September 2021: The Laurel Magazine by The Laurel Magazine of Highlands NC and Cashiers NC

a e

L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Gourmet To Go Rosewood Market pg. 122

Design with Space in Mind Cover Art, Spirit of Highlands

September 2021

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CON T E N T S September 2021

13 What To Do

40 Highlands Porchfest

69 Recreation & Creation 78 Silver Run Falls

93 Arts

116 Poet Richard Betz

121 Dining

122 Rosewood Market

137 Shopping

106

142 Plateau Picks

152 Lake Toxaway

158 Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

165 History

168 Founder’s Day Celebration

175 Lifestyles & Wellness

186 Wildcat Cliffs Country Club

197 Giving Back

201 Carpe Diem Farms

208 Business

Salsa for Missions

209 Leadership Collaboration

At a Glance Guides

200

Rotary’s Worthy Missions

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VOLUME NINETEEN, ISSUE EIGHT

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARLENE OSTEEN WRITER marlene.osteen@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

DEENA BOUKNIGHT Writer dknight865@gmail.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Publisher’s Note We’re kind of grateful for the freedom that’s embroidered within the days of September. It’s a breath of cool air after a Summer Without A Pause, and it’s a preview of all the glorious sensations coming our way for Leaf Season. Join us in these pages to learn why this is a month to treasure. Embrace the people that you’ll meet here and take in the events that we preview. Store these memories away and then, on some cold, dreary February morning, uncork them and enjoy the wonders of a Plateau September once more. Soak up September! Sincerely, Janet and Marjorie

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

Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, David Stroud, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Ann Self, Zach Claxton, Ashby Underwood, and Chris Wilkes Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes and Colleen Kerrigan. Copyright © 2021 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Laurel Magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel Magazine nor any of its staff is responsible for advertising errors, omissions, or information that has been misrepresented in or to the magazine. Any substantial errors that are the fault of the magazine will be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.

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Remains of

the Day

“Add the First Fruits of Autumn to the Remains of Summer Days,” says William. And add a little Hot Sauce, too.

eptember takes its name from the Latin septem meaning seven, for heaven’s sake, and it’s the ninth month of the year. How’d that happen? In the oldest known Roman calendar, the calendar of Romulus, Septem was the seventh of ten months, later advanced to the ninth spot after the addition of two new months, January and February, to the Julian Calendar. Interesting that the Romans did not change the name to nine in Latin or find an emperor namesake. Having a month or planet named after you is a high human honor. The Roman Senators probably couldn’t agree on a new name and left seven in the ninth position. This month begins autumn, a new season. This is still a time for gob-smacking summer tomatoes and slurpy cantaloupe, sweet corn and down-your-chin peaches. But fall glory is coming. Get ready for new crop apples and fall colors. They start coming in September. Our new month holds both

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the remains of yesterday and the first delights of tomorrow. There are several memorable dates in September. The Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War with England, was signed on September 3, 1783. Ben Franklin was a signatory, as were John Adams and John Jay. We became a new nation in that moment. On September 12, 1962, President John Kennedy delivered an address to a stadium audience of 35,000 at Rice University, Houston, Texas, in which he announced a decade-long mission to put human beings on the Moon and bring them home safely. “Think big,” he said. “But why, some say, the Moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask, Why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic?” he asked. Then, knowing that Rice University was a powerhouse technical university with a paltry football tradition and always lost to football powerhouse, University of Texas, he flashed his legendary JFK humor and made reference to another unimaginable goal: “Why does Rice

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play Texas?” The crowd roared their approval. “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard ….” Three years later, in 1965, Rice beat Texas. Then, we went to the Moon. And we cannot close a remembrance of dates in September without acknowledging September 11, 2001. We were attacked. New York’s Twin Towers were felled. The Pentagon was hit. Brave Americans acted to divert a crash from the White House to a field in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 of us died violently on that day. What hath humankind wrought? Today in North Carolina, there are fall festivals in September. I’ll mention one, an overnight trip from our Plateau: The Hot Sauce Festival in Oxford on September 11. Expect music, vendors, taste judging, food, wine, classic cars, games, and more. Go to nchotsaucecontest.com. Happy September. by William McReynolds

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Sound

and Spirit

Hiss Golden Messenger

Hiss Golden Messenger delivers the sound and the spirit driving this year’s Highlands Food & Wine.

aving suspended events last fall due to the pandemic, Highlands Food & Wine returns in November with panache and an embarrassment of musical riches. One of the weekend highlights is the 2020 Grammy-nominated band Hiss Golden Messenger, headliner for the Festival’s Truckin event. For bandleader M. C. Taylor, the word “Truckin” evokes the Grateful Dead. “They have been a huge influence,” he told me on the phone recently. Taylor’s reply reveals only a partial truth. The band’s dominant spirit, fervor, and energy come from “other types of music.” “I am drawn to things I have never heard before, stuff on the musical fringes,” he says. “I listen to a ton of material – jazz, reggae, Ethiopian music. I love early rock and roll, gospel, prewar string bands.” Because of that, there has often been some confusion as to what the music is.

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Though often referred to as “Americana,” Taylor rejects the reference. “I recognize what ‘Americana’ is referring to and why it is needed among critics as a shorthand to make people grasp what they are listening to. But what I am doing has its own flavor, that is unique to me.” What makes the band’s recordings singular is an intellectual insight that speaks ideas in its musical language. As Taylor told me, “I love to reflect on how words sit on a page – so much of my job as a songwriter is thinking about rhythm and timber, the emotion of words and using language in an economic way.” He credits his approach to his upbringing in Southern California and his musical Dad, who played guitar and sang around the house. “I understood that music could be made at home.” He first picked up a guitar at age 10. And he was already writing his own songs when he enrolled at the University of California Santa Barbara and worked with multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer Scott Hirsch.

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After an initial collaboration in a hardcore band, they moved to San Francisco to start up an Indie-Rock band. They formed Hiss Golden Messenger in 2006 and in 2007, the two relocated East. Taylor landed in North Carolina, where he enrolled in graduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill and worked for a while as a folklorist. In 2009 Hiss Golden Messenger released their debut album, Country Hai East Cotton. The band’s 10th album, Quietly Blowing It was released in June. Written at his home studio in Durham between March and June during the pandemic, Taylor wrote and recorded more than two dozen songs. The album is as he says, “a retrospective of the past five years of my life, painted in a sort of impressionistic hues.” After more than a year of virtual performances playing into a camera, Taylor is looking forward to being on stage in Highlands to once again perform for a live audience. “Those of us who care about music know that it really takes the crowd and musicians working together, creating the energy that makes it all work,” he says. by Marlene Osteen 17 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Sweet September Music

The Knotty G’s

Free weekend music concer ts in downtown Highlands keep the sweet summer spirit rockin’ into the fall.

he Plateau’s Busy Season pauses in September before the arrival of beautiful fall foliage and the attendant leaf lookers. But that doesn’t mean that the easy beat of summer has to disappear completely. The Highlands Twin Concert Series – Friday Nights Live and Saturdays on Pine – is an invitation to keep that beat going. Friday concerts are a jamboree of traditional Mountain Music – music made on banjos, fiddles, mandolins, dobros, and guitars. It’s a wistful reminiscence of the famous dance parties of years ago at Highlands’ Helen’s Barn. Saturdays on Pine are a welcome amalgam of several music genres. Bring a blanket and some blanket-ready fare and join friends and neighbors under the evening sky. In fact, turn to Page 122 to catch my account of a sublime Saturdays on Pine evening with friends and a picnic from Rosewood Market. Friday Night Live concerts take place at Highlands Town Square from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Saturdays on Pine are at KelseyHutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street and also begin at 6:00 P.M. The weekend series continues through October 22 and

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concerts are free. It’s an irresistible plunge into the joys of live music, which vanished from the Plateau’s cultural landscape last year. Here’s the lineup for sweet September sounds: September 2: Friday Night Live features Silly Ridge Roundup September 3:No Saturday Concert September 10: Friday Night Live features The Curtis Blackwell Band September 11: Saturdays on Pine features Full Circle September 17: Friday Night Live features Southern Highlands September 18: Saturdays on Pine features The Will Thompson Trio September 24: Friday Night Live features The Foxfire Boys September 25: Saturdays on Pine features The Knotty G’s Band by Luke Osteen

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Color Draws There’s a profound message embedded in the midst of that glorious autumn foliage.

all is 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 late September and 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. He could have kept the leaves the same year-round, reliable, yet

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tedious imagery month after month, year after year. He could have made all deciduous trees to slough dead brown leaves only. Yet, our Creator chose fall as an episode of grandeur the likes of no human can truly capture (sorry, artist friends). Leafers come in droves to witness His show. Literally millions pack Western North Carolina highways and byways to see leaves dying. Essentially leaves fast; they stop their food-making process. Interior chlorophyll breaks down and green disappears, leaving behind – only momentarily, and depending on species – brilliant yellows, vivid reds, and honeyed oranges. Change and death typically do not cause one to sigh, mouth agape, and whisper awe-struck utterances. But some change does us good.

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And like the crescendo of an orchestra, the painterly palette of hillsides and mountains and forests ready us for darker days ahead. We are soul-filled and strengthened with such wonder that we can patiently endure bleak, chilled days and anticipate glorious renewal, restoration, 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

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Rock, Blues, &

Americana

Two raucous concer ts on the Village Green provide a foot-stomping soundtrack to the end of summer.

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High Five

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oncerts On the Commons are a great way to kick off the weekend with live music. This limited Friday night concert series for 2021 continues in September with two performances. The Wobblers will take the stage Saturday, September 4, and one of Cashiers’ most beloved bands, High Five, will take the stage on Friday, September 17. Both concerts start at 6:30 P.M. at the Commons Amphitheater and Lawn. The Wobblers are an eight-piece pianodriven roots band from Upstate South Carolina. The Wobblers have been performing in the area since 2012. The band’s many multiinstrumentalists, lead singers, and writers make for a diverse, high energy show. Local area musicians make up High Five. These friends have been playing together for decades. They play a blend of Rock, Blues, Americana and more, which will be a great finale to the outdoor concerts. (Concerts On the Commons will move indoors in October.) As with all things returning following the effects of the pandemic and like many similar

venues across the country, changes have been made to the concerts in 2021 to ensure the viability of concerts and other community events in Cashiers for the future. This includes advance sales of reserved seats and general admission seating. Reserved seats are priced to reflect an average $10 per seat. General admission seating is also available for $5 per seat. These seats are on a first come, first served basis. Depending on demand and availability, walk up sales may be possible. Tickets for the September concerts are now on sale. Picnics and coolers are always welcome, but there will not be food or beverage vendors this year. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash and under the control of their owner at all times. A full schedule of live music events is on the Concerts page of The Village Green website, villagegreencashiersnc.com. by Ann Self, Executive Director The Village Green

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Howling for

the Red Wolf

The my ths and the mysteries of the Red Wolf are explored at Howling for the Red Wolf: Getting to Know the Maligned and Misunderstood with Tori Duval of the WNC Nature Center. This free program will be at 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 28, at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

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he Red Wolf is the world’s most-endangered wolf. Once common throughout the Eastern and South-Central United States, Red Wolf populations were decimated by the early 20th century as a result of intensive predator control programs and the degradation and alteration of the species’ habitat. This is the topic of the September Village Nature Series, Howling for the Red Wolf: Getting to Know the Maligned and Misunderstood with Tori Duval of the WNC Nature Center. The American Red Wolf has been on the endangered species list since 1973. Until recently, the wild population on the North Carolina coast was successfully growing, but due to human intervention and coyote hybridization, the wild population now contains only about 20 individuals. The WNC Nature Center is part of a breeding and management program known as the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan. The WNC Nature Center has two Red Wolves at the center. They will offer a special promotion to an event in October with the Red Wolves for those who participate in the Village Nature Series. The Red Wolf (Canis rufus) is a native North American canid intermediate in size between the Coyote (Canis

latrans) and Gray Wolf (Canis lupus). Red Wolves are mostly brown and buff colored with some black along their backs, often with a reddish color on their ears, head and legs. Adult Red Wolves range in weight from about 45 to 80 pounds. Red Wolves have wide heads with broad muzzles, tall, pointed ears and long, slender legs with large feet. Red wolves stand about 26 inches at their shoulder and are about 4 feet long from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. The Village Nature Series is an education collaboration between the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and The Village Green sponsored by the Cedar Creek Club. To learn more, including how to donate to these programs, visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com/calendar and search for the Village Nature Series. by Julie Schott Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

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Read & Feed

Your Brain

The twin libraries celebrate new novels that resonate with this corner of Western Nor th Carolina and celebrate the freedom to read controversial works that are under threat of removal.

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nto early fall, local libraries continue to host authors. Kristin Harmel is scheduled to speak and sign her latest book, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, on September 3 at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library at 3:00 P.M., and on Sepember 4 at Hudson Library in Highlands at 12:30 P.M. for its Books & Bites author series (reservations required). Also, Christopher Swann will be at Hudson Library for a Books & Bites program on Sept. 25 at 12:30 P.M. His new literary thriller, A Fire in the Night, will be released on September 7. “It is set in the North Carolina mountains, and is sure to be popular here!” said Carlyn Morenus, Hudson’s branch librarian. But that’s not all that is happening in September. The month just happens to be when communities are encouraged to obtain their library cards, Library Card Sign-up Month, and it’s also Hispanic Heritage Month. Regarding the latter, Hudson Library is working on a special display in collaboration with Highlands’ International Friendship Center, and Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library plans to draw attention to Hispanic heritage as well. Banned Books Week runs from September 26

through October 2. Librarians describe it as an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. This particular week also spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools, and it brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas. Morenus and Serenity Richards, branch librarian in Cashiers, explained that by focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Books that some individuals and groups often try to ban are To Kill a Mockingbird, My Friend Flicka, and the Harry Potter series. Finally, since schools are back in session, a variety of after-school fun and educational opportunities are available. Kids Zone is at Hudson Library, and STEAM programs, with Take and Make options, are available at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, which also offers weekly Thursday movie matinees. by Deena Bouknight

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Fresh, Local,

Delicious

As summer crops reach their crescendo and we shade into the fall har vests, the Cashiers Green Market is a must-visit destination. It’s held ever y Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Cashiers Commons on the Village Green.

lways fresh, always local and always delicious, that’s the farmfresh goodness that you’ll find when you shop at the Green Market, Cashiers’ own farmers market held each Wednesday from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. at the Cashiers Commons on Frank Allen Road, next to the Post Office. The Green Market is a producer-only market, meaning that each vendor must be the grower or producer of all the products that they sell, and they must produce within a 125-mile radius of Cashiers. These products are the freshest available and you’ll enjoy the rare opportunity to visit with the producer and enjoy the opportunity to find out what makes their food so good. Each vendor takes pride in their products and they’re happy to share their stories with you. You’ll find not only freshly harvested fruits and vegetables here, but also naturally raised meat and dairy items, farm-fresh eggs, jams, jellies, pickles, honey, fresh-baked breads, cakes, pies, and pastries, 30 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

and homemade granola. Complete your farm-to-table meal with freshly-cut flowers and you’ll have a table and a meal to remember. Before your visit, keep in mind that market hours are strictly observed so it’s not necessary to arrive early, just arrive hungry and allow yourself plenty of time to shop. Green Market follows best practices to ensure the safety and well being of all their vendors and customers, so face coverings are encouraged, as is physical distancing. Green Market will be held every Wednesday through October 27, so check it out each week to see what’s fresh. For more information you can visit cashiersgreenmarket.com. by Mary Jane McCall

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Putts Fore Paws Putts Fore Paws, set for October 11 at the Cullasaja Club, is no dog walk in the park – it’s a full-on golf tournament for serious and not-so-serious golfers.

nnouncing the inaugural golf tournament to benefit the shelter pets at the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society…Putts Fore Paws! Almost a year in the planning, this new fundraiser and “fun-raiser,” certain to become an annual tradition, will take place during one of the most beautiful times of the year at one of the most beautiful courses on the Plateau. Putts Fore Paws will occur during the peak of leaf season, Monday, October 11, at the Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course at the Cullasaja Club. The Inaugural CHHS Putts Fore Paws on October 11 starts with a 10:00 A.M. registration and an 11:00 A.M. shotgun start. Mulligans will be available for purchase at sign-in. Prizes will be awarded for overall lowest score (with handicap), closest to the pin, 32 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

longest drive, and, compliments of Hammond and Mitzi Rauers and Franklin Ford, a hole-in-one on a designated hole will win a car! Registration is $200 per golfer and $100 of each registration is a tax-deductible contribution to the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society. Registration includes greens fees, cart fees, and a boxed lunch. All golfers will also receive a “doggy bag” of goodies compliments of CHHS. Not a golfer? Not to worry, you can still participate in this great cause for the animals! Hole sponsorships are available for $1,000 and each sponsor will have a picture of their beloved pet (or pets) on the tee box, and best of all, the framed picture will be given to you after the tournament as a keepsake memento and a thank you for your support. This exciting new golf tournament is limited to just 20 four-

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The Victory

=Belles

The joyful, poignant songs that carried Americans through World War II will be brought to Cashiers in a concer t by The Victor y Belles, 5:00 P.M. Friday, September 3, in the Commons Hall in the Village Green. To learn more, email director @cashiersgreen.com.

T somes, so put your foursome together and register today! The tournament application can be found on our homepage at chhumanesociety.org. For more information, please call (828) 743-5750 or email golf@chhumanesociety.org. Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

he Village Green presents a special concert with The Victory Belles to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II. This concert will be held at 5:00 P.M. Friday, September 3, in the Commons Hall of The Village Green in Cashiers. To learn more about this concert, including how to attend, email director@cashiersgreen.com. The Victory Belles are a delightful vocal trio performing the music of the 1940s, serenading audiences at The National WWII Museum and across the globe. The music of the 1940s brought hope and joy to our GIs and those on the Home Front alike—and the Victory Belles keep that tradition alive in rich, three-part harmony. Their repertoire includes all the treasured gems of the WWII era plus patriotic classics including a musical salute to each branch of the US Armed Forces. The Victory Belles were scheduled to perform to celebrate the 75th anniversary, including a concert on July 4th in The Village Green. However, the coronavirus last year forced them to postpone this show as well as cancel many others. The Village Green is delighted to be able to reschedule them for the Labor Day Weekend. The Village Green provides a beautiful, free public space; however, it is conserved by a nonprofit organization that depends on contributions to maintain the park and provide such an exceptional venue for the community. The Village Green is a park for the people. To learn more about these events or to make a donation, call (828) 743-3434 or visit villagegreencashiersnc.com. by Ann Self, Executive Director, The Village Green 33 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Salsa for

Missions

For Dr. John Baumrucker, manning a table at Highlands Marketplace ever y Saturday morning in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is simply a happy chore for a God-given mission.

Dr. John Baumrucker

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rom late May through November, Highlands Marketplace takes place every Saturday from 8 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown Highlands. And every year, John Baumrucker, M.D., is there selling his sought-after salsa, among other homemade jams and preserves, as well as handcrafted wood items made by boys who live in a mission home in Montero, Bolivia. The country became near and dear to Dr. Baumrucker (a.k.a. Dr. John), a family practice physician, when God called him to spend time there practicing, teaching, and providing much-needed medical equipment. He also assisted in 2003 in the establishment of a boys’ foster home through the Highlands-Bolivian Mission. “I started participating in the Highlands Marketplace as a way to keep the mission in front of the public,” said Dr. John. “At first, I made an average of $200 a week for the mission, but now make an average of $600 a week. People are so generous, often giving more than what the items sell for. The biggest seller is the salsa. I go through about 24 quarts a week.” Each week he blends fresh tomatoes, onions, various peppers, garlic, and cilantro to create a salsa

that is requested from individuals as far away as New York and California. Dr. John said, “ Being involved in this mission effort and participating in fundraising for it is clearly something God wanted me to do. Everyone told me how hard it would be to get things accomplished in Bolivia, but it’s been the opposite. We’ve achieved so much. We’ve donated over $1 million in equipment. I’ve taught cardiology at hospitals. I’ve hosted other medical physicians. It’s just been rewarding and has worked out perfectly.” Every year, Dr. John needs to raise between $100,000 and $125,000 for Highlands-Bolivian Mission in order to assist with various fundamental needs in the country. On September 15, Dr. John and his crew will stage the Highlands-Bolivian Mission Auction at Wildcat Cliffs. For more information about the mission, fundraising events, or to assist financially, visit highlandsbolivianmission.com. Or, call (828) 200-0902. by Deena Bouknight

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Come Drive

the Mountains

The team behind the Highlands Motoring Festival will stage a unique Driving Experience from Friday, September 10, through Sunday, September 12. To register, visit highlandsmotoringfestival.com

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f the quieter roads of September have you longing to show off your carefully-calibrated slice of automotive genius, be sure to register for Highlands Motoring Festival’s Mountain Driving Experience, set for September 10-12. The organizers of Highlands Motoring Festival have constructed what they believe is the pinnacle of touring pleasure, taking advantage of the ideal season between the peak summer months and the October fall color season. It’s a time with better lodging availability, moderate temperatures, and less congested roads. This is primarily a driving event with tour routes designed to take advantage of the area’s twisty back roads that are less traveled. The route’s designers are fellow enthusiasts who want to share hidden secret roads. The run groups are limited in size to allow each group to stay together and enhance fellowship among enthusiasts. Sunday’s High Octane in the Mountains is intended to be a low-key gathering of interesting cars and their owners who will want to share their stories of a great weekend. On Friday, September 10, participants will join in a shorter version of One Lap of the Mountains. Like the HMF’s original, extremely popular One Lap of the Mountains, this event is a mountain driving experience beginning at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street. After a complimentary hot breakfast, there’ll be a backroads drive with a rest stop, returning by a different route to Highlands. The round-trip mileage of the tour is around 80 to 100 miles and

the return to Highlands in time for lunch ensures there’ll be plenty of time for shopping and enjoying the afternoon. Registration is required, and the cost is $180. On Saturday, September 11, One Lap of the Mountains returns to its traditional format and will roll out of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street in two groups on an approximate 175-mile driving adventure. The carefully-curated route will travel the area’s winding mountain roads, stopping for lunch, before returning to Highlands via a different route. Registration is required, and cost is $180. A Mountain Motoring Drive Bundle is $320. On Sunday, September 12, it’s High Octane in the Mountains from 8:00 A.M. to noon. High Octane is open to all cars and free to participants (no registration is required). The open format allows cars to come and go at their convenience. This will be a fun event with a focus on car owners and visitors sharing their mutual interest in cars. Coffee and donuts will be available. Meet at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Sunday morning. Visit highlandsmotoringfestival.com for more information and to register. by Luke Osteen

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Catch the Best

at Porchfest

All of downtown Highlands is the stage for Porchfest 2021, set for 1:00 P.M. Sunday, September 19.

Lindsay McCargar

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Spalding McIntosh

he Center for Life Enrichment (with support from Visit Highlands NC/The Highlands Chamber of Commerce) is putting together Highlands Porchfest 2021, a one-day, family-friendly musical event that’ll see musical acts performing across the town. Because of wide community support, these performances are free. With 26 acts already committed, Highlands Porchfest will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, September 19. Bands, singers, and instrumentalists are participating at no charge to showcase their talents and engage the community (though, of course, tipping is highly encouraged). Audiences will find performances all over town – The Bascom, 200 Main, Highlands Wine Shoppe, Sotheby’s, First Presbyerian Church of Highlands, the Croquet Lawn at Old Edwards Lodge, Town Square,

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Chambers Realty, Hudson Library, and the Highlands Performing Arts Center. “Because Highlands Porchfest will be primarily held downtown, attendees will be able to walk or bike as they move from location to location,” says Center for Life Enrichment Board Member Karen Hunt, who brought the idea for Highlands Porchfest to the board. “Beyond monetary donations, CLE is looking for additional musicloving volunteers to assist us the day of the event. Please email us at info@ highlandsporchfest.com or call the CLE office at (828) 526-8811, if you can help,” says Lee Garrett, President of Center For Life Enrichment. by Luke Osteen

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Three River

Fly Fishing

The Three River Fly Fishing Festival unfolds in streams all over this corner of Western Nor th Carolina, September 23-25.

he Three River Fly Fishing Festival returns September 23-25, offering anglers from near and far an opportunity to enjoy a weekend of fly-fishing fun and comradery. Now in its 10th year, this fund raiser for the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund offers men and women of all ages the chance to fish our miles of beautiful streams and rivers, while raising money for a worthwhile cause. Organizers hope that this year’s tournament will bring in a record number of teams and sponsors to make it the most successful event yet now that travel restrictions have lifted, and the rivers are calling. Festivities start on Thursday, September 23, with an opening night reception at Lullwater House that is open to all registered anglers, their guests, and the sponsors. This year’s festival itinerary also includes a special performance at the Highlands PAC by Trout Fishing in America on Friday, September 24. This entertaining duo has been writing songs, playing, and touring together for 40 years. Tickets are available to the public for this event with all proceeds going toward the scholarship fund. For information, visit highlandsperformingarts.com. On Saturday morning there’ll be a public casting clinic at Harris Lake near downtown Main Street. This free event will offer novices

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a perfect opportunity to learn the basics, while the more seasoned angler may find that they too can pick up a pointer or two. Bring your own equipment or the Highland Hiker will have equipment available. Teams of two fish all day on Friday and Saturday on local waters. Each team must catch fish from the three types of rivers in our area: delayed harvest, hatchery supported, and native. Teams can be guided or self-guided and the Highland Hiker can help with guiding arrangements if necessary. Saturday, the final day of fishing concludes with a closing night banquet and awards ceremony at Midpoint. It’s a perfect way to end the weekend, reflecting on the glory of two days on the river and telling tales of the perfect trout caught and the one that got away. Entry fees are $500 per team. For more information, to register a team or to become a sponsor contact Hilary Wilkes at hilary@ highlandhiker.com, or by calling (828) 526-0441. by Mary Jane McCall

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Murder and mayhem make their way to the Plateau in author Christopher Swann’s rural-noir A Fire in the Night. He’ll appear at Hudson Librar y at 12:30 P.M. Saturday, September 25, to talk about A Fire in the Night and his two previous novels.

I Christopher Swann’

Harrowing Horrors at the Hudson

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t turns out that with its dark twisted backroads and deep rhododendron thickets, the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is an extraordinary setting for an espionage thriller and an even better stage for a murder mystery. That’s the revelation at the heart of author Christopher Swann’s latest novel, A Fire in the Night. The tale’s retired professor and his estranged niece are on the run across Highlands and Cashiers as a killer closes in. Summer people and year-rounders and even people just passing through will recognize the locales that the characters bob and weave through. There’s even an extended scene within Hudson Library that’s wrought with tension. If you’ve never thought that Hudson could be the scene of mortal danger, this novel may plant a horrifying notion in the back of your head. Swann will appear at Hudson Library at 12:30 PM. Saturday, September 25, to talk about A Fire in the Night and his two previous novels. Reserve your seat today by calling the library at (828) 526-3031. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free event. Hudson Librarian Carlyn Morenus reminds everyone that murder is prohibited at the library and harrowing situations are normally kept to a minimum. by Luke Osteen

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The Spirits

of The Season

Half-Mile Farm by Old Edwards is hosting a full slate of hosted events to get you into the spirit of the season. These hosted events are only open to guests of Half-Mile Farm. For more information or reser vations, visit Half MileFarm.com.

alf-Mile Farm by Old Edwards will host a Bourbon Sipping by Gary Crunkleton, September 8-10. Crunkleton is the owner of The Crunkleton, a pair of storied bars in Chapel Hill and Charlotte where Signature cocktails and an unrivaled collection of curated spirits are served with style and finesse and are accompanied by as much of a story as you care to hear. “We aim to be mentioned in the same breath as the finest cocktail bars in the world, but with a honed approach to hospitality that is distinctly Southern,” says Crunkleton. He’ll be bringing that bravado and deep knowledge to the Social Hour Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. with craft beverages available from the J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern bar, along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live music. The September 10-12 Hosted Weekend with Blair Hobbs and John T. Edge at Half-Mile Farm by Old Edwards promises to reveal the inner workings of two extraordinarily gifted people. Both are wed to their passion for expression; hers manifested on canvas and in poetry and his articulated in print as an author, editor, columnist, and Director of the Southern Foodways Alliance. They are also wed to each other. It’s telling that their romance had its start at SFA’s 1998 inaugural symposium, when Blair stalked her husband-to-be with a plate of pig ear appetizers. Hobbs’ art is as irreverent as her courtship tactics and equally successful. John T’s latest book, The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South, was named a best book of 2017 by NPR, Publisher’s 46 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Weekly, and a host of others. On Friday and Saturday, Blair and John T. will host a social hour from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern will craft beverages during the hour, and there will be live music and hors d’oeuvres. In further celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month, HalfMile Farm guests are in for a real treat on September 15-17, when Tiffanie Barriere will be in the house in conjunction with Russell’s Reserve small batch bourbon and rye from Kentucky. Barriere will host Social Hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and offer a special tasting of Russell’s Reserve on Thursday afternoon. She’s the Bartender’s Bartender, an inf luencer and educator who has been awarded with some of the beverage industry’s highest honors. As an independent bartender she is known for creative and innovative cocktail menus, and connecting culinary and farm culture with spirits. As we shade into October and the Glorious Leaf Season, Half-Mile Farm will host Jim Chasteen and Charlie Thompson, founders of American Spirit Whiskey in Atlanta for an October 1-3 weekend of mixology fun. American Spirit Whiskey is a non-distiller produced product made from their recipe in Charleston, South Carolina, that can stand on its own in a glass with a few rocks. To learn more, visit HalfMileFarm.com.

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Fall Farm

Festival

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center’s Fall Farm Festival, set for Sunday, September 19, is a happy throwback to the har vest festivals that were once celebrated ever y autumn in mountain communities.

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ow about a fall festival with a farm twist and a touch of education thrown in? Not to be missed is The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center’s Fall Farm Festival held on Sunday, September 19, from 3:00 until 8:00 P.M. at their campus at 3872 Dillard Road in Highlands. Admission is $20 per adult and $10 for those under 18. This fun festival offers something for everyone, including traditional fall festival activities such as face painting, field games, and arts and crafts – but wait, there’s more! For starters, how about a petting zoo featuring the softest of rabbits, and a tour of the Many Hands Peace Farm during which you can feed the ducks and chickens? Or, you might want to watch a demonstration with raptors and experience a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent birds of prey. What fall festival would be complete without food? Start with a demonstration of the apple press and enjoy some of those offerings. If it involves an apple you’re sure to find it here. Some food is included in the price of admission,

and for those with heartier appetites larger bites will be available for purchase. Go foraging for fresh mushrooms and learn about our native edible species, followed by a tasting. If you’re looking for a way to wind down and recenter after all that activity, don’t miss the chance to go on a labyrinth walk or go on a sunset tour to the top of the mountain to catch sunset from the lookout tower. There will be live music and Appalachian storytelling. The Highlands Biological Station and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust will also be on hand with learning opportunities throughout the festival. This is an afternoon and evening of outdoor fun for the entire family. by Mary Jane McCall

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Colvin’s

Back

The voice of Shelly Colvin is somehow richer and more beguiling when per formed outdoors under Plateau skies. She’ll be at The Farm at Old Edwards’ Orchard Sessions Per former on Thursday, September 30. For updates and to book online, visit OldEdwardsHospitality. com/OrchardSessions.

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Shelly Colvin

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he description is irresistible – who among us does not want to listen to a voice described as “woozy and gorgeous as a California sundown”? That sound belongs to Shelly Colvin, who the same author described as “swirling up her own brand of lush, late-night roots rock.” For those of you who were lucky enough to attend the first night of the spring Bear Shadow Festival, it was Colvin who captivated the crowd with the music that she calls “desert folk” – sending the audience into a foot-stomping, dancing, and swaying frenzy. Now she’s back on Thursday, September 30, at the Orchard Session at The Farm at Old Edwards. Colvin has crossed borders and music genres from Alabama to California and the last decade spent in Nashville – from her gospel upbringing to classic Laurel Canyon Rock. Raised in Huntsville, Alabama, by her Baptist Minister of Music Father, she grew up singing and playing music with her parents, the three of them touring churches throughout Northern Alabama. After college graduation and moving to California, she began playing professionally – working with legendary singers/musicians Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman, one of the founders of the 70’s country rock-music genre and member of The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. The years there shaped her musical context, writings, and performances. More notably, she ultimately developed her unique

sound, a merger of Alabama with California, influenced by longtime heroes Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Jackson Browne. Through it all, she has refined her singular voice and pushed her creativity. She has written and recorded three full-length albums and collaborated on stage with John Prine, Wynona Judd, The Black Crowes, Emmylou Harris, and Ann Wilson, among others. Indeed, what lies ahead for attendees is an enchanting and magical evening – a chance to settle in for a night under the trees and darkening sky, swallowed up by the tunes of Shelly Colvin. Her seductive songs and enthusiasm are no less sparkling or beguiling than the emerging stars. The shows begin at 6:00 P.M. and finish at 8:00 P.M. There is a $25 cover charge for the public, with online sales opening two weeks in advance. Every ticket includes light bites and a cash bar. The session will move indoors to the new Orchard House in the event of rain. Visit OldEdwardsHospitality.com/OrchardSessions for updates and to book online. by Marlene Osteen

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Cashiers Valley

Leaf Festival Lose yourself in Cashiers’ original homecoming celebration – The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, slated for October 8-10 at the Village Green.

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he annual Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival will be held the weekend of Friday, October 8, through Sunday, October 10, in the heart of Cashiers at the Village Green. Each year as the weather turns cooler and the changing autumn leaves announce the arrival of fall with a blaze of color, over 100 national and regional artisans and merchants make their way to the Village Green located at the crossroads of Highways 64 and 107 for this annual celebration. Visitors will find unique handcrafted items for purchase including wood items, furniture, accessories, pottery, jewelry, patio furniture and accessories, garden sculptures, paintings, carvings, scarves, linens, and so much more. Part of the fun is taking the time to visit your favorite artists who love to share stories about their creations. If you’re looking for that unique one-of-a-kind piece for yourself or as a gift, you’ll find it here. During a typical Leaf Festival visitors will make their way through the myriad of craft booths while enjoying the food and drink available on site. Parking is free, restrooms are available, and it’s

the perfect venue for an idyllic fall day of fun for the whole family. Music is an integral part of this annual celebration showcasing local talent, and performances are scheduled throughout the festival. You’ll be treated to a vast array of local and regional talents playing music for every genre including Americana, jazz, blues, bluegrass, country, rock, and folk. A ticketed concert will be at 6:00 P.M. Friday, October 8, at the Commons with Isaiah Breedlove as the featured performer. Visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com/ concerts for updates on information for this live music opportunity. 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 P.M. on Sunday. For more information visit villagegreencashiersnc.com or visit their Facebook page. by Mary Jane McCall

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An Evening With

Ron Rash

The Center for Life Enrichment will introduce Plateau audiences to internationally-acclaimed author Ron Rash on Tuesday, September 7.

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Ron Rash

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any people became fans of Author Ron Rash’s work after reading his 2008 novel, Serena, about the early-20th-century lumber business in Western North Carolina. What made the story so compelling was not only the historic aspects and the fact that Rash captures to a tee both the harshness and the natural exquisiteness of the Appalachian mountains, but he also features a female character who is arguably the most subtly underhanded and cunningly vile antagonist ever penned in a narrative. The book became an unfortunate and forgettable movie, which Rash had nothing to do with, but Serena brought the author to the forefront and drew many to the native son’s decades of poetry and prose. An Evening With Ron Rash, set for 5:30 to 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, September 7, is the Center for Life Enrichment’s opportunity to not only spotlight the author’s achievements regarding the written word, but also provides participants a chance to have his latest book, In the Valley, signed – as a wine and cheese reception and book signing follows his presentation. Rash will read from In The Valley, which is a collection of short stories that includes his first novella. Janet Maslin of The New York Times described In The Valley

as “mesmerizing” and added that Rash is “one of the best living American writers.” Currently, he is the John Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University (WCU), and over the years he has won numerous awards, including the Guggenheim, O. Henry Award, and the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award in 2010 for Burning Bright. Rash will be introduced by Brian Railsback, Ph.D., a professor of English and the former founding Dean of The Honors College at WCU.  Dr. Railsback will collect questions for Rash from those who pre-register; the questions will be used as the basis for an interview after Rash’s reading. Pre-registrants can email their questions to brailsba@wcu.edu. by Deena Bouknight

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A Group with

Novel Ideas

The Bibliophiles Book Group, meeting at Alber t Carlton-Cashiers Community Librar y, is open to anyone passionate about good literature and lively discussion.

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he Bibliophiles Book Group in association with the Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library has announced its program for the 2021-2022 season. Presenters are local volunteers whose book choices are generally book award winners, such as the Booker Prize, and prized old classics. Discussions are generally lively and illuminating. “Consider coming to our meetings to enjoy literature in all forms,” says Bibliophile’s William McReynolds. “Our meetings are free and open to the public. If you know any avid readers, mention us to them as a gift to a book lover.” The Bibliophiles book discussion group meets in the Community Meeting Room of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library (249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers) on the second Wednesday of the month, beginning September 8. Meetings begin at 5:30 P.M. and end by 7:00 P.M.

Month

Title

Moderator

September

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

Carolyn Chabora

October

The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami

Lisa Slatten

November

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

Charlotte Collins

December

Citizens of London by Lynne Olsen

William McReynolds

January

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

Linda McReynolds

February

The Headmaster by John McPhee

Ann Austin

March

Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday

Jim Hendrix

April

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Laura Flaherty

May

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Bonnie Zacher

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Blessing of

the Animals If it’s true that ever y dog (and cat, and bunny, and goat, and therapy duck) has its day, mark October 2 on your calendar. That’s when local churches will stage the Blessing of the Animals at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

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trash cans for the animals, which must be he Blessing of the Animals is a traleashed or otherwise secured and under the dition in the Cashiers community owners’ control at all times. started by the Episcoal Church of the The tradition of animal or pet blessings Good Shepherd. is in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s Cashiers area churches will observe love for all of God’s creatures. St. Franthis annual event at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, cis, whose feast day is October 4, wrote a October 2, at The Village Green ComCanticle of the mons on Frank Creatures, an ode to Allen Road. The tradition of animal or pet all of God’s living Bring a chair blessings is in remembrance of things: “All praise to this gathering St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all of to you, O Lord, for with animals that God’s creatures. all these brother features music and and sister creatures.” prayer in celebraFor more information, contact the tion of all God’s creatures great and small. Church of the Good Shepherd onEach animal receives a special blessing. line at goodshepherdofcashiers.com Attendees are encouraged to bring a door (828) 743-2359. nation for the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society. Besides a monetary gift, items like blankets, rugs, towels, Milk Bones, unscentby Ann Self, Executive Director ed cat litter, and canned dog and cat food are The Village Green useful as well as always needed. The Village Green will provide water and

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Kristin Harmel

Michael Almond

Library Buzz

About Books Richly diverse authors are coming to the Plateau over the nex t six weeks to illuminate the past and spotlight some of the darkened corners of our present.

he Friends of Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library is sponsoring an author event featuring Kristin Harmel at 3:00 P.M. Friday, September 3, at The Village Green Commons. She’s The  New York Times-bestselling, USA Today-bestselling, and international bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into 29 languages and are sold all over the world. She’s also the co-founder and co-host of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction. Harmel will be signing copies of her books and sharing her newest novel, The Forest of Vanishing Stars. The historical fiction novel tells the story of a young woman raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe. When the invading Germans send many fleeing to the forest of Poland for refuge, the young woman, who has lived a sheltered and isolated life shares her knowledge and learns what it means to belong. To reserve your spot at this live author event, call the Albert Cashiers Library at (828) 743-0215. For more information visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com. Retired North Carolina attorney Michael Almond has embarked on a second career – as an author of a historical legal thriller. The Tannery is a novel that centers around the trial of a poor, mixedrace teenage boy accused of murdering a prominent young Jewish woman at the beginning of the Jim Crow era in North Carolina. While the story is set primarily in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the 60 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

plot weaves a turbulent post-Reconstruction Southern historical atmosphere with suspense as main character, attorney Ben Waterman, combats the Ku Klux Klan and a relentless, ambitious prosecutor to prove that the accused is not the person who committed a murder. Almond achieves drama in the writing by providing enthralling and dramatic twists and turns regarding the trial. Almond is scheduled to share his book and to speak atAlbert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library at a community event hosted by The Friends of the Library on October 22 at 3:00 P.M. He will also speak at a “Books and Bites” public event at Highlands’ Hudson Library on October 23 at 12:30 P.M. Almond was raised in the small town of Pilot Mountain, located in the Piedmont foothills of North Carolina. He received his undergraduate (Morehead Scholar) and law degrees (Morehead Law Fellow) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was a Fulbright Scholar in political science at the University of Mannheim, Germany. Almond weaves into the fictional tale a host of real historical figures, such as Furnifold Simmons, who was the chairman of the North Carolina State Democratic Party in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as George Henry White, an African American U.S. Congressman from North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District between 1897 and 1901.

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Dance in

the Dahlias

Highlands Historical Society’s Dahlia Festival, set for September 11-12, is a beautiful stroll through downtown.

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he ever-surprising beauty of dahlias will be on display all around downtown Highlands when the Highlands Historical Society stages its 11th Annual Dahlia Festival, September 11-12. In 2020, the Highlands Historical Society successfully reimagined the Dahlia Festival, since crowd size limitations prohibited the usual format. Thanks to innovative thinking and a relentlessly upbeat show-must-go-on spirit, the society managed to lift this popular event on the town’s calendar out of the Highlands Civic Center and stage it throughout the town itself. Since we’re somehow back in Covid-confused times, the 2021 Dahlia Festival, set for the weekend of September 11-12, will once more array dazzling vignettes of dahlias around town. Everyone on the Plateau will be treated to the free and socially-distant experience of beautiful dahlias and native plants arranged attractively in random places around town, with emphasis on historical sites. The beauty and bounty of this spectacular garden showstopper will be on stunning display; a joyful celebration of dahlias and native plants

sponsored by Highlands Historical Society. The enduring beauty of nature and the creativity of local dahlia lovers will provide us all a moment of beauty and joy, during a time when both are sorely needed. Individuals, groups, gardeners, garden clubs, and dahlia enthusiasts will be displaying vignettes throughout town. These beautiful creations will feature dahlias and native plants, and perhaps even a clever or humorous prop or two. Part of the fun will be discovering the vignettes while enjoying a stroll around town. Keys will be in place to direct people on this walking tour and each display will be identified, giving credit to the creators. It’s only fitting that the dahlia, a flower that has been grown and revered in our area for generations, has a festival in its honor, and even more so that the Highlands Historical Society makes it happen. Past, present, and future, these dazzling dahlias are to be celebrated and admired. by Marlene Osteen | photos by Wanda Cooper

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SE P T E M BE R

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“There is a clarity about September... the sun seems brighter, the sky more blue, the white clouds take on marvelous shapes; the moon is a wonderful apparition, rising gold, cooling to silver; and the stars are so big.” – Faith Baldwin

Cashiers Designer Showhouse, Cashiers Historical Society. Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M., below Highlands Methodist Church. Highlands Wine Shoppe Weekly Wine Tasting, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday Evenings with the Artist, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Whiteside Art Gallery. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 P.M., The High Dive. Curtains Up, 8:00 P.M., Highlands Playhouse.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M., Highlands Methodist Church. Highlands Wine Shoppe Wine Tasting, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday Evenings with the Artist, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Whiteside Art Gallery. Live Music, On the Verandah, (828) 526-2338. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 P.M., The High Dive.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M. Highlands Wine Shoppe Wine Tasting, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday Evenings with the Artist, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Whiteside Art Gallery. Live Music, On the Verandah. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 P.M., The High Dive.

Cashiers Designer Showhouse, Cashiers Historical Society. Green Market 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 P.M. St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Live Music, On the Verandah. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub. Curtains Up, 8:00 P.M., Highlands Playhouse.

Live Music, On the Verandah. Curtains Up, 8:00 P.M., Highlands Playhouse.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M., behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church, Live Music, On the Verandah.

High Octane in the Mountains, 8:00 A.M. to noon., Highlands Motoring Festival. Bel Canto Recital, 5:00 P.M., PAC. Live Music, On the Verandah.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M., behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. Live Music, On the Verandah.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M., behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church, Live Music, On the Verandah.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M., behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. • Art League of HighlandsCashiers meeting, 4:30 P.M., The Bascom. Live Music, On the Verandah.

First Annual Highlands Porchfest, 1:00-6:00 P.M., various locations downtown. Fall Farm Festival, 3:00 P.M., The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. Oyster Fest, 4:00-7:00 P.M., The Farm. Live Music, On the Verandah.

3 River Fly Painted FernFishing Festival Festival, of Art, 10Highlands A.M.-4 PM, location events. Rabun County Civic Center. Live Music, Show -On Bluegrass, the Verandah. Trout Fishing America, PAC Bravo Amici, in7:30 P.M., PAC .Live Music, On the Verandah.

Author Ron Rash, 5:30 P.M., Center for Life Enrichment Live Music, On the Verandah.

Green Market 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 P.M. St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Live Music, On the Verandah Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub.

Cashiers Designer Showhouse, Cashiers Historical Society. Author Event: Kristen Hammel, 3:00 P.M., Commons Hall. Concert on the Commons with Victory Belles , 5:00 P.M., Commons Hall, Village Green. Curtains Up, 8:00 P.M., Highlands Playhouse.

Mini One Lap of the Mountains, Highlands Motoring Festival. Friday Night Live concert, Highlands Town Square, 6:00 P.M.

Live Music, On the Verandah.

Cashiers Quilters meet 12:30 P.M. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church.. Green Market 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons. Live Music, On the Verandah. Highlands-Bolivian Mission Auction, Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub.

Live Music, On the Verandah.

Favorites through the Years,11:30 A.M., On the Verandah. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 P.M. , St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Green Market, 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons. Live Music, On the Verandah. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub.

Founders Day, Cashiers Historical Society. 3 River Fly Fishing Festival, Highlands location events. Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M. Highlands Wine Shoppe Wine Tasting, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday Evenings with the Artist, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Whiteside Art Gallery. Live Music, On the Verandah. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 P.M., The High Dive.

Village Nature Series: Howling for the Red Wolf, 5:00 P.M., The Commons, Village Green. Live Music, On the Verandah.

Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 P.M. , St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Green Market, 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons. Live Music, On the Verandah. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 3:15 to 5:30 P.M. Highlands Wine Shoppe Wine Tasting, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday Evenings with the Artist, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Whiteside Art Gallery. Betsy Paul Art Raffle, benefitting Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department.. Orchard Series: Shelly Colvin, 6:00 P.M., The Farm -Live Music, On the Verandah. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 P.M., The High Dive.

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Cashiers Designer Showhouse, CHS. Highlands Marketplace, 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Bazaar Barn, 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Book Bites: Kristin Harmel, 12:30 P.M., Hudson Library. Curtains Up, 8:00 P.M., Highlands Playhouse. Saturdays on Pine, 6:00 P.M., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Outlaw Whiskey Band, 6:00 PM, Town and Country General Store Concerts on the Commons: The Wobblers, 6:30 P.M., Village Green.

One Lap of the Mountains, Highlands Motoring Festival, Bazaar Barn, 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Saturdays on Pine, 6:00 P.M., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Bazaar Barn, 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Saturdays on Pine, 6:00 P.M., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Friday Night Live concert, Highlands Town Square, 6:00 P.M. Concerts on the Commons with High Five, 6:30 P.M., Village Green. Neil Zirconia Live, 7:30 P.M., PAC. .

3 River Fly Fishing Festival, Highlands. Friday Night Live concert, Highlands Town Square, 6:00 P.M.

3 River Fly Fishing Festival, Highlands. Highlands Marketplace, Kelsey-Hutchinson Park. Bazaar Barn, 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Painted Fern Festival of Art, 10 A.M. to 5 PM Rabun County Civic Center. Empty Bowls Project Drive Thru Event, 11:30 A.M., First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. Books & Bites: Christopher Swann, 12:30 P.M., Hudson Library. Saturdays on Pine, 6:00 P.M., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

30 View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

W H AT TO DO

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RECREATION & CREATION Pages 70-89

photo by Susan Renfro

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Salamander

Meander

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It’s a nighttime prowl in search of the Plateau’s shyest and most diminutive denizens.

n a couple of special nights over the summer, the Highlands Nature Center holds a Salamander Meander, where visitors can walk the trails of the Nature Center at night in search of salamanders. The Plateau has one of the most diverse salamander populations in the world and if people want to get up close and personal to see them first-hand, they mostly come out at night. “Getting out into the woods at night is when a lot of the smaller squishy things come out,” said Highlands Biological Station Educational Specialist Paige Englebrektsson. “Things that are easy prey during the daytime that don’t have many defense mechanisms, there’s fewer things to eat them at night.” While on the Meander, groups wandered the Nature Center’s trails using flashlights and found salamanders, slugs, snails, crawfish, and millipedes. Any time groups of children passed by any living creatures there was a flutter of excitement to identify it. “There so much to see out there at nighttime,” said Englebrektsson. “When kids are out there, I want them to have fun. They hear about salamanders at school, but if they don’t get out into the woods and see them, they’re not real to them yet. Getting out in nature and seeing things first hand helps them form a bond with the environment.” The Salamander Meander is one of the Nature Center Nights programs. Other nocturnal programs include Starlight Stroll, A Buggy Evening, and Going Batty. For more information about the Highlands Nature Center and its programs, click highlandsbiological.org/nature-center or call (828) 526-2623. By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News

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Anxiously Waiting

for Options

September brings us a meditation on the allure of Wild Trout and the guides who lead us into their hidden domain.

urned out; ground up; rode hard and put up wet. The dog days of summer take a toll on a fly-fishing guide here in the Southeast. It’s hot, the fishing can be sub-par, and you have to work way harder for less. The rain is good…it cools down the creeks and adds oxygen into the water. It’s all about timing though, sometimes only an hour of time separates an unfishable muddy mess of a stream to clearing water and hungry Trout. There’re fewer options in the summertime. The more sizable rivers, you know, the ones that are easiest to fish…they get too warm to fish in the summer. There’s fish there all right, but they have gone almost completely nocturnal, feeding only when the water temps are coolest, and finding cover and shade when it gets hot. It’s tough. You have to be able to cover water, which means you have to be able to walk up the creek. Flogging the same hole over and over again with your fly is simply wasting time.

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New techniques are taught in order to keep the client’s fly in the water more than in the trees. Here in the creeks the fish are wild, and they aren’t going to be fooled by a sloppy cast that immediately drags across the hole…no sir, that fly needs to float the current the same exact way that fish saw its last meal, and the one before that, and so on. Then, finally, the client connects to a rising Trout. After a short tussle, the trout is scooped up by the guide, and all the guide can think about in this moment is “please don’t say it…please don’t tell me that this Trout is as big as the bait you use down in Florida.” Every guide has heard it over and over again, and even though that statement is nothing short of the truth, it disgraces something that we put very high on a pedestal…the Wild Trout. A Wild Trout is the real thing, it was born in the stream instead of a concrete raceway, survived predation of many types, and in spite of feeding vigorously on every bug it could find over the last six years it has grown to a whopping nine inches long. These mountains are

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some of the oldest in the world, and over time have lost a lot of the minerals that make the streams fertile. One thing is for sure though, that nine-inch Wild Rainbow is more beautiful, and required way more skill to catch than any 20-inch stocked trout in the main river. The average client doesn’t get this, though. Oddly enough though, what’s most satisfying to a seasoned guide, is when one of his return customers books a trip during the time period of “many options,” runs through all the options on the phone, and their wishes are to go crawl around on rocks and hills in pursuit of those tiny wild fish. That’s when the guide knows he/she has done their job well! by Matt Canter, Brookings Fly Shop

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Deena

Heads West

Though this magazine is passionate about spotlighting people, and places and events for you to discover here on the Plateau, we recognize that sometimes we all need to Get Off The Mountain. Here’s our Deena’s take on one of her favorite destinations.

hile we seem to have everything we need in terms of majestic views and natural beauty here on the Plateau, individuals with wanderlust cannot help but feel the pull of other scenic spots far and wide. A small seasonal window exists to visit Grand Teton National Park, due to harsh late fall and winter weather, and it is a window recently taken and enjoyed. That window is from mid-May to late September, and opportunities abound to hike, bike, kayak, horseback ride, fish, camp, swim, and more. Bravehearts (i.e. winter weather enthusiasts) however, can enjoy the area for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

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Located in Wyoming, the Grand Tetons are 13,700 peaks, with Jenny and Jackson lakes serving as massive reflecting pools. The imposing views, hidden waterfalls, and obscure wildlife draw visitors from around the globe. Because of the short, warm-weather touristy season, accommodations are limited year-to-year. Thus, making plans to enjoy a place like Triangle X Ranch, inside Grand Teton National Park, must be made at least a year in advance due to limited capacity. And, as with all national parks, the main goal is preservation for future generations, so guests are required to respect nature

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in every possible way. According to National Park Service, Grand Teton National Park took decades to establish. Congress created the original park in 1929 to protect the Teton Range and several lakes at the foot of the mountains. In 1943, Franklin D. Roosevelt declared additional land in the valley to be Jackson Hole National Monument. In 1949, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., donated the land he purchased to the government to be included in the national park. In 1972, Congress established the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, which connects Yellowstone and Grand Teton, to honor Rockefeller’s philanthropy and commitment to the National Park System. To reach Grand Teton National Park, many visitors fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) since it is less than five miles away from the park’s Jackson entrance. A drive to Yellowstone is around 57 miles from Jackson Hole. by Deena Bouknight 75 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Tackling Upper

Silver Run

Silver Run Falls is a sweet destination for ever yone. Use caution if you set out to view Upper Silver Run Falls.

ilver Run Falls is a waterfall that we have visited many times over the years. It is most beautiful during periods of normal or abundant rainfall but is always worth a visit. The pool at the base of this 40-foot waterfall has a sandy bottom, and if the water level is not too high, it is a great place for the kids to play in the water. About a tenth of a mile upstream from Silver Run Falls is Upper Silver Run Falls. Most waterfall lovers do not even know it is there. It is only recommended for the most experienced hikers as, although it is short, it is exceedingly difficult. To get there it is necessary to

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traverse a near vertical wall using exposed roots to climb. It is also necessary to crawl through thick rhododendrons. Unlike Silver Run Falls, It is not a fun family hike. Trailhead Directions From the intersection of US 64 and NC 107 in Cashiers, go south on NC 107 about 4 miles. Look for a pullout on the left and park. Hike Description The hike leading to Silver Run Falls is short, only a few hundred

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At a Glance Waterfall Guide Enjoy this sampling of area water falls, for a deep dive visit thelaurelmagazine.com/recreation.

HIGHLANDS Bridal Veil Falls From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 2.3 miles west on US 64; Waterfall GPS: N35.07180 W-83.22910 Difficulty: You can park your car in a little parking area and walk 50 feet. Dry Falls From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 3.15 miles west on US 64 to a parking area on the left; Waterfall GPS: N35.06884 W-83.23869 Difficulty: There are lots of steps you must go down to get behind Dry Falls. Bust Your Butt Falls From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 6.35 miles west on US 64 to the pullout on the left; Waterfall GPS: N35.09268 W-83.26573 Difficulty: Don’t stop on the road itself! Glen Falls From the junction of US 64 and NC 106 in Highlands, drive 1.75 miles south on NC 106 and bear left at the sign for Glen Falls. Take Glen Falls Road, not Holt Road. Drive 1.05 miles to the parking area. Waterfall GPS: N35.03128 W-83.23829 Difficulty: There’s some climbing involved here.

yards. The trail to the first viewing spot of the falls has been greatly improved recently making it easy and safe for everyone. If you go beyond to the second view, be cautious as the trail has clusters of exposed roots and it becomes more difficult. by Ed and Cindy Boos

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.

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Floral

Bounty

Penstemon is an enchanting example of the f loral bounty that’s par t of the Plateau’s Natural Heritage.

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Tall White Beardtongue

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he astonishing thing about gardening – what compels us to dirty our fingernails and dig our hands deep into the soil is the chance to witness the metamorphosis of plant life. The everchanging evolution bears truth to the notion that on no given day can you observe the same patch twice. This is especially true on the Plateau, where our moderate climate and plentiful rain enrich plant life and the joy in cultivation. And so, I thought to bring to you here – a chance to watch in print the life cycle of a perennial over time from its initial planting to flowering and repose. I hope you will stay with me over the next few months. A big thank you to Rachel Martin, Botanist at the Highlands Biological Center, who was eager to assist and who replied at the end of July: “I wanted to reach out and propose a plant for the seasonby-season idea you had suggested. We’ll be doing quite a bit of planting in fall at HBS, and one of the things we’ll be adding is some Penstemon digitalis, Tall White Beardtongue. It’s a lovely herbaceous perennial that’s just finishing up flowering now but began last month – pollinators also are a big fan.” Martin’s selection is especially apt as increasingly locals are showing genuine community pride while supporting their garden’s ecosystems with the choice of locally indigenous species. A member of the Snapdragon family, Penstemon digitalis seems to

be better known by part of its scientific name (Penstemon) than by its common name, Tall White Beardtongue. The name derived from the stamens that bear tufts of short hair, like tongues with a beard. Outstanding in point of brilliance and growing 3 – 5 feet tall with 1.25-inch-long blooms over dark green foliage, Penstemon are particularly striking. Bearing tubular white flowers, tinged pink at the throat, the two-toned effect is quite dramatic when the plant is in full flower. Another notable feature of this showy plant is that it is not too fussy about planting sites, thriving in full sun or light shade. It adapts easily to cultivation, preferring moist to dry loamy soils, and can tolerate clay soil when well-drained. It is resistant to disease and of particular value to native bees, while the seeds and leaves are not attractive dining options for deer, rabbits, or other plant-eating animals. Ideal for the background or in sunny borders and a choice companion for a walk in the woods, this native plant is long-lived and thrives in a woodland setting. Prospective Penstemon planters can seek out examples at the Highlands Botanical Center. by Marlene Osteen

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Highlands

Field Site

Shuttered in 2019, the Highlands Field Site springs back to life with a new team of students/scholars led by Dr. Rada Petric.

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id you know that the Highlands Biological Station serves as a field site for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment? The Highlands Field Site program began in 2001 as an immersive, semester-long opportunity for students to explore real-world environmental issues through a combination of course work, field trips, group research projects, and internships with local organizations. This program was paused in 2019 and has now returned to the Station! In August, a new cohort of HFS students arrived at the Station to explore the ways humans affect the natural environment and the tools used to measure, understand, and communicate these impacts. Over the course of the semester, they will be immersed in various field experiences, gaining knowledge and skills to prepare for future careers in Environmental Science, Biology, Journalism, Public Health, and more. Guiding the students along this journey is the first-ever Director for HFS, Dr. Rada Petric. Dr. Petric is a Postdoctoral Researcher from UNCGreensboro, a multi-recipient of the Highlands Biological Foundation’s grants-in-aid of scientific research, and was a co-instructor of the Station’s Southern Appalachian

Mammals course this past June. This summer, she received the Foundation’s Ralph M. Sargent Memorial Scholarship for her work studying the effects of water quality on bat activity and community structure in freshwater along a developmental gradient. She is scheduled to be a featured speaker for the Foundation’s Zahner Conservation Lecture Series and will present Did Covid-19 Lockdown Alter Urban Bat Activity Patterns? A Case Study in North Carolina on Thursday, September 2, at 6:00 P.M. in the Highlands Biological Station meadow. This year, the Highlands Biological Foundation committed to helping the HFS program return to the Station by providing funding to UNC-Chapel Hill to support this new HFS Director position. Not only will Dr. Petric be charged with leading the HFS program, but she will also be implementing long-term research projects at the Station that students will participate in each fall. By supporting the Foundation, our members contribute to exciting programs such as this – programs that are focused on the future of students and the environment. by Winter Gary, Highlands Biological Foundation

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Northern

Parula

This elusive, treetop gem of the forest has a sweet, distinctive song.

mong the smallest avian presences in our forests, the Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) weighs only 1/3 of an ounce and has a wingspan of only six inches. A member of the colorful warbler family, parulas are migratory: They winter in Florida, eastern Mexico and the Caribbean, and navigate by stars at night to their summer breeding grounds in the Eastern U.S. from our southern states to Canada. This is a North American bird, called a New World species by ornithologists, appearing very rarely and anomalously elsewhere in the world. The adult male Parula sports blue-gray plumage overall with a greenish yellow patch on his back and 2 white wing bars. Breeding males have a bright yellow throat and breast with a chestnut necklace. Adult females lack the breast band and bright yellows. Both males and females have white eye crescents. Unusual in the avian world, the lower mandible is yellow. Their habitat includes deciduous and coniferous forests where hanging moss or lace lichen is abundant. Nests are built in hanging clumps of moss or lichen, usually high in the canopy or subcanopy at the ends of branches, and often near water. A small, hanging cup is built mostly by the female in four days. As many as seven speckled eggs are incubated 12-14 days. Fed by both parents, hatchlings fledge in 10-11 days. The monogamous couple might raise two broods in a 86 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

season and return to seasonal nesting sites year after year. Parulas feed mostly on insects – flies, caterpillars, wasps, ants, bees, and other insects – as well as spiders and insect eggs. They also eat small berries. Not being seed eaters, these little gems rarely land on backyard bird feeders. The Parula song is distinctive and highly recognizable. A rapid string of high pitched, rising buzzes usually ends with a singular, lower pitched “cheep.” This sequence is repeated in rapid successions from perching branches high in treetops: buzz, buzz, buzzzzz…cheep. Happy September birding from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. A good pair of binoculars will help you spot these precious birds. Listen for their buzzing song and aim your binoculars in their direction. The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, focused on enjoying and preserving birds and their habitats, is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society and a 501(c) (3) organization. For information on all our activities and membership, please visit www. highlandsaudubonsociety.org. by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society photo by William McReynolds

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Walking in

Muir’s Shoes

Before you hit the trail, make sure that your feet are happy – the right footwear choices can make all of the difference for your outdoor adventures.

he Mountains are calling, and I must go.” If you live here in Western North Carolina, or even if you’re just visiting, you can understand the passion that prompted this declaration by John Muir nearly 150 years ago. But here’s the thing, you can bet that the venerable Muir, one of America’s first Naturalists, understood the importance of taking care of his feet on his journeys. That’s the same John Muir who would often go into the woods with only a handful of dried corn and bread in his rucksack and who eschewed bedding, preferring to sleep on pine boughs. He made sure his feet were taken care of, kitted out in lace-up ox leather boots that were durable and flexible, yet rigid enough to give his ankles a measure of support. That same devotion to caring for his feet is evident today in our choices for hiking the trails and mountains that ring the Plateau. Nathan Smith, the manager of Highland Hiker Shoes, understands all of the components that go into a suitable hiking shoe or boot. “There are a lot of things to consider, but one of the biggest factors is making sure that the midsole is adequate to keep your ankle from twisting on a rock or a root,” he says. “Most of our companies do something called waterproof/ 88 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

breathable, which means that on a microscopic level water can’t get through, but they still allow heat and water vapor to escape.” Smith says that if someone is serious about finding the right shoe or boot for their hiking goals, they should come to Highland Hiker Shoes for a personalized shopping experience. “There are so many things to consider – the size and the contours of the foot, conditions like bunions and corns, the strength of their ankles. You want your fit to be correct in the store before you go out on the trail.” I asked Smith where he sends people once they’ve found the correct shoe or boot. He answered that the quick answer is Whiteside Mountain or Glen Falls for the authentic mountain trail experience. For those who may want something a little more off the beaten path, he recommends consulting The Highland Hiker Guide to Day Trips (available at the store). It provides a deep look at local hikes and their ease/difficulty. Josh LaVere of Bear Mountain Outfitters goes into even greater depth on an aspect of footwear that’s often overlooked by hikers – the myriad choices of sock styles. “It pays to make the right choice when you’re buying socks,” he says. “Because if you go out with a standard cotton sock, it’s not going

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Restoring the

Chestnut

An innovative program of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians aims to restore the majestic American Chestnut to the forests of Western Nor th Carolina.

to wick away the moisture away from your feet, and you’ll soon end up with wet feet and wet boots. You want to invest in a sock that has moisture wicking as a feature. “Also, you want to have a sock that has some padding, because even if you’re wearing a good hiking boot or shoe, your feet still put up with a pounding. You want to avoid blisters, which can ruin your hike and make you miserable for the next few days.” According to LaVere, common misconceptions about wool socks – that they’re hot in the summer and they’re only good in the winter – are in fact just that. “They actually keep you cooler in the summer because of their breathability. I wear them hiking all the time, and I’m even wearing them here in the store.” LaVere says that the staff of Bear Mountain Outfitters are able to provide individual attention to those trying to make sock choices since, as Highland Hiker’s Smith emphasized, everyone comes in with different hiking plans and, of course, different types of feet. Highland Hiker Shoes is located at 547 Main Street in Highlands. Highland Hiker at 47 Highway 107 South in Cashiers offers the same footwear selection. Bear Mountain Outfitters is located at 357 Main Street in Highlands.

he Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has partnered with The American Chestnut Foundation to bring what used to be a thriving tree species back to the Western North Carolina mountains. While the fruits of the labor involved require great patience – due to the fact that the trees’ revival may not be clearly evident for many years – Joey Owle is excited and optimistic. Owle is EBCI’s secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and he explained that before the invasive chestnut blight pathogen reduced the mighty American chestnut to stump sprouts, Native peoples for thousands of years made a cough syrup from the leaves of the tree, and they also took an infusion of year-old chestnuts for heart trouble. In addition, chestnuts were roasted, ground into flour for cakes and bread, and stewed into puddings and soups. In the future, the area will once again enjoy the beauty and practicality of the American chestnut tree due to a partnership between EBCI and TACF. In the works is the establishment of a demonstration orchard for the restoration of the tree using local genetics; the site will also be where there will be scientific progress on developing blight-resistant American chestnuts and seed production for distribution across tribal lands. Owle said, “I hope that one day in the future, 200, 500, a thousand years from now, those generations can stand next to a 6- or 8-foot diameter chestnut tree in our mountains and be able to trace the story of that tree back to today.” Some seedlings will be planted in the orchard this fall. Owle added, “We are still in the preliminary stages, but it’s exciting to think of people a decade or more from now making chestnut bread out of nuts from these chestnut trees. Having grown up on the boundary, I learned about how integral the environment and its resources were to our way of life. I am proud to be a part of this project that aims to restore a component of our traditional way of life.” For those of us on the Plateau, if these experiments are successful, the American chestnut will return to the woodlands surrounding us and assume its place as the most cherished tree in the forest. (For more information, consult Luke Osteen’s Toxaway Memories in last month’s Laurel.)

by Luke Osteen | photo by Susan Renfro

by Deena Bouknight

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photo by Susan Renfro

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Ansley Tolleson’s passion for the beauty of Highlands is evidenced by her designs appearing in homes around the world and, as a matter of fact, this magazine.

n 2020 The Laurel magazine had a makeover. The cover’s look and layout were revamped by talented graphic designer Ansley Tolleson. While we honor her as this month’s cover artist, it’s really her graphic design contributions that we celebrate. Her masthead, text layout, font style, etc., are now the bones of every cover. Ansley and her family live in Nashville, but their hearts belong to Highlands. The entire Tolleson family spent over 1,000 days in Highlands falling in love with the people, the scenery, the look and the feel of the town. During that time Ansley sold her half of an environmental graphic design firm in Nashville. She’s now working for clients on The Plateau. She’s always on the lookout for artistic inspiration, poster subjects, and clients. “I design with space in mind,” she says. She doesn’t see things flat. Her vision is always in the context of depth. Maybe that’s why she is drawn to the mountains. Her poster idea came during her stay in Highlands. She noticed

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visitors had limited take-home visual reminders of their stay, so she photographed five of her favorite Plateau scenes: Dry Falls, Whiteside, Sunset Rock, The Bascom bridge, and Highlands Hiker’s Joe Webb cabin. She hired her go-to illustrator to stylize the vistas, using Nature’s colors in high contrast – greens and blues against mineralinfused grays, electric white, and energetic browns. She printed them, employing archival paper for long-lasting reproductions. Posters are available at Calders Coffee Cafe, The Bascom Gift Shop, Highland Hiker, and through local online supplier ThePlateau.co. The Tollesons look forward to being permanent Highlands residents again someday, but in the meantime, Ansley is available for commissions, logo design, map design, event posters, and more. Of course, the Spirit of Highlands Poster Series will continue to grow. Hang groupings of these icons of the Nantahala on your wall wherever you call home. Ansley’s email is ansleytolleson@gmail.com and you can find her on Instagram: @Spiritof HighlandsTM.

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Glass Treasures

For ar tist Beth Bowser, a 2400 degree kiln keeps her passion for kiln formed glass burning bright.

lass artist Beth Bowser was fascinated with stained glass creations as a child. Perhaps the transcendent way light shone through the church windows was a calling not only to glass artistry but to the ministry. She began studying glass art in 1980, working around her other calling. It’s no surprise her first class was in stained glass. After several decades of working with and learning the qualities, challenges, tools, and vocabulary of stained glass, she upped the ante and began exploring the art of heating/melting glass. Kiln-formed glass is just what it sounds like. Put glass in a kiln and use heat to shape it to a desired finished product. However, it isn’t quite that simple. Each piece needs a firing schedule that controls

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how fast the glass is heated and held at certain temperatures, and how slowly it cools down. Once it has completely cooled, the kiln can be opened to reveal the richly colored, textural, heavenly outcome, and sometimes havoc that a hot furnace can create. Beth continually experiments with the many methods of kilnformed glass including slumping, draping, pressed glass, pot melts, castings, bumps, and freehand sculptures. Her next adventure is to experiment with combing glass, which requires a special ”rake” to “comb” through layers of molten glass (think 1600+ degrees F) to create a new pattern of color, depth, and mystique. Over the decades Beth has designed stained glass pieces as well as kiln-formed pendants, plates, vases, trays, serving dishes, glass

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21st Century

Sculpture

The Bascom closes out the year with exhibits that explore the boundaries of 21st centur y sculpture, the heritage of mosaics and the surprising richness of the local ar t scene.

sculptures, and more. She’s owned small kilns along the way, but in early 2020 she happened upon a very large kiln at a price she couldn’t refuse. She laughs and says, “The thing is so big, I tell my friends that if I go missing to check the kiln first.” Beth’s work can be found in The Bascom Gift Shop, Gallery 1 in Sylva, and in the Tsartistry Gallery on US 64W in Franklin. She also welcomes guests to her studio by appointment. Contact her by email at bethb272@gmail.com.

hat is sculpture? What is play? The Bascom’s final exhibition of the year in the Bunzl Gallery explores what contemporary sculpture is and looks like and how the medium can best be utilized to visualize the notion of play. The exhibit is curated by renowned artist Gregor Turk. Turk is a self-proclaimed topophiliac, with a deep connection to the world around him, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hailing from Atlanta, Turk has traveled the length and breadth of the country to understand the appeal of what geographic information tells us about ourselves as individuals and as a culture. He received his MFA from Boston University and has permanent public art installations in the International Concourse at the Atlanta Airport and the Jacksonville Airport. The Contemporary Sculpture exhibit will be in the Bunzl Gallery from September 13 through December 30. The Craft to Art Series: Mosaics will be on display in the Thompson Gallery beginning September 18. Our fourth installment in our Craft to Art Series covers Mosaics and their history of use from wall decorations to modern fine art pieces. The Craft to Art Series seeks to bring about discussion regarding media that have long histories in craft and a vital resurgence in fine art. Our guest curator, Paula Smith, has been an accomplished artist for more than 35 years. After 22 years as an art instructor, she’s now the head of the Ceramics Department at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. A year at The Bascom wouldn’t be complete without an exhibition of the talented members of the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers. The Art League holds monthly meetings at The Bascom during the summer season and sponsors presentations from established artists. The ALHC exhibition opened in the Joel Gallery on August 28 and will be open through December 31. by Ashley Stewart, The Bascom 97 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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We All Live in a

Yellow Quarantine

Well, it turns out that All You Need is Love (and a strong back) to transform a hillside into a Magical Myster y Garden.

Yellow Submarine artist Jeanie Edwards

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ou’d be forgiven if, upon your first encounter with the hillside garden fronting Sharon Mattocks Elder’s home on Hickory Hill Road in Highlands, you’re convinced you’ve been plunged headfirst into a fanciful pile of Beatles lyrics. That’s because over the last year and a half, Sharon’s been cultivating her landscape into the most Beatle-esque terrain this side of Strawberry Fields in Sharon Elder New York City’s Central Park. “It’s just a Covid project that somehow took over my life,” she says. “My Beatlemania Garden is almost finished...well, I’m still looking for a few more plants to fill in empty spaces and I’m pulling weeds that evidently threw a wild party and invited all their thuggish weedy friends while I was on my three-week road trip.” At the center of this living work of art (people stop in the middle of her quiet Mirror Lake street to snap photos) is an eye-popping Trompl’oeill Yellow Submarine Propane Tank (courtesy of Highlands artist Jeanie Edwards), complete with four cartoon Beatles looking through portholes at the Octopus overseeing the playground. All the plants in this garden were selected because they have Beatle-inspired names. For instance, you’ll encounter Twist & Shout

Hydrangeas; and Penny Lane Hostas; All My Loving Roses; Magical Mystery Tour Daylillies; and Sun King Aralia among the two dozen varieties. And just to drive the point home, there’s the strawberry tower planter filled with strawberry plants with a Strawberry Fields Forever sign. “I have Sergeant Pepper Garden Gnomes and a few metal love and peace signs scattered around,” says Sharon. “I have a metal blackbird and a small blackbird garden flag with the lyrics: ‘You were only waiting for this moment to arise.’ “I had a custom metal Beatlemania Rock Garden sign made and added metal musical notes on stakes for each side. And my sweetspirited son, Phillip, mounted my John Lennon tree face to watch over the whole garden. “It’s been a long project (perfect for COVID isolation) that took a LOT of time, thought, and work, but it has been fun and I like the almost finished project. Each day I take a walk on “The Long and Winding Road” garden path and smile. I love it— yeah, yeah, yeah! by Luke Osteen

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Beautiful

Noise

The concer ts offered at Highlands Per forming Ar ts for the month allow audiences to feel, truly feel, the music.

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eptember is packed full of fabulous live music at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Friday, September 17, at 7:30 P.M. brings the sounds of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline with a tribute concert by Neil Zirconia, the fabulous faux Diamond. Neil Zirconia will take you on an exciting journey down memory lane, that only Neil himself can inspire. His unique baritone voice and singing ability amazingly resemble Neil Diamond, you won’t believe your ears. Neil Zirconia has perfected all the emotion, excitement, and the magic that is Neil Diamond. His impeccable professionalism and the ability to remain true to The Solitary Man, will give everyone an evening to treasure, filled with Yesterday’s Songs and Beautiful Noise. Bravo Amici has wowed audiences all over the world, from London to LA, Miami to Moscow, St. Moritz to Sardinia, New York to New Zealand. Combining the essential elements of classical crossover – pop, Broadway, the West End and opera – this group of endlessly talented friends and stage stars melts hearts and blows minds in every theater they perform, becoming a worldwide phenomenon over the years. With a show that not only entertains and excites audiences, but also connects with them on a deeper level, guaranteed to be a concert you’ll never forget because of how they made you feel. Join us at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, September 26.

Fleetwood Mask is the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band in the U.S. They’re endorsed by Mick Fleetwood, who states “I’m glad to know the music of Fleetwood Mac is in good hands indeed.” The band performs the greatest hits from the early 1960’s blues band with Peter Green, through the most popular line-up of Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie. Fleetwood Mask has perfected their amazing tribute to one of rock’s legendary bands. With hundreds of performances under their belt, they are consummate professionals that deliver the best to audiences across the U.S. Join in the fun on Friday, October 1, at 7:30 P.M. The Live via Satellite featuring the MET Opera and the National Theatre of London starts up in October 2021. Check the website for titles and dates. Tickets are available online at HighlandsPerformingArts.com. We’re located at 507 Chestnut Street. by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

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On With

The Show

A newly-invigorated calendar promises that there won’t be any Sleepy Season for Highlands Playhouse.

magine a year of Highlands Playhouse theatrical presentations with no seasonal intermissions, from now through January 2023. It would be chock full of plays, musicals, first-run movies, curated films, and surprise one-night-only events like The Scott & Patti Show. Every month, right through the winter interlude into early spring, the Playhouse would offer exciting, engaging entertainment, live and filmed. And here’s the good news: You don’t have to imagine it. It’s happening already. According to Highlands Playhouse Executive Director Scott Daniel, “The Plateau has evolved. The Pandemic’s gift of workingfrom-home has made it practical for a lot of people to live here fulltime. The Playhouse has grabbed this opportunity to expand the season. New, year-round residents, friends of performing arts, will add to our donation/sponsorship contributions. That will expand our quality, professional shows, drawing theater-lovers from all over Western Carolina.” Looking ahead, the Fall Show in October promises to be a sellout. Music in Motion is a huge draw. This year it will run though most of October. Scott says, “While we are confident we have the patrons to support it, we will continue to analyze each month, measuring successes, then using that data as a guideline for upcoming seasons, year-round.

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And here’s more: A Fright-Night-Creature-Feature with a trulyghouly film (the audience might boo more than the actors do) will kick off Halloween. In November look for food-theme films, a toast to Highlands Food and Wine Fest. While there’s no foodie film fest as in the past, the cinema will be deliciously food-specific. From the first weekend of December to Christmas Eve, delight in the joys of holiday performances. Films will take a break New Year’s through February and resume with a new curated cinema series in March, 2022. The Highlands Playhouse goal is to focus their mission: Engage, Enrich, and Enlighten their audience through art and art education. They are planning a fun-packed art-ed program with outreach to schools’ music, theater, and dance. Summers for high school and university theater students will focus on production. Integrating students’ talents with the crew and assigning them to teams will give them a satisfying taste of what professionals do daily. Keep abreast of the latest Highlands Playhouse happenings by visiting highlandsplayhouse.org. by Donna Rhodes

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Art League

News at The Bascom The Ar t League of Highlands-Cashiers will explore the directions of The Bascom and the future of the Ar tistic Community on the Plateau.

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Dr. Karin Peterson

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he September meeting of the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers will be held at The Bascom on Monday, September 27. The program will begin at 5:00 P.M. following a wine reception at 4:30. The guest speaker will be Dr. Karin Peterson. Dr. Peterson joined the Bascom earlier this year as its Executive Director. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia (Charlottesville), an advanced degree from L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris, France), and is an alumna of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (Lynchburg, Virginia). For the past two decades she has been a Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina Asheville, recently served as Interim Provost of UNC School of Arts, and previously held the same position at UNC Asheville. Dr. Peterson embraces the strategic plan of The Bascom that recognizes the importance of the visual arts in the community, and she will employ her unique interdisciplinary skillset to guide the expansion of the programs and reach of The Bascom in Highlands and the surrounding communities. Her presentation at the

September meeting will include a guided tour of the current exhibit in the Bunzl Gallery. This exhibition, Contemporary Sculpture, explores what contemporary sculpture is and looks like and how the medium can best be utilized to visualize the notion of play. This presentation, which is free and open to the public, promises to be informative and entertaining. For more information about the Art League, visit artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com. by Zack Claxton Art League of Highlands-Cashiers

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New

Generation Though she’s updated its appearance and tweaked its stable of ar tists, Susan Whiteside Williams has preser ved her father’s generous animating spirit in The William Whiteside Ar t Galler y. Discover for yourself at 1057 US 64 West in Cashiers or visit whitesidear tgaller y.com

t was 1975. Artist William Whiteside and most of Cashiers were ambling along a temporarily closed Highway 64. It was a unique parade, reminiscent of an old-fashioned barnraising. Friends and family, many with toddlers and dogs, strolled alongside seven pieces of a church (sectioned for easier transport) that Whiteside had recently purchased. Whiteside was the only sealed bidder, so it was meant to be. Cashiers Baptist built a new brick building and retired the small white church in the early 1960s. William, known as Bill to most, rented it in the summers for teaching art lessons. So when the church was placed on the market, it seemed natural for him to purchase, move it, and start the William Whiteside Art Gallery in 1976. Over time it became a landmark. In 2014 Whiteside finally retired. This year his daughter, Susan Whiteside Williams, re-opened the Gallery along with her husband, Peter, who recently retired from The 106 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Coca-Cola Company. While it retains its historic essence (much of it built in 1865), Susan has contemporized its look and its feel: beautifully textured walls, wow-floors, antique doors, all accompanied by welcoming music and state-of-the-art lighting. She’s broadened its stable of artists to include accomplished painters from the Southeast to California to Bulgaria. With the new artists comes a more contemporary, impressionistic style. Susan was groomed for the job. The youngest of three children, she was bundled up (older brothers left at home) and carried along on show-judging exhibitions. Her dad would point out painters’ successes and failures, then ask Susan for her opinion. Over time, she became quite the critic. Her immersion in the arts early-on introduced her to the Wyeths (in person) and other art icons. After her dad retired, she missed the energy of that artistic crowd. After two years of renovations it was time to host a grand re-

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Peter and Susan Whiteside Williams

opening in Cashiers. Sales the first week the gallery doors swung open wasn’t just successful – they were a triumph. In the first 10 days (July 2021) an impressive number of high-end works and commissions were sold. Perhaps it’s names like Dirk Walker, George Charriez, Jen Starwalt, William A. Whiteside, William Colburn, Annell Metzger, Ann Taylor Duease, and Karen Weihs that draw serious collectors. Or perhaps it’s the beautiful setting and the knowledgeable staff. Or maybe it’s the William Whiteside magic. Most likely, it’s a delicious combination of all the above. A century of Whitesides, with one wide stroke, leaves its artistic mark on the world. Visit whitesideartgallery.com to view times and events. Sign up for email gallery news. And don’t miss Thursday Evenings with the Artist, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. by Donna Rhodes

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I A Home on

Wilder Shores

Local author Susan Posey walked the miles of her ancestors to deliver A Home on Wilder Shores.

n order to write her debut book, A Home on Wilder Shores, local author Susan Posey walked in the footsteps of two many-times-great aunts, who are the main characters in the novel. In fact, research took Posey – along with her husband, Bill Jacobs, author of the non-fiction book, Whence These Special Places? to Wales, where the great aunts were born, and to the Rhys’s (on her mother’s side) 12th century castle. “We saw the stone effigy of our Rhys ancestor, who built the castle, a ruler in Southern Wales,” said Posey, who spoke in July at the Hudson Library in Highlands. The couple also visited The Wales Botanical Gardens to learn the herbal recipes the sisters would have known in the 18th century. She wanted to truly understand the origins of the two sisters, who immigrated to America and were “herb-women,” who collected medicinal plants in the 1750s on their way to the North Carolina frontier. In the book, sisters Ardath and Gwyn arrived in Philadelphia, after traveling by ship and losing their father to smallpox during the journey, and they traveled alone down the path that became the Great Wagon Road. Posey also decided to spend time traveling what was the “road” – and is now a series of byways and highways – that extended through the Great Appalachian Valley from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. She stopped at historic sites, took copious notes, and tried to see, feel, and understand what her relatives experienced on their primitive trail. Defined as a “saga” by some readers and reviewers, A Home on Wilder Shores provides vivid imagery of the Colonial time period. The conflict, how two women alone manage without a man in a new and strange world, reveals the characters’ courage, determination, and self-reliance. On her literary research journey, Posey visited many historic sites that may have been encountered by her great aunts, such as Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, Pa., and the first Moravian village, near Winston-Salem, N.C. by Deena Bouknight

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The Intricacies

of the Heart

For Annell Metsker’s evocative por traits, the life of the hear t is always the hear t of the matter.

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or artist Annell Metsker, long known for her mastery of photography, the transition to oil painting is part of a lifelong quest to capture the intricacies of the heart. She still takes photographs and uses them as reference, but today she considers herself first-andforemost an oil painter. Annell’s happiest portraying a human or pet, capturing bold color, shape, form, and texture at peak light. She paints a dramatic story, establishing the subject’s true character with daubs, layers, and textural smears of impasto in photo-realism, impressionism, or abstraction. While many of her portraits, particularly those of pets, are often an homage to a cherished fourlegger now waiting at the Rainbow Bridge, one of her most poignant works of art is that of a child. Annell shares the experience, “I painted a firsttime mom (at age 42) and her newborn. Every six months I created photo-realism paintings of her daughter. By age two-and-a-half the mom was satisfied with my process and allowed more creative freedom for what I call my Angel Portrait. As I

studied the daughter’s face I kept thinking, ‘This child is truly an angel.’ “Months after unveiling the Angel Painting, I received a call from her grandmother. She said her daughter and baby were casualties in an auto accident. She said the paintings were a great comfort, for they captured her loved ones’ spirits. She felt their presence. I still get gooseflesh thinking of the foreshadowing of that sweet Angel.” It’s the heart she paints into her art that makes it so captivating. Annell’s art can be viewed at Whiteside Gallery in Cashiers. She can be contacted through her website, annell.com, or email her at annell@annell. com, or call (704) 996-0559. She’ll discuss your commission goals, background settings, wardrobe choices, and all the factors built into her art. Email several photos to get started, or set up a shoot at her Covid-free studio. by Donna Rhodes

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Mystery Musical

Love Story

Highlands-Cashiers Players takes on the Issue of the Age – Covid-19 – with a light-hear ted (yes, lighthear ted) musical. The Great Pandemic – a Myster y Musical Love Stor y will be staged at Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center, October 14-17 and 21-24. For more information, visit highlandsper formingar ts. com/hcp. Craig Eister

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ike much else set asunder in the past tumultuous 16 months, there was the Highlands-Cashiers Players schedule. They were in the midst of their 25th season when Covid hit in the spring of 2020. The usual seasonal timetable was disrupted by the pandemic, and the March 2020 dinner theater and the May 2020 Agatha Christie play were canceled, as were the fall 2020 and spring 2021 performances. HCP board member Craig Eister had been monitoring things from the start, and with the full endorsement of the board, determined to begin anew with their first show in nearly two years. That will be the October 14-17 and 21-24 performances of an original play, written by Eister. Six years ago, Craig moved to Highlands. He had long yearned to try community theater and was welcomed to the community “with open arms.” Eister says that the idea for the play, called The Great Pandemic – a Mystery Musical Love Story, came to him as “we were trying to figure out what type of play should debut after the extended hiatus.” He realized that he could pen a play marrying all the suggested themes – a love story, musical, and mystery in one piece. Eister spent three months writing during the shutdown. “When the ideas started coming to me, I would be walking down the street, something would hit me, and I would have to stop

and jot it down.” Craig drew on his lifelong commitment to issues of diversity and inclusion; the notion “that everyone matters.” Yet he manages to address these themes playfully, producing a play that is both upbeat and light-hearted. For instance, there is a scene where he does a funny take on a Zoom call. “It’s a way to commemorate this piece of history, to portray this moment in time, and have fun with it.” There’s even a scene featuring the performer Cher. Music and lyrics were composed by Eister in conjunction with Les Scott, Director of Music at the Highlands United Methodist Church. As of this writing, the all-volunteer troupe has been cast. Among the talented actors are frequent past performers, David Spivey, Robin Phillips, Elizabeth Gordon, Michael Lanzilotta, Jamie Thomas, and Randy Lucas, Minister of the Highlands United Methodist Church. Also in the play are local up-and-coming talents, Mandy Houston, Gardner Davis, Alan Neely, and Rachel Mattingly. The two-act play will be staged in an intimate cabaret setting with tables for two and wine will be available. For more information about HCP and its performances, visit highlandsperformingarts.com/hcp. by Marlene Osteen

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Worth the

Wait

For poet Richard Betz, a lifetime of obser vations and silent reveries has found expression in his f irst book, Bells in the Night. You’ll f ind copies at Shakespeare & Company, 204 Nor th 4th Street in Highlands.

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Richard Betz

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ocal poet Richard Betz recently published his first book, Bells in the Night, at the age of 72. The book has been praised by local author and retired professor of English and comparative literature Ran Shaffner, as well as by Thomas Rain Crowe, author of Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods. “Betz has waited all this time for his first book of poems,” Crowe said. “And for us readers, it’s worth the wait.” Most people know Betz from his career in public service as Highlands’ Town Planner and Town Administrator, or from his second career in real estate with Country Club Properties, where he worked several years with his wife, Martha. Or, they know Betz as an avid runner. However, few locals knew Betz was a bard. He graduated with honors from Rollins College with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. Although he always enjoyed writing poetry, he explained that a time-consuming career and raising a family prevented him from spending as much time as he would have liked writing poetry. “When I retired, I entered some poetry contests and had some modest success,” he explained. In fact, his poems have been published in the North

Carolina Literary Review (NCLR), and he is a six-time finalist in the James Applewhite Poetry Prize. “For me, poetry is many things: a way of celebrating the joys and the beauty of the natural world around us, of seeing more clearly, and of seeking a deeper understanding.” Crowe praised Betz’s skill and Bells in the Night: “These poems reflect the humble inner and outer lives of the author in poetic detail and profound musings.” In the book’s forward, Shaffner wrote, “His poems ring with the clink of cowbells, the clang of a hemlock branch on a metal roof, tick-tock crickets, the soft fall of a poplar petal into a cobweb, the rasping and screeching of iron on iron, the whispering water of fallen mountains, and the siren song of gravity.” Bells in the Night is available online and at Shakespeare and Company, located in Highlands. by Deena Bouknight

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DINING Pages 122-133

photo by Susan Renfro

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Gourmet

to Go

A quintessential Plateau dining experience reaches some sor t of peak per fection, thanks to Rosewood Market. Rosewood is located at 117 Franklin Road in Highlands (adjoining the Citgo Station). You can stop in or call ahead at (828) 526-0383.

recurring theme of my restaurant reviews during this strange year of liberation and lingering low-level anxiety has been the absolute divinity of experiencing an exquisite meal in the company of dear friends. This month’s dining experiment was built upon a Saturday visit to the teeming deli cases and groaning fridge units at the bustling heart of Rosewood Market. Don’t think my use of the word “bustling” is hyperbole. There was literally a line waiting for them to open the doors at 11:00 A.M., and we poured in. I was representing seven hungry diners, so I was prepared to take out a broad assortment of Rosewood’s made-fresh offerings. I mention “seven” because it’s important that you understand the possibilities and perils inherent in such a mission. Seven separate palates, seven radically different sensibilities, and seven hyper-intelligent critics

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who were willing to turn the Snark Meter to 11 on poor Rosewood and (more importantly) me, if everything wasn’t exemplary. Because Rosewood’s takeout menu varies every day, I just had to guess at the choices, hoping to appeal to everyone. But over the decades, Rosewood Market has earned a reputation for superior food offerings both in its takeout business and its catering presentations, so I couldn’t go too wrong. Here’s what I left with: Beef Tenderloin; Crab Cakes; Stuffed Ravioli; Broccoli Slaw, Twice-Baked Potatoes; Squash Casserole; Butter Bean Salad; Curried Chicken Salad; Fresh Fruit Salad; Roasted Asparagus; Roasted Brussel Sprouts; Blackberry Cobbler; Berry/Lemon Cake; Coconut Pie; and Buttermilk Pie. And exquisite Fried Chicken. Lots of Fried Chicken. Because it was not quite ready when the doors opened, there were those

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among us in that first push who had to cool their heels until it was reverently placed in the deli case. They had come strictly for that chicken. Good choice! So you see, I left with bulging bags of food, but we were planning to meet at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for a Saturdays on Pine Concert. This was going to be a musical picnic, and for a picnic among friends you have to bring plenty for everyone to sample and share. It’s just not a picnic if there isn’t sharing and the attendant laughter and hijinks. The good people of Rosewood Market came through for me, and for our picnic, and for our concert experience. I’ve already rhapsodized about the glorious Fried Chicken, but let me also single out the Broccoli Slaw, the Roasted Asparagus, the Buttermilk Pie, and the Fresh Fruit Salad. (You probably didn’t expect to see Fresh Fruit Salad making the Honor Roll, but as Tricia pointed out, so often the fruit salad you get in a restaurant isn’t like the stuff that ends up on your dining room table – restaurants lack the patience to allow their fruit to ripen and achieve the ultimate sweetness and the perfect texture. The kitchen at Rosewood is very, very patient.)

It was, in all, a quintessential picnic, accompanied by a fun concert under a near-perfect twilight sky. If you’re a Plateau-dweller, you know there’s another part of the equation and, sure enough, about 20 minutes into the picnic and the music, the skies opened up and we and everyone else scrambled for shelter and drier locales. Fortunately for us, we re-assembled at Stuart’s and began to play a naughty board game, which revealed much more about myself, my odd friends, and this very strange world than I cared to know. It was heaps of fun and, though it was indoors, was still a picnic. The laughter, the surprises, and delicious Rosewood Food made it a picnic. Rosewood Market is located at 117 Franklin Road in Highlands (adjoining the Citgo Station). You can stop in and pick up something for a meal or a snack; or you can call ahead at (828) 526-0383 to order something special to go, or to set a catered event. by Luke Osteen

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Karin Peterson and Jennifer Brown

A Classic

Tomato Pie

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hen Karin Peterson told me that she had decided on Tomato Pie for this month’s recipe, I

was elated. After all, Tomato Pie is just the kind of supper a Southern cook might serve in September when summer tomatoes are nearing their end. But most of all, I loved the tale that came with Karin’s recipe; “I chose this recipe because I think that the best recipes are those we’ve shared with loved ones and those that have a story behind them. My friend, Jennifer Brown, is the best collector of stories I know. Jennifer brought a very simple Tomato Pie Recipe to me from our hometown when she visited me in Asheville in 2010.” The backstory of Karin’s and Jennifer’s friendship is no less endearing. Today, good friends Jennifer Brown and Karin Peterson share a profession, running nonprofits. Karin is Executive Director at The Bascom, the Center for the Visual Arts in Highlands.

Jennifer is the founder and editor of Hoptown Chronicle, a nonprofit newsroom in her hometown. Growing up in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, they shared classes at the local high school, but they were not friends. Twelve years ago, they connected on Facebook, exchanged a few messages, swapped stories about growing up in Hopkinsville, and realized they shared a lot. As Jennifer tells it, the recipe she brought along on her visit to Karin was the most popular dish served at a much-beloved lunch spot in downtown Hopkinsville – known simply as Coffee And (that’s really the name, folks – Editor) . That Tomato Pie Recipe had always been a deeply guarded secret, and the restaurant had closed a year earlier. In May 2010, Jennifer sent a message to Coffee And’s owner – Hilarie Dawson, and asked if she would share the recipe. “She agreed to give me the recipe to make for my friend Karin Peterson in North Carolina - so long as I didn’t blab the details to folks around Hopkinsville. I promised.

DI NI NG As it turned out, Karin and I modified Hilarie’s recipe to make it our own, so we aren’t really divulging any big secret. Right? I still miss that little restaurant.” Tomato Pie Adapted from a secret recipe by Karin Peterson and Jennifer Brown Savory and rich, and vibrant with super-fresh vegetables and herbs, this is the perfect ending to summer. Ingredients 1 pie crust – Start with a good pie crust. Handmade is best; it should be tender and flaky. 3 large summer tomatoes, thinly sliced. (off-season, diced, welldrained tomatoes are an acceptable substitute.) 1 tsp salt Fresh oregano, chopped, to taste Fresh basil, chopped, to taste 1 tsp. sugar Texas hot sauce, to taste 1 large Vidalia onion, diced 2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese ¼ cup mayonnaise Directions To be adapted at the baker’s discretion Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a glass or ceramic pie pan with very cold pie crust dough and

pierce with a fork. Bake about 10 minutes until lightly brown. Reduce oven to 350 degrees. Spread sliced tomatoes on a large baking sheet lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for about 10 minutes. Gently pat dry to remove excess moisture. In a large skillet set over medium heat, gently simmer tomatoes to evaporate further and add herbs to taste. Sprinkle it with sugar and a few dashes of Texas Hot Sauce. Remove from heat. Spread diced onions over the bottom of the pie crust. Layer the sliced tomatoes on top Mix mayonnaise and cheese with a fork and gently spread over the tomatoes, ensuring that it reaches the sides. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. “Slice and serve warm, but please keep the secret.”

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The World’s

Your Oyster

See if you can match Marlene’s unbridled romance for the most humble of bivalves. Make plans to attend Old Edwards Inn’s Oyster Fest, slated for Sunday, September 19, visit OldEdwardsHospitality. com/OysterFest.

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y love of raw oysters escalated years ago when a seaplane put down at a harbor in British Columbia, and my husband and I deplaned at a remote fishing camp. Standing on the pier, peering down into the waters that surrounded us, I could see dozens of metal cages suspended from the dock. A grinning oysterman pulled on the chain and uploaded one, plucking oysters from within. Forever in my taste memory will be the icy chill of those oysters, the silky texture, and the exquisite exhilaration of the salinity as I slurped the oyster liquor. Yet as excruciatingly delightful as that was, I find devouring cooked oysters no less sublime. I can never get enough of smoky grilled oysters bathed in butter or hot sauce, and I am no less a fan of the pleasure of fried oysters with their crunchy exteriors and soft fleshy interiors. One can resolve that thrilling and perplexing dilemma of how best to eat an oyster on Sunday, September 19, at the Oyster Fest at The Farm. Then and there is a rare chance to sample the succulent bivalve in all its cooked and raw variations. Last year, as the virus accelerated and indoor dining halted, the aquaculture industry was in disarray as sales of oysters, shellfish and fish plummeted. Thanks to resilience and innovation, the industry has revived, and Oyster Fest offers up a chance to once again relish the ocean’s

riches. Oysters from near and far will be rounded up for slurping and sampling at an event that combines the best of all worlds – informality with indulgence. The evening kicks off with lawn games in The Orchard, a spectacular selection of passed hors d’oeuvres, and a bountiful raw bar. Alongside, there will be cocktails crafted by the wizard of bartenders and James Beard award recipient Miles Macquarrie of Atlanta’s Kimball House and Watchman’s restaurants. Guest Chefs Brian Wolfe of Kimball House and Sara Prezioso of The Darling Oyster Bar in Charleston will serve specialties from their acclaimed restaurants while roasting and steaming oysters in their shell to perfect tender sumptuousness. Bryan Rackley, Kimball House’s oyster expert, will present an array of Southern raw oysters from farmer friends on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. An informal Old-Edwards-style feast, the dinner menu includes scrumptious food stations with seasonal foods from talented Old Edwards Executive Chef Chris Huerta. Guests can choose to sate their thirst from an impressive lineup of the highly rated wines of the Francis Ford Coppola family or terrific seasonal beers from Asheville’s Wicked Weed Brewery. $165 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Please Note: the event is for guests 21 and older. Book online today: OldEdwardsHospitality. com/OysterFest. by Marlene Osteen

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Filling

Empty Bowls The Empty Bowls Project, slated for Saturday, September 25, at the First Presby terian Church of Highlands, aims to take a big bite out of Plateau hunger.

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he International Friendship Center’s Highlands Food Pantry and First Presbyterian Church of Highlands will stage the 11th Annual Empty Bowls from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Saturday, September 25, in front of the church. The 2021 event pairs potters and other craftspeople with concerned citizens. Typically, after sharing a simple meal of soup and bread, served in handmade bowls, guests who donate to support Empty Bowls are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. Due to Covid-19 precautions and in an effort to keep volunteers and supporters healthy, Empty Bowls 2021 will be a drive-through event. Organizers are looking forward to safely offering handmade ceramic bowls and delicious soups and dessert donated by local chefs and restaurants to all attendees. Nearly one in five people in Jackson and Macon counties fall beneath the poverty line, and one in four children in Western North Carolina face hunger on a regular basis. The Food Pantry is staffed by over 70 volunteers, and feeds more than 4,000 people a year. Visit internationalfriendshipcenter.org for more information or to buy tickets Cost is $25. by Luke Osteen

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Ad On Page

Take Out

Outdoor Dining

Live Entertainment

Dress Code

Reservations Recommended

Vegetarian Selections

Full Bar

Meals

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Wine

Plateau Dining Guide

Children’s Menu

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

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 64 Highlands Plaza

(828) 526-5002

L, D, SB

20 Old Mud Creek Road, Scaly

(828) 526-0803

B, L, D

4118 Kitchen + Bar Bella’s Junction Cafe

n C n 124

n n

n C n n 133

The Bistro at Wolfgang’s

460 Main Street

(828) 526-3807 D n n n n NC n n

Calder’s Cafe

384 Main Street

(828) 200-9308

B, L

Reservations Required

(828) 526-4446

B, L n n C n

Fire + Water Restaurant

n n n C n n 130

Village Square, 470 Oak Street (828) 526-4188

L ,D

n n n C n n 133

595 Franklin Road (828) 526-3554

L ,D

n n n C n n 126

455 Main Street Highlands, NC

The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering

350 S. Fifth Street Smallwood Avenue

Lakeside Restaurant

(828) 787-2525 L n n n NC n 65 (828) 526-2110

L, D

n n 129

(828) 526-9419 D n n n n n NC n n n 129

490 Carolina Way

(828) 526-1019

D, SB

n n n n C n n n

470 Skyline Lodge Rd

(828) 482-4720

D, SB

n n n n NC n n n 120

Highway 64 (Franklin Road)

(828) 526-2338

D, SB

n n n n C n n 130

440 Main Street

(828) 526-4906

Meritage Bistro Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge On the Verandah

L ,D

Highlands Smokehouse Hummingbird Lounge

C n n 124

465 Main Street (828) 787-2990

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar Fressers Courtyard Cafe

Paoletti’s *Rosewood Market Truckin at The High Dive The Ugly Dog Pub Wolfgang’s Restaurant

n n

n n NC n 125

Main Street

(828) 526-0383

L, D

n n NC n 127

476 Carolina Way

L, D

n n n n C n n 131

298 South 4th Street

(828) 526-8364

L, D, SB

n n n n C n n n 131

460 Main Street

(828) 526-3807

n n n n NC n n

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Cashiers Farmers Market Crossroads (828) 743-4334 L, The Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Lane

(828) 966-4700

The Orchard

Highway 107 South

(828) 743-7614 D,

Town & Country General Store Deli The Ugly Dog Pub Zookeeper B Breakfast

Lunch

D Dinner

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar - (828) 421-2042 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 El Manzanillo - (828) 526-0608 Highlands Burritos - (828) 526-9313 Highlands Deli/SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632 Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400

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14 Raggedy Lane

n 125

B, L, D, SB n n n NC n n

(828) 547-1300 L

n n n n n C n n 128

n n 199

25 Frank Allen Road

(828) 743-3000

L, D, SB

45 Slabtown Road

(828) 743-7711

B, L, SB n C n n 128

SB Sunday Brunch

Takeout Only

Pizza Place - (828) 526-5660 Ruffed Grouse (828) 526-2590 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Tug’s Proper - (828) 526-3555 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Cashiers Village Tavern (828) 482-8743 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 Cork & Barrel Lounge - (828) 743-7477 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

n n n n C n n n 131

Dress Code: C Casual

NC Nice Casual

J Jacket

JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Mountain Cafe - (828) 577-0469 Panthertown Cafe LLC (828) 862-366 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Subway - (828) 743-1300 The Falls Cafe and Grill - 828-877-3322 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Villa Amato (828) 885-7700 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226

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LDOI D NG I NI N GG

Ad On Page

Pet Policy

Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet

Cable/Satellite TV

In Room Microwave/Fridge

Exercise Facility

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Whirlpool Rooms

On Site Restaurant

Plateau Lodging

On Site Bar/Lounge Pool

thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS 19386 Rosman Hwy | Sapphire blackbearlodgeofsapphire.com | (828) 553-6535 n n n n 157

Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire Earthshine Lodge

1600 Golden Road | Lake Toxaway, NC

Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway 445 Main St | Highlands

Old Edwards Inn and Spa Skyline Lodge

earthshinenc.com | (828) 862-4207 n n

n n n 154

firemt.com | (800) 775-4446 n n n n n n 15 thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700 n n

n n n n

oldedwardsinn.com | (866) 526-8008 n n n n n n n n n 65

470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands skyline-lodge.com n n n n n n 120

VACATION RENTALS The Vineyard at 37 High Holly 37 High Holly Road | Scaly Mountain thevineyardat37highholly.com | (828) 505-6190 n n n n n 191 VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals

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

401 N 5th St | Highlands

highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

170

Landmark Vacation Rentals

17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers

landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

Rent in Highlands - CCP

507 Main Street | Highlands

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

188

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals 341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers

ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999

212

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 334-255 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Reid Resort Rentals - (828) 743-5955 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 The Wells Hotel A Cashiers Experience - (828) 761-6289 GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482 HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717

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

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

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SHOPPING Pages 138-147

photo by Susan Renfro

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Mountain Home Treasures

Whether it’s a year-round sanctuar y or a seasonal dreamhouse, your home could probably use a bit of careful consideration and a splash of design imagination.

t’s probably safe to say that we’ve all spent more time in our homes in the past year and a half than ever before and we’re probably more than ready to freshen our spaces up a bit. Why not hit the streets of Cashiers and Highlands and find all the home furnishing and accessory treasures that our area has to offer? From nearly new consignments to heirloom pieces you can find it all here on the Plateau. Bound’s Cave

points for every budget. Don’t miss their big sale coming in October. Nearly New at 60 Village Walk Way in Cashiers is one of those places you should pop into often, as their inventory of gently used consignment items is constantly turning over. Who knows what treasure you might find here? From artwork, lighting, desks, pillows, pottery, recliners, rugs, and accessories to bedroom, living, and dining room furniture, they seem to have it all.

Carolina Rustic Furniture

to complete your look. Step into your new décor here.

Blue Ridge Bedding

Rusticks

Bound’s Cave Rug Gallery in Cashiers at 763 Highway 107 South offers a diverse selection of handmade rugs from all over the world. They pride themselves in carrying one-of-a-kind rugs that will allow each customer a truly personalized touch for their home. Their inventory includes traditional patterns, transitional looks that are perfect for current trends, contemporary, tribal, and antique rugs, and they have items at price Nearly New

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Blue Ridge Bedding at 176 Warehouse Drive in Cashiers also has a location in Brevard. This one stop shop makes updating your bedding easy. No matter if you’re looking for a new mattress, premium sheets, pillows, protectors or, bed frames, headboards, or footboards, they’ve got it all. They also offer delivery services and financing. A perfect night’s sleep is within your reach at Blue Ridge Bedding. Carolina Rustic Furniture at 155 Warehouse Drive offers the finest in furnishings, accessories, and bedding for your home. You’ll find what you’re looking for here with brand names that you can trust. They have something for every room in the house, including outdoors. And, when you’ve chosen your new furniture they’ll help you select just the right accessories

Rusticks at 32 Canoe Point on tranquil Cashiers Lake specializes in “mountain chic” furniture, and lighting and accessories for inside and out, so whether you’re building a new home, remodeling an older home, or just want to update a room or a piece, stop in here. Their experienced staff will help you choose from their diverse array of products for just the right pieces for your The Blue Elephant

SHOPPI NG home. Mountain living has never looked so good, nor felt so comfortable. The Blue Elephant at 2248 Dillard Road in Highlands is the consignment shop that truly proves that what doesn’t suit one is often exactly what someone else is looking for. With an ever-evolving inventory, it’s always a fun, and often lucrative, trip to see what’s new. You’ll find furniture and accessories for inside and out, so stop by and find the bargain you’ve been looking for.

invaluable in helping you make the right selection. In addition to sales they are more than happy to appraise, restore, or clean your treasured heirlooms for you. Dutchmans Designs

ACP Home Interiors

ACP Home Interiors at 1990 Dillard Road in Highlands offers modern furniture and accessories that retain a classic feel with just the right touch of industrial boldness and farmhouse chic. Soothing neutrals, wood, and iron blend seamlessly with tasteful pops of color and texture providing customers with everything they need to transform their living spaces. They will also be happy to customize a look just for you.

Dutchmans Designs at 342 Main Street offers what it takes to furnish a room, a house, or just a piece and their dedicated staff are more than happy to help you find what you need. The look here is casual, eclectic, modern and youthful. With an extensive selection of lighting, signature wood pieces, upholstered furniture, and accessories this is just the place to find what you’re looking for to bring brightness and joy into your décor. The Summer House by Reeves

Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery

The Summer House by Reeves at 2089 Dillard Road offers luxury furnishings and accessories for any style and taste. Known for their extensive selection of indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories, as well as an extensive bed and bath shop, the Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery in Oak Square is celebrating its 36th anniversary this year. Their rock solid reputation and huge selection of handcrafted rugs, both contemporary and antique, keep returning customers coming back, and new customers coming in, and their experienced staff are

The Brier Patch

experienced folks at The Summer House are eager to help you turn your house into a welcoming home and retreat. Stop by and find the comfort and style you’re looking for. The Brier Patch, that cute little cottage at 4186 Cashiers Road, invites you to stop in and see their bright and cheerful home accessories including lamps, artwork, original pieces by Jo Ann Williams Walker, pillows, f lorals, containers, and charming teak stools hand painted and carved in Thailand but designed by an American artist in Summerville, South Carolina. They also feature fine furniture pieces. Acorns, The Shop at Old Edwards in the Acorns

heart of downtown Highlands, beckons you into their luxurious world of contemporary and antique home furnishings and décor, one-of-a-kind art pieces, and rugs carefully curated from around the world. Pamper yourself with their fine Italian linens and luxurious pillows and bedding. Their knowledgeable staff and design consultants are happy to help you find just what you’re looking for. For a more complete look at shopping on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau visit thelaurelmagazine.com by Mary Jane McCall

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Luxury Clothing

McCulley’s, which has earned a national reputation for offering the largest selection of Scottish cashmere, ex tends its brand to a new store at 12 Canoe Point in Cashiers.

he iconic, popular McCulley’s has a new location in Cashiers – just in time for the dip in temperatures. The men’s and women’s fashion boutique touts “… the largest selection of the finest Scottish cashmere in the world.” Said owner Mary Alice Bynum, who started McCulley’s “from scratch” in the early 1980s, with locations in Highlands, Aspen, Colorado – and then Cashiers – recently moved to a new expanded spot at 12 Canoe Point in Cashiers. Cashmere shawls, sweatshirts, ponchos, sweaters, cardigans, and more are on display in everything from soft, subtle hues to more statement colors. Women can shop at McCulley’s secure in the knowledge that the cashmere is sourced in Scotland. Their factory upholds the

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pride of Scotland since 1874 – through luxury, handcrafted knitwear. In fact, the Scottish cashmere sweaters were invented in Scotland for golf because of water-repellency of their cashmere. But besides a wide variety of 100-percent cashmere fashions for men and women (look for their new men’s department coming soon), McCulley’s features everything one might need to outfit a wardrobe, from clothing to handbags to shoes and accessories. “Lynda and Sherryl are experts in curating outfits for customers,” said Bynum, “and we have so much for customers to choose from – Sabina Savage scarves from London, Raffaello Rossi pants from Germany, Hinson Wu blouses, Brochu Walker Sportswear, J Slides Shoes, and even clothing I designed.”

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MOVING WITH MOUNTAINS Take your love of Highlands and Cashiers with you wherever you roam! Dry Falls, hiking trails, Mountain Laurel, hummingbirds, and more are illustrated on these roomy market totes and towels.

u a e t a l P s P ick

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

Market Tote $110 | Beach Towel $66 Mountain Mermaid | Cashiers

ESTHETICIAN APPROVED “While searching for the ultimate farm to face clean beauty line for Canyon Spa, Furtuna Skin quickly became my latest obsession. Wildly grown and foraged on an organic estate in Sicily, these products are luxurious from start to finish, and perform beautifully. They will always be a staple in my own home care regime as well as in my treatment room.”

NATURALLY HERSELF

Sara Johnston, Esthetician/Facialist- Canyon Spa

We absolutley love this beautiful reminder to reconnect to Mother Earth.

The Furtuna Skin Rituale Luminoso Transformation Set | $398 Canyon Spa | Sapphire

She Found Herself Wall Art | $95 A Jones Company | Cashiers

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HANDMADE HOMEWARE Celebrate the allure of nature with this exquisite collection of handcrafted ceramic dinnerware embellished with naturalist illustrations. Quail Nest Sauce Bowl $22 | Honey Bee Bistro Plate $31 Ghost Pumpkin Bowl $75 Nora and Co. | Cashiers

BLACK FOREST BEAUTY Black Forest furniture was popular in late 19th century France. Characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, and foxes and complemented by fruit, nut, and f loral accents or Gothic elements. This piece is an extraordinary example of the craftsmanship of the era. French Black Forest Oak Cabinet | $5600 Full House Gallery | Highlands

STYLIN’ WITH SUEDE

So beautiful and comfortable, this is the softest, most exquisite suede ankle boot. With a hidden wedge and f lexible sole, this beautiful bootie will take you from shopping Main Street to dinner at your favorite Highlands-Cashiers restaurant in ultimate style and comfort. Aquatalia Ulyssaa Suede Bootie | $ 495 Martha Anne’s | Highlands

CROSSBODY PERFECTION The perfect size bag for your busy days, this crossbody has RFID protected card slots to ensure your privacy and is big enough to fit your mobile phone, lipstick, cards, money, and more. Available in so many fashion colors! The Harper Crossbody | $24 Bags on Main | Highlands

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Iconic Institution

At the core of Rusticks’ 30-year histor y is an endlessly-surprising inventor y and a concierge level of customer ser vice. Find out for yourself at 32 Canoe Point in Cashiers.

n its 30th year, Rusticks Furnishings is a familiar, well-supported institution in Cashiers and is patronized by everyone from visitors to weekenders to seasonal and full-time residents. Store Manager Nancy Albers said, “Rusticks is really a destination place for a very diverse group of people. And when ‘guests’ come into the store, they might purchase a lamp or a candle or we might work with them to furnish a whole room or an entire house. Rusticks really 144 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

caters to a wide variety of needs and tastes and interests. Nothing is cookie cutter or matchy-matchy.” Nancy explained that Rusticks has achieved success due to its ever-changing inventory and great customer service. “We have some exclusives with vendors as well as handcrafted local artisans, a high-end, North Carolina-made upholstery line, a large selection of furniture from dining to living, to bedroom to outdoor, to lighting.

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Manager Nancy Albers

Plus, we offer design services.” Ann and Rody Sherrill established Rusticks in 1992. Over three decades, the couple nurtured the business, witnessing its growth from a 1,200-square-foot space to its current 7,600-square-foot location. In January, the Sherrills sold the business to Pam and Don Gottwald. Don explains the motivation to own the store: “I call it ‘rewirement.’ We wanted to own a local business. We’ve been vacationing in and around Cashiers for many years and recently bought a home here, so we already had a connection to the mountains. And then we found an iconic business that had momentum in this community. Plus, I worked many years ago in a small family-owned, high-end furniture retail store, so there was an emotional tug to own this store.” The Gottwalds are thrilled that “Ann has agreed to stay on with

us part time to help with design, merchandising, ordering, etc.,” said Don. “Her magic is creating different vignettes in the shop … we have an ever-changing storefront. “The Sherrills have made the store a unique boutique, an iconic destination shop.” by Deena Bouknight / photos by Susan Renfro

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Wendy Strong Lupas

Gracewear

Collection

After building a strong online presence, Wendy Strong Lupas returns to the Plateau’s retail scene with an irresistible boutique at 82 Village Walk in Cashiers.

racewear Collection Boutique is happy to once again have a retail presence in Cashiers at 82 Village Walk. Gracewear was a fixture in Cashiers for nine years until they closed their shop in late 2019 so they could focus on building their brand through their digital and wholesale business. Their decision to close was just prior to the pandemic and they strongly feel there was a divine hand in the timing of that decision, just as there is a divine hand in reopening. Sisters Wendy Strong Lupas and Mary Strong Blackburn created their company to empower women with the powerful message of Hope, Love, and Protection through their Signature Shield of Faith Jewelry Collection. The Shield of Faith is based on Ephesians 6:10-18 and encourages women to put on the full Armor of God to face their 146 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

everyday life. Wendy shares that, “Gracewear is so much more than beautiful jewelry, it is truly a platform to share the message of Hope, Healing, and Love. We pray that by wearing Gracewear, one is reminded to trust, surrender, and know that God is in control of all things. That He is both your provider and your protector.” While they still have a strong online presence and their work is featured in fine boutiques across the country, the newly-opened retail space allows them to build their brand locally while doing what they do best, empowering women to embrace a message of faith and hope. A visit to Gracewear is an invitation to acceptance and grace, a healing place. In addition to their signature jewelry line they now carry an

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expansive selection of contemporary apparel and accessories, original abstract art, and inspirational gifts. Their message of hope is growing by leaps and bounds and they are anxious for customers old and new to visit them at their new storefront. by Mary Jane McCall photos by Susan Renfro

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Visit Our Advertisers 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

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN

(Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero) 113. Edward Jones 115. Preferred Properties of Highlands 117. Country ClubProperties, Wright Square Office 119. Highlands Pharmacy

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar 27. Dauntless Printing 38. Lupoli Construction 39. Pat Allen Realty Group 47. ACP Home Interiors 48. Nancy’s Fancys/The Exchange 49. The Summer House Bed &Bath 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 108. Summit Architecture 124. Landmark Realty 126. Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery 132. Elevation: High Fashion for Women 134. The Southern Way 136. Dutchmans 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 177. Oakleaf Flower & Garden 178. McCulley’s II 180. White Oak Realty Group 185. Ristorante Paoletti 187. The Dry Sink 189B. Smitten 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 194. Old Edwards Inn 195. Madison’s Restaurant 196. The Wine Garden 197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 201. Hudson Library 202. Country Club Properties 206. Business Spot 207. Creative Concepts Salon 208. Highland Hiker Shoes 210. Highland Hiker

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ON THE HILL

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

SPRING VILLAGE

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

CAROLINA VILLAGE

OUT NC 106

NORTH END

➡ Peak Experience ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ Vineyard at 37 High Holly ➡ Fire + Water ➡ Bella’s Junction Cafe ➡ Pat Calderone Gallery

709. High Dive 709. Truckin’ at the High Dive 710. Meritage Bistro 711. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals 814. Highlands Cashiers Players 814. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center

OUT 64 EAST ➡ Black Rock Granite ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden ➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Center for Plastic Surgery ➡ The Brier Patch ➡ Cullasaja Club ➡ Pat Allen Realty Group ➡ Highlands Dermatology ➡ Roman’s Roofing ➡ GlenCove

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

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Visit Our Advertisers SLABTOWN 2. Zookeeper Bistro

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. 29. The Business Spot 30. Bombshell Hair Boutique 33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS 37. Landmark Realty Group 39. Cashiers Farmers Market 40. On the Side BBQ 41. Highland Hiker

CHESTNUT SQUARE

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 64 154. Cashiers Valley Smokehouse 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

43. A Jones Company 47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders 55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness

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 79. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK 80. A-List Antiques 80. Josephine’s Emporium 80. Laura Moser Art 80. Merrell Thompson Photography 82. The Village Hound 86. Nora & Co. 89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment 90. Gracewear Boutique 99. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty

SOUTH 107 101. Narcissus 102. TJ Bailey’s for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 104. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters 108. Landmark Realty Group 109. Ugly Dog Public House 110. McCulley’s 111. Rusticks 112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques

VISIT NORTON ➡ GlenCove ➡ Town and Country General Store

DOWN 107 SOUTH ➡ Silver Run Reserve

OUT 64 WEST ➡ Cedar Creek Club

VISIT CULLOWHEE ➡ Four Seasons Landscape

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY ➡ The Greystone Inn ➡ Alair Homes ➡ Killer Bees ➡ Historic Toxaway Market ➡ Mountain Cafe ➡ Bear Tracks Travel Center ➡ Earthshine Lodge ➡ Headwaters Outfitters ➡ Healing Through Harmony ➡ Southern Highlands Reserve ➡ Balistreri Realty ➡ Historic Toxaway Foundation

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VISIT SAPPHIRE : ➡ Black Bear Lodge ➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate VISIT SYLVA : ➡ Imperial Security

, s r e i h s Ca arolina C th r o N For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com. Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

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Ulysses Louis Gallimore’s magic photograph causes a bit of a fuss.

The Face in the Mirror

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ver the last few months I’ve been telling you about my grandfather’s experiences as the teacher at Toxaway School in the 1920s. I have no idea if this tale, conceived in the 1880s, works in the 21st century. I dragged it out last month for a Storytelling Event at Shakespeare & Company. People chuckled, but they may have just been being polite plus there were generous pours of wine being served. Anyway, my grandfather learned it from his grandfather, Lafayette Osteen, who lived in a little cove in what’s now in Pisgah National Forest’s Cradle of Forestry area. This is a tale he concocted about his friend and neighbor, Ulysses Louis Gallimore. At the time, it was difficult to travel to

L A K E T O X AWA Y Brevard, the county seat, and it involved fording the Davidson River six times. As a consequence, most homesteads relied upon peddlers who’d roam through the mountains with wares and tools and sundries. Apparently, a peddler arrived at the Gallimore stead and Ulys (as he was known) was pawing through the trunks of goods when he came across a hand mirror. Silveredglass mirrors had only been invented 50 years before, so they were an unknown quantity in backwoods Transylvania. Ulys was astonished to hold in front of his face what he took to be a richlydetailed photograph. “Well look at that, this man is selling a photograph of my Daddy,” Ulys said to himself. Ulys was amazed that the photographer had captured his father with such a big smile on his face – custom of the day required

photo subjects to look sober, as though they were facing the world with stoicism and forbearance. But here was Ulys’ daddy with a big grin on his face – just the way he’d looked just before he’d died 20 years before. Ulys quickly paid the peddler 50 cents and carried the photograph to his barn. He knew his wife Ezzie wouldn’t approve of him spending good money on such a frippery and he didn’t want her to make him return it to the peddler. Making sure he wasn’t seen, he stashed the precious photo beneath his workbench in the far corner of the barn. And every morning, before beginning every day of hard labor, he’d sneak out the barn and gaze upon that image of his smiling father. It always gave him a boost of excitement and strengthened him against the nonstop hardships attendant to roughscrabble farming.

Well, it didn’t take long before Izzie was stealing out of the house before dawn for some mysterious rendezvous in the barn. A suspicious woman by nature and wellaware of her husband’s genial nature, which only increased in the presence of women, she decided there must be something going on. One morning after Ulys had made his quick visit to the barn and set out for the fields, she sneaked into the barn to learn the truth about her husband and the strange affair that was unfolding beneath her nose. As she surveyed the barn, she saw a reflection in a corner and marched over to retrieve the photograph that had fueled her husband’s two-timing imagination. Glancing at the wrinkled face in front of her, she said, “Hmmph, look at that hussy!” by Luke Osteen

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No Kitten,

I Saw a Panther.

Though they’re supposed to have vanished from the area in the 1920s, the ghostly presence of panthers remains a tantalizing myster y slinking through the Wild Places.

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et’s talk a little bit more about panthers, shall we? Since our article in our July issue raising the question of if these majestic and elusive creatures still roam these Western North Carolina mountains, it’s spurred more conversation. I do love mountain lore and a good tale, tall or otherwise, so let’s start with that, and I’m going to make it personal. You see, I too believe I’ve seen a panther, though it isn’t a story I often share since, those I have regaled with the tale regard me with disbelief. I’ve learned to be selective in choosing my audience, until today, that is. In the mid 80’s I was traveling home from a movie in Seneca when a large black cat with a long-curved tail gracefully stepped over a guardrail and disappeared into the forest. It was in a curve at twilight, so the sighting was brief and so fleeting that I did not see the front of the cat, but I did see the hindquarters of a very large black cat. Johnny Krawcheck of the Cedar Creek community in Glenville has a trail cam photo of what he believes to be a panther. Trail cam images are often a bit distorted, but

could it be? We checked with Jason Love, Associate Director of the Highlands Biological Station, who felt that it was not, but rather a large domestic cat. While discussing the image with Mr. Love I “let the cat out of the bag” and told of my own sighting. He was quick to point out that seeing any panther would be unlikely, but a black one more so as they aren’t native to North America. He did soften the blow a bit by saying there had been rare sightings in the mid-70s and 80s of mountain lions (also known as panthers) that had been kept as pets and released when they became too hard to handle. In his words “extraordinary sightings require extraordinary proof” and the last verified sighting of any panther near the east coast was in middle Tennessee in 2016. The last verified sighting in Western North Carolina was near Fontana Village in 1920. by Mary Jane McCall

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Yosemite of

the East

Panther town Valley is a carefully preser ved example of the Wild Places that once carpeted Western Nor th Carolina.

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utdoor recreation is what put our area on the map, and Panthertown Valley located in the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers reigns supreme as one of the most spectacular natural areas in the Southeastern United States. It is so spectacular that it is often referred to as the Yosemite of the East, and it is visited by over 35,000 visitors each year. Visitors can enjoy deep gorges and broad valleys, mountain bogs and granitic rock domes, tranquil creeks and plunging waterfalls, panoramic views and sheer granite cliffs, as well as miles of trails and mountain streams, all for an unforgettable backcountry experience. Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, rock climbers, anglers, kayakers, birders, backpackers, and scout groups all revere this pristine 6,311 acre tract of Forest Service land as their own corner of unspoiled pristine backcountry. The Forest Service considers this Backcountry, so it’s primitive and as close to nature as one can get. Visitors should leave no trace and should always be aware of their surroundings and use caution. Weather, stream and trail conditions can change rapidly and the primitive area is home to wildlife, including black bears

and snakes, some venomous. Panthertown.org, The Friends of Panthertown website is a great resource of invaluable information on how to peacefully coexist with your forest neighbors, as well as safety protocols to follow. Luckily for all visitors, the Friends of Panthertown Valley help the Forest Service maintain over 30 miles of trails, and they have an excellent website that helps you plan and prepare for your visit. Whether you’re planning a day hike, a fishing trip, or a week camping in a primitive sight you should check their website in advance of your trip and you’ll find all the information needed to make your visit an enjoyable and safe one. Keep in mind that you may hike anywhere in Panthertown, but mountain bikes and horses should stay only on the trails designated for those uses. Trailheads are marked with signs indicating one or more designations: “Hike,” “Bike,“ and “Horse.” You may also travel on Forest Service roads. All trails are closed to motorized vehicles. For all the information you need to prepare for your visit please visit the website panthertown.org and plan a day now to enjoy one of our region’s most magnificent spots. by Mary Jane McCall

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Look To

The Stars

Though it fostered a host of mysteries during its earlier incarnations, today the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is dedicated to helping the public explore the mysteries of deep space. To learn more, visit pari.edu.

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hough it was built in 1962 as a link in NASA’s network of communication relays for manned spaceflight, the Rosman Satellite Tracking Station always maintained an air of mystery. A $47 million facility in the wilderness just north of Lake Toxaway, it seemed to invite weird theories, which only gained strength when it was transferred to the National Security Agency in 1981 and renamed the Rosman Research Center. With an opaque name like that, it was far too easy to explore the farthest fringes of conspiracies, from remote spying on the Soviets to serving as a linchpin of the never-realized Strategic Defense Initiative to, naturally, UFO observation and communication with aliens. Whatever it was doing, the Soviet Union was intensely interested and directed satellites to regularly sweep over and photograph the facility. As a friendly greeting to those snooping satellites, someone painted a beaming smiley face on the 4.6-meter telescope. When the NSA shuttered the facility in 1995 and handed it over to the US Forest Service for demolition, it seemed certain to fade into the dim archives of Cold War/Space Age history.

Recognizing the tremendous value and potential for the site, Don and Jo Cline stepped in. In 1998, the Clines acquired the 200-acre facility and the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) was born – a not-for-profit public organization dedicated to educating future generations of scientists. The principal radio research instruments at PARI are two 26-meter radio telescopes and a 4.6-meter radio telescope named Smiley (still bearing its happy skyward-tilted face). These have been adapted for precision tracking of celestial radio sources using multiple frequencies. Smiley is used for remote classroom teaching of astronomy by students in the US and worldwide. PARI continues to offer a summer space camp based on the Duke TIP programming (Above and Beyond), as well as other space and STEM summer camps. If you’d like to learn more about PARI or schedule a visit to the facility (which also houses a gallery of space memorabilia) and be given a close-up look at those enormous radio telescopes and instruments, call (828) 862-5554, email visit@pari.edu, or go to pari.edu. by Luke Osteen

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Restoring

our Mountains

Southern Highlands Reser ve in Toxaway is restoring red sprucef ir forests – and the impossibly cute Carolina Nor thern Flying Squirrels – to the mountains.

igh-elevation spruce-fir forest ecosystems in areas like the Southern Highlands Reserve are considered by ecologists as “islands in the sky.” These pocket ecosystems, now found in fewer areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, have a unique set of native plants and animals that can thrive in these environments. Today these forests face increasing pressures from acid rain, rising temperatures, poor management, and drought. Spruce-fir forests have become the second most endangered ecosystem in the United States. These high-elevation forests are home to federally endangered species like Spruce-fir Moss Spider and the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel. Other species of conservation concern such as the Northern Saw-whet Owl, the Black-capped Chickadee, and several salamander species also call these forests home. Together with The Nature Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the NC Wildlife Resource Commission, and the Forest Service, Southern Highlands Reserve is working to help restore red spruce in Western North Carolina. Along with other stakeholders, these core partners have developed the Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative, a formal partnership with a strategic action plan to restore red spruce in these endangered spruce-fir forests.

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Since 2009, the Reserve has propagated red spruce seedlings in our Nursery Complex. In partnership with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, thousands of seedlings have been reintroduced and planted in the Unicoi mountains, one area of only nine known populations of the endangered Carolina Northern flying squirrel. Reintroducing red spruce in these areas is a critical step towards preserving the endangered squirrel’s habitat. In the spirit of the Reserve’s mission to protect and conserve native plants and their ecosystems, we are dedicated to providing the solution to the decline of spruce-fir forests. Due to our high-elevation location, our Nursery Complex is uniquely poised to grow red spruce seedlings successfully. Currently, there is no other facility in the Southeastern US growing red spruce for restoration, which makes the Reserve’s ability to continue these propagation efforts for this partnership very important. The Southern Highlands Reserve is committed to planting forests for future generations and needs your help. There are many ways to get involved in restoring spruce-fir ecosystems. Please visit our website www.southernhighlandsreserve.org to learn more. by Kelly Holdbrooks, Southern Highlands Reserve

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HISTORY Pages 166-171

photo by Susan Renfro

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Crossing Into Cashiers For a young Jane Nardy, Cashiers was a magical destination, but getting there was an exciting adventure in itself.

he July 2021 issue of The Laurel featured an article about the great love Atlanta sisters Geneva and Julia Zachary had for Cashiers Valley, where they often visited their grandparents, T. R. Zachary and Julia Beazley Zachary. Geneva was the mother of two daughters, June, born 1928 and Jane (yours truly) who was born in September, 1934. This article will describe some of my memories of our frequent summer automobile trips from our home in Atlanta to Cashiers and the old Zachary homeplace where Geneva’s grandparents, long dead, once lived. In the 1930s and 1940s, the house was occupied by T. R. Zachary’s second wife, “Aunt Mary” and their only child, Howard Zachary, my great-Uncle. Geneva, my mother, successfully brainwashed me to the fact that Cashiers was the most wonderful place in the world. (I still believe that’s a fact.) Long before there were any expressways, Mother packed up the car, filled it up with gas and we would set out on the four hour driving trip from Atlanta to Cashiers, going right through the centers of lots of pretty little north Georgia towns, maybe stopping for things like a bathroom break or to buy some farm-fresh veggies from a farmer’s roadside stand. No person was at the stand but just a sign giving the price of each item and a large mason jar where you put your money. After Dillard, Georgia, we would turn right and start climbing the mountains where soon cooler air could be felt. We would go through Highlands and then ten more miles, 166 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

with our hearts beating faster, we’d turn a curve and there was Cashiers laid out in front of us with Rock Mountain and Chimney Top Mountain, still there guarding the village. Then a right turn on to a narrow dirt road named Monte Vista, around two curves, fording a shallow stream crossing the road. This was the route to the back entrance to the Zachary old place. Next was another right where the road became steep again, through dense woods that soon opened up to a high meadow with a two-story house, an apple orchard, a little apple house, some Daughters of Geneva Zachary big, old shade trees, a L to R: Jane and June , circa 1943 good sized garden, an outhouse at a discreet distance from the house, and a barn and pens for the animals – cows wearing bells, pigs, chickens, and a couple of horses. It was the old Zachary home place built by T. R. Zachary in about 1882 when he returned to Cashiers after almost 10 years trying to homestead in Kansas. Dear Readers, My allotted number of words has already been exceeded, so this story will be continued in my next article where you will learn how much fun it was for a child to visit kin-folks in a house with no electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing, and where cooking was done on a wood-burning stove and where you made your own butter. by Jane Gibson Nardy, Historian, Cashiers Historical Society

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The Mountain

Moguls

A trio of innovators made their way to Highlands and enriched the Plateau.

any rich and famous folk hung their hats in Highlands. Let me introduce you to a trio of amazing migratory magnates who at one time or another called Highlands home. Billionaire John Murdoch Harbert launched his career with the $6,000 he won gambling as a WWII Army private. Lady Luck wasn’t always kind however. His firm went under three times before a gamble on a Kentucky coal mine paid off. With those profits, Harbert bought a controlling interest in Amoco during the energy crisis. He rocketed to Forbes 400. His wife, Wita, summered in Highlands, thus the connection to the Plateau. Together the Harberts were celebrated for their generous contributions to charity. What is life if not a gamble? The risk is made even better if the winner is willing to share the returns. Seasonal resident William H. “Bill” Flowers, was born into an entrepreneurial family. His father and uncle opened the first ice cream shops in Thomasville, Georgia. But they decided what the town really needed was a bakery business. When Bill’s father unexpectedly passed, Bill, just 20 years old, took over. Today Flowers Bakery serves much of the Southeastern, Southwestern, and Mid-Atlantic states. It exceeds $1.5 billion dollars in annual sales. Flowers to flours . . . a well-bread family indeed. Dr. Robert Sandor, native of Hungary, was an acclaimed mechanical engineer. During the 1980s and 90s he summered in Highlands. His specialty was automated (robotic) highquantity mass production. He designed the first color press for Life Magazine. He also did a working prototype for an autonomous, unmanned exploration vehicle that would one day be used on Mars. Energy. Bread. Robotics. These are the products of just three exceptional entrepreneurs who have made their way to our Highlands retreat, sharing their celebrity along the way. To learn more about Highlands’ luminaries, reference Ran Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge. Local history is much more than a trivial pursuit, so visit highlandshistory.com or email hhs@ highlandshistory.com and meet those who contributed to the Plateau’s colorful past. by Donna Rhodes

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Celebrating

Our Founders It’s a pull-out-the-stops homecoming for local students when the Cashiers Historical Society stages its Founder’s Day Celebration on Thursday, September 23. For more information, visit cashiershistoricalsociety.org.

ashiers Historical Society hosts its 17th annual Founder’s Day Celebration on Thursday, September 23. The Historical Society hosts all third and fourth graders from Blue Ridge and Summit Charter Schools for a celebration of the area’s roots, reflecting on life in the 19th century, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty. Self sufficiency was necessary for our ancestors and the Cashiers Historical Society has found an engaging way to share this bit of early history with these students. They take a walk back in time to the days when you grew or made what you needed. Volunteers join the Historical Society in showing how our early settlers made brooms, weaved cloth, and made corn husk dolls. A blacksmith will be on hand to demonstrate those skills. Students

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will also be treated to an apple cider making demonstration. These hands-on demonstrations make for a fun-filled day for students who also bring their lunch and enjoy a picnic on the grounds of the Historical Society. Dr. Gary Wein of the HighlandsCashiers Land Trust will also lead students on an exploration of the grounds and trails, sharing information on native flora and fauna, and their importance to early settlers. This fun-filled day is a treat for students and volunteers and illustrates the Historical Society’s continuing commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of our area. by Mary Jane McCall

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Horse Cove

History

Life in Horse Cove was punctuated with dramas both grand and minute. Helen Hill Norris chronicled ever y thing.

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etween the wolfpacks and “painters” (panthers) that stalked livestock and young children, Yankee raiders, ghosts, snakes, hornets, and an airplane crash, it’s amazing anyone in Horse Cove was left alive to tell the story! And that’s not counting a lovelorn possum so lonely in its rural existence it decided to end it all in the stream, like Ophelia or Virginia Woolf. But a few hardy folk *did* survive, and thank heavens talented Helen Hill Norris (1882-1968) was among them. A native of Highlands, Norris lived with family both in the Cove and in town. Historic Tales of Highlands: Looking Backward is a compilation of her “Looking Backward” columns that first appeared in The Highlander newspaper starting in 1958 and ran until her death. Norris’s tales were inspired both by what she heard around the family hearth or later learned herself, and are exciting, funny and nostalgic all at once. This new edition is courtesy of Helen’s descendants, including Robin Phillips and Luther Turner, with the imprimatur of a foreword by Ran Shaffner. It’s illustrated with many wonderful photographs, and footnotes explain stuff you might not know or just plum forgot, as Helen might put it. About those hornets: They chased the Mr. Hoke, a visiting

Episcopal clergyman, out of the privy in a state of undress. As Helen’s mother offered to apply baking soda where needed, Reverend Hoke demurred, asking for the soda, that “I might repair to the privacy of my room; the attending of my other wounds is a very personal matter.” He then said he would “educate” the hornets, as they took him “at a great disadvantage” and burned out the nest that evening after sunset. The plane wreck: Inspired by Lindbergh’s then-recent flight across the Atlantic, two young men flew a small craft into Horse Cove via its one, southern, opening. Confronted with Black Rock Mountain looming ahead, they pancaked their craft upside down into a creek on the Hills’ farm. Helen’s dad ran over and peeked in to discover the pilots were shaken but unhurt, and greeted them,“Hey fellers—need a little snort of mountain liquor, don’t you?” As Helen wrote: “Those were the days. In the land of bright water, land of the mountains, the cliff and the dell; health to their sons, long life to their daughters, and peace to the homes where the mountaineers dwell.” Helen Hill Norris’s Historic Tales of Highlands is available at many places in Highlands, including Shakespeare & Company. by Stuart Ferguson, Local Historian, Co-Owner Shakespeare & Company

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LIFESTYLES & WELLNESS Pages 176-191

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Beacon

of Learning

Even while having to endure the Covid-crisis, Highlands Community Child Development Center remains central to the lives of the children of parents working in Highlands. To learn more, visit highlandscommunitychildcare.org.

ike a sunny beacon of hope and learning, the Highlands Community Child Development Center has remained in operation with open doors and open hearts throughout the Covid-crisis and these strange unsettled times in which we remain. Generations of children whose parents work in Highlands (this writer’s son included) have relied upon the loving care and tender lessons offered at this quiet landmark, just one block off Main Street behind the First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. Director Pat Hedden and her staff ensure that these kids receive a safe place to play and rest and – this is important – are introduced to the fundamentals of reading, math, and computer skills. When the children graduate at age 5, they’re socialized and ready for school. “We love what we do, and I think the children can feel that love,” says Miss Pat (you’d be hard-pressed to find any child or parent over the last 40 years who calls her Mrs. Hedden). “It really makes a difference when they know that they’re being cared for by people who love them.” That spirit has animated HCCDC since its opening in 1979 under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church. What started out with 42 children and 10 employees has mushroomed to 74 children and 20 employees. Those numbers are significant to the health of the entire community

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and point to the renewed vigor of the economy in the wake of covid. “These are the children whose parents staff the restaurants, grocery stores, and many other establishments and provide the services on which we rely. HCCDC allows the parents to provide for their families while their children are being cared for and nurtured,” says the HCCDC Board’s spokeswoman. The financial hardships imposed by Covid over the last year-anda-half have strained the resources of parents, and many local groups have thrown their weight behind keeping the center’s door open – Old Edwards Inn, The Rotary Club of Highlands, Mountaintop Rotary, Bel Canto, Cullasaja Women’s Outreach, Dogwood Health Trust, The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, The Hack Foundation (Gerry & Avary Doubleday), Fibber Magee’s, and Mountain Findings. And, of course, this being the Plateau, the list can go on and on and anyone left off should consult this writer for a correction in a future issue – blame it on me, not those good people who keep everything going. That’s quite a lot of support from a lot of organizations, but the center still relies upon generous contributions from individuals. If you’d like to contribute, visit highlandscommunitychildcare.org. by Luke Osteen

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Recipe forLove

Shelby Hightower, Steve Palmer and Madison

Across distances and over the years, a subtle spark between Steve Palmer and Shelby Hightower was kindled into an enduring f lame. A sweet girl named Madison helped.

teve Palmer had vowed never to marry again and to never have children. He had tried marriage years earlier – it had been short and hadn’t gone too well. And in the 20 years since, he’d been busy advancing his career. From a job working as the General Manager at an eponymous Charleston restaurant, he had gone on, in 2009, to founding the Indigo Road Hospitality Group. Today the company that he oversees employs more than a 1,000 people across its 24 business locations– including in Highlands, the Skyline lodge, and Oak Steakhouse. Along the way, he wrote his best-selling book, Say Grace, and in 2016 created Ben’s Friends – a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping restaurateurs find their path to sobriety. Yet forever lurking in Palmer’s memory was a 2012 encounter during the Charleston Food & Wine Festival at Founders Hall. Looking up from his bowl of Sean Brock’s squirrel soup, he noticed Shelby Hightower smiling at him. “It was one of those moments when everything stopped, and I

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remember going, ‘wow, she’s beautiful.’” Shelby knew of and admired Steve’s accomplishments and recalls thinking, “he was amazing.” But they were both in other relationships at the time and not looking for romance. Steve was told that Shelby was the mother of an adorable 2-year-old girl, Madison. For the next five years, they stayed in touch as friends, meeting up occasionally at food and wine events – Shelby drawn to them working in retail management for designer Billy Reid and subsequently at Blackberry Farm. Steve was vacationing alone in California in 2017; when walking the beach, he received a social media message from Shelby. He replied, “You look really pretty.” When Shelly responded, “Too bad you have a girlfriend,” he told her that it was no longer the case, and Shelby retorted with, “When are you taking me out to dinner? Steve, as he said, “came running,” and within a month, the couple had their first date in Knoxville. Nine months later, he asked her to move to Atlanta where he was opening restaurants, and the following year to live with him

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in Charleston. As Steve told me, “Her beauty is obvious, but it’s her kindness that really touches me. She sees the best in me and is always so supportive. That’s new in my life.” Shelby, who always believed that no one was ever good enough for her daughter, had waited until July 2018 to introduce Madison to Steve. They were at Shelby’s parents’ lake house near Blackberry Farm singing show tunes when Madison unexpectedly scurried onto Steve’s lap. “It was one of the true moments of joy in my whole life,” Steve said. “I could feel my heart swelling.” In April 2019, at the Gramercy Tavern in New York City, the culinary team delivered a miniature wedding cake bearing a ring, and Steve proposed. When they married in Charleston on September 28, 2019, the vows they exchanged included Madison. It’s clear that Shelby and Steve are undeniably smitten with each other, and the joy and magic they have discovered in finding each other “at the right time, when we were ready.” “I couldn’t be more thrilled to meet my partner when I did, the timing was right, and I am grateful for that every day,” Shelby remarked. Steve echoes her sentiment, “To meet your dream girl later in life is very sweet.” by Marlene Osteen 179 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Help Grandkids Prepare For The Future

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f you’re a grandparent, you don’t need Grandparents Day, observed on September 12, to remind you of the joys of having grandchildren. Yet, you might want to use this day as an opportunity to think about ways to help provide for your grandchildren’s future. The type of gift or support you provide will be different at various stages of your grandchildren’s lives. Here are a few suggestions: When they’re born… • Open a 529 plan. It’s never too early to start saving for college or other types of advanced education. To help your grandchildren meet these costs, you could invest in a 529 education savings plan, which offers potential tax advantages if the money is used for qualified education expenses. If the grandchild for whom you’ve established the account ends up not using it, you can change the beneficiary to a qualified family member of the original beneficiary. (Be aware, though, that a 529 plan could affect your grandchild’s financial aid prospects.) If your grandchild doesn’t go to a college or university, a 529 plan can also pay for expenses related to apprenticeship programs offered through trade and vocational schools and registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. When they’re children… • Open a savings account. It’s important for your grandchildren to develop good financial habits – and one way you can help is to open a savings account for them and encourage them to contribute to it. You might even offer an incentive, such as matching their contributions, either in whole or in part. Consider shopping around for a high-yield savings account that’s free to open and charges no monthly maintenance fees. • Establish a custodial account. You may want to introduce your grandchildren to the world of investing by starting a custodial account (known as UGMA or UTMA) in their name. You can put most types of investments, such as stocks and mutual funds, inside this account and track their progress along with your grandchildren. Children often enjoy learning about

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS investing – and they may like owning shares of companies that make familiar products and services. The earnings generated by these investments can have tax implications, so you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor before opening the custodial account. And you can’t hold onto this account forever – once your grandchildren reach the age of majority, they gain control of the account, so they can do what they please with the investments. When they’re young adults… • Help with the down payment on a home. Once your grandchildren are out in the world, they may well want to become homeowners. And, as you know, it can be challenging to come up with a down payment, so, if you can afford it, you may want to help in this area. You’ll be doing your grandchildren a big favor, because home ownership is a key element in building wealth. • Provide financial guidance. As your grandchildren join the working world, they could benefit from advice and guidance on various issues, such as setting short- and long-term goals, managing their 401(k) plans, and choosing an appropriate investment mix. So, consider making an appointment for them with a financial professional. By helping your grandchildren at different points on their road through life, you can make their journey more pleasant – and, in the process, you’ll gain a lot of satisfaction.

Todd Holder

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

Discover more about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau thelaurelmagazine.com

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O Arthritis

Living With

Living with ar thritis is a lot easier with sensible choices and wise counsel.

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f all the conditions that I see in my practice, the most common has to be Arthritis! The questions go like this: Is arthritis normal? Is it because I am older? Do I need to have surgery? Why does it hurt more first thing in the morning? and What medication should I use? These questions are all good ones and I try to answer each one and explain that arthritis comes in many forms. Osteoarthritis or OA is more a natural degenerative process that comes with aging, injury, and joint use. Over time, the joint slowly breaks down, causing the cartilage (the cushion) to degrade, making the joint more susceptible to abnormal movement and a build up of inflammation. Most of the time, it’s the inflammatory cells that actually cause the pain that you feel. Being inactive allows the inflammatory cells to pool and become congested within the joint, causing more and more discomfort and restricted motion. Other arthritic conditions include Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune process, where the body begins to attack itself, specifically the joint complex, leaving a severe inflammatory response in its wake. This condition can be extremely painful and is often accompanied by heat and redness, due to the inflammation. The common thread is the pain felt due to the inflammation. The main difference is the inflammatory component and source. OA can be addressed more easily by treatments and better biomechanics to protect the joint. RA needs more specific attention to diet, lifestyle, and monitored movement and exercise so as to not irritate the joint, especially when in a “flare up.” Caution must be heeded during these phases. Better lifestyle and nutritional choices can significantly influence the frequency of the “flare ups.”

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS There are many non-surgical and non-medication approaches to reducing the inflammatory flood and reducing the pain that comes with arthritis. The reason that arthritis is worse in the morning is due to the lack of circulation during sleep. Once the joint gets moving and the blood begins to circulate, the pain usually begins to abate. Overuse can also bring on pain, so there is a gentle balance between too little and too much movement. Paying good attention to diet will certainly help the body deal with the inflammatory cells as well as keeping a healthy weight. Too much weight puts undue pressure on the joints, causing more rapid breakdown. Understanding how the body can naturally deal with excess inflammation is all part of our process of treating all arthritic conditions. Our joints are meant to move as designed, so it’s a good idea to find out if you are already moving abnormally. This biomechanical dilemma can be addressed and corrected to make your daily progress more effective and with less pain! Reasonable movement, daily nutrition, and specific non-surgical treatments should give some relief to all arthritis conditions. There are many things you can do at home but when you’re ready for help, seek out someone who is well-versed in all these areas. by Dr. Sue Aery Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture

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How to Succeed

at Failure

Donna’s uncovered one of the Universal Truths about Last Year and, we suspect, the years going for ward.

020, the Year of the Maniacal Flying Monkeys, freedup a lot of time, albeit unrequested. Many of us took the opportunity to write a family history, repaint the house, inventory our TP stockpile, and organize boxes of randomness spilling out of closets. And then, there were the people like me, the ones who managed to enthusiastically start new projects, not finish them, and stash them away. It’s with this backstory that I introduce you to the Polly Postpone School of Procrastination. For those of you who’re looking to follow me, here are Polly Postpone’s Guidelines: The Ten Commandments of PP (Project Phailure): 1. Always choose an expensive, oversized, impossible undertaking. Something totally beyond your capability. 2. Jump right into it. Don’t bother reading instructions. Vagueness, the core of frustration, is essential. 3. Make frequent miscalculations to maintain a high level of irritation. 4. Set totally unrealistic goals. Then, for hours, sit around imagining how amazing your finished project will be. 5. Make your workspace the middle of household traffic so your family will have to walk around it and suffer right along with you... 6. Stuff it in the closet (no more than half-finished) for months, better yet, years. 7. Harbor a tremendous amount of guilt over its noncompletion. 8. Whine repeatedly to friends, family, sometimes strangers, over your unfinished creations. 9. Enter art/craft shows, forcing deadlines on yourself in a Hail Mary effort to get things finished. Then fail miserably. 10. Finally, and most importantly, if you find yourself on the verge of completing something, lower your standards immediately. If you finish, you will make the rest of us look bad, and, worse yet, you’ll confound your inner bum. As I conclude this editorial, some of you are wagging a finger at me, saying, “Aha! You finished something!” just remember, an article is not done until the last word is… by Donna Rhodes | Illustration by Norma Jean Zahner

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60 years

of Excellence Animated by a notion known as The Wildcat Way, Wildcat Cliffs celebrates 60 years as a warm, vibrant Countr y Club.

hile Wildcat Cliffs Country Club revels in its 60th anniversary season, members and staff are realizing just how much its founding principles are embedded within the lives of everyone involved. These were ideals formulated by founder Bill Matthews. He knew how easily the community he envisioned could be split into camps of Seasonal Residents versus Year-Rounders, or Property Owners versus Staff. He built the club out of the recognition that an active community life could prevent those rifts from ever developing, since ultimately no one would be a stranger. Dr. Bill (as he’s still referred to, even today) and his vision quickly led to the development of The Wildcat Way, which is still guiding club

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life 60 years later. That’s reflected in the casual friendliness of members to one another – where introductions and invitations are a matter of course and it’s virtually impossible to remain a stranger. You can see it in the variety of activities, social events, and amenities: Bridge, Mahjong, Bible Studies, Art Classes, and an array of Fitness Classes; a complete Fitness Center and Indoor Heated Pool, Har-Tru Clay Tennis Courts, Pickle Ball, beautifully-maintained Croquet Lawns, the Dog Park; and Lakeside Park. All are perfect settings for conversations and the fostering of friendships. There’s the 32nd Annual Camp Wildcat, which brings generations into the warm community embrace. And of course, central to all that socializing is the breathtaking

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18-hole golf course. Originally designed by renowned golf course architect George W. Cobb, the course was renovated by Bill Bergin in 2008. The result is a classic mountain golf course that is scenic and challenging, yet accessible for every golfer. The greens, tees, and fairways at Wildcat Cliffs are bentgrass, with fairway roughs and surrounds set in bluegrass. The Wildcat Way extends from the members to the staff, who make this easy-going lifestyle possible. Those measures include investments in seven new employee houses with three more being planned; a Scholarship Program; and a continually-renewed Employee Appreciation Fund. And The Wildcat Way underlies the club’s reverence for its natural beauty. This is evidenced by the newly-remodeled clubhouse, which invites spectacular views in all directions including Whiteside Mountain; and the vast stretches of woodlands embroidered throughout Wildcat Cliffs.

When taken together, you can see that the animating principle of Dr. Bill’s vision 60 years ago remains at the heart of this beautiful undertaking. You’ll find it in the faces of its members and staff, in its bounty of activities and facilities, and in the breathtaking natural beauty at its heart. To learn more, visit wildcatcliffscountryclub.com. by Luke Osteen

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Peggy’s Service to the Servers

The Peggy Crosby Center is powered by an abiding sense of community and a compassionate call to ser vice.

he Peggy Crosby Community Service Center is abuzz with activity, and it’s not just because of the magnificent pollinator (bees, bugs, birds, and butterflies) garden recently added to the historic campus. There are dozens of ways PCC has nurtured the nurturers of Highlands since the 1990s. Executive manager James Plemmons enthusiastically shares his devotion to Peggy. “It’s the community service at the heart of the PCC, which keeps her eternally young. An ever-evolving Board of volunteers manages the nonprofit organization. With each new member comes renewed vigor, as each brings new experiences and knowledge along with a determination to see her prosper. When the varied life experiences of a group are coupled with the motivation to serve others, it becomes a very powerful instrument. “The founding Board assisted other organizations to navigate the difficult process of gaining their own nonprofit status. Some years later, a different Board switched focus and decided to turn all attention to the daunting task of refurbishing the entire building, inside and out.”

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Each new board, unpaid volunteers unified with a common goal, has its own focus. It has been challenging to sustain and improve the facility while keeping rent affordable for new businesses and nonprofits, but donating time and expertise in the service of others is at the heart of a volunteer. James closes with, “Those with any experience in community service would likely agree that giving of oneself always brings out the best in people. Whether it be giving of your time, of your wealth, or of your knowledge; more times than not, it is the donor who feels the most rewarded by the experience. “The common thread throughout the PCC’s years has been this belief in community service, a firm belief that for one to volunteer in service to their community, to give of yourself in service to others, to share your knowledge or experience with those who seek it out, and to help those in need offers reward which cannot be measured.”

by Donna Rhodes

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Moroccan

Vibe

Morocco in the mountains? We’re as star tled as you. But here’s the thing – a whimsical design aesthetic and ex traordinar y attention to detail ensure that this Highlands getaway is endlessly surprising.

o whimsical bear or trout motifs allowed for a newly renovated home in Highlands. The owners, who hail from Macon, Georgia, bought the home as a getaway and have dubbed it their “Moroccan Mountain Home” due to its distinct interior aesthetic. Explained Amelia Island, Florida-based interior designer Robyn Branch, “We have a few clients in the Highlands area, and I’ve worked with the owners on the remodeling and redesign of three other properties. They gave me great direction, and I knew where they wanted to go with this.” The interior design starting point was a desired Moroccanstyle bedroom. Said Branch, “We started from scratch, and (the owners) were insistent on shopping locally as much as possible.” For the complete renovation and re-design of the “dated” home, the owners also tried to work with as many local resources. 190 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

For example, the builder was Green Mountain Builders. Plus, the project included Corbin Tucker of Inside-Outside, Michelle and Phillip Price of Antique Reclaimed Lumber, and Carlos Vasquez Landscaping. Jamie Morgan and Shawn Love with King Siding and Trim tackled the extensive woodwork in the two-story home. “From the outside it looks like a gingerbread house, but it’s spacious inside with open ceilings and exposed beams,” said Branch. She noted that the owners want to “keep things casual because they entertain a lot,” but distinctness involved adding details such as barnwood, window seats, and plenty of ambient lighting. Additionally, Branch pointed out that other eclectic features are hand-carved accessories, hand-made pottery, hand-chiseled stone, and hand-carved wood…a lot of different textures everywhere you look. Probably the dining chandelier is one of my favorite pieces…a sculptural piece that provides a wonderful glow and ambiance. It has crystal shards that look like rocks. And the owners like strong colors

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

of purple, blues, and oranges as well as art throughout.” The Moroccan bedroom’s jumping-off point is a flat plank bed with a unique shape. In the master bedroom are also reflective materials, textile-like wallpaper, hanging lanterns, a heavily carved dresser, and an over-dyed, antiqued, Persian-look rug. In the kitchen is an under-lit white quartz island. “This was challenging, but like the rest of the home, it’s beautiful but functional.” Branch added, “I was flattered and thrilled to be included. It was a joyful project. And I was glad they trusted me to do something different in this home.” A former dance instructor, Branch has been an interior designer since about 2014, having grown up in a home furnishings family retail business. Robyn Branch Design also has an office in Charleston, South Carolina, and the design team tackles projects throughout the United States and in St. Kitts in the Caribbean. by Deena Bouknight

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GIVING BACK Pages 198-205

photo by Susan Renfro

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The Generosity of Jane

The death of Jane Woodruff leaves an almost inconceivable absence in the hear ts of her friends and the Highlands Community itself.

emphasized that her giving was n July 29, the town of Jane Woodruff with her coconut birthday cake. for the community; patients and Highlands lost its most families and the doctors, nurses important visionary and care-giving staff who were since, well, since Mssrs. Kelsey dedicated to their care. Jane was and Hutchinson conceived an a loving, spirited soul who lived agricultural hub upon an almost to give and did so graciously and inaccessible portion of the passionately. She modeled the core Southern Appalachians. values of our community, and her If you’re a new arrival to the beautiful legacy of philanthropy Plateau, or you’re so removed from will forever be in our hearts.” the life of the community that you’re Circle around Tindall’s not aware of the extraordinary assertion that Mrs. Woodruff generosity of Jane Woodruff, that “emphasized that her giving was opening sentence may seem like for the community.” rhetorical legerdemain or some Locals (myself included) knew clever obituary puffery, but I count that she was aware of us, that she the cost of every word that’s in this saw us as neighbors. I know of magazine, and I’ll maintain this several Highlanders who were assertion for the rest of my time on quietly helped out of especially this sad world. dire circumstances by her Just consider this little town kindnesses (which she insisted without its H-C Hospital and its remain unmentioned). attendant medical office buildings, But let’s let her friend Wanda Cooper fill us in on that generous, or the Robert Woodruff Civic Center/Rec Park, or the Post Office human side. or the Highlands Child Care and Development Center trying to “We (my husband Chuck and I) met her a long time ago and she operate without her generous support, or the Martin-Lipscomb became our dear friend,” she says. “She was partial to steak and Performing Arts Center and its ongoing expansion (for which she potatoes and she’d come over and Chuck would cook on the grill and provided $500,000). we’d sit down and talk, really talk. She loved to laugh and tell stories. “In Highlands, Jane Woodruff’s generosity has created a legacy “Whenever we’d celebrate her birthday, we knew coconut cake was that will keep giving for years to come,” says Mayor Patrick Taylor. her favorite, and there’s no way we could disappoint her – there was “Our hospital campus would not exist if it weren’t for her many gifts. always a coconut cake.” Our Child Development Center and Civic Center are other legacies Aside from her culinary passions, Mrs. Woodruff maintained a of her caring for the people of Highlands. Like all Highlanders, I am lifelong enthusiasm for technology and its latest incarnations. so grateful for Jane Woodruff and the wonderful life of love, service “It was surprising for someone of her age – but she always had and generosity that she lived.” the latest cell phones, she always knew how to use them, more than “The enormous impact through Jane Woodruff’s philanthropy on anyone around her,” says Wanda. “She loved life and she loved people our community is insurmountable,” says Highlands Cashiers Health and we’re going to miss our friend so much.” Foundation CEO/Executive Director Robin Tindall. “Looking at healthcare alone, Jane’s generous heart literally ‘built’ our hospital by Luke Osteen campus. She did this out of her deep compassion for people. Over the years Jane’s support for our hospital’s facilities and services totaled tens of millions of dollars. Each time she kindly and thoughtfully

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Rotary’s

Worthy Missions

Tom Graham

For Highlands Rotarian Tom Graham, the annual golf tournament is simply one aspect of Rotar y’s all-impor tant fund-raising activities in suppor t of wor thy causes here and across the world.

om Graham is the current president of Rotary Club of Highlands. He purchased a get-away home in the Highlands area in the 1990s when he lived full-time in Atlanta, Georgia. However, he left Atlanta in 2002 and joined Nantahala Realty and then in 2008 joined Country Club Properties. A main qualification for becoming a Rotarian is that anyone interested must have lived and/or worked in the area for one year. So after he moved to the plateau, Graham expressed interest and Rotarian Sara Sloan invited him to a meeting. He jumped right in. “I’ve helped with the golf tournament for many years and was in charge of it last year. It typically takes place the first Monday in May at Highlands Country Club. Monies generated go into the general charity account.”

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Describing the tournament, he said, “It’s a shotgun start, and you have to have 24 foursomes for it to be a full game,” said Graham. “We typically have around 26 foursomes.” Rotarians must take care of all the logistics, organization, contacts, etc. surrounding the event. “Volunteers oversee the putting contest, hole-in-one, check-ins, and basically all the mechanics involved for that event,” said Graham. An award banquet follows. “Although this event generates a lot of interest, and a lot of well-known golfers have played in it over the years – such as Bobby Grace, who manufacturers putters – and locally known people, this is just one event that the Rotary focuses on each year.” He added, “The 5K race may attract a whole different crowd,

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Left to right Natalie, Sue , Blair

Horse Crazy Girls

T but it is an equally popular Rotary Club event. And it’s the 4th of July Baseball Field/Hot Dog Donation event and race that is the most profitable of our programs. Children and adults of all ages look forward to the Duck Race, with over 1,000 ducks floating and bobbing down Mill Creek to the bridge.” Some Rotary Club events were unaffected this year. But Graham pointed out that there are many activities and events that have either been put on hold temporarily or altered due to ever-changing pandemic circumstances. by Deena Bouknight

The allure of Carpe Diem Farms ex tends across generations.

hose of you who know me personally know that I don’t have biological children. Over the years I have been blessed to have nearly 4,000 kids of all ages who have come through programs at Carpe Diem Farms. Summer camps, afterschool programs, one-on-one riding lessons, internships and so much more. My dearest friends have shared their children, allowing me to be “Aunt Sue” to them. Like the movie Auntie Mame where the young boy goes to stay and be spoiled by his special aunt, I too have been blessed with some extra special kids in my life! And of course, there’s Regina, my best friend since the fifth grade, and her husband Don, who has been my “other brother” since we were in the seventh grade. I introduced them in my senior year and they married after college. Together, they have three wonderful children to whom I ‘ve been Aunt Sue. Like the proverbial Auntie Mame, I’ve had the opportunity to share life with them. Those three are now adults with children of their own. Natalie, the oldest, has always been my Horse Girl. I believe it was her fifth

birthday when I hosted her birthday party at my house, complete with pony rides for all the participants. When she graduated from college, she spent the summer before graduate school volunteering with kids’ camps and helping with all the horses. Trail rides and exercising horses was a part of our routine. Now married with two children of her own she and her family visit the farm whenever they can. Natalie and her 10-year-old daughter, my god-daughter and namesake, Blair, just spent three glorious days with me on the farm. “Barn Rats,” we were working from morning until night. Grooming, bathing, riding, mucking and all that goes with life on the farm. Blair and Natalie take weekly riding lessons in Connecticut. Blair is a natural and has visions of riding on her college equestrian team one day. She can’t wait until she is old enough to spend a summer working on the farm herself. Me either! Life is filled with glorious blessings! by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms

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After-School

Enrichment

With the launch of the 2021-22 school year, The Literacy & Learning Center gears up for a busy, joyenriched year of tutoring and growing.

Mary Ann Boger and Justin Ott

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he Literacy & Learning Center has opened back up for After-School Enrichment and Homework Helpers at full capacity! These programs serve students in grades K-12. Students meet at The Literacy & Learning Center to work on homework and receive individualized academic and literacy help in areas where they need improvement. Students also engage in fun educational activities with partnerships from The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, The Bascom, and other local nonprofit organizations. Individual tutoring is also offered to students in and out of TL&LC’s after school programs and is available seven days a week in one to two hour increments from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Individual tutoring is an enriching and fulfilling experience for the tutor and the student alike. Some students just need someone to be an open ear as they practice their reading skills. Jan Potts, a volunteer tutor at The Literacy & Learning Center says, “The student I tutor has been doing so well. When we were first matched, we started just working on beginning sounds. At the end of the year, she was so proud of herself because she was able to read a whole

book. The progress she’s made is just amazing. I was looking for a volunteer position, but what I didn’t realize was how much joy I would get from it. It’s just been a wonderful experience for both of us, and it’s fun! It’s also a small commitment, an hour or an hour and a half.” Mary Ann Hardman, a former board member and volunteer tutor says, “It’s all about learning how to help those children enjoy learning and making it fun.” If you’d like to volunteer your time to enrich a student’s life through individual tutoring, or to sign up for individual tutoring or TL&LC’s after school programs, contact The Literacy & Learning Center at (828) 5260863 or email info@maconncliteracy.org. by Jenni Edwards The Literacy and Learning Center

Scan for more info

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30 Bigs in

30 Days

Strong, loving relationships lie at the hear t of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ success on the Plateau.

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hen Maggie joined the Advisory Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands, she knew enough about the organization to know that the Big and Little relationships established through our programs have the potential to ignite the potential of the youth in our community and are founded on purposeful interactions. Now, two years later, Maggie has watched amazing Bigs mentoring very special Littles with incredibly positive outcomes. You may find yourself asking, What sets Big Brothers Big Sisters apart from other mentoring programs? That’s easy for us to answer – Big Brothers Big Sisters is about creating relationships. We defend and ignite the potential that is within all children in our communities. Our programming allows matches options for one-on-one interactions and relationship building – whether it’s through community experiential matching or academically supportive in foundation, the friendships that are developed are with a purpose: to walk alongside a child in their growth, to work with the children and families in a supportive role and to push for children to reach their fullest aptitude. Littles between the ages of six and 15 are matched with a Big who has successfully completed an interview process, multi-layered background checks, reference checks and final approval process from

our Regional administration. Once matched, we seek for friendships to remain in effect through high school graduation when possible. Most matches remain friends long after that! BBBS of Cashiers and Highlands is always looking for new Littles and Bigs to expand our program and support the youth on the Plateau. Join our efforts in successfully recruiting and matching 30 Bigs in 30 Days! There’s considerable flexibility in scheduling interactions with a child through program options, including a community-based program (meeting twice monthly for a few hours, scheduling is incredibly flexible) or a school/site-based program (Bigs and Littles meet at designated times either in school or at a supervised location). Part-time residents have a powerful impact as a Big, also. To learn more about becoming a Big (a child’s champion, for sure!), contact our Cashiers-Highlands Program Coordinator Danielle Hernandez, cashiers@bbbswnc.org or by calling (828) 399-9133. by Maggie Carton and Danielle Hernandez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands

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A Merging

of Experience

Pat Allen Realty Group has become par t of Allen Tate Realtors. For more information, visit its two off ices at 295 Dillard Road and 5121 Cashiers Road, or call (828) 526-8784.

llen Tate Realtors has joined forces with Pat Allen Realty Group in Highlands, which serves Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire, and surrounding areas. This announcement marks Allen Tate’s entry into the Highlands/ Cashiers region and adds two new offices: Allen Tate Realtors Highlands-Downtown at 295 Dillard Road and Allen Tate Realtors Wildcat Cliffs/Cashiers Road at 5121 Cashiers Road. The 64-year-old company operates a total of 48 local offices spanning the Charlotte, Triad, Research Triangle, High Country and Highlands/Cashiers regions of North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina. Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ leading real estate company, with 19,949 closed transactions and $6.15 billion in closed sales volume in 2020. Established in 2010, Pat Allen Realty Group is a market leader for secondary and vacation homes, as well as primary residences. The firm has 16 experienced Realtors serving clients in Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire, Scaly Mountain, Cullowhee, Glenville, Lake Toxaway. and Sky Valley. In 2020, Pat Allen Realty Group closed 131 transactions totaling more than $101 million in closed sales volume. Pat Allen and daughter Julie Osborn will join the Allen Tate leadership team as branch leaders and brokers in charge. Allen has worked as a Realtor for 17 years and oversees the HighlandsDowntown office. A native of Georgia, Allen moved to Highlands in 1994, where

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she owned the Morning Star Inn and led the Harry Norman Realtors office. Osborn, a former occupational therapist for the Mayo Clinic, began her real estate career in 2007 with Harry Norman Realtors in Atlanta. She joined her mother at Pat Allen Realty Group in 2014 and oversees the Wildcat Cliffs/Cashiers Road office. Allen and Osborn are both active in the local community. Pat Allen Realty Group has been a long-time sponsor of the Highlands Food and Wine Festival and Allen Tate will sponsor the Grand Tasting and Sunday Shindig festival events in November. The firm is a large supporter of the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and also supports the International Friendship Center, Highlands Literacy & Learning Center, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Highlands Playhouse and Highlands Performing Arts. They believe that giving back to the community makes their success possible. Allen is a member of the Rotary Club of Highlands and is a candidate for the Town of Highlands board of commissioners. Osborn serves on the board of directors for the Cashiers- Highlands Humane Society, served as the president of the Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors in 2020 and is a supporter and sponsor of Extra Special People, Inc., a Georgia-based recreational program for persons with disabilities. To contact an Allen Tate Realtor in Highlands/Cashiers, call (828) 526-8784.

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Leadership Collaboration

A strategy of cooperation and coordination underlies the Visit Highlands, NC and Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s effor ts to manage the fallout from a global pandemic.

s its Latin roots of com and laborare suggest, collaboration reduced to its simplest definition means “to work together.” Effective collaboration contributes to our success. Working together empowers our community with better sharing of information to improve our capacity to solve key problems which leads to new innovations and approaches. The purpose of such work is to develop and promote our community’s vision, mobilize resources, ensure accountability, keep the community informed, nurture partnerships and relationships, and build the capacity to sustain the effort. There is a need to build sustainable community partnerships to achieve better results in care of our community. We welcome partners that want to be involved and stay involved. With long-term, committed community partnerships in place built upon a collaborative relationship, it becomes easier to tap into a range of grassroots support. It’s easier because everyone has developed an attitude that says, “We’re in this together.”

While other cities and towns have businesses closing, the pandemic has brought more people to the Plateau. This travel trend, not brought on by over-promotion, is true for small mountain destinations and beach areas across the nation. While our economy has had a temporary lift, it’s also brought about other challenges. Our workforce shortage has increased over previous years and our streets are busier than most summers. The national travel trends also show that this will correct itself when the traveler sentiment returns to a comfort level for returning to international and large city visitation. At this point collaboration is more important than ever. Crosssector leadership structures forged to support a community have the potential to serve as a new united voice to address our challenges. The visitors have supplied our town with unexpected financial support. Now is the time to work hand in hand to advocate for programs and services that support our community. But it all starts with collaboration.

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New Talents at

Silver Creek Two new talents join the team at Silver Creek Real Estate Group. To meet them, visit the Silver Creek off ice at Suite 102, 341 US 64, or visit ncliving.com.

Katie Adams Nicholson

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Kara Addy

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o support its growth in size and sales volume and further enhance its client experience, Silver Creek Real Estate Group, a leading real estate company on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, has added two new team members: Broker Katie Adams Nicholson and Client Experience Manager Kara Addy. Since 2008, Nicholson has worked as a development and real estate professional in the Cashiers area, most recently for the Chinquapin community where she was a top-selling agent focusing on land and new home build packages. Raised in Dublin, Ga., Nicholson spent seven years in Atlanta working in retail and commercial real estate acquisitions before relocating to the Plateau where she met her husband, Jeremiah. With a passion for the outdoor mountain lifestyle, Nicholson attributes her success to working closely with her clients throughout the entire real estate process, from learning about the area to finding their ultimate home to completing its purchase or construction. When not working, Nicholson spends her time hiking with friends and her dog, Bella. “We carefully consider who to bring on to our exceptional sales team,” said Silver Creek Real Estate Group President Jochen Lucke. “Katie’s track record of real estate sales and development success, coupled with the consistent high praise she receives from satisfied clients, makes her an ideal fit for our team. Using our powerful marketing platform, she will be able to take her professional relationships to the next level and build new ones.”

A native of Atlanta, Kara Addy and her family moved to Jackson County from Columbia, South Carolina., in 2018. She brings to Silver Creek an accomplished professional background in public relations and marketing communications, serving the corporate, nonprofit and education sectors. A Florida State University alumna, Addy serves on the Cultural Enrichment Committee of Vision Cashiers and is a charter board member for Calliope Stage Company, a new professional theater group based in Jackson County. In her free time, Addy enjoys hiking, paddling her kayak and enjoying the Tuckaseegee River with her husband, Mike, and their two teenage children. “As our team has increased in size and sales volume over the past few years, our focus has been steadfast on providing the best service to our clients and brokers,” said Lucke. “Kara’s senior-level background supporting sales organizations and major philanthropic donors will translate seamlessly to Silver Creek, where she will help create and ensure an exceptional experience for our clients. She will also contribute to our entire platform, including NC Living Magazine and ncliving.com, from content writing to brand awareness to programming and planning special events.” Silver Creek Real Estate Group specializes in real estate in Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire Valley, Lake Glenville, Lake Toxaway and Bear Lake, North Carolina., as well as larger properties in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

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More closed transactions than any other office on the Plateau in 2020

$233M

357

Number of closed transactions by Silver Creek in 2020

$141M

218

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Silver Creek’s total sales volume in 2020

Silver Creek's total sales volume so far in 2021

Number of closed sales by Silver Creek so far in 2021

STATISTICS STATISTICS ACCORDING ACCORDING TO HCBOR TO HCBOR MLSMLS AS OF AS 08/13/2021. OF 08/13/2021.

L O C A L LY O W N E D . I N D E P E N D E N T LY O P E R AT E D .

JOCHEN LUCKE

DAN ALLEN

PRESIDENT/BROKER

BROKER

RICK JACKSON

BAMBI FAMOUS

KEVIN KOACH

KIRSTEN KOHL

EDDY MCDONALD

JODI MOORE

CASSIE NEAL

KATIE NICHOLSON

LINDA PRIDGEN

CHUCK SELF BROKER

MERRY SOELLNER

RAY TRINE

BROKER

ROB WHITNEY

AMANDA BRYANT

MELISSA HAGGAR-JORDAN ASSISTANT/BROKER

BROKER

ASSISTANT/BROKER

PARKER ANDERSON BROKER

CHRIS DUFFY BROKER

BROKER

RIVA SMITH

ASSISTANT/BROKER

WE ARE THE PLATEAU. Wherever you are buying or selling in Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire Valley, Lake Glenville, Lake Toxaway or Bear Lake, NC, the team at Silver Creek Real Estate Group can help you navigate our unique real estate market with confidence and ease.

Admiral's Point

Cedar Meadows

Flat Mountain

High Hemlock

Apple Mountain

Cedar Ridge Estates

Found Forest

High Meadows

Chattooga Cliffs

Fox Run Hollow/Fox Run Ridge

High Springs

Chattooga Club

Foxfire

Chattooga Ridge

Gana Sita

Big Bear Pen

Chestnut Ridge Condos

Glen Laurel

Big Sheepcliff

Cold Springs

Bridge Creek

Continental Cliffs & Stillmont

Arrowhead Back Nine Lane Bald Rock Benchmark

Bright Mountain Broadview Acres Brushy Face Buck Knob Landing and Island Buckberry Falls Burlingame Burt Farm Canoe Club Cashiers CatsPaw Cedar Creek Woods Cedar Crest Cedar Hill Cedar Ledges

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Glen Pointe Glenridge

Highgate Highland Gap Highlands Country Club Highlands Falls Country Club

Glenshore

Highlands Springs & Falls

Country Club Estates

Glenville Lake 107 North

Hogback Creek

Country Club Villas

Glenville Lake East

Cowee Ridge

Glenville Lake Estates

Cross Creek Preserve

Holly Berry Holly Forest Holt Knob

Golf Club Estates

Horse Cove

Cullasaja Club

Greycliff

Joshs Trail

Cullowhee Forest

Gun Point

Killian's Park

Deer Run

Hamburg West

King Mountain

Dog Mountain

Hampton Springs

Emerald Crest, Emerald Ridge & Emerald Cove

Hardscrabble Ridge

Lake Glenville Lakefront

Hickory Knoll

Lake Vista

Fairway Hamlets

Hickory Ridge

Lakeside Falls

Falcon Ridge

High Hampton

Lakeside Knoll

Lake Osseroga

Lakeside Village

Pinnacle Ridge

Sims Valley

The Forest

Laurel Falls

Ponderosa

Split Rail

The Lake Club

Laurel Lake

Primeval Estates

Spring Forest

The Oaks

Laurel Ledges

Queen Mountain

Stillpoint

Little Sheepcliff

Ravenel Lake

Little Switzerland

Ravenel Ridge

Stone Creek Crossing

The Point at Lake Glenville

Little Terrapin

Rhododendron Trail

Lonesome Valley Macon Mantle Ridge Mirror Lake Mirrormont Mountain Laurel Mountain Township

Stone Pointe

Toll House Village

Stonebridge

Trillium

Rolling Acres

Stonecreek Estates

Trillium High

Round Hill

Stonefly

Turkey Knob

Sagee Mountain

Strawberry Hill

Village Walk

Sagee Woods

Summer Cove

Wade Hampton

Sapphire High

Summer Hill

Walnut Gap

Sapphire Ridge

Summerfield

Waterfall Cove

Sassafras Ridge

Summersail Lakefront

Whisper Lake

Mountaintop

Satulah Village

Mt Lori

Satulah Vista

Naiad Terrace

Sequoyah Lake

Norton Overlook

Sheepcliff Crossing

Old Edwards

Sheepcliff Woods

Old Highlands Park

Shelby Place

Pinchot Pine Forest

Timber Ridge

Sherwood Forest Silver Slip Falls

Summerwood Villas

Whiteside Forest

Sunset Cove

Wildcat Cliffs Country Club

Sunset Shores

Wildcat Ridge

Tahala Shores

Wildwood

Tater Knob

Woodcrest

The Cotswolds

Woudes Mountain Village

The Crest The Divide

Zachary's Gap

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S P R I N G F O R E S T SAPPHIRE offered at $7,000,000

This estate was aptly dubbed "Ushuata", a Cherokee term meaning "where the earth ends and dreams begin". No other phrase comes close to describing how it feels to enter its gates and step into a garden paradise surrounded by splendid views of the ancient Appalachians. Boasting one of the finest private gardens in the Southeast, the home sits jewel-like amid terraced gardens, which perfectly blend into the remarkable site and take full advantage of the views of Bald Rock and Lake Fairfield. MLS# 96952.

N E W LY LISTED

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S T ON E F LY offered offered at $6,500,000 at $6,500,000

CASHIERS

Just minutes from the shopping and fine dining of downtown Cashiers, Blue Bear Camp is the ultimate Adirondack-style mountain lodge. This prime property borders the Nantahala National Forest, ensuring privacy and abundant wildlife. Another world awaits in the dreamlike setting amid the wild Chattooga River, flowering landscaping, sparkling waterfall, and lush forest, all against the stunning backdrop of Whiteside Mountain and Devil's Courthouse. MLS# 91521.

CEDAR HILL offered at $4,250,000

CASHIERS

This luxurious, sprawling, modern rustic home offers floor-to-ceiling windows to capture the stunning mountain landscape of the Plateau. Cedar and stone accents give the facade a warm and welcoming feel, while dormers and angled rooflines create architectural interest. This new construction project by the award-winning builder, Loudermilk Homes, on over 22 acres is designed for entertaining and bringing friends and family together. A gourmet chef's kitchen with two islands, a sunroom, and dining room make entertaining a joy. MLS# 96917.

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SUMMER HILL offered offered at $3,495,000 at $3,495,000

LAKE GLENVILLE

This stunning newer custom-built home has incredible 180-degree panoramic views of Lake Glenville and the mountain ranges beyond from virtually every room. Quality craftsmanship, premium finishes, and thoughtful design down to the smallest detail make this luxury family retreat the perfect choice for the discriminating buyer. The phenomenal vistas start at the front door and continue on through the impressive great room. A well-outfitted wet bar ensures that everyone has their favorite cocktail or glass of wine. MLS# 96945.

CEDAR HILL offered at $3,400,000

CASHIERS

Located in the very desirable gated community of Cedar Hill, this quintessential mountain lodge is currently being constructed and boasts striking curb appeal. Cedar Hill is very private yet ideally located just a few minutes from the supermarket, restaurants, retail stores, and country clubs. A grand living room offers wood cathedral ceilings and lots of light from dormer windows, a wood-burning stone fireplace, wooden beams and a dramatic wall of glass with French doors. The kitchen is the heart of the home, with a breakfast bar, large island, and brick accents. MLS# 96887.

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60+ ACRES offered offered at $2,950,000 at $2,950,000

SYLVA

This 60.96 +/- acre estate has been sculpted for a variety of uses and provides all the necessary amenities. A very lovely three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home oozes modern rustic charm. The open floor plan flows from the kitchen to dining areas, which then leads into the expansive living room with vaulted ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace. The space feels very inviting, relaxing, and yet sophisticated for entertaining purposes. Upstairs you will find light and bright three bedrooms with two full baths. MLS# 96690.

UNDER CONT RACT

CEDAR HILL $1,995,000 Brand new construction in the premier gated community of Cedar Hill, located just minutes from Cashiers and Sapphire. This custom home offers beautiful mountain views, and features private driveway to the home for additional privacy. The view welcomes you to the open design which appeals to today's mountain lifestyle. The kitchen with center island overlooks the dining room and features a separate butler's pantry. A spacious main bedroom with separate sitting area, two walk-in closets, as well as double vanity round out this suite. The powder room and laundry room are also located on the main level. The lower level family room offers additional living space and access to the lower deck area. Three additional bedrooms with adjoining baths are also located on the lower level. If you are looking for new construction, this home is anticipated to be completed in late 2021. Don't miss this opportunity. MLS# 96203.

75+/- ACRES $1,995,000 Situated on gently rolling 75+/- acres with a large fenced pasture and tractor shed, this one-bedroom tiny house would make a great guest cottage or rental. The site for the main house has a long southern view overlooking the pasture area and distant mountains. 65 of the acres are in a conservation easement, while 10 remaining acres can be subdivided. Paved entry leads directly from Highway 64, and walking trails with creeks and falls are adjacent to the property. MLS# 96260.

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NEWLY LISTED

SATUL AH VILL AGE $1,995,000 Rare opportunity for in-town living. Stroll to the restaurants and shops on Highlands' Main Street from this Satulah home which exudes English cottage charm and the signature design of Summerour Architects. Beyond the stone-surrounded entrance, you'll find coffered ceilings and a bright, open floor plan perfect for entertaining. Two stone fireplaces - one in the great room and a second on the covered porch - create two comfortable spaces for relaxation. Terrazo tile, heated and hardwood floors and attractive finishings are all part of this three-bedroom, three and one-half bath retreat surrounded by a private yard with lush landscaping. Enjoy community amenities and yard maintenance that is part of turn-key resort living. MLS# 97215.

STONEFLY $1,950,000 This 4,000 +/-square-foot home is located only minutes from the dining and shopping of Cashiers and boasts four bedrooms and four full baths and one half bath. Located in a very private gated community, the large and level lot offers a stream and pond which can be admired from the large deck and covered porch. Enjoy sitting by the pond as you have a fire in the fire pit and listen to the sounds of nature. Downstairs provides another living area, bedroom, small kitchen and media room. Guests or family can enjoy the home on any of the three levels. MLS# 96467.

GLENVILLE $1,890,000 Near the shores of Lake Glenville, this amazing gentleman's farm sits on 24.4+/- unrestricted acres of gently rolling hills, fenced pasture land, and a beautiful pond fed by three different springs. A scenic, winding drive leads to the top of the property, where you'll discover a large, comfortable log home ideal for kicking up your feet after a long day of playing outside. The residence offers incredible seclusion, sitting at almost 4,000' elevation with wonderful long-range mountain views from both inside and outside the home. The lower level affords private living for in-laws or guests, complete with a separate entrance, its own bedroom, bathroom, living area, laundry room, and even a kitchen. The property is currently being enjoyed as a gentleman's farm and estate, but the fact that there are no restrictions makes its uses limitless. MLS# 96435.

UNDER CONTRACT

THE DIVIDE AT BALD ROCK $1,775,000 Sitting on over two acres in the premier gated community of The Divide at Bald Rock, this grand getaway has its own gated entrance leading to the home, far away from noisy highways. Massive log beams frame the incredible mountain views as the custom built-ins highlight the stone fireplace, which is the centerpiece of the open living area. The spacious home offers formal and casual dining spaces, a chef's kitchen with a Viking stove, and a covered deck with a stone fireplace. The primary suite is one of three bedrooms and sits on the main level, offering its own porch and fireplace. MLS# 96233.

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BALD ROCK $1,500,000 Situated on the edge of Camp Merrie-Woode's magical forest, this enchanting cabin offers the utmost privacy, with no other home to interrupt the surrounding vistas. Upon entering the carved doors, ascend to the upper level to see cathedral ceilings and a two-story fireplace. To either side of the fireplace, sliding doors access the deck. An open floor plan encompasses the dining room, living room, and kitchen. An adjoining screened deck is the ideal gathering spot for dining al fresco while listening to the babbling brook outside. MLS# 96374.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

THE DIVIDE $1,500,000 Be the first to occupy this quintessential mountain home in The Divide, a highly-desirable, gated community in Sapphire, just minutes from Cashiers. This three-bedroom, three and one-half bath home built by Fern Creek Builders features the owner's suite on the main level, with three additional bedrooms downstairs. Enjoy beautiful, long-range mountain views on almost two private acres. Enter the double front doors and take in the stacked stone and beautiful wooden flooring and stunning contrast of the bright walls and ceilings. MLS# 97105.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

PILOTS KNOB $1,495,000 Live the dream in this soon to be completed, new construction home, built by well-regarded Jennings Custom Homes. The thoughtful, open-concept floor plan offers refined finishes, cathedral ceilings, shiplap walls on the main floor, and walk-in closets. Enjoy astounding, year-round, short and long-range mountain and rock face views from two levels of decks, open-air and partially covered, with a stone fireplace. MLS# 96893.

119 + ACRES

HIGHWAY 107 NORTH $1,480,000 Located on 119.34 +/- acres with short and long-range mountain views, this custom home offers easy access throughout the seasons. There is a smooth flow from the kitchen to the dining to the living room, which offers vaulted tongue-and-groove ceilings, a large stacked stone wood-burning fireplace, as well as a wood-burning stove to stay cozy on snowy days. The kitchen has been updated with granite countertops, two copper sinks, and a pot filler. MLS# 95370. 23.14 acres and home can be purchased for $995,000 (MLS# 95279).

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UNDER CONTRACT

ROUND HILL ESTATES $1,250,000 Experience in-town living in a setting that feels as if you are miles away in the country! This is a wonderfully private home with mountain views from almost every room. This ultimate mountain retreat is within minutes of shopping, restaurants, and events in Sapphire, Cashiers, and Highlands. The home is well-positioned on two lots to maintain highly desirable privacy. Entering the home, note the timber frame elements that add the distinctive mountain interest and feel. Sapphire Valley Resort Amenities are optional with the purchase of this property. MLS# 96958.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

CHINQUAPIN $1,199,000 Surround yourself with beautiful, year-round views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and sounds of a stream from an elevation of 3,900 feet! Construction is nearly complete on this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 2-story home in desirable Chinquapin. The upstairs living area features a tongue-and-groove ceiling and a glorious wall of windows to bring in the outdoors. It opens to a vaulted screened porch with a wood-burning and gas starter fireplace that adjoins an open-air deck - perfect for admiring the mountain night sky. MLS# 97195.

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SAPPHIRE HIGH $1,175,000 Retreat from the world to an elegant Sapphire High home with year-round views of the brilliant Blue Ridge Mountains. Secluded and private, the focus on detail is evident with its open floor plan and only the highest quality furnishings and custom finishes. Created with a rustic Italian influence, the decor features contrasting elements, such as Mediterranean textiles against natural rough surfaces, to create a dramatic design impact. The heart pine wood flooring, trim, and crown molding throughout the home exhibits a high level of fine artistry. Experience gracious living from the stained-glass front door to the expansive 100 feet of decking with a screened-in porch that frames the panoramic mountain views. MLS# 93732.

NEWLY PRICED

JOE ROUTH $1,095,000 Rare opportunity to own a tastefully updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath main home located on Lake Glenville with a private dock and 200+/feet of lake frontage! The home sits near the east side of the lake minutes from downtown Cashiers and close to Trillium and Mountaintop. The private dock is situated far from any public access points and is only a short canoe or kayak ride to Hurricane Falls. Great family setting with a hard to find, large flat terraced area, fire pit and amazing custom tree house. MLS# 96795.

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BALD ROCK $999,000 Gorgeous equestrian property with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths all one one level! Total of 6.38 acres with approximately 2 acres of fenced pasture, perfect for horses or dogs. Long and short range westerly facing mountain views from this easily accessible location at above 4,100 feet elevation. Home was completely remodeled in 2013 and features vaulted ceilings, tongue and groove paneling, wood floors, newer kitchen with custom alder wood cabinets, Alaska white granite countertops and stone backsplash. MLS# 96505.

CULLOWHEE RIVER CLUB $949,000 Perched above the Tuckasegee River with mountain views, "River View Cabin" radiates the vibe of outdoor living. Nestled in the Cullowhee River Club, experience the tranquility of the rushing waters from the covered Trek deck or the walk-out lower-level equipped with a gas line for a fire pit/grill and wiring for a hot tub. This maintenance-free home exudes elegance, comfort, and craftsmanship. Natural slab stone adorns the entry and perimeter and is complemented by terraced stone landscaping. MLS# 96038.

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NORTH NORTON $899,000 This is an exceptional opportunity to own about 4.39 acres situated in an idyllic setting with about 1,190 feet of beautiful Norton Creek frontage. There are two charming and rustic cabins on the property. There are two units: one has two bedrooms and one bath with a large back porch to enjoy the view and sounds of Norton Creek. The other cabin has two bedrooms and one bath with a cozy front porch to enjoy the views and sounds of Norton Creek. MLS# 96944.

UNDER CONTRACT

BIG SHEEPCLIFF $849,000 Located just minutes from the Cashiers Crossroads and within the gates of the highly coveted Big Sheepcliff community, this wonderful three-bed, three-bath mountain retreat is perched at over 3,700 feet of elevation. The cozy, bright living room with a wood-burning stone fireplace boasts high, vaulted ceilings and is flooded with natural light. Exceptional southerly views of famed Whiteside Mountain are a breathtaking sight year-round. MLS# 96522.

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WATERFALL COVE $829,000 Located on beautiful Lake Glenville only steps away from the shoreline, this three-bedroom, three-bath lakefront home is loaded with mountain charm! The property features two stories of wrap-around decks and tons of natural light, staying remarkably cool during the summer months. The rondette design provides added structural stability and views of nature from all sides. The open kitchen and living room face the lake view, offering a wood-burning fireplace for those cool mountain evenings. MLS# 96445.

NEWLY LISTED

WATERFALL COVE $799,000 The view is nothing short of SPECTACULAR! This beautiful and well-maintained three-bedroom, three-bath home with bonus rooms overlooks the falls of Norton Creek. The open floor plan beckons you through the house to the inviting back deck and the sights and sounds of rushing water. Imagine: only 50' +/- from the back of your house to your very own stream and waterfall! Enjoy complete total relaxation as you listen to the soothing and tranquil sounds of water from multiple vantage points. MLS# 97098.

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L AKEWOOD SHORES $799,000 If you’re looking for a well-maintained, lake view home with gentle access just minutes from downtown Cashiers and around the corner from Lake Glenville, this is it! Even better, this home has a successful vacation rental history, making it an ideal choice for investors. With its perfect size and open floor plan (including the kitchen, dining room and living room), this home is spacious, warm and inviting. On the main level you'll also find a heat-generating, stone, gas fireplace (that can also be a wood burning fireplace), two bedrooms, two full baths and one half-bath. MLS# 96996

NEWLY PRICED

BIG RIDGE $799,000 Imagine watching from the deck as the sky turns from purple to blue as the stars fade and the sun rises over the mountain, hearing only the songs of birds and frogs, and the stream as it meanders to the pond below. This three-bed, three-bath, exquisitely appointed mountain home sits on over 12 scenic, private acres in the close-knit Big Ridge community, just 10 minutes from Lake Glenville and 20 minutes from downtown Cashiers. MLS# 96697.

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NEWLY LISTED

MOUNTAIN WATERFALL $675,000 This is a rare opportunity to purchase a streamfront home that features a sliding rock waterfall! Its amazing location is just around the corner from Lake Glenville and minutes to downtown Cashiers. The home offers plenty of space, with three bedrooms, three full baths and nice flow from the kitchen to the dining to the living room. MLS# 97062.

NEWLY LISTED

HIGHL ANDS $799,000 Conveniently situated 10 minutes to downtown Highlands and Cashiers, this Southland chink-groove log home peacefully rests on 1.49 enchanting acres. Simple yet luxurious, this cozy cabin affords expansive one-level living with two bedroom suites, two bonus lofts and three full baths with high-end finishes and marble flooring. MLS# 96863.

UNDER CONTRACT

TRILLIUM $799,000 "Chapel Cottage Creek" is a beautifully decorated, three-bedroom, three and one-half bath home adjacent to a stream in Trillium Village. This well-appointed home is being sold turn-key furnished, so just pack a bag and enjoy easy living! Featuring an open floor plan, the home includes lovely wooden ceilings in the owner's suite and living room, which also boasts a wood-burning fireplace with a gas starter. MLS# 97109. 233 C ACSAHSIH E IRESR: S8: 2882. 7 8 4. 734. 139. 19999 |9 H| IH GIH GLHALNAD NSD: S8: 2882. 5 8 2. 562. 2 69 . 29999 |9 N | CNLCI L VII V NIG N. G C .O CM OM S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

UN DER CONTRACT

L AKEWOOD SHORES $729,000 Your like-new lakeview cottage awaits! This completely remodeled, two-bedroom, three-bath home features gorgeous, long-range views of Lake Glenville and the surrounding mountains. Located in the Lakewood Shores community, it features a bright and sunny interior, updated fixtures and modern kitchen appliances. MLS# 97069.

NEWLY PRICED

BURLINGAME $669,000 This retreat is ideal for large families with spectacular views of the eleventh fairway and mountains beyond, having been renovated with beautiful wood floors throughout most of the house. A light and bright kitchen offers an expansive island and quartz countertops, while the primary bath has been renovated with quartz countertops and an updated tub and shower. A large stone fireplace in the living room highlights the cathedral ceilings. MLS# 96628.

UNDER CONTRACT

CULLOWHEE $650,000 This remodeled, historic homestead is situated on 4.83+/- unrestricted acres, tucked away in a high hollow at 3,880 feet of elevation and surrounded by thick woods and scenic mountaintops. The two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath main home features original hardwood floors and a traditional farmhouse porch. MLS# 96788.

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CASHIERS $625,000 Private, well-maintained, 3 bedroom/3 bath home on 1.69 acres at 4,000 ft plus elevation and only 15 minutes to Cashiers. The living area has a gas-log fireplace, with open access to the dining room and kitchen, which includes an island/breakfast bar. MLS# 96873.

NEWLY LISTED

MOUNTAIN WATERFALL $485,000 This quintessential, rustic mountain cabin and stream in the woods is waiting for you! With hand-sewn, log beams throughout its main floor, the cabin's cozy living area includes vaulted ceilings, wide plank wood floors, and a wood-burning fireplace. The dining room opens to the large kitchen which features an island, a gas stove, a pantry, a dumb waiter and an exterior access door leading to the back deck. MLS# 97231.

UNDER CONTRACT

WOLF KNOB ACRES $450,000 The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath quintessential cabin in the woods offers a year-round, short and long-range view from its upper and lower wrap-around decks, as well as its attached, screened side porch. The property is situated on a double lot totaling almost 2 acres, offering a rustic, wooded feel within a gated community. MLS# 96821.

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UNDER CONTRACT HOLLY FOREST $425,000 Offered for the first time since its construction, this amazingly well-maintained Holly Forest abode would be a fantastic option for year-round living or pose as a spectacular mountain retreat. Meander up the beautiful 230-foot paved driveway to this wonderful getaway. MLS# 96502.

NEWLY LISTED GLENVILLE $425,000 Your charming, cozy cabin in the woods awaits! Walk past the splitrail fence, along the stone path, to the front porch with twig railings and discover this well-maintained home, privately nestled on more than an acre. MLS# 97174.

UNDER CONTRACT COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES $400,000 This is a rare opportunity to purchase a short sale property. Situated on a level lot, this unique home with golf course frontage has an attached twocar garage. Its exceptional location in the gated Country Club Estates area is near the end of a cul-de-sac and is just a short walk or golf cart ride to the Sapphire Valley Resort amenities. MLS# 96657.

NORTON ROAD $269,000 This charming mountain summer cabin is on 1.02+/- unrestricted acres approximately 3 miles to the Cashier Crossroads. The cabin offers all-on-one level living, 1 bedroom, and 1 full bath and a nice open space from the living room to kitchen with a spacious covered front porch. MLS# 96397.

CULLOWHEE $225,000 Hard to find, charming mountain cabin on unrestricted 2.267+/acres. The cabin offers all on one level living, 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath. Nice open space from the living room to kitchen and a spacious front covered porch. Home has had recent improvements and some vacation rental history as well. MLS# 96032.

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LOT LOTS S& & LLAND AND

ADMIR AL’ S POINT Looking to build a home with views of Lake Glenville? Take a look at this lot on the east side of the lake with easy access to Cashiers. Enjoy the views of the lake and the mountains beyond, along with cool summer breezes. Buy now and build or hold onto the lot for future home. Don't miss this opportunity for a lake view lot. MLS# 94746. $95,000.

BALD RO CK

NEWLY LISTED Spectacular gently sloping 10+ acre estate lot located in the prestigious community of Bald Rock. This lot borders the National Forest and equestrian trails allowing easy access to trail ride, hike or mountain bike. Bald Rock community features waterfalls, wooden bridges and streams throughout plus an equestrian center and a pavilion with 2 fireplaces and full kitchen. Ownership also comes with Sapphire Valley amenities that give you access to the golf course, tennis courts, rec center, fitness center, indoor/outdoor pools, community center, ski slope, zip line and more. MLS# 96752. $449,000.

BE AR L AKE

NEWLY PRICED Sitting in the middle of this beautiful mountain lake, Bear Lake Heaven Island is truly a unique opportunity. Bear Lake is a pristine lake at 2,600 feet elevation located in the heart of the

Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. With 22 miles of shoreline, much of which is National Forest, Bear Lake is perfect for enjoying all the water sports or simply a slow evening cruise. No need to hop in a boat to reach this island, because there's a causeway for easy access to your property. The island has underground power, a 12 GPM well, an installed 12 bedroom septic system, high-speed internet, 2 large docks, and 1,500 feet of shoreline. Unlike most property on the lake, which requires a building set-back, your property line ends at the water's edge. Spectacular lake and mountain views in every direction. Three-fourths of the island has been cleared and leveled; a trail, wide enough for a vehicle, circles the perimeter of the island. The entire lake frontage has been fortified with a rock wall to prevent any erosion. The property could be subdivided, making it a great site for a lodge, or it could be the most private of estate sites. Having a helicopter is no problem with the easy approach and a great landing site. MLS# 94384. $3,245,000. NEWLY PRICED Panoramic 180 degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and long range views of Bear Lake with clearing, on this end of a cul-de-sac homesite in Bear Lake Reserve. Bear Lake Reserve is a private and gated mountain lake, luxury resort getaway in Western North Carolina. Enjoy the rustic beauty of the mountains and countless amenities offered including: golf, tennis, hiking and trails, outdoor pavilions, a lake club and more. The resort adjoins Panthertown Valley, also known as “The Yosemite of the East". Conveniently located to the neighboring towns of Cashiers, Highlands, Sylva and Franklin you can escape to a desirable location offering a moderate climate, outdoor adventure, or just peace and respite from the fast pace. Incredible opportunity to build your custom dream home with impressive mountain vistas. MLS# 95383. $147,500.

BIG RID GE 11.23 acres of beautiful rolling pasture land with exceptional mountain views and all situated above 4,000 ft. elevation! Equestrian lover's will delight at the thought of riding in this heavenly setting, but anyone who wants to enjoy long range mountain views in a peaceful and serene setting will appreciate this land. The perfect building knoll sits just a tad higher than the rest of the acreage providing great sight lines in all directions. Lot faces west for remarkable sunset views! Located in the Big Ridge area, approximately 10 miles from town, it's far enough out to be private yet close enough to go to town to go to the grocery store or enjoy one of the many fine shoppes or restaurants in the area. Cashiers offers many free local events to enjoy as well such as Groovin' on the Green concerts every Friday night in the summertime. Call to schedule a showing of this property! MLS# 90175. $399,000. This 2.52 +/- acres offers cool breezes, mountain views with clearing and gentle enough topography to ensure economical foundation costs for your mountain dream house! Located in the casual community of Big Ridge, you'll experience peace, quiet and solitude on this generously sized building lot. Water is available at the north end of the lot. Close to Lake Glenville for all kinds of water antics! Spend your summer or a lifetime. MLS# 96309. $39,900.

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THE BOULDERS Nice lot with short range mountain views. MLS# 95258. $29,500. Nice 1.47 +/- acre lot with short range mountain views. MLS# 95257 - $29,500.

BRIDGE CREEK NEWLY PRICED Your mountain dream home goes here! Enjoy all that Bridge Creek offers: A beautifully landscaped, covered bridge entrance with a security gate, chimney garden, pond and paved roads. All of this is in a close-to-town location that is just far enough away to allow for the quiet and respite from hectic day-to day-living that we all need. This .62-acre lot should provide a great building site and also allow for the enjoyment of indigenous plants and trees. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy everything that draws people to the mountains! MLS# 97097. $35,000. 0.50 acre lot at 3,900 feet elevation with tucked away views of Lake Glenville. Located in the low density neighborhood of Bridge Creek, just a short scenic drive to Cashiers and 25 minutes to Highlands. Cross over the charming covered bridge spanning the trout waters of Norton Creek to enter the quaint community of Bridge Creek which offers a community pond, picnic area, outdoor chimney garden and hiking trails. MLS# 91223. $26,100.

BURLINGAME

Horsepasture River. MLS# 96872. $595,000. NEWLY LISTED Great opportunity to own over 4 acres with golf course and Horsepasture River views in Burlingame Country Club. Build your dream home in this amazing community. Must see to appreciate. MLS# 96498. $399,000. NEWLY LISTED If you are going to build, build on a great lot! And this is one of those! Over 2 acres on the Horsepasture River. Great privacy on the cul-de-sac. Extremely buildable lot with great, easy, access to the river. Enjoy the sound of the river, fly fishing in your backyard and the beautiful Burlingame community! MLS# 96829. $275,000. NEWLY LISTED One acre private cul-de-sac lot with great views of Hogback Mountain and Burlingame's 5th fairway. Build your dream home here. MLS# 96593. $149,000. Desirable, nearly level lot located within the grounds of Burlingame Country Club. This lot can be accessed from either the quiet Lakeshore Drive on one side or the easily accessible Upper Whitewater Road on the other. Your future mountain home built on this lot is centrally located just a short drive by golf cart or vehicle to the Burlingame Country Club, children playground, Horsepasture River, leash-free dog park and more. Views of Lake Soquilla can be seen from the Lakeshore Drive side of the lot which could be further enhanced with permission from the HOA and your neighbors across the street. Membership to the Burlingame Country Club is optional, but is required to use certain amenities. MLS# 94073. $29,000.

CEDAR HILL NEWLY PRICED Streams, streams, streams! There are 3 streams that pass through the property and 2 that intersect at one point! Easy to walk property with trails and walking planks over the streams that go in every direction. Gentle home site with nearly flat access off the main road. Expired 4 septic permit on file and private community water available. Pretty setting with some short range mountain views possible as well. Cedar Hill is a highly desirable gated community located only minutes from the Cashiers Crossroads. Sapphire Valley Resort amenities are optional with a $500 initiation fee and annual fees of $858/yr (2021), upon membership application and approval. 2,800 square foot minimum building requirement. MLS# 95571. $150,000.

NEWLY LISTED THE most spectacular property available in Burlingame! Over 5 buildable acres, right on Miller Falls! These 2 lots are being sold together so that you can have a driveway access from lot 4 to a home on lot 5, right on top of this major waterfall. Where is your favorite fly fishing spot? Right in your own backyard! MLS# 96858. $660,000. NEWLY LISTED Enjoy all that Burlingame has to offer with complete privacy on your 5+ acres on the designated "Wild and Scenic"

The Meridian at Cedar Hill is the final phase of the very popular neighborhood of Cedar Hill. These lots are at over 4,000 feet elevation with private sewer access, water, paved roads and underground power. A well maintained neighborhood with pristine roads, gated entry and lovely homes. Exceptional mountain views including Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley Canyon set this estate lot apart. Cedar Hill is an upscale gated community offering its residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your future dream home, Cedar Hill will not disappoint. Convenient to the heart of Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 96300. $150,000. The Meridian at Cedar Hill is the final phase of the very popular neighborhood of Cedar Hill. These lots are at over 4,000 feet elevation with private sewer access, water, paved roads and underground power. A well maintained neighborhood with pristine roads, gated entry and lovely homes. Exceptional mountain views including Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley Canyon set this estate lot apart. Cedar Hill is an upscale gated community offering its

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THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB

Situated on a quiet street in the gated community of Cedar, located just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire. The lot has a great view potential and is ideal for designing your dream mountain home and enjoy the cool summer temperatures. The community features a pavilion with stone fireplace along Rochester Creek, perfect for an afternoon picnic or hike. The community is very well maintained and welcomes residents to their mountain retreat. MLS# 91330. $120,000. Tucked away in the gorgeous gated community of Cedar Hill is this high elevation, easy build lot with beautiful mountain and ridge line views. There is an expired septic evaluation on file with Jackson County for a three bedroom home. Full Sapphire Valley amenities are available with initiation and additional annual fees. This lot is a quick five-minute drive to Cashiers and a twenty minute drive to Highlands. MLS# 96100. $85,000.

CEDAR CREEK CLIFFS Huge views form this large lot in the Glenville area. The bottom of the lot falls away from a very level building site, making it easy to open up the view. South facing, so plenty of yearround sunshine. Convenient to Lake Glenville and Cashiers. Community water system. At nearly 4,400 feet elevation, you are guaranteed a cool summer. Compare to other easy build view lots, this lot is a great opportunity. MLS# 94470. $75,000.

CEDAR RIDGE ES TATES Build your mountain home alongside a tall majestic waterfall and also overlooking Horsepasture River! This large 2.47 acre lot is what dreams are made of with a private waterfall and approximately180 feet of Horsepasture River frontage that is only a 5 minute drive or less to the Cashiers Crossroads. Easy to find and view with a lot marker sign and a trail cut into the lot to allow you to walk around the potential home site area. Ideal home site positions your back deck overlooking the waterfall and river below. Expired 4 bedroom septic permit on file and there is an existing water system to hook onto so no well drilling needed. Electricity is accessible at the road and Northland Cable or Frontier DSL are your options for internet/cable tv within this community. A new survey has been ordered and will be available upon completion. MLS# 96402. $200,000. NEWLY LISTED Enjoy privacy from this 4.26 acre estate size lot with that is only a few minutes drive to the Cashiers Crossroads! Walk up the steps to the trail into the lot and follow the pink survey markers along the edge of the small stream to the building knoll at the top of the lot shown on the 4 expired septic permit. Cedar Ridge Estates is a beautifully maintained community with mountain views and streams throughout. Walk just down the road from this lot to see a lovely waterfall and Horsepasture River from the newly built bridge. Existing water system is available to hook up to so no well drilling needed. Electricity is accessible at the road and Northland Cable or Frontier DSL are your options for internet/cable tv within this community. Low homeowner association fees and no club memberships required however; owners may also apply for membership at the nearby Cedar Creek Racquet Club or another club in the area. MLS# 96955. $130,000.

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residents awe-inspiring views and the very best in luxury mountain living. MLS# 96298. $155,000.

Gorgeous premiere 5+ acre lot inside the gates of the prestigious and exclusive Chattooga Club. Great building site on this beautiful lot adjacent to Mac's View which will never be built on and is deeded to the homeowners association. Phenomenal views of mountain range and Whiteside Mountain - Perfect for sipping cocktails as you watch the gorgeous sunsets! MLS# 93769. $950,000. NEWLY LISTED Beautiful virgin forest land in this idyllic setting in the well established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Gentle building site with Fowler Creek, which flows into The Chattooga River, runs alongside this property with a view of mountain range. Lot is surrounded by beautiful hardwoods, and indigenous plants including rhododendrons, mountain laurels. Great spot for someone to build their perfect summer or year round mountain home! MLS# 96848. $800,000. NEWLY LISTED Beautiful virgin forest land in this idyllic setting in the well established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Gentle building site with Fowler Creek, which flows into The Chattooga River, runs alongside this property with a view of mountain range. Lot is surrounded by beautiful hardwoods, and indigenous plants including rhododendrons, mountain laurels. Great spot for someone to build their perfect summer or year round mountain home! MLS# 96849. $800,000. NEWLY LISTED Beautiful virgin forest land in this idyllic setting in the well established gated community of The Chattooga Club. Gentle building site with Fowler Creek, which flows into The Chattooga River, runs alongside this property with a view of mountain range. Lot is surrounded by beautiful hardwoods, and indigenous plants including rhododendrons, mountain laurels. Great spot for someone to build their perfect summer or year round mountain home! MLS# 96847. $750,000. NEWLY LISTED Located in The Chattooga Club, this beautiful 3.2-acre lot features a mountain view on one side and the sound of Fowler Creek on the other. The community offers wonderful amenities, including security, a lake that is annually stocked with 1,000 pounds of trout, and Mac's View, a picnic area with beautiful sunsets. Don't miss this opportunity to build your dream mountain home! Club membership is by invitation only. MLS# 97078. $750,000. Beautiful lot on corner of Club Drive and Gorge Trail in the well-established Chattooga Club community. Beautiful waterfall on the property with lots of hardwoods and indigenous plants including Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels. Club

membership by invitation only. MLS# 96442. $595,000. One of the few lots still available in this established, exclusive and gated community. Gentle building site with view potential. Many beautiful hardwoods and indigenous plants on property including rhododendron and mountain laurels. Membership to Chattooga Club by invitation. MLS# 94549. $385,000. NEWLY LISTED Build your dream mountain home in the well-established, exclusive and gated community of The Chattooga Club! This pretty, 1.81-acre lot is conveniently located only two miles to town. Hardwoods, rhododendron, mountain laurels and other indigenous trees and plants grace the property. Lake Chattooga and the stunning Mac's View picnic area are owned by the Homeowners' Association. Membership to The Chattooga Club is by invitation. MLS# 97145. $369,000. NEWLY LISTED This wooded lot inside the gates of the well-established community of The Chattooga Club features beautiful hardwoods, rhododendrons mountain laurels and other indigenous plants. An easy building site, it is only two miles to town. Private wells are included in your POA fee. This is a great opportunity to build your mountain dream home in this exclusive neighborhood! Club membership is by invitation only. MLS# 97146. $359,000.

CHINQUAPIN

NEWLY LISTED Chinquapin is a 2,000-acre, private, gated community that offers park-like living with outdoor adventure amenities. Enjoy lake and stream fishing, canoeing, a disc golf course, a driving range, miles of hiking and biking trails, an Outpost Clubhouse with a fitness room and live music during the season as well as new pickleball courts coming summer 2021! Chinquapin is one of the few communities in the area that offers fiber to the home for great connectivity. Lot D46 is a cul-de-sac lot with an amazing mountain view located in Chinquapin's exclusive Double Knob section which is privately gated within the main gates of the community. MLS# 97164. $299,000. Located at 4000+/- feet of elevation, this 6.108+/- acres is located in the unique high elevation community. The lot has the potential for short and long range mountain views. The lot is close to hiking trails and green space. The development is in close proximity to downtown Cashiers. Chinquapin amenities include miles of hiking trails, biking and 4- wheeling, trout fishing, camping and a community clubhouse. There is also from the community, easy access to Panthertown Valley National Forest. If you are looking for even more acreage, lot 10 next door is also for sale with 3.407 +/- acres. MLS# 95866. $240,000. UNDER CONTRACT Located at 4000+/- feet of elevation, this 3.407+/- acres is located in the unique high elevation community. The lot has the potential for short and long range mountain views. The lot is close to hiking trails and green space. The development is in close proximity to downtown Cashiers. Chinquapin amenities include miles of hiking trails, biking and 4- wheeling, trout fishing, camping and a community clubhouse. There is also from the community, easy access to Panthertown Valley National Forest. If you are looking for even more acreage, lot 9 next door is also for sale with 6.108+/- acres. MLS# 95867. $225,000. NEWLY LISTED Gorgeous mountain view lot with a very gentle home site sitting above 3,800 ft. elevation! Northwesterly facing lot in the gated community of Chinquapin. Current 3 bedroom septic permit (authorization to construct) on hand and water and electricity hook up also available at road. You will notice that there are several beautiful homes that have just recently been built, or currently under construction, on your way to this home site. The Chinquapin community is truly a nature lover's paradise with 13 different trails to explore, some for UTV/ATV's, hiking and mountain biking. Many common areas to enjoy including Logan's Overlook, a lovely covered pavilion for a small gathering and a porch swing where you can see and enjoy the peaceful majestic long range views. Other amenities include disc golf, an activity field, helipad, electric bike rentals, a band stage and more! MLS# 96950. $149,000.

NEWLY LISTED Envision your dream home on this lot with spectacular long-range mountain views located in Chinquapin's exclusive Double Knob section, privately gated within the main gates of the community. Cool summers will be yours, as the almost 1.5-acre lot sits at more than 4,000 feet elevation. Chinquapin is a 2,000-acre, private community that offers park-like living with outdoor adventure amenities. Enjoy lake and stream fishing, canoeing, a disc golf course, a driving range, miles of hiking and biking trails, an Outpost Clubhouse with a fitness room and live music during the season as well as new pickleball courts coming summer 2021! Chinquapin is one of the few communities in the area that offers fiber to the home for great connectivity. Don't miss this opportunity for exceptional mountain living. MLS# 97219. $349,900.

NEWLY LISTED This large 3.46 acre gentle lot offers a nice northerly facing short range mountain view along with a nature lover's paradise literally right outside your back door! Located at the end of a circular cul-de-sac with a community trail that leads you into the property and eventually crosses Lot 97 and leads you to the Chinquapin Wilderness common areas including a bold stream and fishing shack situated on 230+ acres of conservatory land. Just across the stream you will see one of several Wilderness Cabins that are available for property owners and their guests to reserve and enjoy. The back right side of this lot has approximately 400 feet of bold Robinson Creek frontage. Walk down the black trail to the purple trail and turn right to cross through the middle of the lot and eventually crosses over to Lot 99 to arrive at Ian's Bridge, a beautiful area overlooking the stream. There's an abundance of natural flora covering the property including

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proximately 480 feet along the left side of the property. This 2.68 acre lot will also have great mountain views once house site is cleared and view is trimmed in. A trail or walkway leading from the home site down to the common area can easily be added for direct access to the common area. Building will be a breeze on this nearly level building site. Underground utilities and water access already in place and there is an expired 3 bedroom septic permit on file. Cross Creek Preserve is a well-manicured community with only 24 home sites and a gated entrance where you pass through a charming covered bridge. This lot also backs up to the peaceful and serene common area where you can kayak, fish in the trout stocked lake or enjoy a campfire in the community fire ring. Located only 5.5 miles from the heart of Cashiers in the popular Norton Road area. MLS# 95971. $199,900.

NEWLY PRICED 2.13+/- gentle rolling acres at the end of cul de sac. Lot backs up to wooded green space. Chinquapin is a beautiful nature community where residents have access to multiple trails for hiking, biking or ATV rides, teepee village, ponds for fishing, picnic pavilion, helipad and community social gatherings throughout the season. If you are looking for a beautiful location to build your mountain home, Chinquapin may be the place for you. Convenient to Cashiers for shopping and dining and Lake Glenville for skiing, tubing, swimming and more. MLS# 96240. $119,000.

Come build your dream home upon this generously sized 2.69 acre lot within the beautifully manicured Cross Creek Preserve. This wooded, gently sloping lot offers easy access and potential for long range mountain views to enjoy from your future getaway, whether it be a primary or secondary residence. MLS# 95183. $175,000.

NEWLY LISTED Chinquapin is a 2,000-acre private gated community that offers park-like living with outdoor adventure amenities. Outdoor amenities include lake and stream fishing, canoeing, disk golf course, driving range, miles of hiking and biking trails, Outpost Clubhouse with fitness room, live music at the Outpost Clubhouse during season as well as new pickleball courts coming summer 2021! Chinquapin is one of the few communities in the area that offers fiber to the home for great connectivity. Lot 75 has a flat build site with a great mountain view for the perfect mountain home. MLS# 96946. $109,000. NEWLY LISTED Chinquapin is a 2,000-acre private gated community that offers park-like living with outdoor adventure amenities. Outdoor amenities include lake & stream fishing, canoeing, disk golf course, driving range, miles of hiking & biking trails, Outpost Clubhouse with fitness room, live music at the Outpost Clubhouse during season as well as new pickleball courts coming summer 2021! Chinquapin is one of the few communities in the area that offers fiber to the home for great connectivity. Lot 70 has a flat build site with a great mountain view for the perfect mountain home. MLS# 96876. $99,900. If you want to be in a community of upscale homes and low density, a community that features acres of conservation easements, trails, ponds, stables, and more; look no further. It's a private gated 2,000 acre community with wide paved roads, underground utilities and high-speed fiber internet. Chinquapin offers a unique mountain experience. This lot sits at just shy of 4,000 feet elevation, has a gentle sloping building site and a nice mountain view. MLS# 95987. $79,900.

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE Build your dream home right next to a waterfall! Extremely unique lot with a BOLD stream and 2 waterfalls bordering ap-

LOT S & L AND

beautiful ferns, moss cover rocks, mountain laurel and rhododendrons. Chinquapin has13 different trails, some for UTV/ ATV's, hiking and mountain biking. The purple trail is a walking trail only. Take off from your home in any direction and it will lead to one of the many waterfalls in the area. The Chinquapin community is truly is a nature lover's paradise! The black trail that leads you into the lot would be ideal to be the start of the driveway into Lot 96 with the homesite just past the Lot 96 marker. Many common areas to enjoy including Logan's Overlook, a lovely covered pavilion for a small gathering and a porch swing where you can see and enjoy the peaceful majestic long range views. You will notice that there are several beautiful homes that have just recently been built, or currently under construction, on you way to this home site. MLS# 96793. $145,000.

Amazing long range mountain views can be seen from this home site in the prestigious gated community of Cross Creek Preserve. As you enter the community through the charming covered bridge you will see that this is a very well maintained neighborhood with nice common areas including a trout fishing pond with waterfall and a huge field and fire pit for owners to enjoy. Nearby Trillium Links & Lake Club can be seen from this north facing lot. Surrounded by several upscale neighborhoods, Cross Creek is also close to Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club and Old Edwards Club. Conveniently situated between Highlands and Cashiers for quick trips to town for shopping and dining. Seller already has a complete set of ready to build custom house plans designed specifically for this lot for a 3-4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home. Contact listing agent for more details! MLS# 89979. $189,500.

CULL A SA JA CLUB Build your dream home on this wonderful parcel within the upscale, gated community of the Cullasaja Club! Coming in at just under an acre, this gently rolling property boasts gratifying potential for a build site that, with some trimming, could open up a beautiful view. Cullasaja Club combines luxury living and the ultimate in leisure for a true one-of-a-kind Western North Carolina community. At the heart of this exclusive gated enclave lies a par 72, 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course, as well as a clubhouse with mixed grill & formal dining room. Cullasaja Club also boasts one hard surface & five lighted clay tennis courts, state-of-the-art fully-staffed fitness and activity center, and canoeing, kayaking or fishing on fully-stocked Lake Ravenel. There aren't many of these opportunities left! MLS# 96347. $125,000.

CULLOWHEE FORES T 11.65+/- acres with a mix of stream and waterfall frontage located in the gated, informal community of Cullowhee Forest. The size of the lot gives you options for the future home site along with the potential for short range mountain views. MLS# 95250. $99,000.

Cullowhee Forest is a gated community focused around nature, large lots, and a pristine mountain feel. Surrounded by lush forest, this property is 6+ acres at 3,600' elevation, making it an ideal location for a temperate mountain getaway. High-speed internet will be available via recently approved fiber optic cable installation. The private community common area is arguably one of the prettiest in the area, providing direct access to the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River - an ideal spot for fly fishing - and private access to an unbelievable community waterfall greater than 100 feet tall. Miles of additional hiking trails, including High Falls Trail, are directly accessible from the common area. MLS# 94921. $35,000.

CULLOWHEE MOUNTAIN ROAD Here is your chance for 20+/- acres (deed says 20+/- acres and Tax Office shows 16+/- acres ) of unrestricted land in the heart of the mountains for Western North Carolina. Ready for one or multiple home sites, this parcel has a paved driveway connecting off one of multiple build sites to Cullowhee Mountain Road. If you like higher elevation views, work your way deeper into the 20 acres and surround yourself in nature with complete and utter wooded privacy while taking in the stunning views from your new deck in any direction. Just 12 minutes to the Pine Creek Recreation area on Lake Glenville and under 30 minutes to the shops and restaurants of the town of Cashiers. MLS# 94875. $130,000.

CULLOWHEE RIVER CLUB

home site. Great Chimney Top, Rock and Whiteside Mountain views extending all the way east to Rainy Knobs and beyond. Community water system and electricity are accessible at road. Located in the desirable neighborhood of Falcon Ridge, this lot sits at a cool 4,000+ feet elevation and has astonishing layered views into South Carolina. This home site has paved access and sits far enough away from Tower Road to provide quiet tranquility. This is the perfect spot to build your mountain getaway! Falcon Ridge has a community common area with a pavilion and a bonfire ring and is a wonderful place to enjoy with friends, family and neighbors. Panthertown Valley, a 6,300 acre wilderness area, is right around the corner making hiking and waterfall sightseeing very convenient. Ownership also comes with Sapphire Valley Resort amenities where you can enjoy golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, carpet golf, community center, ski slope, zip line, Lake Fairfield access and more. MLS# 96606. $195,000.

GLEN L AUREL Huge views of Lake Glenville and mountains. Access to Lake Glenville with shared dock. Paved roads and community water. Underground utilities. Frontage on 2 community roads. Lot is very close, less than 1/4 mile, from a public boat launch. So you can easily put in and take out any watercraft. If you're looking for it all, view, lake, and elbow room; this is it. MLS# 95547. $47,000. Easy build lake access lot within walking distance to Lake Glenville and the community boat dock. This lot has a gentle slope and a very pastoral view of pastures and mountains. The lot is easily accessed from paved state road. This lot is also very convenient to Cashiers, Highlands, Franklin and Cullowhee. Glen Laurel has paved roads and underground utilities. Minimum square footage for homes, only 1400 sf. Affordable opportunity to own your mountain cabin with an almost lake front lot. Within 1/4 mile of public boat ramp. 3 bedroom septic permit issued. MLS# 95506. $41,000.

GLENSHORE

Incredibly light filled homesite located at the end of a cul de sac and situated above the Tuckasegee River with Blue Ridge Mountain views. Sounds of the rushing river abound on this gentle sloping, largely cleared lot with short and some potential long range mountain views. Cullowhee River Club includes a common green space area, pavilion, fire pit, and fireplace. It is conveniently located minutes to Western Carolina University and a short scenic drive to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Both the Asheville airport and Harrah's Casino are an hour's drive. Public sewer is available. MLS# 96237. $165,000.

FALCON RIDGE

One of the more established lakefront subdivisions on Lake Glenville, Glenshore is a gated community featuring some of the most beautiful multi-million dollar homes in the Western North Carolina area. This affordable corner wooded lot, priced under assessed value enjoys winter views of Lake Glenville and with additional tree topping/trimming, potentially even more enhanced views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Each home site in Glenshore is individual, offering unique perspectives of nature. The waterfront community of Glenshore on Lake Glenville offers its residents all of the pleasures the lake has to offer – boating, jet skiing, swimming, fishing and more. MLS# 94182. $40,650.

GLENVILLE NEWLY LISTED Extremely unique and rare opportunity to have 107 +/- acres across from Lake Glenville. Property offers amazing mountain and lake views along with pond and stream frontage. Location of property is only minutes from downtown Cashiers. MLS# 96441. $2,800,000.

Spectacular long range southwesterly views from this 2.42 acre 242 S I LSVI L EV REC RRCEREEKER KERAELAELS E TS AT A E TG E RGORUOPU|PB|UBI L UD I LI N DG I NR GERL E A LT A IO TN I OSN HSI P HSI P . S D. EDL E I VLEI V REI N RG I ND G RDERAEMASM . S. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

HIGHWAY 6 4 WES T - C A SHIERS

Fabulous views over the Country Club of Sapphire and the mountains beyond. Located in the gated community of Golf Club Estates, this lot offers a great opportunity to build your perfect mountain dream home. Membership at the CCSV is by invitation only, and just a short golf cart ride away. MLS# 94304. $175,000.

NEWLY LISTED This in-town, road-level commercial property is off Highway 64 West. The 2.34 +/- acres include two parcels. It offers easy access off Highway 64 West, with great visibility from this main thoroughfare between Cashiers and Highlands. A well and septic system is on the property. MLS# 97094. $649,000.

GRE YCLIFF

HIGHWAY 10 7 SOUTH

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GOLF CLUB ES TATES

NEWLY LISTED Wonderful lake and mountain view lot with southern exposure at 4,000+/- feet of elevation. The community offers a gated entrance, large paved roads, underground power, community water, and a great community lakefront lot with a common shared boat dock. MLS# 96807. $150,000. UNDER CONTRACT 3,900 ft plus of elevation, lake and boat dock access, with mountain views. Located in the Informal Gated community of Greycliff, the community offers wide paved roads throughout, community water, underground utilities, simple common sense restrictions, and a low minimum build requirement of 1,400 square feet. Greycliff is one of the few communities around Lake Glenville that offers the ability for members only to access Lake Glenville and have the use of a common boat dock. MLS# 95684. $49,900. Wonderful long range mountain view lot located in the gated community of Greycliff. The community offers wide paved roads, underground utilities, community water with lake and boat dock access. MLS# 95897. $55,000.

HIGH ME ADOWS Very hard to find 4.70+/- acres, with a gentle topography, located in a low density gated community with extensive walking trails, close to downtown Cashiers. If you are looking for privacy and the feeling as though you are in a state park, then this lot and the community of High Meadows provides just that feeling. The lot also has a small babbling brook that runs through the property if you are looking for a little water noise. There is currently a trail cut in from the beginning of the lot to the very end of the lot which will connect you to one of the walking trails and take you to a common area that provides an outdoor pavilion with fireplace. MLS# 96275. $199,000.

HIGH SPRINGS It doesn't get much better than this! Gentle 1.8+/- acre building lot with easy driveway access and a house site that has already been partially cleared. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac that is shared with only two other owners. The lot line extends all the way down to Birch Creek Trail below so it would be easy to open up the view with a little tree trimming for a great year-round long range mountain view. Southwesterly views of Whiteside Mountain, Satulah Mountain, Yellow Mountain, Black Rock Mountain and more. These two lots were combined into one so there is only one $1,000 POA fee per year and it includes water usage. Only a 1,400 minimum square foot building requirement! Expired 3 bedroom septic permit on file. MLS# 95795. $125,000.

On the market for the first time, the historic Waddell/Hanks House estate sits in the heart of the highly desirable Highway 107 South corridor in Cashiers, North Carolina. The estate overlooks a gently meandering Fowler Creek and Wade Hampton Golf Club's beautiful 7th and 8th holes. This section of the corridor boasts an impressive concentration of luxury homes, a central uncongested location, two prestigious private country clubs, and the newly renovated High Hampton resort. With few building restrictions, the estate property represents an exceptional opportunity to build a custom single-family compound, several estate homes, or a development with upscale cottages for seasonal or year-round residents. The 12.16acre property consists of contiguous parcels of 3.41 acres, .64 acres, and 8.11 acres. MLS# 94760. $3,700,000.

HOGBACK CREEK ES TATE Well priced adjoining lakefront lots totaling over an acre with gorgeous views of the lake and mountains beyond. Hogback Lake is great for canoes, kayaks, sails, pontoons, fishing boats w/trolling motors and swimming. There is an expired septic improvement permit for a three bedroom dwelling from 2002 (would need to be updated with Jackson County). Sapphire Valley amenities are available if desired but not mandatory. MLS# 94633. $80,000.

HOGBACK L AKE UNDER CONTRACT Great opportunity to own a lake front lot with minimal fees! Enjoy beautiful views of Hogback Lake and Hogback Mountain from this half acre lot. Drop a canoe or fishing line in right from your own property! Located at the

south end of the lake near the dam with easy access off Highway 64. Current 4 bedroom septic permit on file. NO HOA fees and Sapphire Valley Resort membership is optional with a one-time $500 initiation fee and $858 annual fee (2021 fee). MLS# 96045. $60,000.

HOLLY FORES T NEWLY LISTED Great location just off of Trays Island Road, Easy access to Route 64. Enjoy Sapphire amenities. MLS# 96874. $29,999. Nice gentle lot with over an acre of land and year-round mountain view potential! This property has a long private driveway already roughed in so it’s easy to see where the best home site would be. Both lots on each side already have homes built on them so privacy won’t be an issue. Expired 4 bedroom septic permit on file. MLS# 96440.$23,000. Gently sloping lot in Holly Forest VI with long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a cascading stream trickles through the property. White pines, ferns and rhododendrons adorn this beautiful wooded lot that offers a fairly level building site. Located a short drive to all the Sapphire Valley Master Association (SVMA) amenities, a ten minute drive to Cashiers and less than an hour to the Asheville airport. Ownership comes with all of the SVMA amenities including golf, tennis, swimming, skiing, tubing, miniature golf, outdoor hiking trails and canoeing or kayaking at the breathtaking Fairfield Lake. Mountain dreams do come true and this unique and inviting lot is waiting for you! MLS# 95850. $15,000. Over half an acre lot with nice building envelope in Holly Forest Community. This community and location are optimal for building a year around residence, vacation home or investment property. Sapphire amenities are associated with this lot including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor pool, fitness room, jogging track, ski slope and Fairfield Lake. MLS# 96091. $15,000. Great view lot in the heart of Sapphire Valley. Just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire, as well as all the Sapphire Valley amenities. Year round view will be available from the home once the trees are trimmed. MLS# 94189. $9,900. A noisy stream runs along the bottom portion of this lot! This gently sloping home site will make the perfect mountain cabin spot. A great location for nature lover’s with a canopy of trees surrounding the property. Just a short walk to the Narrows waterfall and common area. This would be a great building site for a 2 story home that overlooks the stream. Expired septic permit on file and community has low homeowner’s fees. Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley amenities. MLS# 88627. $6,500.

L AKE TOX AWAY ES TATES NEWLY LISTED This beautiful, wooded lot is located in the premier, private community of Lake Toxaway Estates. The 1.37-acre property features winter views of Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal. Access to the lake and marina - as well as Lake Toxaway Country Club (membership by invitation) - is limited to Lake Toxaway Estates property owners. Build your dream mountain home and be a part of the modern-day story of Lake Toxaway, a retreat with a history of drawing some of America's most prestigious guests! MLS# 97207. $200,000.

Extraordinary value and location with 2 potential building sites. Private, level and easy to build golf course frontage lot on the 12th Hole, short distance to clubhouse, 4 bedroom septic evaluation and well evaluation on file. Located on a private "loop". There's also a spot for a potential pond or water feature. The property has deeded lake access to Lake Toxaway and its proximity to the lake and club amenities make it a terrific location. MLS# 95956. $99,000. Are you looking for that perfect piece of land to hold until you're ready to build that mountain dream home? Here is a unique opportunity to own a very gentle-laying lot in prestigious Lake Toxaway Estates. The reasonable topography allows for wonderful economy of foundation costs and the elevation allows for that lovely view at a budget price. Lake and mountain views can be made even better with selective tree trimming. At nearly 1.5 acres, you'll enjoy plenty of space for building your mountain dream home, beautifying the landscape, play time or just while away the hours in the cool mountain air. The location on Panther Ridge is so convenient to Lake Toxaway Country Club for a fabulous country club experience (membership is available with approval) and this lot comes with deeded lake access on the state's largest private lake. Enjoy all that the development has to offer, including lake access, views galore, hiking trails and a friendly environment. The community is convenient to many of the natural riches we all love this area for such as many waterfalls, US Forestry Service parks, abundant wildlife, fishing and much more! Enjoy life in your second home or live here year round. MLS# 94710. $68,000.

L AUREL FALL S Over 15 acres of land to enjoy at 4,100+ ft. elevation! Long range mountain views and short ridge views from these 2 northerly facing lots. A gorgeous property that is truly unique and offers a ton of sprawling level acreage. Position your house anywhere you'd like among the native flora and ferns that cover the property. The driveway is already partially roughed in and leads you to a clearing and a fire pit area where you will enjoy the best views. Laurel Falls is a private neighborhood with gated access and low property owner fees. Nature lovers will appreciate the community's private access into the 6,300 acre Panthertown National Forest and trout fishing in Robinson Creek. Laurel Falls only has a 1,000 sq. ft. minimum building requirement making it the perfect spot to build a mountain cabin. These two lots are being listed together and offered at a discounted price for 15.89 acres. This property backs up to Chinquapin land for added privacy. MLS# 96190. $195,500. 8.99 acre parcel available at 3,700 feet elevation in the gated and private community of Laurel Falls! Great winter mountain views too! Listen to the sounds of the rushing stream located on the lot directly across the street from this property. A perfect building shelf runs along the entire middle section of the property. Enter into the far right side of the lot and walk across through the middle level portion to reach one of the best potential home sites. The Laurel Falls community is adjacent to and has a private trail into the 6,300 acre Panthertown National Forest where nature enthusiasts enjoy hiking, biking and horseback riding. Low POA fees and only 1,000 sq. ft. minimum building requirement. This lot can be subdivided one time according to the most recent covenants and restrictions. No mobile homes or modular homes allowed in Laurel Falls. Only about a 20 minute drive from Cashiers where shopping, dining and activities are abundant! MLS# 96059. $89,000.

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MANTLE RIDGE Tucked away in a tranquil setting at a cool elevation of almost 3,800 feet, this scenic property is comprised of almost 2 gentle acres. Beautiful eight lot subdivision nestled among Christmas tree farms with underground utilities. This location is perfect to build your dream home and your slice of the mountain life! The location offers views of Shortoff Mountain. This property is very private yet convenient to both Cashiers and Highlands. MLS# 95847. $99,999.

NORTH NORTON ROAD Hard to find 10.84+/- unrestricted acres for sale with lake and mountain views. The property also offers Lake Glenville access. 8 water taps available for property with the Strawberry Hill Homeowners Association. MLS# 95907. $425,000.

OLD EDWARDS UNDER CONTRACT Beautiful setting from this gently sloping lot with wonderful mountain and golf course views! One of the last golf course lots available and overlooking 17th tee and green. The homesite has a stream running along the right side for the soothing sounds while enjoying a cocktail on your future deck. This lot is very convenient to Old Edwards Club and GlenCove amenities. Water and sewer tap fees have already been paid. MLS# 95878. $349,000.

OVERLO OK AT SAPPHIRE

NEWLY LISTED Welcome to the Overlook at Sapphire, a secluded and peaceful community perched above 3,600 feet elevation. This wonderful, 1.65-acre parcel is ready for you to build your dream mountain getaway upon it. Coined "Windy

Gap Overlook," this lot offers fantastic, long-range mountain views from a community filled with local flora and surrounded by Nantahala National Forest. With the added peace and quiet in the cool, crisp mountain air, this area is a nature lover's dream. Benefits of this location include 35-mile proximity to Asheville Regional airport for easy commutes in and out, and a 15-minute drive to Cashiers. A trail has been roughed through the property, so the future owner may fully envision his or her perfect mountain retreat. MLS# 97051. $139,000.

LOT S & L AND

Two great adjoining lots in the scenic, wild and gated subdivision of Laurel Falls. Each lot has a survey, expired septic evaluation for a 3 bedroom home with easy building sites! A small stream runs through the property providing additional mountain charm. Ridgeline views with tree trimming. Lots of usable land. Laurel Falls is bordered by thousands of acres of protected Panthertown Valley. The Yosemite of the East. MLS# 96084. $40,000.

PILOTS KNOB One of the best panoramic views on the Plateau and close to Lake Glenville! Fantastic building lot in the desirable neighborhood of Pilots Knob. Year-round mountain views. Community features include a trout pond and common area fire pit where owners enjoy long range mountain views and also a Christmas tree farm. Pilots Knob is paved throughout and has an inviting gated entrance with a pretty waterfall feature. Low POA fees and underground utilities make this a great place to build your mountain escape at almost 4,000+ feet elevation! The owner has a set of house plans available that have been pre-approved by the developer. MLS# 96312. $145,000. NEWLY LISTED The communities finest big view lots handpicked for ease of build and their fantastic long range views! Pilots Knob is a thriving gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees. With recent home sales, numerous lot sales, custom spec builds and privately owned builds underway, Pilots Knob is quickly becoming a bustling mountain community! While manicured and elegant, Pilots Knob's beauty remains unspoiled and the wildlife is abundant. Conveniently located just minutes from Lake Glenville, the areas premier lake, with access to boating, hiking, a public lake front park, a waterfall hike and a whitewater kayaking boat launch is all just around the corner. Pilots Knob is a scenic drive from Cashiers or Highlands and allows for easy access to restaurants, shopping and groceries while providing a true mountain escape! Pictures and words don't do this property justice. MLS# 96519. $98,000. NEWLY LISTED The communities finest big view lots handpicked for ease of build and their fantastic long range views! Pilots Knob is a thriving gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees. With recent home sales, numerous lot sales, custom spec builds and privately owned builds are underway, Pilots Knob is quickly becoming a bustling mountain community! While manicured and elegant, Pilots Knob's beauty remains unspoiled and the wildlife is abundant. Conveniently located just minutes from Lake Glenville, the area's premier lake, with access to boating, hiking, a public lakefront park, a waterfall hike and a whitewater kayaking boat launch is all just around the corner. Pilots Knob is a scenic drive from Cashiers or Highlands and allows for easy access to restaurants, shopping and groceries while providing a true mountain escape! Pictures and words don't do this property justice. Pick your lot and or floor plan today! MLS# 96524. $94,000. NEWLY LISTED Fantastic building lot in the desirable neigh-

borhood of Pilots Knob! Great year-round mountain view potential with tree trimming from this gently rolling lot. Community features include a trout pond and common fire pit common area where owners enjoy long range mountain range views and also a charming Christmas tree farm. Pilots Knob is paved throughout and has an inviting gated entrance with a pretty waterfall feature. Low POA fees and underground utilities make this a great place to build your mountain escape at almost 4,000+ feet elevation! Only a 1,000 sq. ft. building minimum requirement. MLS# 96272. $42,000.

RO CK Y KNOB Two lots for the price of one! Located in the gorgeous gated community of Rocky Knob, these lots provide a peaceful setting to build a mountain home with lots of land to explore. Owners have the privilege to enjoy the beautiful Lake Osage, a 17 acre lake, along with a covered pavilion and grilling area. Sitting at approximately 3,700 feet elevation, this is the perfect area to escape the heat of lower elevations. Not far from the Sky Valley Tubing Outdoor Center where they have summer and winter tubing, ice skating, gem mining, trout fishing, a market and Annie's Cafe. Only 10-15 minutes into downtown Highlands too! MLS# 95238. $55,000.

ROUND HILL ES TATES

Sapphire Valley, including Bald Rock and the Balsam Mountains beyond. Located on the ridge at over 4,100' of elevation so that you can enjoy the cool summer temperatures. Centrally located, Sassafras Ridge offers easy access to the numerous amenities of both Cashiers and Sapphire. MLS# 95140. $495,000. This premier lot in Sassafras Ridge located at the top of the mountain with the most breathtaking panoramic views. The site features gentle terrain for building your mountain dream home with opportunity to have a private driveway enter and exit at two locations on the property, for the true mountain estate feeling and plenty of parking. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic views over the Sapphire Valley, including Lonesome Valley and Bald Rock, the Balsam Mountains in the distance and too many others to list. The property borders National Forest land on the south side for additional privacy. As you enter the gates of the community and ascent to the top, the natural waterfalls, rock outcroppings and stone work reminiscent of the Blue Ridge Parkway welcome you home. On the ridge you will enjoy cool summer breezes and the most spectacular views. Centrally located, Sassafras Ridge offers easy access to the numerous amenities of both Cashiers and Sapphire. It also overlooks the Country Club or Sapphire Valley with a full complement of amenities. CCSV membership is by invitation only. MLS# 96114. $350,000.

SHOAL MOUNTAIN

UNDER CONTRACT Fantastic location in the popular Round Hill community and close to the Sapphire Valley Resort! Gentle building site at the very end of a cul-de-sac and sitting at 3,300 feet elevation. Westerly facing lot with year round mountain views possible with select tree trimming. Expired 4 bedroom septic permit on file and 1,800 sq. ft. minimum building requirement. All Round Hill Estates residents have the option to join the Sapphire Valley Master Association. Members of the Sapphire Valley Master Association enjoy golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, carpet golf, ski slope, zip line, community center, park/playground, picnic area and deeded access to Lake Fairfield. Membership to the Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only. MLS# 95667. $60,000.

SAPPHIRE COMMERCIAL Great commercial location located in the heart of Sapphire Valley with direct Highway 64 road frontage. The property is a blank canvas with lots of possibilities in a thriving area that's exploding with growth. A parking area is already in place, all utilities are available. MLS# 94261. $275,000.

SAPPHIRE HIGH Looking for 9+ acres in the heart of Sapphire Valley with all the amenities Sapphire Valley has to offer. This property would make for a great private retreat. Can be subdivided 3 times. MLS# 96287. $175,000.

SA SSAFR A S RIDGE This large lot features beautiful panoramic views over the

NEWLY LISTED Hard to find 12.83+/- acres located around the corner from Lake Glenville and on the East side of the lake at such an affordable price in this current real estate market. Potential long range mountain views available with additional clearing. MLS# 96839. $195,000.

SIMS VALLE Y Truly an awesome lot! Paved driveway already in place leading to the perfectly flat building site with 360 views. Long or short range mountain views in any direction you look! This private home site adjoins another 22+ acre tract that is privately owned with road access from the opposite end of the property providing this home site ultimate privacy. Sims Valley is a beautiful gated community with paved access, community water and underground utilities. Owners also enjoy use of the clubhouse, swimming pool, pavilion,

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NEWLY LISTED Make awe-inspiring, long and short range mountain and rock face views on this gently sloping, one acre Sims Valley lot. The easy build site has been partially cleared and a few trees have been trimmed to show off the view that awaits. The adjoining lot 33 is also available for sale and is a great option for those wanting additional privacy. This scenic and welcoming community is a gated neighborhood offering paved roads, large community green-spaces, trout ponds, streams, walking trails, a log cabin shelter with outdoor picnic space, and a beautiful clubhouse w/ pool, multiple decks and fireplaces, restroom, and a caterer's kitchen. Located only 10 minutes from Lake Glenville and its amenities, and a short drive from shopping and dining in the Cashiers-Highlands area. MLS# 96843. $75,000.

Sitting at 3,480 ft. elevation, this 1.5 acre lot will have great views of Cow Rock & Bald Rock with tree trimming. Located in the desirable and gated community of Stonecreek Estates with public water and sewer available. Just a short golf cart ride to the amenities of Sapphire Valley including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor pools, fitness center, ski slope, zip lines and more. Membership to The Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only. MLS# 93047. $35,000. Great mountain and rock face view potential of Cow Rock & Bald Rock with tree trimming. Sitting at 3,500 ft. elevation in the gated community of Stonecreek Estates with public water and sewer available. Just a short golf cart ride to the amenities of Sapphire Valley including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor pools, fitness center, ski slope, zip lines and more. Membership to The Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only. MLS# 93048. $35,000.

NEWLY LISTED Make awe-inspiring, long and short range mountain and rock face views on this gently sloping, one plus acre Sims Valley lot. The easy build site has been partially cleared and a few trees have been trimmed to show off the view that awaits. The adjoining lot 9 is also available for sale and is a great option for those wanting additional privacy. This scenic and welcoming community is a gated neighborhood offering paved roads, large community green-spaces, trout ponds, streams, walking trails, a log cabin shelter with outdoor picnic space, and a beautiful clubhouse w/ pool, multiple decks and fireplaces, restroom, and a caterer's kitchen. Located only 10 minutes from Lake Glenville and its amenities, and a short drive from shopping and dining in the Cashiers-Highlands area. MLS# 96844. $75,000.

S TONEFLY

Extremely desirable building lot with bold stream frontage and a nearly level building site. This is the ideal place to build a mountain home overlooking a beautiful babbling stream with many small waterfalls. Enjoy some short and long range mountain views from this peaceful setting as well. Conveniently located near the community clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center and pavilion that owners can use for social gatherings. MLS# 85846. $44,000.

In-town lot with 290+ feet of stream frontage on the headwaters of the Chattooga River and a small waterfall. Only minutes to shopping and restaurants. Easy build, 1.1 acre gentle lot with gradual slope from the paved entry road down to the stream. Gated community with paved roads and underground utilities. The community is very walkable. MLS# 95728. $245,000.

SPRING FORES T A very easily accessible, buildable lot on Windemere Way within the gates of Spring Forest. Lot 8 offers exceptional, southerly long range mountain views of Sapphire Valley - This parcel has a near level portion for your future home site that will make any builder smile. Spring Forest is conveniently perched just minutes to the Cashiers Crossroads as well as everything Sapphire Valley has to offer. MLS# 95200. $155,000.

S TONECREEK ES TATES These two lots have great mountain and rock face view potential of Cow Rock & Bald Rock with tree trimming. Sitting at 3,500 ft. elevation in the gated community of Stonecreek Estates with public water and sewer available. Just a short golf cart ride to the amenities of Sapphire Valley including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor pools, fitness center, ski slope, zip lines and more. Membership to The Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only. MLS# 95845. $60,000.

LOT S & L AND

pond & fitness center. Located only 10-15 minutes from the Lake Glenville public boat ramp and beach swimming area. MLS# 95454. $119,000.

Looking for a lot in town with frontage on the headwaters of the Chattooga River? Here it is, 340+ feet of river frontage, very private and only a short distance to town. Large, easy building site. If you have someone who is interested in sending their kids to the Summit Charter School, it's a short walk away. MLS# 95721. $395,000. In-town lot with 460 feet of stream frontage. Headwaters of the Chattooga River runs down 2 boundaries. Easy build, easy access. Located in gated community only minutes from shopping and restaurants. The whole community is very gentle lying, so very walkable. MLS# 95736. $295,000.

If you are looking for an easy build lot, close to town, in a gated community and with a stream that is part of the headwaters of the Chattooga River, this is your lot. Stonefly is only a little over a mile from the Cashiers crossroads. Convenient to shopping and restaurants, this lot has a gentle slope from the paved entry road down to the stream. The lot is a little over 1 acre and wooded with beautiful deciduous trees. The house site is so gentle that there would be plenty of room for parking, driveway and easy in and out. MLS# 95727. $239,000. A wonderful easy build lot in-town. Small stream is one border for approx. 350 feet, which is the headwaters of the Chattooga River. Stonefly is a gated community with paved roads and underground utilities. Short drive to all the restaurants and shopping in the center of Cashiers. The community lies very gentle and so is very walkable. Foundation, driveway and parking would all be very easy since this lot is so gentle. Many possible home sites on this 1.38 acre property. MLS# 95729. $230,000.

S TR AWBERRY HILL Hard to find southern facing, big lake and mountain views at an affordable price. If you are looking for even more acreage

and views, lot 33 directly next door is also for sale. MLS# 95885. $49,500. Hard to find southern facing lot. Big lake and mountain views at an affordable price. If you are looking for even more acreage and views, lot 32 directly next door is also for sale. MLS# 95958. $49,500. NEWLY PRICED Great location in well-established Strawberry Hill, is this generously sized building lot. Views of Lake Glenville and mountains beyond. Easy access to the lake for family fun. Close to Cashiers, Glenville and Highlands for events, restaurants and shopping. MLS# 96401. $39,900.

SUMMER HILL Fantastic lot located in the prestigious gated community of Summer Hill. This 4.95-acre lot features its own private waterfall and panoramic views of Lake Glenville. MLS# 95062. $950,000. UNDER CONTRACT Summer Hill is a preferred, higher-end, gated community with generous lot sizes. Lot 23 is private, approximately 1.68 +/- acres, high in elevation, and offers great mountain and sunset views. The owner's adjoining lot 24 is also currently available for purchase and would be an ideal addition to lot 23, for those looking to create an estate-sized parcel. Located on the west side of Lake Glenville (between Cashiers and Highlands), Summer Hill residents enjoy access to the lake with a boat dock, sandy beach, boat ramp, and large picnic shelter with a fireplace. MLS# 95631. $79,000. Summer Hill is a preferred, higher-end, gated community with generous lot sizes. Lot 24 is private, approximately 1.99 +/- acres, high in elevation, and offers great mountain and sunset views. The owner's adjoining lot 23 is also currently available for purchase and would be an ideal addition to lot 24, for those looking to create an estate-sized parcel. MLS# 95632. $79,000.

TAHAL A SHORES NEWLY LISTED Hard to find in this current market, an affordable lot, with low minimum square footage building requirements, 1+/acre lakefront lot with 180+/- feet of lake frontage. MLS# 96879. $349,000.

WADE HAMPTON Lot has a good view of Whiteside Mountain in well-established and exclusive neighborhood of Wade Hampton. Priced below market value! Motivated seller! MLS# 90236. $120,000.

WATERDANCE Take a dip in the cool Tuckasegee River while dreaming of your perfect home situated directly above on this lot in the gated Waterdance community! If you love the idea of walking out your front door and going for a swim in the gently moving pool below your home, then this is the lot for you. The section of river frontage you own with this lot has both small rapids and slow moving pools, perfect for the avid angler or nature enthusiast. This lot has access to the community water located 100' from where the

proposed home site is. If needed you could apply for a larger septic system. The community itself features paved roads, covered bridge, gated access, and gorgeous water features such as the waterfall that is across the road from this lot. This parcel is a must see! MLS# 96080. $125,000.

WHISPER L AKE NEWLY LISTED Don't miss this chance to purchase your slice of lake living in the mountains of Western North Carolina! Situated on the private and pristine Whisper Lake, this lot boasts approximately 200 feet of direct lake frontage on one of the few remaining lakefront lots in the quiet Whisper Lake Subdivision. Positioned on a quiet cul-de-sac, this gentle rolling lot widens as it meanders down to the lake while bordered by lush vegetation to ensure maximum privacy. Placing your homesite near the water's edge will grant you a serene, peaceful lake view back-dropped by the tall peaks of Hogback Mountain. This lot is also part of the Sapphire Valley Master Association which grants you access to amenities such as golf, tennis, skiing, tubing, the 55+ acre Fairfield Lake, and the Sapphire Valley Resort community center with both indoor and outdoor pool, mini-golf, playground, activity field and workout facility. Bring your home design with you in hand as this lot has utilities installed at the road, to include fiber internet, for easy hook up. Don't miss this amazing opportunity for both mountain and lakefront living! MLS# 96883. $200,000. This extremely level building site is this the perfect spot to build your mountain home! Westerly facing home site sitting at 3,200 ft. elevation and backing up to an almost 200 acre private estate. Electricity and water hook up at the road and an expired 3 bedroom septic permit on file. The Whisper Lake common area has a lake side picnic area and dock where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing and kayaking. This beautiful lot also comes with Sapphire Valley amenities including golf, tennis, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, fitness center, game room, carpet golf, river front picnic area, park/playground, ski slope, zip line and access to Lake Fairfield. MLS# 96605. $35,000.

WHITEWATER RID GE Your chance to own an extraordinary 4.86 acre lot with multiple build sites that will allow to create the most expansive, long range views in the Sapphire area. This lot is located in the private, quiet subdivision of Whitewater Ridge and sits on the south side of the road, allowing the new owners to build their home in the highly desirable section for incredible views deep into South Carolina. Sitting at an elevation over 3,700 feet, the back portion of the property drops off to allow for wonderful southern exposure and no obstacles to impede your view. Whitewater Ridge is a low cost HOA community with gated entrance, pond, community green space and pavilion for use by property owners. MLS# 96153. $275,000.

WILD TURKE Y 16 acres of rolling property with good mountain views. MLS# 96616. $195,000.

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McKee Properties is proud to be a Founding Partner of G&G Land, a feature program of Garden & Gun magazine, highlighting properties that are dedicated to an “authentic sense of place and inherent responsibility to the natural world.”

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Yellow Mountain Preserve 205+ ACRES — This is the area’s finest estate opportunity, minutes from Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club and Old Edwards Club, and centrally located between Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina. Yellow Mountain Preserve boasts the highest elevation on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau, at 5,100 feet, and is a true legacy property. The 205.04-acre estate has roads and utilities in place for a low-density development or can be enjoyed as a single-family or shared-family estate. Elevation reaches 5,127 feet, offering unique high-elevation vegetation and the finest, grandest views in the area. The estate adjoins 12,000 acres of the Nantahala National Forest, offering unlimited trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. A 26-acre gentleman’s farm site sits at

OFFERED FOR $8,450,000

4,600 feet and provides a peaceful 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. At the summit, the Yellow Mountain fire tower rests near the boundary of the National Forest. The stunning panoramic views from there include Cashiers Valley, Whiteside Mountain, Lake Glenville and Sapphire Valley. Mountain laurel, blueberries and other heaths grow on the open bald of the summit, making it a truly special place. All of the views and natural surroundings, combined with electronic access through a stoned entry, a paved road, high-speed internet access and full cell phone coverage, makes Yellow Mountain Preserve an exceptional and unique piece of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yellow Mountain Preserve is beautiful... by nature. MLS 95168

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CASHIERS, NC 28717

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828.743.3411

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 257 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Magnificent Private Estate OFFERED FOR $6,950,000 3 BR / 2 BA; 214+ ACRES — This fine estate property boasts all the wonderful outdoor features that draw people to Cashiers, NC: spectacular, long-range mountain views; rolling, open meadows (some fenced and cross fenced); a pond with an active, flowing stream and private waterfalls; and miles of trails! This property is unrestricted. The renovated cottage with recently updated bathrooms is charming and overlooks the majority of the property. Plus, there are many fine additional building sites for a future main house or subdividing. It is conveniently located only 9.5 miles from the middle of Cashiers. MLS 95503

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

258 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

828.421.6193

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club 6 BR / 7 BA — This stunning estate is nearly new and offers the perfect blend of clean lines and classic mountain style. It boasts beautiful views of Whiteside Mountain and is an easy walking distance or golf cart ride to the clubhouse, golf course, fitness center and pool. Massive reclaimed timbers detail the soaring vaulted ceiling in the great room and the master bedroom, while beautiful masonry stone fireplaces warm these rooms and many others throughout the home. Walls of glass doors pocket away, opening many of the rooms to the fresh mountain air, views and an immersion in nature, while in the comfort of your home. The great room flows directly into the spacious outdoor Carolina room, creating one exceptional entertaining space. Greet your guests with a fresh cocktail or

OFFERED FOR $5,450,000

glass of wine from the fabulous bar conveniently located near the great room. The gorgeous kitchen is both stunning and a chef’s dream kitchen in which to prepare tasty bites, and the convenient location of the dining area provides a casual yet elegant dining experience. This estate home offers four large bedroom suites on the main level and two beautiful bedroom suites downstairs. A spacious family room on the main level, complete with full bath, is perfect for a cozy second living room or another bedroom, and the wood-paneled office next to the master bedroom is a lovely place to work. The large family/game room and wet bar downstairs provides a great place to get loud, play and have fun! A three-car garage and beautiful landscaping complete this fabulous estate home package. MLS 96789

UNDER CONTRACT

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 259 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Cedar Creek Road OFFERED FOR $2,800,000 200 ACRES — This pristine large tract located approximately five miles to center of Cashiers is almost completely surrounded by three conservation easements: Chinquapin’s (700 acres), The Webb family’s (600 acres) and Campbell’s (50+ acres). This parcel has old logging trails, rock outcroppings and a central “bowl” — prime for clearing as a meadow. A pretty stream headwaters on this high elevation tract and has several small sets of ripples and falls. The views have not been cleared, but will be substantial. MLS 92920

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

260 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

828.421.6193

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

Wade Hampton Golf Club 5 BR / 5.5 BA — This is a charming, classic mountain home located in the highly sought-after community of the Wade Hampton Golf Club, a McKee Development, just five minutes from Cashiers. The home has gorgeous, sweeping, long-range views year round and is located on a spacious 1.42 acre homesite. The exterior features beautiful stacked stone, cedar shingles and gentle, nearly-level topography. The interior boasts a stunning semi-open floor plan with great entertaining flow through the large great room, kitchen, screened porch and dining room. The great room offers gorgeous, pristine views to the east of the mountains

OFFERED FOR $2,695,000

in nearby National Forest, soaring ceilings and a beautiful masonry stone fireplace. The spacious master suite also offers great views, a beautiful stone fireplace and an adjoining office/den. Additional accommodations include a guest suite on the main level with views and a private deck, and three additional, large guest suites upstairs, all featuring beautiful vaulted and peaked rooflines. The large kitchen, located just off the great room, is perfect for a chef’s finest cooking and for family fun cooking and gathering. It offers stacked stone surrounding the range, a large island, lovely vaulted ceilings and plenty of pantry storage. MLS 95742

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 261 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Glenville Lake Estates 4 BR / 4 BA — This beautiful lake home is set up to enjoy immediately with its updated interior, expansive decks and large dock all resting in a quiet cove on the desirable southeast side of Lake Glenville, close to town. The home features a master suite and guest room on the main level, a third guest suite on the upper level and a fourth suite on the lower level. The

OFFERED FOR $2,350,000 dining, kitchen and great room featuring a stone fireplace flow together with vaulted ceilings and lake views off the front deck to enjoy the pristine setting on the lake. The large family and game room on the lower level provides for cozy evenings around the fireplace and a fun family game room all while enjoying beautiful lake views. MLS 96991

619 HWY 107 S

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM 262 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

828.743.3411

Little Ellijay Farm 4 BR / 4 BA — This beautiful 63-acre farm in the Cashiers/ Glenville area beside the Snowbird Community is full of charm. It features gorgeous views, rolling land, a main house, a guest house, an art studio, a large functioning barn, gardens, a chicken coop, fruit trees, fenced pasture land, fresh water ponds, springs and creeks

OFFERED FOR $1,772,000 throughout! Contact the listing agent today for a tour of this beautiful mountain farm. MLS 97011

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 263 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Wade Hampton Golf Club 3 BR / 3 BA — Located in Wade Hampton Golf Club, a McKee Development, this stately home offers lots of natural light and views of Whiteside Mountain. The paved loop driveway passes under a twocar carport with covered access to the home. Inside you’ll find wood floors, a large living room with soaring ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. All rooms are generous in size, and the bedrooms are nicely separated for ultimate privacy. The kitchen shares a generous space with the nearby dining area and the porch. The laundry and home office are near the master suite. On the opposite end of the

OFFERED FOR $1,275,000

house is a bright, Pullman-style bar area with a sink, refrigerator and windows overlooking the view. Two en suite bedrooms and a large covered grilling and dining porch cap off the floor plan. This property has wonderful garden space and very easy access through the south gate of Wade Hampton. MLS 95741

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

264 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

828.421.6193

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

North Norton Road 3 BR / 4 BA — If you are looking for a spacious home with amazing, long-range mountain views, then this is the home for you! Enjoy your morning cup of coffee next to the wood-burning stone fireplace as you watch the sunrise over the mountains. Located just 15-20 minutes from downtown Cashiers with convenient access to Lake Glenville, Sylva/ Cullowhee and Franklin, this expansive home has plenty of room and storage for year-round residency or a great family retreat. You can find everything you need on the walk-in, main level living space including the master en suite, guest room and bath, laundry, living room and kitchen.

OFFERED FOR $900,000 The well-appointed kitchen is perfectly designed for master chefs and bakers alike! Beautiful built-ins line the hall and are perfect for displaying your latest literary finds or artwork collections. Cathedral ceilings and huge windows allow the living room and upstairs loft to be flooded with natural light and truly embrace our unique landscape. The fully finished lower level offers additional living space with a wet bar, game room, workshop, full bath and office/additional bedroom. The main level and lower porches allow plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the cool mountain air! MLS 96734

JUST REDUCED

MAGGIE ELMER C

803.493.5734

MAGGIE@CASHIERS.COM 265 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Cedar Creek – Breedlove 49 ACRES — Introducing “Sarvis Ridge”... rolling meadow, dense woods and a table-flat building site at the top, at 4,020 elevation. The meadow features a small, dipping pond. The property can be divided into four parcels (with five-acre minimums). The Webb Lake 1930’s cabin, a

Pinnacle Ridge

$350,000

OFFERED FOR $875,000

common area lake and trails and a caretaker home are directly across the road from this prime tract. Southern to eastern views are into the 600acre Webb conservation easement. This heritage property has unlimited potential! MLS 95707

Cedar Hill

$145,000

4+ ACRES — Located in Pinnacle Ridge, a gated/low density

2+ ACRES — This lot has been owned by the same family since

community off of desired Treasurewood Rd. Large lot with long range views back to Lake Glenville from the gentle building site with a driveway already cleared. This is a perfect lot to build your mountain getaway! MLS 95933

1993 and was chosen for easy access, its gentle building site and great potential views to the northwest with clearing. The lots on either side already have homes built, and due to their location, there is plenty of privacy on this ample-sized lot. MLS 94780

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C

266 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

828.421.6193

BETH@CASHIERS.COM

Cullowhee Forest 3 BR / 3.5 BA — Located on 17+ acres with incredible mountain views, this move-in ready home is the perfect mountain retreat and sanctuary. Surrounded by towering hardwoods, mature rhododendron and other native flora, the house has stunning views of Pilot Knob and surrounding mountains. The well-maintained home features 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. The spacious kitchen has beautiful cabinetry and includes a breakfast area looking out onto the porch and the beautiful view. Next to the kitchen is an ample sized utility room with washer, dryer, and utility sink. The living room has a lovely stone faced, wood-burning fireplace, gorgeous wood floors, adjoins a spacious dining area, and opens onto a porch and deck that runs the length of the house. Also on the main level is

OFFERED FOR $855,000 the master bedroom with doors opening to the deck and porch. Completing the master suite is a commodious walk-in closet and master bathroom with his and hers vanities, garden tub, and shower. On the lower level are 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, an inviting den, a light-filled office, large workshop area and storage space and a large deck. Added security is provided by a full featured alarm system and a whole house generator. The surrounding grounds feature native specimen plants, hiking trails and a small spring fed pond. Whether inside partaking in the comforts of the well-appointed home or outside enjoying the natural beauty of the property, this is mountain living at its best! MLS 96988

SANDY BARROW & JOHN BARROW C

478.737.9664

828.506.9356 267 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

LOTS & LAND LOT

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

E-158

1.30

Near level with mountain views

96021

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF & LAKE CLUB

$599,000

E-32

0.92

Golf and mountain views

95880

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$475,000

E-215

3.78

Gently rolling with mountain views

95868

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF & LAKE CLUB

$395,000

M-36

2.68

Whiteside Mountain views

95874

WHITESIDE FOREST

$265,000

N-55

0.81

Gently rolling with winter golf course views

95803

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$160,000

E-26

0.72

Gently rolling near the Clubhouse

94722

WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

$125,000

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF & LAKE CLUB / MLS 96021

MLS

SUBDIVISION

PRICE

WHITESIDE FOREST / MLS 95874

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

268 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

Wade Hampton Golf Club LOTS & LAND LOT

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

MLS

LOCATION

PRICE

ESTATE PARCELS

L-8

3.85

National Forest and mountain views

94616

Silver Springs Road

$375,000

GOLF FRONT

E-32

0.92

Golf and mountain view

95880

Chimney Top Trail

$475,000

E-3

0.96

13th and 14th fairway views

95645

Bolder Dash Road

$425,000

N-19

0.66

Great golf views

96232

Fox Fire

$225,000

N-55

0.81

Winter golf views, gently rolling

95803

Chimney Top Trail

$160,000

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

S-45

1.86

Long range mountain views

94825

Cherokee Trace

$555,000

S-10

1.56

Mountain view, gently sloping

94614

Cherokee Trace

$195,000

R-50

0.65

Mountain and golf views

96573

Cherokee Trace

$ 60,000

FOREST FLOOR

R-43

0.72

Gently rolling, end of cul-de-sac

95244

Ox Lock Road

$185,000

N-51

0.50

Wooded, close to Clubhouse

94361

Chimney Top Trail

$125,000

E-26

0.72

Wooded, gently rolling

94722

Chimney Top Trail

$125,000

R-46

0.91

Wooded, end of cul-de-sac

94423

Ox Lock Road

$110,000

R-25

0.91

Wooded, gently rolling

94896

Cherokee Trace

$100,000

R-26

0.94

Wooded, easy build site

95662

Cherokee Trace

$ 90,000

R-49

1.25

Access to Katydid Road or The Low Road

83185

Katydid Road

$ 80,000

E-25

0.98

Gently rolling and wooded

96006

Mayapple Road

$ 75,000

619 HWY 107 S

CASHIERS, NC 28717

828.743.3411

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM 269 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

270 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

A private, low-density mountain community, located five minutes from Cashiers, NC on the prestigious 107 South corridor. With five distinct residential offerings, including cottages and estate homesites, Silver Run Reserve features curated and natural amenities for indoor and outdoor fun and wellness.

LIVE WELL. RUN FREE. SilverRunReserve.com

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ CO-OWNER / BROKER 828.342.3194 (CELL) LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 271 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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mckeeproperties.com

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The Spa Boutique at Old Edwards Inn Spoiled Rotten Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship The Summer House by Reeves Summit Architecture Tampa Bay Trust Company Three Rivers Fly Fishing Festival TJ Bailey’s for Men Town and Country General Store Truckin’ at the High DIve Twilight 5K The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers Vic’s for Men Victoria’s Closet Victoria’s Sportswear The Village Green Village Hound The Vineyard at 37 High Holly Vivianne Metzger Antiques Warth Construction West Paces Advisors White Oak Realty Whiteside Art Gallery WHLC FM 104.5 Wilbanks Smile Center - Dr. Joe Wilbanks Wish and Shoes Wit’s End Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Zoller Hardware The Zookeeper Bistro

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