July 2022: The Laurel Magazine by The Laurel Magazine of Highlands NC and Cashiers NC

a e

L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau for 20 Years

Troubadour of the Soul The Orchard Sessions pg. 18

July 2022

The Place I Call Home Cover Artist, Penny Pollock

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CON T E N T S July 2022

13 What To Do

14 Music Under The Stars

75 Recreation & Creation

76 Capturing a Midnight Waterfall

91 Arts

108 Duncan Greenlee: Cover, revisited

123 Dining

136 Guest Chef Series

145 Shopping

146 Plateau Picks

166 Lake Toxaway

150

170 Building on Family

181 History

182 Luke’s Turn to Take the Bow

189 Lifestyles & Wellness

200 Reflections on Retirement

213 Giving Back

216 Seeing the Magic

220 Business

221 Cashiers Chamber of Commerce

168

The Tale of Two Markets

At a Glance Guides

190

Lifting Each Other Up

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VOLUME TWENTY, ISSUE SIX

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARLENE OSTEEN Writer marlene.osteen@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

DEENA BOUKNIGHT Writer dknight865@gmail.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Publisher’s Note Congratulations, you’ve made it to a true Plateau July! The two previous Julys were subdued copies of what’d always been a Plateau infused with color and sound and unexpected delights. Consider this issue of The Laurel your invitation to once more plunge into the delights of the Season. You’ll be best served if you commit to fully opening your senses to all that the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau offers. And however you choose to fill your days and nights, whether you’ve been with us for all of our 20 years or you’re just passing through – look, really look, at the faces of the people you encounter along the way. That marvelous, ohso-human connection is what’s always made this place so special. Sincerely, Janet and Marjorie

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

Contributing Writers: Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, David Stroud, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Zach Claxton, Ashby Underwood, and Mary Abranyi. Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes, and Colleen Kerrigan. Copyright © 2022 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Laurel Magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel Magazine nor any of its staff is responsible for advertising errors, omissions, or information that has been misrepresented in or to the magazine. Any substantial errors that are the fault of the magazine will be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.

WHAT TO DO Pages 14-71

photo by Susan Renfro

W H AT TO DO

Music Under the

Stars

The sounds of Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine are Highlands’ off icial Summer Soundtrack. The concer ts are family-friendly and handicapped accessible.

here’s nothing more satisfying than listening to a favorite song ‘neath the stars – unless it’s also on a cool, North Carolina mountaintop.

In Highlands, you can be there for free every Friday and Saturday night. From now through October weekends, tuck your lawn chair under one arm, snacks under the other, and head out to Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine. The 2022 Friday Night Live concerts take place at Highlands Town Square from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Saturdays on Pine crank up at 6:00 P.M. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, and close at 8:30 P.M. Every weekend, that’s five hours of fabulous. and every minute of it, gratis, thanks to Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. Friday Night Live features traditional mountain music. Feel free to join in. Sing, clap, and tap. That’s right. Get on your feet and dance. Your enthusiasm fires up the bands’ energy. The Outdoor Concert Series is brought to you by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC and Friday night shows are recognized by Blue Ridge Music Trails of NC. Visit blueridgemusicnc.com for more information.

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The musical styles of Friday and Saturday concerts are heartpumping, entertaining, and they feature regional artists, but stylistically, they’re a bit different. Friday is more traditional, and Saturday is all about popular music. Here’s what’s in store during July: Friday Night Live July 1, Silly Ridge Trio: a local bluegrass group that incorporates an eclectic blend of Americana and folk, will kick off July 4th weekend. July 8, The Foxfire Boys: performing more than four decades of bluegrass blends, have appeared at scores of impressive venues, among them The Grand Ole Opry. July 15, Leadfoot Lily: an offshoot of two Foxfire Boys and their wives, features a mix of 70s pop, R&B, country, folk, rock, and bluegrass. July 22, Johnny Webb Band will rock the Square with seasoned, laid-back country music going back 50 years. July 29, Byrds & Crows: a Transylvania County-based group that plays songs deeply-rooted in the Appalachian Mountains, will perform bluegrass to folk to early country.

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Saturdays on Pine July 2, The Swingin’ Richards: a well-known Southeastern band that will rock the house (or a North Carolina mountaintop.) July 4, The Business: Soul and Rock-n-Roll from the 50s and 60s. July 9, Back Porch Orchestra: modern band with homegrown, traditional roots; blues, bluegrass, country, and rock. July 16, The Wobblers: funky blend of roots music, blues, hard bop, soul, and country, July 23, Russ Wilson and His Famous Orchestra: jazz, rock, country, blues, R&B, Broadway shows, and symphonic music. July 30, Bill Mattocks, Chicago style blues. There’s plenty more to rock your Friday and Saturday nights this season, so keep an eye on the local calendar, visit highlandschamber.org, or call (828) 526-5841. by Donna Rhodes photos by Colleen Kerrigan

Scan to learn more.

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This Party is

Boomin’

If you’re seeking the Crackle and the Flash and the Boom on this Four th of July, cast your gaze skyward across the Plateau.

ashiers: Make room for some boom at the Village Green Fireworks Extravaganza on the Green Monday, July 4, at 6:30 P.M. at the Village Green Commons.

It’s free (with donation to Cashiers Community Fireworks Fund), it’s fabulous, and no doubt about it, they put some fantastic fire in their works! It’s a feast for eyes (fireworks), ears (music and kabooms), tastebuds (yummy food), and feet (dancing in the moonlight). Folks at the Green suggest: Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy a great concert. You’ll be up out of your seat dancing the night away! A beautiful fireworks display will light up the Cashiers night sky with red, white, and blue. Donations will be collected for a community fireworks fund to preserve the legacy of this cherished community celebration. The Village Green needs your help to continue to sponsor events like Fireworks on the Green. Please consider a donation on their GoFundMe page so that they may continue to bring you concerts, festivals, and other entertainment. Call (828) 743-3434 or visit villagegreencashiers.com Lake Glenville: Most fireworks enthusiasts enjoy the Fourth of July’s pyrotechnics while standing or sitting on solid ground. But those with boats who gather at Glenville Lake row or motor themselves to the local show. They have a magnificent front row view, as they rock on the waves ‘neath the rockets.

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On Sunday, July 3, at 9:30 P.M., get ready for the 25th anniversary of Friends of Lake Glenville Fireworks Over the Lake. The Pyrotechnic Team members are experienced pros. Safety is their over-riding concern. So, abide by their rules and regs to make this celebration the safest and most spectacular ever. The launching area is the usual spot, The Point, slightly north of Trillium on the west side of Lake Glenville. There is great viewing right off 107 North along the roadside near Hamburg Baptist Church south to the pullover/open areas along the lake. It will be dark, so please be courteous to other drivers and pull your car completely off the road. And on water, please obey the officers in watercraft as they direct boats to a safe distance from shoreline, fireworks, and other boats. Shifting wind can cause collisions, so abide by the authorities who are dedicated to keeping the evening accident-free. Short of dangerous conditions such as thunder and lightning, fireworks will be held, rain or shine. Promoters of the firework display announce, “For up-to-the-minute status of the fireworks, ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ our Facebook Page and look for a post from us around 9:00 P.M. on July 3.” Special thanks to all the sponsors who contribute annually to Friends of Lake Glenville. This annual fireworks tradition would not be possible without donations from our generous community. And special thanks to the Cashiers-Glenville Fire

W H AT TO DO Department for attending the event, providing assistance as or if required. The event is free, but please make a donation to those who presented this star-spangled, red-white-and-bluetiful Fourth. Visit friendsoflakeglenville.com for more information. Highlands: In the middle of summer, we’re given the perfect gift: Independence Day. We love it so much, we often expand it into a weekend. It’s an excuse to consume mass quantities of everything: food, drink, barbecue, outdoor activities, and music. Then we finish it all off with big bangs and bodacious booms. It’s the holiday that welcomes excess. So here are some events you won’t want to miss from Highlands to Cashiers to Sapphire. Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC promises fun Friday, July 1, through Monday, July 4. Friday Night Live at Town Square features the Silly Ridge Trio, 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. The following evening, arrive early to hear The Swingin’ Richards (party band) at Saturdays on Pine, KellyHutchinson Founders Park from 6:00-8:30 P.M. On Monday, July 4, attend Independence Day Festival. From 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. at Town Ball Field on Hickory Street, get your free materials to build and launch a soda bottle water rocket. It’s your chance to make a big splash. At 11:00 A.M., prepare yourself for one or all of these contests: tug-o’-war, three-legged sack race, water balloon toss, and frozen t-shirt contests (a true ice-breaker), hosted by Town of Highlands Recreation Department. Continuing at noon at Town Ball Field, MAMA (Mountain Area Medical Airlift) Rescue Helicopter will touch down for a visit. Then check out the Ladder Truck display and spray-down. Later, at 2:00 P.M. on the Bridge at Mill Creek, witness the annual Highlands Rotary Club’s Duck Derby. Release the Quacken! It’s touted as the most exciting five minutes in Highlands. Buy tickets in advance ($10). Be the lucky duck who wins cash. Enjoy a concert at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founder’s Park at 6:00 P.M. featuring The Business band. Fife and drum, please – it’s the grand finale of the day: Fireworks on the Fourth, presented by Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC, 9:00 to 10:00 P.M., visible from throughout downtown. by Donna Rhodes

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Troubadour of the

Soul

Erick Baker

For Erick Baker, all roads lead to The Orchards Sessions, July 27 at The Farm at Old Edwards. For updates and to book online, visit OldEdwardsHospitality.com/OrchardSessions. n Wednesday, July 27, the Emmy award-winning singer-songwriter Erick Baker will again take the stage at the Orchard Sessions at Old Edwards.

While he grew up with a love of music, Baker didn’t start singing until college – when admittedly he only picked up a guitar as a way to attract women. He got more serious about music only after graduation and gradually started playing gigs in his hometown of Knoxville. In 2006, while doing a stint at an open-mike session, he was spotted by a local promoter who gave him a spot opening for John Legend. It could be said that the rest is history. He released his first EP in 2008, and by 2010 on the release of his first full-length album he had shared the stage with James Blunt, Nanci Griffith, and Natasha Bedingfield, and toured with Heart as their opening act. The success of the album led to a string of shows. But success came at a cost and by 2013 life on the road had taken its toll. In 2014 he put down his guitar and became the host of the PBS travel series Tennessee Valley Uncharted, an Emmy award-winning show that follows Erick on outdoor adventures.

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In 2016 he released his fourth album, Dear Amanda, a tribute to his wife and relaunched onto the music season. His most recent album, Morning Light, released in 2020 at the start of the pandemic is a tribute to making the most of the moment. He can be described with equal accuracy as both a “true-heart on-his-sleeve troubadour of soulful Americana,” and “a smokeand-whiskey tenor with plenty of range and emotion.” He sings songs that speak to his own deeply rooted experiences and that “open a door into each of our lives through the cracks in our hearts.” Set under the boughs of trees at The Orchard at The Farm at Old Edwards, the Orchard sessions is a magical spot – a place to communicate with nature and a performing artist in an intimate setting. The show begins at 6:00 P.M. and concludes as the sun begins its descent at 8:00 P.M. There’s a $40 cover charge for the public, with online sales opening two weeks in advance. Every ticket includes light bites and a cash bar. The session will move indoors to the new Orchard House in the event of rain. Visit OldEdwardsHospitality.com/OrchardSessions for updates and to book online. by Marlene Osteen

W H AT TO DO

Night Watch

Highlands Cashiers Players are setting the stage for murder – you’re invited to Night Watch, August 25 through September 4. For information, visit highlandsper formingar ts.com.

his is the 28th season that the Highlands Cashiers Players will be presenting “good plays well done” to audiences in our community.

Since Dearly Departed premiered in 1995, we’ve been putting on great shows for audiences. HCP remains the only arts organization on the Plateau that is completely volunteer run. We have no paid positions on staff, a volunteer board, and all our shows are run by people who simply love the theater! As always, we welcome anyone who wants to get involved to contact us. We definitely love our actors, but we also need backstage help, help with the Box Office, set painting, costumers, props, you name it! The first two shows have already been selected: Night Watch by Lucille Fletcher will be presented August 25-28 and September 1-4. Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. Night Watch will be directed by veteran HCP member Michael Lanzilotta. He most recently directed Mauritius to great praise. It will be assistant-directed by Gardner Davis, who joined HCP recently and performed in October’s The Great Pandemic. As usual, this wouldn’t be possible without the HCP Board and community support. Board Members include Courtney Scarborough, Elizabeth Gordon, Paula Gordon, Kristy Lewis, Serenity Richards, Mandy Houston, Kristy Lewis, and Craig Eister. HCP is looking for sponsors to help produce this wonderful work for the community. Email hcplayers2017@gmail.com for more information. Our full season program and season tickets will be available beginning July 11 and individual tickets for Night Watch go on sale August 1. Check highlandsperformingarts.com more details. by Craig Eister, Highlands Cashiers Players 19 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

W H AT TO DO

A Fieldof

Play

Appalachian Summer by William McReynolds

Though it’s the hottest month in the Nor thern Hemisphere, July is stuffed with Erick Baker Good Things (and Good People).

uly gets its name from the great Roman General Julius Caesar, who was born on July 13, 100 BC. The “dog days of summer” are in July, the hottest month. The Fourth of July, Independence Day, has been a federal holiday since 1870. The astrological sign for July is the crab, after the Crab Nebula barely visible in the night sky. The Latin word for “crab” is cancer. If you were born between June 21 and July 22, your sign is a crab/cancer, a “Cardinal quality” in the Zodiac with water being “a strong element in life.” Some astrologists say those born under the sign of Cancer make good friends and are capable of great emotional depth. If you were born between July 23 and August 22, you are a Leo. Your sign is a lion: “Heart dominates and fire is an influential element.” Leos are said to be very proud people who have great leadership abilities. So, just how far should we be willing to go with astrology? Not a science, astrology is a form of divination: a remembrance of the Greek and Roman pantheon of rulers and gods, a celebration of the Roman night sky decorated with fantastic images. Astrology is a field of play. So, let’s play. What else do astrologers say about Crabs and Lions? Aliza Kelly – a New York-based astrologer and writer who has published several books on astrology – says this:

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Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Cancers tend to be domestically oriented. They love to create cozy, safe spaces that serve as their personal sanctuaries, then spend lots of time in them. Cancers care deeply about their families and are quick to adopt caregiver roles. But these crabs must be careful: When Cancers invest in someone emotionally, they risk blurring the line between attentive nurturing and controlling behavior. Cancers attract friends and lovers through their loyalty, commitment, and emotional depth. Leo (July 23 - August 22) Vivacious, theatrical, and passionate, Leos love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate themselves. These lions are natural leaders and they enjoy cultivating friendships and romances that are artistically and creatively inspired. Playful Leos have no problem leaning into dramafueled romances that are perfectly suited for the tabloids. Leos are renowned for their stability, loyalty, and consistency. They are dedicated friends and lovers who put their hearts into every relationship. Leos are celebrated for their remarkable bravery. Fearless optimists who refuse to accept failure, Leos will find their deep wells of courage grow as they mature. So saith astrology. Playfully. In July we can just play if we want to. “Play on.” by William McReynolds

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Groovin’ on the Green is just that – an irresistible invitation to cut loose on the emerald Cashiers Village Green. You can f ind more information at villagegreencashiersnc.com/concer ts.

Groovin’ on The

Green

Groovin’ on the Green is just that – an irresistible invitation to cut loose on the emerald Cashiers Village Green. You can f ind more information at villagegreencashiersnc.com/concer ts.

ow that we’re deep into what’s shaping up to be the Plateau’s busiest Busy Season, we’re all invited to enjoy the happy sounds of Groovin’ on the Green – a bangin’ summer-long jam that has visitors and locals swinging all season long to performances by some of the area’s most entertaining bands. “We here at The Village Green love being able to offer free and fun family programming, that’s accessible to everyone in our community, and that can be enjoyed without having to drive down the mountain,” says Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, the Village Green’s executive director. Every Groovin’ Concert is held rain or shine and there is no admission charge. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, beverages, snacks, and your boogie shoes – though there are vendors there as well. A new addition to Groovin’ this year is the “Rent a Tent” program that offers ten 10 x 10 tent rentals at $100 per tent per event, and $200 per tent for the Fourth of July Extravaganza. Interested parties can contact shelby@cashiersgreen.com. Here’s a rundown of featured bands and what to look forward to

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this month: (All events start at 6:30 P.M.) July 4 Extravaganza, sponsored by Landmark Realty: A highlight of the summer season and by far the season’s most attended event, July 4 features an extravagant, fiery, and vibrant fireworks generously provided by Landmark Realty along with spectacular evening entertainment from the R&B band Continental Divide and a special appearance by The Victory Belles. The Fourth of July Extravaganza is free to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated. July 8: Emporium – A six-piece party and dance band from Asheville playing classic rock, disco, funk, beach, and current hits. July 15: Americana Jones – a toe-tappin’, roots-playin’, feel-good band with an eclectic mix of originals and covers that span seven decades of American jazz, pop, country, bluegrass, rock, and R&B. Covering artists from Earl Scruggs to Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard to The Band, Rolling Stones and Dylan with a little Hank thrown in. by Luke Osteen

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Low Country Shrimp

Boil

It’s a taste of the Gulf, deep in the hear t of the Blue Ridge Mountains – the Low Countr y Shrimp Boil will be staged at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands, Saturday, July 9. For sponsorship information and donations, or to purchase tickets visit foundersparkhighlands.org.

egarded by many a local as one of the great communal eating experiences of the Highlands summer, the Low Country Shrimp Boil returns to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on July 9. A dish that’s rooted in the coastal South – primarily in Louisiana and the Carolinas – it’s what the locals eat on those ritual occasions that inlanders might celebrate with barbecue. The highly seasoned stew of what to some is an improbable combination of ingredients - sausage, shrimp, and potatoes - is a delicious, messy one-pot feast of summer’s best offerings. And while you’re likely to get a different version from every cook, none do ii better than the one prepared on this occasion by Highlands’ chef Marty Rosenfield. In the pantheon of great American seafood boilers, there is no one more devoted to the task than Rosenfield who has a passion for sourcing the best

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ingredients and making them sing. Hosted by Friends of Founders Park, the Shrimp Boil, which started in 2016, is the park’s only fundraising event. Hank Ross, President of Friends of Founders Park, said that the Shrimp Boil is “a continuation of our show of ‘Democracy in Action.’” As he describes it, what can be more democratic than people creating a gathering space for everyone. Highlands’ downtown park was 15 years in the making and is now a centerpiece of this beautiful town. Volunteer organizations and more than 300 contributors planned and fundraised to develop KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. As Event Coordinator Bill Edwards explained, the funds raised will finance park projects to include: pruning the huge ever-

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greens that surround the park, making repairs to the stone masonry around the park, and upgrading the park’s shrubs and flower beds. Tickets are $70 per person and include the Shrimp Boil, grilled vegetables, dessert, tea, and two tickets for beer or wine. The event is tented and will be held rain or shine. Doors open at 5:00 P.M. and dinner is at 6:00 P.M. Tickets are available at foundersparkhighlands.org and The Dry Sink. All proceeds go to the beautification and improvement of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Friends of Founders Park is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Friends of the Park are also looking for event sponsors to help support their work to “provide enhanced park maintenance, capital improvements and design guidance – work that is not furnished by the Town of Highlands.” by Marlene Osteen

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W H AT TO DO

Martinis &

Mozart

Old Edwards Inn & Spa teams up with The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival to present Mar tinis & Mozar t, 5:30 P.M. Tuesday, July 13. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (828) 526-9060, send an email to hccmfnc@gmail.com, or visit h-cmusicfestival.org.

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The Ulysses Quartet

W H AT TO DO

ighlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival presents, in collaboration with Old Edwards Inn & Spa, a special concert entitled Martinis & Mozart at 5:30 P.M. Tuesday, July 13, at The Orchard House at Old Edwards Farm.

emailing hccmfnc@gmail.com. The event marks a sublime complement to H-C Chamber Music Festival’s 2022 season, which launches with Three Concertmasters on Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2.

The festival will celebrate Independence Day with American Salute on Sunday, July 3, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. This suite will feature selections The Ulysses Quartet has been about America and works by American praised for their “textural versatilcomposers.  The event marks a sublime ity,” “grave beauty,” and “the complement to H-C Chamber The regular Concert Series perforkind of chemistry many quartets mances are held Fridays and Sundays at the Music Festival’s 2022 season. long for, but rarely achieve,” (The Highlands Performing Arts Center – 507 Strad), as well as their “avid Chestnut Street; Saturdays and Mondays at enthusiasm...[with] chops to back the Village Green Commons in Cashiers at up their passion.” 160 Frank Allen Road. At Juilliard, they are the Lisa Arnhold Fellows, serving as the School’s Graduate Resident String Quartet, an appointby Luke Osteen ment that was been extended through May 2022. The evening’s centerpiece will be a performance by the brilliant Ulysses String Quartet.

An hors d’oeuvre reception will precede the performance, with a cash bar available. Tickets are $75 each, and you can make your reservations now by calling (828) 526-9060 or

Scan to learn more.

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Be Our

Guest

The twin Plateau libraries have f illed their calendars with events and activities for all age groups. To learn more, visit fontanalib.org.

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Diane McPhail

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ibraries are busy hubs all year round, but especially during the summer months when the plateau’s population quadruples. Besides books and movies and plenty of accessible services, local libraries host guest speakers and authors.

Ongoing during summer months at the Cashiers library will be Sweating with Switch Sports on Tuesdays at 10:30 A.M.; Mah Jongg on Mondays; Crafternoon on Tuesdays; Storytime on Wednesdays; and free movie showings on Thursdays.

This summer, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library has a lineup that includes:

“Plus, we’re partnering with the Highlands Performing Arts Center Youth Theater again this year, in July, to provide theater workshops for different age groups all month,” said Serenity Richards, branch librarian.

• The North Carolina Aquarium’s presentation of Awesome Amphibians on July 1 at 10:30 A.M.; • A presentation of Japanese culture by Western Carolina University’s Japan Outreach Initiative coordinator Nanaka Okamura on July 8 beginning at 10:30 A.M., at which time there will be a children’s program that shares Kamishibai card storytelling; at 3:00 P.M., Okamura demonstrates a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and will discuss historical and cultural significance; • Local author Tom Baker on July 15 at 3:00 P.M.; the Vietnam War veteran presents and signs his new book, Warrior Wannabe • Character Cavalcade on July 22 at 10:30 P.M.; children can dress as their favorite literary/comic character or historical figure and promenade around the library, and prizes will be awarded to each age group; • Local author Patricia Brandon on July 29 at 3:00 P.M.; she will discuss her 2021 mystery, A Rule of Life.

Hudson Library in Highlands also hosts guest speakers and various activities, including local author Diane McPhail, who will discuss and sign on July 15 at 12:30 P.M. her new historical fiction, The Seamstress of New Orleans. In addition, Hudson Library hosts: Family Storytimes on Thursdays at 10:40 A.M.; interactive Kids Zone programs on Thursday afternoons at 3:30 P.M. (on July 14, Okamura features origami, a chopstick challenge, and more); and the Vaya Health series on the second Tuesday of each month. “And we continue to add events,” said Carlyn Morenus, Hudson Library’s branch librarian, who pointed out – along with Richards – that the library websites and event pages are updated to provide the public with information about all that is offered: fontanalib.org. by Deena Bouknight

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Shop for Summer’s

Bounty

A stroll through the Plateau’s Farmer’s Markets brings the richness of the season’s suite of f lavors to your kitchen.

emember when you were a kid and you’d drool over a tomato, peach, fig, or plum out of your Granny’s garden? And then, taste buds begging for that first flavorful zing, you’d sink your teeth into the pure essence of yum? You can replay that memory and enjoy that same deliciousness when you shop for summer’s bounty at the Green Market at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers and the Saturday morning offerings at The Highlands Marketplace. The Green Market-Locally Grown on The Green, Cashiers’ farm stand and local market is held every Wednesday from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. at The Village Green Commons.

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The Highlands Marketplace is held every Saturday morning at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park from 8:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. It’s as close to picking right out of Granny’s garden as you can get. At Green Market-Locally Grown on The Green, exceptional produce and fine crafted products are all produced within a 125-mile radius. It lives up to the Market’s Motto: “Home grown, hand-picked and hand-made.” In Highlands, local farmers, craftsmen, and artists gather under colorful tents to sell their seasonal greens, golds, purples, reds, and more. Food, soaps, candles, art, and more are as colorful as they are delicious and decorative. Each of these fresh markets provides access to in-season fresh

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The Village

Nature Series

The Village Nature Series, a program offered by The Village Green of Cashiers and The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, will spotlight the state of bear-human relations on the Plateau, 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 26, at The Village Green Commons. Call (828) 743-3434 or visit hicashlt.org for more information.

he July 26 edition of The Village Nature Series will focus on Living with Bears, a presentation by Highlands BearWise Director Cynthia Strain, 6:00 P.M. at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers. The program is free and open to everyone. Explore the nuances of bear behavior and how we can peacefully, and happily, co-exist with a treasured mountain species. Ms. Strain’s group made national headlines last year when Highlands became the country’s first certified BearWise community. That means the town has developed strategies to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild. Those goals are of vital importance for the Plateau, since human-black bear encounters have skyrocketed over the last 10 years.

produce, locally produced meat, fresh dairy items and eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, honey, pickles, freshly baked breads and baked goods, and homemade spreads and dips. The farm-to-table concept is growing in popularity, and these markets offer you easy access to the freshest products available. You’ll enjoy an opportunity to talk to the people who actually grow and produce the food. Pick up helpful tips on how to store, prepare, and serve each product. Treat yourself to a unique shopping experience at one of these markets and see how much better fresh, fine, and beautiful can be.

While it can be a memorable experience to see wild black bears in a neighborhood, it’s a risky one. Human-bear conflict is exacerbated by increased human development and subsequent habitat fragmentation, resulting in the increased likelihood of bears coming into contact with humans, especially in urban areas. Those interactions can be dangerous for humans and deadly for bears. Unfortunately, bears can become reliant on human sources of food and display more assertive or aggressive behaviors toward people. When such conflict arises, those “problem bears” often must be put down by Wildlife Resources staff. The Village Nature Series is a project of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and The Village Green of Cashiers.

by Donna Rhodes by Luke Osteen

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Easels on

The Green

Nationally-acclaimed painters set up their easels to capture our beautiful landscape and charming lifestyle for Easels on the Green, Cashiers’ Plein Air Festival, July 10 through 17. The festival ar tists’ original ar t is displayed for viewing and sale at a pop-up ar t galler y at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

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utdoor painting is delightfully perplexing. Imagine trying to capture a landscape when the sun is traveling across the sky changing shadows and reflections every minute. But that’s Nature’s tease, and the sheer fun is accepting her challenge. And what better place to host Easels on the Green than the Village Green of Cashiers, with its ever-changing panoramas of majestic scenery and dramatic light? Painting in the open air in France is called En Plein Air, meaning in the open air. When painting outside, artists capture the spirit and essence of their subjects. Natural light is a lot different from interior light, which was largely lantern and candlelight in the early days. Below is the schedule for the Plein Air events: July 10-17 promises to be a week chockful of excitement, with professional and amateur artists creating exquisite works of art to be exhibited in the Festival Gallery (free admission) Thursday through Sunday. There you can view the archived

collection of florals, mountains, landscapes, streams, trees, and skies of every hue. • Wednesday, July 13, Private Benefactor’s Preview Party (Become an Easels on the Green Benefactor) • Thursday, July 14, Gallery open to the public through Sunday (Free) • Friday, July 15, Gather your girlfriends and join Art in the Park Ladies Luncheon (Ticketed) • Thursday and Friday, Groovin’ on the Green, Gallery open to the public (Free) • Saturday, July 16, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival (Ticketed) • Sunday, July 17, Artists Awards Champagne Brunch (Ticketed) Watch artists paint, view their marvelous work on exhibit, attend the after-hours fun and festivities, and support the artists of our region. Visit cashierspleinairfestival.com for more information about the festival. by Donna Rhodes

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Arts and

Crafts Festival

The Sapphire Valley Ar ts & Crafts Festival, set for August 6-7, is a fun bazaar of ar t, food, and the unexpected. For more information, visit sapphirevalleyresor ts.com.

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ummer weather always brings a slew of worthwhile activities across the Plateau.

One of the very best is the August 6 and 7 Arts and Crafts Festival at Sapphire Valley. One of three festivals that Sapphire hosts annually (the others are June and October), it’s exactly what an arts and crafts festival should be – a cornucopia overflowing with more great goods and more ancillary events than a person can possibly view or experience in one weekend. Exhibitors, handpicked from local and surrounding states for their craftsmanship, originality, and talent, set up on Sapphire’s Athletic Field. Craftsmen from around the region spread their wares throughout the field over the weekend, a show that reflects the booming crafts market in every way. And the field simply bustles with activities for the whole family. Among the events especially geared for the children are Corn Hole and Kerplunk and Buckets of Bubble Mix to blow bubbles. Always popular is the Cashiers Humane Society “adopt a pet” area. Live music wafts energetically across the field. The festival welcomes a wide-ranging class of artists. Featured crafts run from jewelry to fine arts, woodwork-

ing to handcrafted furniture; Christmas wreaths to ornaments; candles to hand-blown glass. The handmade goods that fill the stalls and tables of this show, all of the highest quality, are a reflection and presentation of area talent. A very special feature of this vibrant exhibit is the display of Appalachian culture – the textiles, pottery, and more that showcase the diversity of art forms developed by Appalachian artists. The winning combination of nature, mountains, art, people, and music, plus on-site food vendors and food trucks give the Sapphire Arts and crafts Festival a quality that is unique among summer craft events. As to food, Sapphire Valley Resort’s Director of Marketing, Linda Foxworth, tells me, “Of course, North Carolina Barbecue is the star, but kids (of all ages) love the tacos too!” Enthusiasm runs high among vendors and visitors who return annually for the show and know there is no better way to enjoy a summer day in the mountains. The festival will be open from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. each day and there is no charge for admission. Visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs. The Field at Sapphire valley is located three miles east of Cashiers on Highway 64. by Marlene Osteen

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Wolves and Raptors

and More, Oh My!

Expect to encounter our furred and feathered neighbors at Mountain Wildlife Days, July 15-16 at Sapphire Valley Resor t Community Center.

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erhaps the Smoky Mountains’ opportunity to see diverse wildlife is not as thrilling an experience as – say – a visit to Yellowstone National Park. However, wildlife on the ground and in the air is aplenty in this area, and the annual Mountain Wildlife Days draws attention to that fact. Held July 15-16 this year, the Mountain Wildlife Days event offers several programs, presented by professionals, that provide safe and up close and personal interactions with a wide variety of native species. In fact, included in the programs are raptors, an American eagle, owls, reptiles and snakes, wolves, and more. While an entire lineup of presenters will educate and enthrall participants, one is well-known to the area. Rob Gudger is an outdoorsman and avid naturalist who for many years has presented wolves for educational purposes at area schools and various other events. Anyone who attends his program will have a chance to interact with a wolf and also learn a plethora of information regarding the animal’s habitat, feeding habits, and other idiosyncrasies. The 77-year-old Gudger, who resembles the character from the 1970s series Grizzly Adams, began owning wolves when he learned of some pups that needed raising. One of the points he always shares with an audience is that “wolves are not dogs and they are not coyotes. They are an

entirely different species, and they are often misunderstood or lumped in with the understanding of dogs or coyotes.” Other participants at the two-day event, which is in its 15th year, are: • Carlton Burke, a naturalist and educator who operates an educational service called Carolina Mountain Naturalist; • Michael Skinner, an experienced naturalist who provides leadership for the Balsam Mountain Nature Preserve and presents raptors; • Bill Lea, a noted black bear expert; and, • Geraldine Regan, a wildlife advocate who teaches humorously with her puppet, “Ricky.” Mountain Wildlife Days offers much more, including Zoo To You, a “Wildlife Wonders” program that showcases numerous animals. Each day, presentations are scheduled for specific times. For more information, contact The Sapphire Valley Community Center at (828) 743-7663. Or visit highsouthadventures.com/ mountain-wildlife-days.html. by Deena Bouknight photo by Bill Lea

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Celebrate United States

Current Affairs

The Center for Life Enrichments examines the perils and the promise embedded in modern American life. For more info, visit clehighlands.com or call (828) 526-8811.

he Center for Life Enrichment is bringing U.S. Current Affairs, an impressive roster of topics to bring you up-to-date on the Supreme Court, the Mueller investigation, viruses/ vaccines, journalism/disinformation, Biden and “blue” reviews, China and Russia, and more. First up, it’s Meet Noel Francisco, the Solicitor General of the U.S. From 10:00 A.M. to noon Friday, July 1, in the CLE Lecture Hall. Cost is $25/$35. Francisco will discuss the role of the Solicitor General, the official who represents the interests of the U.S. before the Supreme Court. Noel served as the 47th Solicitor General, 2017-2020. Join guest attorneys in an insightful exchange with Francisco regarding his service during the Trump administration. The Mueller Investigation: Lessons from an Insider is offered from 10:00 A.M. to noon on Monday, July 11, at the CLE

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Lecture Hall. Cost is $25/$35. As a member of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller’s investigation team, Andrew Weissmann will speak about the threat of continuing cyber-attacks on our political and economic system by foreign actors; and whether criminal investigation and prosecution can be effective tools to hold wrongdoers accountable. As we emerge from two years of pandemic, there’s no more timely topic than Viruses and Vaccines: From Cowpox Virus to Modern mRNA Vaccines, set for 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Thursday, July 12, in the CLE Lecture Hall. Cost is $25/$35. Dr. Maria Gainey will explore the history of vaccines and disease prevention from smallpox in 1796 to the advancement of modern-day virus treatment. Supreme Court: Year in Review is offered from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 13, in the CLE Lecture Hall. Cost is $25/$35. It’s an overview of the Court’s

W H AT TO DO decision-making process and review of 2021’s rulings on subjects such as: freedom of religion, affirmative action, the scope of congressional regulatory power, the scope of executive branch rulemaking power, previability abortion, and a judge’s duty to recuse in certain situations. He will also discuss the role of the Court’s recent appointees in shaping a more conservative majority and what that bodes for the future of the Court as an institution. Journalism Amid Disinformation brings NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell to CLE from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Friday, July 29. Cost is $25/$35. Ms. Caldwell will discuss her experience at the United States Capitol during the January 6 attack on the Capitol and how she has covered Congress, the people, and the building. (Almost) Two Years In: Assessing President Biden’s Term, is set for 2:00

to 4:00 P.M. Thursday, August 11. Miles Coleman, Associate Editor of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics authoritative, nonpartisan Newsletter on American campaigns and elections, will discuss the thin Democratic majority, and its fierce Republican opposition. This lecture examines the course of Biden’s presidency and looks at what it may mean for 2024. Cost is $25/$35. Coleman returns Friday, August 12, for Looking Less Blue: Forecasting the 2022 Midterm Elections. His second offering discusses the typical midterm drag that the White House’s party faces. Republicans benefitted mid-term when Trump was president. Now, with a Democratic president, the shoe is on the other foot. Democrats do not have much room for error in defending their Congressional majorities. Cost is $25/$35.

To gain a better insight into Russia and China, consider one of the following: China and the Continuing Rise of President Xi Jinping on Wednesday August 24, and Revanchist Russia, A Partner or Enemy on Thursday, August 25. CLE selects the nation’s finest professors, scholars, internationally-published journalists, and military officials to present their programs. by Donna Rhodes

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Tradition Reimagined

The Cashiers Historical Society will open the doors to the exclusive Designer Showhouse, August-26-September 4. For more information about the Showhouse, contact cds@cashiershistoricalsociety.org or call (828) 743-7710. Tickets purchased online are reduced in price.

n its 25th year, the Cashiers Historical Society’s Designer Showhouse, which has become a regional destination event, takes place August 26 through September 4.

“Tradition Reimagined is the theme of this year’s Showhouse,” said Ellen Hughes, co-chair of the Showhouse, “because there are aspects that will appeal to multigenerational families, such as modern configurations – more open spaces and flex-spaces – a home where grandparents, children, parents, family, and friends all can be comfortable when they are there.” This year’s Showhouse is a classic mountain retreat designed and built by the 2003-founded company of Dillard-Jones, and it’s located in the new neighborhood of Fieldstone in The Club at High Hampton. Each year, recognized designers from across the Southeast add their distinctive touches to the Cashiers Designer Showhouse, which is ultimately a fundraiser to support the Cashiers Historical Society in a variety of its local educational activities and programs. This year’s home is a spacious four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath design featuring such aspects as a great room, office, a solarium, and a loft. The Showhouse kicks off with an opening night party,

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Thursday, August 25, called Cashiers Asado, where there will be food, jazz, and dancing. Besides tours of the Showhouse, daily lectures and presentations are offered that focus on design and home entertaining ideas. Finally, a variety of shopping opportunities are available throughout the event’s 10 days, as vendors feature unique lifestyle items from apparel to home decorating at the Village Green. Hughes explained that the first Showhouse a quarter century ago, a country cottage nestled on the edge of Cashiers Lake, was the family home of local designer Lynn Monday. he Showhouse is an important annual event for the Cashiers T Historical Society, located on the grounds of the historic Zachary Tolbert House, whose mission is to preserve the identity of Cashiers through recognition of its history in publications, awards, and projects. by Deena Bouknight

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Summer Colors

Art Show

Get ready to be dazzled – the Summer Colors Fine Ar t Show will be staged at Sapphire Valley Community Center, July 23-24.

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repare yourself for a dazzling kaleidoscope of color as artists of the Southern Appalachians design, craft, and present an array of the South’s finest art, including paintings in water-based paints (acrylics, watercolors, gauche), oils, and mixed media. Complementing two-dimensional work is photography, pottery/ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and more. Every piece is handmade, one-of-a-kind, and exquisitely-crafted. Immerse yourself in the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers’ abundance of beauty at the Summer Colors Fine Art Show at Sapphire Valley Community Center, 207 Sapphire Valley Road, Sapphire, July 23 through 24, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Colleen Kastner, the show chairperson, is thrilled to welcome fellow-artists, appreciators, and collectors to a stunning exhibition and sale of fine art by some of the most talented local artists in the area.

Admission and parking are free. Weather won’t dampen spirits – this is an indoor show. More than 20 artists are expected to exhibit their work and viewers are encouraged to engage the artists in conversations about their work, process, and inspiration. In addition, some pop-up surprises are expected this year. Colleen has a few secrets up her sleeve. Soak up the colors, enjoy the surprises, and carry some of your favorite colors home. For more information or for artists wishing to apply to the show before the July 15 deadline, please visit the art league’s website at artleaguehighlands-cashiers. com/events. by Donna Rhodes

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Antiques Galore

Freed from two years of Covid restrictions, the Cashiers Annual Antique Show, set for August 5-7 at the Cashiers Village Green Commons, is once more bustling and nearly f illed-to-bursting with exhibitors. For tickets and more information, visit cashiersbenef itantiqueshow.com.

ne does not have to be history buff or a collector to enjoy attending the Cashiers Annual Antique Show, August 5-7, at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

As with many ongoing and traditional events and activities, the pandemic paused the show for two years, but it is being offered full-force to the community this summer. Show manager Hazel Giles said she has been organizing the show for 15 years, but she has exhibited at the show for 43 years. “I’ve been in the antiques business for 45 years. In fact, antiques have been my love since I was a little girl. I shopped with my mother and sister in Charleston and the coastal areas of North and South Carolina while I was growing up. It was a wonderful 48 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

experience, and it still is.” Giles still attends some shows and estate events, and she often appraises antiques. The 44th Antique Show, explained Giles, has a new venue and an extensive lineup of more than 40 dealers. A main building that is part of the Commons, Lewis Hall, will host 14 of the exhibitors. An array of statuary, fountains, cast iron furnishings, and more will be on display at the Garden Stone Art and Antiques, and two massive tents with interlocking floors will house 26 exhibitors showcasing a myriad of antiques as well. Plus, a Chips Away Glass Repair station will be housed in the Pavilion.

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Concerts on

The Slopes

The mountains rock and roll with the sounds of Sapphire Valley’s Concer ts on the Slopes. Concer t on the Slopes is open to the public. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Season passes are available at a discounted rate, and can be purchased at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. Visit SapphireValleyResor ts.com.

uly in Western North Carolina means outdoor concerts where you’re bound to find your happy place.

And one of the happiest places of all will most certainly be at Sapphire Valley’s Concert on the Slopes on Tuesday, July 19. It’s a very special opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful time of the year on the Plateau – the warm sunlit days and cool breezy nights – commune with the grandeur of the natural surroundings and take in the sweet sounds of summer from live performers. For the 2022 season, its 21st, the nights will once again come alive with vibrant performances by Motown and Beach bands, and the tantalizing music of the 50s,60s, and 70s. Performances are on scheduled dates from June through September and feature entertainment for music lovers of all ages.

Said Giles, “Attendees will discover an outstanding array of jewelry; fine porcelain; sterling silver and silver plate; Black Forest items; elegant boxes; high country, formal American and European furniture (everything from mid-century modern to southern casual and rustic); fine linens; antique prints and fine art by noted artists; and, much more. “Nothing will be priced outrageously. We want people to be able to purchase their Christmas presents in the summer at this show or for attendees to look for items to add to collections and to outfit their homes. This is a quality show…no junk.” Visit cashiersbenefitantiqueshow.com for tickets and more information, or check out the Antique Show Facebook page. by Deena Bouknight

Next up is the Tuesday, July 19, performance by Legacy Motown Revue. The irresistible energy of the band is fueled by band leader, Stan Stigall, who dreamed of starting a tribute band to the legendary groups that he grew up listening to since the passing of his friend Bill Pinckney of the Original Drifters. Paying homage to the music that molded multiple generations and gave Detroit a claim to fame other than cars, the Legacy band takes you back to the days of The Drifters, The Coasters, The Jacksons, Earth Wind & Fire, The Temptations, and so many more legendary icons. So, round up your family and friends, pack the picnic baskets, blankets, lawn chairs, and your favorite shag-dancing shoes and spend a musical evening at Sapphire Valley. (Performers set up on the on the back patio of the Sapphire Valley Community Center.) Rounding out the summer season are performances by The Entertainers on August 9, and Too Much Sylvia on September 4. by Marlene Osteen 49 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

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Summer Soirée

The Highlands Biological Foundation celebrates a tradition of generosity with A Ravenel Soirée, hosted by Diane and Ray McPhail from 6:00 P.M. until dark, Monday, July 18. Tickets are $250 per guest – for more information and to purchase a ticket, call (828) 526-2221.

azzling social affairs are a long-standing tradition for summers spent in Highlands, and the Highlands Biological Foundation’s summer soirée is no exception.

Join HBF for its biggest annual fundraiser on Monday, July 18, in support of its mission of stimulating and promoting biological research and education in the Southern Appalachians. HBF’s summer soirée will be held at the enchanting, historic Ravenel Property co-owned by Diane and Ray McPhail and Karen and Will Stolz. Parking is limited, so a shuttle service will be provided. The Ravenel Property, formerly called Wolf Ridge, is filled with magic and myth going all the way back to Native American roots. What was once the bears’ showground became The Fodderstacks, named for stores of cattle food (hay, etc.) which they resembled. 50 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

In 1913 the Ravenel family built a summer house at the site. The Ravenels played a huge role in Highlands history. You may know them for donating Sunset Rock to the town in 1914, a memorial gift from the children of Captain and Margaretta Ravenel. When asked how the Ravenel dwelling harmonized with the dramatic surroundings, Diane shared, “It had the distinction of being built in a Northeast Craftsman style, not commonly seen here. In the development of the Ravenel Community, Ray and Will observed strict adherence to Craftsman style architecture.” The result: a perfect environmental and aesthetic marriage. by Luke Osteen

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OUTDOORS

Jan Wyatt

Symposium

Bill Jacobs

Cashiers Historical Society’s Jan Wyatt Symposium presentation of Ancient Rocks and the Modern Plateau – set for July 20 at The Countr y Club of Sapphire Valley – is a deep dive into the Deep Time of this far end of the Southern Appalachians. Dr. Gary Wein

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OUTDOORS

hether you’re a born-here native or someone who spends a couple of hurried weekends on the Plateau every year, you’re bound to be aware of the undeniable truth that these mountains are old, really old.

Dr. Wein is the Executive Director of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. He has a PhD in Botany, is a professor and a conservationist. Dr. Wein’s presentation is A Sense of Place: An Ecological History of the Plateau.

Their peaks are rounded and they’ve been contoured into deep hollows and folds, especially when compared to their younger cousins, the Rockies.

This year’s symposium, sponsored by Silver Creek Real Estate Group, is chaired by Bob Carroll and will be at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley on July 20 from 10:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Lunch will be served at noon. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased online at CashiersHistoricalSociety.org.

Cashiers Historical Society is going to spotlight these geological marvels with its July 20 Jan Wyatt Symposium presentation entitled Ancient Rocks and the Modern Plateau: How a Billion Years of Geology Shaped Our Landscape, Ecology and Human History. Featured speakers are Bill Jacobs and Dr. Gary Wein. Mr. Jacobs is a retired lawyer and geology enthusiast. He is the author of Whence These Special Places? The Geology of Cashiers, Highlands & Panthertown Valley. Mr. Jacobs’s presentation will be The Geologic Processes that have Created the Plateau and Shaped its Mountains and Waterfalls.

Cashiers Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization.

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Full Family

Fun Camps

The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center is staging a complete set of camps and activities.

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he Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, 3872 Dillard informal “coffehouse” sharings. Road in Highlands is offering a pair of camps in July As one of the most successful guitar pedagogues in history, and August. They’re open to everyone Aaron Shearer was instrumental in the deand you can reserve a spot by visiting velopment of many of the celebrated classical Friends and families of all themountainrlc.org. guitar performers. Their level of musical

ages come together for

Intergenerational Camp, set for July 24 and virtuosic performance has contributed to outdoor adventures… through 29, is a Mountain summer tradition raising the image of the guitar in the classical that allows participants to create memories music world. The intent is that the keys that led which last a lifetime. Friends and families to this success be shared as widely as possible of all ages come together for outdoor adventures of hiking, with those musically inclined devotees who are attracted by the tubing, rafting; farm tours and projects; water sports of swimcharms and subtleties of the classical guitar. ming or canoeing; workshops of woodworking or building All levels and ages are welcome a cob pizza oven; crafts, field games, music, campfires with For more information, contact themountainrlc.org/upcomingsmores, stargazing, and more. Meals include fresh produce events or (828) 526-5838. from the farm. Aaron Shearer Classical Guitar Institute, set for July 29 through August 4, is an artist masterclass for instruction and opportunities for individual and group performance. This offers private lessons, as well as group instruction, include performance development, beginning to advanced technique, guitar harmony, guitar rhythm, composing and arranging, etc. The program includes artist and student performances and

by Mary Jane McCall

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Charity Golf

Tournament

Cashiers Cares, which has benef itted local nonprof its since 2008, will stage a charity golf tournament at Trillium Links & Lake Club on September 18.

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ashiers Cares is planning a golf tournament at Trillium Links & Lake Club on Friday, September 18.

The shotgun scramble will begin late morning and will be followed by a silent auction and awards reception. The event will be limited to 100 golfers, according to Tim Laverty, the Club’s golf professional. Cashiers Cares supports numerous local agencies which serve the unmet needs of southern Jackson County. These agencies are AWAKE, Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, Pisgah Legal Services, the Community Care Clinic, Cashiers Valley Preschool, Hampton Preschool and Early Learning Center, SAFE, Four Seasons Hospice, Fishes and Loaves, and United Christian Ministries of Jackson County. Acknowledging the many “quiet needs” of our community, Cashiers Cares seeks to serve all ages, from cradle to end of life, as evidenced in the range of charities it supports. Trillium has played an important part in Cashiers Cares’ success since 2020.

The Club’s Women’s Bible Study determined that year to complete a service project and chose Cashiers Cares as its beneficiary. The group brought the charity to the attention of the Club’s 368 members and has subsequently raised over $70,000 in the past two years. “Our partnership with the members of Trillium has played a significant role in our success, particularly as we faced the challenge of Covid,” says Board Chairman Pam Kerr. She noted that Cashiers Cares has given over $500,000 to the community since its inception in 2008. Details on registration will be made available in the coming weeks. Cashiers Cares Inc. is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization and gifts are taxdeductible. Checks may be mailed to Cashiers Cares Inc., P.O. Box 1072, Cashiers, NC 28717. by Luke Osteen

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Vanishing Crafts

on Display

The Mountain Ar tisan Summer time Ar t and Craft Show set for July 1-2 at Western Carolina University, will be laced with examples of “Vanishing Crafts.”

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n abundance of local artisan talent will be on display at the Annual Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show, which will be held Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center, 92 Catamount Drive, in Cullowhee. In fact, about 60 exhibitors are expected. One of the exhibitors is Joan Marsden, whose business name is Raven Arts. She is a fabric artist who lives on the Plateau. As is the case with many artistic people who eventually land on their particular niche, Marsden was first a commercial artist and then an art teacher before she began focusing on applique sewing – which is basically stitching fabric pieces atop other fabric pieces. She primarily creates fabric greeting cards, pillows, wall hangings, and framed mountain landscapes resembling the Blue Ridge Mountains. She purchases batik fabrics, cuts out the shapes, and then assembles through sewing. Nature and wildlife inspires her creations: bears, birds, mountain mist, flowers, etc. To achieve mist, she explained, “I use roving (locks) from Alpaca.” Marsden has been a member, along with 80-plus other artists, at Dogwood Crafters in nearby Dillsboro for nine years and her

work is displayed there for sale regularly. “This will be my first time showing at Mountain Artisans,” she said, explaining, “other crafters at Dogwood have been exhibiting there and told me about it.” Doris Hunter, a resident of Franklin and the show’s organizer, established the Annual Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show to present and preserve what she refers to as “vanishing crafts,” which were goods, like quilts and pottery, needed historically for daily survival in the Appalachian Mountains. Western North Carolina artisans will present paintings, wood crafts, quilts, pottery, glass blown goods, master jewelers, turned-wood cutting boards, rustic furniture, American flags made of recycled wood, and more. And live music will be provided by Guitarist Ronny Evans. Admission is $5 for adults and the ticket is good for both days of the event. Children under 12 are free, and convenient parking and concessions are available. For more information, contact Doris Hunter at djhunter155@ gmail.com. by Deena Bouknight

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Community

Day

For The Bascom, July 2 has been set aside as a celebration of the richness and vitality of the entire Plateau community. Join them for Community Day, 323 Franklin Road in Highlands.

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ach year, The Bascom thanks our community by offering a day filled with free art activities for the whole family.

In addition to free popcorn, artist demonstrations, and things to make, this year we are adding a Community Day Picnic – we invite you to bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs, your friends, and your own basket of food to sit back a while on our grounds and enjoy the beautiful Bascom campus, a storytelling artist, and live music. In addition, we’re eager to build a history of the current Bascom campus, which was established in 2009 – we are calling on our community to come share your stories with us so we can preserve our history. We are seeking the stories of everyone – whether you held a wedding event on our terrace, posed for a special photo in front of the Will Henry Stevens Bridge, walked our Sculpture Trail with your favorite dog, made a special piece of pottery in our ceramics studio, participated in our outreach programs, joined in our programs supporting artists, or fell in love with a work of art at an exhibition, we want to hear! On July 2, you can tell your story at our storytelling booth, or simply let us know you have a story to tell, and we’ll sign you up later!

Here’s the Schedule: July 2: Community Day 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M Art Activities: Make, See, and Do on the Terrace (free popcorn) – free activities for children; Noon to 2:00 P.M. Inaugural Picnic on the Grounds: Bring your own picnic, lawn chairs, or blanket and spread out and enjoy. Music and storytelling in the shaded amphitheater on the Horst Winkler Sculpture Trail. Play a game of cornhole. Prizes for kids. 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Storytelling Booth: Do you have a story to share about The Bascom? Did you hold your wedding event here, or take a special photo at the Will Henry Stevens Bridge? Did you witness the raising of the covered bridge, or ride horses at the Crane Barn before it was purchased by The Bascom? Did you take a class that had an impact on your artistic trajectory, or participate in our residency program? In an effort to document our history and to tell the story of the meaning of the place that is The Bascom, we invite you to record your story. For more details, contact Autumn Chandler at achandler@thebascom.org. by Billy Love, The Bascom

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Make a Run

For It

There’s a place for you for Highlands Rotar y’s Twilight 5k, snaking through town on Saturday, August 13. For more details and to register, visit highlandstwilightrun.com.

adies and gentlemen, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and join the Highlands Rotary Club for their annual Twilight 5K, held this year on Saturday, August 13.

Starting at 6:00 P.M. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, this race stands apart from the rest in that it offers the entire family a chance to participate while raising funds for The Literacy & Learning Center. The USATF-certified 5k course is a largely flat circuit that beckons serious runners hoping to improve their times. While they’re focusing on improving their times, the less serious among us can join in the fun by walking and strolling, taking a moment to enjoy the scenery along the way. Entire families will enjoy the chance to participate and join in the community fun. You’re never too young or too old to be a “Twilighter.” The completion of the race is just the start of a fun family night at the park. Runners over 21 years of age who complete the race will be entitled to a cold beer – all the more reason to improve your time and race to the front of the line. Children typically receive a light-up toy or necklace. All enjoy the concert in the

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park which follows the race. This year, Spalding McIntosh is the headliner. The deadline for early registration is July 13. The cost during early registration is $30 and early registrants are guaranteed an event t-shirt in their size as well as a custom bib. The cost of registration after July 13 but before race day is $35. Day of race registration is $40. All runners will receive a t-shirt as long as supplies last, but sizes may be limited so early registration is recommended. As always there will be prizes, including $100 for a new overall course record and $50 for any other age group record. For more details and to register, visit highlandstwilightrun.com. by Mary Jane McCall

Scan to learn more.

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Interlude Concert

Series

The First Presby terian Church of Highlands’ Interlude Concer t Series is a welcome respite from the stresses of 2022. First Presby terian Church is located at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. Handicapped accessible entrances are located on Church Street and on Fifth Street.

022 marks the 24th anniversary of the Interlude Concert Series, sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Highlands.

The concerts provide a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – a time to relax and enjoy a variety of music. Visitors to Highlands are especially invited to attend these concerts. Each concert is free, and dress is casual. All concerts are at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesdays and will take place at Highlands First Presbyterian Church. The series kicks off at 2 on Wednesday, July 6, with a performance by violinist Robin Bollinger and pianist William Ransom. This amazing duo will perform works by Beethoven, Kreisler, Ysaye, and Boulanger. Robin Bollinger is an accomplished violinist who made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 12, and she’s performed throughout the United States and abroad. She has

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bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honor from the New England Conservatory of Music. William Ransom is the Mary L. Emerson Professor of Piano at Emory University in Atlanta, and he serves as Artistic Director of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival. The concert is jointly sponsored by the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival and First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. Then on Wednesday, July 20, The Trey Clegg Chamber Singers will be featured. With a mission to inspire the passion of reconciliation, equity, and harmony, this selectively auditioned ensemble performs at the highest level of choral discipline and standards. by Angie Jenkins

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Porchfest

2022

All of downtown Highlands is the stage for Porchfest 2022, set for 1:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, September 18.

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he Center for Life Enrichment (with support from Visit Highlands NC/The Highlands Chamber of Commerce) is putting together Highlands Porchfest 2022, a one-day, family-friendly musical event that’ll see musical acts performing across the town. Because of wide community support, these performances are free. Highlands Porchfest will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, September 18. Bands, singers, and instrumentalists are participating at no charge to showcase their talents and engage the community (though, of course, tipping is highly encouraged). Audiences will find performances all over town – The Bascom, 200 Main, Highlands Wine Shoppe, Sotheby’s, First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, the Croquet Lawn at Old Edwards Lodge, Town Square, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Chambers Realty, Hudson Library, and the Highlands Performing Arts Center. “Because Highlands Porchfest will be primarily held downtown, attendees will be able to walk or bike as they move from location to location,” says Center for Life Enrichment Board Member Karen Hunt, who brought the idea for Highlands Porchfest to the board. Beyond monetary donations, CLE is looking for additional musicians and steadfast music loving volunteers to assist us the day of the event. If you’d like to help, email info@highlandsporchfest.com or call the CLE office at (828) 526-8811. by Luke Osteen

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J U LY

W H AT TO DO

“July is a blind date with summer.” – Hal Borland

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

Cashiers Valley Community Chorus Concert, 2 & 5 PM, Village Green Commons. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, PAC. Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Lake Glenville Fireworks, 9:30 PM.

Independence Day Festival, 9 AM, Highlands Ball Field. Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. Highlands Rotary Club’s Duck Derby, 2 PM, Bridge at Mill Creek. Concert, 6 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founder’s Park. Fireworks Extravaganza and Concert,6:30 PM, Village Green Commons. Highlands Fireworks, 9 PM, downtown.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Oak Steakhouse’s Under the Stars, On the Rocks series.

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM to 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. CLE Lecture: Mueller Investigation, 10 AM, Lecture Hall. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons..

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. CLE Lecture: Viruses and Vaccines, 2 PM, Lecture Hall. HCCMF Salon, 5 PM.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. A Ravenel Soirée, 6:0 PM, to benefit Highlands Biological Foundation.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Concerts on the Slopes, Sapphire Valley Community Center.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. Art League of Highlands-Cashiers meeting, 4:30 PM, The Bascom. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. .

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, behind and below The Highlands United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Village Nature Series, 5 PM, Village Green Commons.

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, PAC. Robert Earl Keen’s Farewell Tour, 7:30 PM, Brevard Music Center.

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, PAC.

Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, PAC. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, PAC.

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Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, United Methodist Church.. Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Artist Talk/Reception, Bascom. Mountain Heritage Lecture Series, 11 AM, Dowden Pavilion, Cashiers Historical Society HCCMF Salon, 5 PM. Zahner Conservation Lecture, 6 PM, Highlands Nature Center Jersey Boys, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Bastille Day, Shakespeare & Company. Zahner Conservation Lecture, 6 PM, Highlands Nature Center Jersey Boys: 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. HCCMF Just Jazzing Around Concert, 3 PM, Highlands First Presbyterian Church. Artist Reception, Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery. Zahner Conservation Lecture, 6 PM, Highlands Nature Center Jersey Boys, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

Highlands Food Pantry Open, 10 AM - 6 PM, Three Potters Symposium, The Bascom. Shush Trunk Show, Narcissus. Brighton Trunk Show, 1-5 PM, The Look Boutique. Art Talk & Book Signing, 4-6 PM, Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery. HCCMF Salon, 5 & 7:30 PM, Episcopal Church of Incarnation. Zahner Conservation Lecture, 6 PM, Highlands Nature Center. Thursday Night Trivia, 7:30 PM, The High Dive.

The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. The Green Market - Locally Grown on The Green, 2 - 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Interlude Concert, 2 PM, Highlands First Presbyterian Church. Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. The Green Market, 2 - 5 PM, Village Green Commons. HCCMF Martinis & Mozart, 5:30 PM, The Orchard House at Old Edwards Farm. Jersey Boys: 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Locally Grown on The Green, 2 PM, Village Green Commons. HCCMF Just Jazzing Around Concert, 3 PM, Village Green. HCCMF Jazz Jam, 7:30 PM, Village Green Commons. Commons in Cashiers Jersey Boys: 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. The Green Market, 2 PM - 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Orchard Sessions Outdoor Concert, 6 PM, The Farm. Joshua Bell plays Tchaikovsky, 7:30 PM, Brevard Music Center. Bluegrass Wednesday, 7:30 PM, The Ugly Dog Pub.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show, Western Carolina University. CLE Lecture with Noel Francisco,10 AM, Lecture Hall. Lunch For Literacy, participating restaurants. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square. HCCMF Concert, 6 PM, PAC. Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM. Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Community Day, The Bascom Craft Show, Western Carolina. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Concert, 6 PM, Town and Country General Store. Bluegrass Music, Cashiers Valley Smokehouse. Jersey Boys, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Bookworm 11 AM - 3 PM. Sally Eckman Trunk Show, Main Street Gifts. Lunch For Literacy, participating restaurants. HCCMF Concert, 6 PM, PAC. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square. Groovin’ on the Green, 6:30 PM, Village Green Jersey Boys, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Friday Night Live, 6 PM, Town Square.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Sally Eckman Trunk Show, Main Street Gifts. Jersey Boys. 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Low Country Shrimp Boil, 5 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM, Concert, 6 PM, Town & Country. Bluegrass Music, Cashiers Valley Smokehouse. HCCMF Feast, 7 PM. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Easels on the Green, Cashiers Plein Air Festival, Village Green. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Mountain Wildlife Days, Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center. HCCMF Concert, 6 PM, PAC. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square. Groovin’ on the Green, 6:30 PM, Village Green. Jersey Boys, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse..

Easels on the Green, Village Green. Fishes and Loaves Food Drive, 9 AM-Noon, at the Pantry. Jersey Boys, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Concert, 6 PM, Town and Country General Store. Bluegrass Music, Cashiers Valley Smokehouse. HCCMF Feast, 7 PM., Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Suzy Landa Trunk Show, Peak Experience. Pottery Show/Sale, The Bascom. HCCMF Concert, 6 PM, PAC. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square. Friday, Night Live, 6 PM, Town Square. Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse.

Highlands Marketplace, Suzy Landa Trunk Show, Peak Experience. Pottery Show/Sale, The Bascom. Fine Art Show, 10-5, Sapphire Valley Community Center. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Jersey Boys, 2:30 & 7:30 PM, Highlands Playhouse. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Concert, 6 PM, Town and Country General Store. Concert, 8:30 PM, BMC Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Three Potters Symposium, The Bascom. Shush Trunk Show, Narcissus. CLE Lecture: Journalism Amid Disinformation, 2 PM, Lecture Hall. Book Signing: Patricia Brandon 3 PM, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. HCCMF Concert, 6 PM, PAC. Friday Night Live concert, 6 PM, Highlands Town Square.

Highlands Marketplace, 8 AM - 12:30 PM. Bazaar Barn, 10 AM - 2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM - 3 PM. Art Benefit, drawing 5 PM, Betsy Paul Real Estate. Bluegrass Music, Cashiers Valley Smokehouse. HCCMF Concert, 5 PM, Village Green Commons. Saturdays on Pine, 6 PM. Concert, 6 PM, Town and Country General Store. HCCMF Feast, 7 PM. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive.

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RECREATION & CREATION Pages 76-87

OUTDOORS

Capturing a Midnight

Waterfall

With some precautions and the correct equipment, water falls at night can boost your por tfolio with stunning images.

hotographing waterfalls at night may not be your cup of tea but, although challenging, it can be quite rewarding.

make the scene more interesting. We also prefer a night with no moonlight, although it’s possible to have success with some moonlight.

thoroughly. It can be viewed by going online and entering “Night Photography Waterfalls-Wild Photo Adventures” in the address bar.

Without a doubt, hiking to waterfalls at night can be very hazardous for obvious reasons. We would not attempt to hike to a waterfall in the dark without first scouting it out during the day.

Appropriate gear is important – include an SLR camera, wide angle lens, a sturdy tripod, and a good LED flashlight with an adjustable beam.

The waterfall shown here is Silver Run Falls which is located close to Cashiers. The shot was taken during a dry spell, so the water was flowing lighter than normal. Ironically, it’s the same waterfall shown in the TV series mentioned above.

Most waterfalls can be shot at night but we prefer a setting that includes a clear night sky with visible stars to 76 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

About five years ago there was a TV series that included an episode on photographing waterfalls at night that explains the techniques quite

There are two viewpoints at the falls. The first is short, a few hundred yards,

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

HIGHLANDS Bridal Veil Falls From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 2.3 miles west on US 64. Waterfall GPS: N35.07180 W-83.22910 Difficulty: You can park your car in a little parking area and walk 50 feet.

Whitewater Falls From US 64 west of Lake Toxaway, take NC 281 for 8.5 miles and turn left at the sign for Whitewater Falls into a parking area. Difficulty: Not strenuous, though the paved path is a bit uneven.

Dry Falls From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 3.15 miles west on US 64 to a parking area on the left. Waterfall GPS: N35.06884 W-83.23869 Difficulty: There are lots of steps you must go down to get behind Dry Falls.

Cashiers Sliding Rock Cashiers Sliding Rock, a million miles from the cares of the 21st century, is easy to get to. From the Cashiers Crossroads, travel south on NC 107 to Whiteside Cove Road. Head down the road for 2.6 miles to where the road crosses the Chattooga River and pull over just across the bridge. Difficulty: A piece of cake.

Bust Your Butt Falls From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 6.35 miles west on US 64 to the pullout on the left. Waterfall GPS: N35.09268 W-83.26573 Difficulty: Don’t stop on the road itself! Glen Falls From the junction of US 64 and NC 106 in Highlands, drive 1.75 miles south on NC 106 and bear left at the sign for Glen Falls. Take Glen Falls Road, not Holt Road. Drive 1.05 miles to the parking area. Waterfall GPS: N35.03128 W-83.23829 Difficulty: There’s some climbing involved here.

and easy. The second, where our photo was taken, is a short distance further down the trail. It is more difficult due to the many roots encountered. Caution is advised here during the day or night. Trailhead Directions From the intersection of US 64 and NC 107 in Cashiers, go south on NC 107 for about four miles. Look for the small parking area on the left. by Ed and Cindy Boos

Upper Middle Creek Falls From the intersection of NC 106 and US 64, follow NC 106 South for 9.3 miles. Exactly 1 mile before you reach the Georgia state line, and about 0.3 miles after NC 106 crosses Middle Creek, a yellow School Bus Stop sign will be on the right. Park on the right side of the road right at the sign. Waterfall GPS: N35.00714 W-83.32916 Difficulty: The four-tenths of a mile hike is not strenuous but it can be confusing. CASHIERS Silver Run Falls From US 64 in Cashiers, head south on NC 107 from 4.05 miles – there’s a pullout area on the left. Waterfall GPS N35.06599 W-83.06558 Difficulty: No difficulty.

Spoonauger Falls From Cashiers, travel on NC 107 8.2 miles. The name changes to SC 107 – travel for 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Burrells Ford Road. Drive approximately 2.0 miles to the Chattooga Trail parking area on the left (look for the Forest Service Bulletin Board) Hike north on the Chattooga Trail, which roughly parallels the Chattooga River for 0.25 mile, then cross Spoonauger Creek. Immediately on the right will be a side trail. Difficulty: There’s nothing tricky. Schoolhouse Falls From US 64, take NC 281 North for 0.85 mile and bear left on Cold Mountain Road. Stay on the road. When it becomes unpaved, travel about 0.1 mile. Take the road on the right and travel for 0.1 mile to a parking area. Take the trail to the right of the information kiosk. At the intersection, proceed straight on Panthertown Valley Trail. Turn left onto Little Green Trail. Schoolhouse Falls is about 0.15 mile ahead. Waterfall GPS N35.16330 W-83.00674 Difficulty: The hike isn’t challenging.

Scan for interactive map of waterfalls in the Highlands and Cashiers area.

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OUTDOORS

Don’t make it

a Routine!

Without new streams and new schemes, the magic built into Fly Fishing can vanish.

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outines are boring! What’s not boring is the great sport of fly fishing.

Fly Fishing is an interactive game with nature that will take you to beautiful destinations you would otherwise not see. As a fly shop owner, I get to interact with lots of people before they go out for their day of fishing. Too often I see people getting in a “rut” when it comes to enjoying their time on the water. They once went to a certain stretch of a certain river and caught a fish on a certain type of fly. Because that outing was a success, they decide to repeat it over and over again. Successful or not, that gets boring after a while. Go to a new river, try a different style of fishing, try a different time of year, just don’t make it a routine. It’s amazing the new things you will learn and put into your bag of tricks to becoming a more proficient angler by staying out of the “rut.” I’ve been fly fishing all my life, and have turned it into a career, and I’m still finding new things to try.

Recently I decided to combine two of my favorite hobbies: Fly Fishing and Mountain Biking. I’ve found that this new mode of transportation to the trout stream has opened up way more options of where I can go and find un-pressured fish. Yes, that’s a photo of a native Brook Trout caught and released underneath the tire of my mountain bike in a remote part of the Cashiers /Highlands Plateau. It would have taken me most of the day hiking in and out of this particular location, but with the bike it was done in just a few hours. You don’t have to take it as extreme as I did, but just try and spice up your most valuable commodity (your time in nature) by trying something different. There are tons of techniques and methods of how to fool a trout into biting that often get overlooked. If you need ideas of a new place to try, and new technique, or even a new species to target, your local fly shop is always a great place to start! by Matt Canter, Brookings Anglers

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OUTDOORS

Be a Steward of

the Land

The impor tant work of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is more vital than ever. To learn more and suppor t the Land Trust, visit hicashlt.org.

en new land protection projects that conserved 280 acres were completed in 2021 by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, the nationally accredited, nonprofit land conservation organization that serves southern Macon and Jackson Counties. These projects protect two Southern Appalachian Bogs, two major rock outcrops, a new public park for Cashiers, and a piece of a historic trail. With the influx of new home and landowners here now, it is really important that we work together as a community to balance this new growth with conservation. As an ecologist, I would like to remind everyone of the important ecological concept of carrying capacity. Fundamentally, it means how many people can live in a given 80 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

area. What it doesn’t tell us is the quality of that living. Too many people can lead to conditions that negatively impact living conditions. We could see our sandy soils erode, habitat fragmentation, diseased flora and fauna, warmer unhealthy streams, and warmer temperatures. How many folks can live on and visit the Plateau before we begin to see degradation of the environment? I believe that we have not reached that tipping point yet but as a community we need to think collectively on how we can avoid it. It’s very encouraging that the recent Urban Land Institute report identified as their number one recommendation to develop a conservation vision for Cashiers. Conservation planning could determine not just where we develop, but also where we should not develop. This does not mean zero development, rather guided

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development. This approach would allow Cashiers to protect its natural heritage and character while directing development both for commercial purposes and affordable housing. So, to those friends that are new to our mountains I have some suggestions. Do not plant invasive plants, as they can choke out the species we need and unravel our delicate ecosystem. Keep in mind your carbon footprint and when building a new home, consider working with the land, not against it. Let’s be gentle when we live, play, and build and above all let’s be good stewards of the land and water so we do not kill the goose that laid the golden egg. If you are not already a member of HCLT, we invite you to join today – visit us at hicashlt.org. by Dr. Gary Wein Executive Director, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

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OUTDOORS

A Truly Rare

Bird

Male Canada Warbler by Tim Carstens

The any thing-but-ordinar y Canada Warbler may be vanishing from Plateau woodlands.

he Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is a migratory bird that winters in South America and follows North American flyways in the spring to breeding grounds far to the north.

a large clutch of up to six eggs. Pair bonding appears to be monogamous with the mated pair staying together year-round.

Over 80 percent of “Canadas” breed in Canada and fewer than 20 percent do so in the U.S., although that lesser breeding range includes the Highlands Plateau.

These lovely denizens of the forest, like hundreds of avian species, are in sharp decline. The years of 1966 through 2015 saw a loss of 65 percent of their population. They are now on threatened lists and are at risk of extinction. Ours could be the last generation to catch a glimpse of this rare avian gem. And here they are!

Because they are the last of the migratory birds to arrive in the spring and are among the first to depart in late summer and early fall, they are a rare and prized sight in our area. The plumage is distinctive and delightful: the throat, breast, and belly are yellow while the back is dark gray; the long, dark tail has white underneath matching its white eye ring; and the dark markings on the upper breast comprise a necklace fit for royalty. Males and females are similarly adorned, with the female being muted as is the case with most warblers. According to Sibley, the distinctive song features, “high, clear, liquid notes; varied: sputter, descending, and ending loudly; all notes different…erratic with scattered, sharp chips inserted.” This is not your average songbird! Canada Warblers are creatures of the forest, feeding on insects gleaned from the foliage. They nest on the forest floor, laying 82 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Banded Canada Warblers have lived to 8 years, making the trip from South America to Canada and the U.S. every year.

Happy July birding from the Highland Plateau Audubon Society. Look for these avian delights this month, a few feet above the forest floor. The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them. HPAS is a 501(c)(3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities. by William McReynolds, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

OUTDOORS

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OUTDOORS

The Magic of

Microgreens

Cathy Clark ’s Hidden Vale Microgreens is seducing Plateau palates with these little jewels of f lavor and goodness.

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OUTDOORS

o here we are – smack dab in the middle of salad-for-supper season. The perfect time to talk about gardening – and microgreens. While most gardeners on the Plateau have only recently started harvesting their crops, Cathy Clark, owner of Hidden Vale Microgreens, has been farming all winter long – inside the home she shares with husband Gary in Highlands. The path that led Cathy Clark to embark on microgreen farming is notable. For nearly ten years, Clark had been grappling with health issues. Deciding she needed to lose weight, she signed up for a weight loss program. It worked, she lost 54 lbs., and pledged to continue to focus on eating healthy. At the same time, she was searching for a business opportunity. Months of prep work and research during covid led to her the discovery of microgreens. She knew that though for a long time the only place one would see microgreens was in a high-priced restaurant, in recent years they have gone mainstream. That was good news on two fronts. For those seeking a healthy lifestyle, microgreens are nutrient-dense, containing up to 40 times the nutrients of the mature plants. And secondly there’s the flavor! Their concentrated taste really is next level. So Clark started exploring you-tube videos. She learned that microgreens-fully developed seed leaves, bigger than sprouts but smaller than baby greens – can be grown indoors in a small space, making them her ideal business venture. She understood

that it didn’t take a plant whisperer to enjoy success in this venture. And the thought of the rewards of cultivating the tastes of summer throughout the year was very appealing. It occurred to her, “I can do this.” Still the venture has had its challenges. As Cathy told me “Everyone’s environment is different – so there’s been a lot of trial and error finding what grows best.” Currently, Clark is growing leeks, pea shoots, popcorn shoots, radish, and a powerhouse mix of broccoli, kale, red and golden cabbage, and kohlrabi. Sunflower, the most popular, are also the most finicky of the microgreens. Clark produces about 35 trays a week of microgreens, that she subsequently packs in pint and quart containers and sells directly to consumers and restaurants. If you’ve yet to discover microgreens, they’re a delicious treat on avocado toast, piled on a salads and soups, tossed with your favorite pasta, used as a stand-alone ingredient in scrambled eggs and terrific on a homemade burger! As every food lover knows, living well means eating well. Clark sells her microgreens on Saturdays at the Highlands Farmers Market and delivers them at no charge to restaurants and residents in the Highlands area. You can reach her at garyandcathy33@gmail.com or on facebook @hiddenvalemicrogreens. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the dog on their logo, Cathy and Gary are the proud owners of 2 Boxers.

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OUTDOORS

Invite Nature

Into Your Life

The Zahner Lecture Series explores the ar t of ancient America and the incredible stressors facing the natural world. Lectures are presented at the Highlands Nature Center. For a full schedule, visit highlandsbiological.org or call the Highlands Biological Station at (828) 526-2221.

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OUTDOORS

or decades, the Zahner Conservation Lecture series has been a cherished summer tradition at the Highlands Nature Center.

Named for the significant contributions of Dr. Robert Zahner and his wife Glenda, to conservation efforts on the Highlands Plateau, this series serves to educate the public through weekly talks. The Zahner tradition continues this summer as HBF gears up for their first lectures of the season. Each program will be held at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road) on Thursday evenings at 6:00 P.M. between July 7 and September 1. On July 7, join us for Precontact Native American Cave Art in the Southeast with Dr. Jan F. Simek, Distinguished Professor of Science and President Emeritus at the University of TennesseeKnoxville. This lecture will provide an overview of the ancient cave art of Appalachia. On July 14, it’s Unpaved Roads, Ditches, Missing Riparian Buffers, Fertilization: Why Many Mountain Streams Aren’t Cold, Clean, and Pristine with Dr. C. Rhett Jackson, John Porter Stevens Distinguished Professor of Water Resources at the University of Georgia. In this lecture, Dr. Jackson will

discuss how low-density rural development in the Blue Ridge Mountains has completely shifted rural valley stream systems. On July 21, we’ll present Meet the Conservation Heroes Who Are Saving the Wild South with Georgann Eubanks, Writer, Consultant, and Executive Director of the Paul Green Foundation. Join Eubanks as she discusses her latest book, Saving the Wild South: Native Plants on the Brink of Extinction. Learn about her wondrous trek from Alabama to North Carolina to search out native plants that are endangered and wavering on the edge of erasure. On July 28, Managing the Coastal Zone in a Changing Climate: Everything We Are Doing Is Wrong with Dr. Rob Young, Director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University. This lecture will explore how climate change is impacting the coastal environment and coastal development in the USA and discuss the grand failure of government at all levels to act on the crisis in an organized and sensible way. by Winter Gary, Communications & Events Coordinator, Highlands Biological Foundation

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art by Laura Moser

ARTS Pages 92-119

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The Place I Call Home

Cover Ar tist Penny Pollock ’s entire life has been a sequence of inspiration and discoveries.

hen your mom is a stunning fashion model (a 1950s Coca Cola Pin-up Girl), you know your world is destined to be out of the ordinary.

Penny Pollock, daughter of that mid-century icon says, “I emulated my mom. She had a style like nobody’s business, and a personality to go with it.” Penny benefitted from her family’s travels to fashion hubs – New York, Paris, and Rome. That exposure, plus being surrounded by exotic textiles (many worthy of framing), gave her a leg up in the fashion realm. It’s no wonder fashion, fabric, and design came naturally. Another family mentor, her stepmom, designed maternity-wear. She owned the nation’s largest maternity clothing chain (250 stores). Bolstered by her family’s fashion success, Penny

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enrolled in the University of Denver Art Program. After that, she says, “I immersed myself in my passion, which I knew was always Fashion. So I went to Switzerland to study clothing design. “Perhaps Switzerland wasn’t fashion-central, but the curriculum did take me to all the European fashion districts.” When asked why she didn’t go to schools in France or Italy, she said, with a twinkle in her voice, “If I were going to be that far away from home, my father insisted Switzerland would be the safest country.” Her fascination with the exciting world of fashion fired up Penny’s artistic talents and her gregarious nature. She says, “It gave me exposure. I am outgoing. I thirsted for diversity of people, places, things, and ideas. I can’t get

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Penny Pollock with Leif and Layla

enough of it.” Later in life, while managing a successful fashion career, she took a class at The Bascom in encaustic painting. She says, “I was very involved in the ceramic program at The Bascom, when I decided on a whim to enroll in an encaustic workshop with Sue Fazio also at The Bascom – and absolutely found my medium. Encaustic painting is a process dating back to Ancient Greek times. It is a process of melting beeswax, tree resin and pigments (colors), and burning them together to create magical results on treated wooden boards.” When the wax melted, so did Penny’s heart. It was an awakening. Her studies, her work, her history swirled together, just like the fusion of pigment and wax. She’d discovered her ultimate medium-match. And yes, folks, Penny plays with fire. Penny’s love for engaging with people of all cultures, particularly strong women, also blended beautifully with the

encaustic process. She did several series of female portraits, each image rife with symbolism and loaded with story. Those stories became blogs, thus feeding Penny’s desire to reach out to friends she has made around the globe and closer to home. You can see Penny’s work at The Bascom Visual Arts Center during their Pop Up Show through July 26. In additon to The Bascom, Penny also shows at Cashiers Showhouse, August 31st, St. Augustine Art Center, St. Augustine, Florida; her home studios by appointment in both Highlands and Atlantic Beach, Florida. One of Penny’s proudest moments is when she was chosen to show in It’s Liquid Exhibition in Venice, Italy, this past April. To see more of Penny’s work go to pennypollockart.com. To email her concerning commissions and further inquiries, contact her at pennywave@yahoo.com. by Donna Rhodes 93 J UJ uLY l y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

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Art League’s

Double Play With its season in full swing, The Ar t League of Highlands-Cashiers is staging its Summer Colors Fine Ar t Show and hosting a presentation by legendar y local ar tist Betti Hankey.

Betti Hankey

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he Art League of Highlands-Cashiers is sponsoring two events in July, as the 2022 season gets into full swing.

July’s presentation will be given by ALHC board member Betti Hankey, who’s been a member of the Art League since its inception. She has been painting for more than 50 years. On July 23-24, it will stage the annual Summer Colors Majoring in Art at Georgia State Fine Art Show at the Sapphire Valley University, Ms. Hankey received her Community Center. BA in Art Education. She studied …a combination of religion At this indoor show, located off U.S under well-known Atlanta artist Joe and social commentary 64, two and one-half miles east of the Perrin. Her work has been described expressed in bright colors Cashiers Crossroads, members will as a combination of religion and social with a touch of humor… have on display and for sale artwork commentary expressed in bright colors in a variety of media. There will be with a touch of humor. The theme of paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor, her presentation will be Every Picture and mixed media as well as photoTells a Different Story. This promises to be an interesting and graphs, glass art, fiber art, and unique jewelry. informative talk. Please join us at 4:30 P.M. for refreshments and a chance to socialize and to meet the speaker. Plateau artists, as well as those from surrounding states will be present. ALHC members are among the most talented artists For more information about the Art League and its activities, in the area. With a comfortable indoor venue and ample free visit artleaguehighlands-cashiers.com. parking, weather is never a problem, and visitors may take their time browsing. There’s no admission fee for this show, although by Zach Claxton, visitors so inclined may make donations to support the Art The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers League’s various children’s programs. On Monday, July 25, the Art League will hold its monthly meeting at The Bascom at 5:00 P.M. Refreshments will be served at 4:30 P.M.

Scan to learn more.

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Bascom’s

Resident Artist

The Bascom welcomes Highlands native Sayla Hawk Roman as the 2022 Bascom Education Fellow.

Sayla Hawk Roman

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he Bascom’s Resident Artist program invites influential artists from across the country to live, work, and engage with the Plateau communities, creating mutually beneficial relationships for artists and the visual arts center. Over the past decade, The Bascom has welcomed more than 40 visiting artists, encompassing a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and focus areas from ceramics to photography, sculpture, and interdisciplinary studies. Though these talented individuals act in their role as resident artists with The Bascom for limited periods of time, their impact is long lasting, and essential to The Bascom’s mission to inspire and empower individuals and communities through seeing, thinking, and doing. This summer, The Bascom welcomes a new resident artist, 2022 Education Fellowship recipient Sayla Hawk Roman. A Highlands native, Sayla is a rising junior at Columbia University studying the visual arts and art history. Sayla is working towards a career in museum curation and is enthusiastic to work with The Bascom this summer to learn more about museum education, curriculum development, and the inner workings of an art center. Her role will include developing summer education curriculum that will result in a portfolio of classes she can take with her in the next phase of her journey as an arts professional.

as a Bascom participant during her youth in Highlands: “I have benefitted from the teaching of the Bascom staff greatly since I first began to attend after-school and summer programs at The Bascom 14 years ago. The Bascom’s programing has aided me in my artistic pursuits, passions, and was key player in my decision to become a Visual Arts and Art History major. The Bascom has nurtured the passions of many local children like me in Highlands and the surrounding areas. Overflowing with passion and gratitude, I hope to be able to spread the joy of art to others in my future career.” Members of surrounding communities and visitors will have the opportunity to experience Sayla Roman’s educational programs June through August this summer. These include Bascom youth summer camps and workshops, and exhibitions created with youth for exhibition in the Bascom Education Gallery. Her projects will also involve partnerships with the Literacy and Learning Center, Macon County Public Library Epic Teens, and Cashiers Senior Center. Please join all of us in welcoming the talented Sayla Hawk Roman to The Bascom! by Billy Love, The Bascom

No stranger to Bascom programs, Sayla shares her experience

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Pique Assiette

Becky Savitz’s unique vision transforms elegant rubble into something star tling and beautiful.

hat do you do when you drop a plate, and it shatters to pieces?

Most of us would reach for the dustpan seeing only a worthless pile of china to discard in the trash. But Becky sees creative possibility. In her hands, broken dishes become beautiful pique assiette mosaics. Pique assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates ceramic objects, broken dishes and other found items into a work of art. In French, a “pique-assiette” refers to someone who is a “scrounger,” which of course fits, because most pique assiette mosaics are created with recycled or rummaged materials. A visit to Becky’s studio reveals an extensive collection of plates, decorative figurines, ceramic birds, and porcelain baskets of flowers. She scours flea markets, eBay, and companies that sell damaged dishware. “I have friends who give me dishes that they’ve chipped instead of throwing them away,” she says. Becky began creating pique assiette 22 years ago, when she and

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her husband Ed purchased their home in Cashiers. With both of her daughters in college, she discovered “found time” to pursue mosaic art and gardening. Treatment for Graves’ Disease had also changed her. Becky views this as a transformative part of her life. “I was very mathematical. Then suddenly that went out the window and I became creative. And I like the creative a lot better.” She also observes, “God’s world opened up to me.” Becky is eager to share her passion with others. She has more than 33,000 followers on TikTok where she demonstrates her art. A visit to her Tampa home studio also reveals her enthusiasm as she demonstrates the creative process for pique assiette. She covers all kinds of objects with her mosaics. She cuts pieces of ceramic with special “nippers,” or with a diamond blade saw to cut more intricate artwork from a plate. She applies a concrete adhesive to affix the pieces in a decorative design on

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Becky Savitz

the surface item then cleans it up and applies grout in between. The result is whimsical and wonderful. Watering cans with mosaic flowers sit on a shelf with plants in terra cotta pots with different mosaic designs. A game of hopscotch fashioned from mosaic steppingstones in the path to her garden. A statue of a dog in mosaic stands guard on the patio. He has a basket of birds in his mouth, a hummingbird on his collar, and a rooster on his head. She comments, “This is a bird dog. I did this mosaic as a tribute to Fred, the English setter that adopted us.” Each piece she creates tells a story. On a visit to Chartres, France, Becky was introduced to Raymond Isidore, a famous pique assiette artist. Isidore collected broken pieces of china in junkyards on his way home from work. He started gluing them on the outside of his house. Before he died, his entire house was covered in mosaic. Seeing his cottage became the inspiration for her to create a mosaic on the back of the fireplace in her home in Cashiers. “It started with a large flower, but I realized if I was going to cover the whole [thing], I needed to think bigger.” She started creating a vine pattern that looked like a bean stalk.

Suddenly, the mosaic began to tell the familiar story of Jack and the Beanstalk. “It starts with flowers at the bottom with Jack and his cow. Then the vine goes up to the top near the ceiling where you find the Giant’s boot. The whole story is there except it is in mosaic,” she says. Becky says she very rarely has the finished product in mind when she starts a project. “In fact, I never do,” she notes, “I know just a general idea.” She also views her work as a spiritual expression of her faith. “I believe that God takes our broken pieces, doesn’t throw them away, then puts them back together in a beautiful way.” She notes when she cuts a piece of china to fit in a design, she thinks about the things in her life that need to be cut away to fit a bigger picture. Next time a dish breaks, pause before you reach for the dustpan. Survey the broken pieces and consider the creative possibility. See what story might emerge. It might just transform the way you see the world. by Ann Self

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By The Book Susie deVille has written her f irst book – Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free. Available for pre-order now.

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Susie deVille

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usie deVille, entrepreneur coach, creativity energizer, and founder of The Innovation and Creativity Institute has written her first book, Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free.

book invites you to get lost on purpose and dig deep to become the person and entrepreneur you long to be.”

Based in Highlands, deVille taps into her academic degrees – anthropology and entrepreneurship – and years of research and extensive coaching experience to help entrepreneurs build successful businesses and rediscover creativity, as well as leverage the power of their true nature.

Internationally-renowned entrepreneur and bestselling author of Let It Be Easy, Susie Moore, said, “Free-flowing creativity and authenticity are a powerful duo. Susie deVille shows you how to become the most powerful version of yourself by unlocking both in her generous book, Buoyant. A wonderful read for entrepreneurs ready to welcome their next level.”

Even individuals who are not entrepreneurs can be encouraged and motivated by deVille’s principles, which incorporate a multi-faceted, whole-brain approach. She shares, for example: • Powerful exercises to transmute feelings of fear into decisive action and confidence; • Tools aimed at protecting and fueling creativity in order to break through burnout, hone awareness, and flow into business success; • Meaningful advice on unleashing potential; and,

The book is filled with resources, tips, and inspirational anecdotes designed to encourage, inspire, and equip readers.

Businesses and companies can purchase multiple copies of Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free and may receive a discount, depending on volume, by contacting susie@innovationcompass.com. Otherwise, individual copies of the book are orderable on deVille’s website, InnovationandCreativityInstitute. com, at Shakespeare and Company, and through such online resources as Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Books a Million, and Indiebound.

• Embracing identity as both entrepreneur and creator to take action in transforming the future. Buoyant is part memoir and part exercise-filled guide. Said deVille, “Buoyant helps you shed the belief that being an entrepreneur means prioritizing productivity at all costs. Instead, the

by Deena Bouknight

Scan to learn more.

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Needlepoint and

Community

With the fruits of its talented members popping up all over the Plateau, the Sapphire Valley Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild is looking for enthusiastic new members.

(L to R) Barbara Cuscachs, Marsha Moxley, Bill Trotter (incoming President of Hudson Library Board), Renee Corbett, Leila Chapman and Jessica Smith (Administrative Assistant at Hudson Library).

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f you’ve been charmed by the whimsical needlepoint piece in the Children’s Room at Hudson Library or been comforted by the sudden appearance of a set of nine needlepoint designs at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, then you’ve been touched by the artistry and creative energies of the members of the Sapphire Valley Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. “There are eight of us, and we meet on the second Thursday of the month (though we don’t meet in the winter months),” says Chapter Co-President Marsha Moxley. “We meet and share a bite to eat and share our ideas, then we go home and work on our projects. For instance, our library project took about a year.” Marsha says that the hospital project had been finished back in the 1990s, but changes in administration resulted in the panels being relegated to an out-of-the-way corner of the facility. HCA Hospital CEO Tom Neal was instrumental in rescuing the the panels from their ignominious fate and placing them once

more in a position of prominence. If you’d like to join this group of friends and needlepoint enthusiasts, contact Marsha at marsha.moxley@gmail.com. Marsha says you don’t have to be a needlepoint maven to be welcomed into the group. (Editor’s Note: She means it – she even invited me to join, and the last creative thing I did with my hands was using a hammer to gish (squish) a spider in the bathroom last Friday. Don’t blame me, it was looking at me in a scary manner.) by Luke Osteen

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The Jersey Boys take Highlands Playhouse by storm when Mountain Theatre Company stages Jersey Boys: The Stor y of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, July 1 - 24, (Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 P.M., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 P.M.) Get your tickets at mountaintheatre.com.

icking off Mountain Theatre Company’s 2022 Mainstage Season at the Highlands Playhouse this month is Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons! Jersey Boys is the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning musical phenomenon that became an international sensation. Taking Broadway by storm in 2005, it continued to play to sold-out crowds for over a decade. Jersey Boys takes audiences on an exhilarating journey behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The four main characters were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard, and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story. Follow the incredible story of four guys bound by one dream, who sang their way from the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Audiences around the world have gone wild over the electrifying performances of the golden greats that took these hometown boys from Jersey all the way to the top of the charts. You’ll recognize hit songs including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t

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Cry, Walk Like a Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, My Eyes Adored You, and many more. You’re sure to leave exclaiming, “Oh, What a Night!” after experiencing Mountain Theatre Company’s top notch cast of professional actors perform this amazing musical! The cast of Jersey Boys has come to Highlands from across the country and will feature familiar favorites and performers new to Highlands audiences. Playhouse audiences will recognize Erin Knowles, Brandon Leporati, and Kyle Ivey from last season’s smash hit, Music in Motion. The cast will feature two recent graduates from Elon University, a North Carolina school which houses one of the nation’s best musical theatre programs. And the lead role of Frankie Valli will be played by Highlands’ own Emanuel Carrero (Music in Motion and The Scott & Patti Holiday Spectacular), who also serves as Mountain Theatre Company’s full-time Company Manager. Don’t miss this phenomenal cast of artists put on the show Highlands is bound to be talking about all summer. by Lindsay Garner Hostetler, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Mountain Theatre Company

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Summer

Comedy

Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center welcomes Tales of a Wear y Waiter and christens its new theater with Bravo Amici. For tickets or more information, visit HighlandsPer formingAr ts. com. Highlands PAC is located at 507 Chestnut Street.

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Bravo Amici

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he summer fun continues at the Performing Arts Center. Saturday, August 13 at 7:30 P.M. the comedy of Darron Cardosa in Tales of a Weary Waiter. Cardosa, also known as the Bitchy Waiter, is a food service professional with over thirty years of restaurant experience. He has waited tables in diners, pubs, chain restaurants, neighborhood bistros, clubs, and even a short stint in a celebrity-owned restaurant, before he was fired for blogging about his experience. Over the last 15 years, he has written more than 1,500 articles and blog posts, each and every one about the food service industry. He has written for Food & Wine, Plate, the Washington Post, and others. Darron has been seen on NBC’s TODAY Show and CBS Sunday Morning discussing the service industry. His book, “The Bitchy Waiter,” was published in 2016, and his years as a professional actor eventually led to the creation of his one-man comedy show, Tales of a Weary Waiter, which tours around the country.

Grand Opening of the new Performing Arts Center theater. The long awaited performance of Bravo Amici will christen the new stage and theater. Bravo Amici have wowed audiences all over the world, from London to LA, Miami to Moscow, St. Moritz to Sardinia, New York to New Zealand. Combining the essential elements of classical crossover - pop, Broadway, the West End and opera - this group of endlessly talented friends and stage stars melt hearts and blow minds in every theater they perform, becoming a worldwide phenomenon over the years. With a show that not only entertains and excites audiences, but also connects with them on a deeper level, you can guarantee it’s a concert you’ll never forget because of how they made you feel. by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

Saturday, September 17 at 7:30 P.M. marks the

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Revisiting

Greenlee’s Cover

Cover ar tist Duncan Greenlee gave us nostalgic snapshot from nearly 150 years ago.

his wonderful iconic cabin (the old Wilson cabin built in 1876) was rendered by Duncan Greenlee, painter, illustrator, cartoonist, and landscape specialist. It appeared on the cover of the Thanksgiving 2002 issue, the Laurel’s first year of publication.

You may know Duncan for any/all of his aforementioned talents. When he’s at the easel, he says, “I paint only four things: people, places, things, and ideas.”

When asked about the people in the painting, Duncan replied, “I got permission to have all the Laurel staff dress and pose like they were going to a late 1800s mountain Thanksgiving feast. Marjorie and Janet, with respective husbands, and employees dressed in turn-of-the-century garb carried platters of food, drink, and celebratory dinner accoutrements.”

I replied, “Duncan, that’s pretty much everything.”

We laughed. But this painting is proof of what he claimed: people (his characters), places (an historic cabin and rustic scene), things (objects/implements of the era), and ideas (the essence of a family Duncan chose warm fall colors for the gathering). As an illustrator, Duncan natural surroundings and distant ridge. tells endearing stories with his brush or Guests pen. When wore he creates I paint only four things: people, primary illustrations colors in or cartoons, places, things, and ideas. contrast his lines, to the marks, and neutrals. spaces must While the cabin was vacant as Duncan be economical and contribute to the painted it, he added people, pumpkins, concept. Easier said than done. pots, kindling, shadows in the windows, Study Duncan’s image. In the context and smoke from the chimney to bring it of early Highlands, does it match the to life. time frame? Involving all five of your Imagine no bathroom, no running water, no light switches, no vehicles. The cooking was done largely over a fire, or if lucky, in a woodstove – which required constant stoking and damping. If you think it’s hard to get a turkey properly cooked today, imagine the challenges in 1876.

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senses, can you experience the painting? Can you smell and taste a corn pudding? Do the colors invite further investigation? Do the shapes, both organic (anything created by Nature) and mechanical (anything created by humans), complement each other? What caught your eye first?

I asked Duncan, “Since you do so many different things, are you aware of the common thread that stitches it all together? It all comes from one source, after all. You!” He didn’t have to think long. He answered, “The tie-in is the natural world. I work in the outdoors, I draw things from Mother Nature, I love landscaping. When I die I want to go straight back to the land I love – Highlands. Just sprinkle me over the mountain, and I’ll grow into a tomato, you can call it ‘Duncan.’” Before you savor the last gaze of Duncan’s cover, compare it, from strictly a layout POV, with today’s covers. Note the current use of the border space, the branding, the graphics, the lettering. This reflects Laurel’s 20th year of artistic evolution. by Donna Rhodes

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Chamber Music

Season Begins The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival launches its 41st season with a stellar per formance by a trio of internationally recognized musicians. It sets the stage for concer ts across the Plateau. Tickets for the season or for individual concer ts may be purchased by calling (828) 526-9060, via email at hccmfnc@gmail.com, or online at h-cmusicfestival.org.

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William Ransom

Gary Motley

Martin Chalifour

Robin Bollinger

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ighlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s 2022 season premieres with Three Concertmasters on Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2.

This premiere performance will showcase the talents of David Coucheron of The Atlanta Symphony; Martin Chalifour of The Los Angeles Philharmonic; and David Kim of the Philadelphia Orchestra; with Elizabeth Pridgen on piano. The ever-popular Feasts of the Festival, Salons, Interlude Concerts, and Family Concert and Ice Cream Social will round out this amazing collection of chamber music offerings. The Festival is co-sponsoring the season’s first Interlude Concert, set for 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 6, at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. This concert will feature a performance by violinist Robin Bollinger and pianist (and Festival Artistic Director) William Ransom. They’ll perform works by Beethoven, Kreisler, Ysaye, and Boulanger. For the entire family, the festival is staging the free Just Jazzing Around at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 20, at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers; and 3:00 P.M. Thursday, July 21, at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. The Gary Motley Trio will lead this fun introduction to this quintessential American music. True to the spirit of the jazz,

children will have a chance to join in the music and the fun. The concert will be followed by an Ice Cream Social sponsored by Kilwins. It’s co-sponsored by the Highlands Community Child Development Center. The Gary Motley Trio will present Jazz Jam at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, July 20, at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers. This is an open invitation for local musicians to bring their own instrument and join the fun – or just come listen to the musicians jam and enjoy some beer, courtesy of one of the Plateau’s local breweries. This event is free. On Friday, July 22, Gary Motley will bring his sublime talents to Highlands’ Center for Life Enrichment with a class called “Beethoven & Me.” Motley, the director of Jazz Studies at Emory University, will explore some of the similarities and influences of the classical stylings of Beethoven on various jazz piano styles. Tickets for the season or for individual concerts may be purchased by calling (828) 526-9060, via email at hccmfnc@ gmail.com, or online at h-cmusicfestival.org where you will also find details about this summer’s superb chamber music festival season. by Luke Osteen

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Bel Canto’s 30th

Year

For its 30th Anniversar y Recital, Bel Canto’s dulcet tones will ring to the rafters of the Highlands Per forming Ar ts Center, 4:00 P.M. Sunday, September 11. For information about tickets, call (828) 787-2867.

he Bel Canto 30th Year Celebration Recital will be held in Highlands on Sunday, September 11, at 4:00 P.M. at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. This will be followed by dinner at the Highlands Country Club. Bel Canto contributions fully fund music education at the two preschool programs in Highlands, supplement music education at our public schools, fund a college scholarship in the performing arts, and aid in the acquisition of art for special art exhibitions and for The Bascom’s permanent collection. In total, Bel Canto has contributed over $650,000 to these worthy programs. This year’s artists include Soprano Kathryn Henry, who’s grown a devoted following after appearances on stages from the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the Rohm Theatre in Kyoto, Japan. She’s a graduate of the Julliard School. Acclaimed for her “magnificent color and simplicity” (William Barnewitz, Urban Milwaukee), Ms. Henry’s opera credits include roles in The Turn of the Screw, Die Zauberflöte, Suor Angelica, Hansel and Gretel, Le nozze di Figaro, Roméo et Juliette, and La bohéme. She has also appeared as a guest soloist with ensembles including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Mezzo-soprano Kathleen Reveille, who has been acclaimed for her “soaring and poised vocals,” is a twice-nominated Best Opera Album of the Year recording artist for her performances with the Warsaw Philharmonic. 112 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Some of her opera credits include roles in The Turn of The Screw, Riders to The Sea, At The Boars Head, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gianni Schicchi, Le nozze di Figaro, and Suor Angelica. In May 2018, she made her Carnegie Hall début as the mezzo soloist in Mozart’s Requiem. In 2019, she completed her second year with the prestigious Apprentice Singer Program of the Santa Fe Opera, making her on stage début as the Mayor’s Wife in Jenufa. Most recently she was awarded second prize in the Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition. Ms. Reveille holds a Master of Music from Yale University. Tenor Joseph Tancredi, who has been lauded by Opera News for his “high notes with a ringing, clarion tone,” is currently pursuing a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera from the Curtis Institute of Music. Previous credits include roles in Così fan tutte, the title role in Albert Herring, Il barbiere di Siviglia, I due timidi, Eugene Onegin, The Lord of Cries and The Thirteenth Child. Other credits include L’elisir d’amore and The Student Prince. This past summer, he performed in The Fall of the House of Usher and Der fliegende Holländer. Joseph has been awarded prizes in the Eastern Region Finals of the 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition, from the George London Foundation, and from the Premiere Opera Foundation + NYIOP. He holds a master’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree

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from Manhattan School of Music. Baritone Alex DeSocio, who is an alumnus of the prestigious San Francisco Merola Opera Program, has been described by The New York Times as having a “buttery, booming baritone.” Most recent engagements include roles in La bohème, Pagliacci, L’elisir d’amore, Roméo et Juliette, and Carmen. Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia is a signature role for him, having sung it with five opera companies. His further professional role experience is extensive. A highly awarded artist, Mr. DeSocio is a two-time semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, winner/laureate in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, and many others. He is also the only opera singer certified as an Actor Combatant in The Society of American Fight Directors. Dr. Stephen Dubberly, the Bel Canto maestro for the past 29 years, will accompany the singers. An already recognized master in his field when he began with Bel Canto, Stephen has become a sought after conductor of opera all over the country, in addition to his duties as Associate Professor of Music in the Division of Conducting and Ensembles at the University of North Texas, where he also serves as Music Director of the UNT Opera and teaches opera conducting and opera repertoire. by Michael Crowe

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Coro Vocati

The joyful sounds of Coro Vocati will be raised in a free public concer t at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, July 16, at Highlands’ First Presby terian Church.

oro Vocati Chamber Choir will perform in a free concert on Saturday, July 16, at 5:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Highlands.

Coro Vocati is an ensemble of professional singers based in Atlanta, with a mission to create music at the highest level of choral artistry.

Under the leadership of renowned choral conductor and educator Dr. John Dickson, and in collaboration with pianist and organist Dr. Jonathan Crutchfield, the choir has established itself as one of the premier professional choral ensembles in the Southeast, featuring some of the region’s most talented vocalists with polished performances celebrating unique and

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intriguing programming. The choir was founded in 2009 by Dr. John Dickson, Professor Emeritus and former Director of Choral Studies at Louisiana State University’s School of Music. The group will also be singing during the 11:00 A.M. worship service at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, July 17. Everyone is cordially invited to attend. The church is located at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. Handicapped accessible entrances are located on Church Street and on Fifth Street. by Angie Jenkins

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Art

Up Close

For Peggy Marra, the natural world and its denizens ser ve as an unquenchable source of wonder and inspiration.

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eggy Marra was often in her own world, sketching and drawing, while, she said, “I was supposed to paying attention in a class.”

In fact, the personalities and expressions of various animals and even birds are conveyed in vibrant, rich hues on large canvases.

She started painting when she was 16, visited Europe at 18 and 19 to absorb the art world, and she has been painting oils on canvas ever since.

“I started painting bears, and then began focusing on wolves, bison, coyotes, mountain lions…I love to get up close with my art, show the details of the face.” She also does commission work of pets and large animals, such as horses.

Three years in Greece, where she met husband Mihalis solidified her career as an artist.

Her work is exhibited at Summer House Design Center, near Highlands, and Turning Leaf Gallery in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

And for many years, until her husband passed, they managed art galleries, first in a small community in Montreal, Canada, and additionally in the affluent Sherbrook Street section of Montreal and also in Boca Raton, Florida.

However, she said, “A large following of people who have my work and want more of my work just come to my studio to see what I’ve finished and what I’m working on.

The downside of managing art galleries is that she had limited time to paint. But when she sold the galleries after Mihalis died, she decided to devote at least three days a week in her Sapphire Valley home – which she has owned for 19 years – to painting detailed, close-up, almost life-like images of wildlife prevalent in Western North Carolina or out West, where she has participated in photography excursions. Portraying wildlife became her passion. And, through her art, Marra strives to make people aware of the diverse and unique character of the animal she is painting.

“It’s total immersion in the work. It’s my passion. Nothing else is going on except me and my canvas and my oils.” You can see Peggy’s work at the Art League of HighlandsCashiers Summer Colors Fine Art Show - July 23 and 24 at the Sapphire Valley Community Center - or visit peggymarra.com. by Deena Bouknight

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Barbara Jamison

Artistic

Movement

Barbara Jamison’s late blossoming as an ar tist is the creative f lowering of a lifetime of experiences and obser vations.

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arbara Jamison is a late bloomer – to art, that is.

Yet her compilation of 16 years’ work in liquified acrylics conveys a lifetime of innate talent and carefully honed skills. Born in Rye, New York, Jamison received an undergraduate degree and an MBA before entering, full board, the corporate world. She worked in New York City, Rome, and then London, where she met her husband, Jim, and became vice president of marketing for American Express in Europe.

It was while traveling and “soaking in all of the inspiration” of art and sculpture that an artistic passion formed. She eventually hung up her business attire, moved with her family to Charlotte, and concentrated on raising their two boys. The family purchased a vacation log home in Cashiers and it was there, and in Charlotte, that Jamison seriously attended to her artistic side. “I started out with oils and then began experimenting with different mediums, gravitating to acrylics. My art began to flourish with the acrylics.”

bottles, placing a canvas bathed in water on a flat surface, and then “floating” the paints. She explained, “I want the paints to be free to move. Being that the paints are sitting on top of the water, I am able to push them with a palette knife or blow them with a straw or even take a butane torch to them to create a bubble effect. I want to create motion.” Jamison and her family became full-time Cashiers residents three years ago, purchasing a home but maintaining the log home as her studio. Her large body of work, all established just since she turned 50 years old (she’s now 66), sells at various galleries and directly to individuals as well as through Instagram and Facebook. A main subject focus is florals, but she also paints landscapes and more. “I am reflecting the raw, organic power of nature.” Barbara has just recently been appointed to the board of The Bascom. Her website is BarbaraJamisonPaintings.com. by Deena Bouknight

She sought instruction with an acclaimed artist in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who helped her “understand how to manipulate acrylics – to make the work distinct.” Currently, her style involves mixing specific paints in ketchup

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Re-Kindle the Good

Times

The Fix Experience is a mar velous indulgence to sooth post-pandemic ruff led feathers and revive the nearly-lost tradition of languid dining (with dancing). Reser vations are a necessity – call (828) 743-7477 or visit thef ixsapphire.com. It’s located at 3093 US 64 in Sapphire.

ver the course of the last two years of reviews, I’ve repeatedly touched upon the fragile state of social cohesion amid so many pandemic restrictions.

The notion of going out with friends for a meal and a celebration was shadowed with the faintest hints of unease. A lively table’s ebullience could be hushed by someone at another table enduring a round of coughing. Our once-a-month meal and gossip exchange with our friend Sarah Harkins halted immediately and still hasn’t returned. This was bad enough for me, but for my sweetheart Tricia, a storyteller and social butterfly of the first order, it took a true psychic toll. And what would all this do to our little Plateau communities, which rely so heavily on the conversations and laughter that accompany our meals and adult beverages?

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Well, I needn’t have worried – Tricia and I and a small group of friends were comforted and cajoled by The Fix Experience offered by The Fix Restaurant, Bar & Lounge in Sapphire. The Fix Experience is marvelously indulgent, a full seduction of the senses with a six-course meal prepared by Chef Jonathan Reid (complete with carefully calibrated wine pairings), an irresistible playlist by Doug Ramsay that served as both an accompaniment and an invitation to dance, and concierge-level attention delivered by servers Faith Hartle, Tanya Branham, and Amber Powell. And keeping the entire evening flowing smoothly was Hostess Erica Nicole. Though my word count is limited by the constraints of an overstuffed July Issue, I really must list the dishes that kept arriving from Chef Jonathan’s clever kitchen (imagine that each has been prepared with care and attention to the details). First Course: Sure Thing Oyster Progression – Oysters (one

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raw, one sweet mignonette, one baked), herbs, spinach, cress, lemon, foie gras, roasted red pepper, and foie hollandaise; Second Course: Venison Carne Apache – Cervina venison, lime, caper, herbs, black garlic bone marrow aioli, cumin, bacon fat crouton, mango & passion fruit yolk, and orange tuile;

faith in the notion that we’d all come through the pandemic with our faculties intact and our social connections even stronger – The Fix Experience was jumping! Conversations were lively, ambient laughter was raucous, and the music was truly an invitation to dance.

Third Course: Silken Corn Coup – Corn, cumin, cream, curry, cilantro, crème fraiche, crumbs, and croutons (Hostess Nicole dared us to repeat that fast, five times – go ahead and try it right now!)

Even this reviewer dragged out his reliable Awkward White Guy Rocking (a technique he learned his freshman year of high school) and was not laughed off the dance floor.

Fourth Course: Arancini – Spring peas, asparagus tips, fresh mozzarella, Gruyere, risotto, asparagus, and smoked bleu cream;

If you’re anxious to renew your pre-covid joy for life and rekindle your good times spent with friends (and even with strangers – a fun couple joined us at our table!), The Fix Experience is your passport to the Good Times that were nearly lost.

Fifth Course: Lightly Blackened Monkfish – Confit and crisped tri-color fingerling rounds, Sea Island red peas, natural gravy, herb-beet goat and gorgonzola griddle cake, and roasted red pepper beurre rouge; And finally, the glorious Sixth Course: White Chocolate Bread Pudding – an ingenious blending of French bread, chocolate chips, white chocolate cinnamon crème anglaise. (Pro Tip: Save room for this masterpiece. You don’t want to haul this home in a doggy bag or, most horrifying of all, leave it untouched on the table). But extraordinary as these dishes proved to be, the capper of the evening, what made everything swing and what restored my

Reservations are a necessity at the monthly Fix Experience. The Fix Restaurant Bar and Lounge is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday – and enjoy live music every Wednesday night. For reservations and more information, call (828) 743-7477 or visit thefixsapphire.com. It’s located at 3093 US 64 in Sapphire. by Luke Osteen

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Lunch For

Zookeeper Bistro

Literacy

Lunch for Literacy, set for July 1 and July 8, is a delicious way to suppor t the Literacy Council of Cashiers and a gladsome celebration of the community’s generosity.

On the Side Barbeque

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he Literacy Council of Cashiers and local Cashiers and Sapphire restaurants have teamed up to sponsor the annual Lunch for Literacy event on Friday, July 1, and Friday, July 8.

program is completely free for families, as the Literacy Council pays the sponsorship fee of $30/year/child to be in the program. Being exposed to books by parents/guardians helps children realize how important reading is to everything they do.

On those days, participating restaurants will donate a percentage of their lunch proceeds to the Literacy Council to help fund the Imagination Library, schoolbook giveaways, one-on-one tutoring, and other activities of the Council. Participating restaurants include Chili Loco, El Manzanilla, On the Side Barbeque, Whiteside Brewing Co, and Zookeeper Bistro. More restaurants are coming, so keep an eye out for Lunch for Literacy posters and signs at your favorite lunch spot.

Literacy skills are the key to success in school. To this end the Literacy Council has partnered with Blue Ridge and Summit schools to provide on-going book giveaways to students each school year. Free tutoring by Literacy Council volunteers is available to elementary children in the Cashiers area. Parents/guardians should contact the Literacy Council at the number below.

Because The Orchard only serves dinner, it may appear there was no way for them to participate in Lunch for Literacy, but owners Travis and Chad Boswell conceived the most direct way possible to signal their support for the Literacy Council – they wrote us a generous check. The Literacy Council of Cashiers serves the children of the greater Cashiers area and has sponsored over 300 area children in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Each month, children from birth to age 5 from Cashiers (28717), Glenville (28736), Sapphire (28774), Cullowhee (28723), and Tuckeseegee (28783) receive a free age-appropriate book in the mail. This

If you’d like to add an additional donation or volunteer to help in any of the Literacy Council activities, please mail a donation to The Literacy Council of Cashiers, PO Box 1398, Cashiers, NC 28717 or call (828) 743-0215 with questions or to volunteer. If you’d like to register your child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program, you’ll find registration forms at the Cashiers Library. Gather a group of your friends for lunch, look for signs or posters at area restaurants, and enjoy a wonderful meal while supporting a great cause! The children will thank you for it. by Serenity Richards, The Literacy Council of Cashiers

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Summer Foods

and Wine

Celebrate your Independence by pairing wine with Summer Food Favorites.

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t is in the summer months that wine and food collide in the most exciting and unexpected ways.

Take for instance, the intersection of Barbecue and Wine. One would not necessarily think that barbecue, the messiest and most democratic of foods could conceivably merge with wine – a beverage so tidy and imperious. Though pairing our favorite summertime eats with wine is never straightforward, it’s a spectacular highway to explore. Beginning at barbecue, I make the case that wine can easily outperform beer as a match. As Chef Adam Lang famously pronounced, “Wine is to barbecue what pickled ginger is to sushi—a palate cleanser.” Though discussions of what to drink with barbecue can be as contentious as a conversation about barbecue in general, here are some of my favorites: Champagne – Perfect with barbecue, its bright acidity cuts through the meatiness, and the bubbles prepare the palate for the next bite. The J. Lassalle Brut Cuvee NV is well-balanced, round, smooth and bright with fresh minerality on the palate. Zinfandel – a well-crafted California Zinfandel with smashed blue fruits and sweet spices is a spectacular enhancement to a plate of ribs. Try the Ridge East Bench from Sonoma, intensely ripe and with plenty of backbone.

Australian Shiraz – Always a good bet with barbecue, the Penfolds Bin 138 blends Shiraz with Grenache and Mataro to produce a wine that is bursting with red fruit, full-bodied, rounded and approachable. For a Hot Dog and Hamburger cookout: Gewurztraminer – More frequently found in Alsace and Germany, this wine is treasured for its intense floral aromas, and will easily stand up to the spices of the hot dog and the sourness of the toppings. One to try is the California lychee scented Husch Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer. Syrah from the Northern Rhone – The dark meaty flavors of a burger will bring out the exotic fruit notes and spices of a Syrah. One of the very best is the J.L.Chave Crozes-Hermitage Silene. At the end of the highway, Grilled Steak: California Cabernet Sauvignon – Of course, the classic combo that has enriched the balance sheet of steak houses for generations. The best exhibit flavors of black currant and subtle licorice, with firm tannins and a judicious use of oak. Though normally identified with Napa Valley, much better wines and better values are to be found elsewhere in the state. The easy going Broadside Paso Robles Margarita Vineyard has a juicy core of fruit and is made to be drunk young. by Marlene Osteen

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Chef Sean Ruddy

The Panther town Café ser ves up delicious food, a close-knit coziness and, occasionally, surprise reunions.

ver the last year, I’ve been writing about the closeknit Toxaway community – how my grandfather and some of his local buddies enlisted in World War I and served in France together (which he dutifully reported through letters every few weeks to The Transylvania Times); how he returned to the community in the 1920s to serve as The Toxaway School’s teacher, and how he and so many of his neighbors had to leave when the chestnut blight decimated the logging industry.

That dining room crew set the tone of the place, and our server was just as sweet and sunny as the glasses of iced tea that she kept filled.

The good times have always come back and we’re suddenly in the midst of another boom.

“We only use fresh (not frozen beef in our hamburgers that are served on a buttery brioche bun,” says Chef Sean.

Don’t believe me? Well, consider the case of The Panthertown Café, Chef Sean Ruddy’s reinterpretation of the late-lamented Grill at the Barn, which succumbed to the stresses of Covid-19. I’ve mentioned Chef Sean over the years, and he’s been the animating force behind the spectacular successes of the dining rooms of The Greystone Inn, High Hampton, and The Library. The Panthertown Café is clearly a labor of love and clearly the creation of someone who understands Toxaway. Our Saturday lunchtime visit was everything you’d want in a tiny Southern diner – a menu loaded with items made when you placed your order, not sitting under a heat lamp for hours; a bustling dining room of locals and people just passing through; and a waitstaff that welcomed everyone with smiles and gentle humor.

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But the focus of the place is on the marvelous bill of fare that Chef Sean delivers every day. There’s the Fried Chicken that he hand-breads and cooks up in limited batches (locals know this and come early to grab their share – plan accordingly!); and the homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. I’m mentioning these up front, so you know to order them as soon as you arrive.

Another local favorite is the Barbecue Pulled Pork with Chef Sean’s signature barbecue sauce. This is so popular that you can buy bottles of his sauce to take home – the best kind of souvenir. “We’re also open for breakfast and lunch – Breakfast items that are popular are the fabulous French Toast which is made with French baguettes, and the eggs Benedict,” says Chef Sean. So if you’re looking for a place that serves good fresh food, that maintains that warm, small-town coziness that’s been part of the Toxaway community for over 100 years, you must visit The Panthertown Café, 16614 Rosman Highway, Lake Toxaway. It’s an unexpected homecoming, even if you’ve never been there before. by Luke Osteen

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Chef Matt Weinstein

The Devil You

Say

Matt Weinstein, the maestro of Oak Steakhouse, offers a recipe that recalls the Carolina Coast (infused with a mountain twist).

att Weinstein, the newly installed chef at Skyline Lodge’s Oak Steakhouse, is serving some of the best food on the Plateau – seafood and steak dishes that can best be described as glorious mouthfuls of deliciousness.

1 Egg, whisked

In a career spanning nearly 20 years, he has been dubbed a “Rising Star” by Restaurant Informer, included in the Zagat “Thirty under 30,” and recognized by Creative Loafing as a “Chef to Watch.” While the restaurant has justifiably earned a reputation as a temple of beef, Weinstein, who grew up in Virginia is no stranger to seafood.

2 Red Bell Peppers, diced

Here he shares a recipe for Deviled Crab, inspired by the foods of the mid-Atlantic that he grew up eating. A hands down favorite at the restaurant, it has the correct ratio of crabmeat to cracker, with plenty of peppers and creole seasoning to spice things up. Either used as a topping or a stuffing, it packs astonishing flavor, and is a wonderful way to eat local trout,

1 ½ tablespoon Creole Spice (Tony Chacheres)

Matt Weinstein’s Deviled Crab Ingredients 1 ½ quarts of Oyster Crackers, crushed 1 pound Crabmeat

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½ pound Butter 6 Shallots minced 2 Green Peppers, diced 2 Jalapenos, seeded and minced ½ head of Celery, diced 2 tablespoons minced Garlic 1 tablespoon ground Black Pepper ½ cup White Wine 1 tablespoon Worcestershire auce 1 ½ tablespoon Valentina Hot Sauce 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard 8 whole NC trout gutted Directions 1. Using your hands, crush oyster crackers into a large bowl.

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Add crabmeat to crackers and pour beaten egg over the top and stir to combine. 2. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Add shallots, jalapeno peppers, celery, and garlic and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. 3. Add Creole sauce and black pepper and stir to incorporate 4. Add the wine and cook until it evaporates – about 2 minutes 5. Stir in the Worcestershire, hot sauce, and mustard and cook 1 minute. 6. Add vegetable mixture to crackers mixture. Let cool to room temperature. Toss well, season to taste with salt and pepper and refrigerate until chilled 7. When ready to cook, heat the oven to 425 degrees. 8. Place the fish in a large ovenproof dish and arrange trout in a single layer. Mound the mixture on top of the fish covering it completely. (Alternately you can open the fish like a book and stuff it). 9. Roast in the oven 15 minutes or more depending on the thickness of the fish. Bake until the fish is opaque and the topping golden. by Marlene Osteen 133 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Celebrating

Flavors

For caterer Rober to de Jong, a full-blown dinner par ty should truly be a celebration, not a source of migraine-inducing anxiety. For information or to engage his ser vices, call (786) 838-8423 or visit his Instagram account, rober to-deJong.

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Roberto de Jong

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t has been said that “It takes more than shrimp and chardonnay to throw a great party.” No one knows that better than Highlands’ premier caterer, Roberto de Jong. Having spent 30 years in the catering business, from Brazil to Miami to Highlands, he understands better than most that putting together a great party is much more than just food. In fact, creating arresting visual presentations are de Jong’s stock in trade. He treats his meals like theatre – from beautifully plated food; to the artful floral arrangements he designs; to the dishes, flatware and glassware he selects and provides; to the lighting and photography and audio-visual elements he brings. De Jong was a restaurant cook before he became a caterer – at his parents’ Italian restaurant in San Paulo, Brazil- and it shows in his careful touches. From Brazil he moved to Miami and spent 10 years working for a prominent caterer before opening his own business there. Four years ago, he visited Highlands, fell in love with the town and decided to split his business and time between the two cities. He now works in Highlands May through October and spends winters working in Florida. As he launches his 3rd year in business here, he’s happy to be back. And the whole town seems to agree. By mid-May he had already booked several dozen events including a wedding, a bachelorette party, a fundraiser, and multiple dinner parties from the casual to the formal.

Well known for his ability to transform a venue into a first-class party scene, the vision for each affair begins with a meeting with the prospective client. He explains that “My specialty is to provide individual attention to each client by meeting with them which gives me the ability to design each event to their lifestyles.” De Jong’s inspirations for the menu are sundry. One minute it might be a classic international crowd pleaser like medallions of beef tenderloin with red wine reduction, the next, a dish of veal scallopini inspired by his Italian Mother, and another, a “Moqueca” – the vibrant Brazilian shrimp stew of his childhood. For the adventurous, the menu might include saffron risotto with bone marrow and parmesan; or pistachio crusted sea bass; or Bacalhau à Brás - Portugal’s most famous comfort food - made with salt cod and potatoes. Regardless of the food selection, there are no culinary cartwheels, no foams or fusions, just robust flavors and solid, scrumptious recipes. For more information on how to assemble all the ingredients for a truly memorable party, Roberto de Jong can be reached at (786) 838-8423, or at robertodejong4@gmail.com. For photos and details, you can also visit his Instagram account: Roberto_dejong. by Marlene Osteen

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Brian Jupiter photo by Heather Talbert

Guest Chef Series

Matt Weinstein photo by Molly Harris

Oak Steakhouse’s Under the Stars, On the Rocks series’ July 5 entr y features a f ivecourse dinner by Chef Brian Jupiter and the Oak culinar y team, exquisite wines, and the sublime delights of a cool mountain evening. Cost is $150 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. To reser ve, call (828) 482-4720 or book on Open Table experiences.

he opening of Skyline Lodge last summer, following the renovation of the long-neglected property originally designed by a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, was welcome news to area resident and visitors.

dinner was Owen McGlynn of Asheville Proper; Travis Milton, Chef of Virginia’s Inn at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards was featured in April; and in May it was Todd Ginsberg of Atlanta’s Rye Restaurants.

Now rejuvenated and restored, the property is a refined, luxurious oasis that seamlessly blends into its idyllic setting amidst the mountains and greenery of its surroundings – at last fulfilling what must have been the vision of the original architect. Equally thrilling was the opening of the lodge’s restaurant – Oak Steakhouse, the seventh location of the steakhouse chain owned by the Indigo Road Hospitality Group – who also own the Lodge.

Upcoming on July 5 is a dinner with Brian Jupiter, chef/ owner of The Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern in Chicago. A New Orleans native and a believer that “Southern comfort food is a true art form”, Jupiter spent his childhood cooking next to his grandmother in her kitchen.

More good news arrived with the launch last year of a guest chef series entitled Under the Stars, On the Rocks. Boasting “dining al fresco amidst a backdrop of sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains,” the evening features exciting guest chefs from around the country working in collaboration with the chef team at Oak Steakhouse, including Matt Weinstein, Jeremiah Bacon, and Anne White. So far this year, March’s 136 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

He got his start in the kitchens at New Orleans famed steakhouse Aurora, before going on to culinary school in Florida. In 2003 he moved to Chicago initially as Chef de Cuisine, eventually rising to the Executive Chef position, at Narcisse Champagne and Caviar. He joined The Frontier team in 2010. In the summer of 2018, he and his partner at The Frontier opened Ina Mae Tavern, named in honor of Jupiter’s great-grandmother, Ina, who passed down the recipes he learned to cook with his grandmother. The food at Ina Mae is inspired by his background, growing up, and cooking in

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Vishwesh Bhatt photo by Sierra Dexter

New Orleans. No stranger to celebrity status, Jupiter’s accolades and television appearances includes James Beard Awards Semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes, Cooking Channel’s America’s Best Bites, NBC Chicago News, NBC’s First Look, Fox 32 Chicago News, WGN-TV News, Food Network, and Check, Please! Next in the series is James Beard Award winning chef Vishwesh Bhatt of City Grocery Restaurant Group in Oxford, Mississippi, who will be the guest chef for the dinner on September 6. Adam Evans, chef/owner of Birmingham’s Automatic Seafood & Oysters, will offer his signature seafood dishes on October 18. The outdoor Butler’s Pavilion at Skyline Lodge is the ideal setting for the five course dinners, featuring Southern ingredients, cooked over an open flame. A selection of wines is perfectly paired with each course, fitting companions – as they should be – to each exquisite dish. Under the Stars, On the Rocks dinners are $150 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. To reserve, call Oak Steakhouse at (828) 482-4720 or book on Open Table experiences. by Marlene Osteen

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CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Cashiers Farmers Market Cashiers Valley Smokehouse The Orchard Town & Country General Store Deli Zookeeper

L, n L, D C n n n D, n n n n n C n n L n n B, L, SB n C n n

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Meals

Crossroads US 64 West Highway 107 South 14 Raggedy Lane 45 Slabtown Road

(828) 743-4334 (828) 547-2096 (828) 743-7614 (828) 547-1300 (828) 743-7711

SAPPHIRE/TOXAWAY AREA RESTAURANTS The Fix Bar & Lounge 3093 Hwy 64 East, Sapphire Grand Olde Station 502 Blue Ridge Road. Lake Toxaway Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Lane, Lake Toxaway Panthertown Cafe 16614 Rosman Hwy, Lake Toxaway

(828) 743-7477 (828) 966-4242 (828) 966-4700 (828) 862-3663

B Breakfast

Lunch

D Dinner

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bella’s Junction Cafe - (828) 526-0803 Black Bear Restaurant - (828) 482-7020 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 Bridge at Mill Creek (828) 526-5500 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar - (828) 421-2042 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands Burritos - (828) 526-9313 Highlands Deli SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632

SB Sunday Brunch

Takeout Only

B, L, D n n n C n n 140 D n n n n C n n 166 B, L, D, SB n n n NC n n 4 B, L, SB n n C n n 169 Dress Code: C Casual

Los Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant - (828) 482-7040 Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Ruffed Grouse (828) 526-2590 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Primary Restaurant & Bar - (828) 526-3555 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750

Dress Code

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

Full Bar

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS The 4118 Kitchen + Bar 64 Highlands Plaza (828) 526-5002 The Bistro at Wolfgang’s 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807 Calder’s Cafe 384 Main Street (828) 200-9308 The Dancing Bear at The High Dive 476 Carolina Way Fire + Water Restaurant Reservations Required (828) 526-4446 Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main Street (828) 787-2990 Fressers Courtyard Cafe Village Square, 470 Oak Street (828) 526-4188 Highlands Smokehouse 595 Franklin Road (828) 526-3554 Hummingbird Lounge 455 Main Street Highlands, NC (828) 787-2525 * The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering 350 S. Fifth Street (828) 526-2110 Lakeside Restaurant Smallwood Avenue (828) 526-9419 Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Rd (828) 482-4720 On the Verandah Highway 64 (Franklin Road) (828) 526-2338 Paoletti’s 440 Main Street (828) 526-4906 *Rosewood Market Main Street (828) 526-0383 The Ugly Dog Pub 298 South 4th Street (828) 526-8364 Wolfgang’s Restaurant 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Wine

Take Out

Outdoor Dining

Live Entertainment

Reservations Recommended

Vegetarian Selections

Plateau Dining Guide

Children’s Menu

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

NC Nice Casual

J Jacket

El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Mountain Cafe - (828) 577-0469 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Slab Town Pizza -(828) 743-0020 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Subway - (828) 743-1300 Villa Amato (828) 885-7700 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226

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Pet Policy

Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet

Cable/Satellite TV

In Room Microwave/Fridge

Exercise Facility

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Whirlpool Rooms

On Site Restaurant

Plateau Lodging

On Site Bar/Lounge Pool

thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS 1600 Golden Road | Lake Toxaway, NC

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

Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

firemt.com | (800) 775-4446 n n

Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway

thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700 n n

Earthshine Lodge

n n n

n n n n

445 Main St | Highlands

oldedwardsinn.com | (866) 526-8008 n n n n n n n n n 71

470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands

skyline-lodge.com | (828) 526-4008 n n n n n n 122

Old Edwards Inn and Spa Skyline Lodge

n n n 169

VACATION RENTALS The Vineyard at 37 High Holly 37 High Holly Road | Scaly Mountain thevineyardat37highholly.com | (828) 505-6190 n n n n n 103 VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals

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

203

401 N 5th St | Highlands

highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

195

Landmark Vacation Rentals

17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers

landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

Rent in Highlands - CCP

507 Main Street | Highlands

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

341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers

ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999

232

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals

CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 648-4252 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 The Wells Hotel A Cashiers Experience - (828) 761-6289 GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482 HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717

The Chateau - (561) 613-1496 Fairview House - (866) 526-8008 Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186 Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380 Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899 Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839 The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999 The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560 Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-2999 The Wells Hotel - (828) 482-7736 Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222

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

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SHOPPING Pages 146-161

photo by Susan Renfro

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SWIRLING BEAUTY With its fantastical shape of colorful whorls adorning a black stem, this abstract glass sculpture conveys a sense of movement and a fantastical personality all of its own. Heechees Glass Sculpture by Vitrix | $ 800 Highlands Fine Art and Estate Jewelry Wine Shop

KEEPING COOL

With a fabric designed to lower your temperature, this top is the perfect companion to warm and humid summers. Pair it with a skort for ultimate coolness. IBKÜL Shir t $ 98 | G Lifestyle Skor t $ 90 Mountain Mermaid | Cashiers

s k c i P u Pl at e a fav o r it e fi n d s r u o f o w fe a

SUMMER BRIGHTS

Feel the love in Lisette L Montreal’s bold block graphic crop pant paired with soft drapey crossover boat neck top.

Lisette L Montreal Alpha Thinny Crop Pant | $135 Crossed Yolk Top | $ 99 Sashay Around | Cashiers

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VINTAGE BEAUTY This 19th Century hand crafted desk beautifully demonstrates the craftsmanship of the era. A piece that will shine in any room. Hand Made Slant Front Desk | $ 450 Bazaar Barn | Cashiers

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VACATION TIME

CUTE & CASUAL

What says ‘Vacation Time’ more than bright colors, swimsuits, sun hats, and cabanas? These whisical Beach Mice are ready to catch some rays. The water is blue, the sand is warm, and everyone has their favorite gear. Maileg Beach Mouse with Changing Room | $35- $37. 50 Maileg Mouse Beach Chair Set (2) | $22. 50 Nora and Co. | Cashiers

We love the flirty sophistication of this curated ensemble. The white lacy top with flattering butterfly sleeves pairs perfectly with stylish button fly stone washed denim. Mother Denim Button Fly $238 | Necklace $ 64 Free People Gold Sandal $78 | THML Shir t $ 64 Annawear | Highlands

FUN AND TASTY

Create vibrantly-swirled rainbow bagels in your own kitchen. Delightfully playful with a perfectly crisp bagel crust, cut them open to reveal an amazing burst of color for homemade bagels that are almost too beautiful to eat. Rainbow Bagel Making Kit | $30 The Dry Sink | Highlands

COMFORT FORWARD Beautiful dreams begin here with this fine cotton sleepwear by P.jamas: elegance, style and charming matching bed jacket. P.jamas Night Gown $218 | Matching Jacket $215 Water and Stain Resistant St. Croix Zip Jacket | $ 575 Nancy Fancy’s & The Exchange | Highlands

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The World of

Theresa Forman

Carringer Farms

Design at Acorns

Acorns, located at 212 South 4th Street in Highlands, proclaims its commitment to elegance and timeless style with a series of trunk shows this month.

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Phillip Curcuru

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ld Edwards’ home décor and furnishing store, has long been a mecca for regional fine arts and crafts.

And there’s never been a better time to tap into this creative nexus than the month of July when the store welcomes a host of artists and craftsman to display and discuss their works at special trunk show events. Showcased the first 11 days of July is Ali & Bird Jewelry, an inter-generational collaboration between Ali Howell and her daughter, affectionately nicknamed “Bird.” Based out of Atlanta, all their handmade statement pieces feature pearls, stone, crystal, and semi-precious jewels. On Saturday, July 9, you’re invited to meet artist Theresa Forman. Working primarily in oils, Forman uses plein air studies and photographic references to produce studio pieces that reveal the harmony found in nature. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I observe the majesty of God’s creation,” says Theresa. She hopes to communicate the same sense of wonder and awe to her viewers. Highlands’ most popular and sought-after artist, Carol Misner, is at Acorns on Saturday, July 16. Misner is widely admired for the botanical paintings she renders in monochromatic tones from subjects that come from the flora she finds locally and in her travels; each work reflecting the simple beauty, grace, and

fragility of the botanical it portrays. Stop by on Saturday July 23, to greet Don and Belinda Carringer of Carringer Farms in Franklin. After 14 years working and farming together, selling their wares at local farmers markets, the couple are now full-time farmers, bakers, and jam and jelly makers selling to restaurants and at a few festivals. Saturday, July 23, is also a chance to meet artist Marie Ploof of Marie Painted Ornaments of Greenville, South Carolina. Captivated as a young girl by the brush strokes of Van Gogh, Ploof has been drawing and painting since high school. Best known for her hand painted pet ornaments in glass, she says that, “I love capturing the personality of a beloved pet – they are cherished, and they deserve their story too.” Discover the art of Phillip Curcuru on Saturday July 30. Curcuru, the owner of Upland Nature Lab, will be on hand to talk about his work, focusing on natural specimens by dramatizing objects through isolation, light, and backdrop. All his objects of study are found in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and photographed at his home studio in Highlands. There’s always something new happening in the world of design at Acorns. To learn more about these and future happenings visit, acornshighlandsnc.com. by Marlene Osteen

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Nora & Co. Nora & Co. at 40 Village Walk Way in Cashiers is a carefully-curated collection of ar t, accessories for the home, apparel, and accessories and gifts for yourself and loved ones.

estled in the heart of Cashiers in the shops of Village Walk on Highway 107 South is the charming Nora & Co, a shop containing a variety of collections including art, apparel, gifts for all occasions, cards, linens, books, and more. Nora strives to find unique items and her carefully curated collections never disappoint.

books. How about monogrammed linens? Yes, she has those too. She also has a selection of greeting cards and you can order personalized stationery for your every need and occasion. Of course there are also practical items such as readers and sunglasses, lotions, fragrance sprays, sauces and glazes for the cook, puzzles and totes.

Ellie Blair, Nora Jones, and Lindsay Bisset

This little shop has been a Cashiers fixture for 19 years and is your goto shop for, well, just about everything. If sprucing up your décor is what you have in mind she offers rugs for indoors and out; pillows, both whimsical and classic; pottery; art, candles and holders; and, a great selection of coffee table

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a hostess, new baby or wedding gift, you’ll find an eclectic mix of choices here. Stop by today and shop at the little store with more.

Laura Moser Art Laura Moser Ar t, nestled into Josephine’s Emporium at 40 Burns Street in Cashiers, is a fun, sunny plunge into Laura’s imagination.

ucked in a sunny corner of Josephine’s Emporium at 40 Burns Street in Cashiers is Laura Moser Art. It’s a charming art gallery featuring original works by Laura, a talented artist whose works are primarily abstract and in acrylic, a quick-drying medium that allows Laura to layer her emerging visions as each piece progresses. The paintings may also incorporate other materials, such as rice paper, imparting the work with a three-dimensional look. It’s only too fitting that this light-filled space houses Laura’s work, because each of her pieces evokes hope, peace, and introspection.

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Laura Moser

As the artist finds her quiet place in creating each work, we find ours in viewing it. Laura says that her works speak to the power within each of us to find quiet and peace in a chaotic world. Certainly, we all need more of that in our lives. Her palette is often neutral with touches of warmth, either with vibrant primary colors or softer pastels.

Whether you’re looking for a statement work of art for your home, or simply looking to spend some quiet time surrounded by and studying beautiful art, make it a point to stop into Laura Moser Art. We think it will be the first visit of many.

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Family Traditions

Dan and Suzanne Young

Artist Sally Eckman Roberts

Ar tist Sally Eckman Rober ts will bring her utterly charming designs to Main Street Gifts on July 8 and 9. Main Street Gifts is located at 366 Main Street, Highlands. For more details, please contact Suzanne and Dan Young by email at dan@366mainstreet.com.

istory and tradition are alive and well three generations after the opening of the genteel family store Wits End.

So begins the story of Dan Young, descendant of a retail dynasty that had its start in 1940 when Young’s grandmother opened Wit’s End on Main Street selling needlepoint. (The store has since transitioned to the sale of high-style women’s clothing). Grandma clearly passed along to her grandson the retail gene. Eighty years later, Young followed in Grandma’s footsteps, opening Main Street Gifts with his wife Suzanne – a woman of equal retail prowess, Suzanne is the owner and operator of the wildly successful Highlands Kitchen Carryaway and Catering. At Main Street Gifts, business has been booming from the start. Enthusiastic shoppers seek out the charming shop with its eclectic mix of home decor, picnicking gear, Highlands themed items, and men’s gifts. There is a well edited selection of décor for the home – boldly colored silk flowers, pretty pillows, fine wind chimes made by Corinthian Bells, and pots and figurines for the garden. The custom-made display cases are stocked with gifts for the man in your life – flasks, wallets, key chain, bar ware, and belts. And the shelves overflow with a complete line of gear for a picnic or an outdoor concert – baskets and blankets and coolers. 152 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

Recently, the Youngs added a collection of nature-themed home accessories designed by artist Sally Eckman Roberts – fanciful items displaying butterflies and botanicals. On Friday, July 8, and Saturday July, 9 Roberts will be at Main Street Gifts showcasing the full line of her products. Charming painted pillows, rugs, prints, pouches, tea towels, and tableware are merely the start of the offerings from this gifted Floridabased designer. Known for painting images depicting nature in a traditional manner with a contemporary feel, Roberts uses watercolor and pencil to create designs revealing the symbiosis of art and nature. After getting her start at The Saturday Evening Post, Roberts went on to work in corporate America and as creative director at a design firm before starting her own line. Her designs are eagerly sought after and have been licensed by some of the country’s biggest home accessories manufacturers, and her prints of blooms, blossoming greenery, Oceana, and nature have been featured in catalogs and stores throughout the nation. As Dan noted, “Roberts’ exuberant designs with their artful use of color are the perfect accessories, certain to add an elegant touch to a Highlands’ home.” by Marlene Osteen

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Mountain Chic Furnishings

Owner Don Gottwald and Interior Designer Stacie Platt

Over the past 30 years, Rusticks of Cashiers has built an impeccable reputation for concierge-level of interior design wisdom and assistance. Browse or schedule a consultation at 32 Canoe Point in Cashiers.

hether you want to renovate, build, or freshen your home, Rusticks of Cashiers is your unparalleled interior design resource.

For 30 years Rusticks of Cashiers has been known for its design specialists and sophisticated “mountain chic” furniture and accessories. Rusticks takes pride in providing an exceptional inventory that matches the impeccable tastes of all its customers. A knowledgeable staff, familiar with that inventory, is eager to assist you and satisfy all your needs, from lighting to furnishing

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to cabinets to countertops and so much more. Store Manager and Senior Interior Designer Stacie Platt says, “Our goal is to satisfy each customer 100 percent. We partner with our clients throughout the home building/renovation process. We are the go-between, keeping our customers abreast of the latest progress. And when a project is complete, customers agree mountain living has never looked so good, nor felt so comfortable.” Now that the house market is buzzing, it’s a good time to give

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your home a mountain-chic uplift, inside and out. All you have to do is call Stacie, tell her what you have in mind, and she’ll arrange everything from a design meeting with your architect, if you are building, to a personal consultation about your dream chandelier. Here are a few reasons why Rusticks of Cashiers is your one-and-only stop for the very best in renovation and interior design: • Rusticks keeps a large inventory of home accessories, furnishings, fixtures, etc., and can order just about anything you require; • Rusticks has a wide array of high-quality interior and exterior lighting;

• On large projects, they pride themselves in working with clients from the ground up; • They can provide modest makeovers to full remodels; • More than a store, Rusticks is a destination. Visit Rusticks Furnishings at 32 Canoe Point in Cashiers; call (828) 743-3172, ext. 201; visit rusticks.com, or email design@ rusticks.com. Hours are 10:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Saturday. by Donna Rhodes Photos by Mary Gillian Scan to learn more.

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Cherie Tibbett and Vivianne Metzger

Cherie and Bill Tibbett

Still Going Strong Vivianne Metzger Antiques, set alongside Cashiers Lake, is enjoying 25 years of providing stunning treasures from Europe for homes across the Plateau. For more information, visit vmantiques.com.

his year is a milestone for Vivianne Metzger Antiques, a quarter-century-old, family-owned, retail shop on Cashiers Lake in Cashiers featuring fine 18th and 19th century English and French antique furniture and accessories.

other antiques are merchandised in the shop. Metzger and the Tibbetts are on the hunt for distinct, one-of-a-kind items.

Started by Vivianne Metzger, the shop’s fortunes increased when daughter Cherie Tibbetts and her husband Bill joined 18 years ago. The three regularly scour the countryside of Europe each spring to present at least 1,000 items in the shop and warehouse.

“We always go to Europe with a wish list from clients. I have an active Instagram account and post every day what we’re buying. People will often reserve items for ‘first looks’ when we return.”

Regarding 25 years of service on the Plateau, Cherie noted, “The market has changed in 25 years. Fewer customers used to purchase all antiques for their home, but now many more customers purchase at least one or a few statement pieces. And, everyone that purchases wants the history. It’s nice that we can pass that on.” She added, “We also do a lot more English garden statuary, benches, planters, sun dials – feature pieces to put in landscaping. These garden pieces are displayed all around the warehouse and shop.” The group was in Europe for six weeks in March and April for the first time since the pandemic started. With their warehouse added 15 years ago, much more inventory is possible, and the warehouse holds many of the larger furnishing items, while 156 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

In fact, categories include furnishings, lighting, oils and watercolors, mirrors, garden accents, pottery, leather bound books, and much more.

Cherie pointed out, “With ever-changing inventory and new containers arriving from Europe, customers find that once they’ve shopped with us, they will keep coming back for more!” Vivianne Metzger Antiques welcomes the general public as well as the interior design trade. “Interior designers no longer think of ‘brown furniture’ as vintage wood pieces without pedigree,” said Cherie. “Instead they elevate them as critical elements of decor.” They are located at 31 Canoe Point in Cashiers off Valley Road and are open Tuesday–Saturday from 10:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. For more information call (828) 743-0642. by Deena Bouknight

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Meet Our Design

Consultants

With the post-pandemic building and real estate boom, The Designer’s Market in Cashiers has added four new team members to ensure it maintains its commitment to concierge-level design ser vice for the Plateau. Discover for yourself at 61 Hawks View Road. Nancy Albers, Sara Minton, Rebecca Anderson, and Carrie Wilson

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amed architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously said that “If you wisely invest in beauty, it will be with you all the days of your life.”

This framed quote hangs in the showroom of The Designer’s Market in Cashiers – an expression of the design philosophy embraced by owner Susan San Souci. Susan and her husband first visited the Plateau in 1997, bought a vacation home in 2001 and by 2009 they were full time residents. In 2007 she left the corporate world behind to open a referral-based by-appointment design business. In the years since, that business has grown into a 12,000-square-foot design facility featuring mid to high-end wall coverings, floor coverings, fabrics, draperies, paint, area rugs, and cabinetry to meet every need and every budget. Susan told me that, “With remodeling and new construction still going strong, the appetite for good design continues to increase as well. The ability for consumers and builders to select and source a wide variety of products locally is key for a successful outcome.” To dispel concerns about reported delivery delays, she added that “I’m happy to report that after a bit of unpredictable 2020/2021 our vendors have hit their stride again and we are seeing normal lead-times in all product categories.”

As the Designer’s Market enters its 15th season, Susan reported that, “We are bigger and stronger than ever!” In fact, to better serve the market, she recently added four team members to the operation. They are: Nancy Albers, Design Consultant: Following summers in Cashiers, Nancy became a full-time Cashiers resident in 2011. With 30 years in design and retail, Albers is an experienced professional, passionate about design and helping her clients. Rebecca Anderson, Interior Designer: A North Carolina native and Appalachian State University graduate with a degree in Interior Design, Anderson will use her talents to help customers in adding the exact finishing touches to their projects. Sara Minton, Marketing: With a proficiency in real estate and retail sales, skills in customer service and a sound work ethic, Minton is poised to add another layer of distinction to the creative elements of The Designers Market. Carrie Wilson, Design Sales and Showroom Coordinator: Raised in a small town in Indiana, with a background in customer service and business operation, Wilson maintains that customers are served best when consistent and efficient systems are in place. by Marlene Osteen

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The Wilkes (l to r): Carol, David, Jonathon, Chris, Charlie, Hilary, and Annie

Celebrating Forty

Years

Highland Hiker, the local landmark that’s known far beyond the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, is celebrating 40 years of outdoors outf itting.

ilestone anniversaries abound on the Plateau this summer, and one of those celebratory moments belongs to the Highland Hiker.

“We had shopped (at Happy Hiker) when on vacation and were looking for a place to move and raise our children, and everything just sort of fell into place,” said Carol.

For 40 years, the retailer has been serving local residents and visitors to the Plateau.

The outfitter business not only suited the family professionally but also personally. The Wilkes family regularly hikes and walks the area, ... (we) were looking for a place and David is an avid fly fisherman to move and raise our children, who has passed his skills onto to his and everything just sort of fell children.

Chris Wilkes explained how his family came to own Highland Hiker: “My parents, David and Carol Wilkes, were living in Southern into place. Illinois working for my grandparents Multi-generations of family members in the early 1980s. They had vacaconsistently patronize the store, but tioned a few times with friends and Carol shared that one change in four eventual business partners who had a home in Highlands. When decades has been that “the season” is year-round. the Happy Hiker (original name), which was run by Margaret “When we first took over the Happy Hiker in 1982, we would be Hoff, went on sale, my parents decided to purchase the business busy in June, July, August, and then again in October. Now we and move the family to Highlands. We have been here since. 160 J ul y 202 2 | T H EL AU R EL M AG A ZI N E .CO M

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Carol and David, 1992

see visitors all year, including the winter.” And Chris, whose wife Hilary is also involved in the family business, explained that while most product offerings, such as fishing flies, hiking sticks, packs, boots, socks, rainwear, tents, etc. have remained in the mix of outdoor products, gear technology has improved over the years. “It’s much lighter and easier to use,” he said. In addition, Highland Hiker currently offers fly fishing schools, guide trips, and lessons. “And over the years, we have had bicycle tours, kayak tours, hiking trips, and travel seminars,” added Chris. Today the store offers four locations, the Cabin at 601 Main Street, Falls on Main at 561 Main Street, and Hiker Shoes at 547 Main Street in Highlands. Visit them in Cashiers at 47 Highway 107 South, at the Crossroads. by Deena Bouknight

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Visit Our Advertisers WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant 2. Highlands Smokehouse 5. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 6. The Bascom Shop 7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

202. Country Club Properties 205. Silver Creek Real Estate Group 207. Creative Concepts Salon 208. Highland Hiker Shoes 210. Highland Hiker

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar 27. Dauntless Printing 30. The Literacy Council 38. Lupoli Construction 39. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group 44. Scott Neumann Law Office 47. ACP Home Interiors 48. Nancy’s Fancys/ The Exchange 50. The Summer House 57. Blue Elephant Consignment Studio 58. Head Innovations 59. Cake Bar & Chocolate Heaven

MAIN STREET

100. Main Street Nursery 101. Rosewood Market 103. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 126. Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery 132. Elevation: High Fashion for Women 134. The Southern Way 136. Dutchmans 140. The Toy Store/The Book Nook 141. Bags on Main 142. Main Street Gifts 146. Wit’s End Shoppe 147. Calders Coffee Cafe 148. Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry + Wine Shop 152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty 153. Allison Diane Clothing 158. C. Orrico 159. Colonel Mustards 160. TJ Bailey for Men 163. Spoiled Rotten 175. S’More Kids Klothes 166. Annawear 167. The Christmas Tree 169. Country Club Properties 174. Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear 178. McCulley’s II 185. Ristorante Paoletti 187. The Dry Sink 189B. Smitten 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 194. Old Edwards Inn 195. Madison’s Restaurant 196. The Wine Garden 197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar

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WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN

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

ON THE HILL

302. Wish & Shoes 303. Mirror Lake Antiques 305. Jeanie Edwards Fine Art 306. Acorn’s 310. McCulley’s 311. Martha Anne’s on the Hill 312. The Ugly Dog Public House 313. Old Edwards Inn 318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering 319. Lakeside Restaurant

SPRING VILLAGE

400. Jannie Bean Fine Custom Jewelry 406. Brookings

OAK STREET

601. Highlands Playhouse

VILLAGE PARK

613. Cleaveland Realty 614. CK Swan 615. Shakespeare & Co. 617. Fressers Courtyard Cafe 618. Elevated Properties

CAROLINA VILLAGE

709. High Dive 709. Truckin’ at the High Dive 711. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

NORTH END

801. Green Mountain Builders 814. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center 814. Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival 814. Highland-Cashiers Players

OUT NC 106

➡ Aery Chiropractic ➡ Peak Experience ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Highlands Outpost ➡ Scaly Mountain Crafters ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ 37 Vineyard at High Holly ➡ Fire + Water ➡ Pat Calderone Gallery ➡ Sky Valley Country Club

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Design Build ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden ➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Highlands Cashiers Hospital ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Center for Plastic Surgery ➡ The Brier Patch ➡ Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group ➡ Highlands Dermatology ➡ Roman’s Roofing

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

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Visit Our Advertisers SLABTOWN

2. Zookeeper Bistro 13. Crossroads Custard

NORTH 107

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship 19. The Look Boutique 20. Mountain Mermaid 21. Sashay Around Ladies Boutique

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS 25. Bella Cotn. 27. Bird Barn & Garden 28. Cashiers Kitchen Co. 30. Bombshell Hair Boutique 33. Zoller Hardware

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

CHESTNUT SQUARE 43. A Jones Company 47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders 55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness 55. The Bungalow Boutique

121. Robin’s Nest 123. Caliber Fine Properties 128. Mountainworks Custom Home Design LTD. 131. Tampa Bay Trust Company 135. Dillard Jones 136. McKee Properties 137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery 138. The Orchard Restaurant, Events Barn & Guest Cottage

THE VILLAGE GREEN 142.Village Green Commons 143. The Village Green 147. Bazaar Barn

WEST 64

154. Cashiers Valley Smokehouse 155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 156. Creekside: - Silver Creek Real Estate Group 172. Whiteside Art Gallery 173. Betsy Paul Properties 176. Lenz Gifts

EAST 64

64. Alexander Gardens: - Victoria’s Closet - Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses - Vic’s for Men 75. Carolina Rustic Furniture 76. Blue Ridge Bedding 77. The Designers Market 78. Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery 81. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques 80. Beth Poindexter 80. Josephine’s Emporium 80. Laura Moser Art 82. The Village Hound 86. Nora & Co. 89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment 90. Gracewear Boutique

SOUTH 107

101. Narcissus 102. TJ Bailey’s for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 104. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters 105. Atelier Maison 106. Edgewood Antiques & Fine Art 107. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 108. Landmark Realty Group 109. Ugly Dog Public House 110. McCulley’s 111. Rusticks 112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques 115. J. Gabriel

172

DOWN 107 SOUTH ➡ Silver Run Reserve

VISIT CULLOWHEE ➡ Four Seasons Landscape

VISIT GLENVILLE

➡ Silver Creek Real Estate Group

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY ➡ Appalachian Construction ➡ Balistreri Realty ➡ Bear Tracks Travel Center ➡ Earthshine Lodge ➡ Grand Olde Station ➡ The Greystone Inn ➡ Headwaters Outfitters ➡ Historic Toxaway Foundation ➡ Historic Toxaway Market ➡ Killer Bees Honey ➡ Mountain Cafe ➡ Lake Toxaway Company ➡ Panthertown Cafe ➡ Petit Properties ➡ Root 64 ➡ Southern Highlands Reserve ➡ Whistlin’ Dixie

VISIT NORTON : ➡ Town and Country General Store VISIT SAPPHIRE : ➡ Appalachian Golf Cars ➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate ➡ The Fix VISIT SYLVA : ➡ Imperial Security

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

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L A K E T O X AWA Y

Chris Pickel

The Tale of

Two Markets

Linda Sabic and Samantha Jones

In just a few years, Historic Toxaway Market and Mountain Café have become local institutions. Stop by to discover why. Located at 15886 and 15889 Rosman Highway.

obin and Chris Pickel, owners of the Historic Toxaway Market and Mountain Café, first visited the area in 2000.

Brasstown Beef’s steaks now share space in the meat case with pork chops from Cheshire Farms in Wayne County.

As Robin tells the story, “We drove up at night in the fog and were just happy to make it on all those curvy roads. When we woke up the next morning (we were staying at a friend’s home on the lake) and saw all the gorgeous color on Toxaway Mountain, we were hooked!”

Over 500 different selections fill the wine racks, presenting bottles from well-known growing areas in the US and Western Europe to lesser-known wine regions.

Five years later they left their Florida home and moved to the area. When in 2017 the Pickels leased the building that had been Toxaway Wine and Cheese, the whole community was grateful –the closing of that business in 2014 had left the community without a place to buy essentials. From the outset, the goal was to source local and regional goods, to identify the very best products in every category while keeping quality high and prices low. They began what is now their regularly routine of driving to Franklin for superior steaks from Brasstown Beef and buying deli meats from Boars Head. Today the shelves overflow with non-GMO and Gluten free products. There’s a freezer full of prepared foods, and a cooler crowded with single serve desserts – slices of peanut butter pie cheesecake, tiramisu, and key lime pie among them.

In June 2020, the Pickels opened the Mountain Café across the street from the Market. They installed a full-blown barista station serving Pisgah Roasters Coffee and packed the freezers with Hershey’s Ice Cream. On the menu are cones, floats, shakes, and smoothies. Breakfast croissants, quiches, and sticky cinnamon buns are baked fresh every morning. Visitors and locals come for the food and coffee, to browse the assortment of gifts – mugs, journals, signage, pillows, and more – rock in the chairs on the front porch, and work in the conference room with its barn doors and free wi-fi. The Historic Lake Toxaway Market and Mountain Café are open Tuesday through Saturday. Market hours are 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. and Café hours are 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. For more information, visit historictoxawaymarket.com, and sign up for wine tastings at historictoxawaymarket.com/contact.html or on Facebook at @HistoricToxawayMarket. by Marlene Osteen

L A K E T O X AWA Y

Building on

Family

For Appalachian Construction owner Jonathan Dodson and his family, a commitment to quality building practices and an obsessive attention to detail are clearly built into the genes. To f ind out for yourself, visit app-construction.com (L to R): Brad Leopard, Clay Daves, Grant Dodson, Selina Dodson, Zach Dodson, Jonathan Dodson, Mike James, Abbi Dodson, Mari Dodson, Fidel Mundo, Chris Conner (Not pictured: Isaiah Dodson and Trent Osteen)

L A K E T O X AWA Y

unique and custom residential and commercial builds, remodels, and more are showcased throughout prominent Western North Carolina communities.

In 1998, his business, Appalachian Construction, was officially incorporated.

Dodson shared that the current pandemic-era climate for construction, as it is with many industries, is tricky and often difficult to navigate.

onstruction is in Jonathan Dodson’s veins. He grew up around and on building sites due to his grandfather and an uncle choosing construction as their professions. He helped and learned, and then as a young adult in 1995 established his own construction firm.

The livelihood currently involves his wife, Selina, who handles contracts, accounting, marketing, and more, and his three grown sons – all of whom have and continue to be involved in Appalachian Construction to some degree. The Dodson’s sons, Zachary, Isaiah, and Grant, or two young daughters, Mari and Abbi, will one day take over and continue the business. Dodson said he has enjoyed the personal and professional rewards gleaned during his construction career. “Construction is a trade that inspires pride and craftsmanship,” he shared, adding, “We feel like we have built a good reputation.” Most of Appalachian Construction’s contracts are in the Lake Toxaway area, with second new home construction up to $3.5 million as well as significant renovation projects in the works. However, his firm has built homes in the Cashiers and Highlands areas as well. In fact, Appalachian Construction’s

“We’re hands on, custom-focused,” said Dodson.

“I just talked to a homeowner today,” he offered. “I asked them to please be patient. We’re adapting to orders being delayed, difficulties getting building supplies, difficulties getting certain appliances, etc. Construction costs are not as sporadic, but they are still elevated compared to a few years ago. So, I tell anyone who is wanting our services to try to have a clear plan and path and to also be flexible. Things might have to be adjusted or different materials or appliances selected, for example.” For more information, visit app-construction.com.

by Deena Bouknight

Scan to learn more.

L A K E T O X AWA Y

Mystery of

Toxaway’s Translation The origin of the name “Toxaway” is lost in the fog of years and the clash of cultures.

L A K E T O X AWA Y

“

Duksa/Y, Dukw’as/Y—The correct form of the name commonly written Toxaway, applied to a former Cherokee settlement in South Carolina, and the creek upon which it stood, an extreme head-stream of Keowee River having its source in Jackson County, North Carolina. The meaning of the name is lost, although it has been wrongly interpreted to mean ‘place of shedding tears’”—from James Mooney, Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees, 1891 Mooney, an anthropologist who spent many years living with the Cherokee, was behind the times, as eastern portions of old Jackson County were incorporated in the newly-formed Transylvania County back in 1861. Also out-of-date was T.W. Reynolds, whose 1966 book Cherokee and Creek commented on Mooney’s entry and added “That ‘extreme head’ is present Lake Toxaway in Jackson County.” A retired engineer and summer resident of Highlands until his death in 1967 at age 82, Reynolds was obsessed with word history and derivation, a.k.a. etymology. He wrote a series of five charming-but-eccentric books that covered local history in Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania counties, and he loved explaining where our place and family names came from, or at least coming up with likely hypotheses. Reynolds thought that he, himself, did know the likely origin of Toxaway: It was a corruption of the Indian pronunciation of

“Tuckahoe” (itself an English approximation), an important food source for native Americans. In Born of the Mountains, 1964, Reynolds mentions the Tuckahoe plant as an indicator of poverty. “Tuckahoe is an Indian name for an edible root they gathered… It is a name used as a poor-mouth name, because some of the early settlers in certain localities had to follow the Indian custom for subsistence.” The Cherokee town of Toxaway was destroyed by a Scottish Highland regiment in 1760; the site is now under Lake Keowee, along with that of Fort Prince George, which the British built in the fall of 1753, when they were allied with the Cherokees. Back then, as described in colonial records, the headman of Toxaway came to welcome James Glen, royal governor of South Carolina: “…the Raven of Toxaway …accompanied by a hundred warriors who moved toward the governor in the stately maneuvers of the eagle dance. The Governor, not to be outdone by the Indians, formed his laborers and soldiers in martial array and fired three volleys in salute.” And we salute beautiful Toxaway, whatever it means! by Stuart Ferguson, Local Historian, Co-Owner Shakespeare & Company

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H ISTORY

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HISTORY Pages 182-185

photo by Susan Renfro

H ISTORY

Janet Cummings, Luke Osteen and Marjorie Christiansen

Luke’s Turn to Take

the Bow

After 20 years of ser vice, our shy editor is dragged into the spotlight for a round of hear tfelt accolades.

uke Osteen is a national treasure. By magic, fate, or fast-talking, The Laurel managed to snag him almost two decades ago and hasn’t turned loose since.

He’s our editor-in-chief, but mostly he’s the super glue that holds us writers together. Let’s read some of his fan mail: • You can’t help but love Luke, he’s the kindest man I know! Janet Cummings • Luke is our constant – every month playing composer, wrangler, and editor to our indispensable band of contributors and writers – and he makes it all a melody. He is kind, generous, thoughtful – and it’s never an act, it’s not transaction based. It’s his soul, and he offers it freely. We appreciate his words beyond words. And we love him beyond measure. Marjorie Christiansen • It was only by happenstance that I started writing for the Laurel. Three years ago, my life was at a crossroads – my husband had just died; my job no longer rewarding. My discontent must have been evident because at lunch one day with Marjorie Christensen and Amanda Sullivan, they asked me what I wanted to do. I was as surprised as they must have been when I blurted out “I want to write.” It was a wish I had never before articulated. A few days later Marjorie emailed, 182 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

asking if I was serious. And so it began, my tenure under the inimitable editor Luke Osteen. I have been guided by his wisdom and counsel from my first assignment. When I struggled to find my voice and sought his advice on how to tell a story, he told me, “By listening, really listening, to the rhythm of conversations, you come to grasp the intricacies of how we talk to one another about the things that are important to us, and that can’t help but make your writing more immediate, more passionate. You’re going to become someone that the readers can trust and they’re going to feel your passion and wit in whatever appears on the page.” A few weeks later after reviewing one of my first submissions he wrote back: “Marlene, your copy is wonderful! You clearly get it, you understand the Laurel style! If you’re reading this, stand up and take a bow! Imagine that Marjorie and I are on our feet in front of you, applauding wildly!” His applause has kept me going for three years – ever compassionate when life gets in the way, always there when I am most in need of a pat on the back. So, here’s to you Luke Osteen. It’s your turn to take a bow! Marlene Osteen • Luke is the most encouraging, enthusiastic, and complimentary editor I have ever experienced – and I’ve been a professional

H ISTORY writer for more than 30 years. He’s always considerate and patient and professional. But I love his clever, humorous statements and questions that make me smile: “Lace up your running shoes and strap on your helmet!” “Feelin’ frisky?” “I’m flipping stories and pages like a Drunken Juggler in the World’s Saddest Circus.” I appreciate him very much. Deena Bouknight • A good captain steadies the ship, keeps morale high, handles crises with aplomb and never, ever lets you see them sweat. Luke does all of that for us and always with a smile and a sense of humor. And, on top of that his mastery of the written word gives me something to aspire to. Is there anything Luke can’t do? I haven’t found it yet. Mary McCall • In all things of Luke, there is something of the marvelous. Above, I stole 10 words of Aristotle’s 11. I am not proud of my thievery, but I am extraordinarily proud to call Luke Osteen my editor … while not-so-subtly comparing him to a classic Greek master of all things marvelous. Being an editor requires endless patience. The workload is ginormous. Luke oversees data of Biblical proportions for every issue, and he gets by on only one water tower-full of caffeine per day. Our EIC moves information from the writer’s mind to the reader’s mind. Word spillage is likely – necessary even, if the editor is worth his salt. And Luke is one delightfully salty individual. He’s the spice of our journalistic lives. No one has ever seen it, but the rumor circulating is Luke possesses an Empathic Radio tuned into to each one of us. He knows our frequency for funny. He’s deeply in tune with our concerns; he can turn us 180 with a compliment, a joke, or an insight. And we are better for it. He’s so smooth, we barely know what it was that fine-tuned us. That is a rare gift … to correct someone without ruffling a single feather. It’s one more astonishing feature of the marvelous Laurel Lukeness we all love. And so it shall be etched in stone: All things of Luke are marvelous From crown to where metatarsals is He generates love by jarfuls for us And tweaks our bloopers with artfulness Donna Rhodes

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H ISTORY

We’re For The

Dogs

Dino

It turns out that the Plateau has always been going to the dogs.

his is my dog, Dino. I adopted her from the CashiersHighlands Humane Society four years ago.

When I first encountered her, I thought she was a pretty ordinary mutt, the product of a dozen wayward breeds and a hundred improbable rolls of the dice. As you can see, there’s nothing flashy about this dog. She’s obedient and mild mannered among people and other dogs. The people at the Humane Society named her Callie, although she acquired the nickname “Houdini” based on her ability to escape from enclosures, seemingly at will. She’s clearly built for speed and she’ll use her escape artist’s sensibilities to make a run for it whenever possible. I’ve seen her catch rabbits and birds with an almost preternatural efficiency. Dino makes the most of her freedom and you can hear her hoarse yelp far off, as she bounds through the woods with the fleetness of a deer. When she finally comes home, she’s exhausted. But there was something about her no-frills appearance, her quintessential dogginess, that tickled my memory. I knew I’d seen that sort of mutt before. Finally, I discovered a photograph in the archives of the

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Highlands Historical Society. A group of hunters in the closing days of the 19th century have returned from a bear hunt proudly displaying their trophy. There, in the midst of these men, separated by a gulf of 120 years, was Dino. It turns out that Dino isn’t a mutt, but a member of a nearly vanished breed called Mountain Cur. You may know the Mountain Cur from the book Old Yeller, although the Disney movie cast a Labrador Retriever in the title role, because they’re bigger and look more impressive onscreen. Mountain Curs were an essential part of the lives of the families that lived in Cashiers and Highlands in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They arrived from England in the 18th century, mixed with dogs belonging to Native Americans and made their way into the hills and hollows of Virginia and Kentucky and Georgia and, of course, the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Their quickness and stamina made them perfect for catching small game and running down deer and bear – qualities that could make a life or death difference in a family’s fortunes during the hard months. Like the Cherokee who lived here before them, the early settlers would use these scrappy dogs for

H ISTORY

Fred Lenz and Snickers

hauling supplies and chasing prey over rough terrain. With the disappearance of deep rural mountain communities, Mountain Curs nearly vanished as well from American history. It was only a concerted effort in the 1950s that saved the breed from extinction. There were only a few dogs left here in Western North Carolina and some in Oklahoma who’d accompanied the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears. That’s what’s so great about the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society. Each dog and cat in their care has a unique local story to tell. They’re a breathing footnote to the Plateau’s past and a snapshot of the twin communities today. And with a little imagination you can picture these dogs patrolling an isolated family homestead, or these cats curled up in front of a fire during a silent winter’s darkness. Visit the Humane Society and you’ll see what I mean. While we’re on the subject of local dogs and their place in the community, you can’t ignore the Ugly Dog Pubs in both Highlands and Cashiers. The Dog in Highlands and The Pup in Cashiers offer carefully assembled sandwiches and pub food, craft beers and the fruits of a full bar staffed by trained professionals. But why am I mentioning a pair of pubs in a story about a mutt that turned out not to be a mutt?

Because both places welcome dogs of all types, regardless of pedigree or their checkered past. You can both sit outside and luxuriate in the passing people and canines. The Ugly Dog provides a bowl of water. For a dog, it’s like being invited to the most sensational cocktail party ever staged. I suppose if you’re so inclined, you could order a hamburger or hot dog for your canine, but I’ve never done that. This is really nothing new. Highlands and Cashiers have always been accommodating to people and their animals. (In fact, when my son Alex was a toddler we adopted the town dog Artie (he belonged to Deadeye Potts – who won him in a poker game – but Artie had spent two years just wandering around Main Street and sleeping behind The Bird Barn. Artie was such a beloved fixture of downtown that he was named Grand Marshall of the 1988 Olde Mountain Christmas Parade. We were supposed to ride in the back of a fancy hoopty car, but at the last minute the owner decided he didn’t want a big beast messing up his upholstery, so I walked Artie at the front of the parade with Alex in my arms.) I guess if you want a flavor of life on the Plateau 100 years ago, when the lives of people and their dogs were so intertwined, The Ugly Dog is a good place to start. by Luke Osteen

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Lifting Each Other

Mary and Steve Abranyi-

Despite years and hundreds of miles apar t, the deep love between Mar y and Steve Abranyi would not be contained. ary and Steve Abranyi are testimony to the adage that old friends make good marriages.

Long before they became a couple, they were good friends turned best friends. Growing up in Winter Haven, Florida, in the late 80s, they were in high school together, socializing in the same group of friends. After graduation Steve went off to college at Western Carolina University and Mary stayed in Florida, at first attending a local community college and later enrolling at Florida Atlantic University. Years went by.

In 2000 Mary decided to move to Colorado to room with a former high school friend, and Steve was planning a move to Portland, Oregon. Coincidentally, prior to the intended moves, they were both spending the summer in Winter Haven. And so it was decided that they would ride to Colorado together and that from there Steve would continue to Oregon. Though the two had been best friends for a decade, and despite everything they must have learned about each other in that time, the long days on the road must have made them feel more connected.

In the meantime, Steve became a carpenter and moved again – this time to Colorado, pulled by the lure of snowboarding.

Or perhaps it was the absence of the many years apart that ignited the spark between them.

Throughout the years they stayed in touch – by phone and letter, and on Steve’s visits home to see family. But the relationship remained casual.

As Steve said, “We had been friends for so long, we just clicked.”

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Because by the time they got to Kansas they had told each other “I love you.”

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Steve and Mary Abranyi, 2003

Yet, as Mary tells it, “We were both going in different directions.” And so, it wasn’t until a year later, in June 2001, when Steve visited Mary in Colorado, that they realized they were in love and made it official. By then Steve had already relocated to Cashiers to help a friend build his parents’ home. The romance progressed quickly from there. Mary joined him in December, and they married in April 2003.

The couple say that being respectful of each other, honest, and forgiving has been essential in making their relationship last.

We had been friends for so long, we just clicked.

The couple, who live in Highlands with their two children, Cameron, 15, and Jasmine, 13 have since built a life around what Mary calls “family life, work life, and play life. We have done a good job of growing in our lives and businesses here and we’ve done it all on our own. We have the same visions and support each other in all aspects of life.” Steve owns Green Mountain Builders and Mary is a real estate professional with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and is the owner of Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga and Wellness.

what to do.”

As Mary describes their bond, “We love each other and like to have fun together. Steve has always been one of my people. He’s always been a good guy and a good person. I trust him, and we lift each other up; we are in support of each other, and we don’t hold each other back or tell one another

Likewise, Steve cites the couple’s teamwork as their biggest strength. When asked what his favorite thing is about Mary, he cites “her sense of humor, and her work ethic.” He’s most proud of “where we’ve come together professionally and that we are still in love with each other through it all.” by Marlene Osteen

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Giving Back to the Community The need for caring, compassionate volunteers at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital has only grown in the wake of Covid.

e’re excited to be welcoming volunteers back to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital after a pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Not only do volunteers perform meaningful work and beautification here at the hospital and Eckerd Living Center, they bring a loving spirit that permeates our spaces. We so deeply appreciate that intangible but critical spirit. If you’ve volunteered in the past at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, we happily welcome you back. If you haven’t volunteered here yet but are looking for a great opportunity to help your community, this is definitely it. And as any volunteer will tell you, the gifts they get back in return from giving their time and energy to our patients and residents is immeasurable. There are a multitude of volunteer opportunities here, depending on what your individual interests and talents are. You can help at our main reception desk, welcoming people and ushering patients to their destinations, assist staff with things such as administrative tasks and distributing reading materials to patients, or work with clinical staff on a range of duties from cleaning a screening machine and restocking supplies to offering a patient some comfort. For volunteers with green thumbs, the Mountain Garden Club keeps the Eckerd Living Center Gardens looking beautiful. The gardens, as you can imagine, offer much healing to our residents and their visitors. Volunteers also keep residents company and offer important

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opportunities for them to socialize. I know that our residents have missed interacting with our volunteers and the energy volunteers bring to the facility. Volunteers have even been drafted for calling Bingo games, so the possibilities are endless. We’ve talked many times in this column about how healthcare providers are called to the work, and to truly making a difference in people’s lives. Volunteering at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital gives people who aren’t in healthcare the same opportunity to be rewarded by working with patients and supporting our great healthcare workers. If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteer opportunities with us, visit missionhealth.org/highlands and click on “Volunteer at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital” link. You may also call our Volunteer Coordinator, Jeannie Macleod, at (828) 526-1345. Our volunteer application can be accessed on the website above as well. We will contact you and support you in completing the required activities to become a volunteer. You will be required to complete some pre-volunteer activities which include background checks, health screening, and education. In thinking about ways you can give back to your community, there’s no better choice than to volunteer your time and service to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and Eckerd Living Center. We deeply appreciate it. by Tom Neal, CEO/CNO, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

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What To Expect From a Financial Advisor

f you know how important it is to invest for your future, but you’re unsure of the road to follow, you may want to get some guidance and direction from a financial professional. But if you’ve never worked with one before, what can you expect? Here are some things to look for: Assessment – A financial advisor will assess your current financial situation – assets, income, debts and so on – but that’s just the start. These days, advisors recognize the need to view their clients’ lives holistically. Consequently, you will see questions like this: What are your feelings about investing? How would you judge your risk tolerance? What are your individual financial goals? What hopes and dreams do you have for your family? Recommendations – Only after fully

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understanding your needs, goals, and preferences will a financial advisor recommend any investment moves. There are no “one-size-fits-all” solutions. You may want to steer clear of individuals claiming to be financial advisors who “guarantee” big returns with no risk. In the investment world, there are few guarantees, and every investment carries some type of risk. Communications – Financial professionals communicate with their clients in different ways, but you should always feel free to reach out to an advisor with any questions or concerns. Most financial advisors will want to meet with clients at least once a year, either in person or through an online platform, to review their investment portfolios. During the review, the financial advisor will help you determine if any changes are needed. But financial advisors won’t wait a full year to contact clients to

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS discuss a particular investment move that might need to be made. Also, depending on the firm you choose, you should be able to go online to review your portfolio at your convenience. Technology – A financial advisor can employ a variety of software programs to help clients. For example, a financial advisor can determine the rate of return you might need to attain specific goals, helping shape your investment strategy. But there are also a lot of “what ifs” in anyone’s life, so an advisor can use hypothetical illustrations to show you where you might end up if you take different paths, such as retiring earlier (or later) than you had planned or putting in more (or less) money toward a specific goal, such as education for your children. Anyone’s plans can change, so the ability to view different potential scenarios can prove valuable.

Above all, a financial advisor can help you feel more confident as you pursue your goals. Among investors who work with a financial advisor, 84 percent said that doing so gave them a greater sense of comfort about their finances during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted in 2020 by Age Wave and Edward Jones. And during times of market turbulence, such as we’ve experienced this year, a financial advisor can help you avoid overreacting to downturns.

can be challenging – but the journey can be a lot smoother if you’ve got the right guide. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

When unexpected events crop up, such as a lapse in employment, a financial advisor can suggest moves that may enable you to avoid major disruptions to your financial strategy. Conversely, when a new opportunity emerges, perhaps from an inheritance or some other windfall, your financial advisor can help you take advantage of it. Navigating the investment landscape

Todd Holder

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Solving the Puzzle of Hip and Low Back Pain

Managing low back pain and hip miser y requires wise counsel and compassionate care.

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Dr. Sue Aery

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ow do we differentiate between low back pain, sciatica, and hip pain?

Well, let’s start with the chiropractor and the many tools we have to help diagnose and solve these issues. Using the information from an exam, the chiropractor will differentiate between hip pain (or pain in the ball and socket joint), and its surrounding components, low back pain (or spinal restriction), and disc herniation or impingement of the sciatic nerve in the buttock. Once the cause is determined, as long as there are no broken bones, treatment can begin. This may involve many aspects of chiropractic care, including some very effective therapies such as Tissue Regeneration Therapy/Stem Cell Activation, acupuncture, and electric stimulation. Chiropractic manipulation may involve balancing of the pelvis, which will remove stress on the hip joint, alleviate pressure on the bursae and tendons that surround the joint and relieve the irritation to the nerves that pass through the buttock and make up the sciatic nerve that can also cause pain in the leg. Soft tissue work such as trigger point and myofascial massage are also two common techniques used, usually by a licensed massage therapist as directed by the doctor. Next, the cause of the pain and dysfunction must be addressed

so that it can be removed or remedied for future health. A few common culprits involve leading a sedentary life or sitting too much without stretching and focusing on the complex movements that the normal hip can perform. Remember, the hip is a dynamic joint with many planes of motion. When we deprive the joint of motion, we also limit the amount of blood flow into the joint, thereby accelerating the process of degeneration. Arthritic hip joints are far more prevalent now and many more people face impending replacement surgeries. These can often be avoided with proper preventive care, including chiropractic care. The lumbopelvic complex is intimately connected to the hip joint and should also be well taken care of to improve the skeletal health and prevent premature arthritis and pain. So many pain processes can be avoided with maintenance care. If you plan on leading an active life, or want to return to this lifestyle, it will take some action and diligence to correct the problem and then take better care of your body going forward. As I often tell my patients – let’s use our body the way it was designed to be used well – and often! by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture

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Halotherapy Salt Room

Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga and Wellness’s Halotherapy Salt Room is a breath of fresh air in the f ield of healthy living

Mar y Abranyi is the owner of Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga & Wellness, Bungalow Boutique, and a Real Estate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway.

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fter a year-long renovation, I am happy to announce that Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga and Wellness has opened its highly anticipated expansion of services including the area’s first Halotherapy Salt Room. The intention behind the salt room is to provide the Plateau with a state-of-the-art salt therapy experience that provides the pampering of a spa in a low-key wellness studio atmosphere that is open to the public and suitable for all ages. The emergence of halotherapy in the United States has slowly been gaining traction over the past 30-plus years due to its effectiveness as an alternative treatment and remedy for certain respiratory and skin ailments. Inspired by the microclimates of European and Russian salt mines, halotherapy salt rooms are designed to mimic the subterranean salt environment found below the earth’s surface. It is in this environment in the mid 1800s that a Polish physician came to discover a significant difference in the health of salt miners versus that of other types of miners. This initial discovery, coupled with similar future discoveries led to today’s modern version of dry salt (halo) therapy. Salt therapy utilizes a machine known as a halo (salt) generator to crush pharmaceutical grade salt into tiny particles and disperses a fine mist of salt into a conditioned salt room or a designated salt chamber where you simply relax and breathe.

Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is an essential nutrient needed by both plants and animals, including humans, and is particularly known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. This proves to be an important health benefit considering inflammation has been long cited as a symptom of major chronic disease and more recently, some have suggested it is the root cause of many diseases. Salt Therapy has been used to treat the symptoms of colds, flu, allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, bronchitis, sinusitis, sinus infections, rhinitis, ear infections, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, acne, and neuropathy. As a long time sufferer of allergies, asthma, eczema and chronic inflammation, I understand what it can be like to live with conditions that may never go away. It can be very challenging to reduce or eliminate the need for medications but by making lifestyle changes and exploring alternative health and wellness treatments I can say the path has been rewarding. For more information about Fusion’s Salt Room or to book a session, please visit our studio website at CashiersValleyFusion. com or contact me directly at (828) 743-9000 with any questions. As a Certified Halotherapist with the Salt Therapy Association and a wellness advocate, I look forward to assisting you. by Mary Abranyi

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Reflections on

Retirement

e just came out of two years of COVID isolation that felt like a version of retirement. But whether your real retirement is in your distant future, near future, or past, take a moment to grab a giggle with the following: 1. Circle the most accurate feeling associated with retirement: a. I’m happily stepping down; b. Don’t stand between me and the exit.; c. Why didn’t I do this sooner? 2. What is/was your retirement farewell? a. I’m gonna miss you guys; b. Look at the time. Gotta go.; c. “So long, and thanks for all the fish” (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) 3. What’s the first thing you did/will do when you retire (and, as my stepson at age 8 once told me, “It’s never too late to make a mistake.”) a. Do anything that requires vast quantities of alcohol; b. Break a Guinness World record; c. Release your inner nerd, or Kraken, which ever seems appropriate for the occasion. 4. The favorite perk to look forward to: a. I can eat supper at 4:00 P.M.; b. My supply of brain cells is finally dropping down to a manageable size.; c. In a hostage situation, I am likely to be released first. 5. What do you look forward to most? a. A kinky tattoo; b. I can do absolutely nothing without worrying about getting caught; c. I can read the Bible more. I’m cramming for finals. 6. What do you plan on doing after retirement? a. Stock up on Bingo daubers; b. Find out how much I can get done without putting on my pants; c. Wake up at 6:00 A.M. and go driving around really slow to make everybody late for work. 7. What will you regret most during retirement? a. Just when I have a lifetime of experience and so much to share, I have to retire; b. I thought re-tired meant getting a new set of wheels; c. I’m going to enjoy my life and live off my savings. But I’m not sure what I am going to do the second day. 8. And finally, what’s your favorite retirement quote? a. “It’s nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese.” Gene Perrett; b. “Retirement at 65 is ridiculous. When I was 65 I still had pimples.” George Burns; c. We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill; d. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou; e. “Who has time to retire?” by Donna Rhodes illustration by Norma Jean Zahner

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Robert E. Smith

Making Good Things

Happen

Thanks to a generous community, the Peggy Crosby Center remains a vital facility for all of Highlands.

ver the decades, friends of Peggy Crosby Center – board members, volunteers, supporters – have rattled the heavens, shaking gold-dust from the stars, and helping Peggy make extraordinarily good things happen in the Highlands community. PCC wants to express its deepest gratitude to all those movers and shakers. Peggy Board Member Gina Cogswell says, “In keeping with the Peggy Crosby Center’s mission ‘to provide affordable office space to organizations offering community services’, we have identified investments needed to maintain and update the facility.” But first, here is a summary of a few projects that demonstrate the generosity of donors: • Energy efficient upgrades and HVAC system replacements; • Addition of an air purification system; • A face-lift: Cosmetic improvements and new paint schemes; • Renovation of spaces to expand office space; • Infrastructure improvements including security cameras and handicapped accessible front door; • And ongoing, extensive landscaping (initiating a Highlands pollinator explosion) and resurfacing of parking areas; All of these upgrades not only improve the facility, but they also lift spirits, improve the quality of service to those in need, and strengthen the bond of provider and recipient. 202 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Even well-constructed facilities require ongoing maintenance. Here are upcoming additions to Peggy’s need-list: • Roof Replacement. They are currently considering options and estimates from contractors. • PCC Network Upgrades. This effort includes updating wireless network equipment for the common areas and individual tenant wireless routers. These upgrades will be coupled with increased bandwidth and provide the ability to allocate the available bandwidth by tenant space. • Parking lot paving. An overlay of new asphalt is scheduled. Planning is also underway for an expansion of the entrance, which will provide a much-needed additional parking area. • Landscaping Improvements. The project will focus on the northern landscape, which will include needed repairs to the aged retaining wall on that side of the Center. Robert E. Smith, Peggy Crosby’s chair, conveys the board’s appreciation, “Thanks to all who have supported the Peggy Crosby Center over the years, and by way of that, support several exceptional nonprofits and the benefits they provide to the Highlands community. Ours is a unique mission – ‘to serve those who serve others’ – one we are proud to bear.” If you’re curious, you can arrange a Peggy tour. Bring friends. Plan a snack or lunch at The Kitchen Carry Away. Contact James Plemmons for more information at (828) 526-9938 or peggycrosbycenter@nctv.com. by Donna Rhodes

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The Essence of Beauty

& Quiet

Turkey Ridge is an estate constructed with care and a reverence for its natural setting.

s you drive down a rarely-traveled road and turn onto Turkey Ridge, the Plauche´ Estate, you instantly feel like you are in another world, a sanctuary nestled in the middle of Bliss, yet it’s 15 minutes away from downtown Cashiers. “That’s what Mom and Dad wanted – total privacy – and they got it,” says Catherine Plauche´, daughter of Dr. Herbert Plauche´, well-known and beloved orthopedic surgeon, and the amazing Virginia Plauche´, botanist. The Plauche´s always had a love affair with Highlands-Cashiers. Catherine says, “We spent many summers in cabin rentals, until Mom and Dad finally decided to buy their own land.” “When looking for acreage, my botanist-mom and healer-dad were deeply concerned about the environment,” Catherine continued, “so everything they bought, built, planted, trimmed, and cut was done with concern for Planet Earth. As a result, almost every timber, beam, board, stone, hand-hewn log, and bracket was repurposed from other constructions. Trees that needed to come down for construction were personally 204 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

witnessed by my mom.” An old, salvaged stagecoach way-station provided logs for structural support. Tobacco barns provided timbers, siding, and balustrades (from spindles for tobacco-drying). The architect rendered a blueprint that had multiple roof lines. Virginia didn’t care for it, so she took pencil and graph paper and proceeded to design the entire house herself. A cabin was purchased and connected to the main part of her design as a master bedroom suite. A second cabin was purchased for the garage. It was allegedly a tabernacle Billy Graham once preached in. The jury is still out on that one, but it will always spark a captivating conversation. Floors in the main house came from a church in New Orleans (the Plauche´s were from Louisiana). The main living and dining room areas have identical facing fireplaces (replicas of their former home’s fireplace). The room wasn’t wide enough, so Virginia suggested splitting logs out so the room’s width could be expanded. And so it was done.

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The contractor followed her design to perfection with its This real estate comes with Mother Nature’s own planetarium. three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, and historic assemblages of Native Americans once inhabited the property. An ancient barn, cabin, church, and waystation wood. Virginia also bent tree remains a guide to travelers seeking water. The designed the four-bedroom, two-bath Cherokee often shaped trees to act as guesthouse from the same materials, directional signs. So everything they bought, plus an open-air pavilion overlooking There are many more stories the built, planted, trimmed, and the meadow. land has to tell, all the way back and cut was done with concern Catherine’s favorite part of the beyond the time of the Cherokee. for Planet Earth. property is 2.5 acres of magic and Create your own chronicles about memory, a perfect, circular meadow. magic on the meadow, celebrations She says, “It’s where Dad started in the pavilion, holidays in a room his day with prayerful meditation; where we played soccer, of matching fireplaces, walks through the beautiful fern forest badminton, and croquet; where my sister got married; and (gnome and fairy alert), and cocktails on the porch at sunset. where barbecues fed scores of family members and friends.” The estate, MLS 99145, is listed for $4,200,000 and shown by It’s there that crickets and frogs serenade at dusk. Turkeys and whippoorwills join the chorus. Deer, occasional bears, and other opportunist diners munch on the historic apple varieties growing in the meadow. The orchard includes George Washington’s favorite, the Yellow Newton Pippin. On a clear, moonless night, the meadow beckons to residents to lie on a blanket and get lost in the dazzling Milky Way.

appointment only. Contact Julie Osborn, Broker in Charge of the Wildcat Cliffs Office of Pat Allen Realty Group/Allen Tate Realtors, (828) 200-6165 (cell), 828-526-8784 (main office), or email julie.osborn@allentate.com.

by Donna Rhodes

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The Barn at

GlenCove

The Barn at GlenCove is the centerpiece of a vibrant, multigenerational adventurewellness community.

hile a barn connotes animals and farming, GlenCove’s spin on the age-old utilitarian architecture spotlights a plethora of upscale recreational activities for every age. Completed and opened in late May, The Barn at GlenCove is poised as the community’s active life hub. “The idea was to create a gathering spot that compliments the generational and the historical vibe of GlenCove,” said Jerry West, Director of Operations. “Bowling, video games, golf simulator, billiards, a swimming pool, a playground, pickleball, basketball, and bocce ball cover about as much of the entertainment spectrum as you can imagine.” At the May 29 open house event, West pointed out: “Our members, guests, and property owners were blown away. The Barn exceeded everyone’s expectations in every way.” The 16,500 square feet of interior space, as well as the porches and pool pavilion, were designed by architect/design team of Sam Edgens and Pete Shipps. Jeanie Macrea Claughton and Angela Williams envisioned the interior design. Bill Futral of Futral Construction was the General Contractor.

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Claughton described The Barn’s interior design as “transitional and heading towards modern…sophisticated modern.” She noted, “Each space has its own character due to its function, for example, bowling, golf simulator, arcade, reception, pro shop, billiards, dining, but they all blend together.” The members-only Barn sports The Saddle interior bar, The Crafty Goat food truck, and a snack bar, as well as a myriad of vignettes and tucked-away niches for gathering small-tolarge parties. The vast windows and expansive covered porch overlook the 12-hole, par-3 course. Added West, “GlenCove was designed, planned, and constructed with a generational, wellness, restorative, familial context, and intent. The entirety of this project is to enable families to reconnect, close their eyes, and go back in time to a simpler, more personal time in life where you connect, grow, and flourish with your family. This land was always intended to be a place of reprieve from the hectic pace of the world we live in. GlenCove is the escape from our fast-paced world.” by Deena Bouknight

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SB E URS V I NI C EE SS

ACCOMMODATIONS

BEAUTY

CABINETRY

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

HOME DECOR

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B USSEI R NVE ISCSE

HOME MONITORING

PICTURE FRAMING

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

SNAKE REMOVAL

SERVICE

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BUSI NESS

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BUSI NESS

GIVING BACK Pages 214-219

photo by Susan Renfro

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GI V I NG BAC K

Independence from

Neglect

The lucky residents of the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society have plenty to celebrate this Four th of July.

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Darlene

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his month we are celebrating our nation’s independence and the inalienable rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society also believes our beloved companion animals seek a similar goal – that is, the promise of life and freedom from cruelty and neglect, and a home filled with safety, sustenance, comfort, and love. Animals in shelters in the United States have come a long way towards reaching that goal in the past few decades. Just a generation ago, it is estimated that 20 to 25 million animals were euthanized in municipal shelters annually. Last year, less than 2 million were euthanized. While still a tragic number, great progress has been made towards helping each adoptable pet enjoy an independence from abuse and abandonment. Not every animal welfare agency can be a no-kill shelter like CHHS. That’s why when we have available space we work with government-run shelters to transfer in animals who are running out of time elsewhere. Recently we partnered with the national Best Friends Animal Society to take in dogs from the Robeson County shelter in St. Pauls, North Carolina, about 300 miles east of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Robeson County has the unfortunate designation of having the highest euthanasia rate of

shelter animals in the state. Among the dogs we rescued was Darlene, an eight-year-old hound mix who was heartworm positive. We not only provided safe refuge for Darlene in our modern shelter, we made sure she received the heartworm treatment she needed to be free of the parasites living inside her body. So just as we do for the 500 other animals we rescue and care for each year, we gave Darlene her well-deserved rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64 East. Our no-kill shelter is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For more information, visit us online at chhumanesociety.org or call (828) 743-5752. by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society photo by Marty Boone

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GI V I NG BAC K

Seeing

the Magic

The mission and the ethos of Carpe Diem Farms has reached across the world.

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here isn’t a day that goes by that my “walkabouts” the farm watching the sun rise, the horses making their way to the stables for feeding, pausing to listen to the creeks flow, the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks scurrying at the feeders; and thinking, feeling, the gratitude and the magnitude of the gift that is Carpe Diem Farms. Twenty-five years since opening the farm has been a sacred place, a sanctuary for learning, growth, healing, and development. Individuals of all ages and walks of life have participated in a wide range of programs experiencing the place and the animals who have called CDF home.

Stewart Cove Branch and Buck Creek and our own Angel Falls. All that and more makes most who pass through the gate feel the shift in energy, the slower pace in the quiet of nature.

Teachers from around the globe have shared their wisdom and talents. From as far away as Australia, Canada, the UK, and nearly every state in the U.S.; Native Americans, authors, equine clinicians, musicians, and so many more have enhanced learning experiences. Summer camps, after The lessons of the 24 horses school programs, cooperatives with who have been our schools, and other non-profits have greatest teachers… set us apart throughout the years.

We have been working recently on compiling the history of Carpe Diem utilizing all the newspaper and magazine articles, photographs, and videos which help tell our story. The lessons of the 24 horses who have been our greatest teachers together with 10 dogs and seven cats, and nearly 4,000 participants of all ages have created our history. It is the place, a designated Audubon Sanctuary, and a partner in the Worldwide Labyrinth Project. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, complete with the headwaters of

Most days we are focused on caring for our aging herd (16-34) who continue to teach us. Because of them Easy’s Slipper was created (and is manufactured on the farm) helping horses around the globe have healthier hooves and lives. Other inventions are in the works to help aging horses live their best lives. Carpe Diem Farms, a 501(c)(3) educational foundation, is still Exploring the Human Potential Through Equines. by Sue Blair, Carpe-Diem Farms

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GI V I NG BAC K

Golf Ball Drop

The Literacy & Learning Center is hosting a Golf Ball Drop on July 15 at KelseyHutchinson Founders Park in Highlands. Golf ball sales close on July 14. For more information about this event call (828) 5260863 or visit maconncliteracy.org.

he Literacy & Learning Center will be hosting a Golf Ball Drop fundraiser that will take place on July 15th at 4:00 P.M. at Kelsey & Hutchinson Park in Highlands, where one lucky winner, whose ball lands closest to the target, will receive 25 percent of the total profits from this fundraiser (up to $25,000). The official ball drop will be held at the Town Baseball Field, located next to the Highlands Conference Center.

and the ball closest to the target will win the grand prize of at least $5,000. Through fundraisers like this, grants, and donations from the community, The Literacy & Learning Center is able to provide free educational programs to individuals of all ages. To purchase your golf balls, visit The Literacy & Learning Center Golf Ball Drop 2022 | RallyUp.

Balls are available for purchase at $50 each and there is no limit to the number of balls one individual can purchase in order to increase their odds. Additionally, you don’t have to be present to win. The golf balls will be dropped from a Highlands Fire Department truck ladder onto the Highlands baseball field

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by Jenni Edwards, Literacy & Learning Center

Scan to learn more.

GI V I NG BAC K

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BUSI NESS

The Height of

Happiness

Share the cool magic of Highlands this summer.

s temperatures rise, people seek the coolness of higher ground, and Highlands – perched at 4,118 feet above sea level – is the perfect place for summer refuge. Our beloved mountain town is even named for its location. Whether you are summering, visiting, or hosting, in Highlands, you can comfortably spend time outdoors this season, taking in and sharing its magic and wonder. Our local merchants stand ready to meet your needs for outdoor ventures, whether it’s hiking attire, patio furniture, a picnic lunch, hats, fishing gear, or a good bottle of vino to enjoy while you take in the splendor. To help you appreciate our special part of the world, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC compiled a list of impressive facts – some perhaps widely known, some not. Here are just a few. 1. This landscape is old. Really old. The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest in the entire world, the remnants of a geological sequence of events that began 480 million years ago during the formation of the supercontinent of Pangaea. 2. A gem of a location – literally. Millions of years of volcanic activity and tectonic pressure resulted in a jeweler’s dream of gold and gemstones, such as sapphire. Until the California Gold Rush of 1849, this part of N.C. was the largest gold-producing territory in the country.

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3. When it rains, it pours. Highlands is at the center of one of two temperate rainforests in the continental U.S. (The other is the rich woodlands of Oregon and Washington). This means, we enjoy four distinct seasons and get lots of rain – typically more than 120 inches each year. The rainfall contributes to our spectacular waterfalls and biologically rich flora and fauna. 4. We’re for the birds. Highlands is home to a thriving population of avifauna – about 47 species at the last Christmas Bird Count (a nation-wide event) in which the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society participated. The endangered Peregrine Falcon was reintroduced to the area, and they now nest on the cliffs of iconic Whiteside Mountain. 5. Salamanders are a specialty. In fact, biologists travel from all over the world to study our rich pool of these shy amphibians, thus the nickname, “Salamander Capital of the World.” Their presence indicates the purity of our air, water, and soil, so we’re delighted to live among them. For more about the natural wonders of Highlands, stop by our Welcome Center at 108 Main Street and pick up a copy of our brochure, “15 Magical Facts” or go to visithighlandsnc.com. by Kara Addy Communications Manager, Highlands Chamber of Commerce

BUSI NESS

Growth

by Design A new repor t outlines the avenues that’ll bring a bright, healthy future to Cashiers.

he Urban Land Institute Advisory Services Panel – Cashiers NC final report on growth management was released in late May.

The program brought nationally-recognized professionals to Cashiers for an unbiased, expert analysis of local planning and development opportunities and challenges (visit CashiersAreaChamber.com for background). “It was a privilege to meet so many people who care about the health and character of their community,” said Panel Chair Ed McMahon. “Going forward, the real question for the Cashiers area is not whether it will grow and change, but how. Progress does not demand degraded surroundings. With high standards and a dedicated citizenry, Cashiers can grow without losing the places and characteristics that people love.” As sponsor of the ULI Panel, the Cashiers Area Chamber will continue its commitment to inclusivity and transparency throughout this transformational process. In partnership with the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council, Jackson County officials, and other local and regional charitable organizations, the Chamber will facilitate collaborative efforts to consider these recommendations, determine purview, set priorities, and implement next steps. The panel made five major recommendations: 1. Create a long-term conservation plan to permanently protect critical natural areas, steep slopes, green spaces, and scenic views; 2. Build a robust network of pathways, trails, and sidewalks to promote walkability within the village core;

3. Work with state and county government to accelerate construction of critical infrastructure, including transportation, broadband, water, and sewer; 4. Create an organization focused on bringing in more diverse housing (both for sale and rental) to address critical workforce housing needs; and 5. Work proactively with major landowners to ensure development respects local values and community character in scale, design, and architecture. “We look forward to working with community stakeholders in the future to ensure we address inevitable growth with proactive strategies that, as the ULI Panel advises, ‘ensures the qualities that have made Cashiers special will not be diminished,’” said Glenn Ubertino, president of the Chamber Board of Directors and member of the Cashiers planning council. A digital version of the ULI Advisory Services Panel – Cashiers NC publication is available at CashiersAreaChamber.com. Since 1947, The Urban Land Institute Advisory Services program has assembled more than 700 ULI teams to help sponsors find creative, practical solutions for complex land use planning, community revitalization, growth management, affordable housing, and other matters. A wide variety of public, private, and nonprofit organizations have contracted for ULI’s advisory services. by Stephanie Edwards Executive Director, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce

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

LIVE WELL. RUN FREE. 828.342.3194

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LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ CO-OWNER / BROKER 828.342.3194 (CELL) LIZ@CASHIERS.COM 223 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

BETH TOWNSEND

LIZ HARRIS

Co-Owner / Broker

ANN MCKEE AUSTIN

Co-Owner / Broker

OUR TEAM — OF —

EXPERIENCED BROKERS WAYNE MONDAY

COLEEN GOTTLOEB

Broker

Broker-In-Charge

SANDY BARROW Broker

LOGAN CROCKER Broker

JOHN BARROW

Broker / Rental Coordinator

KARALINE CANTLER

Broker

CLAY CANTLER

Broker / Administrator

619 HWY 107 S

MAGGIE ELMER

Broker / Licensed Assistant

CASHIERS, NC 28717

JOANNE BRYSON Broker

JESSICA HOHEISEL

Broker / Licensed Assistant

828.743.3411

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC MINNIE COLE HOUSE 224 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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

NEARLY 50 YEARS OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE IN THE CASHIERS-HIGHLANDS AREA

M C K E E P R O P E R T I E S. C O M 225 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Winfield Farm 127+/- ACRES — Nestled between National Forest and a ridgetop of gorgeous mountain views lies the beautiful Winfield Farm. This multigenerational family farm is located in Scaly Mountain on the southern edge of the Nantahala National Forest just 10 minutes from Highlands, North Carolina. Winfield Farm features long range mountain views, gently rolling pastures, heirloom apple trees and gardens, spring-fed lakes and ponds, mountain streams, multiple homes, barns, and other structures. The main home is perched on a gentle knoll overlooking the farm, while two other homes are within easy walking distance. Another lovely home is tucked in a large meadow bowl that looks up to the surrounding

OFFERED FOR $6,750,000 mountains. Two large barns, workshops, and a historic lodge are also contained within the 127 acres. Fabulous views can be enjoyed from everywhere on the farm/estate and the gentle topography makes the land very usable. A portion of the property fronts Dillard Road, offering great commercial potential on this parcel. Winfield Farm is just two hours from Atlanta and minutes from hiking trails, waterfalls, and all the clubs and amenities the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau has to offer. This is the first time on the market for this beautiful farm that has caught the eye of all who pass by. I look forward to showing it to you! MLS 97357

619 HWY 107 S 226 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

CASHIERS, NC 28717

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM

828.743.3411

Liz Harris CONSISTENTLY A TOP-RANKED BROKER ON THE PLATEAU “Liz Harris is on top of the Cashiers real estate market. She is proactive and creative and someone you want working for you. We’ve worked with her on several transactions and enjoy her personally as well as professionally.” – RENEE H.

LizHarrisBroker.com

Little Ellijay Farm 4 BR / 4 BA — This beautiful 63-acre farm in the Cashiers/Glenville area beside the Snowbird Community is full of charm. It features gorgeous views, rolling land, a main house, a guest house, an art studio, a large

OFFERED FOR $1,590,000 functioning barn, gardens, a chicken coop, fruit trees, fenced pasture land, fresh water ponds, springs and creeks throughout! Contact Liz today for a tour of this beautiful mountain farm. MLS 97011

JUST REDUCED

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C

828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

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Silver Slip Falls 4 BR / 4.5 BA — This magnificent property with uninterrupted views of Whiteside and Devils Courthouse is close to the crossroads of Cashiers yet tucked away for privacy. Designed and built by the present owners in 2008, this meticulously designed home features 4 bedrooms and 4 en suite baths with master and second bedroom on the main floor. The attention to detail is unrivaled — every door in the house was handmade, and heart pine floors and old barn wood are used throughout the house. There are 3 wood burning fireplaces, with the massive one in the great room made from Tennessee river rock. The floorplan features a great room with

OFFERED FOR $4,250,000 windows on 3 sides, a lovely study with built-in bookcases, and a unique central gallery. The large kitchen has beautiful cabinets, Wolf range with double-ovens, a spacious island, and granite countertops. Adjoining the kitchen is a large keeping room with stone fireplace and plenty of room for dining and/or sitting opens on to a spacious porch with additional dining space. Upstairs are 2 bedrooms, each with en suite baths. The yard is filled with beautiful hosta, oak leaf hydrangea, boxwoods, and other carefully selected plants. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this breathtakingly beautiful home. It is a treasure for sure! MLS 98906

SANDY BARROW 228 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

JOHN BARROW

C C

478.737.9664

828.506.9356

Sarvis Ridge Tract

$875,000

Lot at High Hemlock

$159,000

49 ACRES — “Sarvis Ridge,” rolling meadow, dense woods, table

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

flat building site at the top, over 4020 elevation. Small dipping pond in the meadow. The property can be divided into four parcels (5 ac minimums). The Webb Lake 1930’s cabin, common area lake and trails and caretaker home are directly across the road from this prime tract. Southern to eastern views are into the 600 acre Webb conservation easement. This heritage property has unlimited potential! MLS 95707

mountain gem! This lot in High Hemlock has a mountain view of Double Knob mountain. The lush wooded landscape of large hardwoods and mountain laurel is the perfect backdrop for someone to build their dream mountain home. This lot also shares a small pond with adjacent property owner. This large lot offers a great deal of privacy. Paved access directly to the lot makes easy ingress egress. MLS 98115

RECORD SALE!

RECENTLY SOLD $3,110,000

252 FLATWOOD BRANCH TR.

BUYER

RECORD SALE!

$2,600,000

39 FIRESONG LN. | SELLER

$1,285,000

245 MONTREAT DR.

SELLER

BETH LIZ TOWNSEND HARRIS, GUILD™ C C828.421.6193 828.342.3194

LIZ@CASHIERS.COM | | BETH@CASHIERS.COM

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RECREATION

WHAT TO DO DINING

THE ARTS

LIFEST YLES

Have Havethe theHeart Heartof ofthe theHighlands HighlandsCashiers CashiersPlateau Plateaudelivered deliveredmonthly monthlyto toyour yourmailbox mailbox thelaurelmagazine.com/subscribe thelaurelmagazine.com/subscribe 230 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

CREATION

.L ove has arrived

SHOPPING

WELLNESS

a e

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and Nationally Ranked by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, RealTrends, and TITAN Property Awards*

ncliving.com is THE premier source to the highlands-cashiers plateau

*According to 2021 Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Website Quality Certification Results, 2021 RealTrends Website Rankings, and 2022 TITAN Property Awards.

C A S H I E R S / L A K E G L E N V I L L E : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9 | H I G H L A N D S : 8 2 8 - 5 2 6 - 2 9 9 9

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DOWNTOWN CASHIERS 341 Highway 64 West Cashiers, NC 28717 828-743-1999

LAKE GLENVILLE DISCOVERY CENTER 4312 Highway 107 N Glenville, NC 28736 828-743-1999

DOWNTOWN HIGHLANDS 537 Main Street Highlands, NC 28741 828-526-2999

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

JOCHEN LUCKE

DAN ALLEN

president/broker

broker

PA R K E R A N D E R S O N

C H R I S D U F FY

B A M B I FA M O U S

D E B BY H A L L

R I C K J AC K S O N

K E V I N KOAC H

E D DY M C D O N A L D

JODI MOORE

CASSIE NEAL

KAT I E N I C H O L S O N

LINDA PRIDGEN

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M E R RY S O E L L N E R

K E N TA F T

RAY T R I N E

S AVA N A H H O P P E R

R I VA S M I T H

C A I T L I N S TA R N E S

broker

234

LOTA H OW E L L

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broker

N O RA K E L LY assistant

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assistant/broker

broker

assistant

     T E C H N O L O G Y

3 5 9. 5 K

TOTAL IMPRESSIONS

of Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s 3D tours.

c o n the be s p o k e l e ve r ag in

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95%

3D TOUR VIEWERS

are more likely to inquire about a property.

The result is increased exposure for our exclusive offerings and an enhanced buying experience.

N C L I V I N G . C O M | C A S H I E R S / L A K E G L E N V I L L E : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9 | H I G H L A N D S : 8 2 8 - 5 2 6 - 2 9 9 9

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D R I V E N

B Y

R E S U L T S

Our bespoke marketing pipeline begins with our in-house marketing team that creates a dynamic suite of assets for our exclusive offerings. Assets are then published through our vetted network of local and global markets to increase exposure and engagement with qualified buyers.

C A L L TO DAY TO L E A R N H OW W E C A N P O S I T I O N YO U R P R O P E RT Y F O R TO DAY ’ S M A R K E T.

NCLIVING.COM | CASHIERS/LAKE GLENVILLE: 828-743-1999 | HIGHLANDS: 828-526-2999

C A S H I E R S • H I G H L A N D S • S A P P H I R E • L A K E G L E N V I L L E • L A K E T O X AWAY

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The premier source for Plateau lifestyle in Western North Carolina, NC Living Magazine explores local luxuries and global cultural trends from a real estate perspective Every issue features all of Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s exclusive offerings and is printed, mailed, and promoted through our social media channels and subscription lists.

15,000

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with around 93% being directly mailed to our subscribers.

OV E R

40 STATES

have NC Living subscribers as their primary place of residence.

165,000

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receive NC Living through print and digital subscriptions each year.

A S I LV E R C R E E K R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P P U B L I C AT I O N

NCLIVING.COM 238 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

WE’RE LOCAL. WE’RE NATIONAL.

1.3 MILLION TRANSACTIONS 150,000 SALES ASSOCIATES 550 COMPANIES

INDUSTRY LEADING SALES. WORLD-CLASS SERVICE.

LEADING REAL ESTATE COMPANIES OF THE WORLD

COMPASS

$152 BILLION

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY SOTHEBY’S

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$110 BILLION $97 BILLION This bar chart is sourced from REALTrends Top 500 for 2020, realtrends.com

N C L I V I N G . C O M | C A S H I E R S / L A K E G L E N V I L L E : 8 2 8 - 74 3 - 1 9 9 9 | H I G H L A N D S : 8 2 8 - 5 2 6 - 2 9 9 9 C A S H I E R S • H I G H L A N D S • S A P P H I R E • L A K E G L E N V I L L E • L A K E T O X AWAY

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A DV E R T I S E R’ S I N D E X

4118 Kitchen and Bar A Jones Company A-List Antiques ACP Home Interiors Aery Chiropractic Allaben Fine Art Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group Allison Diane Amy Feil Phillips Fine Art Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery Annawear Annell Metsker, Artist Appalachian Construction Appalachian Golf Cars Around Back at Rocky’s Place ALHC Summer Colors Show Atelier Maison Bags on Main Balistreri Realty The Bascom Barbara Jamison Paintings Bardo Arts Center Bazaar Barn Bear Tracks Travel Center Bella Cotn Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Mary S. Abranyi Beth Poindexter Trunk Show Betsy Paul Art Benefit Betsy Paul Properties Bird Barn & Garden Black Rock Design Build The Blue Elephant Blue Ridge Bedding Blue Ridge Music Bombshell Hair Boutique The Book Nook Bounds Cave’s Rug Gallery Brevard Music Center The Brier Patch Brookings Fly Shop Bungalow Boutique C Orrico Calders Coffee Cafe Caliber Fine Properties Carolina Rustic Furniture Cashiers Annual Antiques Show Cashiers Chamber of Commerce Cashiers Candy Shoppe Cashiers Farmers Market Cashiers Kitchen Company Cashiers Valley Community Chorus Cashiers Valley Smokehouse Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, MD Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals Charles Johnson Fine Art Photography Chocolate Heaven/Cake Bar Christine’s Home Decor 240 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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P 42 P 39 P 28 P 86 P2 P 208 P 131 P 135 P 69, 209 P 159 P 116 P 51 P 41, 214 P 66 P 169 P 61 P 195 P 27 P 43, 217 P 84 P 111 P 53 P 15 P 15 P 218 P 140 P 79 P 128 P 127 P 198 P4 P 196 P 114 P 115 P 166 P 4, 158 P 199 P 208 P 172 P 139 P 58, 59 P 74 P 28, 72, 90 P 193 P 38 P 10 P 196 P 22, 23 P 216 P 74 P 87 P 105 P 73 P 102 P 134

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P 178, 179

sothebysrealty.com

P 153

A DV E R T I S E R’ S I N D E X

Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Tommy Jenkins Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Sheryl Wilson Highlands Transportation Company Historic Toxaway Foundation Historic Toxaway Market Hummingbird Lounge Imperial Security & Wiring J Gabriel Jannie Bean Custom Jewelry Jeanie Edwards Fine Art Jennings Builders Supply Josephine’s Emporium John Cleaveland Realty Joyce Smith Mortgages Killer Bees The Kitchen CarryAway and Catering Lake Toxaway Company Lakeside Restaurant Landmark Realty Group Landmark Realty Group - Pam Nellis Laura Moser Art Lehotsky & Sons Lenz Gifts & Luxury Linens Leslie Jeffery, Artist The Look Boutique Lupoli Construction Main Street Gifts Main Street Nursery Martha Anne’s Martin Lispcomb Performing Arts Center McCulley’s McKee Properties McKee Properties - John & Sandy Barrow McKee Properties - Liz Harris McKee Properties - Beth Townsend Michelle Page Webster, Artist Mike’s Snake Removal Mirror Lake Antiques Morales Painting Mountain Cafe Mountain Construction Engineering Mountain Mermaid Mountain Spring Spas and Pools Mountainworks Custom Home Design, Ltd. Nancy’s Fancys Narcissus Nearly New The Neumann Law Office, PLLC Nora & Co Oak Steakhouse Old Edwards Inn & Spa On the Verandah The Orchard Restaurant, Event Barn & Cottages Panthertown Cafe

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mountain-ce.com

P 29 P 87

mountainhotspring.com

P 17

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P 81 P 53 P 45 P 61 P 52 P 114 P 122 P 71, 208 P 129 P 133 P 169

Pat Calderone Peggy Marra Peak Experience Petit Properties Real Esate Preferred Properties of Highlands - Ann Scott Pryor Fine Art Reach of Macon County Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Service Rent In Highlands-CCP Ristorante Paoletti Robin’s Nest Roman’s Roofing LLC Root 64 Fresh Market Rosewood Market Rusticks Sapphire Valley Real Estate Sashay Around Scaly Mountain Crafters Shakespeare and Company Shiraz Silver Creek Real Estate Group Sky Valley Country Club Skyline Lodge Slanted Window Tasting Room Smitten S’more Kids Klothes Southern Highlands Reserve Southern Way The Spa Boutique at Old Edwards Inn Spoiled Rotten Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship The Summer House by Reeves Sweetwater Builders, Inc Sydney H Sams, Artist Tampa Bay Trust Company Tarah’s Beauty Bar Terry Warren Fine Art Tiger Drive In TJ Bailey’s for Men Town and Country General Store The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands Vic’s for Men Victoria’s Closet Victoria’s Sportswear The Village Green Village Hound The Vineyard at 37 High Holly Vivianne Metzger Antiques Warth Construction Whistlin’ Dixie Whiteside Art Gallery WHLC FM 104.5 Wilbanks Smile Center - Dr. Joe Wilbanks Wish and Shoes Wit’s End Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Zach Claxton Art Zoller Hardware The Zookeeper Bistro

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P 119 P 117 P 32 P 174

ppoh.com pryorfineart.com reachofmaconcounty.org

P 209 P 109 P 171 P 208 rentinhighlands.com P 67 paolettis.com P 127 robinsnest-cashiers.com P 183 romansroofingnc.com P 209 P 173 rosewoodgourmet.com P 131 rusticks.com P 11, 144 sapphirevalleyrealestate.com P 88 P 19 scalymtncrafters.com P 97 shakespeareandcompanyhighlands.com P 60 shirazruggalleries.com P 37 ncliving.com P 232-239 skyvalleycountryclub.com P 53 skyline-lodge.com 122 P 60 P 94 P 242 southernhighlandsreserve.org P 175 P 85 oldedwardsinn.com spoiledrotten2.com summerhousehighlands.com sweetwatersbuilders.com sydneysamsfineartcom tampabaytrustcompany.com terrywarren.com tigerdrivein.com tjbmens.com tandcgeneralstore.com theuglydogpub.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com villagegreencashiersnc.com thevineyardathighholly.com vmantiques.com warthconstruction.com whlc.com

P P 65 P 15 P 143 P 57 P 97 P 56 P 208 P 95 P 215 P 207 P 142 P 138 P 148 P 148 P 148 P 180 P 55 P 103 P 144 P 244 P 174 P 101 P 17

wilbankssmilecenter.com wishandshoes.com

P 188 P 151 P 33

wolfgangs.net

P5 P 215 P 118 P 201 P 137

zollerhardware.com thezookeeperbistro.com

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242 J U LY 2 0 2 2 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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July 2022: The Laurel Magazine

Articles inside

Capturing a Midnight Waterfall

Seeing the Magic

Music Under The Stars

Plateau Picks

Luke’s Turn to Take the Bow

Building on Family

Guest Chef Series