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Laurel the l aurel m ag a z i n e .c o m

August 2011

Your Guide To The Finest In Highlands And Cashiers

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Publisher’s Note

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eems like summer just gets kicking here in the mountains and the back-to-school lists resurface, exchanging swimsuits and suntans for books and backpacks. Here at the Laurel, we love this time of year. Season is in full swing and there’s much to do. We’re already preparing for Labor Day and the fall to follow, enjoying every minute. Thank you for enjoying each minute with us, thank you for choosing The Laurel.

Janet and Marjorie

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The Laurel Magazine • August 2011

Contents Events

14 • Relay for Life 20 • GCAMA Summer Events 22 • Think About Thursdays 23 • Friday Night Live 24 • Cashiers Designer ShowhouseTM 25 • Interlude Concerts 26 • Randall Atcheson 28 • Village Square Art and Craft Show 30 • Historical Happenings 32 • Raffle for REACH 33 • 150 Years of Hospitality 36 • Cashiers Watercolor Workshop 36 • Make A Wish 38 • Scenes From 48 • Area Calendar

The Arts

50 • Cover Artist, Jane Smithers 52 • The Art of Donna Rhodes 54 • The Bascom Events 55 • Betsy Paul Art Raffle 56 • Feasts of the Festival 58 • Highlands-Cashiers Players 59 • Performing Arts Center Events 60 • The Highlands Playhouse 62 • Bel Canto 64 • Mase Lucas at John Collette Fine Art 66 • Rosemary Stiefel 79 • Arts & Crafts Show 68 • Robert Ray 69 • Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music

History

Maps

18 • Highlands Map 34 • Cashiers Map

90 • Highlands History 91 • Cashiers History 93 • Painting Workshop

Dining

72 • Chris and Charlies 74 • Rosewood Market 76 • Cyprus Cooking Class 77 • Pancake Breakfast 78 • Culinary Weekend 79 • Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro 80 • Rooftop Terrace Opens 82 • Evenings at Lakeside 83 • Fatigati’s 84 • Wild Thyme of Cashiers 84 • Jorge’s Place 86 • Dining Guide

Literary

98 • Highlands Writers Group, Judy Blitch Gartside 99 • Rantlanta 100 • Appalachian Celebration 102 • The Hudson Library 103 • Ann Merritt

Volume Ten • Issue Seven • www.thelaurelmagazine.com • 828-526-0173 email: editorial@themountainlaurel.com • P.O. Box 565 • Highlands, North Carolina 28741 12 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


The Laurel Magazine • August 2011

Homes & Lifestyles

106 • A Highlands Falls Gem 108 • A Mountain Cabin Beauty 110 • The Diabetes Dilemma 111 • It’s Pajama Party Time 114 • Interest Rates and Investments 115 • In Many Forms 118 • Wildcat Cliffs Celebrates 50 119 • Living Green 120 • Summit Charter School

Giving Back

132 • Forever Farm 133 • Carpe Diem Farms 134 • Rotary Club of Highlands 138 • Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust 140 • Friends of Whiteside Mountain 142 • International Friendship Center 144 • Cullasaja Women’s Outreach 145 • Scaly Mountain Women’s Club 146 • Tooth Fairies are For Real

Staff

Janet Cummings, Managing Partner

Marjorie Fielding, Managing Partner

janet@ themountainlaurel.com

marjorie@ themountainlaurel.com

(828) 371-2689

(828) 371-2764

Michelle Munger, Art Director

Luke Osteen, Writer

mungerclan5@aol.com

Spotlight

(828) 342-3551

dumbdogs@ earthlink.net

Wiley Sloan, Writer

Donna Rhodes, Writer

Guides

wileyandsarah@ nctv.com

148 • Plateau Partners in Real Estate 149 • Blue Elephant Consignment 149 • Sorelle Design Studio 150 • Annawear 152 • French Twist 154 • High Cotton 154 • Highlands NC Realty 155 • Narcissus 155 • Details

18 • Highlands Map 34 • Cashiers Map 48 • Area Calendar 86 • Dining Guide 122 • Waterfall Guide 130 • Service Directory 156 • Advertisers Index

donna847@ frontier.com

Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Gary Wein, Kathy Bub, Maryellen Lipinski, Ellen Bauman, Mary Adair Leslie, Betty Bandy, Elizabeth Fletcher, Sue Blair, Michael Rich, Sue Aery, Jim Johnson and Resa Johnson, and Robin Armstrong-Neil

Copyright © 2011 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 August be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.

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Events

A Story of Hope Contributed by Ellen Bauman

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n August 19th, Relay supporters will start their 24-hour walk to battle cancer. Relay Teams will gather at Highlands Recreation Park and opening ceremonies will begin at 6:00 p.m. As we walk we will “Celebrate” survivors who inspire others to continue their fight against cancer. Participants will “Remember” loved ones lost to the disease and everyone will “Fight Back” against cancer by raising funds for research, education, advocacy, and services provided by The American Cancer Society. Please visit www.relayforlife.org/highlands for more information about this year’s Relay. Following is a story of hope written by a father who wouldn’t take no for an answer and proves that one person can make a huge difference in the fight against cancer.

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ark Horstman remembers the day his life unraveled in a matter of fifteen minutes. “We had the classic American story where we had taken our five-year-old daughter in to have a cyst drained and after forty-five minutes, we were pacing… the doctor came out and said we were facing cancer.” The next day, the Horstmans got the news: Kate had rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare, soft cell muscle tissue sarcoma. And then, a second punch: She needed treatment, STAT. Had the family waited another three weeks to have the mysterious cyst treated, doctors said they would have lost their beloved daughter. Thus began the family’s journey into cancer treatment, with two parents facing their worst nightmare and a kindergartener entering the scary and uncertain world of therapy, hospitals, mega doses of drugs and doctors. “I made two calls,” Mark says, “one to my parents and another to a close friend, Mickey LeMaistre, who was director of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. My cell phone rang in one hour and it was set. On Monday, we were being

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treated. Kate was put on a list of seventeen VIPs which also included Sam Walton.” Kate says she remembers a lot about the experience, despite her young age. She’s sixteen now, a cheerleader and a member of the high school varsity soccer team, and who dreams to one day work for NASA. “I have no physical problems, I’m really lucky with that,” she says. “Most of it is mental. I have a much deeper respect for illnesses and for people with pain and families with pain – and a lot more awareness of cancer. I learned that you don’t get to throw anything away. You don’t wait for tomorrow.” Looking back, Mark says the life-altering experience forced him to dig deep and draw upon his spiritual roots. Living in the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas, the family was constantly amazed by the kindness of their community: casseroles left on the doorstep, their lawn perpetually mowed, their mail always picked up and free house calls by local doctors. And he found a new ally in the ACS. When asked to chair the local Relay For Life, Mark immediately said yes. “Relay became a way to pay back what the cancer society did. I thought, ‘Here’s my opportu-

nity.’ “ Not only did Mark, Kate, Mara and two sons, Travis and Drake, give back, they excelled. Under Mark’s direction, the Fredericksburg Relay For Life has been the top fundraiser in Texas for four years running. The first year, Mark’s goal was to raise $25,000 – and he netted $45,000. And the figures kept increasing: $55,000 in 1998, $60,000 in 1999 and $70,000 last year. “I wish I had a dime for everybody who told me it could not be done,” he says. Today, Mark serves as a motivational speaker for the ACS, and travels the U.S. lecturing to local chapters about how to organize successful Relays. He’s also started an email list for 650 Relay participants across the U.S. that helps promote the event with inspirational survivor stories and other fund-raising tips. “I can never repay the ACS, but I’m still trying,” he says. “Five years ago, I didn’t even know Relay existed. Now I’m training thousands of people. Relay has reconnected me with the spirit and heart and the real soul of people. It’s not about the money. It’s about what the money can do. The American Cancer society is available for help 24/7 by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.


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Accommodations

Nellis Realty...........................

Drake’s Diamond Gallery ....

4-1/2 Street Inn .....................

Signature Properties.............

Dry Sink..................................

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

Sundrops on Caney Fork.......

Dutchman’s Designs..............

Inn at Half Mile Farm............

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

Hen House.............................. Highlands Emporium............

Whiteside Cove Cottages...... Restaurant

Martha Anne’s........................

Fressers / Fressers Express.

Peak Experience....................

Arts

Paolettis...................................

Scudders.................................

Bryant Art Glass....................

Pescados.................................

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

John Collette Fine Art...........

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

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

Laurel Magazine.....................

The Brick Oven......................

Highlands Fine Art ...............

Mill Creek Gallery & Framing ..

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

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

Marge Rohrer Originals........

Wolfgang’s Restaurant &

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

Greenleaf Gallery...................

Wine Bistro.............................

Mountain Brook Suites.........

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

Services Retail

Creative Concepts Salon.......

Real Estate

Alyxandra’s ............................

Highlands Visitors Center.....

Country Club Properties.......

Bear Mountain Outfitters......

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

Harry Norman Realtors........

Cabin Casuals.........................

Tranquility Cove Massage....

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

Christmas Tree ....................

Aery Chiropractic &

View the Highlands, North Carolina interactive map at www.thehighlandsmap.com for addresses, phone numbers and website links to local businesses. To promote your business in both the print version and on-line Highlands map for only $20 per month, email marjorie@themountainlaurel.com. 18 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


Events

Literacy’s Red Carpet Premiere Contributed by Tonya Hensley, Executive Director The Literacy Council of Highlands celebrates the end of summer with the Red Carpet Premiere of “Sirens” and the launch of a busy tutoring season.

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s another school year begins–and sooner than we originally thought– we are back in full swing with After School Enrichment beginning August 8th. Children from kindergarten through third grade are welcome to attend this program on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. In addition, we offer individual tutoring in

any subject, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Please contact Miss Judy at (828) 526-0863 for more details or to enroll your child. All our services are free to the public. Please come out and join us at the Performing Arts Center on August 17th for our fifth annual Red Carpet Premiere, featuring Sirens, the awardwinning play by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Sirens is the play that has been chosen by HCP for their first production of the season, a production which will be the North Carolina premiere of this new play, directed by veteran actor/ director Virginia Talbot. “The play almost defies description. It’s a love story, a comedy; it calls upon the ancient Greek myth of the sirens who, with their enchanting singing, lured sailors to shipwreck on rocky coastlines. Yet it is thoroughly modern with its inclusion of cruise ships and electronic innovations of the twentyfirst century.” The evening also features a champagne reception, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. Please contact the Literacy Council at (828) 526-0925 for more details or to purchase tickets.

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Events

GCAMA Summer Events With free music concerts, a food festival, a merchant’s market and an opulent Showhouse, the Greater Cashiers Area Merchant’s Association busy season is somehow getting busier.

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he Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association (GCAMA) activities are keeping Cashiers Valley residents, visitors and tourists busy and entertained! The Summer 2011 Shoppers Guide Map, available in the shops of all GCAMA member merchants, is an excellent way to check out the places to play, shop, eat and stay throughout the Valley. Groovin’ on the Green, now concert-lovers favorite during the season, continues on Friday evenings, 6:30 p.m. (rain or shine) through September on stage at the Cashiers Commons accessed off of Frank Allen Road or through the Village Green. August into September featured bands are August

12th: Les Freres Michot; Augut 26th: The Fishsticks; September 16th; The Carol Strickland Band; September 2nd: Angela Reign and Band. On September 9th, Hurricane Creek completes the regular Groovin’ season. Food is available for purchase from a featured local restaurant at every concert or concertgoers may of course bring their own picnic-fare, beverages and snacks along with blankets or chairs. The 2011 Groovin’ free concerts are made possible by the organization and business sponsors that include RE/MAX Summit Properties, offering hot air balloon rides again on September 9th. Also on September 9th, A Taste of Ca-

shiers adds culinary interest to the evening’s music offering, featuring a variety of food choices from local eateries Ashby’s, Bellas Kitchen, Smoky Mountain Crab Shack, Wild Thyme Café and the Zookeeper Bistro. Businesses filling-out the sponsor’s roll throughout the season are America’s Home Place, The Bird Barn and Gift Emporium, Blue Ridge Self Storage, The Cashiers Decorator Showhouse, Cashiers Printing, Cashiers Village Veterinary Clinic, Cruise Planners, Friends of Lake Glenville, Gracewear Collection, The Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association, Into the Woods Home Interiors, Landmark Realty Group, Midnight Farms, The Laurel Magazine, The Or-

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chard Restaurant, Priscilla’s Decorative Touch, Rusticks, Signal Ridge Marina, Silver Creek Real Estate Group, VC for Men, Victoria’s Closet and Vivianne Metzger Antiques. For the complete schedule and all general concert information, Groovin’ on the Green brochures are available in GCAMA merchant member shops and complete reviews of bands and additional information can be found by clicking on Groovin’on the Green at www.cashiersvalleyleaffest. com. The GCAMA Merchant Market opens at the Cashiers Designer Showhouse on August 20th and continues until the closing of the Showhouse on September 4th. Approximately 15 mer-


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Events

Think About Thursdays

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he Highlands Biological Foundation has several exciting events this August as part of the “Think About Thursdays” summer event series. The month will begin with a “Sustainable Energy Solutions” Zahner Conservation Lecture on August 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Matt Siegel from the Western North Carolina Green Building Council will hold a class on how to gain financial stability through energy efficiency and renewable energy. The presentation will discuss low and no-cost energy efficiency solutions as well as look at a wide range of residential renewable energy options, from solar to small wind. WNCGBC is a non-prof-

Contributed by Sonya Carpenter it organization that promotes environmentally sustainable and health conscious building practices. Their website is www.wncgbc.org. On Thursday, August 11th there will be a “Go Green With Moss” workshop from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Annie Martin, founder of Mountain Moss Enterprises (www. mountainmoss.com), will give a presentation on the botanical characteristics of mosses and the advantages of using mosses in landscapes. Afterwards, there will be a short hike around the Botanical Garden to look for bryophytes. The Presentation is for ages 10 and up and registration is required. On August 18th from 10:00 a.m. to noon, the Highlands

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Plateau Audubon Society is offering a Treasure Highlands Bird Hike, where you will be taken to reliable birding spots in the area. The Highlands Plateau hosts an incredible diversity of birds and is an important area for their conservation. The town of Highlands also has the unique status of being entirely within the bounds of an Important Bird Area (IBA). The IBA program is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are especially important for birds. There are five IBAs in North Carolina. Come join us on Thursday, August 25th at 6:00 p.m. as award-winning natural history photographer Clay Bolt shares his experiences photographing South Caro-

lina’s wildlife and the story of how he came to create an international photography project called “Meet Your Neighbours.” Clay Bolt often partners with organizations, including the Nature Conservancy, to highlight environmental issues. MYN is a global photographic initiative that reveals the wildlife living amongst us in an extraordinary way. For more information visit www.meetyourneighbours.org. For more information about our Think About Thursdays series, or to become a member of the Highlands Biological Foundation and show your support for our activities, please call (828) 5262221 or visit our website at www.wcu.edu/hbs.


Events

Friday Night Live

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his summer, Highlands Area Chamber of Commerce will once again present a series of outdoor music events, Friday Night Live. Save the dates as this season festivities will be held every Friday, June 3rd through August 26th beginning at 5:30 p.m. Performances will be held at Town Square and various locations in beautiful downtown Highlands. The idea for Friday Night Live is to draw foot traffic to the downtown area, encouraging evening activity, extending business hours at local shops and enhancing our visitors experience. The well-attended concerts were held on the first Friday last season and have been expanded this year to include all Friday evenings during the months of June, July and August. Performances scheduled during the summer months feature area musicians and a variety of musical styles. August scheduled performances include, August 5th Brian Loy in Town Square and Rebecca White on South 4th Street, August 12th Mountain Hoo Doo in Town Square, August 19th Shallow Ground in Town Square, August 26th Johnnie Webb in Town Square and Chris Miller on South 4th Street. For more information, contact the Highlands Chamber of Commerce at (828) 526-2112. www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 23


Events

Cashiers Designer Showhouse™ Contributed by Gloria Weir Reflections, the 2011 Cashiers Designer Showhouse™, is the product of two carefully reconstructed mountain cabins, a surfeit of imagination and a reverence for the beauty of the past.

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erched at the top of Cedar Creek Mountain approximately four miles from Cashiers is a log cabin masterpiece located on 42 acres of property with elevations of up to 4,160 feet, views of rolling fields, grassy lawns, flowering gardens, walking trails, and beautiful ponds. In harmony with nature and the past, this magnificent structure with its surrounding grounds, named “Reflections” by its owners, is the 2011 Cashiers Designer Showhouse™ presented by the Cashiers Historical Society. The large log cabin house that exists today was constructed in 1967 by Eunice and Rupert Colemore. It is a combination of two log cabins the Colemores purchased, dismantled, and reconstructed. Rupert Colemore dates the larger cabin from the 1790’s. It was located in the proposed lake bed area of the Tennessee Valley Authority construction site for the Columbia Dam. Four years later, on a farm near Elkton, Tennessee, they located a smaller cabin, which Colemore dates back to the 1830’s, to be used as an addition to their house. Each cabin originally had an area called a “dogtrot,” which connected two rooms on opposite sides. The Col-

emores enlarged the “dogtrot” in the main cabin and made it into a living room area. Hand-hewn beams that are over 180 years old grace the interior of this home. Clearly the Colemores had an appreciation for preserving the beauty of the past. In 1993, Kate and Mitchell Watson purchased the house and property. Aware of their beautiful surroundings, the Watsons added their personal touches to the house and grounds.

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They completely renovated the house and also improved the surrounding property by adding an upper barn, a lower barn, a pond pavilion, and a two-car carport. Today, the “dogtrot” of the smaller cabin is a screened porch connecting their music room and library. An avid gardener, Kate created beautiful and bountiful flower and herb gardens. The native stone walkway leading to the lake gracefully winds its way to the pavilion. Standing on

the pavilion, visitors may even hear one of Kate’s fondest memories, “the singing of the tree frogs.” Living in this pastoral paradise with their beautiful home overlooking the water below where “the ripples of the water sparkled like dancing diamonds,” it is no wonder the Watsons named their home “Reflections.” From August 20th through September 4th, this homestead will become the palette for acclaimed interior designers, local artists, and landscape architects, who will work their magic on rooms already graced by elements of old cabins and barns and on the spectacular gardens of “Reflections.” Showhouse visitors who cross the Eastern Continental Divide as they enter the gate and make their way into this enchanted oasis will not be disappointed. The work of the Cashiers Historical Society reaches into the entire Cashiers Valley. This effort includes preserving the stories of the people, architecture, arts and crafts, occupations and skills, and places of historic importance. Funds raised through the Cashiers Designer Showhouse are integral to supporting these efforts to preserve Cashiers’ unique sense of place.


Events

Interlude Concert Series Continues

Edward Bach will play at the Presbyerian Church on August 10th.

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he summer season of weekly Interlude concerts will continue through August. The series is in its 13th season. The free concerts are presented by First Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, and are held on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. Dress is casual. “Interlude” concerts began when Rev. Hunter Coleman of First Presbyterian Church and Father Mike Jones of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, both former ministers, decided to create a new ministry for Highlands. The concerts provide a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – a time to meditate, relax, and enjoy a variety of music. Visitors to Highlands are especially invited to join our members and friends at these mini concerts. This year’s remaining lineup includes the following: August 3rd – Susan Brady, harpist – Episcopal Church August 10th – Edward Bach, trumpet; Patrick Murphy, organ – Presbyterian Church August 17th - Christina Smith, flute – Episcopal Church August 24th – Market Street Brass Quintet – Presbyterian Church www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 25


Events

Randall Atcheson Performs

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Pianist/organist Randall Atcheson brings a lifetime of training and performing to Highlands September 3rd.

by Wiley Sloan

ark your calendars now for Saturday, September 3rd at 5:00 p.m. to hear widely acclaimed pianist/organist, Randall Atcheson as he performs at the Highlands First Presbyterian Church in a fund-raiser for Highlands Community Child Development Center (HCCDC). Atcheson excelled on the piano at age six, the organ at age nine, and entered the School of Music at Samford University in Birmingham at age twelve. When he reached the Julliard School he was honored by being the only student in the history of the school to be allowed to pursue and receive simultaneous degrees in piano and organ performance.

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Throughout his career Randall Atcheson has performed multiple times at Carnegie Hall holding the distinction of giving the premiere performance of the new pipe organ at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. His exceptional musical talents have been enjoyed by music lovers on five continents including the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and Blenheim Palace, England plus performances in Sydney, Australia, Jerusalem, Israel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and much more. HCCDC offers children of working families the opportunity to learn in an ageappropriate-curriculum with programs coordinated with the Highlands School. Chil-

dren from age two months to public school age are eligible to attend. “The Center is a lifesaver,” a young mother tells me. “My husband and I work here in the community and we could not do that if it were not for HCCDC,” she continues. Parents of the approximately 66 children who attend the center work for 50 or 60 businesses in our community. The families depend on HCCDC and the businesses depend on these workers. This is a win-win situation for all. This special performance is a benefit for HCCDC. Persons interested in being a sponsor or patron should call (828) 526-0355. Patrons and Sponsors will receive special reserve seating.


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Events

Village Square Art and Craft Show

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Highlander Patrick Taylor’s pottery, on sale at the Village Square Art & Craft Show, attracts collectors from across the Southeast.

rt, crafts and music are traditions as old as the cultures that have inhabited these mountains for hundreds of years. In recent years many hand-made crafts have given way to cheap imports from China. Some artisans, however, continue to keep their crafts alive so that we can enjoy the products of their labors and the skills that have been passed down over generations. Craftsmanship is what people find at the Village Square Art & Craft shows in downtown Highlands. From fine art to folk art, pottery to basketry, a wide variety of creations by local and regional artisans will be at the next show on Saturday and Sunday September 3rd and

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4th. The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Highlands Village Square and neighboring Kelsey-Hutchinson Park at Pine and 5th Streets. The show features nearly 80 artisans, including: Tim and Karen Chambers of Highlands with their funky folk art, Judith Kaiser’s whimsical cat paintings, jewelry by Donna Tew and Madeleine Watt; turned wood by Donald Krebs; pottery by Patrick Taylor; childrens’ clothing by Caroline Brown, plus home and garden accessories, decorated gourds, rustic furniture and birdhouses, and other art and crafts. Music on Saturday will be provided by singer/ songwriter Sylvia Sam-

mons. A long-time resident of Highlands, Sylvia’s balcony concerts “on the Hill” were popular with locals and visitors alike. Since retiring from the woodworking business, she rarely performs, so this is a great opportunity to see this renowned folk musician perform. As usual, Patti Cakes the clown will be doing face painting. Fressers in the Village Square will serve breakfast and lunch both days. Shoppers will find public bathrooms in the park as well as parking nearby. For more information, call show coordinator Cynthia Strain at Mill Creek Gallery & Framing (828) 787-2021.


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Events

Historical Happenings Contributed by Linda New Highlands Historical Society focuses on two essential ingredients of the local landscape -- Golf and Dahlias.

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ighlands Historical Society Board members are pleased to announce two new events at the Historic Village during the month of September. A new exhibit titled “Golf on the Highlands Plateau” will open on August 13th. This exhibit will feature early golf courses including the first golf course in Highlands, a 3-hole one ca. 1900 at the northwest corner of First and Main, where the Citgo Station is now. The second was a 9-hole course ca. 1905 at Pierson Inn, which included a lake and boat for retrieving balls that fell short of the green. Both were built by George Inglesby. Also included will be the ten-hole course built at the Hall House, a Country Inn, now known as the Highlands Manor on Fifth Street. Hall House had their 10-hole golf course ca. 1906, which Margaret Hall remembered for the last hole, which crossed a lake; so many would-be golfers just skipped it. From there visitors will be led through pictures and articles depicting the public’s exploding interest in golf. The development of courses sprang up throughout the area beginning with the Highlands Estates. We know it now as the Highlands Country Club, started by Scott Hudson in 1929 with the help of Bobby Jones. Other courses that followed are the Tom Thumb Golf course on Main Street in 1930; the first miniature golf course near Highlands School Theatre building in 1956; the Putt-Putt golf course near Helen’s Barn; Sky Lake Golf Course in 1963, now known as Highlands Falls Country Club, created by Gordon and Lloyd Gibson of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; an 18-hole golf course at Wildcat Cliffs in the early 60s, and The Cullasaja Club in 1987. As you can see, golf is a very popular sport on the Highlands Plateau and continues to bring seasonal residents and visitors to these beautiful mountains. The Historical Society will welcome any memorabilia regarding golf in Highlands that anyone would like to share for this exhibit. Items may be received for temporary use by putting items “On Loan” or may be offered for perpetuity. Please call the Museum at (828) 787-1050 or email highlandshistory@nctv.com if you have anything to contribute. Dazzling Dahlias! Highlands 1st Annual Dahlia Festival will be held on September 17th, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Historic Village 524 N. Fourth Street. This festival is for hobbyist and serious Dahlia growers as well. The exhibitor fee is $10. Registration forms will be available in and around Highlands and Cashiers at various locations. Judging will take place with eight categories. Prizes will be offered. Joyce Franklin is the chairperson of this event and can be reached at (828) 526-9418 for more information and registration. The festival is open free to the public to browse and enjoy these spectacular flowers. The Museum, The Prince House, and The Bug Hill Cottage will be open for touring. Music and refreshments will be served. 30 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


CONTENTS


Events

Raffle to Benefit R.E.A.C.H by Luke Osteen

This elegant creation of Wanda Drake will benefit the victims of domestic violence.

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ver the course of its 25-plus years, Drakes Diamond Gallery has established a reputation for stunning jewelry that’s both elegant and playful. Elegant? When the international group Women of Vision recognized Rosalynn Carter for her work on behalf of the needy, they turned to Wanda Drake to design a piece of jewelry that would reflect the deep beauty of Mrs. Carter. Look closely, and you’ll see her wearing it in interviews and on special occasions. Playful? When Wanda designed a 30-plus carat diamond bracelet for Big Boi of the group Outkast, the larger-than-life performer urged her to watch that year’s Emmy telecast. Sure enough, when Big Boi won an Emmy for his work on a Rosa Park television special, there he was at the podium flashing that unmistakable bracelet and giving a quick wave and shout-out to Wanda at home. It’s just that way for Wanda – people from around the world come to her gallery for something that’s as unique and dazzling as they are. If you’d like to be one of those people, Wanda has designed a stunning necklace that she’s raffling off for REACH of Macon County. This custom-designed 18k white gold neckpiece is adorned with 3.75ct total weight in diamonds. If Wanda were going to sell it in her gallery, she’d offer it for $5,400. REACH is offering it for $5 per raffle ticket (five tickets for $20). Tickets are available at Drake’s Diamond Gallery or at Treasures Within REACH’s and REACH for Bargains, both in Franklin. The drawing will be December 10th, and you don’t have to be present to win. Proceeds will enable REACH of Macon County to provide support to victims of domestic violence. For tickets or to view Wanda’s gorgeous creation, be sure to visit Drake’s Diamond Gallery at 152 South Second Street in Highlands. For more information, call (828) 526-5858. For information about REACH, call (828) 369-5544. 32 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


Events

Celebrating 150 Years of Hospitality Even after 150 years, The 4 ½ Street Inn and Colonial Pines Inn maintain the warm hospitality that’s been a hallmark of Highlands since its inception.

CONTENTS

The 4 ½ Street Inn Circa 1921

The Colonial Pines Inn

he 4 ½ Street Inn and Colonial Pines Inn are celebrating 150 years of hospitality! Circa 1910, the 4 ½ Street Inn was built by Irvin Rice, descendants of the Rice family who founded Rice University and Baylor University. In 1937 John and Ellie Potts bought the Rice Home to fill Ellie’s dream of owning and operating a tourist home. They opened in 1938 as the Fairview Inn and rented rooms seasonally for twenty years, serving three meals a day. During the 70s the Potts heirs rented the Inn to the Highlands Playhouse to lodge their performers during the summer seasons. Tom and Linda Clark bought the property in 1990, and opened it as the 4 ½ Street Inn, a Bed and Breakfast Inn. The 4 ½ Street Inn is currently owned by Rick and Helene Siegel, who purchased the historic Inn in 1997. The “little sister” across the street, Colonial Pines Inn, has been welcoming overnight guests for fifty years. Beginning as a small cabin with a sweeping

view, the building was once home to the McKinneys, the Piersons, and the Cleavelands, many of whose descendents still live in Highlands. In 1961, Irene Coal Parr turned the property into a tourist home and gave the house a new facade, multiple bathrooms, a new kitchen. Eleven years later, she sold to Florence and John Lupoli who, along with their children and grandchildren, were known for warm hospitality. In 1984, Chris and Donna Alley bought the Inn after looking at it for only half an hour, realizing that, with backgrounds in interior design, contracting, and woodworking, it was just what they were looking for in creating Highlands’ first bed and breakfast. On September 13th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs and come to 4 ½ Street (between Chestnut and Hickory) and dance to live music, enjoy casual food and drink, and celebrate the joy and laughter these two “old ladies” have brought to more than a century of guests.

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CASHIERS MAP KEY

AccommodAtions the mountain Laurel inn ................................... Arts Blue Valley Gallery................................................ cashiers Hillside Artists............................................ mountain mist Gallery .............................................. reAL estAte Betsy Paul Properties ............................................... mel’s mountain real estate ...................................... silver creek real estate Group .......................... Landmark realty Group ............................................ restAurAnts Bella's Kitchen ........................................................ cafe 107 ..................................................................... carolina smokehouse....................................... cashiers exxon ....................................................... sweetreats/Wild thyme ........................................... sapphire Brewery & Pub ................................. tommy’s coffee shoppe....................................... Zeke & earl’s ........................................................... the Zookeeper Bistro............................................ retAiL Bird Barn and Gift emporium ............................ Bounds cave ........................................................... Brooking .................................................................... Bumpkins ................................................................. cashiers condiment shop ............................... cashiers customs ............................................ cashiers exxon ................................................. cashiers Farmers market ................................... cashiers trading Post ........................................... catbird seat ....................................................... chattooga Gardens ................................................ cJ Brownhouse ....................................................... consignment market........................................... corner store ........................................................... crabtree cottage..................................................... d. estes Antiques .................................................. details of cashiers ............................................ dovetail Antiques .............................................. Fiddlehead designs ................................................... Highland Hiker................................................. into the Woods Home interiors .....................

Lenz Gifts .................................................................... main street Folk Art & Furnishings................ midnight Farms ................................................ mountain House................................................ narcissus ........................................................... nearly new/ellen’s ......................................... nora & co. ......................................................... GG’s consignments *etc ............................... rusticks. ............................................................. ryan & company .............................................. sashay Around. ................................................. summer Place Antiques ................................... Priscilla’s, the decorative touch.................... Victoria's closet ..................................................... Vc for men ............................................................... Vivianne metzger Antiques ................................. Welcome Home Kitchen & Bath ........................ White rabbit Botanicals........................................ Zoller Hardware ...................................................... tess at chestnut square ....................................... tom sawyer tree Farm ........................................ Blue ridge Bedding ................................................... mally’s cottage ........................................................... Woof Gang Bakery..................................................... s’more Kids Klothes .................................................. mike’s club House .................................................... Lotsa consignment shop .......................................... serVices Blue ridge self storage .................................... cashiers chamber................................................. cashiers exxon ................................................. crossroads upholstery .................................... english Green interiors.................................... Keystone Kitchen & Bath..................................... monday’s House of design .............................. nailz/Beauty secrets............................................. Peter J. Pioli interiors ....................................... interior enhancements..................................... signal ridge marina ......................................... mountain Air Wellness ..................................... cashiers Printing .............................................. cashiers Valley Preschool ................................

To promote your business on the Cashiers Map for only $20 a month, email janet@themountainlaurel.com. 34 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


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Events

Cashiers Watercolor Workshop

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The evocative watercolors of artist Pat Weaver find a natural backdrop at High Hampton Inn in Cashiers. She’ll stage a workshop August 27th through September 2nd.

steemed Southeastern watercolorist Pat Weaver invites guests to attend her annual watercolor workshop at High Hampton Inn in Cashiers, NC, August 27th through September 2nd, 2011. The workshop includes indoor and plein air instruction and demonstration, lodging, three meals daily, all applicable taxes, and complimentary golf and tennis. Rates for the workshop are $1,148 per person, double occupancy and $1,209 single occupancy. The rate for companions who share a room, but do not attend the workshop is $846 per person. Participants should bring their own supplies and may contact High Hampton Inn directly for a recommended list. For reservations and information,

please call (828) 743-2411. Pat Weaver is a talented landscape and still life watercolor artist who is recognized for her animal portraits. She will teach participants how to approach drawing, design, composition, values and palettes using only three to five colors. The workshop will feature several days of morning demonstrations followed by afternoon critiques, and at least one full day will be devoted to painting outdoors. The Inn’s stunning natural surroundings of colorful leaves, waterfalls, shimmering lakes and streams are the perfect backdrop for Pat’s “Simplified Expression” Workshop. Weaver is a member of several art societies in Florida, Georgia and New York, and is known for her direct

yet spontaneous approach to painting with watercolors. Pat has more than thirty years of experience and teaching trips to Italy, France, Mexico, the Bahamas, St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands in her repertoire. For more information about the instructor, please view Weaver’s website at www.patweaver.net. In addition to the workshop, attendees can enjoy the full slate of amenities High Hampton Inn has to offer. Indulge in the fresh mountain air during a round of golf or a tennis match, or grab a paddle and spend a peaceful afternoon boating on Hampton Lake. For those seeking a day of pampering, the Hampton Health Club & Spa features a variety of total body relaxation and destressing treatments.

Make a Wish Celebrates

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Cars, music and an auction – the Make-A-Wish Festival is a show with a heart.

aturday, August 6th, is the date for this year’s Annual Make-AWish Festival and Car Show. Now in its seventh season, this event raises money to provide wishes for Western North Carolina children facing life-threatening diseases. The Festival is held at the Sapphire Valley walking track and includes a Car Show with trophies awarded in four classes (plus a People’s Choice Award), an extensive silent auction, live music, food and beverage, children’s activities, and a raffle for a Madza Miata convertible. In addition, the organizers have added some exciting new events, including a golf ball drop, a special “Wishmakers” Live Auction

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area with amenities, featuring sensational recreational packages, and a tractor show featuring samples from the collection of Griffin Bell, Jr. Most exciting of all, however, is the Cashiers debut of a Carl Edwards No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion NASCAR simulator, provided by Roush Fenway Racing, LLC. K.B. Pearce, Festival Chair and auto enthusiast, sums up the event nicely: “We’ve never had so many exciting activities at our Festival before. The music line-up is incredible, and the live auction items are unique. We will have Wish kids there to draw winning tickets. This is a day that people will not want to miss.” The event has a special

poignancy for locals, as it is dedicated to Cashiers’ first Festival Wish Child, Shandy Conley, who lost her battle with blood disease last year. “Shandy has been there since the beginning,” says original Chairperson Jennifer McKee. “After her wish was granted by funds raised at the 2005 Festival, she stayed on, working tirelessly for Make-A-Wish to see that other local kids’ dreams came true as well.” For more information about the Car Show, contact K.B. Pearce at (828) 7439191. To learn more about the auction or to inquire about becoming a Wishmaker, contact Allyson Mulkey at (828) 226-2940 or at allyson_mulkey@msn.com.


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Events

Scenes from Cashiers Mountain Music Festival

The Third Annual Cashiers Mountain Music Festival was held at the Village Commons on July 2nd and 3rd, with over 3500 attendees enjoying music, food and fun. To see more photos from this event, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/extra

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Events

Scenes from The Bascom’s Frank Stella Opening

On July 7th, The Bascom hosted their Mountains in Bloom preview party and the opening reception for Frank Stella: American Master. To see more photos from this event, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/extra

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Events

Scenes from Highlands Farmers Market

Highlands Motoring Festival

The first Highlands Farmers Market was held at the Pine Street Park on July 9th. The next market is set for Saturday, August 13th.

The Highlands Motoring Foundation hosted the 4th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival at Pine Street Park on July 15th - 17th.

To see more photos from these events, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/extra

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Events

Scenes from History Live

Fine Art Show

On June 24th - 26th, The Highlands Historical Society presented “History Live!” at the Highlands Historical Village.

The Art League of Highlands held it’s annual Summer Color Art show Friday and Saturday July 15th - 16th at the Highlands Recreation Center.

To see more photos from these events, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/extra

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Mark Your Calendar

• “Always...Patsy Cline” continues through August 21, Highlands Playhouse, (828) 526-2695. • HCCMF Concert, 5 p.m., Monday, August 1, Albert Carlton Library, Cashiers, (828) 526-9060. • Highlands Playhouse Meet the Cast Wine Get-Together, 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, August 1, Wolfgangs Restaurant and Wine Bistro, (828) 526-2695. • 2011 Relay for Life Survivors Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 2, Coleman Hall at First Presbyterian Church. • Interlude Concert Series, 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 3, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, (828) 526-2968. • Free Children’s Movies, 3:30 pm. Wednesday, August 3, Hudson Library, (828) 526-3031. • Evenings at Lakeside to benefit Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Wednesday, August 3, (828) 526-9419. • Rotary Bingo, to benefit Carpe Diem Farms, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, August 4, Highland Community Building. • Magaschoni Trunk Show, August 5-6. Vivace, (828) 5261880. • HCCMF Beethoven Concert, 6 p.m., Friday, August 5, Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-9060. • Book Signing with Author Ann Merritt, Saturday, August 6, Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, (828) 526-3777. • Just For You Relay team Yard Sale, 9 a.m., Saturday, August 6, First Citizens Bank. • 7th Annual Make-A-Wish Festival and Car Show, 10 a.m., Saturday, August 6, Sapphire Valley Track, (828) 743-9191. • Bark For Life Relay Fundraiser, Saturday, August 6. Registration required, begins at 8:30 a.m., (828) 526-9180. • Highlands Fire and Rescue Open House, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, August 6, Highlands Fire Department. • HCCMF Beethoven Concert, 5 p.m., Saturday, August 6, Albert Carlton Library, Cashiers, (828) 526-9060. • Rabun County Music Festival, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 4 p.m., Sunday, August 7, Rearden Theater, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School. • HCCMF Beethoven Concert, 5 p.m., Sunday, August 7, Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-9060. • Details Fundraiser, August 8, 10 percent of all sales to benefit Friends for Life Forever Farm, (828) 743-0300. • HCCMF Beethoven Concert, 5 p.m., Monday, August 8, Albert Carlton Library, Cashiers, (828) 526-9060. • Kathie Blozan Workshops, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., August 9, 11 and 13, Zachary-Tolbert House, (828)743-7710. • Concert on the Slopes featuring Tuxedo Junction, 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, Sapphire Valley Resort, (828) 743-7663. • Story Swap, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, Ugly Dog Pub, Highlands Writers Group, (828) 526-1935. • Interlude Concert Series, 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 10, First Presbyterian Church, (828) 526-3175. • Susie Roher Belts Trunk Show, August 12-13. Vivace, (828) 526-1880. • Battle of the Bands, 6 p.m., Friday, August 12, Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center, HCCMF, (828) 526-9060. • Groovin’ on the Green, 6:30 p.m., Friday, August 12, Cashiers Village Green, GCAMA, (828) 743-1630. • Highlands Farmers Market, Pine Street Park, 8-11 a.m., Saturday, August 13, HUMC Youth Group, (828) 526-4858. • Sapphire Valley Craft Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., August 13-14, Sapphire Valley. • Battle of the Bands, 5 p.m., Saturday, August 13, Albert Carlton Library, Cashiers, HCCMF, (828) 526-9060.  • Cyprus Restaurant French Cuisine Cooking Class, noon-2:30 p.m., Saturday, August 13, Class is limited. (828) 526-4429. • Wine Tasting, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Saturday, August 13, music by Jennifer Beckles, Dusty’s, (828) 526-2762.

• Highlands Idol, Relay for Life event, 7 p.m., Saturday August 13, Highlands School Old Gym, (828) 526-2266. • Final Gala Concert and Dinner, 5 p.m., Sunday, August 14, Performing Arts Center, HCCMF, (828) 526-9060. • Free Classic Movies, 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, Hudson Library, (828) 526-3031. • Literacy’s Red Carpet Premiere, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 17, Performing Arts Center, 828-526-0925.  • Interlude Concert Series, 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 17, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, (828) 526-2968. • “Evening at Lakeside” to benefit H-C Hospital Foundation, Wednesday, August 17, Lakeside Restaurant, (828) 526-9419. • Treasure Highlands Bird Hike, 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, August 18, Highlands Nature Center, (828)526-2221. • Highlands Cashiers Players, “Sirens,” August 18-21, 25-28, Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-8084. • Dreama Farmer Trunk Show, 10 a.m., August 19-20, Priscialla’s Decorative Touch, (828) 743-7787. • Highlands Relay For Life, 6 p.m., Friday, August 19, Highlands Recreation Park, (828) 526-1841. • Cashiers Designer Showhouse: Reflections, August 20-September 4, Cashiers Historical Society, (828) 743-7710. • Cashiers Designer Showhouse Luncheon, 11 a.m., Saturday, August 20, Mary McDonald, Nathan Turner, (828) 743-7710. • Appalachian Celebration Weekend, Aug. 20-21, The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, (828) 788-2216. • Annual Members Challenge opening reception 5-7 p.m., Saturday August 20, The Bascom, (828) 526-4949. • Summer Barn Dance, 7 p.m., Saturday August 20, The Bascom, (828) 526-4949. • Designer Book Signing Day, 1-4 p.m., Sunday, August 21, at Cashiers Designer Showhouse, (828) 743-7710. • Village Nature Series: “Cherokee Trails,” 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 23, Cashiers Library, HCLT, (828) 526-1111. • Interlude Concert Series, 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, First Presbyterian Church (828) 526-3175.  • Meet Your Wildlife Neighbors Photography, 6 p.m., Thursday, August 25, Highlands Nature Center, (828) 5262221. • Feasts of the Festival: Hot Licks of Havana, Monday, August 25, HCCMF, (828) 526-9060. • Coast to the Mountains, Summer Concert Series, 7 p.m., Thursday, August 25, High Hampton, (828) 743-2411. • Azaara Jewelry Trunk Show, August 26-27, Vivace, (828) 526-1880. • Shwikar El Tonobi Jewelry Trunk Show, August 26-27, Narcissus, (828) 743-7887. • Groovin’ on the Green, 6:30 p.m., August 26, Cashiers Village Green, GCAMA, (828) 743-1630. • Scaly Mountain Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 27, Scaly School House, (828) 526-9952. • Eco Tour: Cherokee Trails of Jackson and Macon Counties Walk, Saturday August 27, HCLT, (828) 526-1111. • Afternoon Tea, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Sunday, August 28, Dusty’s, (828) 526-2762. • Rabun County Music Festival, Emile Pandolfi, 4 p.m., Sunday, August 28, Rearden Theater, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School. • Art League of Highlands meeting, 5 p.m., Monday, August 29, Performing Arts Center, (864) 238-2724. • “Evening at Lakeside” for Cashiers Highlands Humane Society, Wednesday, August 31, Lakeside Restaurant, (828) 526-9419. • Betsy Paul Art Raffle to benefit Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, drawing August 31, (828) 743-0880. • Storytelling Series, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, with Bill Harley. Performing Arts Center, (828) 526-9047.

Weekly Events

Every Monday • Music at Fressers Eatery, Rebecca White, 7 p.m., (828) 526-4188. • Triva Night, 9 p.m., Ugly Dog Pub, (828) 526-8364. Every Tuesday • Highlands Rotary Club, noon, Highlands Community Center. • Weight Watchers, 5:30 p.m., Highlands Rec Park. • Music at on the Verandah, Rebecca White, 7 p.m., (828) 526-2338. Every Wednesday • Highlands Mountaintop Rotary, 7:30 a.m., dining room at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. • Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, 8 a.m., Cashiers United Methodist Church, (828) 743-2243. • Cashiers Quilters Guild, 12:30 p.m., Cashiers United Methodist Church. • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:50 p.m., Highlands Civic Center. • Music at on the Verandah, Chad Reed, 7 p.m., (828) 5262338. • Bluegrass, 7:30 p.m., Ugly Dog Pub, Nitorgrass and Rebecca White, (828) 526-8364. Every Thursday • Music at on the Verandah, Rebecca White, 7 p.m., (828) 526-2338. • Karaoke, 9 p.m., Highlands Smokehouse, (828) 526-5000. Every Friday • Novice Bridge Games, 9 a.m., Highlands Civic Center. • Highlands Historical Society Museum, open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Highlands Historic Village, (828) 787-1050. • Zachary Tolbert House Tours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 828743-7710. See also the Faces & Places of Cashiers Valley photography exhibit. • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Highlands Civic Center. • Friday Night Live, 5:30 p.m., Highlands Chamber of Commerce, (828) 526-2112. • Live Music, 6 p.m.-close, Hummingbird Lounge, Old Edwards Inn, (828) 787-2625. • Music at on the Verandah, Chad Reed, 7 p.m., (828) 5262338. • Live Music, Ruka’s Table, (828) 526-3636. • Live Music, The Ugly Dog Pub, (828) 526-8364. Every Saturday • Highlands Historical Society Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Highlands Historic Village, 520 N. 4th St., Highlands, (828) 787-1050. • Bascom Community Knitters, 10 a.m.-noon, The Bascom, (828) 526-4949. • Zachary Tolbert House Tours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 828743-7710. See also the Faces & Places of Cashiers Valley photography exhibit. • Live Music at The Wine Garden, 4:30 p.m. Old Edwards Inn, (828) 787-2625. • Live Music, 8 p.m., Ugly Dog Pub, (828) 526-8364. • Karaoke, 9 p.m., Highlands Smokehouse, (828) 526-5000. • Live Music, 6 p.m.-close, Hummingbird Lounge, Old Edwards Inn, (828) 787-2625. • Music at on the Verandah, Chad Reed, 7 p.m., (828) 5262338. • Live Music, The Ugly Dog Pub, 9 p.m., (828) 526-8364. Every Sunday • Music at on the Verandah, Chad Reed, 7 p.m., (828) 5262338.

For a comprehensive list of events, join www.highlands-cashierscalendar.com 48 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


CONTENTS www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 49


The Arts

Cover Artist Jane Smithers by Donna Rhodes

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ane Smithers’ life is a stunning topography of accomplishment. Each peak rises higher than the last. Each valley is a welcomed space to rev her artistic engines, readying herself for the next summit. Her “Just Say Yes” philosophy has brought her far. It is as though she can stretch a canvas, paint an intention upon it, then literally leap into her new adventure: an artist’s loft in Dordogne, a safari in Kenya, a teaching trip in Newfoundland. Her materialized wishes are a veritable mountain range on her artistic map. Along her journey, she still takes time to support her friends and causes at home. Her latest offering features the Cashiers Designer Showcase, an origi-

nal Rupert Colmore log home, this year’s fundraiser for the Cashiers Historical Society. Like everything else she creates, Smithers’ painting of the showhouse is fresh and inventive. She says, “I gave the showhouse a different focus this year, highlighting a single dramatic feature of this magnificent home.” In addition, Smithers, known for her striking and expressive work in abstraction, takes this opportunity to show off her estimable skills as a realist. When asked what quests the summer might present, she says, “I want to get out of the box again. I will be finishing up my workshop series in France. In the fall I am off on a Kenyan Safari hosted by Ker and Downey.”

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Ker and Downey is a wellestablished safari planning company recognized for its breathtaking treks and its enthusiastic support of land and animal conservation. Its current campaign is to stop a superhighway from cutting through the middle of a main migration route. Smithers is thrilled to be on the fringes of this movement. Who knows how this will alter her Life’s topography as she sketches, journals and blogs her way across the African plains? She takes stock in the saying: Once you have been to Africa, it changes you forever. And Smithers is all about change. Her motto: no fear… just keep saying YES! Beyond the safari, 2012 promises to be her year of

residencies. “I am looking for smaller venues. Currently a boutique/art center on St. John’s Island in Newfoundland has captured my interest. A residency opens doors to new people, places, and thoughts. The challenges it presents rejuvenate my spirit. I am caught up in the creative fire that new possibilities ignite.” Smithers has spent the last month and a half taking stock of her creative journey. She is in the process of getting her gear ready for the next climb. To be part of that adventure, either by viewing her work here at home or by registering for one of her popular, inspirational workshops, contact her at: Jane.smithers@ frontier.com or web site: www.janesmithers.com.


The Arts

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The Arts

The Art of Donna Rhodes Contributed by Robert Goldberg

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f you could weave together a map of interests and influences from all over space and time, the end result would be that artful fabric called Donna Rhodes. In fact, her one-artist show, “All Over the Map,” is a proud tribute to her versatility, skill, and complete inability to make up her mind! Rhodes’ work ranges from the Paleolithic art of weaving to the use of digital computers to enhance and share her images. She’s an expert in music, having studied voice and woodwinds at prestigious Stetson University; she’s a maven in art and art history. Teaching high school requires that you know your stuff, and Donna not only teaches, but does. Rhodes paints in acrylics and color pencil, is a master photographer whose work has graced newspapers and magazines, is a seasoned writer with monthly columns in the Laurel Highlands edition and frequent contributions

to various news outlets. She is a sheep-to-shawl weaver, sculptor, discoverer of found objects shaped anew to tell stories. Her work is psychologically deep, politically winking, and always whimsical and joyous. Throughout her career, she’s reinvented herself a zillion times or so, to explore some new inspiration or fascination. Maybe because she came from a long and gifted matriarchal line of weavers, embroiderers, tailors and seamstresses, she focused on fiber art. That focus led her to featured articles in Fiberarts, Threads, and Soft Dolls and Animals magazines. She’s coauthored two books on weaving and textile embellishment, and taken the show on the road coast to coast as a nationally renowned teacher of enthusiastic fiber artists with her company, Warp and Woof Creations. Today, she is happily exploring her writing gifts, with three children’s books in the

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works and ongoing contributions to regional newspapers and periodicals. Her artwork has been featured in the journal of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is a former gallery owner who now views the world as her gallery, and her artwork is truly All Over the Map. Actress Melanie Griffith is the proud owner of custom designed Rhodes Special Christmas stockings. And through all this, she’s helped her father build a Pitts Special aircraft, learned how to wield a mean Dremel rotary tool, and is a member emeritus of highly regarded Renaissance music ensemble Ars Antiqua, with whom she appeared in a nationally aired Nike commercial, seen during Superbowl. She also found time to be a nominee for

American Craft Expo Teacher of the Year, and to write and co-produce copy and songs for Harcourt School Publishers (now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Nope, Donna can’t make up her mind. And her admirers in all her worlds are delighted. You will be too if you attend her one-woman show, All Over the Map, at The Haywood Arts Council Gallery 86, 86 N. Main Street, Waynesville, North Carolina, opening September 2nd, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Show runs August 24th through September 17th. And visit her website at: http://www.donnarhodes. com.


The Arts

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The Arts

Sizzlin’ Summer at The Bascom by Donna Rhodes

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The evolving genius of Frank Stella is traced in a new exhibit and sparks a season of excitement at The Bascom.

ow through September 25th Frank Stella: American Master will feature work from this internationally acclaimed painter, printmaker, and sculptor. Several works on exhibition represent aspects of Stella’s evolutionary path from his minimalist geometric style to dynamic expressionism. Stella’s brilliance is certain to inspire Bascom artists for this year’s Member’s Challenge which runs August 20th through September 17th. The opening reception will be August 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. and is sponsored by WNC Magazine. This year’s theme is Journeys, real or imaginary. After you rock at the Member’s opening, roll on out to the Barn for the Summer Barn Dance starting at 7:00 P.M. Ever seen a barn

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dance? It lumbers a little! And you can lumber or line dance or just kick up your heels and party to live music, fun, food and loads of laughs. And the laughs continue with Wilby Coleman, selfproclaimed sculptor who says, “I am an absolute ignoramus with no prior training or knowledge of the subject.” Yet his popular creations, titled Irony Metal Sculpture, also debuting at The Bascom on the 20th, are one-of-a-kind wonders fashioned from found objects that tickle everybody’s fancy. Before and after the festivities of the 20th, indulge yourself in some soul-satisfaction by enrolling in an art workshop. There are many from which to choose including: Painting the Figure with Randall Sexton, August

16th through 20th; OneDay Mixed Media Primer, a printmaking workshop with Aaron Hequembourg, August 23rd. August 24th through 26th, Hequembourg will present Mixed Media Tricks and Techniques. Popular watercolorist Pat Fiorello will offer Painting Flowers In Watercolor, Loose, Fresh, and Easy August 25th through 26th. And the docket is full of fun classes for September, so be certain to check those out. Most classes and workshops are offered 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., but call The Bascom at (828) 5264949 for more details on classes, exhibitions, tours, volunteering, gift shop opportunities and so much more. The summer is hot and The Bascom is oh, so cool.


The Arts

Art Raffle

The Betsy Paul art raffle for the Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, will be held on August 31st. For more information, call (828) 743-0880.

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etsy Paul and Michael Cox, her son, have collaborated again to create and donate an oil painting called “Bohemian Bloom” for the monthly art raffle which benefits the fire department. Both Betsy and Michael have been painting most of their lives. Jim Grady of Midnight Farms is building a custom frame for the painting. Betsy Paul is Owner and Broker-In-Charge of Betsy Paul Properties, Inc. She graduated from Connecticut College with a BA in Studio Art. Betsy is originally from Wilmington, Delaware but has been a full-time real estate broker in Cashiers for 20 years. She has combined her artistic background and her advertising experience with current technical tools and skills to develop an outstanding marketing campaign for her real estate listings. Michael Cox currently works in the Cashiers area in various roles: Real Estate assistant, landscaper, and sometimes dog trainer. He has lived in Cashiers for most of his life, when he wasn’t traipsing around the globe. Michael has always enjoyed painting and hiking in the area. Viewers are invited to see each month’s raffle item on display from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday at Betsy Paul Properties, 870 Highway 64 West, Cashiers, North Carolina. Checks can also be mailed directly to the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department, P.O. Box 713, Cashiers, North Carolina, 28717. For more information contact Betsy Paul Properties, (828)743-0880. “Artists receive promotion, winners receive a piece of art for a minimal investment, and the fire department gets crucial funding. And don’t forget, tickets can be purchased in blocks of 12 for $60. They make a great gift,” says Paul. All of the proceeds from the art raffle go exclusively to the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department. www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 55


The Arts

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music

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he Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival brings its dazzling 30th Anniversary Season to a close. On Monday, August 1st, The Festival Chamber Orchestra will present a trio of classics – Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Week Five, Friday, August 5th and 6th, brings a celebration of “The Best of Beethoven.” The Linden String Quartet and pianist William Ransom will perform “Razumovsky String Quartet, Op. 59, #2;” “Apassionata Piano Sonata;” and “Archduke Piano Trio.” The Linden String Quartet remains in the spotlight Sunday, August 7th, and Monday

by Luke Osteen August 8th, with Mozart’s “K. 590;” Bartok’s #3; and Ravel’s “String Quartets.” The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival will present a Battle of the Bands Friday, August 12th and 13th. The Linden String Quartet returns from the previous week and they’ll be joined by The Attacca String Quartet. They Dvorak’s “American Quartet,” Janacek’s “Intimate Letters Quartet,” and Mendelssohn’s “Octet for String’s.” That exemplary musicianship on display at the Battle of the Bands is a preview for the Final Gala Concert and Dinner, set for 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14th. The concert will feature the Linden and Attacca Quartets; clarinetist Laura Arden; flutist Lea Kibler; harp-

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ist Valerie Von Pechy Whitcup; bassist Doug Sommer; bassoonist Carl Nitchie; and pianist William Ransom. Conductor Richar Prior will lead these artists through Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” Ravel’s “Introduction and Allegro for Harp, String Quartets and Winds;” Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue;” and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring for 13 Instruments.” Thefinale is capped by a dinner at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Concerts will be held at 6:00 p.m. Fridays at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands and repeated at 5:00 p.m. Saturdays at the Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library in Cashiers. Sunday concerts

will be staged at 5:00 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center in Highlands and repeated at 5:00 p.m. Mondays at the Cashiers Community Library. In addition to its nationallyrecognized program of concerts, the Festival is laced with a series of Feasts of the Festival. They’re a chance to meet fascinating people and enjoy marvelous food and drink in some of the most breathtaking homes in Western North Carolina. Feasts continue through September 19th. The Linden String Quartet will offer a free concert at Buck’s in Cashiers at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 3rd. For more information about the festival, visit www.h-cmusicfestival.org or call (828) 526-9060.


The Arts

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The Arts

Highlands-Cashiers Players’ “Sirens” Contributed by Virginia Talbot In Highlands Cashiers Players’ North Carolina premiere of “Sirens,” love is anything but a pleasure cruise. The comedy will be staged at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands August 18th - 21st and 25th - 28th.

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his charming, brand new play was presented in the spring of 2010 at the Humana New Play Festival in Louisville KY. Its production by the Highlands Cashiers Players will be the first performance of the play in North Carolina. “Sirens” by Deborah Zoe Laufer is a sophisticated comedy and love story. It harkens back to the ancient Greek myth of the sirens who, with their enchanting singing, lured sailors to wreck their ships on rocky shores. It is also thoroughly modern with cruise ships, facebook friendships, cell phones, Game Boys, and

other electronic gadgets of the 21st century featured in the plot. The story concerns a middle-aged wife, who feels that the magic has faded from her marriage and convinces her husband to take a romantic voyage on a cruise ship. Then ensues an unexpected adventure. HCP is pleased to announce that professional actor David Milford of Atlanta and Highlands will play the part of the husband Sam Abrams. He will be joined by several talented HCP actors who can be counted on, along with David, to give outstanding performances.

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Jenny King will play wife Rose Abrams, Laura Zepeda is the Siren, Michelle Hott plays the travel agent, and Marsha Shmalo plays the waitress. New to the HCP stage is handsome Chris Hess who seductively plays Rose’s old high school boyfriend. “Sirens” will be directed by veteran film and stage director Virginia Talbot assisted by Tanji Armor, director of multiple HCP plays. The play will run August 18th -21st and 25th - 28th at the Performing Arts Center in Highlands, 507 Chestnut Street. The opening night audience is invited to

a catered reception with the cast and production team after the play. The box office opens for season subscribers Thursday and Friday, August 11th and 12th, and beginning on Saturday, August 13th, for the general public. Hours are 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. before the 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $15 person for groups of 15 or more, except on opening night. Seating is reserved, but tickets can also be purchased at the door before performances. Call (828) 526-8084 for reservations.


The Arts

The “Series” Continues at PAC

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he Storytelling Series picks up on Wednesday, August 31st 7:30 p.m. with Grammy awardwinning artist, Bill Harley. Harley, has a national reputation as a storyteller, author, songwriter and commentator on National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered. With titles ranging from “Parent’s Night Out” to “Growing up is a FullTime Job”, “Get Lost: Rules for Travelers” or “Losing My Mind: Parenting as an Imperfect Science,” Combining story and song as no other, Bill’s work highlights the miraculous in the everyday. With songs about old friends, sailing, simplicity and hope and stories rang-

Contributed by Mary Adair Leslie ing in scope from ridding his house of bats to teaching his boys about the facts of life, parenting teenagers or dealing with lost luggage – Harley’s concerts are a subtle mixture of humor and poignancy. A recent reviewer notes, “Bill Harley takes his life and turns it into art. Sounds simple until you actually try to do it. That Harley’s art seems so effortless only underscore his mastery.” (Nuvo Newsweekly) Bill Harley is presented by Nell and Bill Martin and Cindy and Rick Trevathan Bluegrass is up next on Friday, September 2nd, 8:00 p.m. Grammy Awardwinning and Platinum-selling vocalist Suzy Bogguss

is the finest voice to grace the airwaves in a very long time! Her “20 Greatest Hits” and nine albums on Capitol Records Nashville are a testament to that claim! Earlier in her career she released one platinum and three gold albums and charted six top ten singles, winning the Academy of Country Music’s award for Top New Female Vocalist and the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award. A duet she recorded with Lee Greenwood, “Hopelessly Yours” received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. Suzy’s career has flourished in other directions with Swing, Jazz and Ameri-

cana Roots releases and she has just released American Folk Songbook through Cracker Barrel exclusively. For over two decades, Suzy’s live performances have spanned a diverse mix of theater, casino and festival performances around the globe including a recent highly coveted spot as a featured performer on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion Tour! Suzy Bogguss is presented by Wilson Gas Service and Ray McPhail. Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th brings the regional favorite Robert Ray to the stage at PAC. For more information and tickets call (828) 526-9047. Visit www.highlandspac.com

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The Arts

Always…Patsy Cline by Luke Osteen The bittersweet life and timeless talent of Patsy Cline are celebrated in the Highlands Playhouse Summer Season Finale.

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ighlands Playhouse closes out its 2011 summer season with the irresistible “Always…Patsy Cline.” Cindy Summers returns to Highlands Playhouse for an encore performance of the haunting and deeply poignant “Always…Patsy Cline.” The story chronicles the singer’s relationship with Louise Segar, a fan from Houston who corresponds with Cline until her death in 1963. Summers has won a devoted following with her magnificent voice on such Cline classics as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” Walking After Midnight,” and “Sweet Dreams.” It all adds up to an unforgettable theatre experience.

“Always…Patsy Cline” will be staged through August 21st. It’s sponsored by Wanda and Gary Drake and Ed and Penny Mawyer. The Playhouse will stage a Meet the Cast Wine GetTogether at Wolfgangs Restaurant and Wine Bistro from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Monday August 1st. It’s the opportunity to meet Ms. Summers and learn more about the shadowed life and astonishing talent of Cline. It’s also an opportunity to revel in the ambience of Wolfgang’s Restaurant, its exquisite wine selection and marvelous menu. Cost is $50 per person. A 2011 Ford Fiesta SE will be raffled off at the conclusion of the Saturday, August

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20th performance. New artistic director DV Caitlyn has energized the Playhouse with a professional’s passion, fueled by his past performances on Broadway and in Hollywood. He began his acting career by performing “King John” in Central Park’s Shakespeare in the Park. That led to a recurring role on “One Life to Live,” followed by roles on “JAG,” “Columbo,” and “Father Dowling.” Caitlyn is also a produced playwright and award-winning screenwriter. “I love working here in Highlands with a talented, hardworking crew and a community that’s really supportive of the arts,” says Caitlyn. “With our productions of ‘Suds,’ ‘Harvey,’ and now,

‘Always…Patsy Cline,’ I think we’ve demonstrated that we can bring exciting theatre to Highlands and Cashiers.” As a grace note to a busy season, the Playhouse will stage “Hear What’s in the Heart – A Shoemaker’s Tale” on October 1st-2nd and 7th8th. Written and performed by Steve Scionti and directed by Anthony Crivello, this drama has been playing to soldout houses from Los Angeles to New York City. For information, tickets or to reserve the Playhouse, stop by the Box Office at 326 Oak Street or call (828) 5262695. The Highlands Playhouse’s corporate sponsor is Lupoli Construction.


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The Arts

Bel Canto Contributed by Janet Grantham

Rachel Cobb’s dynamic voice will power the 2011 Bel Canto Recital.

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he second performer at this year’s Bel Canto Recital will be Rachel Cobb, soprano. Hailed as “fiercely dramatic” (The London Times) having presented “one of the best impersonations I have seen” (Opera Magazine) and possessing a “pure soprano [with] charm and fragility” (Classical Voice) and “real vocal thrust” (Opera News), she has earned critical acclaim in the United States and Europe as a total performer with incredible dramatic intensity. Past engagements for Ms.Cobb include Miss Jessel in Glyndebourne’s production of The Turn of the Screw, as Mimì for the Duluth Festival Opera, Opera on the James and in Opera Pacific’s production of La Bohème, for which she was named “Most Promising Young Artist,” as Cio Cio San in Madama Butterfly, as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Madison Opera and the Westfield Symphony, as Pallade Athena in Gluck’s Paride ed Elena at The Caramoor Festival, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, and as Beauty in Giannini’s Beauty and the Beast with Baltimore Opera and Kitty Hart in the Opera Pacific production of Dead Man Walking. Other notable roles in her repertoire include Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Tatiana in Eugene Onegin, Nedda in Pagliacci, Marguerite in Faust, Micaëla in Carmen, and Countess in Le nozze di Figaro. Ms. Cobb has also achieved success on the concert stage in recent appearances with the Fairbanks Symphony in performances of the Verdi Requiem, and in Washington D.C. in November with Strauss’ Four Last Songs. Ms. Cobb was a first prize winner of the Farwell Award in Chicago, a 2007 Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition Grant Winner and a two-time finalist in the highly esteemed Loren L. Zachary Competition. Bel Canto’s 19th annual recital will be September 11th, 2011 at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center. As always, the performance will be followed by a sumptuous dinner at the Highlands Country Club included in the price of the ticket. So put Sunday, September 11th on your calendar now and plan to attend the 19th Annual Bel Canto Recital! Contact Bel Canto for tickets and to get on the mailing list, please call (828) 526-1947. 62 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


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The Arts

Mase Lucas at John Collette Fine Art by Luke Osteen

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ou can’t help but be enchanted by the horses in Mase Lucas’s masterful paintings, now on display at John Collette Fine Art. Usually solitary, but sometimes paired with a companion, these aren’t ambling pasture grazers. They are clearly free spirits, unfettered by bridle and untouched by the crop. There’s an undeniable nobility to them, a majestic blending of sinew and nonchalant grace, and, if you look carefully, a touch of the steppe that hasn’t been extinguished despite 6,000 years of “domestication.” In fact, the equines in Mase’s paintings, with their unvarnished muscularity and suggestion of wildness, bear a kinship with the horses that gallop across the cave walls at Lascaux. That eerie parallel is reinforced by her color choices, which seem to be drawn from clays and mineral pigments. And her backgrounds are evocative of what geologists refer to as “deep time,” that sense that they’ve been weathered and leached since before the retreat of the last Ice Age. Equally clear is the reverence that Mase brings to each of her works. “First of all, I think that to capture in a painting the true essence of ‘horse,’ it’s necessary to have an interest in them that transcends anything that they can do for us, no matter how use-

ful or lovely that might be,” she explains. “There should be a deep interest in observing and understanding their relationships to one another and in trying to understand their fascinating lang u a ge . . .w h i c h although largely silent, is specific. “It helps to have an appreciation for the mind of a prey animal. And then there’s our perceptions of beauty and power and kindness, too, which is in their eyes and in their patience with us.” This respect for her subjects informs their revelation on the canvas. “It’s my intention to convey their beauty without slipping into sentimental-

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ity and their power without e n ga g ing in overstatem e nt ,” s h e says. “ T h e horses in my painti n g s are depicted without human influence or extraneous elements that would make the painting too literal. My horses, when not

solitary, share a relationship with one another or with other – usually wild – species ... often birds such as

crows, magpies and egrets.” Mase harnesses this keen appreciation of the horse to a lifetime of study and mastery of technique. “I believe that no matter how heartfelt one’s connection is to the subject, a painting should first be about paint..the substance itself...color, composition and the development of an individual technique for putting that substance on a surface -- a painterliness,” she says. “For me, this trumps emotional, political or even moral considerations and, the way I see it, without these painterly elements, a painting is unable to stand on its own, no matter how conscientious, the underlying statement or emotion. My aim is to make a painting a painting in its own right r e ga r d l e s s of subject.” OK, but what about the almost mystical vitality in her subjects? “I think that comes from the way I paint eyes, but it’s nothing I can put into words exactly,” she says. If you’d like to revel in the mystery of Mase Lucas’s equine subjects, visit John Collette Fine Art at 381 Main Street in Highlands.


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The Arts

Rosemary Stiefel at Summer House

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alented local artist Rosemary Clark Stiefel spends many Saturdays painting on the verandah at the Summer House’s new Idea Showhouse. Stiefel, a native of Madison, Florida, currently resides here in Highlands and in Atlanta. Over the past 30 years she has developed her artistic style based on an extensive collection of life experiences. She is the owner of the Unicorn Design Studio and founding member of the Golden Easel Gallery in the original Underground Atlanta. A multi-media artist, Rosemary is best known for her watercolors and large-scale acrylic paintings. Her clients include both individuals and

by Wiley Sloan corporate entities. She has designed a needlepoint rug for Sharian Inc. in Atlanta, a silk scarf for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, china for the Southern Living Home of the Year at Clemson University Botanical Gardens and for designer and author, Ryan Gainey. She has also been commissioned by Chateau Elan Winery to create a large-scale mural. One of Rosemary’s paintings, All Things Bright and Beautiful, is a collaborative artwork that incorporates the compositional elements of both visual and the musical forms. Stiefel’s artistic vision was completed when her son, a composer and professor at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec,

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Canada, Van Richard Stiefel, composed the selection that frames the painting. “For her most recent painting, I have composed a melody meant to capture the spirit in which she appropriates such ionic forms and imbues them with personal history and significance,” Van R. Stiefel said. Rosemary sees original art as one facet of the design of a room. “Art enhances the overall décor of a home,” Rosemary tells me. “So many women work diligently to choose the right furniture, lighting and fabrics but then it is the art that they choose that really ties the whole room together,” Rosemary continues. “This is why she and Summer

House owner, Paula Jones, have teamed together to help folks understand the vital role that art plays in the look of a home. Be sure to stop by the Summer House’s “New Idea Showhouse” to see the many design ideas. You’ll see the art of Rosemary Clark Stiefel and other talented artists in each of the vignettes. Stop by The Summer House and watch Rosemary in action. Her work is inspiring. Summer House, “Tiger Mountain Woodworks” is located at 2089 Dillard Road, Highlands (two miles from Main Street). Call (828) 526-5577 or visit www.summerhousehighlands.com for more information.


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The Arts

Robert Ray Returns to PAC

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roadway performer and award-winning cabaret artist Robert Ray returns to the MartinLipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands for his fifth consecutive season, September 3rd and 4th, in a brand new show called “Feeling Good.” Following the success of last year’s soldout “Big Band Show,” Ray has decided to keep the new production in the same “swinging musical style”– performing such great American Standards as “Just in Time,” “Without a Song,” “Birth of the Blues,” “Who’s Sorry Now,” and of course his title song, “Feeling Good,” all to the accompaniment of a five-piece Swing Band. Ray will include several well known songs by Richard Rogers including two classics from “South Pacific” - “CockEyed Optimist” and “Some Enchanted Evening” which

by Luke Osteen Rogers co-wrote with Oscar Hammerstein as well as two songs that Rogers composed with lyricist Lorenze Hart, “You Took Advantage of Me” and “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.” Ray remembers well the night that Richard Rogers died. “I was performing in the Broadway Revival of “Oklahoma!” at the Palace Theater and just before the curtain was raised, Oscar Hammerstien’s son, Billy came back stage and gave us the news. We were all aware he had been very ill. It was a bittersweet moment when we sang an accapella rendition of “The Sound of Music” at the end of the curtain call when the audience had been informed of Rogers’ death. “Although the opening lyric to that song is... the hills are alive, with the sound of music – I could not help but feel that the hills would nev-

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er again be alive with music as wonderful as the music composed by Richard Rogers” said Ray from his Folly Beach Condo where he was putting the finishing touches on his new show. “Folly Beach has a great traditon of being inspirational,” says Ray. “George Gershwin took up residence there while writing “Porgy and Bess,” a fact that I was recently reminded of when I saw some fish ‘a jumping’ from my condo balcony. “Atlanta has too much hustle, bustle and distractions for me to be able to fully concentrate on lyrics and song order. I really love doing that in a relaxing scenario. I wrote my Christmas Concert last September in my Screamer Mountain Cabin in Clayton - just me, a stack of music and a keyboard.” “Feeling Good” will pay tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr,

the singer who inspired Ray to actually become a singer. The show will also feature songs by composer-showman Peter Allen who had a string of hit songs in the late 70’s and early 80’s, beginning with Olivia Newton-John’s “I Honestly Love You,” “Arthur’s Theme,” Melissa Manchester’s “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and Rita Coolidge’s “I’d Rather Leave While I’m in Love.” “I’ve had a very blessed career that has taken me from Broadway to Atlantic City, on national and European tours and throughout many theaters and music festivals across the South – but I love returning to Highlands and it’s most gracious audiences,” Ray says. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on September 3rd and 2:30 p.m. on the 4th. All seats are $25. The show will run 80 minutes without an intermission. To reserve tickets, call (828) 526-9047.


The Arts

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music by Luke Osteen

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he performers at the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival are used to the adulation of audiences. Most of them are seasoned artists whose schedules take them to concert halls around the world. But one performer has reason to be particularly well-received when she takes the stage in Highlands and Cashiers on July 31st and August 1st. Violinist Adda Kridler’s grandfather Bob Cornell and her great uncle and aunt, Dick Cornell and Pegsie Payne, will be in the audience. These full-time Highlands residents will be hanging on every poignant

note that emerges from Adda’s instrument. But don’t expect to hear any evidence that she’ll be feeling any added pressure. Adda made her solo debut with the Knox County Symphony at age seven. After graduating cum laude from Harvard University studying cognitive neuroscience, she completed a Master’s degree in Violin Performance at the New England Conservatory. In demand as a strong leader and sensitive collaborator, Adda serves as concertmaster of several groups, including the Firebird Chamber Orchestra in Miami and CounterPoint in Washington, DC. An avid

teacher, she served as a Visiting Professor of Violin at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. As a proponent of contemporary music has premiered many works and appears on several recordings on Seraphic Fire, Mapleshade, Mode and Naxos Records. Adda is also a passionate supporter and performer for Project 440, a non-profit organization presenting classical music to hundreds of children and adults throughout the east coast, and promoting the growth and exposure of classical music. Recent solo appearances have been with the Charleston Symphony and the Firebird Chamber Orchestra,

and at Charlotte Chamber Music Series and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Her recording of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with the Firebird Chamber Orchestra will be released in 2012. As you’d expect, her grandfather Bob Cornell keeps a careful eye on her performance schedule and remains her biggest booster. “She is a very accomplished concert violinist, of whom we are all very proud,” he says. For information about the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival and for tickets to hear Adda and all the other performers, call (828) 526-9060 or visit www.h-cmusicfestival.org.

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dining

Chris and Charlie’s by Wiley Sloan Chris and Charlie’s Pizza, Pasta and More – The name says it all. Guests will find a dazzling selection of hearty meals and tasty treats, all at a reasonable price.

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n today’s economic times, folks are always excited when they find a good value for their dollar. That is why everyone is “a-buzz” about the delicious food and the fun atmosphere that they find at Chris and Charlie’s Pizza, Pasta and More located at 1505 Highlands Road, Franklin, N.C. Located just a short drive down the mountain on the Highlands Road (in the strip shopping center just before Highway 441). This hidden gem is the perfect spot for a variety of diners-a family with young children, hungry workmen with a limited lunch hour, ladies out for leisurely lunch or the gentleman looking to impress his special lady. The menu has a decidedly Italian flare since that is Charlie’s background. He has always loved Italian foods and has made it his passion to offer taste-tempting treats like you would find if you were traveling the countryside of Italy. Fresh ingredients are the mainstay of each and every menu item. Whether you are munching on the antipasto salad, or are savoring the hearty flavors of Fruitti d’mar with its variety of seafood nestled with fresh pasta wrapped in a tangy and light marinara sauce, you’ll think that you are in a neighborhood restaurant near Cortona. Freshly made pizzas including a multitude of toppings share the menu with a variety of sandwiches including the Gyro with chicken or lamb. The grilled flatbread melds with the soothing flavors of whichever sandwich you’ve

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chosen including the Fat Italian, the Plowboy or the Veggie Medley. Pasta lovers revel in the variety of dishes offered at Chris and Charlie’s including Shrimp Marinara and Linguini with Clam Sauce. Kids clamor for the spaghetti or the fried chicken strips. The selection of craft beers on tap evolves through the seasons. Try some of the beers from Asheville’s microbreweries or peruse the extensive wine menu for that perfect accompaniment for your entrée. When your sweet tooth demands a tasty finale to a memorable meal, choose from the tiramisu, cannolis or cheesecake. Kids love the hot fudge sundae or the hot fudge chocolate brownie. Whether you are out for a casual drive in the mountains or you’ve “dressed-to-impress,” you’ll feel right at home at Chris and Charlie’s. The upscale casual atmosphere makes you feel comfortable, no matter how you are dressed. Yes, the faces of Clarissa and Charles Robinson, owners of Chris and Charlie’s are familiar. They also own the Pizza Place of Highlands on Main Street. Enjoy the live music Wednesday through Saturday nights. Open Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., they are ready when you are. Chris and Charlie’s is the perfect spot for a family gathering, a “sweet sixteen party or anytime that good food is required.” Give them a call at (828) 349-0900 when you have questions or are bringing a large party.


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dining

Rosewood Market by Wiley Sloan

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Whether you’re stocking up for an intimate dinner or a to-the-nines feast, Rosewood Market is your bill of fare. For more information or to place an order, call (828) 526-0383.

he folks at Rosewood Market have been a part of the Highlands social scene for many years. If you are planning a party or are just expecting a gathering of the family, you’ll want to call on Rosewood Market to make sure that you have food for the crew. The menu at Rosewood Market offers more than 150 items so you will find something for even the most discriminating palettes. Taste tempting soups, salads made from the freshest ingredients, tasty hors d’oeuvres, a wide variety of entrees, sandwiches and desserts, Rosewood Market can do as much or as little as you wish. Be sure to give them adequate notice so that you won’t be disappointed. Keep a menu near the phone. Call them 48 hours ahead and they can have your favorite dishes ready for you. If you don’t have time to plan ahead, just drop by the market and check out the fresh items waiting in the cases that line the market. The folks at Rosewood Market are constantly on the lookout for exciting new menu items. That doesn’t mean that they will abandon the “old tried and true” that their customers demand. Customer favorites include the Apricot chicken salad, and chicken curry. These are menu staples along with Italian Meat Lasagna and the Chicken Portabella Stack

with Gruyere. Pork Rib-eye with orange ginger and the new Trout BLT are crowd pleasers too. Need some tasty hors d’oeuvres to serve during cocktail hour? Try the Bourbon Cheddar spread or the Sun-dried Tomato Feta. The Black bean dip & Artichoke and Tomato PestoGoat Cheese Torta always gets rave reviews from my friends. Looking for a tasty lunch to take home? Pick up some of their tasty shrimp bisque and a grilled cheese sandwich featuring Rosewood’s White Cheddar Pimento Cheese spread. There are more than 50 different poultry and meat entrees to choose from. Guaranteed crowd pleasers include Lemon-Caper Chicken, creamy

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Chicken Pot Pie or Grilled Southwest Chicken. Looking for tasty seafood? Try the flavorful Salmon with Cherry Balsamic or the Baked Halibut. Shrimp Creole with rice is a favorite with our family; also the Scallop Linguine with To m a t o Pesto. Rosewood’s desserts are renowned crowd pleasers. People clamor for the Buttermilk pie or Carrot cake, Chocolate Pecan Pie or

Chocolate Fudge cake. Date Nut bars, Raspberry Walnut bars or Chocolate Oatmeal bars are items that you want to keep nearby, “justin-case” someone drops by unexpectedly. Tim’s birthday cakes are highly sought after-true signature specialties. When you are looking for someone to cater your next event, call Rosewood Market. They can take the hassle out of entertaining and let you enjoy your family and friends. Not sure what you want to serve? Just let Tim Lundy and his capable, dependable staff help you decide on the menu. Located at 117 Franklin Road, next door to the Citgo station, Rosewood Market is there when you need good food. Call (828) 526-0383 or email: rosewoodgourmet@ gmail.com Market hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.


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dining

Cyprus Cooking Class by Luke Osteen

O Cyprus owner Nicholas Figel shares the secrets of his storied menu with a few lucky students.

ver the last nine years, Cyprus Restaurant has built a reputation for serving the treasured dishes of traditional cuisines from around the world. That means that the meals that come from its Old-World style display kitchen are fresh and exciting and unmistakably authentic. And that is why it is always exciting when Chefs Nicholas Figel and Christopher DuPont offer their exclusive Cooking Classes. It is a chance for impassioned foodies to learn the secrets

of creating what Nicholas calls “real, authentic peasant food.” On Saturday, August 13th, Cyprus will host a handson class on the intricacies and art of French Alsatian Cuisine. “Our vibrant open kitchen is the perfect setting to combine a casual getaway with a fun and informative cooking class,” says Nicholas. “Whether you’re an experienced home cook or are just beginning, our French culinary luncheon at Cyprus can help take your cooking to the next level.”

The class is limited to 30 participants, which allows for personalized team instruction. It will utilize the traditional techniques of French cooking. Knives, tools and equipment are provided. All you need to bring is your appetite for knowledge and fun. The class will be held in Cyprus’ professionallyequipped kitchen from noon to 2:30 p.m. $99 per person includes class, luncheon and wine. Reservations are required – call (828) 526-4429.

For more information on dining in Highlands and Cashiers visit thelaurelmagazine.com/cashiersnc_dining.php and thelaurelmagazine.com/highlandsnc_dining.php

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dining

Scaly Mountain’s Pancake Breakfast Contributed by Betty Bandy

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lan to bring your family and friends to Scaly Mountain for a scrumptious breakfast in the mountains at the newly remodeled historic old Scaly School House. These breakfasts are held on the fourth Saturday – through October from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is the seventh year that the women in Scaly Mountain Women’s Club, who are known for their culinary skills, have sponsored these breakfasts. Breakfast will feature a full meal of piping hot homemade pancakes (with

or without blueberries), patty sausage, coffee and juice in the historic old Scaly School House. It is on the corner of North Highway 106 and Buck Knob Road in downtown Scaly. Guests will be treated to a seated meal either in the old school house or on the deck overlooking the mountains. Cost is $5.50 for adults and $3.50 for children. The breakfast will be served by club members or you may order takeout, if you choose. Proceeds from the event provide scholarships for local students of all ages who wish to continue their post-

secondary education. They also benefit area non-profit human service agencies that serve the Scaly Mountain community. Come to the breakfasts and join the best cooks in Western North Carolina for a morning of fun enjoying the friendly folks in Scaly Mountain and an unforgettable breakfast. For additional information, contact Susan Bankston, (828) 5269952 or visit www.scalymountainwomensclub.org. Remaining dates for the Scaly Mountain Women’s Club breakfasts for 2011 are August 27th, September 24th and October 22nd.

The Scaly Mountain Women’s Club is serving up breakfast at the old Scaly School House.

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dining

Fifth Annual Culinary Weekend The 5th Annual Culinary Weekend launches November 10th with a palate-pleasing preview at Highlands Country Club. For more information, call (828) 526-5841.

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his coming fall, Highlands will celebrate its 5th Annual Culinary Weekend. This fourday destination event highlights Highlands’ majestic mountain location, unique retail shops, appealing accommodations and extraordinary cuisine. We are excited to announce that this year’s Opening Night Celebration will be held at the esteemed Highlands Country Club on Thursday evening, November 10th at 7:00 p.m. Participating restaurants, chefs and wineries will be on hand to ignite taste buds and prepare

you all for the weekend’s festivities. The Opening Night Celebration will also feature special guests, The Saucy Sisters, offering colorful commentary and Wacky Wine Quizzes with special prizes. Local artists, Virginia Parrott will also be on hand painting wine portraits inspired by the evening. This entire experience will be a chance to embrace an amazing night of food, wine and fun in the beautiful mountains of Highlands, North Carolina. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there will be an array of activities to choose from. Whether you are up

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for a farm to table wine dinner, singing and suds or a cooking demonstration, there’s something to inspire everyone! In addition to all the wonderful offerings, plan to attend the annual Sip & Stroll, Saturday, November 12th from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in our beautiful downtown area. “The Highlands community has joined together to create a spectacular lineup of events for this special weekend,” said Laura Huerta, Manager of Lakeside Restaurant and Chair of Highlands Culinary Weekend. “Fall in beautiful Highlands has never looked

better!” The Highlands Area Chamber of Commerce is the presenting sponsor of Culinary Weekend. Event sponsors include The Laurel Magazine, Drakes Diamond Gallery, WHLC 104.5, The Highlander Newspaper, Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Inland Seafood & Mountain Fresh Grocery. For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to be a part of the 5th Annual Highlands Culinary Weekend, please call (866) 526-5841 or (828) 5265841 or view the event webpage at www.highlandsculinaryweekend.com.


dining

Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro

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or 18 years, Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro has been nurturing a reputation for remarkable meals and memorable celebrations. When they opened their landmark restaurant on Main Street, Owners Wolfgang and Mindy Green offered a wine menu of 20 labels. Nowadays their cellar boasts nearly 700. Chef Wolfgang’s wine selections are the perfect complement to the exquisite New Orleans and European dishes that stream out of his kitchen. When those meals are served up by a warm, quietly attentive waitstaff, the effect is magical. In addition to drawing a loyal local following, Wolfgang’s has become a favorite of knowing gourmands from across the Southeast.

by Luke Osteen

That fan base has grown even larger with the October 2010 issue of Southern Living Magazine’s selection of Wolfgang’s as “The Best Place in Highlands for Dinner.” “It’s easy to find the perfect wine to go with one of Wolfgang’s specialties, such as grilled venison tenderloin (wrapped in applewoodsmoked bacon with a sundried cherry demiglace) or Cajun barbecued shrimp (a variation of the dish he once made at Commander’s Palace),” notes the magazine. In fact, Southern Living isn’t the first publication to fall for Wolfgang’s ambience – Our State named the restaurant “The Place You Must Eat In For Macon County.” That’s on top of being named OpenTable. com’s Diner’s Choice Winner

for 2010 in the categories: Fit for Foodies, Most Booked, Notable Wine List, and Romantic Special Occasion. In The Highlander’s Reader’s Choice Awards, local diners selected Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro for Best Restaurant and Best Wine List honors. Of course, if you’d like to sample the splendid dishes and discerning service that has made Wolfgang’s such an honored part of Highlands’ culinary landscape, the bistro opens at 4:00 p.m. and dinner is served nightly starting at 5:30. For reservations or to learn more about Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Bistro, call (828) 526-3807. Wolfgang’s is located at 474 Main Street in Highlands.

Chef Wolfgang Green is preparing an unforgettable meal for you (his wife Mindy makes sure).

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dining

Rooftop Terrace Opens

E Al fresco dining doesn’t get much better than a sumptuous lunch or afternoon snack at The Old Edwards Inn’s Rooftop Terrace. Well, maybe it does get a little better: Add one of the Terrace’s signature cocktails.

by Wiley Sloan

veryone can now enjoy lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rooftop Terrace at Old Edwards Inn here in Highlands. The lunch menu includes a wide assortment of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, Southern delights, Traditional favorites and desserts. Start off with Blue Cheese hush puppies or the soup of the day. Savor the delicious marinated vegetables topping Dave Taylor’s varigated lettuce or a Caesar salad. The pulled pork sandwich or the Portobello mushroom sandwich are two crowd pleasers. Chicken and Dumpling or Pecan-encrusted trout are taste- tempting options along with the Pan-seared calf’s liver or the flat bread pizzas.

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The perfect ending to a perfect meal might include tasty sorbet with fruit or Madison’s famouns Pecan Pie. These are just a sampling of the many delicious items offered at the Rooftop Terrace. Choose your favorite libation from the Rooftop’s full bar. Remember too that the Terrace is open from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m daily with a light fare menu. Snack on truffle-seasoned popcorn while you sip on your favorite wine, beer and cocktails. You’ll want to try some of the new creations of the Old Edwards mixologists who have created a new line of signature cocktails. Ask for “The Garden Patch” list the next time that you are at the Wine Garden or the Rooftop

Terrace. Fresh herbs grown at each location add an interesting twist to a number of the new cocktails. Executive Chef Johannes Klapdohr oversees the culinary program at Old Edwards Inn and Spa. Kalpdohr says, “The constant research of selecting the finest products in the region, as well as globally, has become my ultimate passion. To nurture, develop and create sustainable, healthy cuisine that is uncompromised and environmentally responsible continues to be the essence of my culinary philosophy.” The Rooftop Terrace is open daily. For more information call (828) 787-2525 or to view the menu go to www. oldedwardsinn.com/dining.


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dining

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hen you look back on it, it just seems inevitable that Tom Fatigati, would open a restaurant in the site of the historic Tommy’s Restaurant, 100 yards from the Cashiers Crossroads. Tom started learning the intricacies of the kitchen from his mother and grandmother while still a boy. They taught him to use care when creating a meal and they shared treasured family recipes. He sharpened those skills while cooking in his dad’s restaurant, starting at 12. Tom attended culinary school in 1986 and various apprenticeships with internationally recognized chefs followed, culminating with cooking and catering assign-

Fatigati’s Restaurant ments for celebrities like Andy Williams, Jerry Seinfeld and Whitney Houston. S i n c e 1990, Tom’s served as a chef all over this corner of Western North Carolina. In 2009, he returned to a passion that had started in his mom’s kitchen all those years ago. He opened Fatigati’s Bakery on Marmalade Drive in Cashiers.    “There’s something very soothing about kneading and when you care about the bread that you bake, it shows,” Tom says. “The chemistry and physics in-

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volved in baking rely on time and a baker’s almost instinctive feel for the way that the ingredients react to each other -- there are really no shortcuts. I hope it doesn’t sound clichéd, but there has to be an element of love in the mix.” With his new restaurant at the Crossroads, that lifetime’s worth of lessons have come into play.    “We’re serving hot international sandwiches, using all the different breads I love to bake,” he says. “And the soups we make, those are

from the recipes that my grandmother gave me. We roast our own turkey and roast beef to ensure that everything is fresh and tasty. We have homemade chicken salad, and albacore tuna salad. I want to serve fresh, affordable quality foods in a fun format. The passion and love is truly reflected in all we do.” Fatigati’s Fine Food brings back the essences of some of Cashiers most revered restaurants – The Chopping Block, Good Foods, and The Market Basket. Look for dinner and live music soon.     Stop in Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 95 Highway 107 South. Pick up lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. For to-go orders, call (828) 743-2010.


dining

Evenings at Lakeside by Wiley Sloan

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akeside Restaurant is celebrating its 22nd season in Highlands. Owners Marty Rosenfield and Donna Woods are once again excited to offer their Wednesday night benefit, Evenings at Lakeside. It’s one way to “give back” to the community in which they live and work. These unique events offer local non-profits a chance to fundraise in a delicious, fun manner. When making your reservation be sure and specify that you’re dining to support the non-profit. After a successful evening,

the organization receives 15 percent of the gross sales from its supporters. Join Marty, Donna and their staff to support the Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival on Wednesday, August 3rd; the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation on Wednesday, August 17th; and the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society on Wednesday, August 31st. For more information or to make a reservation, call (828) 526-9419. Lakeside Restaurant is located at 531 Smallwood Avenue in Highlands. Marty Rosenfield

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dining

Wild Thyme

Jorge’s Place

ild Thyme Cafe in Cashiers is the place where food is celebrated with friends and family. “Our goal is to meet every expectation of Creativity, Freshness and Quality, We honor local farming, and the bounty of delicious foods available from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Conveniently located just two blocks from the Cashiers crossroads, Wild Thyme is excited to announce the opening of their new outdoor garden patio, where a gentle breeze and mountain sunsets accompany a fabulous meal. Wild Thyme serves a delicious Southern cuisine mingled with fresh Mediterranean flavors. View their menus at http:// thelaurelmagazine.com/cashiersnc_dining.php. Wild Thyme is open for lunch seven days a week 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Thursday - Monday nights 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. Find them off Highway 107 South at 25 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers, NC. For takeout, please call (828) 743-5452.

orge’s Place, just 1.6 miles north of the Cashiers Crossroads, feels like a million miles from the bustle of the Summer Season. Jorge’s Place offers Cuban, Cajun and traditional American cuisine for lunch and dinner, served in an atmosphere that’s family-friendly and attentive. “I promise the best Cuban Sandwich north of Miami and the best Po’ Boy this side of New Orleans,” says Chef Michael. Complementing those monumental sandwiches are a full coffee bar, a mindboggling selection of wines (350 labels at last count), beer on tap, and the incredible products of a marvelously creative bakery chef (cakes, pies, and pastry surprises). If you’d like to enjoy a sunny, languid day, Jorge’s Place offers casual outside dining, red clay tennis courts and even an 18-hole miniature golf course. Jorge’s has full ABC permits and in-house catering service is available. If you’d like to learn more, call (828) 743-4175 or, better yet, stop in for a bite – 1846 Highway 107.

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dining

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See Ad On Page

Outdoor Dining

Credit Cards

Dress Code

Full Bar

Wine

Dinner

Lunch

5 77 73 81 79 81 84 78 4 77 79 85 78 76 81 84 83 81 83 76 83 82 6 5

Sunday Brunch

The Bistro at Wolfgang’s • 460 Main Street • 828-526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • L • • Bistro on Main at Main Street Inn • 828-526-2590 $ $ $ $ • • • C • • • • Cyprus International Cuisine • 490 Dillard Road • 828-526-4429 $$$ • • • • NC • L • Flip Side • 30 Dillard Road • 828-526-4241 ¢ ¢ • C • • • • Fressers Eatery • Helen’s Barn • 828-526-4188 $ $ $-$$ • • • • C/NC • • • Highlands Smokehouse • 595 Franklin Road • 828-526-5000 $ $ • • • C • • • • * The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering • 350 S. Fifth St. • 828-526-2110 $-$$ $-$$ • • • Lakeside Restaurant • Smallwood Avenue • 828-526-9419 $-$$ • • • C • L • Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden • 445 Main Street • 828-787-2525 $ $$ $$ • • • • NC • • Mountain Fresh • Corner of 5th & Main • 828-526-2400 ¢ ¢ ¢ • • C • • • • Nick’s Fine Food • 108 Main Street • 828-526-2706 $ $$$ • • • • • C • • • • Oak Street Cafe • Main Street/Oak Street • 828-787-2200 $ ¢-$ $-$$ • • • • C • • • • On the Verandah • Hwy. 64 (Franklin Road) • 828-526-2338 $-$$ $-$$ • • • • • NC • • • • Pescado’s • 226 South Fourth Street • 828-526-9313 ¢-$ ¢-$ • • C • • • • Pizza Place • Main Street • 828-526-5660 ¢-$ ¢-$ • • • C • • Ristorante Paoletti • 440 Main Street • 828-526-4906 $-$$ • • • • NC • • • * Rosewood Market • Main Street • 828-526-0383 $-$$ $-$$ • • • • • Ruka’s Table • 163 Wright Square • 828-526-3636 $ • • • NC • • • Skyline Lodge presents Karlings Altitudes Restaurant • Flat Mtn. Road • 828-526-2121 $ $ $$ • • • • • NC • • • • Sports Page • 314 Main Street • 828-526-3555 ¢ ¢-$ • • • C • • • SweeTreats • Mountain Brook Center • 828-526-9822 ¢ ¢ ¢ • • C • L • • Ugly Dog • 294 South Fourth Street • 828-526-8464 ¢ • • C • • • Wild Thyme Gourmet • 490 Carolina Way • 828-526-4035 $ $-$$ • • • C • • • • Wolfgang’s Restaurant • 460 Main Street • 828-526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • L • •

Your Guide to the Restaurants of Highlands & Cashiers

Breakfast

Take Out

Checks Accepted

Reservations Recommended

Vegetarian Selections

Children’s Menu

Mountain Dining Highlands’ Restaurants

Cashiers’ Restaurants Bella’s Kitchen • 45 Slabtown Road • 828-743-5355 ¢ ¢ $ • • C • • Café 107 • Highway 107 South • 828-743-1065 ¢ • • C • • Jorge’s Place • 1846 Highway 107 • 828-743-4175 ¢-$ $$ • • • C • • • *On the Side at Cashiers Farmers Market • Crossroads • 828-743-4334 The Orchard • Highway 107 South • 828-743-7614 ¢ $-$$ BYOB • Dinner NC • • • Wild Thyme Cafe • Frank Allen Road • 828-743-5452 ¢-$ • • C • • Zookeeper • Mountain Laurel Shoppes • 828-743-7711 ¢ $ ¢ $$ BYOB • • • C • ¢ $

Pricing Guide Minimal, most entrees under $10 $$ Deluxe, most entrees $15-$20 Moderate, most entrees $10-$15 $$$ Grand, most entrees over $20

Highlands Restaurants The Brick Oven - 828-526-4121 Bryson’s Deli - 828-526-3775 Cafe 460 - 828-526-8926 Downhill Grill - 828-526-1663 El Azteca - 828-526-2244 Golden China - 828-526-5525 Highlands Hill Deli - 828-526-9632 Junction Cafe - 828-526-0994 Kelsey Place Restaurant - 828-526-9380 Subway - 828-526-1706 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - 828-526-0020

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Checks Local Only * Takeout Only

Cashiers Area Restaurants Ashbys -  (828) 743-7889 Brown Trout Mountain Grille - (828) 877-3474 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Carolina Smokehouse - (828) 743-3200 Chester’s Chicken at Cashiers Exxon - (828) 743-5041 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia - (828) 743-3750 Four Season Grille - (828) 743-4284 Grill at Jimmy Mac’s - (828) 743-1180 Happ’s Place - (828) 743-2266

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C Casual

• • • • • • •

Dress Code NC Nice Casual J Jacket

High Hampton Inn - (828) 743-2411 Hunt Bros. Pizza at Cashiers BP - (828) 743-2337 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen. - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Rosie’s Café - (828) 743-0160 Smoky Mountain Crab Shack - (828) 743-0777 Subway - (828) 743-1300 The Gamekeeper’s Tavern -  (828) 743-4263 Tommy’s Coffee Shoppe - (828) 743-2010 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Zeke & Earl’s - (828) 743-2010

34A 105 75 76 76 75 34A


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history

Highlands History by Donna Rhodes

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cores of visual and literary artists have called Highlands home, but few are as colorful or as versatile as Bil Dwyer. Dwyer was a nationally syndicated comic strip artist, writer, publisher, social commentator, philosopher, inventor and, perhaps to keep himself grounded, a farmer. His career started at the age of twelve with his first nationally published cartoon. By the time he graduated Yale he had been published regularly in Colliers, Life, Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan, and The New Yorker. From the thirties to the fifties, his syndicated comic strips, “When Mother Was a Girl,” “Dumb Dora,” and “Sandy Hill,” ran in hundreds of newspapers. His talents evolved from 2-D stills to moving pictures when he dedicated three years to Disney Studios helping direct Bambi, Pinocchio, and Fantasia. After Disney, Paramount Pictures hired him to write personality profiles of actors and actresses which led him into portraiture of famous personages including Will Rogers, Rudy Vallee, Sinclair Lewis, Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean and many more. Eventually he escaped the pressures of Hollywood and New York and retired to cattle and hog farming in the mountain cove of Horse Shoe, North Carolina in Henderson County. But

for a man of such talent and intellect, it didn’t take long to embellish his farming career with outside pursuits. He taught a correspondence course on Oriental artwork, reaching over 5.000 students worldwide. He invented and patented a plastic artist’s palette called, “Moist Pal” and a kitchen appliance, “Cholly Chop” which he marketed nationally.

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Since the first retirement had been anything but, he decided to try it again, this time in Highlands. So in 1970 he and his wife, Louise, established the Merry Mountaineers, a complete commercial printing and graphic service in the old Baxter Wilson house adjacent to Central House. The first edition off the presses was Dictionary for Yankees

and Other Uneducated People, written and illustrated by Dwyer. Dwyer had made a study of Southern euphemisms for over two decades. The book included authentic uses of the Southern dialect with entries such as, “She’s getting’ too ageable to marry,” “cat-a-gogglin’” (a cat walking sideways), and keep your “daubers” up (show courage). In 1974 Louise assisted in the creation of Southern Appalachian Mountain Cookin’, bustin’ with mouth-waterin’ authentic recipes many Southern women would rather hand down than write down. Louise wrote them down and even included a section on “Moonshine Makin’” complete with a diagram for brewin’ at home. These books launched a steady stream of down home volumes including Southern Sayin’s for Yankees and Other Immigrants and Cookin’ Yankees Ain’t Et. And while they published, Bil painted, showing his watercolors up and down the Eastern Seaboard. He lived his life to the fullest, the eternal fully-employed retiree. And Highlands is proud to lay claim on the amazing Bil Dwyer. To learn more about Highlands people, places and things, read Randolph Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge or visit the Highlands Historical Society’s website: www. highlandshistory.com.


history

An Old Mystery is Solved Contributed by Jane Gibson Nardy, Historian, Cashiers Historical Society

Zachary Reunion c1960.

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CONTENTS

or most of my life I have attended the yearly Zachary Reunion in Cashiers and since the 1970s I have been active in searching for and collecting records on Col. John A. Zachary, his forebears and descendants. Many new Zachary records have been located but the question of why Col. Zachary, in the early 1830s, moved his family from Surry County, NC to a wilderness later named Cashiers Valley, had never been answered until a few weeks ago. I received from cousin Nancy Jane Flesch of Oregon, a copy of a 15 August, 1917 Keowee Courier newspaper article written shortly after the 9th Zachary Reunion.

John Robert Zachary of Oconee, County, SC and Ralph Horace Zachary of Brevard, both grandsons of Col. Zachary, addressed the crowd “Our grandfather lived in Surry County, NC, in his own home which was at least a competent one. I have seen the home surrounded by a large family of healthy, intelligent children ranging from five years to manhood and womanhood, equal, perhaps, to almost any in the State. But by an unfortunate coincidence emanating from the goodness of his heart, ready to help his fellow man in trouble, he lost his property and his home. In his depleted condition he was not able

to purchase another at the prices in that community, and rather than subvert the independence of his spirit which rebelled at the idea of becoming a tenant, he preferred to seek where he could build a home of his own, however humble, even though it be in a foreign land. And on his return from a long pursuit of the man who had reduced him to penury, he happened to pass through [the area of] Cashiers Valley and being attracted by its promises and possibilities, he decided to make it his future home. So, subsequent to that time – I don’t know how long – he returned here with some of the boys – I don’t know which ones – except for

Uncle Andy – and by their own labor, they built two log cabins for a home and with their own hands they felled the trees and cleared the land, split the rails and fenced the fields and raised a crop of corn and potatoes. Then in the fall, he went back to Surry County and moved his family here.” Ralph H. Zachary told of the hardships and the triumphs that followed the move but we’ll save that for later. Perhaps the lesson learned here is “no good deed goes unpunished.” or maybe, “Never give up.” PLEASE NOTE: This year’s Zachary Reunion will be held at noon at the Zachary-Tolbert House on August 14th, 2011.

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history

Painting Workshops with Kathie Blozan

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Kathie Blozan’s “Pink Shell Azalea” is a study in delicate beauty.

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his August, local artist Kathie Blozan will lead painting workshops at the Zachary-Tolbert House. Participants will learn to sketch and paint wildflowers and will produce one or more small finished paintings. Workshops will be held August 9th, 11th and 13th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Each day is independent of the others so participants may attend one, two or all three days. “Enjoying wildflowers is a pleasure and what better way to get to know them than by drawing and painting them,” says Kathie. Attendees will walk along the nature trail at the Zachary-Tolbert House to look at wildflowers and then return to the pavilion to sketch and paint. Each workshop costs $60 for members of the Cashiers Historical Society and $75 for non-members. The fee includes all supplies that will be needed for the class, but does not include lunch. The workshop will meet rain or shine and is appropriate for beginners through advanced artists. For more information please call (828)743-7710 or email info@cashiershistoricalsociety.org.


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literary

Highlands Writer’s Group Contributed by Judy Blitch Gartside Judy Blitch Gartside is a member of the Highlands Writers’ Group, was an assistant editor for McGraw Hill and is now a freelance writer specializing in children’s stories. She loves living in Highlands, North Carolina and Broxton, Georgia with her husband Fred and their dogs Blue, Lily, and Bugsy.

She Popped Open Her Umbrella

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he waiting room at the University of Florida Shands Hospital Radiation Clinic was about half full as I quietly read aloud from Erma Bombeck’s book, “If Life’s a Bowl of Cherries, Why Am I In The Pits?” to my mother, my aunt and my 18-year-old daughter, Wendy. It was a hot afternoon in the summer of 1980, but the four of us had read Erma’s books in many doctors’ and hospitals’ waiting rooms seeking the best treatment for my daughter’s cancer. We read, “I found a letter to my sister the other day that I had forgotten to mail. It just needed a little updating to send. After ‘The baby is......’I crossed out ‘toilet trained’ and wrote in ‘graduating from high school this month.’” As we read, trying to muffle our laughter, invariably someone sitting next to us would say, “Do you mind reading that a little

louder?”“I’d be glad to,” I’d always say, and as we chuckled over Erma, someone across the room would interrupt, “Could you read louder so we can all hear?” As I would read to the whole group, Erma’s infectious humor permeated our worried and wearied minds, and with our laughter, let us escape from our reality for a few minutes (or sometimes for quite awhile!). Some of our listening group were radiation patients and some were family members all filled with anxiety and fear. As I read, the dreary atmosphere in the room would change to one of mirth-filled absurdity and fun. Patients didn’t want to leave when their names were called for their appointments. It is an extraordinary feeling to hear a whole roomful of hurting people happily laughing together. And it happened over and over again.

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At last, my daughter’s name was called, and she was to be questioned by a very handsome, very young intern, filling out the rest of my daughter’s medical forms for the eminent radiologist we were then to see. The intern, who said he would be with us in a moment, pointed us to a tiny cubbyhole of a room. Wendy went in first, hopping up on the exam table-- which took up practically the entire little room--and then I walked in, followed by my aunt and my mother, who shut the door. We continued reading Bombeck (“I looked into a mirror. The reflection looked like Milton Berle with a migraine...I’ve always worried a lot and frankly I’m good at it.”) until the door began to open into the crowded room. As we squeezed tightly together, trying to back up so the door could open, my mother’s umbrella accidentally

popped wide open! She quickly raised her arm so it wouldn’t poke us, and holding it over our heads, she said, “Just call me Mary Poppins!” My daughter, mother, aunt and I convulsed into loud laughter, but the somber young intern never cracked a smile. From her file, he knew this young girl’s prognosis was not good, and I’m sure he thought our laughter was indecent and inappropriate. My daughter and we, though, could not stop giggling at “Mary Poppins”--indecent and inappropriate as we may have been! Our handsome young intern had not yet learned that humor is a God-given blessing that raises our spirits even in the lowest of times. Through our trials we have found that sometimes the very best thing we can do—even at inappropriate times—is laugh!


literary

Rantlanta

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bout once a month I travel to Atlanta. When I get home I hug a North Carolina tree, grateful for surviving. Atlanta is a great town. I have a lot of family history there, many of my relatives having been born in its burbs. But it is also a giant beast of serpentine highways, swirling like the hair of Medusa. Lanes slither and shift with construction, detours, pileups, mega entertainment and sports events. All thoroughfares lie in wait, ready to strangle travelers in a deadly tangle of terminal traffic. Death by jam. But beyond the jam, or perhaps because of it, I look for diversions, out-of-the-ordinary points of interest that might otherwise go unno-

by Donna Rhodes

ticed. For example, on my last trip, I stopped for gas outside Atlanta. I was looking more at price than brand name. As I filled the tank I noticed I was using gas sold by the infamous gulf oil spillers. I was upset with myself but had to laugh as I hung the nozzle back in its cradle, for there in bold print was the following message, Avoid Spillage. As if we pumpers were the pelican greasers. Irony at its best. Further down the road I saw a sign for Kobe Spa. Is that where you go to get tenderized like Japanese beef? Note to self: remember this next time you dine at a Japanese steak house and are served something that resembles an upper thigh. When Medusa isn’t busy being a constrictrix, she is

casting spells on my GPS. Ordinarily cooperative it burns a bearing every time I hit the periphery of Atlanta. “Get in the far right lane, the far right lane, you ninny,” it demands. So I obey. Next thing I know I am on the Canadian express, HOV-ing my way to Quebec. So I make a u-ey, but one wrong turn and I am in inner city central where ho-ho-ho don’t mean Merry Christmas. Being a veteran Atlanta traveler, I usually bring along some entertainment, in case I get log-jammed in-between a convoy of semi’s for an hour of lung-buckling exhaust-sniffing. This time I brought Steve Martin’s new CD, Rare Bird Alert, performed by a consortium of brainiac bluegrass pickers with musical cameos by Paul McCartney and The

Dixie Chicks. Martin says all world leaders should attend summits playing the banjo. Tunes about war and destruction just don’t work on a ‘jo. My favorite cut on the CD was introduced, “People with strong religious beliefs have beautiful music and art. But atheists… well, atheists don’t have no songs.” Martin got me home happy. Happy I am not an atheist. Happy I got banjo music to cheer me up. Happy I didn’t die by GPS malfunction. So next time you visit the Big A, look for the small stuff. Life is full of entertainment if you just take time to smell the peach blossoms, and a little diesel exhaust. It’s all part of the wild, crazy, joyous, chaotic thing they call Life… and The Hotlanta Experience.

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literary

Appalachian Celebration Weekend of Aug. 20th and 21st – With The Exhibit Continuing Through August 28th August 20th: 8:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. (Open To The Public ) 6:00 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. RSVP Special Dinner & Program Tickets Available for Evening Event Featuring: Jim Fowler – “New Messages for the 21st Century” August 21: 9:30 - 2:30 (Open To The Public ) Southern Appalachian Celebration Program For more information, call The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, (828) 788-2216. Overnight accommodations are available.

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aturalist-photographer James Valentine has spent 35 years documenting the spectacular natural heritage of the Highlands Plateau. He’s stalked the wild places that have remained hidden from the modern world – the deep shadowed crags, the bold cascades, and, always, the trees that have managed to thrive in the most formidable places. Valentine’s taken those spectacular photographs and teamed up with nature writer Chris Bolgiano to produce the new book, “Southern Appalachian Celebration; In Praise of Ancient Mountains, Old-Growth Forests and Wilderness.” “‘Southern Appalachian Celebration’ is our effort to recognize the great debt we owe to the natural beauty that’s all around us – the forests give us the healthy air we breathe and help purify the water that we drink,” says Valentine. With this stunning collection of images from the Southern Appalachians, Valentine presents a portrait of the natural character of a region apart. His compelling images of ancient mountains, old-growth forests, rare flowers, and powerful waterways reveal the region’s scenic beauty. The deeply interpretive text and captions by Chris Bolgiano help us understand how forests renew themselves even as they age. “Chris Bolgiano’s text is the books grace note, both sparkling and spare,” writes Wilderness Society President Bill Meadows in the Foreward. “She ties the photographs together in a comprehensive whole.” Valentine’s book will accompany the exhibit: “Master Works Ancient Forest Collection: In Search of the Southern Appalachian Giant Trees” at The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center. Jim Fowler, co-host of Mutual Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom,” is the master of ceremony and will help host the two day program and deliver a talk, ”New Messages for the 21st Century.” Joining Valentine and Fowler is Peter Kipp-dupont, who’ll present “Falconry: The Ancient Connection Program.” Kipp-dupont will discuss his involvement with the reintroduction of the peregrine falcon on Whiteside Mountain. To view Valentine’s stunning work, visit thelaurelmagazine.com/extra

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literary

The New Hudson Library Contributed by Faviola Olvera

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an you believe the changes at the Hudson Library? Many of our year-round patrons have observed the work, been inconvenienced a little, but now the work is 99.9% finished, and we’ve been getting rave reviews. The staff is very pleased because we are meeting more of the needs of the community and have made the space fit the activity: quiet— you’ve got it; the adult reading room is as comfortable as your living room; children can be children in their soundseparated space. The new multipurpose room is available for meetings, movies, discussions, speeches—truly multipurpose. This represents another step in the evolution of the Hudson Library, which has been at the center of our community since 1884, providing resources for you—information, entertainment, reading, and the services of a modern library. What you may not know is that the Hudson Library as it exists today is available because of the generosity of stalwart citizens of our town who donated the land and building in 1985. It was given to the Hudson Library of Highlands, NC, Inc., a nonprofit whose board oversees the property. The Fontana Regional Library provides the services and staff to what is a branch of the Macon County Library. The County Commission has been very supportive over the years. They provided matching funds and workers to make the interior renovation possible. The Board of the Library was completely in charge of this latest renovation. We were very fortunate to secure the exceptional architectural services of Paul Schmitt Design Studio. This winter we decided to remodel the outside of the building, too, as it was in need of repair and a “new face.” Included in this “new face” is a porte-cochère and a totally new landscape plan. Work began this spring and was completed by the summer. We now sincerely request your generosity in helping us pay for this exceptional new look. We are conducting a $150,000 capital campaign throughout the rest of 2011. Please contact us through the Library. Naming opportunities are available, and every donation counts. Come use the Hudson! 102 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


literary

Ann Merritt at Shakespeare and Company by Wiley Sloan

Author Ann Merritt’s “Cry From the Cold” mixes romance and and a desperate manhunt in the brutal majesty of the Alaskan wilderness.

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uthor Ann Merritt will be signing her latest book Cry from the Cold at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore on Saturday, August 6th. The book is described as a romantic, suspense novel. The rugged wilderness of Alaska makes for a beautiful setting where a man wanted for murder and on the run from the law seeks refuge. The story’s main characters include a Chicago police detective who is dedicated to bringing a fugitive to justice and an Alaskan bush pilot who struggles between his innate desire to help a person in need and his fear of being discovered. Mrs. Merritt, a native of Savannah, Georgia finds escape in her writing. Now that her two boys are grown and she is a grandmother, she has moved from being an avid tennis player to less strenuous endeavors including writing, painting and making clay structures. She and her husband enjoy hiking and traveling when not getting to spoil their grandchildren. The oldest of five children born in New Jersey, Ann grew up in Connecticut and the Midwest. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin before marrying and moving south to the University of Alabama where she earned a Masters in Fine Art. Those of you who have read her earlier book, The Highlander, know what a talented writer Ann is. Be sure to stop by Shakespeare and Company at 204 N. 5th Street, on August 6th to let Ann sign her latest book. www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 103


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Hwy. 107 S. • Cashiers, NC

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Homes & Lifestyles

A Highlands Falls Gem by Wiley Sloan

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his classic, contemporary home is distinctive in every way. Located on the Continental Divide along Eyebrow Ridge in a country club community, the home is surrounded by beautiful decade-old trees. Each spring the rhododendron and mountain laurels are ablaze in color. With over three and a half acres of property, enjoy the benefit of having neighbors nearby while enjoying complete privacy with eyecatching views of nature. Drive across the mountain stream to reach the front of the home. The lightfilled entry showcases the home’s attention to detail. Turn left and you enter the dining room with a Palladian window that frames the vistas of rock outcroppings and native plantings. Go right to enter the large master suite

with its walk-in closet and master bath with its heated tile floors and large spa tub that offers fetching views of the surrounding woods. Down a short hall, which is lined with storage galore, are the laundry facilities on the way to the large doublecar garage. Whether your style is formal or casual, this home is perfect for you. The large living room with fireplace and niches that exhibit your fine collectibles gives you a spot for quiet reflection as the morning sunlight filters through the trees. The large French doors open onto the covered porch where you are serenaded by the soothing sounds of the mountain stream and the birds nestled in the trees. Immediately adjacent to this porch is a breakfast nook where you can sit qui-

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etly and meditate as you watch the gentle breezes stir the tree branches. The custom kitchen with its granite countertops and top-of-theline appliances makes meal prep a breeze. With cabinets aplenty, there’s room for everything you need to prepare even the most elaborate of meals. The kitchen is open to the large Great Room with its cathedral ceiling and walls of windows. Enjoy the warmth of a glowing fire when temps drop or throw open the French doors to enjoy cooling summer breezes. This room is delightful any time of year. Adjoining the Great Room is a cozy sunroom with its own fireplace and walls of windows framing the stream surrounded by luscious flora and fauna that permeates the property.

The Terrace level of this home offers a large family/ media room with a billiards table plus three bedrooms and baths. There’s also a large glass-enclosed office. As you sit at the desk and look out in to the woods, you feel like Robinson Caruso on his own private island. Open the French doors and let the cool breezes waft through the rooms. Take the laptop out to the covered porch and complete that conference call with songbirds in the background. This home offers the best of both worlds: quiet solitude surrounded by nature while being just a stone’s throw from club amenities. To schedule a showing or to learn more about this home call Pat Allen at Pat Allen Realty Group, Inc. at (828)200-9179 or e-mail Pat at Pat.f.Allen@gmail.com.


Homes & Lifestyles

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Homes & Lifestyles

A Mountain Cabin Beauty by Wiley Sloan

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veryone dreams of a mountain home, where the family can gather to enjoy one another and build memories. You’ve searched the hills and valleys and you’ve found the perfect geta-way but the house that is there is missing something. What do you do? For homeowner, Jeanie Raffa, the decision was simple. Her brother-in-law is talented interior designer Tony Raffa, so when a design dilemma stumped her, all she had to do was turn to Tony. Jeannie laughingly says “Whenever my husband and I have a difference of opinion on what to do with a room, we ask for Tony’s opinion. That’s all it takes. He can offer suggestions that we have never thought of, and then the dilemma is solved.” Over the years with Tony’s oversight, Jeannie and family have transformed a 1984 mountain cabin into a “home place” that children and grandchildren can truly enjoy. The setting is exemplary. The grandchildren love to toast somemores over the fire next to the trout pond, which is fed by the gently-flowing stream. Your eye is drawn to the twig accents of the ceiling of the Great Room with its log walls and stone fireplace. The adjoining Billiards room

has been the site of many a family challenge. When you need to check on e-mails or complete correspondence, slip into the office and get your work done without being totally isolated from the happenings. The cabin’s original living room is now the Dining Room with space for a large family table and

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comfy chairs. The adjoining kitchen with its granite counter tops and custom appliances allows the cooks to be a part of the conversation while completing their duties. A large screen porch overlooking the babbling brook is the perfect gathering spot on cool, summer days. The dancing bears of the porch railing add a

whimsical touch to this storybook setting. Builder Algie Bolick has worked with the family for years as each segment of the cabin’s transformation has taken shape. “This wasn’t one wholesale renovation, but gradual changes have been made over the years,” homeowner Jeannie reminds me. “I wanted this to be truly a second-home with a mountain flavor. Something semi-rustic, yet comfortable, a sanctuary-a place for renewal and for introspection.” The original bedrooms and baths have been updated to meet the family’s needs. Throughout the house you’ll see how the house has evolved to the comfortable, cozy feeling that it has today. Yellow pine floors, twig accents, and original artwork by Tony’s mother all add charm and character. Large wrap around porches provide spaces for folks to gather and chat while being wooed by the beauty of nature. Whether you’re a building a new home or trying to figure how to transform your current home to better fit your family’s changing lifestyle, give Tony a call at Raffa Design Associates, Highlands Office at (828) 787-1070 or e-mail tony at araffa0000@aol.com.


Homes & Lifestyles

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Homes & Lifestyles

The Diabetes Dilemma

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Contributed by Jim Johnson, DC, DACBN & Resa Johnson, DC, DACBN, Mountain Air Wellness (828) 743-9070

he prevalence of diabetes and the rise of diabetes 2 throughout the United States are serious problems of the twenty-first century. Maintaining an ideal, healthy range of weight for one’s height is the principal way to avoid diabetes. A study in 2005 at Yale put eight obese people with diabetes on a low-calorie diet for seven weeks. Their fasting blood sugar levels returned to normal and eighty-four percent of their liver fat disappeared. A study at University of California in 2009 had thirty-two overweight or obese people in their fifties, ingest twenty-five percent of their calories as either fructose or glucose-sweetened beverages for ten weeks. The study resulted in the fact that although both groups of

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people gained about three pounds, the group of people who drank fructose drinks gained more visceral fat, became more insulin resistant, and their livers’ fat amounts increased radically. Aging is a factor that increases the risk for diabetes. But, a half hour a day of aerobic exercise combined with strength training sessions with eight to twelve repetitions of eight to ten exercises three times a week, lowers the risk for diabetes when combined conscientiously with a diet of moderate quantities of whole foods, good beverage choices including total avoidance of “sweetened” drinks and moderate drinking of alcohol. Limiting alcoholic beverages is also beneficial in avoiding weight gain and the build up of tox-

ins and fat in the liver. Basically, moderation is a sure-fire good choice and perspective on exercise, diet, beverage choice, and life-style in general. Break up long periods of sitting at the computer, reading or watching TV with ten to fifteen minutes of walking several times a day. Committed exercise, combined with a lifestyle of good food and beverage choices create quality of life and good health! Decide to take control of your optimal good health and commit to a plan of exercises and correct nutrition! Make sure to get support and counseling from an experienced and credentialed source such as our physicians who have the Diplomat American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN) licensing.


Homes & Lifestyles

It’s Pajama Party Time!

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CONTENTS

ometimes you just want to put on your flannel gown, slippers and stay in...even on a Saturday night. At other times you may want to enjoy all the luxuries of staying in, but in the company of friends. That is when you need to pull out the PJ’s and have an adult girlfriend’s celebration, a Leopard PJ party. Where women come together and support each other and perhaps return (temporarily) to the days of their adolescence. Attendees spend the night and enjoy a bathrobe brunch the next morning. Rules are that everyone must wear something leopard, leopard slippers, leopard belt, leopard hat, you have the picture. Don’t be afraid to decorate the table in leopard by bringing in ferns or other greenery to create your playground for your leopard. Michael’s even sells leopard duct tape. Leopard is everywhere, in clothing, linens and paper products. Eat, drink, play cards, bring in someone to perform manicures and pedicures. Have everyone bring a dish and of course with leopard involved, Leopard Tea

Contributed by Elizabeth Fletcher Cashiers and Atlanta resident Elizabeth Fletcher makes event planning and public relations seem as effortless and anxietyfree as a day at the spa. Part of that is predicated on her years of experience as the publisher of four regional bridal magazines, bridal events spokesperson for Federated and Belk department stores, and guiding force behind media campaigns for exclusive inns. Equally important are her boundless energy, effortless imagination and fanatical attention to detail.

(Long Island Ice Tea), Leopard Pie (butterscotch with an Oreo crust, hence colors of the leopard). With gourmet treats and martinis, it

definitely is not your tween’s slumber party. It makes you feel like you are 13 but you are really 45 – well, maybe a little older.

Ask around, and you might be surprised at the number of women having pajama parties. Think of it as girls’ night out, only in. Sleepovers are great because you can stay up all night. No one’s in a hurry. It brings you closer, because it’s a reminder that these people are there for you, like they always have been. What happens at a pajama party for grown-up girls? Maybe the same thing that happened 20 years ago. Or not.

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Homes & Lifestyles

Interest Rate and Investments

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Contributed by Mark Robbins, Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Highlands at (828) 787-2323.

he rise and fall of interest rates is one of the biggest factors influencing the economy, financial markets and our daily lives. Simply put, interest rates help control the flow of money in the economy. Typically the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates to jump-start the economy. Lower interest rates mean consumers may be willing to spend more money. This stimulates the economy. Investors have a different perspective. Bond Investors: As interest rates fall, the prices of previously issued bonds tend to rise. The new issues are offered at lower, less appealing rates. One way issuers may take advantage of falling rates, is by calling their outstanding bonds and issuing new bonds at lower rates. To offset this risk, it’s important to have a diverse portfolio of fixed income investments with a variety of maturities. Stock Investors: Falling in-

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terest rates tend to have a positive impact on the stock market. Paying lower rates of interest decreases the cost of the debt. When the Federal Reserve decides to raise interest rates, its goal is usually to slow down an overheating economy. Changes in interest rates tend to affect the economy slowly–it can take as long as 12 to 18 months for the effects of the change to permeate the economy. Slowly, as the cost of borrowing increases, banks lend less money and businesses put expansion on hold. Consumers begin to cut back on spending. This reverses the effects that lower interest rates had on the economy and, again, investors are affected differently. Bond investors: In a rising interest rate scenario, the demand for bonds with lower interest rates declines. New bond issues are offered at higher, more appealing rates, driving the price of existing

bonds lower. Stock investors: Rising interest rates can have a positive or negative impact on the stock market. In some cases, rising rates can send jitters, resulting in falling stock prices. In other cases, the stock market may respond favorably. If you’re interested in learning more about what changing interest rates mean for you, a Financial Advisor can help you better understand the effects interest rates may have on your portfolio. Stocks offer long-term growth potential, but may fluctuate more and provide less current income than other investments. Bonds offer a fixed rate of return and investment principal if held to maturity. In addition to market and interest rate risk, bonds are also subject to default risk, the risk that companies or individuals will be unable to make the required payments on their debt obligations.


Homes & Lifestyles

In Many Forms Contributed by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture (828) 526-1022

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CONTENTS

rthritis is a common result of wear and tear on the body’s joints. There are many other forms of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and others that result from autoimmune disease. Depending upon the cause of the arthritis many alternative care practices can help to reduce the symptoms and pain associated. Arthritis means inflammation of one or more joints and can be found anywhere in the body where two bones meet to form a joint. Joints rely upon cartilage, a form of collagen or softer connective tissue that provides a cushion between the bones. As the bones move freely within their natural range of motion the cartilage absorbs friction and gravitational forces caused by body movement. When there is an injury, illness, or normal aging the joint tends to break down and the cartilage becomes thin. Sometimes when degeneration progresses to a point where the cartilage is so worn thin it is called “bone on bone” or osteoarthritis. The joint now moves irregularly, is very tender and sometimes feels warm and is often abnormal looking. When an autoimmune disease causes arthritis there may be migrating pain and arthritis in specific areas of the body. This type of arthritis is more difficult to treat as it is a result of the immune system failing and the body attacking itself. Either way there is a degenerative process that takes place and here are a few tips to achieve relief from this debilitating pain. Many arthritis symptoms classically are worse in the morning upon rising and again later in the day. Unless the joint is visibly hot and inflamed heat usually provides some relief. If the joint is hot and red ice may be a good therapy to bring the inflammation under control. Some medications are recommended for serious forms of arthritis, for this you should check with your medical doctor. Alternative treatments that are also safe and effective may include chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, gentle exercises like walking, biking and swimming, stress relief practices such as yoga and meditation, and certain forms of stretching and joint mobilizing activities. Good nutrition can also help the symptoms and reduce inflammation. A good regimen of vitamins, minerals and fish oils can help improve the body’s internal environment and immune system. If you know you have arthritis you should check with a doctor to determine the type and then explore various forms of treatments in order to achieve the greatest relief. If you are overweight it is beneficial to lose weight to reduce the stress on the joints. Arthritis is serious but can also be managed with good care, don’t let it get the best of you!

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Homes & Lifestyles

Heading North?

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Contributed by Maryellen Lipinski, author of Life Under Construction! (828) 507-1171 Maryellen owns Mels Mountain Real Estate and is a life coach. MaryellenLipinski.com MelsMountainRealEstate.com

hat do real estate and life coaching have in common? Three little questions: 1. Who are you? ; 2. Where do you want to live?; 3. What direction is your life headed? I’m blending two passions: helping people find a great place to live and life coaching. It just fits! Time to put my doctorate back to work. It’s important to be comfortable where you live physically and to be at home with yourself! Finding the “right” place is significant because we invest in our community. Positioning your life includes where you live and how you live. Our surroundings in the mountains are serene and peaceful. Are you taking advantage of those moments?

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I am asking questions in this article. This is what coaching and living is all about. I just read an article entitled “What Questions to NEVER stop asking.” I have come up with two of my own so far… When I talk about being home in your life, I focus on continuing to move forward in spite of the difficulties you may have encountered over the last several years. At times we can get stuck. The temptation is to stay in a place where we were previously comfortable, making it difficult to move to the frontier that we’re actually on now! Are you re-investing and reinventing yourself? Coaching can provide support and direction. Living is a process of constantly paring down until

we carry only what is essential. It’s my belief that everything you own should have value, either because it’s functional or beautiful or you just love it! Every item needs a place where it “lives!” And so do you. Interested in knowing more about life coaching? Go to www.maryellenlipinski.com OR attend the Literacy’s Red Carpet Premiere on August 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center. I’m donating two hours life coaching and my books: Life Under Construction… a work in progress & Random Thoughts and Mine Always Are! Literacy is important. After all who will read my books? Ah, those of you CAN read!


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Homes & Lifestyles

Wildcat Cliffs Celebrates 50 Years by Luke Osteen

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hen Wildcat Cliffs Country Club founder BilI Matthews was laying out his grand vision for the community, he wanted his property owners to enjoy an active social life. He knew how easy it could be for members to remain strangers to one another, how simple for the community to split into separate camps of Year-Rounders and Summer Folks. Armed with the same vision and determination that he’d brought to so many projects to benefit the Highlands community, Dr. Bill (as old-timers still refer to him) carefully laid out a breathtaking golf course that wound through the property’s ancient forest. It was his belief that if members could gather for a round of golf that would challenge their skills or allow them to commiserate over balls lost in the woods or, if even for a moment, to consider the breathtaking beauty that surrounded them, well, that was the foundation for a community of friends right there. And now, 50 years later as the club celebrates its Jubilee Year, you can appreciate the clarity of his thinking. That golf course remains at the center of life at Wildcat Cliffs. Its rolling layout is a subtle invitation to conversation and it’s not unusual to hear gentle laughter echoing across the links. And the strands of friendship woven on the course extend to all corners of Wildcat Cliffs. The casual mountain elegance of the clubhouse has become a focal point of community life. “Dining at the clubhouse is just the way we keep in touch with one another,” explains Susan Murphy of the Board of Directors. “Everyone gathers for the cocktail hour and you mingle with friends and meet new members. When it’s time to sit down for dinner, you never know who you’re going to share a table with. We all sit down together, so it’s like a big, fun dinner party.” That easy spirit of friendship extends to one of the most popular activities on the Wildcat Cliffs calendar – 118 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com

home tours. “It’s a marvelous way to get to know new members when they invite everyone to see their new home, plus it’s fun to get a good look when someone’s had their home remodeled,” says Susan. “After someone’s been nice enough to open up their house to you, there’s no way they can be strangers.” Of course, it helps that Wildcat Cliffs has so many luxurious amenities to keep everyone active and engaged with one another. The 11,000 square foot Fitness Center has become a hub of activity. There’s a heated indoor pool, massage rooms served by a pair of massage therapists, spa treatments, and a certified personal trainer to ensure that members are enjoying all their potential. The Activities Room is used for dance classes, art classes, Bible study and a book club. If the members prefer a much more active mode of socializing, they can step onto the three Har Tru tennis courts in a program that’s both competitive and convivial. “Yes, we’re a happy, active bunch,” says member Pegi Williard. “I think part of it is that there’s so much going on.” A new amenity that has turned out to be one of the key factors in the decision to join for some members, is the playground. Members saw a need to have a place for their children and grandchildren to play and donated over $60,000 to built the playground last year. It has turned out to be an intrinsic amenity. That undeniable zest for life -- embodied by regular cookouts at the Lakeside Pavilion, early morning trout fishing, hikes through the surrounding forest, and the upcoming Thanks for the Memories Jubilee Gala -- has been a part of Wildcat Cliffs for 50 years. In fact, just as you’d expect, members are pulling out all the stops for the Jubilee Gala, set for September 10th. Be sure to wear comfortable dance shoes. As Pegi says, “We’re a happy, active bunch.”


Homes & Lifestyles

Living Green

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Contributed by Robin M. Armstrong-Neil, local Green Living Guru and owner of Whole Life Market in Highlands

hhh, summer is in the air. With these bright sunny days the cosmetic industry takes the opportunity to constantly remind you to never leave the house without liberally applying sunscreen. But, could the product you are using that claims to protect your health by preventing skin cancer actually be more harmful to your health than you realize? Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that the heavily used chemical sunscreens found in lotions, make-up, lipsticks, and other products may actually increase cancers instead of protecting us from it! Many of the chemicals used generate free radicals in the cells and / or act as estrogen-type hormones in the body. Europe, Australia, and Canada have all set up guidelines that prohibit

the use of the majority of the chemicals that the US still allows. Chemicals that act as the active ingredient and are the UVA and UVB blockers, such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, and other benzophenones, PABA and PABA esters, and salicylates, are powerful free radical generators. They are commonly used in industrial processes to initiate chemical reactions. When applied to the skin, they react with light and produce free radicals. It is the free radicals that damage the proteins and DNA of the cells and this damage leads to pre-mature aging and the development of cancer. While the sun can cause free radicals alone, by applying sunscreen with these dangerous chemicals we are actually speeding up the damaging process.

In addition, many of the chemicals are estrogenic and can mimic hormonal estrogen. The effects of this extra “estrogen” in our bodies can cause endometriosis, migraines, severe PMS and increased rate breast and uterine cancer in women. In men, the high estrogen levels lead to low sperm counts, feminization of the body, breast enlargement, undescended testicles, and testicular cancer. Excess estrogen can also disrupt the thyroid hormone production and stimulate the appetite in both sexes. These chemicals become especially dangerous when you consider that the chemicals can easily be absorbed through the skin. One scientist found that up to 35% of the sunscreen you apply to your body can pass through your skin and

into the bloodstream. And because these synthetic chemicals are alien to the human body, they can become stored in fat cells and are very difficult for the body to eliminate. So, when you are looking for a “green” sunscreen, make sure to avoid benzophenones, PABA esters, and salicylates. Look for mineral based zinc and titanium as the active ingredient. Mineral based sunscreens are much safer since that are stable at sunlight and do not create free radicals, nor can they penetrate the skin. An excellent guide is the one published by Environmental Working Group (www. ewg.org), which found that it could only recommend 8% of the 500 sunscreens that were tested for this season. So, remember, when you slather up, slather up safe.

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Homes & Lifestyles

Summit Charter School

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Summit Charter School molds young minds and lives with an energetic curriculum.

by Donna Rhodes

s summer ends and the new school year begins, it’s nice to know there is an educational alternative just around the corner… where learning encompasses much more than just the three R’s. Summit Charter School of Cashiers is a public school where every lesson plan, educational strategy, and curriculum decision is rooted in the building blocks of integrity. By integrating student-with-community, community-with-student, pupils are taught early-on to value their environment both culturally and physically. Summit Charter School, which serves three surrounding counties, is spread

across 25 acres of choice forest, animal habitat, and student-farmed land. Habitat, forest, farmland, garden, and classroom are the staging areas for education. It is here that students are immersed in learning literally from the ground up. And there’s more. Regional cultural heritage is a top priority at Summit. Students visit the Cherokee Nation, study the early settlements of the Scots and Irish, walk ancient trails, and experience firsthand the history of many other Native Americans and immigrants who pioneered the region. Beyond scholastic and cultural studies, students intermingle and network with the community in doz-

ens of mutually beneficial activities. Working with the animal shelter, maintaining nature trails at the Village Green, and volunteering as Big Brothers and Sisters to tutor younger students are just a few of the ways students partner with their neighborhood charities, businesses, residents, and peers. It’s no wonder Summit Charter is growing by leaps and bounds. Enrollment is limited, so call now about registering for this innovative approach to education. Inquiries about Summit Charter School, its curriculum, and enrollment process, should be directed to Jack Talmadge at jtalmadge@summitschool.org or call (828) 743-5755.

To read more articles about homes and lifestyles in Highlands and Cashiers visit www.highlands-cashierscalendar.com/news

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Waterfall Guide Cashiers Waterfalls Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow & Stairstep Falls In the Horsepasture Wild & Scenic River area - 64 E. to Sapphire; to Hwy. 281; .7 miles to gated road on left — follow trail. John’s Jump 64 E. to Sapphire; to Hwy 281; 4.8 miles - park on shoulder and follow path. King Creek Falls Hwy. 107 S.; about 13 miles; turn right on Burrells Ford Road — park at campground parking. Schoolhouse Falls In Panthertown Valley - Hwy 64 E. to Cedar Creek Road; to Breedlove Road — park at dead-end. Silver Run Falls Hwy. 107 S.; 4.1 miles from crossroads, look for gravel pull-off on left — follow trails.

Highlands Waterfalls Bridal Veil Falls Hwy. 64, can be seen from road. Dry Falls Hwy. 64; turn at Dry Falls sign. Glen Falls Hwy. 106 S., left at Glen Falls sign. Kalakaleskies Falls Hwy. 64; just below Sequoyah Lake. Lower Cullasaja Falls Hwy. 64 at pull-offs. Picklesiemer Rockhouse Falls Hwy. 28 S. to Blue Valley Road; 4.3 miles - park at dirt road on right take trail - about 1 mile to falls. Upper & Lower Satulah Falls Hwy. 28 S.; both can be seen from road.

Whitewater Falls Hwy. 64 E. to Sapphire, to Hwy. 281 — look for signs.

For information on other outdoor adventures in Highlands and Cashiers visit thelaurelmagazine.com/cashiersnc_outdoors.php and thelaurelmagazine.com/highlandsnc_outdoors.php 122 | July August 2011 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com | www.thelaurelmagazine.com


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Cedar Hill – New Ownership and New Vision for the Future enthusiasm and love of the area they have introduced friends and family who now share that same passion. The Cedar Beach Investment Group, under the leadership of Cody Jones, has shown that passion for the community, their positive direction toward the future is thoughtful and with great respect for the mountains we call home and the investments made by the residents who live here says Jane Ebberts, co-founder of Landmark Realty Group. Immediately to the North of Cedar Hill lies the Cedar Creek Racquet Club, a tennis lover s paradise that invites the novice to the professional to enjoy a day on the courts and relax in the clubhouse at the end of the day. The CCRC clubhouse has a rich history as the former estate for the Lupton family, which the lake is named for; this beautifully crafted family home has been transformed into a retreat for its members. With the many changes in the Cashiers area, this change is a welcome one. Cedar Beach Investment Group, LLC recently purchased the developer owned parcels in Cedar Hill, a beautiful gated residential community east of Cashiers off Hwy. 64. Cedar Beach Investment Group and its partners have a very successful history investing and developing commercial tracts in the Charleston area. Cody Jones, President, has invested in and sold homes in the Cashiers-Sapphire area over the past 10 years and his father, Bill Jones, also a member of Cedar Beach Investment Group, is a long standing resident of Cashiers and currently resides in the Cedar Creek Woods community. We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to invest in such a pristine mountain community. The residents and owners in Cedar Hill are a diverse group of very talented individuals and successful investors. As investors ourselves we welcome their input on the growth and future of Cedar Hill . Says Cody Jones. We feel our investment goes beyond Cedar Hill and reaches deep into the communities of Cashiers and Sapphire. Our interest is in continuing the preservation of this historical area, its deep roots in Appalachian culture and to enhance the natural beauty. A second home to many, a home where the heart is to all who have the opportunity to experience Cedar Hill. We have selected Landmark Realty Group to represent Cedar Hill and our fine selection properties. We have found the marketing program offered by Landmark to be unsurpassed in reaching that unique and savvy investor continued Jones. It has been our pleasure to have the opportunity to continue the local representation of Cedar Hill. This community offers a unique compliment of properties from mountain vistas that appear to never end, to cascading streams and cottage parcels. The property owners in Cedar Hill have been our best ambassadors; through their 124 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com

To the east of Cedar Hill is the private golf club, Country Club of Sapphire Valley. The Summit at Cedar Hill offers spectacular views above the greens and fairways extending east through the valleys below. Cedar Hill has a fit for all interests and will be a wise long-term investment. For more information regarding Cedar Hill, Landmark Realty Group invites you to explore the opportunities and visit CedarHillNC.com.


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Service GCAMA Summer Events from 20

chants representing various shop categories will be located on the Showhouse property, which is located on Cedar Creek Road. The Merchant Market chairs Robin Ashmore of Bear Paw Designs and Cherie Tibbetts of Vivianne Metzger Antiques are enthusiastic about the mix of merchandise for the Market and of course with the Showhouse, known as “Reflections.” Tibbets and Ashmore, also chair GCAMA’s Mountain Welcome program created to introduce new home buyers to the shops and activities in the Cashiers Valley. Recipients

are notified by mail that a Welcome Basket from GCAMA is waiting for pickup. The complete baskets contain discounts, items and information from numerous local merchants. The 2011 Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival is well underway according to Chair, Pat Grady of Midnight Farms. Plans already in place for the third annual event scheduled for October 7th-9th include returning and new artisans as well as all the entertainment and attractions that remain the centerpiece of the Festival. The Greater Cashiers Area Mer-

services BEAUTY

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BEAUTY

Cabinet design

Cabinet design

chiropractic services


Service

chants Association organizes the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival to celebrate the magnificent aura of fall in the Valley for the several thousands attendees who will visit during the Festival. Chair Grady continues to book artists/artisans from throughout the art community, and popular bands. Early committed sponsors include The Cashiers Travel and Tourism Board, The Crossroads Chronicle, The Hampton Inn and Suites, Landmark Realty, The Laurel Magazine, Macon Bank, Old Edwards Inn, RBC Bank, WHLC and United Community Bank. Sponsorships are still available in a wide range of lev-

els. A new GCAMA website, www.cashiersvalleyncmerchants. com is now up and running and contains all the information and contacts for GCAMA activities, functions and events. To learn more about GCAMA membership, projects, programs and events contact the association office at (828) 743-1630, fax (828) 743-1630 or email greatercashiersmerchantsassoc@yahoo.com. For complete Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival and Groovin’ on the Green information check out www.cashiersvalleyleaffest.com.

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CONSTRUCTION

massage therapy

Tree Service

human resrouces

painting

web design

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giving back

Forever Farm Contributed by Kathy Bub, Executive Director Forever Farms

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The future of animals like Nikki depends on the generosity of Forever Farms’ many supporters.

ikki was pretty apprehensive when we first put her in her new K9 Cart. Each time we do she gets a little bolder and takes a few more steps. For the past few months she has been running around like a mermaid on dry land, dragging her legs behind her. It is amazing to see animals with issues like this act as though they have no clue that they are “disabled.” We suspect that once she gets comfortable with her cart that Nikki will be a real speed demon in the exercise yard. Nikki, a purebred Pekingese, is barely two years old, and one day this past February she went out to play and came back unable to use her back legs. The first veterinarian to see

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Nikki suspected the cause might be a fibrocartilaginous embolism of the spinal cord. Her owners felt they were not able to take care of her under the circumstances and asked us to take her in at the Forever Farm. Upon examination, our veterinarian also felt that an embolism was the most probable cause of her paralysis and having not improved over the last several months since the “accident” she would probably remain a paraplegic for life. She felt that being young, healthy and strong, Nikki was a perfect candidate for a mobility cart. When the word got out to our supporters about this sweet dog’s situation, funds were quickly raised to purchase a K9

Cart for her. We believe that Nikki is adoptable to the right home and hope someone will step up to the challenge. Until that day she will remain one of our very special residents at the Forever Farm. If you would like to meet Nikki and her friends at our sanctuary please give us a call at (828) 508-2460. Friends for Life is a 501(c) (3) charitable non-profit organization with a mission to help senior and special needs dogs and cats. The Forever Farm is located in Lake Toxaway, NC. Visit our website at www.friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org where donations can be made online. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 340, Sapphire, NC 28774.


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It’s All About The Horses

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ince its inception, Carpe Diem Farms has been all about the horses. They are the teachers for children and adults of all ages. They have taught compassion, leadership and life skills, and how to overcome fear. They demonstrate living harmoniously in the herd and show that size, color, and even personality don’t matter in the family of equines. When someone new is introduced to the group they make proper introductions and then accept them. Their subtle body language mirrors very similar situations that we humans find ourselves in on a daily basis. They teach lessons that we all need to master. Over the past 14 years

Contributed by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms Executive Director they have interacted with more than 3500 participants. Through it all, birth, sickness, recoveries and death the horses have taught me many lessons. None has been in vain. The Equine Institute of CDF will be launched in 2012. All that we have learned from our herd will become the curriculum for veterinarians, farriers and interested horse owners and trainers. Stay tuned! August is an exciting month for CDF. Thursday, August 4th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Rotary “Equine Bingo” at the Highlands Community Building next to the ball field. The Rotary Club of Highlands has been an ardent supporter of CDF for 12 years

and continues its generosity and support by hosting a family fun filled evening of bingo to help support the equines. Please join us. August 11th - 14th CDF in Columbus, Ohio Our thermographic research on the newly patented shoe and the magnet application for injury and pain will be presented at The Ohio State Veterinarian School. August 15th marks the 14th anniversary of the place, Carpe Diem Farms and 19th anniversary of the CDF Foundation. For more information about Carpe Diem Farms please call (828) 526-2854 or visit our website: carpediemfarms.org.

Chestnut Hill resident Martha Parish with her favorite horse, CDF Lola’s Promise, aka “Promise” Martha has shared time with Promise for nine years, since the day he was born at CDF! She has painted the illustrations for the book, My Name is Promise to be published later this year.

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giving back

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Rotary Youth Exchange Program

or more than 80 years Rotary International, has administered a Youth Exchange Program. This program’s purpose is to expose youth to cultures different from their own, and thus foster better understanding among people. Each year more than eighty countries and 8,000 students participate in this enterprise. For up to a year, selected students live with host families in foreign countries and attend local school. During their stay they have the opportunity to become familiar with the host country’s customs, language, and way of life. New friendships are forged, and during this once in a lifetime experience both the students and host families benefit from increased understanding of

presene a c h tation other ’s at the cultures. school To be to well eligible, qualithe canfied studidates d e n t s . m u s t be be- Rotarian Jeff Weller, Hayden Bates and Samuel There is t w e e n Craig, are pictured with Jodie Cook, Past Presi- a short applififteen dent of The Rotary Club of Highlands. cation a n d that ineighteen and a half years old, and terested students fill out, and in the top one-third of their then the club’s committee high school class. The candi- interviews the students and dates must also possess good their parents. The students character, have an outgoing recommended by the comand pleasant personality, be mittee are then interviewed able to accept discipline and by the District Committee. If be capable to adjusting to they are approved there, the selectees are invited to parnew conditions. The selection process is nec- ticipate in the program. They essarily involved. The Club’s then complete a long and deSelection Committee does a tailed application.

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The Rotary Club of Highlands selected its first local student for the outbound program in 1982. Since then, around twenty-six year-long students and six summer-only students have been selected. The club also began hosting inbound students then as well. This year the club selected two outbound students. Hayden Bates is a sophomore at Highlands School, and will be spend eleven months in Brazil. Samuel Craig, a sophomore at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, was also selected, and will spend his year in Turkey. Both of these students impressed the interview committee with their maturity, vision and courage. Hayden and Samuel deserve the congratulations of the community.


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giving back

Conservation Easements Contributed by Gary Wein, Executive Director, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

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he most effective tool in the conservation communities mission to preserve the places we all love is our partners: you! However, the second most effective tool we have is the conservation easement or agreement. Through a conservation easement the land owner donates a partial interest (specifically the development rights) to a qualified nonprofit organization, such as a Land Trust. Easements have been around a while but in the 1980’s the IRS allowed a tax deduction for those putting their land in an easement. This tool is so effective the Highlands-

Land Trust Easements make sense for now and far into the future.

Cashiers Land Trust has preserved 1687 acres through conservation easements with 37 land owners since 1996. The land owner still owns his property, can sell it, farm it, harvest trees, allow it to remain in its natural condition, or all those things they would have done, except fully develop the property. In return the land owner has preserved their land forever from development, received a tax deduction (fifty percent of adjusted gross income over sixteen years), a North Carolina tax credit (if a NC resident), and reduced property and inheritance

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taxes. However, not all properties qualify for a conservation easement or agreement, the land has to meet one of the following criteria to be considered: protection of relatively natural habitats of fish, wildlife, or plants; preservation of open space including farm and forest land; preservation of land for public outdoor recreation or education; or preservation of historically important land or buildings. If your property qualifies for a conservation easement a couple of things have to happen including meeting with your local Land Trust, preparing a baseline assess-

ment, having a recent land survey, a recent easement appraisal, and filing a legal document with the county register of deeds. If you are interested in more information about conservation easements or about your local land trust, check out www.lta.org. For further information about conservation agreements contact the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust office ((828) 526-1111; hitrust@earthlink.net; www.hitcashlt.org) or stop by and talk to our Executive Director, Gary Wein at the Peggy Crosby Center in Highlands.


giving back

To read more on the philanthropic efforts in Highlands and Cashiers, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/news

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giving back

Friends of Whiteside Mountain Contributed by Michelle Price, Executive Director Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance Upcoming J-MCA events: September 11th: Outstanding in the Mountains: A celebration of regional food, farms and heritage. October 14th: Laugh Loudly and Carry a Big Stick: An evening at the Performing Arts Center in Highlands. Joe Wiegand will entertain all with his reprisal of President Theodore Roosevelt. As a one man theater show, Joe’s T.R. shares stories full of adventure, laughter and inspiration. October 15th: Laugh Loudly and Carry a Big Stick: An intimate performance with Brunch and a Matinee. Space is limited at the Orchard Restaurant in Cashiers. Visit www.j-mca.org to learn more.

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hiteside Mountain is the centerpiece of the Highlands-Cashiers area and the signature hike for almost anyone who visits. A 2-mile loop trail climbs above sheer 750-foot high cliffs and offers outstanding views to the east, south, and west. The trail is rated “more difficult” because of its steepness, but 2 miles is relatively short. A variety of wildflowers including false Solomon’s-seal and Speckled Wood-lily are abundant and thrive on Whiteside Mountain due to the variety of soils, light and moisture. Whiteside is also home to Peregrine Falcons, nesting on the cliff face, the granite cliff that is the source of its name. The lore of Whiteside, its geology, stories of adventures, and a destina-

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tion to an awe-inspiring view, has been a part of our communities for many generations. In the early 1900s, it was part of the Ravenel family estate. Later, a private corporation purchased Whiteside and used it as a tourist attraction— people could drive their cars to the top on a road and sight-see. This road is now part of the trail. In 1947, Whiteside was purchased again for timber harvesting. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) acquired the land in the 70s and it became part of the Nantahala National Forest. The Nantahala District of the USFS is responsible for maintaining this remarkable resource among several for the public. These high-use sites have amenities like comfort

stations and interpretive kiosks. They also have to maintain 380 miles of hiking trails with decreasing personnel and funding. Volunteers are needed and are a “natural” resource to assist with trail maintenance. Volunteers will also be involved in preserving and protecting the many varied natural habitats and endangered species on the mountain. The J-MCA will work in partnership with the Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities on Whiteside Mountain. To join the volunteer corps contact Michelle Price at (828) 526-0890 x256 or mprice@j-mca.org and sign up to become a trained volunteer.


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giving back

One Life at a Time Part One

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Contributed by Jill Montana, Executive Director International Friendship Center

vgenia (not her real name) was 18 years old when she left her home in Russia (her real country of origin) to come to the US. Her father had recently died and her mother was struggling to put food on the table for her and three younger siblings. Mama (it’s the same in Russian as English) had tried to find employment that would pay enough to keep the family going, but jobs for unskilled workers were hard to come by. In the harsh winters there were no funds to buy enough coal to stay warm. In school, Genia had learned English, as well as other languages, so she decided to sign up with an international employment agency she had heard about to come to the US to work. She was issued a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa that allowed her to stay in the US up to two years. The agency sent her to a small town in Western North Carolina to work in a grocery store. With her first paycheck she started wiring money home to Mama. At the store she met a very wealthy woman who liked Genia a lot, and who was impressed that the young clerk spoke English, German, Russian, Romanian and was now studying Spanish. The lady offered to hire her as livein nanny/ teacher for her three children when her contract with the agency expired. The director of the Friendship Center had also met Genia at the store and suggested she come to us for advice about obtaining a different type of Visa when the original one elapsed. We helped her with the application, and agonized with her as the two year expiration date approached. The request was denied. She even tried enlisting in the US military but was denied that route also. She loved the US and really wanted to stay. Genia was now in the thirty-day “grace period” part of J-1 that allowed a visitor to travel before returning home. But her life was about to take an entirely new direction. Watch for more on this one life’s story next month.

To read more on the philanthropic efforts in Highlands and Cashiers, visit thelaurelmagazine.com/news

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giving back

Cullasaja Women’s Outreach Contributed by Margaret Eichman

Top from left to right: CWO President Gail Hughes, Grants CoChair Donna Thoele and Corresponding Secretary Judi Davis. Photo on left - from left to right: CWO members Margaret Eichman, Frazer McCrorey, Kathy Bowman, Lana Jordan and Peggy Gissendanner.

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elonging to a community is much more than just living there. Truly belonging implies a willingness to share a part of your heart and mind, to listen more openly, to see more clearly, and to share more fully in the cares of the local world around you. Belonging is creating a bond between yourself and your surroundings…not just the streams, mountains and forests, but bonding with neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and, even, total strangers…truly becoming a part of the beauty, the diversity, the joys and struggles of all that surrounds you. This is the calling of Cullasaja Women’s Outreach (CWO), a group of likeminded women from the Cullasaja Club joined together to create a caring and impactful bond with the Highlands-Cashiers commu-

nity. Since 2006, they have modeled what it means to be a positive part of all that surrounds them. CWO has aligned their hearts, their philanthropy and their volunteer efforts to help fulfill the dreams—and meet the challenges—of this mountain plateau’s not-for-profit organizations. To date, CWO has invested more than $344,000 into the humanitarian support of Highlands and Cashiers, through charitable grants to various organizations, ranging from the Community Care Clinic of Highlands to the Literacy Council, from the Community Child Development Center to the Blue Ridge Mountain Health Project, to name only a few. In fact, since its founding, the CWO has donated to more than thirty area charities and organizations. And, they are getting ready to do more.

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After donating over $80,000 last year, to seventeen local organizations, the members of the Cullasaja Women’s Outreach are revving up for this year’s annual August fundraising event: “Cool View, Hot Music”—a progressive cocktail party featuring the Cullasaja Club’s enchanting Overlook Villas neighborhood. A committee of Overlook Villa homeowners is working closely with the CWO Board and their neighbors to plan an exciting event that promises to be fun for all. The proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the CWO Charities, a donor-directed fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The CWO Grants Committee, chaired by members Donna Thoele and Stevie Hinel, will lead the grant-making process this fall, assuring that all

funds are dispersed locally. “Our contribution is a small way for us to express the gratitude we feel for the gift of being a part of this incredible community,” remarked Grants Co-Chair Donna Thoele. “With the economy weak, the needs of the area’s not-for-profits have never been greater,” noted 2011 CWO President Gail Hughes. “Reaching out to the people around us is what we are all about. The ladies of Cullasaja Women’s Outreach continue to seek ways to connect with those with far less, those in need of kindness, and those in need of meaningful help. Our grant-making does just that. Whether our help comes in the form of a fulfilled prescription, a dental treatment, a teaching voice, or a nurturing hand, our goal is to help bring a greater good to all.”


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Scaly Mountain Women’s Club Contributed by Betty Bandy

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CONTENTS

ears ago some Scaly Mountain women decided to form a group that was available to serve their community - however they could. At first they joined the County Extension Group of Homemakers out of Franklin. Even though they were given opportunities to raise funds and serve, half their earnings were given to the Franklin Homemakers organization. They were not fully serving their beloved Scaly Mountain and quickly realized they should form a group serving their own community. On June 8, 1988, they held their first meeting of the newly formed Scaly Mountain Women’s Club. From the start, they were serving the Scaly Mountain

community: raising money for their community needs, providing meals for those sick and needy, and helping the Fire Department with their fundraising efforts. They met in member’s homes monthly and had interesting programs with members providing delicious refreshments. They shared their crafts and made lap robes for the Highland-Cashiers Hospital. Their early fundraising efforts were: rummage sales, bake sales, “Trash for Cash,” craft shows, and raffles of the quilts they made. In addition to donating to the Fire Department they started providing a scholarship each year. The treasury probably averaged about $500 in the early days of the club.

Today the club has several ongoing fundraisers. Their first monthly Pancake Breakfast started in 2005 and has proven to be one of their most successful fundraisers. It gives the locals an opportunity to be together and people from other areas a chance to see the wonderful local flavor of a group that thoroughly enjoys working together and serving the community. The early Flea Market has grown into a yearly upscale auction. The club’s first cookbook: ”It Just Tastes Better in the Mountains” was a big success, and they are now selling a second edition: “Second Helping”. Over the last twentythree years, the Scaly Mountain Women’s Club has helped eighty local stu-

dents further their education. This fall the Women’s club will be supporting ten students through scholarships. In addition to these scholarships, the club has contributed almost $140,000 to worthy local causes including the Sky Valley- Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Alzheimer’s care, Fidelia Eckerd Nursing Home, the Highlands Emergency Council, Thanksgiving Baskets and has helped local families through a crisis. It is truly rare to find a community group like this. What foresight these women had to form a common bond in their community. Scaly Mountain is “the little community with the “Big Heart”

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Tooth Fairies are For Real Contributed by Michael Rich

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It is difficult to get eight tooth fairies together in one place, but here’s proof that it is possible.

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ou may have been told years ago that there was no such thing as a tooth fairy, that it was only a tall tale. However, those who live up on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau know otherwise. Tooth Fairies have been seen in all kinds of situations, from schools, to parades, to bingo games. They bring smiles to children of all ages and they have supported the cause of dental health in our community as official promoters of the Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic. Currently there are eight fairies with names like “Big Wing,” “Lavender,” and “Chopper,” who volunteer their time to raise awareness in the community of the work of the dental clinic, and support the work the Cashiers Valley Rotary and their Children’s Dental Health Project in the schools. The Tooth Fairies have their own Facebook page, and have appeared in You Tube videos wearing tights and tutus. They encourage the community to floss, brush, and consider helping those in need. Since the Free Clinic began its work in 2005, it has worked with over 2000 patients and performed over 21,000 procedures. The estimated value of these procedures runs in the neighborhood of $3 million dollars. Please consider assisting those in our community who cannot afford dental care by making a donation to the Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic, P.O. Box 451, Cashiers, NC 28717. For more information go to www.blueridgefreedentalclinic.org


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Business

Plateau Partners in Real Estate

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hen Mary Skubna Abranyi, owner of Green Mountain Realty Group, founded Plateau Partners in February 2010, she didn’t realize exactly how beneficial the group would prove to be to its members. “The group serves as a platform for the brokers and their agents to discuss the market as a whole and try to match our buyers and sellers for a successful transaction, in fact, several of our Partners have already brokered deals together because of it,” she explains. Plateau Partners started out as a group of six or so firms and has since grown to 14: Green Mountain Realty Group, Nellis Realty, The Chambers Agency, Blair Realty and White Oak Realty Group in Highlands; Silver

by Luke Osteen togethC re e k er and Real u s e Estate o u r Group, time Chat o to o ga gether Ridge to enRealty, hance O l d t h e C a s e r shiers vices Realty, offered M e l ’s b y MounMembers of Plateau Partners each t a i n i n Real Estate, and Buyers Only Real dividual firm. Honestly, the Estate in Cashiers; Hattler group has exceeded my exProperties and Jim Lewis Real- pectations,” says Abranyi. “We get together once a ty in Glenville; and NC Mounmonth – it’s always fun to tain Life in Sapphire. “It could easily be a strange share information about listsituation since we are essen- ings, and clients and their tially in competition with one wishes,” says Debbie Hattler another but we all work well of Hattler Properties, a small

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firm in Glenville that, thanks to her participation in Plateau Partners, also serves Highlands, Cashiers, and Sapphire Valley. “With that kind of knowledge, it benefits both buyers and sellers. And even though we in Plateau Partners are all small offices, by working together we have tremendous reach.” That reach also extends to the individual communities themselves as the partners enlist one another in local efforts and charities. “It’s important that we be good neighbors to one another and when we can work together as a group, everyone benefits,” says Debbie. To learn more about Plateau Partners and its members, call (828) 526-9523.


Business

Blue Elephant Consignment

Sorelle Design Studio

Y

ou’ll want to allow yourself plenty of time to browse the aisles of Blue Elephant Consignment, located at 2248 Dillard Road in Highlands (across from Freeman Gas.) That’s because owner Owners Brandie and Bobby Potts Brandie Potts has stocked her shop with a kaleidoscopic collection of furniture, fine clothing, home décor and children’s apparel. It’s a constantly changing selection that practically demands a carecontinued on 154

Pam Van Hook on left, Tami Carlstedt on right

T

ami Carlstedt and Pam Van Hook have turned their Sorelle Design Studio into an exquisite jewelry box of exclusive leather bracelets, cashmere scarves and custom belts. continued on 152

CONTENTS www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 149


Business

Annawear Celebrates 25th Season by Wiley Sloan

F

Owner Anna Herz (middle) is pictured with store manager Tracy Roman (right), employee and friend Angela Sanchez (left), and niece and nephew Eli and Chandler Schiffli (bottom row).

or the past twentyfive years women of all ages have looked to Annawear for fun, exciting styles. Having trouble defining “your style,” stop by and let the ladies at Annawear help you find the clothing that is right for you. Whether you are 18 or 68, they will find just the right item for you. Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff and their commitment to top-notch customer service. You’ll love the laid back atmosphere and the friendly smiles. In their always stylish inventory of clothing, you will find an eclectic variety of items that will enhance your style. Come into Annawear for a fun shopping experience. Many of Anna’s most dedicated customers are

from large cities throughout the South and enjoy the ease of shopping in Highlands versus the big city hassle. Annawears, equally dedicated, local customers can find exactly what they’re looking for without leaving the mountain. Designer jeans galorechoose from Joe’s, Hudson’s, Citizens of Humanity and more-all at competitive prices. Compliment those jeans with your favorite top, T-shirt or sweater. See the variety of great brands including Michael Stars, Tulle, Hardtail, Wooden Ships and Free People. Looking for something a little dressy for that late afternoon party or just for hanging out with friends and family? Annawear can find the perfect item for you.

Shoes are always that “must have” fashion accessory. With brands such as Volatile and Big Buddha it isn’t hard to find a stylish strappy sandal, pump or boot. Pick up a pair or two; the prices are so reasonable that you’ll have money left over to choose a piece of jewelry to compliment your outfit. Top off the ensemble with an eyecatching hat or trendy scarf. If you are not familiar with Annawear, be sure to drop in and checkout the exciting styles that they have to offer. Located at 355 Main Street in the Galax Theatre building , Annawear is open 7 days per week; Monday through Saturday- 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sundays 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Call them at (828) 526-4660.

To read more on the businesses in Highlands and Cashiers, visit www.thelaurelmagazine.com/news

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Business

CONTENTS www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 151


Business

French Twist Boutique Salon

E French Twist Boutique Salon and Spa is located at 27 Cashiers Lake Road.

by Luke Osteen

verything about French Twist Boutique Salon and Spa is aimed at deep relaxation. There’s the menu of indulgent services – hair and makeup sessions, color consultations, facials, waxing, a complete nail studio and everything that a bride can need for her special day. Add to the mix product lines like Phyto hair care, Devacurl, Jack Black skin care for men, Dazzle Dry nail care system, Trind nail treatment, Pure Illumination lip care

with medical grade lanolin, Farmhouse Fresh body care, Epicuren skin care, Biofreeze, Gentle dog care products, an organic argan oil, a fully organic skin care line and a pure mineral makeup line. Then serve everything in a marvelously soothing environment with warm hospitality, drinks and light snacks. But all of that is only part of the formula – central to the entire experience is the luxurious treatment offered by owner Tina Bowker and her assistant Paula.

Tina brings over 19 years of experience to her clients. She was trained at Pivot Point International. Paula has already earned a reputation for her incredible shampoos and scalp massages. French Twist Boutique Salon and Spa is located at 27 Cashiers Lake Road. It’s open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For more informationcall Tina at (630) 817-0004 or (828) 283-0870.

Sorell Design Studio from 149

Armed with a seemingly endless bag of vintage baubles, and an artist’s deep sensibilities, Tami and Pam create one-of-a-kind, handcrafted accessories that are as unique as their wearer. “We welcome custom work and we love giving new life to sentimental pieces,” explains Tami. “There’s something fun

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about creating something that’s a unique reflection of the woman who’s wearing it.” You’ll find Tami and Pam at Sorelle Design Studio, 16 Canoe Point (near Rusticks) in Cashiers. For more information, call (843) 991-1214. www.sorelledesignstudio.com.


CONTENTS www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 153


Business

High Cotton Opens

H

High Cotton’s Patce and Skip Thornton and Robbie Potts.

by Luke Osteen

igh Cotton, located in Mountain Brook Center in Highlands (next to SweeTreats), is a local linen shop with something for everyone. This charming boutique’s feature line is Reed Family Linens, a company which for five generations has offered select retailers the opportunity to showcase Egyptian cotton percale linens with exquisite details. Most are hand-embroidered, intricate details and timeless

patterns that you will find nowhere else. Reed Family Linens also has a complete line of Egyptian cotton blankets, duvet covers and Maltese coverlets and shams. And for those chilly Highlands summer nights and downright cold Highlands winter nights, High Cotton offers Pacific Coast Feather Company down comforters, down blankets and down pillows. You’ll also find sheet sets from 400- to 1000-thread

count at discounted prices and bedspreads in a rainbow of colors. Complementing the bed sets are towels, hand towels and bath cloths by 1888 Mills; gift sets, comforter sets and much more. High Cotton is also a bridal registry and offers gift cards that are certain to be coveted. To learn more, come in and browse this carefullychosen collection or call (828) 526-5114.

Blue Elephant Consigment from 149

ful stroll. The opening of a consignment shop seems like a natural progression for Brandie. “My husband and I started the business because we sold our house and had no where to put our furniture so we decided to open Blue Elephant,” she says. “I have always had a

love for decorating and furniture, so this is something I enjoy. The fun part is always re-decorating as we sell and get new items. We try to make it look appealing so when people walk in they can visualize the furniture in their home.” Blue Elephant is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Highlands NC Realty Opens Office

H

Tammy Mobley brings a wealth of knowledge to Highlands NC Realty.

ighlands NC Realty, a new mountain specialist brokerage, has opened in the freestanding building at 535 North Fourth Street in Highlands (fronts US 64, only a half-mile from Main Street, adjacent to Citgo). Tammy Mobley is the broker-in-charge/owner. She has over 24 years’ experience in residential and commercial real estate in North and South Carolina and Georgia, along with bachelor degrees in real estate and banking & finance. Her education also includes several real estate designations: CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist), CDPE

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(Certified Distressed Property Expert) and recently IMSD (Internet Marketing Specialist). Tammy also owns RE/MAX Anchor All Realty at Lake Hartwell. Besides her experience and education, Tammy offers a small boutique atmosphere and promises to deliver personal service and professionalism. “For buyers, I will be delighted to find you the perfect mountain residence, seasonal mountain retreat or the ideal investment property to suit your wants and needs,” she says. “For sellers, I will incorporate local print, onsite signage/ color flyers, online exposure in the top websites along with social media to com-

plete a professional marketing package specific for your property.” All listings include a complimentary visit from Pamela Leousis-Camp, owner of New Leaf Interiors, to review minimal interior changes and curb appeal ideas to maximize the property’s features and provide that necessary fresh appearance. “When you stop by the office, you’ll meet Breze (pronounced “Breezy”), my sidekick -- she’s my adorable seven-pound, three-and-ahalf year-old, red toy poodle that looks more like a tiny red bear,” Tammy says. Tammy can be reached at 770-337-1000. www.highlandsNC.info.


Business

Narcissus Trunk Show

N

arcissus in Cashiers will host a trunk show Friday, August 26th and Saturday, August 27th featuring jewelry designs by Shwikar El Tonobi. Shwikar (Shu Shu) is an Egyptian born jewelry designer. Her fashion and artistic perspective comes from Alexandria, a vibrant, and ancient, Mediterranean port city. Traditions, particularly craft traditions, are important to Alexandrians. The city acknowledges centuries of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian influence. This history connects and energizes Shu Shu’s jewelry. In 2003 Shu Shu founded Tonobi Fine Jewelry, where gold, silver, and semi-precious stones are respectfully crafted into exciting bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Narcissus is located at 71 Highway 107 South in Cashiers. For more information, please call (828) 743-7887.

Fundraiser at Details

S

hopping at Details is a singular experience. This marvelously enchanting boutique is loaded with home accessories, art, bedding and bath products, candles, and gifts. And yet somehow the shopping experience just got even better. From now until August 8th, 10 percent of all sales will benefit the Friends for Life Forever Farm. Help support this wonderful organization that rescues physically challenged animals and provides a place where they can live safe, secure and loved. If you’d like to help this noble charity and, at the same time, stock up on exciting items for your home or a friend, visit Details at Village Walk Plaza in Cashiers. To find out other ways to help the farm, please visit their website at http://friendsforlifeforeverfarm.org or call (828) 508-2460 or email: friendsforlife@ earthlink.net.

CONTENTS www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 155


index of advertisers Accommodations Country Club Properties www.ccphighlandsnc.com Page 2 Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins www.firemt.com Page 6 Highlands Inn www.highlandsinn-nc.com Page 41 Highlands Inn Lodge www.highlandsinn-nc.com Page 41 Inn at Half-Mile Farm www.halfmilefarm.com Page 141 Lodge at Buckberry Creek www.buckberrylodge.,com Page 57 Main Street Inn and Bistro www.mainstreet-inn.com Page 77 Mountain Brook Suites www.mountainbooksuiteshighlandsnc.com Page 147 Mountain Laurel Inn www.mountainlaurelinnandshoppes.com Page 34A The Orchard Restaurant & Guest Cottage www.theorchardcashiers.com Page 76 Skyline Lodge www.skylinelodge.com Page 83 Whiteside Cove Cottages Page 139 Appliances Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Antiques & Home Furnishings Acorns on Church Page 138 Bound’s Cave www.boundscave.com Page 15 The Brier Patch Page 65 Bumpkins Page 104 CK Swan www.ckswan.com Page 33 Cashiers Customs Page 162 The Catbird Seat www.ryanandcompanyantiques.com Page 23 D. Estes Antiques Page 147 Details of Cashiers www.detailsofcashiers.com Page 136 Dovetail Antiques Page 37 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Fletcher & Lee Page 54 Francie Hargrove www.franciehargrove.com Page 15 Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Page 57 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Main Street Page 57 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Mirror Lake Antiques Page 19 Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Page 58 Nest Page 22 Oakleaf Flower & Garden Page 26 Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Pages 58, 65 Ryan & Co. www.ryanandcompanyantiques.com Page 23 Rusticks www.rusticks.com Page 63 Scudder’s Galleries www.scuddersgalleries.com Page 61 The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Page 43 Tess at Chestnut Square Page 27 Vivianne Metzger Page 63 Architects Edgens Architects www.edgensarchitects.com Page 95 Art Galleries/Artists Annell, Portrait Artist www.annell.com Page 39 Around Back at Rocky’s Place www.aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 59 Art & Soul Marketplace www.artandsoulmarketplace.com Page 57 Blue Valley Gallery Page 34A The Brier Patch Page 65 CK Swan www.ckswan.com Page 33 Cashiers Hillside Artists Page 59 D. Estes Antiques Page 147 Francie Hargrove www.franciehargrove.com Page 15 GG’s Consignments Page 112 Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Page 57 Highlands Fine Art Page 16 Highlands Gallery www.highlandsgallery.com Page 60 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 John Collette www.johncollettefineart.com Page 49 Main Street Page 57

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Main Street Gallery www.mainstreetgallery.net Page 66 Mary May Witte www.marymaywitte.com Page 27 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Mill Creek Gallery Page 55 Mountain Mist Gallery Page 59 Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Page 59 Oakleaf Flower & Garden Page 58 Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Pages 58, 65 Peter J. Pioli Interiors www.macdonaldhomeconstruction.com/interior.html Page 6 Scudder’s Galleries www.scuddersgalleries.com Page 61 Silver Eagle Page 9 Summer Place Antiques Page 100 TJB The Gallery www.tjbgallery.com Page 67 Vivianne Metzger Page 63 William Whiteside Art Gallery Page 159 Banks/Mortgage Companies Macon Bank www.maconbank.com Page 41 Beauty Salons Creative Concepts Page 130 French Twist Boutique Salon & Spa Page 139 Head Innovations Page 130 Permanent Makeup Page 98 Rita’s Cottage Page 130 Bedding Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebeddingandfurniture.com Page 102 Details of Cashiers www.detailsofcashiers.com Page 136 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 High Cotton Page 137 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Lenz Gifts Page 28 Bird Supplies Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 40 Bait & Tackle Signal Ridge Marina www.signalridgemarina.com Page 80 Boat Rentals Signal Ridge Marina www.signalridgemarina.com Page 80 Books The Brier Patch Page 65 Builders America’s Home Place www.americashomeplace.com Page 92 Aptcon Professional Construction Services www.aptcon.com Pages 94, 95 Arrowood Construction www.arrowoodconstruction.com Page 38 Chinquapin Builders chinquapinbuilders.com Page 114 Lupoli Construction www.lupoliconstruction.com Page 67 Mountainworks Design www.mtnworks.com Page 115 Potts Construction Page 146 Srebalus Construction Co. Page 131 Sweetwater Builders www.sweetwaterbuilders.com Page 20 Warth Construction www.warthconstruction.com Page 18A Business Solutions WNC Human Resources Solutions www.humanresourcessolutions.com Page 131 Canoe Rentals Highlands Canoe Rentals Page 132 Cards Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 40 The Corner Store Page 105 The Dry Sink www.thedrysink.com Page 29 Caterers Cashiers Farmers Market Page 76


index of advertisers

CONTENTS

Fressers Eatery www.fresserseatery.com Page 79 The Kitchen Carryaway & Catering www.thekitchenofhighlands.com Page 84 Rosewood Market www.distinctiveevents.com Page 83 Sports Page Sandwich Shoppe Page 76 Chambers of Commerce Cashiers Chamber of Commerce www.cashiersnorthcarolina.com Page 141 Chiropractic Services Mountain Air Wellness www.mountainairwellness.com Page 130 Chocolates Kilwin’s www.highlands4118.com Page 84 Churches Wayfarers Unity www.wayfarersunity.org Page 98 Climate Controlled Storage AB Climate Self Storage Page 138 Cloth/Material Wilhites Page 58 Clothing & Accessories 4th Street Boutique Page 147 Acorns Boutique www.acornsboutique.com Pages 138 Alyxandra’s Page 116 Annawear Page 54 Art & Soul Marketplace www.artandsoulmarketplace.com Page 57 Bags on Main Page 9 Bear Mountain Outfitters Pages 18B, 40 Bungalow Boutique Page 149 Cabin Casuals www.cabincasuals.com Page 5 Doncaster Outlet Page 139 Elevation Pag 39 Ellen’s Page 105 Fireflies Page 139 Gracewear Collection www.gracewearcollection.com Page 161 Highland Hiker www.highlandhiker.com Page 123 Martha Anne’s Page 136 McCulley’s Pages 7, 66, 159 Narcissus Page 9 Nora & Co. Page 105 Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Pages 58, 65 Priscilla’s Decorative Touch Page 65 S’more Kid Klothes Page 113 Sashay Around www.sashayaround.com Page 23 Silver Eagle Page 9 Spoiled Rotten www.spoiledrotten2.com Page 22 Three Bears Classic Children’s Clothing www.threebearshighlands.com Page 53 TJ Bailey for Men www.tjbmens.com Page 67 To The Nines Page 88 VC for Men www.victoriasclosetnc.com Page 113 Victoria’s Closet www.victoriasclosetnc.com Page 113 Victoria’s Sportswear www.victoriasclosetnc.com Page 113 Vivace/Vivace Too Page 143 Wit’s End Page 29 Clothing Consignment The Blue Elephant Page 146 Victoria’s Closet www.victoriasclosetnc.com Page 113 Comforters Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebeddingandfurniture.com Page 102 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 High Cotton Page 137 Communities Mountain Club www.yourmountainandbeachhome.com Page 11 One River Place oneriverplaceatlanta.com Page 96 Silver Creek Real Estate Group www.ncliving.com Pages 10, 70. 71

Condiments The Hen House Pages 3, 18B, 141 Construction Companies Potts Construction Page 146 Larry Rogers Construction Page 138 Cosmetic Surgery Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, M.D. www.plasticsurgerytoday.com Page 147 Custom Blinds AAA Blinds & Decor, LLC aaa.blindswnc.com Page 152 Custom Cabinetry Black Rock Granite & Marble www.blackrockgraniteandmarble.com Page 148 Cashiers Customs Page 162 Keystone Kitchen & Bath www.keystonekb.com Pages 117, 130 Welcome Home Kitchen & Bath www.welcomehomecashiersnc.com Page 130 Custom Countertops Black Rock Granite & Marble www.blackrockgraniteandmarble.com Page 148 Keystone Kitchen & Bath www.keystonekb.com Pages 117, 130 Welcome Home Kitchen & Bath Page 130 Custom Furniture Cashiers Customs Page 162 Cashiers Hillside Artists Page 59 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Jim Grady Custom Designs www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Main Street Page 57 Main Street Gallery www.mainstreetgallery.net Page 66 Mountain Mist Gallery Page 59 The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Page 43 Dentists Dr. Mason www.joemasonmd.com Page 17 Dr. Joe Wilbanks www.wilbankssmilecenter.com Page 87 Sylvan Valley Family Dentisty Page 151 Education Summit Chart School www.summitschool.org Page 120 Electrical/Electric Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Event Coordinators Log Cabin Event Facility Page 41 Sawyer Family Farmstead www.sawyersfamilyfarmstead.com Page 133 Sequoyah Room Page 41 Events Around Back at Rocky’s Place www.aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 59 The Bascom www.thebascom.org Page 153 Cashiers Designer Showhouse Page 31 GCAMA www.visitcashiersvalley.com Page 35 Dahlia Festival www.highlandshistory.com Page 38 Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival www.h-cmusicfestival.com Page 56 Highlands-Cashiers Players www.highlands-cashiersplayers.org Pages 29, 99 Highlands Playhouse www.highlandsplayouse.org Page 30 Literacy Council of Highlands Gala Page 135 Performing Arts Center www.highlandspac.com Page 62 Rabun County Music Festival www.rabunmusicfestival.com Page 152 Robert Ray Page 110 Fabric/Upholstery Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Wilhites Page 58 Florists Fiddlehead Designs Pages 25, 27 Oakleaf Flower & Garden Page 26 www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 157


index of advertisers Furniture Art & Soul Marketplace www.artandsoulmarketplace.com Page 57 Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebeddingandfurniture.com Page 102 The Brier Patch Page 65 Bumpkins Page 104 Cashiers Customs Page 162 Consignment Market Page 112 Details of Cashiers www.detailsofcashiers.com Page 136 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Francie Hargrove www.franciehargrove.com Page 15 Highlands Fine Consignments Page 68 Interior Enhancements Page 32 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Nearly New Page 105, 112 Oakleaf Flower & Garden Page 26 Reeves www.reeveshomefurnishings.com Page 140 Rusticks www.rusticks.com Page 63 The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Page 43 Summer Place Antiques Page 100 Vivianne Metzger Page 63 Furniture Consignments The Blue Elephant Page 146 Consignment Market Page 112 GG’s Consignments Page 112 Highlands Fine Consignments Page 68 Lotsa Consignments Page 113 Nearly New Pages 105, 112 Furniture Refinishing Furniture Barn www.thefurnitureman.com Page 161 Garden Supplies Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 40 Highlands Lawn & Garden Page 99 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Gift Shops Around Back at Rocky’s Place www.aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 59 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 40 The Brier Patch Page 65 Bumpkins Page 104 The Corner Store Page 105 The Dry Sink www.thedrysink.com Page 29 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Francie Hargrove www.franciehargrove.com Page 15 Highlands Pharmacy Page 68 Lenz Gifts Page 28 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Nest Page 22 Nora & Co. Page 105 Priscilla’s Decorative Touch Page 65 Rusticks www.rusticks.com Page 63 Stone Lantern www.stonelantern-highlands.com Page 164 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Golf Cars Appalachian Golf Cars www.appalachiangolfcars.com Page 148 Golf Clubs & Gear Mike’s Clubhouse Page 112 Gourmet Foods The Hen House Pages 3, 18B, 141 Dusty’s Page 27 Grading/Excavating Larry Rogers Construction Page 138 Green Supplies Whole Life Market Page 119

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Grocery Stores Dusty’s Page 27 Mountain Fresh Page 77 Hair Salons Creative Concepts Page 130 French Twist Boutique Salon & Spa Page 139 Head Innovations Page 130 Rita’s Cottage Page 130 Hardware Supplies Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Health Food Whole Life Market Page 119 Heating and Air Madco Page 66 Home Accessories Acorns on Church Page 138 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 40 The Brier Patch Page 65 Bumpkins Page 104 Cashiers Customs Page 162 The Custom House Page 150 Details of Cashiers www.detailsofcashiers.com Page 136 The Dry Sink www.thedrysink.com Page 29 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Francie Hargrove www.franciehargrove.com Page 15 GG’s Consignments Page 112 Interior Enhancements Page 32 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Lenz Gifts Page 28 Main Street Page 57 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Oakleaf Flower & Garden Page 26 Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Pages 58, 65 Priscilla’s Decorative Touch Page 65 Rusticks www.rusticks.com Page 63 Stone Lantern www.stonelantern-highlands.com Page 164 The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Page 43 Tess at Chestnut Square Page 27 Vivianne Metzger Page 63 Human Resources WNC Human Resources Solutions www.humanresourcessolutions.com Page 131 Ice Cream Kilwin’s www.highlands4118.com Page 84 SweeTreats Page 83 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Interior Design & Home Furnishings Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebeddingandfurniture.com Page 102 Bound’s Cave www.boundscave.com Page 15 The Brier Patch Page 65 Bumpkins Page 104 The Custom House Page 150 Designer Market Page 137 Details of Cashiers www.detailsofcashiers.com Page 136 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Finally Home Staging & Redesign www.finallyhomestaging.com Page 138 Fletcher & Lee Page 54 Francie Hargrove www.franciehargrove.com Page 15 Interior Enhancements Page 32 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Peter J. Pioli Interiors www.macdonaldhomeconstruction.com/interior.html Page 6 Priscilla’s Decorative Touch Page 65 Raffa Design Associates www.raffadesignassociates.com Page 17


index of advertisers Rusticks www.rusticks.com The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Summer Place Antiques Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Investment Planning Wells Fargo Advisors Jewelry - Fashion Art & Soul Marketplace www.artandsoulmarketplace.com Cashiers Hillside Artists CK Swan www.ckswan.com Gracewear Collection www.gracewearcollection.com Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Main Street Gallery www.mainstreetgallery.net Narcissus Peak Experience www.peakexp.com Sashay Around www.sashayaround.com Silver Eagle Sorelle Design Studio www.sorelledesignstudio.com Spoiled Rotten www.spoiledrotten2.com Vivace/Vivace Too Jewelry - Fine Drake’s Diamond Gallery East and West Limited Highlands Fine Art Mirror Lake Antiques Scudder’s Galleries www.scuddersgalleries.com Stone Lantern www.stonelantern-highlands.com Kitchen Accessories Bird Barn and Gift Emporium The Dry Sink www.thedrysink.com The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com

Page 64 Page 43 Page 100 Page 104 Page 110 Page 57 Page 59 Page 33 Page 161 Page 57 Page 66 Page 9 Pages 58, 65 Page 23 Page 9 Page 20 Page 22 Pages 143 Page 53 Page 14 Page 16 Page 19 Page 61 Page 164 Page 40 Page 29 Page 43 Page 104

Landscapers Travis Russell Landscaping Supplies Highlands Lawn & Garden Life Coach Dr. Maryellen Lipinski www.maryellenlipinski.com Lighting The Brier Patch Bumpkins Cashiers Customs The Custom House Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Interior Enhancements Into the Woods Home Interiors Lenz Gifts Summer Place Antiques Vivianne Metzger Massage Therapy Mountain Air Wellness www.mountainairwellness.com Tranquility Cove Massage www.tranquilitycovemassage.com Mattresses Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebeddingandfurniture.com Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Museums Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Nail Care Creative Concepts French Twist Salon & Spa Nailz Hand & Foot Spa Rita’s Cottage

Page 131 Page 99 Pae 116 Page 65 Page 104 Page 162 Page 150 Page 134 Page 32 Page 103 Page 28 Page 100 Page 63 Page 130 Page 131 Page 102 Page 134 Page 58 Page 130 Page 139 Page 34A Page 130

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index of advertisers Needlework Supplies Needlepoint of Highlands Page 58 Silver Threads & Golden Needles www.silverthreadsyarn.com Page 138 Office Supplies Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Paint & Decorating Highlands Directoring Center www.highlandsdecorating.com Page 27 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Painters D.P. Painting Page 131 Permanent Makeup Permanent Makeup Page 98 Pet Supplies Woof Gang Bakery Page 140 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Pharmacies Cashiers Valley Pharmacy Page 150 Highlands Pharmacy Page 68 Picture Framing Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Page 57 Mill Creek Gallery Page 55 Plants/Nurseries Highlands Lawn & Garden Page 99 Plastic Surgery Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, M.D. www.plasticsurgerytoday.com Page 137 Plumbing/Fixtures Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Porch and Patio Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Page 43 Pottery Around Back at Rocky’s Place www.aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 59 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 40 Cashiers Hillside Artists Page 59 The Custom House Page 150 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Greenleaf Gallery www.greenleafgallerygifts.com Page 57 The Hen House Pages 3, 18B, 141 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Mountain Mist Gallery Page 59 Willow Art Pottery Page 21 Power Tools Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Printing Services Cashiers Printing Page 149 Produce Cashiers Farmers Market Page 76 Pubs The Ugly Dog www.theuglydogpub.com Page 82 Radio Stations WHLC FM 104.5 www.whlc.com Page 55 Real Estate Sales Bear Lake Reserve www.bearlakereserve.com Page 155 Betsy Paul www.betsypaulproperties.com Page 163 Blair Realty www.blair-realty.com Page 10 Carol Mathews Page 147 Chambers Agency www.chambersagency.net Page 10 Chattooga Ridge Realty www.ccrealty-nc.com Page 10 Country Club Properties www.ccphighlandsnc.com Page 2 160 | August 2011 | www.thelaurelmagazine.com

Exurbia Sotheby’s Realty www.exurbiasothebysrealty.com Page 89 Green Mountain Realty Group www.greenmountainrealtygroup.com Page 10 Harry Norman, Realtors – Bert Mobley www.nchighands.net Page 137 Harry Norman, Realtors – Nadine Paradise www.nadineparadise.com Page 65 Hattler Properties www.hattlerproperties.com Pages 10, 93 Highlands NC Realty www.highlandsnc.info Page 8 Highlands Properties www.highlandsproperties.com Page 101 Highlands Mountain Realty Page 136 Jim Lewis Realty www.jimlewisrealty.com Page 10 John Cleaveland Realty www.jcrealty.com Page 69 Land for Sale www.whitesidecovelots.com Page 42 Landmark Realty Group www.landmarkrg.com Pages 124-129 Lot for Sale Page 143 Meadows Mountain Realty www.meadowsmtnrealty.com Page 97 Mountain Club www.yourmountainandbeachhome.com Page 11 Mountain View Properties www.mountainviewpropertiesnc.com Page 121 Mountain Realty www.cashiersmountainrealty.com Page 80 NC Mountain Life www.ncmountainlife.com Page 10 Nellis Realty www.nellisrealtyandcommunities.com Page 10 One River Place www.oneriverplaceatlanta.com Page 96 Pat Allen Realty Group www.patallenrealtygroup.com Pages 44-47 Silver Creek Real Estate Group www.ncliving.com Pages 10, 70, 71 White Oak Realty Group www.whiteoakrg.com Pages 10, 123 Restaurants Highlands-Cashiers Directory Page 86 Bella’s Kitchen Page 34A The Bistro on Main www.mainstreet-inn.com Page 77 Café 107 www.cafe107south.com Page 105 Cashiers Farmers Market Page 76 Chris & Charlie’s Page 81 Cyprus International Cuisine www.cyprushighlands.com Page 73 Dillard House www.dillardhouse.com Page 82 FatiGati’s Fine Foods Page 75 Flip Side Page 81 Fressers Eatery www.fresserseatery.com Page 79 Highlands Smokehouse Page 81 Jorge’s Place Page 75 The Kitchen Carryaway & Catering www.thekitchenofhighlands.com Page 84 Lakeside Restaurant www.lakesiderestaurant.info Page 78 Madison’s www.oldedwardsinn.com Page 4 Mountain Fresh Page 77 Nick’s www.nicksofhighlands.com Page 79 Oak Street Café www.oakstreetcafeinhighlands.com Page 85 On the Verandah www.ontheverandah.com Page 78 The Orchard Restaurant & Guest Cottage www.theorchardcashiers.com Page 76 Pescado’s Page 76 Pizza Place Page 81 Ristorante Paoletti www.paolettis.com Page 84 Rosewood Market www.distinctiveevents.com Page 83 Ruka’s Table Page 81 Skyline Lodge presents Karlings Altitudes Restaurant www.skylinelodge.com Page 83 Sports Page Sandwich Shoppe Page 76 SweeTreats Page 83 The Ugly Dog www.theuglydogpub.com Page 82 Wild Thyme Cafe Page 75 Wild Thyme Gourmet www.wildthymegourmet.com Page 6 Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro www.wolfgangs.net Page 5 The Zookeeper Bistro www.zookeeperbistro.com Page 34A Rugs Bound’s Cave www.boundscave.com Page 15


index of advertisers The Custom House Page 150 Designer Market Page 137 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Peter J. Pioli Interiors www.macdonaldhomeconstruction.com/interior.html Page 6 Scudder’s Galleries www.scuddersgalleries.com Page 61 Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery www.shirazruggalleries.com Page 142 The Summer House www.summerhousehighlands.com Page 43 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Shipping Services Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship Page 9 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Shoes Annawear Page 54 Bear Mountain Outfitters Pages 18B, 40 Elevation Pag 39 Fireflies Page 139 Highland Hiker www.highlandhiker.com Page 123 Martha Anne’s Page 136 Spoiled Rotten www.spoiledrotten2.com Page 22 Shutters & Blinds AAA Blinds & Decor, LLC aaa.blindswnc.com Page 152 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Spas Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, M.D. www.plasticsurgerytoday.com Page 137 French Twist Salon & Spa Page 139 Structural Integration Rolf Method Structural Integration www.rolfmethodsi.com Page 83 Storage AB Climate Self Storage Page 138 Tables Cashiers Customs Page 162 Dutchman’s Designs www.dutchmansdesigns.com Page 134 Midnight Farms www.midnightfarms.com Page 21 Telephone Books Yellowbook www.yellowbook360.com Page 57

Theatre Highlands-Cashiers Players www.highlands-cashiersplayers.org Pages 29, 99 Highlands Playhouse www.highlandsplayouse.org Page 30 Performing Arts Center www.highlandspac.com Page 62 Robert Ray Page 110 Therapeutic Bodywork Rolf Method Structural Integration www.rolfmethodsi.com Page 83 Toys The Corner Store Page 105 Transportation Highlands Transportation Company Page 120 Tree Services Travis Russell Page 131 Vitamins/Food Supplements Whole Life Market Page 119 Web Design The Brothers Web www.thebrothersweb.com Page 131 Wedding Coordinators Log Cabin Event Facility Page 41 Sawyer Family Farmstead www.sawyersfamilyfarmstead.com Page 133 Sequoyah Room Page 41 Window Treatments AAA Blinds & Decor, LLC aaa.blindswnc.com Page 152 Cashiers Customs Page 162 Designer Market Page 137 Into the Woods Home Interiors Page 103 Peter J. Pioli Interiors www.macdonaldhomeconstruction.com/interior.html Page 6 Wine & Accessories Dusty’s Page 27 Zoller Hardware www.zollerhardware.com Page 104 Yarn Needlepoint of Highlands Page 58 Silver Threads Golden Needles www.silverthreadsyarn.com Page 138 Yoga Moonrise Yoga Studio www.yogahighlands.com Page 83

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CONTENTS www.thelaurelmagazine.com | August 2011 | 163


CONTENTS

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