The Laurel Magazine October 2019

HIGHLANDS AND CASHIERS

OCTOBER 2019

THELAURELMAGAZINE.COM

LAUREL

YOUR GUIDE TO

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INSIDE THE LAUREL OCTOBER 2019 THINGS TO DO

79

Smitten Third Thursday

141

Cashiers History

80

H-C Chamber Music Festival

142

Moses Rock

143

Village Heritage Award

12

Highlands Halloween

82

Foodie Film Festival

14

Hudson Library

84

Highlands-Cashiers Players

16

Cashiers Library

20

Dive In Movies

22

Southern Highlands Reserve

24

Zoller Hardware’s Silver Anniversary

26

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival

28

The Bascom

29

HUMC’s Pumpkinfest

30

Highlands School Fall Festival

32

Highlands Literacy Council

36

Empty Bowls

38

Wreaths Across America

40

Southern Shamrock

42

Highlands Spooktacular

44

Scholarship Fund Golf Classic

46

Highlands Marketplace

48

Fall Leaf Show

50

Sky Valley Fall Fest

51

Goblins on the Green

52

Highlands Arts and Crafts Show

54

Highlands on the Half Shell

56

Blessing of the Animals

58

Scenes From

60 Calendar

THE ARTS 72

Cover Artist Peter Ray

74

The Art of Terri Johansson

75

The Art of Miz Thang

76

What’s Happening at PAC

78

Highlands-Cashiers Art League

DINING 90

Midpoint Restaurant

92

Highlands Food & Wine Festival

94

Wine Dinner at On The Verandah

96

New Sommeliers at Madison’s

100

Peach-Mango Chutney

102

Lakeside Restaurant

104

Apples, The Taste of Fall

106

Mountain Fresh Wine

108

Dining Guide

83 SHOPPING Dining Guide 114

Shopping The Hill

116

Acorns Trunk Shows

118

Mountain Mermaid

120

Plateau Picks

122

Suzy Landa at Peak Experience

VENTURE OUT

HEALTH 146

Health Talk

148

Yoga Retreat

HOMES & LIFESTYLES 152

Silver Run Reserve

154

Presidential Side Hustles

155

Financial Focus

156

Tell Me a Story

158

Little Piece of Paradise

160

A Lonesome Valley Wedding

GIVING BACK 166

Volunteers of Eckerd Living Center

167

Celebrating Women Awards, 2020

168

Carpe Diem Farms

169

C-H Humane Society

170

H-C Land Trust

171

Peggy Crosby Center

172

My Friend Christy

126

Silver Run Falls

174

Peggy’s True Hero

128

Fly Fishing on the Plateau

175

H-C Health Foundation

129

The Accidental Gardener

132

Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

134

Golf Talk

HISTORY 140

Highlands History

BIZ SPOTLIGHT 178

Highlands Chamber of Commerce

179

Cashiers Chamber of Commerce

180

Creative Framing

181

The Business Spot

60 Calendar | 62 Highlands Map | 64 Cashiers Map | 108 Dining Guide | 162 Service Directory | 250 Advertiser’s Index

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MAKING IT HAPPEN

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner

Publisher’s

Note

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner

janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager

mungerclan5@aol.com

sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer

DONNA RHODES Writer

Welcome to October, the Season of Sensation here on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

There’s a snap of cool in the air, complemented by a riot of colors in the forests that ring the twin communities.

The spectacle of nature’s Leaf Show is complemented by the events that bring everyone together, before so many of us depart for warmer weather. We’re talking about craft shows, trunk shows, concerts, Highlands Marketplace, pumpkins at the Methodist Church, and, of course, Goblins on the Green and The All Hallow’s Eve-Downtown Halloween Fest.

You owe it to your spirit to hurl yourself into the full spectrum of Plateau Life in October!

luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

JENNY KING Writer

jenny@thelaurelmagazine.com

dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer

mjmccall777@gmail.com

Janet and Marjorie Volume Seventeen • Issue Nine thelaurelmagazine.com • 828-526-0173 info@thelaurelmagazine.com P.O. Box 565 • Highlands, NC 28741

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Contributing Writers: Marlene Osteen, Jane Gibson Nardy, Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, Dr. Anastasia Halldin, David Stroud, Jeannie Chambers, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Ann Self, Zach Claxton, Charlotte Muir, Kat Ford, Mary Abranyi, Ashby Underwood, and Chris Wilkes Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes and Kevin FitzPatrick Copyright © 2019 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Laurel Magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel Magazine nor any of its staff is responsible for advertising errors, omissions, or information that has been misrepresented in or to the magazine. Any substantial errors that are the fault of the magazine will be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.

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THINGS TO DO Pages 12-60

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ALL HALLOW’S EVE

BY JENNY KING

H

Everyone, and we mean everyone, is invited to Highlands’ All Hallows Eve-Downtown Halloween Fest, October 31.

alloween, it’s not just for kids anymore, but it’s a night of fun for all ages, thanks to the Downtown Highlands Halloween celebration.

This annual event, sponsored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Thursday, October 31, at 6:00 P.M., and offers fun for everyone.

This unique celebration offers us the chance to join all of our family and friends, and all of their family and friends, and even a few of their dogs, for a night to remember.

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Families look forward to this annual outing where everyone lets their hair down a little, puts on their scariest or zaniest costume, and heads downtown for a night of sugar fueled comradery and fun.

This strolling parade of the scary and not-so-scary brings out kids of all ages and more than a few pets in their scariest, cutest or most creative costumes to collect a treasure trove of candy. Expect to see zombies, skeletons, witches, pirates, brides, ghosts, princesses, T-Rex families, superheroes and

more than one clever take on the pop culture icons of the day.

Local businesses distribute candy supplied by the Highlands Chamber to revelers and you’ll find that many embrace the spirit of the evening with decorated storefronts and more than a few clever costumes. This evening is truly fun for everyone, young and old. Even those with no children will enjoy strolling and people watching.

As in years past there will be classic Halloween-themed music at Town Square,

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free hot dogs, hot chocolate and cider for all, and candy, lots and lots of candy, so be sure the little ones bring a trick or treat bag big enough to carry all that treasure home. It all adds up to an unforgettable evening of family fun, filled with sweet treats, clever costumes and memories to be made and shared. Don’t miss this annual event.

Please remember that in order to keep the streets safe for all the trick or treaters, Main Street will close at 5:30 P.M. that day.

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INSTILLING THE LIBRARY 4 KIDS

BY JENNY KING

Hudson Library pulls out all the stops to convey the excitement of reading to children.

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nstilling the love of reading is one of the most rewarding things about parenting. It starts young and as they grow, there are lots of ways to foster their curiosity. Thanks to a grant from the Highlands Community Fund and funding provided by the Hudson Library Board of Trustees, our local library has continued to add features to entice young hands to explore.

The children’s areas are bright and colorful and loaded with a host of interactive installations. As you walk around the stacks you’ll find puzzles children of all ages love to touch. There’s a scavenger hunt and even a heat-sensitive pad so you can play with creating radiant designs. The puzzles are for all ages and use tactile interaction that challenge a child’s senses.

In the children’s room, you’ll find even more fun. There’s a wooden peacock that spreads its wings, games, stuffed animals, and of course: books. They offer opportunities for imaginative exploration and everything is hands-on and accessible. Certainly adults are welcomed to participate and may even find the “toys” a fun challenge. Trying to get those little balls in the right slot using a magnet was about at the top of my skill level. The room is wonderfully inviting with its carefully selected art, mobiles, and plenty of colorful seating.

The Hudson Library is offering a few special attractions in October, with a Halloween theme. Of course, the library will be decorated, preschool story times will have some not-sospooky tales, and children are encouraged to come dressed in costume, if they choose.

The Hudson Library’s branch librarian, Carlyn Morenus, has done much to spread her enthusiasm throughout the building. It has truly become a community hub and a great place to explore, play, and learn. Bring your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to the Hudson Library where you can spend an hour or a day investigating new and innovative ways to learn and grow.

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LEAF THROUGH YOUR LIBRARY

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Consult with the Cashiers Library before you set out on your Grand Autumn Tour.

N

ow that we’ve arrived in this most glorious month on the calendar, it’s time to survey all of the possibilities afforded by the season.

That’s when the surprisingly deep resources of Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library come into play.

Naturally, the standout attraction for locals and visitors alike is the astonishing foliage display everywhere you look. But there’s so much more to experience, and Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library can point the way.

Starting first with those leaves, check out the “Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees (Eastern Region).” The beauty of this authoritative book is that it features full color plates of the leaves themselves, making identification so much easier than relying upon photos of the entire tree. It also has a durable, flexible binding, so it’s perfect to throw into a backpack or on the front seat of your car.

I also like “Fall Color and Woodland Harvest,” again because of those wonderful color photographs.

For fun, and for a not-so-practical guidebook, consult “Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Bo-

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tanical Atrocities.” This’ll remind you why your Mom and every US Forest Service employee has told you not to pick wildflowers.

It turns out that plants mean business.

When you’re taking that hike, you’re bound to encounter some critters along the way. “Audubon’s Field Guide to North American Mammals” has wonderful color photos, just like its “Eastern Trees” cousin.

Once the leaves start falling, it’s easier to spot our shy neighbors, like the Southern Flying Squirrel. If you spot one of these cuties, you’re in the one percent. Bonus points if

you catch one in flight.

And, while you’re out in the woods, you may encounter a Black Bear, getting ready for its long winter’s nap.

You’ll find that “Black Bear Country” is a good primer about these fascinating creatures. (Fun Fact: As part of their pre-hibernation checklist, the bears are consuming pine cones to clear out their digestive tracts. It’s no wonder that they start to get cranky around this time).

Perhaps you just want to get in your car and drive around the area, taking in the sights. That’s when you can fully appreciate Nancy Turner’s “The Summer Times,” a guidebook specifically for Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville and Toxaway.

She’s accumulated heaps of insider info and historical ephemera that really give context and flavor to the entire Plateau.

And finally, don’t forget what’s probably the library’s greatest resource when you’re about to head out – the library’s employees. Serenity, Megan, and Jessica will tell you all about the things you should see and the things you can safely miss, all served up with a smile and a generous sense of good humor.

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ALL EYES FOCUS ON HOCUS POCUS

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Just keep telling yourself -- “It’s only a movie!” The Highlands Rec Park Pool will be screening its Dive-In movie, “Hocus Pocus,” at 7:00 P.M. Friday, October 4.

T

hough the temperature of Highlands Rec Park Pool is kept a balmy 82 degrees, you’d be forgiven if you find it a little bit chilly on Friday, October 4. That’s because they’ll be screening “Hocus Pocus” for its Dive-In Movie.

It’s a feel-good Halloween film from the Walt Disney Company.

It involves a trio of witches (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, nearly a female version of The Three Stooges), who are revived after 300 years on Halloween night, ready to make an entire

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town fall under their spell. As you’d guess, only a small crew of kids are prepared to stand in their way. All the Halloween essentials are covered, from trick-or-treaters to zombies waking from the dead. Add a hilarious, slapstick chase around town on buses, cycles, mops and vacuum cleaners and you’ll have fun, fun, fun until Daddy takes the broomstick away.

Though the movie has a few “scary” parts, most children should be able to take the hijinks in stride.

After all, one of the witches rides

around on an old Hoover Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

This marks the second time that “Hocus Pocus” has been shown at the pool. It made its Highlands premiere on October 2017, the first Dive-In Movie.

The pool will open at 6:30 P.M. and the movie starts at 7:00. Admission is $5 and includes a bag of popcorn. The audience can enjoy the movie from the water, or in lounge chairs. If the air is chilly, heaters will be available to ensure everyone is comfy.

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GARDEN LOVERS REJOICE PHOTOS BY ANNA NORTON

A pair of tours will showcase Southern Highlands Reserve’s natural treasures. Reservations are required.

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he emerald green that carpets the summits and coves of this corner of Western North Carolina represents a series of unique botanical ecosystems. Many of these systems are under threat from development and human encroachment.

That’s why the Southern Highlands Reserve is so vital to the health of native plant and animal communities.

Located at the peak of Toxaway Mountain in Lake Toxaway, this native plant arboretum and research center is dedicated to sustaining the natural ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At the core of its mission is a determination to preserve, cultivate, and display plants native to the region.

To accomplish this, the Reserve has created approximately 20 acres of display gardens to demonstrate the beauty and complexity of these native ecosystems.

That’s in addition to the approximately 10 0 acres of natural woodland under conservation easement.

“At an elevation of 4,500 feet, the varied topography and forest types found on our 120 acres allow us to emulate many of the plant communities found in the higher reaches of the Southern Appalachians,” says the Reserve’s Anna Norton, Director of Communications and Outreach. “The Reserve protects one of the largest known

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natural stands of rare pinkshell azaleas, hundreds of hybrid azaleas, and scores of native wildflowers.”

If you’d like to observe the remarkable natural treasures curated at Southern Highlands Reserve, make a point to sign up for Visitors’ Day, set for 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M Tuesday, October 1.

Visitors’ Day provides the perfect outing for backyard gardeners, plant enthusiasts or professionals in the fields of horticulture, design and ecology. It’s best suited for first-time guests or groups of four or fewer to SHR and is led by a garden tour docent.

Tours begin promptly at 10:00 A.M. and will last two to two-and-a-half hours. Please arrive at 9:30 to 9:45 A.M. for check in. Directions provided will give you an idea of approximate drive time. Roads to the gardens are curvy; plan according to your riders’ comfort level. All visits to the Reserve are guided and require reservations.

“Located at 4,500 feet elevation, we cover varied terrain much like hiking in the mountains of Western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Parkway,” says Southern Highlands Reserve’s Anna Norton. “These conditions create a moderate-to strenuous hiking/walking experience. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring water bottle, camera, and bug spray.”

To make your reservations to both events, email info@southernhighlandsreserve.org or call (828) 885 -2050.

Southern Highlands Reserve will also stage a Garden Room Tour–Viewsite, from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. October 15.

“Join us at the Viewsite as we close our 2019 visitors’ season with a Garden Room Tour,” says Anna. “These tours offer a new way to experience the Reserve similar to Visitors’ Days, but focusing on a particular area that’s in its peak. This is the perfect opportunity for garden lovers who have less time or are not able to walk the full tour.

“Tours begin promptly at 10:00 A.M. and will last one hour. Please arrive no earlier than 9:30 – 9:45 for check in.”

For reservations, call (828) 885-2050.

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25 YEARS IN THE MAKING

BY ASHLEY STEWART

Making it look easy, Zoller Hardware celebrates 25 years of service to the community with a celebration for the entire community, Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12.

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wenty-five years is a long time for anything. To stay in business that long in our rapidly changing world is quite a feat. As The Plateau continues to grow and evolve, Zoller Hardware Gift & Gadget Mercantile is celebrating its Silver Anniversary of being a staple in Cashiers Valley.

Opened in 1994 by Florida natives Jim and Paula Zoller, Zoller Hardware has been providing the residents and visitors of Cashiers with everything they need to maintain their homes and make their vacations memorable.

It’s more than just a hardware store.

It’s also the largest gift shop in town and the only Stihl-certified small engine repair shop.

In 2015, the Zollers took a well deserved retirement and sold the store to the current owners, Glenn and Kim Ubertino. They’ve maintained the familiar ‘ole country store feel while expanding their services and product lines to better serve the community. Zoller Hardware is now the only certified

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Glenn and Kim Ubertino

dealer of Big Green Egg, Napoleon and Weber grills, as well as Stihl and Milwaukee equipment in the Highlands-Cashiers area.

“We’re honored to be able to serve our community,” says Glenn, “We look forward to continuing to grow and provide excellent service for future generations.”

On Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12, come by and celebrate this milestone anniversary at their annual Fall event. Everyone’s favorite classic rock & roll band, Hurricane Creek, will be playing as you feast on the delicious offerings from Big Green Egg and Whiteside Brewing Company. The everpopular Tent Sale will be open, with a wide selection of gifts and products available for 50 percent off.

Of course, no birthday party would be complete without a birthday cake. A giant birthday cake will be served to celebrate.

So come on by, grab a slice of cake and a beer, and raise a glass.

Cheers, Zoller Hardware! Here’s to another 25 years of being a wonderful resource for the entire community.

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NATURE’S PALETTE AT CASHIERS VALLEY

BY JENNY KING

BY ANN SELF | THE VILLAGE GREEN

The breathtaking creations on display at the 11th Annual Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, set for October 11-13, are the perfect complement to the glorious fall foliage backdrop.

T

housands of “leaf lookers” travel through the Cashiers area every October to enjoy the wonderful hues of red, orange and yellow as the trees turn their Autumn colors.

Stroll the pathways of The Village Green with the changing foliage and last dahlia blooms. To celebrate the arrival of the fall season, The Village Green presents the 11th Annual Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival. The festival features around 75 artisans scattered throughout the 13.2-acre park. Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival will be October 11,12 and 13.

Visitors will discover unique handcrafted wood, pottery, jewelry and more on display and available for purchase throughout the weekend. Plenty of food and drinks are available in the park. The festival also includes live musical performances on the Gazebo stage Saturday and Sunday. For more information and a full schedule of events and activities during Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.

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THE BASCOM

BY KAT FORD | THE BASCOM

The Bascom unveils an exhibit on our enduring love affair with the American West, and an enlightening examination of the aesthetic considerations of wood as an artistic medium.

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ith the turning of the leaves, The Bascom: A Center For The Visual Arts announces two enriching, new exhibitions for residents and guests of the Plateau.

In the Bunzl Gallery from September 28 through January 6, The Bascom presents “Best of The West.” This exhibition aims to bring a light survey of art from and of the American West, showcasing artists from “Out West” and their work in painting, photography, and sculpture.

Highlighted artists and artwork range from the 1800s to present day and select works will be on loan from both The Booth Western Art Museum of Cartersville, Georgia, and The High Museum of Atlanta.

In the Thompson Gallery, The Bascom’s final exhibition of the year is the second annual iteration in a new series that seeks to create discussion about the transition of craft to art. This year’s iteration, “Craft to Art: Wood,” will be on display between October 12 and January 6.

Woodworking and its many forms will be showcased in an effort to create a dialogue about its place in the fine art world, historical impact, and where the craft is heading. Curated by Anthony Ulinski of Raleigh, North Carolina, highlighted pieces will include turned wood, furniture, and contemporary sculpture.

The Bascom invites the community to the opening reception for both exhibitions on Saturday, October 12, from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. The Bascom proudly offers free admission to all exhibition gallery spaces Monday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; and Sunday from noon until 5:00 P.M. The Bascom would like to thank all those that make these exhibitions possible, including its 2019 Year-Round Exhibition Sponsors: Bel Canto, Cathy and Bob Fisher, Delta Air Lines, Ginger Kennedy and Kevin Naylor, Virginia and Mike Campbell, Chaparral Foundation, and Bobbie and Jon Golden. The Bascom would also like to thank its exhibit sponsors for “Best of The West” – Diane and Ray McPhail, Bonnie and George Pettway, The Alma Lee, Norman and Cary Saurage Fund; and for “Craft to Art: Wood” – Diane and Ray McPhail; Elizabeth T. Watkins in memory of David Watkins; Judy and Dick Allison; Betsy and Wright Turner; and The Alma Lee, Norman and Cary Saurage Fund.

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MAIN STREET’S PUNKIN’ PATCH

BY JENNY KING

HUMC Pumpkinfest on Saturday, October 5, offers hot dogs, refreshments, and a church yard carpeted in pumpkins.

Y

ou don’t have to travel far this year to find a pumpkin patch; there’s one right here on Main Street, Highlands.

Thanks to the Highlands United Methodist Church, the lawn will be spread with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes on Saturday, October 5. It’s time for the annual Pumpkin Fest, a project that supports the youth programs at HUMC, including their mission trips.

Pumpkins will be delivered to Highlands the Wednesday before from Deal Farms in Franklin and it’s a welcome sight and one of the first signs of the festive Fall Season.

As always, there will be lunches offered for sale and the church youth will also deliver to downtown merchants. You can select from the hot dog lunch for $5 which includes chips, drink, and condiments or a bratwurst lunch for $6 which also includes chips, drink, and condiments.

Pumpkins will be available for sale until Halloween Eve and prices are quite reasonable. Bring your wee ones and let them pick out one just for them. Whether you carve or paint, it’s a great way to decorate for Halloween, and all for a great cause.

If you can’t make the Festival you can still support the youth by sending your checks to HUMC at PO Box 1959, Highlands, NC 28741 (MEMO: Youth Missions) or visit highlandsmethodist.org to give online.

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FESTIVAL FOR KIDS

BY JENNY KING

Highlands School Fall Festival is a raucous community party, staged at Highlands School Gym on Saturday, October 5.

W

hen you were growing up did your school have a fall festival?

I know mine did and I still have fond memories of helping my mom prepare the icky food items for the haunted house. You know, peeled grapes for eyeballs, spaghetti noodles for worms…well, you get the point.

Every year Highlands School PTO holds a Fall Festival and this year’s event will be held Saturday, October 5, at the Highlands School gym from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Yes, there is a haunted house, but also fun and games for everyone.

This fundraiser supports the Senior Class and helps pay for their graduation caps and gowns. All venues are staffed by the seniors who love nothing more than to help the little bitties get their faces painted, play in the bouncy houses, shoot hoops, and so much more.

Yes, there are things for adults to

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do, as well. Whenever Plateau people gather you can count on excellent food and there will be plenty of it for sale at the Fall Festival.

There are raffles for everything from dining out to groceries and gas grills.

But my favorite is the Cake Walk.

Ever done one? As the music plays you walk around numbered letters and if you step on one when the music ends, you get to take home a yummy creation from any number of the talented bakers supporting a good cause. Tickets are only 25 cents each and raffle tickets are one for $1 or six for $5. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your family and it’s all for an undeniably great cause, supporting Highlands School.

So grab your family and friends and head to the Highlands School Fall Festival, Saturday, October 5, at the Highlands School gym. You’ll see a lot of of people you know.

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THINGS TO DO From left to right: Tonya Anderson (left), Program & Volunteer Manager, Bonnie Potts (center), Executive Director, and Jenni Edwards (right), Marketing Manager.

LITERACY COUNCIL’S CORE REASONS

BY JANE JERRY | HIGHLANDS ROTARY CLUB

For more information about the Literacy Council, visit highlandsliteracy.com or call 526-0863.

D

o you remember the first time you successfully hung the ring on the hook playing the Ringmaster Bimini game?

You probably practiced and practiced and practiced and then one day – Nailed it! That feeling was elation and pride…and the desire to do it again and again.

That’s probably the feeling you got when you first started to read and all those letters come together in a meaningful way and you felt elated and proud and you wanted to read and learn more and more and more.

Still, it’s difficult and takes lots of practice. Lots of practice. Practice you get in school and, if you’re lucky, at home when your parents help you by reading to you and with you. It’s also practice you get in afterschool programs at The Literacy

Council, where teachers and volunteers can give students time and attention helping them practice.

These are the core reasons The Literacy Council exists – to help children and adults improve their reading and learning skills and stimulate curiosity about the world.

After outgrowing its space at the Peggy Crosby Center, The Literacy Council identified larger and more accessible space in Highlands Plaza. Throughout the summer it has been renovating the space to meet the needs of an expanded Afterschool Program that includes one-on-one tutoring, an Enrichment Program made possible with community partners like the Biological Station and The Bascom, and ESL and GED classes for adults.

Bonnie Potts, Executive Director of TLC explains, “We target our Afterschool Programs and one-on-one tutoring to grades K-4 because they are so critical to igniting a love for reading which can in turn fuel kids’ curiosity and instill a lifelong desire to learn.”

The Literacy Council will introduce its new Learning Center with a Community Ribbon Cutting at the Chamber of Commerce’s October Business After Hours, on Wednesday, October 16, 5:30 to 7.30 P.M. Everyone is invited to the celebration.

And about that feeling of elation? Just look at the expression on the faces of the TLC staff! From left to right: Tonya Anderson (left), Program & Volunteer Manager, Bonnie Potts (center), Executive Director, and Jenni Edwards (right), Marketing Manager.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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MAKING & FILLING EMPTY BOWLS

BY JENNY KING

Empty Bowls, set for Sunday, October 6, in Cashiers and Highlands, is a marvelous way to remember those in the twin communities who may go hungry.

A

s we near the season of giving, the weather is cool, the leaves are changing, and you may be planning your holiday gatherings. Before you go any further, please consider what winter on the Plateau means for some.

As businesses curtail hours and clubs take a winter’s break, where do those employees find work; and what about the people who work in landscaping and construction? That’s where we come in.

On Sunday, October 6, the Empty Bowls project comes to Highlands and Cashiers. This grassroots movement helps provide much needed funds for the Highlands Food Pantry and the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers.

It’s thanks to these organizations that people in need can feed their families.

You’d be surprised how many people utilize their services. The percentages are daunting. There are 14 percent of Macon County residents who suffer some form of food insecurity, and in Jackson County 16 percent of

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the population needs help in feeding their families. Though many of us may not realize the grave disparities that exist in our own communities, people struggle with hunger right here. They are our neighbors, kids in our children’s classes, the person beside you in church; the possibilities go on.

So what exactly is Empty Bowls? It’s a time to share in homemade soup served

in a hand-made, one-of-a-kind bowl which you may take home.

Bowls are created by local potters, including Justin Allman of Firemoss Pottery, Ned Turnbull, Pat Moore, and David Pitelka.

All you need to do is head to the First Presbyterian Church in Highlands from 11:30 A.M. until 1:30 P.M., buy your ticket for $25, pick up your bowl, and enjoy a meal. Tickets may be purchased in advance from the International Friendship Center and at InternationalFriendshipCenter.org.

In Cashiers join the Ninth Annual Soup Luncheon for Empty Bowls at the Orchard Restaurant Event Barn on Highway 107 South. It’s being held from noon until 2:00 P.M. and supports the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry.

If you’re unable to attend, donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call Andrea Smith at the International Friendship Center in Highlands, (828) 5260890, and in Cashiers, please call Carole Stork at (828) 743-3222.

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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

BY JENNY KING

The local chapter of Wreaths Across America is holding a pair of fund-raisers – Highlands Rotary Bingo on October 3, and Dinner and a Movie at Highlands United Methodist Church, November 10.

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hether they stormed the beaches of Normandy, fought in the jungles of Vietnam, or battled in the sands of Iraq or the mountains of Afghanistan, our brave men and women in uniform have always put our country first.

Saturday, December 14, is National Wreaths Across America Day, with this year’s theme being “Everyone Plays a Part.” This is a wreath-laying ceremony at more than 1,600 locations across the United States, at sea, and abroad to honor those who served. This is the third year Highlands will be participating.

Phil Potts, organizer of the local Wreaths Across America ceremony, encourages anyone with a loved one who was a veteran, and is interred at Highlands Memorial Park, to get involved in this nationwide memorial on December 14.

He says, “We will be honoring veterans buried in Buck Creek, Clear Creek, Goldmine, Highlands, Horse Cove, Miller, Sato-

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lah, and Scaly Mountain cemeteries.”

This year, funds raised beyond their 550-wreath goal are going to the Advance Highlands Education Committee.

The ceremony begins at noon and shuttles will be running from the Highlands Community Building to the cemetery at regular

intervals. There are many ways to participate, even if you’re not able to be in attendance.

On Thursday, October 3, the Rotary Club of Highlands and Wreaths Across America in Highlands are hosting a Bingo night at the Highlands Community Building. The games will help defray the costs associated with hosting the December 14 event. Table sponsorships are also available.

Then on Sunday, November 10, the Highlands United Methodist Church is hosting Dinner and a Movie. Dinner begins at 6:00 P.M., with everyone invited. It’ll include Chili, Baked Potato with Fixings, Salad, Drinks, Movie Popcorn, Chips, and Candy.

The movie, which will start around 6:30, will be “Apollo 13,” starring Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, and Kevin Bacon.

Dinner and a Movie admission is for a donation of your choosing. for a donation of your choosing which will support Wreaths Across America, Highlands.

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SOUTHERN SHAMROCK

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Lee Lyons

Though she may disagree, author Lee Lyons is clearly an author whose time has come.

Her novel “Southern Shamrock” is all the proof she needs.

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ocal raconteur Lee Lyons has turned her formidable storytelling talents to create a new novel, her first – “Southern Shamrock.”

If you’ve lived on the Plateau for any length of time, you know Lee. She’s performed with the Highlands-Cashiers Players and presented her stories in monologues and spoken word performances throughout the twin communities. Her voice is big and clearly the product of an Upstate South Carolina upbringing, and her enthusiasm is irresistible.

That passion drives “Southern Shamrock.” As the back page explains, “Reeling from the unexpected death of her son, Margaret Ryan struggles to rebuild her life.

Divorced and at odds with her older sister, she does little more than sit in the cemetery where her son is buried and write letters to him in her journal. While cleaning out her parents’ house before putting it on the market, she discovers letters written in the late 1800s to her great-great-grandmother, for whom she is a namesake. She goes to Ireland with a plan to write about her family history. The magic of Ireland, however, has

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other ideas, and Margaret discovers that the only thing harder than holding on to the past is...letting it go.”

That’s a pretty hearty stew of a story and Lee delivers it with aplomb.

“It’s cozy, the kind of book you can cuddle up with at night,” she says.

Though her first novel is straightforward and laced with her characteristic gentle humor, its publication was anything but certain.

“There was really nothing in my path that suggested I’d ever write a book – much to my regret, I didn’t focus on studying in college ” Lee explains. “Later I was a wife and mother and nothing out of the ordinary” “But I got wiser and wider, so I guess I started looking at life a little bit differently.

Tragedy and menopause finally forced me think clearly for the first time, and it sent me on an uncertain path that somehow ended up here.

“I came to Highlands unsure of myself and looking to get away from everything. But you know, life somehow helps you to find where you need to be. My friend, Ann Doggett asked me to join the Highlands Writers

Group. I didn’t have any interest in writing, but she insisted, and I was hooked. I decided I needed to write a book, maybe something personal. I made it my goal to write a chapter a week, and by year’s end I had a completed manuscript. When I looked at it, I realized it wasn’t very good and I threw it in a trunk and tried to forget about it.”

Her friend, the novelist Diane McPhail asked her to join her at a writer’s workshop in Ireland.

“I was totally intimidated because I found out that everyone who was participating was a serious writer, and I was just a dabbler.

But you know, everyone should have someone like Diane in their life. Maybe the class had a cancellation or something, because I really can’t figure how I got in.

“They told me that I needed to add a little romance into my story, so I came back and added some stuff. They also said I didn’t need to write a memoir, which ended up being the advice I needed.”

“Southern Shamrock” is available at The Book Nook, on Amazon.com, and Hudson Library in Highlands and Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

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HIGHLANDS SPOOKTACULAR

BY MARY JANE MCCALL

Highlands Spooktacular is a safe, not-so-scary celebration for little ones (and the people who love them) at Highlands Civic Center, Thursday, October 24.

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arents and Grandparents, listen up!

Don’t wait until October 30 to get those Halloween costumes ready, your deadline is Thursday, October 24. It’s time again for the Highlands Spooktacular, a free event offered by the Town of Highlands.

During my children’s formative years I remember them parading around the school gym in costume and it was always something they looked forward to.

It didn’t matter that their costumes were homemade (e.g. the cardboard cutout of Mr. Peanut, complete with spats and

monocle), it was all about fun. Now, the kiddies can show off their alter egos at the Highlands Spooktacular.

Children of all ages are invited to the Highlands Civic Center for an evening filled with ghosties, goblins, princesses, and superheroes. Let your little ones dress in their best costumes and have some Halloween fun from 6 til 8. While the “big deal” is October 31, not everyone is comfortable around large crowds and Spooktacular offers a happy alternative for younger children.

Organizer Maxine Ramey plans lots

of fun activities like bobbing for apples, pumpkin painting, and hay rides. No one is too young to participate and the photo ops are endless. There will be refreshments, of course, arts and crafts, ring toss, and corn hole games. But mostly, it’s a time for children to be children no matter how they’re dressed.

Yes, parents are encouraged to come in costume, so start working on it today. The time will be here before you know it. For more information, call the Highlands Civic Center at (828) 526-3556.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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SCHOLARSHIP LINKS

BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund Golf Classic, set for October 17 at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, is an idyllic day on the links and a vital resource for local scholars.

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ach year the Town of Highlands, together with the support of local business sponsors, hosts the annual Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund Golf Classic.

This year’s tournament, held on Thursday, October 17, is being hosted again at the beautiful Wildcat Cliffs Country Club.

Now in its 44th year, this tournament is the Scholarship Fund’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising approximately $20,0 0 0 a year, and one that participants eagerly look forward to.

For $150 per player, golfers can enjoy a day on the greens while helping local students achieve their dreams of obtaining a higher education. Breakfast is included prior to the 8:00 A.M. shotgun start, as well as cocktails and lunch at the awards ceremony that follows. Golfers play in teams of four. Bring your own foursome

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to play or sign up as an individual and be assigned to a group.

The Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund was the vision of several Highlanders, including Jack Taylor and Jack Brockway, who wanted to ensure that students from

Highlands School had the means to pursue their goals of higher education. It is unique in the state and the availability of these resources to students is invaluable in helping to defray the cost of higher education.

Since its inception, the Scholarship Endowment has grown and 30-40 students a year now benefit from scholarships ranging from $300 to $1,500 with each annual application. The golfers and sponsors who continue to make this event such a success ensure that these scholarships will remain available.

Many of these participants and sponsors are past recipients of these scholarships, or have children who receive them, so they recognize the importance of giving back to this worthwhile cause.

For more information contact Rebecca Shuler at The Town of Highlands at (828) 526 -2118.

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Chip Wilson

THE PICKLE LADY

BY JENNY KING

What’s the secret of The Highlands Marketplace? People, pickles, produce, pantry provisions, and artistic projects of all provenance.

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eter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

I can tell you: in my shopping bag from Highlands Marketplace.

The art of pickling and canning may be a lost art to some, but to the vendors at our local farmers’ market it’s thriving. There are pickles of all kinds, from relishes by Cheryl Anne to pickled jalapeños from Dr. John Baumrucker, to the amazing Bread and Butter pickles by Chip Wilson.

Chip is well known in our area for her many talents, and has been selling her pickles at the Highlands Marketplace for three years, where she’s known as “The Pickle Lady.”

She shares a tent with Toni Foster who bakes the most heavenly pastries, quiches, pies you’ve ever put put in your mouth.

What makes Chip’s pickles special? First of all, she buys her cucumbers from local farmer Don Deal, whose tables are piled

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with fresh produce; and she makes them fresh every week. She uses her grandmother’s recipe and the cucumbers are sliced very thinly so they’re a delicious addition to sandwiches. They are that perfect combination of sweet and spicy. I don’t normally think of pickles as a breakfast food, but as I traveled around the market I must say they complemented the breakfast sausage by Durm Family Farms magnificently.

The Highlands Marketplace is held each Saturday at Highlands’ Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street from 8:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. and will run through the end of this month. Thanks to our area’s extended growing season, you’ll find a wide selection of local produce along with eggs from happy chickens, fresh breads, honey, teas, and even yummy trout dip from Native Prime Provisions.

With the holiday season approaching, take a trip to Founders Park with your list in hand. The jams and jellies are always happily received, as are the hand-loomed textiles, adorable tiny wool animals (there will

be a bunny and a lamb in my granddaughter’s stocking), jewelry, fine art, and stunning wooden pens, to name a few.

The Highlands Marketplace is a Saturday must-do. It’s a place to meet new friends, sample local fare, and spend the morning appreciating some not-made-inChina handiwork.

I hope to see you there.

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FALL LEAF SHOW

BY LUKE OSTEEN | PHOTO BY CHARLES JOHNSON

Don’t be seduced by the glory of the Fall Leaf Show, October on the Plateau is truly a feast for all the senses.

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ith the arrival of the annual Fall Leaf Show, you’re seeing the HighlandsCashiers Plateau at its best.

The bold colors carpeting the mountains around us suggest a quilting bee that shared a pot of peyote tea and then went to work, finally tossing their finished product over an unmade bed. The display is breathtaking in its richness and randomness, kaleidoscopic in its hypnotic variations.

But here’s the thing to remember: Those brilliant leaves, dying in such magnificent style that visitors and locals alike will literally stop in the middle of the road to take in a particular cove or vista, are just a portion of the Plateau’s October glory.

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Consider the entire sensual banquet offered freely throughout the season.

For scent, the cool, crisp days offer the deep forest balm of decaying leaves, the redolence of leaves being burned, and the musk of compost before the onset of the hard frosts.

For a blending of beauty and flavor and an inimitable part of the local culture, look for Staghorn Sumac in the fields and forests of the area. In the spring and summer, it’s an unassuming denizen of the underbrush, but in the fall it seduces passersby with leaves and berries that have turned a deep crimson. It’s a show-stopper.

If you choose to harvest the berries, you

can make a delicious tonic that’s handed down to us from the Cherokee who first settled here.

Soak the berries in water for about 10 minutes, then mash them with your hands or a potato masher. Let the resulting mixture sit for half an hour, then repeat, letting it stew for another half-hour.

Strain the resulting mash through a cheesecloth, then add a bit more water and some sugar (or honey if you want to keep it authentic) to create a sweet-tart mixture. You can also add a bit of mint for flavor.

Serve this Sumac-Ade on a sunny October afternoon and you’ve got a transcendent moment to treasure.

Another authentic October flavor is the local apples that are coming into harvest.

Check out Marlene Osteen’s ode to the humble, noble apple on Page 104. You can savor the best by stopping at the Highlands Marketplace, August Produce, Bryson’s and Mountain Fresh Grocery in Highlands; and The Cashiers Farmer’s Market. You’ll find heirloom varieties that have nearly vanished from the American landscape – Father Abraham, Esopus Spitzenburg, and the wonderfully-named Arkansas Black. If you’re curious, The Bascom has a couple of rare Arkansas Black trees as part of its landscaping. You can pick one without getting yelled at.

For sound, well, the seasonal songbirds

have fled South, allowing you to take in the raucous sounds of our big, really big, crows and ravens. They’re a gregarious bunch and aren’t shy about conversing among wandering people. You’ll still find old-timers who contend that they can distinguish the emotions and ideas conveyed by the different calls.

For a completely different sort of mountain sound, stop by the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library at 7:00 P.M. on the 10th for a free concert by internationallyrecognized Appalachian musician Mary Z. Cox. An award-winning banjoist and dulcimer prodigy, Mary will perform songs that were born and cherished in the mountains ringing the Plateau. It’s as close to the joyful

nights at Helen’s Barn in Highlands as we’re likely to get.

And finally, to truly experience life in the twin communities, it’s Goblins on the Green in Cashiers on Friday, October 25; and Highlands’ Downtown All Hallow’s Eve Celebration, Thursday, October 31.

Both events feature the entire communities coming together for fun, music and laughter. You may be telling yourself, “I’m too old for stuff like that.” Believe me, you’re not. Both events will enrobe you in Cashiers and Highlands in ways that can’t be duplicated in any other manner.

So enjoy the leaves, but remember to savor the entire spectrum of life on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

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CUTENESS OVERLOAD

BY ELLA FAST

The Sixth Annual Sky Valley Fallfest, set for Saturday, October 19, draws visitors from across the Southeast to enjoy the delights of this little mountain community – including arts and crafts, music, hayrides, bouncy castles, and costumed critters.

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s there anything cuter than dogs dressed up for Halloween?

Okay, children in costume, yes.

But what about both? For a cuteness overload, head to Sky Valley, Georgia, for their Sixth Annual Sky Valley Fallfest, Saturday, October 19, from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Join the fun and enjoy hayrides, arts and crafts, live music, and the popular costume contest for pups. Kids of all ages will enjoy the event.

The HOWL-O-Ween Costume Contest for your furry friends, to benefit PAWS 4 Life, begins at 1:30 P.M. at the pavilion and registration is $5 per category entry.

Register anytime between 10:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. at the pavilion, and all proceeds benefit Rabun PAWS 4 Life. The categories include the Funniest, Scariest, Most Creative, Owner/Dog Combo and Most Photogenic. Treats will be provided for all participates (four-legged, that is). You’ll find some adoptable pets, also.

Hay Bale Trail is back and better than

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ever. Placed throughout the city, you’ll find a variety of imaginatively decorated hay

bales. The City of Sky Valley comes alive with all types of characters. The Kids Area includes pumpkin painting and bouncy houses for their amusement.

A variety of food options will be available and live music from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. featuring Nashville native Derek Andrew, an up-and-coming country music artist. The Georgia-based artist has played hundreds of shows across the U.S, and has earned an impressive resume, opening for some of country music’s most recognized artists.

Fallfest takes place at the city pavilion on Sky Valley Way in Sky Valley, Georgia and is a great place to tantalize your senses with the colors of fall, crisp clean mountain air, and waterfalls.

Transportation will be provided to the event from designated parking areas within the valley. Grab your camera and make memories, admission is free. For more information call the City of Sky Valley offices at (706) 746-2204.

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GOBLINS ON THE GREEN

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Spooks take over The Village Green Commons in Cashiers for Goblins on the Green, 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Friday, October 25.

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ake plans to celebrate a frightfully fun Halloween at The Village Green in Cashiers.

Goblins In the Green will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 P.M. Friday, October 25. Dress up in your favorite silly or scary costume and come to The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road. Some ghoulish guests will join the resident spiders and bats in The Village Green for an evening that features loads of activities for kids and their families, along with music and dancing.

Among the activities will be a costume contest at 7:00 P.M. Prizes will be awarded to the Best Boy and Girl Costume, Most Creative Costume, Best Group Costume as well as the Best Owner and Pet Coordinating Costume.

Goblins In the Green is organized and presented by The Village Green, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau. Many area merchants are supporting this event. Goblins In the Green is a free, community-wide event for residents and visitors to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

The Village Green provides a beautiful, free public space, however it is 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.

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SHOWCASING LOCAL ART TALENT

BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The Highlands Arts and Crafts Show, set for October 12 at the Highlands Civic Center, is a marvelous way to take home a bit of Highlands, whether you’re a local or just passing through.

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he Town of Highlands celebrates its annual Highlands Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, October 12, from 9:00 A. M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Highlands Civic Center at 600 North Fourth Street. Admission and parking to this event are free.

From its ever-so-humble beginnings nearly 40 years ago when The Highlands Woman’s Club envisioned it as a way to showcase local talent, to today’s show which features artisans from throughout the south, this show is one you won’t want to miss.

Though it’s grown throughout the years, it retains its small town appeal and feel, and in fact several vendors have been participating since the beginning. Highlander Jodie Zoellner and her college friend Martha Hawthorne enjoy a reunion every year at their booth featuring their homemade goodies and craft items. Jodie’s Oatmeal Sourdough Bread is a bit of a legend, and her jams and jellies feature the best of our local bounty – blackberries, raspberries, peaches and strawberries. Martha’s goodies bring an additional flair with ingredients from further

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south. Pear preserves, anyone? Both say it’s the fun that keeps them coming back year after year, and they enjoy seeing the familiar faces of customers who return year after year to snatch up their favorite items before they are gone.

“Mimi” Lin Johnson of Mimi’s Mountain Mixes of Hendersonville is newer to the

show but loves this event because, “This is a show that has ample parking for the customers, plenty of quality crafts people and is in a beautiful setting. There is so much to do in Highlands and the people are very welcoming. And the visitors are from all over the country. They are looking to take something home from the mountains. And, who can blame them?” Her renowned bread mixes allow you to take something home to bake later.

There is always a wide selection of arts and crafts of every imaginable kind – woodworking; fine handcrafted furniture; Christmas wreaths, ornaments and gifts; woven items; items in stone and clay; paintings; drawings; handcrafted knives; jewelry; candles; scarves and other textiles; hand blown glass; woodworking; pottery; and, so much more.

Gardeners also share their home grown flowers and botanicals.

Mark your calendars now to spend the morning or afternoon here. For more information, please call the Town of Highlands at (828) 526-2118.

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J. Gabriels

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ON THE HALF SHELL

BY CHARLOTTE MUIR

Oysters are pitching in to keep the Highlands Biological Foundation’s mission going far into the future – join them for Highlands on the Half-Shell, Sunday, October 6, at Highlands Nature Center.

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oin the Highlands Biological Foundation for a Cajun celebration on Sunday, October 6, – Highlands on the Half-Shell in the meadow behind the Nature Center.

This annual fall event supports the Highlands Biological Foundation. The bayou comes to the mountains with a feast of oysters, gumbo, and other Louisiana delicacies under the canopy of Highlands’ autumn flame-colored leaves.

Whether there’s rain or shine, Highlands on the Half-Shell is guaranteed to be a good time. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The fun starts at 4:00 P.M. and will last until dark. Come dressed in your favorite “Cajun casual.” Tickets are $100 for members and $120 for non-members. To purchase tickets, visit highlandsbiological.org. or call (828) 526-2221.

The Highlands Biological Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been providing support for the Biological Station and it’s three facets: the Nature Center, Botanical Garden and Biological Laboratory.

Thanks to the generosity of members and community residents, admission to the Nature Center and Botanical Garden are free.

Come support the mission of the Highlands Biological Station: “To foster research and education focused on the rich natural heritage of the southern Appalachian mountains.”

Knowing that your support is directly contributing to conservation efforts, research and education to better understand the exceptional organisms in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find that oysters and gumbo have never tasted so good.

Whether there’s rain or shine, Highlands on the Half-Shell is guaranteed to be a good time. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The fun starts at 4:00 P.M. and will last until dark. Come dressed in your favorite “Cajun casual.” Tickets are $100 for members and $120 for non-members. To purchase tickets, visit highlandsbiological.org. or call (828) 526-2221.

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ALL GOD’S CREATURES

BY ANN SELF | THE VILLAGE GREEN

Every dog (and cat, and guinea pig, and horse, and sheep) has its day – this year it’s October 5, the Blessing of the Animals at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

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eople are invited to bring all varieties of pets for the annual Blessing of the Animals at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 5, to The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers.

Gather on the lawn for a parade of animals, prayers, music and celebration of all of God’s creatures. Over the years, local ministers have blessed a menagerie of pets at the service, including horses, llamas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs as well as many cats and dogs.

Started as a tradition in the Cashiers community by the Church of the Good Shepherd, each animal receives a special blessing.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation for the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society. Besides a monetary gift, items like blankets, rugs, towels, Milk Bones, unscent-

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ed cat litter and canned dog and cat food are useful as well as always needed.

The Village Green will provide water and trash cans for the animals, which must be leashed or otherwise secured

and under the owners’ control at all times.

The tradition of animal or pet blessings is in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all of God’s creatures. St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4, wrote “A Canticle of the Creatures,” an ode to God’s living things: “All praise to you, O Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.”

For more information about event, email director@cashiersgreen.com or call (828) 743-3434.

The Village Green provides a beautiful, free public space, however it is 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, visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.

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SCENES FROM

The Burlingame Country Club in Sapphire presented a Fashion Show on August 20 for their members. Lunch was enjoyed while the ladies viewed beautiful clothing and accessories from Robin’s Nest. Visit Robin at 107 South in Cashiers.

When Highlands Mountaintop Rotary stages an arts and crafts show like it did on August 24 and 25 with the Village Square Art & Craft Show, it gets the attention of people from across the Southeast. The 75-plus artisans who unveiled their creations were, of course, the main draw, but there were also Dr. John’s tacos, the culinary delights of Fressers Courtyard Café, live music by The Mountain Dulcimer Group, and jewelry-making demonstrations. It was a show to savor!

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• Tuesday, October 1: Visitor’s Day at Southern Highlands Reserve, 10:00 A.M., to 2:00 P.M., (828) 885-2050.

• Thursday, October 3: Bingo Night for Wreaths Across America, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Highlands Community Building. Hosted by Wreaths Across America and the Rotary Club of Highlands.

• Friday October 4: The Bascom Pop-Up Show, 4:00 to 5:30 P.M., Sotheby’s International’s Realty Highlands, (828) 526-4949.

• Friday, October 4: Dive-In Movie, 6:30 P.M. Highlands Rec Park Pool, (828) 526-3556.

• Friday, October 4: Great Art on Screen with The Bascom featuring Tintoretto, A Rebel in Venice, 5:30 P.M., at Highlands Performing Arts Center. (Optional Dinner Discussion at 4118 Bar and Grill, Call (828) 5265002.) Tickets available online at highlandspac.org.

• Saturday, October 5: Pumpkinfest at Highlands United Methodist Church.

• Saturday, October 5: BY Experience featuring Kinky Boots, 1:00 P.M. at Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Tickets available online at highlandspac.org.

• Saturday October 5: Blessing of the Animals, 10:30 A.M., The Village Green Commons, (828) 743-3434.

• Saturday, October 5: Highlands School Fall Festival, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Highlands School Gym. • Saturday, October 5: On the Verandah Wine Dinner with host Ron Sinskey and guest chef Maria Sinskey, 6:00 P.M., (828) 526-2338.

• Sunday, October 6: Empty Bowls Soup Luncheon event, 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands or Noon to 2:00 P.M. at The Orchard Event Barn, fishesandloavescashiers.org.

• Sunday, October 6: Highlands On the Half Shell, 4:00 P.M., at the Highlands Nature Center (828) 526-2221.

• Friday, October 11: Book Signing and Author Talk with author Lee Lyons, 3:30 P.M., Hudson Library.

• Saturday, October 12: Highlands Arts and Crafts Show, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Highlands Civic Center.

• Saturday, October 12: Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival free concert featuring Amernet Quartet, 5:00 P.M., Highlands First Presbyterian Church, (828) 526-9060.

• October 11-13: Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, The Village Green, (828) 743-3434.

• October 11-13: Hazen Jewelry Trunk Show, Acorns Boutique, (828) 787-1877.

• Friday October 11: The Bascom Pop-Up Show, 4:30 to 6:00 P.M., Sotheby’s International’s Realty Cashiers office, (828) 526-4949.

• Saturday, October 12: Zoller Hardware 25th Anniversary Celebration with Big Green Egg and Traeger Demonstrations and Live Music by Hurricane Creek, (828) 743-5001.

• Saturday, October 12: Met Opera Live on Screen features Puccini’s Turandot, 12:55 PM, at Highlands Performing Arts Center, highlandspac.org.

• Saturday, October 12: The Bascom public reception for “The Best of the West” and “Craft to Art Series:

Wood” exhibits, 5:30-6:30 P.M. (828) 526-4949.

• Tuesday, October 15: Garden Room Tour-Viewsite at Southern Highlands Reserve, 10:00 to 11:00 A.M., (828) 885-2050.

• Thursday, October 17: Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund Golf Classic, Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, 8:00 A.M. To participate call (828) 526-2118.

• Thursday, October 17: Smitten Third Thursday Event, 5:30 P.M., featuring Kim Cullen from Beautiful Chaos, 468 Main Street, Highlands, (828) 526-9300.

• October 17-20: Highlands Cashiers Players present On Golden Pond, Highlands Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-8084, highlandscashiersplayers.org.

• October 18-20: Meet Jewelry Designer Suzy Landa during a Trunk Show at Peak Experience. Preview her collection at suzylandanewyork.com, (828) 526-0229.

• October 18-20: Fat Hat Clothing Trunk Show, Acorns Boutique, (828) 787-1877.

• Saturday, October 19: Highland Hiker Dubarry Fall Winter Collection Trunk Show, 10:00 A.M., to 4:00 P.M., • Saturday, October 19: Sixth Annual Sky Valley Festival, 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., (706) 746-2204.

• October 19-20: Come meet folk artist Marian Baker at Around Back at Rocky’s Place, Dawsonville, Ga., (706) 265-6030, aroundbackatrockysplace.com.

• Saturday, October 19: National Theatre Live on Screen features The Lehman Trilogy, 1:00 PM, at Highlands Performing Arts Center. Tickets available online at highlandspac.org.

• October 19-20: Fall Colors Fine Art Show, Indoor Exhibition and Sale, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Highlands Civic Center, artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com.

• Thursday, October 24: Highlands Spooktacular, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Highlands Civic Center, (828) 526-3556.

• October 24-27: Highlands Cashiers Players present On Golden Pond, Highlands Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-8084, highlandscashiersplayers.org.

• Friday, October 25: Goblins on the Green, 5:30 to 7:30 P.M., The Village Green Commons. (828) 743-3434.

• October 25-26: Two Day Painting Workshop with Jill Steenhuis, Stone Creek Vineyards in Tiger, Ga., Artists Reception October 26, 6:00 to 9:00 P.M., (706) 2120584, artinprovence.com.

• October 25-27: Highlands Foodie Film Festival, Highlands Playhouse, (828) 526-2695, highlandsplayhouse.org.

• Saturday, October 26: Met Opera Live on Screen features Massenet’s Manon, 1:00 PM, at Highlands Performing Arts Center, highlandspac.org.

• Monday, October 28: Art League of HighlandsCashiers Show and Tell Presentation, 4:30 P.M., The Bascom, artleagueofhighlands-cashiers.com.

• Thursday, October 31: Betsy Paul October Art Raffle to will feature the work of mixed media artist Dottie Bruce. Drawing 5:00 P.M., (828) 743-0880.

• Thursday, October 31: Highlands All Hallow’s Eve Celebration, 6:00 P.M., downtown Highlands.

See website for details: www.highlands-cashierscalendar.com 60 | October 2019 | Things to Do

WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONDAY • Highlands Mountaintop Rotary, 5:30 P.M. Episcopal Church 500 Main Street, Highlands.

EVERY TUESDAY • Dulcimer Club, 9:00 A.M., at Kelsey Hutchinson Park. (828) 743-3797 • Dulcimer Lessons - Intermediate Class 10:00 A.M., Beginners Noon, Highlands United Methodist church, (828) 787-1586.

• Highlands Rotary Club, Noon, Highlands Community Center.

• Duplicate Bridge, 1:00 P.M., Albert Carlton Library. (828) 743-0215.

• Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695.

• Highlands Writers Group, 3:00 P.M. downstairs conference room at The Bascom. Contact Bud Katz, 828-526-3190.

• Community Dinners, 6:00 P.M. Highlands Community Building. No charge for the meal.

EVERY WEDNESDAY • Locally Grown on the Green Farmers Market, 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. , at Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road.

• Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, 8:00 A.M., Cashiers United Methodist Church, (828) 743-2243.

• Children’s Storytime Hour 11:00 A.M. Albert Carlton Library, 828) 743-0215.

• Cashiers Quilters Guild, 12:30 P.M., St. Jude Catholic Church.

• Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:45 P.M., Highlands Civic Center.

• Mah Jong Games, 1:00 P.M., Albert Carlton Library, (828) 743-0215.

• Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695.

• Bluegrass with Nitrograss, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands, (828) 526-8364.

EVERY THURSDAY • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695.

• Free Movie, 3:40 P.M., Albert Carlton Library, (828) 743-0215.

• NAMI Appalachian South support group meeting 6:45 to 8:15 P.M. at 14 West. Palmer St., Franklin, (828) 526-9510.

• Bluegrass 7:00 P.M., The Dog Pub in Cashiers, (828) 743-3000.

EVERY FRIDAY • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:45 P.M., Highlands Civic Center.

• Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695.

• Live Music, 6:00 to 11:00 P.M., Hummingbird Lounge, (828) 7872625.

• Live Music, 7:00 P.M., On The Verandah, (828) 526-2338.

• Live Music, The Ugly Dog Pub in Cashiers, (828) 743-3000.

EVERY SATURDAY • Highlands Marketplace, 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at Kelsey- Hutchinson Founders Park.

• Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695.

• Live Music, 6:00 to 11:00 P.M., Hummingbird Lounge, (828) 7872625.

• Live Music, 7:00 P.M., On The Verandah, (828) 526-2338.

• Live Music 8:00 P.M.. The Ugly Dog Pub in Cashiers, (828) 743-3000.

• Live Music 9:30 P.M.. The Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands, (828) 526-8364.

EVERY SUNDAY • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 4:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695.

• Live Music, 8:00 to 10:00 P.M., Hummingbird Lounge, (828) 7872625.

THINGS TO DO

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THINGS TO DO

ACCOMMODATIONS Colonial Pines Inn....................

Whiteside Cove Cottages.......

ARTS

Highla

Mill Creek Gallery & Framing.......

Smitten....................................

The Bascom...........................

REAL ESTATE Country Club Properties..........

John Cleaveland Realty..........

Landmark Realty Group..........

Meadows Mtn. Realty.............

White Oak Realty Group.........

Pat Allen Realty Group ...........

RESTAURANT / BAR Altitudes Restaurant................

The Log Cabin.........................

Meritage.................................

Mountain Fresh........................

Nectar Juice Bar.....................

Rosewood Market.....................

The Kitchen CarryAway and Catering.....................................

The Ugly Dog Pub......................

Wild Thyme Gourmet ...............

Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro.

SHOPPING ACP Home Interiors.....................

Bear Mountain Outfitters............

Brookings Fly Shop....................

C.Orrico.....................................

Cabin Couture.........................

Classic Links & Luggage..........

Jannie Bean Fine Custom Jewelry.

HighlandsFineArt&EstateJewelryCorp.

Martha Anne’s..........................

Dry Sink....................................…

Highlands Kids............................

McCulley’s on the Hill..............

Dutchman’s Designs................

Highland Hiker..........................

McCulleys Main Street.............

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THINGS TO DO

HIGHLANDS NC

ands Map

Mirror Lake Antiques................

TJ Bailey’s..................................

Creative Concepts Salon...............

Peak Experience............... ……

Whole Life Market....................

Highlands Visitors Center................

Highlands Aerial Park...............

Spartina 449....................... ……

Spice & Tea Exchange...................

SERVICES

The Summer House..................

Dauntless Printing ...................

Warth Construction..................

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ACCOMMODATIONS High Hampton Inn & Country Club ....................................................

Innisfree Bed and Breakfast By-the-Lake ...................................................

Laurelwood Inn ...............................................

ARTS FireMoss Pottery .............................................

Mountain Mist Gallery ...........................................

REAL ESTATE Betsy Paul Properties .............................................

Landmark Realty Group ........................................

McKee Properties ...........................................

Silver Creek Real Estate Group .....................

RESTAURANTS Sapphire Brewery & Pub ..............................

The Ugly Dog Pub ..........................................

The Zookeeper Bistro ........................................

RETAIL A Jones Company...........................................

Afternoon Delight ..........................................

Bee Bags and Such .........................................

Bella Cotn ..........................................................

Bird Barn and Gift Emporium........................

Blue Ridge Bedding/ Carolina Rustic Furniture ...............................

Bounds Cave...........................................................

Brooking’s Cashiers Village Anglers ..................

Cashiers Farmer’s Market .............................

Consignment Market ........................................

Fiddlehead Designs ................................................

Gray Lighting & Woodwork.........................

Gracewear Collection ....................................

Highland Hiker ................................................

Honeybee Home ............................................

Josephine’s Emporium .................................

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Interior Enhancements ................................

Lenz Gifts & Linens ..................................................

McCulley’s .........................................................

Nearly New .......................................................

Nora & Co...........................................................

Rusticks. .............................................................

Sawyer Family Farmstead ...............................

Summer Place Antiques ...............................

CASHIERS NC

CASHIERS VALLEY NC

The Look Boutique ...........................................

Town and Country General Store ..................................................

TJ Bailey................................................................

Victoria’s Closet ......................................................

VC for Men .................................................................

The Village Hound ............................................

Vivianne Metzger Antiques .............................

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming .......................

Zoller Hardware ..................................................

SERVICES Cashiers Chamber .............................................

Dargan Landscape Architects/ Dovecote Gardens ......................................

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THE ARTS

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THE ARTS

THE ARTS Pages 72-84

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THE ARTS

CAPTURING A RIVER

BY DONNA RHODES

Peter Ray’s careful artist’s eye has been focused on the entirety of the Cullasaja River.

You’re invited to a reception to honor this celebrated photographer at 5:30 P.M. Friday, Oct. 11, at Studio 106, 478 Dillard Road, in Highlands. RSVP to info@thelaurelmagazine.com.

Y

ou don’t have to travel far from your back doorstep to snap a portfolio full of fabulous images, assuming you have the unique eye of photographer Peter Ray. He says, “One of my disciplines is to take a photo every day. In the midst of all the madness in the world, I remind myself that there is beauty all around. We mustn’t lose sight of that.”

Perhaps Peter’s vision resonates deeply because of his spiritual background, which feeds his artist’s soul. Nothing escapes his eye. He finds photo potential in the tiniest flower, insect, leaf, or fungus.

His mantra, ”Open your eyes and heart to what’s in front of you.”

While he has been heavily immersed in photography for only the past several years since his retirement, it’s always called to

72 | October 2019 | The Arts

him. Now he has time to pursue his passion.

For the past four years, he’s focused on the Cullasaja River, from its headwaters and tributaries to its confluence with the Little Tennessee. Plans are for a book of photographs entitled “The Cullasaja: Images of a Smoky Mountain River,” to be published later in the year.

Part of the joy of Peter’s photo jaunts and printing is working with two exceptional artists, Cynthia Strain (photographer/printer) and Marjorie Christiansen (photographer/editor).

Peter says, “While I do all my developing at home, cropping, brightness, tweaking, Cynthia Strain exquisitely produces my prints, and I am unbelievably lucky to have Marjorie edit and do layout for the book.”

Peter shoots with a Nikon D750, the “D” indicating digital. He’s done film/darkroom,

but finds digital every bit as rewarding, not to mention it’s less expensive and has no environmentally-toxic chemicals to dispose of.

One of Peter’s favorite books is “That Tree,” 365 iPhone photos documenting a year in the life of a lonely bur oak. Don’t let its sweet simplicity fool you. It’s been featured on CBS, NBC, and NPR as a deeply inspirational story. It will be no surprise if Peter’s reverential photos of the Cullasaja are every bit as stirring.

Visit Peter to learn more about his book and work by attending The Laurel’s Open House on Oct. 11 at Studio 106, 478 Dillard Road, Highlands Creek Village. Everyone is welcome to attend as long as you RSVP to (828) 787-2121 or info@studio106. photos. His work can also be viewed on his Facebook page as well as his website, peterrayphotography.com.

THE ARTS

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THE ARTS

A GLASSY LADY

BY DONNA RHODES

For Terri Johansson, it’s not whether the glass is half-full, it’s the glass itself.

T

erri Johansson is a visual artist and a devoted child of Mother Nature. She and her husband hike, dive, kayak, snorkel, and fish some of the most exquisite natural wonderlands in Florida and North Carolina.

With her artist’s eyes always on ready, she says, “When I am in the wild, I see scenes in glass.”

Why glass, when from childhood to adulthood she studied and practiced drawing and painting?

She says, “I was hooked at the annual celebration of all that Iowa State University offered. They had glass blowing, and I was mesmerized watching them. I enrolled in Art and Design at ISU, but wanted to sculpt, paint and do everything I could, so decided to blaze my own trail.”

And that trail led her eventually to painting pictures with glass.

She knew glasswork was going to be

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an expensive endeavor. She wanted to feel darn sure it promised to be a lifelong love affair. Turns out it was. She gobbled up every how-to article, blog, and book on the subject of glass annealing/fusion. And now she is traveling around the Southeast displaying her work, enjoying a strong following, while taking commissions in the U.S., Canada, Northern Europe, Australia, and more.

When Terri describes her process in videos produced by The Bascom (go to thebascom.org and search Terri Johansson’s pop-up video) one can appreciate the intricacies and number of kiln firings that fusing and annealing require … often upwards of 20 passes. That’s 20 opportunities for something to snap, crackle, pop. But she has fine-tuned her temperature settings to minimize mishaps.

Glass lends itself nicely to the blossoms

and foliage of spring, summer, and fall.

And winter’s stark elegance of bare, mono-chromatic trees contrasting a pale sky is supremely dramatic.

One of Terri’s best loved icons is the cardinal bird. There is a legend that cardinals represent the souls of loved ones who have passed and fly back to visit.

Clients frequently commission a cardinal piece to sustain them when the birds are scarce. Trees are also a common image in her repertoire, along with fish, bears, blossoms, undersea life, and nearly any natural scene – Nature being her sole inspiration. Whatever you might imagine for that perfect customized door, glass for a kitchen cabinet, a door for an entertainment center, or a window for a bathroom, Terri can accommodate.

To see and learn more about Terri’s work, visit terrijohanssonartist.com.

THE ARTS

MIZ THANG’S CREATIONS Miz Thang’s creations slightly off-kilter creations resonate with passion and a gentle humor.

D

ebbie Garner, also known as Miz Thang, is many things – a Georgia native, a retired teacher, a feminist, a music afficianado, and many other wonderful things, but the title we at the gallery most love and associate with her is “self-taught artist.”

Her medium of choice is wood and paint. Miz. Thang’s folky pieces begin when she cuts out her image, and then she finger paints her choice of whimsy with great bold and vibrant colors. She blends her personal favorites and points-of-interest with these electrifying colors to create musicians, especially the bluesmen of soul; strong women; lovable critters, mostly of the puppy and kitty variety; political figures and issues; and her “sheroes,” who come from all walks of life. Gallery favorites are Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Pat Head Summitt.

All of this fun-filled world of whimsy began in the early 1990s after an emotional change in her life. Creating art was a natural force, but the selling happened accidentally. Since 1998, Miz Thang has been selling her art and has acquired a huge constituency of supporters and collectors. Her work has been included in many publications and exhibitions around the world.

Since retiring as a special education teacher, she has been like a house afire! This creating has, in her words, been, “necessary for my survival.

It’s my oxygen.”

We have been private appreciators and collectors of Miz Thang’s work for many years, and now we’re excited to feature her pieces in our gallery to share with our patrons. To see a nice selection of Miz Thang’s world of whimsy, visit Around Back at Rocky’s Place at 3631 Highway 53 East in Dawsonville, Georgia. You can call us at (706) 265-6030 or visit us us aroundbackatrockysplace. com. Gallery hours are Saturdays from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M.

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THE ARTS

THE ART SCREEN SCENE

BY MARY ADAIR TRUMBLY | HIGHLANDS PAC

The Highlands Performing Arts Center screens great art, musical comedy, passion, and the earth-shaking collapse of a financial powerhouse.

T

he Highlands Performing Arts Center begins the Live via Satellite Series on Friday, October 4, at 5:30 P.M. with the Great Art on Screen documentary “Tintoretto: A Rebel in Venice.” This film fully immerses audiences in the life of the last great artist of the Italian Renaissance. The optional Dinner Discussion will be held at 4118. Seating is limited, so please call (828) 5265002 for reservations.

The next day brings a new genre offering from By Experience: Musical Theater. Captured Live from London’s West End, it’s “Kinky Boots,” set for 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 5. The winner of every major Best Musical Award on Broadway and the West End, this show is the true story of Charlie Price, the new owner of his late father’s Northampton shoe factory. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save the family business from bankruptcy, Charlie finds inspiration from Lola, an entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.

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“Turnadot”

The MET Opera has two offerings in October: “Turnadot” by Puccini on Saturday, October 12, at 12:55 P.M. Franco Zeffirelli’s spectacular production returns with powerhouse soprano Christine Goerke in the title role, alongside tenor Roberto Aronica as the unknown prince vying for her love.

“Manon” by Massenet is presented on Saturday, October 26, at 12:55 PM. Massenet’s tale of passion, excess, and their consequences stars rising soprano Lisette Oropesa in the effervescent title role. Tenor Michael Fabiano is her ardent admirer.

The National Theatre of London will be screening “The Lehman Trilogy” at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 19. The story of a family and a company that changed the world, told in three parts on a single evening. On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside. Dreaming of a new life in the new world. An American epic begins. But then, 163 years later, the firm they establish – Lehman Brothers – spectacularly collapses into bankruptcy, and triggers the largest financial crisis in history.

Tickets are available online at highlandspac.org or at the door. Highlands Performing Arts Center is located at 507 Chestnut Street.

THE ARTS

THE ARTS

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ART LEAGUE YEAR

BY ZACH CLAXTON | HIGHLANDS CASHIERS ART LEAGUE

The Highlands-Cashiers Art League is winding up a busy, richly-rewarding season, culminating with the Fall Colors Fine Art Show at the Highlands Civic Center, October 19-20, and a member’s Show and Tell Presentation at The Bascom, October 28.

I

t hardly seems possible that the Art League’s season is drawing to a close. It has been a rewarding year with five quality presentations, another successful children’s art camp at the Rec Park and the Summer Colors Fine Art Show in Sapphire.

Membership increased again in 2019, and The Bascom, as always, went out of its way to make our board meetings and presentations effortless. It seems like only yesterday that in April Jon Houglum entertained the audience with his painting demonstration, followed in May by Diane Rush who talked about her paintings of historic Clayton. In June, Neal Hearn mesmerized attendees describing the process of creating his beautiful glass boxes. In July, Alabama artist Taylor White gave an account of her artistic journey, leading to the creation of her unbelievably realistic paintings. In August, abstractionist Leslie Jeffery displayed some of her recent work and created a new piece during her presentation.

The last formal presentation was given

78 | October 2019 | The Arts

by Emily Wernig, The Bascom’s 2019 Ceramic Artist in Residence, who gave an educational demonstration of her art form. Special thanks is due board member Patty Calderone for arranging these remarkable presentations.

Only two events remain on this year’s agenda. The first is the Fall Colors Fine Art Show, to be held in the Highlands Civic Center October 19-20. Show hours are 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. both days. This is a members’ show where very talented local and regional artists will have on display and for sale original art. Paintings in all media, including drawing, photographs, glass, ceramics and wood will be represented. The show draws

visitors from surrounding states and always receives positive comments about its quality.

This indoor event offers free admission and parking.

The final public event will be held at The Bascom on Monday, October 28.

Art League members will have their second annual Show and Tell Presentation. Willing members will present a piece of their work and talk about its creation. Attendees will be treated to free pizza, beer and wine at 4:30 P.M. prior to the presentation.

The public is encouraged to attend this fun event.

For more information about the Art League and its activities, visit artleagueofhighlands-cashiers.com.

THE ARTS

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS

BY DONNA RHODES

Kim Cullen’s fine jewelry, the centerpiece of Smitten’s Third Thursday celebration, is the end product of a deeply personal treasure hunt.

D

oes your inner gypsy-rock star long to wear a cluster of freshwater pearls, chained and swaddled in Beautiful Chaos?

She can, you know. All she has to do is attend Smitten’s Third Thursday, October 17, which will feature Kim Cullen’s Beautiful Chaos fine jewelry collection.

Beautiful Chaos showcases unique handmade pendants, bracelets, and an eclectic mix of necklaces that allow women to feel strong, daring and relevant.

Kim, owner, designer, and jewelry genius says, “I engage clients in a personal styling experience that allows them to be part of the design process. Many customers refer to it as a treasure hunt.

“I created a pulley system that allows the ensembles to be worn many ways. I use found objects, old coins, prisms, stones and hand-wired chain to create unique interchangeable ensembles. I handcut the stones and prisms and solder and electroplate them into pendants.

My Gypsy Wrap bracelets feature a convenient magnetic clasp and they can be worn as necklaces as well.”

Kim delights in making her clients part of the design process. She has thousands of

pendants, chains, ornaments, gems, prisms, pearls, and more from which to choose. Pick anything that speaks to your inner goddess, then, under the guidance of Kim, watch it transform into not only one eye-popping piece, but, thanks to her unique pulleysystem, a wardrobe of necklaces/bracelets with just one set of interchangeable chains and ornaments. The combinations are endless. And so are the compliments.

The name of her company came to her in a serendipitous, magical way. Ask her about it at the Open House. She celebrates taking risks and finding joy in the outcome.

To color outside the lines or to simply remove the lines altogether.

Kim encourages you to choose what moves you and invites you to think differently. Take a moment to listen to your own narrative. How do you define yourself?

Embrace the chaos. That way life just may astonish you.

Attend Smitten’s Third Thursday, October 17, from 5:30 P.M. ‘til the fat lady sings and the cows come home. Smitten’s address is 468 Main Street, downtown Highlands.

Call (828) 526-9300 for hours of operation.

THE ARTS

HCCMF’S FALL MINI-RESIDENCY

BY NANCY GOULD-AARON | HIGHLANDS CASHIERS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

You may have thought that The Highlands-Chamber Music Festival’s season ended in August, but it turns out it has one more fat rabbit to pull out of its hat – The Amernet String Quartet performs a passel of performances, October 11-12.

T

he Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival concludes its 38th season with a Fall Mini-Residency by The Amernet String Quartet on October 11-12.

As the Ensemble-in-Residence at Florida International University in Miami, violinists Misha Vitenson and Franz Felkl, violist Michael Klotz, and cellist Jason Calloway are garnering recognition as one of today’s exceptional string quartets. The Amernet’s performance schedule has taken the quartet across the Americas and Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Earlier in their career, the Amernet won the gold medal at the Tokyo International Music Competition before being named first-prize winners of the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition. The members relish exploring collaborative projects such as appearances with Cantor Netanel Hershtik, jazz pianist Steve Allee, Josée Ga-

80 | October 2019 | The Arts

rant Dance, and The Kruger Brothers. They also promote neglected works of the past and aims to enliven the concert experience through innovative programming.

On Friday, October 11, the Quartet will offer concerts at Blue Ridge School, and Summit Charter School in Cashiers; they will then

travel to Highlands to perform at Highlands School.

The music continues on Friday with a concert at Chestnut Hill Retirement Community at 4:0 0 P.M. The final Feast of the Festival will be a Brunch at 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 12, hosted by Ruth and Tom Claiborne and Michael and Martha Dupuis. Tickets for the brunch are available by calling the Festival office at (828) 526-9060. Saturday evening will be the final performance by The Amernet Quartet at the First Presbyterian Church of Highlands at 5:00 P.M. This concert is free and open to the public.

This Fall Residency with the Amernet Quartet is sponsored by the Cullasaja Women’s Outreach.

For more information about this special residency weekend, email hccmfnc@ gmail.com or call (828) 526-9060.

THE ARTS

THE ARTS

FOODIE FILM FESTIVAL

BY DONNA RHODES

The Foodie Film Festival is a sumptuous feast for the spirit and the stomach, October 25-27 at Highlands Playhouse.

H

ighlands Playhouse’s season has drawn to a close, but there’s still lights, camera, and plenty of action for you to enjoy.

Our next performance is a delicious one … the second annual Foodie Film Festival, October 25-27, a synthesis of stunning cinema and sumptuous cuisine. It’s proudly sponsored by Jeff Schenck and Rachael Friday, and co-sponsored by Avary and Gerry Doubleday, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, Highlands Wine Shoppe, Cake Bar, and other local restaurants and chefs, soon to be announced.

There was such a successful fusion of food and film in 2018, organizers bumped it up a notch or two. This year’s festival will feature: “The Cakemaker,” an award-winning German-Israeli film about food and affairs of the heart, will be paired with delicious Cake Bar confections.

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“Ramen Shop,” the saga of a man in search of his childhood favorite dish, will be matched with a taste treat you’ll love to noodle around with.

“Biggest Little Farm,” a local shop documentary break-out hit, promises a farm-totable delight.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey,” a 2014 American comedy starring Helen Mirren, is a supremely entertaining tale that the Playhouse will pair with exotic Indian delights.

The festival’s series of award-winning film shorts from around the world were in such demand last year (Remember the boiled peanuts and fantastic goat cheese?) that organizers decided to double the presentations. Among this year’s selections are “Decanted,” “Honeyland,” and “The Many Lives of Louis Osteen.”

Look for more tantalizing treats from local chefs and great pairings from the High-

lands Wine Shop. FFF showtimes are 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M..

Visit highlandsplayhouse.org for details as they emerge. Sign up for the link to email announcements delivering the latest Foodie Fest notices and news about other Playhouse events and volunteer ops. Look for info about Foodie Festival a la carte tickets. This year’s weekend passes will get you into everything with no wait, no worries.

FFF is growing by leaps and bounds. This year look for cooking demos on the patio, tastings, lectures, and maybe a guest wine aficionado. Who knows what other surprises are in store?

Proceeds benefit the Playhouse. Thank you for your support. Bon appetit!

THE ARTS

THE ARTS

LOVE STORY OF ETHEL & NORMAN

BY VIRGINIA TALBOT | HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS PLAYERS

The Highlands Cashiers Players’ production of “On Golden Pond,” staged October 17-27 at Highlands Performing Arts Center, is a poignant love note to the halcyon days of summer.

“

thrusting good books in his hands, On Golden Pond” by Ernest while learning some lessons of his Thompson is the second play own about modern teen awareof the Highlands Cashiers Playness and slang. ers 25th season.

As the summer wanes, so does Directed by Lance Trudel, the their brief idyll, and in the final drama runs October 17 and 18 at deeply moving moments of the 7:30 P.M.; October 20 at 2:30 and play Norman and Ethel become 7:30 P.M.; October 24, 25, and 26 aware that their time together at 7:30 P.M.; and October 27 at grows short, but the years have 2:30 P.M. at Highlands Performing been good and perhaps another Arts Center. Tickets will be availsummer on Golden Pond awaits able at the box office, 507 Chestthem. nut Street in Highlands the week This moving drama, interlaced before the play opens or online at with moments of gentle humor, highlandscashiersplayers.org. features HC Players veterans, as The story is as beautiful as its well as those making their local title, and both humorous and “On Golden Pond” Cast, Left to Right: Gray Martin, Julie debuts – David Spivey as Norman touching – the love story of Ethel Benson, Tim Henderson, Betsy Miller, and David Spivey.

Thayer, Julie Benson as Ethel Thayand Norman Thayer who are reNot Pictured: Randy Lucas er, Betsy Miller as Chelsea Thayer turning to their summer home on Wayne, Randy Lucas as Bill Ray, Golden Pond for the 48th year. He daughter and her new fiancé, who want to Gray Martin as Billy Ray, and Tim is a retired professor nearly 80, with heart palpitations and a failing memory – leave his teenage son with her parents at Henderson as Charlie Martin.

Golden Pond while they vacation in Europe.

The play was adapted for the screen by but still as tart-tongued, observant, and eaWhat could have been a disaster turns Ernest Thompson and released in Decemger for life as ever. Ethel, 10 years younger, is the upbeat perfect foil for Norman. Arriving into a grandfather-grandson relationship as ber 1981 with Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepon the scene is their middle-aged divorced Norman revels in taking the boy fishing and burn, and Jane Fonda starring in the cast.

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A MARVELOUS MIDPOINT

BY LUKE OSTEEN

A languid meal at Midpoint Highlands is a sweet indulgence of the senses.

W

hen Cyprus Restaurant, which brought an international flavor to the Highlands restaurant scene, closed at the beginning of the year, it left a hole.

Literally. That unique space, with its speakeasy-style pair of stairways and its remarkably indulgent patio overlooking Main Street, had become an essential part of downtown life. You could feel the energy of the place, even when you weren’t dining there.

So there was always an element of sadness to witness the darkened stairways and the patio furniture stacked up in the wake of its abrupt closing.

As testament to the robust nature of the Plateau’s restaurant community, a new place named Midpoint Highlands has sprung Phoenix-like from the ashes of Cyprus. And thanks to a compelling new menu and impeccable service, it makes a bold case for front-runner status.

But before I get too lost in describing Midpoint and its lovely unhurried ambience and sweet front-house staff, before we dive into the menu, let me impart one unassailable truth that you as a diner must recognize – You have to order dessert.

Of course, that’s usually implicit in ev-

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ery review I turn in, but sometimes I’ll get to talking about things like entrees and service and atmosphere, only to discover that I’ve blown the word count and and have three lines to mention the desserts and the restaurant’s contact information.

Not this time.

Perhaps you’re one of those people who just doesn’t like desserts. (And though it violates Laurel’s genial and communityfriendly style, I have to ask, “What kind of American are you?”)

You might be like one of those saints from long ago, panting after martyrdom, who, when the guard shows up to lead you to the lions, declares in a loud voice, “If you try to silence me, you’ll have to also silence all of my brothers and sisters.”

Even though everyone else was hoping to get off with a simple lecture and a stern warning.

Although in this instance, you say to your dining companion, “Why don’t we just split a dessert?”

How are they supposed to answer that one? (Although I’ll tell you how they want to answer: “Get you own damned dessert!”)

Nope. Dessert at Midpoint Highlands is not to be missed. You owe it to yourself, and you owe it to your dining companions.

Each is crafted by Pastry Chef Oksana and each is a work of breathtaking beauty.

They’re arrayed in a glass case like a set of bijoux in a Tiffany’s window display, as irresistible as the legendary Night of Desirable Objects fishing lure.

My dining companion ordered the Summer Breeze Petit Gateaux – Raspberry Compote, Lemon Curd, Dark Chocolate, and Mascarpone Cheese Mousse.

For myself, it was the Pumpkin Patch Petit Gateaux – White Chocolate Creme, Blackcurrant Confit, Caramel, Milk Chocolate Mousse, and Vanilla Cake. (I’m writing this in September to you in October, can there be a sweeter celebration of the season than a pumpkin-shaped indulgence?)

We both gazed at our selections for a charged second before sliding our forks through them, and I confess to the slightest pang of regret at ruining Oksana’s little jewel of a confection. Slightest.

There’s a reason I’ve moved the dessert portion of this review to the top. You owe it to yourself to discover why I’ve made this decision.

Of course, this sweet, sweet end of the evening came after a full round of appetizers and entrees.

My sweetie ordered the Summer Salad,

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which I hope remains on the menu through the autumn season. It’s a beguiling assemblage of Arugula, Frisée (that curly Endive that usually remains on the sidelines of salads or entrees), Blush Pink Pickled Beets (!), Goat Cheese, and a Lemongrass Dressing. If it’s still on the menu, try it and see if it doesn’t feel like a postcard from a friend on a lovely summer getaway.

I chose an enormous bowl of Poutine – a divine mashup of hand-cut Potatoes, Cheese Curds, and Bacon. I had a college roommate from Quebec, and during long winter nights he’d go on and on about the extravagant comfort found in a serving of

Poutine. I finally get it. This is something to carry with you as chilly October shades into bracing November.

Tricia ordered Cambodian-Curried Sea Bass, perched atop a bed of Bok Choy and gently-scented Jasmine Rice. If her Summer Salad was an unabashed shout-out to the sunniest season, this entree is a reflection of autumn itself, subtle and nuanced and built upon a careful blending of sensation. This was clearly crafted with care and it deserves to be savored with attention and appreciation.

Well, since I claimed no bit of subtlety with my order of Poutine, I continued the

theme with the Prime Rib Eye, a mammoth slab of Kobe Beef served alongside Grilled Asparagus and a generous plop of Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes. If you go with this route, make sure you ask for it Rare or Medium Rare – you don’t want this flensed of its natural flavoring, since the chef serves it up with a dusting of Gremolata (that unique blend of Parsley, Garlic and Lemon Zest).

Which brings us back to the desserts, which work on so many levels. Do not miss them!

Midpoint Highlands is located at 332 Main Street. Reservations are a must – (828) 526-2277 or through Open Table.

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WINE DINNERS LINE UP

A few of the selections available during Meritage’s Wine Top 100 Night dinner.

A stellar lineup of exclusive wine dinners will serve as the centerpiece for the 2019 Highlands Food & Wine Festival.

H

ighlands Food & Wine Festival has earned a regional reputation for its superlative offerings of meticulously crafted menus and near-legendary culinary creations.

At the center of all the excitement are the Wine Dinners that have been embroidered into the fabric of the festival since its inception.

The 2019 Highlands Food & Wine Festival, slated to run November 7 through 10, continues that tradition with a full lineup of wine dinners.

On Friday, November 8, look for a fun event at Lakeside Restaurant on the shore of picturesque Harris Lake in downtown Highlands.

Lakeside opens its Dining Room for an exclusive Wine Pairing, The Davis Family Vineyards Wine Dinner (with winemakers/ owners Gary and Judy Davis. Dinner will be five courses accompanied by five superb wine selections. Indulge in lush sauces, bold textures, and silky-smooth sips of Davis Family delights. The fun begins at 6:30 P.M. For reservations, call (828) 526-9419 or visit lakesiderestaurant.info.

An Evening with Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley and Aviva Vino will be staged at the Sapphire restaurant on Friday, November 8, from 6:0 0 to 9:0 0 P.M. Guests will experience Canyon Kitchen & Lonesome Valley’s fireside wine dinner with the exceptional selections of Aviva Vino. Cost is $150 per person, which includes food, wine, tax, and a service charge (additional fees may apply). For reservations, call (828) 743-7967 or visit LonesomeValley/CanyonKitchen.com.

On Friday, November 8, plan to visit 4118

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Kitchen + Bar at 6:30 P.M. for Chef Adam Bresnahan’s five-course tasting menu focusing on regional products prepared with both classic and modern technique. He’s pairing those dishes with six amazing beers from Sweetwater Brewing from Atlanta.

Cost is $115 per person. For reservations, call (828) 526-5002.

Meritage Restaurant will stage its International Beer vs Wine Dinner on Friday, November 8. It’s a no-holds-barred battle pitting a lineup of beers with a worldwide reputation against Meritage’s deep, deep wine list, all of which will be paired with creations from Meritage’s storied kitchen.

Make reservations at (828) 526-1019 or email meritagereservations@gmail.com.

At 6:30 P.M. Saturday, November 9, it’s the Duckhorn Vineyards Wine Dinner at Lakeside Restaurant. This features five courses with five wine pairings guaranteed to satisfy every lucky taste bud. Lakeside enjoys a wide reputation for getting it right.

Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call (828) 526-9419 or visit lakesiderestaurant.info.

Chef Wolfgang Green and the vintners of Caymus Vineyards and Wagner Family Wines will serve an unforgettable Wine Dinner at Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro, 7:00 P.M. Saturday, November 9.

Chef Wolfgang will create five remarkable courses to complement Caymus Vineyards and Wagner Family Wines.

The event starts at 6:30 P.M. with Champagne and appetizers, followed by dinner at 7:00 P.M. Cost is $160, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations or more information, call (828) 526-3807.

On the Verandah pulls out all the stops

for its Wine Dinner at 6:00 P.M. Saturday, November 9. Nationally-recognized chefs Andrew Figel and Jerri Fifer will conjure six Southern-style dishes with six impeccable selections from Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Cost is $155 (not including tax and gratuity). For reservations, call (828) 526-2338.

Chef Todd Richards’ exclusive dinner at Half-Mile Farm, set for Saturday, November 9, promises to capture attention far beyond the confines of the HighlandsCashiers Plateau.

Chef Todd is also the chef/owner of Richards’ Southern Fried and has previously helmed the kitchens of prestigious hotels and restaurants including The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hotel, which garnered the prestigious AAA 5 Diamond Award.

Tickets for the inclusive evening are $185 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Call (828) 787-2635 or (828) 787-2916 to reserve your seats.

Meritage, which the night before staged a Battle Royale between the heady pleasures of a well-bottled beer and the fruits of sunny vineyards from around the world, throws its favor behind the subtle aesthetics of its wine lists on Saturday, November 9, with its Wine Top 10 0 Night. Just like it says, guests will be able to order from the Meritage Menu and pair their selections with wine flights from Meritage’s Top 10 0 List. It’s an exciting test of your ability to match the wisdom of chefs and sommeliers and the clarity of your palate. Make reservations at (828) 526-1019 or email meritagereservations@gmail.com.

Festival plans are still being made, so you’ll want to visit highlandsfoodandwine. com to get the latest word.

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WELL-CRAFTED DINING

BY LUKE OSTEEN

On the Verandah is hosting a Wine Dinner starting at 6:00 P.M. Saturday, October 5.

Cost is $130 per person. Reservations are a must – call (828) 526-2338.

O

n the Verandah is calling upon the talents of a husband and wife team of vintners to help it stage what may be its final Wine Dinner of the season, starting at 6:00 P.M. Saturday, October 5.

Robert Sinskey Vineyards will provide the centerpiece labels for the dinner. Owner Robert Sinskey will host the event to greet guests and present each wine.

His wife, Maria Helm Sinskey will be in the OTV kitchen turning out the magnificent dishes for each course.

Rob Sinskey believes that the goals of making luxuriously elegant wines and farming with earth friendly methods are not mutually exclusive. Rather, he’s found that caring for the land and conscientious business practices have helped define the wellcrafted wines of RSV. Rob and winemaker Jeff Virnig have adopted methods that not only produce wines of individuality, but leave a minimal footprint on the land.

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Maria Helm Sinskey was born and raised in upstate New York. A degree in English from Union College proved invaluable in her chosen career as a chef. She quickly gained a reputation for spouting sonnets on the line.

Maria emerged in 1987 as a graduate of the California Culinary Academy.

She attended pastry school in Denmark to hone her sweet tooth and then returned to San Francisco to work as Chef at several noteworthy restaurants: Boz Scagg’s Blue Light Café, the venerable Sherman House – a Relais & Chateaux Hotel, and Plumpjack Café, which she left in 1999 to pursue a life combining family, food and wine in the Napa Valley.

Nowadays, you will find her cooking at her husband’s winery, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, laying out plots for her organic gardens, teaching, writing and raising two children.

Her first cookbook, “The Vineyard Kitchen: Menus Inspired by the Season,” published by HarperCollins was released in September 2003.

“Family Meals: Creating Traditions in the Kitchen,” published by Oxmore House, followed in November 2008.

She’ll be bringing that learning to On the Verandah for its spectacular Wine Dinner.

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Chelsea Pancoast and Trevor Waldrop

CULTIVATING GRAPES, GROWERS & GUESTS

BY LUKE OSTEEN | PHOTO BY SUSAN RENFRO

Two new sommeliers are welcoming guests to Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden to sample the fruits of a Wine List that’s won accolades for the last 15 years. It’s an invitation that’s too perfect for serious gourmands to resist.

O

ld Edwards Inn & Spa’s Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden has welcomed two new sommeliers to its award-winning operations – Trevor Waldrop and Chelsea Pancoast.

Their arrival coincides with Wine Spectator honoring the Madison’s with its 2019 Restaurant Award of Excellence, which it has attained for the past 15 years.

“We have a fantastic selection of wines that are sustainably or organically-farmed, with most wineries aiming to leave the land better than when they found it,” says Waldrop. “Our selection process is first and foremost about taste versus price. We want a wine whose taste surpasses its price, and has great value. We also like to place an emphasis on stories since wine is more than just the juice in the glass; it is also the blood, sweat, tears, and love that generations of families have poured into the labor of making their wine.”

“At its core, wine is an accompaniment to food,” says Pancoast. “With that in mind, we always try our best to tailor our selec-

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tions to the menus that Chef Chris and Chef John create. Food comes first, but we all know that when a pairing nears perfection, it becomes hard to tell which is the chicken and which is the egg. We have nearly endless possibilities to create that perfect pairing to elevate one’s dining experience to something truly memorable, no matter the price point. That is our goal.

“We have strived to create a wine list built on every selection having a ‘sense of place,’ which is well suited for Madison’s Farm to table concept. The labels and the stories behind pair well with the ingredients harvested from our very own farm and the small local vendors that contribute to Madison’s vision.”

As you’d expect, both Waldrop and Pancoast come to their positions with a wealth of experience.

“Chelsea and I both come from fine dining backgrounds, with Chelsea having worked around the Greenville area for a number of years before becoming the wine buyer for the Cliffs in South Carolina,”

says Waldrop. “She took a year out of the restaurant scene to be a wine manager in retail. Doing so, she gained some very valuable experience prior to succumbing to the pull of the restaurant scene and joining Old Edwards. She achieved the level of certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and plans to take the Advanced Exam in future.”

“I got much of my fine dining experience in Tallahassee, Florida, where she worked at Cypress Restaurant before helping to open Il Lusso in the winter of 2018. Il Lusso is an Italian Steakhouse with an impressive list of Italian and domestic wines, which sparked my deep love of Italian wine and food. I’ve also achieved the level of certified sommelier and am planning on continuing through the certifications, with eventual plans of attaining the Master Sommelier diploma.”

Both are awaiting serious diners who’ll test their skills, and who are prepared to enjoy the remarkably indulgent care that’s part of Pancoast and Waldrop’s professional portfolio.

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YOUR PLACE AT THE TABLE From BBQ to refined dining, the Highlands-Cashiers area offers tastes for every palate.

Find your new favorite dining spot at thelaurelmagazine.com/cuisine

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DR. JOHN’S CHUTNEY

BY JENNY KING Dr. John Baumrucker

Dr. John Baumrucker’s exquisitely flavorful Peach-Mango Chutney is the product of his time in London, the impeccable Indian restaurants that dot that city, and his own restless imagination.

D

r. John Baumrucker is a familiar face in Highlands. He started his medical practice here in 1971 and only recently retired.

That doesn’t mean he’s resting on his laurels. He started the Highlands Bolivian Mission 22 years ago. One of the ways they raise money is through the Highlands Marketplace, where Dr. John sells his own pickles, salsas, chutney, and stunning wooden pens made by children of the mission.

For this month’s recipe, he’s graciously shared how he makes Peach-Mango Chutney. One caveat is that when he makes this, it’s in huge quantities, so you’ll need to play around with the measurements (unless you want to give some away).

“I began to enjoy chutney when I was in London as a medical student in 1969,” Dr. John explains. “I saw the moon landing on TV in the Doctor’s Lounge, as I didn’t have a TV in my apartment. I went to a lot

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Peach-Mango Chutney Ingredients: 10 Mangos 20 Peaches 2 boxes of Golden Raisins 2 cups of Sugar, White 2 ounces of Vinegar, White Wine Type 4 tbsp. Minced Garlic 1-2 tbsp. Curry Powder Crystalized Ginger, about 10 pieces

of Indian restaurants while I was there and sampled my first chutneys.

“This recipe is totally different and is my own invention. I make about 20 pints at a time, but the recipe can be cut down a great deal, and I never measure anything, so use this as a guide and be creative.”

Directions: Peel the fruit and cut into slices. You want to retain the fruit in recognizable chunks. Cook on low heat until soft. Add the vinegar to keep the fruit from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Then add the sugar, raisins, ginger, garlic, and curry powder. Cook until well-mixed and the raisins have absorbed most of the liquid.

Can in sterile Mason jars and place them in a hot bath for at least 15 minutes in boiling water.

This chutney is good on any white meat, chicken, pork and white fish, especially crab cakes.

Dr. John’s been told it’s good on ice cream and some have reported that it’s good on a spoon.

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Laura Huerta

THE ICONIC LAKESIDE RESTAURANT

BY JENNY KING

Just one block from Highlands’ Main Street, Lakeside Restaurant still feels like a quiet mountain getaway. It’s maintained that spirit for the last 30 years.

L

akeside Restaurant has been a bright spot in the Highlands dining scene for 30 years now.

That’s right, 30 years.

Hard to believe, isn’t it? Started by Marty Rosenfield, current owner Laura Huerta took over the reins in 2013.

Tucked away just one block off Main Street, Lakeside is nestled next to Harris Lake and offers fine dining inside and, weather permitting, on their outdoor patio, where pets are permitted!

Catch the last few warm evenings away from the hustle and watch the ducks on the lake.

Laura is proud that she’s kept many of the

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same traditions as Rosenfield and added her own touch.

Proud, she should be. It takes a dedicated vision and endless hours to keep a business open for 30 years where guest satisfaction is their main goals.

“We are a ‘yes’ restaurant when it comes to meeting the needs of the customer. All our food is fresh and cooked to order so we are great at altering any dish or accommodating allergies and dietary restrictions,” Laura said. “We welcome feedback and make changes when needed.”

They focus on fresh seafood, but have a little of everything on the menu. The staff is welltrained and the friendliest in town – they make

everyone feel right at home.

She continues, “We try to keep everything on the menu seasonal depending on what is fresh and readily available. Our food is not fussy but simple, approachable, and delicious. Our outdoor area is truly special and authentic to any in town. My main goal has always been to employ nice people who truly love what they do. It’s the easiest way to run a business, and it’s what keeps our guests coming back.”

Lakeside is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. For reservations, call (828) 526-9419.

Make sure you see what they’re offering for the Highlands Food and Wine weekend in November. It’s always something surprising.

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CLASSIC TASTE OF FALL

BY MARLENE OSTEEN

Fielding Kids enjoying the taste of fall.

It’s October and the picking is fine – for apples, that is.

I

f it’s true that few things in life carry more emotional weight and symbolism than food, than may it also be true that perhaps no single food can trigger reminiscence like the apple?

Nostalgia for the apple, the food of our youth, evokes memories from early Bible studies to a treat for the teacher, advice from the dentist or a family outing to an orchard. I’ve been fond of apples for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until on a trip here, more than a decade ago that I was truly beguiled.

Then, visiting the Cashier Farmers Market I discovered the Arkansas Black – crisp and tart and sweet like a fine well-aged Chardonnay wine.

Sure, visitors to Western North Carolina in October are here for our spectacular foliage display, but no less exuberant and varied are our apples.

This time of year, the orchards are producing abundant fruit, and a drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Highway easily overwhelms the senses. There are powerful aromas and showy displays, while local school kids and retired folks alike busily pluck bushels of fruit from the trees.

At our markets and produce stands the tables groan with dozens of apples, sourced from nearby counties. August Produce on the Franklin Road begins selling Jonagolds and Honey Crisps in August and by October there are more than 15 on display.

At the Cashiers Farmer Market in Highway 64, the baskets on their porch overflow – beginning in late August with the Red Delicious and winding up before they close for the season in October with Fuji, and that favorite of mine, the Arkansas Black.

Most of the apples stocking the shelves come from Henderson County, home to more than 150 orchards (NC ranks seventh in apple production in the US).

Happily, one local orchard, the Dendy Orchard on the Goldmine Road in Highlands, returns this year after a two-year hiatus – their operation having been shuttered by a perfect storm of an early freeze, malfunctioning equipment and a diseased crop.

Depending on the month, you can find their harvest of Cortland, Macintosh, Winesap, Mutsu, Rome and Grimes Golden at the Deal Produce Stand in Franklin.

And should there be too many apples in your basket for enjoying one at a time, then I offer this recipe from Louis Osteen’s “Charleston Cuisine” – as sweet and endearing as he was, it’s best made – as Robin Crawford of the Cashiers Farmers Market suggests– with a variety, perhaps Rome, Winesap and Mustu.

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Stewed Apples Perfect as a side dish with a salty country ham, or as a casual desert after a picnic or barbecue.

Ingredients 2 lbs. Tart Firm Apples 5 tablespoons Butter 1-1/3 cups Sugar 8 Fresh Sage Leaves or ¼ tsp. Rubbed Sage ½ Bay Leaf Salt to taste Juice of 1 Lemon Directions Peel and core and quarter the apples.

Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples, sugar, sage and bay leaf and stir. Add salt to taste.

Cook the apples over medium heat for about 12 minutes or until tender – they should still hold their shape. Remove the sage leaves and add a few drops of lemon juice.

At this point, you can transfer the apples and their juice to a warm serving dish and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate, rewarming over medium heat when you are ready to use.

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A SWEET NOD TO FRENCH WINES Mountain Fresh Grocery, which has developed a regional reputation for its deep wine inventory, takes the next step – unveiling its Private Wine Label.

O

ver the years, Mountain Fresh Grocery has gained a place in the heart of Highlanders and visitors alike for its upscale casual dining options and being a one-stop shop for the entire family. It offers ready-to-eat options, instore bakery, pizzeria, and deli, and a well-curated, Wine Spectator awardwinning selection of wines available on-site or off.

Now, for the first time in its nearly 50 -year history, Mountain Fresh has partnered with a French winery to create a line of private label wines exclusive to the store. Owners Steve and Jennifer Snead-Smith worked with the winery to bring incredible quality and value to the people of Highlands and beyond.

Created with intense varietal character, the wines are a sweet nod to the Snead-Smith’s affection for France, inspired by multiple visits to the wine growing regions, and their shared passion for wine.

Working with their French wine partners, the Snead-Smiths are delighted to announce that Mountain Fresh’s boutique wine label will soon debut three varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are available by the glass and bottle, with a Rosé offering on tap at the bar. Accessibly priced, the wines are tailored to suit

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any palate and perfectly complement the love of wine and food that is the essence of Mountain Fresh and its supporters.

With a saturated dark ruby color, medium-body and excellent ripeness, the Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a big nose of cocoa, earth-scented and lush, with a liquorice finish. The medium to full-bodied Chardonnay features notes of pear and

pineapple with ample richness and concentration, offering a long finish bursting with freshness and appeal. To be enjoyed for the rest of the summer, the light- to medium-bodied Rose embodies hints of crushed stone and herbal-floral notes with a hint of silkiness to the texture.

The Mountain Fresh wine label, a variation on the quintessential French label of a chateau, depicts a rendering of the storefront, representative of the unique fusion of upscale casual and rugged mountain that exemplifies the Mountain Fresh experience.

The back label includes details of how visiting Jennifer’s grandmother near the South of France became the SneadSmith’s inspiration for the collaboration.

“The launch of our first private wine label is a major milestone for Mountain Fresh,” said Steve Snead-Smith. “We are excited to unveil these new wine offerings, which will soon be available at the bar and on our retail shelf. If you’re in the area, please stop by - we’d love to tell you more!

“By offering our flagship wine brand, we continue to strive to keep the essence of Mountain Fresh all that it was, only better.”

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Sunday Brunch

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HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4118 Kitchen and Bar • 64 Highlands Plaza • (828) 526-5002 $ $ • • • C • 95 Altitudes at Skyline Restaurant & Lounge • 470 Skyline Lodge Road • 828-526-2121 $ $$$ • • • • • NC • • • 95 Bella’s Junction Cafe • 20 Old Mud Creek Road, Scaly, NC • 828-526-0803 $ $ $ • C • • 93 Bistro on Main • 270 Main Street • 828-526-2590 $ $$ • • • C • • • 97 The Bistro at Wolfgang’s • 460 Main Street • (828) 526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • • 5 Fire + Water Restaurant • Reservations Required • (828) 526-4446 $$$ • • C • 15 Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar • 465 Main Street • (828) 787-2537 $ $ • • • C • • 94 Fressers Courtyard Cafe • 470 Oak Street, Village Square • (828) 526-4188 ¢-$$ $-$$ • • • C • • • 93 * The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering • 350 S. Fifth Street • (828) 526-2110 $-$$ $-$$ • • 103 Lakeside Restaurant • Smallwood Avenue • (828) 526-9419

$$$ • • • • • NC • • 101 The Log Cabin • 130 Log Cabin Lane • (828) 526-5777 $-$$ $$ • • • • • C • • 105 Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden • 445 Main Street • (828) 787-2525 $ $$ $$ • • • • NC • • 162 Meritage Bistro • 490 Carolina Way • (828) 526-1019 $-$$ $-$$ $-$$ • • • C • • • 4 Midpoint • 330 Main Street • (828) 526-2277 $$$ • • • • NC • • 98 Mountain Fresh • Corner of Fifth & Main • (828) 526-2400 ¢ $ $$ $-$$ • • • C • • 106 On the Verandah • Highway 64 (Franklin Road) • (828) 526-2338 $-$$ $-$$ • • • • • NC • • • 99 Paoletti’s • 440 Main Street • (828) 526-4906 $-$$ • • • • NC • 101 *Rosewood Market • Main Street • 828-526-0383 $-$$ $-$$ • • C • 93 SweeTreats Deli • Corner of 4th and Main • (828) 526-9632 $ $ • • C • 103 Tug’s Proper • 310 Main Street • (828) 526-3555 $ $ $-$$$ • • • • C • • 107 The Ugly Dog Pub • 298 South 4th Street • (828) 526-8364 ¢ ¢ ¢ • • • C • • 101 Wolfgang’s Restaurant • 460 Main Street • (828) 526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • • 5 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Canyon Kitchen • 150 Lonesome Valley Road, Sapphire, NC (828) 743-7967 $$$ • • • • • C • • 86 *On the Side at Cashiers Farmers Market • Crossroads • 828-743-4334 • 107 El Manzanillo • Ingles Shopping Center, Highway 64 East • 828-743-5522 $ $ • • • C • 105 The Orchard • Highway 107 South • (828) 743-7614 $$$ • • • • • C • • 107 Slab Town Pizza • 45 Slab Town Road • (828) 743-0020 $ $ • • C • • 103 The Ugly Dog Pub • 25 Frank Allen Road • (828) 743-3000 ¢ ¢ ¢ • • • C • • 101 Zookeeper • 45 Slabtown Road • 828-743-7711 ¢ ¢ ¢ • C • • 105 ¢ $

Minimal, most entrees under $10 Moderate, most entrees $10-$15

Pricing Guide

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS Altitude’s at Skyline Lodge - (828) 526-2121 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bake My Day Bakery & Cafe - (828) 487-4633 Bella’s Junction Cafe - (828) 526-0803 Bistro on Main/Main Street Inn - (828) 526-2590 The Bistro at Wolfgang’s - (828) 526-3807 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 526-0020 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 El Manzanillo - (828) 526-0608 Fire + Water Restaurant - (828) 526-4446 Fressers Courtyard Cafe - (828) 526-4188 Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar (828) 787-2537 The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering - (828) 526-2110 Lakeside Restaurant - (828) 526-9419 The Log Cabin - (828) 526-5777 M-brace - (828) 787-1212 Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden - (828) 787-2525

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$$ Deluxe, most entrees $15-$20 $$$ Grand, most entrees over $20

*

Takeout Only

Meritage Bistro - (828) 526-1019 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 On the Verandah - (828) 526-2338 Pescado’s - (828) 526-9313 Pizza Place - (828) 526-5660 Paoletti’s - (828) 526-4906 Rosewood Market - (828) 526-0383 Tug’s Proper - (828) 526-3555 Subway - (828) 526-1706 SweeTreats Deli - (828) 526-9632 The Ugly Dog Pub - (828) 526-8364 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 Wine Garden at Old Edwards Inn - (828) 787-2525 Wolfgang’s Restaurant - (828) 526-3807 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750

C Casual

Dress Code J

NC Nice Casual Jacket

Cork & Barrel Lounge - (828) 743-7477 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522 Hunt Bros. Pizza at Cashiers BP - (828) 743-2337 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 On the Side at Cashiers Farmers Market - (828) 743-4334 The Orchard - (828) 743-7614 Randevu Restaurant - (828) 743-0190 Restaurant at Greystone Inn - 828-966-4700 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Slab Town Pizza (STP) - (828) 743-0020 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 The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers - (828) 743-3000 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226 Zookeeper - (828) 743-7711

DINING

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SHOPPING Pages 114-122

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SHOPPING

Acorns

Martha Anne’s

McCulley’s

SHOPPING THE HILL

BY LUKE OSTEEN

“On the Hill” is both a geographic reference and a nod to the elevated shopping found on Highlands’ South Fourth Street.

S

outh Fourth Street in Highlands has been a shopping destination for so long that it’s become a bit of shorthand. It’s common for locals and first-time visitors to announce that they’re going to visit “on the Hill” without further explanation.

Here’s what you can expect to find when you decide to see what’s “on the Hill.”

S’More Kids Klothes is the place to go in Highlands for unique and fun children’s clothing. Whether you’re looking for hair accessories, shower gifts, back to school clothes or a dress for a special occasion you should check out S’Mores.

They carry world-class designer clothing from the USA, Spain and Great Britain that can’t be found anywhere else in the valley. This unique store may be small, but it’s packed with charming children’s clothing and accessories that would make any mother or grandmother proud.

When you visit Highlands, don’t miss this Gem on the Hill! Once you visit, you’ll want to come back for S’More.

Mirror Lake Antiques specializes in estate and contemporary jewelry and sterling silver flatware. The shop also features vintage bar ware, sterling and Victorian plated hollow ware, flo blue English transfer ware and orientalia. If you notice their ad on Page 10, you’ll see that owners Donna and Stan Cochran have a soft spot in their hearts and their jewelry collection for opals in all their

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beguiling color combinations.

One of the newest businesses to join the upscale retail district in Highlands is South Florida-based Wish & Shoes, which opened its fifth store here in May. This unique boutique offers shoppers the utmost in personal service, at a level usually reserved for Rodeo Drive and 5th Avenue.

The space is modern, elegant, and filled with stylish American and European designers offering head-to-toe fashion for women of all ages. You’ll discover lines you can’t find anywhere else in Highlands and right now is the time to shop for your fall and winter fashions with new merchandise arriving daily. This is not tropical resort wear, it’s gorgeous lightweight reversible fox and water-resistant jackets, custom python bags, leather boots, fashion jeans, and handloomed sweaters.

With its over 60 years in business, Highlands Gem Shop is a local institution This family-run jewelry store boasts an extensive selection of fine jewelry, antique and estate pieces, and handmade designs.

They can also help with designing a new piece or re-designing an existing piece that you may want to update.

Being the oldest gem shop in Macon County, Highlands Gem Shop also has a wide collection of mineral specimens and rocks. And for the children, our Touching Department will surely satisfy their curiosity.

And while you’re browsing, check in with resident jewelry designer Suzanne Sloan.

Her fun line, That Sloan Woman, is sure to make you happy. Her use of natural gemstones, ethnic beads and organic material makes her designs a unique and hip addition to the shop. All of her designs are one-of-a-kind, so you won’t see another one like it.

When you step into Oakleaf, it’s something of a calculated fall down the Rabbit Hole. There’s a brightness to the place, and a sense of life and its myriad promises, a touch of whimsy, and an undeniable playfulness.

Part of that is the sensory presentation that greets visitors – the brightness of the fresh cut flowers, the subtle blending of floral and herbal scents, the earthy musk of sheet moss, the sublime garden art that pops up throughout the gallery.

And of course, part of it is owners Kirk Moore and Don Fry. They’ve cultivated that warmth and playfulness that’s so apparent upon the first step into Oakleaf.

Oakleaf has become the go-to floral designer for elegant weddings around the Southeast. Their partnership with Old Edwards Inn to provide the destination resort with event styling expertise has proved fruitful for both parties (that wonderful smell that infuses OEI’s rooms is Oaklaeaf’s Fragrance Mist).

SHOPPING

Acorns Boutique

Oakleaf

Last November, Acorns moved from its original location on Main Street to 212 South Fourth Street and joined the already amazing community of retailers “on the Hill.”

By combining the clothing boutique and home accents shop, customers receive better service and are now able to find a wider variety of goods conveniently located under one roof.

In fact, this is an ideal time to visit Acorns, since it’ll be hosting a pair of trunk shows this month. The first will be held October 11 through 13 and spotlights the works of Hazen Jewelry. What will you see at their trunk show? Exquisitely handcrafted, playful, and feminine accessories that embody both timelessness, elegance, and modern sensibility. The last trunk show of the month will be October 18 through 20 with Fat Hat Clothing Company. They like to say they’re the “cure for the common clothes,” so if you’re looking to add some exceptionallystyled pieces to your wardrobe make plans to attend. All of Fat Hat’s clothing is made in the U.S.A. using soft, delicious fabrics that feel wonderful on your body.

Stick Candles and Citizen Wilder is the newest store “on the Hill,” yet it’s already established a reputation that extends far beyond the confines of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. It’s an enchanting garden wonderland that feels like something encountered

by Alice when she slipped through the Look-

Mirror Lake Antiques

Wish & Shoes

ing Glass. Owner/Designer Kris Nelson has crafted a series of garden miniatures for the home, utilizing plants, dried plants, garden ephemera, and every variety of bits and bobs antiques. The resulting art pieces are endlessly fascinating. The shop also features antiques, displays for home and garden and idiosyncratic creations that demand a careful browse. These displays are complemented by a series of astonishing candles created

by Co-Owner Doug Collum and his righthand man Luis. They craft beeswax candles cast from real tree branches, and you can watch them as they work, a fascinating process that you can’t turn away from. Remember what we said about capturing attention far beyond the confines of the Plateau?

You’ll find Kris and Doug’s pieces featured in such publications as “Originals:Creative Interiors” by William Abranoswicz; “Home” by Ellen DeGeneres; and “O: The Magazine of Oprah Winfrey.”

Vivace is an upscale ladies boutique for the woman who wants to look her best. It’s the place to shop for savvy, chic women who step out in style.

For over a decade owner Linda Hall and the helpful staff at Vivace have been offering the latest styles in upscale ladies attire.

Well-known brands like Vince, White and Warren, Margaret O’Leary, Equestrian, Majestic, Joie are joined by Aquatalia boots and shoes, Charleston shoes and Vaneli.

These are just a few of the national and international brands that Vivace carries.

McCulley’s has earned a reputation far beyond the Plateau for carrying one of the largest selections of the Scottish cashmere in the United States.

In women’s fashions, shoppers can expect to find classic pullovers in every neckline under the sun, fashion-forward tunics, batwing sleeve cables, three-quarter-sleeve boat necks, .an array of cardigan, sporty zip jackets and hoodies, soft, comfy knit coats, capes, stoles, scarves and other accessories. In men’s fashions, there’s a huge selection of solid colors, cable-knits, argyles and hand-loomed intarsia designs. Classic pullovers in V-neck, crew neck, three-quarter zip mock neck, polo collar, classic/retro button-front cardigans.

Martha Anne’s...on the Hill, offers shoes and apparel for the independently stylish woman with a sense of fun. Martha Anne has carefully selected this collection, and it’s just as surprising as she is. The fun part of the equation comes out when you consider the shoe selection. There’s a playfulness about the styles that shows Martha Anne is the woman making the decision. But really, that sense of joy extends to the coats, and clothing, and designer pieces that adorn this charming boutique. Come in for a browse and you’ll be surprised and seduced by this eclectic collection.

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SHOPPING

ACORNS OCTOBER TRUNK SHOWS

BY JENNY KING

Acorns dazzles with its pair of exclusive October trunk shows.

T

he summer season may be over, but Acorn’s Boutique at Old Edwards Inn is still going strong. As a matter of fact, they’re holding two trunk shows this month.

The first will be held October 11 through 13 and spotlights the works of Hazen Jewelry. From their beginning in 2002, Hazen has sought to be unique.

Unique in the products they design and sell, unique in how they sell those products, unique in how they interact with customers, vendors and employees, and unique in the ways they steward the gifts they’ve been given. Over 17 years later, this continues to remain a goal for Hazen & Co. What will you see at their trunk show?

Exquisitely handcrafted, playful, and feminine accessories that embody both time-

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lessness, elegance, and modern sensibility.

The classic pieces are bright with precious metals and pearls, stunning in their simple elegance. If you’re looking for something to show your school colors at the game, take

a peek at their Gameday Collections in colors you’ll be proud to wear.

The last trunk show of the month will be October 18 through 20 with Fat Hat Clothing Company. They like to say they’re the, “cure for the common clothes,” so if you’re looking to add some exceptionally-styled pieces to your wardrobe make plans to attend. All of Fat Hat’s clothing is made in the U.S.A. using soft, delicious fabrics that feel wonderful on your body. They feature elegant drape with A-line styles that flatter without being restrictive and are perfect for work, travel, and everyday wear for women of all ages.

Start your Autumn with these final trunk shows at Acorns Boutique in Highlands. They’re now located at 212 South Fourth Street, on The Hill, and you may call them at (828) 787-1877.

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SHOPPING

Becca Burch

MOUNTAIN MERMAID

BY LUKE OSTEEN

The Mountain Mermaid offers styles and fashion choices to complement the unique lifestyles of Cashiers and Highlands.

W

ith a name like The Mountain Mermaid, you know you’re in for an enchanting shopping experience, coupled with a healthy dose of whimsy.

That’s the effect owner Becca Burch is aiming for, and she’s had a lifetime to fashion the image.

A fifth-generation Boca Grande Islander, she grew up working in her mother’s two clothing stores on the famous resort destination.

“I was going to buying shows in New York and Atlanta when I was three, so I know the business pretty well,” Becca says. “And since my parents own property in Highlands, I knew this area pretty well, also, since we’d always summer here.”

In fact, it was a visit to Highlands last year that convinced Becca to take the big step into owning her own business.

“I was just sitting outside, drinking a cup of coffee, when I thought how peaceful everything was, and how I wanted to be a part of that,” she says.

She considered opening a women’s apparel store in either Highlands or Cashiers, but the possibilities seemed greater in Cashiers.

“I liked the idea of having a building that

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was separate from other shops, that I could really make my own,” she says. “I wanted to stock it with lines that no else had, so Cashiers seemed like a more natural fit.”

And she’s stocked her boutique with lines that reflect her sense of style and comfort and quality.

For instance, shoppers can expect to find a full range of St. James styles. This Frenchmade line has won an international reputation for its carefully composed sweaters and tops, maintaining its fashion fundamentals

and timeless styles.

In much the same way a mermaid would browse through an undersea garden, a shopper can’t resist being drawn through the rooms behind the showroom, encountering scarves, shoes, resort wear, and athleisure wear.

Among the collection are the eye-catching resort styles of IBKUL, a line that features UPF 50, the IceFil cooling element (which can cool the body five degrees in normal use), underarm mesh treatment along with wicking and anti-microbial features in exclusive prints and patterns.

“I want to offer clothing that’s unique to our area, while complementing the two shops that are our neighbors — The Look and Sashay Around,” says Becca. “This is a place where you can relax and browse, just like the feeling that you get from Cashiers itself.”

The Mountain Mermaid is offering a 30 percent off sale on selected items through the end of November. It’s located on 107 North, approximately 10 0 yards from the Crossroads. For more information, call (828) 743- 0444 (but you really should stop in to fully comprehend what this boutique has to offer).

SHOPPING

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SHOPPING

GILDED BEAUTY An 1880’s painterly impression of a serene water setting with a sailboat.

Measuring 21.50 x 18 inches, it’s housed in its original, beautiful frame from the Gilded age. c. 1864 Original Painting | $ 575 Nearly New | Cashiers

u a e t a l P icks P

COZY ON UP This stunning bar stool offers a tip of the hat to an old English pub. The luxurious combination of hand-forged wrought iron and top grain leather is guaranteed to cultivate feelings of warmth and coziness in any space.

Leather and Wrought Iron Bar Stools 4 available | $145 each The Blue Elephant Consignment Studio | Highlands

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SATIN SOFT Glossy satin and front pockets take this bohemian-style blouse to new heights. Gorgeous arrays of color, with beautiful embroidered details make this find as feminine as it is fun.

Johnny Was Satin Blouse | $ 220 A. Jones Company | Cashiers

SHOPPING

ARTFUL ANGLERS Beautifully hand-painted graphics and artistic finishes, this top-of-the line Abel fly reel is durable, lightweight, and easy to palm. A work of art that will elevate your fish game to artistry in motion.

Abel Handcrafted Reel | $795 Brookings’ Anglers | Cashiers

a f e w of our f a vor i t e t h i n g s

TELL ME A STORY

LIGHT RESPONSIBLY Exotic scents created by a Master French perfumer are enveloped in luxurious hand-blown Belgian glass vessels that can later be repurposed as vases or home decor objects. The state-of-the-art wax is responsibly made following environmental standards and using cotton wicks – so you can really relax and just breathe in!

Alixx ACP Signature Scent Candles 78 oz. $189 | 42 oz. $ 98 | 15 oz. $ 58 ACP Home Interiors | Highlands

LIFE ENHANCEMENTS

We are in love with these story dolls by artist Robin Ridener. Using vintage fabric, lace and tatting, these one-of-akind folks are inspired by nature and fueled by Robin’s imagination - all with a story they’re eager to tell.

Indoor plants such as Crotons and Fiddle Leaf Figs brighten up indoor spaces and boosts moods.

Fall favorite Garden Mums will ignite a landscape with its blazing color - proving that enhancing your life can as simple as a spade.

Edmund $ 42 | Lone Stem $100 | Toadstool Pirate $110 The Bascom Shop | Highlands

Garden Mums $ 9 | Croton $ 30 | Fiddle Leaf Fig $ 60 Main Street Nursery | Highlands

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SHOPPING

SUZY LANDA AT PEAK EXPERIENCE

BY LUKE OSTEEN

An exclusive trunk show at Peak Experience, slated for October 18-20, promises to illuminate the Plateau with the dazzling jewelry of designer Suzy Landa.

P

eak Experience will host a trunk show featuring the stunning creations of jewelry designer Suzy Landa, October 18-20.

Landa’s unique styles and color choices make her collection a masterful complement to Peak Experience, which has earned a reputation for showcasing unique works of art with timeless sensibilities.

“I create jewelry that marries an old world air with a modern flair,” says Ms. Landa. “An admitted, committed colored stone junkie, I fall in love with a gem and work backwards to create something that makes the centerpiece appear as though it was born there. Reliance on warm gold alloys and a satin finish in order to highlight the gems rather than the metal allows those stones to take center stage. In many cases, the resulting pieces are one-of-a-kind.

“I play with layers, negative space, movement, and dimension to create pieces that

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look different when observed from varying angles; and they often have unexpected, surprise elements.

“My favorite pieces to design are rings: Whether an unusual engagement ring, a collection of stackers, or a single gemmy ring, rings are pieces the wearer can admire on her own, without looking in the mirror. As a jewelry artist, I am dedicated to uncompromising gemstone quality and expert craftsmanship of the finished prod-

uct. My attention to detail is evident in the work.

“I design for a woman who favors timeless statement pieces over disposable, only temporarily ‘hot’ ones. She is confident in her own sense of style, doesn’t follow “mainstream” fashion, and knows what she loves the moment she sees it. She expects to love her pieces in 10 years as much as she does on that first day. I believe that the “classics” I create for today’s collectors will be valued by future generations.

“Handcrafted entirely in New York City, the 18k gold, diamond, and gemstone collection is designed to be worn, not stored. It is meant for effortless elegance and easy casual wear. Precious stones may be worn every day, bright colors can be surprisingly neutral, and diamonds… well, what are you saving them for?”

Peak experience is located at 2820 Dillard Road in Highlands. For more information, call (828) 526-0229.

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ADVENTURE OUT Pages 126-134

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ADVENTURE OUT

GET INTO THE FLOW

BY BRIAN O’SHEA | PLATEAU DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY CHARLES JOHNSON

Silver Run Falls is a year-round treasure, although spending time in its inviting pool at this time of year is a true test of mountain spirit.

J

ust off Highway 107 lies an epic oasis with an incredible waterfall and swimming hole approximately four miles south of Cashiers. The quartermile hike to Silver Run Falls is level, easybreezy, and is all-age friendly.

Visitors can spend their day at the Falls any number of ways – take your lunch break on the beach or plop a chair in the water and relax for the day. The approximately 25-foot falls pours into an expansive swimming hole. While surrounded by trees, the area gets great sunlight from mid-morning to late afternoon for those willing to brave the waters.

Why brave the waters? It’s cold – think mountain streams cold – because that’s exactly what’s happening. That being said, if you can handle the brisk-water

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temps, the pool is an excellent spot to play in the falls. Or stay dry and just kick it on one of the several small beach areas surrounding the pool with some pretty sweet hammock set-up possibilities.

Rachel Slade was visiting family in the area and heard Silver Run Falls was a good day trip for the family.

“We really enjoyed Silver Run Falls, it was super fun for our daughter Ava especially,” said Slade. “The walk to the falls was short, which would have made it easy to take a cooler and snacks to hang out for a while.”

While Slade and husband Geoff relaxed on the beach, Ava spent her time searching for wildlife.

“Ava really enjoyed stomping around in the shallows and in the creek looking

for critters,” said Rachel. “The water was a little too chilly for my liking, but I would certainly like to return when the weather is a little warmer.”

For those looking to climb to the top of the falls, there is a side trail on your left just before the pool with a short scramble to the top. There are no railings, signs, or fences; exercise common sense.

Silver Run Falls is a popular hangout during the season and can get crowded, but that tends to be over the weekends during the summer.

The trailhead is approximately four miles south of Cashiers off Highway 107 South. There are parking areas on both sides of the road, but space is limited – be cautious parking on the curve of the road.

ADVENTURE OUT

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ADVENTURE OUT

GET HOOKED ON FALL FLY FISHING

BY MATT CANTER | BROOKINGS ANGLERS

Fly fishing in October is an elevated game that tests the wits and skills of even seasoned anglers.

T

here’s a crispness in the air, a layer of fog over the river, and vibrant color paints the mountains.

October is a month that every fly angler looks forward to. It’s a turning of the season… the time of year we break out our waders again because the water has cooled too much to stand in bare legged like we did all summer.

The fish we pursue feel the change as well. They come out of their lethargic summer slump to feed heavily in preparation for the winter to come.

October is magical here in the Mountains of North Carolina.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler, or someone that’s never held a fishing rod, this is a really good time to stand knee-deep in a river and enjoy the great sport of fly fishing. Along with desirable conditions to be outdoors, and fish that are happily feeding, one other major perk to fly fishing in the fall is that our larger rivers have cooled down to the point of being productive again. This is a very appealing element to the fly angler here in North Carolina, since most of the summers are spent in small streams with very little room for a back-cast without snagging a tree limb. This also makes for an ideal setting in which to learn as well.

If you want to experience fall fly fishing here in Western North Carolina, a good place to start is always your local Fly Shop. Hiring a local fly-fishing guide can greatly reduce the learning curve of diving into what some would classify as an intimidating sport.

If you’re more of a do-it-yourself type person, the local knowledge that comes from a specialty fly shop can be priceless, and greatly add to your experience on the water.

Water conditions and weather conditions are constantly changing, which affects the strategy of how to approach your day of fishing. A few minutes to run into the Fly Shop can take all the guesswork away, and get you right to it!

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ADVENTURE OUT

A PLEASER, NOT A SNEEZER

BY JEANNIE CHAMBERS | THE ACCIDENTAL GARDENER

The bold beauty of Goldenrod is nothing to sneeze at.

G

oldenrod solidago is a genus of over 100 species of flowering plants in the Asteraceae (Aster) family.

Solidago comes from the Latin word soldago, meaning to make whole, or to heal.

If Goldenrod and Ragweed were in a police lineup, the results wouldn’t fare well for Goldenrod, as it’s blamed for fall allergies more times than not. Once accused, innocence is sometimes hard to prove, but Goldenrod crusaders proclaim you cannot have allergies caused from the plant. Goldenrod attracts bees and butterflies, wasps and flies.

It’s a perennial, mostly native to North America, but now grown worldwide. Germany and China have it listed as an invasive species, but maybe they don’t know about the health benefits. Native Americans used to chew the leaves to alleviate painful toothaches.

Other medicinal uses have been as a kidney/urinary tract tonic to help with bacterial infections and kidney stones.

The flowers can be used as an edible garnish and the leaves can be dried for making tea, or cooked fresh like any greens. Have you ever heard anyone say they’re going to go home and cook up a mess of Goldenrod? Me neither.

Speaking of medicinal uses, in laboratory studies using rodents, Goldenrod has been found useful for weight control, cancer prevention, anti-aging and heart health.

Great. Just what we need. Minnie and Mickey Mouse look-a-likes that have healthy hearts, won’t contract cancer, wear bikinis and never get old.

A bit of trivia: Did you know the tires on the Model T given to Thomas Edison by Henry Ford were made from Goldenrod? Edison cultivated a process to maximize the natural content of rubber found in Goldenrod. But wait, there’s more. Henry Ford and George Washington Carver worked alongside each other, experimenting with different crops and found a way to make rubber from Goldenrod.

Wouldn’t you have liked to have been a fly on that Goldenrod?

October is here, and Goldenrod can be seen blooming until frost. Although some start blooming in late July, it has been said you can count the days to the first frost by watching the blooms.

The day Goldenrod comes into full bloom means it’s six weeks until the first frost.

What a noble little plant. Often misjudged, but gives so much. We can learn a lot from Goldenrod.

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ADVENTURE OUT

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ADVENTURE OUT

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS

BY WILLIAM MCREYNOLDS | HIGHLANDS PLATEAU AUDUBON SOCIETY

You won’t find Yellow-Throated Warblers around your bird feeders. To catch a glimpse of these little charmers, look up.

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his colorful summer resident of the Highlands Plateau is a member of a large family of colorful songbirds, the warblers.

The Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) was first described while wintering in the Dominican half of the island of Hispaniola, hence its Latin name of dominica.

It sports grey dorsal plumage with double white wing bars, a white belly and undertail, and a black facemask with long white eyebrows. Its bright yellow throat is a clear field sign. Look also for the long, sharp bill and notched tail.

Yellow throats’ summer breeding grounds include the Southeast US, from Florida and the Gulf Coast north to Pennsylvania and west to the Mississippi Valley, Missouri and West Texas.

They winter in Florida, the Caribbean and Mexican Gulf Coast. Their typical

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

Regarding diet, yellow throats are bark foragers that “creep” the upper branches of tall trees, finding beetles, caterpillars, flies and scale insects. Not being seed eaters, they rarely appear on our seed feeders.

You might need binoculars to follow their treetop song of sharp, descending whistles: teedl teedl teedl…tew tew twee.

Yellow throats nest in the canopy using Spanish moss, if available, or bark, grass and weeds. The interior of the small cup nest is softened with feathers and tender vegetation. The male establishes and defends the territory and might help the female build the nest. A clutch of three to five speckled eggs incubate for 12-13 days before hatching.

There are usually two broods per season.

Happy October birding from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. Although most of our summer birds have migrated south, there are many year-round local birds still here to enjoy and some migrants still moving through, going south on Mississippi and Atlantic flyways. In addition, our Plateau is the winter home for many migratory birds who come from Canada and other northern climes.

The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them.

HPAS is a 501(c)(3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Visit online at highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities.

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ADVENTURE OUT

FITS YOU TO A TEE

BY TOM CHILLEMI, PGA | TOMSGOLFTOURS.COM

Now is the time to draw up your plans for visiting the extraordinary golf courses of Europe.

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s the peak golf season in Ireland, Scotland, and England starts to wind down, it’s not too late to book your dream trip for 2020.

There is still good availability in 2020 for nearly all of the great courses, particularly in Southwest Ireland and England.

Scotland is generally available as well, but if you’re looking for an Old Course guaranteed tee time, you may have to wait until 2021. Be sure to let us know if you want to be on our Old Course notification list when 2021 guaranteed tee times are released next Spring.

I encourage you to visit our website at tomsgolftours.com to learn more about the golf regions, courses, accommodations, and more in Scotland and Ireland. You can also fill out a Build Your Own Tour form on our website to request a quote on a customized trip of your choice by answering a few questions.

Castle Stuart – Scotland 2019

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We’d love to help you arrange a trip you’ll never forget to Ireland, Scotland, England, or Spain. We’ve been arranging great golf tours to these countries for over 20 years, and our goal is happy customers, like this group who ranked their recent trip to Scotland a “10 out of 10:” Hi Tom, Great trip to Scotland. Thanks so much for putting it together.

Accommodations were excellent, especially the Old Course Hotel, and excellent service throughout.

Courses were great: #1 Kingsbarns, #2 Castle Stewart (pictured), #3 Trump Turnberry, and Old Course was a special experience.

Stewart, our driver/concierge, was awesome. He arranged a tour of the R&A which was great.

Overall the trip was a 10/10.

Thanks again until next time, Tony

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ADVENTURE OUT

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HISTORY

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HISTORY

HISTORY Pages 140-143

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HISTORY

POOL HALLS, CIRCUSES, & YAHOO!

BY DONNA RHODES | PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The idyllic calm of an isolated mountain town was frequently punctuated with bursts of noise, music, and irrepressible high spirits.

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or 50 years, the snappy taps on the floor of Helen’s Barn symbolized the heartbeat of Highlands. While many have tried to recapture that rhythmical magic, Helen’s Barn remains an irreplaceable dance hall icon.

Even so, Helen’s barn dances blazed the entertainment trail on the Plateau. The subsequent attractions and diversions that streamed into town brought many cheers, but they also generated boos and hisses.

Fun’s companion is often Noise. Ears on one end of this small town could hear the bing-bang-boom on the other. Clogging, hooting, hollerin’, gunshots from shooting ranges, overly-enthusiastic (and sometimes tipsy) patrons at pool halls, banging/ clattering bowling alleys, circuses com-

plete with trumpeting elephants, and more created quite a ruckus during the season.

Complaining residents convinced law enforcement to set curfews.

With so many enjoyments showing up in the area, the town started levying taxes on them to pay for traffic, wear-and-tear, and services to accommodate tourists and travelers attracted-to and workingfor these recreations. Among those taxed were: auctions, pool halls, pool and billiard tables, bowling alleys, dance halls, slot machines, chain stores (more than two shops), and itinerant salesmen who dealt in coal, bicycles, music (Victrolas, pianos, radios), tobacco and cigarettes. Add to that, amusement parks, wild west traveling shows, dog and pony shows, and real

estate salesmen, and you begin to get a sense of how very attractive Highlands had become to outside entrepreneurs, investors, and profiteers.

While we still have a variety of enticing entertainments today, they are attuned to a demographic that is a bit more restrained. But none of it would have been possible without the legends that helped put Highlands on the map: a wild lot of funloving, yahooing, mountaintop masters of controlled mayhem.

To learn more about Highlands’ beginnings, read Ran Shaffner’s “Heart of the Blue Ridge.”

Highlands history/photos along with Historical Museum hours and contact info can be viewed at highlandshistory.com.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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HISTORY

THE NAMING OF GLENVILLE

BY CAROL M. BRYSON | HISTORIAN

The town of Glenville was not universally accepted upon its emergence from the village of Hamburg.

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here once was a quaint little village called Hamburg nestled on each side of the highest part of the Tuckasegee River.

In about 1890, the river meandered gently through the Hamburg Village for about five miles, with 40 or so homes and 240 people along its banks. At the end of the village, the river dropped dramatically over a 200-foot waterfall. A two-story high school, a Baptist church and a dozen or so businesses completed the fairy tale mountain village.

Among the villagers were Elisha Caylor Hedden and his wife Sarah Parker Hedden. Elisha’s parents gave him two lots on which he built a huge house and opened it as a hotel. He was the Hamburg postmaster in 1889.

A group of progressive-minded village people began to meet at Hedden’s hotel to discuss the idea of making Hamburg an official town. Elisha suggested the name of the town could be “Glenville,” just like his hotel. He had named his hotel “The Glenville House,” as shown on an advertisement he ran in the Tuckaseige Democrat newspaper. The group was suc-

cessful in getting the N.C. Legislature to study their idea to incorporate their vil-

lage into an official town called Glenville in February of 1891.

Elisha C. Hedden applied for a name change for his post office to be “Glenville” and his wife, Sarah, became the new postmaster.

The Glenville town charter named Elbert Watson as the interim Mayor. Elisha C. Hedden, Horace A. Brown, Alfred H. Wilson, William A. Wilson and Bennett J. Moody were the interim Town Commissioners; and John A. Gribble was named as the Marshall. The bill passed quickly after a modification to disallow the sale of liquor within the charter limits, which was in a three-quarter mile circle centered on the high school.

When the news came out that the bill to incorporate their village had been ratified, reaction was extremely negative, grounded in the fact there had been no local referendum on the issue. After months of bickering and threats of gunfire, it seemed futile to have the first election of town officers as called for in the charter. The name Glenville was commonly accepted, however, even after the village was flooded in 1941 by the dam of Lake Glenville and its people moved to higher grounds.

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HISTORY

MOSES ROCK

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Moses Rock is a quiet blessing to thirsty locals and weary travelers.

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f you’ve ever made the long, winding trek from downtown Highlands to the almost preternaturally pastoral landscape of Horse Cove, you may have noticed, just off the side of the road, a narrow pipe with a steady stream of clear water shooting out and pooling in a mossy granite bowl at its base.

Of course, if you’re the one driving, you may have just as likely missed the site, since Horse Cove Road demands your full attention.

But if you’ve made the run enough times that you can dart your eyes from the road itself, or you have an alert passenger who can point it out to you, it behooves you to pull over at a safe spot and hike to this quiet, almost concealed landmark.

This is Moses Rock, and it’s been a little miracle since the earliest days of Highlands.

According to Ann Turner, it’s a feature that literally popped out of the mountainside in the latter part of the 19th century.

“Luther’s great-great grandfather, the first elected mayor of Highlands, Stanhope Walker Hill – Squire Hill is how everyone knew him – was helping Kelsey and Hutchinson (the men who literally put Highlands on the map) plan the town and was surveying the roads,” Ann explains. “We got this account from Luther’s grandmother, Helen Hill Norris, who in the 1960’s wrote a column used to

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write for The Highlander newspaper.

“One of the roads was Horse Cove Road, at the time just an Indian Trail. The Squire and his crew were working to expand the road so that a horse and buggy could get through. They blasted out a quarry on the trail for material to build the road.

“Well, one of the workers, The Squire’s right-hand man, Jim Henry, struck a glancing blow with his mattock against an outcrop of solid granite, and out poured in silvery brilliance, a spring of water.

“When the The Squire saw it, he said to Jim, ‘We’ll call it Moses Rock, because in the Old Testament, where Moses was leading the children of Israel, and they were

tired and thirsty, somewhere it says that Moses smote the rock and there was water for all.’”

So for nearly 150 years, that little spring has been available for thirsty travelers. Some time along the way, someone placed the tiny ceramic ceramic statue of an angel to oversee this little spring and its visitors.

Ann calls it The Angel of the Cove.

When my family lived in Whiteside Cove, we relied upon a deep well for our household water. During the summer of 1993, an extremely dry year, that well sputtered and died.

Moses Rock saved our family from disaster – you’d be surprised how quickly civilization collapses when you can’t take a shower, or make tea, or, worst of all, flush a toilet.

But thanks to regular visits armed with bottles and jugs, this little jewel got us through that long, hot summer.

Now there are some you, probably from somewhere far away, who are reading this and asking, “But Luke, how can you trust the purity of a spring pouring out of a mountain face?”

Well, I’ll give you the answer my son (who’s now all grown up and lives out in Portland) gave me when I mentioned that I was writing this: “Dad, the day you die drinking from Moses Rock is probably the day you want to die.”

HISTORY

THE VILLAGE HERITAGE AWARD

BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The Village Heritage Award, which recognizes those buildings that maintain Cashiers’ authentic “Old Village” image, will be awarded at a ceremony at Camp Merrie Wood on October 11.

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ashiers Historical Society’s mission is preserving the heritage of Cashiers Valley through education, stewardship and advocacy. The society strives to recognize Cashiers’ history through publications, awards, events and projects.

One such award is the Village Heritage Award which has been given annually since 2003 to a building, old or new, which has been built or repurposed in keeping with the “Old Village” feel of Cashiers.

Area residents nominate new or newlyremodeled businesses whose architecture enhances the village feel of Cashiers, or individuals who have worked diligently to preserve our history and authenticity.

Additionally, according to the Historical Society’s guidelines, the nominated business or individual must contribute to the vitality of the community, and/or be of service to the community. Additional criteria for buildings which must be met include attractive landscaping with native materials, moderate lighting to enhance the night sky visibility and the property must be situated within the boundaries specified

by the Historical Society.

Past winners include Dovecote Porch &

Garden, Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center, Cornucopia Restaurant, Cashiers Community Center, Village Green, Laurelwood Mountain Inn, Alexander’s Gardens, the Van Epp House, Zonnie Sheik Cottage, The Old Cashiers Post Office, Fiddlehead Designs, Mountain Laurel Shoppes, Grace Anglican Church, and Tommy’s Coffee Shop.

Committee members John Barrow, Jane Nardy, and Carol Bryson have been hard at work reviewing this year’s nominees, and the winner will be announced on October 11 at The Preservation Award Ceremony at Camp Merrie-Wood. Another highlight of the evening will be the presentation of The Jane Nardy Archival Award. It’s also an evening to honor the countless volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of the CHS. For more information, cashiershistoricalsociety.org or stop by and visit them at their business office located in the Dowden Pavilion at the Zachary-Tolbert grounds at 1940 Highway 107 South. You may also call them at (828) 743-7710.

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HEALTH

HEALTH Pages 146-148

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HEALTH

SHOULDERS, NECESSARY AND COMPLICATED!

BY DR. SUE AERY | AERY CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE

When it comes to ensuring everyday health and mobility, the shoulder complex shoulders much of the burden. It can also pay a price.

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atients coming in with shoulder injuries are all too common in my office!

Just like other joints, shoulders can be very painful and can cause problems with normal daily life. The shoulder joint acts simply yet is very complex. The four major muscles which make up the rotator cuff are the primary movers and stabilizers of the shoulder complex. This is called the glenohumeral complex, made up of the humerus (upper arm bone) and the glenoid fossa (the joint, part of the shoulder blade).

When the arm moves the hand, it is the explicit job of the shoulder complex. The elbow and wrist are really the secondary (or ancillary) movers of the hand. Now it makes more sense as to why the shoulder is so important in our normal daily activities, especially since we usually need our hands for everyday life!

Most shoulder injuries come on with misuse and repetitive movement, causing an imbalance of the rotator cuff muscles.

The function of these four muscles is to be in symphony all the time with a variety of seven different movements. The arm is so

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complex that it puts a huge demand on this specific and detailed movement of the rotator cuff. Injury, overuse and lack of use can cause just one of these muscles to malfunction and then a cascade of events can lead to a very painful process.

In most injuries that involve repetitive use, we usually notice pain as one of the last indicators of a problem that needs to be addressed by a medical professional. This also usually indicates that the problem has been around for a while longer than we might think, creating a longer and more involved healing process.

After being seen in my office, I will often recommend an x-ray to show the bone structure and alignment. This will also show any arthritic changes, loss of joint space or misalignment in the joint complex.

From here, an MRI is the next step when necessary, showing the soft tissues, inflammation and/or a tear in one or several of the muscles involved. Several other possible problems include tendonitis, bursitis, capsular inflammation or a deficiency or tear in the labrum or cartilage.

All of these are more than reason for a pain situation and all need to be addressed as soon as possible. Frozen shoulder is a product of non-use or lack of full range of motion, causing the shoulder to become stuck or frozen in one position, making it very difficult to move at all without pain.

Whatever your pain or inability to move the arm and hand properly, make sure to have the shoulder joint evaluated by a professional. This way, you will know what you need to do next. Several common approaches to shoulder pain/injury include acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, soft tissue therapy, Graston, cold laser, micro-stimulation, chiropractic care and many other hands on techniques.

Establishing the injury first, then putting a plan in place and following through with home care and better habits will ensure that your function will improve and pain will subside. Keeping a full range of motion going on a daily basis is one of the best ways to prevent further injury and allow for full function in the future!

HEALTH

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HEALTH

YOGA, WELLNESS, ADVENTURE RETREAT 2020 Explore Jamaica’s Southern Coast, One Breath at a Time

Ashby Underwood and Mary Abranyi, long-time friends and yoga retreat leaders are teaming up to carefully curate a five night journey to Jamaica. Private and shared rooms are available. To reserve your spot or for further details, contact us at YogaHighlands.com or CashiersValleyFusion.com.

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cean breezes are beckoning us once again for our Fourth annual Winter Yoga, Wellness and Adventure Retreat. Jamaica 2020 will launch on February 6 -11 and will be our first retreat exploring island life!

Artistry. Sustainability. Authenticity. Our site for this year’s retreat is Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth Parrish on the Southern Coast of Jamaica. Treasure Beach is an arid region known for it’s laid back, serene atmosphere and sparsely populated beaches. The pride of the area is their work ethic and their authentically Jamaican people.

We have chosen Jake’s Hotel, a hip design-driven boutique hotel with an artistic feel. The owners of Jake’s are deeply committed to being an example of sustainable development- something we are aligned with as yoga practitioners. The hotel has been built gently on the land over time, which lends itself to light impact and harmony within the landscape.

St. Elizabeth is considered the breadbas-

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Ashby Underwood and Mary Abranyi

ket of Jamaica. It’s where 80 percent of Jamaica’s domestic produce is grown and we will enjoy the freshest fruit and vegetables— and the best grains—Jamaica has to offer.

Embracing Jamaica’s long tradition of nurturing, this retreat will turn our attention to physical healing. The Driftwood Spa onsite offers an expansive menu of services, with garden-grown ingredients prepared on

property – think coffee, coconut, mango, seaweed and aloe – to make their own products. Enjoy an herbal steam and then a massage in open-aired rooms looking out upon blue Caribbean water.

Daily morning yoga sessions meet on a platform gazing out over the ocean. This year we’ve created a few new workshops devoted to rejuvenation, self-discovery, and the heart of yoga.

Adventure-ready? Visualize mountain biking through the morning country-side, swimming in the pools of the YS waterfall, and journeying by boat to a freshlyprepared lunch of lobster, crab and fish served beachside.

One mission of yoga is to make the most of each present moment. When we step out of our lives and travel, it magnifies our appreciation of the life that awaits us returning home. New perspective is refreshing and needed, just as is laughter, relaxation, and balance! Locally-grown, community driven, and intrinsically good – you are invited to be a part of the warmth of Jamaica.

HEALTH

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HEALTH

HOMES AND LIFESTYLES Pages 152-161

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

SILVER RUN RESERVE

BY LUKE OSTEEN

The possibilities of pure mountain bliss are opened within the meadows of Silver Run Reserve, a community taking shape on the southern edges of Cashiers.

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Ilver Run Reserve, a pristine patch of old mountain pastureland nestled between two mountain ridges, has been divided into five distinct residential offerings spread across nearly 300 acres. That means property owners can revel in the experience of being far from the cares of 21st Century life, while being part of a vibrant, active community.

On the stress-free part of the equation, there are the deep woodland trails snaking through the community, perfect for hiking and discovery.

There’s boating on the gentle lakes that dot the development. You can fish on these stocked lakes, or test your skills on Silver Run Creek, the headwaters of Silver Run Falls, a 25-foot jewel that splashes into a tranquil pool.

If your idea of getting away involves a free-spirited horse, Silver Run Reserve is equestrian-friendly and is laced with designated riding trails.

But this is all balanced with a host of ac-

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tivities available to the entire community – open-air concerts, guided hikes, chef dinners, and visits by food trucks. If your escape from the stresses of the modern world includes participating in a lively community and indulging in the simple pleasure of getting to know your neighbors, well, this is as close to the ideal as you’re going to get in 21st Century America.

All of this takes place within five minutes of the Cashiers Crossroads, and easy access to the extraordinary communities of Cashiers and Highlands and their remarkably rich lineup of restaurants, exclusive shops and boutiques, and cultural events.

If you’d like to know more about this exclusive property and its possibilities, contact Broker/Owner Liz Harris, at (828) 342-3194 or email her at liz@cashiers.com.

Better yet, visit her at McKee Properties, 619 Highway 107 South in Cashiers, so she can take you to Silver Run Reserve and reveal the splendor of this untrammeled corner of the mountains.

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

PRESIDENTIAL SIDE HUSTLES

BY DONNA RHODES ILLUSTRATION BY NORMA JEAN ZAHNER

All of our presidents had a side hustle.

Some fared better than others.

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merica’s Presidents are a motley crew coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. Here are a few of the more interesting: Andrew Jackson was a military courier at the age of 13. He certainly knew how to deliver.

Abe Lincoln was a licensed bartender. As a lawyer, he not only passed the bar, he owned one.

Andrew Johnson was a tailor. He may not have been our most memorable president, but he looked stunning.

James Garfield managed mules on the Erie Canal, which was great training for dealing with Congress.

Benjamin Harrison, a Court Courier, yelled for a living before his Presidency.

Grover Cleveland was an executioner. While serving as sheriff in Erie County, New York, he hanged two criminals. Don’t mess with Grover.

Warren Harding was a newspaperman. Before his scandalous presidential term, he had a sterling rep as editor (and owner at the age of 18) of The Morning Star, where fake news was unheard-of. Coolidge was a lawyer, a governor, and a toy-maker, crafting doll carriages for the Ludlow Toy Manufacturing Company in his free time. Maybe they called him Silent Cal because it was awkward to confess he made baby doll toys.

Herbert Hoover worked as a geologist and mining engineer, exploring gold fields in Western Australia. In politics, it’s useful to know how to dig yourself out of holes.

In case you wondered what Harry Truman had under his hat, it was a haberdashery in Kansas City.

A recession put an end to that, so the next best thing was politics.

Lyndon Johnson was a shoe-shiner and a goatherder. He knew how to hoof-it from the Congressional steps to the White House gates. Dick Nixon ran the Slippery Gulch Carnival Wheel of Fortune game booth and worked as a cotton pickin’ chicken plucker. I’ll say no more about that.

Gerald Ford was a darn good Yellowstone Park Ranger ,where he worked as an armed guard on the truck that fed the bears. And, yes, he was smarter than the average bear. Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut grower and nuclear engineer, did his best, but Washington was even nuttier than his farm.

Ronald Reagan was a circus worker (at age 14), a lifeguard, and an actor. When he wasn’t entertaining he was rescuing, two essential talents for the man in charge. Bill Clinton was a grocer and a comic book salesman. He knew the Essentials of Life: Snacks and Superheroes.

George W. Bush was an oilman and part owner of the Texas Rangers. At the turn of the 21st Century, if you understood oil and football, you were a shoe-in.

Which brings us to current times and a President who was a reality show host.

Look how far we’ve come.

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

WHAT CAN A FINANCIAL ADVISOR DO FOR YOU?

BY MARY BETH BRODY | EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISOR

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hat does investing mean to you? If the word makes you think of transactions – buying or selling stocks and bonds – you’re looking at just part of the picture. To work toward all your goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need a comprehensive financial strategy.

And for that, you might need to work with a personal financial advisor. But what, specifically, can this type of professional do for you?

Here are some of the key services a financial advisor can provide: • Help you invest for your retirement – An experienced financial advisor can look at all the relevant factors – your current and projected income, age at which you’d like to retire, desired retirement lifestyle – to help you determine how much you need to invest, and in which investment vehicles, to help you reach your retirement goals. To cite just one example, a financial advisor can review your employer-sponsored retirement plan and help you determine how to use it to your greatest advantage.

• Help you save for college – Higher education is expensive, and costs are rising every year. If you’d like to help your

children – or grandchildren – go to college someday, you need to save and invest early and often. A financial advisor can suggest appropriate college savings vehicles and strategies.

• Help make sure you’re well-protected – If something were to happen to you, could your family maintain its standard of living? Or if you someday needed some type of long-term care, such as an extended stay in a nursing home, would you be able to maintain your financial independence, or would you be forced to rely on your adult children for help? A financial advisor can recommend and possibly provide suitable protection products and services for your needs.

• Help you adjust your financial strategy – Not much will stay constant in your life – and that includes your financial strategy. Any number of events – a new child, a new job, a new retirement destination – can cause you to adjust your investment moves, as will some of the factors influencing the financial markets – economic downturns, changing interest rates, new tax laws, and more.

A financial advisor can help you

change course as needed – and sometimes encourage you not to change course, when, in his or her professional opinion, you might be tempted to overreact to some event or other.

While a financial advisor can help you in many ways, you’ll need, above all else, to feel comfortable with whomever you choose. Ultimately, you’ll want to pick someone who understands what’s important to you, and who will follow an established process to create personalized strategies and recommend specific actions needed to help achieve your goals.

And you’ll want someone who will be with you in the long run – someone who will revisit your objectives and risk tolerance and who can adjust your strategies in response to changes in your life.

A financial advisor can make a big difference in your life. So, work diligently to find the right one – and take full advantage of the help you’ll receive as you move toward your important goals.

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

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

Cassandra King

THIS JOYFUL MARRIAGE OF SOULS

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Cassandra King’s “Tell Me a Story” illuminates an extraordinary love between two gifted writers.

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ost women, most writers, would find being married to a literary giant like Pat Conroy intimidating, even diminishing.

His life was large, his emotions were complex, and his passion for writing, for telling his stories, was unceasing.

So how does a woman keep her perspective, her sensibilities, when married to someone like that?

And how does a writer carve out her own style of storytelling while spending her days and nights beside the man who crafted “The Great Santini,” “The Water is Wide,” and the astonishing “The Prince of Tides?”

Novelist Cassandra King answers these questions with her deeply felt memoir, “Tell Me a Story,” a valentine to the man she loved and their all-too-brief 19 years together.

Through a storyteller’s alchemy, she creates a memoir that’s passionate and leavened with humor, yet poignant in its intimacy and the sure knowledge about the end that awaits this joyful marriage of souls. In fact, as I’m writing this, and flipping

through “Tell Me a Story” for particular incidents, there are great tears running down my face. It hurts.

Yet there’s a sweetness to “Tell Me A Story” that somehow makes this bearable and even something to be treasured.

Prior to receiving the Advanced Reader’s Copy, I decided to don my literary detective’s deerstalker hat and see if I could deduce the secret of the extraordinary friendship at the heart of this story.

You don’t have to go very far into Conroy’s backlist to realize that, of course, there has to be a tiger in the tale.

I’m not talking about the tiger that makes an appearance in “The Prince of Tides.” No, this is about the writer himself. Throughout his canon, there’s the sense that there’s a tiger pacing just beyond the margins of the page. It’s restless, and hungry, and clearly bearing the wounds of a long ago fight. Its primal scent is imbedded upon the page and you feel a frisson of fear for yourself in reading something so raw, and for the writer who had no choice but to reveal it.

Cassandra’s works are of a different

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order. Even in her first novel, “Making Waves,” it’s clear that this is a woman who listens. Her characters are crafted with compassion and understanding, and even the “bad guys” are given a humanity that marks them as creations of a woman in tune with the complex turnings of the human heart.

And when you come to her 2016 novel “Moonrise,” set in a town suspiciously like Highlands, and you’re as close to a Gothic romance as we’re likely to get in the 21st Century, you realize that though this writer’s works are primarily set in the sunny, drowsy South, this is a woman who understands darkness.

That’s when it clicks.

She understood this man and he reveled in her presence, in the simple benison of love poured out upon him. It’s as clear an anatomization of marriage as I’ve ever seen. And it comes through pure and sweet in every chapter of “Tell Me a Story.”

What a revelation!

And It’s all confirmed and explained by Cassandra King’s loving “Tell Me a Story.”

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

HIGHLANDS’ LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Serenaded by the sound of a babbling waterfall, this two-story home feels like a complete mountain getaway.

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ucked away in an acre of mature trees and a lush, green backyard is this adorable, furnished two-story home within minutes to Main Street.

A large benched deck with a pergolashaded entrance, white picket fence, red shutters, French doors, and a cultured stone two-story chimney enhance this charming New Orleans-style cottage with lovely antiques.

In the background, you can hear the sounds of water rippling over the slick stones of Glen Falls. It drowns out any road noise on the Dillard or Glen Falls roads. It’s easy to imagine pets romping in the grass while family badminton or croquet games are in full swing. The more adventurous can wander through an arbor entrance to a trail cleared to a site for a dedicated bench view of a spectacular waterfall.

Walking onto the back deck leads to a side door entrance to the upstairs bedrooms and full bath and full-sized washer/ dryer combo. The stair landing makes a suitable office area with wood flooring and upstairs windows in three directions.

“I’ve been connected to this home in different capacities as a realtor for 20 years,” says Real Estate Broker Barbara Newton. “The owner has made many upgrades as the needs arose. It now boasts 2015 A/C units, a 2017 white water and ice dispenser, side by side refrigerator/ freezer, 2018 new metal roof, and 2019 screened French doors.”

This home has a great rental history from weekends to three years’ long, and can serve as a wonderfully affordable yearround residence. It’s being offered at $285,000. Call Barbara Newton at Preferred

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Properties of Highlands in Wright Square for questions and to visit this charming getaway – (828) 526-5839 or (828) 526-5587.

Barbara Newton

HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

A LONESOME VALLEY WEDDING

BY SHAYNA BIGAZZI |

Altaterra Events

With careful planning and a reliance upon seasoned professionals, wedding nuptials become the embodiment of a Storybook Wedding.

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achel Kepes and Leland Ferriter were married on a perfect fall day in October of 2018.

With the help of Verge Events and Nicole Riley, the couple, from Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, brought 120 of their nearest and dearest to Cashiers and Lonesome Valley to celebrate their union. After speaking to a few of their vendors, it was very clear there was one very big and important item they wanted to celebrate (apart from their love, of course) and that was the food.

Their sumptuous menu was a celebration of the local with very bold inclusions of the faroff.

Canyon Kitchen’s Chef Naron and his team included passed hors d’oeuvres of Warm Brie and Peach Chutney Sammies and Collard Green Kim-

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chee Arancini with a Fermented Chili Aioli, as well as Seared Golden Tile in a Massaman-Coconut Milk Curry with Root Vegetables and Thai Basil.

Famed local beef purveyor Brasstown Beef was also on show with a beautiful Beef Tenderloin paired with Wilted Chard and Cauliflower “Grits.”

Later in the night, as guests were dancing away to the smooth tunes of Mad Sci DJ, there was one more culinary treat to be enjoyed, Canyon Kitchen Pizza Bites.

The newlyweds would both agree – the only thing missing were the Bride’s beloved horses who stayed at home in SC. But don’t worry – the Bride did a separate photo shoot in full wedding garb with just them when the newlyweds got home.

HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

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hayna Bigazzi is the owner of Altaterra Events, a luxury event production company serving the Southeast, Europe, and the Caribbean. Before starting on her own she worked with the Special Events team at Old Edwards Inn & Spa. Earlier in her career, Shayna lead the Turks and Caicos launch of Martha Stewart’s Beaches & Sandals Weddings (a partnership between the publishing giant and Luxury Resorts in Turks and Caicos and across the Caribbean). Shayna resides in Highlands with her husband and two island pups.

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

CABINET DESIGN

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

HEATING/COOLING

HOME CARE

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

HOME DECOR

MASSAGE

PICTURE FRAMING

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

ROOFING

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

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GIVING BACK Pages 166-175

GIVING BACK

Left to Right: Ed Kolakowski, Kathy Cone, Cookie McCall and Linda Arnold (seating)

THEY CARE LIKE FAMILY

BY MARY JANE MCCALL

Thanks to a cadre of compassionate volunteers and a staff of committed professionals, the Eckerd Living Center maintains the warm atmosphere of a loving home for its residents.

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ne of the many jewels that make our community such a special place is the Eckerd Living Center.

Their bright campus, filled with light and flanked by beautiful gardens, is an incredible facility; and, their skilled and caring administration and staff strive to make certain that the residents’ needs are met, but also that they thrive.

Volunteers play a significant role in seeing that the residents stay engaged, and Activities Director Stephanie Mallonee says that they are blessed with dedicated and caring volunteers who donate significant time and energy by visiting and helping out on a regular basis.

Most telling is that many of these volunteers start as visitors coming to see a loved

one. Gradually, they came to know and care for their loved one’s roommates and neighbors until they all felt like family.

“Family,” that’s a word you’ll hear a lot of here. It’s more, it’s also a feeling. So much so, that when their loved one passed away, they continue to volunteer.

Ed Kolakowski, whose wife was in hospice and passed away after only a short stay, says that the compassionate care and loving atmosphere made a lasting impression. His mission now is to help residents celebrate life, so he continues to volunteer weekly, helping with activities like Bingo and Dominoes, and making sure that everyone has a little fun.

Cookie McCall, whose mother-in-law was a resident for over four years, continues to

lend a helping hand where one is needed, and most importantly, a listening ear and a compassionate hug when someone is feeling lonely or needs a lift.

“Sometimes they just need to talk,” she says, but she’s also a willing errand runner when someone needs a drink or an ice cream. “I keep coming back because I fell in love with the people, they’re my family.”

Kathy Cone, whose mother is a current resident, quickly realized that the little things matter – a friendly face, a helping hand, snacks, small gifts for bingo games, books and magazines. It takes just a little to make a big impact.

Hats off to the many volunteers who bring a bit of sunshine and happiness to The Eckerd Living Center.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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GIVING BACK

WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE TO YOU? To celebrate 2020’s centennial of American Women being granted the right to vote, The Laurel is proclaiming it as the Year of the Woman. We’re going to need your help to make it shine.

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ext year is the centennial of America granting women the right to vote. It’s astonishing to think that this country was able to get along as well as it did for nearly 150 years without input from half its population.

If you’re a reader of Laurel’s ongoing Highlands and Cashiers History features, you know about the outsized role women have played in the life of The Plateau.

Take a look at this month’s issue, and you’ll see that women are still making things happen here, things that resonate in the communities now and far into the future.

We’re going to make 2020 The Laurel’s Year of the Woman, and we need your assistance. Each issue, we’ll be selecting a local woman (and that includes part-timers and those who were born here but are now living elsewhere) and giving her a chance to shine in our pages.

We need you to nominate these women.

Send us an email by our December 1 (2019) deadline to info@thelaurelmagazine.com with your candidate, and give us your reasons for why she should be chosen.

Those reasons can resonate with the community or the world (perhaps she’s been at

the forefront of an important issue), or they can be deeply personal (maybe she made all the difference to you or someone else on the planet and her generosity or wisdom or courage should be recognized).

We’re confident that our readers, who time and time again have proven themselves to be bright, and curious, and committed, can help us recognize these women.

Please don’t hesitate to fill our Inbox with your nominees (and yes, you can nominate as many as you wish) and help us make 2020 shine with the radiance of these remarkable women.

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GIVING BACK

CONGRATS TO KALEB

BY SUE BLAIR | CARPE DIEM FARMS

Faithful workhorse My Kaleb will be reporting for duty in Tennessee, but he’ll be back to Carpe Diem Farms when he needs some rest.

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any of you have met our magnificent Percheron-Paint cross, My Kaleb.

He came to the farm, a gift from Cindy Sheets of Breezy Meadow Farm in Concord, North Carolina. Kaleb was born and spent his early years in Virginia as a cross-country horse. Running and jumping were his daily activity. He was purchased several years ago, first by someone in Charlotte to continue his cross-county career and later by Cindy. At the age of 11, Cindy asked if I would like to offer him a life-long home. She had been injured and he was just too big.

Every horse for whom we’ve ever provided a home, no matter the circumstances, is promised a lifetime here at Carpe Diem Farms.

Kaleb, a 16-hand, 1,600-plus pound horse with the personality of a Labrador Retriever, has been a huge presence and quite the character.

For more than five years we’ve done our best to meet his needs. What is most evi-

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dent, however, is that he needs a bigger job with more activity than we can provide on a daily basis!

Our prayer has been answered, he will be moving to Bulls Gap, Tennessee to Renaissance Farm. An incredible farm and facility which offers training and boarding, is the home of Transitional Vaulters as well as an

Iberian Horse Breeding and Training Farm and so much more.

Arielle Blackstone and her mother Maria are professional horsewomen whom I have known and appreciated their work and love of horses for many years.

Their vaulting horses, Percherons and Belgiums have been wearing Easy’s Slippers for five years.

According to Arielle, “The slippers have given their horses confidence on every surface to perform their best.”

Kaleb will be joining the vaulting program. If for any reasons he doesn’t work out or when he is retired down the road, he will return to CDF and live out his retirement life as promised.

Stay tuned for his continuing story.

Carpe Diem Farms, a 501(c)(3) Experiential Learning Foundation, Exploring the Human Potential Through Equines. For information, visit us at 544 Western Rhodes Drive in Highlands, call at (828) 526-2854, or visit advancedequinecomfort.com

GIVING BACK

MY NEW EX FRIEND

BY DAVID STROUD | CASHIERS-HIGHLANDS HUMANE SOCIETY

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Don’t be fooled by the name – the “Ex-Friends” Stop-N-Adopt, slated for Friday, October 11, at the Cashiers-Glenville Volunteer Fire Department is a happy venture between two groups that get along like peanut butter and chocolate.

n 2012, when I first met Cashiers-Glenville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Randy Dillard, he blurted out, “Well there’s my new ex-friend from the Humane Society.”

Without skipping a beat I responded with, “And you must be my new ex-friend from the Fire Department.”

While the “ex-friend” label stuck and continues to be a running joke between us to this day, Randy and I are actually great friends with a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for the mission of each other’s organization.

CHHS and CGVFD are committed to saving lives – CHHS for the rescue and adoption of abandoned and neglected animals, and CGVFD for their heroism to protect people, property, and yes, our pets also.

So it was only fitting that these two great friends and great organizations joined forces for an afternoon of friendship and fam-

ily fun for an “Ex-Friends” Stop-N-Adopt in October 2014. It was Randy’s idea that we exchange uniforms and as a tribute to the movie “Face Off,” pose as each other for the whimsical photograph above.

I can’t believe it’s been five years. Randy and I were at a function together recently and we decided that five years was far too long a time to not have another fun get-together.

So, mark your calendars: Friday, October 11, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Cashiers-Glenville Volunteer Fire Depart-

ment at 579 Frank Allen Road for “Ex-Friends II” – a CHHS Stop-N-Adopt and a CGVFD Open House.

But this time…Randy and I are on the “undercard.”

The main event is going to feature a couple of new younger-generation “faux foes”… CHHS Shelter Manager Kaitlyn Moss and CGVFD Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Villarreal. All donations from the event will be split equally between CHHS and CGVFD. Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64.

For more information, visit us online at www.CHhumanesociety.org or call CHHS at (828)743-5752. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

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GIVING BACK

SHADOW OF THE BEAR

BY JULIE SCHOTT | HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS LAND TRUST

The storied Shadow of the Bear, such a cherished part of the cultural landscape, is preserved by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.

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here’s a bear who visits our small mountain community every year.

If you’re patient enough to wait for her on Highway 64 at the Macon/ Jackson County line – at a place called Rhodes Big View – you can be one of the lucky ones who catches a glimpse as she slowly takes shape and makes a fleeting appearance.

Of course, I’m talking about the Shadow of the Bear that appears in the early evening for only a few weeks in autumn that has captured the interest of countless visitors.

She may be among the most written about, photographed and visited natural phenomenon in our region.

But how much do we know about the place she calls home?

On the curve in the road connecting Cashiers and Highlands on Highway 64 is the breathtaking view at the county line. This 10acre property, Rhodes Big View, is protected forever by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, a non-profit land conservation organization

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that has conserved over 3,300 acres locally. From this spot, you can see nine named peaks. Five of them are owned by the US Forest Service and three are conserved with the Land Trust, meaning their owners, people like the McKee, Rhodes and Warren fami-

lies, have conserved their family lands so that they will remain in their undisturbed, natural state forever.

Other privately-owned places that are conserved by HCLT where we welcome the public include Ravenel Park, home of Sunset and Sunrise Rocks; Satulah Mountain Preserves; Kelsey Trail, Brushy Face Trail and Dixon Woods.

Thanks to our land donors and supporters, HCLT has been preserving our most treasured places since 1909. We will continue to protect the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and healthy habitat for all who live here so that when our grandchildren come to visit the Shadow of the Bear that has enchanted us for generations, they will enjoy the same lush, healthy and undisturbed places that we fell in love with.

To learn more about HCLT including how you can become a member or consider conserving your own land, visit hicashlt. org. Together we are saving our most treasured places.

GIVING BACK

PEGGY’S EYE CANDY HAS A PURPOSE

BY DONNA RHODES

Peggy’s Pollinator Garden is a carefully choreographed dance of landscaping harmony.

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n the June edition of The Laurel, we featured the beginning stages of the pollinator garden at the Peggy Crosby Center.

Three key contributors to the project made this beautiful, functional garden possible: 1) The dedicated work of noted landscape designer Canty Worley; 2) Grants from The Laurel Garden Club and Highlands Falls Country Club; 3) A significant donation of plants by the Mountain Garden Club. Our dream of an ecologically-friendly and environmentally-beneficial landscape at our busy corner has become a reality.

In Canty’s words, “Peggy’s Pollinator Garden is intended as an alternative to the traditional lawn or landscaped beds. This new style of naturalistic design involves dense bedding of flowering plant communities that provide not only seasonal interest and beauty, but much needed habitat and food sources for a diverse range of pollinator species. Many different bees, flies, wasps, moths, and butterflies have been observed in the garden this season.”

If you haven’t seen the garden yet, it contains a sizeable combination of flowers in

wide-ranging colors, shapes, and types.

Canty says, “The plants bloom at different times of the season, overlapping in a natural succession that not only creates a beautiful landscape, but a highly-functional biosystem as well. The flowers in this garden are not just eye-candy for us humans, but also a vital necessity in the web of life that is necessary for healthy ecosystems. In a world of ever-increasing urban development, small parcels of rich habitat can go a long way to support biodiversity.

“While the garden was intended to at-

tract and support pollinators, many other forms of life are benefiting from the planting as well. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a host of soil microbes are now frequenting the site.” There was even a rabbit den in the middle of the garden and, miraculously, they didn’t disturb the new plantings.”

Champions of Peggy Crosby are thrilled with what Canty and contributing organizations have done, not only for the center but for the town (those bees buzz everywhere) and the environment. It’s just another way Peggy Crosby Center contributes to the community.

And this final tidbit from Canty: “Ecological plantings like these at The Peggy are low maintenance and environmentally beneficial. The operational costs of mowing and blowing have been alleviated in this scenario, and in turn those expenses have been replaced with a self-sustaining, resilient blend of hardy vegetation that will provide attractive seasonal interest.”

The Center encourages other businesses and organizations to join the pollinator parade by planting your own pollinator garden in 2020’s Spring.

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GIVING BACK

MY FRIEND CHRISTY

BY LUKE OSTEEN

Christy Kelly, she of the clear vision and inexhaustible charm, has brightened life on the Plateau, far into the future.

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y friend Christy Kelly died July 31 at her home in Scaly Mountain.

According to Irish folklore, there are some people living among us who have the ability to charm the birds out of the trees. I always considered that a bit of quaint folderol until I crossed paths with this force of nature.

If you live here on the Plateau, even if you’re just here a few months out of the year, heck, even if you’re just here for the weekend, Christy has made your life a bit brighter.

Just consider this month’s issue of Laurel . The Highlands Food & Wine Festival on page 92, she’s there. She was the driving force, the organizing principle, behind The Taste of Highlands, which evolved into today’s festival. Think of that, bringing together the disparate personalities that make up the core of the local dining scene. Somehow Christy cajoled, nudged and juggled everything into place and made something wonderful for the entire community, year after year.

Or how about the All Hallows Eve-Downtown Halloween Fest, lurking like a darkened pumpkin patch at the far end of October and spotlighted on page 12?

Back in 1992, Katherine Farmer, Selwyn Chalker and I conceived Downtown Trick or Treat, unsure if it would work at all. The first incarnation was wobbly and tentative, and even after the fact we weren’t sure if it

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would ever be repeated.

When Christy was named executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, she recognized that this was a unique celebration for the entire community and she instituted the practices that are still in place. When a group of old souls said that we should devise a way to keep out-of-town children away from the good times, clearly a refutation of our founding principles, Christy okey-doked them into submission and ensured that it’s still a joyful, foolproof party for everyone.

It’s going to be strange this year without Christy somewhere in the midst of the crowd – delivering candy to the merchants and community groups who were slipping handfuls of the sweet stuff to the kids (and sometimes costumed grown-ups), serving hot dogs, and patrolling in her orange vest with her Highlands Rotary comrades. And always with her gentle humor, always remembering that this night was ultimately for the children, for their innocent good times.

That same commitment to the children translated to the formation of Summit Charter School in Cashiers. Christy was in the mix of those confusing, contentious days when the school was being organized. She helped to shape those seven principles of the Summit Pledge. A generation of extraordinary young people have gone out into the world promising themselves: “Each

day in my words and my deeds, I will do my best to live these seven virtues – Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, SelfDiscipline, Perseverance, and Giving.”

And last month, there was Rotary Craft Beer Night, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Highlands. With its irresistible mix of brew, food, music and, of course, high spirits, it’s the closest we’ll ever get to the supremely happy nights at Helen’s Barn. Yep, that was Christy’s baby. She was there.

(I know some of the cynical among us have read that last sentence and glanced at the date at the top of this and said, “Nope, Luke, she wasn’t.” She was. I will fight you in the street over this.)

All of this was accomplished with an indefatigable cheerfulness that overcame any resistance. Though she often operated on the edge of chaos, she could dance.

And tell a story. She had a natural storyteller’s ability to deliver a tale that you just couldn’t resist. (If we’re ever together, ask me to tell you about her childhood encounter with the poet Robert Frost. It’ll make your socks go up and down.)

And like all good raconteurs, she left us wanting to hear more. So much more.

If you never got a chance to meet Christy, visit downtown Highlands on Halloween Night. Disregard what I said earlier – with its delirious mixture of joy, and candy, and laughter, I promise you she’ll be there.

GIVING BACK

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GIVING BACK

Jeanette, and Bill Staples

PEGGY’S TRUE HERO

BY DONNA RHODES

Bill Staples’ assured leadership and clear vision have secured the future of The Peggy Crosby Center.

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he Peggy Crosby Center, originally Highlands’ first hospital, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing modern, attractive and affordable office space for nonprofits and small businesses that serve the community.

Building operating expenses are met by the modest rents tenants pay, but all renovations are completed using funds donated from generous citizens through an annual letter writing campaign. These donors and the organizations, such as the Cullasaja Womens Outreach, the Laurel Garden Club and Mountain Findings that support us through grants, are known as “Peggy’s Heroes.”

But Peggy has a superhero who has been instrumental in the growth and development of the Center for over 10 years.

When you first meet Bill Staples, you might underestimate his powers of persuasion. He has a very laid back and relaxed façade that hides a sharp mind capable of thinking several steps ahead in his plans.

Bill’s driving premise is that it is very rare for small communities across the country to have facilities such as the Peggy Crosby Center available to non-profit entities. The

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fact that PCC charges below market rents, including virtually all occupancy requirements, allows these agencies to concentrate their time and resources on expanding their own missions rather than raising funds to pay rents.

Bill and his wife, Jeanette, who has also served on PCC’s Board as a Director and Officer, have given generously of their time and financial resources to see PCC succeed. When Bill first joined the PCC Board, the board and the building were on life support during tough economic times. Occupancy in the building had slipped to 60 percent and the financial picture was grim. Bill engaged the interest of local businessmen Jeff Weller (Summit Architecture) and John Underwood (Underwood Construction) to serve on the board and spearhead the beginnings of a total renovation of the building.

A five-year plan was developed and Bill searched out the few grants PCC qualified for and wrote the grants himself. He was successful in getting funding from the Cannon Foundation among others.

He also began to search out like minded

friends to join the board. With Bill as the ringleader, and with the help of Avary and Gerry Doubleday of the Hack Foundation, this group managed to drag PCC back from the brink. Bill’s genial, friendly manner and his dedication convinced his numerous friends to help keep PCC alive.

And alive it is. Ten years later, PCC is starting on the second round of refurbishment and enhancing the technical capabilities for our tenants. PCC is now a warm, welcoming atmosphere where tenants can enjoy pursuing their goals and enriching the lives of Highlands’ citizens.

Avary and Gerry Doubleday offer their highest praise to the Staples duo, ”They say you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. Bill and Jeannette Staples believed they could — and they did! With the renovation of the Peggy under their leadership, a sparkling new facility emerged, serving Highlands’ nonprofits.”

Bill is retiring from the Board of PCC as of the end of the year. It will be a bittersweet time for the board and tenants of PCC as we look back at where we were and as we appreciate Peggy’s true Hero.

GIVING BACK

HCHF ANNOUNCES SECOND GRANT

BY LUKE OSTEEN

A new round of grants from The Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation will benefit residents of the Plateau, and the twin communities themselves.

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he Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is deep in the process of enacting a second grant cycle of 2019.

Grant applications are being accepted through 5:00 P.M. Friday, October 18, at hchealthfnd.org/grants.

The Foundation invites proposals to address solutions in four focus areas: Health and Access to Healthcare; Education; Economic Stability; and Community Vitality.

“We are particularly interested in inno-

vative and collaborative initiatives,” said Stephanie Edwards, Programs & Grants Committee Chair. “Our Committee and Board will continue active engagement during all phases of the second grant cycle from listening sessions to grant awards.” The Foundation will follow a similar process used during the first grant cycle where grant proposals were vetted according to Board approved best practices.

“With our collective group of Board and

Committee Members, we believe that through awarding meaningful grants and reporting measurable impacts we can work together to improve physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing for our community for generations to come” said Foundations Chair Dr. Walter Clark.

For information about Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation and access to the online grant application visit hchealthfnd.org or email info@hchealthfnd.org.

thelaurelmagazine

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Pages 178-181

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

CHAMBER’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BY DONNA RHODES

Kaye McHan takes the reins at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

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aye McHan, Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s new Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing happens to a whole lot of things …things that have improved business, supported the Arts, strengthened the economy, opened minds, and made whatever group she has joined better for her membership.

Having lived in the Highlands area for many years as Director of The Bascom and more recently working with Advanced Equine Comfort and International Friendship Center, she is practically kith and kin. She took a lead role in spearheading the conception and creation of The Bascom as it burst from its cocoon at the Hudson Library. She directed several non-profits involved with humanitarianism and the humanities.

What she does best is organize while

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“

and success.

What will she bring to the Chamber’s table?

She answers, “The Chamber It has long since come to my worked hard to establish a new Highattention that people of lands brand and promotions to exaccomplishment rarely sat back and pand the season. By building on that foundation, we will be growing revlet things happen to them. They went enue, we will be strategically workout and happened to things.” ing with the Town and businesses to - Leonardo da Vinci strengthen our economy during the extended months with comprehensive destination marketing that also supports our residents.” looking at the big picture. Her strengths Kaye has a favorite quote: “We have are getting things in place, searching for and bringing new talent on board, two ears and one mouth so that we can while keeping all the wheels turning in listen twice as much as we speak.” As she gets established in her new role, she will the meantime. In other words, she sees be listening a lot. all the pieces, fits them together, conThen she will get busy going out and nects all the dots and Voila! A piece of happening to things. art evolves…a masterpiece of enterprise

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

SO MUCH TO SEE & DO IN CASHIERS

BY ELI RAMIREZ | CASHIERS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce has staked out an ambitious slate of community-boosting activities through the end of the year.

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he Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce maintains and promotes Cashiers411.com online community calendar of events happening in Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville, Sapphire, Lake Toxaway and surrounding communities throughout the year.

The website highlights business trunk shows, artist features, live music at local restaurants, community concert and performance dates, special tours, fundraising event information and more.

This time of year, area residents and visitors look forward to the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival October 11-13, the upcoming Gobble on the Green 5k race on Thanksgiving Day, and annual Cashiers Christmas tree lighting at the Village Green on Friday, November 29, followed by the Cashiers Village Light Display featuring

business light displays.

Each November, the Chamber hosts its Annual Meeting and Celebration as an opportunity to celebrate the year’s accomplishments, recognize Chamber Board of Directors, welcome new board members and thank board members retiring their position. The event is the coveted opportunity to announce the winners of the Annual Spirit of our Community Awards that recognize well-deserving individuals who dedicate their lives and talents to positively influence the Cashiers Area communities.

Place a nomination for Citizen of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, Educator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Arts & Culture Advocate of the Year, or the Evergreen Award on CashiersAreaChamber.com before Wednesday, October 23. Tickets for the Annual Meeting and Celebration will be

available starting in November.

December brings the highly anticipated Cashiers Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14, at noon with the theme, “All things Bright & Beautiful, All Creatures Great & Small”. Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, which is celebrating its 100th property preserved, its 115th year of Plateau conservation and 15th year of Cashiers land conservation, will serve as this year’s Parade Grand Marshal. To participate or volunteer in the parade contact the Cashiers Area Chamber at (828) 7435191 or info@cashiersareachamber.com.

These annual events and more are featured on Cashiers411.com and promoted to area residents and visitors looking to enjoy what the Plateau communities have to offer.

To submit an event for your business or nonprofit organization, click the “Add Event” button on the website homepage.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

LOOK NO FURTHER FOR CREATIVE FRAMING

BY TRACY MCCOY

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hen it comes to framing your art Kris Sterrie and Janice Cummings and valuables, creativity is key. A framer who knows how to choose a mat and frame that will complement not take away from your treasure is rare. Experience is key and Janice Cummings and Kris Sterrie have it! In 1999 when they took a leap of faith and opened Creative Framing, they were eager to provide quality custom framing services to Franklin, Highlands and Cashiers. They hoped to create a space where local artists and fine crafters could display their fine art, pottery and wood crafts. They also wanted to bring in a unique collection of gifts and accessories. They have accomplished all of these things and more. Janice and Kris have framed for artists and homeowners across Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia. Their honesty and integrity combined with “creative framing” skills make for a positive customer experience.

Their frame selection is expansive, mats options are plentiful and they encourage the client and offer suggestions, they draw customers to use museum quality glass for from their decades of experience to guide a finished look. Good glass protects your the selection process. Janice and Kris like pieces from UV light, dust and damage. To for their customers to be as involved in the framing process as they choose. “Some see them interacting with clients is an expepeople want to make the decisions but rience all its own. They identify the vision of

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most are happy to allow us to do what we do best.” Janice stated. “We have a lot of repeat business, clients who have been trusting us with their framing for years.”

Kris added. “We are honored by that. It is the highest complement.”

When Kris Sterrie, who has been framing for nearly 42 years, went to inquire about becoming a certified framer, she was told to save her money, they literally told her “you could write the book.” She is very talented and knowledgable about the process. Janice is as well and both ladies enjoy bringing items into the store that make perfect gifts, additions to any home or just a special something for yourself. They have a nice selection of pottery, handbags, jewelry, home accent items, and fine art. Artists such as award-winning John Sill, woodturner Fred Bulgin, oil painter Cathy Edmonds, furniture maker George Berman and photographer Paul Cwik have their work on display.

Janice and Kris invite you to stop in at their location at 482 Depot Street in Franklin, NC or visit their new website www.creativeframing. info or give them a call at (828) 349-4468. If you are looking for quality framing, look no further than Creative Framing.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

BRINGING PRINT TO LIFE

BY LUKE OSTEEN

After five successful years in Highlands, The Business Spot is opening a Cashiers branch at 375 US 64 West. For information, call (828) 743-8757, email bizspotcashiers@gmail.com or visit biz-spot.net.

I

n retrospect, it makes perfect sense.

Colleen Kerrigan Cashiers lacks a large scale business printer, and there’s no one offering high speed document scanning, faxing, and copying.

This oversight finally struck Colleen Kerrigan, the owner of The Business Spot in Highlands.

“Not only did these basic services not exist, there was clearly no such thing as a wide format printer for blueprints and other large prints; design services for items like business cards and custom invitations/notecards; and a notary, so it made sense that we’d open in Cashiers,” she says. “We can also offer some limited secretarial services. We are currently enrolling our and greeting cards. Also, we will not offer Cashiers employees in the notary course. all of the shipping options that we offer in We hope, by the end of 2019, to always Highlands. There is already a UPS shipping have a notary on site.” option at Stork’s and the Post Office is just “We are starting out very small.

The around the corner from us. We’re now a Fethought was to test the waters at first and dEx Authorized Ship Center. That means we see what the needs are. We currently have can take drop-offs and initiate shipments a limited amount of office supplies, inks for FedEx Ground and FedEx Express.”

Colleen’s business acumen is a natural progression of something that she’s spent her life thinking about.

“I saw a need for a high end ‘business center’ for Highlands, where vacationers come and still need business services.

“In 2008 I bought a second home here, which allowed me to come more often. I was looking for a reason to stay longer when I came up with the idea to open a business here. We opened the Highlands store in March 2014.

“I have worked for high powered executives; have been on the ground floor of a start-up business; and have partnered with a CEO of a growing corporation. In all of those situations, I saw the need for good customer service, along with prompt action and quality products.”

You can visit the new location at 375 US 64 West in Cashiers, or for more information, call (828) 743-8757. The Business Spot in Highlands remains at 539 Main Street – call (828) 482- 0286.

thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 181

BETH TOWNSEND Owner / Broker,

LIZ HARRIS Owner / Broker,

CLHMS™ / GUILD™

CLHMS™ / GUILD™

MERRY SOELLNER Broker Associate,

ANN McKEE AUSTIN Owner / Broker

COLEEN GOTTLOEB Broker-In-Charge

SANDY & JOHN BARROW Sales & Listing Team / Broker Associates

CLHMS™ / GUILD™

WAYNE MONDAY Broker Associate

PHILIP BRADLEY Broker Associate

PAUL COLLINS Broker Associate

LOGAN CROCKER Broker Associate

REPRESENTING THE BUYERS AND SELLERS OF PREMIER PROPERTIES IN THE CASHIERS & HIGHLANDS AREA FOR OVER 40 YEARS. McKeeProperties.com 182 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

THE KEY TO D I S C O VER I N G YO UR OWN MOUN TAI N LIFES TYLE.

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC MINNIE COLE HOUSE 619 Highway 107 South

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Cashiers, NC 28717 /

828.743.3411

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McKeeProperties.com

thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 183

Y E L LOW M O U N TA I N

MLS# 8 5 322

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$ 6 , 9 5 0,0 0 0

Cashiers/Highlands finest estate opportunity minutes from Mountaintop Golf Club, Old Edwards Club, Cashiers and Highlands. Centrally located between Cashiers and Highlands in beautiful western North Carolina, Yellow Mountain Preserve boasts the highest elevation on the CashiersHighlands Plateau at 5,100 ft and is a true legacy property. The 150 acre estate has roads and utilities in place for a low density estate development or can be enjoyed as a single family or shared family estate. The estate adjoins 12,000 acres of the Nantahala National Forest. A 26-acre gentleman’s farm site sits at 4,600 feet and provides a peaceful 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains. The 360 degree stunning panoramic views from there include Cashiers Valley, Whiteside Mountain, Lake Glenville, and Sapphire Valley. All the views and natural surroundings combined with electronic access through a stoned entry, a paved road, high speed internet access and full cell phone coverage makes Yellow Mountain Preserve an exceptional and unique piece of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

619 Hwy 107 South, Cashiers, NC 28717 McKeeProperties.com 184 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

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828.743.3411

MILIMA RANCH

MLS# 8 9 678

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$ 4 , 4 9 0,0 0 0

Located in Western North Carolina, 25 min. from Asheville, Milima’s 400 acres of pristine land are surrounded by the Smoky Mountains and Pisgah Forest. There is an 8-mile network of trails for hiking and riding that traverse the land ascending from 3,200-4,200 ft. and offer a nature lover’s paradise with mountain streams, rare plants and a diverse wildlife population. There is a well built road system and underground power and water on 272 acres running to a selection of estate home sites perfect for future sale should the owner wish to do so. There are separate horse riding trails on the gently contoured terrain of the eastern cove. The property is full of fruit trees and acorn-bearing trees, indigenous to the mountains and essential to the welfare of wildlife and mountain songbirds. Milima Ranch is a destination of 4 seasons. The winter offers some exceptional snow days with the landscape transforming into a dramatic canvas that reveals the backbone of the land which is hidden in the growing season. The spring, summer and fall months present an ever-changing canvas of the mountains and the wildflowers are a sight to be seen. Moonshine cabin is a lovely 3BR/3.5BA log home nestles perfectly in a cove by the creek and looks out over the valley towards ranges of beautiful mountains. It features much charm and many luxuries, from the gourmet kitchen, to the sleeping porch overlooking a mountain stream. The great room, features old barn wood, hewn wood beams and poplar bark. There are also several outbuildings including a barn, equipment storage building and camping platforms overlooking the most peaceful views. Another cabin located on the property is also available for purchase separately. This property is truly breathtaking!

LIZ HARRIS, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.342.3194 (c) liz@cashiers.com thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 185

WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B MLS# 91542 / $2,150,000 Amazing 180 degree mountain views of Whiteside and Yellow Mountain. This wonderfully built and beautifully maintained, 5 bedrooms and 5 baths home with attached 2 car garage was completed in 2005 and is on 1.38+/- acres. Spacious master on the main level with a gas log burning fireplace and breathtaking up close rockface views of Chimneytop. Wonderful spacious chef’s kitchen on the main level with a full wall of windows offering a gorgeous view for preparing meals or dining. A long covered back deck stretches along the backside of the home offering relaxation in the cool mountain breeze. The lower level includes another guest suite, a large family room, kitchenette and a second full covered porch. One other guest suite is located on the main floor. Upstairs includes two other guests suites. Located just a few minutes from the Wade Hampton clubhouse and a short drive to town.

McKeeProperties.com T H E K E Y TO D I S C O V E R I N G YO U R O W N M O U N TA I N L I F E S T Y L E

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WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B

$2,6 9 5,0 0 0

This 5BR/7.5BA mountain estate surrounded by mature landscaping offers beautiful golf course views and a luscious setting. The interior is bathed in warm tones of rich pine floors and clear pine vertical paneling. The great room has a vaulted ceiling with massive post and beam trusses and two stone fireplaces, opens onto two porches. Main level offers a spacious master bedroom suite, plus two guest bedroom suites. Lower level family room, two guest bedrooms. MLS# 88820

WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B

$2,18 5,0 0 0

This elegant mountain home is full of charm and is located on a quiet cul-de-sac.

Excellent views of the club’s 13th golf hole and a peak at Whiteside Mountain.

Beautiful great room featuring dry stacked stone fireplace, reclaimed-timber beams and a wall of French doors that access the covered porch. Master bedroom suite on main level with spacious classic appointments, and three beautiful guest suites upstairs. A two-car carport and lovely perennial low maintenance landscaping complete this beautiful home. MLS# 89445

LIZ HARRIS, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

McKeeProperties.com

828.342.3194 (c) liz@cashiers.com

OFFICE: 828.743.3411

619 Highway 107 South

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WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B

$2, 2 5 0,0 0 0

Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this home nestled in the woods offers ultimate privacy and peace. A beautiful covered bridge leads to the front door of this 4BR/4.5BA home with spacious great room, stone fireplaces, and beautiful screened porch overlooking gorgeous views of Wade Hampton’s golf course and the mountains beyond. MLS# 89365

BALD ROCK

$1,5 0 0,0 0 0

A handsome Equestrian estate with 3BR/3.5BA mountain rustic home on 6.55 acres over-looking the Blue Ridge Mountains. 3-Stall custom, top-of-the-line barn with pastures and arena make this an equestrian lover’s paradise. MLS# 90104

McKeeProperties.com T H E K E Y TO D I S C O V E R I N G YO U R O W N M O U N TA I N L I F E S T Y L E

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C H AT T O O G A C LU B

$1, 3 9 9,0 0 0

This elegant cottage offers laid back elegance and a luxurious yet relaxed ambiance.

The classic floor plan is designed for entertaining, with open living and dining floor plan, plenty of natural light and spacious outdoor living on the porch and the large gentle yard surrounding the home. The master suite on the main level offers his and hers bathrooms and bright natural light from large windows. Guests will be quite comfortable in the three well-appointed bedrooms and baths upstairs. A large family room on the lower level, with yet another cozy stone fireplace opens out to a pretty patio area and adjoining landscaped garden and yard. MLS# 90646

WAT E R FA L L C OV E

$ 5 49,0 0 0

Charming lakefront 3BR/3BA home in a desirable location on the southern side of Lake Glenville. Located in a quiet cove that looks out to an expansive view. Bright open living area, kitchen and wrap around decks. Lower level exterior entrance with kitchenette. Great for rentals! Easy access to private dock. MLS# 91734

LIZ HARRIS, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

McKeeProperties.com

828.342.3194 (c) liz@cashiers.com

OFFICE: 828.743.3411

619 Highway 107 South

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HIGH HAMP TON

$ 8 49,0 0 0

Charming home in Heaton Forest of High Hampton! Three bedrooms on the main level. From the large screened porch, dining room, and living room you see Chimney Top Mountain and golf course views. Two large fireplaces–living room and screened porch. MLS# 89215

WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B

$ 6 9 9,0 0 0

Cozy cottage with three bedrooms on the main level. Features great room with vaulted ceilings, wood flooring and stone fireplace. Open kitchen with breakfast bar, open deck. Large family room and bunk area downstairs. MLS# 89539

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MOTIVATED SELLER!

C E DA R C R E E K W O O D S

$ 3 9 5,0 0 0

This cute 2BR/3.5BA cottage in Cedar Creek Club is just a short walk to the lake and clubhouse! Great short range mountain views and frontage on the Horsepasture river. Master on main level. Spacious vaulted great room and open kitchen dining area. Guest bedroom and loft area upstairs. Covered porches on the front and back of the home. Join Cedar Creek Club and enjoy all the amenities and charm of this club located just 2 minutes from the center of Cashiers! MLS# 91162

LOTS & LAND

UNDER CONTRACT Mountaintop Golf Club

Mountaintop Golf Club

Mountaintop Golf Club

MLS# 88606 / $1,500,000

MLS# 89580 / $675,000

MLS# 89860 / $699,000

Wade Hampton Golf Club

Wade Hampton Golf Club

Mountaintop Golf Club

MLS# 90108 / $500,000

MLS# 90630 / $475,000

MLS# 90107 / $475,000 MLS# 90106 / $395,000

LIZ HARRIS, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

McKeeProperties.com

828.342.3194 (c) liz@cashiers.com

OFFICE: 828.743.3411

619 Highway 107 South

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C E DA R C R E E K

M L S # 917 8 7

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$ 3 , 5 0 0,0 0 0

Tucked away in glorious privacy on 67 acres, yet just 10 minutes from the center of Cashiers, NC nestles this handsome Rocky Mountain log home.

It’s massive timbers are reclaimed from forests with dry standing timber and create a commanding presence throughout the home. The soaring vault of the great room looks out to multiple mountain ranges and exudes both grandness and comfort together. Large decks wrap two sides of the home and look out towards the views and into the beautiful natural landscaping. Gentle sounds of running water, happy birdsong and cool breezes soothe and inspire. A warm inviting kitchen and dining room adjoin the great room on one side and on the other is a beautiful master suite, all boasting the beautiful large timbers. Two spacious guest suites and a loft upstairs offer lovely vaulted spaces for guests. The lower level offers a great place for gathering with its large seating and game area and two additional large guest suites. This beautiful estate offers approximately 67 acres of pristine gentle topography. Moss covered and tree canopied trails flow throughout the estate leading to a wide stunning waterfall and the crystal clear streams that flow from it. Dip your toes in or swim in your own private swimming hole at the base of the waterfall. Beautiful perennial gardens throughout offer a peaceful haven. Butterflies, bees and many adorable creatures enjoy these garden havens. This beautiful estate is a special property full of grandeur and peace.

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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LIZ HARRIS, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.342.3194 (c) liz@cashiers.com

UNDER CONTRACT

GOOSE POINTE

MLS# 9 0 45 3

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$ 7, 3 5 0,0 0 0

This superb 5 acre lakefront estate is by far the finest property available on Lake Glenville, and is for the discriminating buyer who is seeking an active yet peaceful lakefront lifestyle, privacy, and exquisite home construction and detailing. Main house built in 2010; 5 luxurious bedroombath suites, two half baths. Master on main; the guest rooms are upstairs and accessible by elevator or two stairways. Bright chef’s kitchen has stainless appliances and grand work spaces. The kitchen windows view beautiful sunsets, the long sloping lawn and activity on the private dock.

In addition to the great room, a second favorite for gathering is the sun room with stone floors, fireplace and a wall of windows overlooking the outdoor terrace with pizza oven, fire pit and super long views of the lake. Other key attributes: Golf simulator building, the sculptor’s studio with greenhouse and “designer” chicken coop. The three outbuildings were built in 2015 and all match the architectural style and fine detailing of the main house. 1000 KW generator, circular driveway with pavers, private well, glorious landscaping. The property is being offered fully furnished, including pontoon boat and “Goose Pointe” golf cart.

› Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture › Wade Hampton Golf Club Development Team › Co-Founder of McKee Properties › Cashiers area summer resident since 1970, full time since 1981

BETH TOWNSEND, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.421.6193 (c) beth@cashiers.com

619 Hwy 107 South, Cashiers, NC 28717 McKeeProperties.com

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828.743.3411

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WADE HAMP TON GOLF CLUB

$ 3, 3 5 0,0 0 0

Stunning Meyer, Greeson & Paullin designed home has exquisite gardens by Mary Palmer Dargan and prime frontage on Silver Springs Lake. Spectacular antique chestnut and oak flooring with occasional highlights of imported tile. Two generous sized bedrooms on main level are at opposite ends of the house for complete privacy. The master has his and her bathrooms, sizable closets and storage. The kitchen is central to the home, surrounded by keeping room, casual dining area, great room, and covered stone terrace overlooking the gardens and lake. MLS# 90862

C H AT T O O G A C LU B

$1,9 9 5,0 0 0

Winding driveway leads up to this 4BR/4.5BA southern home with metal roof, poplar bark and stone detailing. Beautiful wide plank pine flooring, generously sized rooms and lots of natural light provided by large doors and windows, as well as skylights. Two stone fireplaces inside, a third on covered porch which overlooks lake and pavilion below. Lower level art studio and family den. MLS# 90459

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828.743.3411

RED THORN

$1,15 0,0 0 0

This 22.41 acre property checks all the boxes for those imagining a true mountain experience. Featured on Barnwood Builders show, the charming 2BR main house and 1BR guest cottage/laundry are built from antique logs and repurposed woods, and are perched on a hill overlooking the heirloom apple orchard, wildflower and grassy meadows, pond and barn. MLS# 91231

T R E A S U R E W O O D R OA D

$ 8 49,0 0 0

A long gentle drive sweeps past private pond, fenced pasture and barn on high elevation 13 acre family estate. The 4BR/3.5BA home has tall ceilings and gorgeous views of distant mountains. The kitchen is open to great room, deck, and mud-room. Property is unrestricted, and a gardener’s dream!

MLS# 91151

BETH TOWNSEND, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.421.6193 (c) beth@cashiers.com

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CEDAR H ILL E STATE L OTS

P R I C E S S TA RT AT $ 14 5 , 0 0 0

These eleven lots at the very top of gated Cedar Hill neighborhood are located on the northeast ridge of iconic Rock Mountain, and all are sitting at over 4,000 elevation. Varied views—close up drama of rock face, long northwest view of layered mountains, eastern view of Sapphire Valley and Bald Rock, Laurel Knob and Cow Rock mountains and southeastern views into the wild topography between Rock and Chimneytop mountains.

Most lots adjoin Conservation Easement. Pick your view preference, and there is an awesome lot for you. Sizes range from 1.2-2.4 acres, plus 43 acres with four phenomenal sites for $850,000.

1O O AC R E T R AC T

$1, 2 5 0,0 0 0

Large pristine high elevation tract in private, gated hiking community. This parcel has approximately 15 acres in open rolling meadow with antique apple trees and the coolest upscale camp structure around. Large stone fireplace/climbing wall with covered structure housing storage, bathroom and sleeping quarters. MLS# 91621

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828.743.3411

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF CLUB

I N -T O W N CA S H I E R S

$595,000

$ 575,0 0 0

Conveniently located between Highlands and Cashiers, this high elevation Mountaintop Golf lot checks all the boxes. Gently rolling 2.63 acres with potential views of Whiteside and Chimneytop. This unique lot provides the privacy of a mountain retreat and accessibility with a 5 minute drive to the center of Cashiers. MLS# 91563

This 2.35 acre tract has high visibility and approximately 400 feet of frontage on Highway 64 East, right in the middle of Downtown Cashiers!

Nicely sloping land starts at grade near the road and rises up in the back. Currently mostly forested with 30 year old pine grove, this easy build site sits between the Generator store and the Anglican Church.

Located in the Cashiers General Commercial District.. MLS# 91796

UNRESTRICTED, 107 SOUTH

LITTLE TERRAPIN VIEW LOT

$ 4 5 0,0 0 0

This well located, unrestricted 8.5 acre tract adjoins a large parcel of Nature Conservancy land and is in the favored Highway 107 South corridor. Beautiful view to the north, northeast of Chimneytop Mountain. gravel road access and gentle approach to the home/prime building site.

MLS# 91780

BETH TOWNSEND, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.421.6193 (c) beth@cashiers.com

$260,000

Magnificent views of multiple mountain ranges, punctuated by the awesome Whiteside Mountain. 3.15 acre lot has a long border with U.S.Forest Service land. Located at the end of the road, the neighborhood is conveniently located in the 107 South Corridor of Cashiers. MLS# 91763

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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LU X U RY E S TAT E

$2,5 0 0,0 0 0

Located in the heart of Sapphire Valley, you’ll find this unusual opportunity to own considerable acreage (46.22 acres) with a main home and guest home perfectly sited to enjoy privacy, quiet, ponds, waterfalls, streams and mountain views! Both homes have quality finishes that will not disappoint, and the location allows for convenient access to all areas of our plateau. MLS# 90179

WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B

$2, 375,0 0 0

A wall of windows invites you to enjoy panoramic mountain views the moment you step through the door of this magnificent sanctuary. The contemporary style 4BR/4.5BA home is full of light and boasts a spacious gourmet kitchen, family room, office/den, two laundry rooms, wine cellar, elevator, and amazing, 3 season porch that can be enclosed or open and screened, complete with stone fireplace. Sitting on 5+ acres, this home is perfectly sited for taking in the eastern views of the Nantahala Forest. MLS# 90787

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828.743.3411

PINE FOREST

S H E E P L AU R E L

$ 6 9 4,0 0 0

$ 8 4 5,0 0 0

This fabulous Appalachian-style log home comes fully and handsomely furnished! Open plan main level with soaring ceilings, wood flooring, stone fireplace, beautiful kitchen with stainless appliances and dining room. Main level deck spans the entire length of the home to enjoy the outstanding mountain views. MLS# 90855

Life on one level is easy and comprised of a 3BR/3BA, large eatin kitchen complete with lots of windows, granite counters, newer appliances and huge island. Adjacent laundry, pantry and additional storage. 2 beautifully updated masters each with en suite baths, additional guest suite on the main level. MLS# 90894

H O L LY F O R E S T

I N -T O W N R E T R E AT

$ 5 49,0 0 0

$ 52 5,0 0 0

Light and bright, cozy and comfortable with a blow out view of Chimney Top Mountain! Ready for moving in. Low to no maintenance grounds with gorgeous flowerbeds. Master Suite and guest BR/BA on main level. Lower level family room/BR/BA makes for guest privacy. MLS# 91226

Excellent in-town property! 2BR/4BA family home with open plan kitchen, living and dining. Large covered porch. Spacious, comfortable master suite on upper level. Over garage suite with full kitchen for guests. Family room, bath, pro kitchen with own entry downstairs. MLS# 91430

CA B I N W I T H A V I E W !

S I LV E R S L I P FA L L S

$ 4 07,518

Inviting newer construction home exhibits rustic appeal, convenient location and a mountain view! Septic is permitted for 2BR, but there’s abundance of sleeping space. Floor to ceiling stone gas log fireplace.

Kitchen has stainless appliances and custom cabinetry. MLS# 91599

$ 4 6 9,0 0 0

A wonderfully cozy retreat with Chattooga River frontage! Pretty wood interiors and flooring in this 3BR/3BA home with open floor plan and wide, open (and covered) decks that wrap around the home for enjoying the great outdoors. Enjoy sights and sounds of the water! MLS# 91101

MERRY SOELLNER, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.399.1580 (c) merry@cashiers.com thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 199

VIEW HOME

VIEW FOR MILES

$ 49 9,0 0 0

$ 4 49,0 0 0

This well-built home is newer construction, and just perfect for year round or vacation living. Lots of storage for all your treasures, and plenty of room to spread out and relax. Open floor plan and split bedrooms for master privacy, all one level! Very pretty mountain view, too! MLS# 89967

Amazing, long-range panoramic mountain views are available from this very well-maintained home in Bee Tree Ridge. Comfortable and charming, the home boasts 7 acres, end-of-cul-de-sac privacy and terrific outdoor spaces. MLS# 90386

C E DA R R I D G E E S TAT E S

E N G L I S H C O T TAG E

$ 4 8 9,0 0 0

$ 419,0 0 0 0

This great value 4BR/3BA family home on the Horsepasture River boasts great mountain views and private location that’s convenient to town and Cedar Creek Club. Sited on over 3 acres, with plenty of usable space for gardening, pets, and kids. MLS# 90854

In-town, English-inspired Cottage boasts gorgeous gardens, exceptional views of Big Sheepcliff, and charming, all on one level living. Open plan kitchen/living room with fireplace and wet bar. Dining room/den features a wall of windows. Great for entertaining. MLS# 90572

F L AT T O P M O U N TA I N

HOLLY FOREST

$ 2 9 9,0 0 0

Cute, classic Highlands cottage, conveniently located. Wonderful covered porch, level yard space. Very spacious living room with wood burning fireplace is just the best gathering spot. With 3BR and 2BA, this cute home isn’t too big or too small, but is “just right”! MLS# 89547

$2 3 0,0 0 0

Sweet, all-on-one-level living! This 3BR/2BA cottage is perfect for a week or a lifetime. Cozy up to the stone fireplace during cool spells.

Split floor plan affords privacy for the master. Deck space runs the length of the home on the back, partially screened. MLS# 90201

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TRILLIUM MLS# 91309 / $349,000 Delightful, very well-maintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath log construction home with split floor plan and nice office/family room addition to main house. Estimated 1,800 square feet. Rich wood interiors and flooring add to the mountain feel of this home. Location is very private, with three porches for views all around. Long range winter mountain views, with additional privacy lot available adjacent to the property. Quiet, yet convenient to Cashiers and Highlands. Rare Trillium home with NO CLUB MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.

MERRY SOELLNER, CLHMS™ / GUILD™

828.399.1580 (c) merry@cashiers.com

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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WA D E H A M P T O N

$1,9 8 5,0 0 0

This magnificent estate-size 5BR/5BA home sits on 8+ beautiful acres with a spectacular mountain view! Elegant great room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, bright kitchen and breakfast nook. Covered porch with fireplace. Two-story guesthouse a short distance away.

MLS# 88678

S A P P H I R E VA L L E Y

$1, 2 0 0,0 0 0

Stunning 63 acre property, bisected by Little Hogback Creek, is aptly named The Sanctuary. Enjoy beautiful mountain views while listening to the sound of rushing waters from the numerous small waterfalls. A picturesque cabin with kitchen and bath overlooks the creek, adjacent open-air bunk shelters and large decks. Picnic pavilions, platforms and a large woodshed are also on the property. MLS# 91238

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HIGHLANDS CC

$79 5,0 0 0

Totally updated 3BR/3BA home provides a fabulous open floor plan.

Stone fireplace, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and covered porch overlooking forest & fauna. Circular front driveway with connected 2-car garage. Beautiful native plantings abound. MLS# 89491

G A N A S I TA

$ 4 3 5,0 0 0

Charming, secluded, open plan 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with level garden area and excellent views in convenient location near Cashiers crossroads. MLS# 91191

UNDER CONTRACT

MOUNT LORI

$ 375,0 0 0

M O U N TA I N C LU B

$19 5,0 0 0

Charming 3 bedroom home with covered porches and decks abounding!

A lovely 1 bedroom guest house including wood working shop and multi-purpose room is attached by a walkway. Awesome location, just minutes from downtown Highlands. MLS# 87194

This handsome unit includes 3 bedrooms and two baths. A beautiful stone, wood-burning fire place has been converted to gas logs for instant warmth and convenience on those chilly mornings. Sliding glass doors lead to the deck from living room, master, and guest room. MLS# 87739

S A P P H I R E VA L L E Y

W H I T E S I D E C OV E

$159,5 0 0

This charming townhouse has lovely pine floors throughout the first floor, which includes living room, dining room, and kitchen. Nice deck looks down onto Fairfield Lake. Downstairs are 2 lovely bedrooms.

The yard is level and has a fenced area for your pet. MLS# 91034

$72 5,0 0 0

Enjoy stunning views of Whiteside Mountain from this 3BR/3.5BA contemporary home located on 8 acres. Living room with cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The open floor plan and terraces are perfect for entertaining and enjoying the natural beauty. MLS# 91834

SANDY BARROW 478.737.9664 (c) JOHN BARROW 828.506.9356 (c) 619 Highway 107 S / 828.743.3411 (o) thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 203

L E AW O O D

$ 9 8 5,0 0 0

This majestic mountain home is built to impress with a rare sunset facing view over Lake Glenville. Unique property maximizes views and privacy, with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Two outdoor living porches, one with fireplace. The master bedroom on the main level has outdoor screened porch. The open floor plan on the living level makes this home feel spacious yet cozy. MLS# 91234

BIG LAKE VIEWS

$18 9,0 0 0

THE VIEW! Second to none in and around the Cashiers area. This is a postcard view that is year round! This quiet and gated community is 1215 minutes to downtown Cashiers. The 1.58 acre lot begs for a dream mountain home to be built on what seems like the top of the world.

MLS# 90462

L A K E V I E W C O T TAG E

$ 49 5,0 0 0

Extraordinary lake view home with one of the best year round views of Lake Glenville. Perched on a manageable, low maintenance, mostly wooded lot, this 3BR/3BA, large bonus room home is perfect for a mountain vacation getaway or for full time mountain living. Newly furnished with a designer’s touch. MLS# 89821

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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B R I G H T M O U N TA I N

$79,5 0 0

Beautiful 0.76 acre lot on top of Bright Mountain overlooking a picturesque mountain view. A partially cleared and manicured lot with just enough woods to preserve your privacy. This is a perfect location to build your dream mountain home. Access to two shared wells.

MLS# 90314

PHILIP BRADLEY 843.224.5592 (c) philip@cashiers.com

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ABOUT SILVER CREEK

ELEVATING

the

BAR

YOUR HOME ONLY GETS ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION, AND YOU NEED A BROKERAGE AGENCY THAT CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS. WRITTEN BY KRISTIN BOWEN

Scanning through one of those ubiquitous, glossy real estate guides can cause dizzying effects when all you see is agency after agency jockeying for your attention with hundreds, possibly thousands, of residential properties for sale. For you the homebuyer, the challenge is to find the ideal home among so many choices that fit your lifestyle. For you the seller, you want to make your home stand out in the sea of competition and of course get top

dollar for the eventual sale. What was once the path to sell a home—listing with an agent, putting up a “For Sale” sign, getting on the MLS, and listing your home in a real estate guide—is no longer the optimal strategy. In today’s competitive marketplace, it takes two things to sell your home: 1) finding an agency that has a proven track record and is a trustworthy expert in the field and 2) finding an agency that uses advanced marketing practices to attract

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buyers across the country to your listing, giving you the best opportunity to sell your home.

WE LCO M E TO TH E AGE O F DI G I TA L M A R K ET I N G On the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau here in Western North Carolina, there is one real estate agency that stands apart from its competition, a name recognized nationally and internationally since 2008, Silver Creek Real Estate

Group. Winning awards and topping the performance charts in home sales in this predominantly second home market, Silver Creek believes in “building relationships and delivering dreams.”

Part of the prestigious Luxury Portfolio International and respected member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of The World, Silver Creek, with its staff of ten brokers and a highly skilled marketing team, has a solid reputation that checks all of the important boxes: name brand recognition, integrity, broad network, track record, level of service, quick response time, and powerfully effective marketing tools.

Silver Creek recently won the coveted award for Best Real Estate Website in the Country

by International Property Awards. This is no small feat considering there are over 86,000 agencies in the U.S. according to a 2012 census. Their website is not only enticingly beautiful but smart, too. Adding 3D, or three dimensional, digital home tours to their site, it is now an influential marketing tool that goes far beyond other brokerage agency sites in this area.

3D virtual reality offers a high-performance and convenient online platform for buyers and sellers to view the inside of a home and digital floor plans, empowering them to navigate homes from the comfort of their own living room or while traveling, make immediate inquiries, and quickly share content with

friends, family, and designers.

In addition, with the growth of shopping for homes via smartphones, websites like Silver Creek’s must be mobile-friendly. “Our website, which now showcases our listings using aerial drone footage, high-quality photography, and interior video has significantly ramped up our online presence by 17.25% in six months,” says Zena Lynch, Silver Creek’s Marketing Director. Further marketing with their own lifestyle magazine NC Living, printed collateral, newsletters, and targeted print advertising in local,

channels. “We know people don’t just buy property, they buy lifestyles. Silver Creek creates an emotionally savvy digital landscape to peak buyer curiosity using three mediums of striking visual promotion–world-class photography to spark interest, vibrant video to capture the mood and feel of the property, and 3D virtual home tours to fully engage the buyer.”

STAG G E R I N G STAT I ST I CS > The National Association of Realtors claims 42% of recent buyers looked online at properties for sale as their first step in the home buying process.

Silver Creek believes in their motto, “building relationships and delivering dreams.” regional, and national magazines such as The Laurel, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Architectural Digest, and Vanity Fair, Silver Creek corners the buying market.

“I do believe that name recognition of a broker organization is extremely important,” says Silver Creek client Jim Philip. “Repeatedly we see the name Silver Creek Real Estate Group on all kinds of platforms … social media, digital, print.” Lynch concurs by saying that no other local brokerage has their level of name recognition and overwhelming presence on all digital, social, and print

> Statistics show 3D virtual walk-throughs produce 95% more phone inquiries and 49% more qualified leads.

> Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in print. > Homes with aerial footage sold 68 percent faster than homes with standard images.

According to Lynch, “Decorators love being able to use our digital floor plans to map out furniture, and clients who are unable to travel to the Plateau frequently can view a home instantly using our 3D 'walk-throughs.' After seeing a property in person, clients also find it extremely helpful to later look at our SILVER CREEK REAL ESTATE GROUP

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ABOUT SILVER CREEK

videos to refresh their memories.”

Tracking buyer research closely, Lynch cites recent statistics, “With the average user spending 88% more time on a website with video and knowing that listings with high-quality video receive 4 times more inquiries, we can not afford to miss exposing our clients’ homes to buyers from around the world.” Speaking of around the world, their membership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World connects their clients’ properties with real estate professionals in 70 countries across 6 continents. “You never know who might be looking to relocate to the

area or buy a second home,” says Lynch.

HAPPY C L I E N TS A visit to Silver Creek’s client testimonials page on NCliving.com exhibits rave reviews about their unparalleled service, amazing brokers, speedy turnaround time, high-tech marketing capabilities, and the ability to get the job done expeditiously. Because of Silver Creek’s adept team of photographers using HDR photography, enrichments to the property’s images can easily be made, like adding fires to fireplaces and enhancing the views out the window.

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Their talents along with the brokers exceed expectations and are key to getting the home listed and sold quickly.

“Experience had told me that only a firm truly committed to the total process, each piece, would be the correct partner to sell our higher priced home,” says Silver Creek client Andrew Angle.

“Silver Creek’s marketing package is by far the ‘best in class’ on the plateau” … as well as “their attention to detail on all other aspects of the process. We made the correct choice in hiring them.”

Why wouldn’t you call Silver Creek Real Estate Group to sell your home or buy your next one? •

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.

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WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB offered at $3,750,000

C ACSAHSIH E IRESR S

Offered for the first time, this elegant sanctuary designed by Tim Greene sits high in the Blue Ridge Mountains inside the premier golf club of Wade Hampton. A serene setting along with the highest quality materials, fine craftsmanship and thoughtful architectural details make it an exceptional find. Exuding a warm and inviting ambience, the main house boasts generous living space, gorgeous mountain views, and seven stacked stone fireplaces. Opening out to a private porch with soothing mountain vistas, the expansive master suite includes two fireplaces, a spa-like master bath, and an adjacent private sitting room. MLS# 87969.

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THE CHATTOOGA CLUB offered at $3,400,000

CASHIERS

Featured in Garden & Gun and Southern Accents magazines, Woodland Cottage was decorated by acclaimed designer Kathleen Rivers. The home was assembled from reclaimed nineteenth-century log buildings from Tennessee and Kentucky and sited on nearly an acre overlooking Chimney Top and Rock mountains. With its patina of over 150 years of weathering, the log home feels as if it was passed down through many generations.

With all the sophisticated charm of a British hunting lodge, there are historic details everywhere you look, such as dovetail notches and hash marks created by the broadaxes of Appalachian pioneers. MLS# 89972.

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THE CHATTOOGA CLUB offered at $3,250,000

CASHIERS

Skylark is a charming lakefront home with a two-car garage in the exclusive gated community of The Chattooga Club. Located on a serene, private street, this well-maintained home exudes elegant yet relaxed Southern style with heart pine floors, reclaimed timbers, and hand-hewn beams. Perfect for quick getaways or hosting family and friends, the comfortable floor plan features a roomy master bedroom with his and her baths on the main floor, as well as two roomy bedrooms, two baths, and an office area with a wet bar.

A wonderful covered living porch overlooks Lake Chattooga, and three wood-burning fireplaces add to the welcoming feel. MLS# 90238.

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BIG SHEEPCLIFF offered offered at $3,000,000 at $3,000,000

CASHIERS

With exceptional architectural details and luxury finishes throughout, this elegant and inviting home is a must-see for those with discriminating taste and an appreciation for quality. Centrally located just minutes from the Cashiers Crossroads in the beautiful and private gated community of Big Sheepcliff, Aerie Manor was featured in Veranda magazine as one of the most astounding properties in the Western North Carolina mountains. Offered fully furnished, Aerie Manor is ready for its next owners to begin enjoying mountain living immediately. MLS# 89155.

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THE LAKE CLUB offered at $2,175,000

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.

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SUMMER HILL offered at $2,149,000

LAKE GLENVILLE

This custom-built home with 180 degree panoramic views of Lake Glenville and the mountain ranges beyond. Spacious master suite on main, with screened sleeping porch. The home features four fireplaces-two inside and two out, plentiful covered screened deck space and a large open deck below to take in the incredible views in every direction. Upstairs, you’ll enjoy views from almost every room-even from the chef’s kitchen with a small office. Downstairs you’ll enjoy the three guest suites, large second living area, an office with custom built-ins, and a state-of-the-art home theater. MLS# 90908.

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THE CHATTOOGA CLUB offered at $2,100,000

CASHIERS

Offered for the first time, this beautiful 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. Kids and pets will love the fenced-in yard and garden area. MLS# 90349.

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THE CHATOOGA CLUB $1,995,000 Situated on a beautiful setting backing up to Lake Chattooga with a view of Terrapin Mountain, this unique home was designed by Charlotte architect Meyer Greeson Paullin. Clad in poplar bark and trimmed in red cedar, the casual exterior blends into the woodlands around the site. The main room opens onto a boxwood-edged lawn that runs alongside the picturesque drive. The living room, kitchen, and master suite have exposures on both sides of the house, creating a light and airy environment. The living space features painted flat panel and molded paneling, and a coffered ceiling.

The owner, an award-winning interior designer, filled the home with fine finishes and beautiful fixtures. MLS# 90704.

NEW LISTING

SUMMER HILL $1,900,000 Located on the pristine shore of Lake Glenville in the gated community of Summer Hill, this fantastic three-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home offers an open concept floor plan. The stunning view of Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond can be admired from most of the rooms. The openness of the living, dining and kitchen areas provides an updated and airy feel, ideal for hosting all your friends and family. Both floors have lakefront decks from end to end with large covered areas with plenty of room for lounging or outdoor entertaining. The grounds of the home feature plenty of room for your pets with an invisible fence, a wonderful sitC A S HIER S 8 2 8 .74 3 .1 9 9 9 ting area, and lush greenery, all with a fantastic view of Lake Glenville! The entire lake frontage has a boulder HI GHL A ND S 8 2 8 . 5 2 6 . 2 9 9 9 wall, and the dock is included. . MLS# 91986.

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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's a barn and open field where wildlife abounds. Disconnect from the world, get off the grid, relax! MLS# 91327.

U NDER CONTRACT

CEDAR HILL $1,799,000 Situated at 4,000 feet in the prestigious Cedar Hill community, this fully furnished mountaintop getaway is based on a design by renowned local designer Travis Mileti. Featuring old-school appointments throughout, including a sliding barn door to the butler's pantry, shiplap wall coverings throughout and rustic, wooden window shutters, this home is the perfect meeting of comfortable, mountain-inspired design with modern, state-ofthe-art creature comforts and fixtures. MLS# 91152.

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SASSAFR AS RIDGE $1,750,000 The custom home is nestled on the ridge at over 4000' of elevation, offering cool summer temperatures and tons of curb appeal.From the moment you enter the home, the captivating views take your breath away. Impressive beams and a three-tiered antler chandelier add drama to the cathedral ceilings of the living room. The well-appointed chef's kitchen provides a large island and state-of-the-art appliances. A wet bar adjoining the dining room allows guests to serve themselves while dinner is being prepared. There are two bedrooms on the main level and another two upstairs along with the loft. MLS# 90407.

CEDAR HILL $1,750,000 Newly remodeled and expanded, White Squirrel Lodge 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 beautiful exterior stonework and fresh, inviting interior dÊcor. The gourmet kitchen offers a large center island and adjoining custom wet bar, multiple dining areas, and a huge covered deck with a built-in grilling center and lots of seating — the ultimate space for relaxed mountain living. Featuring an updated master bath with a standalone tub, the luxurious master suite showcases stunning views. Downstairs, C A S HIER S 8 2 8 .74 3 .1 9 9 9 everyone will love the theater, game room and family room with its own fireplace, plus a third bedroom, secHI GHL A ND S 8 2 8 . 5 2 6 . 2 9 9 9 ond kitchen, laundry, and bonus room. MLS# 91448.

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NEW CONSTRUCTION

CEDAR HILL $1,695,000 This exciting new home, offering high-end finishes and exceptional layered views of Bald Rock and the mountains beyond, was just completed and is ready for its new owners. The custom home with a two-car garage, designed by Mountainworks and built by Lehotsky & Sons Builders, features stunning architectural finishes of stone, wood, zinc, marble, and other fine materials. Upon entering the home, the open layout kitchen conjures images of friends and family gathering to enjoy time together over food and a glass of wine from the adjoining wet bar and wine cooler. MLS# 90816.

ROUND HILL ESTATES $1,675,000 Situated on tranquil Fairfield Lake, Nestledown is truly a masterpiece of architectural, interior, and landscape design. Massive stone walls, columns, and mature landscaping grace the approach. The porte cochère's stonework offers an impressive entry to this elegant estate home with a level of craftsmanship and artistry that is unsurpassed. As the magnificent entry door swings open, your eyes are immediately drawn to the massive stone fireplace which anchors the two-story living room finished in the finest wood paneling. As you enter, you are greeted by views of the lake and the undeveloped mountains beyond. The main level, which includes the master bedroom suite, is brimming with architectural details wherever you look. Additional bedrooms on the upper level also take advantage of the stunning vistas. MLS# 88833.

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WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB $1,495,000 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.

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# 88488.

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SUMMER HILL $1,300,000 The complete package for relaxed lake living, this fully furnished traditional home with rustic touches is being offered with an additional lot for privacy or expansion. A boat and two jet skis are also included for endless fun on the lake. In the beautiful gated community of Summer Hill, the home features two bedrooms on the main level and two bedrooms upstairs, along with a roomy loft. An additional bonus room over the garage provides privacy for guests or space for a secluded office. Gaze out over the mountain view while enjoying the cool summer breezes in the roomy screened-in porch at about 3,800 feet of elevation. Don't miss out on this opportunity to begin enjoying lake life immediately! MLS# 91622.

BIG RIDGE $1,275,000 Situated high atop Big Ridge, this modern farmhouse at app. 4,000' of elevation offers stunning panoramic long range mountain views. Overlooking the 22 acres which includes a pond and expansive lawn areas not typically in the area, this estate property must be seen to fully appreciate. The main level includes the generous living and dining rooms both with stone fireplaces and attractive wood floors. The expansive main bedroom suite with sitting area opens to the porch and magnificent views. MLS# 88192.

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SPRING FOREST $1,275,000 This fantastic home overlooks Sapphire Valley in Spring Forest, a distinctive gated community close to town offering the best of luxury mountain living. Vaulted wood ceilings, a stone fireplace, and expansive windows illuminate the impressive living room, opening to the covered deck with majestic mountain views. Dine al fresco on the deck or in the formal dining room after serving cocktails from the wet bar. The spacious kitchen makes entertaining a pleasure, adjoining a breakfast nook with beautiful views. The main bedroom with a double-sided fireplace (shared with the master bath) completes the main level and opens to the deck. MLS# 90671.

GLENVILLE $1,270,000 Let your imagination run wild with this amazing farm located conveniently near the shores of Lake Glenville. The property consists of gently rolling hills, fenced pasture land, and a beautiful pond fed by three different springs. A scenic, meandering drive leads to the top of the property, where you’ll find a large, comfortable log home perfect for kicking up your feet after a long day of playing outside. The home offers incredible seclusion, sitting at almost 4,000’ elevation with wonderful long-range mountain views from both inside and outside the home. The lower level provides private living for in-laws or guests, complete with a separate entrance, its own bedroom, bathroom, living area, laundry room, and even a kitchen. The property is currently being enjoyed as a gentleman's farm and estate, but the fact that there are no restrictions makes its uses limitless. MLS# 90574.

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NEW CONSTRUCTION

STONEFLY $1,250,000 Nestled among the local flora of the Stonefly gated community, this newly constructed four-bedroom, three-bath home features an open concept floor plan, thoughtful details, tons of rustic charm, and craftsman accents. The spacious great room with a cozy fireplace, custom cabinetry and countertops, and an expansive screened porch make this home ideal for entertaining and relaxing. The master bedroom and en-suite master bath are spacious, providing a luxurious, secluded respite from everyday life. There are three additional bedrooms on the main level and a bonus room on the upper level, offering plenty of additional space for friends and family as they enjoy all this splendid home and gorgeous area have to offer. MLS# 91750.

NEW CONSTRUCTION STONEFLY $1,245,000 Tucked away in the gorgeous gated community of Stonefly, this newly constructed, four-bedroom, three-bath retreat abounds with rustic charm and ambiance. This home exudes relaxed mountain living with its open-concept floor plan, thoughtful accents, outdoor living area, and tasteful decor. The expansive great room features a beautiful stone fireplace and direct access to the screened-in porch, the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee as you overlook the pond below and take in the sights and sounds of the Plateau. The large chef's kitchen features custom cabinets, countertops, and a design that makes entertaining a breeze. The master bedroom of the home is spacious with an en-suite master bath which is sure to be a welcome respite from your day-to-day activities. MLS# 91751.

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NEW LISTING

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $1,229,000 Sassafras is a charming and spacious three-bedroom, three-bath Tudor-style Club Cottage in the premier gated community of The Chattooga Club.

Ideally located just steps away from all club amenities and minutes from downtown Cashiers, this carefree cottage has been completely renovated with a fresh, modern look. The elegant exterior is welcoming with a new roof and poplar siding. On the inside, custom cabinetry and high-end finishes in the kitchen, dining room, and master bedroom provide a luxe sanctuary. The divine screened living porch offers space for dining or relaxing. Mature landscaping with beautiful indigenous plants and trees surround this very inviting summer home. MLS# 91852.

NEWLY PRICED

CEDAR HILL $1,199,000 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. 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. MLS# 89323.

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SUMMER HILL $1,150,000 This beautiful lake home is mountain lodge elegance at its very finest, and comes with everything for you to start enjoying the good life right away.

Located inside the gates of the prestigious Summer Hill community, this property sits at a cool 3,800’ elevation and offers spectacular views looking out over Lake Glenville with the beauty of the Balsam mountains beyond the lake. This home displays the work of a true master craftsman. Eleven different types of wood were used inside the home, and features a beautiful and impressive suspended cherry log staircase down to the lower level.

MLS# 86274.

NEWLY PRICED

SAPPHIRE $995,000 Designed for nature lovers, this home offers panoramic 180-degree views of Sapphire Valley. A large, terraced stone patio with a fire pit and a pavilion suspended high above the valley floor below encourage outdoor living on the private 3.69-acre lot. A true work of art, the intricate custom stacked-stone multi-level water feature is the focal point of the elaborate grounds. On the main level, the master bedroom features two walls of windows and a private covered Trex deck with an en-suite bath which overlooks the breathtaking view towards Whiteside Mountain. The guest bedroom and an office are also located on the main level of the home and offer spectacular views. The family room and a guest suite have a private entry and parking, just a short walk from the pavilion. Come explore this private sanctuary in gated Spring Forest for yourself, just minutes from REAL ESTATE GROUP

Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 88846.

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UNDER CONTRACT

GLEN POINTE $995,000 Dreaming of a mountain home with an exceptional lake view and plenty of room for family and friends? If so, this spacious Glen Pointe estate fits the bill. Sitting on almost two acres, with five bedrooms and five and a half baths, this elegant residence features a dramatic view looking down Lake Glenville with the mountains beyond. Enjoy the natural beauty from the large covered decks or relax by one of several fireplaces. This home also includes private lake access with a dock and generous parking. MLS# 74152.

SUMMER HILL $995,000 Bring your suitcase and toothbrush — this custom-built mountain retreat on Lake Glenville is ready for its new owners to enjoy. Nothing was overlooked in creating this spacious showpiece, including fine woodwork, rustic architectural details and lots of glass for abundant natural light. Take in the grand mountain and lake views from the covered and open decks while relaxing by the cozy outdoor fireplace or cooking dinner on the built-in grill. MLS# 89267.

NEWLY PRICED THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $1,075,000 This cozy three-bedroom, three-bath Tudor-style Club Cottage is full of storybook charm, with enchanting views of Chimney Top and Rock Mountains in a lush setting. Features include poplar bark siding, wood interior walls and ceilings, marble bathrooms and fine finishes throughout. Enjoy the crisp air and beautiful scenery on the screened living porch with its own fireplace and room for dining. Conveniently located just steps away from all Chattooga Club amenities and minutes from downtown Cashiers, this carefree bungalow is the perfect getaway. Landscaping service is included with all Club C A S HIER S 8 2 8 .74 3 .1 9 9 9 Cottages. MLS# 91824.

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UNDER CO NTRACT

CEDAR HILL $975,000 Located in the very desirable gated community of Cedar Hill on a quiet cul-de-sac, this gorgeous home is offered fully furnished and boasts exceptional long range views of the mountains above Sapphire Valley and the majestic rock face of Lonesome Valley. This meticulously maintained retreat features a grand living room with wood cathedral ceilings and lots of light, a wood-burning stone fireplace, a wet bar and a dramatic wall of glass highlighting the surrounding vistas. Designed for the Plateau lifestyle, the inviting covered porch is perfect for savoring a hot cup of coffee in the morning or gathering friends to have sunset cocktails and dine al fresco. MLS# 90302.

HICKORY RIDGE $975,000 This spacious home on over six acres is located just minutes from Cashiers and offers beautiful Whiteside Mountain views. Soak in the tranquility of the mountains while sitting on the wraparound porch, or take advantage of the central location and enjoy the area's renowned dining, shopping, and golf, all just minutes away. The expansive great room is part of an open floor plan that offers plenty of room for entertaining large groups with a large dining area, hardwood floors, and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace. MLS# 89934.

CEDAR HILL $925,000 Lots of natural light fills the spacious great room, which includes vaulted ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, impressive windows, built-ins, and rich wood floors. A master suite and guest bedroom are on the main level. Don’t be afraid to invite the whole family over, because on the lower level are the family room, a second kitchen, and three additional bedroom suites, as well as a large deck. Spectacular mountain and rock face views and a central location minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire make this a perfect seasonal retreat or year round home. MLS# 91053.

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WILDCAT CLIFFS COUNTRY CLUB $899,000 On the market for the first time, this spacious lodge-style home overlooks ponds, mountain ridges, and the Wildcat Cliffs Golf Course's fifteenth hole. Only a short walk from the clubhouse, the light-and-bright home features architectural details of stone and wood. The floor-to-ceiling windows highlight the gorgeous views and landscaped backyard.

Membership in Wildcat Cliffs Country Club is required. Included in the listing price are all furnishings, the golf cart, and membership in the Lake Glenville Club, upon approval of WCC membership (not included) with no transfer fee. MLS# 90919.

NEWLY PRICED

CEDAR HILL $899,000 Amazing view of Lonesome Valley Canyon from this home located in the premier gated community of Cedar Hill, just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire. From the moment you enter the home the views greet you and invite visitors to relax and enjoy. The living room opens to the covered deck. The main bedroom and one of the guest rooms are on the first level of the home. A family and two additional guest rooms as well as another outside deck can be found on the lower level. Great location and views! MLS# 84371.

HICKORY RIDGE $895,000 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 C A S HIER S 8 2 8 .74 3 .1 9 9 9 indoor pool with glass doors opening onto a stone patio. The covered decks expand the living area and let you enjoy cool summer breezes along with the amazing views. MLS# 89127.

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CEDAR HILL $889,000 Perched at approximately 3,700 feet with excellent long range views of Big Sheepcliff and Yellow Mountains, this well maintained, solidly built home is located in the prestigious gated community of Cedar Hill. The 2.34-acre property offers privacy and a rare combination of incredible vistas with plenty of near-level space for guests to enjoy. MLS# 88199.

NEWLY PRICED

L AKE GLENVILLE $795,000 This welcoming and comfortable two-story lakefront home sits in Falls Cove at the south end of beautiful Lake Glenville. Norton Falls, the largest waterfall on the lake, is only a few hundred feet from the dock and the relaxing sounds of rushing water can be heard throughout the house. Enjoy fishing, boating and swimming or simply sit back and take in the tranquil water views from two huge covered rear decks. The great room has striking beamed cathedral ceilings, lots of natural light and a large dining area. The open kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and an island with seating. MLS# 82924.

NEW LISTING

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $795,000 Located in the premier gated community of The Chattooga Club, this light and airy family home offers beautiful views of Chimney Top and Rock Mountain from the expansive back deck. With five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, and a large family room, this spacious home boasts plenty of room for the entire family. Get cozy by the wood-burning fireplace in the office, which adjoins the master bedroom on the main floor; two additional bedrooms and baths are on the second floor. Two bedrooms and two baths plus a large family room with a wood-burning fireplace are on the lower level, accessing an outdoor covered deck opening which opens to tranquil green space. MLS# 91980.

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HOLLY FOREST $775,000 Hidden amongst the lush greenery of Sapphire Valley, this well-appointed three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home abounds with thoughtful details, such as exterior gas lighting, a warming drawer and wine cooler in the kitchen, and gorgeous wooden accents on the ceiling in the living area. This home is sure to have something for everyone, whether it be the gorgeous kitchen, equipped with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, or the abundance of outdoor living space, including the deck and a gazebo overlooking the stream. MLS# 90931.

HIGH ME ADOWS $750,000 Situated only minutes from Cashiers in the private High Meadows community, this custom-built getaway features the perfect blend of a mountain-inspired rustic feel with all the modern accouterments. Every detail was thoughtfully designed in this light and bright home, including Douglas fir posts and beams, shiplap wall coverings, and impressive exterior stonework. MLS# 88386.

NEWLY PRICED FALL S COVE $695,000 Tucked away in the quite Falls Cove neighborhood is this charming lakefront cabin.

Norton Falls, the largest waterfall on the lake, is only a few hundred feet from the dock and the relaxing sounds of rushing water can be heard throughout the house. The deck on the back of the home is the perfect place to enjoy the fantastic waterfall. MLS# 88303.

NEWLY PRICED

TAHAL A SHORES $680,000 This completely remodeled cottage offers countless upgrades, including a new seawall and dock, a storage building for a John Deere Gator utility vehicle, and a picturesque concrete path to the lake. The charming interior features shiplap walls, a new kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, HVAC units, a generator, roof, windows, and more. This incredible home is being offered turnkey, including its furnishings from The Summer House and the utility vehicle! MLS# 89885.

UNDER CONTRACT CONTINENTAL CLIFFS $639,000 Impeccably maintained both inside and out, this mountain home has been tastefully and thoughtfully remodeled. The main floor offers two bedrooms with a guest suite downstairs, each bedroom providing privacy for guests. The gourmet kitchen with a large kitchen island and ample bar seating is open to the living and dining area. Listen to the sounds of nature by the wood-burning fireplace in the large Carolina screened-in porch that was recently added. MLS# 91547.

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COWEE RIDGE $629,000 This recently renovated four bedroom, three bath home sits at the very top of the gated Cowee Ridge community, with stunning 180-degree, long range mountain views. Enjoy the cool temperatures at an elevation of over 4,000 feet. Cowee Ridge is midway between Highlands and Cashiers. A major remodel in 2006 included an all new kitchen, new HVAC. MLS# 86365.

DEER RUN $599,000 Your end of the road mountain escape awaits complete with 5 bedrooms, each with their own full bath and two half baths. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 3,366 ft, the views of Nix, Chimney Top, Rocky, Yellow, Black Rock, Little Sheepcliff, Glassy Rock, Cowrock, Laurel Knob and Meadow Lake below provide an atmosphere for all to enjoy! MLS# 85961.

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN $598,000 This lovely home sits high atop Bright Mountain with excellent southerly views of the Trillium Links & Lake Club and  the mountains  beyond. The owners have turned the property into an outside living paradise with a fire pit located by a huge rock outcropping and other seating areas. Two unique cottages, currently used as a potting room/ bar and an office. MLS# 85959.

NEW LISTING GOLF CLUB ESTATES $595,000 Bird's Eye View is an adorable mountain cottage perched high above The Country Club of Sapphire Valley, overlooking Chimneytop and Rock Mountains. This four-bedroom, three-bath home with a den was completely renovated in 2016. The great room's stone fireplace is highlighted by vaulted ceilings. The kitchen and dining room access the large deck, perfect for al fresco dining. The cozy master bedroom shares the spectacular view with the master bathroom. MLS# 91730.

HOLLY FOREST $589,000 Nestled in the woods of Holly Forest, this meticulously maintained home built by Lehotsky and Sons Builders exudes mountain living with comfort and charm. The secluded, large, wooded lot with long-range views of Hogback Mountain provides a sense of inviting tranquility. Conveniently located within minutes from the picturesque 55-acre Fairfield Lake, Sapphire Valley amenities, and the village of Cashiers. Escape to the spacious screened-in porch for an intimate affair by the floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace or enjoy year-round outdoor dining. MLS# 91596.

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SHEPHERDS MOUNTAIN $575,000 Situated at a cool 3,900+ feet in elevation, the 2.10 acre lot is teeming with natural flora and fauna and features a view you’ll never grow tired of! Both the main and lower level have spacious decks looking out to Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond. If the sights of the cool lake beyond entice you to go for a swim, the public beach access is only a quick ten-minute drive from your front door! There is also a private walking trail that leads to the community lake access that has an additional picnic area, perfect for lake days! MLS# 90049.

UNDER CONTRACT SAPPHIRE HIGH $575,000 This pristine mountain home provides unbelievable views of Chimneytop Mountain, Whiteside Mountain, Yellow Mountain, and Hogback Lake. The living room is impressive, with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and a floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace. The open living area extends into the remodeled kitchen, a layout perfect for entertaining.

Wood flooring and fine finishes make this home completely move-in ready. MLS# 88644.

NEWLY PRICED GLENSHORE $535,000 Located in the gated Lake Glenville community of Glenshore, this traditional home sits on a double lot, with beautiful lake and mountain views from almost every room. The convenient floor plan features the master bedroom and two guestrooms on the main level, as well as a sunny great room, covered porch and kitchen with a center island and eat-in area. Relax with friends in the expansive lower level family room with a built-in bar and wood stove, along with a walkout to the stone patio. The upper level loft would make a great office or hobby room. MLS# 89054.

L AKE GLENVILLE $499,000 This welcoming three-story log cabin is easily accessed from its paved circular driveway with a porte-cochere. Views of Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond can be seen from every bedroom on each floor of the house. An impressive wood-burning stone fireplace spans the two-story height of the living room. The kitchen is outfitted with unique tile countertops and stainless steel appliances. A screened-in patio offers a lovely spot for dining al fresco. MLS# 91122.

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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TRILLIUM LINKS $485,000 Finished with just the right amount of mountain elegance, this turnkey retreat is located right off the 14th green of Trillium's renowned golf course. A striking stacked stone fireplace in the living room soars to the heights of the cathedral ceiling, while wood walls and ceilings give this home a warm, welcoming feel. Enjoy the lovely golf views on the covered deck with its own woodburning fireplace or admire your own private waterfall as you stroll along the garden paths through lush landscaping. Your own private golf cart storage is just a few steps away. MLS# 89260.

NEW LISTING SPLIT R AIL $439,000 Offering stunning lake and mountain views from nearly every room, Caribou House is a tastefully remodeled home on Lake Glenville. No detail was overlooked when this home was renovated, allowing the next owner to begin living a relaxed lake lifestyle immediately. This retreat offers the best of both worlds-lake and mountain views without the noise of being lakefront with your boat in the water just a walk or short golf cart ride away. MLS# 91733.

UNDER CONTRACT COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES $425,000 Exceptional location in the heart of Sapphire Valley, within a golf cart ride to The Country Club of Sapphire Valley (membership by invitation only) and the Sapphire Valley Master Association. The property is being offered with the additional lot adjoining to the south for additional privacy. The spacious great room finished with wood on the walls and ceilings has multiple seating areas, a fireplace and a built in bar. This great entertaining space opens to the covered screen porch. The kitchen with stainless appliances opens to the dining area as well as the open deck. MLS# 89303.

STONECREEK CROSSING $425,000 Designed for the coveted mountain lifestyle, this unique home in Stonecreek Crossing boasts a fabulous location within walking distance of The Country Club of Sapphire Valley and the Sapphire Valley Resort. Setting it apart from other properties in a very popular price range, this getaway features convenient single-level living and great curb appeal, as well as vaulted ceilings, a spacious great room with wood floors, an open kitchen, and both formal and informal dining areas for entertaining. MLS# 90130.

SHEEPCLIFF WOODS $415,000 Located just minutes from downtown Cashiers in the quaint and quiet gated neighborhood of Sheepcliff Woods, this charming three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home features an open concept floor plan between the kitchen, dining, and living areas - ideal for entertaining all your guests. The spacious master bedroom includes a private deck and an en-suite master bathroom equipped with a large soaker tub and separate walk-in shower. MLS# 91456.

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NEWLY PRICED TRILLIUM LINKS & L AKE CLUB $415,000 Poised directly above the first tee on the Trillium Links Golf Course, this charming, stand-alone, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home is loaded with rustic charm.

This well-kept getaway offers quality post and beam construction, an open concept floor plan between the dining and living areas, as well as fantastic golf course and mountain views. MLS# 90322.

L AUREL FALL S $409,500 Tucked away on a gentle knoll in the low-density gated community of Laurel Falls, this newly constructed one-bedroom, one-bath getaway is situated on a spacious 11.47+/- estate lot. This fresh and tidy home features expansive long range mountain views, including Mount Lyn Lowry, Waterrock Knob, and Wesner Bald of the Blue Ridge Parkway. MLS# 90367.

CEDAR CREEK WOODS $365,000 This classic cottage sits at a convenient distance from Cedar Creek Racquet Club and all of its amenities, including tennis, croquet, dining and fitness. The new open deck leads to a large front porch — perfect spots to enjoy the Carolina mountain lifestyle.

Inside, a natural stone wood-burning fireplace. Cedar Creek Woods is just off Highway 64–convenient to Sapphire and Cashiers. MLS# 90441.

NEWLY PRICED HOLLY FOREST $349,900 Wake up to the view through the master bedroom bay window of the long fifth fairway of Sapphire National Golf Course. This beautiful year-round mountain golf view home has been lovingly maintained and tastefully remodeled. A lighted stone entrance marks the private long, level driveway with plenty of parking and a large turnaround.

Stunning hardwood floors adorn the main living areas, and four skylights allow natural light to brighten the home. MLS# 90841.

NEWLY PRICED HIGHL ANDS $349,000 This completely remodeled turnkey mountain getaway is being sold fully furnished.

Fruit trees, a stream, and old-growth rhododendron fill the picturesque backyard.

The master suite and guest bedroom and bath are located on the main level, and the upstairs provides a newly decorated bedroom and half bath. There is also a bonus room for an overflow of guests, which could double as an office or media room. MLS# 90554.

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KILLIANS PARK $349,000 The abundant character of this quaint A-frame style home is sure to capture your heart. Located in the Killians Park community, this home has a deeded lakefront lot just a short walk away. When you arrive at the home you're greeted by its inviting appearance and ample gardening space. The home offers two bedrooms with an additional loft area above the upper level and a spacious living area with wood-adorned cathedral ceilings. MLS# 90271.

SAPPHIRE HIGH $349,000 Sitting on more than four acres, this light and bright home in Sapphire High offers privacy and tranquility. On the market for the first time, this home has been carefully maintained with an all-new kitchen, hardwood floors, and a new roof added in 2016.

The kitchen has an eat-in area perfect for cozy breakfasts and opens to the dining and living areas. The master and laundry room are on the main floor, with two guest bedrooms and a second full bath upstairs. MLS# 90020.

TOLL HOUSE VILL AGE $329,000 You will love the warm welcome this cheerful house offers to all who enter. Custom built on 1.5 acres, this classic mountain getaway is immaculately kept and features spacious rooms, beautiful windows, abundant light, cathedral ceilings, a striking twostory fireplace, and stone and timber accents throughout. Enjoy the fresh air on your private screened porch and large open deck, both overlooking the beautiful granite rock face that only Mother Nature could have created. MLS# 90271.

UN DER 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.

UNDER CONTRACT WHISPER L AKE $299,000 In the desirable community of Whisper Lake, this one-level home enjoys mountain views from the back deck and a short walk to the Whisper Lake common area, perfect for picnicking, fishing, or canoeing! A large circular driveway and beautifully landscaped entrance provide great curb appeal. Upgrades include wood floors throughout this cozy mountain home, as well as newly installed granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths. MLS# 91380.

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NEW LISTING GLENVILLE $250,000 Only a quick drive from Glenville and Cashiers, this unique unrestricted property is awaiting your vision for its future. Boasting fantastic investment potential, the possibilities include use as a tiny home community, camper area, farm, or as a continued rental. The property features sprawling meadows of lush wildflowers and native grasses, an easy access driveway from Highway 107, and an adorable small farmhouse, which is in need of a total renovation. MLS# 91964.

WHITESIDE FOREST $269,500 Great get-away rustic cabin nestled in the woods with easy access to both Cashiers and Highlands. Small pond is totally owned by you. Adjacent flat picnic/garden area.

Very private yet in a neighborhood with paved roads. Surrounded by National Forests and very near Whiteside Mountain and the Chattooga River. The sliding rock is just a few minutes up the road. MLS# 85358.

LIT TLE SWIT ZERL AND $229,900 Sitting at 3,680 feet of elevation on almost four acres with a small stream, waterfall, and an additional building site, this affordable two-story mountain home is just minutes from downtown Cashiers. The comfortable floor plan includes two bedrooms and two baths with lots of additional bonus space. Spacious covered and uncovered decks are ideal for dining al fresco with a rustic wood-burning stone fireplace in the living room for getting cozy on winter nights. MLS# 91758.

CULLOWHEE $225,000 Looking for your affordable piece of paradise only a few miles from beautiful Lake Glenville's public boat launch and park? This cute cottage with a mountain view offers privacy and one-level living. On both sides of the stunning stone fireplace, sliding glass doors provide easy access to the spacious covered porch to enjoy the cool breezes and mountain ridge views. The abundance of storage space includes a walk-out partial basement. MLS# 91692.

GLENVILLE $202,000 Calling all nature enthusiasts! Nestled in the serene woods of Glenville, this three bedroom, two bath home features plenty of garden space, an easy to maneuver circular driveway, and end of the road privacy. Relaxing amongst the sights and sounds of the mountains is a joy with the outside entertainment space and hot tub accessible off the side deck and living area. MLS# 90559.

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UNDER CONT RACT THE WOODS $129,000 This rustic and charming two-bedroom, two-bath townhouse is the perfect long weekend getaway spot. Tucked away in the woods overlooking a small pond, the home is within walking distance of the beautiful Meadow Lake common area complete with picnic tables and a dock. Anglers will love being just a short walk from the trout-filled Horsepasture River. MLS# 91676.

LOT S & L AND BIG R I DGE

acres and consists of mostly all walkable property.

Home site sits just above 4,300 feet elevation and backs up to a 72+ acre private estate for added privacy. Big Sheepcliff is a highly desirable gated community with easy driving access and just minutes from Cashiers. Stocked ponds for fishing, picnic pavilion and a nice meadow for owners to enjoy. Low annual property owner fees and with a current 4 bedroom septic permit, electricity and water access right at the road, this property is just waiting for a new owner to build on it. MLS# 90127.$155,000.

BR I DGE CR E E K

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 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.

BIG SH E E P CL I F F NEWLY PRICED Dream building lot that will have easy driveway access and excellent mountain views! This northerly facing estate size lot has 2.39

Bridge Creek is a wonderful gated community only 4 miles from the Cashiers crossroads. Lot 59 is a big view lot with underground utilities, an easy build site and end of the road privacy. Common amenities include a chimney garden and fishing/swimming pond. No time limit for beginning to build. Wonderfully maintained community with easy year round access and close to both Cashiers and Highlands NC. MLS# 87144. $60,000.

Bridge Creek is a wonderful gated community only 4 miles from the Cashiers crossroads. Lot 40 is a nearly level stream front lot with underground utilities and an easy build site. Common amenities include a chimney garden and fishing/swimming pond. No time limit for beginning to build. Wonderfully maintained community with easy year round access and close to both Cashiers and Highlands NC. MLS# 87141. $40,000.

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

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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. $23,000.

Super gentle lot with winter mountain ridge views and a noisy stream to enjoy! If you are looking for a private house site that isn't far from town, this is the ideal location! Bridge Creek has a gated entrance and a charming covered bridge that you drive through to enter the community. Property owners enjoy use of the community pond and picnic area with an outdoor stone fireplace. Great price for an easy building lot!

MLS# 90331. $20,000.

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.

This lot has an easy building knoll with a natural walking trail leading to the stream and partially cleared area below on the lower portion of the property. This is a very neat property to enjoy and explore. If you are looking to reconnect with nature yet be only 15 minutes from Cashiers and 25 minutes from Highlands, this is the perfect spot! Bridge Creek has a gated entrance and a charming covered bridge that you drive through to enter the community. Property owners enjoy use of the community pond and picnic area with an outdoor stone fireplace. Great price for an easy building lot! MLS# 90329. $17,900.

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 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. MLS# 84182. $24,500.

CE DA R H I L L 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. $139,000.

Tucked away in the gorgeous gated community of Cedar Hill is this high elevation, easy build lot with beautiful mountain and ridge line views. There is a septic evaluation on file with Jackson County for a three bedroom home- one less step out of the building process for you! Full Sapphire Valley amenities are available with initiation and additional annual fees. This lot is a quick five-minute drive to Cashiers and a twenty minute drive to Highlands.

MLS# 90637. $80,000.

NEWLY LISTED Located on a cul-de-sac for additional privacy in the gated community of Cedar Hill, this 3.6 acre lot is perfectly suited to build a mountain dream home. Just minutes to downtown Cashiers and Sapphire. The property borders Cedar Hill POA common area property along Rochester Creek.

MLS# 91545. $58,000.

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 two communities have to offer. MLS# 89686. $39,000.

CH AT T O OG A CL I F F S PENDING Gorgeous panoramic mountain views from this 2.65 acre home site! Easterly facing lot situated at 3,700 feet elevation and overlooking the beautiful Cashiers Valley. Enjoy a direct view of the infamous Chimney Top Mountain along with others including Rock and Laurel Knob Mountains. Walk down the short mulch path into the lot to see the views from

this gentle home site at the top of Timber Ridge.

Community features a gated entrance, paved access, underground utilities and community water at the road. With a current 4 bedroom septic permit, this lot is ready to be built on! Only minutes from downtown Cashiers, grocery store, boutique & antique stores and many local restaurants. All of this, along with low annual property owner fees, make this the perfect spot to build your mountain escape!

MLS# 90698. $138,500.

T H E CH AT T OOG A CLU B NEWLY LISTED 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.

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# 90007. $360,000.

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 direction…while 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 NEWLY LISTED Just minutes from world class dining, shopping, art and music, this is a gentle building lot with mountain views in a serene community immersed with nature. Within the gates is a magical outdoor world just waiting to be discovered.

Chinquapin's elevation is 4,500 feet encompassing 2,000 acres in all. Amenities include hiking trails, fishing, swimming, canoeing or simply observing the wonders of this natural paradise. MLS# 91930. $159,000.

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.

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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. $19,000.

FA L CON R I DGE 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# 88183. $499,000.

Enjoy long range southwestern views from this large 11.73 acre gently rolling lot. Located in desirable Falcon Ridge, this lot sits at a cool 4,000+ feet elevation & has amazing views into SC. MLS# 83900. $99,999.

Enjoy long range southwestern views from this large 7.21 acre gently rolling lot. This lot sits at a cool 4,000+ feet elevation & has amazing views into South Carolina. Second adjoining lot can also be purchased separately for a total of 11.73 acres.

Sapphire amenities available. MLS# 83896. $79,900.

Enjoy long range southwestern views from this large 4.52 acre gently rolling lot at 4,000’+ elevation and has amazing layered views into South Carolina.

The neighboring lot is also available and can be purchased together for a total of 11.73 acres for even more privacy. Sapphire Valley Resort amenities included. MLS# 83899. $59,900.

FA L L S COV E

CROSS 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

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directly at Norton Falls, the largest waterfall on Lake Glenville. Has great lake access and plenty of room to spread out. A four bedroom septic evaluation is on file with Jackson County Health Department. Sit and enjoy the sounds of the waterfall from any location on this lot! MLS# 88354. $599,000.

F E N L E Y F OR E ST T R A I L Well priced lakefront lot on Lake Glenville located on a quiet little cove. 4 bedroom septic evaluation in hand along with a new survey. Shared well. MLS# 90419. $295,000.

F I V E ST ON E NEWLY PRICED 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# 88178. $500,000.

GL E N COV E E STAT E S Great lakefront lot located close to town on the highly desirable east side of Lake Glenville. Approximately 100 feet of rock seawall installed and ready for Duke Power dock approval. The property is tied into community water and septic. You won't need to leave room for a septic field so you can build closer to the lake! Located just a quick 7 minute drive to downtown Cashiers. Adjoining lot is also available. Cherry pick your favorite or buy both for added privacy and lake frontage. MLS# 89867. $250,000.

Great lakefront lot located close to town on the highly desirable east side of Lake Glenville. Approximately 100 feet of rock seawall installed and ready for Duke Power dock approval. The property is tied into community water and septic. You won't need to leave room for a septic field so you can build closer to the lake! Located just a quick 7 minute drive to downtown Cashiers. Adjoining lot is also available. Cherry pick your favorite or buy both for added privacy and lake frontage. MLS# 89869. $250,000.

GL E N R I DGE 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 dream home in the mountains. The Glenridge community is a very short distance to the entrance to Panthertown Valley - a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.

Panthertown is referred to as “The Yosemite of the East” and offers visitors cascading waterfalls, trout streams, panoramic views, sheer granite cliffs and the headwaters and east fork of the Tuckasegee River. It’s one of the most popular spots in the Western North Carolina mountains for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and rock climbers. MLS# 90987. $189,000.

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GL E N L AU R E L Huge views of Lake Glenville and mountains. Access to Lake Glenville with shared dock. Paved roads and community water. Underground utilities. Less than 1/4 mile, from a public boat launch. MLS# 81939. $49,500.

Large lot with Lake Glenville access. Community has a dock. Glen Laurel is located on the north end of Lake Glenville. The community has paved roads and underground utilities. Community is the perfect place to build your small cabin. Easy access to Cashiers, Franklin, Cullowhee and Sylva. Lot is gently rolling with a small spring fed stream on one side. MLS# 90420. $49,000.

2 Lots in Glen Laurel - Easy build lake access lots within walking distance to Lake Glenville and the community boat dock. Glen Laurel has paved roads and underground utilities. Minimum square footage for homes, only 1,400 sf. Affordable opportunity to own your mountain cabin with an almost lake front lot.

Within ¼ mile of public boat ramp. $22,500 - $29,500.

MLS# 74340, and 74341.

GL E N P OI N T E Lake Glenville access lot with dedicated boat slip. No need to share, this lot has short walk to community boat dock and across drive from community tennis court. Very level building site. Some lake view. Underground utilities. MLS# 81650. $199,500.

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. $99,000.

GL E N V I E W Exceptional year round lake and mountain view lots with paved access and community water. Three wellpriced lots to choose from, so cherry-pick the best one! Expired septic evaluations on file. Easy 15 minute drive to Cashiers. MLS# 87042, 87043 and 87044. $60,000 each.

REAL ESTATE GROUP

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Stunning 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. This property is suited for a variety of development opportunities including multi-family, restaurant, RV resort, or a host of other commercial uses. Sewer available. MLS# 85720. $599,000.

HOL LY F OR E ST 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. Southwesterly views from this lot sitting at 3,800 ft. elevation. Enjoy the panoramic vistas of Chimneytop Mountain and Rocky Mountain. MLS# 88095. $94,999.

Easy build lot with a great view of Chimney Top Mountain. Quick drive to Highway 64 with no steep roads to climb or descend, very usable in the winter. Less than 5 minutes to amenities and restaurants, 8 minutes to Cashiers. MLS# 90878. $25,000.

Nice gentle lot with over an acre of land and yearround 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. $23,000.

NEWLY LISTED 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# 89042. $9,900.

Great view lot in the heart of SapSouthern exposure lot with long range views of Chimneytop Mountain with clearing. Build your mountain getaway on this beautiful lot and enjoy the natural southern light. Enjoy the great amenity package offered by the Sapphire Master Association that are associated with this lot.

MLS# 90311. $3,500.

This gentle home site will be a breeze to build on!

Great location with easy paved driving access into the community and just a few minutes’ drive to Cashiers. Drive past pretty Hogback Creek on the way to and from this lot! Located towards the end of a cul-de-sac for extra privacy. Lot backs up to a wide Holly Forest green space area and is also just a short walk to the community waterfall common area called Narrows Falls. Just around the corner from the public Sapphire National Golf Club and the Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company restaurant.

Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley Resort amenities including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, Horsepasture River picnic area, track/playground, ski slope, zip line and more. This lot is also walking distance to Lake Fairfield where you can enjoy the 3 mile trail around the lake, the beach area or rent a canoe or paddle boat from the boat house. MLS# 90253. $4,000.

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 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.

NEW LISTING 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.

NEWLY LISTED Gently rolling 10+/- acre lot in the Laurel Falls community in Glenville, NC. Plenty of privacy and usable acreage to build your dream home. Heavy wooded with mature hardwoods, mountain laurel, rhododendron and native flora.

Great potential for a unencumbered ridge line view with selective tree clearing. A small babbling stream runs through the property adding to the mountain charm. A driveway and partially cleared home site has been pushed in and an expired 3 bedroom septic evaluation is on file. Laurel Falls is a gated yet scenic and wild subdivision that's ideal for nature lovers and borders Panthertown Valley. Many thousands of acres of protected land set aside for mountain biking, horseback, camping, hiking, etc. The lot is a scenic 30-minute drive from Cashiers or Lake Glenville. LS# 91965. $74,900.

NEWLY LISTED Two great adjoining lots in the scenic, wild and gated subdivision of Laurel Falls. Each lot has a survey, septic evaluation for a 3 bedroom home with easy building sites! A small stream runs through the property providing additional mountain charm. Ridgeline views with tree trimming. Lots of usable land. Laurel Falls is bordered by thousands of acres of protected Panthertown Valley. The Yosemite of the East. MLS# 91969. $65,000.

PI L O T S K NOB Perched at almost 4,000’ elevation, you’ll enjoy beautiful long-range mountain views and a long private driveway that leads to this lot. This almost 2 acre lot provides you views that leave no doubt where you are. Very gentle, nearly flat driveway cut in that leads to a flat build site for the main level.

The property drops off below the homesite, assuring

you’ll own the view for years to come. MLS# 85946. $49,000.

NEWLY PRICED 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.

Pilots Knob is paved throughout and has an inviting gated entrance with a pretty waterfall feature. 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. $26,500.

LOT S & L AND

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.

T H E P OI N T AT GL E N V I L L E L A K E Lake living in one of the premier communities on Lake Glenville can be yours today. Build your dream home on this lot which is just a short walk to your dock and the community common area overlooking the lake and the community pavilion with fireplace.

Just minutes to town from this convenient location on the west side of Lake Glenville. Bring your architect and builder and let's get started on your dream lake home! MLS# 90356. $175,000.

S A PPH I R E COM M E RCI A L Almost 2 acres with 461 feet of frontage along Highway 64 in the heart of Sapphire. 5 tap fees have been paid for CWS sewer and water, and will convey with property. Property can be used for residential and light commercial purposes, such as hotel/motel, office and/or retail space. Parking area represents about half of total parcel with stream and land behind. MLS# 88280. $300,000.

S A PPH I R E H IGH NEWLY PRICED A cascading stream with waterfalls and pools that is entirely inside the property. A building site with long-range mountain views that also overlooks the falls. Southern exposure from the building site and a mountain to the north to block the cold winter winds. A community with golf courses, pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, a swimming-canoeing-and fishing lake, hiking trails, tennis, community center, fitness center, restaurants and bars. $139,500. MLS# 91272.

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S A PPH I R E R I DGE Located in the heart of Sapphire Valley in the gated community of Sapphire Ridge. This double lot provides a fantastic views of Toxaway Mountain and into South Carolina. This almost 5 acre property is located on a cul-de-sac for additional privacy. Only one Sapphire Valley Master Association amenities fee. Both lot 18 and 19 have a 3 bedroom septic permit. Don't miss this opportunity to build your dream home with spectacular long range views, while being only minutes to town. MLS# 89822. $179,000.

S A S S A F R A S R I DGE Stunning lot in the private enclave of Sassafras Ridge featuring a magnificent panoramic view of the valley, the Country Club of Sapphire Valley (membership by invitation only), rockfaces and your own private waterfall! Imagine gazing out across Sapphire Valley and listening to the soothing sound of rushing water.

Not all lots are created equal. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your special mountain retreat. Tree plan to protect the view over the valley and overlooking the waterfall has already been approved by the POA. Build your dream home today and start enjoying the mountains! MLS# 89584. $295,000.

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. $125,000.

SH E E P CL I F F WO ODS Only 1 mile from the center of downtown Cashiers to this property-very easy building envelope, to keep your foundation costs minimized. Sitting at 3600’ elevation, this lot has a view of the famed Whiteside Mountain.

Community water in place and an expired 3 BR septic permit in hand, that could likely be improved-given the size of the lot. MLS# 87480. $49,900.

SH E PH E R DS MOU N TA I N NEWLY LISTED This almost 2 acre lot is located in the exclusive gated community of Shepherds Mountain -that provides property owners in-ground utilities, nice wide paved roads, a small clubhouse, play area for the kids. Very close to public access and beach area as well. Enjoy the privacy and soothing sounds of nature, while perching your home at approximately 3,800' elevation. MLS# 91600. $15,000.

SI M S VA L L E Y Paved driveway already in place leading to the perfectly flat building site with 360 degree REAL ESTATE GROUP

views. Long or short range mountain views in any direction you look! This private home site adjoins another 22+ acre tract that is privately owned with road access from the opposite end of the property providing this home site ultimate privacy. Sims Valley is a beautiful gated community with paved access, community water and underground utilities. MLS# 87563. $119,000.

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. $49,900.

Beautiful almost level lot with easy year round access and a near perfect build site. A rock lined bridge driveway goes level onto the lot. Betsy Creek boarders the property to the right of the driveway. Mountain views possible with tree trimming. Sims Valley is a scenic gated community located just 20 mins outside of Cashiers NC and offers amenities to include a clubhouse, pool, exercise facility, pond and picnic areas. MLS# 87145. $15,000.

home site in the heart of the gated Sims Valley Community. The Sims Valley Community features a pristine clubhouse, outdoor pool, museum on the area, and breathtaking layered mountain views throughout.

There is also community water available within the subdivision. This lot is priced to sell, so don't miss out!

There is a package deal available including this lot and five other lots for a total price of $40,000. MLS# 90766. $8,000.

Located in the gated Sims Valley Community is this gentle 1.15 acre lot awaiting the construction of your new mountain home. The Sims Valley Community features a pristine clubhouse, outdoor pool, museum on the area, and breathtaking layered mountain views throughout. There is also community water available within the subdivision. This lot is priced to sell, so don't miss out! There is a package deal available including this lot and five other lots for a total price of $40,000. MLS# 90767. $8,000.

Wonderful lot in scenic Sims Valley with stream. This easy build lot includes community water, paved roads, streams, ponds, a clubhouse with pool and exercise room and an antique farm house community center.

Sims Valley is private, gated and just 10 minutes from Lake Glenville and 20 minutes from Cashiers. MLS# 90257. $5,000.

Located on a gentle knoll in the gated Sims Valley Community is this 3.24+/- acre lot awaiting your dream home! This lot has awesome potential views with some clearing and is large enough for you to spread out. The Sims Valley Community features a pristine clubhouse, outdoor pool, museum on the area, and breathtaking layered mountain views throughout.

There is also community water available within the subdivision. This lot is priced to sell, so don't miss out!

There is a package deal available including this lot and five other lots for a total price of $40,000. MLS# 90770. $15,000.

Overlooking the mountains and valley below within the gated Sims Valley Community, this 1.65 +/- acre lot has great potential views and is priced aggressively. The Sims Valley Community features a pristine clubhouse, outdoor pool, museum on the area, and breathtaking layered mountain views throughout.

There is also community water available within the subdivision. This lot is priced to sell, so don't miss out!

There is a package deal available including this lot and five other lots for a total price of $40,000. MLS# 90769. $5,000.

Easy build and aggressively priced 0.94 acre lot in the Sims Valley community. The Sims Valley Community features a pristine clubhouse, outdoor pool, museum on the area, and breathtaking layered mountain views throughout. There is also community water available within the subdivision. This lot is priced to sell, so don't miss out! There is a package deal available including this lot and five other lots for a total price of $40,000. MLS# 90763. $10,000.

SNOW BI R D

Tucked away in the beautiful Sims Valley gated subdivision is this 1.25+/- acre gently rolling lot. This lot is situated in the heart of the community and is a short drive from amenities. The Sims Valley Community features a pristine clubhouse, outdoor pool, museum on the area, and breathtaking layered mountain views throughout. There is also community water available within the subdivision. This lot is priced to sell, so don't miss out! There is a package deal available including this lot and five other lots for a total price of $40,000. MLS# 90768. $10,000.

This 0.52+/- acre lot is an easy build with the beginning of a paved drive already installed. Perfect for a smaller cabin, this lot would make for a fantastic

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Tucked away in the high end Snowbird gated community is this fantastic 45.71 acre Gentleman’s farm!

This property has plenty of room for homes and an

S P R I N G F OR E S T NEW LISTING Tucked away in the Spring Forest gated community at above 3,300 ft elevation is this buildable lot 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# 91791. $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. Lots available individually.

MLS# 89300. $59,000.

Fabulous views over Sapphire Valley and a short golf cart ride away from The Country Club of Sapphire Valley (membership by invitation only) and the Sapphire Valley amenities. Build your dream house on this value priced lot. Lot next door also available for those seeking additional privacy or larger yard.

Enjoy the views of Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley canyon. This gated community offers quick access to everything Sapphire Valley has to offer. MLS# 90977. $25,000.

ST ON E P OI N T E One of the premier lakefront lots on all of Lake Glenville is now available for the discerning buyer.

Lot 5 is the namesake for its community, sitting on a point and features a beautiful rock outcropping. The lot features 1.54 acres to spread your wings, very gentle build site and walk to water, more than 400’ of shoreline, deep water, and an incredible Southerly facing view down the main channel of the lake. The extensive rock work and boat dock convey, along with a 5 BR septic permit and drain field already installed.. MLS# 88390. $849,000.

Nestled on the western shores of Lake Glenville, this 1+ acre lot is ready for your lakefront home. The home site features: driveway, potable and non-potable water lines, and underground power. The house site is cleared and a large dock is in place. Come see and imagine yourself on this beautiful piece of mountain waterfront property. MLS# 84508.

$425,000.

ST R AW BE R RY H I L L NEWLY PRICED Wonderful lake and mountain views from this 5.77 acre north westerly facing property.

Great natural building shelf already on the property for the perfect home site. Enjoy Lake Glenville views and a cool breeze from 3,700+ feet elevation! Private community water and just a short drive to several public boat ramps and the Jackson County Rec Park area with swimming area and hiking trails. MLS# 90259. $110,000.

SU M M E R COV E Tremendous lake and mountain views, with a southern exposure from this lot. This incredible view lot offers amazing views down the south channel of the lake, with many layered mountain ranges in the distance. Summer Cove offers all lake view property owners a designated slip on the 10-slip community dock that’s just a short golf-cart ride away. Sitting 300’ above the lake, you’ll enjoy the cool breezes and spectacular views from 3,800’. MLS# 84680. $325,000.

and going for a swim in the gently moving pool below your home, then this is the lot for you. The section of river frontage you own with this lot has both small rapids and slow moving pools, perfect for the avid angler or nature enthusiast. This lot has a valid septic permit for a three bedroom home, and also has access to the community water located 100’ from where the proposed home site is. MLS# 88593. $125,000.

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abundance of easy building sites. As you approach the small rustic camping cabin, your greeted by gently rolling meadows and gorgeous layered mountain views. The cabin itself is studio style, with an outhouse steps away for a true 1800’s historic feel.

MLS# 90110. $799,000.

W H I SPE R L A K E NEWLY PRICED 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. $27,500.

W H I T E WAT E R R I DGE

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# 88751. $199,000.

T R I L L I U M H IG H NEW LISTING Located high atop a knoll in the quaint Trillium High community is this scenic lot with fantastic view potential! As you venture around the lot you'll notice the serene setting, cool summer temperatures, and sense of community that surrounds you. The home site and foundation construction will be similar to the home on the right of the lot. Don't miss out on this great lot at a fantastic price! MLS# 91790. $79,900.

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 NCE

Exceptional mountain view lot that adjoins Nantahala National Forest Service and is just short walk to Sandy Gap pond. This 3.07 acre lot sits at approximately 3,650 ft. elevation with a direct view of infamous Whiteside Mountain. Many other mountains can be seen as well including Yellow, Shortoff, Black Rock & Hogback mountains. Building on this site will be a breeze given the gentle topography and easy driveway access. There are already two beautiful homes built on the lots directly to the right of this property and the lot to the left has the view cleared but has not been built on yet. Expired 4 bedroom septic permit on file. The Whitewater Ridge community has a lot to offer with a gated entrance, pond common area, hiking trails, community water, underground utilities and views into the foothills of SC including Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee. Community is bordered on 3 sides by National Forest service and community trails lead to Whitewater River.

MLS# 91131. $105,000.

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COM M E RCI A L SAPPHIRE $949,000 UNDER CONTRACT

A SAPPHIRE $450,000

B A

CASHIERS $225,000

C 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-38 in top parking lot, and 32 on lower lot behind building. MLS# 85231.

B

C

REAL ESTATE GROUP

244 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Great commercial opportunity being offered in the heart of Sapphire Valley, connected to CWS sewage and water system. Nice welcoming entry foyer with reception area, conference room, kitchenette, two bathrooms and a large office on main level. Stone fireplace in entry. Upstairs is another 6 offices and bathroom. Room to expand behind building and almost 2 acre parking lot next door can be purchased for additional parking/expansion. MLS# 88278.

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. This is a double unit with multiple office and conference area, as well as open space. This former bank location also features a vault!

Tired of paying rent, this is the perfect in-town location. Desks and conference room furniture included. MLS# 91046.

VAC ATI O N RENTALS CASHIERS Whiteside Mountain Lookout

A

B

A

L AKE GLENVILLE Summersail

C

C

E

A

B

C

C

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB Boxwood

D

SAPPHIRE Riverchase

E

SAPPHIRE Riverchase Retreat

SAPPHIRE Holly Forest Hideaway

F This three bedroom, two and half bath home sits atop your own private sanctuary with stunning long/short range Whiteside mountain views. The house is situated on ten acres, with a level shaded yard making it a welcome spot for families and friends to relax.

Be the first to stay in this newly furnished townhome. The perfect place for 2 couples or families. Each bedroom is located on a separate level for total privacy and has its own bath. Wonderful fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar open to the living area. Home is equipped with all new furniture throughout. Including beds, mattresses, linens, as well as 3 smart TVs, WiFi, and a gas grill. All Sapphire Valley Resort amenities are available as well - please ask for details.

Nestled on 65 magnificent acres of giant poplars and manicured meadows with over 1,700 feet of shoreline on sparkling Lake Glenville, this gracious lakefront home would make the perfect spot for your next getaway, wedding, family reunion or corporate retreat.

D

E

F

Conveniently located to Clubhouse/Lodge and all amenities. This four bedroom, four bath home has a master bedroom on main level as well as another large bedroom with private bath. You must be a member of the Chattooga Club to enjoy any of the amenities.

This great condo is located in the Sapphire Valley community of River Chase. It is in a wonderful neighborhood with lots of places to walk to including Meadow Lake & the Horsepasture River. This two bedroom two bath condo with living room w/ stone fireplace, mantel & high vaulted ceiling. Two decks overlooking a rhododendron forest. Unit is only a short drive to many of the Sapphire Valley amenities.

Family friendly home located in Sapphire Valley. This home offers an open kitchen, dining area, Master bedroom with private bath, and TV. Living room has a vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace (wood burning), and large deck. Great C A S HIER S 8 2 8 .74 3 .1 9 9 9 home for a couples getaway, HI GHL A ND S 8 2 8 . 5 2 6 . 2 9 9 9 guys golfing weekend or larger family.

N C L I V I N G . C O M

thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 245

VAC ATI O N RENTALS L AKE GLENVILLE Tuckaway

A

B

HIGHL ANDS The Views

C

E

B

C

HIGHL ANDS FALL S CC Locust Lane Cottage

D

WHISPER L AKE Lakeside Cottage

A

L AKE GLENVILLE Lake Therapy

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB Tsali Cottage

F Magnificent scenery and cool temperatures highlight the short drive from the crossroads to this gorgeous waterfront mountain home on the east side of Lake Glenville. Family and guests of all ages will love this paradise getaway with so many activities to enjoy, such as boating, swimming, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, hiking, and more!

D

E

Cozy waterfront cottage with dock on Lake Glenville in the Tahala Shores community. This cozy cottage offers all the charm and romance needed for a great getaway. Almost every room in the house has a full lake view.

Wonderful three bedroom, three bath condo with fabulous mountain views of Shortoff and Yellow Mountain. One of the best views anywhere! This beautiful upper unit features a vaulted ceiling with beams and a stone fireplace in the living area. Oversized master suite with long range views of the mountains.

246 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

F

Wonderful two bedroom, two bath cottage tucked away in the rhododendrons.

This one level living home has wonderful privacy and lots of decks to enjoy the fresh mountain air.

This lakefront home is situated alongside tranquil Whisper Lake in the heart of Sapphire Valley. The upstairs has an expansive Great Room that features a gas fireplace and wall of windows overlooking the lake and mountains. All four bedrooms are roomy with good views and have access to a full bath. The outside garden was designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Conveniently located to Clubhouse/Lodge and all amenities. Beautifully furnished two bedroom, two bath cottage with wood burning fireplace, wonderful deck with fireplace & open area. Master bedroom on main level, second bedroom upstairs.

You must be a member of the Chattooga Club to enjoy any of the amenities.

VAC ATI O N RENTALS THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB Bear Rock

A

A

CEDAR HILL Raptors Retreat

B

B

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB High Five

C A

B

C A

B

With magnificent long range views of Chimneytop and Rock Mountains, Bear Rock is a beautiful custom five bedroom, five and a half bath estate in the exclusive gated community of The Chattooga Club. The living room features a soaring 30’ ceiling, towering stone fireplace, and a wall of windows that floods the room with natural light and highlights the mountain vistas beyond. Relax or dine al fresco with family and friends on the screened porch and open deck.

C

Rustic elegance meets classic Southern style in this spacious tri-story home, situated on a private road in exclusive, gated Chattooga Club. With plenty of room for the entire brood, entertaining guests is a pleasure. Gather for lively conversation or curl up with a good book in the great room with its soaring cathedral ceilings and stone fireplace.

Exceptional four bedroom, five and a half bath luxury home located in Cedar Hill, an upscale gated community in Cashiers. Gracious interiors boasts high-end designer decor, fine finishes, a stunning chef's kitchen, open great room, wet bar and screen living porch with fireplace. All rooms are spacious. At approximately 4000 feet of elevation, enjoy breathtaking panoramic long range mountain views.

C A S HIER S 8 2 8 .74 3 .1 9 9 9 HI GHL A ND S 8 2 8 . 5 2 6 . 2 9 9 9

thelaurelmagazine.com October 2019 N C| L I V I N G .|C247 O M

MARKET LEADERS

JOCHEN LUCKE

BAMBI FAMOUS KAINE

CAROL MATHEWS

CASSIE NEAL

CHUCK SELF

DAN ALLEN

EDDY MCDONALD

LINDA PRIDGEN

RAY TRINE

LEARN MORE at NCLIVING.COM CASHIERS 828•743•1999

|

HIGHLANDS 828•526•2999

REAL ESTATE GROUP 248 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 249

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

accommodations Black Bear Lodge Cabins at 37 High Holly Chambers Realty The Chateau Colonial Pines Inn Country Club Properties Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins Half-Mile Farm Landmark Vacation Rentals Main Street Inn Old Edwards Inn & Spa Pebble Creek Village Silver Creek Real Estate Group Skyline Lodge Whiteside Cove Cottages

blackbearlodgeofsapphire.com thevineyardat37highholly.com highlandsiscalling.com thehighlandschateau.com colonialpinesinn.com ccphighlandsnc.com firemt.com halfmilefarm.com landmarkvacations.com mainstreet-inn.com oldedwardsinn.com pebble-creek.com ncliving.com skylinelodge.com

Bars Page 77 Page 159 Pages 162, 167 Page 39 Page 181 Page 2 Page 15 Page 109 Pages 34, 35 Page 97 Page 162 Page 173 Pages 206-248 Page 95 Page 180

4118 Kitchen and Bar Four65 Woodfire Grill + Bar The High Dive Midpoint Restaurant & Bar Tug’s Proper tugsproper.com The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands theuglydogpub.com The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers theuglydogpub.com Bedding ACP Home Interiors Blue Ridge Bedding Dutchman’s Designs Lenz Gifts The Summer House

boundscaverugs.com cabincouturehighlands.com dutchmansdesigns.com mirrorlakeantiques.com pasfrontsportch.com peakexp.com rusticks.com summerhousehighlands.com summerplaceantiques.com onceuponadog.com vmantiques.com

Page 45 Page 8 Page 119 Page 163 Page 47 Pages 41, 163 Pages 10, 116 Page 176 Page 33 Page 57 Page 59 Page 123 Page 50 Page 57

The Book Nook Cabin Couture Josephine’s Emporium Lee Lyons, Author

Pages 41, 163

acphomeinteriors.com annell.com aroundbackatrockysplace.com thebascom.org

Page 81 Page 77 Page 75 Page 28 Page 8 cabincouturehighlands.com Page 119 ckswan.com Page 8 creativeframing.info Page 41 highlandsfineartandestatejewelry.com Pages 18, 19 Pages 15, 44 oakleafhighlands.com Page 25 peakexp.com Page 33 Page 149 Page 79 summerhousehighlands.com Page 59 summerplaceantiques.com Page 123 timpsoncreek.com Page 179 onceuponadog.com Page 50

250 | October 2019 | Advertiser’s Index 250 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

cabincouturehighlands.com

Page 15 Page 119 Pages 41, 163 Page 173

Lupoli Construction Porch Living/Rabun Builders Srebalus Construction Co. Warth Construction

lupoliconstruction.com rabunbuilders.com srebalusconstruction.com warthconstruction.com

Page 45 Page 176 Page 162 Page 260

Building supplies Jennings Builders Supply Zoller Hardware

jbwnc.com zollerhardware.com

Page 55 Page 157

Business/office supplies

art galleries/artists ACP Home Interiors Annell, Portrait Artist Around Back at Rocky’s Place The Bascom The Brier Patch Cabin Couture CK Swan Creative Framing Highlands Fine Art Nora and Company Oakleaf Peak Experience Select Artists at 446 Main Smitten The Summer House Summer Place Antiques Timpson Creek The Village Hound

summerhousehighlands.com

Page 81 Page 138 Page 47 Page 159 Page 59

Builders

archival picture framing Josephine’s Emporium

acphomeinteriors.com blueridgebedding.com dutchmansdesigns.com

Books

antiques & home furnishings Bound’s Cave The Brier Patch Cabin Couture Christine’s Home Decor Dutchman’s Designs Josephine’s Emporium Mirror Lake Antiques & Jewelry Pa’s Front Porch Peak Experience Rusticks The Summer House Summer Place Antiques The Village Hound Vivianne Metzger

Page 95 Page 94 Page 101 Page 98 Page 107 Page 101 Page 101

The Business Spot Dauntless Printing Zoller Hardware

bizspot.net zollerhardware.com

Page 41 Pages 133, 163 Page 157

candles Town & CountryGeneral Store tandcgeneralstore.com

Page 23

catering Bella’s Junction Cafe Dinner with Duffy Fressers Courtyard Cafe & Catering The Kitchen Rosewood Market

Pages 93, 159 Page 97 wecaterhighlands.com thekitchenofhighlands.com rosewoodgourmet.com

Page 93 Page 103 Page 93

chamBers of commerce Cashiers Chamber of Commerce Highlands Chamber of Commerce

cashiersareachamber.com

Page 133

highlandschamber.org

Page 133

ADVERTISER’S ADVERTISER’S INDEX INDEX

christmas supplies The Christmas Tree

comforters Page 141

cleaning/housekeeping services Pro Servicess Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Services

Pages 163, 257

acphomeinteriors.com cabincouturehighlands.com dutchmansdesigns.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 81 Page 119 Page 47 Page 59

clothing & accessories A Jones Company Acorn’s Allison Diane Clothing Annawear Bags on Main Bella Cotn Elevation The Exchange Highland Hiker Martha Anne’s The Look Boutique The Mountain Mermaid Peak Experience McCulley’s Nancy’s Fancys Narcissus Nora and Company Robin’s Nest Sashay Around Southern Way Spartina 449 Spoiled Rotten TJ Bailey for Men Town & Country General Store VC for Men Victoria’s Closet Victoria’s Sportswear Wish & Shoes Wit’s End

Pages 44, 119 Page 109 Page 38 Page 122 Page 8 Page 70 Page 159 Page 135 highlandhiker.com Page 137 Page 79 thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com Page 21 Page 117 peakexp.com Page 33 Page 3 Page 135 Page 14 Pages 15, 44 Page 55 sashayaround.net Page 17 Page 78 spartina449.com Page 27 spoiledrotten2.com Page 123 tjbmens.com Page 164 tandcgeneralstore.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com

Page 23 Page 85 Page 85 Page 85 Page 112 Page 31

clothing consignment The Blue Elephant Victoria’s Closet

victoriasclosetnc.com

Page 85 Page 85

closet design Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry The Summer House

acphomeinteriors.com blueridgebedding.com dutchmansdesigns.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 162 cloth/upholstery

ACP Home Interiors Cabin Couture Dutchman’s Designs The Summer House

ACP Home Interiors Blue Ridge Bedding Dutchman’s Designs Lenz Gifts The Summer House

blackrockgraniteandcabinetry.com Pages 51, 162 summerhousehighlands.com Page 59

Page 81 Page 138 Page 47 Pages 159 Page 59

communities Chattooga Club Cullasaja Club Glen Cove

by Old Edwards Lonesome Valley Preserve at Rock Creek Silver Creek Real Estate Group

chattoogaclub.com cullasajaclub.org

Page 42 Page 61

glencovelifestyle.com lonesomevalley.com rockcreeknc.com

Pages 110, 111 Pages 66-69 Page 129

ncliving.com

Pages 206-248

community aid Reach of Macon County

reachofmaconcounty.org

Page 169

convenience stores Dusty’s

Page 95 cosmetic surgery

Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, MD

plasticsurgerytoday.com

Page 146

country cluBs Cullasaja Club

cullasajaclub.org

Page 61

country stores Town & Country General Store

tandcgeneralstore.com

Page 23

crafts The Bascom Peak Experience

thebascom.org peakexp.com

Page 28 Page 33

custom caBinetry/countertops ACP Home Interiors Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry Jennings Builders Supply The Summer House

acphomeinteriors.com

Page 81

blackrockgraniteandcabinetry.com Pages 51, 162 jbwnc.com Page 55 summerhousehighlands.com Page 59 custom furniture

ACP Home Interiors Dutchman’s Designs Gray Lighting & Woodwork The Summer House

acphomeinteriors.com dutchmansdesigns.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 81 Page 47 Page 4 Page 59

thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 251 thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 251

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

dentists Dr. Joe Wilbanks

wilbankssmilecenter.com

fly fishing/guide services Page 144

desserts Chocolate Heaven/Cake Bar

Page 173

domestic violence services Reach of Macon County

reachofmaconcounty.org

Page 169

doors/WindoWs Jennings Builders Supply

jbwnc.com

Page 55

events The Bascom Betsy Paul Art Raffle Empty Bowls Project Fall Colors Fine Art Show Half-Mile Farm Highland Hiker Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Highlands Cashiers Players Highlands Fine Art Highlands Food & Wine Festival Highlands Playhouse Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Meritage Bistro North Georgia Arts Guild On the Verandah Smitten Timpson Creek Town & Country General Store The Village Green Zoller Hardware

thebascom.org fishesandoavescashiers.org artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com halfmilefarm.com highlandhiker.com

Page 28 Page 171 Page 143 Page 78 Page 109 Page 137

hcmusicfestival.org Page 80 highlandscashiersplayers.org Page 84 highlandsfineartandestatejewelry.com Pages 18, 19 highlandsfoodandwine.com Page 88 highlandsplayhouse.org Page 83 highlandspac.org meritagehighlands.com

timpsoncreek.com

Pages 76 Page 4 Page 141 Page 99 Page 79 Page 179

tandcgeneralstore.com villagegreencashiersnc.com zollerhardware.com

Page 23 Page 37 Page 157

ontheverandah.com

event rentals The Orchard Studio 106

theorchardcashiers.com studio106.photos

Page 107 Page 123

family services Reach of Macon County

reachofmaconcounty.org

Page 169

fitness T Fitness

Page 257 floral design /florists

Cosper Flowers Oakleaf

oakleafhighlands.com

252 | October 2019 | Advertiser’s Index 252 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Page 157 Page 25

Brookings Highland Hiker

brookingsonline.com highlandhiker.com

Page 128 Page 137

furniture ACP Home Interiors The Brier Patch Cabin Couture Carolina Rustic Furniture Dutchman’s Designs High Country Furniture & Design Nearly New Oakleaf Rusticks The Summer House Summer Place Antiques Vivianne Metzger

acphomeinteriors.com cabincouturehighlands.com carolinarusticfurniture.com dutchmansdesigns.com highcountry.com oakleafhighlands.com rusticks.com summerhousehighlands.com summerplaceantiques.com vmantiques.com

Page 81 Page 8 Page 119 Page 138 Page 47 Page 56 Page 85 Page 25 Page 57 Page 59 Page 123 Page 57

furniture consignments The Blue Elephant Consignment Market Nearly New

consignmentmarketcashiersnc.com

Page 85 Page 85 Page 85

garden/landscaping supplies Chattooga Gardens Four Seasons Landscape Highlands Lawn Main Street Nursery Zoller Hardware

chattoogagardens.com fsl-wnc.com highlandslawnandgarden.com zollerhardware.com

Page 8 Page 175 Page 16 Page 167 Page 157

gift shops ACP Home Interiors A Jones Company Around Back at Rocky’s Place Cabin Couture The Christmas Tree CK Swan Classic Links & Luggage Creative Framing The Look Boutique Nearly New Nora and Company Pa’s Front Porch Peak Experience Robin’s Nest Smitten The Summer House Summer Place Antiques Town & Country General Store Zoller Hardware

acphomeinteriors.com

Page 81 Pages 44, 119 aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 75 cabincouturehighlands.com Page 119 Page 141 ckswan.com Page 8 classiclinksandluggage.com Page 119 creativeframing.info Page 41 thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com Page 21 Page 85 Pages 15, 44 pasfrontsportch.com Page 122 peakexp.com Page 33 Page 55 Page 79 summerhousehighlands.com Page 59 Page 123 tandcgeneralstore.com Page 23 zollerhardware.com Page 157 giving Back

Betsy Paul Art Raffle Highlands Emergency Council

Page 171 Page 20

ADVERTISER’S ADVERTISER’S INDEX INDEX

golf accessories & supplies Classic Links & Luggage

classiclinksandluggage.com

Page 119

golf tours Tom’s Golf Tours

tomsgolftours.com

Page 134

Vivianne Metzger Zoller Hardware

vmantiques.com zollerhardware.com home design

Mountainworks Design

mtnworks.com

rosewoodgourmet.com

Page 95 Page 93

grocery stores Mountain Fresh Grocery Dusty’s

mfgro.com

Page 106 Page 95

groomers Woofgang Bakery & Grooming

Page 169 gutters

Pro Servicess

Pages 162, 257 hair extensions

Pinnacle Anti Aging

pinnacleantiaging.com

Page 149

hair salons Bombshell Hair Boutique Creative Concepts Head Innovations

Page 52 Page 162 Page 162 heating and air

Holley Heating & Air Conditioning

holleyheating.com

Pages 25, 162

home accessories ACP Home Interiors A Jones Company The Blue Elephant The Brier Patch Cabin Couture Carolina Rustic Furniture CK Swan Consignment Market Dutchman’s Designs J Gabriel Nearly New Nora and Company Oakleaf Peak Experience Robin’s Nest The Summer House Summer Place Antiques Town & Country General Store

acphomeinteriors.com

Page 81 Pages 44, 119 Page 85 Page 8 cabincouturehighlands.com Page 119 carolinarusticfurniture.com Page 138 ckswan.com Page 8 consignmentmarketcashiersnc.com Page 85 dutchmansdesigns.com Page 47 Page 53 Page 85 Pages 15, 44 oakleafhighlands.com Page 25 peakexp.com Page 33 Page 55 summerhousehighlands.com Page 59 summerplaceantiques.com Page 123 tandcgeneralstore.com

Page 54

ice cream

gourmet food Dusty’s Rosewood Market

Page 57 Page 157

Page 23

SweeTreats

sweetreatshighlands.com

Page 103

interior design & home furnishings ACP Home Interiors Bound’s Cave The Brier Patch Cabin Couture Carolina Rustic Furniture Christine’s Home Decor CK Swan Dutchman’s Designs High Country Furniture & Design Jennings Builders Supply Rusticks The Summer House Summer Place Antiques

acphomeinteriors.com boundscaverugs.com

ckswan.com dutchmansdesigns.com

Page 81 Page 45 Page 8 Page 119 Page 138 Page 162 Page 8 Page 47

highcountry.com jbwnc.com rusticks.com summerhousehighlands.com summerplaceantiques.com

Page 56 Page 55 Page 57 Page 59 Page 123

cabincouturehighlands.com carolinarusticfurniture.com

investment planning Edward Jones Investments

edwardjones.com

Page 155

JeWelry - fashion A Jones Company Acorn’s ACP Home Interiors Allison Diane Clothing Cabin Couture The Look Boutique Narcissus Peak Experience Sashay Around

Pages 44. 119 Page 109 acphomeinteriors.com Page 81 Page 38 cabincouturehighlands.com Page 119 thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com Page 21 Page 14 peakexp.com Page 33 sashayaround.net Page 17 JeWelry - fine

Highlands Fine Art highlandsfineartandestatejewelry.com Pages 18, 19 MIrror Lake Antiques & Jewelry mirrorlakeantiques.com Page 10, 116 Turpin’s Jewelry turpinsjewelry.com Page 84 kitchen and Bath design ACP Home Interiors Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry The Summer House

acphomeinteriors.com

Page 81

blackrockgraniteandcabinetry.com Pages 51, 162 summerhousehighlands.com Page 59 lamp repair

Gray Lighting & Woodwork

Page 4

thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 253 thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 | 253

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

landscape architects Dargan Landscape Architects

dargan.com

music stores Page 29

landscaping Four Seasons Landscape Pro Servicess

fsl-wnc.com

Page 175 Page 162, 257

acphomeinteriors.com cabincouturehighlands.com carolinarusticfurniture.com

Page 81 Page 119 Page 138

classiclightinganddesign.com dutchmansdesigns.com

Page 77 Page 47

summerhousehighlands.com summerplaceantiques.com

Page 4 Page 59 Page 123

linens ACP Home Interiors Blue Ridge Bedding Dutchman’s Designs Lenz Gifts The Summer House

acphomeinteriors.com blueridgebedding.com dutchmansdesigns.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 81 Page 138 Page 47 Page 159 Page 59

luggage Classic Links & Luggage

classiclinksandluggage.com

cashiersvalleyfusion.com yogahighlands.com mattresses

Blue Ridge Bedding Dutchman’s Designs The Summer House

blueridgebedding.com dutchmansdesigns.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 138 Page 47 Page 59

medical services Dr. Edward D. Frederickson MD FACP Mission Health Center – Highlands/Cashiers

Highlands Aerial Park Tom’s Golf Tours

highlandsplayhouse.org

254 || October October 2019 2019 || thelaurelmagazine.com Advertiser’s Index 254

Page 9 Page 134

paint supplies Cashiers Color Center Highlands Decorating Center

highlandsdecorating.com

Page 143 Page 53

painting Morales Painting Pro Servicess

Page 155 Pages 162, 257 pet care/supplies

The Village Hound Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Zoller Hardware

onceuponadog.com

Page 50

zollerhardware.com

Page 169 Page 157

pharmacies Page 148 photography Charles Johnson Fine Art Photography

charlesjohnsonfineart.com

Page 75

picnic items A Jones Company Town & Country General Store tandcgeneralstore.com

Page 44, 119 Page 23

picture framing Creative Framing Franklin Picture Framing Josephine’s Emporium

Page 147

Chattooga Gardens Highlands Lawn Main Street Nursery

movies Highlands Playhouse

highlandsaerialpark.com tomsgolftours.com

creativeframing.info

Page 41 Page 9 Pages 41, 163

plants/nurseries Page 146

mission-health.org

Page 162 outdoor adventures

Page 119

Page 149 Page 162 Page 163 Page 149

Page 80

nail care

Highlands Pharmacy

massage services Cashiers Valley Fusion Creative Concepts Tranquility Cove Massage Yoga of Highlands

blueridgemusicacademy.com

Creative Concepts

lighting ACP Home Interiors Cabin Couture Carolina Rustic Furniture Classic Lighting & Design Dutchman’s Designs Gray Lighting & Woodwork The Summer House Summer Place Antiques

Blue Ridge Music

chattoogagardens.com highlandslawnandgarden.com

Page 8 Page 16 Page 167

pools/spas Page 83

Mountain Spring Spas and Pools

mountainhotspring.com

Page 9

ADVERTISER’S ADVERTISER’S INDEX INDEX

porch and patio The Summer House Summer Place Antiques

summerhousehighlands.com summerplaceantiques.com

Page 59 Page 123

porch living Porch Living

Page 176 pottery

ACP Home Interiors Around Back at Rocky’s Place Cabin Couture Dutchman’s Designs Peak Experience Smitten The Summer House

acphomeinteriors.com aroundbackatrockysplace.com cabincouturehighlands.com dutchmansdesigns.com peakexp.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 81 Page 75 Page 119 Page 47 Page 33 Page 79 Page 59

printing companies The Business Spot Dauntless Printing

bizspot.net

Page 41 Pages 133, 163

private chef Dinner with Duffy

Page 97 produce

Cashiers Farmers Market

cashiersfarmersmarket.com

Page 107

puBs The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers

theuglydogpub.com

Page 101

theuglydogpub.com

Page 101

radio stations WHLC FM 104.5

whlc.com

Page 15

rare maps/prints Josephine’s Emporium

Pages 41, 163 real estate sales

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Betsy Paul Blair Realty Chambers Realty Country Club Properties Country Club Properties Ellie Hogan Cullasaja Club John Cleaveland Realty Glen Cove

Landmark Realty Group Landmark Realty Group Pam Nellis McKee Properties McKee Properties Sandy & John Barrow McKee Properties Philip Bradley McKee Properties - Liz Harris McKee Properties Merry Soellner McKee Properties Beth Townsend Pat Allen Realty Group Preferred Propertiers of Highlands - Barbara Newton Preserve at Rock Creek Sapphire Valley Real Estate Silver Creek Real Estate Group Sotheby’s Andrea Gabbard Sotheby’s - Jody Lovell Sotheby’s - Bert Mobley Sotheby’s - Sheryl Wilson

meadowsmountainrealty.com betsypaulproperties.com blair-realty.com highlandsiscalling.com ccphighlandsnc.com

Page 43 Page 259 Page 180 Pages 162, 167 Pages 2, 53

ccphighlandsnc.com cullasajaclub.org jcrealty.com glencovelifestyle.com

Page 53 Page 61 Page 30 Pages 110, 111

landmarkrg.com

Pages 34, 35

landmarkrg.com mckeeproperties.com

Page 163 Pages 182-204

mckeeproperties.com

Pages 202, 203

mckeeproperties.com mckeeproperties.com

Page 204 Pages 130, 131, 184-192

mckeeproperties.com

Pages 198-201

mckeeproperties.com patallenrealtygroup.com

Pages 193s-197 Page 150

ppoh.com rockcreeknc.com sapphirevalleyrealestate.com

Page 163 Page 129 Page 124

ncliving.com

Pages 206-248

highlandssothebysrealty.com highlandssothebysrealty.com highlandsssir.com sothebysrealty.com

Page 136 Pages 87, 170 Page 5 Page 24

restaurants Highlands-Cashiers Directory 4118 Kitchen and Bar Altitudes at Skyline Bella’s Junction Cafe Bistro on Main Canyon Kitchen Cashiers Farmers Market El Manzanillo Fire + Water Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar Fressers Courtyard Cafe & Catering The Kitchen Lakeside Restaurant Log Cabin Restaurant Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden Meritage Bistro Midpoint Mountain Fresh Grocery The Orchard On the Verandah Paoletti’s Restaurant Rosewood Market Slabtown Pizza SweeTreats Tug’s Proper The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro

Page 108 Page 95 altitudesatskyline.com Page 95 Pages 93, 159 mainstreet-inn.com Page 97 lonesomevalley.com/canyonkitchen Page 86 cashiersfarmersmarket.com Page 107 Page 105 firemt.com Page 15 Page 94 wecaterhighlands.com thekitchenofhighlands.com lakesiderestaurant.info logcabinhighlands.com meritagehighlands.com mfgro.com theorchardcashiers.com ontheverandah.com paolettis.com rosewoodgourmet.com slabtownpizza.com sweetreatshighlands.com tugsproper.com theuglydogpub.com theuglydogpub.com wolfgangs.net

Page 93 Page 103 Page 101 Page 105 Page 162 Page 4 Page 98 Page 106 Page 107 Page 99 Page 101 Page 93 Page 103 Page 103 Page 107 Page 101 Page 101 Page 5

thelaurelmagazine.com | October thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 2019 | 255| 255

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

The Zookeeper Bistro

Page 105 rock yards

Highlands Lawn

highlandslawnandgarden.com

romansroofingnc.com

Pages 162, 257 Page 163 Page 163

rugs ACP Home Interiors Bound’s Cave Cabin Couture Carolina Rustic Furniture Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery The Summer House Summer Place Antiques The Village Hound

acphomeinteriors.com boundscaverugs.com cabincouturehighlands.com carolinarusticfurniture.com

Page 81 Page 45 Page 119 Page 138

shirazruggalleries.com summerhousehighlands.com summerplaceantiques.com onceuponadog.com

Page 168 Page 59 Page 123 Page 50

shipping services Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship

Page 9 shoes

Annawear Highland Hiker Martha Anne’s The Mountain Mermaid Nora and Company Spoiled Rotten TJ Bailey for Men Wish & Shoes

highlandhiker.com

spoiledrotten2.com tjbmens.com

Page 122 Page 137 Page 79 Page 117 Pages 15, 44 Page 123 Page 164 Page 112

skin care Pinnacle Anti Aging

pinnacleantiaging.com

Peak Experience

peakexp.com

Highlands Cashiers Players Highlands Playhouse Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center

Page 33

lonesomevalley.com oldedwardsinn.com pinnacleantiaging.com

Page 86 Page 162 Page 149

256 | October 2019 | Advertiser’s Index 256 | October 2019 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Page 76

Page 123

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chambers Realty Landmark Vacation Rentals Pebble Creek Village Silver Creek Real Estate Group

meadowsmountainrealty.com highlandsiscalling.com landmarkvacations.com pebble-creek.com ncliving.com

Page 43 Pages 162, 167 Pages 34, 35 Page 173 Pages 206-248

Wedding services 37 High Holly Oakleaf The Orchard

thevineyardat37highholly.com oakleafhighlands.com theorchardcashiers.com

Page 159 Page 25 Page 107

WindoW treatments Gray Lighting & Woodwork Highlands Decorating Center The Summer House

Page 4 highlandsdecorating.com summerhousehighlands.com

Page 53 Page 59

Wine & accessories Highlands Fine Art Mountain Fresh Grocery Zoller Hardware

highlandsfineartandestatejewelry.com Pages 18, 19 mfgro.com Page 106 zollerhardware.com Page 157

ACP Home Interiors Gray Lighting & Woodwork

acphomeinteriors.com

Page 81 Page 4

yoga Page 157

acphomeinteriors.com cabincouturehighlands.com

highlandspac.org

WoodWork

taBles ACP Home Interiors Cabin Couture

Page 84 Page 83

vacation rentals

specialty foods Colonel Mustard’s

highlandscashiersplayers.org highlandsplayhouse.org

Highlands Transportation Company

spas Canyon Spa Old Edwards Inn & Spa Pinnacle Anti Aging

Page 47 Page 123 Page 57

transportation

Page 149

socks

dutchmansdesigns.com summerplaceantiques.com vmantiques.com theatre/entertainment

Page 16

roofing Pro Servicess Roman’s Roofing LLC Valencia’s Roofing

Dutchman’s Designs Summer Place Antiques Vivianne Metzger

Page 81 Page 119

Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga of Highlands

cashiersvalleyfusion.com yogahighlands.com

Page 149 Page 149

Zipline adventures Highlands Aerial Park

highlandsaerialpark.com

Page 9

thelaurelmagazine.com | October thelaurelmagazine.com | October 2019 2019 | 257| 257

WHITESIDE AUTUMN

By Charles Johnson

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