Valentine's Day on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Valentine’s Day on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Half-Mile Farm

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L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Love Notes

Valentine’s Day Weekend 2021 Friday - Sunday, February 12-14 Even in their earliest days, the little communities upon the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau have offered a respite from the worries of the Outside World.

As a result, this has always been a getaway destination for all who cherish the unassailable power of Love – the Relentlessly Romantic, the Heartfelt Huggers, the Confident Kissers, and the Languid Lovers – anyone who understands the sublime power of Passion.

Plan Your Weekend Top Seven Fun & Free | 3 Dine Out | 4 Take It With You | 7 Flowers & Sweets | 8 Get Away | 10 Something Different | 12 Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro

A Story of Enduring Love |

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Top Seven Fun & Free

Photo by Susan Renfro

S

ome people arrive on the Plateau with no plans beyond settling in and savoring the quiet moments with their Beloved. But there are also those for whom those bonds of Passion and Love are strengthened by shared activities far removed from hushed intimacies and quiet interludes.

For them, we offer these Seven Free and Fun Activities, all tried and true blue, sure to kindle the promise and possibilities at the center of every Relationship.

1. Revel in the sensual delights of a picnic at The Village Green.

2. Plan for the future while gazing at the stars of a pristine Plateau evening at Sunset Rock.

3. Hike to or pull over at any of the beautiful overlooks and watch the sunset.

4. Window shop and talk about the future.

5Take in a Bascom exhibit. (For a small fee, you can team up and glaze a piece of pottery for a shared memento.)

6. Pick out a book you both like together at the Hudson Library. Extra points if you take turns reading it to one another.

7. Stroll hand in hand around the lake

and grounds at the Biological Station and Nature Center.

The Legend of Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls, a graceful landmark on the edge of town, presents a gentle cascade that recalls the delicate lace found on a pristine bridal veil. Yet its name is a reference to an unexpected Cherokee Legend.

Discover the Legend

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Dine Out

“Love is healing. Love is comforting. Love is holy. Food can be all these things, too.” Author Kris Carr.

We’ve always believed it too, Ms Carr. To test this article of faith, reserve a table at one of the Plateau’s signature restaurants.

Restaurant at Greystone Inn

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4118 Kitchen + Bar 64 Highlands Plaza | Highlands 828-526-5002 | 4118kitchen-bar.com Open Valentine’s Weekend and for Sunday Brunch (no dinner Sunday) Bridge at Mill Creek 445 N 4th St | Highlands 828-526-5500 | thebridgeatmillcreek.com Enjoy a Surf & Turf Special, and bubble specials. Reservations recommended El Manzanillo Highlands 30 Dillard Rd | Highlands 828-526-0608 Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main St | Highlands 828-787-2990 | four65.com Highlands Smokehouse 595 Franklin Rd | Highlands 828-526-3554 highlandssmokehouse.com Enjoy special dishes, cocktails and homemade desserts Julep Kitchen at Julep Farms 500 Hwy 246 | Dillard 706-960-9600 | julep.farm Enjoy a four-course meal and live Jazz Feb. 13 - 14. Reservations required.

Meritage Bistro 490 Carolina Way | Highlands 828-526-1019 | meritagehighlands.com Open for the weekend and Sunday Brunch and Dinner. Reservations recommended.

Midpoint Restaurant 332 Main St | Highlands 828-526-2277 | midpointhighlandsnc.com Open for Lunch and Dinner.

The Ruffed Grouse Tavern 270 Main St | Highlands 828-526-2590 highlandermountainhouse.com Open Valentine’s Day weekend for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Sunday open for Brunch and Dinner (with several special offerings).

Reservations Recommended.

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The Orchard Restaurant

The Ugly Dog Public House 294 S 4th St | Highlands 828-526-8364 | theuglydogpub.com Tug’s Proper 310 Main St | Highlands 828-526-3555 | tugsproper.com Wild Thyme Gourmet 343 Main St #D | Highlands 828-526-4035 | wildthymegourmet.com Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 474 Main St | Highlands 828-526-3807 | wolfgangs.net Cork & Barrel Lounge 3093 US Hwy 64 E | Sapphire 828-743-7477 thecorkandbarrellounge.com El Manzanillo Cashiers Ingles Shopping Center | Cashiers 30 US Hwy 64 E | 828-743-5522 The Falls Cafe and Grill 9 Toxaway Church Rd | Lake Toxaway 828-877-3322 | Closed Sunday Restaurant at Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway 828-966-4700 | thegreystoneinn.com Slabtown Pizza 45 Slab Town Rd | Cashiers 828-743-0020 | slabtownpizza.com

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The Library Kitchen + Bar 184 Cherokee Tr | Sapphire 828-743-5512 | librarykitchenandbar.com Special opening on Sunday, February 14th featuring winter menu and fun Valentines Day specials. Reservations requested and carryout available.

Mica’s Restaurant 25 Logan Creek Tr | Sapphire 828-743-5740 | micas-restaurant.com The Orchard Restaurant 905 Hw.y 107 S| Cashiers (828) 743-7614 | theorchardcashiers.com Open Friday - Sunday during Valentine’s Day Weekend.

Table 64 3093 US Highway 64 E |Sapphire 828-743-4135 | Closed Sunday Ugly Dog Public House - Cashiers 25 Frank Allen Rd | Cashiers 828-743-3000 | theuglydogpub.com Villa Amato 15887 Rosman Hwy | Lake Toxaway 828-885-7700 | Closed Sunday Whiteside Brewing Company 128 NC-107 | Cashiers 828-743-6000 | whitesidebrewing.com Winslow’s Hideaway 33 Village Walk Way | Cashiers 828-743-2226 | winslowshideawaync.com Closed Sunday

Take It With You

Perhaps you’ve conjured the scene of a romantic picnic amidst the natural splendor of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Act upon it! The rolling vistas and sundappled forest clearings make an unforgettable backdrop for declarations of love and the deepening of passion. Or spread your blanket beneath a glittering bowl of stars on Sunset Rock or The Village Green. It’s Romance writ large.

Bryson’s Food Store 103 Highlands Plaza | Highlands 828-526-3775 | brysonsfoodstore.com You’re one stop Valentine’s Day headquarters with flowers, candy, balloons, cards, wine and delicious meals to go.

Dusty’s Rhodes Superette 493 Dillard Rd | Highlands 828-526-2762 | Closed Sunday Valentine’s Day Special Feb. 12 & 13: 2 filets, 8 butterfly shrimp, 2 twice baked potatoes, salad for 2, 2 rolls and 2 slices of chocolate dream cake: $35.95 Fressers Courtyard Cafe and Catering 470 Oak St | Highlands 828-526-8847 | wecaterhighlands.com Offering private catering for Valentine’s Day Highlands ABC 81 Highlands Plaza | Highlands 828-526-5470 Highlands Wine Shoppe 269 Oak St | Highlands 828-526-4080 | highlandswineshoppe.com

Mountain Fresh Grocery 521 Main St | Highlands NC 828-526-2400 | mfgro.com The Kitchen CarryAway and Catering 350 South 5th St | Highlands 828-526-2110 | thekitchenofhighlands.com Delicious items in their takeout case available Friday. Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13 Cashiers ABC 818 Highway 64 E | Cashiers 828-743-4015 Swagnar’s Cellar 40 Village Walk Way | Cashiers 828-743-7011 Ingles 64 E | Cashiers 828-743-3801 The Wine Cellar of Cashiers 130 US Hwy. 64 | Cashiers 828-743-1823

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Flowers & Sweets “Don’t send me flowers when I’m dead. If you like me, send them while I’m alive.” That’s the great English Footballer Brian Clough and he somehow stumbled upon one of the Fundamental Truths about Romance: Flowers, with their transient beauty and subtle fragrances, are an immutable testament to enduring love.

“Chocolate says ‘I love you’ so much better than Words.”

That’s poet Ann Hannum and, obviously, we don’t need to say any more.

Flowers Oakleaf Flower & Garden 133 S. 4th St | Highlands 828-526-8000 | oakleafstyle.com 25% off your Sweetheart’s bouquet this Valentine’s Day with “Cupid” code.

Crown Heritage Flowers 95 Highlands Plaza | Highlands 828-526-8671 facebook.com/crownheritageflowers Fiddlehead Designs 384 Hwy. 107 | Cashiers 828-743-5362 | fiddleheaddesignsnc.com

Sweets Chocolate Heaven & Cake Bar 2254 Dillard Road & 429 N 4th St 828-421-2042 | Highlands, NC lovechocolateheaven.com Kilwin’s Sweets 341 Main St | Highlands 828-526-3788 | kilwins.com/highlands J. Gabriel 252 Hwy. 107 S | Cashiers 828-743-7151 | jgabrielliving.com Wondrful collection of handmade gourmet truffles.

Kilwin’s of Highlands

Sugar Cloud Baking Company 113 US 64 E | Cashiers 828-774-9709 | sugarcloudxoxo.com Order your gourmet cupcakes early!

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Get Away Since their earliest days the twin communities of Cashiers and Highlands have offered getaways for those looking to kindle (and rekindle) Love.

That’s why you’ll find a vast catalog of places to get cozy with someone who’s captured your heart – from well-appointed cabins built over a century ago, to absolutely charming bed & breakfasts, to lavish suites where the Comfort Level is turned up to 11.

200 Main 200 Main St | Highlands 855-271-2809 | 200main.com Fire Mountain 700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain 800-775-4446 | firemt.com Half Mile Farm 214 Half Mile Dr | Highlands 855-271-7246 | halfmilefarm.com Highlander Mountain House 270 Main St | Highlands 828-526-2590 highlandermountainhouse.com Highlands Inn Lodge 96 Log Cabin Ln | Highlands 828-526-5899 | highlandsinnlodge.com Mitchell’s Lodge & Cottages 264 Dillard Rd | Highlands 828-526-2267 | mitchellslodge.com 10 | V a l e n t i n e ’s D a y o n t h e H i g h l a n d s - C a s h i e r s P l a t e a u

Old Edwards Inn and Spa 445 Main St | Highlands 866-526-8008 | oldedwardsinn.com This Valentine’s Day, Old Edwards Inn & Spa gives you a full weekend to celebrate. Bring someone special and enjoy the VIP treatment on February 12, 13 & 14.

Park on Main 205 Main St | Highlands 800-221-5078 | theparkonmain.com The Inn at Mill Creek 420 Carolina Way | Highlands 828-526-9999 creeksidevillagehighlands.com The Wells Hotel 790 N 4th St | Highlands 828-482-7736 | thewellshotel.com Whiteside Cove Cottages 5078 Whiteside Cove Rd | Highlands 828-526-2222

Hotel Cashiers

Innisfree Boutique Inn By-The-Lake 50 Innisfree Drive | Glenville 828-743-2946 | innisfreeinn.com

Pebble Creek Village 140 Pebble Creek Drive | Cashiers 828-743-0623 | pebble-creek.com

Hotel Cashiers 7 Slab Town Rd | Cashiers 828-743-7706 | cashiersvillageinn.com

The Orchard Guest Cottage 905 NC-107 | Cashiers 828-743-7614 | theorchardcashiers.com

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

Black Bear Lodge 19386 Rosman Hwy Hwy 64 W | Sapphire, NC 828-553-6535 blackbearlodgeofsapphire.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley 3245 Highway 64 E | Sapphire 828-743-4545| hilton.com Laurelwood Inn 58 NC-107| Cashiers 828-743-9939 | laurelwoodinn.com

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Something Different The people who’ve assembled this list have lived on the HighlandsCashiers Plateau for decades, some their entire lives.

We know that Love can blossom in the most unexpected of places. Each of these spots contains an element of Romance that can’t help but reveal itself to those who approach with an open heart.

The Bascom 323 Franklin Rd | Highlands 828-526-4949 | thebascom.org Browse current art exhibitions in the breathtaking campus.

Sapphire Valley Ski Area 127 Sapphire Valley Rd Sapphire 828-743-7663 skisapphirevalley.com

Highlands Aerial Park 9625 Dillard Rd Scaly Mountain 828-482-1422 highlandsaerialpark.com

Yoga Highlands 464 Carolina Way | Highlands 828-526-8880 yogahighlands.com Visit website for list of in person and vitural classes.

(No classes on Sunday)

Highlands Ice Skating Rink Located in Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park Pine Street | Highlands 828-526-3556 Open Thursday 1-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 1-10 p.m.; and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The perfect spot to make cherished memories.

Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center 7420 Dillard Rd Scaly Mountain 828-526-3737 scalymountain.com Enjoy ice skating and snow tubing from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. The Spa at Old Edwards 16 Church St | Highlands 828-526-9887 oldedwardsinn.com/spa Book a Couples Massage with rose petals and champagne.

Canyon Spa 120 Lonesome Valley Road Cashiers 828-743-0006 lonesomevalley.com/ canyonspa Fusion Yoga and Wellness 21A Lance Rd | Cashiers 828-743-9000 fusionyogaandwellness.com Visit website for list of in person and vitural classes.

(No classes on Sunday) The Spa at Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Ln Lake Toxaway 828-966-4700 thegreystoneinn.com

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Jim

A Story of Enduring Love

T

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

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

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

Theirs was a courtship in simpler days when time spent swinging and talking on a porch swing on sweltering summer evenings formed the perfect backdrop for a burgeoning love.

Now 99 and 100 years old and enjoying the fruits of a life and love well spent, their lovely home still boasts a porch swing, now indoors in a solarium where they can swing and reminisce.

On the wall behind the swing are portraits of their daughters, Sandra, Robin and Laura.

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

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

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

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

mmy and Veda, 2020

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

He recalls that when he met her parents for the first time, he instantly hit it off with her Mom, but her Dad was a bit harder to win over.

He laughingly says her father kept an eye on him for their first year of courtship to be certain he was worthy of marrying the apple of his eye.

They married in March 1942.

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

Upon leaving the Navy in 1946 they settled in Atlanta, with Jimmy joining the practice of

Jimmy and Veda, 1940

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

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

Both Jimmy and Veda beam with love when speaking of their loving family and take pride in their many accomplishments. Watching their family grow and flourish is the pinnacle of their love story.

by Mary Jane McCall

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