Winter 2021: The Laurel Magazine

a e

L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Building Excitement A path for a brighter future pg. 14

Time, Light And Motion Our cover artist, Rodney Byard

December 2020

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CON T E N T S Winter 2021

13 What To Do

18 Walking in a Winter Wonderland

37 Recreation & Creation 38 The Purple Finch

45 Arts

58 Journey Through Reading

65 Dining

116 38

66 Highlands Smokehouse

81 Shopping

84 Plateau Picks

91 History

94 Village Heritage Award

99 Lifestyles & Wellness

104 Stay Awake and Adapt

109 Giving Back

116 Best Decision

120 Commerce

120 Silver Creek Real Estate Group

32

Cashiers Chamber Grin & Bear It

70

The Bridge at Mill Creek

30 Calendar 76 Dining | 60 Guide Dining Guide | 78 Accommodations | 62 Accommodations Guide |Guide 86 Highlands | 72 Highlands Map | 88 Map Cashiers | 74 Cashiers Map | 106 Map Service | 102Guide Service| Guide 144 Advertiser’s | 128 Advertiser’s Index Index

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VOLUME NINETEEN, ISSUE ONE

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LORNA ALEXANDER Account Manager lorna@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

DEENA BOUKNIGHT Writer dknight865@gmail.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Publisher’s Note Before we plunge headlong into this Year of Surprises, previewed in this issue, we wanted to take a moment to congratulate you for getting through 2020!

You’ve demonstrated courage, an aptitude for flexibility, and an enduring optimism for the future. Not coincidentally, those are the same qualities that were on display in our Plateau communities and the organizations and institutions that give them life and savor.

If the past year gave you a deeper appreciation for your neighbors and the majestic nature that’s an undeniable part of our mountain tapestry, then let’s count that as one of the blessings of our current situation.

For now, join us for an exploration into the possibilities to be discovered in 2021!

We’re Excited!

Sincerely, Janet and Marjorie

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

Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, David Stroud, Jeannie Chambers, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Ann Self, Zach Claxton, Mary Abranyi, Ashby Underwood, and Chris Wilkes Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes and Kevin FitzPatrick Copyright © 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.

WHAT TO DO Pages 14-32

photo by Susan Renfro

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building

excitement

John Woods

A note from the Chairman of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce Board lays out a path for a brighter future and an events calendar that’s not clouded with anxiety.

D

ear residents, businesses and visitors, What a year we experienced in 2020!

With the Covid-19 pandemic there hasn’t been a time in our lives that compares to what we experienced in the past year. The uncertainty has caused stress and trauma in all aspects of our lives, both personal and business. Everyone has been impacted by this pandemic in some way or another.

Despite all the challenges we have faced in 2020, this has brought out the best in everyone in our community – from our residents, businesses and visitors. The Highlands Chamber of Commerce has partnered with you to make the best of this situation and have proven to all that have experienced Highlands that we are there for you!

As I assume the role of Chairman of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, I’m excited and hopeful in what the future holds for all of us.

This is a personal fight and rest assured, we won’t stop until we have won this battle with the pandemic. With the progress that Highlands

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has made since the beginning of summer, things are looking up for everyone who visits or has an interest in Highlands.

We would not be at this point in this juncture if it was not for you!

For that reason, I want to say thank you.

I want to let you know some of the plans that the Highlands Chamber of Commerce is developing for 2021. There are three main objectives that the Board of Directors plans on completing in 2021.

The first objective is to complete a new strategic plan for the Chamber of Commerce. We are currently collecting data on the wants and needs of our visitors and residents. This data will allow us to create a new strategic plan for the next five years.

This is important because the demographics of both the visitors and residents have changed since the beginning of 2020.

The second objective is to market and brand Highlands as the “Height of Happiness.”

We have just hired a new marketing firm to make sure that all of our advertisements are coherent and convey our strategic plan

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photo by Susan Renfro

for Highlands.

The third objective is to organize, sponsor and implement the events that everyone loves in Highlands. We’re looking forward to being able to have Concerts in the Park, Fourth of July Fireworks, Halloween on Main, Highlands Food and Wine Festival, the Christmas Tree Lighting and the Olde Mountain Christmas Parade!

We all missed those events this past year and their absence was felt deeply by everyone, but I don’t think anyone can argue with the decisions. We believe there’ll be a burst of anticipation as they’re once more on our calendar.

We, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff, are proud to play a critical role in creating lasting memories and building excitement in Highlands for all residents, businesses and visitors. Here is to a great 2021!

by John Woods, Chairman Highlands Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

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lending help

The twin Plateau libraries have emerged as hubs of learning and enter tainment options as the world learns to adjust to new challenges and new possibilities.

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ver the years, libraries have morphed into way more than book lending institutions. They are diverse help centers – pointing people to the right research, providing information on free classes, offering avenues for learning, sharing entertainment, and much, much more. In fact, the Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library and Hudson Library are go-to sites for one-on-one technology assistance.

“Generally speaking, tech help is available any day we’re open,” said Carlyn Morenus, branch librarian at Hudson Library. “We commonly provide help, to both children and adults, with their iPhones and Androids, iPads and tablets, Kindles and other e-readers. But usually kids already know the answers! We can also help with laptops.”

Added Serenity Richards, the branch librarian at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, “I imagine there will be the annual bump of new devices people will need help learning to use.” She said that libraries can provide guidance on downloading apps such as Overdrive, which allows cardholders to listen to audiobooks or read e-books; Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video platform for films and documentaries; and, Universal Class, a host of free

online courses and continuing education classes.

“I’m personally hung up on Universal Class right now,” admitted Richards. “My ability to self-direct my creativity has run out so their short classes have helped me focus my limited free time. A few hours on Therapeutic Bathing was a trip … though I am eyeing that calligraphy course for the winter months.”

Winter stuck-inside months are also ideal times to glean direction on how to navigate 3D printing, Mango Languages, Morningstar Investment Research Center, Heritage Quest, and government, entrepreneur, and business resources.

For the foreseeable future, appointments are required at both libraries. Wi-Fi is easily accessible at both libraries as well.

In fact, Morenus said, “One new thing we’re offering assistance with is hotspots, especially the ones that we are supplying to school children in the three-county area.”

by Deena Bouknight

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walking in a

winter wonderland

photo by Terry Barnes

Walking in a Winter Wonderland can be a lot more enjoyable and a lot safer when you practice these sensible steps, cour tesy of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.

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n a year where people may have been cooped up more than usual, folks may be more apt than typical to take a walk in the woods this winter. While the leaves may be down, there are still many sites to see, making winter wanders rewarding.

However, the winter comes with its own set of challenges, with the cold temperatures and snow and ice. Here are some tips and tricks you can use while you are out and about this winter.

The Cold: Walking around in cold weather can be tricky. You want to remain warm, but if you get too warm, you can sweat and the resulting wetness can then cool you down when you stop and can even lead to hypothermia. When planning

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a long hike in cold weather, it is best to wear layers of clothes that you can then peel away as you warm up. A good pack is also handy that you can stick the layers into, and to hold a thermos with some sort of warm liquid. My preferred liquid is hot chocolate, but tea, coffee, and even warm water can do. This will give you something to help get a quick warm up in case you start to feel a bit of a chill.

Ice and Snow: Snow, while not as slick as ice, can still be slippery, so be careful on steep paths covered in snow. Likewise, snow can cover up ice, especially ice on bare rock, so watch your step when walking in rocky areas. I find it best to take light steps and test the ground in such areas as you can get a

feel if there is ice and slick spots underneath.

Winter hikes can be fun and full of beautiful sites. Please be careful as you head out this winter and enjoy the sites that Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and others provide for all to enjoy. For information about our public access trails and parks and how you can help us save the places we all love and need, visit www.hicashlt.org.

HCLT is a fully accredited nonprofit land conservation organization whose mission is to conserve valuable natural resources for all generations.

by Kyle Pursel, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

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bear shadow

music festival

The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau will be thrumming with the sounds of the Bear Shadow Music Festival, April 23-25. Use those rhy thms to power your way through two exclusive excursions offered by Highlands Cashiers Land Trust that include guided hikes to some of Highlands’ most beautiful locales.

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inally 2021 has arrived bringing the promise of life after a pandemic, of normalcy and pleasure and festivity.

It lands also with the joyous announcement of a chance to buy tickets to the long-awaited and much-anticipated Bear Shadow Music Festival, scheduled for April 23-25 in Highlands.

And here are the details: The first round of tickets will go on sale on January 19 to Highlands Festival newsletter subscribers, and will follow with a release of tickets to the general public on January 20.

For music lovers, 2020 will be remembered as the year in which musicians were among those who suffered the most, a year in which festivals, tours and concerts were cancelled and venues closed, pushing the artists and industry to the brink of catastrophe.

And though they continued to believe in

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the ways in which art can elevate us, finding the energy to broadcast from their bedrooms and backyards, we sorely missed coming together with them, listening to music as it filled an outdoor space. In Highlands, we mourned the loss of the Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors concert, the precursor to Bear Shadow, originally programmed for Spring 2020 and later, the fifth anniversary of Highlands Food & Wine – both among the thousands cancelled across the country.

Devotees and aficionados are known to say it’s only after a song is heard in the open, in motion, that it unlocks an artist.

And so now at last, with the promise of the Spring, Bear Shadow 2021 will give us a chance to feel the music in the old way, from some of the most acclaimed artists of the South – to breathe the shared air, to hear a song live and experience the energy with

which it can fuel a crowd. Below is a quick rundown of events to help you navigate “a jam-packed weekend full of music, mountain and revelry.”

Base Camp Schedule: Base Camp is the name for the main music stage and festival grounds for Bear Shadow. Base Camp is located at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in beautiful Downtown Highlands.

Friday, April 23, Gates: 5:00 P.M.* Opener: 5:30-6:15 P.M.; Shelly Colvin: 6:30-8:00 P.M.; Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors: 8:30-10:00 P.M. Saturday, April 24, Gates: 5:00 P.M.* Love Canon: 5:30-6:15 P.M.; Jamestown Revival: 6:30-8:00 P.M.; Mandolin Orange: 8:30-10:00 P.M. Sunday, April 25, Gates: 5:00 P.M.* Devon Gilfillian: 5:30-6:15 P.M., The War & Treaty: 6:30-8:00 P.M., St. Paul & The

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photo by Dylan Lytle Photography @lytle_photography

Broken Bones: 8:30-10:00 P.M. *Note that gate times may vary contingent upon staggered entry Also in the planning stage, a guitar clinic and unique “behind the music” style panels from some of the best in the industry.

Stay tuned for updates.

Hike & Mic: Bear Shadow has partnered with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust for two exclusive excursions that celebrate the partnership of music and nature. Enjoy a guided hike to some of Highlands’ most beautiful locales, guided by local experts, and then enjoy a special musical “peak” performance by Bear Shadow artists. Times and locations to be announced soon.

Bearfoot In The Park: Join like-minded yoga enthusiasts at Basecamp each morning for yoga, Bear Shadow-style. It’s funky flows guided by some of the best in the industry and a DJ spinning fresh beats. Admission will be free, but registration is required and capacity limited.

Rock In Film Fest : It’s all happening at Bear Shadow. Enjoy viewings of some of the best rock-inspired films ever made including “The Last Waltz” and “Almost Famous.” Times and location to be announced soon.

Details are being updated constantly. To keep up to date, visit bearshadownc.com

by Marlene Osteen

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pamper yourself

with local love

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A romantic, mar velously indulgent getaway doesn’t have to involve elaborate transpor tation plans. If you’re a local resident, Old Edwards Inn is saving a place for you.

f you’re not ready to travel, yet yearning to venture further than the patio, the start of 2021 will be a great time to take a staycation. And, for those of us living on the Plateau, near the four-star Old Edwards Inn, staying close to home can be unexpectedly idyllic. A local landmark and Winner of the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award, Old Edwards Inn is well known for its period antiques and graceful ambience – a rural oasis that truly embodies the Plateau’s mountain grandeur. Now, thanks to the Inn’s “Local Love 2021” specials, you don’t need Kim Kardashian’s travel budget, nor do you have to be rich and famous to get a taste of the lifestyle and indulge in an unforgettable “get away”. If you’ve been putting off travel, a long awaited “trip” to the Inn may just be the silver lining among the dark clouds of the last year.

From January 3 through April 1, the European-luxury style rooms at Old Edwards are available to locals for $165 per night Sunday through Thursday, plus tax. At

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the Inn’s sister property, Half-Mile Farm, known for its bucolic charm and laidback luxury, the Sunday through Thursday rate is $155, plus tax. At either location, guests can be assured of welcoming hospitality and the super attentive services from the Inn’s cadre of valets and concierges, for which the Inn has been universally acclaimed.

All accommodations come replete with amenities like a year-round outdoor Jacuzzi and Molton Brown products. For those inclined to explore, the Inn can schedule horseback riding, ziplining or fly fishing.

Or for those wishing to stay in, there are inroom movies, cozy bathrobes and slippers, imported Italian sheets, heated bathroom floors, and in-room dining. Guests can also reserve a 50 minute treatment at the hotel’s spa for $145 plus tax and gratuity, renowned for its wellness treatments. Also, fitness and yoga classes are available for booking at $20 per session.

At Madison’s Restaurant, the Inn’s farm-to-table dining room, famous for

its scrumptious regional cuisine and dedication to “helping guests discover the most delicious journeys of life”, hotel guests booked on the local love special, can enjoy a complimentary Champagne toast with dinner. The second floor of Old Edwards Inn also offers Hummingbird Lounge, a dining and social space; available for everything from craft cocktails, champagne, beer and wine to lunch (open to the public) and dinner (for Old Edwards Inn guests).

In all, its testament to the truth that you really can get away from it all – and you may not have to go far to do so!

All rates quoted are subject to availability.

Local ID is required from Macon, Jackson, Transylvania and Rabun counties for each person receiving the discount. For further eligibility and restrictions visit oldedwardshospitality.com/locallove.

by Marlene Osteen

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keeping it cold

Keeping it cool is just one of the many steps that maintains the Highlands Ice Rink ’s status as a not-tobe-missed winter time destination. For information or reser vations, call (828) 526-3556 or visit highlandsnc.org/recreationice-rink.

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photo by Susan Renfro

he Town of Highlands Ice Skating Rink opened Nov. 19 for the 2020-2021 season and will remain open until March 7.

And, while individuals and families who participate in the strictly wintertime activity see only the finished product, Lester Norris of the Highlands Park & Recreation Department, explained that the work crew must plan, prepare, and maintain the rink to ensure that skating is an enjoyable experience.

“The first thing we have to do is clear the plaza (Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park) of picnic tables and chairs,” he said. “Then we have to install 2-inch Styrofoam insulation, and then a liner, which holds the water. Tube mating that comes in 6-foot wide rolls is put in place, along with footers and sideboards. And then the tubes are ready to be filled. The chiller has to have power on for 24 hours to be chilled down to 17 degrees F.” The final step involves spraying water on the surface or allowing rain to freeze the surface naturally.

“The hardest maintenance issue is keeping leaves off the rink,” said Norris.

Daily, before ice skaters arrive, a Zamboni device is used to scrape off the ice surface and remove any debris, and then the ice is sprayed with a fresh coat of water. Norris said equipment and materials are kept in storage when not in use.

“The colder the ice, the easier it is to skate on it, so we are always making sure it doesn’t get too slushy,” he added.

Plus, the 125 pairs of skates must be sharpened twice during the ice skating season.

Adhering to North Carolina pandemic rules and procedures, The Town of Highlands Ice Rink will allow only 30 skaters on the ice at one time, and online reservations are necessary. Norris said donations are welcomed this year, above the $5 skating fee, to help offset limited income.

Information about parties, times, dates, and other concerns are addressed by calling Highlands Parks & Recreation Department at (828) 5263556 or by visiting highlandsnc.org/recreationice-rink.

by Deena Bouknight

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take a snap -

you have a shot

photo by Carole Shepardson

photo by Stacey Clark

Show us the magic of Winter on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau – it’s all around you.

If it’s just right, we’ll put you on the cover of the Laurel and proclaim you a Winner!

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t’s that time of the year again.

No, not that one, Santa has already come and gone.

It’s time for The Laurel Magazine’s annual winter photo competition for your chance to become the cover artist of our 2022 winter edition. Each year we look forward to seeing everyone’s magical winter photos as you, our readers, log onto our website at thelaurelmagazine.com/photo-contest and vote for your favorites.

Whether you’re a professional photographer, or just someone who loves to capture the magic of the moment on your cell phone or pocket camera, The Laurel is offering you a chance to become a cover artist. That’s right, the 2022 Laurel Winter Photo Contest has begun, so grab your

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camera and start snapping your way to fame.

Your winning photograph could be the cover of our 2022 winter edition.

Pictured are some of our favorites from last year’s competition. One of these might be just the inspiration you need to capture your own winning shot. All you have to do is keep an eye open for the beauty of this, our quietest and most reflective season, and capture that moment on film.

Aspiring cover artists should enter their seasonal and magazine appropriate shots at thelaurelmagazine.com/photo-contest by March 30.

Submitted photographs should be high resolution and must be of the HighlandsCashiers area. Amateurs, professionals, young and old, are encouraged to join the

fun and share the beauty of the season.

Pictures will appear on our website and social media – and readers can vote for their favorite. The deadline to enter and to vote is March 30 and the winner will be announced on Facebook.

The winning photograph will appear on the cover of the 2022 January-February edition of The Laurel Magazine.

by Mary Jane McCall

Point phone camera at QR code to enter and vote in the Laurel’s 2022 Winter Photo Cover Contest.

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warm toast

to love

No sense in being bashful – Old Edwards Inn is pulling out all the stops to add a deep blush to the middle of a cold gray month. To make reser vations for a romantic Valentine’s Weekend, visit oldedwardshospitality.com.

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f course Valentine’s is a kitschy holiday, but isn’t that, in fact, its charm?

While each year the naysayers seem to get stronger and the arguments against it grow louder, I’ve become more averse to their outcry.

As Nigel Slater writes in The Kitchen Diaries, “St. Valentine’s is a bit like Christmas, in that if you ignore it, you always end up regretting it, feeling mean and cynical.”

Certainly it’s no shame to admit that you’re in love.

So, say what you will about Valentine’s Day, but as long as you’re celebrating you should do it right and do it up – after all, doing something genuinely kind and a little bit over the top for your partner is a good vibe. And while there are a lot of, sexy, romantic things you could do, none will demonstrate more profoundly your appreciation for a loved one than a weekend at Old Edwards Inn. With its posh interiors, country charm, understated elegance, Italian linens and period antiques, the Inn is a testament to romance and a warm toast to love. Promised are days filled with Strawberry and Champagne Tastings, petit fours, specialty cocktails, Hershey Kisses, and rose petaltopped tables at the Inn’s farm-to-table restaurant, Madison’s (dinner for hotel guests and members). On the menu are specialty cocktails and Valentine’s Day specials, or a chance to

order flowers, champagne, cheese trays and lovely handmade chocolate arrangements delivered to the room.

Also in the offering, a pampering couple massage complete with rose petals and champagne at the Spa. In-room romantic movies and popcorn await to be enjoyed along with the heated marble floors for warming more than just your hearts. There will be regular live music Friday and Saturday evenings in Hummingbird Lounge for hotel guests.

Those seeking more strenuous activity can schedule a hike to Satulah Mountain at day’s end for a view of the sunset, or, on Valentine’s Day, a trek along the Highlands Plateau Greenway trail to take in the views of Harris and Lindenwood Lakes.

Lastly, anyone on the hunt for the perfect romantic gift, need look no further than Acorns and the boutique’s stunning collection of designer jewelry – all guaranteed to fuel the fire (select pieces available at discounted prices for resort guests).

It’s most certainly a lot of love!

As the holiday is on Sunday, a two-night minimum stay is required. For more information and details, visit oldedwardshospitality.com.

by Marlene Osteen

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joy garden tour

village shops

The Joy Garden Tour, set for July 16-17, returns to its spot as the happiest event on Cashiers’ busy Social Calendar, complete with new vendors and an exciting, safe, vir tual tour.

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ne of the highlights of this summer in Cashiers will be the Joy Garden Tour benefitting The Village Green, July 16-17.

Like most events impacted by prevailing measures associated with the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of this year’s tour are adjusting plans accordingly. Joy Garden Tour will be somewhat different in 2021.

Tour benefactors will have a VIP experience that includes private tours of the featured gardens. They will also be invited to an exclusive picnic supper in the park at The Village Green on Thursday, July 15. The traditional daily garden tour will be virtual this year.

Everyone who purchases a virtual tour ticket can enjoy the beauty of the gardens with the added safety and comfort of home viewing. The virtual tour will include bonus content that features information for gardeners and garden enthusiasts alike.

Along with the tour of beautiful private gardens, the Joy Garden Tour Village Shops are open to everyone at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road. Shoppers can browse the selections from more than 40 vendors. A boutique experience of choice items appeals to garden and floral enthusiasts but the shops also include a discriminating collection of personalized items, gourmet food, distinctive home accents, beauty products, clothing, jewelry and more.

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“The one-of-a-kind architectural replica birdhouses are fabulous,” observed Jennifer Whittle who is the tour Village Shops cochair. Several local retailers will have a presence in the Village Shops, but many come from as far as Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

This year the Village Shops will feature many new vendors with a variety of unique merchandise.

“We have one new vendor who has an assortment of gardening and gift items including trendy expandable vases and

lovely luminaries for the yard,” says Jennifer.

The Joy Garden Tour is named in memory of Carolyn Joy Dean who gave generously to help establish The Village Green, the 13+ acre park in the center of Cashiers. Through the dedicated efforts of volunteers who share her spirit, Joy Garden Tour raises money for conservation and improvements to The Village Green for area residents and visitors to enjoy.

To learn about the tour and The Village Green visit villagegreencashiersnc.com.

by Ann Self, The Village Green

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grin &

bear it!

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce’s new campaign reminds ever yone that by simply obser ving a few sensible steps, we can keep ourselves and our neighbors Covid-free.

Left to Right, Front Row: Glenn Ubertino, President (Zoller Hardware); Lec Hobbs, Director (Highlands Hiker); Back Row: Thomas Taulbee, Director, Member & Community Relations; Ashton Harris, Treasurer (Country Club of Sapphire Valley); and Stephanie Edwards, Executive Director

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he Cashiers Area Chamber encourages us all to just Grin & Bear It! and wear protective masks when out and about and social distancing is not possible.

Throughout the winter season and further into spring 2021, the organization is urging businesses to remind visitors, customers and employees to help prevent the spread of Covid by wearing a mask and following public health protocols.

The CDC guidelines remind us to wear a mask to protect ourselves from getting or spreading Covid, to wear masks with two or more layers, and to wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.

The Chamber’s awareness campaign includes complimentary lapel pins, window clings and yard signs featuring North Carolina’s majestic black bear. Items are available free to Cashiers Area Chamber member businesses.

Residents and visitors are invited to stop by the Chamber for pins. Quantities are limited.

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority was the Chamber’s funding partner

in this public service initiative. This is a great way to get all our area businesses involved reminding us all to be safe.

It’s not easy to find light hearted moments during this ongoing Covid crisis but the Cashiers Area Chamber, local businesses, and the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority have found a fun and creative way to make us smile while reminding us to be safe.

This public service message is guaranteed to make you smile! For more information call (828) 743-5191 or email them at office@ cashiersareachamber.com.

by Stephanie Edwards, Executive Director Cashiers Chamber of Commerce

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce.

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RECREATION & CREATION photo by Susan Renfro

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the purple

finch

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Male Purple Finich

by William McReynolds

This “sparrow dipped in raspberr y juice” stays the winter with us.

his is the state bird of New Hampshire. The Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a seasonal resident of the Highlands Plateau during winter months as flocks migrate to the southeastern U.S. from Canada.

Larger than an American Goldfinch and the White-breasted Nuthatch, the female Purple Finch is brown and white with bold streaks on her head, breast and belly, a white “brow” above the eyes and lower moustachial markings. The male, described by Roger Tory Peterson as a

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“sparrow dipped in raspberry juice,” has a reddish wash over its head, back and wings.

Both have distinctive notched tails and triangular bills.

The differences between Purple Finch and House Finch are easily mastered.

Their habitat is mixed and coniferous woodlands. During the summer, Purple Finch feed on seeds, insects, berries and buds high in the trees. In winter they forage lower in the forest, searching for seeds, competing with other ground feeders.

Their breeding grounds are in Canada,

California and the northeastern U.S., ranging from Minnesota to West Virginia.

They build their nests on horizontal branches and branch forks using twigs, grass and moss, creating well-shaped cups that are lined with animal hair and fine grass.

The female lays and incubates four or five blue-green eggs with brown spots on the larger end. Hatchlings appear in about 13 days, fed by both parents until they fledge about two weeks after hatching.

Sibley describes the song of the Purple

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north american

river otter

If the last year has left you feeling a little shaky, it’s time for a celebration! Otters are back to splashing on the Plateau! To catch a glimpse of these endlessly enchanting creatures, visit The Highlands Botanical Garden, open dawn to dusk, at 930 Horse Cove Road.

H Finch as hoarse and warbled: plidi tididi preete plidi tititi preer.

Try warbling that! Others call the song simply a pleasant warble. Their call in flight is a sharp tick. They are often seen congregating with other finch and local birds around feeder stations offering sunflower seeds.

Happy winter birding from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society.

The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them. HPAS is a 501 (c) (3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Visit www. highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities.

by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

ave you ever seen a North American River Otter in the wild?

In the last few months, several of these elusive weasel relatives have been slip sliding away around the Highlands Botanical Garden.

Photos on our wildlife cameras and scat on our boardwalks showed up long before staff ever saw them in person! Their tracks in the Station’s creek sand tell us they have been exploring as much as any of our visitors.

Even as the weather turns colder, we expect to still play host to these rambunctious animals. They are perfectly adapted to continue fishing, swimming, and playing all winter long. What we see as long, brown fur is actually a layer of essentially waterproof guard hairs.

Underneath this is another layer of shorter fur that traps heat.

Trapping for this fur drove them to the point of local extinction in the southern Appalachians. Before reintroduction began in the late 1980s, the last known sighting of a native otter was in Cataloochee Creek in 1936.

The Highlands Botanical Garden is open dawn to dusk, yearround, and is free of charge. Parking is available at 930 Horse Cove Road. The Botanical Garden part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.

For more information visit highlandsbiological.org or contact us at (828) 526-2623.

by Paige Engelbrektsson, Highlands Biological Foundation

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holcomb

creek falls

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Holcomb Creek Falls is a wor thy spectacle, but it requires a war y hiker.

outh of Scaly Mountain and into northern Georgia sits Holcomb Creek Falls, a cascading wall of water dropping about 150 feet along multiple tiers that hikers should put on their “To Do” list.

It gets even better, just beyond Holcomb Falls is Ammons Creek Falls, another gorgeous waterfall that drops about 50 feet.

There are a couple of options in terms of starting points for hikers, the most straightforward being Holcomb Creek Trail off Hale Ridge Road in Rabun County, Georgia.

It’s about a half-mile hike to Holcomb Falls from the trailhead, and Ammons Falls is about a quarter mile beyond that. Hikers 40 W I N T 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

can keep going and come out at another trailhead further down along Hale Ridge Road, but often hikers turn around at Ammons Falls and backtrack.

Round-trip to see both waterfalls is less than two miles, but hikers are looking at an elevation change of about 500 feet, so the hike out can be strenuous.

Decks and bridges have been built to view both waterfalls, but those have been severely damaged by fallen trees. Use caution navigating the bridges; the fallen trees are still there, boards and railings are destroyed, and everything is wet and slippery.

Holcomb Creek Trail begins next to the intersection of Hale Ridge Road and

Overflow Road.

From Highlands, head south on Highway 106 and turn left onto Hale Ridge Road at the Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center. Travel 2 miles and turn left to stay on Hale Ridge Road. If you find yourself on Bald Mountain Road, you missed the left turn to stay on Hale Ridge Road. Drive another 3.5 miles to the intersection of Overflow Road and Hale Ridge Road.

The trailhead is next to the intersection and marked with signage.

By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News

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our rose

of hope

William and a miraculous transplanted Lenten Rose and a young man from Australia give us a blessed message to carr y throughout this uncer tain year.

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hen my wife’s elderly and beloved aunt in Georgia had to sell her house and move into assisted living, we were given permission to dig up and take home the Lenten Rose in her backyard.

Here in Sapphire Valley that plant has thrived, surprising us by blooming in early November, giving forth radiant blooms that last for weeks. We thought the Lenten rose heralded Lent before Easter.

There is, no doubt, a perfectly good botanical reason for its blooming in late fall and early winter.

But we have chosen to believe that this icon of Hope comes to remind us, in this season of planetary woe, that there is another season of well-being coming, better days are ahead.

Being the Lenten Rose, it signals Hope for return, renewal, rebirth.

Hope comes in many guises.

In Australia, a high school student named Ravin Rathnayake recently won a poetry competition in Victoria. Among 300 student entries, Ravin’s Hope won 42 W I N T 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

first prize. Here is an excerpt from this winning entry: Hope How can something invisible to the naked eye shut down the Earth?

It was time for people To open their hearts and be grateful.

Grateful to survive the hardship.

Grateful to have hope.

Hope is a powerful feeling.

It expanded over the lands and seas.

Birds stopped tweeting.

The sand at beaches missed touching human feet, And stroking them underwater.

Everything. Stopped.

It was painful; dreadfully painful.

Hope gives us what we need.

Hope is our fuel.

Thou should have hope to survive.

Hope is what wakes us up.

Because of hope, the world is awakening.

The Statue of Liberty was despondent When the Big Apple closed its doors.

Mount. Fuji was struck with grief, as it froze in fear.

The Rainbow Serpent never unleashed its true colours on the Uluru.

Everyone. Fell. Asleep.

Then, a hope was born.

A hope to survive.

A hope to stay together.

A hope for this to end.

A hope for return…

We applaud those sacrificing their lives For the sake of others.

We are pacing closer and closer To our goal.

Like a baby turtle Wading to the ocean for the first time.

Hope secretly feeds and strengthens humanity.

When confronted with adversity, Hope can be our best friend. Forever.

Australia has her roses of hope, too.

by William McReynolds

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ARTS Pages 46-60

photo by Terry Barnes

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time, light

and motion

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For Rodney Byard, the vast wild places of the Plateau (and beyond) are his endlessly surprising studio.

he raw materials of photography are time and light. Rodney Byard, engineer, didn’t have to make a leap into art after retirement … merely a hop.

His engineering left brain, a DSLR camera, his desire for perfection, and his mother’s artistic influence fused his predispositions for science, math, and art. The result is jaw-dropping photos of waterfalls, the mountains, and the Everglades.

A resident of Cashiers, Rodney says, “We’ve been coming to this area about 20 years. We bought a house in 2007 and moved in full time in 2017.” Upon moving, he got hold of Kevin Adams’ North Carolina Waterfalls … and then North Carolina waterfalls got hold of Rodney. Since then he’s made numerous photo hikes to falls across the Carolinas and is an admin and contributor to Facebook’s North Carolina 46 W iI nNtTe Er R2 0221 0 21| T| H TH E LEAL U AR UERLEM LM AG AG AZ A IZNI N E . EC. O CO MM

Waterfalls. His photos are also published in the Cashiers Calendar, and his work appears in Marci Spencer’s History of Nantahala National Forest.

Even though he enjoys showing his work in local publications, he shoots strictly for his own pleasure. His inner precision-scienceguy is always in learning mode, though he doesn’t get to shoot as often as he’d like. Now he is experimenting with neutral density filters to keep the contrast in balance with dark areas behind falls and the super white water which can blow out the image. He adds, “I’m also working to learn focus stacking for image crispness and clarity.”

There’s still plenty of the Carolinas he’d like to shoot (he captures more than just waterfalls). He and his wife have traveled extensively and plan future trips to Alaska and Eastern Europe. He’ll take bare bones

camera gear and capture a few moments, but mostly he longs for the travel and adventure.

If you’d like to purchase a print of any of Rodney’s work, you can message him on Facebook or email him at Rwbyard2@ yahoo.com. Mention that you saw this Laurel article. He’ll get back with you in a snap.

by Donna Rhodes

Rodney Byard

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perfect

craftsmanship

A deep reverence for the miracle and mysteries embedded in a piece of wood is the animating principle for woodworker/ar tist Vatsal Corbett.

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essica Kovacs first met master woodworker Vatsal Corbett while she was on a farm in Warne, North Carolina, which Corbett managed for a time before relocating to California.

Kovacs was working on commission to paint a landscape mural on a 20-foot tipi located on the Warne-based farm and she was struck by Corbett’s talent as he crafted distinct cabinetry and other works in wood.

She and her husband, Corey, own and operate Corey James Gallery at 228

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South Third Street in Highlands and the couple decided to feature a few pieces of Corbett’s work.

“The craftsmanship is to perfection and you can feel that each piece is a labor of love,” said Kovacs, noting the red oak and poplar table and bench on display in the gallery. “What I especially admire about Vatsal’s furniture is that it is locally and sustainably sourced.”

Seventy-three-year-old Corbett is a Vietnam veteran, bhakti-yoga practitioner,

and Hare Krishna devotee. Always attentive to fine detail, he became interested in woodworking 35 years ago and has been constructing design-oriented utilitarian pieces while also traveling and living throughout the United States.

“Conception and design are his favorite parts of the process,” says Kovacs. “His underlying current of passion is figuring something out … he just has a god-given talent for woodworking that can’t be ignored. And he loves showcasing the

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nature represented in the trees that he cuts down in the forest.

For Vatsal, there is a deep spiritual connection to the wood. In fact, just seeing where the wood comes from inspires him to do something great with it.”

Corbett evaluates the wood type and grain, or combinations of different types of wood, before determining form and function.

“It’s neat to know where the wood comes from exactly and how it grew to be,” expressed Corbett. “You get a better sense of it being a living thing and that knowledge of life allows it to continue to reside in the finished product and not be just another object in your house.”

by Deena Bouknight

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behind

the scenes

Thanks to a “Hey, let’s put on a show!” enthusiasm fostered by scores of MGM musicals from yester year, Highlands Playhouse is embracing its 2021 season with dazzling new upgrades and a relentlessly optimistic spirit.

Dalene and Greg Copeland

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ehind the scenes, the Highlands Playhouse has been anything but dark and silent these past few months. Hammers pounding, saws buzzing, paint brushes slapping, sandpaper scraping away layers of rust, and spray paint swooshing, making everything old at the Playhouse new again.

The talented team behind this renovation is none other than your hard-working board of directors … masked, distancing, and demonstrating their dedication to the theater family.

The Copelands, Dalene and Greg, donated talent, time, and materials to the construction of a huge new bar, which will more than double the bartenders and efficiency of the old one.

Board member Sandie Trevathan sings its praises, “We had an old bar that was always crowded. Much of the problem was its location, in a highly-trafficked area.

Slow service not only turned away theater-goers, it cut into sales.

“Thanks to the Copelands, we have an attractive, better-equipped and tended station, away from the entrance traffic jam. It’s now at the other end of the patio, closer to the parking lot. In the interest of serving quickly, we’ve replaced some cork bottles with screwtops. With four bartenders serving, service will be

steady, easy, and accommodating.”

There will also be a lovely screen behind the new bar to prevent wind and weather from dampening our spirits, as it were.

In addition to wine sales, popcorn sales will also improve. The Playhouse’s own Backrow Babes, as they like to be known, got together and replaced the old single barrel popcorn machine with a double barrel and upgraded the electric panel to accommodate the new, high-efficiency equipment. More fresh popcorn, more proceeds, more delicious fun.

Earlier in the season the board gave the greenroom and lobby a huge facelift. Because of Covid, all these improvements have yet to be inaugurated, but they look forward to popping a bottle of champagne in their honor in the not-too-distant future.

To learn more about the new goings-on, visit our other new surprise … an upgraded website, thanks to the Playhouse’s social media geniuses, Pam Carver and her daughter, Laura Breslin. Check highlandsplayhouse.org to catch the latest. And be the first in 2021 to launch the year with a generous donation!

by Donna Rhodes

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winter happenings

at the pac

A pair of bracing performances from the National Theatre of London and six groundshaking football championships are on the ticket at Highlands PAC. You can stage your own par ty as well – call (828) 526-9047 or visit HighlandsPerformingArts.com

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he National Theatre of London will present two encore performances in January and February inside The Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Join us at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, January 31, for Arthur Miller’s The View from the Bridge.

In Brooklyn, longshoreman Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of freedom. But when one of them falls for his beautiful niece, they discover that freedom comes at a price.

Then on Sunday, February 21, No Man’s Land will be screened at 3:00 P.M. Following their hit run on Broadway, Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land. One summer’s evening, two aging writers, meet in a Hampstead pub and examine their lives.

Schedule a Party at the PAC and be socially compliant. There are several ways to do this.

A Dinner Party and the Theater. Choose from an exceptional list of plays produced

by the National Theatre of London, choose your favorite caterer, invite your guests, and leave the rest to us. The auditorium is set up cabaret style, socially distanced. Call for prices and more details.

Sports enthusiasts, how about a Tailgate Party to watch your favorite nighttime game on the Big screen?

The 2020 College Football Playoffs begin January 1 with the Rose Bowl at 8:00 P.M. (All times are Eastern), and Sugar Bowl at 9:45 P.M. On January 2, it’s the Fiesta Bowl at 6:00 P.M. and Orange Bowl at 8:00 P.M. And, of course, join us for the National Championship on January 11 at 8:00 P.M. Perfect times for a Tailgate Party at Parkin’ at the PAC outdoor venue.

We’re proud to present The Super Bowl at 6:30 P.M. Sunday, February 7.

For more information or to reserve your own private party, please call PAC at (828) 526-9047. Tickets are available online at

HighlandsPerformingArts.com.

Patrick Stewart No Man’s Land Highlands PAC is inlocated at 507 Chestnut Street.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Highlands PAC.

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a new year

of art

The Bascom emerges from a shadowed 2020 with a string of new initiatives and a dazzling new website – thebascom.org.

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s we enter the New Year in 2021, we might reflect on the challenges of 2020, and the sacrifices we’ve all made to remain safe and healthy; missed moments with friends and loved ones, and cultural experiences relegated to a mobile device.

But the New Year also brings with it the resolve to begin anew, overcome old fears, and meet challenges with a fresh perspective.

Though the future is still uncertain, The Bascom remains committed to providing quality visual arts programming despite the challenges ahead. We invite you to continue participating with us in new ways.

This month, we’re unveiling many of our upcoming education programs and we encourage Bascom members to take advantage of Early Bird Registration from January to March. This member benefit gives enthusiasts, amateurs, and professional artists alike the opportunity to secure their spot in one of The Bascom’s over 40 workshops – led by visiting professional artists from across the country. Despite the

scheduling challenges and safety restrictions in place last year, we were able to safely host several workshops that are so important to the personal and professional development of regional artists and visitors to the Plateau.

Speaking of new beginnings, The Bascom will be launching a newly designed website this winter. With a new look and user-friendly interface, visitors will be able to easily find a Bascom program that fits their interests and schedule. Our 2021 programming will be available for view online at thebascom.org, including workshop registration. Interested students can register online for workshops and classes, or contact The Bascom’s Education and Outreach Department.

If you’d like to become a Bascom member and take advantage of Early Bird Registration, please visit the website at thebascom.org, or call us at (828) 526-4949.

by Billy Love, The Bascom

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viruses go.

art remains.

For now, The Ar t League of Highlands-Cashiers is quietly marshaling its creative energies to shape a year of promise and progress.

John Bauknight, President of the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers, presents a contribution to Billy Love, Director of Education and Outreach at The Bascom, a demonstration of the enduring relationship between the two powerhouses at the heart of the dynamic Plateau artistic community.

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o, we enter the cold and largely inactive months of January and February, 2021.

Most people are glad to see 2020 go. One could feel kind of sorry for the year 2020. After all, it wasn’t the year’s fault that the Covid-19 virus chose it to be the year it would spread across the globe.

2020 arrived right on time but under the wrong circumstances.

On January 1, the year 2020 had the same high hopes for its 365 days as other years do. Yet it will be despised as much as 1918 is for the Spanish Flu Pandemic that killed more than 50 million people worldwide.

That virus got another name: H1N1 – yes, the same virus that is still with us today.

It wasn’t until 1942, 24 years later, that a vaccine was developed to fight it. At least, maybe 2020 will have as part of its legacy being the year an effective vaccine was developed to fight Covid-19.

The Art League has decided not to

look back at the tattered remains of its 2020 season that held so much promise this time last year. Informative programs, wine receptions, Children’s Summer Art Camp, hosting the Chamber of Commerce’s “Business after Hours” event and fine art shows were all planned, and one by one fell like dominoes.

Instead, the ALHC board, under the leadership of the new President, John Bauknight, spent its time, planning for 2021. Understandably, there is a lot of pentup energy among board members to get things back to “normal.” Normal is not likely to reappear at once like magic, but rather will probably be a gradual process.

Time will tell.

One thing is certain; artists will continue to create art, and art lovers will still want to see it, discuss it and maybe even own some of it.

Stay tuned, as the Art League announces the return of its offerings as circumstances

allow. Also, be sure to visit the League’s redesigned website at artleaguehighlandscashiers.com.

by Zach Claxton,

Art League of Highlands-Cashiers

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Highlands Cashiers Art League.

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journey

through reading

Jeannie Chambers

Jeannie Chambers’ latest book explores the perils and possibilities of glimpsing the future. Arnetta and The Mirror of Destiny is available locally as well as on Amazon.

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f you could see something in the future would you be more careful with the present? That is the plot premise of Arnetta and The Mirror of Destiny: The Future Doesn’t Belong To The Faint Hearted.

Author Jeannie Chambers, The Laurel’s “Accidental Gardener” for the last six years, released this second book in September; her first was Tunnel of Time (2017).

A real estate broker partner with her husband, Tucker, and a vacation rental manager, Chambers has always been an avid reader and a prolific writer.

“My parents told me more than once, ‘You can go anywhere in the world you want, any time you want, just by reading a book,” she says.

“I don’t mind getting lost if it’s in a good story.”

With her two books, Chambers has focused on writing stories that

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make readers think and that “tickle their inquisitive bones where the only way to satisfy that itch is to read more and more.” Inspiration for her stories started with her children, now grown, and continue with her grandchildren.

“I’ve just been writing stories for as long as I remember,” she said.

Of the fantasy fiction genre, Arnetta and The Mirror of Destiny: The Future Doesn’t Belong To The Faint Hearted spotlights a 16-yearold character, Arnetta, who desires more than anything to be a part of a family. The time period is 1985, and although Arnetta resides with her grandparents in a small, southern textile mill town in South Carolina, she always feels like something is missing. When she has a chance encounter with an antique store owner, a ripple effect occurs that enables Arnetta to see future events through a special mirror.

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hiking the stars

A bright-as-sunshine painting on display at Shakespeare & Company Booksellers recalls a golden afternoon when a pair of hot-air balloons adorned the skies above Highlands.

photo by Susan Renfro

At its core, the book is the “journey of a teenager who learns that knowing certain things can be beautiful, but also heartbreaking, dangerous, or deadly,” explained Chambers.

Arnetta and The Mirror of Destiny: The Future Doesn’t Belong To The Faint Hearted can be found locally at The Book Nook on Main Street, Highlands and Books Unlimited on Main Street in Franklin. Also available online at Amazon, Books-a-Million, and WalMart. com. Chambers said she would love to connect with readers through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

by Deena Bouknight

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ne of the wonderful things that makes Highlands so charming is the unexpected pleasure of finding a delightful hidden treasure around every corner.

For example, skip right on over to Village Square and take a gander at the colorful, playful picture in the window of Shakespeare & Company Booksellers.

There has got to be a wonderful story that goes with this.

Checking in with co-proprietor Stuart Ferguson, we found the story, and it’s just as fun and fascinating as the picture itself.

Stuart’s stepfather, Donald Furnald, was a resident of Highlands for many years and was the chef and manager at Skyline Lodge. His memories from, and love of, Highlands run deep. Now in his late ‘80s, Don remains a very vibrant, active man who took up painting two years ago.

But why a hot air balloon over Highlands?

Stuart worked at the Highland Hiker (known then as the Happy Hiker) and owners David and Carol Wilkes had a promotion that brought two hot air balloons to town. They sold three rides, gave away one as a promotion, and on Saturday evening they had tethered balloon rides so residents could take a turn going up in one of the balloons. David and Stuart went up on the last ride of the evening and looked down over the town.

That’s a memory Stuart never forgot, so given Donald’s love of painting balloons he asked him to capture the memory for him, and voila here it is, history on canvas.

Don’t miss it. It’ll make you smile!

by Mary Jane McCall

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art from

the forest

An appreciation for nature and tradition and a healthy sense of creative playfulness are woven into each of Michael and Joann Brown’s unique creations.

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e all begin as an empty vessel.

What we collect in those vessels defines who we are.

Michael and Joann Brown filled theirs with family (three kids), love, faith, a respect for nature, and satisfying work. That work, woven into this metaphor, is Basketry.

Michael inherited a love for wood. He enjoys constructing local forest-wood planters, helps Joann with basketry, and maintains their Christmas tree farm.

The Browns’ basket designs are sculptural, though not traditional Appalachian. Nor are they Native American. They are free-style,

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decorative, and functional, each made from what Mother Nature provides. And every basket has a tale to tell: What magic led them to their cache of materials? Did they have to wrestle it into submission (sometimes vines are reluctant to let go)? Was it a new fiber discovery? Did it inspire an inventive technique? Did Smokey Bear witness?

These self-taught basket-makers find trialand-error their best teacher. They love to experiment with novel bits and twisty climbers they discover in the woods. Environmentallyconscious, they don’t damage root systems.

They take only what they need, leaving plenty

of new growth.

While Covid slowed down 2020 production and craftshow participation, the Browns intend to be back in high gear doing 2021 shows in Highlands, Hendersonville, at John Campbell Folk School in Brassotwn, and other venues, if/when world health gets back in balance.

In the meantime look forward to the new year. Perhaps you’ll collect a Brown Family Smokevine basket, a vessel ready to fill with all the things you treasure and hope for in life.

by Donna Rhodes

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DINING Pages 66-77

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bbq with a

beer garden vibe photos by Susan Renfro

New Highlands Smokehouse owner Br yan Lewis takes the reins of what’s quickly become a treasured Highlands institution.

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y any measure, 2020 was a challenging year for restaurants.

So I was cheered to learn of the ease with which Highlands Smokehouse owners JT Fields, Don Reynolds, and Tom Goldacker, were able to sell their business a few months ago to Bryan Lewis.

Co-owner of Coastal Crust in Greenville, South Carolina, Lewis got his start in the restaurant business in Charleston and, for the last several years has spent his time

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directing an Atlanta restaurant for Garden and Gun Magazine.

I loved the Smokehouse in its earlier phase of life; an inviting spot where the management succeeded in paying homage to the classic barbecue joint without falling prey to gimmick. It was a place I, as did many others, find it hard to stay away from.

Still, despite its success, the owners felt the time was right for them to step aside and retire. Lewis met JT and his partner Glenn

several years ago through mutual friends, beginning a dialog about Highlands that had been ongoing.

Then, three years ago, Lewis purchased a home on the Plateau. He had been impressed with what JT and his partners had accomplished at Mountain Fresh, and was delighted when JT called about the prospect.

As JT explained, “When Don and I bought the building, the plan was to open a supper club, but after we sold the store,

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Bryan Lewis

the goal shifted to finding a barbecue owner-operator, and restore the building to its original use. We had spoken with Bryan Lewis a couple years earlier, but the timing wasn’t right. We reconnected and everything fell into place.”

Lewis realized that he could “live up here full time and have an exciting business that would connect me more with this great community.”

He imagines “building a business and growing on the good foundation the former owners left.”

Also, as he says “ I really love barbecue!”

The Smokehouse may have a new owner,

but this Highlands favorite has not missed a beat delivering enthusiastic, friendly service and exceptionally scrumptious and delicious pit-smoked barbecue. The kitchen team has been working diligently to perfect recipes and techniques to assure the delivery of irreproachable barbecue and quality fare.

While the menu will remain true to the classics, a new Chef has been hired and new barbecue delicacies forecast.

Lewis speaks with enthusiasm about forthcoming changes to the building. “We are building a large outdoor deck which will give us room for 50 additional outside seats.

My goal is to make this a fun atmosphere to

hang out and enjoy some casual food and beverage - sort of a beer garden vibe with live music on weekend and in season.”

As owner-operator, Lewis plans to be very hands on; “You will find me in the kitchen, front of the house, bar and smoke pit on any given days. It has been important for me to get my hands dirty and learn every aspect of the business.”

Visit highlandssmokehouse.com for more information.

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Highlands Smokehouse

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twice is

double nice

Michelle Dauble

At a time when we could all use a generous ser ving of comfor t food, Michelle Dauble unveils the comf iest in her Recipe Box – Aunt Betty-approved!

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t what may seem like the worst possible time to pack up and go – in the midst of a Pandemic – Michelle and Jason Dauble did just that.

In June, with their children, 13-year-old Skye and 10-year-old Jackson, they left their lifetimes in Atlanta, their longtime jobs in the service industry, and their home, bought a house on the Plateau, enrolled the children in school and started jobs working at the Skyline Lodge for its new owners, the Indigo Road Hospitality group – Jason as General Manager and Michelle as Director of Sales.

Frequent vacationers to Highlands, it was a long-wanted and longawaited move. Michelle says that although “it was nerve-wracking in the middle of Covid, everything fell into place from selling our house, to buying a new one, getting into a new school and both of us starting brand new jobs.

“It was like the Universe and God were telling us to go, that this was the right thing for our family.”

Excited to be part of the team renovating the Lodge, and the Highlands community, Michelle happily agreed to share a favorite recipe with us - her Aunt Betty’s Twice Baked Potatoes.

Comforting, satisfying and pretty much ideal, the memory of these potatoes, brings up wistful reminisces of Aunt Betty and the comfortable, raucous, laughter-filled evenings the family spent at their home in Lilburn, Georgia – feasting on steak and potatoes.

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Readers will want to note that Michelle does as Aunt Betty did, baking an extra potato so that after everyone has snacked on the creamy cheese mashed filling, enough remains to stuff the potatoes.

Aunt Betty’s Twice Baked Potatoes (Serves 4) Michelle advises that should you dream of other flavor combinations, like bacon, or broccoli, just follow the recipe below and stir in any additions after the dairy in Step 3. Shower the top with more grated cheese if you like, then bake, garnish and dig in.

Ingredients 3 large Russet Potatoes 1-tablespoon Olive Oil 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt 1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning 1 teaspoon of either Rosemary, Thyme or Herbs de Provence 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, cubed and softened ½ cup Sour Cream ½ cup shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese, reserve some for garnish ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder Black Pepper to taste 1-tablespoon Fresh Chives

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photo by Sarah Fielding

Directions 1. Position rack in the top and middle of the oven, and heat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub the potatoes clean and pat them dry.

Poke holes all over them with a fork. In a large bowl, toss two of the potatoes (the third will be used for extra “stuffing�) with the oil, 1-tablespoon salt, lemon pepper, and herbs. Place the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour, until the skin is crisp and potatoes offer no resistance when a knife is inserted in their centers. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle.

2. Slice all the potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh on all the potatoes, leaving 1/4-inch border of potato on the skins of two of the potatoes, and transfer the flesh to a medium bowl. Return the four potato halves to the baking sheet.

3. Mash the potato flesh with a fork or potato masher. Add the butter, and stir until smooth (try not to overwork). Add the sour cream and cheese and stir to combine. Season generously with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in the chives.

4. Mound each of the 4 potato skins with a quarter of the filling. Shower the top with more grated cheese if you like.

Bake the potatoes until warmed through, about 10 minutes.

Serve immediately.

by Marlene Osteen

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the bridge

at mill creek

Allow yourself to be seduced by the kitchen creations, the fruits of the bar, and a warmly welcoming ser vice team at The Bridge at Mill Creek. It’s an enticing choice that remedies the random stresses of the season – call (828) 526-5500.

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ith the days leading up to the holidays wound tighter than a mainspring, Tricia and another couple and I found a sweet oasis from the unending spin cycle that was 2020 in the casual elegance that’s The Bridge at Mill Creek.

Though great care had been taken to ensure that everyone in the place was safely distanced, the measured meters between the tables couldn’t diminish the undeniable electricity that was coursing through the place. Somehow, somehow, they’d managed to preserve that glorious sensation of being in a trendy place where you had to lean in to converse against a soundtrack of laughter and impassioned voices.

Part of this experience was maintained by the deeply indulgent service provided by a dizzying array of sunny and safely70 W I N T 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

masked servers (I never did figure out who was assigned to our table). They ensured that we wanted for nothing and their gentle assurance led us to menu choices that we might have missed.

And there were the two guys manning the bar. Theirs was a constantly spinning show of pouring perfection, delivered with bravado and an undertone of high spirits.

In fact, I usually give short shrift to bar selections, but there were two that deserve special attention.

The exquisitely named Frenemies was a bracing blend of Cathead Vodka, berries, ginger with a bite, and a splash of sparkling Cava. All of this was carefully composed and bubbly, but the kicker was the lemon peel spiral rakishly slanted into the concoction, like something served at the end of the day at René Magritte’s studio.

El Zombi, a marvelous mixture of Sombra Mezcal, gold rum, grapefruit, pineapplesage syrup, and Tiki bitters, played the palate like a pachinko machine and, as you’d guess, seems capable of waking the dead.

These set the pace for an evening of culinary startlements.

Our appetizers were a mix of deep comfort foods done up with 21st century embellishments – Steak Tartare, Bread Service paired with a wondrous Blood Orange Butter, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and Better French Fries.

That last choice may have caught your attention. You’re probably thinking, “But Luke, French Fries have been around since the French Revolution, how can any place claim to offer “Better French Fries?”

Well, consider the pomme frites that arrived at our table – fresh cut and blanched with beef

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fat, rolled in aged parmesan and garlic, and splashed with house-made Green Goddess.

See? I’ll bet you didn’t see that coming!

And anyway, let’s get back to our meal before I break the word count.

After our empty plates were hauled away, our servers brought us servings of North Carolina Trout (enrobed in baconpecan crust accompanied by pickled onions and grits); a Wedge of Iceberg Lettuce surrounded by grape tomatoes, chives, and a seductive Point Reyes Bleu Cheese Dressing (which turned out to be a perfect complement to those Crispy Brussels Sprouts, for those of you who like to carefully compose your meals); and The Bridge Burger.

Remember how I was talking about building Better French Fries? Well, the same commitment to innovation and quality brought us this creation. It’s a blending of hand-cut, kitchen-ground grass-fed beef,

Tillamook Cheese (my son lives in Oregon and says that Tillamook’s cheeses are the product of grass-fed cows raised by hippies.

Perfection.), Beeler’s Bacon (testament to the kitchen’s obeisance to quality, locally-sourced meats and vegetables), and house pickles.

Well, I’ve made a big deal about how The Bridge at Mill Creek ensorcells you into lively, sometimes raucous conversation, but our table grew nearly silent as we plowed into our meals with an intensity pushing the boundaries or decorum. We still chatted, but our exchanges were herky-jerky as we spoke around mouthfuls.

I suppose in the realm of restaurant reviews, this should be taken as high praise.

And I’ve broken through the word count without a nod to dessert – just let me mention Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, and Pistachio Gelato, Please remember to save room for these

creations, and please be willing to share a bite with your (trusted) tablemates. And please, please don’t be one of those people who says they’re just going to share a dessert with a dining companion. None of us should put our friendships to that sort of test.

The Bridge at Mill Creek’s owners have brought us comfortable space to settle in with friends and loved ones, and an inventive kitchen (and bar) with an almost compulsive urge to please. It makes a bold assertion to be placed upon the upper tier of Plateau Dining, and if you’re in a place where your ruffled feathers need smoothing and you want to celebrate the sweet indulgence of dining with cherished friends, well, here’s your spot.

The Bridge at Mill Creek is open for lunch and dinner at 445 North Fourth Street in Highlands. Dinner reservations are a must – (828) 526-5500.

by Luke Osteen

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be wine,

valentine

The f lavors and notes of Valentine’s Wines are as varied as the romantic passions that infuse this most intimate of holidays.

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aah, Valentine’s Day, the classic holiday of romance approaches and with it the ongoing dilemma of what wine to sip and savor.

Rest easy, because this one is.

Whether you’re dining out or staying in, whether it be for a feast or a snack spread in front of a good romantic movie, here are some thoughts on how to make the night memorable.

It may be a cliché but pink – as in sparkling rosé – is always appreciated, and the one Valentine’s Day stereotype I absolutely support.

A slight tinge of pinot noir blended with chardonnay gives these wines a broader weight, a pronounced berryish flourish, and a buoyant finish. Though there’s much to choose from, you’ll want to make sure that what goes into the glass tastes as delicious as it looks.

My choice for Luxury is the Laurent Perrier Rosé – the most recognized rosé champagne in the world, remarkable for its highly expressive bouquet.

As to the Bang for your Buck selection,

check out the Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé - produced in Alsace via the traditional Champagne method, this pink and sparkling Pinot-Noir-based wine is lush and fruity with a touch of sweetness.

Now for the perennial question of what wine goes best with chocolate.

On this, I agree with the wine nerds and experts – the wines that go best share particular characteristics: They are fortified, intensely sweet, and they have good acidity – as in Port and Madeira.

Blandy’s 5-Year Malmsey, a wine aged a minimum of five years, is good entry-level Madeira. Even better is Blandy’s 15-Year Madeira, beautifully bright with a refreshing flavor that is superb with chocolate.

As to port, choose a Tawny, preferably 20year olds, which have a mellowed nuttiness.

Reliable labels to consider are: Taylor, Cockburn and Sandeman.

For those among you who prefer a “table” red wine (I confess not to be among them), wines to consider are an Italian Amarone or a powerful Zinfandel, like the Turley

Howell Mountain.

Perhaps because of their higher alcohol content – wines that “bring a flush to the cheek” are often considered romantic as well.

Think Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley, like the rich and intense Jean Baptiste Souillard Syrah. Lovers of California’s Napa Valley might wish to seek out the Vineyard 29 Cabernet Cru, remarkable for its seductive notes of warm cassis and hints of chocolate mint or the concentrated, polished and full-bodied Venge Bone Ash Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

In the end, the wine that will make the difference between a good night and a great one, is the one you both consider utterly delicious, regardless of its price tag or where it came from.

And, what can be more romantic than that?

Shoppers can find suggested wines, or similar ones, at the Highlands Wine Shoppe, Bryson’s and Mountain Fresh Grocery in Highlands and in Cashiers, at the Wine Cellar of Cashiers.

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Searching for

restaurants on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau?

thelaurelmagazine.com/restaurants

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(828) 526-5002

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(828) 787-2990

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Village Square, 470 Oak Street

(828) 526-4188

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(828) 526-2110

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(828) 787-2525

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(828) 526-1019

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The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Vegetarian Selections

Plateau Dining Guide

Children’s Menu

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

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4118 Kitchen + Bar The Bistro at Wolfgang’s Bridge at Mill Creek Don Leon’s at The High Dive Fire + Water Restaurant Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar Fressers Courtyard Cafe *

The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering

Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden Meritage Bistro

470 Skyline Lodge Rd

Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge On the Verandah

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(828) 526-9632

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(828) 526-8364

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(828) 526-3807

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(828) 547-3096

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220 Greystone Lane

(828) 966-4700

45 Slab Town Road

(828) 743-0020

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25 Frank Allen Road

(828) 743-3000

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OPENING IN THE SPRING (828) 526-2338

The Ugly Dog Pub

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CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Cashiers Valley Smokehouse The Greystone Inn Slab Town Pizza The Ugly Dog Pub B Breakfast

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HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bella’s Junction Csafe - (828) 526-0803 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 The Bridge at Mill Creek - (828) 526-5500 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar at Mill Creek - (828) 421-2042 Calder’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 526-0020 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 El Manzanillo - (828) 526-0608 Highlands Smokehouse (828) 526-3554 Lakeside Restaurant (828) 526-9419 The Log Cabin - (828) 526-5777 M-brace - (828) 787-1212 Midpoint (828) 526-2277

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Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Paoletti’s - (828) 526-4906 Pescado’s - (828) 526-9313 Pizza Place - (828) 526-5660 Rosewood Market - (828) 526-0383 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 Farmers Market - (828) 743-4334 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 Cork & Barrel Lounge - (828) 743-7477 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

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JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 The Orchard - (828) 743-7614 Randevu Restaurant - (828) 743-0190 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Subway - (828) 743-1300 The Blind Mule - (828) 553-8978 The Falls Cafe and Grill - 828-877-3322 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Town & Country General Store Deli - (828) 547-1300 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226 Zookeeper - (828) 743-7711

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LDOI N D IGNI G NG thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

Ad On Page

Pet Policy

Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet

Cable/Satellite TV

In Room Microwave/Fridge

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Whirlpool Rooms Exercise Facility

On Site Restaurant

Plateau Lodging

On Site Bar/Lounge Pool

CALL TO CONFIRM BEFORE YOUR VISIT.

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

Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire

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Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

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Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway

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Old Edwards Inn and Spa The Park on Main Skyline Lodge

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

Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals

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401 N 5th St | Highlands

highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

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Landmark Vacation Rentals

17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers

landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

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507 Main Street | Highlands

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

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341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers

ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999

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Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals

CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 334-255 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Laurelwood Inn - (828) 743-9939 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Reid Resort Rentals - (828) 743-5955 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482 HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717

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The Chandler Inn - (678) 982-8406 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 Main Street Inn - (828) 526-2590 Mitchell’s Lodge & Cottages - (828) 526-2267 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 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 3 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 82-85

photo by Susan Renfro

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D

uring the Winter months here on the Plateau, things quiet down as we rest and prepare for the upcoming year. Many retailers are off to market, searching for those wonderful new items for the upcoming season.

Others might be stealing some time for family or projects put off during the summer. Or just catching their breath after the challenges of 2020.

That being said, there are still many shopping opportunities to be enjoyed during these winter months. Use this at-a-glance guide to hours open for our local retail advertisers in January and February.

Before heading out the door, be sure and call ahead, especially during inclement weather.

For a deeper dive into the shopping on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com/shopping.

HIGHLANDS WINTER SHOPPING ACP Home Interiors Thursday-Saturday 10:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M., (828) 526-4500 Acorn’s Boutique Monday - Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 787-1877 Allison Diane Clothing Open 10 A.M -until | Closed Sunday and Wednesday (828) 526-5404 The Bascom Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Sunday 12 noon - 5:00 P.M., (828) 526-4949 Blue Elephant Consignment Studio Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M., (828) 526-9948 The Business Spot Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M., Saturday 10:00 A.M - 3:00 P.M., (828) 482-0286 Cake Bar Monday - Friday 10:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M., (828) 421-2042 Calderone Art Gallery Monday - Friday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 371-0376 Dauntless Printing Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 787-1324 82 W I N T 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

Dutchmans Monday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 526-8864 Highlands Rock Yard Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M., (828) 200-0302 Main Street Gifts Monday-Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. (828) 482-1414 McCulley’s (828) 526-4407, (828) 526-4255 Peak Experience Thursday - Saturday 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and by appointment, (828) 526-0229 Shakespeare & Co (828) 526-3777 Smitten of Highlands (828) 526-9300 TJ Bailey’s Monday - Thursday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Friday and Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M., Sunday 12:00 noon - 5:00 P.M., (828) 526-2262 The Summer House Monday - Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 526-5577

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CASHIERS WINTER SHOPPING A Jones Company Thursday - Saturday 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (828) 743-1111 A List Antiques Thursday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (859) 974-5785 or (828) 974-4562 Blue Ridge Bedding Monday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 577-6000 Bombshell Boutique (828) 342-9623 Bounds Cave Oriental Rugs

By Appointment (828) 743-5493 The Business Spot Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M., Saturday by appointment only 10:00 A.M - 3:00 P.M., (828) 743-8757 Carolina Rustic Furniture Monday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 743-6633 Cashiers Kitchen Co. Monday – Saturday10:00 A.M. -5:00 P.M. (828) 743-9091 Cashiers Valley Fusion (828) 743-9000 Jennings Builders Supply and Hardware Monday - Friday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 743-3684 Laura Moser (480) 414-5255

Lenz Gifts Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. or by appointment, (828) 743-5900 McCulley’s (828) 743-5575 Nearly New Furniture Consignment and Gifts Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 743-4033 Storks Wrap, Pack & Ship Monday - Friday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M., (828) 743-3222 TJ Bailey’s Monday, Tuesday, Thursday : 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Friday and Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M., (828) 743-8855 Town and Country General Store (828) 547-1300 Victoria’s Closet, Victoria’s Closet Shoes and Purses Thursday, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M. Sunday 12:00 Noon - 5:00. P.M. (828) 743-9575 Vic’s for Men Thursday, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M. Sunday 12:00 Noon - 5:00. P.M., (828) 743-1030 Woofgang Bakery Monday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., (828) 743-9663 Zoller Hardware (Monday – Saturday 8:00 A.M. -5:00 P.M. 828) 743-5001

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SHOPPI NG

THE PERFECT PERK Once again winter is upon us, and there is nothing better to combat its effects than a nice, hot cup of coffee.

Capresso defines the ultimate in home coffee.

Espresso Maker | $172.95 Cool Grind Bean Grinder | $39.99 Cashiers Kitchen Co. | Cashiers

WINTER RESTORATION The cold-weather months can take a toll on your mental health, so it’s important to carve out time for yourself.

Aveeno uses the power of nature’s most restorative ingredients, giving you products that nurture and care for your skin, so you can care for what’s most important in life.

Assorted Pricing Highlands Pharmacy | Highlands

P latePau icks

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

GIGGLES AND GREETINGS Laughter is the purest form of joy! And there’s no better time to share a laugh (or two) than in 2021. These greeting cards will have the giggles spreading like … (do we need to say it?)

Assorted Pricing Stork’s Wrap, Pack and Ship | Cashiers

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SHOPPI NG

A BLUEBERRY THRILL

COLOR YOUR TABLE Noted for its unusual shapes and vibrant colors, artist Prentice Hicks’ glass is formed with traditional glassblowing tools and techniques – he then creates loose and fluid characteristics that he believes reflect the properties of the glass itself. The resulting glassware is, in his words, “easy to hold, attractive to use and friendly to the touch”

With colors inspired by a handful of fresh blueberries, this hand-dyed and handwoven twist shawl/ shrug is created with soft cotton yarns, an infinity twist in front and f lattering point at back.

Blueberry Twist Shawl | $195 deborahbryanthandwoven.com | Cashiers

Hand-blown wine glass | $69 Peak Experience | Highlands

WARMTH DELIVERED

Split into 16 -18” lengths - with up to 24” available - Kiln Dried Firewood ignites easily, burns hot and efficiently - and - it leaves very little ash or soot in your fireplace.

Highlands Lawn & Garden | Highlands

ROBERT TINO ORIGINAL Robert Tino is revered for his artistic interpetations of the landscapes found throughout the Great Smoky Mountains. His signature meshing of colors evokes the countless moods of this mountain eden.

Original Robert Tino Painting | $1,895 Nearly New | Cashiers

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Visit Our Advertisers WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant 2. Highlands Smokehouse 4. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 5 The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

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

MAIN STREET

103. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 123. The Park on Main Hotel 124. Landmark Realty Group 142. Main Street Gifts 136. Dutchmans 152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty 160. TJ Bailey’s for Men 169. Country Club Properties 178. McCulley’s II 179. SweeTreats Highlands Deli 189. Smitten 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty 194. Old Edwards Inn 195. Madison’s Restaurant 196. The Wine Garden 197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 202. Country Club Properties 202. Rent in Highlands CCP Vacation Rentals 206. The Business Spot 207. Creative Concepts Salon

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN (Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero) 113. Edward Jones 117. Country Club Properties

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ON THE HILL

310. McCulley’s 312. The Ugly Dog Public House 313. Old Edwards Inn 318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering

SPRING VILLAGE

403. Warth Construction

VILLAGE PARK

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

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

NORTH END

OUT 64 EAST

813. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center

OUT NC 106

➡ Peak Experience ➡ Fire + Water ➡ The Vineyard at 37 High Holly ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center ➡ Pat Calderone Gallery

➡ Black Rock Granite ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Center for Plastic Surgery ➡ Cullasaja Club ➡ Roman’s Roofing ➡ Pat Allen Realty Group

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

6. Slab Town Pizza 8. Remax Summit Properties

NORTH 107

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship

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

WEST 64

154. Cashiers Smokehouse 155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 156. Creekside: - Silver Creek Real Estate Group 158. The Business Spot 173. Betsy Paul Properties 175. Srebalus Construction 176. Lenz Gifts

DOWN 107 SOUTH ➡ Silver Run Reserve

AT THE CROSSROADS

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY

CHESTNUT SQUARE

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

37. Landmark Realty Group

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

EAST 64

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

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques 80. Josephine’s Emporium 89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment 99. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty

SOUTH 107

102. TJ Bailey’s for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 108. Landmark Realty Group 109. Ugly Dog Public House 110. McCulley’s 127. Laura Moser Art 127. Merrell Thompson Photography 128. Mountainworks Custom Home Design LTD. 136. McKee Properties 137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery

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

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➡ The Greystone Inn

VISIT SYLVA : ➡ Imperial Security

, s r e i h s a C 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.

89 W I N T 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

H ISTORY

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photo by Susan Renfro

HISTORY Pages 92-95

H ISTORY

have an

ice day

I

Highlands has had a long, long-term relationship with snow and ice and the complications of winter.

t’s time to pay tribute to Old Man Winter with a Highlands Ice Review, guest stars: the Ice Age, ice cream, and ice skating.

Approximately 40-50,000 years ago, Mother Earth seas’d up, as it were.

The polar caps and surrounding oceans froze enough water to lower the sea level hundreds of feet. Florida was a blob and Long Island was no longer an island … just a whole buncha beach. So much land was exposed there was a bridge, 1,000 miles wide connecting Asia to North America.

Asian pioneers moved into our upper west coast and their offspring spread across the continent. No talk of a wall then.

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Eons later, their Paleo-Indian descendants followed herds of big game. They made it to the Carolina region c. 8.000 BCE, possibly earlier. That was the Appalachians’ first human encounter.

Fast-forward to the 1880s when our second ice encounter, ice cream, that scrumptious, melty, sweet confection, made the scene. Ice cream played an important role (it was a sher-bet) in Highlands Academy School’s expansion.

In the school’s first year, kids were already cramped. This was the year of the deep snow … about three feet of it.

Snow covered the ground for a month.

Locals cut ice blocks from the lake, layered them in sawdust, and stored them in a barn.

Hard to believe, but they lasted ‘til summer when the ice was used to freeze churned cream. Students sold enough ice cream to purchase lumber for a school house addition.

The third ice-capade was ice-skating.

A foot of snow in January of 1940 set the weather-stage for freezing Lake Sequoyah by early February. A 15-inch sheet of ice topped the lake. The ice was so thick cars drove on it. Hundreds of skaters figureeighted themselves silly.

In January of 1957 a frozen Mirror Lake attracted several thousand visitors, mostly

H ISTORY

one-room

schoolhouses

A series of simple schoolhouses scattered around Cashiers ser ved as vital community landmarks.

O South Carolinians. Ice skating was a boon to the town, stuffing local merchants’ pockets with welcome revenue in an otherwise slow season.

Here’s hoping this article, written in November, will predict some Ice Ice, Baby for those who long to take a spin around the lake. You can always visit Highlands Ice Skating Rink if Old Man Winter is slumming it this season: (828) 526-3556.

To learn more about Highlands winter wonderland, refer to Ran Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge or go to highlandshistory.com or email hhs@ highlandshistory.com.

by Donna Rhodes

ne by one, the little frame schoolhouses in Cashiers Township, some used since the 1840s, were coming to an end.

There was going to be a brand new school in Cashiers built on N.C. Highway 106. We now know this section of that highway to be named simply, the “Cashiers School Road.” It has become a state road since the construction of N. C Highway 107. The smaller wooden frame Cashiers School built in 1912 with its original school bell, was at this time to be abandoned. It’s still standing today, on the east side of the road we now know as the Cashiers School Road. Its entrance has been changed to face Highway 107.

The brand new school built of brick is also still standing on the west side of the road, and is currently used as a private pre-school. Built in 1938, the new Cashiers School had three classrooms and an auditorium. There was a separate building within about 200 yards that was used as the “cafeteria.” There was no modern plumbing even in this new school, so outhouses may have been provided, otherwise the woods out back were divided into the boys’ neck-of-the-woods and girls’ neck-of-the-woods. With the building of this new elementary school, the remaining one-room schoolhouses in Cashiers, Whiteside Cove and Pleasant Grove, were to be closed down.

Just prior to the construction of the new consolidated elementary school in 1938 in Cashiers, there were three teachers in Cashiers, according to the 1930 census. They were Arthur C. Rogers, aged 19, who was a son of Christopher G. and Lena Rogers. In 1930, Edith Passmore, 24, the wife of John C. Passmore, was teaching in the village of Cashiers, and Martha Elizabeth “Madge” Dillard, 22, a daughter of Thomas A. and Susan Dillard, was teaching at the Pleasant Grove School. Madge later married Merritt Merrell.

The 1938 Cashiers School was renovated in 1950 to add plumbing for indoor restrooms, an updated electrical system, a new heating system, a library and an office. The school continued its sessions for 37 years until the Blue Ridge School was built in 1975, consolidating Cashiers and Glenville students in grades one through twelve.

To learn more, visit GlenvilleCashiersHistory.com

by Carol M. Bryson, Author and Historian

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H ISTORY

village heritage

award

The fresh new Hotel Cashiers’ commitment to preser ving the mar velous touches that’ve always beguiled its guests has earned it the coveted 2020 Village Heritage Award.

(L to R): Daniel Fletcher, Owner/ Operator Hotel Cashiers; John Barrow, Cashiers Historical Society Village Heritage Award Chair

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H ISTORY

T

he Cashiers Historical Society recently announced that the Hotel Cashiers is the recipient of the 2020 Village Heritage Award.

Presented annually by the Historical Society, the Village Heritage Award recognizes buildings that have been adapted for use as an active business and contribute to the vitality of the community. Awardwinning structures are those that best exemplify the village character of Cashiers.

In announcing the Hotel Cashiers as this year’s winner, Village Heritage Award committee chair John Barrow noted that “the hotel is an excellent example of the ways in which creative entrepreneurs can preserve the charm and unique character of older structures in Cashiers while simultaneously providing much needed facilities

featuring up-to date comforts and conveniences. The renovation of the hotel celebrates the past while successfully meeting the present day needs of its guests.”

The Hotel Cashiers exists because of the vision and determination of co-owners Brett Stewart and Daniel Fletcher. With backgrounds in the hospitality industry, Stuart and Fletcher recognized the need for additional lodging in Cashiers. In 2019, they purchased a well-situated but sleepy, old motel on the hillside overlooking Slabtown Road.

Instead of demolishing or radically altering the building, the new owners decided to preserve the original structures and integrate them with up-to-date, modern amenities.

They installed all new mechanical systems, added high internet connections to each room, completely redid the interiors, and

refreshed the exterior and grounds, while maintaining the building’s historic character.

Older guests have commented that the establishment is reminiscent of the old motor courts that became popular in Western North Carolina in the 1940 and 1950s as highways began to connect scenic mountain communities with large metropolitan areas.

Kathleen Rivers, who nominated Hotel Cashiers for this award says, “I can think of no property that better showcases the mission of the Village Heritage Award – to restore rather than tear down an older property by bringing it up to date as a contributing member of the Cashiers business community. Hotel Cashiers is the kind of success story that makes our village proud.”

by Mary Jane McCall

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

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H ISTORY

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LIFESTYLES & WELLNESS Pages 100-105

photo by Susan Renfro

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

marriage &

meatloaf

Thomas and Kay Craig

Though they were raised blocks apar t, Kay and Thomas Craig took their time before they truly discovered one another. It’s a relationship made stronger by working together, working apar t, and always, an abiding love.

T

he story of Kay and Thomas Craig’s marriage is the tale of a relationship that was years in the making, of becoming friends first and partners much later. Perhaps the bond between them that reveals itself upon meeting them is rooted in their common upbringing.

Kay and Thomas first met in eighth grade in Jackson, Mississippi. Thomas’ father, a contractor, had built Kay’s family home, their siblings were friends and they lived blocks apart in the same neighborhood.

Yet despite the physical and social connections, it would be nearly eight years before they would connect romantically – seeing each other only rarely through the middle and high school years.

In any case, Thomas left Jackson for

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Auburn and architecture, and Kay for Mississippi State and then SMU and studies in Fine Art and Art History.

During those early college years, they corresponded, but did not date. Then towards the end of their time away at university, Thomas invited Kay to a party at a home he worked on in Washington, DC. That August they had their first date.

Thomas was clearly smitten, the spark ignited at last. Whether it was as Thomas said, that Kay “looked great in a pair of jeans” or “was the only girl who would put up with his orneriness,” it was clearly the case that Kay was his ideal partner, “smart, great looking, and dark haired.”

They wed in 1988 following graduation and moved to Highlands.

Kay began work at the Highlands Decorating Center, helping with interior design and eventually getting into the cabinet business with the center’s owner.

Thomas got his contractor’s license, the beginning of a 20-year career in the construction business. Their son, Samuel was born in 1995 and their daughter Leah Grace in 2000.

In 2003 Thomas built the building that now houses The Ugly Dog and Kay moved her cabinet business to the Fourth Street location, sharing the space with other retail tenants. By the time the recession hit, and tenants vacated, Kay’s cabinet business had already moved to the upstairs of the building. As building and remodeling had come to a stand still, Kay suggested opening

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

photos by Susan Renfro

a pub. It took Kay about three months, and the advice of other restaurateurs, to talk Thomas into the idea.

Despite some warnings (and Thomas’ skepticism), they forged ahead and the Ugly Dog opened in 2010. As anyone who has ever visited Highlands knows, the restaurant has since become a mainstay of the city’s attractions, expanding and adding venues multiple times in the years since. Kay is the gregarious face of the “front of the house,” while Thomas ensures that everything is in its place and working – “if it can be fixed with a screwdriver, I’m your guy.”

Their marriage has flourished as well. Interviewed for this story, their monologues reveal what each love about the other, the secret to the success of a marriage that many consider to be a marvel of a longevity in an age of divorce, “We’re best friends, we enjoy each other’s company and our children, have a lot of the same interests, and have a real understanding of each other’s strengths and weakness.”

Their words underscore the sentiments of violinist Itzhak Perlman, who famously compared marriage to meatloaf. “Both fall apart,” he said, “without the proper ingredients. A successful marriage has to do with the art of communication.’’

by Marlene Osteen

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Time for New Year’s Financial Resolutions

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M

any of us probably felt that 2020 lasted a very long time. But now that 2021 is upon us, we can make a fresh start – and one way to do that is to make some New Year’s resolutions. Of course, you can make these resolutions for all parts of your life – physical, emotional, intellectual – but have you ever considered some financial resolutions?

Here are a few such resolutions to consider: Don’t overreact to events. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in mid-February, the financial markets took a big hit. Many people, convinced that we were in for a prolonged slump, decided to take a “time out” and headed to the investment sidelines.

But it didn’t take long for the markets to rally, rewarding those patient investors who stayed the course. Nothing is a certainty in the investment world, but the events of 2020 followed a familiar historical pattern: major crisis followed by market drop followed by strong recovery. The lesson for investors?

Don’t overreact to today’s news – because tomorrow may look quite different.

Be prepared. At the beginning of 2020, nobody was anticipating a worldwide pandemic and its terrible consequences, both to individuals’ health and to their economic well-being. None of us can foretell the future, either, but we can be prepared, and one way to do so is by building an emergency fund. Ideally, such a fund should be kept in liquid, low-risk vehicles and contain at least six months’ worth of living expenses.

Focus on moves you can control. In response to pandemic-related economic pressures, some employers cut their matching contributions to 401(k) plans in 2020. Will some future event cause another such reduction? No one knows – and even if it happens, there’s probably nothing you can do about it. Instead of worrying about things you can’t control, focus on those you can. When it comes to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS plan, put in as much as you can afford this year, and if your salary goes up, increase your contribution.

Recognize your ability to build savings.

During the pandemic, the personal savings rate shot up, hitting a record of 33% in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economy Analysis. It fell over the next several months, but still remained about twice as high as the rate of the past few years. Of course, much of this surge in Americans’ proclivity to save money was due to our lack of options for spending it, as the coronavirus caused either complete or partial shutdowns in physical retail establishments, as well as dining and entertainment venues. But if you did manage to boost your own personal savings when your spending was constrained, is it possible to remain a good saver when restrictions are lifted? Probably. And the greater your savings, the greater your financial freedoms – including the freedom to invest and freedom from excessive debt. When we reach a post-pandemic world, see if you

can continue saving more than you did in previous years – and use your savings wisely.

These aren’t the only financial resolutions you can make – but following them may help you develop habits that could benefit you in 2021 and beyond.

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

Mary Beth Brody

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

stay awake and adapt Understanding the complex relationship between Mind, Body, and Spirit can boost our mental health and our physical well-being.

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N

ature gives us clues to healing and through practicing yoga I have learned to investigate.

Watching the sunrise while writing this piece, I am inspired by the frozen winter landscape.

The sun cresting the ridge, I know that the warmth will soon touch the landscape melting the hard surface.

Likewise, emotions such as fear can cause us to “freeze,” creating shock responses in the body’s muscles, connective tissues, endocrine and nervous systems. Heightened emotional states of the pandemic, with its undulations of closures, openings, and surprising mandates has been a thrill.

As we cross the threshold into the new year, how can we practice adaptability?

“If you have to live in a stable world, then you better quit Rolfing.” Dr. Ida Rolf helped a generation of people who were beginning to understand in the 60’s and 70’s that the body holds clues to patterns of thinking and feeling. By freeing the breathing space with her hands, she could greatly improve the overall adaptability of the person.

Therapeutic touch is scientifically proven to melt tensions and pain in the body that cause chronic

stress and restore ease and health. Improving oxygen flow into the body is one of the best chemical ways to reduce stress.

When Dr. Rolf looked at the body, she looked for “tensegrity,” or balanced architecture. She looked at this physically, how the body would distribute the stress of an injury around the whole body. She also knew the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical were connected. If a person moves with a fluid body that shares stress easily, this helps the mind and emotions perform in the same way.

With good cuing, everyone can experience their own resilience. People who have received bodywork are benefiting during this pandemic.

And, it’s exciting to see these body-mind teachings go to work!

From a better resourced place, we can posture a perspective that’s aware and flexible. People are taking better care of themselves.

Please tell your children that they are well and strong, and not sick.

The adaptable person will emerge restored and free.

by Ashby Underwood-Garner

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SB E USRSEV IN RI C V EE SI C SE

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS

ART LESSONS

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

CABINETRY

CLEANING

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

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SBE SUERSSR V IE N VI C RE IC V ES ESI C E

CONSTRUCTION

HOME DECOR

PICTURE FRAMING

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

TOOL SHARPENING

107 107

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SB E URS V I NI C EE SS

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SBEURS V I NI CE ES S

GIVING BACK Pages 110-119

photo by Susan Renfro

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GI V I NG BAC K

glorious

vision

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation embraces an ambitious expansion, while preser ving the welcoming spirit that’s maintained it for over a centur y.

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GI V I NG BAC K

F

or 125 years, the historic Episcopal Church of the Incarnation has been watching over Main Street, delighting passerbyes with its Carpenter Gothic architecture and lovely garden spaces.

But over the years as the beloved structure was enlarged and buildings added, the presentation of the building to Main Street had become confusing – multiple staircases distracted from an “open and welcoming space” and the Church lacked a central front door to welcome visitors and friends.”

And as the Church and the community grew and attendance swelled, the need to expand the capacity of the Sanctuary became more pressing.

Three years ago, Reverend Bentley Manning and the Vestry at Incarnation identified the need to enhance the facility and expand the seating in the sanctuary.

Then, in 2018 a parish family offered a generous donation for the development of a master plan resulting in a capital campaign, entitled “Glorious Vision” with

a $6,000,000 goal. An Architectural Committee appointed by the Vestry, began work on a unified plan.

The scope of the project is three-fold: To illuminate “the vision of God given in Christ through the beauty of worship where our hearts are lifted heavenward” with the configuration of architectural elements to create a more sacred atmosphere, “literally opening our doors to the community” with the creation of a formal entry into the Sanctuary, adding windows to the new entry and the rear of the Sanctuary, allowing the worship space to be washed in light. At the same time, painters, blacksmiths and wood carvers are working to fill the Sanctuary with beauty.

To Invite: “By modifying the interior of our Sanctuary so that we may accommodate more persons in worship,” adding 70 to 80 seats to avoid the need for overflow spaces, making the entire campus ADA compliant, and updating lamps and windows for more energy efficiency because “caring for

creation is important to us.” A new spire holding four cast iron bells will be erected as a “beacon of God’s Sanctuary and welcome” and a call to worship.

To inspire: “We will share this vision of God in our ministries, our outreach, our educational offerings, and through lives transformed by Christ.”

Reverend Manning recognizes that, “Now more than ever, there’s a need to be together in community and in worship and fellowship; something we perhaps once took for granted.”

He is grateful for the timing that has allowed this project to be undertaken and expressed his thank you to Highlanders and visitors “for their grace and fortitude during the construction.”

While work is under way the original chapel remains open. For more information or to contribute, visit gloriousvision.org.

by Marlene Osteen

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GI V I NG BAC K

T lucky dog The sweet stor y of Bill Wolff and his faithful Lucky is played out in endless variations among the residents of Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and their adopters. To write your own tale, visit chhumanesociety.org or call (828) 743-5752.

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hey say that a stray, sick or injured dog somehow instinctively knows which neighborhood, or which home, to go to in order to find safe refuge. They say that canines have this inner sense to detect where compassionate animal lovers may reside.

Well, whoever “they” are, I happen to believe they’re right. And so does Bill Wolff.

Bill is a beloved charter inductee of the CashiersHighlands Humane Society Hall of Fame and a past Vice President of our Board of Directors. He and his wife Patsy have been part-time residents of Highlands for decades. But although I could write a magazine full of stories about Bill’s kindness, compassion and philanthropy, Bill had only one request of me about writing this story — “Please make it about Lucky.”

A three-years-old (or so) Shih Tzu showed up on the walk outside the Wolff’s front door on Lake Lanier in April 2016. The dog was in rough shape.

Burns all along the underside of the pup’s body indicated a life of confinement in a crate or other small enclosure with no outlet for even a daily potty break. It’s a classic sign of cruelty and neglect that we often see in puppy mill survivors saved by the CHHS

GI V I NG BAC K Animal Rescue Team.

The dog had no collar, no ID tag, and was not microchipped. Bill went to great lengths to find whoever might be missing the dog, even visiting the local county animal shelter.

But this pup needed medical attention and needed it promptly. Bill knew the canine was suffering and he rushed him to his local veterinarian. The cost to treat the dog for his injuries was in the thousands of dollars. Bill paid the entire invoice. No one ever came forward to claim the dog.

When the folks at the vet’s office asked Bill what was the name of the dog, Bill replied: “I don’t know his name, but I would say he’s Lucky.”

Fast forward to today, and Mr. Lucky is Bill’s constant companion. And more than one person, including Bill and yours truly, feel there was divine intervention involved with Lucky’s first appearance on that walk outside the Wolff’s front door. You see, Bill has been caring for his wife Patsy for a few years now as she has been suffering from

Alzheimer’s disease.

In Bill’s words: “I tell people frequently that God sent Lucky knowing what was going to happen in our lives with Patsy having Alzheimer’s. Since Patsy is now living in a memory care center, Lucky is my constant companion and I cannot tell you how important he is in my life.”

Bill and Mr. Lucky recently paid a visit to our shelter campus. The entire staff hosted a lunch for these two beloved VIP’s, and it will be an afternoon we will never forget. Bill emailed me the next day and said, “David, I woke up with a smile on my face thinking about what a wonderful time Lucky and I had visiting the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society yesterday.”

I woke up that morning with the same smile, too.

Some days are hard in animal rescue. We experience unimaginable loss and heartache.

We see the worst that mankind can do to our four-legged companions who ask us for so little yet give us so much.

Thank you, Bill, and thank you Lucky, for reminding us... this is why we do what we do.

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

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Cashiers Highlands Humane Society

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GI V I NG BAC K

big brothers

big sisters

A mentoring relationship has turned into a deep and abiding friendship, thanks to the programs offered

by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands.

To par ticipate or for more information, contact program coordinator Danielle Hernandez-Juarez, at cashiers@bbbswnc.org or call (828) 399-9133.

(L to R) Former Little Sister Lupe, current Little Sister Claudia and Big Sister Rachel Kinback

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GI V I NG BAC K

B

eing a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands has truly been an incredibly rewarding experience for me over the last eight years.

My involvement initially started as being a BIG for a young girl at Blue Ridge School.

I went to the school for weekly visits where we would play basketball or play computer games or just simply hang out. Our relationship grew steadily and I knew that I wanted to spend more time with her. My mentoring then went into a Community Based program. This meant I could take her on excursions outside of just school. One week I would choose an activity and the next week she would. Hiking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, kayaking and art galleries were some of our favorite activities to do together. It was the one on one that I really cherished and I knew she looked forward to it too.

Seeing how rewarding this mentoring was, I then asked to join the BBBS council.

I knew I wanted to help make the program bigger and even a better program for our local community. I have been on the Council for six years and now, I am Chairwoman for the council. Since joining we have established a scholarship program for our graduating Littles, have various fund raising events such as our annual croquet tournament held at Country Club of Sapphire Valley and increased our monthly activities for the Littles and the Bigs to attend. Last week, we had nine families participate in the first Christmas event at Tom Sawyer’s Tree Farm.

Each family received a Christmas tree, ornaments to decorate, a visit to see Santa, an educational tour of the farm and hot chocolate to finish the day.

This year have seen a major shift in our abilities to raise funds to support our local program. We simply need more money to continue to support our Littles as well as more Mentors/Bigs. If you ever thought about being a Big Brother or a Big

Sister, I would encourage you. It’s truly a rewarding experience and the impact you can make on a child is priceless and forever life changing. If you don’t have the time but want to make a difference then a donation is always welcome.

by Nancy Heck Albers Advisory Council Chairman Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters

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GI V I NG BAC K

best

decision

Sherry Holt

S

For Highlands Rotarian Sherr y Holt, ser ving her community has always been par t of her DNA .

herry Holt, a Rotarian since May 2015, is a partner with Highlands CPA firm Stephen Lucas and an alumni of Highlands High School.

A Scaly Mountain native, Holt said, “I have always been involved in the community to a certain extent.”

While her son was young, she volunteered as Highlands School PTO treasurer, chaired the Fall Festival, and more. Then she became active in the Rotary Club of Highlands, including entering the three-year leadership 116 W I N T 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

commitment as president-elect, president, and past-president.

“I am in my last year of the commitment, but I will always be involved in our Rotary projects. Prior to being president I was Service Event Director, and I am currently in my first term on the Historical Society Board,” said Holt.

She joined the Rotary Club of Highlands because of its laser focus on community.

“We strive to make our community a better place for everyone. It’s hard to say we have

one main benefit because we are involved in so many, but for me personally I think our work with the school is beneficial. We give scholarships for higher education, money to help teachers with room supplies, sponsor children on the Fifth Grade Charleston Trip, sponsor the Interact Club each year…We also sponsor exchange students periodically and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).”

Holt has been especially impressed with feedback from young adults involved in Rotary Exchange. Inevitably, individuals

GI V I NG BAC K

welcome

2021

Carpe Diem Farms takes a moment ( just a moment!) to ref lect upon 29 years of brightening the lives of horses and the people who love them.

J

photo by Susan Renfro

involved convey the experience’s positive effects: “How much it meant to them to be able to have this experience, how it changed their life for the better,” she said. “I think if you can give one child, who otherwise would not get this experience, a chance to change their life … that is the best feeling in the world.”

Although she thought she would not be able to work Rotary Club involvement into her busy schedule, she decided to take the plunge after “Derek Taylor stopped by my office and asked me to join.”

Holt admitted: “It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

by Deena Bouknight

anuary 27 marks the 29th year of the anniversary of receiving our 501(c)(3) for the educational foundation, Carpe Diem Farms Inc. And five years later, we opened Carpe Diem Farms, the place where the experiential educational programs creating magic and miracles with horses and humans began.

It honestly feels at times like it was only yesterday and yet nearly 4,000 participants, both children and adults, have experienced a wide array of life-altering programs. In addition to the horses, there has been dog training, red-tailed hawk flying, authors teaching their craft, animal communicators, feng shui teachers, dousing workshops, labyrinth building and walking, bird counting, horse training, tai chi, book studies, to name a few of the vast array of programs.

Additionally, the unlimited volunteer opportunities have all woven the fabric of the quilt which is Carpe Diem Farms.

In January of 2014, (having received our first patent 9/3/2013) Easy’s Slipper by Advanced Equine Comfort LLC was launched at the International Hoof Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. This was a company founded and headquartered at CDF, which began with an idea, and built from the love for two Morgan horses, to help horses around the globe suffering from conditions of the hoof.

Today, with 13 patents and three more recently applied for, the horses of Carpe Diem are making a significant mark on the world. We ship around the globe and have suppliers, veterinarians, farriers and owners in the UK, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Canada and across the US! What we’ve learned over the years from the 24 horses who have lived at CDF (eight presently, ages 12-31) who have presented a wide variety of hoof and lameness issues is that Easy’s Slippers can provide horses with a second chance in life.

Who would have ever thought that the efforts of a small non-profit educational foundation in Highlands, North Carolina, could, by its existence and persistence, become a driving force to provide horses with comfort and help them lead happier, healthier lives?

Visit carpediemfarms.org and advancedequinecomfort.com to learn more.

by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms 117 W I N T 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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surge of membership Mountaintop Rotar y’s surge in membership mirrors a burgeoning passion for ser vice to the community and to the world.

S

ince the start of the new Rotary year in July, Mountaintop Rotary in Highlands has had a surge of membership with a 30 percent increase to a total of 40 members.

Mountaintop Rotary has a diverse and active membership and meets on Mondays at 5:30 P.M. via Zoom.

Club President Kirk Dornbush is excited about the club growth and the infusion of new leadership potential and energy to the club.

“Covid-19 has presented unique challenges for our club, but also new opportunities,” he says. “Using Zoom as our technology platform, we never missed a meeting.”

New members include: Rev. John Martin,

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retired Presbyterian minister and business leader; Jennifer Martin, retired public relations executive and minister’s wife; Clark Plexico, former state senator for North Carolina and leader in international consulting in the fields of international affairs, global leadership development and democracy and governance; Rick Hildbold, retired insurance senior executive; Rebecca Baker, nurse practitioner in Highlands; Jennifer Cambrook, specialty tax consultant; Jeannie MacLeod, retired medical office administrator; Leslie Logan, retired special education teacher; Michael Lanzilotta, former CDC pandemic team leader during the Bird Flu scare and founder of Georgia Medical Plan

(now Cigna Healthplan) and the National Cardiovascular Network; and Dr. Michael Crowe, retired OB/GYN from Atlanta.

Rotary members promote peace, business ethics, and abide by the mantra”Service Above Self.” Anyone on the Plateau interested in making a difference in their community, their region, and their world through Rotary membership should contact Mountaintop membership chair Jeffrey Owens by email at jowensavltd@icloud. com, or talk to any Rotary member about your interest. For more info on the club, see the Rotary Club of Highlands Mountaintop Facebook page.

GI V I NG BAC K

CHIP

grant recipients Nantahala Health Foundation has awarded nearly $420,000 to local organizations and agencies improving health and alleviating pover ty.

N

antahala Health Foundation granted nearly $420,000 to Western North Carolina nonprofits and public service organizations seeking to achieve better health and wellness outcomes for regional residents.

The success of each awarded proposal depends on the applying organization teaming up with at least one collaborating partner.

Likewise, each winning proposal will seek to apply a unique approach to eliminating root-cause barriers to health and wellness, according to Nantahala Health Foundation Executive Director Lori Bailey.

Additionally, grant funds were awarded in support of programs designed to address NHF’s funding priorities, which include access to healthcare, education, transportation, alleviation of poverty, and quality of housing. These and many other social determinants of health are known to directly impact up to 50 percent of an individual’s health outcomes over their lifetime.

Additionally, Covid-19 was added as a special interest priority area to help nonprofits expand or sustain services impacted by the pandemic.

“An ever-growing body of research has proven that where and how a person lives, learns, works and plays far exceeds cumulative clinical visits when it comes to determining health outcomes,” said Jane Kimsey, NHF’s board chair and lifelong Macon County resident. “That’s why Nantahala Health Foundation has chosen to work with organizations specifically addressing social determinants of health as a way of improving wellness for all in Western North Carolina.”

NHF’s 2020 Collaborative Health Innovation Program, during which awards were capped at $50,000 each, marks the organization’s third completed grant cycle with a collective community investment to date of nearly $2.2 million in support of social determinants of health.

For more information about Nantahala Health Foundation’s mission, visit nantahalahealthfoundation.org or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.

by Lisa Duff, Nantahala Health Foundation

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BUSI NESS

Chris Duffy

Rick Jackson

new faces at Silver Creek

Recognizing that a deep local knowledge is critical to maintaining its status as a leader in the exploding real estate market, Silver Creek Real Estate Group has added a pair of brokers embedded in the life of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

A

pair of savvy agents have joined the Silver Creek Real Estate Group as the local market heats up.

Chris Duffy is no stranger to local residents and even to those just up to the Plateau for a quick getaway. That’s because Chris was the voice of the Plateau for a number of years as the morning show host on WHLC FM 104.5.

He moved to Highlands in 2017 to take the job at WHLC. “I moved to the mountains to become the voice of Highlands, little did I know how much the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau would speak to me,” he says.

An avid cook, Chris attended Le Cordon Bleu receiving a Certificat de Traiteur and loves sampling all the culinary delights the Highlands-Cashiers area has to offer. Chris quickly fell in love with the HighlandsCashiers Plateau and decided he wanted to 120 W I N T 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

help other people enjoy our beautiful nature and live in our truly unique and amazing community.

For Rick Jackson, the Lake Toxaway, Cashiers, and Sapphire Valley areas have always been a huge draw for Rick and his family. Since the mid-90s, Rick and his family knew that one day they would like to own a second home where they could escape the heat and bustle of Atlanta. In 2008, they purchased a home on Lake Glenville, where Rick, his wife, and three children along with countless friends have enjoyed the cool summers, beautiful fall colors, and the occasional snow during the holidays.

When Rick is not busy selling real estate, he can be found outdoors playing golf, boating on Lake Glenville, or enjoying a motorcycle ride. He’s active on several boards both in North Carolina and Atlanta.

Locally, that means that Rick and his wife Lisa are tireless supporters of Camp Merrie-Woode, Friends of Lake Glenville, and Cashiers-Glenville Volunteer Fire Department.

To learn more about these brokers and their unique skills and knowledge of the local real estate market, visit Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s Cashiers office at Suite 102, 341 Highway 64 West; or the Lake Glenville Office at 4312 Highway 107 N in Cashiers; call (828) 743-1999, or email info@ncliving.com.

Point phone camera at QR code to learn more about Silver Creek Real Estate Group.

Between two North Carolina mountain ridges lies an expansive grassy meadow. Silver Run Creek winds along the middle, sparkling in the sunshine. This is Silver Run Reserve.

A community that more than surrounds you with peace and beauty, it fills you up. Here you are free to roam and run… to hike and play… to seize the day and savor the moment.

Here at Silver Run Reserve, you’re free to be.

EXPERIENCE C ASUAL MOUNTAIN LUXURY

828.342.3194

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SilverRunReserve.com

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123 W I N T 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

SILVER RUN RESERVE MOUNTAIN MODERN COT TAGE $1,695,000

|

4 BR / 4.5 BA

A Meyer-Greeson-Paulin Benson designed home with 3,010

heated sq. ft. and ~650 sq. ft. of screened porch, featuring a floor plan with two master bedrooms on the main floor and two additional bedrooms on the second floor.

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LIZ HARRIS, GUILDâ„¢ C

828.342.3194

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| OWNER / BROKER LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

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Silver Run Falls, Cashiers, NC by Mark Haskett

S O M E O F TH E B EST T HI NG S I N L I F E A R E C ON STA NT. . .

New Year after New Year.

126

CASHIERS.COM

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828.743.3411

MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE IN THE CASHIERS AREA

BETH TOWNSEND Co-Owner / Broker LIZ HARRIS Co-Owner / Broker ANN MCKEE AUSTIN Co-Owner / Broker

COLEEN GOTTLOEB Broker-In-Charge SANDY BARROW Broker Associate JOHN BARROW Broker Associate / Rental Coordinator

WAYNE MONDAY Broker Associate PHILIP BRADLEY Broker Associate MAGGIE ELMER Broker Associate

JOANNE BRYSON Broker Associate CLAY CANTLER Broker Associate LOGAN CROCKER Broker Associate

KARA ADDY Marketing Director LYNDA HODGE Creative Director KARALINE SHOMAKER Marketing Coordinator

LO CATE D IN TH E H IS TO RI C M IN N IE C O LE H O US E

619 HWY 107 S

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CASHIERS, NC 28717

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828.743.3411

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MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

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YELLOW MOUNTAIN PRESERVE 205 ACRES — Cashiers/Highlands finest estate opportunity minutes from both Mountaintop Golf Club, Old Edwards Club and Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina. Centrally located between Cashiers and Highlands in beautiful western North Carolina, Yellow Mountain Preserve boasts the highest elevation on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau at 5,100 ft and is a true legacy property. The 205.04 acre estate has roads and utilities in place for a low density estate development or can be enjoyed as a single family or shared family estate. Elevation reaches 5,127 feet at its highest point, 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 horse-back riding.

OFFERED FOR $8,450,000 A 26-acre gentleman’s farm site sits at 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 360 degree 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 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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828.743.3411

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|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF & LAKE CLUB 4 BR / 4.5 BA — This beautiful home in Mountaintop Golf and Lake club is nestled on nearly FOUR PRIVATE ACRES near the clubhouse! It offers golf course and short-range mountain views with approved trimming. Discover soaring ceilings in a spacious great room, an open living room and kitchen floor plan, and a window wall of folding doors that joins the great room and large outdoor covered porch, creating the perfect entertaining spaces. A large master suite is on the main level, and three guest suites on the upper and lower levels offer luxurious accommodations for family and friends. Beautiful indoor and outdoor

OFFERED FOR $4,600,000 dining spaces make entertaining a pleasure and the beautiful, private park-like setting with a fire pit provides endless hours of outdoor fun and peaceful relaxation. The large family room downstairs, second sitting area with a wet bar on the main level, and the office upstairs provide a variety of additional living spaces. This is a rare beauty in Mountaintop!

MLS 94953

PRICE REDUCED

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

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LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

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MILIMA RANCH 400 ACRES — Located 25 minutes from Asheville, Milima’s 400 acres of pristine land are surrounded by the Smoky Mountains and Pisgah Forest. An eight-mile network of trails beckons for hiking and riding and traverse the land, ascending from 3,200-4,200 ft. and offering a nature lover’s paradise with mountain streams, rare plants and a diverse wildlife population. A well-built road system, underground power and water are ready on 272 acres running to a selection of estate home sites, perfect for future sale, should the owner wish to do so. Separate horse riding trails on the gently contoured terrain of the Eastern cove await. Moonshine Cabin

OFFERED FOR $4,490,000 is a lovely 3 BR/3.5 BA log home, perfectly nestled in a cove by the creek and looking out over the valley towards ranges of beautiful mountains.

It features much charm and many luxuries, from the gourmet kitchen to the sleeping porch overlooking a mountain stream. The great room features old barn wood, hewn wood beams and poplar bark. There are also several outbuildings, including a barn, an equipment storage building and camping platforms overlooking the most peaceful views. Another cabin located on the property is also available for purchase separately. This property is truly breathtaking! MLS 94352

UNDER CONTRACT

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

130 W I N T 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

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LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB / MLS 89860

LOTS & LAND LOT

ACRES

DESCRIPTION

MLS

N/A

7.00

Commercial development land in center of town

93464

CASHIERS

$1,050,000

E-158

1.30

One of the best view lots in Mountaintop

89860

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB

$ 615,000

104

0.78

Gentle estate lot with mountain views possible

90107

MOUNTAINTOP GOLF AND LAKE CLUB

$ 475,000

4

7.83

Near level lot with a meadow and stream

93092

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

$ 339,000

B-6

0.51

Flat lot, walking distance to clubhouse

93159

CHATTOOGA CLUB

$ 325,000

LT-7

2.86

Small stream running through lot

93091

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

$ 175,000

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE / MLS 93092

SUBDIVISION

PRICE

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE / MLS 93091

LIZ HARRIS, GUILDâ„¢ C

828.342.3194

|

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

131 W I N T 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

HIGH HAMPTON 4 BR / 3 BA — This is a rare chance to own a classic High Hampton mountain home purchased from the original owner. The magic of this home is only matched by the memories made by the family that has loved this home for so long. Entering the home, the backside of the fireplace separates the entry way from the living space. The real stone used to build the fireplace is visible on all sides. The family hand salvaged old barn wood to create a warm living space that exudes mountain charm. A master bedroom on the main level has a beautiful view and privacy from the rest of the home. The living space offers an abundance of natural light through

OFFERED FOR $1,450,000 the many windows on the backside of the home. A dining area separates the open living space from the kitchen. On the lower lever, you will find three guest bedrooms and another den area with a fireplace. This home has plenty of deck space for outdoor entertaining and grilling with friends and family. A view of the 7th fairway of the newly-designed Tom Fazio golf course at High Hampton is visible through the trees. A mountain view is in the distance and possibly could be improved. The driveway is a beautiful entry to the property, with attention to blending beautiful native plants and trees to offer maximum privacy from the community road. MLS 94727

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828.743.3411

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|

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

BUCK KNOB ISLAND 3 BR / 3.5 BA — This home is located on the top knoll of Buck Knob Island in the middle of Lake Glenville! This property conveys the feeling of secluded living, while remaining completely accessible and convenient to the mainland of the nearby town of Cashiers. The five-minute boat ride is what makes this community unlike any neighborhood or club in the mountains. No cars, no traffic, just neighbors and ATVs roam the roads of Buck Knob. The home was custom designed by the seller for mountain lake life. Making things even easier for property owners is the full-time caretaker to assist in transportation and maintenance. The Buck Knob HOA also

OFFERED FOR $1,395,000 offers all of the homeowners access to a cargo barge and boat transportation to and from the mainland. The mainland boat dock offers each owner a covered parking area in a gated community commons area. This home has the most wonderful wood work and details in its craftsmanship. The woodpaneled walls and ceiling look as if they have aged beautifully for decades.

The spacious, open layout allows for easy flow between indoor and outdoor living. The primary bedroom, on the main level, has a large, walk-in closet and spacious bathroom. Two guest ensuite bedrooms upstairs offer guests privacy and plenty of room to enjoy their mountain experience. MLS 95225

PHILIP BRADLEY C

843.224.5592

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PHILIP@CASHIERS.COM

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OLD ORCHARD 3 BR / 3.5 BA — Don’t miss the opportunity to see this beautiful mountain home! The view is spectacular and looks into the beautiful Blue Valley all the way to Georgia. The owners made a major addition in 2012, so much of the house is only a few years old and the rest has been updated. With three bedrooms and three and one-half baths, this home has a magnificent stone fireplace (with a gas starter) in the great room as you enter and a fireplace on the porch (also with a gas starter) to enjoy a wood-burning fire on cool evenings. A third fireplace is in the dining room.

The kitchen is truly a chef’s kitchen--Subzero refrigerator, gas-top range with an electric oven, dishwasher and disposal, and lovely counter-tops.

A large pantry holds the ice maker and wine cooler and is loaded with

OFFERED FOR $1,250,000 shelves to hold the chef’s condiments and cooking items. There’s even storage in the pantry for pots and pans! A bar area is just outside the kitchen, with a lovely countertop, lighting, and a bar sink. Two bedrooms are on the main floor, both with ensuite baths. In the master, there is a jacuzzi tub with a separate shower, lavatories, and separate closets. The master bedroom looks onto the beautiful view. All the floors and doors in this house are beautiful! The stairs going down to the lower floor are wide and filled with light as you descend. The large room downstairs serves as both den and office, a beautiful addition to the home. There are wood floors here also. The third bedroom and bath are downstairs, with a very spacious closet for extra-storage. MLS 95327

SANDY BARROW & JOHN BARROW C

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478.737.9664

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C

828.506.9356

BLUE VALLEY FALLS

$900,000

6.9 ACRES — Everyone is looking for that “special place” in the mountains.

Well, this is it. This property in Highlands, NC has a long-range view of the mountains and the Nantahala National Forest. The entire Southern border of this property is adjacent to the National Forest. Located five minutes from downtown, these three lots give you an abundance of privacy to build your dream mountain getaway or room to grow your own compound for family and friends. The mostly-level building lot has been cleared, and septic for a five bedroom home is installed. MLS 93557

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN

$375,000

4 BR / 5 BA — Bright Mountain home with a long range lake view.

A great home in its prime and is now in need of some TLC. The lake view and privacy gives this home great mountain charm. The cathedral ceiling in the great room is the highlight inside this open living space that is filled with a lot of natural light. MLS 94481

HIGH HEMLOCK

$215,000

3.76 ACRES — An absolute beautiful home site that is a hidden

mountain gem! This lot has a mountain view of Double Knob mountain and shares a small pond with adjacent property owner. The lush wooded landscape of large hardwoods and mountain laurel is the perfect backdrop for someone to build their dream mountain home. MLS 94059

PHILIP BRADLEY C

843.224.5592

|

PHILIP@CASHIERS.COM

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a sunny outlook IS NOW THE TIME TO SELL?

136 CREE K R E AL E STAT E G R O U P SILVER W I N T 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 CONVERSATION WITH SILVER CREEK OWNER/PRESIDENT, JOCHEN LUCKE

by Kristin Bowen

The global pandemic has brought people from all over the country to Western North Carolina. Many Americans are adopting major lifestyle changes, including embracing mountainous areas like ours to find a simpler way of living for themselves and their families. It is easy to freely move about, relax and play here when surrounded by a natural world filled with treasured National Forests, layered blue mountains, clean oxygen to breathe, clear skies, and small-town charm. The secret is out that we have all of this and so much more, and the boom in real estate on the Plateau is a prime indication of this. Last spring and just one month into the pandemic, I had the pleasure of a socially-distanced interview with Jochen Lucke, the president of Silver Creek Real Estate Group and publisher of NC Living Magazine. We discussed the outlook of real estate then, published in our Spring 2020 issue, and just this past November we reconvened on the topic once again.

Q&A KB: Thank you, Jochen, for taking a few minutes at an unprecedented busy time to share your expertise on where we are now with local real estate and what we might expect going forward. Buyers and sellers look to you and your team of seasoned brokers for answers, and now more than ever, they have questions. First of all, can you give your perspective as to what has happened with the local real estate market since the start of the global pandemic?

JL: In 2020, Highlands-Cashiers real estate sales are up 85% from 2019. The continued desirability of the Plateau for those seeking seasonal and full-time residences accelerated at a rapid pace. I do not recall a period when we have spent so much time at home. This past year, with extended family returning home in some cases, the desire to escape to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina and enjoy the cool summer temperatures, the great outdoors, as well as escape dense city life, fueled our record sales volume. Our team has completed more transactions than any

S I LVE R CRE E K REAL ESTAT E GR137 OU P W I N T 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

THE MARKET

Aerial real estate photography is a necessity for selling a mountain home so potential buyers can get a feel for how the property is situated.

other firm on the Plateau thanks to our remarkable agents and their loyal clients.

KB: Seeing the trend to buy in the local area with 2020 real estate sales more than doubling and in some places tripling across the Plateau versus 2019, can you project what this same market may look like in 2021?

JL: We have so many clients that are still seeking to purchase homes on the Plateau, I see 2021 sales only limited by the supply of inventory.

KB: So you are saying now is a good time to sell a home?

JL: Yes, to be clear, the demand is greater than the supply. Our inventory of homes is incredibly low. The Silver Creek team has been very proactive and engaged with many potential sellers already and we are looking forward to offering new homes to the market over these winter and spring months. Our comprehensive marketing program has been recognized by both our clients and national industry groups as exceptional, and it delivers

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results! While we saw national franchises and local competitors reduce marketing expenditures during the pandemic, Silver Creek increased our spending which has proven to be beneficial for our sellers and brokers. Extraordinary marketing continues to be crucial in selling properties for the highest and best price. Don’t settle for average marketing when you can receive exceptional marketing with Silver Creek. If a homeowner has even the slightest notion of selling in the next few years, now is the time to seriously consider it. Our team is available to assist in every step of the process.

KB: Due to the pandemic, �Zoom Towns" are

THE MARKET

Silver Creek Real Estate Group won multiple awards once again in the Website Rankings

by Real Trends, competing against real estate brands all across the nation.⁠ ⁠

popping up all over the country, a term used to refer to refuge-seekers who wish to live and work remotely in more rural areas. Do you believe the Plateau has transitioned from a secondary homeowners market to a primary one? Who wouldn’t want to live out their dream of residing full time in our Blue Ridge Mountains?

JL: We have definitely seen an increase in those working and studying remotely. I predict this trend will continue as companies across many industries permanently change their work culture to allow their team members to work remotely. Connectivity will continue to be a major factor for many buyers. Those communities that have taken steps to

“connect” their community to high-speed internet will be much more desirable in the future to buyers.

KB: Last we spoke, as a technologically advanced company, you cited there was a 34% increase in your website traffic February thru April. What is that increase now?

JL: At the time of this interview (November 2020), our website traffic increased over 105% through the end of October 2020. Our digital marketing team continues to deliver engaging content that is delivered to a targeted audience for maximum exposure of our clients’ properties.

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THE MARKET

The Lake Glenville Discovery Center offers room for Silver Creek’s ever-growing team and a place for visitors and clients to learn more about the Lake Glenville area and all that it offers.

KB: As a market leader consistently topping performance charts and winning awards, I understand the company landed another award this past year. Can you tell us about it?

JL: Yes, NCLiving.com has been recognized in 5 categories this year by Real Trends, which ranks real estate websites across the country.

Our website design has evolved over the years, but it has always stayed true to our brand, providing value to those who use us as their #1 source for all things Plateau.

KB: You've announced the addition of your second office location, situated on pristine Lake Glenville. How does this bolster your already dominant presence in the lake market?⁠

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JL: Just as we carefully consider before adding any brokers to our top-producing team, we thoughtfully deliberated before adding to our footprint. I believe this new space on Highway 107 North will help us better serve our clients and be a timely addition to our thriving firm.

The branch, dubbed the “Lake Glenville Discovery Center,” offers room for Silver Creek’s ever-growing team and a place for visitors and clients to learn more about the Lake Glenville area and all that it offers.

In addition to two new staff members, Melissa Haggar-Jordan and Darlene Ott, we have welcomed four brokers to our team: Rick Jackson, Kevin Koach, Chris Duffy, and Rob Whitney.

THE MARKET

The Library Kitchen & Bar staff enjoying NC Living Magazine, a Silver Creek Real Estate Group publication which is celebrating its fifth year of publication.

KB: It appears that this particular market is breaking all real estate sales records. With interest rates continuing to remain low and sales expected to continue, why should someone choose Silver Creek Real Estate Group to assist them in buying or selling a home?

JL: The last two years have seen a record level of sales on the Plateau. Our team continues to utilize the latest in technology, as well as work to improve and expand our marketing programs

to assist homebuyers and sellers. While national franchises are hampered by decisions made in faraway cities and not necessarily focused on our local market, Silver Creek is locally owned and operated. We strive to focus on what is best for our clients and the market, which delivers exceptional results. Our continued success is built on mutually beneficial, long-term relationships. We live and breathe our motto, “Building Relationships and Delivering Dreams�.

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#1

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COC NO TA AY NCT T A CUTS UTSO D TO DAY

NC MM N LCILVI IVNI G N .GC. O CO REAL GROUP REALESTATE ESTATE GROUP 142 W I N T 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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10/12/2020, ACCORDING ACCORDING TO TO HCBOR HCBOR MLS. MLS. *IN 2020 (YTD) FROM 1/1/2020 - 12/14/2020,

OUR TEAM

JOCHEN LUCKE

DAN ALLEN

BAMBI FAMOUS

PRESIDENT/BROKER

PARKER ANDERSON

CHRIS DUFFY

RICK JACKSON

KEVIN KOACH

EDDY MCDONALD

CASSIE NEAL

CHUCK SELF

MERRY SOELLNER

RAY TRINE

MELISSA HAGGAR-JORDAN ASSISTANT

DARLENE OTT

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

AMANDA BRYANT ASSISTANT/BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

BROKER

ASSISTANT

BROKER

BROKER

LINDA PRIDGEN BROKER

ROB WHITNEY BROKER

RIVA SMITH

ASSISTANT/BROKER

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AD AD VV ER E TR ITSIES R E ’RS’ SI NI N DD EX EX 4118 Kitchen and Bar A Jones Company A-List Antiques Acorns ACP Home Interiors Around Back at Rocky’s Place The Bascom Bear Shadow Festival Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Betsy Paul Art Raffle Betsy Paul Properties Black Bear Lodge Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry Blair Realty The Blue Elephant Blue Ridge Bedding Blue Ridge Music Bombshell Hair Boutique Bounds Cave’s Rug Gallery Bridge at Mill Creek The Business Spot Carolina Rustic Furniture Cashiers Chamber of Commerce Cashiers Candy Shoppe Cashiers Valley Fusion Casshiers Valley Smokehouse Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, MD Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals Charles Johnson Fine Art Photography Chocolate Heaven/Cake Bar Christine’s Home Decor Classic Lighting & Design, Inc. Country Club Properties Creative Concepts Cullasaja Club Dauntless Printing Deborah Bryant Handwoven Dinner With Duffy Don Leon’s at The High Dive Dutchmans Edward Jones Investments Fire + Water Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar Fressers Courtyard Cafe Dr. Edward D. Frederickson MD FACP The Greystone Inn Head Innovations High Country Furniture & Design The High Dive Highlands Aerial Park Highlands Chamber of Commerce Highlands Deli/SweeTreats Highlands Rock Yard Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Andrea Gabbard Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Sheryl Wilson Highlands Transportation Company Home Emporium Imperial Security & Wiring Jack’s Upholstery Jennings Builders Supply Josephine’s Emporium John Cleaveland Realty The Kitchen CarryAway and Catering

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