Heinitsh’s Toxaway Vision

L to R: Will Heinitsh, Reg Heinitsh III, Rachel Schneider, John Heinitsh, Andrea Hamilton, Bianca Mitchell, and Scott McCall.

Following in the footsteps of the captains of American Industry and Finance, The Lake Toxaway Company undertook the challenge of making this gorgeous portion of Transylvania County into an escape from the stresses of the outside world.

Around these parts, R.D. Heinitsh Sr. of Columbia, South Carolina, is remembered as the bold and brilliant businessman who laid out a vision in the restoration of Lake Toxaway and its environs. In doing so he foretold a future of what it has become today, “a treasured retreat” in any idyllic mountain setting – a momentous enhancement and immeasurable contribution to this community. Completed in 1903 by damming the Toxaway River, Toxaway was the largest man-made lake in the Appalachian Mountains. Following the construction of the splendid Toxaway Inn on the banks of the lake, it became a summer destination for some of America’s first families – among them, the Fords, Firestones, Edisons, and Vanderbilts. But, after a sequence of three hurricanes walloped the area in 1916, the dam burst, and the lake was lost. Though the Inn survived, without the attraction of the lake, the area lost its allure. By the 1940’s, the Inn’s contents were sold off and the building was razed. What had once been a glorious resort, regarded for its stunning scenery, known as the “Switzerland of America” remained dormant until 1960 when Reg Heinitsh happened upon one of the Inn’s guests’ registers. Grandson Will Heinitsh explained that, “Intrigued by the history of the old lake and full of ideas of what it could be again, he convinced friends to join him in the venture to restore the property to its former glory and beyond. The Lake Toxaway Company was thus formed, purchasing 9200 acres that included the dry lakebed.” As Will said further, “My grandfather put everything on the line to come up here and do this when it was virtually the backwoods of America.”

Once formed, the company sold private residential lots surrounding the lake that included private access to the lake.

Construction of the Toxaway Dam, December 1959 Lake Toxaway Country Club

The Lake Toxaway Country Club was operated out of the old Moltz Mansion, now the Greystone Inn, while the beginnings of the club was formed with the installation of an 18 hole golf course and tennis courts.

In the early 1980’s, Reg Heinitsh’s eldest son, Reg Heinitsh Jr., purchased the majority interest in the company and built upon his father’s legacy to catapult Lake Toxaway into one of the finest mountain resorts on the Highland-Cashiers Plateau. Heinitsh Jr. took the reins of the carefully controlled development the company was known for, utilizing conservation easements while developing sections of the property away from the lakebed, including the breathtaking mountain lots on Toxaway Mountain. Over the last 15 years, Heinitsh Jr. spearheaded a line of property updates including a $7 million dollar clubhouse renovation, and more than $10 million dollars of golf course improvements since 2007 when Lake Toxaway Country Club’s golf course became the first signature designed course by golf architect Kris Spence. The company under Heinitsh Jr.’s helm has continued to add amenities and recreational facilities for residents – including croquet courts, a tennis and pickleball facility, a new pool complex, the lake club, along with casual and fine dining venues. In 2003, after all 1,250 homesteads had been sold, the company converted from a development organization to a real estate brokerage. The uniquely knowledgeable 15-member team of brokers that manage the business of listing and selling property and overseeing vacation rentals, are well known as leaders in the Lake Toxaway brokerage market. As it has for three generations, the Heinitsh family continues to this day to serve the company and the community and to oversee property improvements. Most recently, that has included upgrades to the clubhouse and golf course as well as the addition of the Lake Club – a new pool complex with a bar and grill. “The Lake Toxaway Company waits to welcome you to Lake Toxaway Estates. Come see what the best of mountain life has to offer.”

For detailed information about the Lake Toxaway Company, visit laketoxaway.com.

Lake Toxaway Country Club Firestone Bar

by Marlene Osteen

The Earth Truly Shines

Earthshine Lodge is ready to share the sublime joys of post-pandemic life in the mountains with guests from across the globe. For reservations and more information, call (828) 862-4207 or visit earthshinenc.com.

For 30 years the Earthshine Lodge in Lake Toxaway has been drawing adventurers in search of mountain views, waterfalls, and those focused on outdoor activities.

What started as an outdoor education center has expanded over the years to include lodging, and a myriad of sport and outdoor happenings for enthusiasts, along with wellness, fly fishing, and photography retreats. In 2018 the lodge changed hands and new owners Anna Bracco and Ali Lien slowly began upgrading the property and rooms and expanding the educational and field programs. Recently I spoke to Anna to find out what’s newly afoot. She was particularly excited to talk about Mountain Takeover – “a chance for groups to make the 76-acre property theirs for the weekend or week.” Particularly sought out for family and college reunions, weddings and girls’ weekends, most groups opt to book a package that includes all accommodations, meals prepared by skilled culinarians, and a dedicated team to assist with participant needs. As Anna explained, “The benefit of the program is that everyone is on site together and we take on the hard work of cooking and planning activities. We can be as hands on or off as they want.” In addition, the staff works with parties ahead of their booking to select programs tailored to their interests. The most popular of these are “hiking with the llamas” – a chance to revel in the closeness to the animals – storytelling around the campfire, archery and tomahawk throwing, “blacksmithing and brews,” and wilderness training. The family style rooms in the eight-bedroom Main Lodge, and three-bedroom Sunrise Cottage, all with a queen bed and either twin, bunk beds, or pull-out couch to sleep four or six. Built in 1990 from the original wood on the property, the common areas of the Main Lodge are the perfect place to gather after a day’s outing. The sprawling great room is everything you would expect from a rustic mountain lodge – high ceilings, two stone fireplaces, antler chandeliers, expansive mountain views, and a main dining room with a covered porch. As Anna said, “We want to give families and groups the opportunity to create everlasting happy memories.” The property can accommodate 50 to 60 guests. Booking is recommended as far in advance as possible – three months is recommended. For details, call (828) 862-4207.

by Marlene Osteen

Bee-utiful Honeyed Experience

The globally stressed honeybee finds friendly fields and blessed sanctuary at Denise and Sean Altay’s pastoral Killer Bees Honey apiary in Lake Toxaway.

Denise Altay and Sean Collinsworth

The importance of honeybees as pollinators for all types of plants, including ones that grow fruit and vegetables, has been focused on in recent years due to chemicals and diseases threatening honeybees. Thus, visiting Killer Bees in Lake Toxaway is an opportunity to learn firsthand just what the essential insects accomplish – for our good! “Killer Bees’ apiary is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest, which is key to the purity and complex nature of the honey produced. The tour experience continues to surprise and delight guests as they enter the wildly amazing and delicious world of the honeybee at the mountaintop apiary,” explained Denise Altay, who co-owns Killer Bees with her beekeeper husband, Sean Collinsworth.

Although the company’s dramatic name may be a bit surprising, Denise assures that “killer bees” is really a triple entendre. “The actual killer bee does exist, but that’s not what we have because those bees, commonly known at Africanized bee, are actually illegal in most states. They are truly vicious. The typical honeybee will sting to protect their kingdom, and the queen bee herself is a beauty with killer looks. Our logo represents a gorgeous and powerful woman … think Wonder Woman, with wings.” Killer Bees’ honey is tested by third-party, independent labs to ensure that it is 100 percent unadulterated and toxin-free. “We are the only American beekeepers to do so and publish the results on our website,” she added. “We never buy honey from other beekeepers and control and manage the process of honey production from hive to bottle to table. The honey is never heated, ultra-filtered, pasteurized, blended, flavored, or infused.”

Besides tours, the full line of Killer Bees’ honey and honeybased products and gifts are available at killerbeeshoney.com. Tours are limited this season to just June and July and only on Fridays and Saturdays. These tours are small and resservations are required — visit killerbeeshoney.com. Killer Bees’ honey is available at such locales as Acorns Boutique and Calders Coffee Cafe in Highlands; Cashiers Farmers Market and Crossroads Custard in Cashiers; Sapphire Valley Resort Gift Store in Sapphire; Historic Toxaway Market, Bear Tracks Travel Center, and Headwaters Outfitters in Lake Toxaway; and, Food Matters in Brevard.

by Deena Bouknight

Beauty in Bloom

With its kaleidoscopic selection of garden décor, gift items, and, of course, plants in every shade of green, business at Whistlin’ Dixie Garden & Gifts is booming (and blooming). Find out for yourself – 18138 Rosman Road in Sapphire.

L to R: April Galloway, Chuck Galloway, Rex Dillard, Judy Dillard , Cade Galloway, Kellie Owen, Felix Morales, Crystal Owen, and Shy Fisher.

This time of year is the cheeriest – with a myriad of hues brightening window boxes, yards, and interiors. From March through October, Whistlin’ Dixie Garden & Gifts in Sapphire is alive with beautiful blooms, but that’s not all.

April Galloway, who owns the nursery/gift business with her husband, Chuck, explained how the business has grown and evolved over the years. “We opened our doors in 1995 on the land that was formerly occupied by the Bearwallow Springs Jelly House and Whistlin’ Dixie has become a full-service nursery and garden center. We grow 95 percent of the plants that we sell on site in our 14,000 square feet of covered greenhouses. We sell hundreds of different varieties of annuals, perennials, groundcovers, herbs, tropical, and shrubbery. We also sell mulches, straws, fertilizers, amendments, and other gardening necessities.” It was in 2005 that the couple added a gift shop. In fact, an entire building is dedicated to glazed pottery and the gift shop, which includes a large selection of greeting cards, cocktail napkins, and Michel Designs soaps and lotions. But the business continues to bloom. She added, “New for us this year is a full garden decor area, including decorative solar lights, wind chimes, lightweight planters, rain chains, wind spins, welcome mats, and moss lined hayracks and hanging baskets.” Live plants are not the only items seasonal at Whistlin’ Dixie. The Galloways make sure that a section of the gift shop is devoted to holiday décor, such as an Americana section of décor for the upcoming Fourth of July celebration. And if that is not enough, Whistlin’ Dixie is the go-to spot for specially crafted in-house silk flower arrangements. Chuck and April credit God, family, and hard-working, dedicated employees, who have become part of their “family,” for Whistlin’ Dixie’s success. April said, “My mom and dad (Judy and Rex Dillard) have known how to dream big and have had the skills to help make the business’s dreams a reality.”

by Deena Bouknight

HISTORY

Pages 178-185

photo by Susan Renfro

Our Infallible Rock

L to R: Marjorie Christiansen, Michelle Munger, and Janet Cummings

Michelle Munger, Laurel’s supremely talented Art Director, prowls like a jaguar through every issue – silent, confident, and absolutely focused.

In each 2022 Laurel, my co-publisher Janet and I have recounted the people and circumstances that have carried this magazine through 20 tumultuous, triumphant years. And behind all those tales is the quiet player in this narrative, the woman who helps us serve and keep happy over 200 clients each month – The Laurel’s Art Director, Michelle Munger. Michelle is Janet’s sister, and since I’ve worked alongside her for 28 years, she’s officially my sister-from-another-mister. Many may recognize Michelle from her many years of dedication to the local youth basketball league, and she currently greets customers with a smile at Highlands Express, during her “day job.” Janet and I are easy to pick out of a lineup. That’s because after 20 years, we have attended nearly every function that unfurls here on the Plateau at some time or another. And neither one of us could ever be accused of blending into the woodwork. And our editor, Luke Osteen, he’s normally quiet, but he says that he has big, flappy ears that somehow encourage others to chat with him and open up. It seems everyone knows him. And our writers and contributors, they each bring their distinctive voices to whatever appears on our pages and you know them, even if you don’t know them. But Michelle, she’s a cypher, like the protagonist of a Mountain Theatre Company production of The Invisible Woman. Part of this is because she’s naturally soft-spoken. And part of it, a big part of it, is that’s she’s just so good at what she does that it’s easy to ignore just how extraordinary she is. Just look at this issue, whether you’re holding it in your hands or viewing it online – see how the ads are all built with attention to harmony and balance? That’s Michelle! That’s her preternatural brilliance, right there on the page. It’s been honed by nearly 35 years in the business, combined with an artist’s eye for symmetry and an engineer’s appreciation for precision and technical possibilities.

Michelle Munger

“Her attention to detail has saved us thousands of times,” says Janet. “Once a client wanted to also insert a postcard in an issue, and I missed it in the email. Michelle caught it, and kept us from disappointing the customer and missing a huge sale! She has the patience of Job, and works ‘til all hours making sure we get done. I am blessed to be able to work as close with my sister as I do.” And what I can say about this woman, this friend, who’s been so crucial to making this magazine soar and who’s on more than one occasion saved us from disaster?

Well, there comes a time in each monthly production cycle when you’ve given all you have and left it all at the end of the day – you’re spent, and then someone asks you for a solution that isn’t in the well that you’re drawing from. That’s when you turn to Michelle and, without fail, she delivers – spot on. Michelle is our rock.

by Marjorie Christiansen, Managing Partner, Laurel Magazine

Heritage Lectures

Cashiers Historical Society celebrates the busy summer season with a trio of lectures to illuminate the past and spotlight the storied present.

Cashiers Historical Society continues to present a wide variety of educational programs. This year’s Mountain Heritage Lecture Series marks the fourth year for the summer series.

The lecture series is a forum that brings a variety of speakers to the community. The first lecture will be June 9 and will feature Dr. Gordon McKinney. Dr. McKinney is the author of several books, including Zeb Vance, North Carolina’s Civil War Governor and the Gilded Age Political Leader and The Heart of the Confederate Appalachia, Western North Carolina in the Civil War.

In his lecture and discussion, he will be reviewing the “inner Civil War” in Western North Carolina to include among several areas, slavery and racial politics, economic inequality, political hostilities, divided loyalties, and the increasing responsibilities of women during the war. Dr. McKinney is retired and presently lives in Asheville. Dr. George Brown, Dean of the David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Carolina University will lead the second lecture in this year’s series on July 7. Dean Brown has served as dean of the college for over half a decade and brings an extensive record of achievement as an artist, educator and administrator. He has worked in the professional and university theater for over 30 years as director, actor, and fight choreographer. In his lecture, he will share with the audience the rich artistic and cultural opportunities that are created by the students, faculty, and staff from the School of Art and Design, the School of Music and the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, the School of Stage and Screen, the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.

And finally, he will answer the question, “What do you get when you add 800 talented student artists with 100-plus working professional artists and scholars at a dynamic regional comprehensive university located in the Great Smoky Mountains that has tremendous support of the community?” The third speaker is Dr. S. Robert Lanthan a long-time Cashiers summer resident and no stranger to Cashiers Historical Society. Dr. Lanthan’s a retired physician who practiced internal medicine and cardiopulmonary. In addition, Dr. Lanthan is an accomplished author. His passion for researching and collecting biographical materials has led to the writing of several books. One written by Dr. Lanthan and co-authored with Jane Nardy is Wade Hampton lll, Summer Resident of North Carolina. And for his lecture on August 11, the third and final for the Mountain Heritage Lecture Series this season, Dr. Lanthan will discuss the interesting life of Dr. William Stewart Halsted, surgeon extraordinaire: a story of drugs, gloves and romance! Dr. Halsted married Wade Hampton’s niece, Caroline and is also credited with naming High Hampton. All lectures are held in the Dowden Pavilion from 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. There’s no charge for the lectures, but donations are appreciated.

by Sandi Rogers, Cashiers Historical Society