October 2022: The Laurel Magazine

Cover

JANET CUMMINGS

janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

Publisher’s Note

Welcome to the October Issue of Laurel!

This entire month is a seduction of the senses, and each day is an invitation to something extraordinary.

Don’t take our word for it – look to William McReynolds’ masterful essay about the magic embedded within this month; or consider the wonderful events and activities that we’ve spotlighted within these pages; or join Deena Bouknight for a hike just a bit off the beaten path.

But don’t let the slanted October sunshine fool you, there are shadows here, too. Stuart Ferguson illuminates all manners of dark deeds committed right here in Western North Carolina. And, of course, expect plenty of Halloween surprises popping up at the end of the month, like a pumpkin patch glowing beneath an autumn moon.

Appreciate you always, Janet and Marjorie

Visit us online thelaurelmagazine.com phone 828.526.0173

email info@thelaurelmagazine.com

mail Post Office Box 565 Highlands, North Carolina 28741

MICHELLE MUNGER

mungerclan5@aol.com

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN

marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

SARAH FIELDING

sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE

luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES

dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARLENE

MARY JANE MCCALL

DEENA

THOMAS CUMMINGS

jothcu@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2022 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the per mission 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.

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

and Nationally Ranked by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, RealTrends, and TITAN Property Awards [1]

2022 PERFORMANCE

SILVER CREEK REAL ESTATE GROUP [2]

For total sales volume and number of transactions in the Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors in 2022

Silver Creek’s total sales volume in 2022

Transactions closed by Silver Creek in 2022

NCLIVING.COM

CASHIERS: 828-743-1999

HIGHLANDS: 828-526-2999

LAKE GLENVILLE: 828-743-1999

[1]According to 2021 Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Website Quality Certification Results, 2021 RealTrends Website Rankings, and 2022 TITAN Property Awards.

[2]This information was provided by HCBOR MLS on 9/16/22.

photo by Susan Renfro

Autumn inthe Mountains

October whispers at dawn yet explodes in color with the sun’s zenith.

Octoberis a harvest month. The main local crop is autumn mountain beauty. Having sown our hopes for lush fall color, we now reap the beauty thereof: the reds and yellows of the towering leaves and lingering summer flowers, fall fruit and vegetables, fresh northern air, and the tableau of “Leaf Season in the Mountains.”

Autumn settles softly upon the forest from the top down. First are the barely perceptible changes in the treetops. We feel a quickening of the senses. Darkness lingers in the morning and arrives stealthily in the late afternoon. The flora is in the afterglow of summer: the reds deepen; the colors become more saturated, a muchness of themselves.

Beautiful overtakes pretty in autumn.

All this grace and glory is the occasion for street parties, seasonal festivals. Fall festivals blossom across North Carolina

in October, in many townships and counties, celebrating everything from wooly worms to indie films and, most of all, Appalachian culture.

Here are a few favorite public events:

The All Hallows Eve Downtown Halloween Festivities or “Downtown Trick or Treat” appears October 31st on Main Street in Highlands from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Expect music, a DJ, dancing, hot dogs, candy and elaborate costumes on children, adults, and pets.

The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival is held over three days October 7-9 from 10:00 A.M.to 5:00 P.M. on the Village Green at 160 Frank Allen Road. This well-attended party features 100 artists and vendors, live music, food, and a juried art show.

The Sapphire Valley Arts and Crafts Show appears on the athletic field at 127 Cherokee Trail on October 1-3 from 10:00

A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Children’s games are featured as well as folk art and crafts, live music, and food.

Colorfest in Dillsboro on October 1 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. features Front Street lined with artisan booths with local art, food and live music. Dillsboro is a destina tion for the Smoky Mountain Railroad and a passenger train will be in town for 90 minutes beginning at 1:30 P.M.

If you’re willing to travel, you can attend a large street festival, the Waynesville Apple Harvest Festival, on October 15, complete with hundreds of vendors, local food galore, live music, contests, cloggers, local arts and crafts. In October, we celebrate autumn in the mountains.

by William McReynolds

Color Draws

Fallis a fleeting season. Its resplendent peak is punctuated by strong gusts and hard rains – and then bareness for at least four months.

But during those few fallish weeks, when harvest colors abound, I find myself drawn to windows, car drives, bike paths, and hiking trails. To take in October in Western North Carolina is to be saturated soul-deep in the glow of rich hues. Light streaming through paper thin shapes. Breezes fluttering transparent oranges, reds, and yellows into layers and heaps. There is beauty in this rapidly changing season. Nature could have kept the leaves the same year-round: reliable, yet tedious imagery month after month, year after year. All deciduous trees could have been made to skip color altogether and slough dead brown leaves only.

Yet, fall is fortunately an episode of grandeur the likes of which no human can truly capture (sorry, artist friends).

Leafers come in droves to witness the glorious show. Literally millions pack Western North Carolina highways and byways to see leaves dying. Essentially leaves fast; they stop their foodmaking process. Interior chlorophyll breaks down and green disappears, leaving behind – only momentarily, and depending on species – brilliant yellows, vivid reds, and honeyed oranges.

Weeks spent in Montana this past summer resulted in a renewed appreciation for the Plateau’s prettiness. Many Western states, though vast and open-skied, sport primarily conifer trees. Autumn color is spotty due to small groves of aspens or a variety of wild bushes. Missing are the leaf-dense hardwoods of this area.

Fall on the Plateau is a wild, sensual overload, with nature setting the stage for a spectacular Finale.

Change and death typically do not cause one to sigh, mouth agape, and whisper awe-struck utterances.

But some change does us good. And like the crescendo of an orchestra, the painterly palette of hillsides and moun tains and forests ready us for shorter days ahead. We are soul-filled and strengthened with such wonder that we can patiently endure bleak, chilled days and anticipate glorious renewal, restoration, and growth.

The season of light, of white and pastel florals, awaits us on the other end of winter’s austerity. Trees break forth their life and distinctiveness, and we yearn at summer’s wane for the beautiful holy change of fall once again.

by Deena Bouknight

Halloweenon Main

Everyone (the living and the recently departed) is invited to stroll Main Street for Highlands’ Halloween on Main, 6:00 P.M. Monday, October 31.

Ghosts,

goblins, witches, and vampires of all ages, mark your calendars now for the annual Halloween on Main trick or treating to be held on Main Street, Highlands, on Monday, October 31 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M.

Halloween on Main is made possible by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. – and is a fun-filled evening for everyone.

This unique celebration offers us the chance to join our family, friends, and neighbors for a night to remember. 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 camaraderie and fun.

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 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 year’s event will be more fun-filled than ever with the addition of Kid Zones … There will be an inflatable slide and an obstacle course…

This evening is truly fun for everyone, young and old. Even those with no children will enjoy stroll ing and people-watching.

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.

This year’s event will be more fun-filled than ever with the addition of a Kid Zone across from Reeves/Ace Hardware and The Park on Main, both known for their festive participation. There will be an inflatable slide and an obstacle course provided by the Highlands School PTO. Additionally, there will be popcorn provided by the Highlands School Booster Club, hot chocolate distributed by Big Brothers

Big Sisters of the Plateau, and volunteers from both Rotary organizations, Mountain Top and Highlands, will be grilling and giving away hot dogs, with all drinks and food supplied by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC.

Top that off with even more music this year. There will be a bluegrass band, a DJ, and local favorite band High Five. Put on your dancing shoes underneath all those costumes and dance the evening away.

Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands N.C. Executive Director Kaye McHan, says the organization is “always excited to provide this long standing, popular, accessible and free event for everyone to enjoy Halloween as a community.”

by Mary Jane McCall

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Blessing of the Animals

On Sunday, October 2, I plan to be at The Village Green Commons Lawn in Cashiers amidst a cacophony of sounds, and a most unusual assembly of all things living.

The occasion is the Blessing of the Animals, a collaboration with The Village Green and area churches: the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Cashiers United Methodist, Christ Anglican Church, Grace Community Church, Glenville Wesleyan Church, and Christ Church of the Valley.

fat and lean, some goats, a few slimy snakes, a hamster in a cage, a frog on a rock. Perhaps a Venus Fly Trap will make an appearance again as has happened before. After all, it’s a most egalitarian gathering of creatures.

It’s an occasion to bear witness to our love of animals.

As in previous years, hundreds of folks will turn to bond over their love of animals. For it’s well known that those of us who reside on the Plateau love our pets. It’s an occasion to bear witness to our love of animals.

I will be listening to a symphony played by the voices of hundreds of animals. Every way I turn I will hear their peculiar songs – meows and moos, honks and hisses, clucks and croaks, yips and yaps, cheeps and chirps. Everywhere I gaze I will behold their faces – dogs large and tiny, cats’

If you look around, there is always a cat or a dog, or sometimes a bird, a fish, or even a snake living among the people you know.

Conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures, the Blessing of the Animals is an outdoor worship service. The observance emphasizes the love and respect that animals have with their humans, and that humans

The unbreakable bonds between people and their pets will be sanctified at the Village Green Blessing of the Animals, 11:00 A.M. Sunday, October 2. For more information, visit goodshepherdofcashiers.com.

have with all of creation.

Faith leaders will bless the menagerie of participants with prayers and scriptures that relate to creation. Worshipers can choose to have their pets blessed, by the clergy, who will in turn, go around to each animal and lay hands on them.

The event is always free to the public and their pets. Seniors, families, singles, and children are encouraged to bring their well-behaved pet. Participants are asked to bring their pets on leash or caged and must be under their owners’ control at all times.

Attendees are urged to consider giving to the CashiersHighlands Humane Society. Donations of cash, pet food or gently-used blankets and towels, unscented cat litter and Milk Bones are all needed and welcomed.

by Marlene Osteen

Well-Known andLocally Grown

The fruits of the season are on display (and even better – on sale) at the Plateau’s pair of Farmers’ Markets.

Imagineyour family table loaded with fresh, dried, or edible flowers, herbs, fruit, berries, meat, fish, fowl, dairy, fresh-baked goods, all of it complemented with your choice of hand-prepared sauces, jams, and dressings.

All this and much more is right around your corner, thanks to the dedicated local growers and artisans at Locally Grown on the Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers (Wednesdays, 2:00-5:00 P.M.) and Macon County producers of Mother Nature’s bounty at Highlands Farmers Market (Saturdays 8:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M.) at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Both markets open through October.

When you bring home high-quality, locally-sourced products, you know your family’s health, satisfaction, and enjoyment needs have been met in abundance.

With holidays approaching it’s time to start your gift gathering with unique hand-crafted candles, soaps, jams, jellies, wreaths, arrangements, hand-woven textiles, fragrances, dried herbs, hand-dyed yarns, birdhouses, baskets – the list goes on and on. Buy now. Be glad later.

Chat with the producers and artisans. Learn about their products. Enjoy their stories about their land and history while you’re filling your larder with yum.

If you haven’t already, mark your calendars’ Wednesdays and Saturdays reminding you to finish off your grocery shopping while enjoying a pleasurable outing. When your grocery store is outdoors, Life is good.

Scan to learn more.

by Donna Rhodes

Cashiers ValleyLeaf Festival

The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival celebrates the aesthetic vitality of the season –October 7-9 at The Village Green. For more information and a full schedule of events and activities, visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com/Events.

Nowin its 13th year, the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival annually attracts hordes of eager leaf peepers eager to catch the start of leaf changing season.

From Friday to Sunday, October 7-9, the 13.2-acre section of The Village Green turns into an artisan merchant market and a music stage. Throughout the weekend, enthusiastic visitors crowd the field to admire and buy art and crafts while they simultaneously enjoy the changing leaves, the vibrant colors, the music and food and a perfect day in the mountains.

This year 75 talented artisans and merchants will travel from nearly every state of the South to exhibit their hand made products. On display are hundreds of eye-catching and appeal ing works of arts and comestibles – from jewelry to metallurgy to paintings and pottery and clothing and soap and baked goods and honey. All of it is a feast for the eyes.

Here’s a brief snapshot of three of the participating artists:

Long a popular draw is Western North Carolina artist Deborah Bryant, who pulls inspiration from nature to weave rarefied, gorgeous fabrics. The sought-after garments she makes –scarves, ponchos and shawls – give life to her textiles.

North Carolina woodcarver Chris Boone has been exhibiting at the festival for a decade. In 40 years of woodwork, Chris has made a name for himself by turning a hunter’s tool into beautiful works of art, carving decoy ducks and waterfowl that are a departure from traditional decoys.

New to the festival this year is Amber Marcet from Sapphire who fashions artful candle holders, mugs, vases and other functional pieces from clay.

Hungry shoppers will want to seek out one of the food trucks.

From Sylva, Chili Chomper II will be serving up a delectable menu of delicious, freshly made Mexican favorites – tortas, tacos, tostados, quesadillas and burritos. Pizza lovers will be

thrilled to discover Asheville’s Travelin’ Dough food truck and their authentic Italian Neapolitan pizza made in the traditional style. Also on the culinary lineup, terrific charcuterie from Juqui Cheatham with Wanderview Hospitality of Cashiers.

Always a highlight of the weekend is the Hometown Concert Series sponsored by Ingles Supermarket, this year featuring Joe Lasher and Kaitlyn Baker. Other headliners include Ellie’s Groove, George Reeves, Julie Gribble, and the Blue Ridge Junior Appalachian Musicians.

The festival starts each day at 10:00 A.M. and ends at 5:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday, and until 3:00 PM on Sunday. For more information and a full schedule of events and activities during the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, visit VillageGreenCcashiersNC.com/Events.

by Marlene Osteen

WHAT TO DO

Understanding Bats

The October edition of the Village Nature Series, set for 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 25, at The Village Green, delves into the mysterious world of bats.

RadaPetric,Ph.D.

TheHighlands-Cashiers Land Trust and The Village Green sponsors each summer a series of lectures, with the last offering presented this month. The series focuses on area wildlife and their natural habitats: previous subjects have included raptors, black bears, and reptiles. But for October, The Village Nature Series, which begins at 5:00 P.M., October 25, is devoted to bats.

In fact, Rada Petric, Ph.D., a research assistant professor and director of the UNC Institute for the Environment at the Highlands Field Site at Highlands Biological Station, will present Secret Lives of Bats.

Dr. Petric’s presentation, just in time for Halloween, provides a peek into the lives of the fascinating nocturnal flying mammals and important information about how conserving the local bat populations is an essential factor in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Dr. Petric, became involved with bats as an undergraduate stu dent at UNC Greensboro. She has been working in Highlands for the past two years.

“I began to realize that there is just so much we didn’t and don’t know about bats,” said Dr. Petric. “They are so misunderstood … underdogs. But they are such crucial creatures for a healthy ecosystem. I try to promote all the positive things they contrib

ute to humans and the rest of the world.”

For the October 25 event, Dr. Petric will bring a taxidermy Big Brown and Red bat, two most common of the 13 local species, so that she can explain basics about bats and their ecosystem. “We have the most bats east of Texas, and Highlands and the surrounding area in North Carolina is a biodiversity hot spot for bats, so I will share about what threatens them and the concerns over their wellbeing that many people need to be aware of.”

She added, “I will be focusing on the native species and what we can do to help them because they help us so much by eating over 1,100 mosquitoes per night per bat. I will also open up a conversation about bats and encourage questions.”

Dr. Petric works with students at Highlands Biological Station, many from UNC Chapel Hill, who are involved in an immer sive educational experience. Born in Bosnia, Dr. Petric said her visits to a grandmother who lived in the mountains instilled in her a love of nature and animals.

Look for 2023’s The Village Nature Series to begin at 5:00 P.M. on the last Tuesday of the month from May through October at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road.

by Deena Bouknight

WHAT TO DO

Goblins onThe Green

Goblins on the Green, set for Saturday, October 29, at the Village Green, is a joyful gathering of the Silly, Sassy, and Slightly Scary. For more information, visit villagegreencashiersnc. com/goblins-in-the-green.

Trickor treating in the mountains is its own thing. Far from the porch lights and front walks of a suburban community, where the houses are close together, trick or treating on the Plateau can mean long treks between homes and perilous climbs up and down steep slopes.

Which is why when Cashiers area children don their costumes, they won’t be traipsing through winding, dark mountain roads or taking candy from potentially sinister strangers. They will be heading to the Goblins on the Green party at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers to trick or treat with friends and neighbors.

As Village Green Executive Director Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning told me, “It’s fun, convenient and most importantly a safe place for kids to come where they can get candy without having to drive up or down the mountain.”

Billed as a “frightfully fun family-friendly Halloween event,” Goblins on the Green takes place at the Village Green Commons on Saturday October 29, beginning at 5:30 P.M. and going “until the candy runs out” or about 7:30. As in years past, ghoulish guests will join the resident spiders and bats for an evening that features loads of activities for kids and their families.

It’s a fun party where everyone dresses up – from the weird

and scary, from goblins and ghosts and devils and angels to the Disney-themed and everything in between. Festivities include a costume contest and prizes awarded for best costume in categories – Child (2-5); Kid (6-12); Teen (13-18); and Best Couples Costume for adults.

Count on spooky surprises, special treats, and plenty of candy! Event sponsors are known to hand out candy so fast that pumpkins are filled in record time. Area non-profits including the Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, Boys and Girls Club and Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad participate by decorating the trunks of cars and trucks with inventive themes. Particularly memorable was last year’s Jurassic Park theme complete with a fully outfitted dinosaur!

The event is sponsored by The Village Green in collaboration with Landmark Realty Group, Rusticks, Ingles Markets, The Laurel Magazine, Ben Harris Custom Homes, Cashiers Valley Realty, and Tampa Bay Trust Company!

Goblins on the Green is a free, community-wide event for residents and visitors to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

For more information, visit villagegreencashiersnc.com/ goblins-in-the-green.

by Marlene Osteen

Art to the Rescue

Art to the Rescue, set for October 23 at The Vineyard at 37 High Holly, is an irresistible gathering of regional artists, music, amuse bouche , and a surprising auction, all for the benefit of local shelter animals. For more information, go to appalachiananimalrescuecenter.com.

The

Appalachian Animal Rescue Center, aka Macon County Humane Society, the no-kill shelter in Franklin, is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Here’s your chance to give it a round of a-paws by attending Art to the Rescue, Sunday, October 23, from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. at The Vineyard at 37 High Holly in Scaly Mountain.

The Center’s board of directors is actively raising funds year-round. Art to the Rescue is their most profitable event. Artists from the region who are passionate about animals donate from 20-100% of their sales to the rescue celebration. Many of them have attended and donated all four years since the gala’s inception.

Among your favorite returnees are Jason Rizzo, photographer,

oil painter, watercolorist; George Elliott, master of many mediums; and Gosia Babcock, phenomenal painter of animals in oil.

There will be at least six other artists, some who show and some who donate to the silent auction. Altogether there are over 100 works of art to purchase or bid upon, in addition to restaurant gift certificates, door prizes, gift baskets, and a raffle.

Your $40 ticket entitles you to participate in all the events, enjoy the fantastic sounds of Sweet Charity (which is performing gratis), wine, cheese, appetizers, (prepared by the amazing Chef Tim Lundy) and a scrumptious slice of anniversary cake.

Bone Appetit! Dress divinely and be a glamour-puss for the pup-arazzi. Help these animals live long and prospurr. And who

knows? Andy Warhowl might show up.

For more information, go to appalachiananimalrescuecenter. com or contact Mariann Huston at dmhuston2@frontier. com, or Sharon Archer at junkdoglady@gmail.com.

You can buy tickets at AARC Thrift store, AARC Shelter, Franklin Chamber of Commerce, and the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands NC.

(Editor’s Note: We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that this story contains the highest number of groan-inducing puns in a single article in Laurel’s 20 years of publication. Our advice to our beloved correspondent, the same that Hamlet admonished Ophelia over 400 years ago: “Get thee to a punnery!”)

by Donna Rhodes

Scan to learn more.

JohnFinley,grandsonofALHCmember,JohnCannon

More thanJust Lunch

It’s an open table when the Highlands community serves up its Empty Bowls Project, October 2 at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. Tickets are $25 each. To buy tickets, visit internationalfriendshipcenter.org/events.

Mostof us think of soup as a bowl of steaming liquid comfort food, a companion to a sandwich at lunch or perhaps a delicious start to a fancy meal at a restau rant. But at the 20th annual Empty Bowls event in Highlands, soup is a way to feed the hungry, and nourish our community – one bowl at a time.

On Sunday, October 2, 500 caring neighbors will share a bowl of soup at the First Presbyterian Church to benefit the International Friendship Center’s Highlands Food Pantry.

Held after church services, from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M., the event integrates art, social action and a delicious lunch. Handmade bowls are used to serve the soup and patrons take home their empty bowl to remind them of those who go hungry around the world.

The event is the Pantry’s biggest fundraiser, and as Andrea Smith, Director of Social Services explained, “Because food is at the center of our work, Empty Bowls is critical to our ongoing success. It keeps our shelves stocked with healthy foods, feeds food deprived fellow citizens, and builds connec tions between neighbors.”

Empty Bowls is a partnership with the First Presbyterian Church and a community wide effort supported by the Highlands United Methodist Church, The Bascom Center of the Arts, local restaurants and a dedicated team of volunteers. All

of the funds raised will go towards providing food for insecure families in need.

“We set a goal for $10,000 this year,” Smith told me.

First Presbyterian has donated the space for the event, and Marty Rosenthal will be in charge of the kitchen, keeping the soups warmed and serving up a selection of seven different soups: Brunswick Stew from Scaly Mountain’s Blue Hound Barbecue restaurant, Chicken Tortilla from Los Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant, Clam Chowder from Primary Restaurant & Bar, Fall Squash Bisque from Madison’s Restaurant, Italian Sausage and Root Vegetable from Four65 Woodfire Bistro & Bar, Vegetarian Lentil from The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering, and Creamy Tomato from Kristy Lewis at United Methodist Church.

More than 300 bowls were made for the event at the Dave Drake Studio at The Bascom. (Crafting the bowls were: Frank Vickery, Pat Moore, Janet Chmar, Ann Gober, Tumpy Bethea, Marth Sutherland-Wright, Ned Turnbull, Francie Root, Keiko Coughlin, and Molly Suminski.) Others were donated by Harry Souchon, fired at his home studio. Forty-two were made by kids and adults participating at The Bascom’s Community Day on July 2.

by Marlene Osteen

WHAT

A Taste of toWhat’s Come

Oh, the choices! Highlands Food & Wine Festival is offering a pair of delicious new options.

Whenthe 7th annual Highlands Food & Wine Festival takes place from November 10-13, the little town will be transformed into a culinary showcase.

At events throughout Highlands, celebrity chefs will seduce the taste buds of hundreds of attendees and esteemed wineries will charm the palates of wine aficionados.

New to the weekend schedule is a wine tasting on Friday, November 11 from 4:00 to 5:30 at the Skyline Lodge. Billed as a tour of the major wine growing regions of France, the event will highlight the wines of importer Vineyard Brands.

Founded by Robert Haas in 1971, the company has as impres sive a blue blood resumé as one could ever find in the world of fine wine.

Leading the tasting will be Vineyard Brands’ Vice President Olivier Lotterie, who will illuminate, explore and taste with attendees the wines of five legendary wineries:

Champagne Delamotte Brut; Founded in Reims in 1760 by vineyard owner Francoise Delamotte, the house joined forces with the enigmatic Champagne Salon in 1988. Bursting with aromas of peach and freshly baked bread, the wine is a fleshy, giving wine with fine mousse.

Domaine de Berthiers Pouily Fume: Formerly owned by one of Loire’s most notable personalities, Jean Claude Dagueneau,

the Domaine is now part of Domaine Fournier. Full-bodied and rich, the wines exhibit the spicy smoky nuances of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal.

Liger Belair Moulin A Vent Vieille Vignes; For 250 years, the Liger-Belair family has been passing down the tradition of winemaking. Deep, intense and explosive with savory herbs, licorice and graphite adding complexity to the dark fruit, the Moulin a Vent is a wine to savor.

Maison Les Alexandrins Crozes Hermitage: Known for producing North Rhone wines that are classic expressions of the region. Deemed by one reviewer to have “as much fine tannin as it does richness,” the wine has a stack of ripe, black cherry fruit.

Chateau La Gaffeliere Dame de Gaffeliere St Emilion: This is the second wine of classified growth Château la Gaffelière. Dominated by Merlot, the wine has weight as well as a rich, velvety texture supporting the powerful black fruits

Just added to the lineup – Tarpon Cellars is joining Oysters Carolina for a tasting of oysters and wine at the Highlander Mountain House on Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Tickets to both events are $65 per person. To sign up for either event, and to stay abreast of news from Highlands Wine and Food, visit highlandsfoodandwine.com

WHAT TO DO

Sweet Sounds Downtown

The sweet sounds of Autumn fill Highlands’ weekend evenings.

EzraandKatie

Weekends

in Highlands are synonymous with live music, and October marks that bittersweet month when the concerts are ending for the year.

Knowing the season is wrapping up makes it even more special to head downtown on Friday and Saturday nights and enjoy the chill in the air and the lively music.

Friday Night Live concerts take place every Friday night at Highlands Town Square at 343 Main Street from 6:00 until 8:30 P.M. Friday Night Live is part of the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina and its line-up features some of the best mountain music in the area.

Saturday evenings the fun moves to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street for Saturdays on Pine. These lively Saturday evenings bring out young and old alike to mingle, dance, and listen to great music. These concerts take place from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic or pick up a bite to eat at a local eatery and join the fun. It’s truly a great place for friends and families to stop, unwind, relax and enjoy great music and a rocking good time under the stars.

The outdoor concert series is made possible by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands N.C. The concerts wrap up with the following performances:

Friday Night Live: Oct. 7 – Byrds & Crows

Oct. 14 – Southern Highland Band

Oct. 21 – Aubrey Eisenman & The Clydes Oct. 28 – Ezra and Katie

Saturdays on Pine: Oct. 1 – Fancy and the Gentlemen

Oct. 8 – Thirsty Horses Oct. 15 – Picante

Oct. 22 – Vega Band

Oct. 29 – Laney and Friends (5:00 to 7:00 P.M. as part of Celebrating Highlands’ Heritage)

by Mary Jane McCall

Scan to learn more.

WHAT TO DO

Theatreand More!

Let’s put on a show! The Plateau’s libraries are setting the stage for Youth Theater.

MeganGreenlee-Potts

Libraries

are the go-to for a diverse range of interests, evidenced by the MGP Productions Youth Theatre pro grams offered at both the Hudson Library in Highlands and Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

Megan Greenlee-Potts, MGP Productions owner and MGP Youth Theatre artistic director, shared that Fall Youth Theater classes in October are scheduled as follows:

Hudson Library (Highlands):

Performance classes; Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M.; ages: 7th grade and up. (Come around to the back of the building to the Meeting Room entrance as the library won’t be open at 9:00)

Performance Classes; Saturdays from 1:00 to 2:30 P.M.; ages: 4th through 6th grades.

Cashiers Library:

Technical Theater, Design, & Production classes: Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M.; ages: 7th grade and up;

Performance Classes: Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M.; ages: 4th through 6th grades;

Performance Classes: Fridays from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M.; ages: K through 3rd grades.

All classes are free of charge, according to Greenlee-Potts, and

she advises interested parties to sign up as space will be limited for each class.

She added, “Auditions for all area students, regardless of whether or not you took the fall youth theatre classes for the holiday show are scheduled for Thursday, October 27, begin ning at 6:15 P.M. at the Cashiers library & Saturday, October 29, at the Highlands library. Call backs (if needed) will be Sunday, October 30 in the afternoon.”

Please contact Ms Greenlee-Potts to schedule a time for your audition.

For more information or to sign up, contact Greenlee-Potts at mpotts@fontanalib.org or mgp.youththeatre@gmail.com.

In addition, Hudson Library added another author to its Books & Bites series. John Pruitt, who was a newscaster and reporter in Atlanta, Georgia, for over 40 years, has released his first novel, Tell it True, which is inspired by a case he covered in the 1960s in rural Georgia.

The Books & Bites event is Friday, Oct. 14, at 12:30 P.M., and reservations are required by calling the Hudson Library at (828) 526-3031 or by visiting fontanalib.org/highlands.

by Deena Bouknight

WHAT

Top OctoberFishing Spots

The mountain streams are beckoning, and we’ve got a couple of sweet sites to visit.

Ifyou’ve read The Laurel at all, you know we have a passion for fishing in general, and fly fishing in particular. Throughout our 20 years, we’ve featured columns by pros like Matt Canter at Brooking’s Anglers and Chris Wilkes at Highlands Hiker.

That’s why we wanted to include Simons Welter’s listing for the Top Fly-Fishing Spots in Jackson County in this issue. Simons is a seasoned female angler with Brooking’s (that’s right, she’s an associate of Matt’s) and she says that October is a prime fly-fishing month here in the mountains. Factors like sunshine and cooler temperatures come into play and the fish are primed to strike!

Simons dove into the details of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, and she came up with a couple of terrific sites in Jackson County that are practically calling out for someone to cast a line.

Grab your gear and join us at:

Among the waterfalls and rapids along the 14.6-milelong Whitewater River, fishing enthusiasts will find lively wild brook, brown and rainbow trout. Of course, any time you’re on the river, you owe it to yourself to visit Whitewater Falls. (See Ed and Cindy Boos’ profile of this majestic landmark in this issue).

The Chattooga River starts at the base of Whiteside Mountain in Jackson County, southwest of Cashiers. This wild and scenic river stretches 57 miles and is a tributary of the Tugaloo River, making it a prime location for fishing. Available Fish: Brown and Rainbow.

Far off the beaten path and fed by Rough Butt Creek, this scenic, 30-foot waterfall features cascading falls, a small pool, and banks overflowing with fern and rhododendron, and rocks coated in moss. This location is a wonderful and scenic spot to fish brown trout.

(In the interest of fairness, despite this magazine’s impeccable history of supporting fly-fishing, I must admit that I have an anteater’s level of interest in the sport. I tend to get sleepy when I spend time alongside a rushing stream, and I simply lack the temperament for seducing a fish. My son Alex, however, learned the intricacies of the sport when he was six years old, on the banks of Harris Lake under the gentle guidance of Mozelle Edwards.)

by Luke Osteen

WHAT TO DO

Alyssa Bonaguraat Orchard Sessions

A lifetime in the making, Alyssa Bonagura’s Orchard Session at The Farm at Old Edwards, set for October 5, is an exclusive glimpse into a brilliant musician’s artistry.

AlyssaBonagura

OnWednesday, October 5, American country music talent

Alyssa Bonagura returns to Orchard Sessions, the live music concert series at The Farm at Old Edwards.

The daughter of singer/songwriter parents Michael Bonagura & Kathie Baillie, Bonagura was literally born into music.

As she recounts, “I was three weeks old when my parents landed another Top 10 single. My mom said, ‘Alright, let’s take the kid on the road,’ and I grew up on their tour bus. My life was waking up in a different city every day and singing with them. I wanted to be just like them.”

She began performing at the age of two and by the time she was 10 she’d already recorded a duet with Kenny Rogers. “He really gave me my first shot,” she says. “I grew up this travel ing country music gypsy who was around Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers and Reba McEntire. There was never a doubt in my mind what I should be doing with my life”.

At 11, her father encouraged her to begin writing songs, teaching her how to layer harmonies and ultimately outfitting their attic into a makeshift recording studio.

By 16 Alyssa had a 50-date tour opening for Marty Stuart and was serving as a session singer on the side. She received her college diploma from Paul McCartney for her studies at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts in the U.K.

Four years later, her song, I Make My Own Sunshine, inspired by Liverpool’s rainy weather, was featured in a Lowe’s commercial.

Alyssa honed a reputation as a “songwriting seamstress,” writing songs for Jessie James Decker, Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler, and others.

She formed the west coast folk and classic rock ‘n roll duo The Sisterhood Band with another child of song, Ruby Stewart (daughter of Rod Stewart).

In the past 10 years, she has fine-tuned a sound that reaches far beyond her Nashville roots. Her music blurs the boundaries between genres, mixing the southern storytelling of country, the free-thinking spirit of rock & roll, and the cinematic sweep of Brit-pop into its own hybrid. it’s a sound that’s every bit as diverse as her own story.

After a tumultuous year that included a pandemic uprooting and the disbanding of The Sisterhood Band, Bonagura has embraced a season of change. Last year she released New Wings her first single from her upcoming fourth studio album which took her around the world with major appearances including the Opry and a sold-out UK headline tour.

Online ticket sales open to the public two weeks prior to each session. For updates and to book online, visit OldEdwardsHospitality.com/OrchardSessions.

WHAT TO DO

Highlands onthe Half Shell

“Four other Oysters followed them, And yet another four; And thick and fast they came at last, And more and more and more,” Sorry, Oysters, it’s Highlands on the Half Shell, Sunday, October 2 at Highlands Biological Station.

Care for some Cajun food?

You’re in luck! The annual Highlands on the Half Shell event is coming to the Highlands Biological Station on Sunday, October 2. And it’s the party we’ve all been waiting for! For those among you who know and crave the seductive style of New Orleans cookery then you’ll want to gather on the lawn at the Valentine Meadow beginning at 4:00 PM.

Co-chairs Martha Stubbs and Jennie Stowers enlist the support of a host of volunteers – board members and locals alike – to procure, prepare and serve the food that is the centerpiece of the event.

Local home cooks whip up Cajun delicacies, concocted with the traditional ingredients of the Bayou. Enthusiastic volunteers get together to cook jambalaya – the classic dish in the Cajun canon that represents every celebration in Louisiana. And they dish up steaming bowls of Cajun comfort -gumbo- that they’ve so lovingly made.

Again, this year, Hal Stubbs will steam succulent, saline oysters on the grill. There will be scrumptious sides brought by other supporters of the Biological Foundation and plates of sweet, toothsome pralines to finish.

But it’s not just the food that matters here. This event is to benefit the Highlands Biological Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that focused on stimulating, promoting,

and funding biological research and education in our region. The Foundation has been supplying critical support for the Biological Station and it’s three facets: the Nature Center, Botanical Garden and Biological Laboratory since the Station’s founding in 1927. The Station’s campus is a unique and magical place that holds a special place in the hearts and minds of locals and travelers alike.

The attendees who will gather under the tent, surrounded by a colorful canopy of leaves, have come together to raise much needed dollars for research and programming. It will make possible the free community and year-round educational programming at the Highlands Nature Center, which focuses on the spectacular biodiversity of the southern Appalachian region and helps bring nature into the lives of children. A true gift to the Highlands community, the Highlands Biological Station is a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University that serves up a palette of nature attractions including the Nature Center and a botanical garden replete with over 450 species of trees, ferns, flowers, and more.

Festivities begin 4:00 P.M. and last until dark. Come dressed in your favorite Cajun Casual. Tickets are $125 per person. To buy tickets, visit highlandsbiological.org. or call (828) 526-2221.

by Marlene Osteen

Heritage Jamboree

Highlands Heritage Jamboree is a new celebration of what’s best about this tiny mountain community – Saturday, October 29

BaileyMountainCloggers

Afirst-time event, Highlands Heritage Jamboree will celebrate and honor the town’s history with traditional music, dancing and more on October 29. Residents and visitors will enjoy bluegrass, clogging and bagpipes performances.

“We’re excited to provide this event to Highlands in honor of the rich heritage of the area,” says Kaye McHan, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. “The skill, artistry and joy that goes into the creation of music and dance is something we want to continue to preserve and celebrate.”

Performances at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park will include: Margaret Tooke of the Highlands Bagpipers, 3:00 – 3:30 P.M.

Bailey Mountain Cloggers, a championship dance team from Mars Hill University, 3:30 to 4:30 P.M. Laney and Friends, 5:00 to 7:30 P.M.

Additional performances and/or demonstrations may be announced closer to the date – visit thelaurelmagazine.com for more information.

by Mary Jane McCall

WHAT

Randall Atcheson Concert

The fortunes of The Literacy & Learning Center will rise considerably with an October 9 benefit concert by pianist Randall Atcheson. Visit maconncliteracy.org or call (828) 526-0863 for more information.

RandallAtcheson

Concert

pianist Randall Atcheson will be visiting Highlands to benefit The Literacy & Learning Center in October.

Atcheson was a child prodigy who entered Samford University at 12 years old and who’s made an impressive career as an organist, pianist, and composer. He was accepted into The Juilliard School where he became the only student in the history of Juilliard allowed to pursue and receive simultane ous degrees in piano and organ performances. Atcheson was the winner of the first Juilliard Organ Competition and subsequently gave the premiere performance on the new pipe organ in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. In December 2014, Atcheson performed his 12th solo concert at Carnegie Hall. Atcheson’s recording career began following his New York debut on both piano and organ at Alice Tully Hall. He has recorded on the Word, Windham Hill, PolyGram, and RCA labels.

His heavy concert schedule has taken him to five continents. He has performed at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and Blenheim Palace, England, and has made much-acclaimed piano debuts in Sydney, Jerusalem, and Rio de Janeiro.

Atcheson has also played for President Obama and has per formed for such artists as Mick Jagger, Kathie Lee Gifford, Phil

Collins, and Diana Ross.

His gift of communicating the beauty of music in various forms has led to a decidedly versatile career as a much-sought-after artist in the classics as well as in pop and the sacred repertoire.

The concert, which will be held at Highlands Performing Arts Center on October 9, will benefit The Literacy & Learning Center’s many free educational programs.

The mission of The Literacy & Learning Center is to enrich lives and expand the knowledge of children, adults, and families through diverse educational programs that advance literacy in its many forms and to promote lifelong learning, which results in an informed and empowered community.

by Jenni Edwards, The Literacy & Learning Center

Scan to learn more.

WHAT

DO

Solving the Childcare Crisis

A vital local institution, Highlands Community Child Development Center is looking to boost its fortunes with FundDay, October 21.

Onetruth made clear by the pandemic is that without a system of broad affordable daycare, modern society devolves into impossibility.

Not only is it linked to better development in children, but it relates to businesses’ ability to recruit and retain talent – it’s a social responsibility that requires robust community backing.

Since 2005, Highlands Community Child Development Center has been at the forefront of resolving the childcare crisis locally, supporting the needs of area working families. It’s the only year-round, state-licensed, five day per week, 10 hours per day childcare program in the Highlands Township, which accepts infants, providing care for children eight weeks to five years of age.

As Ann Flynn, Vice President of HCCDC recently told me, “The role of HCCDC in allowing parents to provide for their families while their children are cared for and nurtured is crucial to the prosperity of the community. These are the children whose parents staff the restaurants, grocery stores and other establishments, supplying the services on which our com munity relies, ensuring the quality of life for which Highlands is so well known.”

Making that vision a reality is the continuing commitment of the staff and community-based board of directors of HCCDC. Together they are “dedicated to fulfilling their long-standing

heritage of providing full-time quality childcare, early child hood education and childhood development to the families who live and work in the greater Highlands community.”

But the simple truth is that it’s extremely difficult to operate a self-supporting high-quality facility without charging rates so high that most families cannot possibly afford them. In order to provide tuition money to parents who are unable to afford it, HCCDC relies on grants and contributions.

To ensure HCCDC’s ongoing prosperity, local businesses have come together to launch the first annual FundDay on October 21. In doing so, they’ve pledged contributions to assist in subsidizing HCCDC’s vital services- including facility expan sion, facility maintenance and classroom and playground needs.

The Board of Directors of HCCDC is encouraging people to shop in these venues on October 21 as a way of thanking them for their participation: Lupoli Construction, Kitchen Carry Away and Catering, Reeves Hardware, Highlands Pharmacy and Highlands Lawn and Garden, Wits End, Vivace, McCulley’s, Martha Anne’s on the Hill, CK Swan, Dry Sink, Rosenthal’s, Highland Hiker, AnnaWear, Old Edwards, Oak Leaf, Bryson’s Grading, Subway, Wild Thyme, Ugly Dog, First Bank, and Dr. Sue Aery Chiropractic.

by Marlene Osteen

Festival of Trees

The Cashiers Festival of Trees is a singularly Plateau-y introduction to the Holiday Season – Friday, November 25-26 at The Summit Center.

TheSummit Charter School Foundation is once again holding their 2nd annual Cashiers Festival of Trees fundraiser on Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 25, and Saturday, November 26, from 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. at the Summit Center at 370 Mitten Lane. This is the perfect place to find the inspiration and decorations you need to transform your home into a winter wonderland for the Christmas season.

Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit like viewing and bidding on more than 100 Christmas trees, wreaths, and holiday baskets imaginatively decorated and donated by area businesses and nonprofits. What a delight to see such creativity on display and have a chance to bid on and take home a fully decorated tree of your own. Mark that tree trimming to-do chore off your list if you’re a lucky winner!

The festivities don’t stop there as there are also lots more activities throughout including crafts for children, a Build-aBear pop-up, gift shopping in the Gift Zone for holiday-themed items and food, and a Dolly Parton Imagination Literacy Library stage. Appalachian Golf Cars has also made a Club Car available for raffle. It’s a day of fun for everyone.

Another highlight is the VIP Breakfast with Santa and Friends on the morning of the 26th with the menu provided by Chef Andrew Barlow and Chef Alexis Smith of The Club at High Hampton.

If you can’t attend in person, organizers are making it easy to participate virtually as well so everyone has a chance to enjoy the fun and place their bids.

The primary focus of the fundraiser is raising money for the Summit Charter School Foundation, which raises vital funds

to support Summit Charter School, a tuition-free K-12 public charter school. In the true spirit of the season, the Foundation gives 80 percent of an item’s proceeds back to the nonprofit that decorated and donated the item. It’s a great way to spread Christmas cheer and make an impact on local students, teachers and nonprofits that make such a difference in our community.

Local residents Sarah Palisi Chapin and Sarah Jennings are serving as the co-chairs for a second year in the row and McKee Properties is the event’s Presenting Sponsor.

For those interested in supporting the Cashiers Festival of Trees as a volunteer, benefactor, corporate sponsor or to submit a tree, wreath, or gift basket for the silent auction visit the school’s website at summitschool.org or contact Melissa Hudson at (828) 743-5755 or email her at mhudson@summitschool.org.

by Mary Jane McCall

OCTOBER

Blessing of the Animals, 11 AM, Village Green.

Cashiers Designer Showhouse, 10 AM-4 PM.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm

11 AM - 3 PM.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM.

Erin Gray Trunk Show, Acorns.

Sentimental Journey, 2 PM & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Empty Bowls Project, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, First Presbyterian Church-Highlands. Highlands on the Half Shell, 4 PM, Highlands Biological Station. Allman Brother Tribute: A Brother’s Revival, 7:30 PM, PAC Brooklyn: The Musical, 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

The Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM.

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

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

Wine Tasting, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Buck’s in Cashiers.

Orchard Sessions, Alysa Bonaqura, The Farm at Old Edwards.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub. Brooklyn: The Musical, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM.

Bookworm 11 AM - 3 PM.

Wine Tasting, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Highlands Wine Shoppe. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:45 PM, Lewis HallVillage Green Commons.

Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive. Brooklyn: The Musical, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM.

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, 10 AM-5 PM, Village Green. Bookworm 11 AM - 3 PM.

20th Anniversary Celebration, 11 AM-5 PM Around Back at Rocky’s Place.

Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Brooklyn: The Musical, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival,

10 AM-3 PM, Village Green. Brooklyn: The Musical, 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Randall Atcheson Concert, Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Putts for Paws, CashiersHighlands Humane Society 9:30 AM, Cullasaja Club,.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. The Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM.

Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Catherine C Cooper Artist Event, 1-6 PM, Rusticks. Locally Grown on The Green, 2 - 5 PM, Village Green Commons Wine Tasting, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Buck’s in Cashiers. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub. Brooklyn: The Musical, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. The Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM. “Change, Change, Change” Opening Reception, 4-6 PM, Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery Wine Tasting, 4:30 - 6:30 PM Highlands Wine Shoppe. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Brooklyn: The Musical, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Mountain Findings

Open 10 AM - 1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM.

Eve Gay Trunk Show, Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry Pottery Show, 10 AM-5 PM, The Bascom. Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM.

Books & Bites: John Pruitt, 12:30 PM, Hudson Library. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square. Brooklyn: The Musical, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Art League Fall Colors Show, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Rec Park.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Bookworm 11 AM - 3 PM.

The Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Locally Grown on The Green, 2 PM, Village Green Commons. Wine Tasting, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Buck’s in Cashiers. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry 10 AM - 6 PM. Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Wine Tasting, 4:30 - 6:30 PM Highlands Wine Shoppe. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:45 PM, Lewis HallVillage Green Commons. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm 11 AM - 3 PM. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Art to the Rescue, 3-6 PM, Vineyard at 37 High Holly.

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

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

Art Benefit, drawing 5 PM, Betsy Paul Real Estate. Halloween on Main, 6-8 PM, Highlands..

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM.

Village Nature Series, 5 PM, Village Green Commons.

Enchanted Forest 6-7:30 PM, Highlands Botanical Garden.

The Bookworm

11 AM - 3 PM.

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

Wine Tasting, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Buck’s in Cashiers.

Locally Grown on The Green, 2 PM, Village Green Commons.

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

Highlands Food Pantry

10 AM - 6 PM.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM.

Wine Tasting, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Highlands Wine Shoppe. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:45 PM, Lewis HallVillage Green Commons. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM.

28

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM.

The Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM.

Cashiers Designer Showhouse, 10 AM-4 PM.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM Erin Gray Trunk Show, Acorns. Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Bookworm 11 AM - 3 PM.

Sentimental Journey, 2:00 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Pop-Up Pipers, 4:30 - 5:00 PM

Kelsey-Hutchinson Park. Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Food Drive, 10 AM-1 PM, Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry. Barnas Denim Trunk Show, TJ Bailey’s. Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM.

Brooklyn: The Musical, 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Highlands Burritos side patio. Saturdays on Pine Concert, 6 PM. Concert, 6 PM, Town & Country. Bluegrass, Cashiers Smokehouse. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM.

Kelsey-Hutchinson Park. The WNC Woodturners meeting, 10 AM, The Bascom. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Schoffel and Le Chameau,Trunk Show, Highland Hiker.

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, 10 AM-5 PM, Village Green. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM.

Brooklyn: The Musical, 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM.

Art League Fall Colors Show, 10 AM-5 PM, Highlands Rec Park. Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Eve Gay Trunk Show, Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry Pottery Show, 10 AM, Bascom. Bookworm , 11 AM - 3 PM. National Theatre Live, 1 PM, PAC. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Brooklyn: The Musical, 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Metropolitan Opera, 12:55 PM, PAC. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM. Mountaintop Art & Craft Show, 10 AM-5 PM, K-H Founders Park. Cashiers Designer Showhouse. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Beth Poindexter Trunk Show, 11 AM-5 PM, Josephine’s. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Concert, 6 PM, Town & Country.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM - 1 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Highlands Heritage Jamboree, 3-7:30 PM, Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park. Goblins on the Green, 5:30 PM, Village Green. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Sideline Bluegrass, 7:30 PM, PAC Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Sentimental Journey, 2:00 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Highlands-Cashiers Community Players Nightwatch, 7:30 PM, PAC. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

“October is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book.”

– John Sinor

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

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341 Highway 64 West Cashiers, NC 28717 828-743-1999

DISCOVERY

4312 Highway 107 N Glenville, NC 28736 828-743-1999

537 Main Street Highlands, NC 28741 828-526-2999

RECREATION & CREATION

photo by Susan Renfro

Whitewater Falls

Even if you’ve lived on the Plateau your entire life, a visit to Whitewater Falls is still an occasion of Wonder.

According to the United States Forest Service, Whitewater Falls, a multi-drop waterfall, plunges 411 feet onto the valley below making it the tallest water fall east of the Rockies. A quarter mile paved trail leads to the upper view of the falls. From there you may descend 154 steps to reach the lower view. Taking the steps to the lower deck is

well worth the effort as it is considered the better view. A high volume of people visit Whitewater Falls making the morning and evening the best times to venture to the falls.

Directions

From Cashiers, NC, drive 8 miles south on Highway 107 to South Carolina. Continue on SC 107 for another 1.1 miles to

by Ed and Cindy Boos

At a Glance Waterfall Guide

HIGHLANDS

Bridal Veil Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 2.3 miles west on US 64. Waterfall GPS: N35.07180 W-83.22910

Difficulty: You can park your car in a little parking area and walk 50 feet.

Dry Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 3.15 miles west on US 64 to a parking area on the left. Waterfall GPS: N35.06884

W-83.23869

Difficulty: There are lots of steps you must go down to get behind Dry Falls.

Bust Your Butt Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 6.35 miles west on US 64 to the pullout on the left. Waterfall GPS: N35.09268 W-83.26573

Difficulty: Don’t stop on the road itself!

Glen Falls

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

Difficulty: There’s some climbing involved here.

Upper Middle Creek Falls

From the intersection of NC 106 and US 64, follow NC 106 South for 9.3 miles. Exactly 1 mile before you reach the Georgia state line, and about 0.3 miles after NC 106 crosses Middle Creek, a yellow School Bus Stop sign will be on the right. Park on the right side of the road right at the sign. Waterfall GPS: N35.00714 W-83.32916

Difficulty: The four-tenths of a mile hike is not strenuous but it can be confusing.

CASHIERS

Silver Run Falls

From US 64 in Cashiers, head south on NC 107 from 4.05 miles – there’s a pullout area on the left. Waterfall GPS N35.06599 W-83.06558

Difficulty: No difficulty.

Whitewater Falls

From US 64 west of Lake Toxaway, take NC 281 for 8.5 miles and turn left at the sign for Whitewater Falls into a parking area.

Difficulty: Not strenuous, though the paved path is a bit uneven.

Cashiers Sliding Rock

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

Difficulty: A piece of cake.

Spoonauger Falls

From Cashiers, travel on NC 107 8.2 miles. The name changes to SC 107 – travel for 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Burrells Ford Road. Drive approximately 2.0 miles to the Chattooga Trail parking area on the left (look for the Forest Service Bulletin Board) Hike north on the Chattooga Trail, which roughly parallels the Chattooga River for 0.25 mile, then cross Spoonauger Creek. Immediately on the right will be a side trail.

Difficulty: There’s nothing tricky.

Schoolhouse Falls

From US 64, take NC 281 North for 0.85 mile and bear left on Cold Mountain Road. Stay on the road. When it becomes unpaved, travel about 0.1 mile. Take the road on the right and travel for 0.1 mile to a parking area. Take the trail to the right of the information kiosk. At the intersection, proceed straight on Panthertown Valley Trail. Turn left onto Little Green Trail.

Schoolhouse Falls is about 0.15 mile ahead.

Waterfall GPS N35.16330 W-83.00674

Difficulty: The hike isn’t challenging.

Scan for interactive map of waterfalls in the Highlands and Cashiers area.

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

Wigington Road and make a sharp left. Drive 2.2 miles to Whitewater Falls Road and turn left. Continue approximately 5 miles to the entrance of Whitewater Falls on the right.

Help RestoreCashiers Boardwalk

The Village Green’s Boardwalk Restoration ensures that everyone can enjoy a stroll through Cashiers’ rare Mountain Bog.

TheVillage Green is not only the Heart of Cashiers geographically, but the 20-plus acres of the pristine park lie in the heart of each visitor and resident of the Cashiers’ community.

One of the most cherished features at TVG is The Boardwalk that winds its way through the park. The Boardwalk is a haven for nature enthusiasts, an adventure area for young explorers, and an essential component of preservation within the park.

Beginning in November, The Village Green’s Boardwalk Restoration and Expansion Project will commence and is slated to be completed by March 2023. The restoration of The Boardwalk will fulfill The Village Green’s mission – to conserve, reserve and protect the land in the core of Cashiers. The Boardwalk Project will conserve and protect the prehistoric

Mountain Bog ecosystem within the park, which only 20 percent of still exist in North Carolina in their unaltered state!

By following the existing Boardwalk footprint, and by working with two environmental engineering firms to design the new extension, TVG is upholding environmental standards to protect Cashiers’ Mountain Bog ecosystem and delicate watershed systems. Two feeder streams meander beside The Boardwalk and lead into the headwaters of both The Horsepasture and The Chattooga Rivers.

Along with an extended decking width and safety features, the boardwalk will feature areas to sit and enjoy your surroundings, as well as educational kiosks that highlight the incredibly diverse nature of Cashiers’ Mountain Bog ecosystem.

When three bold Cashiers’ residents initiated the land acquisi

tion of two acres at The Crossroads in Cashiers in 1992, they set an incredible wheel into motion. A wheel that centered around conserving and protecting the natural beauty that is Cashiers.

For 30 years, The Village Green has continued this group’s original vision and expanded its footprint from two acres to over 20 acres of preserved, public-access land within the core of the Village of Cashiers.

Please consider a donation to support The Boardwalk Project and The Village Green’s mission to conserve and protect the land in the Heart of Cashiers for generations to come.

For more information, please contact Ashlie Mitchell –Executive Director at Director@CashiersGreen.com.

End of SeasonTo-Do’s

This month ushers in an array of changes facing local gardens.

Wethought it’d be a good idea to provide you with a fall-to-winter checklist of considerations for prep ping next spring’s gardens, yards, and flower beds:

1. Make a note of any particular productive or unsatisfactory varieties of vegetables planted this year. Such information can be useful when planning next year’s garden.

2. Plant garlic, shallots, and perennial onions.

3. Plant spring flowering bulbs like tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, and crocus. Place chicken wire on the ground over newly planted bulbs to deter animals from digging.

4. Dig and divide spring and summer flowering perennials. Late summer and fall flowering ones can be done in the spring. Cut foliage back, replant, and water well. Wait until winter is in full-swing to add new mulch for winter protection during their first winter.

5. Remove, chop, and compost asparagus tops after they have yel lowed and died for the season. Wait until later in winter to mulch.

6. Save seeds from favorite self-pollinating, non-hybrid flowers such as marigolds by allowing the flower heads to mature. Place seeds on newspaper and turn them often to dry. Store the dry seeds in glass jars or envelopes in a cool, dry, dark place.

7. Leave seed heads on asters, sunflowers, and cosmos for birds.

8. Thin any greens like kale, chard, and spinach and eat the thinnings.

9. Cover broccoli and cauliflower on frosty nights. In addition, some other smart tips for winding down the 2022 growing season include: drain hoses and empty bird baths before a hard frost; bury potted perennials in an empty part of the vegetable garden or surround with a thick layer of straw to get them through the winter; and, cut and dry or freeze remain ing herbs.

These insights are provided by multi-generational farmer Malcolm Banks.

“Collect soil samples for testing to prepare for next year’s fertilization of the lawn, the vegetable garden, the shrub border, and flower beds,” he says. “Submit separate samples for distinct areas used to grow different types of plants and where growing conditions are different for the same plants. A shady lawn area on a slope should be a different sample than a sunny lawn area.”

Banks and his family plant and harvest seasonal produce, sells starter plants, raises animals for meats, and much more through Yellow Mountain Garden. More information is available at yellowmountaingarden.com.

by Deena Bouknight

Tried and True Trips

Stepping just a little bit off the Beaten Path, Deena discovers all sorts of wonders.

Thepandemic prompted many spring-through-fall vacation travelers these past two years to stay closer to home, thus swelling well-known national parks, such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and even Great Smoky Mountains.

Yet, it behooves modern-day explorers to venture off the popular radar. Although most everyone in the United States has heard of and/or visited Yellowstone National Park, fewer individuals realize that Montana’s Custer Gallatin National Forest, comprised of 1,819,515 acres, actually borders Yellowstone and includes portions of both the AbsarokaBeartooth and Lee Metcalf Wilderness areas within its boundaries, which means the stunning mountain ranges and peaks – many of which stay snow-covered much of the year –are seemingly endless.

While Yellowstone National Park is packed with sightseers and hikers from late spring to fall, the National Forest shares the same ecosystem and opportunities to see wildlife, yet it is much less congested because it is much less considered. Still, the

forest provides opportunities to fish for three species of trout, as well as other fish, in the major tributaries of the Missouri, Gallatin, and Madison rivers. Views are resplendent of jagged rock cliffs, which are often replete with bighorn sheep. But then there are summits galore, including six separate moun tain ranges: Gallatin, Madison, Bridger, Crazy, Absaroka, and Beartooth. The Beartooth range is home to Granite Peak, at 12,799 feet, the highest in Montana.

And then the well-marked hiking trails are so abundant, one would need months to tackle them all. Fly into Bozeman, Montana, and drive Highway 191 to West Yellowstone, which takes a surprise, no-gate-entry-necessary, pass into Yellowstone National Park for several miles. Along the 88-mile spectacu larly scenic 191 are 10 day-hike trails, including Porcupine Creek, Buck Ridge, and Windy Pass, as well as three sug gested backpacking trails (see fs.usda.gov; “Gallatin Canyon, Higlhway 191 and Big Sky”).

Finally, once in West Yellowstone, instead of only partaking

in the obvious – entrance into Yellowstone National Park and all that it offers – drive the 25 miles along Highway 287, which is almost entirely in view of Hebgen Lake, the Madison Range, Mt. Hebgen, and the waterway that flooded a valley when in 1959 a 7.5 earthquake sifted the landscape creating what is now known as Earthquake Lake. There, the Custer Gallatin National Forest keeps an informational and educational visitor center with a fascinat ing look at how the majestic landscape was formed. Return to West Yellowstone via the same route or make a similardistance loop into Idaho to view Bighorn Mountains, a spur extending from the Rocky Mountains approximately 200 miles northward on the Great Plains.

Once the exploratory, off-the-beaten-path adventure is completed, the return trip on 191 is a stunning “see you later” before boarding a plane at the Bozeman airport.

by Deena Bouknight

SavingMirror Lake

A local group is working to preserve one of Highlands’ most scenic landmarks – tranquil Mirror Lake.

MayorPatTaylorandPatGleeson

Thequiet Highlands community of Mirror Lake is one of the oldest in the town. It was mainly settled by residents of upstate South Carolina, who like so many others “summering” on the Plateau, were looking to escape oppressive summer heat.

At the center of the community was, of course, Mirror Lake, which has served as a landmark since the town’s inception.

But over the decades, development all along the lake’s banks have allowed silt to clog its inlets and fill in its contours.

Grass is even growing on a sediment island just north of Mirror Lake Bridge. It’s a stunning sight, and it portends serious changes to the lake if steps are not taken now.

That’s where the Mirror Lake Improvement Association comes in.

In the 1990s, former Mayor Buck Trott led the association’s effort to remove the silt and to deepen the lake, and he secured state and federal aid to ensure the project’s success.

The Mirror Lake Improvement Association hopes to reproduce that effort with a novel three-stage plan that’ll restore the lake to its status as a thriving resource. They’ve enlisted the support of the Highlands Town Board in their efforts.

“This three-phase plan is probably our best chance to restore the lake and prevent it from being declared a wetland, said the association’s Pat Gleeson.

This view was corroborated by Highlands Mayor Patrick Gleeson, who said, “Mirror Lake is an asset and anything we can do to protect it is something we should consider.”

Phase one would dredge a 250-foot swath both upstream and downstream from the bridge.

The second phase would continue upstream along Cullasaja Drive and expand the channel to 11 feet wide and four feet deep. Phase three would return to the boundaries of phase one and continue the dredging downstream.

The estimated price tag for phase one of the dredging is $450,000, with a total cost of roughly $4.5 million to $5 million, according to Gleeson.

While the association is raising funds to support the project, there is a possibility that the town as a municipality may be eligible for state and federal grants. To accomplish this, the association has reached out to the Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District, the first step in navigating a dizzying maze of bureau cracies – the US Army Corps of Engineers, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

If you’d like to help fund this bold undertaking, visit gofundme. com/save-mirror-lake or call (828) 200-3857.

Autumn Amble Leaf Tours

Though many of our wild neighbors are beginning to think about hibernation and the trees are certainly “leaving,” things at The Highlands Nature Center are somehow getting even busier.

Personally,

I can’t think of a better place to spend autumn than the mountains of North Carolina. From the crisp air to the colorful, changing leaves, there’s so much natural beauty in October, and the Highlands Biological Foundation is gearing up for a variety of fun, educational programs to explore the wonders of the season.

This month, you can join Naturalists at Highlands Nature Center for Autumn Amble leaf tours every Wednesday and Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Families can stroll through the Highlands Botanical Garden with staff to see what leaves are changing and learn about the science of why. This program is weather dependent, and no registration is necessary.

For those who want to dive into nature from the comfort of home, HBF is hosting the fifth season of our virtual book club!

This season, members will delve into the book The Nature Fix by Florence Williams and meet virtually each Thursday evening this fall from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. If you’re interested in checking out this free program, just email paige@highlandsbio logical.org.

Finally, celebrate Halloween the natural way with us at the end of this month!

Join HBF for our Enchanted Forest on Tuesday, October 25, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Go trick-or-treating through the forest trails in the Botanical Garden. A bonfire, hot drinks, and candy will be waiting at the end – and a very special salamander friend may even make an appearance. Those wishing to take part in this free, family-friendly event should meet in the amphitheater behind the Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road). This event is weather dependent, and no reservations are needed. Costumes are encouraged!

For more information on HBF’s October programs, please visit highlandsbiological.org or contact us at (828) 526-2623. The Highlands Nature Center and Highlands Botanical Garden are part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of WCU.

by Winter Gary, Highlands Biological Foundation

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Birds Keeping Count

Our Community includes scientists doing leading edge research.

AmericanGoldfinch

Thehealth of our birds tells us volumes about the health of our forests and ecosystems.

Every year for over 100 years, the National Audubon Society leads an international bird count that gives us a good idea how our North American bird populations are doing ac cording to how many we can find around us each winter. These bird counts and population estimates tell us that we have lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years. The leading cause is habitat degradation or loss due to climate change.

The Highlands Biological Station, in association with the Blue Ridge Bird Observatory and the Institute for Bird Populations, does a yearly examination of a sample of birds in our area to determine which birds are present in the summer and their individual states of health. This is part of a national multiyear monitoring project called MAPS or Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship. Birds are examined in hand, individually, in this ongoing field research.

To examine birds individually – have them in hand – you first must catch them. The biologists at the Highlands Biological Station are experts at that. They know that the safest and most gentle way to catch birds is a specially designed “mist net”. A mist net is a loosely woven, small gage, nylon stretch net that gently entangles birds that fly into it: a foot might be caught or a wing. They are removed immediately by the certain hands of

the field scientist.

Individual birds are quickly given a full physical before being released. They are weighed and measured (e.g., wingspan), examined for feather and skin health, age, gender, body mass, and molt status. They are also given a small band, attached to a leg, which identifies individual birds in case they are captured again. These data on individual birds are then fed into the very large and growing MAPS database.

The Highlands Biological Station conducts these banding sessions eight times a year, examining 20 or more birds each session. The birds individually examined and banded this year include Song Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, American Goldfinch, Indigo Bunting, Northern Parula, Hooded Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler.

Because this has been going on for only three years, longi tudinal data and trends concerning the general health and distribution of songbirds in our area are not yet available. This important field research helps us understand and safeguard our natural heritage which includes our forests and all the creatures that live therein.

Find out more about the Highlands Biological Station at highlandsbiological.org.

by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

Spectacular Fall Journeys

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust has some spectacular journeys that’ll allow you to squeeze every moment of beauty out of October.

Each

October, streaks of sunlight break through the forest canopy as hints of red, orange, yellow and brown slowly overtake the lush green colors of summer in western North Carolina. As evergreens begin to dominate the landscape, long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains present themself at every turn. The fading colors of summer wildflowers slowly wither as the morning temperatures begin to cool into the 40’s and 50’s. The Shadow of the Bear waits just around the corner at Rhodes Big View.

The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is slowly earning the reputa tion as a year-round destination, fall presenting an idyllic presentation of southern Appalachian beauty at its finest. With a goal to protect and preserve our natural landscapes, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust aims to provide opportunities for visitors of the region to enjoy this spectacular ensemble of

colors across our mountains.

For those in Cashiers, consider a visit to McKinney Meadow, just moments south of the quaint town’s main crossroads. The summer wildflowers filling the native pollinator garden are slowly framed by fall colors and photographers can enjoy an array of subjects to capture.

In Highlands, take a walk up Satulah Mountain. HCLT’s first conserved property in 1909, the decision to preserve the land kept the mountaintop free of a large hotel. Here, witness the migrating birds meandering along the ridgelines as the earliest fall colors begin to showcase themselves atop the area’s highest peaks. From the summit, one can view both Whiteside Mountain and Rabun Bald, Georgia’s second-highest peak.

A quick online search of other public-access properties such

as Pinky Falls, Ravenel Park, Dixon Woods and others offer their own subtle nuance and glimpses of fall across the Plateau.

Without our incredible business partners, generous donors, and volunteer support, experiences like these may not be possible. A fully accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, we rely on the support of friends like you to help us preserve the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and healthy habitats for all who live here.

Join us in protecting some of the oldest mountains in the world by visiting hicashlt.org and consider visiting one of our public access properties this season.

by Brendon Voelker, Highlands Cashiers Land Trust

Best Laid Plans

Afavorite

pursuit is hiking, and the more exploratory the better. And, with plenty of traditional printed maps, as well as apps such as AllTrails and Gaia GPS, one would think that the best laid plans would always come to frui tion. However, that is sometimes not the case. In fact, outdoor enthusiasts must be a pliable lot.

After being told about and then instructed on a somewhat off-the-grid hike in Macon County, I prepared by downloading a map on Gaia GPS as well as carrying inside my Kavu (sling backpack) a printed Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Map, since the trail was supposed to involve the A.T. for a bit. After turning off a major highway and then traversing down a Forest Service road for about five miles, a parking area and an official Forest Service post with the universal hiker symbol determined that I must be in the correct area to begin the recommended hike.

All was well – for about three quarters of a mile.

Suddenly, the double hiking trail blazes, painted on a tree, suggested two trails instead of one, and the app indicated the route I was on was not going to end at the intended destination.

I took the other trail for several yards. Again, the GPS app visually conveyed I was going the wrong way.

Somewhat frustrated, I returned to my vehicle and reevaluated. Another, unmarked trail beckoned. I took it for a while, but still was going in the wrong direction.

Finally, as a last-ditch effort, I took the trail that led in the exact opposite direction of the first trail. Now and then, the GPS showed that I was close to the intended trail, but then it veered off again.

I reminded myself that I was outside, had plenty of hiking trails to choose from, and could enjoy the clear-blue-sky day despite the best laid plans going awry.

So, while I was supposed to find the Chunky Gal Trail off Hwy. 64 near Standing Indian in the Nantahala National Forest, I could not.

I still encourage readers to hike – everywhere and anywhere. Find a trail, hike a mile, or two, or three out and then retrace steps, and don’t worry about getting to an exact destination each time. I was able to come across beautiful and varied mushrooms, view numerous animal tracks, and even experience some early fall foliage.

Just always, no matter if a short or a long hike is planned, take necessities – just in case: water, a snack, a flashlight, bear spray, and a first aid kit.

by Deena Bouknight

photo by Susan Renfro

An Instant Obsession

Inaddition to loving her day job as clinical nurse, Sue Gouse, was passionate about sewing, gardening, stain glass, decorating, and jewelry-making. Grateful for God’s gift of talent, she used it to make others healthy and happy.

Initially, painting wasn’t on her love-list. She believed fine art was for real artists. But one day in 2005, she drove her friend to an oil painting class at Blue Valley Art Gallery in Cashiers. Her life changed forever.

Upon arrival, she looked around the gallery, shrugged her shoulders, and said, “Well, shoot, I’m here …” She took a

seat with her friend and loaded up a paintbrush. When her brush hit the canvas, the heavens opened up, the angels sang, and Sue saw the painterly light. In the 17 years since, her paintbrush has racked up about a million miles on canvas. Yep. She’s a real artist.

The week following her Blue Valley epiphany, she and her husband headed home to Savannah. She left her paintings at the gallery to dry. Not long after settling back into her Savannah routine, the phone rang. Gallery customers were inquiring about her paintings … and their price.

What some would label an obsession is simply Sue Gouse’s exuberant embrace of her inherent artistry.

“What? They want to buy them?” she said, mouth gaping wide with surprise and a smile. Velda, gallery owner, helped her price them and make the sales.

That day, out of the blue, Sue became an instant pro. Her new career bumped her up another level. She says, “I was invited to join a gallery in Savannah. I didn’t just join. My husband and I eventually took over the gallery and ran it successfully for 13 years. I had lots of repeat clients and also expanded my work to include paper and canvas giclées. I did weekend art shows in Savannah along with shows in Highlands and Cashiers.”

And this all burst forth from an instant obsession. Still thunderstruck every time she sells a painting, Sue is thrilled when anyone expresses joy in one of her pieces. “It’s been a

wonderful ride. I am grateful that I live in two wonderful places and get to travel and paint their beautiful scenery.”

Visit Sue’s website at suegouseinspirations.com for contact information about commissions, sales, prints of existing work, show schedule, new works, and more. Also view her paintings on Facebook, Instagram and at the Cashiers Leaf Festival October 7-9. And make note of her trademark confetti-style.

by Donna Rhodes

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Fall Colors Fine Art Show

The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers closes out its event-laden 2022 season with a busy October.

JohnFinley,grandsonofALHCmember,JohnCannon

October marks the end of the Art League’s 2022 active season.

Where did the time go? It seems like only a few weeks, not months, ago that we welcomed abstract artist Laura Moser as our April guest speaker at the first of our seven monthly meetings. In subsequent months, talented artists from various disciplines gave interesting presentations about their work.

2022 has been an eventful year for the Art League. We have enjoyed significant growth. Sixteen new members have joined the Art League so far this year. We sponsored a very successful fine art show in Sapphire Valley in July, and we have joined with other non-profits in the Highlands area to assist with children’s education. A new web site has been developed, offering a better visitor experience. Quite a year, and we’re not quite ready to fold up the tent.

On October 15-16, the Art League will sponsor its annual Fall Colors Fine Art Show at the Highlands Rec Park. Talented regional artists will have on display and for sale two and three-dimensional original artwork, including paintings in all mediums, wood pieces as well as glass art, ceramics and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

This year, the show will feature a new program for children,

where prizes will be awarded, thanks to the generosity of Blick Art Supplies. This same event at the Summer Colors show was a big hit with children, parents and artists alike. Bring your family and friends to this well-done art show.

The final regular meeting of 2022, open to the public, will be held on October 24 in the Bascom’s covered pavilion at 5:00 P.M. This is a special meeting to celebrate the end of the season.

Rather than having an outside speaker, Art League members will do a “show and tell” presentation of some of their own artwork. The meeting will be preceded by a pizza party at 4:30 P.M. This free event is open to the public. A good time will be had by all.

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

by Zach Claxton, The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers

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A GoodTurn Daily

One good turn deserves another – especially for the members of the Western North Carolina Woodturners. They meet every second Saturday (except for the winter months) at The Bascom.

JohnTagliarini

Myuncle was a woodturning wannabe.

He made some of the finest shavings this side of Mt. Mitchell. Vessels, not so much. But he never joined Western North Carolina Woodturners. Had he done so, I am certain he would have taken the right turn.

The WNC Woodturners are a group of crafts people committed to learning-from, and teaching-to other turners from rank beginners to accomplished professionals.

The group, sanctioned by the American Association of Woodturners, meets the second Saturday of every month (except December thru February) at 10:00 A.M. John Tagliarini, recently elected president, calls the meeting, opening the floor to old and new business, then invites club members to share insights and demonstrations.

John, an active turner for 12 years, says, “Our members are passionate about turning. First and foremost, we stress the importance of safety in any situation where power tools are in use.”

He also encourages all members, even if (especially if) a newbie, to take advantage of the active mentoring programs within the organization. After you’ve paid $25 annual membership dues, you are entitled to participate in all the

monthly programs.

There is something for everyone in the club. Some members focus on the marketing of wares. Others specialize in typical turning like green or exotic wood. Some are fascinated with carving turned vessels. Tips on seasoning and preparing wood for turning are there for the asking. Other techniques like wood-burning, burl-work, segment-turning, inlay, resin, lathe purchases, tools, resources, and more are subjects welcomed by members.

Everyone is on his/her personal wood-turning journey. Whether you are turning shafts for writing pens, handles for tools, holiday turned gift ideas, the men and women are there to welcome your knowledge, ideas, questions, or that magical idea for the next impossible thing: turning a lampshade, a cat handle (once and for all get those cats under control), a one-legged stool, a watch-face (but you can’t turn back time), a banjo – the sky’s the limit, and the fun’s in the trying.

See you at the next meeting, October 8, 10:00 A.M. at The Bascom. Contact John Tagliarini at jtagliarini@gmail.com or Billy Love at The Bascom, (828) 526-4949, for more information.

by Donna Rhodes photos by Susan Renfro

A Desire To Create

Wethought we knew all about Kevin Vinson.

We knew him from his days at High Country Photo in Highlands, where his photographic talents were on display, and where he’d earned a reputation as a miracle worker in the darkroom.

In fact, when it was time to choose the art that would adorn our first issue of The Laurel, there really wasn’t a debate. Twenty years later, and we’re still amazed.

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

And of course, there’s that generous Kevin-ness that’s irresist ible, and that sly smile that can crack a block of ice. He’s a natural raconteur and there’s always ready to share a funny story from out of the past or that he’s witnessed from his perch at the Highlands ABC Store.

But we have to confess that we never even suspected that Kevin was an accomplished woodworker.

Look at the creations that adorn this article – that’s clearly Kevin. They’re precise and intricate and are imbued with an undeniable playfulness.

It all springs from an innate desire to create, which naturally led to carpentry.

“Woodworking is a hobby and I enjoy being able to create things with not only wood, but with my hands,” he says. “I’ve always had an interest in carpentry, but things began to come into focus when I first started taking shop classes my freshman year in high school.”

Through the years, he’s honed his craft, and come to relish the time spent with his tools and his blocks and planks. To some people that may seem lonely, but to Kevin it’s energizing and a marvelous way to stretch his creative talents.

In fact, he’s the one who describes it as more than a hobby.

“I do have a compulsion to always have a project and sometimes more than one going at same time,” he says.

And loneliness? Nope, not a factor.

“My wife Monica and my two sons only help when some thing needs to be carried inside,” he says. “My dogs are my biggest helpers.”

Of course, between his obligations at work and at home, it’s not always easy to find time to indulge in his pastime, but Kevin makes sure to block out some stolen moments.

“I have to make time and anytime I have days off I try to be doing something,” he says.

See? He’s hooked.

by Luke Osteen

Kevin Vinson has talents we didn’t even imagine.

KevinVinson

A Wrinkle in Time

Mountain Theatre Company is launching its new Theatre for Young Audiences program this fall with A Wrinkle in Time .

Madeleine

L’Engle’s Newberry Medal-winning chil dren’s novel will come to life on stage in this exciting theatrical adaptation. This new TYA initiative is aimed directly at providing a professional theater experience for young people and families.

This production is funded in part by a generous grant from Mountain Findings. MTC is currently raising additional funds needed to cover the cost of this new production. By collaborating with local schools in surrounding counties, MTC aims to provide educational field trips to The Highlands Playhouse completely free of charge to the student, the family, and the school.

There will also be select evening and matinee performances for everyone in the community to attend with a “pay what you can” ticketing plan.

A Wrinkle in Time will be directed by me, MTC’s Director of Marketing & Outreach. I have extensive experience in perform ing arts programming for youth.

It’s incredibly important for young people to experience the arts being presented at a professional level. There is great value, of course, in youth participating in and producing theater in school and community arts programs. But there is also growing

research about the tremendous value in youth seeing and experiencing professional theatre. Study after study has shown that simply seeing live theatre benefits students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Not only do we see increased success in academics and standardized test scores, but what intrigues me the most are the studies that show students who have access to live theatre show an increased hope for their own futures. They can literally imagine their lives to be wider and filled with more opportunity. That’s why this program is so important. We are sowing seeds in our local youth that will bear fruit years and years from now. I can think of no greater gift that we, as theater professionals, can give to our local community than this.

Mountain Theatre Company’s production of A Wrinkle in Time will run at The Highlands Playhouse from November 3 through 13. You can discover more information at mountain theatre.com/tya.

by Lindsay Garner Hostetler, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Mountain Theatre Company

Happening at PAC

Highlands Performing Arts Center’s October schedule brings rhythm and unabashed passion to the Plateau.

Sideline

ABrother’s

Revival was created by former Allman Brothers band member David “Rook” Goldflies to honor and do justice to the music of that legendary group. Wherever the band performs, they energize fans with performances that bring out the essence of what made the music of the Allman Brothers Band so lasting and powerful. Groundbreaking double leads, dual drummers, a rock-n-roll Timpani solo, and yes, even a real B-3 organ make this show authentic and exciting. These guys aren’t messin’ around!

Another southern rock veteran, Mike Kach, is A Brothers Revival vocalist and keyboardist. Mike has toured with Dickey Betts and Great Southern for 12 years and was Dickey’s choice to sing the songs initially performed by Gregg Allman. If you love the music of The Allman Brothers Band, you will be amazed how A Brother’s Revival has recreated the energy, vibe, and passion of this iconic music. Sunday, October 2, 7:30 P.M. Bluegrass returns to the PAC with award winning Sideline – 7:30 P.M. Saturday, October 29. Their song Thunder Dan not only held the #1 spot on the charts for multiple weeks, as well as the #1 song for the entire year 2018, it also won the 2019 Song of the Year Award with the International Bluegrass Music Association. Sideline has had many hits, including, Just A Guy In A Bar, I’ll Always Be A Gypsy, and Jesse’s

Bar from the group’s latest album release Ups, Downs and No Name Towns. Sideline was formed in 2012 as a “jam band” for a group of friends that played professionally in other bands. They started playing together as a fun alternative when their bands were not performing. In a short time, they discovered their own identity and style, and realized their tour schedule was getting full. They decided to take a leap of faith and com mit to the group full time. The band was named “Sideline” due to its origin as a “side band.”

Other happenings at PAC include National Theatre’s presen tation of Straight Line Crazy, Saturday, October 15 at 1:00 P.M. and the MET Opera’s Medea on Saturday, October 22 at 12:55 P.M.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

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Capturing a Peak Moment

This is the latest in a series of Laurel covers-in-review. We’re celebrating The Laurel’s 20th birthday with an art appreciation tribute to the exceptional artists in our region who helped attract readers to The Laurel in its infancy.

Cynthia

Strain, well-known regional photographer, author, businesswoman, and instructor, documents iconic images from Highlands to Toxaway and beyond.

She shot this dramatic color portrait of Whiteside Mountain’s reflection in Holly Berry Lake in the 1990’s. It appeared on the cover of The Laurel in September 2003.

In case your inner science geek is wondering – reflections in water are typically darker than the subject, because only some of the light is reflected. The rest is transmitted into the water. Cynthia captured the peak moment at the perfect site at the prime angle. And that is not as easy as it looks.

Let’s dip our toes in the water, a metaphor for an insightful discussion of Cynthia’s work, employing a 4-element critique re: balance, contrast, focal point, and line.

Balance: do mountain, trees, water, buildings, and boat feel balanced? If you hung this photo on the wall. would it feel like it has a heavy side, making it tip left or right? If not, the visual weight is correctly distributed.

Contrast: Is there a wide range of deep darks and bright

lights with a full spectrum of mediums in-between?

Focal Point: Is our eye drawn to a point of interest? Does that point direct our eye further around the piece, perhaps to a secondary focal point?

Line: Are there a variety of lines to keep our eye moving? Diagonal, horizontal, vertical, wavy, zig-zag, some with interesting soft and hard edges?

In this writer’s opinion, answers are a string of yeses. And there’s even a boat in which to float across a ripple-free lake. It invites the viewer to merge with supreme serenity whilst taking in the beauty. It’s the ultimate reflection.

Some would say that a photograph is at its best when it tells a story. This is what Cynthia’s work is all about. And the more the image preserves history, the more she loves it.

For over a century there have been only a handful of photographers who have captured the Plateau’s essence beautifully, and most of them were men. Cynthia takes joy and a modest personal pride in photo-journaling as one of those resident/photographers.

With this photo she says, “I don’t remember the details of the shoot, but my photo log serves as my back-up memory.” She laughs and says remembering details of shoots has never been her forte. She’s too busy moving on to the next challenge. But, lucky for us, she photographs the world around her while cataloging it carefully.

About the Whiteside photo, she says, “This photograph was captured on film, completely undigitized. There’s no computer tinkering, just the pure truth at the right angle, with dramatic morning mist, and Nature’s light.

If you want to see photo-journalism at its best, look for Cynthia’s new coffee table book, out in 2023, with photos and a remarkable history of the high land on which Cynthia would say we are honored to dwell.

Contact her at Cypicturelady@aol.com for more info as 2023 unfolds.

by Donna Rhodes

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Dave Drake Studio Barn

The almost mystical alchemy of fire, earth, and unfettered imagination lies at the heart of The Bascom’s Studio Barn Member Pottery Show, October 14 -15.

CorbinTucker

JanetChmar

There is something about clay – the fact that it is of the earth, that it is wet and cold, both pliable and resistant – that makes working with it as a ceramic artist an experience like no other.

The members of the Open Studio at The Bascom know this all too well. If they arrive at the Dave Drake Studio Barn first thing in the morning, they may surprise themselves when they look up and see that it is mid-afternoon; the act of making is all-absorbing, the tactile nature of working in clay is especially so. If you leave it too long, clay has a way of changing its work ability – it requires your attention. When you add to this the community spirit that is part of a ceramics studio, it is simply an all-engrossing creative experience.

Visitors to The Bascom can see our studio members in action every day and can purchase works made in-house. Studio Members also feature their work in a two-day show where their pottery is on view and available for purchase. This year is the 11th bi-annual Studio Barn Member Pottery Show, being held October 14 -15. These popular events draw hundreds of visitors to The Bascom campus. Proceeds of the volunteer operated event go to support The Bascom’s Ceramics Program.

Corbin Tucker, one of the studio members who will exhibit in

this year’s fall show, reflects on her experience at The Bascom “I have enjoyed this beautiful campus since The Bascom opened. I appreciate the challenging workshops offered here, and the shared artistic energy among the artists in the studio. My thanks to all in the community who worked to make this amazing space a reality.”

The Dave Drake Studio Barn at The Bascom has much to offer the community and visitors, and the fall season is a special time to visit this space. Guests of all ages, and levels can be introduced to clay with one of our popular private and small group sessions that let everyone get their hands in the mud.

A deeper immersion is available through the Open Studio program, where participants gain access to extended studio time, helpful skill building classes in the Resident Artist Series, and the opportunity sell work in the two annual Studio Barn member shows.

by Billy Love, The Bascom photos by Bianca Mitchell

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Theatre In Style

The new Highlands Performing Arts Center brings a dynamic upgrade to the Plateau’s musical and dramatic offerings. For more information about what’s on tap, visit highlandsperformingarts.com.

ThePlateau has a new theater as of mid-September. The almost five-year, $14.8 million building Highlands Performing Arts Center project resulted in a 298-seat, 16,000-square-foot facility. A performance by the musical group Bravo Amici, which combines the essential elements of classical crossover - pop, Broadway, the West End, and opera –celebrated the building’s opening on September 17.

The construction management team was composed of project manager JLL, architect Lord Aeck Sargent, and contractor Choate Construction. The new Highlands Performing Arts Center sports high technology throughout. This includes a video wall in the lobby comprised of four two-foot by threefoot video displays that can present one show covering all screens – or four different presentations on the four individual screens Plus, the new facility lobby has conference meeting

capabilities with network services, video conferencing, live streaming, and much more. And in the dressing rooms are video displays of stage activity for performers. The entire building is also Wi-Fi accessible.

According to Executive Director Mary Adair Trumbly, “The original theater, now called the Martin Lipscomb Theater, seats 200, and it will still be utilized for various events and concerts. With the opening of the new, larger theatre, we hope to offer even more events that visitors and residents alike can enjoy.”

The “one arts community” of the Highlands Performing Arts Center supplies something for every interest and age, including live concerts, streamed Metropolitan Opera (New York) and National Theatre Live (London’s West End) productions, the annual Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Highlands Cashiers Players, movies, youth theater

MaryAdairTrumbly

performances and workshops.

In October, the new Center hosts an Allman Brothers’ tribute concert (October 2) as well as the bluegrass group Sideline (October 29). Both concerts are scheduled for 7:30 P.M.

During the two-and-a-half-hour A Brother’s Revival, beloved Allman Brothers songs performed include Jessica, One Way Out, Statesboro Blues, Midnight Rider, Melissa, Ramblin’ Man, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Soulshine, and Whipping Post, as well as a few jam surprises to pay homage to the improvisational spirit of the original band. And Sideline delivers high-energy, innovative, music that is award-winning; in fact, Sideline’s Thunder Dan won the 2019 Song of the Year Award with the International Bluegrass Music Association.

by Deena Bouknight / photos by Susan Renfro

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A Healing Theater

At its heart, Invocative Fine Art, 521 N. 4th Street in Highlands, is a transformative experience. It’s open 10:00 to 6:00 P.M. Thursday through Monday.

Dr.SteveHinkeyandBeataGola

ThePlateau is a destination hub for fine art and galleries. But what if there were an art gallery that changed you when you visited?

I’m not talking about educational and enrichment moments. I am suggesting meaningful changes in your physical and emotional self through ‘invocative’ fine art.

Before you squint your eyes, tilt your head, and say, “Really?” consider a cutting edge art gallery in the heart of Highlands that not only exhibits fine art and sculpture, but helps you picture a better existence.

Dr. Steve Hinkey and Beata Gola are creators of Highlands’ newest art gallery, Invocative Fine Art, at 521 N. 4th Street. Why did they choose Highlands for their unique gallery? It was a quest to find the perfect place for Beata after 30 great years managing top salon spas in Connecticut. They bought a camper, traveled 42,000 miles in 42 states, when Beata said, “I’m home!” at Lake Sequoyah.

Steve is a chiropractor whose life mission is to serve those at the end of their health-care rope.

“My specialty is helping the most written-off people, who’ve been told by specialists there is no help. I also created a unique drawing technique that reveals issues pathology testing can’t. People get well. I once showed it as inspirational art, was given

a 3500-square-foot show – then another show – and another. Now it bares meaning in both diagnostic and creative realms. Professionals, patients, and the public are fascinated with the process and the beautiful drawings inspired by internal transformation and healing.”

The gallery displays positive images by top artists, taken from life, healing, and love. No fighting or violence. No negative calligraphy. Only bright and contemporary work, most of it thought-provoking, if not soul-stirring.

Beata says, “We met profoundly aware artists making great art we’ve curated for you. Plus, Steve draws live, during groups of one to 100-plus people, called Healing Theatre, capturing breakthroughs as they unfold. His images function as talismans, keys to seeing internally. When you experience this, it opens your visual spectrum. Every piece of art in the room opens with the same key. You go home and your collection is more alive. Life is more alive.”

Many interior walls in Highlands’ beautiful homes await a wide variety of drawings, paintings, and sculptures devoted to enriching transformational impressions and reflections.

Invocative Fine Art is staging its grand opening throughout October – featuring in-person and online artist meet-and-greets, demonstrations, discussions, and live drawings.

photo by Susan Renfro

A Wine Destination

A visit to On the Verandah proves to be the perfect mood elevator, thanks to a carefully weighed menu and a warm, sunshiny staff –1536 Franklin Road in Highlands, (828) 526-2338.

Boy,

did we need a break. Tricia and I arrived at On the Verandah the first Thursday in September.

I’d ask you to cast your memory back to that particular stretch of time – when the entire Plateau was shaded and sogged by what felt like 37 days of driving rain and lowering skies, when even the otters at Lake Ravenel were considering a reloca tion to central Florida.

That’s why when we were seated on the airy porch that over looks Lake Sequoyah, our spirits were lifted just a bit. And then when sunset allowed a panoramic burst of sunlight to transform that porch into something golden, you could feel the mood of the place increase by 67 percent.

Of course, that mood couldn’t be sustained if the kitchen were inattentive or the serving team was off its game, but On the Verandah came through, just like that unexpected

September sunshine.

Tricia and I had settled on the tapas route, planning to load the table with a host of small plates – Fried Brussels Sprouts; Lobster Piccata; Fried Brie paired with Candied Pecans and served with Toasted Baguettes.

We balanced those selections with a pair of Summer Strawberry Salads, which seemed like the correct tonic for the week of depressing weather – Baby Spinach tossed with Strawberry Vinaigrette, Toasted Walnuts, Fresh Strawberries, and Feta Cheese. (See – doesn’t that sound just as cheerful as that blessed golden sunset?)

But here’s the thing – our carefully balanced dining plan was jettisoned by the unswerving cheerleading of our server Hailey – she flashed a 125-watt smile and charmed (coerced?) us into just considering the Entrees, and from then we were lost.

Added to the bill of fare – Natural Chicken, grilled and served with carefully-calibrated Chimichurri, Black Beans, and Yellow Rice; and Fresh NC Trout accompanied by lemon-butter. These were each exquisite and each paired with selections from OTV’s vast wine selection.

This is where that relentlessly cheerful Hailey came through again – it’s turns out she has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of OTV’s wine program and knew how to wield it.

Later, I did a deeper dive into that wine program and discov ered why the staff was so warm and attentive. It all comes down to the fact that owner/chef Andrew Figel treats everyone in the place like family. Every year, during the fallow winter months, he takes everyone on wine trips across the country – places like Sonoma and Napa and the Willamette Valley. They visit vineyards and explore the operations of dozens of labels. And they’re little vintners, not the major corporations that are

wrestling control of the market in unprecedented numbers. Owner / Chef Andrew Figel and his crew build personal relations with these operators and he’s stocked the restaurant with their exclusive vintages.

That explains the strength of On the Verandah’s wine list, and it also explains the marvelously comforting manner of the staff. They’re treated like family, and those annual wine trips keep everyone knowledgeable and imbued with the knowledge that they’re valued.

If you’d like to experience the fruits of those wine trips and discover for yourself whether Hailey was paying attention on those trips, make reservations for On The Verandah’s Argyle Wine Dinner, set for November 11. It’s a marvelous six-course event, with dishes selected by OTV’s trio of sommeliers to perfectly match Arygle’s bubbly vintages.

by Luke Osteen photos by Susan Renfro

Where Flavor Welcomes Savor

With his new certification from The Court of Master Sommeliers, D’Arcy Adams brings a deep sophistication to Wolfgang’s extensive wine selection. Determine for yourself the depth of his wine knowledge at 474 Main Street in Highlands.

D’ArcyAdams

ForD’Arcy Adams, Wolfgang’s restaurant has long been heralded as a Shangri-La for Wine Lovers. Since its opening nearly 30 years ago, owners Mindy and Wolfgang Green have cultivated a wine list that has grown to the stratospheric and fostered a staff passionate about wine.

Recently they announced that the restaurant’s wine director, D’Arcy Adams, passed the first of the four levels of difficulty of the Court of Master Sommeliers exam – Level One. Requiring the recipient to have an extensive knowledge of wine, the qualification serves as a powerful endorsement of Adams’ knowledge and skills.

Nine years ago, Adams moved from West Palm Beach and started work as a bus boy at Wolfgang’s. He rose through the restaurant hierarchy from bistro server to restaurant server and for the last five years, bartender.

Two and half years ago he took on the wine program and began studying for the exam. Next year he plans to sit for the next level test – Certified Sommelier.

Adams said that, “It was the beverage program at the restaurant that inspired me to learn about wine.”

The Greens have always taken the extra step toward making wine drinkers (from novice to expert) feel that they can order

something better than what they may have imagined at a morethan-fair price. It’s a feat they have been able to accomplish by offering a wine list with a combination of great values that is sympathetic to the food on the menu and by encouraging a team eager to share their knowledge.

Wolfgang’s is one of only three area restaurants to receive the prestigious Best of Wine Spectator Award. The award recog nizes restaurants with wine lists that are interesting, appropriate to their cuisines and appeal to a wide range of diners.

As Mindy Green noted “We devote a great amount of time and attention to our wine list – ensuring our patrons are presented with a diversity of taste profiles and price points. “

Adams works the floor nightly, assisting customers in selecting a wine well matched to the food they are ordering and putting customers at ease with an 800-item list that has been assembled to satisfy any taste. Whether you want a California fruit bomb, an old-school Napa cabernet, a grower Champagne or a good selection of half bottles, he excels at finding just the right bottle at just the right price.

For more information, visit wolfgangs.net.

by Marlene Osteen

A Tour of Rhone Valley

The entire suite of French cuisine’s flavors and sensations will be celebrated at The Vineyard at 37 High Holly’s A Tour of Rhone Valley – Friday, November 11. Contact Rosewood Market for reservations: (828) 526-0383 or rosewoodgourmet@gmail.com.

There can be little question of the gustatory reward one can receive from a meal of French food and wine. So, this is one for the diehard Francophile, who longs for a meal true to the regional cooking of the country.

On Friday, November 11, The Vineyard at 37 High Holly presents “A Tour of the Rhone Valley”, classic French cuisine from Chef Tim Lundy of Rosewood Market paired with the award-winning wines of Ferraton Peres & Fils Vineyards.

For the pastoral setting of The Vineyard, Lundy has fashioned a scrumptious menu inspired by the traditions of every foodie’s paradise – Provence, and its neighbor Languedoc.

A glorious start to dinner is a plate of “Escargot mode du Lundy “– that is snails in the style of Chef Lundy - bathed in a broth of Pernod, tucked into a tiny bouchée (pastry case). Ideally paired with the dish and invigorating the palate is Bernard Gaucher champagne, remarkable for its bright acidity and refined mousse.

What follows is the planet’s very finest kettle of fish, bouillabaisse. Classically prepared with a tomato and fennel base, its infused with saffron and enriched with the garlicy mayonnaise of the region, rouille. It’s a delicious companion to the white fruit notes and soft mouth feel of the 2020 Cotes du Rhône Samorens Blanc

A wonderfully fatty duck breast strewn with slightly sweet, seasonal stone fruit is simply seductive with one of the great

wines of Southern Rhone, 2020 Gigondas Les Murailles – full and long in the mouth with complex aromas of ripe cherries, and silky tannins.

The centerpiece of the meal is cassoulet – the famous dish of the Languedoc. Along with bouillabaisse from neighboring Provence, it is the regional dish which has most conquered the culinary world. Or as one Samuel Chamberlain described, “the region’s epic contribution to the contentment of mankind.” Its foundation is the toothsome white bean of the region, artfully orchestrated by Lundy with duck legs and spiced sausage. A recipe that is powerfully transportive when served with the 2018 Ferraton St Joseph “la Source” – a supple wine with a long and spicy finish and nose of black currant and violet.

Cheese in profusion comes next – luscious French cheese, creamy and firm, pungent and mild.

The finale is a brilliant composition of delicately poached pears with a vibrant Poire William Sorbet. A splendid conclusion to a memorable meal, paired with the exquisite Condrieu “Les Mandouls” 2019- a ripe and honeyed wine with delicate tastes of orange and white flowers, it’s elegant and balanced on the tongue.

Cost is $150 per person. Call Rosewood Market for reservations, - (828) 526-0383.

by Marlene Osteen

An Autumn’s Impromptu Party

In this season of mellow fruitfulness, the pairing of wine and cheese is an absolutely appropriate indulgence.

Ifto everything there is a season, then surely autumn is the season for entertaining.

The vibrant foliage and crisp blue skies trigger a need to fling open the doors and invite friends in. Having friends over is the universes’ way of telling you that there’s reason to celebrate. What’s needed now is the glamorous nonchalance of an impromptu party – a joyful fete that calls not for long hours in the kitchen. As the empresses of entertaining would suggest, a wine and cheese pairing party is what’s called for.

But where to begin? The key to understanding successful pairings is understanding that as cheese varies in fat content, texture and flavor, so wine changes in acidity, body and structure. What follows are some basic guidelines and classic match ups.

Fresh and soft cheese have an affinity for crisp whites, dry roses and sparkling wines. Brie, Camembert, Chevre, Mozzarella and Ricotta play well with Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Gruner Veltliner, and unoaked Chardonnay. Classic pairings: Champagne and Brie – the stinging bubbles of champagne unite in holy matrimony with the unctuousness of a triple cream Brie. Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese – the pronounced acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc is delicious with the earthiness of the goat cheese. Semi-hard and medium aged cheeses need heartier whites and fruiter reds. Havarti, young Cheddar, Jarlsberg, Manchego and

Monterey Jack are ideal with Chardonnay, white Rhone blends, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais and Merlot. Classic pairings: Pinot Noir and Gruyere – the ripe red berry flavors of a Pinot Noir are just right for the nutty flavors of a Gruyere.

Hard Aged cheeses with full-bodied whites and tannic reds. Aged Cheddar, aged Gouda, Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Asiago have an affinity for aged white Burgundy, red Rhone Blends, red Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo, and Zinfandel. Classic pairing: Cabernet and aged Cheddar, the fat in the aged cheddar is an equal match to the mouth drying tannins of the Cabernet. It is, as one writer said, like a rare blind date that leads to fireworks.

Blue cheeses need wines with oomph and sweetness to bal ance the bold flavors and saltiness of a blue. Think Stilton, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Carbazole as a match for red Port, Tawny Port, Sauternes, Sherry or Banyuls. Classic Pairing: Aged Port and blue Stilton – known for its full body and sweetness, Port needs a companion with an equally big personality.

As I’ve tried to suggest, it’s fun to open a range of wines with a selection of cheese. But should you decide to pour one wine only, then the acid, minerality and slight sweetness of an off dry Riesling will partner broadly.

by Marlene Osteen

Brown Oyster Stew

This month’s comforting Autumn Stew is a warm valentine created by Marlene’s late husband, the marvelous Chef Louis Osteen.

WithOctober come thoughts not of autumn leaves but of a bowl of stew.

Not just any stew, but a brown oyster stew – a silky, saline, succulent bowl of fat, luscious bivalves cloaked in cream and topped with benne seeds as prepared by my late husband, Chef Louis Osteen.

More than 40 years ago, before it was fashionable to do so, Louis would scour old cookbooks, reinvigorating long forgotten recipes. Such was the case with the stew. It became a mainstay on our restaurant menu and something of a banner for Southern chefs of the 1980’s who were creating their own culinary patois, celebrating the re-emergence of Southern cookery.

It’s especially poignant to me now recalling the last time I slurped that stew. It was in October 2018 at a gala at The Farm at Old Edwards honoring Louis – half a dozen chefs, culinary comrades who like Louis have a history of worshiping at the altar of Southern cooking, joined together to serve up a meal worthy of even the most finicky a Southern aristocrat.

The stew scrupulously made according to Louis’s recipe by acclaimed chef Mike Lata of Charleston was as extravagant and delicious as remembered.

Brown Oyster Stew with Benne Seeds Reprinted from Louis Osteen’s Charleston Cuisine Ingredients

4 tablespoons Benne seeds

2 tablespoons peanut oil

2 tablespoons pancetta, diced

2 tablespoon yellow onion, minced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 ¼ cups heavy cream

24 fresh oysters, shucked, liquor reserved

1 ¾ cups fish stock or bottled clam juice

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place the benne seeds in a small heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat and roast 9 minutes or until dark and fragrant.

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Remove from the heat, roughly crush half the seeds with a spoon and set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over low heat. Sauté pancetta for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.

3. To the oil in the pan add the onion and crushed benne seeds and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. When lightly browned, add the flour, stir to combine and cook 2 minutes.

4. In a separate pan heat the cream to just below a simmer.

5. Add the reserved oyster liquor, fish stock or clam juice and thyme to the onion simmer, stirring with a whisk for about 2 minutes or until lumps disappear. Add the warm cream and simmer 5 minutes. Add the oysters and whole benne seeds, along with the lemon juice, sesame oil, and parsley. Leave the stew on the heat until the oysters just begin to curl. Quickly remove the saucepan from the heat and add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Divide the stew among four warm soup bowls. Garnish with the reserved pancetta and serve at once, accompanied by oyster crackers or buttered toast fingers. At the table the stew should be hot and steamy and the oysters plump and juicy.

by Marlene Osteen

October Wine Tastings

When a certified sommelier and her wise managing partner host a series of wine tastings, the emphasis is on wise counsel and ebullient celebrations – The Highlands Wine Shoppe is offering a series of wine tastings throughout the month.

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Whenlocal wine lovers want to know what wine to pair with their dinner or serve at their next party, they seek out the advice of the experts at the Highlands Wine Shoppe, 269 Oak Street.

Owner Stephanie Miskew, a Certified Sommelier, and Host of the Wine Atelier Podcast; and Managing Partner Annelize Giliomee are savvy wine professionals with an infectious and enthusiastic passion for wine.

Every Thursday they host a wine tasting that is, as has been said before, “the most fun you can have with your clothes on.”

The mood is always lighthearted and breezy – folks linger and talk about the wine choices. There’s a good chance that Stephanie or Annelize will join you at the table to chat, and best of all you can choose to savor and sip at one of the outdoor tables.

The Wine series is held from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M. and cost $25.00 per person. Accompanying the wines are a selection of charcuterie. Special surprise guests are likely to appear during any of the tastings. The series is informal, and reservations are not required.

Thursday, October 6, at Highlands Wine Shoppe: Old World vs New World: The terms “Old World” and “New World” continually sparks debates among wine lovers. Beyond geography what are the stylist differences? For those seeking to

better understand the wine world, here’s a chance to delve into the differences in Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from different sides of civilization.

Thursday, October 13, at Highlands Wine Shoppe: Sicilian Splendor. Getting to Italy can be a drag. Instead lace up those hiking shoes and take a trek up the hill to the Wine Shoppe. Sicily is blessed with an abundance of all the right ingredients, climate, soil and exciting indigenous grape varietals. Whether it’s Nero d’Avola or Carricante, prepare to be astounded and fascinated.

Thursday, October 20 at Highlands Wine Shoppe: Wines from Old Vine: What are “old vine” wines and what if anything is special about them? Normally referring to vines 25 to 50 years old, many believe that older vines produce grapes with more concentration yielding more fruit forward wines. Learn why so many of today’s elite producers are seeking older heritage vineyards.

Thursday, October 27 at Highlands Wine Shoppe: Boo-tiful Reds: As Stephanie described, “Frightfully delicious wines from around the globe representing a variety of styles and flavor profiles.” Think Napa, Bordeaux and Rioja.

by Marlene Osteen

Plateau Dining Guide

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS

The 4118 Kitchen + Bar

The Bistro at Wolfgang’s

Calder’s Cafe

64 Highlands Plaza (828) 526-5002

460 Main Street (828) 526-3807

384 Main Street (828) 200-9308

The Dancing Bear at The High Dive 476 Carolina Way

Fire + Water Restaurant Reservations Required (828) 526-4446 B, L

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar

465 Main Street (828) 787-2990

D

Fressers Courtyard Cafe Village Square, 470 Oak Street (828) 526-4188 L, D

C

C

n 144

135 Highlands Smokehouse 595 Franklin Road (828) 526-3554 L, D

Hummingbird Lounge 455 Main Street Highlands, NC (828) 787-2525 L n n n NC n 75

*The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering

350 S. Fifth Street (828) 526-2110 L, D

135

Lakeside Restaurant

Smallwood Avenue (828) 526-9419 D

n

NC

143 Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Rd (828) 482-4720 D, SB n n n n NC n n n 130

On the Verandah Highway 64 (Franklin Road) (828) 526-2338 D, SB n n n n C n n 139

Paoletti’s 440 Main Street (828) 526-4906 D n n n n NC n 141

*Rosewood Market Main Street (828) 526-0383 L, D n n NC n 136

The Ugly Dog Pub 298 South 4th Street (828) 526-8364 L, D, SB n n n n C n n n 145

Wolfgang’s Restaurant 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807 D n n n n NC n n 5

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS

The Orchard Highway 107 South (828) 743-7614 D, n n n n n C n n 142

Town & Country General Store Deli 14 Raggedy Lane (828) 547-1300 L n n 206

Zookeeper 45 Slabtown Road (828) 743-7711 B, L, SB n C n n 142

SAPPHIRE/TOXAWAY AREA RESTAURANTS

Grand Olde Station 502 Blue Ridge Road. Lake Toxaway (828) 966-4242

Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Lane, Lake Toxaway (828) 966-4700

Panthertown Cafe 16614 Rosman Hwy, Lake Toxaway (828) 862-3663

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS

4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191

Asia House - (828) 787-1680

Bella’s Junction Cafe - (828) 526-0803

Black Bear Restaurant - (828) 482-7020

The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922

Bridge at Mill Creek (828) 526-5500

Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775

The Cake Bar - (828) 421-2042

Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762

El Azteca - (828) 526-2244

Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590

Highlands Burritos - (828) 526-9313

Highlands Deli SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632

Los Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant - (828) 482-7040

Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525

Midpoint (828) 526-2277

Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400

Ruffed Grouse (828) 526-2590

Subway - (828) 526-1706

Primary Restaurant & Bar - (828) 526-3555

Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS

Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997

Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967

Cashiers Valley Smokehouse (828) 547-2096

Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160

Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750

El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

L, D, SB

L, SB

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

JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778

The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512

Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740

Mountain Cafe - (828) 577-0469

Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220

Slab Town Pizza -(828) 743-0020

Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655

Subway - (828) 743-1300

Villa Amato (828) 885-7700

Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777

Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000

Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226

Plateau Lodging

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS

Earthshine Lodge 1600 Golden Road | Lake Toxaway, NC earthshinenc.com | (828) 862-4207

Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain firemt.com | (800) 775-4446

Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700

Old Edwards Inn and Spa 445 Main St | Highlands oldedwardsinn.com | (866) 526-8008

Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands skyline-lodge.com | (828) 526-4008

VACATION RENTALS

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

VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES

226

Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals 488 Main Street | Highlands meadowsmountainrealty.com | (828) 526-1717 149

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals 401 N 5th St | Highlands highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717 225

Landmark Vacation Rentals 17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780 212

Rent in Highlands - CCP 507 Main Street | Highlands rentinhighlands.com | (800) 684-2171 x 302 47

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals 341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999 12

CASHIERS, NC:

High Hampton Resort - (800) 648-4252

Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706

The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247

Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780

Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258

The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614

Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999

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

GLENVILLE, NC:

Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946

Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875

Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482

HIGHLANDS, NC

200 Main - (855) 271-2809

Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717

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

The Chateau - (561) 613-1496

Fairview House - (866) 526-8008

Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246

Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590

Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186

Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380

Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899

Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839

The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999

The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560

Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799

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

Park on Main - (800) 221-5078

Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870

Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302

Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-2999

The Wells Hotel - (828) 482-7736

Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222

SAPPHIRE, NC

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

Foxhunt At Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-7667

Hampton Inn & SuitesCashiers-Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-4545

Mt Toxaway Lodge & Motel - (828) 966-4582

Sapphire Run at Whisper Lake - (863) 412-5734

Whispering Falls - (352) 470-4085

Woods at Buc - (770) 714-9211

SCALY MOUNTAIN, NC:

Fire Mountain - (800) 775-4446

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

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC

Cabins at Seven Foxes - (828) 877-6333

Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700

Lake Toxaway Realty Company - (828) 508-9141

photo by Susan Renfro

IN THE CLUTCH

Only found at Robin’s Nest, these one-of-a-kind artisan made acrylic clutches will be a stylish and fun statement to your wardrobe.

Clutch Bag | $175 ea. Robin’s Nest | Cashiers

FRAGRANT BEAUTY

Handcrafted by master glassblowers, these diffusers and candles will fill your home with a subtle fragrant warmth and artful beauty.

Alixx Vase Diffuser $ 64 | Alixx Candle $ 62 .50 ACP Home Interiors | Highlands

a few of our favorite finds PicksPlateau

BLESSED MOTHER

This French 19th Century hand-carved wooden statue is sure to bring blessings to your space. Hand-Carved Wooden Madonna and Child | $1200 m&co | Highlands

THE JOYS OF THE JOURNEY

Take a tour of America’s great outdoors and discover the beauty and diversity of its most iconic and majestic national parks.

National Parks of the U.S.A. Book | $ 30 The Book Nook | Highlands

Take home this lovely exploration of nature by North Carolina resident artist, Bill Jameson.

Original Oil Painting | $ 3,850 Ann Lea Gallery | Cashiers

FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME

This gorgeous Black Forest style reproduction will make a great addition to your mountain home.

Black Forest Home Decor | $1318

The Summer House | Highlands

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL

These wood inlay vases are the perfect decorative touch to any space.

Large Vase $ 200 | Small Vase $150 Atelier Maison | Cashiers

Bella Cotn

Bella Cotn presents timeless designs delivered with modern flair.

BellaCotn at 236 Highway 107 N in Cashiers Commons in Cashiers is a boutique you should visit often to stay in touch with the latest looks.

Fall is in the air and the rich warm saturated hues of their latest collec tions are the place to start to refresh your fall and winter wardrobe with classic looks to put your best foot forward.

Owner Diane Brady knows what her clients want after eight years in business and she knows how to home in on the quality and styles to carry you through seasons to come. The rich warm interior of this charming shop feels like an invitation to breathe deeply, settle in and take your time looking over their extensive inventory.

Dutchmans

Choose from carefully curated looks from lines such as Renaur, Liverpool, Kut and Lulu B. From casual clothing with a sophisticated feel to athleisure wear, Bella Cotn offers it all - jeans, jackets, slacks, blouses, tops, scarves, shoes, belts, tunics and more.

Fall is also the perfect time to upgrade to a sumptuous robe or pair of comfy pajamas or a nightgown that are just right for settling in on the cooler fall nights. Treat yourself to sweet dreams in pajamas that are a cut above from names such as P Jamas, Softies, and Le Cera.

Don’t forget to accessorize with one of Diane’s handmade Bee Bags.

Dutchmans is a breathtaking bazaar of custom furniture and sumptuous textiles for every room, custom-designed lamps, and finishing touches.

Whohasn’t been enticed by the charming storefront of Dutchmans at Highlands’

342 Main Street and found themselves stepping into the warm embrace of this welcoming store?

At first glance it’s a charming boutique filled with color and light and everything you need to make your home a retreat. Take a deeper dive and you’ll find the heart of this store is a serious home design enterprise.

Owner Stephanie Nieuwendijk opened her business in 2000 and from that time the Dutchmans growth has exceeded her dreams. They now have five locations – the flagship location in Highlands and additional locations in Atlanta, Georgia; Athens,

Georgia; St Simons, Georgia; and Cornelius, North Carolina.

It’s clear that Stephanie’s eye for color, detail and design permeates every square inch of this store and she’s proud to offer the finest home accessories that turn your house into a home and a showplace.

In addition, they offer top to bottom in-home packages for owners who are building new homes in the area; or those who have bought a home that they are refurbishing. Working hand in hand with Stephanie and her design team you’ll be amazed at how joyous planning your interior spaces can be.

Diane Brady

Stephanie Nieuwendijk

CK Swan

Furniture, fixtures and one-of-a-kind treasures inform every corner of CK Swan, 233 North 4th Street in Highlands.

CKSwan has been a local fixture for 33 years.

One visit and you’ll immedi ately understand why.

Owner Ashley Harllee clearly has an eye and an understanding of what it takes to keep a business relevant and vibrant, and she knows how to help you make your house feel like a home, while looking stunningly classic.

Its welcoming brick façade is a foretaste of the welcome that lies within. Whether you’re looking for quality furniture pieces-think cozy chairs and couches, oversized tables, lamps or lighting, or home accessories, Ashley offers a great selection to choose from. She also offers custom upholstery and pillows so you can create your own look.

If it’s home accessories you’re in the market for, you’ve come to the right place. Coffee table books, candles, fragrances, pillows, fine linens, tableware, glassware, barware, contemporary art, mirrors, baskets, and high-end florals are to be found delightfully displayed throughout the store. If you love to entertain, this is the store for you. Stop by and upgrade your entertaining pieces and make your next gathering one to remember.

Interspersed among all the gorgeous home items you will also find a little something for everyone from jewelry and readers to a nice selection of luggage. Don’t miss their children’s corner with its darling baby and children’s items as well as a large selection of children’s books.

Mountain Mermaid

Mountain Mermaid is just as fun and beguiling as its namesake. Discover for yourself at 121 Highway 107 N in Cashiers.

Haveyou ever passed the cute little shop at 121 Highway 107 N just north of the crossroads in Cashiers and wondered “just what is a mountain mermaid?” You owe it to yourself to stop in and see what this cute boutique has to offer.

Owner, Becca Burch, is herself a mountain mermaid-someone who grew up on an island on the gulf coast of Florida, and who also loves the mountains. She couldn’t resist combining those two loves into her boutique where you’ll find clothes that are right at home in the mountains or at the coast. She offers an extensive selection of athleisure wear and resort wear, as well as classics and basic pieces ranging from cashmere,

to rain boots, tanks, tees and wraps. Whether you’re looking for classic black and white or prefer something a bit more colorful Mountain Mermaid likely has what you’re searching for.

For sports lovers, look no further than her quality sportswear collections for the latest styles. Whether your sport is golf, yoga, tennis, croquet, or pickleball, you’ll find outfits here that are stylish, comfortable and durable. If looking good is part of your game, you’ll be off to a winning start with looks from Mountain Mermaid. For your everyday looks check out their classic pieces from Saint James or Jude Connally, unique one-of-a-kind pieces from Vilagallo, and trendy but classic pieces from Elliott Lauren.

AshleyHarllee

Becca Burch

From Classics to the Unique

m&co, 782 Dillard Road in Highlands, continues a family tradition of offering rare and exquisite treasures for the home.

MarleneBuckalew,MichaelBuckalew,and AlScudder

Marlene

Buckalew grew up in the shadow, or should we say the midst, of her father’s auction gallery so from an early age she developed an aesthetic for home design and an eye for quality.

Marlene’s dad is Al Scudder, whose gallery on Main Street was a much-loved Highlands institution. Marlene says she learned from the best.

She and her husband, Michael, owned an interior design and antique business in Atlanta for over 40 years before moving to Highlands where they kept a store presence in the Scudders Gallery building. When that building sold, it didn’t take them long to find their spacious new location at 782 Dillard Road, newly opened as m&co.

This completely remodeled building is the perfect home for their store of treasures. Light-filled, with high ceilings, it is the perfect backdrop for their antique and mid-century furniture, including a large selection of European antiques, and lamps, lighting, paintings, accessories, and more.

They excel at seeing an antique fragment or unique item and reimagining it for a new, useful, and creative purpose, and that’s when the magic begins.

They also specialize in architectural pieces – those larger-thanlife statement pieces that become the focal point of a room.

From oversized dining tables built of antique reclaimed wood to massive doors, windows, and paintings that can form a backdrop for the most spectacular spaces, you’ll find it here.

Much of their artwork is European from France, Belgium, and The Netherlands, featuring landscapes and animal scenes, but they also have newer modern pieces as well. Don’t miss their selection of rugs, antique and contemporary for any space.

For that special finishing touch, they offer a great selection of accessories – you can complete your look here or add a bit of pizzazz to your current look.

Scudder’s gallery had an almost cult-like following for their pearl jewelry and m&co continues to carry those pieces, as well as more fun, contemporary items of jewelry, some handmade and all unique.

m&co also carry hand-painted pieces by local artist, Meridith Watson who paints scenes on everyday items such as chargers, mirrors, and lampshades. If you don’t find what you’re looking for just ask and Meridith will create a personalized look for you.

For the classic and the unique, stop by m&co. You’ll be glad you did.

by Mary Jane McCall

For theLove of Art

The landscapes adorning Watershed Studio and Shoppe, 84 Commons Drive in Cashiers, are testament to an abiding reverence for nature.

MartinaHenderson

Artistic

endeavors have been a lifelong pursuit for Martina Henderson. Her resume and background are extensive and have culminated in the Watershed Studio and Shoppe, which is an opportunity to see and purchase the results of Henderson’s talents as well as those of others.

Henderson first visited a friend in Highlands 30 years ago and then met her future husband in Highlands. But her career has taken her far and wide, so she sought the Plateau as a respite for many years but only became a full-time resident two years ago. “I have been an art director and artist starting back in the early 90s in New York City designing ads for the likes of British Airways, MTV/VH1, and Comedy Central.”

While living in New York City working as an art director at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, she was browsing through a local landmark used and new book shop and stumbled across a copy of Seeing the Light: Wilderness and Salvation: A Photographer’s Tale by Clyde Butcher, who photographed the Everglades with his large format black and white camera. “The images were like nothing I had ever seen before, and I was immediately hooked on learning more about black and white photography. I fell in love with the way an image could speak to you on an emotional level unlike that of a color image. Over the years, my focus turned to the natural landscape.”

Henderson’s mixed-media artistry began to be shaped by her

photography. “I would go out with an intention to shoot for black and white, but I found some of the landscapes just didn’t translate like I had hoped, so I started to play with the mixed media and loved the result.

“I like to shoot early morning landscapes when there is still some fog drifting about and any body of water in the early morning or just before sunset.” She prints black and white images in her studio. “There is no mass production as each piece is printed on rag paper one at a time and hand-deckled, then signed in pencil.”

Watershed Studio and Shoppe opened this summer in Cashiers. “My tagline is: A consciously curated collection of Southern fine art, stationary, botanicals, home, and garden goods. For example, our wool blankets are made of recycled wool by a husband-and-wife team in Scotland. Our most popular candles are made in small batches by a retired ballet dancer from Atlanta.”

In addition to visiting her gallery, you can visit thewatershed shoppe.com. CK Swan in Highlands also exhibits some of Henderson’s art.

by Deena Bouknight

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WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant

2. Highlands Smokehouse

5. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts

6. The Bascom Shop

7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar

27. Dauntless Printing

38. Lupoli Construction

39. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group

46. M & Co

47. ACP Home Interiors

48. Nancy’s Fancys/ The Exchange

50. The Summer House

57. Blue Elephant Consignment Studio

58. Head Innovations

59. Cake Bar & Chocolate Heaven

MAIN STREET

100. Main Street Nursery

101. Rosewood Market

103. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

124. Landmark Realty

126. Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery

132. Elevation: High Fashion for Women

134. The Southern Way

136. Dutchmans

140. The Toy Store/The Book Nook

141. Bags on Main

142. Main Street Gifts

146. Wit’s End Shoppe

147. Calders Coffee Cafe

148. Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry + Wine Shop

152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty

153. Allison Diane Clothing

158. C. Orrico

159. Colonel Mustards

160. TJ Bailey for Men

163. Spoiled Rotten

166. Annawear

167. The Christmas Tree

169. Country Club Properties

174. Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear

175. S’More Kids Klothes

178. McCulley’s II

185. Ristorante Paoletti

187. The Dry Sink

189B. Smitten

190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro

191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty

194. Old Edwards Inn

195. Madison’s Restaurant

196. The Wine Garden

197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar

201. Hudson Library

202. Country Club Properties

205. Silver Creek Real Estate Group

207. Creative Concepts Salon

208. Highland Hiker Shoes

210. Highland Hiker

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN (Factoid: Named after Whiteside

hero)

117. Country Club Properties, Wright Square Office 119. Highlands Pharmacy

ON THE HILL

302. Wish & Shoes

303. Mirror Lake Antiques 305. Jeanie Edwards Fine Art 306. Acorn’s

310. McCulley’s

311. Martha Anne’s on the Hill

312. The Ugly Dog Public House

313. Old Edwards Inn

318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering

319. Lakeside Restaurant

SPRING VILLAGE

400. Jannie Bean Fine Custom Jewelry

406. Brookings

OAK STREET

601. Highlands Playhouse

VILLAGE PARK

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

CAROLINA VILLAGE

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

NORTH END

801. Green Mountain Builders 803. Invocative Fine Art 814. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center

814. Highland-Cashiers Players

OUT NC 106

Aery Chiropractic

Peak Experience

Futral Construction

Highlands Outpost

Scaly Mountain Crafters

Highlands Aerial Park

37 Vineyard at High Holly

Fire + Water

Bella’s Junction Cafe

Pat Calderone Gallery

OUT 64 EAST

Black Rock Design Build

Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty

WHLC

Highlands Lawn & Garden

Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse

Highlands Rock Yard

Futral Construction

Center for Plastic Surgery

The Brier Patch

Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group

Highlands Dermatology

For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com. Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

Visit Our Advertisers

SLABTOWN

2. Zookeeper Bistro

13. Crossroads Custard

NORTH 107

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship

19. The Look Boutique

20. Mountain Mermaid

21. Sashay Around Ladies Boutique

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS

25. Bella Cotn.

27. Bird Barn & Garden

28. Cashiers Kitchen Co.

30. Bombshell Hair Boutique

31. The Watershed Shoppe

33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS

37. Landmark Realty Group

41. Highland Hiker

CHESTNUT SQUARE

43. A Jones Company

45. Cashiers Valley Real Estate

47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders

55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness

55. The Bungalow Boutique

EAST 64

64. Alexander Gardens:

- Victoria’s Closet

- Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses - Vic’s for Men

75. Carolina Rustic Furniture

76. Blue Ridge Bedding

77. The Designers Market

78. Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery

81. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques

80. Josephine’s Emporium

80. Laura Moser Art

82. The Village Hound

86. Nora & Co.

89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment

90. Gracewear Boutique

SOUTH 107

101. Narcissus

102. TJ Bailey’s for Men

103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

104. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters

105. Atelier Maison

106. Edgewood Antiques & Fine Art

107. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Meadows Mountain Realty

108. Landmark Realty Group

109. Ugly Dog Public House

110. McCulley’s

111. Rusticks

112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques

115 J Gabriel

121. Robin’s Nest

123. Caliber Fine Properties

128. Mountainworks

Custom Home Design LTD.

131. Tampa Bay Trust Company

136. McKee Properties

137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery

138. The Orchard Restaurant, Events Barn & Guest Cottage

THE VILLAGE GREEN

142. Village Green Commons

143. The Village Green

147. Bazaar Barn

WEST 64

155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center

156. Creekside:

- Silver Creek Real Estate Group

172. Whiteside Art Gallery

173. Betsy Paul Properties

176. Lenz Gifts

DOWN 107 SOUTH

Silver Run Reserve

VISIT CULLOWHEE

Four Seasons Landscape

VISIT GLENVILLE

Silver Creek Real Estate Group

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY

Appalachian Construction

Balistreri Realty

Bear Tracks Travel Center

Earthshine Lodge

Grand Olde Station

The Greystone Inn

Headwaters Outfitters

Historic Toxaway Foundation

Historic Toxaway Market

Killer Bees Honey

Mountain Cafe

Lake Toxaway Company

Panthertown Cafe

Petit Properties

Root 64

Southern Highlands Reserve

Dixie

VISIT NORTON

Town and Country General Store

VISIT SAPPHIRE

Appalachian Golf Cars

Sapphire Valley Real Estate

Cashiers, NorthCarolina

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

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

Destination for Culinary Delight

A meal at Grand Olde Station is a delicious indulgence from a more gracious age.

Ifon a cool October day, you amble around Lake Toxaway, you might find a group of cheerful people gathered around the Grand Olde Station restaurant. There’s a gracious spirit attached to John Nichols’ restaurant, a former train depot which he has restored and decorated with artifacts and memorabilia from the lake’s history. This is a place to revel in the good times that have always been associated with the lake and its community.

Out front, a historic train caboose keeps company with a restored 1941 fire truck and three wooden Chris Craft boats are mementos of another century. A dog park straddles the property and a two-story competitive barbecue rig and food truck sit conspicuously on the site, along with a 24-foot movie screen.

Inside Nichols has transformed the interior into a showcase of keepsakes rescued from the historic Toxaway Inn – the longgone summer refuge of America’s first families that was razed 80 years ago. Doors salvaged from the inn serve as tabletops, and vintage wooden boat paddles hang above a window.

Relics of another era fill the room and adorn the walls – historic boat motors, old water skis, antique pictures, surveys and maps. Shelves are crammed with an array of coffee tins and mugs. Stuffed animals – a full sized black bear, ducks and a wild boar populate the walls, while a panther lolls on a table reminding folks of what lives in the surrounding woods.

One can’t be blamed for wondering whether this is a restaurant,

a museum or a community center. Definitions melt – it’s fun, its all of those. But you came here for the food – and you’ll be glad you did.

Executive Chef Josh Payne grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina, and attended culinary school at Caldwell Community College where he was trained in classic French preparations. He spent the last several years working in kitchens around Western North Carolina, most recently at Trillium Links Golf Club, before assuming the top job at Grand Olde Station.

He’s best known for dishes pulled from local foodways, including fresh mountain trout (pan-seared or smoked), barbecue smoked over a mix of local woods, and apple bourbon bread pudding.

He says he likes to “keep it pretty Southern.” Which is why his menu features crisply fried green tomatoes, tender cornbread, creamy mac ‘n cheese, piquant trout dip and an irresistible succulent tea brined chicken. More casual menu offerings –burgers, soups and sandwiches –share the menu and encourage diners to return often. An extensive wine list, and top shelf bourbon and tequilas round out the offerings.

At Grand Olde Station, Nichols has given the community a worthy reminder of the lake’s history and a destination for culinary pleasure.

by Marlene Osteen

Cooler Weather Outdoor Opportunities

If anything, the cool October weather makes Headwaters Outfitters’ services even more valuable. For more information, visit headwatersoutfitters.com.

Asthe seasons change from summer to fall, inevitable chilly weather is ahead. However, this does not mean that every day needs to be spent indoors. For 30 years, the family that established Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman has been discovering, planning, and taking customers on memorable trips across the French Broad River watershed.

In fact, founders Debi and David Whitmire, as well as their daughter, Jessica Whitmire, and her husband Chris have created such year-round outdoor opportunities that Headwaters Outfitters is recognized throughout Western North Carolina as a primary source for family-friendly fishing, paddling, and tubing trips. While tubing trips wrap up after Labor Day, pad dling trips continue on through to the end of October. Guided fly-fishing trips are offered year-round. Throughout the year, the retail shop is fully stocked with novelty gifts, performance wear, technical gear, canoes and kayaks, fly rods, and reels, and other outdoor necessities.

Jessica noted, “We have definitely grown from a small seasonal outfitter to a year-round business.”

In fact, no matter the interest or skill level, full-time fly-fish ing guides offer instruction every month of the year in rivers such as the tributaries to the French Broad River, Davidson,

Tuckaseegee and Pigeon; plus, there are more than 250 miles of small creeks locally to explore. Headwaters Outfitters provides basic instruction to ensure a sound foundation in fly fishing as well as more in-depth courses for experts. Included in fly fishing trips, whether they are walking, wading, or boating, is the necessary equipment: rod, reel, fly line, leaders, tippet, and flies.

In addition to the fishing program, Headwaters offers a variety of self-guided and guided canoeing and kayaking river trip options, primarily on the first 20 miles of the French Broad River. The paddling trips offered are enjoyed on class 1 water, meaning mostly moving flat water. This is a great possibility for both beginners and experts alike, pointed out Jessica.

Finally, a popular local hangout place at Headwaters Outfitters is The Forks of the River taproom. Riverside and barstool seat ing is available and on the menu is local craft beer on tap and a variety of beer, wine, and cider. Jessica explained that The Forks of the River is a taproom that celebrates the birthplace of the French Broad River and provides 12 taps of beer made from pristine mountain waters. The Forks of the River keeps noon-to-evening hours daily.

by Deena Bouknight

The Historic Toxaway

Foundation has an ambitious task built into its walls – to preserve the beauty and overwhelmingly upbeat spirit and hospitality of this beautiful stretch of land.

You’ve

probably noticed how Laurel has been paying special attention to the Toxaway-Sapphire community over the last two years.

That’s because we’ve partnered with The Historic Toxaway Foundation to illuminate this stretch of land’s rich history (the Cherokee purportedly gave us the name “Toxaway!” A 1916 dam break of Biblical Proportions! The vital chestnut forest decimated by a blight that would not be contained!), to outline Historic Toxaway’s efforts to ensure that this era of growth benefits everyone in the community (which stretches from Rosman all the way to the eastern edge of Cashiers), and outline strategies for ensuring that the region’s future is as straightforward as its roads are curvy.

…to outline Historic Toxaway’s efforts to ensure that this era of growth benefits everyone in the community…

That’s a lot of responsibility, but over the foundation’s five years, it’s scored some remarkable successes – the establishment of the Business Alliance of Upper Transylvania, which is already adding its clout to the marketing and development of this often-overlooked stretch of Western North Carolina; a donor to the Transylvania Tomorrow Fund, which supports businesses emerging from the Covid Crisis; and publishing the Red Feather Guide in both monthly print and weekly digital format, which serves as business card for local

enterprises and a calling card for visitors).

Historic Toxaway has also been working with the “Longcliff Village” development team on a 105-acre parcel adjoining Gorges State Park. Since the proposed land usage combines commercial, hospitality, and residential development, HTF’s effort is focused on converting an existing 44-acre conserva tion easement into public access land suitable for educational and recreational opportunities.

“There needs to be thought and action given to the directions we’re heading,” says HTF Board Member Nory LeBrun. “Our region includes Rosman, Balsam Grove, Quebec, Lake Toxaway, and Sapphire. We plan to enact a capital campaign next year to raise funds to upgrade and add to the trail system at “Longcliff.” It’s unusual that it’s surrounded on three sides by Gorges State Park, yet it’s gently sloping –both a grandmother and her three-year-old grandchild could walk the trails and see flora and fauna that don’t exist in other

parts of the Eastern United States. The fourth side is a dramatic view from the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

“One of the very few places that anyone in the community –White, Black, Hispanic, Local, Part-time, Visitor – all come together is at McNeely’s Hardware and everyone engages, and says, ‘Hi.’ We want to ensure that that sort of friendly community continues to exist far into the future, within the Upper Transylvania footprint, and at “Longcliff.”

…that means that both a grand mother and her four-year-old grand child could walk the trail and see flora and fauna that don’t exist in other parts of the Eastern United States…

If you’d like to learn more about the Historic Toxaway Foundation or BAUT, or become a member, visit historictoxaway.org.

by Luke Osteen

Scan to learn more.

photo by Susan Renfro

Celebrating the Historic

McKee Properties’ efforts to preserve the Minnie Cole House have enriched Cashiers’ cultural heritage.

From

the very beginning, Cashiers Historical Society has been dedicated to raising awareness of the historic buildings existing in Cashiers.

The 501(c)(3) organization has taken a proactive role in the continued preservation of the historic buildings remaining in Cashiers through a variety of projects which continue to bring awareness to these structures.

CHS has published Faces and Places of Cashiers Valley, a threepart Historic Sites Survey, and in 2003 established the Village Heritage Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize and celebrate annually the historic preservation in Cashiers of an existing structure. Residents nominate a property based on the criteria that the building has been built or repurposed in keeping with the old village feel.

The 2022 Village Heritage Award will be presented to McKee Properties for their continued preservation and restoration of the Minnie Cole House, found at 619 Highway 107 South.

The Minnie Cole House is an example of the adaptive reuse of one of Cashiers’ most iconic buildings.

One tradition places its construction prior to the Civil War. The house, itself, offers few solid clues, because it is a vernacular dwelling of a type that could have been built during a wide range of years. Additionally, the house has been substantially remodeled in recent years.

Architecturally, the Minnie Cole House is composed of several sections. The one-and-a-half- story center section is probably the oldest. It is of log construction with weatherboard siding. The steep gable roof faces the road. A stone chimney, flanked

by original wavy glass pane windows. rises slightly offset from the center of this section of the facade.

Its prompt 2022 extensive restoration by McKee Properties further protects the future of this historic landmark. Through the years the structure was home to several local families, housed the post office, and was a restaurant – an early iteration of Winslow’s – before A. William McKee bought the property in 1989. Presently the property is owned by Beth Townsend and is home to McKee Properties.

The award will be presented at McKee Properties on Monday, October 10, with a short program at 5:30. Guests will have an opportunity to explore the Minnie Cole House and enjoy light refreshments from 5:00 until 6:00 P.M. The winning ticket for the quilt made and donated by the Cashiers Quilters to CHS will be drawn during the program.

by Sandi Rogers, Cashiers Historical Society

As usual, the Greatest Consulting Detective is correct – there’s murder all around us. And Cathy Pickens knows where the bodies are buried.

According to Sherlock Holmes, “It is my belief, Watson… that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.”

Cathy Pickens is here to back up the fictional detective’s observation with historical fact. Her brand new True Crime Stories of Western North Carolina (The History Press) is full of guilty reading pleasure and includes nefarious doings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; near the Blue Valley overlook between Highlands and Scaly Mountain; and even in Mayberry! Or rather, Mt. Airy, N.C., real-life inspiration for the folks on The Andy Griffith Show

Sadly, a majority of the cases here involve vulnerable women as the victim. But others knew what they were getting into: moonshiners (including Popcorn Sutton), motorcycle gangs and a Biltmore Estate book thief. (He was caught, and they threw the book at him.)

The author Cathy loves our area and wrote a great deal of True Crime Stories while vacationing in the relatively peaceful environs of Highlands and Cashiers.

Speaking of which: Any clues in that $5,000 designer-shoe burglary or the purloined roadside flowers case? But felony and mayhem are just under the surface even here.

One of Cathy and husband Bob’s favorite restaurants, Cornucopia in Cashiers, when it was known as Evan Pell’s store, was the site of a 1901 drunken fracas where Columbus Long hit Pell in the head with a ball from his steel slingshot, then son Javan Long finished the storekeeper off with two shots from his pistols.

Get a clue: This fall and winter, Ms. Pickens – Shakespeare & Co.’s first writer in residence – will lead a monthly mystery book club at the bookstore.

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

BethTownsend

Highlands Halloween Evolution

Even 100 years ago, the Plateau’s Halloween Season was a giddy brew of the spooky and the silly.

Allacross the nation in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s (and in some rural neighbor hoods into the 50s) adults would brace themselves for Goosey Night, Mischief Night, or Devil’s Eve, the night before Halloween. Swarms of kids would run through neighborhoods, letting animals out of pens, tipping outhouses (sometimes with occupants), burying cars in haystacks, hanging street signs from lamp posts, and raising buggies up onto rooftops. It was the preamble to Halloween which paled in comparison to the borderline and sometimes full-bore law-breaking tomfoolery of October 30.

According to Isabel Chambers, a very young Highlands resident in the 50s, these were the days when tricks trumped treats. There were no chocolate bars or candy corn tossed into gargantuan trick-or-treat sacks. No one had even heard the phrase, trick or treat.

So, what did kids do on Halloween night itself? They dressed up for parties and went to neighbor’s houses to bob for apples. Occasionally hayrides were part of the fun –assuming the wagons were on the ground and not the roof.

During the 1950s, Isabel, her husband and kids moved to Chicago. There, October 31 replaced Mischief Night. There the treat (not the trick) of Halloween was the focus.

When Isabel’s family moved back to Highlands, filled with Halloween schemes, they turned their front yard into a cemetery. They put stabilizing rocks in boxes, covered them in white paper and wrote epitaphs on the makeshift tombstones. Most of the pretend dead-folk were their teachers. Here Lies Prof. Ned. A Giant Rock Fell on His Head.

Fun/horror houses were also a new Halloween addition. Isabel says, “My brothers were the masterminds of our fright night. They turned the dirt-floor, spider-filled (there was already a community of spiders living there) basement into a spook house. A witch

stirred a bubbling cauldron, a fortune teller (my mom) told tales, and my little brother, with his big piercing eyes, silently motioned visitors through the spooky halls and into the cem etery where ghosts constructed of muslin attached to pullies, their gossamer cloth blown by fans, whooo’d and swirled across the graves.”

There were the obligatory Jell-o brains, noodle spines and dried corn teeth for blindfolded victims to touch. The coup de grace was a coffin in the living room containing a kid playing dead. On cue he’d come to life with a jump and a wailing groan. Kids would run screaming into the cemetery where he’d throw candy. The timing was to scare the bejesus out of a kid just as he was receiving a treat.

Over the years Highlands Halloween has evolved into candy central with busses full of kids scouring the town for sweets. Today, it’s mostly treats, few tricks, a complete flip of Halloween a century ago.

This year, summon up your scariest scream and offer your Best Witches in honor of the terrorizing tricks that used to be.

by Donna Rhodes

photo by Susan Renfro

That’s the One!

For Kendra and Will Araujo, that initial spark has blossomed into a love that’s brought them into a wonderfully comfortable place.

Will andKendraAraujo

Will and Kendra’s sweet early attraction could easily have been grist for some horrendous heartbreak –as is often the case with love struck adolescents.

For it’s hard to think of a topic that has inspired more terrible outcomes than teenage romance.

Instead, theirs is a tender tale that captures both the unaffected innocence of young love and their unabashed affection for each other. It is a story of how this young couple traversed the thorny passage from youthful ardor to marriage at 18 and parenthood at 23.

They were in tenth grade when they first met in 2012 at a group get-together at Will’s home in Highlands.

beginning. Over the next couple of years and with the help of parents they traveled to see each other on weekends during the school year and more often during summer vacations and breaks. By the time they were 17 they had told their parents they planned to marry the following year.

Surprisingly, their folks offered no resistance. Will took a year off from high school and started working at Old Edwards Inn as a pool and spa attendant.

On January 25, 2014, they were married in a small church in Webster, North Carolina, near Sylva.

Kendra enrolled at cosmetology school in Sylva and started work as a cosmetologist, eventually landing a job at Old Edwards where she remained until the birth of her first child, a son in 2018. Their daughter was born in 2021.

He was super friendly yet kind of quiet, really nice and very well-mannered..

Kendra, who lived in Cullowhee, had gone along with a friend “to hang out.” She spotted Will soon after arriving, and immediately felt the spark of a connection.

“He’s cute,” she told her friend, who answered, “You need to say something when he walks by.”

So, Kendra caught Will’s attention by telling him that he had long eyelashes.

“I get that all the time,” he replied. He was clearly interested, attracted to a certain attitude and spirit he sensed in her and thinking to himself “I want to know more.”

And, she was, he added “very beautiful.” Kendra said she felt something for Will from that first meeting.

“He was super friendly yet kind of quiet, really nice and very well-mannered.” They texted over the next couple days, and the following week met again in downtown Highlands. They viewed themselves as a couple at once. Their parents were supportive of their relationship from the

Will finished high school and stayed on at Old Edwards. He was accepted into the company’s manage ment training program and rose through the ranks from front desk bellman to a bell captain position, to Banquet Manager, to Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, and to his current job as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage.

It’s been more than a decade since they met, and they are gratified by what they have accomplished – recognizing that marriage at such a young age is uncommon. They have settled into the important things of life and are proud of the balance they have achieved in their relationship, between Will’s work and domestic life – as Kenda said, “happily working together to raise the children, spending days off with them on outings, and simply having fun and enjoying each other.”

It’s been more than a decade since they met, and they are gratified by what they have accomplished.

by Marlene Osteen

International Friendship Center

New Director T.J. Smith continues The International Friendship Center’s efforts to build and sustain a healthy, welcoming community.

BonnieDayton,KarlaMagaña, AndreaSmith,andT.J.Smith

Friendship is all about bonding, alliances, companionship. It’s the elemental stuff of community.

T.J. Smith, International Friendship Center’s new Executive Director, is making sure Highlands deepens its closeness with our welcome work force/friends.

He’s had the help of a long list of visionaries from years past. He says, “I walked into a perfect situation, especially as it relates to my staff. They are all amazing, hardworking folks with a passion for our work. They make my job extremely easy. Karla Magaña, Andrea Smith, and Bonnie Dayton are exceptional with their incredible work for the IFC.

“The majority of the people we serve have been in the area for years, establishing themselves as welcome members of the community. They keep our businesses viable and our tourists coming back. Our primary goal is to encourage people who are non-natives to feel at home, to be embraced in the community, and have a place in Highlands.”

The Friendship Center has been part of the Peggy Crosby family for two decades. PCC is the host of many of the area’s charity worker bee organizations. If the metaphor is pollination, the International Friendship Center is buzzing with people who supply help and who need help.

But here’s the rub: How do workers, many who struggle with all the things we take for granted, navigate the complex systems in health care, education for their children and themselves, legal services, food assistance, literacy/mastery of English, mental health care, library assistance, and much more?

T.J. encourages interaction and communication amongst organizations supporting those integrating the area.

While T.J. defers IFC’s success to others, he’s an exceptional man leading an amazing humanitarian effort. You may have noticed him surrounded by skateboards on The Highlander front page recently. He is young enough and old enough to bridge the kid and parent gap. His work with kids entices parents to IFC’s programs. His charisma is captivating. And his work ethic is unstoppable.

He also understands the importance of communication. He keeps channels open, he links organizations for the greater good, and someone said they could have sworn they saw him move a mountain or two.

To learn more about T.J., IFC and PCC, visit international friendshipcenter.org.

by Donna Rhodes

Plants as Medicine

It turns out that there’s medicine and magic hidden in your garden.

Connie Thompson is an avid gardener that leads plant walks, hosts herbal classes and tours of her gardens through Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga and Wellness.

ConnieThompson

Can

a plant medicine heal your ailments?

Plant medicine, also known as herbal medicine, is as old as the planet itself and had been a main source of medicine since the beginning of our human origins until the early 1800’s when the use of conventional medicine, also known as allopathic medicine, came into practice.

Unlike allopathic medicines, which generally work via one or two compounds to allay one specific symptom or set of symp toms, herbals are often used in broader ways since the whole plant containing many compounds is used. These compounds work synergistically to effect healing.

The most commonly known and used forms of plant medicines are the herbal infusion or tea, and the herbal extract or tincture. The basic premise of any plant-based medicine is to extract the medicinal constituents of the plant into a liquid medium or menstruum; or to use it in its raw or dried form. Some elements are better extracted by water, some with alcohol, some into oil, vinegar, or even honey. These medicines may be taken internally or made into plasters, poultices, compresses, oils, vinegars, salves and creams for external uses.

Herbal remedies can be effective in supporting an array of physical symptoms. They can help with everything from cuts,

bruises, and external flesh wounds to skin care products; to helping with internal organ systems such as kidney or bladder infections, support for liver and gallbladder issues, joint pains, digestive ills, and so much more.

Medicinal plants are healers, wisdom keepers and teachers to us all, full of intelligence, knowledge, and adaptability. It would take many lifetimes to take in all the wisdom and knowledge they have to share with us. We owe much respect and gratitude to these green allies for their service to us! As Rosemary Gladstar said, “Plants offer so much more than medicine and food. If we let them, they gently nourish and guide us back to our spirit.”

It is always best when seeking out an herbal remedy to consult a practicing herbalist with knowledge of your imbalance or problem. Although there are very few herbals that would produce severe side effects from overdosing, finding the correct remedy in the right dosage for the specific person and their constitution is key. This takes a practitioner with many years of training, experience, and intuitive awareness to develop this level of skill.

by Connie Thompson

Mid-Century Masterpiece

Gena and Bill Futral’s Mirror Lake home balances sleek mid-century modern lines with the gentle contours of its natural setting.

Sometimes you have to try on a lot of shoes before you find the perfect fit. That could be said of houses too. But if you are an accomplished contractor, and your family has tried on a lot of dwellings, building your forever home does not occur by chance.

So it is with Gena and Bill Futral. They didn’t merely build, they artfully created a mid-century modern home in the Mirror Lake neighborhood. Granted, the planning, carefully crafted, was a bit of a long time coming, but it was worth every meticu lous minute.

When you look at the Futral home, inside and out, you are struck by its openness, its airiness. Corners are pristinely squared. Furniture is spare. Room ambiance is bright and friendly. Windows summon the out-of-doors. On walls where

privacy is required, windows are positioned high. Neutral color choices and architectural elements create a cohesive feel.

Gena, a busy executive who spends a lot of her time travel ing, loves her weekend walks from front door to downtown Highlands. Having lived in Scaly years before, it’s a godsend to leisurely walk downtown, trek up Satulah, slowly wander back home.

Bill appreciates his lower level sanctum, surrounded by windows, workspace, gym, and the family dog. The intown location, allows frequent drop-ins for lunch and to catch up on business and personal affairs.

Looking out the windowed-walls, family and guests admire Satulah’s contours in the distance. The organic shapes Mother

Nature provides from mountain to landscape and bubbling fountain are a delightful contrast to the home’s architectural, geometric shapes and forms.

Gena and Bill’s happy space is the rooftop. It has a sky ceiling, four walls of nature, and a magnificent mountain view. In Gena’s own words, “My favorite place is the rooftop garden and living area. We enjoy taking in the sun and cool evenings recharging or spending time caring for the raised flower beds and eating from our blueberry bushes. We spend lots of time there and often entertain guests with appetizers and drinks before banqueting downstairs.”

The dining room on the main floor is right off the kitchen area. The table seats 10, just the right size for hosting, though they have been known to stretch it to12.

Gena says, “I enjoy my kitchen and cook quite a bit. I was very specific about its layout and design: open shelving, clean looks, simple, functional, joyful.”

Passages and corridors to bedrooms and baths were carefully planned to accommodate the busy who work late or rise early. A perfect sleep space for the Futrals is a restful, quiet, uncluttered room with brightness that warmly wakes you up early.

A favorite entertaining space has a bar for social sips, wine, and cocktails – with sliding doors that let the outside in. A balcony provides rain coverage for grilling.

The in-depth design is a customized model of form and func tion which reflects the owner’s/builder’s thoughtful approach to practicality and detail.

It showcases all the things they value and makes this Home of Distinction a minimalist approach to simple living, with its modern style and design, the perfect shoe-fit for the Futral family.

by Donna Rhodes photos by Ryan Karcher

Don’t Fall for It!

Pain isn’t simply an adversary – it’s also a useful tool for detecting underlying problems.

Dr. Sue Aery

Why, why, why would we opt to inject, cut and mask pain?

I just don’t understand, when we have so many amazing options out there for natural and full healing! “Alternative” no longer applies to natural, holistic and func tional medicine.

Being that kind of doctor, I’m always searching for the best options for my patients to give them the most complete and lasting healing paths. I totally understand the medical approach, but I am a believer that medicine should be the “last resort,” instead of what my colleagues and I do. For years, it has always been the opposite, and it just doesn’t make sense. The advances are evaluated, proven and approved by the FDA and still we look for the quick cover of pain.

An injury is a failure of some sort due to excess trauma in or on the body. Whether it was a sudden incident or something more of the repetitive kind, that happens over time, the body has the best ability to fix itself! Is it that we are so impatient or is it that we and the medical community are so ill informed?

I can say that, in more than 16 years in practice, my main job is to educate as much as I can because I believe that we all have choices. Our choices are based on information, and it’s my job

to inform with solid information, proven research and firsthand results. This subject is near and dear to my heart because I love seeing people’s lives improve, pain patterns dissipate, and function restored! There is nothing more amazing than seeing the body heal in ways that it is designed to do!

The long-term effects of steroids, surgeries and medicines that only mask pain are extreme, and we are seeing them every day. Bone loss, brain degeneration, breakdown of joints and limited movement. I also see poor digestion from years of use of prescription and over the counter medicines, all of which are detrimental to our health over time.

Please consider your options when you are facing pain, surgery and other “quick” measures to help with your pain. I am a phone call away for guidance on the “other side.” Be informed!

by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Welcome Rose Mary White to Yoga Highlands

With her years as a Slow Flow Teacher, Rose Mary White is a Stress-Buster Supreme.

RoseMaryWhite

What would make a woman happy to tend bees, take up weaving, and dedicated to the “softer side” of yoga?

Thirty years as a High School Spanish teacher!

Rose Mary White arrived in Highlands for good last July but was no stranger to our studio over the past years. Her friendly energy is palpable. Her knowledge of rebalancing the more subtle parts of a person through practice, especially lifting one’s attitude, mood, and mental outlook has been a gift to students.

Rose Mary is our Slow Flow teacher, but her students will say that doesn’t mean you won’t work up a sweat.

As an established teacher and still leading retreats with Stillness Yoga in Atlanta, Rose Mary can set forth a direction of positive change, yet is humble and real as a good friend. This is what you want in a yoga teacher – sincerity, humor and connection.

There are styles of yoga, there are forms of yoga, there is the path of yoga.

At Yoga Highlands we lean more toward the forms and teaching of a path, then neither the student nor the teacher needs to work hard for change. It’s like following a map or a good recipe. There is a saying, “Follow the teachings, not the teacher.”

Starting the first and third Mondays of each month, Rosemary will offer one Restorative Yoga practice and one Yin Yoga practice to highlight these distinct forms. These practices can settle your nervous system, promote graceful movement, and provide comfort and ease in the muscles and joints. Many of us never reach a baseline of lowered stress even as yoga practitio ners. Taking a deeper dive into respective teachings puts the student in the driver’s seat. These practices are for everyone.

Restorative Yoga requires the least effort of the two forms, spending up to eight minutes in gentle “shapes.” We build sup port with blankets to hold your body “just so” to create physical and mental relaxation. Yin Yoga also has easy transitions, mostly seated or lying down, with bolsters and cushions too.

We create just enough sensation of stretch to warm and lengthen the connective tissues. To join these monthly offerings visit us at YogaHighlands.com.

by Ashby Underwood-Garner Yoga Therapist, Rolf Practitioner Owner of Yoga Highlands

Women Who Shapethe Plateau

SarahHalland andMaryAdairTrumbly photobySusanRenfro

Preserving Mountain Music Legacy

For Sarah Hall, life on the Plateau is a sweet tune that will not be denied.

Cashiers

is located in an area with rich musical heritage. The traditional music of Appalachia ballads, hymns, gospel, mountain swing, and fiddle music. The culture of this music has carefully been passed from one generation to the next preserving hundreds of years of songs and stories. Sarah Hall, a teacher at the Blue Ridge School and Early College, is committed to extending this legacy to youth while impacting the arts community.

countless times.”

Sarah genuinely cares for all of her students. Her dedication, patience and passion for teaching is inspiring.

During her second year of teaching, in the fall of 2016, Sarah founded the Blue Ridge chapter of JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) as an after-school club. The mission of JAM is to provide communities with the tools to teach children to play and dance to traditional old time and bluegrass music. “I am classically trained and was not especially knowledgeable about old-time mountain music and string instruments. But I thought it would be a good fit for our school, not just to provide more music instruction, but to help them connect with their local heritage and culture and take pride in that,” she says.

Sarah is a daughter of Appalachia. However, growing up in Virginia her early interest was in Classical music. After attending a music camp at Appalachian State University, she decided to attend the university and major in music. Most of her career has been teaching, whether in classroom settings, private lessons, or church choirs. Her passion for music, teaching, and the mountains of western North Carolina led her to her current teaching position.

“I was hired to teach music for Blue Ridge School and start a new music program for grades 7-12 for Blue Ridge Early College,” Sarah says. She started in 2015 at a time when Blue Ridge Early College had not had a music program for several years. “I tried to introduce as much music I could in a short amount of time. I also wanted to try to give greater opportunities when possible. Students performed at PTO meetings, musicals and caroling at The Village Green.”

JAM has more than 50 chapters regionally, and according to their website the organization believes that “children who are actively engaged in traditional mountain music are more connected and better prepared to strengthen their communities for future generations.”

Sarah says, “It is my hope that the young people who decide to remain on the Plateau will have developed a greater apprecia tion for, and knowledge of, music and other arts, and draw upon to benefit the area.”

Sarah founded the Blue Ridge chapter of JAM ((Junior Appalachian Musicians) as an after-school club.

The result was a renewed interest and an outpouring of support from community members with both financial gifts and donated instruments. Sarah found other resources, too. She applied for grants which enabled her to establish an “Artist In Residence” position at the school with Bryan Heller teaching piano.

Says Heller, “Sarah genuinely cares for all of her students. Her dedication, patience and passion for teaching is inspiring. I have witnessed Sarah go above and beyond what is required

The first year 32 Blue Ridge students signed up. With support from Mountain Youth Charities, the program expanded to include students from the Summit Charter School as well as homeschoolers. Today, the 501(c)(3) program has six faculty offering instruction in guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Sarah finds herself on the weekends scouring pawn shops for more instruments as the student demand has exceeded all expectations. Her endeavors are widening the circle of musicians who preserve the legacy of mountain music. Area residents and visitors will enjoy hearing the JAM musi cians at upcoming events like the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival this month.

by Ann Self

The Woman Behind Performing Arts

For Mary Adair Trumbly, bringing art to the Plateau is an unquenchable passion that powers her days and nights.

MaryAdair Trumbly is well-known in Highlands. She’s been a resident, business owner, and valued leader for more than 20 years.

“Mary Adair sets a high bar in our communities for giving back (Highlands Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Highlands Hospital board) and arts collaborations (Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, The Bascom, The Center for Life Enrichment) to name only a few,” says Nancy Gould-Aaron, the Executive Director of the Chamber Music Festival. “This is truly welldeserved recognition.”

“I believe in volunteerism,” she says, “Community is only as good as you make it.” This conviction and attitude have had a notable impact on the arts in the community.

Mary Adair is no stranger to the stage. She grew up in Oklahoma, of Osage Indian descent, and attended the University of Oklahoma to study ballet under premier ballet dancers Miguel Terekhov and Yvonne Chateau, one of the “Five Moons” Native American prima ballerinas.

be able to accommodate more shows as well as expand the caliber of performers. She notes that this is because the stage is larger, and the technical capabilities are greater.

“I am hoping to bring Rhythm of the Dance, the National Dance Troup of Ireland for next season,” she says. “It will still have the same intimate feel,” she says of the new center while also noting that the existing performance facility will now be known as the Martin Lipscomb Theater.

She credits the strong vision-oriented board of the PAC for making this expansion a reality for all performing arts groups in Highlands to utilize a shared space.

Mary Adair’s infectious enthusiasm and endless work in support of the arts has been pivotal in the development of a new performing arts center for the plateau.

“I love all the arts, but I always consider myself a dancer,” she reflects. It’s the origin of her passion for the performing arts. So, it was only natural that after a career in curating fine art, including ten years owning the Summit One art gallery here, that she would return her attention to enriching performance culture as Executive Director of the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Mary Adair has guided the Highlands PAC since 2010. She is percipient in her estimation of Highlands as a cosmopolitan community with wide ranging interests and experiences. “The dinner conversations here are wonderful,” she observes. This keen perspective has informed what she refers to as the “blue grass, Broadway, and retro-rock” approach to programming at the Highlands PAC.

She adds “One of the current goals is to expand our audience and entice a younger demographic.”

This aim will likely be realized with the opening of the new Highlands Performing Arts Center last month. The venue will

Board member Cindy Trevathan says, “Mary Adair’s infectious enthusiasm and endless work in support of the arts has been pivotal in the development of a new performing arts center for the plateau. We have worked together for the past seven years and whenever I felt a loss of faith in our goal, Mary Adair provided the energy and support to keep us going.”

While planning a selection of entertaining performances, community members is one way Mary Adair shapes the arts on the Plateau. She considers her endeavor to offer the PAC Youth Theater program in the Highlands School as her most significant contribution. More than 70 percent of lower school students participate with high school students receiving educational opportunities in the technical aspects of theater. Mary Adair says “This program promotes creativity and builds self-esteem.”

A great variety of music, theater, and film performances fill the calendar through the end of the year, the curtain call on a momentous 2022 season for Highlands PAC.

by Ann Self

photo by Susan Renfro

Plugging In

Ricky Siegel’s embrace of the Rotary Principles has enriched lives in his community and across the globe.

From

the spring of 1997 through 2016, Ricky Siegel and his wife, Helene, owned and operated the 4 ½ Street Inn. Owning a business in a small town certainly helps owners plug in, but Ricky explained that joining the Rotary Club of Highlands “… put me in contact with a lot of folks in Highlands, and the Club expanded my circle friends and my community members by a large number.”

Ricky has been a Rotarian since 2001, having served twice as Vocational Services Director, two times as Sergeant-at-Arms, and currently as Public Image Committee Chair. Among many projects, he has worked on the Healthy Homes Initiative and most recently a Ukrainian relief effort.

“A few months ago, our club supplied the Christian Medical Center in Mukachevo, Ukraine, headed by Dr. Pal Oroszi, with the funds to purchase specialized medical diagnostic equipment to help treat refugees fleeing the conflict in war torn areas of Ukraine to the east, citizens of Mukachevo, and its surrounding area, and soldiers wounded in the conflict. Sara Matolcsy from Budapest, Hungary, a Rotarian who has worked tirelessly to bring attention to the conflict, has helped by reaching out to other Rotarians and Rotary clubs for financial support to supply aid to Ukraine.”

Ricky added that he has always enjoyed being involved as a Rotarian because, “Rotary is a very philanthropic and serviceoriented group of folks committed to their community. I have come to find out that the commitment to service is not just local, or regional, but worldwide!”

He appreciates that the Rotary club is anything but inwardly focused. “Our speakers are often from the various non-profit programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Literacy Council, Pisgah Legal Services, and the list goes on. And through the Rotary Foundation, we support programs and initiatives all over the world, one of the biggest being The Polio Plus program to eradicate polio worldwide.”

Ricky is not only a member of Rotary but an ambassador as well. “To one who may be hesitant to join Rotary, I would say to take a close look at what Rotary does and what it stands for. The Rotary Four Way Test ‘Is it the TRUTH, is it FAIR to all concerns, will it build GOOD WILL, and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?’ needs to be a philosophy a member can live by, and the motto, ‘Service Above Self’ must be a part of who one is.”

by Deena Bouknight

RickySiegel

October is a very significant month in the life of Carpe Diem Farms. It marks the 25th anniversary of the Grand Opening Celebration Weekend (October 17-19, 1997).

Having looked for a property on the Plateau for five years following the start of the educational foundation I found the place!

With the help of very generous donors, we put down the deposit, committed to a substantial owner financed mortgage and began the arduous process of cleaning up the land and developing what has become over 25 years a magnificent place to call home.

Board member Judy Brinson and her husband Jack generously sponsored the opening Friday night cocktail party and dinner including entertainment by troubadour Stephen Longfellow Fiske, at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Saturday bagpipers heralded the arrival of the guests to the farm. We opened

with blessings from Hunter Coleman, minister at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, Phillip Silverthorn providing a Lakota prayer, and me with gratitude for what we had together achieved. The day included tours, a barbecue, entertainment by Chuck Wilhide, Richard Shulman and Fiske, and a tethered hot air balloon to see the farm from high above the pasture!

CDF continues today because of its vision to “Empower individuals through life changes to see the opportunities and possibilities that abound;” and a mission to “Explore the human potential through equines.” Lofty yes, and we’ve done it!

October 17 holds another auspicious significance in the life of CDF! Many of you have met and/or followed the story of our Bernedoodle, Jethro Blair, who joined hthe farm family, hailing from Iowa, on December 27, 2020. Well, we’ll be singing “Happy Second Birthday, Dear Jethro….”

by Sue Blair, Carpe-Diem Farms

Celebrating 25

This month is rich in meaning for Carpe Diem Farms, and curly-haired mascot Jethro.

The Giftof Literacy

The Literacy & Learning Center relies upon love and commitment.

GaryBoucherandPatArchambault

GaryBoucher and Pat Archambault are volunteers for The Literacy & Learning Center’s after-school programs.

Boucher oversees a large group of students, helping them with their homework and keeping things in order. Archambault works as an individual tutor. The married couple has been living in Highlands full time for close to three years.

Boucher, a father and grandfather, has plenty of experience working with children.

“I really enjoy working with the kids; they make you laugh. I was always Mr. Babysitter for my grandkids,” he says. “I’m really hoping that I can do some mentoring and be a good influence for them.”

“I love it when Mr. Gary is here,” says Matthew, a student in the after-school program. “He’s always really nice and he helps me with my homework. He’s really funny, too.”

So, what led the couple to begin volunteering?

“What first drew me in was that I heard about The Literacy & Learning Center and all the good work they do,” says Pat. “I love and miss working with children, so tutoring for The Literacy & Learning Center felt like a good fit.”

Pat was quickly matched with a student needing help with reading.

“He’s improved, little by little, and I’ve been so impressed with him.”

Pat has worked at all levels in the educational system in upstate New York over her 30-year career. She has seen the way the educational system was functioning at that time and felt there were too many children who weren’t getting a fair shake.

This fueled her passion for education, and she has worked diligently to serve children who might not have the resources or circumstances to learn and grow as quickly as their peers.

The Literacy & Learning Center also believes that all children should be given a fair chance to learn and grow. Bonnie Potts, Executive Director of The Literacy & Learning Center, addressed the topic of fairness in education in a speech given in 2022.

“In 2019, I asked teachers at Highlands School if they could give their students anything, what would it be? One teacher answered, ‘I would want my students to feel like they get a little bit more than they deserve.’ Our students will not fall behind and they will be given every opportunity to even the playing field through their education.”

For information about becoming a volunteer, please visit theliteracyandlearningcenter.org or call (828) 526-0863.

BACK

My Nameis Rocky

Tinged with tragedy, sweet Rocky’s story ends with the gentle care of Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society.

Maybethe driver didn’t see me.

After all, I’m just a dog and much smaller than a car. Maybe they didn’t even know they hit something, even though that “something” was me.

But it’s okay. I forgive them. Because I am a dog and I love unconditionally.

Maybe the cars that drove past me afterwards didn’t see me, either. It’s okay, I forgive them, too. Because I knew that the good people would come. And they did. Good Samaritans from out of town who gently picked me up and brought me to the CashiersHighlands Humane Society. The kind and caring people at the Humane Society and the skilled doctor and his staff who tended to me later would have normally reaffirmed anyone’s faith in humankind. But that wasn’t necessary with me. Because you see, I always kept my faith. Because I believe in good people. And because I am a dog and I love unconditionally.

I couldn’t use my back legs for a while, and I could overhear the good people whispering and worrying that I might not ever be able to. They gave me the name of Rocky because they said that was the name of a boxer who never gave up. They told me the story of how Rocky the boxer in the movies was an underdog and how he overcame everything to become a champion. That’s me. A champion. I survived because I have a will to live

and an unending capacity to forgive.

In the tender loving care at the Humane Society, I have regained the use of my legs although every now and then I can still be a little bit wobbly. My new world is filled with soft-spoken voices and gentle hands. They tell me how handsome I am and they feed me yummy food and give me fresh water and a clean, soft bed with lots of toys and treats. I feel love and it is simply amazing. My past life as an underdog melts away with each day. See, I told you. I believe in good people.

I can now romp and run in my play yard during the day and I never potty in my kennel at night. I love to play with other dogs and to go on long walks. My name is Rocky. I am six years old, and this is my story. I hope you will come and meet me. I promise I will be your best friend and will always be sweet and stay by your side forever. Because I am a dog and I love unconditionally. Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ani mal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire. Our no-kill shelter is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For more information, visit us online at chhumanesociety. org or call (828) 743-5752. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society photo by Marty Boone

RotaryRoad Rally

Start your engines!

Cashiers Rotary’s Road Rally, set for November 5, revs up the entire Plateau. For more information, to register or to become a sponsor, go to cashiersrotary.org or #RotaryRoadRallyNC.

TheRotary Club of Cashiers Valley is staging its inaugu ral Rotary Road Rally on November 5 as a fundraiser to support education on the Plateau.

This road rally is part game, part leisurely scenic drive, and all business when it comes to raising funds for area students.

The rules of the road are that each road rally team must have a driver and a navigator. The starting line will be at Cashiers United Methodist Church at noon where teams will receive snack box lunches provided by Crossroads Custard. Cars will be provided driving instructions and will be released at 1-2 minute intervals.

A magnet featuring one of our event sponsors will be placed on the passenger side of each car for the length of the event. Teams will follow the written instructions while answering questions about things they see along the path. There will be three stops along the way with challenges for teams to earn extra points. There will also be time for teams to explore the stops or other points of interest along the way.

The event will end with a finish line party with delectable hors d’oeuvres provided by a local favorite. Each person will be given two drink tickets good for beer or wine at the finish line party.

The cost of the event is $90, which includes registration for a driver and a navigator. Each additional passenger will be an additional $40.

The Rotary Club also welcomes visitors to their weekly meet ings at the Sapphire Valley Community Center Wednesdays starting at 8 AM for breakfast provided by Crossroads Custard, followed by a program from various members of the com munity. If you have a desire to serve the community, Rotary is where you belong.

With a great mix of members including full-time and part-time residents, men and women, all different ages, and retired persons as well as those working full-time, the club uses their time and talents serving the community in many ways. In addition to delivering meals for Meals for Wheels, tutoring, and serving as mentors with the Boys and Girls Club, they also provide scholarships for residents who plan to attend a trade school, college, continuing education, or training program, as well as grants to organizations within the Cashiers/Sapphire Valley community. They embody the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.

by Mary Jane McCall

A Fine Nature Show

Fall is a time to reflect on our amazing natural spaces, suggests the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, NC

Thebiologists at Appalachian State University have shared their prediction. This year, the fall leaves around Highlands will reach the peak of their vibrant color between October 7 and 14.

Whether you’ve spent your entire life in the region or make the annual pilgrimage to see this finest of nature’s shows, it’s guaranteed to leave you in awe, inspired, grateful. There is simply no substitute for the glory of our mountains at the height of autumn.

This year, we offer a timely suggestion: Let the moment serve as a reminder of how special our natural spaces and wonders are, and how important it is to preserve and protect them.

While we know there are several reasons why someone may choose to live, visit or work in the Highlands area – luxurious experiences, fine dining, exquisite offerings from our shops and galleries, the friendliness of our people – the breathtaking beauty surrounding our quaint town is at the top of the list of our distinctive characteristics.

Within minutes of downtown, one can take in roadside waterfalls, sunsets behind expansive views of the oldest mountains in the world, trails that meander through lush green forests alongside unique wildlife and pristine, crystal-clear lakes. Accessibility of these spaces is one of our strong points

and there are many individuals and organizations to thank for the privilege of these front-row experiences, including the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, the Highlands Plateau Greenway, the USDA Forest Service, the Highlands Biological Center and Nature Center and many others.

So, take a moment amidst the vibrancy of the changing leaves to not only to welcome the new season, but to also thank those who are helping make the views possible – now, and for generations to come.

We’ve planned two joyful fall events, both free and open to the public. A new celebration, Highlands Heritage Jamboree, will take place in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday, October 29, and the perennial favorite Halloween on Main will take place October 31. Join us!

by Kara Addy Communications Manager, Highlands Chamber of Commerce photo by Susan Rendro

BETH TOWNSEND Co-Owner / Broker

COLEEN GOTTLOEB Broker-In-Charge

LOGAN CROCKER Broker

CLAY CANTLER Broker / Licensed Assistant

KARALINE CANTLER Broker / Administrator

JESSICA HOHEISEL Broker / Licensed Assistant

WAYNE MONDAY Broker

LIZ HARRIS Co-Owner / Broker

ANN MCKEE AUSTIN Co-Owner / Broker

SANDY BARROW Broker

MAGGIE ELMER Broker

JOHN BARROW Broker / Rental Coordinator

JOANNE BRYSON Broker

McKee

Chattooga Club

2 BR / 3 BA / 2 HBA Modern mountain luxury perfectly describes this estate home located within the Chattooga Club on a private lot and just a few minutes from Cashiers. This home has undergone a major upscale renovation including a chef’s kitchen with a walk-in pantry, light and airy finishes, and the flowing, open floor plan the modern buyer seeks. The main level leads you from the vaulted kitchen and dining room into the upscale great room, and out onto the fully finished Carolina porch featuring year-round use through automatic canvas shades. Multiple wood-burning fireplaces provide a modern mountain ambiance, and walls of windows allow you to take in the long

range mountain views throughout the entire home. A cozy library with its own fireplace welcomes you through to the beautiful oversized Primary Suite located on the main level. Upstairs features a large guest suite and a bonus room with its own full bath and beautiful views from each room. The lower level features a large family room, sun room, half bath and laundry room. The exterior completes this home with a winding, stone driveway lined with beautiful landscaping including garden lighting and elegant trees. The stone terrace off of the kitchen is the perfect spot to enjoy views, a mature garden, and the activity lawn. MLS 100326

5 BR / 5.5 BA Desirable location just a few minutes from Cashiers, inside the gated community of Cedar Hill, stunning views including beautiful sunsets, and newly built in 2020: your beautiful mountain getaway is here! The main level features the desirable open living concept with vaulted ceilings throughout the great room and the oversized kitchen island inviting all to gather around. The great room’s stone and wood-burning fireplace creates the perfect mountain ambiance, and effortlessly flow onto the screened Carolina porch with a second fireplace and additional decks for plenty of room to take in the gorgeous mountain views. Living accommodations include two primary suites on

the main level and one guest en-suite, two more bedrooms and a second bath on the lower level. Also on the lower level, a large family room with its own gas fireplace, provides plenty of overflow room within the home. The upstairs loft features a cozy office library and a full bath and the home’s elevator can help take you to all three floors. MLS 100304

4 BR / 4.5 BA This vintage mountain home, on 1.57 acres, has a “slight ranch-contemporary” character due to its low profile, earth hugging nature, and a great number of windows offering an abundance of natural light. Enter the property from a long sweeping private driveway which opens to a gentle yard with ample parking. A babbling water feature greets all at the front door. The focal point of the view is the pride of south Cashiers—ancient Rock Mountain, with Chimneytop Mountain right next to it. Enjoy the close up dramatic face of Rock Mountain from the major rooms of the home, the screened porch and the covered deck with

wood-burning fireplace. Inside, the vaulted great room has its own “rock mountain” — a giant fireplace anchoring this space and greeting guests at the foyer. This spacious home has excellent bones and generously sized rooms, and there is a bonus room on the far side of the attached carport that will work well for a home office, kids play space or home gym. Its proximity to the Inn, the Club and the Fazio reimagined golf course is enhanced by a community walking trail at the edge of the lot. This property offers great potential to be a generational home for those who embrace both the old and new High Hampton. MLS 100512

Snowbird

2 BR / 2 BA Snowbird is the most unique community in our area, focusing on these most desired prime attributes: large private estate parcels (all over 20 acres), beautiful long range views, frolicking streams and noisy waterfalls and a patchwork of rolling open fields connected by common hiking and horseback riding trails. This home is oriented on a knoll facing southeast and was built to offer passive solar advantage.

Cedar Creek Woods

2 BR / 4 BA This charming tree house cottage is tucked into the woods off a quiet lane serving a small number of homes, and is within walking distance of the popular Cedar Creek Club. It is also about one mile to the grocery store in “downtown” Cashiers! Just a few steps up from the driveway/parking, the raised walkway offers access into a beautiful space with soaring ceilings and interesting beamwork.

OFFERED FOR $1,000,000

At over 4000’ elevation, there is an additional, higher site on this tract that could accommodate a guest house or private pavilion. Inside the layout is simple primary bedroom and bath on the main level with kitchen, living/ den and view porch. There is a covered breezeway leading to the large two car garage. Downstairs is another bedroom, bath, laundry and a large common area, recently used as a craft/hobby room. MLS 99164

OFFERED FOR $895,000

A centrally located two-sided gas fireplace serves the sizable dining and living rooms and provides a perfect anchor for both. Primary and second bedrooms are on the main level, but there is also bonus space (office, exercise, art, napping...you decide!) in the upstairs loft with a bath. Offered mostly furnished, this cozy home is a must see. MLS 100632

TYPICAL SCENES AT SNOWBIRD

3 BR / 3 BA Located inside the Old Edwards Club, this very private lower level unit has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Sitting at the end of a cul-de-sac and accessed by only a few steps to the entrance, the unit is tastefully and beautifully furnished, and all furnishings stay, right down to the towels, bed sheets and bed coverings! There is a deck on the back

and on the side just off the dining area is a screened porch with its own fireplace and gas logs to be used on chilly mornings and evenings. The bathrooms have been handsomely updated, the HVAC installed in 2021, and the crawl space has been encapsulated. MLS 99121

Wade Hampton $450,000

Wade Hampton $160,000

This lot is a great homesite within Wade Hampton Golf Club. It has beautiful golf frontage and some mountain view, with a pond and a creek located on the property. Location is everything about this property: while it boasts the great views, it also is within walking distance to the Clubhouse. MLS 95880

0.92 ACRES

Wade Hampton $160,000

0.72 ACRES This lovely lot is at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the beautiful, gated neighborhood of Wade Hampton Golf Club. The property is wooded and gently sloping, offering an excellent building site. MLS 95244

This gentle homesite in Wade Hampton Golf Club has beautiful southern exposure with sunlight streaming in all day and gentle topography, making it a desirable homesite on which to build your mountain home. It features winter views of the golf course and is located within a mile from the Clubhouse and front gate. MLS 95803

0.81 ACRES

Wade Hampton $110,000

0.91 ACRES

Competitively priced, this gently sloping, wooded lot provides an excellent building site for your mountain get-a-way. Located on a quiet and secluded cul-de-sac of 4 lots, the property is not far from the Clubhouse and driving range. MLS 98231

4118 Kitchen and Bar 4118kitchen-bar.com

P 134

A Jones Company P 54

A-List Antiques P 68

Acorns P 75

ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com P 180

Aery Chiropractic aerychiropractic.com P 203

Africa Awaits africasawaits.com P 224

ALHC Fall Colors Show artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com P 67

Allen Tate/

Pat Allen Realty Group patallenrealtygroup.com P 28, 29

Allison Diane P 158

Amy Feil Phillips Fine Art amyfeilphillips.wixsite.com/artist P 116

Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery P 106

Annawear annawearnc.com P 220

Annell Metsker, Artist annell.com P 126

Appalachian Animal Rescue P 95

Appalachian Construction app-construction.com P 174

Appalachian Golf Cars appalachiangolfcars.om P 169

Around Back at Rocky’s Place aroundbackatrockysplace.com P 109

Atelier Maison ateliermaisonco.com P 213

Bags on Main P 60

Balistreri Realty laketoxawayliving.com P 176

The Bascom thebascom.org P 123

Barbara Jamison Paintings barbarajamisonpaintings.com P 117

Bazaar Barn P 227

Bear Tracks Travel Center beartrackstravelcenter.com P 170

Bella Cotn bellacotn.com P 151

Bella’s Junction Cafe P 141

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices meadowsmountainrealty.com P 149

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

- Mary S. Abranyi realestatemaryabranyi.com P 51

Betsy Paul Art Benefit P 196

Betsy Paul Properties betsypaulproperties.com P 243

Bird Barn & Garden P 198

Black Rock Design Build blackrockdesignbuild-highlands.com P 128, 210

The Blue Elephant P 187

Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com P 118

Blue Ridge Music blueridgemusicacademy.com P 117

Bombshell Hair Boutique P 197

The Book Nook P 60

Bounds Cave’s Rug Gallery boundscaverugs.com P 35

The Brier Patch P 186

Brookings Fly Shop brookingsonline.com P 89

Bungalow Boutique bungalow828.com P 93

C Orrico corrico.com P 186

Calders Coffee Cafe calderscoffeecafe.com P 143

Caliber Fine Properties caliberfineproperties.com P 188, 189

Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com P 118

Cashiers Chamber of Commerce cashiersareachamber.com P 226

Cashiers Candy Shoppe P 54

Cashiers Kitchen Company

P 198

Cashiers Valley Community Chorus P 49

Cashiers Valley Real Estate cashiersvalley.com P 150

Center for Plastic SurgeryRobert T. Buchanan, MD plasticsurgerytoday.com P 194

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals highlandsiscalling.com P 210, 225

Charles Johnson

Fine Art Photography charlesjohnsonfineart.com P 126

Chocolate Heaven/Cake Bar P 145

Christine’s Home Decor christineshomedecor.com P 211

The Christmas Tree P 97, 217

Classic Lighting & Design, Inc. classiclightinganddesign.com P 61

Colonel Mustard’s Specialty Foods colonelmustardshighlands.com P 94

Country Club Properties ccphighlandsnc.com P 2, 20

Creative Concepts P 210

Crossroads Custard & Coldbrew crossroadscustard.com P 134

The Dancing Bear at the High Dive P 138

Dauntless Printing dauntlessprinting.com P 56, 211

The Designer’s Market thedesignersmarket-nc.com P 218

Diane McPhail, Artist P 127

The Dry Sink thedrysink.com P 43

Dutchmans dutchmansdesigns.com P 223

Earthshine Lodge earthshinenc.com P 174

Edgewood Antiques & Fine Furnishings P 205

Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear elenagolf.com P 63

Elevated Properties P 102

Elevation High Fashion for Women P 66 Ellie’s Groove P 71

The Exchange P 92, 196

Fire + Water firemt.com P 19

Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins firemt.com P 19

Fishes and Loaves fishesandloavescashiers.org P 221

Four Seasons Landscape fsl-wnc.com P 57

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar four65.com P 137

Fressers Courtyard Cafe wecaterhighlands.com P 135

Fusion Yoga & Wellness fusionyogaandwellness.com P 217

Futral Construction futral.net P 4

Dr. Edward D. Frederickson MD FACP P 194

Gracewear Boutique gracewearcollection.com P 111

Grand Olde Station grandoldestation.com P 166

The Greystone Inn thegreystoneinn.com P 4, 175

Green Mountain Builders greenmountainbuilders.com P 50

Head Innovations P 210

Headwaters Outfitters headwatersoutfittters.com P 171

The High Dive P 138

Highland Hiker highlandhiker.com

P 90, 91

Highlands Aerial Park highlandsaerialpark.com P 80

Highlands Chamber of Commerce highlandschamber.org P 119

Highlands Heritage Jamboree highlandschamber.org P 147

Highlands Dermatology highlandsdermatology.com P 195

Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry Wine Shop highlandsfineart.com P 24, 25

Highlands Lawn & Garden P 96

Highlands Outpost highlandsoutpost.com P 80

Highlands Pharmacy P 204

Highlands Porchfest highlandsporchfest.com P 242

Highlands Rock Yard highlandsrockyard.com P 71

Highlands Smokehouse highlandssmokehouse.com P 144

Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Jody Lovell sothebysrealty.com P 72, 73

Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Andrea Gabbard sothebysrealty.com P 181

Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Tommy Jenkins sothebysrealty.com P 71

Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Sheryl Wilson highlandssir.com P 211

Highlands Transportation Company P 67, 227

Historic Toxaway historictoxaway.org P 173

Historic Toxaway Market historictoxawaymarket.com P 172

Hudson Library fontanalib.org P 94

Hummingbird Lounge oldedwardsinn.com P 75

Invocative Fine Art P 125

J Gabriel P 220 Jack’s Upholstery P 211

Jannie Bean Custom Jewelry janniebeandesigns.com P 39

Jeanie Edwards Fine Art jedwardsfineart.com P 107

Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com P 48

Josephine’s Emporium P 69, 211

John Cleaveland Realty jcrealty.com P 87, 224

Joyce Smith Mortgages joycesmithmortgages P 33

Jug Hill Gallery michaelcoxart.com P 55

Killer Bees killerbeeshoney.com P 169

The Kitchen

CarryAway and Catering thekitchenofhighlands.com P 135

Lake Toxaway Company laketoxaway.com P 167

Lakeside Restaurant P 143

Landmark Realty Group landmarkrg.com P 212

Landmark Realty Group

- Pam Nellis landmarkrg.com P 211

Laura Moser Art lauramoserart.com P 5

Lehotsky & Sons lehotskyandsons.com P 203, 211

Lenz Gifts & Luxury Linens P 64

Leslie Jeffery, Artist lesliejeffery.art P 127

The Look Boutique P 21

Lupoli Construction lupoliconstruction.com P 219

Main Street Gifts P 66

Main Street Nursery P 36

Marlene & Co P 159

Martha Anne’s P 55

Martin Lispcomb Performing Arts Center highlandsperformingarts.com P 122, 222 McCulley’s P 3

McKee Properties mckeeproperties.com P 44, 45, 59, 101 228-238

McKee Properties

- John & Sandy Barrow mckeeproperties.com P 237, 238

McKee Properties - Liz Harris mckeeproperties.com P 101, 232, 233, 236

McKee Properties - Beth Townsend mckeeproperties.com P 59, 234, 235

Michelle Page Webster, Artist pagetheartist.com P 116

Mirror Lake Antiques mirrorlakeantiques.com P 34

Morales Painting P 95

Mountain Cafe historictoxawaymarket.com P 172 Mountain Construction Engineering mountain-ce.com P 92 Mountain Mermaid P 62 Mountain Spring Spas and Pools mountainhotspring.com P 23

Mountain Theatre Company mountaintheatre.com P 115

Mountainworks

Custom Home Design, Ltd. mtnworks.com P 85

Nancy’s Fancys P 92, 196 Narcissus P 41

Nearly New nearlynewnc.com P 202 Nora & Co P 33

Oak Steakhouse oaksteakhousehighlands.com P 130

Old Edwards Inn & Spa oldedwardsinn.com P 75, 210

On the Verandah ontheverandah.com P 139

The Orchard Restaurant, Event Barn & Cottages theorchardcashiers.com P 142

Panthertown Cafe panthertowncafe.com P 171

Pat Calderone calderonegallery.com P 125

Peggy Marra peggymarra.com P 121

Peak Experience peakexp.com P 160

Petit Properties Real Esate petipropertieswnc.com P 168

Platt Architecture platt.us P 11

Preferred Properties of Highlands - Ann Scott ppoh.com P 211 ProServicess P 210

Rabun Flooring rabunflooring.com P 241

Reach of Macon County reachofmaconcounty.org P 225

Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Service P 210

Rent In Highlands-CCP rentinhighlands.com P 47

Ristorante Paoletti paolettis.com P 141

Roberto DeJong P 144

Robin’s Nest robinsnest-cashiers.com P 225

Root 64 Fresh Market P 170, 224

Rosewood Market rosewoodgourmet.com P 136 Rusticks rusticks.com P 8, 9, 161

Ryan Karcher Photography

Sapphire Valley Real Estate sapphirevalleyrealestate.com

P 37

P 65

Sashay Around P 27

Save Mirror Lake P 214

Scaly Mountain Crafters scalymtncrafters.com P 108

Shakespeare and Company shakespeareandcompanyhighlands.com P 187

Shiraz shirazruggalleries.com P 38

Silver Creek Real Estate Group ncliving.com P 12-15, 76-79

Skyline Lodge skyline-lodge.com

Slanted Window Tasting Room

P 130

P 241

Smitten P 113

S’more Kids Klothes P 52

Southern Highlands Reserve southernhighlandsreserve.org P 168

Southern Way

P 61

The Spa Boutique at Old Edwards Inn oldedwardsinn.com P 75

Spoiled Rotten spoiledrotten2.com P 46

Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship P 19

The Summer House by Reeves summerhousehighlands.com P 152

Tampa Bay Trust Company tampabaytrustcompany.com

Tarah’s Beauty Bar

Terry Warren Fine Art terrywarren.com

TJ Bailey’s for Men tjbmens.com

P 42

P 210

P 113

P 129

Town and Country General Store tandcgeneralstore.com P 206

The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands theuglydogpub.com

P 145

Vic’s for Men victoriasclosetnc.com

P 202

Victoria’s Closet victoriasclosetnc.com P 202

Victoria’s Sportswear victoriasclosetnc.com P 202

The Village Green villagegreencashiersnc.com P 177

Village Hound P 86

The Vineyard at 37 High Holly thevineyardathighholly.com

P 226

Vivianne Metzger Antiques vmantiques.com P 110

Wanderview Hospitality wanderviewhost.com P 93

Warth Construction warthconstruction.com

The Watershed Shoppe

P 244

P 58

Whistlin’ Dixie P 174

Whiteside Art Gallery P 100 WHLC FM 104.5 whlc.com P 23

Wilbanks Smile Center - Dr. Joe Wilbanks wilbankssmilecenter.com P 190

Willow Valley willowvalleyrv.com P 16

Wish and Shoes wishandshoes.com P 182

Wit’s End P 53

Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro wolfgangs.net P 5

Woofgang Bakery & Grooming

P 221

Zach Claxton Art zachclaxtonart.com P 121

Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com P 199, 211

The Zookeeper Bistro thezookeeperbistro.com P 142