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

It’s the opportunity to bundle up, glide, hold tight to someone you love, spin like a figure skater, smile, and breathe in great lungfuls of clear, sweet mountain air.

Open through March, the rink has been a gathering place for winter activity since 2015, thanks to generous donations of Art and Angela Williams and a host of local benefactors.

Even if you’re not inclined to skate, you can sit by and watch as you enjoy some fresh hot chocolate or coffee.

Hours are Thursdays 1:00 until 8:00 P.M.; Fridays and Saturdays 1:00 until 10:00 P.M.; and Sundays, 1:00 until 5:00 P.M.

Cost is $5 (with or without skates).

Rental skates are available, from youth size 8 through adult size 14.

Though in the past the rink has been open to everyone, sometimes drawing as many as 500 skaters in a day, in a concession to safe pandemic practices it’ll be restricted to 30 skaters at a time, with skaters limited to 90-minute sessions. To schedule your time on the ice, call the Highlands Recreation Department at (828) 526-3556.

Of course, this is all subject to change as the town adjusts to operating a skating rink during this Covid-19 season, so go ahead and call the Rec Department before you make serious plans.

by Luke Osteen

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wreaths across america Wreaths Across America, a national movement to honor the sacrif ices of veterans, will f ind its local expression at a ceremony at Highlands Memorial Park, noon Saturday, December 19.

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esidents across the HighlandsCashiers Plateau are invited to attend and participate in a ceremony honoring local veterans, part of a national effort to honor their sacrifices.

The local ceremony begins at noon on Saturday, December 19, at Highlands Memorial Park. The public is invited to attend.

“We will be honoring veterans buried in Buck Creek, Clear Creek, Goldmine, Highlands, Horse Cove, Miller, and Scaly Mountain cemeteries,” Organizer Phil Potts says. “We need to hear from friends and family members to make sure they are on our list of veterans. We don’t want

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to miss anyone. If you want to sponsor a wreath, it only costs $15, and organizers will need to know if you wish to lay the wreath yourself, or if you’d like to have them do it.”

According to Potts, there are 550 local veterans’ graves, and the Highlands Chapter of Wreaths across America is planning to place wreaths upon every one.

Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 1,400 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad. While coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission to remember,

honor, and teach is carried out throughout the year.

There are many ways to get involved locally, so contact Phil Potts at (828) 2009753 or by email at philjpot@frontier. com. To learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

by Luke Osteen

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about the Wreaths Across America

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small towns

small wineries

Elevated Wine Experiences, set for November 12 through 14, is a wonder fully indulgent invitation to sample the f inest vintages in the world and the exquisite meals that complement them.

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rganizer Davis Picklesimer has revealed the lineup for the Elevated Wine extravaganza, sponsored by the Highlands Wine Shoppe.

Elevated Wine Experiences, Small Towns Supporting Small Wineries is launching with a full weekend of high profile events bringing world famous wineries, winemakers, sommeliers and industry leaders to the Plateau.

Taking place from Thursday, November 12, through Saturday, November 14, the event allows wine fans around the region to experience an incredible array of wine tastings, wine dinners and instructional classes.

The lineup for the Festival, curated by the Highlands Wine Shoppe and with support from the Napa Valley Vintners Association, includes these events: Wine Tastings: Three tiers of tickets have been established: a One Day General Admission Ticket for $175, $125 for locals (Macon or Jackson County license required) and a three-day pass for

$450. In addition, a foundation has been established to provide special admission ticket pricing – $50 for the local service industry. Visit highlandswineshoppe. com/events for information.

Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13: Tasting American Wines: Highlands Wine Shoppe, Highlander Mountain House, Midpoint Restaurant, Park on Main, Tug’s Proper Saturday, November 14: Tasting American Wines: Village Green, Cashiers Tasting International Wines: Featuring local Western North Carolina Breweries (Winemakers love beer too!), Highlands Wine Shoppe, Highlander Mountain House, Midpoint Restaurant, Park on Main, Tug’s Proper Wine Dinners and Special Events (highlandswineshoppe.com/events) Thursday, November 12: 4118 Kitchen & Bar: Wine Dinner with Dough Wines, Dough wines support the James Beard Foundation’s work to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable food culture,

W H AT TO DO focusing on restaurant recovery, equality in the kitchen, and sustainable food culture. Call (828) 526-5002 Thursday & Friday, November 12 and 13: Highlands Wine Shoppe. Call (828) 526-4080 Lecture with Master Sommelier Max Kast. One of 273 Master Sommeliers in the world, Max has worked for Broadbent Selections since 2016, promoting their portfolio of globally owned family wineries.

12:30-1:30 P.M. Understanding Your Palate 2:00-3:00 P.M. How to Blind Taste Wine Friday, November 13: Bridge at Mill Creek: Daou Wine Tasting, 3:00-4:30 P.M., $45 per person; (828) 526-5500 Midpoint Restaurant: Dinner featuring Small Vineyard Imports from France, Chile and Argentina; call (828) 526-2277 Tug’s Proper: Winemaker Dinner with David Tate of Barnett Vineyard featuring Tate Wines. $125 per person;

call (828) 526-3555 Saturday, November 14: Dinner in a Private Home with Master Sommelier Max Kast featuring worldrenowned family owned wineries.

Limited to eight people. $200 per person Bridge at Mill Creek: Groth Wine Dinner, 5:30-7:30 P.M. $115 per person; call (828) 526-5500 Midpoint Restaurant: Dinner featuring Small Vineyard Imports from France, Chile and Argentina. Call (828) 526-2277 Tug’s Proper: Understanding Food and Wine Pairings with winery owner Jean Arnold of Kate Arnold Wine, and Stacey Pytlewski of Coquerel Wines, $75 per person; call (828) 526-3555.

For the full list of participating wineries and updates, follow highlandswineshoppe.com/events and www.elevatedwines.com.

Davis Picklesimer

by Marlene Osteen

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thankful

for trails

If you’re feeling a little shor t of things to be grateful for, take a hike along one of the trails conser ved by The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.

It’ll help to put things in perspective.

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h, the season of gratitude.

There’s no denying it has been a strange year but still, I hope you are finding reasons to be grateful all around you.

Indeed, just being on the Plateau is worthy of our gratitude. Let’s remember to be thankful not only for these treasured lands, but also for those who discovered this paradise long before us and had the foresight and wisdom to preserve it.

Located just 10 minutes from downtown, you’ll find a place steeped in history and abundant with diversity from old growth forest to a serene fern glade to various streams and a creek that eventually makes its way to the Atlantic. Brushy Face Preserve is a place that inspires gratitude and it is conserved forever with HighlandsCashiers Land Trust.

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families have served as guardians of this special place, caring for and conserving the land since the town’s early days. But just over a decade ago, Brushy Face was under risk of being lost to a housing development.

When the economy stopped that from happening, several families came together to purchase the property and donated it to HighlandsCashiers Land Trust to ensure it would be conserved forever.

Now thanks to these guardians, a gorgeous trail system is available for the public to enjoy, always. We give gratitude for all those families who saved this special place for us to enjoy; for the countless volunteers who gave hours of their time and so much effort to build this lovely trail by hand for all of us to enjoy.

Interested in exploring?

Now’s the perfect time as we are excited to announce a brand-new trail map! To

download your copy, visit hicashlt.org.

Pro tip: If you’d like to social distance, this is the place as the preserve is typically quiet, often with no one else on the trails.

We give gratitude to Glenda Bell and Nancy Nichols for underwriting the cost of this wonderful new map! We need to revise all of our public access trail maps and if you’d like to help with your financial support for this project or general support of our mission, we’d be most grateful to you!

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is a nationally accredited 501(c)(3) land conservation organization who exists thanks to the generous support of donors like you. Visit hicashlt.org to learn more.

by Julie Schott, Development Director, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

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gobble not on

the green

Bending itself into new contor tions to accommodate a pandemic, Gobble on the Green will be held between November 21 and November 28. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/NC/Cashiers/GobbleontheGreen5K.

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ike so many events affected by the pandemic in 2020, Gobble On the Green, Cashiers’ annual Thanksgiving 5K Run/Walk has been modified to model social responsibility and protect the health and safety of the community.

What won’t change this year are the activities and traditions that make Thanksgiving so special like family, football, and the big turkey feast. So, this year’s turkey trot event will be a virtual Gobble (Not) On the Green to create some fun with friends and family

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members while raising funds to benefit The Village Green.

Pass the pie, please!

Registration is $30 and includes a long sleeve 2020 commemorative event t-shirt.

To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/ NC/Cashiers/GobbleontheGreen5K. Run or walk anytime between Saturday, November 21, and Saturday, November 28, then post your time and photo to the website and social media using the hashtag #GobbleNotOnTheGreen.

But wait, there’s more! In the spirit of a race to the finish line, join the

Gobble (Not) On the Green competition by becoming a fundraiser.

Visit r u nsig nup.com / R ace/ NC/Cash iers/ GobbleontheGreen5K and click “Donate” at the top of the page. Select “Become a Fundraiser” and enter your information or gather a team together to set up your race fundraising page.

The individual or team that raises the most money for The Village Green will receive a gift certificate for Thanksgiving Dinner 2021 from the Cashiers Farmers Market. The dinner includes a smoked turkey and a choice of delicious sides to

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christmas on

the green

T feed 10-12 people.

The Village Green provides a beautiful, free public space, however it is conserved by a nonprofit organization that depends on contributions to maintain the park and provide such an exceptional venue for the community.

To learn more about The Village Green and these events or to make a donation, call (828) 743-3434 or visit villagegreencashiersnc.com.

by Ann Self, The Village Green

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about The Village Green

he Village Green will add some sparkle to your holidays on Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, with the 10th annual “Christmas On the Green” celebration. “After a day of feasting make your spirits merry and bright with a visit to The Village Green,” says Ann Self, Executive Director.

Visit the Cashiers Mistletoe Market, a new event featuring 12 artisan vendors with a unique assortment of handcrafted Christmas gifts, food, and decorations.

The market will be from 2-5 P.M. Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road next to the Cashiers Post Office. Among the great gift finds, you can purchase the first commemorative Village Green Christmas Tree ornament at the Mistletoe Market.

Come share your Christmas wishes with Santa from 2:00-5:00 P.M. on Friday, November 27, in the new Commons Hall. The jolly fellow will visit with children of all ages. Special holiday workshops are also being planned for Saturday, November 28, at the Mistletoe Market.

The festivities also include the annual Cashiers Christmas Tree lighting ceremony 5:30-6:30 P.M. Friday, November 27, at the Gazebo near the Cashiers Crossroads.

Visit the food truck for warm and tasty treats or a quick bite. The evening features holiday music, but the highlight of the day will be when the switch is turned on to illuminate the 65 foot spruce in the center of Cashiers followed by thousands of twinkling lights throughout the village core. This year the Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting and Village Lights celebration is a collaboration between the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce and The Village Green.

Please note that plans are subject to change and health and safety measures will be implemented per the current circumstances with Covid-19.

The Village Green is a 13 acre privately conserved park for free public enjoyment.

The Village Green depends on the financial support of individuals to help fund all of the fun and interesting activities as well as maintain the park for everyone to enjoy. Please consider a generous year end, tax-deductible gift to The Village Green. Donations can be made online at www.villagegreencashiersnc.com or mailed to P.O. Box 2201, Cashiers, NC 28717. For more information about The Village Green, call (828) 743-3434.

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our annual

tradition

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Local farmers have been working all year to ensure there are entire f ields of Christmas trees waiting for new homes.

t’s November and in Jackson County, Christmas tree farmers are preparing for the annual rush.

Beginning the weekend before Thanksgiving, tradition will resonate with anticipation as thousands of locals and out-of towners alike throng area farms, to once again rejoice in the crunch of the Fraser Fir needles underfoot, and the scent of the woodsyfilled air and choose the textbook family Christmas tree. It is the adventure that embodies Christmas.

The “king of all Christmas trees,” and America’s favorite tree, the North Carolina Fraser Fir grows naturally only in the Southern Appalachian Mountains above 3,000 feet. It’s the quintessential product of geography, cool temperatures and environmentally friendly cultivation.

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For the farmer, it’s hard work, and patience is essential – it usually takes six years before the trees they plant each spring are tall enough to sell.

Most people don’t know this, but the average age of a six-foot tree, the most preferred size, is 12 years.

And not all of them are pretty enough for the living room!

The farmers have been getting ready for the season for some time now, beginning in the summer trimming each tree with precise upward sweeps, using long, sharp knives to achieve the perfect shape and ideal platform to hold heavy ornaments that cascade downward.

As opening day nears, they are readying as well the entertainment that has become part of the ritual expedition to the Christmas Tree Farm.

Tom Sawyer has been selling Christmas trees at his namesake farm in Glenville for more than three decades, and now welcomes the third generation of family visitors.

Although this year the Elf Village that he started in 2009 will not open, “a full blown family experience” is still offered and includes weekend meet-and-greets with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a Post Office for children to mail letters to the North Pole.

The farm is also well-known for their fresh wreaths beautifully decorated with hand tied bows, and they continue to operate as a wedding and event venue – instituting Covid-19 safe practices to safeguard guests. Details can be found at tomsawyerchristmastreefarm.com After 10 years of operating exclusively

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champagne and jazz

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as wholesalers, Glenville’s Bear Valley Farms owners Shelly and Steve Page are looking forward to opening their retail cut and choose operation for a second season.

At the corner of 107 and Bee Tree Road they’ve moved a red caboose from their property to serve as a Welcome Center and outfitted it with a wood-burning fireplace.

With covered wagons pulled by a John Deere tractor to take customers to the top of the mountain where they can picnic while picking out their trees, they like to think of themselves as a country store. For more information at bearvalleyfarm.com Prospective visitors to area farms are advised to try to plan their visits on weekdays or weekends other than the one following Thanksgiving to avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed shopping experience.

by Marlene Osteen

Cake Bar, located at 429 Nor th Four th Street in Highlands, is offering a trio of events to brighten your outlook. For more information, stop in or call (828) 421-2042.

f you’re worried that your Thanksgiving holiday mood will be lacking because of this year of tumult and change, you’re not alone.

But the good folks at Cake Bar have taken this into consideration and they’ll be staging a trio of events to get you in the mood for a happy Thanksgiving and the holiday season hot on its heels.

On Saturday, November 14, Cake Bar will be staging an Afternoon Pink Me Up from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. If you’re puzzled by whatever could constitute an “Afternoon Pink Me Up,” let’s just enumerate the basics – Cake, A Classic Car, and plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne.

See? Did you feel a little shiver of delight at reading those ingredients?

For the Classic Car part of the equation, there’s Bubbles, a wonderfully preserved Citroën, who’ll be stationed right outside Cake Bar. She’s also an avatar for next year’s Highlands Motoring Festival and the upcoming partnership between the festival and The Bascom (see page 35).

When you add Cake Bar’s marvelously gratifying pastry selection and generous pourings of Laurent Perrier Champagne, coupled with a Citroën parked right outside, you’d be forgiven for believing you’re luxuriating in a Parisian salon.

That should be enough to lighten your mood going into Thanksgiving, and then Cake Bar has plans to launch you into the holiday season in style.

Make plans to attend A Double Shot of We 3 Swing, set for 8:00 P.M. Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28.

We 3 Swing are a trio that’ve won a devoted following with their unique sounds. Perhaps their jazz is the perfect tonic for these unsettled times. In a strange synchronicity Luke Osteen references a jazz song playing through his mind while he dines at DonLeon’s on Page 88. (And no, we didn’t plan this.

We’re not that organized.)

It’s possible that jazz and swing are the perfect counterpoints to this uneasy time we’re slogging through.

Even if that’s a shaky proposition, consider the wise, unbiased words of Jazz Pianist D.C. DowDell, “A Jazz Diet will make you hipper, thinner, taller, smarter, richer, happier & more attractive to members of both sexes.”

Find out for yourself at Cake Bar, 429 North Main Street in Highlands.

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about events in Highlands and Cashiers

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Celebrate Art

John Schaeffer’s “Still Wired” detail

+ Automobile The Highlands Motoring Festival and The Bascom have joined forces to create an exciting festival and calendar of ar t events for nex t year.

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he Bascom Center for the Visual Arts and the Highlands Motoring Festival Committee have unveiled Celebrate Art + Automobile, their collaboration on a unique, and fascinating, series of events for the 2021 season. The cornerstones of this celebration are a special exhibition at the Bascom from May 11 – August 21, and the Highlands Motoring Festival June 10 – 13, 2021.

The special exhibition in the Bascom’s Bunzl Gallery, FreeWheeling – the Allure of the Automobile in Contemporary Art, will feature works of renowned international automotive artists, including canvas, paper, and sculpture.

Additionally, there will be a rotating display of extremely rare and special automobiles in the Gallery that are a testament to the concept of the automobile itself as art.

Throughout the exhibition period, the Bascom will be offering a number of related displays and activities, some of which are interactive. A few examples of these include Artist/Curator Discussions, Submitted Automobile Photography Presentation, Model Car Display, and Educational S.T.E.A.M. Initiatives. Other public programming will be announced as it is developed.

On Saturday, June 12, the fourteenth annual Highlands Motoring Festival features Cars in the Park, a juried display of approximately 100 specially selected automobiles from around the world, representing a diversity of styles and concepts from the earliest days of the automobile through 1989. The theme for 2021 is Pure Bloods d’Italia, featuring grand marques such as Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini. Additional classics expected on the show field include Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Packard, and others.

Other activities of the Motoring Festival include One Lap of the Mountains (two days of drives on the exciting mountain roads of Western North Carolina), evening social events, presentations and discussions by renowned automotive experts, a parade of classic automobiles, and High Octane, a casual car show open to any interesting automobile.

For more information, contact Highlands Motoring Festival Co-Chair Mark Chmar, Co-Chair at mchmar@gmail.com, highlandsmotoringfestival.com, or call (703) 919-1793; or Zach Rogers, Bascom Exhibitions Manager, at zrogers@ thebascom.org, or call (828) 787-2878.

by Mark Chmar, Co-Chair of The Highlands Motoring Festival Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Highlands Motoring Festival

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W H AT TO DO

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W H AT TO DO

shop with

a cop

Shop With A Cop is a rare glimpse of sunshine in this darkened year, just in time for the Christmas Season.

If you’d like to help, mail a check to Caroline Cook at P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741 or drop the check by the Highlands Police Depar tment. Make your check out to Shop With A Cop or SWAC.

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W H AT TO DO

S

heriff Robbie Holland and his wife, Marcie, started Shop With A Cop many years ago after he had arrested a mother of three young girls before Christmas. The Hollands bought gifts, wrapped them and put them on the young girls’ front porch late Christmas eve. Upon returning home there was a newscast about the program Shop With A Cop on television – it was at this time Sheriff Robbie and Marcie decided to start SWAC for Macon County children in the Franklin area.

A few years later when Bill Harrell became the Police Chief of Highlands, he and the Sheriff decided to include Highlands and Otto in the SWAC program.

SWAC provides Christmas for children who would have little or no Christmas.

Each child participating receives a $100 gift card to spend at Walmart in Franklin.

The children are to buy something for themselves and something for someone

else – the remaining money may be spent as the child pleases after that.

During one SWAC event, a child ran to the Linens Department to get a pillowcase because she never had one. Another time a child insisted on spending the money on a microwave so his Mother could make a hot meal for him and his siblings.

Each child was to be escorted by a policeman on the shopping event. This helps the children know the police are not bad people – some of the children have one of their parents in prison. The personnel who help the children shop has grown in the past several years to include branches of the military, the forestry service, police staff, teachers and more.

This year the parents and children will meet the officer or others who help them shop at Walmart at various times, instead of a large group going all at once.

The number of children participating has risen over the years. Approximately 400 children were a part of SWAC in

2019. This year, because of Covid and unemployment, the need will be greater.

In the past, the children were asked not to purchase necessities for the home.

However, in determining this need was great among the children who were shopping, a few years ago the children could purchase such items.

The ladies of Mountain Garden Club will be helping to acquire donations for SWAC as they have done for the last four years.

Please consider a donation to help these children who would have little or no Christmas. You may give your donation to a Mountain Garden Club member, mail the check to Caroline Cook at P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741, or drop the check by the Highlands Police Department. Make your check out to Shop With A Cop or SWAC. This donation is tax deductible.

Thank you for making this Christmas a little brighter for the children of Macon County.

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W H AT TO DO

highlandsinspired

music

A lifetime of moods and melodies f ind their expression when Mike Kinnebrew takes the stage at the Orchard Sessions, November 5 at The Farm at Old Edwards. For information, visit oldedwardshospitality. com/orchardsessions.

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Mike Kinnebrew

W H AT TO DO

O

n November 5, Singer-Songwriter Mike Kinnebrew will return to The Farm at Old Edwards to perform at the Orchard Sessions.

Kinnebrew grew up in Atlanta in the 1980s. By his late teens, he knew his future was not academics, and that music was something he could call his own.

He started playing in joints around Buckhead, covering the tunes of James Taylor and Tom Petty.

It wasn’t long long before he figured out that his future was in “writing songs that didn’t exist before.” Brought up with the music of John Denver, Van Morrison and Don Henley, Kinnebrew writes songs that bring the same balladry and warmth to his own work.

Now 43, his second album, One Way to Find Out, will be released at the Orchard Sessions. Its cover bears a black and white photograph of Kinnebrew in a black t-shirt, guitar draped across his chest, mouth to microphone. The masculinity

of the image belies the tenderness in his eyes and the vulnerability that radiates from his songs. The music is a hybrid of country and folk – gentle, intimate and meditative. He is driven by a desire to reach his audience, to create the magic that happens when he is able to “take what’s inside of me and wrap chords around it, hoping it will land somewhere in the heart where it will do some good.”

He says that nowhere does that magic happen more than in Highlands. In fact, the album, produced by Grammy Nominee Paul Moak (who will accompany Kinnebrew on guitar and piano at the performance), was inspired by and largely written in Highlands.

The title song was written for Old Edwards General Manager Jack Austin while he and his partner Lec were deciding on the purchase of what is now their new home. In the pre-chorus, Kinnebrew addresses Austin’s quandary, “One day you wake up and you’re older

than you were ever prepared to be. I don’t know if you have what it takes to catch that dream in your heart.” When he delivers the chorus, “Maybe there’s just one way to find out,” he’s singing so boldly that the lyric feels like a demand.

Showtime is from 6:00 to 8:00 and will include songs from Kinnebrew’s new album as well as songs from the music he grew up with.

There’s a $10 cover charge that includes complimentary nibbles and a cash bar.

Sorry, no advance tickets.

Limited seating is available and taking a seat in the grass is certainly welcome. The sessions will move indoors to the new Orchard House in the event of rain. For more information, visit oldedwardshospitality. com/orchardsessions.

by Marlene Osteen

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W H AT TO DO

make a

run for it

Though it’s fallen victim to the Covid crisis, the Highlands Twilight 5k and 10K Run, originally set for November 28 and now postponed until May, is still the goal for intense training regimens.

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W H AT TO DO

H

ighlands Mayor Patrick Taylor has been a competitor in the annual Highlands Twilight Race since its inception eight years ago.

Mayor Taylor pointed out that although the race has had to adjust to the pandemic, he and many other local and out-of-town runners look forward to its challenging but beautiful course.

That’s why you may expect that the race’s postponement until May of next year would bank some of the fire in his belly.

That discipline and drive at heart of the mayor’s running compulsion has not been tempered by the postponement. If anything, it’s only intensified.

The 5K and 10K races start at KelseyHutchinson Founders Park at 483 Pine Street and end at Fifth Street. The 5K is described as “undulating and friendly” for beginners or walkers, yet “challenging” for experienced runners.

The 10K course is more grueling and

climbs Bear Pen Mountain.

“A lot of people in the neighborhoods urge runners on,” said Mayor Taylor, who – pre-pandemic – ran in approximately one race each month spring through fall. “A lot of other races don’t have the variation in the landscape that this one does. Since the pandemic has broken out, I haven’t been able to run in a race so I’m looking forward to this opportunity.”

Mayor Taylor credits Derek Taylor of Highlands Decorating Center with overseeing “a very well organized race.” He added, “It’s a first-rate road race.”

Last year, at least 350 runners participated and more than $25,000 was raised for local nonprofits, according to Derek Taylor.

Said Mayor Taylor, “The race always has a tremendous impact on the community … one of Highlands’ premier events, like the car show,

that give a boost to our nonprofits, supporting very important causes in the local area.”

“It’s with great regret that we need to announce we are postponing the race until 6:00 P.M. May 15 out of an abundance of caution,” says Derek Taylor of the Race Organizing Committee. “We also feel that to keep the quality of the event as you’ve come to expect it; the event needs to be in the evening and include the music and fun.

The good news is that hopefully there will be two races next year as long as Covid-19 is still not a factor. Your registration will automatically be moved to the May 15 event. If we cannot have the May event, you’ll automatically be signed up for the August race. Signup at highlandstwilight5kand10k.com.”

by Deena Bouknight

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W H AT TO DO

NOV EMBER

“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.”

– Sarah Adelson Allen

1

• Highlands Biological Garden Virtual Tour, 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Tours are weather dependent and will be live streamed on the HBS Facebook page.

2

3

• Cashiers Designer Showhouse - virtual tickets available at cashiershistoricalsociety. org/showhouse.

• Trunk Show featuring Beth Poindexter Luxe and The Grissom Collection of fine vintage estate jewelry. 11:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Josephine’s Emporium, (336) 4206054, (843) 276-9539.

4

Singer-Songwriter Mike Kinnebrew to perform at the Orchard Sessions, The Farm at Old Edwards, 6:00 P.M. • Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, Great Art on Screen with The Bascom: Maverick Modigliani, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts.com.

• Cashiers Designer Showhouse - virtual tickets available at cashiershistoricalsociety. org/showhouse.

• Trunk Show featuring Beth Poindexter Luxe and The Grissom Collection of fine vintage estate jewelry. 11:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Josephine’s Emporium, (336) 4206054, (843) 276-9539.

5

6

• Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts. com.

7

• Metropolitan Opera HD Live, , Il Trovatore, 1:00 P.M., PAC auditorium, highlandsperformingarts. com.

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9

10

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• Highlands Wine Shoppe, Wine Lectures Call (828) 526-4080.

• Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, food & wine film, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts.com.

• 4118 Kitchen & Bar: Wine Dinner with Dough Wines, (828) 526-5002.

12

• The Bridge at Mill Creek: Daou Wine Tasting, 3:00-4:30 P.M., (828) 526-5500.

• Midpoint Restaurant: Wine Dinner (828) 526-2277 • Tug’s Proper: Tate Wines Dinner, (828) 526-3555 • Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, food & wine film, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts.com.

13

• Afternoon Pink-Me-Up, 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., Cake Bar, (828) 421-2042.

• Bridge at Mill Creek: Groth Wine Dinner, 5:30 to 7:30 P.M, (828) 526-5500.

• Midpoint Restaurant: Wine Dinner, (828) 526-2277 • Tug’s Proper: Wine Pairings, (828) 526-3555 • Half-Mile Farm, Dinner/ Wine Pairing, (828) 787-2635

• Wine Ventures: Bubbles Brunch & Champagne Jam, 10:30 A.M., The Bridge, (828) 526-5500, reservations.

• National Theatre Live: Hansard, 3:00 PM, PAC, highlandsperformingarts.com.

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16

17

18

Highlands Skating Rink opens at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Call (828) 526-3556 to schedule your 90-minute session.

• Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts.com.

19

• Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts.com.

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

• Christmas on the Green, 10:00A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Village Green.

• Black Friday Entertainment, noon, Town and Country General Store, (828) 547-1300.

• Christmas Tree Lighting, 5:30 P.M., Village Green.

• PAC Bluegrass Concert Sideline, 7:30 PM. • Double Shot with We 3 Swing, 8:00 P.M., Cake Bar, (828) 421-2042.

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• Betsy Paul Raffle. benefiting CashiersGlenville Fire Deparment.

Drawing 5:00 P.M. For tickets call (828) 743-0880.

All the events that we’ve previewed here may not happen when their appointed time arrives.

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

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• Parking at PAC, Ray’s Drive-Up, 20 minutes after sunset, highlandsperformingarts. com.

Please be sure and call ahead before attending.

27

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• Christmas on the Green, 10:00A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Village Green.

• Holiday Open House, A List Antiques, Cashiers, (850) 974-5785.

• Open House, Josephine’s Emporium, Cashiers, (404) 814-0533.

• Double Shot with We 3 Swing, 8:00 P.M., Cake Bar, (828) 421-2042.

To our Readers, Advertisers, and Contributors We hope you know that we treasure you throughout the year, but please understand that during this par ticular Season of Gratitude, you’re at the top of our list of Things We’re Thankful For. Bless You and Enjoy Your Thanksgiving in Peace and Comfort.

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a e

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RECREATION & CREATION Pages 50-79

OUTDOORS

hard working

hummingbirds

H

Hard working Hummingbirds do what they can to pollinate the Plateau.

ummingbirds are not only beautiful to look at, but also serve an important role in the pollination of plants on the Plateau.

“They are critical pollinators for wildflowers,” said Highlands Plateau Audubon Society Vice President Brent Martin. “They drink up to three times their body weight in nectar per day and are moving pollen consistently between plants as they feed.”

Hummingbirds are common on the Plateau, but there is only one

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species that lives here, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird.

They are found anywhere there are nectar producing flowers, both domestic and native. Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar, but Martin said they will occasionally eat small insects and spiders.

Hummingbirds make their appearance in mid-spring and are abundant until early October.

Hikers may get the feeling a prehistoric wasp has just buzzed passed their heads when it’s often a

hummingbird flapping about gathering nectar. The humming sound comes from beating their wings, which is how they landed the name hummingbird.

“Because they are so small, they have to move their wings incredibly fast to stay aloft,” said Martin. “Their feeding pattern also requires rapid movement along with the need to hover while feeding. They are amazingly agile and can seemingly perform acrobatics as they dart up, down, and sideways. They can beat their wings 20 to 30 times per second!”

OUTDOORS

Hummingbirds may be small and gorgeous, but they do have a temper.

“They do seem violent, and are,” said Martin. “They often fight at our hummingbird feeders and can be very aggressive towards one another.”

While hummingbirds may fight amongst themselves, they also have to keep their eyes peeled for larger birds that may be looking for a snack.

“Crows and jays will eat hummingbird eggs and fledgling, as well as the adults when they can catch them,” said Martin. “Squirrels, snakes, chipmunks, will all prey on them if they find the opportunity.”

By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News

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OUTDOORS

talking

turkey

The Wild Turkey’s vast vocabular y and showstopping displays make it an inimitable resident of the American landscape.

A Foraging Raft (photograph by William McReynolds)

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OUTDOORS

T

he Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a native of North America, abundant on the continent when Columbus arrived.

According to Lovett Williams, in 1492 the population of this indigenous bird covered much of the eastern and southern land mass and numbered 40 million.

By 1940, overhunting and habitat loss had reduced their presence to just 12 percent of their earlier range. Since then, good conservation and transplant efforts have reinstated the Wild Turkey and it now appears in all 48 contiguous states.

This hardy American is highly social and prodigiously vocal within its flock or “raft.” They produce at least 30 distinct calls and vocalizations, signals to others within earshot. The males gobble to call the hens, hence they are “gobblers.” There are also “whippoorwill calls” to warn an adversary, distinct “rattles” that signal a fight, and a sharp, loud note or “alarm putt” signaling an approaching predator.

Other alarms include an “alarm pit-pitpit” calling all heads up, a “singing alarm” signaling a high-flying bird of prey and “distress scream” when attacked. Hens emit “hatchling yelps,” “hatchling hoots” and “assembly yelps” to hatchlings and young poults. There are a variety of other turkey whistles, cackles, clucks, coos and calls. Poults begin imprinting on their hen mothers’ calls before hatching.

Immature males are called Jakes.

Gobblers or “Toms” court females and try to intimidate other males with a puffedup display of feathers that is worthy of a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gobblers and some hens sport beards, wattles, caruncles and a snood hanging over the beak. The male’s featherless head can change colors quickly from gray to red and blue signaling mood and sexual interest.

Turkeys forage along roads and woodlands, and in open fields, and have home ranges of hundreds of acres

depending on the availability of insects, grubs, nuts and other food. Nationally, their range has expanded north and west.

Adults molt gradually once a year in the warmth of the summer months.

Happy Thanksgiving and happy November birding from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society.

The Thanksgiving Day Turkey that graces our tables each year is a domestic version of America’s Wild Turkey.

The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, focused on enjoying and preserving birds and their habitats, is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society and a 501(c) (3) organization.

For information on all our activities and membership, please visit www. highlandsaudubonsociety.org.

by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

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OUTDOORS

biological foundation

Grants-in-Aid

F

Life f inds a way! Despite Covid-19 threats, research continues at the Highlands Biological Station.

or over 50 years, the Highlands Biological Foundation has provided Grants-in-Aid of Research at the Highlands Biological Station, bringing graduate students and research scientists to Highlands from all over the country.

This year, it was not clear whether the station would be able welcome their annual cohort of researchers on campus due to Covid-19. Luckily, with the proper safety precautions, several individuals were able to spend time in residence at HBS – including four recipients of the Foundation’s GIA awards.

In the summer of 2020, the Foundation

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awarded GIAs to four worthy recipients.

Two of these recipients, Meaghan Gade and Philip Gould, were fourth year PhD candidates from The Ohio State University who just completed their fourth consecutive summer of research at HBS. Gade and Gould conducted ecological research on Red-Legged Salamanders (Plethedon shermani) and BlackBellied Salamanders (Desmognathus quadramaculatus), respectively. They administered studies on how salamanders cycle nutrients in headwater streams, how they may be impacted by climate change

in the future, and how they have been impacted by wildfires in recent years.

Another repeat GIA recipient this year was Mike Osbourn, an Assistant Professor at Lees-McRae College. He spent the summer working on predicting impacts of climate, wildfire, and logging on southern Appalachian salamanders.

Our fourth GIA recipient, Rachel Jordan, will be conducting her first season of field work at HBS this winter. Jordan, a second year PhD Candidate from the University of Wisconsin, will evaluate how native conifers respond to winter warming.

The research funded by the

OUTDOORS

Meaghan Gage

Foundation’s GIA program contributes to a better understanding of the incredible biodiversity of this region and how global climate change will likely impact it. The researchers and their work also provide conservation planners as well as forest and stream management with recommendations for practices that will better protect the unique biodiversity of the southern Appalachians.

Our GIA program has yielded hundreds of graduate theses and thousands of scientific papers. In just the past 15 years, over $300,000 in GIAs have been awarded.

For more information about our GIAs or other efforts that the Foundation supports at HBS, visit highlandsbiological. org or call us at (828) 526-2221. Highlands Biological Station is a multi-center campus of Western Carolina University.

by Winter Gary, Communications & Events Coordinator, Highlands Biological Foundation

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OUTDOORS

a birdie

thanksgiving

Considering the well-being of our Plateau neighbors who’re foraging for sur vival can enrich our lives in unexpected ways.

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OUTDOORS

N

ovember is a time that reminds us all to gather with friends and family and give thanks for all we have.

Another act the holidays bring to mind is sharing with those less fortunate than ourselves. As we start spending more time inside, our outdoor plants and landscapes play second fiddle to indoor plants, pumpkin and cornucopia displays and dreams of Christmas trees, but just because the outdoors isn’t first on our minds, it’s still very important to some.

Who? The birds and other species important to our ecosystem. You may even go as far to put birds in the category of being less fortunate, since their food supply isn’t as readily available as in the spring and summer season. What we experienced in 2020 – finding food and supplies during a pandemic – is what birds do every year. They forage.

Consider this your ticket to having a little more time for you and your family. A twofer. You can cut most of your leaf raking/blowing to a minimum. Of course, you still need to make sure leaves don’t pile up around your home’s foundation, roofs and gutters or on decks and porches, but in your yard, leave them

be. (Maybe that’s why they’re called leaves, so we will leave them).

You probably already have some plants in your garden area that make for wonderful bird smorgasbords. There’s a pretty large list, but at the top are Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Astilbe, Sedum, Bee Balm, Joe Pye Weed, Liatris, Goldenrod, Shasta Daisy, Milkweed to name a few.

There are also trees and shrubs like the Dogwood, Holly and Barberry. Leave them be as well. You may find you like the winter interest provided by leaving your plants untouched.

Save all that cleanup for the spring when new life begins to appear, and your mantra tells you to spring clean. It’s not just the clocks that need to remind us to “fall back and spring forward.”

And remember the birds have families too, and you know what they say, “birds of a feather flock together,” so let’s let them have a season of Thanksgiving, too.

by Jeannie Chambers, The Accidental Gardener

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OUTDOORS

an under-rated

fishing month

Anglers have plenty to be thankful for with the arrival of November.

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OUTDOORS

W

hen you think about fly fishing in fall what month pops into your head?

I would be willing to bet it’s October, am I right?

October often gets all the credit because it’s the first significant change in the weather that has everyone grabbing for sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes.

The leaves…don’t forget about the beautiful leaves; they sure do paint a beautiful scene! Do you know what is really frustrating to fly fish in?

A river full of leaves!

On a typical year, the last couple weeks of October, our rivers here in the mountains of North Carolina resemble something that we call “leaf soup,” and it can be really challenging to fish in…constantly having to pick them off your hook.

Can you imagine being a fish, and trying to find a bug to eat amongst all

those leaves? I often wonder if it makes them a bit disoriented.

November though, things really get right in November. The leaves are starting to clear out, the water clarity gets better, there’s a good chance to see a hatch of bugs on any given day, and most importantly the fish know that winter is coming, so they feed up in anticipation.

Yes, November is the real shining star of the fall season as it pertains to the fly fisher. All these great things start to happen, yet we see only a fraction of the people on the rivers that we see in October.

What’s not to love?

For more on how to take advantage of this magical month, stop in to your local fly shop!

by Matt Canter, Brookings Anglers

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A RTS

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A RTS

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ARTS Pages 66-87

A RTS

door closes

another opens

For Mar y Lou Carpenter, life in the mountains is a daily-delivered invitation to create.

I

t’s one thing to have command of color and canvas.

It’s quite another to build a studio/gallery around that ability, while mentoring upcoming artists, and strengthening the Plateau’s art community. Highlands has a woman who can do all that and more – Mary Lou Carpenter.

Mary Lou, professional multi-media artist, moved from her fast-paced studio

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in downtown Atlanta to become a fulltime Highlands resident in 2009. In love with Mother Nature and the magnificent mountains, she had long-planned her relocation. She was drawn to our area not only for its beauty and tranquility, but for its active support of the Arts.

Her award-winning creations are the product of extensive studies at the universities of Kentucky and Georgia. In the late 80s she traveled to Italy to master

the classical lost wax method of sculpture.

Mary Lou’s painting and sculpture are collected and exhibited throughout the United States. Venues include the University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, Emory University, JFK Plaza in New York, the IBM lobby in Charlotte, and many more.

You may remember Mary Lou from her partnership in the Carolina Gallery, which closed in 2019.

A RTS

One door closed. Another opened.

She quickly rallied, regained her artistic footing, interacted with fellow artists and patrons (to the degree Covid allowed), and produced lovely, energetic works for galleries and private business/ home commissions.

Mary Lou says, “I’m known mainly for my contemporary work. I love to experiment with new materials and ideas that lean toward an organic feel. I let the materials and their reaction to movement lead me to an ultimate outcome:

occasional figures, organic shapes and my favorite, ethereal skyscapes.”

This year she has experimented with oil in a cold wax medium.

“It keeps me loose,” she says.

“The best part is the surprises this process generates.”

What’s Mary Lou’s next adventure?

She recently acquired a large amount of copper pieces.

She grins a wily grin, “The possibilities are endless.”

An accomplished teacher, she is

available for workshops, private lessons, mentoring and ongoing classes. For more information, or a private studio visit you can call (404) 351-6511 or e-mail mlcarpenterartist@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

by Donna Rhodes

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A RTS

felted and

one-derful

J

For ar tist Jane Adams, the tactile dimension of felting is a beguiling invitation that won’t be ignored.

ane Adams, fiber artist, finds felting magical, if not spiritual.

She shares a favorite felt origin tale: Two travelers stuffed their sandals with raw wool to protect their feet from blisters (Appalachian Trail trekkers take note). The natural lanolin, wet sweat, and agitation from walking/rubbing fibers together felted the wool by journey’s end, conforming it perfectly to the men’s feet, possibly documenting the world’s first felted-socks … granted, a bit odiferous, but blister-free feet is worth it.

She says, “Today, the process is less primitive. Needles, wool, soap and water, plus hours of creativity equals keepsakes that are created in the eye of this artist.”

Jane’s own felting-origin tale was a bit more circuitous, but magical none-the-

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less. As a member of a homemakers club in Clayton, Georgia, she began crocheting items, donating a portion of each sale to the club’s college scholarship fund.

Over the years, one thing led to another.

Fellow club-members knew she liked yarn and shared news of an alpaca farm which led to other connections, fiber arts shows, and festivals.

Jane was hypnotically-drawn to delicious textures, sinking her fingers into tactile sensations and spinnable fibers from sheep, alpaca, llama, and more.

At her home-based studio, her passion expanded her crochet-work into spinning, dyeing, needle-felting, knitting, hatmaking, weaving (shawls), felted flowers, and cobweb scarves. For the holidays, her

needle-felted angels and sheep fly and gallop out the door. Rabbits, pumpkins and fingerless gloves are also in her popular handcrafted line-up.

Black Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Jane will offer her needlefelted angels, hats, scarves and more at the Civic Center in Clayton for The Festival of Trees show.

“It’s first-come, first-serve,” she advises with a wink.

Contact Jane about that something one-derful. Email: janea1us@yahoo. com. During the 2021 season you might catch her at The Marketplace, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park, Saturdays 8:00 A.M. to noon, May-October.

by Donna Rhodes

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carving his

niche

A chainsaw in deft hands with strong arms liberates bears and eagles and woodland creatures inside local logs.

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Jason Smathers carving his latest creation

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rt defies definition.

One reason is that as soon as someone establishes boundaries for art, it becomes “artistic” to violate those boundaries.

The “fine arts” were once recognized as that which is taught in the academies of Florence, Rome, Paris and London. The Impressionists and Dadaists banished all those rules.

What we can say with confidence is that art is the freest form of human self-expression.

Folk Art is self-expression that appears locally using natural materials such as wood, clay, fiber and glass. Folk artists use few tools for varied purposes. A wood carver has his knives and his imagination.

Knitters use simple knitting “needles” to turn out their fashion masterpieces. Tribal and primitive art is produced with simple tribal and primitive tools. Folk art is taught by one generation to the next.

Here on the Plateau we are blessed with excellent folk artists.

Jason Smathers is one of them.

Jason grew up locally in Transylvania and Henderson counties as well as in Washington State where he went to high school. When he is not on the side of SR 64 in Sapphire sculpting and displaying his creations, he is at home in Lake Toxaway.

Jason has spent 17 of his 43 years sculpting wood with a chainsaw. He was a welder before he became a fulltime folk artist.

“My Dad starting doing it years ago.

I tried it and fell in love with this type of carving.”

He is self-taught, having had no formal training in art or sculpture. He has had to learn how to modify and rebuild his chainsaws for best artistic use. Is there a Stradivarius among these artists’ chainsaws?

Most of his sculptures are bears and eagles. Bears are his choice because

they are much loved hereabouts and eagles are symbols of America.

His bear sculptures are shaped to be “happy, welcoming and cute.” Carving his eagles, he takes inspiration from eagles being “tough, high-flying, and the best of the best.”

Sales were good this summer: Inventory is low.

“What do you like most about chainsaw sculpting?” I asked.

“It’s the loud, smoky, aggressive chainsaw,” he answered. He has a large tattoo of a chainsaw on his substantial left arm.

Jason wears important protective gear when he works. His wife Lanette works with him and is an artist in her own right. See photographs of Jason Smathers’ work on Facebook at “Cutting Edge Carvings LLC.” Let the chips fly!

by William McReynolds

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a lot

to offer

Proving the wisdom of that old show biz adage, “The Show Must Go On!,� the Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center keeps the plates spinning in this strange year. For announcements in titles, dates and scheduling, visit highlandsperformingarts.com.

Sideline

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arkin’ at the PAC, Ray’s Driveup outdoor movie venue, has brought a whole new level of offerings the PAC can present to you during this time of Covid restricted limits on gatherings.

Great Art on Screen is presented

by PAC and The Bascom, A Center for Visual Arts.

November’s offering is on Thursday, November 5: Maverick Modigliani. Marking the centenary of the death of Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920), this documentary is the story of a remarkable talent that transcended stereotypes. From his origins in Livorno, Italy, to the Paris of Picasso and Brancusi that became the center of modernity. The film depicts the life and work of an avant-garde artist who has become a contemporary classic.

Movies will continue on Friday and Saturday nights in November.

Since Covid cancelled the Highlands Food & Wine Festival, the weekend of November 13-14 will bring our own celebration of food and wine with two curated food & wine films. Please check the PAC website for the November titles – highandsperformingarts.com.

The PAC auditorium is now allowed to seat 25 lucky people to view the MET Opera and the National Theatre of London encore performances. At 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 7, The Met Opera presents Il Trovatore, originally broadcast on October 3, 2015.

On Sunday, November 15, at 3:00 P.M., The National Theatre will present Hansard. This is a twohanded play full of witty banter and stinging one liners. Set against the political landscape of 1980’s Thatcher Britain, what starts out as personal digs between a married couple after work on a Friday night

crashes into political judgments that bring secrets from the past spilling out of the closet.

There is one concert left on the books for 2020! The Friday after Thanksgiving at 7:30 P.M., PAC will present Sideline. Sideline is a pedigreed six-piece powerhouse whose style has set the pace in Bluegrass for over two decades.

Listening to Sideline reminds us of why so many people fall in love with Bluegrass in the first place – pulse-pounding drive, songs sung from the heart, perfected timing and dynamics.

Please check the website often for announcements in titles, dates and scheduling, highlandsperformingarts.com.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

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time to play

P

lay.

Isn’t it a delightful word?

Wordplay. Swordplay. Play by ear.

Play one’s hand. Play ball. Play a hunch.

Play an instrument. Play a radio. Play possum. Play the field.

The playlist, as it were, goes on and on. But to drama appreciators around the world, live theatrical productions are the primo kind of play. Plays’ve been sorely missed, and will continue to be until Covid-19 is quashed.

David Healy, President of Highlands Playhouse Board, shares 2020-21’s great play expectations.

“In ordinary times we are already picking plays, hiring, contracting, and planning a year or more in advance. Costly performance rights must be secured and paid for (thank you, loyal patrons) before our artistic director, et. al., can travel to

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New York to pick from a multitude of January auditioners. Thousands of actors are viewed/interviewed with nighttime call-backs.

“When basics are finally in place, we secure summer housing and find set designers, costumers, lighting crews, etc. Managing a non-profit’s finances with so many Corona considerations is challenging. We dare not commit to spending until we know the season is a go. In times like these, one foot is out the door while the other is nailed to the stage.

“Ordinarily things would be locked in by now for next year. But production’s been frozen since March. Luckily the rights were secured, so virus permitting, Mama Mia will be the headliner for 2021.

That’s the best case scenario.

“But the board and artistic staff have several back up plans. Think of these

plans as trains parked in a station, each with its own specific cars. If Covid prevents play production, the first train rolls in with an alternate presentation to take its place. Should that falter, a second train. Then a third train will be readied.”

The Playhouse and PAC are working on some collaborative projects including drive-in dramas, first-run movies. It may not be live performance, but it will be a welcome diversion guaranteed to amuse and engage.

The Playhouse may require a bit of help for next year’s season, so keep in touch through highlandsplayhouse.org and Facebook.

by Donna Rhodes

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round Back at Rocky’s Place is celebrating the life and the unique vision of internationallyrecognized folk artist Howard Finster.

Finster (1916-2001) was born in Alabama, but he lived most of his life in Georgia – both states claim the rights to this most famous folk artist of all time.

The inspiration for his work came from visions he had, starting in childhood.

When he was 16, he became an evangelical Baptist preacher. He carried the word of God all over the South with traveling tent revivals. He was around 50 years old when he began creating art with a message. He was around 50 years old when he began creating art as the voice of God instructed him to create sacred art with a message.

Aside from preaching, Howard was also a repairman and used these skills in the creation of his folk art environment, Paradise Gardens. On the property of

visions of inspiration

the gardens, you’ll find the World’s Folk Art Church.

Another notable piece from his profession is the Tower of Bicycles, as he was known to repair bikes for all the kids in the neighborhood.

Howard would say that he created art from other people’s junk. He used tools, broken dolls, bicycles and anything he could find at the dump.

What sent Howard into superstardom was his appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and his cameos in the music videos and album covers by REM and Talking Heads.

In addition to seeing Howard’s work in major art museums all around the world, check out his work at aroundbackatrockysplace.com or, as we are open only by appointment, call the gallery at (706) 265-6030 to set up a time to visit his work in person. You can also email

Portrait by A H Ludy of Howard Finster

gallery@aroundbackatrockysplace.com.

Around Back at Rocky’s Place is located at 3631 Highway 53 East in Dawsonville, Georgia.

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the moulthrops

at the bascom

The glowing works of woodturners Philip and Matt Moulthrop are on glorious display at The Bascom, 323 Franklin Road in Highlands.

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he Bascom is pleased to have spectacular wooden bowls by Philip and Matt Moulthrop in The Greehey Atrium, just in time for holiday shopping.

Working primarily with Southeastern wood, both create work that is truly breathtaking. Philip and Matt are worldrenowned woodturners from the Atlanta area.

Father and son learned at the hands of Philip’s father Ed, and their work is in permanent collections around the world.

If you are already a collector of the Moulthrops’ work, or are ready to own a piece, you should come see all the beautiful bowls available.

It would also be a great time to pick up a copy of Moulthrop: A Legacy In Wood.

The text is drawn from extensive interviews with Ed, Philip, and Matt Moulthrop and contains essays by well-known collectors, and commentary by leading curators, artists and collectors. This 168-page book features numerous full color images of works created

by Ed, Philip and Matt Moulthrop, historical photos, as well as a rare “behind the scenes” look at the artists working in the studio.

The Bascom is located at 323 Franklin Road in Highlands and is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

by Teresa Osborn, Executive Director, The Bascom

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Chamber Music’s

40th Anniversary

With its 2020 season falling victim to Covid-19, The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival casts its gaze toward a spectacular 40th anniversar y celebration in 2021. For more information, visit h-cmusicfestival.org.

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Ray Chen

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Eroica Trio

he Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival is planning a blockbuster season to celebrate its milestone 40th anniversary in the summer of 2021.

Some of the world’s finest musicians will again grace the mountains with their talents in a wide variety of creative programs and fun events in multiple venues around the area.

Among the favorites returning will be legendary violinist/violist Pinchas Zukerman with his Trio; recent Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey; the magnetic Eroica Trio; and Norwegian violinist David Coucheron.

Making their Festival debuts in 2021 will be young superstar Ray Chen, violinist; Bluegrass master fiddler Mark O’Connor in a special “Beethoven & Bluegrass” program; harpist Bridget Kibbey (called “the Yo-Yo Ma of the Harp”); and the Hermes Quartet from Paris.

The Festival’s 40th Celebration will also include collaborations with The Bascom with an art exhibit and concert, classes about music with CLE and a very special event at OEI’s Orchard House at The Farm. Our annual Festival Feasts, Salons and Family Concert and Ice Cream Social round out an exceptional season.

Stay “tuned” for more exciting information about the 40th anniversary season, get complete information about the festival on its website at h-cmusicfestival.org, and follow the festival on Facebook!

By Nancy Aaron, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Executive Director

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Highlands Cashiers Music Festival

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Caprese Salad D I N I N G Lakeside Restaurant

DINING Pages 92-105

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DonLeon’s

DonLeon, the food truck that’s parked itself nex t to the The High Dive at 476 Carolina Way in Highlands, brings the eponymous chef and all-around character back to the local restaurant scene. You can dine in the canopied patio or take your meal home. You can phone in your order at (828) 200-0388 or show up in person (and chat with DonLeon while he’s preparing your meal).

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n 1941, Grady Watts and Frank Ryerson composed Blue Champagne, the Jimmy Dorsey jazz mashup that’s gone through countless kaleidoscopic permutations over the decades. Through all those appropriations and all those singular performances, it’s maintained its touch of elegance and its playfulness, as strange and unexpected as its illusory bubbly subject.

And the tune was playing on an endless loop in my head as my friends and I enjoyed a languid Friday night meal at DonLeon’s at The High Dive.

Let me explain.

DonLeon’s is a patio-food truck hybrid in downtown Highlands that’s 92 N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 0 | T H E L A U R E L M AG A Z I N E . C O M

just as unexpected and welcome as, well, a patio-food truck hybrid in downtown Highlands.

The place is overseen by the chef, DonLeon, and his personality made his initial eponymous restaurant adjoining Farmer’s Market a cherished destination for Highlanders and in-the-know visitors.

He’s the guy who makes the kitchen work, and it’s an absolutely irresistible show watching him working the stations, delivered with all the verve and aplomb of those plate spinners on The Ed Sullivan Show. (You can catch a more measured performance at Midpoint – God knows I’m a sucker for dazzling kitchen performances, sometimes to the chagrin

of my dining accomplices.)

His truck companion is the unflappable Susan, and she plays straight man to his kitchen Falstaff, never missing a beat (and, let’s be honest, making everything work).

Of course, if the kitchen’s slammed and the pair are up to their armpits in alligators, you might as well take a seat and be treated to the ministrations of maitre ‘d Taylor, a natural raconteur and quick wit who truly enjoys chatting with and okey-dokeying his guests.

See why I was thinking about a fizzy song, about a fizzy drink? There’s an undeniable energy to the place and, though we were dining on a Friday night

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at the far end of an exhausting week, we were soothed and cajoled and rejuvenated.

That spirit was enhanced by the arrival of quarantine-liberated friends at an adjoining table. (Don’t worry, the tables are distanced and everyone wears a mask until they’re safely seated.) I know I’ve mentioned this in previous reviews this year, but the simple, profound experience of seeing friends and exchanging stories is a marvelous tonic for the grey droning that we’ve all been contending with.

And that’s where the food comes in.

Taylor delivered a trayful of surprises to our table – A Gyro, A Grown-Up’s Grilled Cheese, A Philly Cheese Steak, and Fish ‘n Chips.

OK, Luke, what’s so surprising about those? (You’re kind of contentious today, aren’t you? Are you hungry? Visit DonLeon’s) Well, the surprise is their preparation and their presentation.

For instance, it’s easy to fall for sad American-ized Gyros that have been

flensed of all wit and savor. In this instance, DonLeon is a traditionalist, going back to the Gyro’s Mediterranean roots with the traditional lamb and beef on a bed of romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, and cucumber, lavished with tzatziki sauce. Dazzling.

Or think how Coleman Hawkins, with his sweet, soul-drenched sax, managed to entirely switch the tone of the performance of “Blue Champagne Purple shadows and blue champagne With the echoes that still remain I keep a blue rendezvous” That breathtaking performance is mirrored by DonLeon riffing on a comfort food that’s been served in homes and diners across America for generations.

The Grown-Up’s Grilled Cheese is a hearty blend of three cheeses, red onion tomato, and applewood bacon, served up on Grilled Rye. On my Fish ‘n Chips, Don Leon managed to wring changes out of this

400-year-old English staple with the simple substitution of a barbecue sauce instead of the standard malt vinegar. Who knew it’d take a taste of the South to bring the meal into the 21st century?

All of this was lubricated with generous refreshments from next door at The High Dive. Standouts were the Margarita, true blue and redolent of tropical tides in Costa Rica; and Michael’s Whiskey Ginger, or more accurately his Jameson’s and Ginger (although I’d always called it a Leprechaun). The addition of fine Irish Whiskey elevated this Old School Highball into some rich and strange, like, I dunno, Blue Champagne.

After a long, languorous meal fueled by good food and lively conversation, I realized why the Rockola in my head had put an old Jimmy Dorsey tune on continuous play. This experience had its own elegant simplicity, served up with passion and a knowing wink and a deep indulgence that demands a return.

by Luke Osteen

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thanksgiving’s wines The per fect wine can add so much subtle passion and deeply indulgent comfor t to Thanksgiving Dinner.

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nce again, we come to the annual vexing question: What wine(s) to serve with Thanksgiving dinner?

Let me caution you not to overthink

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this, for it’s true as Shakespeare’s Caliban said, “Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.”

Substitute “Thanksgiving Dinner” for “isle” and you get my drift.

After all, no one comes to Thanksgiving for the wine. What’s the worst that can

DI NI NG occur with the wine? Only one potential disaster lurks – you run out. (I suggest having at least one bottle per drinking adult) So, while it’s true that the wine is the easy part, some are better than others.

This is not the time to worry about pairing specific foods with particular bottles.

Instead, look for versatile wines that pair well with many foods, are energetic with lively acidity, that will refresh the palate and are not high in alcohol, or tannins.

I am a sucker for bubbles and would happily drink a series of sparklers for the entire meal, perhaps beginning with the crisp and lively Spanish Cava, Raventos, moving on to the soft, creamy Champalou Sparkling Vouvray from France’s Loire Valley.

With the entrée, a grower Champagne, the round, smooth and bright, 1er Cru Brut Cuvee from Lassalle.

The archetypal Thanksgiving still white is Riesling – specifically from

Alsace, one to try the Trimbach Riesling, crisp, elegant, food friendly, with a pleasing floral note.

Other whites to consider include the tart and delicious Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, and a voluptuous chardonnay from Jordan Winery, or in a sleeker style, one from Burgundy, France, the Matrot Meursault.

Albarino from Spain is one of my all time favorites because of its salty minerality and texture – one to seek out is the Bodegas Garzon.

If red wine is your thing, no wine has a better Thanksgiving track record than Beaujolais – no, not Beaujolais Nouveau, but a more serious wine, with velvety tannins and crunchy fruit, like the Antoine Sunier Morgon. Cabernet Franc is a deliciously peppery wine that just screams Thanksgiving, and I’m an enthusiastic fan of Domaine Arnaud Lambert’s Saumur from the Loire Valley in France. Pinot Noir is a great

choice because of its delicate demeanor and affinity for cranberry – choose one from Sonoma Valley like the Davis Family Dutton Ranch or go abroad to Burgundy and discover a Bourgogne Rouge from Vincent Girard. If you are looking for something a bit bolder, go with the delicious, juicy Rhone blend from California’s Tablas Creek, the Patelin de Tablas.

For dessert, the rule of thumb is that the wine must be sweeter than the dessert.

Good choices are the Roumieu-Lacoste French Sauterne with custards and pies, and Cockburn’s Ruby Port with chocolate.

On the Plateau, you are likely to discover any of these wines – or similar styles – at Bryson’s, Mountain Fresh, Highlands Wine Shoppe and The Wine Cellar of Cashiers.

by Marlene Osteen

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honey spiced

pumpkin streusel

Denise Altay

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Denise Altay’s seasonally-per fect Honey Spiced Pumpkin Streusel Cake

enise Altay is brimming with bee information. She and her husband, Sean Collinsworth, have 90 hives and three different apiaries where they live in Lake Toxaway.

Collinsworth, who is one of three or four Americans certified by the Italian Registry of Honey Sensory Experts, got initiated into beekeeping 50 years ago at age 12, in Chicago.

Following Sean’s career in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office, the environmentally conservationist couple retired to North Carolina and installed hives to ensure the health of their forest.

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evolved from that passion, produces neverblended, flavored or pasteurized honey, hand-bottled on their mountain top.

The purity of their honey is exceptional in an industry that as noted in the Netflix series “Rotten” has been dominated by production practices “straight out of a drug dealer’s handbook” – cutting the honey with fillers in order to increase volume and satisfy demand.

While the bulk of their sales are of wildflower honey, distinctive because of the vast varieties of flowers blooming on the property, they produce a limited amount of Sourwood Honey from the short three-

week growing season, and from the nectar gathered by the bees at their Panthertown Apiary, Mountain Clover Honey.

Denise shares with Laurel readers her recipe for Honey Spiced Pumpkin Streusel Cake, a rich, moist and deeply flavored confection that delivers a delicious wave of tangy spicy notes with each delightful bite.

So, just in time for Thanksgiving!

From Denise, “I’m always a little disappointed with “honey” recipes, since many of them still include more sugar than honey. This recipe alas, does include sugar! It’s hard to get a crunchy “streusel” with honey”

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Honey Spiced Pumpkin Streusel Cake

Streusel Ingredients 1/3 cup Brown Sugar 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar 1 cup Walnuts, chopped 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon ½ teaspoon Nutmeg ¼ teaspoon Cloves pinch of Salt ½ cup Fine Cake Flour 2 oz (1/2 stick) Unsalted Butter at room temperature

Cake Batter Ingredients 1 cup, minus 1 tablespoon Canned Pure Pumpkin ½ cup minus 1 tablespoon Sour Cream ¼ cup Plus 2/3 cup of Killer Bees Wildflower Honey 2 large Eggs ½ teaspoon Real Lemon Extract 1 teaspoon Real Vanilla Extract 2 cups All Purpose Flour 1 ½ teaspoons Cinnamon ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves 1 teaspoon Baking Powder ½ teaspoon Salt 1 ½ sticks of Unsalted Butter at room temperature Streusel Instructions 1. Combine the chopped walnuts, sugar, spices and pinch of salt. Mix well with fork. Set aside 2/3 of the mixture for filling later.

2. To remainder, add flour and cut up butter pieces. Chop or blend all together to get a lumpy consistency. Set aside.

Batter 1. Butter and flour the bottom and all sides of a 9-inch springform pan, Heat oven to 350F. 2. Mix the pumpkin, sour cream, honey, eggs, vanilla and lemon extracts.

3. Mix together flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.

4. Cut butter and add to dry ingredients 5. Add the pumpkin mixture, 1/3 at a time and mix at low speed 6. Pour ½ of the batter into the pan and smooth. Sprinkle the streusel (without the butter) over the batter evenly. Carefully pour remaining batter over the filling and smooth. Take remaining streusel with the butter and put in little clumps covering the top of the cake and provide a thick layer.

7. Bake the cake 60 minutes – a flat knife inserted into the cake should come out with some moisture. Cool for 10 minutes before removing Killer Bees honey can be found in Highlands at Acorns, the Cashier Farmers Market, and Historic Toxaway Market.

For more information, visit killerbeeshoney.com.

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an epicurious

destination

The Bridge at Mill Creek, located at 445 Nor th Four th Street in Highlands, is offering a cornucopia of insider lessons, tastings and celebrations of the season. For more information or to register, call (828) 526-5500 or email Michael@ thebridgeatmillcreek.com, or just stop by.

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Michael Searles

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utumn at the Bridge at Mill Creek has quickly risen to the upper ranks of the Plateau’s epicurious destinations.

Owners David and Debi Bock have teamed up with chef Matt Marcus; and General Manager Michael Searles, formerly Beverage Director at Old Edwards Inn. And now the crew has unveiled an impressive schedule of events to tantalize your sensibilities.

Would you like to taste a curated list of wine and beer, or learn from an expert how to make a classic cocktail?

Of course you would, and now you can, on Tuesday Boozeday Instructional (3:00 – 4:30 P.M., $45 for the class and/or tasting, includes light bites, tasting notes, and recipes): November 3: Beer Tasting with Dale Heinlein of Satulah Brewery and local breweries Curahee of Franklin and Boojum of Brevard to taste and discuss with a brewmaster.

November 10: Learn how to make a classic 80’s style Old Fashion cocktail and a more modern version with house made syrup, Rittenhouse Rye, and Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon.

November 17: The holidays are approaching and a tasting of Bubbles is certainly in order. Taste authentic Champagnes and alternatives suited for more casual gatherings.

November 24: Just in time for Thanksgiving, a lesson on Chatham Artillery Punch, known as “The Cocktail That Toppled Savannah.” This legendary concoction has been state-of-the art in rapid-fire intoxication since first assembled in 1859.

Also in the offering: Sample Chef Marcus’ extremely polished cooking, the second weekend of November in collaboration with “Elevated Wines.”

Friday, November 13: Tasting with Daou Family Wines. “When the Daou brothers came upon an untapped mother lode of fine

terroir, they knew that it would be the work of generations to truly honor it with great wines. (3:00-4:30 P.M., $45 per person) Saturday, November 14: Groth Wine Dinner. Groth wines have long set the benchmark for Napa Valley, ranked 8 times on Wine Spectator’s prestigious Top 100 list. Chef Marcus’ signature way with fresh seasonal ingredients will be on full display, paired with multiple wine tastings per course. (5:30-7:30 P.M., $115 ++ per person with pairings) Sunday, November 15: Bubbles, Brunch and Champagne Jam! The Bridge welcomes the Queen of Bubbles, Gwen Collins of Epiphany Wines, for a tasting of four sparklers. Your choice of Starter and Entrée. (10:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., $45 per person) For reservations and inquiries, call (828) 526-5500 or by email at Michael@ thebridgeatmillcreek.com.

by Marlene Osteen

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thanksgiving dining options

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The Plateau’s Thanksgiving Dinner scene offers a bounty of options.

f the prospect of preparing Thanksgiving dinner adds just one more layer of anxiety to your already battered sensibilities, there are options that can allow you to approach the holiday with courage and confidence.

The secret is to act now, because reservations are required and the bounty is limited. In fact, if this sounds like a good idea to you, stop reading right now and call!

Take Out Highlands Mountain Fresh Grocery Call now to reserve your complete Thanksgiving dinner; Pre-ordered dinners are available for pickup on Thanksgiving Day; (828) 526-2400, mfgro.com

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Dusty Rhodes Superette Call ahead to reserve your Thanksgiving sides and desserts. Plan to pick up before Thanksgiving Day; (828) 526-2762 Fressers Courtyard Cafe Call ahead to reserve your main dishes, sides and desserts to go (Editor’s Note: Be sure to order Owner/Chef Debbie Grossman’s My Mom’s Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole.

Trust me.); (828) 526-8847 Rosewood Market Call ahead to reserve your main dishes, sides and desserts to go; (828) 526-0383.

On The Verandah Call ahead and pick up your traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day; (828) 526-0083; ontheverandah.com

The Kitchen Carryaway Call ahead or email thekitchenofhighlands@gmail.com to reserve your sides and desserts. Plan to pick up before Thanksgiving Day. (828) 526-2110; thekitchenofhighlands.com Bella’s Junction Cafe Reserve your complete Thanksgiving Meal by November 23, and pickup your order on Wednesday, November 25; (828) 5260-0803.

Highlands Smokehouse They’re smoking whole turkeys, turkey breasts and briskets; and offering all the traditional sides. You can pick everything up the day before Thanksgiving. (828) 526-3554 or highlandssmokehouse.com

DI NI NG Take Out Cashiers Cashiers Farmers Market Their season officially ends in October, but they open again November 18-28; all orders must be placed by November 20, so call ahead and reserve your turkey or ham, delicious sides and desserts.

Pick up is the day before Thanksgiving. Cashiers Farmers Market is also offering its barbecue menu. (828) 743-4334.

The Library Kitchen and Bar You can order your meat in increments of servings of six. Pickup will be Thanksgiving Day from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Place your order by November 21 (Editor’s Note: Place it now!)

(828) 743-5512, librarykitchenand bar.com Cashiers Valley Smokehouse Give them a call (right now) and reserve your Thanksgiving Dinner (828) 5472096 or email info@cashiersvalleysmokehouse Dining on the Plateau Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro; (828) 526-3807 Julep Farms, Dillard, Georgia; (706) 960-9600 The Log Cabin (828) 526-5777 Greystone Inn (828) 966-4700 Highlander Mountain House (828) 526-2590 Fire + Water at Fire Mountain Inn, Cabins, and Treehouses (800) 775-4446

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HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bistro on Main/Main Street Inn - (828) 526-2590 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 The Bridge at Mill Creek - (828) 526-5500 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar at Mill Creek - (828) 421-2042 Calder’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 526-0020 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 El Manzanillo - (828) 526-0608 The Log Cabin - (828) 526-5777 M-brace - (828) 787-1212 Midpoint (828) 526-2277

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SB Sunday Brunch

(828) 547-3096 (828) 966-4700 (828) 743-0020 (828) 547-1300 (828) 743-3000 (828) 743-7711 *

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Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Pescado’s - (828) 526-9313 Pizza Place - (828) 526-5660 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Cashiers Farmers Market - (828) 743-4334 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 Cork & Barrel Lounge - (828) 743-7477 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

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Reservations Recommended

Full Bar

(828) 526-5002 (828) 526-4191 (828) 526-0803 (828) 526-3807 (828) 526-5500 (828) 200-0388 (828) 526-4446 (828) 787-2990 (828) 526-4188 (828) 526-2110 (828) 526-9419 (828) 787-2525 (828) 526-1019 (828) 526-2338 (828) 526-4906 (828) 526-0383 (828) 526-9632 (828) 526-3555 (828) 526-8364 (828) 526-3807

Wine

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4118 Kitchen + Bar 64 Highlands Plaza 4th Street Market 545 North 4th Street Bella’s Junction Cafe 20 Old Mud Creek Road, Scaly The Bistro at Wolfgang’s 460 Main Street Bridge at Mill Creek 445 North 4th Street Don Leon’s at The High Dive 476 Carolina Way Fire + Water Restaurant Reservations Required Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main Street Fressers Courtyard Cafe Village Square, 470 Oak Street * The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering 350 S. Fifth Street Lakeside Restaurant Smallwood Avenue Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden 445 Main Street Meritage Bistro 490 Carolina Way On the Verandah Highway 64 (Franklin Road) Paoletti’s 440 Main Street *Rosewood Market Main Street SweeTreats/Highlands Deli Corner of 4th and Main Tug’s Proper 310 Main Street The Ugly Dog Pub 298 South 4th Street Wolfgang’s Restaurant 460 Main Street CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Cashiers Valley Smokehouse US 64 West The Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Lane Slab Town Pizza 45 Slab Town Road Town & Country General Store Deli 14 Raggedy Lane The Ugly Dog Pub 25 Frank Allen Road Zookeeper 45 Slabtown Road

Meals

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Vegetarian Selections

Plateau Dining Guide

Children’s Menu

To see the most up-to-date information about dining on the plateau visit: https://www.highlands-cashiers.info/highlands-restaurants https://www.highlands-cashiers.info/cashiers-restaurants

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JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 The Orchard - (828) 743-7614 Randevu Restaurant - (828) 743-0190 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Subway - (828) 743-1300 The Blind Mule - (828) 553-8978 The Falls Cafe and Grill - 828-877-3322 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226

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LDOI N D IGNI G NG thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

Ad On Page

Pet Policy

Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet

Cable/Satellite TV

In Room Microwave/Fridge

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Whirlpool Rooms Exercise Facility

On Site Restaurant

Plateau Lodging

On Site Bar/Lounge Pool

CALL TO CONFIRM BEFORE YOUR VISIT.

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

Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

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

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220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway

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theparkonmain.com | (888) 974-9738

Highlands

highlandsfairviewhouse.com | (866) 526-8008

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VACATION RENTALS Fairview House

The Vineyard at 37 High Holly 37 High Holly Road | Scaly Mountain thevineyardat37highholly.com | (828)-505-6190

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VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals

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

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Rent in Highlands-CCP

507 Main Street | Highlands

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

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401 N 5th St | Highlands

highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

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17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers

landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

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341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers

ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999

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Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals Landmark Vacation Rentals Silver Creek Vacation Rentals

CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 334-255 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Laurelwood Inn - (828) 743-9939 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Reid Resort Rentals - (828) 743-5955 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482 HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 106 106

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CCP Vacation Rentals - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717 The Chandler Inn - (678) 982-8406 The Chateau - (561) 613-1496 Fairview House - (866) 526-8008 Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246 Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186 Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380 Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899 Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839 The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999 The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560 Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799 Main Street Inn - (828) 526-2590 Mitchell’s Lodge & Cottages - (828) 526-2267 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 Skyline Lodge - (828) 526-2121 Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222

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

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Dutchman’s Designs

SHOPPING Pages 110-117

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irresistible

shopping

Main Street Gifts

T

The Toy Store

Bags on Main

As we glide into the Holiday Season, the entire spectrum of Plateau retailers is beckoning.

here is an extraordinary stand of gnarled dwarf cedars perched precariously upon a rock dome at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center.

Some of them are over 200 years old and they somehow survive in this most inhospitable of environments – they’re literally rooted upon granite/gneiss, high winds make a regular appearance (and hurricanes like 1995’s Opal), and they’re in a spot that’s essentially a mammoth lighting rod.

Yet they’re beautiful, even majestic, in their twisted glory. In fact, botanists and artists from around the world have come to The Mountain to understand and venerate them.

I’m bringing this up because this little clump of trees is mirrored by the shops and galleries that’re spread across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Each has sprung up in this formidable business environment – marked by a

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painfully short busy season, a ferocious rate of rent, and vulnerable to the economic storms buffeting other parts of the country. And, of course, the sudden arrival of a virus that’s tipped the entire world into a freefall.

Like those twisted trees clinging to their flinty soil, all of those special places are struggling to make it through to another year.

If you’ve been ensorcelled by this unique collection of shops and galleries and the remarkable men and women who make them work, please consider them as you draw up your Holiday Shopping List.

Every one of them, every one of them, is struggling.

Consider these businesses, each one singular, from just a portion of Highlands’ Main Street.

Potpourri is the only eyewear store in Highlands. They carry sunglasses to RX frames to all eyewear accessories, and approximately 20 brand name frames

like Chanel, Chrome Hearts, and Cartier brand collections. You’ll experience deeply personal customer service.

Main Street Gifts may be the new kid on the block, but this kid is here to make your shopping a pleasure. The warm welcoming space is the perfect backdrop for their gift store which features something for him, her, home and hostess. They strike just the right balance of having something for everyone.

The Book Nook’s Michelle Bears has gathered an irresistible assortment of titles – New York Times Bestsellers, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Books of Local Interest and Classics – that are just right for a quick read or a cozy get-away-fromit-all session.

The Toy Store has been a gotta stop tradition in Highlands for two decades.

They carry a little something for everybody from newborns to the big kid in everyone.

Bags on Main carries today’s best

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Dutchman’s Designs

brands for him and her, with an emphasis on customer service. And don’t miss Snoozies, a comfy cross between a sock and slipper, with soft soles and a brushed fleece exterior.

Celebrity Collections showcases the best replicated celebrity jewelry available in the marketplace, with new merchandise being added continually.

A new collection of designer-inspired and replicated men’s and ladies’ watches have been a spectacular addition to the boutiques repertoire.

Dutchman’s Casual Living Store is a rambling two-story gallery loaded with custom furniture vignettes, fabric swatches and upholstery samples in a full spectrum of colors and textures, kitchen accessories, handmade soaps, beautifully scented candles, gift items, and the unexpected.

The Southern Way is a men’s and women’s southern casual clothing store, located on the heart of Main Street in Highlands. You can count on friendly service and a knowledgeable staff, making for a fun, breezy shopping

The Southern Way

experience.

The Spice & Tea Exchange, offers a variety of fine spices, handcrafted seasonings, loose-leaf teas, salts, sugars, gifts, and more. This store is known for its over 85 handcrafted seasonings, handmixed daily.

Elevation is a local women’s clothing, shoe and accessory boutique. Its hallmark is the warm, exceptional customer service extended by its employees. It’s a marvelously indulgent experience and it makes every visit a delight.

Lulu Bleu presents a fresh collection of daywear, dresses, loungewear and lingerie for women of all ages, shapes, sizes and bank accounts. The selective mix is handpicked to reflect a true passion for today’s high-quality, sumptuous fabrics such as bamboo, modal and organic cotton while celebrating the pretty side of life.

J.McLaughlin’s distinctive brand has always been more about style than fashion: straightforward, unpretentious, and devoid of the superfluous, which makes it the perfect choice for the Highlands lifestyle.

Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery

Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery has earned a reputation that extends far beyond the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau For several generations the Falasiri family has built that reputation, buying, selling and trading in the international rug market. On their many travels, they have amassed an extraordinary collection of beautiful and interesting treasures from a wealth of experience and knowledge.

This is a gallery that demands a careful browse.

Bear Mountain Outfitters has been a Main Street fixture since 1997, providing outdoor gear and expert advice for your entire family, including Fido! They offer a wide variety of women and men’s clothing, apparel and footwear. And Bear Mountain’s footwear section offers a wide variety of styles and colors for your individual needs, including brands from: Merrell, Vibram Five Fingers, Teva, Aetrex Digital Foot Scan System, Toms, Earth Footwear and many more.

by Luke Osteen

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MERRY GRINCHMAS! Propelled with a newly found spirit of Christmas, Grinch and Max ride a sleigh to return all the gifts to Whoville!

A Very Merry Grinchmas $ 250 The Christmas Tree Highlands

HAIR TERRIFIC You’ll be blown away with this blowout spray! Dries hair super fast and leaves it looking silky smooth.

Leaf and Flower Blowout | $38 Bombshell | Cashiers

P latePau icks

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

INSULATE YOURSELF

As the temperature falls, keep cozy warm and highly stylish in the Norwegian designed jacket.

Crew Insulator Jacket | $170 The Southern Way | Highlands

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BEAUTIFUL BURL

Handcrafted using Wild Cherry burl, this one-ofkind bowl is a stunning example of nature’s beauty.

Wood Turned Wild Cherry Wood Bowl | $250 Rusticks | Cashiers

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HOLIDAY MAGIC

Make time for your loved ones when you gather around the cheerful design of Lastra Holiday. Delight in the magic of the holiday season with hand painted and figural fir trees hand carved by maestro artisan, Stefano Roselli. Hand painted on Italian stoneware in Tuscany.

Hand painted Italian Stoneware | 150 The Summer House | Highlands $

FESTIVE TREATS Your sweet tooth will celebrate with delicious confections such as “Champagne Bubbles”, “Champagne Elder flower” hand crafted lollipops, Confetti gummy bears, Toffee to go and Dark chocolate nonpareils.

Assorted Pricing The Candy Shoppe | Cashiers

SCENTS OF NATURE

Filled with natural elements, both candle and diffuser will have you thinking of winding paths through misty woods of cedarwood and pine, crushed leaves and wet fir needles - and your time on the Plateau.

Forest Candle and Plate Set $ 64 Forest Botanical Diffuser $58 ACP Home Interiors | Highlands

PRAISE FOR THE GLAZE

We are in love with these brilliant and bright colored vases, hand crafted by local artist Vicki Miller, exclusive to Vivianne Metzger Antiques.

Green Vases | $ 85ea Red Vase | $165 Vivianne Metzger Antiques | Cashiers

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designing

convenience

In its ambition to be “The Biltmore of Convenience Stores,” 4th Street Market is a quintessential Highlands experience. Think that’s hyperbole? Just allow yourself some ex tra time at 545 Nor th Four th Street.

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ocated across from the Highlands Rec Park on the Cashiers Road, 4th Street Market is not your average convenience store. Sure, you’ll find your standard fare like snacks and sodas, but the secret to their success is the wide selection of healthy grab-and-go items, perfect for a hike, an outdoor concert, or a picnic.

The kitchen serves the best coffee in town in addition to breakfast biscuits with egg, cheese, bacon and sausage, croissants, cinnamon rolls and donuts. And don’t miss out on their hot lunch offerings such as burgers, hotdogs, fries, salads, soups, and an assortment of cold deli sandwiches. The menu isn’t extensive, but “we have a good cross-section of freshprepared food,” Manager Todd Taylor said.

The store also focuses on made-in-North Carolina products, with a wide section of local products, such as; coffee, chocolates, honey, jams, t-shirts, candles and a variety of other locally made gifts. The market features the largest selection of craft beers in town, specialty wines, even a make your own milkshake station.

Owners Jimmy Reed and David Bock did their homework in designing and building this “high scale” market, but admit they couldn’t have done it without the boundless energy and experience of Taylor.

“We knew what the town needed was not a typical convenience store,” Bock said.

That aspiration went into everything from the store exterior and interior design to the inventory stock to the customer service. The decor included 12-foot high ceilings painted black, black doors and windows, and old barn wood throughout the store. Iron and wood shelving sits on concrete floors.

“Customers tell us all the time how customer-friendly and service-oriented we are,” Taylor said.

“We want people to have a great experience when they visit us,” Bock added.

Hours are 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday they’re open 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. and Sundays, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

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think gift cards

this year

Local businesses are dusting off an old, old sales feature that’s roared back to life in the midst of this uncer tain time.

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A

s they wrap up their year with their customers and patrons and guests still rattled by the Coronavirus, local businesses are turning to an old business practice that’s found new currency in this strange economic landscape – gift certificates.

Gift certificates have been around for longer than the United States.

Like so many innovations that have spread around the world, this idea was cooked up by Benjamin Franklin, who was looking for ways to boost the circulation of his Pennsylvania Gazette.

He invited his readers to share the gift of his journal with their friends and neighbors, thus ensuring his enterprise a bit of circulation certainty.

Obviously, the idea worked – witness Laurel’s self-promotions in each issue and in every one of our online presences.

And while this particular concept has been offered by Plateau businesses for at least 80 years (see the ongoing

celebration at Wit’s End), it’s now finding new avenues of expression.

The reasons are simple. They’re a way for instant cash flow in a year that’s been wracked by uncertainty. They also have a peculiar effect of spreading the name of the business far beyond this corner of the Southern Appalachians. And they’re an easy instrument to stretch the busy season all the way into the somnambulant winter months.

Some businesses have embraced gift cards, the 21st century innovation to the time-tested certificate.

Highlands Aerial Park offers them online and at its facility in Scaly Mountain.

Old Edwards Inn, which has made an international name for itself, offers gift cards that are redeemed for any Old Edwards hotel, including 200 Main and Half-Mile Farm, golf at Old Edwards Club, shopping at Acorns Boutique, and relaxing spa treatments at Old Edwards

SHOPPI NG Inn and Spa. And of course, those who’d never think of traveling without their beloved pets would appreciate a gift card for The Park on Main But most local businesses have built their brand upon personal relationships, and there’s something to be said for coming in and chatting about your gift certificate.

This is the approach favored by both C. Orrico and J. Gabriel. (OK, I’ll admit I built that last sentence because it was a kick to feature both C. Orrico and J. Gabriel in the same sentence. Thanks for allowing my fingers to have a bit of fun.)

“We welcome anyone to come in and talk about what they think their friends would like and how much they’d like to spend,” says Jose of J. Gabriel. “We just love talking with people and getting to know them.”

In fact, in surveying local businesses for this article, it’s apparent that almost all have adopted this new, old feature. Keep that in mind when you’re putting together your Holiday Shopping List.

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

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Visit Our Advertisers WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant 4. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 5 The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

13. 4118 Kitchen & Bar 14. Full House Gallery 15. Dauntless Printing 26. Lupoli Construction 27. Pat Allen Realty Group 31. The Laurel 35. ACP Home Interiors 36. The Summer House Bed & Bath 37. The Summer House 44. Blue Elephant Consignment Studio 45. Head Innovations 46. Cake Bar & Chocolate Heaven

MAIN STREET

100. Main Street Nursery 101. Rosewood Market 103. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 123. The Park on Main Hotel 124. Landmark Realty Group 126. Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery 128. Tug’s Proper 134. The Southern Way 140. The Book Nook 140. The Toy Store 141. Bags on Main 142. Main Street Gifts 146. Wit’s End Shoppe 148. Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry 152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty 153. Allison Diane Clothing 158. C. Orrico 159. Colonel Mustard’s 160. TJ Bailey for Men 163. Spoiled Rotten 166. Annawear 167. The Christmas Tree 169. Country Club Properties 178. McCulley’s II 179. SweeTreats & Highlands Deli 181. Oakleaf 185. Ristorante Paoletti 189. Smitten 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty 194. Old Edwards Inn

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195. Madison’s Restaurant 196. The Wine Garden 197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 202. Country Club Properties 202. Rent in Highlands - CCP Vacation Rentals 206. The Business Spot 207. Creative Concepts Salon

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN (Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero) 113. Edward Jones 115. Preferred Properties of Highlands 117. Country Club Properties 119. Highlands Pharmacy

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ON THE HILL

303. Mirror Lake Antiques 310. McCulley’s 311. Martha Anne’s on the Hill 312. The Ugly Dog Public House 313. Old Edwards Inn 318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering 319. Lakeside Restaurant

SPRING VILLAGE

403. Warth Construction 406. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters

VILLAGE PARK

613. John Cleaveland Realty 615. Shakespeare & Co. Books 616. Fressers Courtyard Cafe

CAROLINA VILLAGE 704. Creekside Village: - Bridge at Mill Creek - Cake Bar 707. Yoga Highlands 709. The High Dive 709. Don Leon’s 710. Meritage Bistro 711. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

NORTH END

800. 4th Street Market 800. Mountain Motor Coach 800. Whiteside Realty 813. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center 814. Fairview House

OUT NC 106

➡ Peak Experience ➡ Fire + Water ➡ The Vineyard at 37 High Holly ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ Bella’s Junction Cafe ➡ Pat Calderone Gallery

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Granite ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Center for Plastic Surgery ➡ The Brier Patch ➡ Cullasaja Club ➡ Roman’s Roofing ➡ Pat Allen Realty Group ➡ GlenCove

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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Visit Our Advertisers SLABTOWN

2. Zookeeper Bistro 6. Slab Town Pizza 8. Remax Summit Properties 13. Valley Bakery

NORTH 107

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship 19. The Look Boutique 20. Mountain Mermaid 21. Sashay Around Ladies Boutique

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS 25. Bella Cotn 28. Cashiers Kitchen Co. 29. The Business Spot 30. Bombshell Hair Boutique 33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS 37. Landmark Realty Group

121. Robin’s Nest 123. Caliber Fine Properties 127. Laura Moser Art 127. Merrell Thompson Photography 128. Mountainworks Custom Home Design LTD. 131. Tampa Bay Trust Company 136. McKee Properties 137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery

THE VILLAGE GREEN 142.Village Green Commons 143. The Village Green

WEST 64

154. Cashiers Valley Smokehouse 155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 156. Creekside: - Silver Creek Real Estate Group 173. Betsy Paul Properties 175. Srebalus Construction 176. Lenz Gifts

CHESTNUT SQUARE 43. A Jones Company 47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders 55. Cashiers Valley Fusion

EAST 64

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

VILLAGE WALK

80. Josephine’s Emporium 80. A-List Antiques 82. The Village Hound 86. Nora & Co. 89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment 99. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty

DOWN 107 SOUTH

SOUTH 107

VISIT NORTON:

101. Narcissus 102. TJ Baileys for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 104. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters 108. Landmark Realty Group 109. Ugly Dog Public House 110. McCulley’s 111. Rusticks Antiques 112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques 115. J. Gabriel

➡ Silver Run Reserve

VISIT GLENVILLE

➡ Triple Creek Community

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY ➡ Balistreri Realty ➡ The Greystone Inn

➡ The Town and Country General Store

VISIT SAPPHIRE : ➡ Black Bear Lodge ➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate

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

Being added to our listing is easy!

Simply advertise with The Laurel.

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H ISTORY

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HISTORY Pages 128-129

H ISTORY

the marett

brothers

The Brothers Marett may have a lesson for us about conducting business in an upright fashion, but this ar ticle goes off the rails about half-way down.

B

rothers S.T. Mar-ett and George Mar-ett (last names spelled the same, pronounced differently) were dominant players in growing Highlands business in the 1920s.

It’s not clear why the brothers, who got along fine, chose to accent opposite syllables in their last names.

Perhaps it was to distinguish one from the other. Or maybe it was because their personalities were opposite, one informal, the other, businesslike. S.T. was the reserved brother, George, laid-back.

Is there something in a name that was given you that shapes your character? Or does your character shape your name?

Think of all the Georges you’ve known: George Clooney, George of the Jungle, George Goble, King George, George

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Bush … Okay, we’ve gone too far. But George does sound more welcoming and accessible than S.T., which is definitely a bit stuffy.

Then again, maybe S.T.’s role model was JP Morgan.

Could have been worse. . .the brothers could have been from the Jakob Fugger family. Fugger, a.k.a. Jakob the Rich, a German entrepreneur of the 1500s, was allegedly the richest man ever lived. I guess if you are the wealthiest man ever, you wouldn’t care what your name was.

Who’s going to give you a hard time?

They’re too busy cozying up to you. And that little name diversion carries us back to The Wealthy of the Modern Era. In Ran Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge, he shares Bill Holt’s story about S.T., a banker:“ … whenever as a young man he (Bill) brought a dollar or two

to deposit in his savings account at Highlands Bank, Mr. S.T. Marett would always say, ‘It isn’t what you make that counts, Richard, it’s what you save.’”

That doesn’t sound too stuffy; in fact, it sounds downright practical, unless one’s money is locked in a vault and never enjoyed.

George wound up buying Bascom’s Hardware Store and added a grocery to it.

He was also a founder of Highlands Bank, his brother S.T. serving as director.

One thing they shared, aside from genes, was merit for helping shape the future of Highlands.

To learn more about Highlands evolution, read Ran’s Heart of the Blue Ridge. Or go to: www.highlandshistory. com or email highlandshistory@nctv.com Photo:: George Marett, courtesy of Highlands Historical Society Archives

H ISTORY

remembering glenville high The Glenville High School is still remembered with affection and a healthy dose of community pride.

B

efore the present day Blue Ridge School was the high school for Cashiers and Glenville students, the Glenville High School was the place for the area’s students to advance their education. The Glenville High School was located on the east side of Lake Glenville. It was accessed by todays aptly-named Schoolhouse Road. At the time it was built in 1925, it was situated on a hill above the little mountain burg called Glenville, and the road was known as the main access road, headed down into the original Glenville village. Considered modern for its time, it was a fine sturdy building of brick construction having 10 classrooms, a gym and a cafeteria. The school has now been torn down.

Many generations of local people graduated from the 1925 brick Glenville High School. Students in 1945 were going to the same high school as their parents, and students of the 1960s were going to the same high school of

their parents and grandparents. As you might expect, this made for a close-knit institution for Cashiers and Glenville students, parents and grandparents.

Mrs. Julia Frizzell Stewart, herself a very early teacher in the one-room Norton school, had 2 daughters and 7 grandchildren who were all graduates of the Glenville High School.

The first graduating class of 1929 had 9 students graduating. The largest graduating class was in 1942 with fortytwo students graduating.

The 1959 class of thirty-six graduates includes many people who would now be in their 70s and still remember the school. Some of them are Connie Lee Bumgarner, Shirley Mae Evitt, Melvin Jennings, Wanda Lee McCall and Shirley Raye Pressley. Of the 1960 class, there were Minnie Jamison, Marvin Jennings, Melba McCall and Herman Neely. The 1961 class of twenty included Scotty Dillard, Delia Hunter, Ellen Moss and

Bobby McCall. In the 1962 class of twenty, Kay Bryson, Louise Bryson, Tommy Passmore and Clifford Russell graduated. The 1963 class saw a growth of a dozen more students, including Kenyon Ray Bryson, Patricia Corbin, Anna Lee Jamison, Edwin Madden, John Paul Norton, John Lee Tucker and Robin Watson.

Through the years of the Great Depression, the upheaval of the forced move of its town during the construction of the dam on Lake Glenville in the early 1940s, and the years following during World War II, the Glenville High School welcomed its students for fifty years until 1975 when its last classes were held.

by Carol M. Bryson, author of Glenville and Cashiers From The Records.

To learn more, visit GlenvilleCashiersHistory.com

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about the history of Highlands and Cashiers

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H ISTORY

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H ISTORY

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H ISTORY

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LIFESTYLES & WELLNESS Pages 134-147

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vas sanchez

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Vas Sanchez’s desire for the spotlight, shaped by his childhood in Highlands, led him to a hit series on Netlf ix and a good place in life.

N

o one, not even Vas Sanchez, is surprised that he became an actor. He admits to center-of-attention dancing and improv at a young age. “I was the kid at the party making a fool of himself,” quipped Sanchez.

Born in 1982 in Franklin, his family moved to Highlands, where he was raised. Sanchez did whatever he could, playing drums and harmonica for friend bands, acting in school plays, DJing, etc. – anything to be in the spotlight throughout the community.

All the while he worked in his uncle Nick’s restaurant, a 1970s-‘90s institution in Highlands, and learned to cook from his father.

“I never had a doubt I would cook,” said Sanchez, “and I got pretty good at it.”

He earned a performing arts degree from Brevard College and after graduation worked his way up to chef at fine restaurants in Atlanta. Yet, his ultimate goal was always to act professionally.

Sanchez secured an agent, Christy Clark, whom he says is “always in my corner.”

His first big acting job, ironically enough, was playing a chef for a Comcast commercial. As he garnered parts on MacGyver and Power, he left his career as a chef.

“Wow! I’m really in this,” he remembers thinking a decade ago.

Then he landed a recurring role on the Netflix series Cobra Kai, which is in its third season and has been greenlit for a fourth.

“We film right here in Atlanta,” said Sanchez, “where the industry is booming.”

When he is not acting on film, he does stand-up comedy and writes screenplays.

Sanchez also married Carlette Jennings, an actor and comedian. The couple visits his beloved Highlands often. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to be from.”

Megan Potts, administrative assistant/library assistant II, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, was Sanchez’s high school youth minister and remembers him as “well liked,” “lots of fun,” and “artistically talented in numerous ways.”

Sanchez’s parents are deceased but his sister, Angela Swain, owns the family home and teaches at Highlands School.

“Highlands is a magical place, and there is nothing more nostalgic than driving those mountain roads,” shared Sanchez.

by Deena Bouknight

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social determinants of health

Nantahala Health Foundation has awarded NIMble grants to local programs.

M

ore than 30 Western North Carolina nonprofits and public service agencies have been awarded Needs Immediately Met, or NIMble, grants from Nantahala Health Foundation in support of programs designed to achieve better health outcomes for regional residents.

“The primary goal of our NIMble grant program is to ensure our quick response to meet our partners’ most crucial needs,” Nantahala Health Foundation Executive Director Lori Bailey said.

Among the local agencies receiving grants are: Allievation Of Poverty: In Jackson County – To support individuals and households obtain and/or maintain permanent housing.

International Friendship Center – To expand services to include bi-lingual career and professional development to

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meet marginalized families’ need for training and access to fair-paying jobs.

Jackson County Department of Aging – To purchase and install protective barriers to increase safety at three congregate meals sites serving Jackson County seniors.

Mountain Projects – To support Jackson Neighbors in Need, a community-based emergency aid fund that assists lowincome residents of Jackson County.

Access to Healthcare, 29% of total funding: Blue Ridge Health – To purchase fetal nonstress test equipment to expand access to these services for expectant mothers in Jackson and Swain counties.

Community Care Clinic of Franklin - To support laboratory fees and urgent diagnostic imaging services for lowincome and uninsured members of the community.

Hospice House Foundation of WNC – To purchase an upgraded generator.

Education, 16% of total funding Southwestern Community College – To purchase a Covid-19 tracking application with the capability to alert students and staff via SMS to emergency situations requiring their immediate attention.

Summit Charter School – To purchase personal protective equipment and other materials required to ensure the safety of students and staff engaged in educational activities.

Quality of Housing, 7% of total funding Macon Program for Progress – To support housing rehabilitation and repair for low-income individuals and families in Macon County.

For more information about Nantahala Health Foundation’s mission visit nantahalahealthfoundation.org.

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Ideas for

Thanking Your Family

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I

n this season of gratitude, consider your loved ones’ financial security.

It’s almost Thanksgiving. And although 2020 may have been a difficult year for you, as it has been for many people, you can probably still find things for which you can be thankful – such as your family. How can you show your appreciation for your loved ones?

Here are a few suggestions: • Invest in your children’s future.

If you have young children – or even grandchildren – one of the greatest gifts you can give them is the gift of education.

You may want to consider contributing to a higher education funding vehicle.

• Be generous. Do you have older children, just starting out in life? If so, they could well use a financial gift to help pay off student loans, buy a car or even make a down payment on a home.

You can give up to $15,000 per year, per recipient, without incurring gift taxes.

Of course, you don’t have to give cash – you might want to consider presenting your children with shares of stock in companies they like.

• Review your insurance coverage. If you weren’t around, it would leave some gaping holes – financial and otherwise – in the lives of your family members.

That’s why it’s essential you maintain adequate life insurance. Your employer might offer a group plan, but it may not be sufficient to meet your needs. There’s no magic formula for determining the right amount of coverage, so you’ll have to consider a variety of factors: your age, spouse’s income, number of children and so on. Also, you may want to consider disability insurance – if you were unable to work for a while, it could cause a real problem for your family’s finances.

• Preserve your financial independence.

When your children are young, you take care of them. But you certainly

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS don’t want them to have to do the same for you – so it’s essential you maintain your financial independence throughout your life. You can do this in at least a couple of ways. First, consider investing regularly in your 401(k), IRA and other retirement accounts. The greater your resources during your retirement years, the less you may ever need to count on your family. And second, you may want to protect yourself from the devastating costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay. A financial professional can suggest a strategy to help you cope with these expenses.

• Create an estate plan. To leave a legacy to your family, you don’t have to be wealthy – but you do need a comprehensive estate plan.

You’ll have to think through a lot of questions, such as: Have I named beneficiaries for all my assets? How much do I want to leave to each person?

Do I need to go beyond a simple will to establish an arrangement such as a living trust? For help in answering all these issues, you’ll want to work with an attorney.

By making these moves, you can show your loved ones, in a tangible way, how much you value them – and that can help you keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive all year long.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Mary Beth Brody

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the leg and

the goblet

This rant comes to you wreathed in the butter y scent of garlic rolls and, somehow, features an abandoned ar tif icial leg – of course, it’s Donna’s Thanksgiving message.

T

oo tired to cook, my friend and I ordered Italian carry-out. On our way home, buttery garlic-rolls blasted the car’s interior. We had to snap on drool buckets to protect the upholstery.

If the essential oil infuser manufacturers could invent a garlic butter essence, they’d be in the dough.

But in spite of the happy smells, my friend started sharing a dark story … as dark as a Goya painting, about lynchings and the Klan. I was trying to be polite and attentive, but I wanted to be home, sinking my teeth into a greasy glob of deliciousness. Let me think about dark things later, much later. I’d had just about as many of 2020’s gut-wrenching stories as I could manage.

In the midst of my euphoric salivatsunami and my friend’s super-sad stories, there appeared a gargantuan non-sequitur, this time like something from a Dali canvas . . . it was an 140 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

empty, artificial leg sitting abandoned on a downtown street corner. No one attached to it. No one hanging near it.

Yet there it was, standing at attention. I thought Rocket Raccoon (Guardians of the Galaxy) was playing a prank. “That guy’s gonna wake up and wonder where his leg went! Hahahahaha!”

I pointed at the leg and said, “Would you look at that? An artificial leg just parked there on a street corner. Are we in a Fellini film?”

My friend spotted it and said matter-offactly, “Oh, no, that’s Arthur’s leg.”

I did a double-take. “Wait! You know whose leg that is?”

She replied, “Sure, it’s Arthur’s. I’ve seen it before.”

“Okay …I’ll bite. How would you know that particular leg belongs to an Arthur?

And who the heck is Arthur?”

“Arthur’s a homeless guy and that’s his corner. We help him out from time-to-time.”

I felt like a gum-wad on the bottom of Arthur’s prosthetic shoe. My friend had been attentive to the needs of the homeless downtown. She didn’t just send money to a kitchen. She physically rescued people like Arthur. She knew Arthur so well, she recognized his leg.

I thought about the name, Arthur, as in King Arthur. As I visualized his prosthetic, it transformed into a goblet, a kind of Holy Grail.

This Thanksgiving, I am going to deliver a bushel of garlic rolls to Arthur’s corner, along with something for all the Arthurs. And maybe, if his leg stands guard, a bottle of bubbly might fit nicely inside.

Thanks to my friend for using Arthur’s leg to kick me in my woke.

Long Live the King!

by Donna Rhodes

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considering

bleach

A bit of clearing thinking about our health maintenance routines during this pandemic year can make our lives richer and more robust.

Chad Garner

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L

ast March, humanity went into a sterilization frenzy. In the last nine months sanitizing products and bleach have been next to impossible to find.

Where are these cleaners now?

The environmental consequences of the entire globe flushing bleach and cleaning products down the toilet, pouring them down the drain or tossing them into the back yard – all at once – will take time to play out. Eventually, all those cleaning products wind up in our rivulets, streams, rivers and lakes.

Ultimately, the ocean hangs in the balance as it is the final recipient of our chemical use in the perhaps reckless defense of modern “germophobia.”

Besides how to moisturize hands after too much sanitizer, information is sparse on “Body Care for Covid” on the internet.

The body cannot replenish beneficial microbial defenses after excessive exposure to isopropyl alcohol and ethyl

alcohol by our hands.

Beneficial viruses live on the skin of healthy people and can be imagined as fire ants that go into defense mode when common viruses and bacteria come into contact with our skin.

So when we attack what is innately in balance, such as the balance of viruses and bacteria that act to keep us healthy, we destabilize the ecosystem of the body called our “microbiome” and make a weak defense against common staph and strep invasions, the flu and coronaviruses.

There is a saying, “As within, so without.”

On the inside as well, in our digestive tract, there’s a likewise concern.

Bleached sugar, bleached flour, bleached carbohydrates, and especially chemical synthetic recreational drugs – whether eaten or taken this year or in the past 30 years – leave weakened defense layers of beneficial bacteria in the colon. This weakening can cause inner-colonic

fermentation leading to irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Colitis and surprisingly ADD and ADHD. These common imbalances can be mitigated with specific daily practices that serve to strengthen gut health and core immunity.

The journey to health is rich with discovery.

We empower our clients to restore this balance through mindset, a nutrient dense diet, and traditional medicine that inextricably links a sustainable body to sustainable land.

By Chad Garner Advanced Rolfing Practitioner, Yoga Highlands

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healinglet it happen fully!

The application of simple steps can dramatically enhance the miracle of healing.

Sue Aery

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H

ealing is a pretty amazing process! The cascade of events that takes place both inside and outside the body is usually triggered by some type of insult to the tissues, organs or other body parts.

Once an injury is evident, the healing process begins. There are variables, of course, including age, health and the extent of the damage. Inflammation is part of the process and very important for expedited healing.

The first thing that we want to do to address an injury is to stop any bleeding that accompanies the incident. On the outside of the body, this can be evidenced by a cut, bruising from a torn muscle or broken bone, or raised skin such as a head or bone contusion or bruise.

Initially, it’s important to apply ice, but usually only for the first 12 hours.

After this, heat is good to apply in increments of 15 minutes in order

to bring new blood to the area and encourage inflammatory cells to do their job. The immune system is a huge player in the efficient process that begins with preparing the area, then proliferative changes and then the final, restorative stage that brings the tissues as close to a normal state as possible, given the extent of the damage. Important cells are delivered in this process, including phagocytes to remove debris, other white blood cells to continue the healing and specialized inflammatory cells to keep it clean and expedite the repair process.

When an injury stalls in its healing process or becomes a chronic pain process, we have concerns about the body’s natural ability to bring the job to completion and to remove the known mechanism of injury. Many chronic injuries are the result of too much activity too soon and/or repetitive habits that are repeatedly injuring the area and wearing

the tissue down faster than the body can keep up the healing process.

At this point, intervention with a natural health doctor will usually find the cause and make the corrections as well as expediting the healing process through natural means and techniques.

Either way, make sure that you understand what is happening to your body, do the right things to help the process and understand that healing can take time, so be patient and diligent!

Healing well leads to feeling well!

by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture

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Veda and Jimmy Sherrard

jimmy and veda’s

enduring love

jimmy and veda’s

enduring love

T

Dental school, cadavers and a global war were mere speed bumps i n the sweet love stor y of Jimmy and Veda Sherard.

he enduring love story of James “Jimmy” Sherard and his beloved wife Veda is a southern love story for the ages, spanning 80 years, and still going strong.

Jimmy says it’s the classic story of small-town girl meets small-town boy, and often in his retelling of their romance he will stop and say, “wasn’t I lucky?”

Certainly, luck has smiled on this charming couple but clearly their devotion to each other, their family, friends and community strengthen the threads that form the fabric of their story.

Theirs was a courtship in simpler days when time spent swinging and talking on a porch swing on sweltering summer evenings formed the perfect backdrop 146 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

for a burgeoning love. Now 99 and 100 years old and enjoying the fruits of a life and love well spent, their lovely home still boasts a porch swing, now indoors in a solarium where they can swing and reminisce. On the wall behind the swing are portraits of their daughters, Sandra, Robin and Laura.

Jimmy and Veda met in September 1940 when both entered Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta, Georgia.

Veda Sanders, who had completed her pre-med requirements at the University of Tennessee, was one of 3 girls in a class of 113 students, and was an instant standout with her megawatt smile and vivacious personality.

Jimmy, who had completed pre-med

requirements at Clemson University, took notice of the charming Veda immediately. As luck would have it their seats in classes and labs were arranged alphabetically, which meant they were seated next to each other. Romance soon blossomed and they enjoyed eating lunch together, studying together, and swinging on the porch swing of the home where Veda boarded.

Their partnership even included them being assigned the same cadaver in anatomy lab, a bonding experience few can share.

Realizing that they intended to marry and wishing to seek their parent’s approval each wrote a letter to their parents outlining their intentions. Veda

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Jimmy and Veda, 1940

was a bit concerned that she was one year older than Jimmy, but she wanted her parents to know how serious she was, and she let them know that she intended to marry Jimmy or no one.

He recalls that when he met her parents for the first time, he instantly hit it off with her Mom, but her Dad was a bit harder to win over. He laughingly says her father kept an eye on him for their first year of courtship to be certain he was worthy of marrying the apple of his eye. They married in March 1942.

Following graduation in November 1943 Jimmy was commissioned in the Navy and assigned to teach at the dental school. Veda joined a private dental practice in Atlanta. He was soon reassigned to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida and later served on the USS Curtis in the Pacific.

Veda kept the home fires burning during that time.

Upon leaving the Navy in 1946 they settled in Atlanta, with Jimmy joining the practice of his mentor, Dr. Harry Johnston, whose practice was the first in the world dedicated solely to endodontia in 1929. Veda often considered practicing again but chose the role of wife and mother. Jimmy is quick to say that he made the living, but she made the living worthwhile.

As they reflect on their many blessings in life Jimmy says, “I thank the Good Lord everyday for my three wonderful daughters and their spouses, one loveable granddaughter, three outstanding grandsons and 11 great grandchildren (Number 11 named Veda Kate) and consider them my greatest dividends.�

Both Jimmy and Veda beam with love when speaking of their loving family and take pride in their many accomplishments.

Watching their family grow and flourish is the pinnacle of their love story.

by Mary Jane McCall

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SB E URS V I NI C EE SS

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

CABINETRY

CLEANING

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SBE SUERSR V ISN VIECE IRC ESVESI C E

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

HOME DECOR

PICTURE FRAMING

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

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SBEURS V I NI CE ES S

GIVING BACK Pages 152-167

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GI V I NG BAC K

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Thankful to Improve the Health and Well-being of the Plateau

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GI V I NG BAC K

During this season of gratitude, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation ref lects upon its deep well of community suppor t and shapes its plans for an even busier future.

A

s our daylight grows shorter and our mountain views grow longer, we at the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation go into this season with hearts full of gratitude.

When we think about what we are thankful for, the riches of our community generosity spring to mind.

Volunteers who selflessly give of themselves, business owners and staff who warmly greet us with smiling faces, local non-profits that tirelessly help those in need, and of course our incredibly generous donor community.

As we reflect on the past two years, we give thanks to the outstanding organizations that received funds through our three grant cycles. Their devoted hands-on programs and

services have advanced our purpose to improve health and well-being – whether it be through providing meals to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, or enhanced learning opportunities for those thirsty for knowledge, and much more.

We also deeply appreciate our extraordinary, brilliant, and generous Board of Directors and Community Advisors. Without your leadership, unwavering support, and investment of time, talent, and treasures, none of our impactful Foundation projects would have been possible. You all truly believe in the power of philanthropy on the Plateau.

Looking forward to the years ahead, we are beyond grateful for our growing

number of supporters. As we embark on the creation of the New Community Health Center – Blue Ridge Health on the Plateau – we could not be more grateful for the seed bed of support you are providing. We know the project is a “Leap of Faith” but it is one we take on gladly to bolster the health of our community residents.

From all of us at the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation – we wish you a November that is full of love, treasures, and gratitude!

For more information please check out our website www.hchealthfnd.org. by the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Team

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life-long and

far-reaching

Robert Smith

For Rober t Smith, joining Highlands Rotar y was an easy way to weave himself into the fabric of the community.

I

n some ways, once a Rotarian always a Rotarian. Robert Smith has been a Rotarian since 1996. Because of many years of involvement, he identifies with the intentions of Rotarians everywhere.

Smith and his wife, Susan, moved to Highlands from Alabama in 1994 to work at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. When someone invited him to a Rotary Club of Highlands meeting, he jumped at the chance.

“I wanted to meet more people in Highlands. I felt right away that it would be fun and help me know the

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community better outside of work…a way to get involved.”

Getting involved, as a volunteer and in leadership roles, including president in 2002-03, helped Smith solidify Highlands as home. “And now we’ve lived here longer than any other place.”

Although Smith said he tries to step up no matter what is asked of him, his current “niche” focus is the CART Fund, providing funds for cutting-edge research to cure Alzheimer’s disease. CART stands for Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust and was started in 1996. Rotarians

throughout the United States voluntarily empty their pockets and purses of change at weekly meetings.

“Fortunately, I don’t focus on CART for any personal reasons, but it started growing on me as I read some of the research about Alzheimer’s. The club needed someone to oversee CART. It’s been interesting to learn about this.

Those opportunities come when you get involved. This is just one of many things that gets done by Rotarians, who raise funds for important issues locally and globally.”

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a dude who

loved to read

John Rymer’s lifelong love of education is leading to the f lowering of The Literacy Council.

John E. Rymer (1928-2020) with his wife Beverly pictured on the wall behind, one of the strong women in his life.

I

Smith said he can count many Rotarians as his best friends. “When you work with other people for a common good, that just happens.”

He remembers visiting a friend in Bellevue, Washington, and dropping in on a Rotary Club meeting there. Members were immediately welcoming.

“Before long we were engaged in great conversation and comparing notes. Knowing that there are Rotarians all around the world is impressive. I can always find people I have something in common with.”

by Deena Bouknight

n this Thanksgiving season, we pause to remember all the reasons we have to be grateful for our place on this earth.

For John Rymer, he paused three times every day when he said grace before meals. He always began by acknowledging the strong women who influenced his life.

First on his list was his mother, Frances McCamy Rymer. The tragedy of her life was the death of her husband, Albert, in 1931. John was two years old, and his brother Bob, the seventh and youngest child, was only a day old. Known to her family and friends as Tod, John’s mother managed to raise all seven children at the peak of the Depression.

After Albert’s death, Tod went back to Young Harris College and recertified her teaching degree, which enabled her to earn a living teaching school.

At the age of 90, John wrote to his siblings and children, urging them to add to a scholarship fund in Tod’s name.

“At this stage of my life, I need very little, and there are students who need scholarship help.

“Can you imagine what might have happened to us if it had not been for Mama’s education? During the Depression, families frequently ended up in a ‘poor house’ where the children were parceled out to different foster homes. Despite the hardships of the time and thanks to her education, spiritual upbringing, and fortitude, Mama managed to keep us together.”

Throughout John’s life, education was very important. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. A voracious reader who was known to read Shakespeare under the covers at night as a boy, he dropped out of school in his senior year, and it took him five years to graduate from high school.

Like many in his generation, John was in his 40’s before he graduated from college while working full time and raising a family with his wife, Beverly. They both went back to college in their 50’s and earned graduate degrees.

John encouraged everyone in his family to pursue their dreams of education, and he was especially generous to causes like The Literacy Council.

If you enjoyed reading this article, thank a teacher! And if you’d like to be a strong influence in someone’s life, consider becoming involved with the newly-renamed Literacy and Learning Center, now located in Highlands Plaza adjacent to Bryson’s.

For more information, visit maconncliteracy.org or call (828) 526-0863.

by Jane Jerry

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polio pandemic

nears its end

Thanks to heroic effor ts here on the Plateau and around the world, polio is close to being consigned to histor y.

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F

ortunately, most Americans have never had to worry about polio, but before the Salk vaccine was approved and given to millions of children, parents all over the world worried about their children being paralyzed by this mysterious disease.

Highlands Mountaintop Rotary member Dr. John Baumrucker related his experience with the disease, “I remember when I was 11 years old, before the vaccine came out, my next-door neighbor had a mild case that affected her legs. My mother wouldn’t let me out of the house for weeks.”

Rotary International had the temerity in 1988 to begin a program to eradicate polio in the world. In 1988 200,000 new cases were happening in Asia, South America and Africa and even in Europe every year.

When the initiative began, over a thousand children were paralyzed worldwide every day.

Massive efforts to vaccinate all children in countries with active polio began in partnership with WHO and other organizations.

Thousands of Rotarian volunteers travelled around the world dripping the vaccine into millions of tiny mouths.

Slowly, countries and regions and then whole continents became polio-free. This year, in August, Nigeria was certified by the CDC to be polio-free, the last bastion of polio in Africa, making another continent that is polio-free.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries in the world now that have wild polio cases, but until all cases are eradicated for at least three years, no child is safe.

Due to millions of hours of

effort over two decades, we are incredibly close to removing the second illness from the face of the earth, smallpox being the first.

On Saturday, October 24, in commemoration of World Polio Day, The Highlands Mountaintop Rotary Club had a Purple Pinky celebration at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

In India, where as many as 172,000,000 children have been vaccinated against polio, each child had his or her little finger painted purple when vaccinated.

Donations to the Polio Fund can be mailed to the Rotary Club of Highlands Mountaintop at PO Box 372, Highlands, NC 28741.

A polio-free world is within our grasp, and we hope you will help.

by Robin King Austin, Highlands Mountaintop Rotary

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paying it forward, little to big A trio of summers in the early 1960s gave a boy the roadmap for a loving, successful future. If you’d like to provide the same gift to a young person, contact Danielle Hernandez-Juarez, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Cashiers-Highlands Program Coordinator, at (828) 339-9133.

A

flashback to 1963 just outside of Annapolis, Maryland, along the banks of the Severn River and I was just two.

Of course, I can’t quite recall the details, but luckily I have Jimmy…

Along came a very wise and mature-for-his-age (10) Jimmy Koprowski from the Bronx, New York City. His parents decided that the four youngest of their 10 children ages 7, 8, 9, and 10 would be enrolled into the Fresh Air Fund. That’s a project whereby children from very large inner cities would be sponsored for two weeks from families mostly living in rural locations.

Jimmy came to us while his other siblings were scattered all about the Eastern U. S. Within hours of his arrival, Jimmy was playing with my two big brothers, Bill and Bob, ages 7 and 9. I was most likely wandering around with a blanket and a bottle in my hand not far from my mom.

Bill, Bob and Jimmy literally dove into mostly water activities behind our home on Chase Creek, which was only about two miles from the Naval Academy.

They crabbed, fished, and had great times on my Uncle Buddy’s sailboat. The pier to which that sailboat was tied became quite a centerpoint for a whole new world for Jimmy to explore, learn and ultimately make lifelong brotherly connections still to this day some nearly 60 years ago.

Jimmy came back two more summers afterward. My mother ultimately became his second mom and he even named his daughter Jamie after her.

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father who passed three years ago as his chief mentor, credits him for much of his success in the business sector, mostly dealing with real estate.

Jim Nichols, left, testifies to the power of showing a young person the rich possibilities to be found in life.

So you see, three years of two-week periods of wholesome family goodness and extracurricular functions along with tons of personal hands-on experiences, helped form who Jimmy ultimately became. A larger-than-life yet humble self-made successful man, who is a socalled uncle to probably 30 younger men and women who he has guided, fostered and mentored. He’s a father of three who all work for Fortune 500 companies and each generous and happy professionals.

The clock strikes 2020 now and I’m a semi-retired father of six. It’s been a great ride in business, but most especially my

experiences raising my children along with being a past high school baseball coach and being a three-time host family for foreign exchange students – all the best of times.

I credit Jimmy, my big brother from the Bronx, for how I totally understand the reverence for why I consider myself as their second dad, mentor and so better to be a part of all their lives.

As a new Council member of the Cashiers-Highlands Big Brother Big Sisters, I’m so in awe of what good things can continue in these positive ways mentioned.

Friendships with a purpose to youngsters can ignite potential, give higher aspirations and especially add strengthened social – emotional skills.

You don’t have to be a brain surgeon or a benefactor. It’s about a little bit of quality time with your Little sharing some of your strengths and giving an ear too to help them grow to their potentials in a safe reliable trusting way.

Just like in many ways Jimmy was able to experience along the shores of the Severn River in Maryland.

If you feel like you have a little bit of time, the passion to give school age children a greater sense of future opportunity and increased confidence, won’t you please consider this noble calling?

by Jim Nichols, Board Member, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cashiers/Highlands

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cashiers highlands

humane society

T

Sweet Jeb displays all the best qualities inculcated on Walton’s Mountain.

here were not many options on television when I was growing up. We only had three channels to choose from; four if you count the public broadcasting station that was almost always fuzzy, depending on how precisely you could crinkle the aluminum foil on the rabbit ears.

It was okay, though, because we really didn’t watch much television anyway.

But in those occasional times that the television was turned on, you could bet it was Thursday nights at eight o’clock.

That’s when The Waltons came on. Our entire family would gather around the wood-enclosed television console and watch that show from beginning to end. I

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come from a large family, seven children just like the Waltons, and even before that show was created, my family had the same “goodnight routine” when each of us kids would shout out from room to room a goodnight to one another. The whole process would take about fifteen minutes every evening.

When our staff told me we had rescued a grizzled old Boxer mix and they decided to name him Zeb, well… that took me back to a special place. You see, I never got to meet any of my grandparents. They were long gone before I was born.

So Zebulon “Zeb” Walton became my surrogate grandpa on Thursday nights.

Portrayed by actor Will Geer, Zeb Walton

was everything I thought a grandfather should be – kind, wise, gentle, patient, and loving without condition.

We think our resident Zeb is about 11 years old or so. When I first got to spend some quality time with Zeb, it was at a pet visitation event at Chestnut Hill. My heart swelled as I watched Zeb and his volunteer handler spend time with the folks at the event, and it struck me how the qualities he displayed that day would have made Zeb Walton proud. Zeb is very well-behaved, gets along just fine with other dogs and cats, and he loves everyone he meets.

November is National Adopt-a-SeniorPet Month. I feel fortunate and blessed

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highlands food pantry

I

beyond words for having had the chance to meet Zeb. You should meet him, too, and bring grandpa home.

Established in 1987, CashiersHighlands 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 East.

Our no-kill shelter is open TuesdaySaturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. by appointment. For more information, visit us online at chhumanesociety.org or call (828) 743-5752.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

Thanks to nimble leadership, a driven cadre of volunteers and an endlessly generous community, the Highlands Food Pantr y and its clients have plenty to be thankful for.

just learned that due to Covid-19 the annual Christmas Dinner at Highlands Country Club sponsored by HANDS was cancelled.

This was understandable but disquieting because I knew the dinner’s proceeds contributed to the Highlands Food Pantry – an organization that is certainly now in need more than ever.

In response, I spoke by phone to Marty Rosenfield, Pantry Director. During our conversation we discussed how the sputtering economy and pandemic has reshaped the way the Pantry has had to respond to the needs of its clients, and how funding has been affected.

As fears of catching the virus linger, the Pantry has had to trade the “choice model,” in which clients browse shelves and take only what they need for curbside pick up.

Though a lifeline for the 75 families (representing 400 people) the Pantry serves each week, and effective in containing the virus, the change presents logistical challenges, which are likely to escalate as cold weather arrives.

As a result, the Pantry spends three times more on food each week now than they did a year ago.

In the meantime, they have asked Highlands United Methodist Church if they may return to the “client serve” program, allowing clients to come in six at a time, and are awaiting a response from the Bishop.

Navigating the Pandemic and client needs has also prompted an upgrade in services as the Pantry seeks to “raise the bar on the protein we are offering by working with some local ranches and farmers, offering grass fed beef, and no antibiotic chicken,” and to become a “more rounded provider,” providing non-food products to improve the lives of their clients and address personal hygiene needs for soap, shampoo, deodorant, tooth brushes, and toothpaste. They are now seeking donations for these items, along with laundry detergents and pet foods.

But here in the Season of Gratitude, there’s some good news.

Marty told me that, “The Christmas Dinner was always a nice shot in the arm but it only represented a small fraction of our operating needs. Our greatest source of funds comes through grants, and private donations. Since the pandemic we have taken in thousands of dollars in private donations, plus large quantities of food donations.”

And as quickly as need escalated, so did new solutions. Residents of the Cullasaja Country Club organized a fundraiser that netted 1,000 pounds of food and $30,000 in private donations.

“Also the amount of additional volunteers stepping up to the plate has exceeded our needs. I have tried not to turn anyone away but that has been hard as the number has exceeded the need. I have always shouted out that It Takes a Village....and Highlands is the Pinnacle of that theory.”

Those wanting to help out or in need of assistance are welcome to call Marty Rosenfield at (828) 421-1789..

by Deena Bouknight

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holiday help and beyond

E

ven before a pandemic upended lives, statistics determined that one in five people in Jackson County fall below the poverty line, which means some children and families are food insecure.

Food bank donations typically increase during holiday seasons. Yet, the mission of Fishes & Loaves in Cashiers is to help alleviate hunger in Jackson County yearround by providing free food to people in the area who fall below the poverty line based on family size and monthly income.

According to Larry Morris, executive director of Fishes & Loaves – and a cabinet designer for Jennings Builders Supply – the food comes from several sources: MANNA FoodBank; local food drives sponsored by schools and churches; and, direct purchases from the local Ingles grocery store.

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However, needs have increased and donations are needed to carry the food bank through the holidays and into 2021.

“We are planning to give out Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes,” said Morris. “We will give boxes out for Thanksgiving on November 19th and November 23rd. And Christmas boxes will be distributed December 17th and December 21st.”

Although Fishes & Loaves will not be open November 26, December 24, and December 31, volunteers will provide food to qualified individuals before and after these holiday dates.

“Both our regular boxes and the special boxes will be distributed in the parking lot with a drive through,” explained Morris. “Due to the COVID-19, at least for the rest of the year our clients cannot enter the food pantry.”

In 2019, Fishes & Loaves served 2,250 households and a total of 7,927 people with 3,494 boxes of food. A standard box of food includes three cans of vegetables, three cans of meat, three cans of fruit, cereal, two cans of soup, dried beans, rice, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, peanut butter, and frozen meat.

Fishes & Loaves is located directly behind the Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department. Anyone interested in becoming a holiday and/or ongoing donor, or assisting as a volunteer, can visit fishesandloavescashiers.org.

by Deena Bouknight

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t was an unprecedented year, especially for non-profit organizations across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Cullasaja Women’s Outreach, an independent collective of communityminded women, listened attentively to local needs and responded resoundingly, proving that when dealt lemons, an unfailing focus on helping others can and will result in sweet outcomes.

Raising over $244,000 this summer, the group awarded 22 grants to local charities and not-for-profits, with a special focus on serving the most vulnerable.

Grants were awarded after a thorough vetting process led by Grant Co-Chairs Lindy Colson Harrison, Nancy Harrison, and Jo Hill. Eighty-two percent of dollars raised went to support health and humanitarian services, as well as local educational programs. Recipients included:

for the good of all Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic; Cashiers Historical Society; Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society; the Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers; Counseling & Psychotherapy Center of Highlands; Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry; Friends of the Albert Carlton Library; Friends of Panthertown; Highlands Biological Station; Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust; Highlands Community Child Development Center; Highlands Emergency Council; Highlands Historical Society; Hudson Library; International Friendship Center and its Food Pantry; Junior Appalachian Musicians® Blue Ridge; Literacy Council of Highlands, Inc.; Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center; Peggy Crosby Community Service Center; Pisgah Legal Services; Summit Charter School; and The Bascom.

“Area food banks and non-profits

offering medical, dental and counseling care in the Highlands-Cashiers area worked tirelessly this year to ease the burdens of the most vulnerable,” noted Margaret Eichman, CWO executive director. “We hope that our grants bring both encouragement and meaningful support to their efforts.”

“We further hope,” added Grant CoChair Nancy Harrison, “that our example will inspire others to work in harmony for the good of all.”

And theirs is a great example to follow…since CWO’s founding in 2006, this grassroots group has invested over $1.89 million in organizations serving the Highlands-Cashiers community through their donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

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cashiers cares

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Almost beneath the radar, Cashiers Cares works its mission to ser ve the needs of the less for tunate, while deepening the ties that bind the community. To learn more, visit cashierscares.org or call (828) 743-7158.

F

irst it was the fireworks show, then it was the Groovin’ on the Green concert series, and now even the annual Christmas Parade Luncheon will have to be cancelled over concerns for Covid-19.

But the Board of Cashiers Cares, which traditionally hosts the free luncheon, is working overtime to get its annual fundraising letter out early in the hopes that the community will support the charity now more than ever.

“There has never been a time that I can recall the needs in our community being greater,” Chairman Pam Kerr explained.

Cashiers Cares is an all volunteer agency, founded in 2008. It operates with nearly no overhead, in order to help support nine carefully-culled agencies,

including Awake, Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic, Community Care Clinic, Fishes and Loaves food pantry, United Christian Ministries of Jackson County, FourSeasons, Literacy Council of Cashiers, SAFE and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers-Highlands.

Southern Jackson County is home to a greater than average number of people living below the poverty level, many of whom are unable to find employment and whose families have become food insecure. Problems of illiteracy, lack of reliable health care and difficulty finding affordable housing have become more critical given the economic impact of the virus, and the cancellation of many traditional fund-raising events.

Cashiers Cares focuses on the often

silent needs of our community, such as a small child desperately needing a first trip to the dentist; a family struggling to get through the winter unable to pay heating bills, or a father locked out of meaningful jobs because he cannot read.

This year the agency has been buoyed by the support of a group from Trillium Links and Lakes Club, which is bringing the community needs to the attention of its membership and encouraging contributions to Cashiers Cares.

The agency has been able to distribute more than $300,000 to its local beneficiaries over the years, as many of them have a quiet profile in the community. And, it is hopeful that an already-generous Cashiers will open its heart again this giving season.

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carpe diem

gives thanks

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful to our herd of noble, gracefully aging horses and, of course, the people who love them. For more information, call (828) 526-4752, visit carpediemfarms.org, or stop by the farm, 544 Western Rhodes Drive in Highlands.

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H

appy November! The special month of the year which we celebrate thanks.

Every day at Carpe Diem Farms is one of thanksgiving and gratitude. We give thanks to all we serve, the horses, the magical land which is the farm and the humans, young and older who participate.

Without the help of others, donors and volunteers alike we would never be able to provide all that we do. As with every other non-profit on the plateau this has been an extra challenging year.

And for us, our biggest expense is the eight horses who live, work and provide the experiential life experiences for which we are known. It takes lots of hands, dollars and work to give them what they require.

As winter approaches, the expenses increase with the semi load of winter hay which arrived last month, the mini-semi of stall bedding coming today and the extra vitamins, minerals and special food needed for this aging herd.

Then there is farrier and veterinarian care and daily staff. No matter what is going on in the

world around us, their needs never change.

The horses of Carpe Diem have been making an impact on lives for 24 years. They now range in age from 12 to 31! Our Adopt-A-Horse Program has allowed us to maintain this small band of horses.

Sweet Pea, the last of our original herd, has been lovingly “adopted” by Jeri and Bill Mauldin for 18 years. Their annual contribution to her care has been a beacon of light for us.

If you’d like to help feed a horse, please give us a call or stop by and let us show you what we are all about. Thank you to all whose generosity continues to help sustain us.

Carpe Diem Farms is a 501(c)(3) experiential learning center located in Highlands.

by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms

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Between two North Carolina mountain ridges lies an expansive grassy meadow. Silver Run Creek winds along the middle, sparkling in the sunshine. This is Silver Run Reserve.

A community that more than surrounds you with peace and beauty, it fills you up. Here you are free to roam and run… to hike and play… to seize the day and savor the moment.

Here at Silver Run Reserve, you’re free to be.

EXPERIENCE C ASUAL MOUNTAIN LUXURY

828.342.3194

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SilverRunReserve.com

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SILVER RUN RESERVE MOUNTAIN MODERN COT TAGE $1,450,000

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4 BR / 4.5 BA

A Meyer-Greeson-Paulin Benson designed home with 3,010

heated sq. ft. and ~650 sq. ft. of screened porch, featuring a floor plan with two master bedrooms on the main floor and two additional bedrooms on the second floor.

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LIZ HARRIS, GUILDâ„¢ C

828.342.3194

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| OWNER / BROKER LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

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T H E J O U R N EY I S EA S I ER

knowledge and expertise A R E PA R T O F I T. WH E N

174

CASHIERS.COM

N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

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828.743.3411

MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE IN THE CASHIERS AREA

BETH TOWNSEND Co-Owner / Broker LIZ HARRIS Co-Owner / Broker ANN MCKEE AUSTIN Co-Owner / Broker

COLEEN GOTTLOEB Broker-In-Charge KARA ADDY Marketing Director SANDY BARROW Broker Associate

JOHN BARROW Broker Associate / Rental Coordinator WAYNE MONDAY Broker Associate PHILIP BRADLEY Broker Associate

MAGGIE ELMER Broker Associate JOANNE BRYSON Broker Associate PAUL COLLINS Broker Associate

LOGAN CROCKER Broker Associate CLAY CANTLER Broker Associate KARALINE SHOMAKER Marketing Coordinator

LO CATE D IN TH E H IS TO RI C M IN N IE C O LE H O US E

619 HWY 107 S

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CASHIERS, NC 28717

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828.743.3411

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MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

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ETHYL’S COVE 239 ACRES — This splendid, 239-acre tract of land with Lake Glenville frontage and dock includes a charming updated cottage, perched to see miles and miles of mountains. The farm has a barn, fenced pasture, flower and vegetable gardens, an antique fireplace used as a “fire pit,” a spring-fed pond and even a gregarious waterfall.

Old logging roads lace through the property and have been kept up for easy mule, horse or hiking access. This amazing property offers

OFFERED FOR $6,950,000 so many opportunities—a private estate, development or corporate retreat. The quality and amount of beautiful rolling land, easy access, pristine surface water and Lake Glenville frontage sets this premiere property apart from all others, and offers so many opportunities. (It adjoins another McKee Properties listing — MLS 92219 — which could add an additional 72+ acres.) MLS 93779

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

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828.421.6193

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BETH@CASHIERS.COM

CULLASA JA CLUB 4 BR / 3 BA — This family home located in the beautiful Cullasaja Club boasts stunning, dramatic views of Whiteside Mountain. Its floor-toceiling window wall in the great room and hip architectural style give this home a bright, charming treehouse vibe with just enough modern. Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac yet close to all of the amenities of Cullasaja Club, its location is very convenient yet private. The bright, open great room, kitchen and dining floor plan welcomes family and guests and flows out to a large deck and the home’s stunning Whiteside views. The master suite is on the main level, two guest bedrooms and a bathroom are located

OFFERED FOR $1,100,000 upstairs, and a fourth guest bedroom and bath is located downstairs.

The lower level also offers a family room with a fireplace, covered decks and an extra storage area or game room. Cullasaja Club features a wide variety of amenities, including an Arnold Palmer golf course, an elegant clubhouse with several dining venues, an outdoor pool, a fitness center with a weight room, an aerobic room, a classroom, tennis courts, a croquet lawn, a private fishing canoeing lake and much more! Membership is available upon approval. MLS 93127

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

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LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

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CHATTOOGA CLUB

$1,950,000

4 BR / 5.5 BA — Experience outrageous views of Whiteside and many other mountains from this stunning Adirondack beauty sitting atop Chattooga Club’s prime view ridge. The interiors boast lovely wood floors, warm pine paneling and interesting ceiling and railing details. The home features multiple fireplaces.

Casual yet elegant, this timeless home is situated on the most private road in the Chattooga Club neighborhood. MLS 93125

UNDER CONTRACT

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$1,250,000

3 BR / 3 BA — A MCKEE DEVELOPMENT: Fronting the 4th fairway of the Tom Fazio award-winning Wade Hampton Golf Club, this cozy cottage will capture your heart with its efficient use of space and the beautiful interior design detailing.

Oozing with style, and offered mostly furnished, this home sits well above the course, but offers golf and mountain views. The great room has cathedral ceilings with substantial beam work and extra lighting. A Carolina room with a stone fireplace can be accessed from the dining/kitchen area. MLS 94488

619 HWY 107 S 178 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

828.743.3411

|

|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

BIG SHEEPCLIFF

$1,925,000

3 BR / 4.5 BA — A magnificent estate home designed by Al Platt resides on three outstanding view lots in the favored Big Sheepcliff gated neighborhood. The home and adjoining lots offer eastern long-range views well past Toxaway Mountain, close-in glimpses of the peregrine-graced stone face of Little Sheepcliff Mountain, and valley views into the Horsepasture River basin.

Greeted by beautiful perennial gardens, the home has a “mountain tudor” flair with custom finishes throughout. MLS 94546

UNDER CONTRACT

WHITESIDE WOODS

$587,500

3 BR / 3.5 BA — This charming log home is perched above a private lake in the desirable Whiteside Cove area. Within walking distance of thousands of acres of U.S. Forest Service land, and in the heart of the Chattooga River headwaters, this sanctuary was tailor-made for those looking for tranquility and an outdoor lifestyle. The cabin itself is full of character, sporting artful detailing such as an arched wooden front door, gable-set stained glass windows, hand selected wood railings from the forest, a curated antique powder room vanity, and more. The large kitchen has excellent working spaces, plenty of natural light and upscale cabinetry. The master bedroom has direct access to the long porch overlooking the lake, as does the comfy downstairs den. The open loft has light entering from two directions and makes for a wonderful studio, office or bonus room. The adjoining lot with magnificent view of Whiteside Mountain is also available for $150,000.

MLS 94176

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

828.421.6193

|

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

179 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

THE DIVIDE AT BALD ROCK 4 BR / 3.5 BA — This is a handsome Equestrian Estate located in a convenient location near the entrance to the community and close to golfing, dining and the beautiful mountain town of Cashiers, NC. A 4 BR/3.5 BA mission-style mountain lodge with approximately 4,745 heated sq. ft., it is nestled in 6.55 nearly-level acres overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Built in 2006, it features rough log beams with soaring tongue-and-groove ceilings and a stacked stone floor-to-ceiling fireplace.

A three-stall custom, top-of-the-line barn with pastures, an arena and

OFFERED FOR $1,491,000 electrobraid fencing comes with unfinished guest space above it with roughed in plumbing and electric. An elevation above 4,000 feet, a location adjoining National Forest and endless riding and hiking trails make this an outdoor and an equestrian lover’s paradise! The community and property borders Panthertown National Forest, providing endless trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. The Bald Rock community attracts horse owners, outdoor lovers, golfers and anyone who enjoys the beauty and cool temperatures of the Cashiers-Highlands mountains. MLS 90104

LIZ HARRIS 180 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

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MAGGIE ELMER

828.342.3194

C

|

C

803.493.5734

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN

$689,000

2 BR / 2.5 BA — A beautiful lakefront home that is close to downtown Cashiers! This Western-facing home has picturesque sunset views over desirable Lake Glenville. The gentle sloping property sits alongside the shoreline in Norton Cove where the echo of Norton Falls can be heard. Bright Mountain is 10 to 12 minutes from the crossroads and the heart of Cashiers Village. MLS 93267

PRICE REDUCED

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN

$589,000

4 BR / 2 BA — This quintessential lake cottage is situated on the shoreline

of Lake Glenville in Norton Cove. The lake is just steps away. This home has been very well maintained and is “move in ready.” The property has three dock slip rights on a commonly-owned dock with one neighboring property owner.

Opportunities to own on the lake this close to town are rare. MLS 93268

UNDER CONTRACT

PHILIP BRADLEY C

843.224.5592

|

PHILIP@CASHIERS.COM

181 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

CEDAR CREEK – BREEDLOVE 3 BR / 3 BA / 3 HBA — Old world charm with big mountain views! Located on 29+ acres with a stream, waterfall and pond — as well as a barn/stable with fenced in pasture land for livestock — this private retreat is protected by a Conservation Easement which also protects the hardwood forest, flora and fauna that makes the setting magnificent. The home is of Old England “tithe barn” style. All of the timber is from the property and was built by an artisan craftsman.

Handmade wooden pegs were used in place of nails to support the beams and trusses. The kitchen is designed for people who love to

OFFERED FOR $997,000 cook, and it overlooks a large great room which features a floor to 20-foot vaulted ceiling fireplace. Another fireplace is located in the master bedroom, which is on the main floor and features timber logs and chinking walls. The downstairs is spacious, with a room that could be used for a sundry of types. A new roof was added to the home in Spring 2020. MLS 93425

WAYNE MONDAY C

182 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

828.508.8661

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WAYNE@CASHIERS.COM

BLUE VALLEY FALLS 11 ACRES — Everyone is looking for that “special place” in the mountains. Well, this is it. This 11-acre property in Highlands, NC has a long-range view of the mountains and the Nantahala National Forest.

The entire Southern border of this property is adjacent to the National Forest. Located five minutes from downtown, these three lots give you an abundance of privacy to build your dream mountain getaway or room to grow your own compound for family and friends. The mostly-level building lot has been cleared, and septic for a five bedroom home is installed. The other two lots have expired septic permits for which you could reapply. As

OFFERED FOR $1,125,000 you enter the beautiful neighborhood of Blue Valley Falls, you immediately come to the gated entrance of your home. The driveway is surrounded by lush, green laurel and great hardwoods. As you park in front of where your home will be, you can spot a path of stone steps that descend into the woods. Following this path to the right and down the hill brings you to the “hobbit house,” a fairytale of a picnic gazebo overhanging a rushing stream of water. The stone gazebo with a cedar shake shingle roof has a fireplace and picnic area. Waterfalls above and below give an almost deafening sound of water. Come to this space to BE with nature. MLS 93557

PHILIP BRADLEY C

843.224.5592

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PHILIP@CASHIERS.COM

183 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB / MLS 89860

LOTS & LAND LOT

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

MLS

N/A

SUBDIVISION

7.00

Commercial development land in center of town

93464

CASHIERS

$1,050,000

E-158

1.30

One of the best view lots in Mountaintop

89860

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB

$ 615,000

E-5

0.58

Great views of Whiteside Mountain

90630

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$ 475,000

104

0.78

Gentle estate lot with mountain views possible

90107

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB

$ 475,000

103

0.52

Opportunity to combine with lot 104 (above)

90106

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB

$ 395,000

B-6

0.51

Flat lot, walking distance to clubhouse

93159

CHATTOOGA CLUB

$ 325,000

24

4.83

Gentle lot with great view

91728

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

$ 250,000

LT-7

2.86

Small stream running through lot

93091

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

$ 175,000

E-26

0.72

Located near the clubhouse and pro shop

90109

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$ 125,000

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE / MLS 91728

PRICE

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB / MLS 90630

LIZ HARRIS, GUILDâ„¢ C

184 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

828.342.3194

|

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

RECREATION

WHAT TO DO DINING

THE ARTS

LIFEST YLES

Have the Heart of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau delivered monthly to your mailbox 6 months $ 42 | 11 months (Annual) $ 66 828.526.0173 | my-laurel.com 185 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

OUR TEAM

JOCHEN LUCKE

DAN ALLEN

PARKER ANDERSON

BAMBI FAMOUS KAINE

KEVIN KOACH

EDDY MCDONALD

CASSIE NEAL

LINDA PRIDGEN

MERRY SOELLNER

RAY TRINE

PRESIDENT/BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

REAL ESTATE GROUP 186 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

AMANDA BRYANT ASSISTANT/BROKER

CHUCK SELF BROKER

RIVA SMITH

ASSISTANT/BROKER

S T O N E F LY offered at $6,500,000

CASHIERS

Just minutes from the shopping and fine dining of downtown Cashiers, Blue Bear Camp is the ultimate Adirondack-style mountain lodge. This prime property borders the Nantahala National Forest, ensuring privacy and abundant wildlife. Another world awaits in the dream-like setting amid the wild Chattooga River, flowering landscaping, sparkling waterfall, and lush forest, all against the stunning backdrop of Whiteside Mountain and Devil's Courthouse. The sprawling three-story home with an elevator offers an abundance of space for family and guests to explore, including a sunroom, library, an artist studio, game room, wine cellar, a resplendent home theater, and a fitness room with a sauna and steam room. MLS# 91521.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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BALD ROCK offered at $3,850,000

SAPPHIRE

Sitting on over ten acres in the gated Bald Rock community and designed by Tim Greene, this equestrian lodge is without equal on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. The magnificent estate enjoys views of Bald Rock and the charming Lake Fairfield. Luxuriate in the pool grotto or hot tub among the extensive hardscaping while enjoying the smells from the built-in grilling station, all set against the phenomenal backdrop. A four-stall barn with a pasture can fulfill all your dreams of the equine life-

NEWLY LISTED

188 REAL ESTATE GROUP N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

style while living in a close-knit, relaxed community with frequent get-togethers, trail rides, BBQs, and other activities. MLS# 94679.

FALCON RIDGE offered at $3,400,000

SAPPHIRE

Perched above 4,550 feet in elevation in the quiet and picturesque enclave of Falcon Ridge, Ghostwood Bear Manor offers panoramic long-range views of South Carolina lakes, Whiteside Mountain, and multiple mountain ranges that must be seen to be believed. A gated entrance and impeccable landscaping with two dramatic water features, one of which starts in the center island and cascades to the lower level, provide a stunning first impression of this architectural masterpiece. Ghostwood siding, copper and cedar shake roofing, and custom mahogany garage doors add to the abundant curb appeal. MLS# 93884.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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GOLF CLUB ESTATES offered at $2,900,000

SAPPHIRE

Just a short stroll or golf cart ride from the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, At Last Lodge is a custom-built, gated estate featuring artisanal, elegant finishes and the ultimate in creature comforts. Secluded and peaceful, the 4.7+ acre property is flat with many enclaves to enjoy outdoor living, such as a chimney garden with a wood-burning fireplace from the 1800s, a koi pond, waterfall, and a stone patio with a fire pit. Golf Club Estates is easily accessible and centrally located with shopping, restaurants and outdoor activities just minutes away. Membership to the Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only. MLS# 93275.

190 REAL ESTATE GROUP N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB offered at $2,500,000

CASHIERS

Situated on the side of Chimneytop Mountain, this private getaway exhibits unforgettable views of Whiteside, Shortoff, Yellow, and Black Mountains. Impeccably maintained, this home affords five bedrooms and five baths with hardwood floors, tongue-and-groove ten-foot ceilings, and shiplap walls throughout. The cozy primary bedroom offers a gas fireplace and a bay window. Two wood-burning fireplaces illuminate the living room and downstairs recreation room. Another bedroom is on the

UNDER CONTRACT

upper level with two guest suites on the lower level. MLS# 94525.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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W A D E H A M P T O N G O L F C L U B CCAASSHHIIEERRSS offered at $2,285,000

Tour this contemporary masterpiece for an awe-inspiring experience! Filled with natural light, this luxurious home boasts a spacious gourmet kitchen, a family room, an office/den, two laundry rooms, a wine cellar, an elevator, and an inviting, three-season porch that can be enclosed or left open and screened, complete with stone fireplace. Designed by Al Platt and sitting on over five acres, this home is perfectly sited for taking in the highly desirable eastern views of the Nantahala Forest. A wall of windows in the living room displays the panoramic mountain views while an impressive stacked stone fireplace provides a welcoming ambiance. MLS# 93087.

192 REAL ESTATE GROUP N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

THE LAKE CLUB offered offered at at $1,995,000 $1,995,000

LAKE GLENVILLE

Situated in the gated Lake Club, this stately manor has huge views looking south over Lake Glenville to the mountains beyond. This architectural masterpiece features a large chef's kitchen with a breakfast bar perfect for relaxed entertaining. The sophisticated living areas flow onto an expansive deck and a roomy covered porch with a wood-burning fireplace. Antique oak floors, custom built-ins, and ship-lap paneling accent the huge stone fireplaces in the upstairs and downstairs living rooms. Unlike many mountain homes, this home has storage for vehicles, with both a carport and a two-level garage. The downstairs garage has plenty of room for toys with room remaining for a workshop. MLS# 89659.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $1,900,000 Offered for the first time, this warm and inviting home offers majestic views of Whiteside Mountain from every room. Entertaining family and friends is a joy in the beautiful great room with wet bar, formal dining space, gourmet kitchen with large center island and breakfast bar, and an expansive porch with its own cozy fireplace and hot tub. Perfect for casual entertaining and hosting guests, the spacious two-story floor plan features two bedrooms on the main floor with his and her bathrooms, while the lower level includes two bedrooms, two baths, a sitting room with fireplace, and another covered deck. MLS# 94548.

ADMIRALS POINT $1,850,000 This fantastic lakefront home is located on the east side but facing south on Lake Glenville, so you don't get an afternoon glare off the water. With a long southern view of the lake, the property sits on its own private cove with wooded buffers on either side. A short path takes you to a rock-walled lakefront area with a private dock. The home has large open decks, a screened porch, and a glassed porch facing the water. The primary bedroom and office are on the main floor, while two bedrooms and a second living area are downstairs. The apartment over the garage has one bedroom and bath, a full kitchen, and a private balcony with a beautiful view of the lake. MLS# 94586.

194 REAL ESTATE GROUP N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

74 ACRES

SNOWBIRD $1,899,000 This 74-acre property includes the entire summit of Wolf Knob at nearly 4,700 feet elevation. The mountain top is virtually flat and upon it sits a Tim Greene designed rustic lodge. Owning the whole mountain top, 360-degree views are dramatic! From the top, the property drops to about 4,200 feet elevation where there is a barn and an open field with an abundance of wildlife. Disconnect from the world, get off the grid, relax! MLS# 91327.Â

L AKE TOX AWAY ESTATES $1,725,000 Perched high in the heavens on Meadow Ridge, this custom home built by Timberlake Custom Homes boasts thrilling panoramic views of Lake Toxaway, Lake Cardinal and the mountains beyond. The expansive lot encompasses over seven acres, ensuring privacy for its new owner. Three of the four bedrooms display the awe-inspiring views, and six bathrooms ensure guests' comfort. On the lower level, guests can hang out at the bar or at the ping pong table before stepping onto the covered deck to admire Lake Toxaway glimmering in the distance. Fine finishes complete the luxury experience, featuring hand-scraped quarter sawn white oak floors, Hammerton interior and exterior lighting, and two stacked stone fireplaces. MLS# 94427.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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UNDER CONTRACT CEDAR HILL $1,650,000 Perched high above the valley in the prestigious community of Cedar Hill, this stunning custom-built timber frame home boasts spectacular longrange mountain views over Sapphire and Cashiers. Newly updated with neutral colors and fine fixtures, the two-story great room has impressive timber beams and an abundance of windows and doors that flood the entire room with natural light. The open floor plan offers ample space for entertaining or simply unwinding. Located just minutes from the Cashiers crossroads, this home is convenient to the numerous amenities found on the Plateau; several country clubs and golf courses are nearby. MLS# 94270.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

CEDAR HILL $1,595,000 This newly constructed home in the premier gated community of Cedar Hill offers wide-open views of Laurel Knob and Cow Rock Mountains.

Designed for those who love entertaining, this retreat greets visitors with its curbside appeal and fresh, inviting interior finishes. The living room features built-ins and high ceilings. Fine finishes on the main level include shiplap walls, eight-foot doors, and white oak flooring. Gather to admire the views on the Trex decking with an oversized fireplace and vaulted ceiling; the lower deck was built to support a hot tub. MLS# 94719.

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BIG RIDGE $1,495,000 Created by acclaimed architectural designer Tim Greene, this beautiful home offers breathtaking views of the Great Balsam Mountains with layers that seem to go on forever. The spacious layout is perfect for hosting friends and family, with the master suite on the main level and three guest suites upstairs. The gourmet kitchen features custom cabinetry, an eat-in area, ample countertops for serving, and premium appliances including a six-burner gas range, dual wall ovens and a warming drawer. MLS# 93523.

UNDER CONTRACT

SCOTCH HIGHL ANDS LOOP $1,450,000 A most unique opportunity! Own the clubhouse at 82 Scotch Highlands Loop as your home. Attractively furnished and outfitted as a clubhouse, with bar, beautiful fireplaces, fitness rooms and swimming pool with pergola and additional waterfall feature. Enjoy those fine mountain breezes on the large back deck. Possibilities are unlimited, with a potential of 4 bedrooms and 4 baths and large kitchen for a residence. Listing includes 388 Scotch Highlands Loop, which was originally slated to be tennis courts. Now a great level 1.16 acre lot to use for building. Ready for summer activities for that lucky buyer! MLS# 94172.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB $1,395,000 Nestled up against National Forest lands, this exceptional Al Platt designed home is located in the exclusive gated community of Wade Hampton Golf Club. With four bedrooms and four and a half baths in an open split floor plan, The Lodge is ideally suited for savoring the mountain lifestyle with family and friends. The home boasts an abundance of curb appeal with Old World details, attractive landscaping, stone walking paths, and water features. Highlighted by a feel of casual elegance, the spacious living room with fireplace and wet bar opens onto the expansive screened porch with its own fireplace for cool evenings. MLS# 91358.

CHAT TOOGA RIDGE $1,325,000 Enjoy luxurious one-level living in this three-bedroom, three-bath condominium in Chattooga Ridge, featuring gorgeous long-range mountain views from many of the rooms. The open floor plan flows beautifully for entertaining, with spacious living and dining areas and a built-in wet bar with beverage cooler, wine cooler, and icemaker. Enjoy the crisp, clean air and beauty of the changing seasons on the large deck with its own fireplace and Armor screens. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream with high-end cabinetry, a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, a six-burner gas range, double ovens, and a large center island. MLS# 93724.

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NEWLY PRICED

L AKE FOREST $1,298,000 Lakeside Comfort sits on one of the serene northwestern coves of Lake Glenville. Enjoy the lakefront shared dock (with only one other owner) and secluded beach area while savoring the splendor of the highest lake east of the Mississippi and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Nestled on a wooded gentle slope in the quaint subdivision of Lake Forest, this lakefront, mountain coastal cedar shake cottage boasts a wraparound main level deck with a hot tub and a partially finished lower level deck that overlooks the lake. MLS# 94540.

STONEFLY $1,295,000 This newly constructed getaway boasts a Cashiers in-town location on a gently rolling wooded lot with a fantastic stream and small falls. Abounding with curb appeal, the home has easy access with a level entry, a large parking area, and an oversized attached double garage. High-end finishes include hardwood floors, state-of-the-art appliances, and beautiful tile work in the entryway and baths. The great room opens onto a large screened porch for gathering around the stone fireplace while listening to the sounds of the cascading creek a few steps away. Outdoor living is a pleasure on this beautiful lot with a fire pit and over 250 feet of stream frontage. MLS# 93674.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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BIG SHEEPCLIFF $1,250,000 Situated in the gated Big Sheepcliff community at a cool 4,300 + feet in elevation, this wonderfully designed three-bedroom three-and-a-half-bath mountain retreat offers indescribably gorgeous views. The thoughtful floor plan includes a main-level master suite, an open concept kitchen and dining area, and plenty of deck space for outdoor entertainment. The great room is equipped with soaring cathedral ceilings, a stone gas-burning fireplace, and views from every corner. The master bedroom is spacious, featuring an en-suite sunroom for reading or relaxing, as well as an ensuite master bathroom with a jetted tub and separate shower. The lower level is perfect for guests with its second kitchen and living area, as well as two additional bedrooms, a bonus room, and two full bathrooms. MLS# 93669.

NEWLY PRICED

SAPPHIRE HIGH $1,175,000 Retreat from the world to an elegant Sapphire High home with year-round views of the brilliant Blue Ridge Mountains. Secluded and private, the focus on detail is evident with its open floor plan and only the highest quality furnishings and custom finishes. Created with a rustic Italian influence, the decor features contrasting elements, such as Mediterranean textiles against natural rough surfaces, to create a dramatic design impact. The heart pine wood flooring, trim, and crown molding throughout the home exhibits a high level of fine artistry. Experience gracious living from the stained-glass front door to the expansive 100 feet of decking with a screened-in porch that frames the panoramic mountain views. MLS# 93732.

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UNDER CONTRACT

WHISPER L AKE $950,000 Rushing Burlingame Creek borders this contemporary refuge on three sides, while the living room and screened porch overlook a waterfall only fifteen feet away. Over three hundred feet of rapids thread through this rare property, and the home was situated so as to ensure complete privacy. Walls of windows reveal nature's artwork and fill the soaring ceilings and open floor plan with natural light. This retreat is replete with fine finishes such as granite countertops and Brazilian cherry cabinets and floors. MLS# 93224.

L AKE TOX AWAY ESTATES $799,000 This beautiful timber frame construction offers golf course living at its finest within the confines of the prestigious gates of Lake Toxaway Estates. The large deck, both covered and uncovered, overlooks the fifth green and the mountain range beyond. A golf cart path leads directly from the house to the course for easy access. MLS# 94560.

HICKORY RIDGE $795,000 Enjoy panoramic views of Whiteside and Chimneytop Mountains from this spacious four bedroom, four and a half bath home in Hickory Ridge, a picturesque enclave located just minutes from town. Vaulted ceilings and skylights bring in lots of natural light to the open floor plan. The master suite, one guest room and an office are located on the main level. Two additional guest rooms are located on the lower level, along with an indoor pool with glass doors opening onto a stone patio. The covered CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 decks expand the living area and let you enjoy cool summer breezes along with the amazing views. MLS# 93630.

HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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NEW CONSTRUCTION STONE CREEK ESTATES $699,000 New construction to be completed by the summer of 2021. Conveniently located within walking distance or short golf cart ride to The Country Club of Sapphire Valley (membership by invitation only). This custom 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home features an open floor plan in the main living area with shiplap on the walls. A split bedroom plan for additional privacy. MLS# 94764.

UNDER CONTRACT BURLINGAME $650,000 Located on the pristinely kept Burlingame Country Club golf course is this expansive and elegant home equipped with three bedrooms, three full baths and two half baths. The home boasts a cheery interior, golf course views from many windows, and a great entertaining flow between the formal dining, kitchen and living areas. MLS# 94334.

UNDER CONTRACT FL AT TOP MOUNTAIN $649,000 Enjoy peace and tranquility from an expansive deck overlooking a near-level yard and a panoramic vista with Whiteside Mountain to the left and Lake Sequoyah to the right. Conveniently located only five miles from the center of Highlands and situated on a full acre, there's plenty of room for the little ones to run and play and/or to cultivate a beautiful garden. MLS# 94697.

UNDER CONTRACT

GLENVILLE $510,000 Incredibly charming and private custom log home in the Big Ridge area boasts privacy and breathtaking long-range panoramic mountain views year-round. Surrounded by the peaceful sounds of birds chirping and native animals enjoying their sports on top of the ridge. Professional landscaping with rock walls, a massive boulder rock garden and walking trails add to the ambiance and solitude. MLS# 94744.

BIG RIDGE $495,000 On the market for the first time, this mountain retreat is located on 20 wooded acres for the ultimate in privacy and tranquility, yet with a convenient location very near Lake Glenville. The possibilities of this property are endless; many homes sites with views could be created with a little tree clearing. In addition to multiple home sites, the property includes a 24’ x 30’ detached double garage and two complete RV sites. The property also features a spring that is the headwaters to Shoal Creek. MLS# 89870.

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NEWLY PRICED TRILLIUM LINKS $474,900 This turnkey two-bedroom, two-bath home located in the highly desirable Trillium Links & Lake Club offers stunning southwestern mountain views.

Sitting in the secluded part of Trillium Ridge on 3.51 acres of wooded privacy, cool mountain evenings can be enjoyed from multiple areas of the home, including the screened-in back porch and the large stone fire pit just steps outside your front door. MLS# 94394.

UNDER CONTRACT MILL CREEK $365,000 Sitting at a high elevation for cool summer temperatures, this charming rustic mountain cabin abides on 11 private, unrestricted acres with a small pasture/garden area. This retreat boasts a lovely view and easy access with a driveway off of a state road. The large open deck and large screened porch are the perfect spots to admire the lush native fauna. MLS# 93872.

UNDER CONTRACT WHISPER L AKE $350,000 This spacious home in a wonderful location in Whisper Lake offers a view that can be trimmed to take full advantage of the mountain views. The residence boasts amazing curb appeal with board and batten siding and custom wood shutters. This three-bedroom, three-bath home has several bonus rooms, too! The primary bedroom is expansive with an en suite bath, two walk-in closets, and a sitting room currently used as an art studio. MLS# 93836.

UNDER CONTRACT COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES $320,000 This is a rare opportunity to purchase a short sale property, which is priced well below tax value! Situated on a level lot, this unique home with golf course frontage has an attached two-car garage. Its exceptional location in the gated Country Club Estates area is near the end of a cul-de-sac free from road noise, and is just a short walk or golf cart ride to the Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, including Red Bird Golf Links and several fine restaurants.

MLS# 90988.

HOLLY FOREST $310,000 Tucked away in the high elevation community of Eagle Ridge, this neatly kept three-bedroom, two-bath home features an open concept floorplan between the kitchen and dining areas, with easy access to the living area. The kitchen is light and bright, with an island for effortless meal preparation and enjoyment. MLS# 94251.

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UNDER CONTRACT

SAPPHIRE VILL AGE $270,000 Situated in an unrestricted neighborhood in the beautiful Sapphire Valley, this home would make a wonderful family home or a rental opportunity.

The log and stone siding, large front deck, and screened porch encourage outdoor mountain living. The almost level property has a utility shed, a playground, and a double carport that accesses the lower level. MLS# 92814.

HICKORY KNOLL $230,000 Located in the low-density Hickory Knoll community in the Yellow Mountain area, this vintage two-bedroom, two-bath cabin sits on a lovely rolling meadow. Enjoy long-range mountain views from the ample decks, both upper and lower levels. The main floor of the home is comprised of a spacious open plan for living, with kitchen, dining, living room, and the primary bedroom and bath. The lower level boasts a family area with a kitchenette, laundry room, bedroom, and bath. MLS# 93998.

UNDER CONTRACT

GLENVILLE $225,000 Charming one-bedroom, one-bath cabin tucked away on the hillside. Very private, with room to grow! The gentle topography allows for additional homesites or an expansion of the existing structure. A picturesque stream meanders on and off the property. With tree trimming, the view can be opened substantially. MLS# 94761.

UNDER CONTRACT

L AUREL FALLS $199,000 Situated in gated Laurel Falls in Glenville, this sturdy log cabin is the ideal low-maintenance mountain getaway! The peaceful and private setting is convenient to Panthertown Valley for hiking and other outdoor activities, or simply relax on the porch while enjoying the wildlife and mountain breezes.

The reverse osmosis system on a high yield private well provides great water!

The large stone fireplace in the living room will take the chill off on cool mountain evenings. MLS# 93046.

WALNUT GAP $185,000 This wonderful two-bedroom, two-bath mountain home is situated at 4,200 feet of elevation on 1.67 +/- acres, promising lovely summers, and soft breezes. This mountain getaway offers an open and flowing floor plan with plenty of windows for natural light. A wood-burning fireplace on the main level offers a cozy spot to relax on cool mountain nights. The grassy, level backyard is the perfect place for children or pets to explore with plenty of space to add a fire pit area or a small garden. MLS# 94083.

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LOTS LOTS & & LAND LAND A DM I R A L’ S P OI N T NEWLY LISTED Looking to build a home with views of Lake Glenville? Take a look at this lot on the east side of the lake with easy access to Cashiers.

Enjoy the views of the lake and the mountains beyond, along with cool summer breezes. Buy now and build or hold onto the lot for future home.

Don't miss this opportunity for a lake view lot. MLS# 94746. $95,000.

BE A R L A K E H E AV E N I S L A N D

yet close enough to go to town to go to the grocery store or enjoy one of the many fine shoppes or restaurants in the area. Cashiers offers many free local events to enjoy as well such as Groovin' on the Green concerts every Friday night in the summertime. Call to schedule a showing of this property! MLS# 90175. $399,000.

BR I DGE CR E E K Beautiful lot in gated community. Long layered mountain views all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Community has paved roads, impressive covered bridge entry, large community pond and chimney garden. Close to Cashiers and Highlands. Near Lake Glenville and all the water activities.

MLS# 90944. $40,000.

North facing lot with big mountain views. Gated community close to both Cashiers and Highlands. Impressive covered bridge at entrance. Community pond and chimney garden. MLS# 90945. $40,000.

0.50 acre lot at 3,900 feet elevation with tucked away views of Lake Glenville. Located in the low density neighborhood of Bridge Creek, just a short scenic drive to Cashiers and 25 minutes to Highlands. Cross over the charming covered bridge spanning the trout waters of Norton Creek to enter the quaint community of Bridge Creek which offers a community pond, picnic area, outdoor chimney garden and hiking trails. MLS# 91223. $19,900.

Affordable lot in a gated community convenient to both Cashiers and Highlands. Paved roads, beautiful covered bridge entrance, large pond and chimney garden. MLS# 90943. $20,000.

Sitting in the middle of this beautiful mountain lake, Bear Lake Heaven Island is truly a unique opportunity. Bear Lake is a pristine lake at 2,600 feet elevation located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. With 22 miles of shoreline, much of which is National Forest, Bear Lake is perfect for enjoying all the water sports or simply a slow evening cruise. No need to hop in a boat to reach this island, because there's a causeway for easy access to your property. The island has underground power, a 12 GPM well, an installed 12 bedroom septic system, high-speed internet, 2 large docks, and 1,500 feet of shoreline. Unlike most property on the lake, which requires a building set-back, your property line ends at the water's edge. Spectacular lake and mountain views in every direction.

Three-fourths of the island has been cleared and leveled; a trail, wide enough for a vehicle, circles the perimeter of the island. The entire lake frontage has been fortified with a rock wall to prevent any erosion. The property could be subdivided, making it a great site for a lodge, or it could be the most private of estate sites. Having a helicopter is no problem with the easy approach and a great landing site. MLS# 94384. $2,950,000.

BIG R I DGE 11.23 acres of beautiful rolling pasture land with exceptional mountain views and all situated above 4,000 ft. elevation! Equestrian lover's will delight at the thought of riding in this heavenly setting, but anyone who wants to enjoy long range mountain views in a peaceful and serene setting will appreciate this land. The perfect building knoll sits just a tad higher than the rest of the acreage providing great sight lines in all directions. Lot faces west for remarkable sunset views! Located in the Big Ridge area, approximately 10 miles from town, it's far enough out to be private

Located in the quiet and low density gated neighborhood of Bridge Creek is this incredibly affordable lot. As you enter the community you'll notice the gorgeous rustic covered bridge that straddles Knob Creek as well as the serene feeling that comes with the area. Gentle building site and privacy of the surrounding woods make this lot perfect for someone looking to construct their mountain dream home in a fantastic community! Bridge Creek is an easy 10-minute drive to Cashiers' dining, shopping and more.

MLS# 92624. $9,800.

BU R L I N G A M E Desirable, nearly level lot located within the grounds of Burlingame Country Club. This lot can be accessed from either the quiet Lakeshore Drive on one side or the easily accessible Upper Whitewater Road on the other. Your future mountain home built on this lot is centrally located just a short drive by golf cart or vehicle to the Burlingame Country Club, children playground, Horsepasture River, leash-free dog park and more. Views of Lake Soquilla can be seen from the Lakeshore Drive side of the lot which could be further enhanced with permission from the HOA and your neighbors across the street. Membership to the Burlingame Country Club is optional, but is required to use certain amenities. MLS# 94073. $29,000.

C A SC A DE S AT CE DA R CR E E K Extremely gentle and easy lot to build on in a beautiful community close to Lake Glenville. Lot has winter mountain views from the

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back side of the lot. This home site is a stone's throw from the private community clubhouse, Cedar Creek stream, playground and covered pavilion. The clubhouse is open to owners to use anytime, all year long, and is a nice gathering spot with a nice living area, full kitchen, pool table room, restroom facilities and a beautiful outdoor patio with grill and tables for dining outdoors with friends and family. Only about a 10 minute drive to Cashiers to do shopping, dine or enjoy shopping in many of our fine unique shoppes. Expired 3 bedroom septic permit on file. MLS# 94682. $24,500.

Great lot with over an acre of land to build your vacation home! Pond frontage and overlooks the community clubhouse, park, playground and rushing Cedar Creek. The private clubhouse features a full kitchen, living area, pool table, fitness center, shower facilities and a beautiful outdoor grilling area with patio for entertaining. Short range mountain views may be possible with tree trimming. MLS# 88242. $18,000.

community offering its residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your future dream home, Cedar Hill will not disappoint. Convenient to the heart of Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 94195. $175,000.

The Meridian at Cedar Hill is the final phase of the very popular neighborhood of Cedar Hill. These lots are at over 4,000 feet elevation with private sewer access, water, paved roads and underground power. A well maintained neighborhood with pristine roads, gated entry and lovely homes. Exceptional mountain views including Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley Canyon set this estate lot apart. Cedar Hill is an upscale gated community offering its residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your future dream home, Cedar Hill will not disappoint. Convenient to the heart of Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 94003. $160,000.

The Meridian at Cedar Hill is the final phase of the very popular neighborhood of Cedar Hill. These lots are at over 4,000 feet elevation with private sewer access, water, paved roads and underground power. A well maintained neighborhood with pristine roads, gated entry and lovely homes. Exceptional mountain views including Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley Canyon set this estate lot apart. Cedar Hill is an upscale gated community offering its residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your future dream home, Cedar Hill will not disappoint. Convenient to the heart of Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 94004. $145,000.

CE DA R H I L L

The Meridian at Cedar Hill is the final phase of the very popular neighborhood of Cedar Hill. These lots are at over 4,000 feet elevation with private sewer access, water, paved roads and underground power. A well maintained neighborhood with pristine roads, gated entry and lovely homes. Exceptional mountain views including Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley Canyon set this estate lot apart. Cedar Hill is an upscale gated community offering its residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your future dream home, Cedar Hill will not disappoint. Convenient to the heart of Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 94169. $140,000.

43+ private acres in the Cedar Hill neighborhood offering four high elevation building sites with spectacular views. Property adjoins Conservation Easement held by Highlands Cashiers Land Trust, and backs up to the back side of High Hampton's Rock Mountain. A one-of-a-kind property with dramatic views and the comforts of a gated community with paved roads, water system and location close to town. MLS# 92959. $750,000.

Beautiful long range views from the Summit in Cedar Hill. Views of Big Sheepcliff mountain and beyond. Convenient to both Cashiers and Sapphire amenities. MLS# 92773. $250,000.

The Meridian at Cedar Hill is the final phase of the very popular neighborhood of Cedar Hill. These lots are at over 4,000 feet elevation with private sewer access, water, paved roads and underground power. A well maintained neighborhood with pristine roads, gated entry and lovely homes. Exceptional mountain views including Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley Canyon set this estate lot apart. Cedar Hill is an upscale gated community offering its residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your future dream home, Cedar Hill will not disappoint. Convenient to the heart of Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 93790. $195,000.

NEWLY LISTED Exceptional mountain views including Big Sheepcliff Mountain set this estate lot apart.

Cedar Hill is an upscale gated

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Situated on a quiet street in the gated community of Cedar, located just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire. The lot has a great view potential and is ideal for designing your dream mountain home and enjoy the cool summer temperatures. The community features a pavilion with stone fireplace along Rochester Creek, perfect for an afternoon picnic or hike. The community is very well maintained and welcomes residents to their mountain retreat. MLS# 91330. $120,000.

C E DA R C R E E K C L I F F S Huge views form this large lot in the Glenville area. The bottom of the lot falls away from a very level building site, making it easy to open up the view. South facing, so plenty of year-round sunshine. Convenient to Lake Glenville and Cashiers. Community water system. At nearly 4,400 feet elevation, you are guaranteed a cool summer. Compare to other easy build view lots, this lot is a great opportunity. MLS# 94470. $75,000.

CE DA R R I DGE E STAT E S Great views of Big Sheepcliff mountain from this elevated building site.

Build your mountain dream home on this lot and start enjoying the cool summer temperatures found on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. This premium lot is priced to sell, so don't miss the opportunity to purchase this home site in the well-established Cedar Ridge Estates community. Located just minutes to Sapphire and Cashiers with all the amenities these

T H E CH AT T O OG A CLU B

native plants including rhododendrons and mountain laurels - inside the gates of the prestigious Chattooga Club - one of the very few buildable lots still available! MLS# 94236. $395,000.

One of the few lots still available in this established, exclusive and gated community. Gentle building site with view potential. Many beautiful hardwoods and indigenous plants on property including rhododendron and mountain laurels. Membership to Chattooga Club by invitation. MLS# 94549. $385,000.

Pretty lot, 1.81 acres for your dream mountain home in the well-established exclusive and gated community of The Chattooga Club.

Conveniently located only 2 miles from town. Many pretty hardwoods, rhododendron, mountain laurels and other indigenous trees and plants on the property. Lake Chattooga and Mac's View picnic area with outstanding views are owned by the Homeowners' Association. Membership to the Chattooga Club by invitation. MLS# 94551. $369,000.

Gorgeous premiere 5+ acre lot inside the gates of the prestigious and exclusive Chattooga Club. Great building site on this beautiful lot adjacent to Mac's View which will never be built on and is deeded to the homeowners association. Phenomenal views of mountain range and Whiteside Mountain - Perfect for sipping cocktails as you watch the gorgeous sunsets! MLS# 93769. $950,000.

Beautiful lot on corner of Club Drive and Gorge Trail in the well-established Chattooga Club community. Beautiful waterfall on the property with lots of hardwoods and indigenous plants including Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels. Club membership by invitation only.

MLS# 91502. $695,000.

NEWLY LISTED Beautiful virgin forest land in this idyllic setting in the well-established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Gentle building site with Fowler Creek, which flows into The Chattooga River, runs alongside this property with view of mountain range. Lot is surrounded by beautiful hardwoods, and indigenous plants including rhododendrons, mountain laurels. Great spot for someone to build their perfect summer or year round mountain home! MLS# 94755. $695,000.

NEWLY LISTED Beautiful virgin forest land in this idyllic setting in the well-established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Gentle building site with Fowler Creek, which flows into The Chattooga River, runs alongside this property with view of mountain range. Lot is surrounded by beautiful hardwoods, and indigenous plants including rhododendrons, mountain laurels. Great spot for someone to build their perfect summer or year round mountain home! MLS# 94756. $595,000.

NEWLY LISTED Beautiful virgin forest land in this idyllic setting in the well-established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Gentle building site with Fowler Creek, which flows into The Chattooga River, runs alongside this property with view of mountain range. Lot is surrounded by beautiful hardwoods, and indigenous plants including rhododendrons, mountain laurels. Great spot for someone to build their perfect summer or year round mountain home! MLS#: 94758. $495,000.

Rushing water from Fowler Creek and waterfalls back up to this beautiful and gentle building site. Many mature hardwoods and other

LOTS & LAND

two communities have to offer. MLS# 89686. $30,000.

A wooded lot inside the gates of the well-established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Many beautiful hardwoods, rhododendrons and mountain laurels and other indigenous plants. Easy building site.

Only 2 miles from town. Private wells included in you POA fee. A great opportunity to build your dream mountain home in this exclusive neighborhood! Club membership by invitation only. MLS# 94550. $359,000.

Enjoy the soothing sounds of splashing water, from this beautiful lake-front lot behind the gates of the prestigious Chattooga Club. This lot provides you the opportunity to site your dream home so you can enjoy the combination of seeing, and listening to, continuous water pouring over the dam in one direction‌while enjoying a nice long view of Lake Chattooga from the other. Owner has beautiful set of house plans, designed by Meyer-Greeson-Paullin-Benson out of Charlotte, NC, that includes an observation deck and an optional guest house.

One of the premier lots in all of Chattooga Club-now priced to sell, so you can start enjoy luxury lake living in the mountains. MLS# 89283. $349,000.

CH I NQUA PI N Enjoy approximately 400 feet of bold Robinson Creek frontage from this gently laying 3.46 acre lot. There's an abundance of natural flora covering the property including beautiful ferns, moss covered rocks, mountain laurel and rhododendrons. Privately located at the end of a circular cul-de-sac with an old logging road leading you right into the center of the property. Continue your journey onto just one of the many community hiking and waterfall trails that goes through the property down to the stream where the property line ends. Throw in a line and there's a good chance you will catch a native brook or rainbow trout, or both! Just across the stream you will see one of several Wilderness Cabins that are available for property owners and their guests to enjoy. Next to that Wilderness Cabin area is a large conservation property so you don't have to worry about anyone building behind this lot. There are about 13 different trails in Chinquapin, some for UTV/ATV's, hiking and mountain biking. Take off from your home in any direction and it will lead to one of the many waterfalls in the area.

The Chinquapin community is truly is a nature lover's paradise! MLS# 93754. $150,000.

Perched at an elevation of 4,000 plus feet, this gentle rolling, wooded and mountain view lot, surrounded by a stream, is part of the pristine CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 preserve of Chinquapin just three miles HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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from downtown Cashiers, North Carolina. A perfect building lot for families wanting to create lasting memories in an incredible natural setting in Western North Carolina. Walking trails and a stream surround this lot and the new owners can enjoy the amenities which include fishing, swimming and canoeing, to name a few. MLS# 93055. $140,000.

C OL D S P R I N G S UNDER CONTRACT Great lakefront lot in Cold Springs. Looking for a great lot on a small lake near Highlands and Cashiers, this is it. Build your dream home at over 3,500 feet elevation and spend time enjoying paddling or canoeing around the lake. Community amenities include a stable and pasture, if you have horses. Convenient to downtown Highlands and just around the corner from the Highlands/Cashiers Hospital and medical facilities. For a change to a leisurely pace, this is the place to be. MLS# 93463. $189,000.

CROS S CR E E K PR E SE RV E Unique 2.68 acre lot with a BOLD stream and 2 waterfalls with mountain views backing up to the common area. Nearly level building site, underground utilities, community water, expired 3 bedroom septic permit. MLS# 87680. $199,900.

Amazing long range mountain views can be seen from this home site in the prestigious gated community of Cross Creek Preserve. As you enter the community through the charming covered bridge you will see that this is a very well maintained neighborhood with nice common areas including a trout fishing pond with waterfall and a huge field and fire pit for owners to enjoy. Nearby Trillium Links & Lake Club can be seen from this north facing lot. Surrounded by several upscale neighborhoods, Cross Creek is also close to Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club and Old Edwards Club.

Conveniently situated between Highlands and Cashiers for quick trips to town for shopping and dining. Seller already has a complete set of ready to build custom house plans designed specifically for this lot for a 3-4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home. Contact listing agent for more details! MLS# 89979. $149,900.

CU L L A SAJA CLU B Build your dream home on these two lots being sold together within the upscale, gated community of the Cullasaja Club! Coming in at over two acres, these gently rolling adjacent properties boast gratifying potential for a build site that, with some trimming, could open up a beautiful view.

Cullasaja Club combines luxury living and the ultimate in leisure for a true one-of-a-kind Western North Carolina community. At the heart of this exclusive gated enclave lies a par 72, 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course, as well as a clubhouse with mixed grill & formal dining room. Cullasaja Club also boasts one hard surface & five lighted clay tennis courts, state-ofthe-art fully-staffed fitness and activity center, and canoeing, kayaking or fishing on fully-stocked Lake Ravenel. There aren't many of these opportunities left! MLS# 93358. $275,000.

C U L L OW H E E F OR E S T NEWLY LISTED This property is 6+ gently rolling wooded acres, prepped to build, offering everything desired for a true mountain getaway. Bordered on two sides by scenic streams, your future home comes with the perfect soundtrack and amazing mountain views are easily opened

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up with some tree trimming. The driveway and house pad have been roughed in atop a knoll surrounded by lush forest. A private well, underground power, and a 3-bedroom septic are ready for use; great internet speeds will be available via recently approved fiber optic cable installation.

The private community common area is arguably one of the prettiest in the area, providing direct access to the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River - an ideal spot for fly fishing - and private access to an unbelievable community waterfall greater than 100 feet tall. Miles of additional hiking trails, including High Falls Trail, are directly accessible from the common area. MLS# 94902. $100,000.

NEWLY LISTED Cullowhee Forest is a gated community focused around nature, large lots, and a pristine mountain feel. Surrounded by lush forest, this property is 6+ acres at 3,600' elevation, making it an ideal location for a temperate mountain getaway. High-speed internet will be available via recently approved fiber optic cable installation. The private community common area is arguably one of the prettiest in the area, providing direct access to the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River - an ideal spot for fly fishing - and private access to an unbelievable community waterfall greater than 100 feet tall. Miles of additional hiking trails, including High Falls Trail, are directly accessible from the common area. MLS# 94921. $35,000.

C U L L OW H E E MOU N TA I N R OA D NEWLY LISTED Here is your chance for 20+/- acres (deed says 20+/- acres and Tax Office shows 16+/- acres ) of unrestricted land in the heart of the mountains for western North Carolina. Ready for one or multiple home sites, this parcel has a paved driveway connecting off one of multiple build sites to Cullowhee Mountain Road. If you like higher elevation views, work your way deeper into the 20 acres and surround yourself in nature with complete and utter wooded privacy while taking in the stunning views from your new deck in any direction. Just 12 minutes to the Pine Creek Recreation area on Lake Glenville and under 30 minutes to the shops and restaurants of the town of Cashiers. MLS# 94875. $130,000.

FA L CON R I DGE PENDING Mountaintop acreage directly across the street from Panthertown Preserve at 4,300 feet elevation. Perfect for an estate or subdivide with views of Whiteside, Chimneytop, Rock, and Sheepcliff mountains.

MLS# 93944. $300,000.

F I V E ST ON E UNDER CONTRACT This lot is a investor’s dream, an entire subdivision ready for completion! This 53 acre gated development features signature views of Whiteside and Chimneytop mountains. The entrance alone is grand with it’s own waterfall! The first 4 of the 18 lots have been sold, leaving the remaining 14 contiguous lots totaling 41 acres as a package deal.

The lots can be sold individually or held as a private estate. MLS# 93943. $300,000.

GL E N R I DGE UNDER CONTRACT Incredible panoramic, long-range mountain vistas from this premier lot located behind the gates of the Glenridge subdivision. At 4,300’ elevation, this lot offers cool temperatures and an easy flat build site and then drops off-assuring you will own this incredible view.

A large circular driveway has already been cut in, off the paved road and septic system and water are already in place. The lot is more than 3 acres in size, ensuring that you will have privacy and elbow room around you.

All that’s left to do, is grab an architect and builder to start creating your

H IG H WAY 107 S OU T H

LOTS & LAND

dream home in the mountains. The Glenridge community is a very short distance to the entrance to Panthertown Valley - a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. MLS# 90987. $189,000.

GL E N P OI N T E This lakefront lot offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Glenville and the mountain range beyond. This lot faces north down the length of the lake and is a zero set-back lot, which allows you to build closer to the water. By comparison, most Lake Glenville lots have a 50 foot set-back. Located in the small, gated community of Glen Pointe, with only 14 homesites, it offers paved access, underground utilities and a tennis court. Although this subdivision is tucked away, it's still only 10 minutes into Cashiers. MLS# 94294. $395,000.

Lake Glenville access lot with dedicated boat slip. No need to share when you have your own slip in community dock. Gated community with tennis court. Norton Creek Falls just a few yards away can be heard clearly. MLS# 81652. $75,000.

G L E N S HOR E

One of the more established lakefront subdivisions on Lake Glenville, Glenshore is a gated community featuring some of the most beautiful multi-million dollar homes in the Western North Carolina area. This affordable corner wooded lot, priced under assessed value enjoys winter views of Lake Glenville and with additional tree topping/trimming, potentially even more enhanced views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Each home site in Glenshore is individual, offering unique perspectives of nature. The waterfront community of Glenshore on Lake Glenville offers its residents all of the pleasures the lake has to offer – boating, jet skiing, swimming, fishing and more. MLS# 94182. $39.900.

G OL F C L U B E S TAT E S Fabulous views over the Country Club of Sapphire and the mountains beyond. Located in the gated community of Golf Club Estates, this lot offers a great opportunity to build your perfect mountain dream home.

Membership at the CCSV is by invitation only, and just a short golf cart ride away. MLS#: 94304. $175,000.

On the market for the first time, the historic Waddell/Hanks House estate sits in the heart of the highly desirable Highway 107 South corridor in Cashiers, North Carolina. The estate overlooks a gently meandering Fowler Creek and Wade Hampton Golf Club's beautiful 7th and 8th holes. This section of the corridor boasts an impressive concentration of luxury homes, a central uncongested location, two prestigious private country clubs, and the newly renovated High Hampton resort.

With few building restrictions, the estate property represents an exceptional opportunity to build a custom single-family compound, several estate homes, or a development with upscale cottages for seasonal or year-round residents. The 12.16-acre property consists of contiguous parcels of 3.41 acres, .64 acres, and 8.11 acres. MLS# 94760. $3,700,000.

HO G B AC K C R E E K E S TAT E Well priced adjoining lakefront lots totaling over an acre with gorgeous views of the lake and mountains beyond. Hogback Lake is great for canoes, kayaks, sails, pontoons, fishing boats w/trolling motors and swimming. There is an expired septic improvement permit for a three bedroom dwelling from 2002 (would need to be updated with Jackson County). Sapphire Valley amenities are available if desired but not mandatory. MLS# 94633. $80,000.

HOL LY F OR E ST PENDING Unbelievable long range views from this fantastic building site in Holly Forest XIV. Community features include paved roads, underground utilities with public water and sewer available at road.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 Southwesterly views from this lot sitting at 3,800 ft. elevation. Enjoy the HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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panoramic vistas of Chimneytop Mountain and Rocky Mountain. MLS# 88095. $90,000.

Affordable building lot with long and short range southeasterly mountain views! This nearly level home site sits at approximately 3,660 ft. elevation in the popular neighborhood of Eagle Ridge. The minimum square footage building requirement is only 1,300 heated square feet and water and sewer is readily available to the lot. Located near the Sapphire National Golf Club and Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company. Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley Resort amenities - including golf, tennis, fitness center, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, carpet golf, park/playground and Lake Fairfield access where you can rent canoes and paddle boats, kayak, enjoy the trail around the lake or have a picnic at the covered pavilion. MLS# 93229. $25,000.

Great location to build a mountain home...right in the heart of Sapphire Valley! Just a golf cart ride away from the Sapphire National Golf Course & The Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company & Restaurant. This unique lot has frontage from Buckberry Drive and Mayapple Drive. The ideal location to put in a driveway would be from the front left side of the lot, near the small stream, that would lead up into the perfect home with lots of privacy. Close to the main highway, yet not close enough for road noise to be an issue. Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley Resort amenities including Red Bird Golf Links 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, indoor/ outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, playground/track, ski/tubing hill and deeded Lake Fairfield access where owners can rent canoes, paddle boats, swim, use the pavilion or walk the 3 mile trail around the lake. MLS# 94259. $22,500.

Nice gentle lot with over an acre of land and year-round mountain view potential! This property has a long private driveway already roughed in so it’s easy to see where the best home site would be. Both lots on each side already have homes built on them so privacy won’t be an issue. Expired 4 bedroom septic permit on file. MLS# 88273. $20,000.

Beautiful and nearly level setting to build a mountain home! Ferns galore and easy to walk and visualize living in this quiet wooded setting. Existing homes on this street are gorgeous and have very nice landscaped yards.

Property backs up to a Holly Forest green space buffer. Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley Resort amenities including golf, tennis, fitness center, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, track/playground and deeded access to Lake Fairfield where owners can swim, BBQ at the pavilion, rent boats/ paddle boats and hike the 3 miles trail around the lake. Priced to sell!

MLS# 93920. $18,000.

Tucked away in the hills of Sapphire Valley in the quaint community of Holly Forest is this gentle and very affordable lot with great building potential. As you explore the lot you'll find an abundance of natural flora and a peaceful atmosphere, one that's only found in the gorgeous mountains of Western North Carolina! This lot has fantastic potential for you to construct your very own mountain home, and is priced to sell. The community of Holly Forest is close to town and features Sapphire Valley amenities - a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, skiing, tennis, golf, lakes, and more! MLS# 93278. $15,000.

Peaceful streamfront lot with gentle building site. Partially cleared so it's easy to see the potential home site. Conveniently located close to Highway 64 East for easy access but with no road noise! Walking distance to the Holly Forest common area on Hogback Lake where owners can enjoy fishing, swimming or canoeing from the dock. Community has paved roads and underground utilities. Expired septic permit on file. The minimum square footage requirement is 1,350 total heated square feet and there is no time limit to begin building. This lot backs up to a portion of the 106+ acre Holly Forest green space for added pri-

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vacy. Sapphire Valley amenities include golf, tennis, fitness center, indoor/ outdoor swimming pools, track/playground and deeded access to Lake Fairfield. MLS# 93784. $10,000.

Great view lot in the heart of Sapphire Valley. Just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire, as well as all the Sapphire Valley amenities. Year round view will be available from the home once the trees are trimmed. MLS# 94189. $9,900.

A noisy stream runs along the bottom portion of this lot! This gently sloping home site will make the perfect mountain cabin spot. A great location for nature lover’s with a canopy of trees surrounding the property. Just a short walk to the Narrows waterfall and common area. This would be a great building site for a 2 story home that overlooks the stream. Expired septic permit on file and community has low homeowner’s fees. Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley amenities. MLS# 88627. $6,500.

Great lot to build your mountain home on or simply use as an amenity lot for the Sapphire Valley Master Association. Gentle building site with expired three bedroom septic evaluation. Bring ALL offers! $2,750. MLS# 92962.

J ODY T OW N R OA D First time on the market! Tucked away in a tranquil setting at a cool elevation of almost 3,800 feet, this scenic property is comprised of over 8.5 acres of gentle acres. This location is perfect to build your dream home, enjoy the privacy of your own estate and your slice of the mountain dream! The location is surrounded by other larger tracts of land and a small Christmas tree farm. This property is very private yet convenient to both Cashiers and Highlands. MLS# 94589. $120,000.

L A K E T OX AWAY E S TAT E S NEWLY LISTED Are you looking for that perfect piece of land to hold until you're ready to build that mountain dream home? Here is a unique opportunity to own a very gentle-laying lot in prestigious Lake Toxaway Estates.

The reasonable topography allows for wonderful economy of foundation costs and the elevation allows for that lovely view at a budget price.

Lake and mountain views can be made even better with selective tree trimming. At nearly 1.5 acres, you'll enjoy plenty of space for building your mountain dream home, beautifying the landscape, play time or just while away the hours in the cool mountain air. The location on Panther Ridge is so convenient to Lake Toxaway Country Club for a fabulous country club experience (membership is available with approval) and this lot comes with deeded lake access on the state's largest private lake. Enjoy all that the development has to offer, including lake access, views galore, hiking trails and a friendly environment. The community is convenient to many of the natural riches we all love this area for such as many waterfalls, US Forestry Service parks, abundant wildlife, fishing and much more! Enjoy life in your second home or live here year round. MLS# 94710. $68,000.

L AU R E L FA L L S Over 15 acres of land to enjoy at 4,100+ ft. elevation! Long range mountain views and short ridge views from these 2 northerly facing lots. A gorgeous property that is truly unique and offers a ton of sprawling level acreage.

Position your house anywhere you'd like among the native flora and ferns that cover the property. The driveway is already partially roughed in and leads you to a clearing and a fire pit area where you will enjoy the best views. Laurel Falls is a private neighborhood with gated access and low property owner fees. Nature lovers will appreciate the community's private

Over 7 acres of land to enjoy at 4,100+ ft. elevation! Long range mountain views and short ridge views from this northerly facing lot.

A gorgeous property that is truly unique and offers a ton of sprawling level acreage. The driveway is already partially roughed in and leads you to a clearing and a fire pit area where you will enjoy the best views.

Laurel Falls is a private neighborhood with gated access and low property owner fees. Nature lovers will appreciate the community's private access into the 6,300 acre Panthertown National Forest and trout fishing in Robinson Creek. Laurel Falls only has a 1,000 sq. ft. minimum building requirement making it the perfect spot to build a mountain cabin. An adjacent 8.66 acre lot is also available for purchase so buy both for a discount and own over 15 acres. This acreage backs up to Chinquapin property for added privacy. MLS# 89645. $125,000.

Over 8.5 acres of land to enjoy at 4,100+ ft. elevation! Short range mountain views, and possibly some long range views, from this north westerly facing lot. A gently laying lot with a trail leading to the partially cleared house site. There is currently a shared driveway roughed in but buyer may put in their own driveway if they wish. Lots of options with this property. Laurel Falls is a private neighborhood with gated access and low property owner fees. Nature lovers will appreciate the community's private access into the 6,300 acre Panthertown National Forest and trout fishing in Robinson Creek. Laurel Falls only has a 1,000 sq. ft. minimum building requirement making it the perfect spot to build a mountain cabin. An adjacent 7.23 acre lot is also available for purchase so buy both for a discount and own over 15 acres. This land backs up to Chinquapin property for added privacy. MLS# 89644. $115,000.

L E AWO OD NEWLY LISTED High above the highest major lake in the East, you have huge views of Lake Glenville, multiple mountain ranges, all the way to the Smokies. Easy access on paved roads, located in the gated Leawood community, and only a short drive to Cashiers and Highlands. Build your dream home atop Bright Mountain. Sit on the porch and watch the boats below and see the hawks and eagles fly by.

Facing west, you will have amazing sunsets. Community water. MLS# 94919. $200,000.

PA R A DI S E MOU N TA I N NEWLY LISTED Sitting just under 3,900 feet on Scout Mountain sits three lots that combine to form 4.05+/- acres of serene, wooded privacy with big mountain views. A roughed in driveway has already been built for the new owners which opens directly up into the multiple homesites limited only by your imagination. Clear additional trees along the edge of the homesites to open up for big mountain views or leave the abundance of natural foliage in place to create a secluded and private estate. Don't miss this opportunity to own three, contiguous lots at such a great price! MLS# 94873. $25,000.

PI L O T S K NOB UNDER CONTRACT Seldom do you find a flat mountain lot with huge

views. In addition, it is above 4,000 feet in elevation, so you will have cool summers and a pleasant breeze. This lot is an easy build where you would have very little foundation expense. Yet at the edge of the lot, the elevation takes a drastic plunge, opening up miles and miles of views. View is all the way to the Great Smokies and Blue Ridge Parkway. Community water, gated, paved community roads. This lot will take your breath away. MLS# 93505. $94,900.

The communities finest big view lots handpicked for ease of build and their incalculable long range views! Pilots Knob is a hot and new gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees.

With recent home sales, numerous lot sales, developer owned spec builds and privately owned custom builds are underway, Pilots Knob is quickly becoming a bustling mountain community! While manicured and elegant, Pilots Knob's beauty remains unspoiled and the wildlife is abundant. Conveniently located just minutes from Lake Glenville, the areas premier lake, with access to boating, hiking, a public lake front park, a waterfall hike and a whitewater kayaking boat launch is all just around the corner. Pilots Knob is a scenic drive from Cashiers or Highlands and allows for easy access to restaurants, shopping and groceries while providing a true mountain escape! MLS# 92364. $89,900.

LOTS & LAND

access into the 6,300 acre Panthertown National Forest and trout fishing in Robinson Creek. Laurel Falls only has a 1,000 sq. ft. minimum building requirement making it the perfect spot to build a mountain cabin. These two lots are being listed together and offered at a discounted price for 15.89 acres. This property backs up to Chinquapin land for added privacy. MLS# 89652. $230,000.

The communities' finest big view lots handpicked for ease of build and their incalculable long range views! Pilots Knob is a hot and new gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees.

With recent home sales, numerous lot sales, developer owned spec builds and privately owned custom builds are underway, Pilots Knob is quickly becoming a bustling mountain community! While manicured and elegant, Pilots Knob's beauty remains unspoiled and the wildlife is abundant. Conveniently located just minutes from Lake Glenville, the areas premier lake, with access to boating, hiking, a public lake front park, a waterfall hike and a whitewater kayaking boat launch is all just around the corner. MLS# 92362. $86,000.

This gently sloping, easy build site is ready for your dream home to be built upon it. This lot, located on Beechfern Drive, is perched within the quiet, gated community aptly named Pilots Knob. Enter through the beautiful gates of Pilots Knob and you'll find a true sense of peace in the mountains. The community itself is situated at an elevation of over 3,500 ft, offers paved access and roads throughout, a common pond area as well as a beautiful green space with a fire-pit perfect for family picnics while taking in the truly awe inspiring long range mountain views. Reasonably priced annual fees and close proximity to Lake Glenville and everything Cashiers has to offer are just a few of many additional bonuses that are at your disposal. MLS# 93162. $35,000.

Fantastic building lot in the desirable neighborhood of Pilots Knob!

Truly a hidden gem of a community where owners enjoy beautiful majestic long range mountain views and quaint Christmas tree farms as they drive through the area. Community features a pond and fire pit common area. This particular lot has a very gentle building site with easy driveway access and large rock outcroppings for built-in landscaping features. Winter mountain long range views with possibility of more year-round views with tree trimming. Low POA fees and underground utilities make this a great place to build your mountain escape at 4,000+ feet elevation! MLS# 85489. $25,000.

S A SS A F R A S R I DGE 24.31 acre tract in gated Sassafras

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Ridge. Boasting 2 or 3 gentle home sites, short mountain views and waterfall. A fabulous place to call home, and wonderful location for a family estate! Convenient to shopping, restaurants and all things mountain.

MLS# 92775. $500,000.

An idyllic setting for a family estate! This luxurious parcel is rich with indigenous plantings and wildlife galore. Sassafras Ridge is a newer development that features larger estate-sized parcels, underground utilities and is gated for privacy. Very conveniently located for shopping, restaurants and Cashiers and Highlands for events. MLS# 92776. $300,000.

Exceptional view lot high above Sapphire Valley in the gated community of Sassafras Ridge. This high elevation lot is perfect for enjoying cool summer breezes and panoramic mountain views. MLS# 90868. $115,000.

S I LV E R S L I P FA L L S A great opportunity to own a very nice, gentle building site in gated Silver Slip Falls. This 1.69 acres fronts the Chattooga River and will provide sights and sounds from the flowing water to be enjoyed by all your family and friends! Private, quiet and a scant, convenient .9 miles to Cashiers' shopping, restaurants and events. Pick the site for your home from a couple of easy build spots. Silver Slip offers paved access and stocked pond for water fun. This could be the place for your dream home. MLS# 92787. $195,000.

Excellent location off the popular Highlands-Cashiers corridor, only 1.5 miles from Cashiers! Large 1.72 acre lot that has a very gentle topography for an easy and less expensive build. Silver Slip Falls features a 5 acre community lake stocked with trout, a gated entrance, paved roads and low property owner fees that also include water usage. Situated at 3,500 elevation with only a 1,500 square foot minimum building requirement.

Owners enjoy being so close to numerous restaurants, boutiques, craft fairs, festivals and more! MLS# 93942. $85,000.

SI M S VA L L E Y Extremely desirable building lot with bold stream frontage and a nearly level building site. This is the ideal place to build a mountain home overlooking a beautiful babbling stream with many small waterfalls. Enjoy some short and long range mountain views from this peaceful setting as well. Conveniently located near the community clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center and pavilion that owners can use for social gatherings.

MLS# 85846. $44,000.

NEWLY LISTED 1.18 acre building site in Sims Valley community in Big Ridge! The property features mature hardwoods and indigenous shrubs and plants. Mountain Views possible with selective tree trimming as approved by the POA. A gentle slope just may provide the perfect topography for a one or two story home with walkout basement! This very private and quiet, community is gated for additional security and privacy, and offers a clubhouse with pool, pavilion, pond and hiking galore! The challenge is over for locating an affordable piece of property on which to build your mountain dream home that includes quality amenities, and is convenient to Lake Glenville, Cashiers and Highlands for activities like restaurants, shopping, events and lake fun! Don't wait too long...you deserve it! MLS# 93701. $20,000.

S P R I N G F OR E S T Tucked away in the Spring Forest gated community at above 3,300 ft elevation is this buildable lot

212 REAL ESTATE GROUP N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

that has great view potential with some tree trimming. The Spring Forest community is just a quick drive from Sapphire and Cashiers' shopping, dining, and more making it an ideal location for someone looking to feel a sense of privacy while still having modern amenities readily available.

MLS# 94837. $40,000.

ST ON ECR E E K E STAT E S Lots 15, 32, and 36 in Stone Creek Estates with public water and sewer available. Conveniently located behind the gates at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley. A short walk or golf cart ride to the amenities of Sapphire Valley including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor pools, fitness center, ski slope, zip lines and more. Membership to The Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only. $59,000. MLS# 93049. Lots can also be purchased individually.

SU M M E R H I L L Almost 3 acre lot in Summer Hill, a premier Lake Glenville community.

Driveway partially in. Big lake and mountain view. Community dock, boat launch ramp, sandy beach, picnic shelter with fireplace and tennis court.

Well managed gated community with wide paved roads and friendly neighbors. MLS# 93897. $199,000.

TA H A L A S HOR E S PENDING Wonderful and inexpensive Lake Glenville lake front lot. Access from either Strawberry Hill or Woods Mountain. Shared well and driveway.

Faces east with a septic already installed. MLS# 93172. $250,000.

WA DE H A M P T ON Lot has a good view of Whiteside Mountain in well-established and exclusive neighborhood of Wade Hampton. Priced below market value!

Motivated seller! MLS# 90236. $85,000.

WAT E R DA N C E Located in the scenic Waterdance gated community is this great 1.76 acre riverfront lot! The lot has a roughed in road leading directly to the potential building site, which is just steps away from the rushing Tuckasegee River. Whether you are an avid angler, or simply looking for the perfect place to construct your riverfront dream home, this lot is sure to please.

There is an expired three bedroom septic permit on file (no septic tank installed yet) and community water is readily available. The community itself features paved roads, covered bridge, gated access, and gorgeous water features such as the waterfall that is up the road from this lot. Don't miss your chance to snag this lot, owner financing is also available! MLS# 93295. $123,000.

W H I SPE R L A K E UNDER CONTRACT Just around the corner from the Whisper Lake common area, this home site is the perfect setting to build a mountain getaway! The Whisper Lake common area has a lake side picnic area and dock where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing and kayaking. This beautiful lot also comes with Sapphire Valley amenities. MLS# 88503. $20,000.

COMME RCIAL SAPPHIRE $949,000

A

B

SAPPHIRE $500,000

B

SAPPHIRE $275,000

D

C A

CASHIERS $225,000

Let your imagination run wild in this spacious-almost 12,000 sf building. No restrictions on the property. Currently being leased by Wyndham/Diamond Resorts. Would make for a great office building, restaurant, retail space or even employee housing. CWS sewer and water in place, and has capacity to expand current # bathrooms in building. Property is almost two acres and has a total of 70 parking spaces. MLS# 85231.

Prime retail/office location with frontage along Highway 64 West, located just east of the Cashier's crossroads. Own your space which located on the ground level in Laurel Terrace and suitable for both retail or office. Currently used as an owner/user space. MLS# 92608.

C

D

Stunning and picturesque level property on Highway 64 in Sapphire Valley located across the street from Lonesome Valley entrance.

The rear of the property is bordered by the Horsepasture River with cascading waterfalls and rapids. This property is suited for a variety of development opportunities including multi-family, restaurant, RV resort, or a host of other commercial uses. MLS# 93236.

Great commercial location located in the heart of Sapphire Valley with direct Highway 64 road frontage. The property is a blank canvas with lots of possibilities in a thriving area that's exploding with growth. A CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 parking area is already in HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 place, all utilities are available. MLS# 94261.

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N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

A FEW OF OUR RECENT SALES 260 MILESTONE PLACE

120 WILDBERRY LANE

17 WOODCREST TRAIL

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$1,000,000

151 RHODODENDRON COURT

SELLER’S AGENT

$225,000

162 TIMBER TRAIL

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT $1,295,000

134 SKYVIEW TRAIL

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$335,500

21 BIRDNEST ROAD

SELLER’S AGENT

$1,297,000

1270 CATSPAW ROAD

SELLER’S AGENT

$475,000

78 78OLD OLDWILLOW WILLOWCIRCLE CIRCLE

SOLD SOLD SOLD BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$339,000

214 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SELLER’S AGENT

$510,000

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$790,000

A FEW OF OUR RECENT SALES 23 SWEETBAY LANE

228 GORGE TRAIL ROAD

228 LOWER RIDGE ROAD

SOLD SOLD SOLD BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$449,500

175 HAWKS NEST LANE

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT $3,250,000

SELLER’S AGENT

33 HOGBACK COURT

199 WEST ROCHESTER DRIVE

SOLD SOLD BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$89,000

30 WOODHILL LANE

SELLER’S AGENT

$409,000

358 CHIPS LANE

$835,000

SOLD BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$899,000

745 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$439,000

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$499,000

SELLER’S AGENT

$895,000 215

N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

A FEW OF OUR RECENT SALES 15 GREY COTTAGE LANE

59 NATUREVIEW LANE

434 LAKE SEQUOYAH DRIVE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$525,000

28 IVY ROSE LANE

SELLER’S AGENT

$895,000

26 PAVILION WAY

SELLER’S AGENT

$2,850,000

1297 HIGH MOUNTAIN DRIVE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$480,000

1501 WANDERING RIDGE

SELLER’S AGENT

$1,149,000

992 FOUND FOREST ROAD

SELLER’S AGENT

$3,250,000

335 335 MOUNT MOUNT LORI LORI DRIVE DRIVE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$495,000

216 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

SELLER’S AGENT

$719,000

SELLER’S AGENT

$549,000

A FEW OF OUR RECENT SALES 277 KING GAP ROAD

1238 BRIGHT MOUNTAIN ROAD

20 BEAVER BRIDGE ROAD

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$240,000

1533 FLAT MOUNTAIN ROAD

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$598,000

$369,000

23 LOCUST LANE

SELLER’S AGENT

$285,000

306 FALLS COVE ROAD

30 IVY ROSE LANE

SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$424,900

2085 GREAT FALLS DRIVE

SOLD BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT

$645,000

166 LAUREL CREEK LANE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$330,000

SELLER’S AGENT

$449,000

SELLER’S AGENT

$550,000 217

N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

A FEW OF OUR RECENT SALES 341 TRILLIUM COURT

185 WOODS SUMMIT LANE

74 WILDBERRY LANE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$649,000

173B SPRINGHOUSE DRIVE

SELLER’S AGENT

$799,000

151 CART PATH

BUYER & SELLER’S AGENT $1,300,000

151 CART PATH

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$559,000

353 SILVER RUN ROAD

SELLER’S AGENT

$450,000

59 SPRINGHOUSE DRIVE

SELLER’S AGENT

$225,000

173-A 173-ASPRINGHOUSE SPRINGHOUSEDRIVE DRIVE

SOLD SOLD SOLD SELLER’S AGENT

$275,000

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SELLER’S AGENT

$559,000

SELLER’S AGENT

$669,000

A FEW OF OUR LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT 1693 CHIMNEYTOP TRAIL

668 OLD WAGON TRAIL

UNDER

CONTRAC T HIGHLANDS COVE

$3,850,000

340 EAST RIDGE ROAD

CONTRAC T $1,650,000

25 RAMBOUILLET ROAD

CONTRAC T WADE HAMPTON GOLF

$2,500,000

UNDER

CONTRAC T WHITEWATER RIDGE

CONTRAC T $1,395,000

$1,750,000

CONTRAC T MOUNTAINTOP GOLF

$2,195,000

UNDER

CONTRAC T SAPPHIRE

$1,495,000

17 VILLAGE WAY

UNDER

CONTRAC T WHISPER LAKE

UNDER

82 SCOTCH HIGHLANDS LOOP

152 SUNRISE RIDGE COURT

UNDER

BIG SHEEPCLIFF

UNDER

25 RAMBOUILLET ROAD

UNDER

CEDAR HILL

92 BOWLINE COURT

$950,000

UNDER

CONTRAC T SAPPHIRE

$185,000 219

N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

A FEW OF OUR LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT 660 FLAT MOUNTAIN ESTATES ROAD

70 ROCK BRIDGE COURT

UNDER

CONTRAC T BURLINGAME

$650,000

75 MILL CREEK ROAD

CONTRAC T $365,000

98 VILLAGE WAY

FLAT TOP MOUNTAIN

$649,000

UNDER

CONTRAC T WHISPER LAKE

$350,000

169 HANGING ROCK ROAD

UNDER

CONTRAC T SAPPHIRE VILLAGE

CONTRAC T

2592 UPPER WHITEWATER ROAD

UNDER

CULLOWHEE

UNDER

$270,000

220 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

UNDER

CONTRAC T GLENVILLE

$510,000

294 NEEDLEPINE LANE

UNDER

CONTRAC T COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES

$320,000

379 GREAT FALLS DRIVE

UNDER

CONTRAC T GLENVILLE

6681 BIG RIDGE ROAD

$225,000

UNDER

CONTRAC T GLENVILLE

$199,000

A FEW OF OUR LISTINGS PENDING TRANSACTIONS

PENDING MOUNTAINTOP GOLF

$3,600,000

PENDING $2,375,000

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF

$3,250,000

PENDING BIG SHEEPCLIFF

PENDING $699,000

$1,395,000

SUMMER HILL

$2,695,000

PENDING CULLOWHEE

$1,150,000

306 WILDBERRY LANE

PENDING HOLLY FOREST

PENDING

3463 NORTH NORTON ROAD

800 BUCKBERRY DRIVE NORTH

44 MICA COURT

BALD ROCK

PENDING

25 RAMBOUILLET ROAD

1053 BALD ROCK DRIVE EAST

BALD ROCK

541 SUMMER HILL ROAD

741 BURL LANE

1065 HIGH MOUNTAIN DRIVE

$625,000

PENDING SUMMER HILL

$499,000 221

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#1 #1

IN INNUMBER NUMBEROF OFCLOSED CLOSED ** TRANSACTIONS TRANSACTIONSON ONTHE THEPLATEAU PLATEAU

C O N TA C T U S TO D AY

NCLIVING.COM REAL ESTATE GROUP 222 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

CASHIERS 828-743-1999

|

HIGHLANDS 828-526-2999

*IN*IN 2020 (YTD) FROM 1/1/2020 - 10/12/2020, ACCORDING TO TO HCBOR MLS. 2020 (YTD) FROM 1/1/2020 - 10/12/2020, ACCORDING HCBOR MLS.

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Country Club Properties Creative Concepts Cullasaja Club Dauntless Printing Deborah Bryant Handwoven Diane C. McPhail Dinner With Duffy Don Leon’s at The High Dive Edward Jones Investments Fairview House Fire + Water Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar Fressers Courtyard Cafe Dr. Edward D. Frederickson MD FACP Full House Gallery GlenCove The Greystone Inn Have Drone Will Travel Head Innovations High Country Furniture & Design The High Dive Highlands Aerial Park Highlands Chamber of Commerce Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation Highlands Fine Art Highlands Lawn Highlands Pharmacy Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Andrea Gabbard Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Bert Mobley Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Cassie Ross Highlands Transportation Company J Gabriel Jack’s Upholstery Jennings Builders Supply Josephine’s Emporium John Cleaveland Realty The Kitchen CarryAway and Catering Lakeside Restaurant Landmark Realty Group Landmark Realty Group - Pam Nellis Landmark Vacation Rentals Landscape Design Company Laura Moser Art

ccphighlandsnc.com cullasajaclub.org dauntlessprinting.com deborahbryanthandwoven.com

P2 P 148 P 31 P 149, 168 P 87 P 82. 83 P 103

edwardjones.com highlandsfairviewhouse.com firemt.com firemt.com

P 95 P 138 P 30 P 15 P 15

four65.com wecaterhighlands.com

P 105 P 95

glencovelifestyle.com thegreystoneinn.com havedronewilltravel.org highcountry.com highlandsaerialpark.com

P 156 P 84, 85 P 131 P4 P 153 P 148 P 165 P 95 P 53

highlandschamber.org

P9

hchealthfnd.org highlandsfineart.com

P 150 P 19 P 167 P 167

sothebysrealty.com

P 46, 47

highlandssir.com

P5

highlandssir.com

P 143

jgabrielliving.com jbwnc.com jcrealty.com thekitchenofhighlands.com landmarkrg.com landmarkrg.com landmarkvacations.com ldcgroups.com lauramoserart.com

P 52 P 138 P 136 P 55 P 149, 162 P 70 P 100 P 101 P 10, 11, 149 P 149 P 10, 11 P 126 P 80

A DV AE DR VTEIRSTEIRS’ESRI’NS DI N EX DE X Lehotsky & Sons Lenz Gifts & Luxury Linens Leslie Jeffery Lonesome Valley The Look Boutique Lupoli Construction Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden Main Street Gifts Main Street Nursery Martha Anne’s Martin Lispcomb Performing Arts Center Mary Lou Carpenter McCulley’s McKee Properties McKee Properties - Philip Bradley McKee Properties - Joanne Bryson McKee Properties - Maggie Elmer McKee Properties - Liz Harris McKee Properties - Wayne Monday McKee Properties - Beth Townsend Meritage Bistro Merrell Thompson Photography Michele Page Webster Monat Hair Care Mirror Lake Antiques Morales Painting Mountain Mermaid Mountain Motor Coach Mountain Spring Spas and Pools Mountainworks Design Narcissus Nearly New Nora & Co Oakleaf Old Edwards Inn & Spa On the Verandah The Park on Main Hotel Pat Allen Realty - Pat Allen Pat Allen Realty - Julie Osborn Pat Calderone Peak Experience Preferred Properties Preferred Properties - Ann Scott ProClean Services Reach of Macon County

lehotskyandsons.com lonesomevalley.com lupoliconstruction.com

P 139, 149 P 86, 164 P 82, 83 P 137 P 21 P 39 P 107 P 36 P 57 P 115

highlandspac.org mckeeproperties.com

P 73 P 82, 83 P3 P 75, 81, 89, 125, 159, 170-184

mckeeproperties.com

P 181, 183

mckeeproperties.com

P 75

mckeeproperties.com

P 159, 180

mckeeproperties.com

P 177, 180, 184

mckeeproperties.com

P 182

mckeeproperties.com meritagehighlands.com

P 125, 176, 178, 179 P4

merrellthompson.com pagetheartist.com

P 80 P 82, 83 P 141 P 23 P 166 P 163 P 25

mountainmotorcoach.com mountainhotspring.com mtnworks.com nearlynewnc.com oakleafstyle.com oldedwardsinn.com ontheverandah.com theparkonmain.com patallenrealtygroup.com patallenrealtygroup.com calderonegallery.com peakexp.com ppoh.com ppoh.com procleanserves.com reachofmaconcounty.org

P 16 P 62 P 141 P 41 P 17 P 38 P 107, 148 P 102 P 60 P 61 P 61 P 72 P 56 P 32, 149 P 149 P 148 P 56

Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Service Remax Summit Properties - Robbin Dodson Rent In Highlands-CCP Ristorante Paoletti Robin’s Nest Roman’s Roofing LLC Rosewood Rusticks Sapphire Valley Real Estate Sashay Around Shakespeare & Company Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery Silver Creek Real Estate Group Slabtown Pizza Smitten Southern Way The Spa Boutique at Old Edwards Inn Spoiled Rotten Srebalus Construction Co. Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship The Summer House SweeTreats/Highlands Deli Tampa Bay Trust Company TJ Bailey for Men Town & Country General Store The Toy Store Triple Creek Community Tug’s Proper The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers Valley Bakery Vic’s for Men Victoria’s Closet Victoria’s Sportswear The Village Green Village Hound The Vineyard at 37 High Holly Vivianne Metzger Antiques Warth Construction Whiteside Realty WHLC FM 104.5 Wilbanks Smile Center Dr. Joe Wilbanks Wit’s End Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Yoga of Highlands Zoller Hardware The Zookeeper Bistro

P 149 robbindodson.com rentinhighlands.com p¡aolettis.com robinsnest-com romansroofingnc.com

P 71 P 108 P 99 P 118 P 149 P 101 rusticks.com P 90 sapphirevalleyrealestate.com P 119 P 37 shakespearandcompanyhighlands.com P 116 shirazruggalleries.com P 88 ncliving.com P 186-223 slabtownpizza.com P 94 P 69 P 116 oldedwardsinn.com spoiledrotten2.com srebalusconstruction.com summerhousehighlands.com sweetreatshighlands.com tampabaytrustcompany.com tjbmens.com tandcgeneralstore.com tugsproper.com theuglydogpub.com theuglydogpub.com valley-bakery.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com villagegreencashiersnc.com

P 107 P 115 P 149 P 15 P 169 P 98 P 88 P 64 P 43 P 74 P 25 P 103 P 105 P 105 P 94 P 41 P 41 P 41 P 124 P 59

thevineyardat37highholly.com vmantiques.com warthconstruction.com whitesiderealtyllc.com whlc.com

P 79 P 90 P 228 P 25 P 17

wilbankssmilecenter.com

P 130 P 58

wolfgangs.net yogahighlands.com zollerhardware.com thezookeeperbistro.com

P5 P 157 P 147 P 80 P 98

225 225 N O V ENMOBVE ERM2B0E2R0 2| 0T2H0E|L T AH UERLEAL U M RAEGLAMZAI G NA E .ZCIO NM E .COM

PARTING SHOT Pair of Wings

226 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

By Greg Clarkson

227 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

228 N OV EM B ER 2020 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M