19 minute read
Women Who Shape the Plateau
A Legacy of Welcoming Home
Ann Sherrill’s decades of work on behalf of her community have made her into a Cashiers institution.
For 30 years, Ann Sherrill has created an elegant edge in home design in Cashiers with the furniture store Rusticks. Over the years, her retail business evolved and grew, but her signature style remained what has been termed “mountain chic.” “I found inspiration from the feel of the North Carolina mountains,” she says, “I liked to blend the casual lifestyle with sophisticated quality to make rooms that were not just pretty to look at but pleasing to spend time in.” Ann and her husband Rody had a vacation home in Highlands for many years. She furnished their home with handcrafted furniture made by artisans near their primary home in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee “People would come to our Highlands home and admire the Adirondack style hickory and willow pieces,” she says. When Rody retired, the Sherrills decided to make a permanent move to the Plateau. They had the idea that they could find a place to sell that handcrafted furniture that so many of their mountain friends had complimented and asked about. With the craftsmen’s enthusiastic agreement to make the furniture for them, the two began their retail journey. “I had no experience in retail,” Ann remarks. “I was always interested in design. I just loved shoving furniture around. I learned along the way.” The shop started in a small attic space owned by local architect Tim Greene. “We started with the furniture and then added accessories. We quickly outgrew that space.” She adds that not only did Tim Greene refer them business, but local realtors did as well. “We were at the right place at the right time to expand.” Rusticks moved to the fitting Adirondack style cabin in its current location on Cashiers Lake. “The beauty of the setting sets the Rusticks’ aesthetic,” she notes.
Ann also notes how closely she worked together with designers and their customers. She was first introduced to Kathleen Rivers, a Charleston-based designer whose vision informs many homes in Cashiers, With the craftsmen’s enthusiastic agreement to make the furniture when they collaborated to create the Chattooga Club Lodge and Pavilion. “Ann’s amazing talent for them, the two began their for interior design enabled her retail journey. to take handmade furniture that otherwise appeared like reproduced Appalachian craft items and to integrate these pieces with classic more contemporary furniture creating a unique style; a style that looked and felt familiar and yet was exciting and more interesting than before,” Kathleen remarks, adding, “She altered the way people thought about living in a rustic style.” The Sherrills sold Rusticks in 2021 to Don and Pam Gottwald. Ann comments that the new owners have brought fresh, progressive ideas to the store that continues to grow and thrive. “They have a talented staff who stay up on the trends while maintaining the experience Rusticks’ customers appreciate,” she says. That experience has We worked to make them feel at been more than bringhome and were always thrilled to ing natural elegance to welcome them back. mountain homes on the Plateau. Ann’s impact has also been about creating a culture of gracious hospitality. “We always treated our customers like they were guests in our home,” she states, “We worked to make them feel at home and were always thrilled to welcome them back.” Whether updating an existing home or designing a new house, or perhaps just locating that unique rug or lamp to accent a room, Ann Sherrill has left a legacy in the Plateau that says, “Welcome Home.”
by Ann Self
Sharing the Mountain Experience
The Plateau’s natural bounty lies at the core of Carol Wilkes’ abiding passion.
When Carol Wilkes tells you to “take a hike,” it’s not meant to be pejorative, but rather commendatory. She literally wants you to get outside. She and her family have been giving people this instruction for 40 years as the owners of the Highland Hiker. As a retailer on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, Carol has not just outfitted customers for outdoor pursuits, she’s also influenced generations of adventurers. It all began when Carol and her husband, David, vacationed in Highlands in the late seventies. Around that same time Margaret Hoff opened the Happy Hiker on Chestnut Street to sell hiking gear, especially Swiss hiking boots. Carol was raised in the retail furniture business. “I was charmed with the idea of doing something different and being in such a beautiful place (as the Western North Carolina mountains),” she recalls, “So when Margaret Hoff put up the Happy Hiker for sale in 1982, we bought it.” The store was located on Chestnut Street. “We were pretty much a destination store. Margaret Hoff had created an outdoor store in a log cabin, and we added fly fishing in addition to hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.” she adds. They ran the store in that location for nearly a decade before closing and re-opening as the Highland Hiker in a historic Joe Webb cabin on Main Street in 1992. Since then, they have opened additional locations, including a store at the Cashiers crossroads, and expanded their merchandise. But, to this day, the Highland Hiker remains a destination store. As the business grew, Carol and her family tried to find unusual items to combine with necessary outdoor apparel and gear. “We bought a lot locally like hiking sticks and we sold books and maps by local authors. Our Day Hike Guide was purchased from two forestry majors who moved out of the area.” The store appeals to fly fishermen, paddlers, climbers, hikers, and campers —customers who love outdoors. This extends
to the Highland Hiker dedicated staff members who are also actively engaged in a variety of outdoor pursuits. Lec Hobbs, the store manager in Cashiers, says “Carol has created a uniquely local shopping experience based on excellent customer service and has been a mentor to many of those in her orbit.” I was charmed with the idea of doing something different and being in such “Our clientele has grown and changed a beautiful place… over the years,” Carol says. “We have new customers as well as longtime customers.” She observes that it is common to be fitting boots on the children of parents who were outfitted at the Highland Hiker when they were young. Carol comments that what she enjoys most are the stories their customers tell. “The most rewarding part of being in business is hearing how you have been part of peoples’ mountain experiences.” The Highland Hiker has not only guided their patrons but has also served as a leader in giving back to the HighlandsCashiers community. Carol credits Yvon Chouinard, the founder of the Patagonia Company, for inspiring their environmental endeavors in the area. Carol says, “I have admired him and his wife Malinda greatly. Their environmental philanthropy and dedication made me realize that we have a duty to The most rewarding part of being in protect this beautiful business is hearing how you have land. They began been part of peoples’ mountain 1% for the planet experiences. and we participated for several years and helped save Laurel Knob and helped numerous non-profit environmental groups in our area.” Next time you find yourself in the Highland Hiker and she tells you to “take a hike,” ask her where you should go. Her favorite answer is always the same. “If you only have time for one hike…Whiteside Mountain.” If you find footprints on that trail, you can be sure that the imprint is a little bit deeper because of Carol Wilkes. by Ann Self
As a busy and successful 2022 comes to a close, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has ambitions toward even more healthy outcomes in the years ahead.
Robin Tindall
Robin Tindall CEO and executive director for the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, reminds us that this holiday season is not just about gifts and festivities, but it provides organizations with an opportunity for gratitude reflection. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has entrusted the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation with generous donations to improve health and well-being throughout our beloved mountains,” she said, explaining that the Foundation’s cornerstone investment is funding Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers. “Since opening in summer 2021, the clinic has helped our area’s healthcare shortage problem by serving more than 5,000 patient visits. It is heartwarming to know that so many lives are healthier because local access to high quality, affordable, primary care services are available to everyone. With continued support, we look forward to growth and progress in 2023.” HCHF was established in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Through partnerships with local organizations, key stakeholders, and caring donors, the Foundation works to make positive and lasting change through investing in projects and programs that advance innovative solutions and improvements in peoples’ health and wellbeing. The Foundation also includes collaborative grant partnerships that serve the health and wellbeing across our area.
To date, 89 Foundation grants have helped navigate the community toward healthy living. Added Tindall, “We aim to sustainably improve the well-being of our friends and neighbors, from early childhood to elderly years, through collaborative and transformative grant partnerships with non-profits. Without the backing of our donors, these important investments would not be possible.” Some of the goals of HCHF are to not only raise awareness about mental health and wellness concerns, but to reduce the stigma associated with both. Further, Tindall said, “By listening to our communities, along with current research studies, we know there are many families and individuals experiencing some type of mental health concern. Together, we can confront this vital need.” Donations continue to assist with all of HCHF’s efforts, including future goals for the Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers clinic. For more information, visit hchealthfnd.org, or call (828) 482-6510.
by Deena Bouknight
ACCOMMODATIONS ACCOMMODATIONS BACKGROUND SCREENING
BEAUTY
CABINETRY BEAUTY
CLEANING BEAUTY
CONSTRUCTION
HOME CARE
PRINTING
REAL ESTATE HOME DECOR PICTURE FRAMING
REAL ESTATE
SERVICE REAL ESTATE
UPHOLSTERY
GIVING BACK
Pages 146-155
photo by Susan Renfro
Community Connection
For Rotarian Dave O’Harra, “coming home” to Highlands meant getting involved directly in the life of the community.
Cindy Alewine and Dave O’Harra
When Dave O’Harra first traversed Highlands’ Main Street in 1986, he felt “at home,” and he began visiting the town until he decided to relocate from Florida in 2013 and become a full-time resident. However, it was important to him to not only live in Highlands, but to become fully invested. The Indiana-born O’Harra, though currently retired, is one of the founding members of the Cullasaja Club. Since his father and grandfather were Rotarians, he decided that joining the Rotary Club of Highlands in 2018 would be an excellent way to truly plug into the Highlands community. “I learned from a (former) associate pastor at the Methodist church what makes this community work,” said O’Harra. “She said, ‘Coming together in unity and making things happen.’ And that truly is the spirit of our Club. I felt that becoming a Rotarian would be a good way to give back to the community and get to know people – the police chief, publication editors, the mayor, educators, organization leaders, and so many business owners in town who are in partnership with the Club on projects. So many people make this community work, and I wanted to be one of those.”
Even though O’Harra is well-traveled, having visited all 50 states and many countries, he expressed, “There is no question that I am in the best place. It’s hard to describe this community, but it is certainly very special.” A year after O’Harra became a Rotarian, he was asked to head the public image committee, which he did for two years. “Then I was asked to be the president nominee and then president-elect, which is what I am now. I will become president in July 2023.” Overseeing the Public Image Committee truly connected him with the community in that he was tasked with putting out weekly press releases to newspapers and radio stations about meetings, speakers, topics, as well as communicating Rotary activities to the community Regarding the Rotary Club of Highlands, O’Harra said it is currently a 90-plus member organization, with more members added recently. And even though Rotary is an international and regional entity, he pointed out, “We focus on our local community and have for 77 years. In fact, we are very involved in the Highlands School, The Literacy Council, Food Pantry, and so much more. We do so much in terms of meeting needs and making this a better place to live.”
by Deena Bouknight
Be An Angel
The Greystone Inn is inviting people across the Plateau to participate in its Angel Tree celebration, which assists local children and disabled seniors.
The Greystone Inn is inviting people across the Plateau to participate in their 5th annual Angel Tree celebration as they give back to our community during the holidays. They have again partnered with Lake Toxaway Charities to work with Rosman area schools to provide gifts and food for over 200 pre-qualified school children, elderly community members, and those who are disabled. The fifth installment of the Angel Tree continues The Greystone Inn’s tradition of goodwill and generosity to its neighbors. A beautiful tree will be decorated with wooden angel ornaments and on display at The Greystone Inn this December. Each angel represents a local child or senior citizen in need this holiday season. Area businesses and residents are invited to choose an angel from the tree or go to the gift section of The Greystone Inn’s website to sponsor an angel. “Staff at the four Rosman-area schools will shop, wrap, and deliver the gifts to the students and seniors,” said Shannon Ellis, who owns The Greystone Inn with her husband, Geoffrey. “This year has continued to be a difficult time for our neighbors. The choice to sponsor an angel from the tree for $250 does so much good and makes the holidays of families in need a lot brighter.” Patrick Chapman, Principal of T.C. Henderson School of Science and Technology, directly sees the impact of the Angel Tree. The teachers at his school want what’s best for their students, and they do what they can through working long hours, purchasing things out of their own pockets, and ensuring that each child is cared for during the school day. The Angel Tree is a way that outside donors can help support the teachers in this effort, in turn giving children and their families a very happy holiday together.” The Greystone Inn is inviting people to visit in person, on their website or call to sponsor an angel. Each tax-deductible donation of $250 sponsors a child ages pre-k through high school, providing a complete set of new clothing from shoes to jackets along with a Christmas stocking filled with toiletries and a small gift. There’s also a larger wrapped gift from Santa for each child and if there are other children in the family, they receive a gift as well. The elderly and disabled receive a gift card to a local grocery store, a blanket, and a food box. For more information, please call Sherry Minnich at (912) 269-6508 or Paulette Todd at (828) 966-4700 or visit greystoneinn.com.
The Best Year
Big Brothers Big Sisters glances back at a frantic, fruitful 2022 before plunging into the promise and possibilities of 2023.
Individually, we can do a lot; but when we come together as a collective, we can do so much more! Might we say, 2022 has been, by far, the best year! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands has had the amazing honor or working closely with and building new partnerships with many wonderful community organizations and members this year. Why is this a big deal? Well, the impact we, as a collective, have on our community is enormous. Allow us to brag on our partners for a moment. The International Friendship Center in Highlands has been a tremendous supporter of and advocate for BBBS of Cashiers and Highlands with their willingness to serve alongside us in efforts to broaden our reach, expand services and bridge cultural gaps allowing us all to fulfill needs of families. Together, we have provided experiences to adults and children alike that let individuals engage with varying levels of learning. These opportunities include a culturally based cooking experience that encouraged BBBS Bigs and Littles to become
hands-on with their food in new ways. The Bascom of Highlands has also been an amazing collaborative partner this year and in so many years past. With special mention to Billy Love, Deputy Executive Director of the Bascom and BBBS Big Brother of the Year 2022, our partnership has revealed the world of art and the extraordinary effect and impression it has on all our lives. Children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program have participated in various sessions as a group and as individuals to learn about pottery, medias, photography and more. The coming year will be no different as we kick off the new year teaching Littles about vision boards and goal setting through art.
Most recently, BBBS has collaborated with Circles of Glenville-Cashiers and The Uncomplicated Kitchen (Sylva) to provide opportunities for each program’s participants and community members to enhance their kitchen skills while learning the importance of locally sourced foods and how to affordably create delicious meals for the holidays. We can’t thank our partners enough for their support, their advocacy and involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters: The International Friendship Center, The Bascom, Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Blue Ridge School, Albert-Carlton Cashiers Library, The Laurel Magazine, The Village Green, Summit Charter School, Circles of Glenville-Cashiers, The Uncomplicated Kitchen, Highlands School, and so many more. BBBS would like to invite you to become a part of the mission and drive to ignite potential in children across the Plateau, and to participate in collaborations like these with us! The opportunities are endless! To learn more, visit bbbswnc.org or call (828) 399-9133.
by Danielle Hernandez, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Give a Critter a Chance
As you weigh your end-ofthe-year gift giving, consider the cats and dogs sheltered at the CashiersHighlands Humane Society.
Winter in the North Carolina mountains is always a beautiful time. But cold weather, icy roads and snow pose a challenge to our mission to save lives and provide compassionate care. Adoptions drop during this time but the strays we rescue still come in each day, and our expenses soar as we pledge to be a warm and safe shelter from the storm for the abandoned, neglected, and abused animals in our community. Nearly 500 animals pass through our doors each year, each one receiving daily nutritious meals, monthly flea/heartworm preventatives, vaccinations, and any and all necessary veterinary treatment. Not to mention a heaping daily dose of tender loving care from our staff and volunteers. CHHS helps reduce pet overpopulation through our low-cost spay/neuter program (for more than 5,000 animals in the past 10 years); our pet pantry program which distributes more than 15,000 pounds of free dog and cat food each year to animal-loving families facing financial hardship; low-cost rabies vaccinations to keep pets safe and in compliance with North Carolina law; and humane education programs like our summer Critter Camp which teaches children important life skills like dog bite prevention, canine body language and responsible pet ownership. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to fund our lifesaving work. You can donate in one of three ways: • Mail your check to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717; • You can charge your donation to your credit card by calling us at (828) 743-5769; • You can donate to our website by visiting CHhumanesociety. org and clicking on the red “Donate” button on the top right of the home page. Your charitable donation of any amount is so appreciated and needed now more than ever. Thirty dollars feeds a shelter pet for a month. Fifty dollars will pay for a spay or neuter. One-hundred dollars provides the funds for a year’s worth of vital vaccinations and preventatives. Gifts of greater amounts will significantly help with the veterinary care for our specialneeds animals. Our shelter pets, once abandoned in their past, now have a second chance at life and a second chance to love because of your kindness and generosity. Thank you so much for your support. Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. Our no-kill shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society
