Cars, Cars and More Cars

June may seem like miles into the future, but time flies – as do many of the automobiles, both new and old, that will be on display and on roadways during the annual June fundraiser event called the Highlands Motoring Festival. This year, it takes place June 8-11, with the schedule of events revving up as:

Thursday, June 8

One Lap of the Mountains- Grande’

Brian Redman Reception

Friday, June 9

One Lap of the Mountains- Speciale

Parade of Main Street- KH Park

Saturday June 10

Cars in the Park Invitational Classic Car Show

Fundraising Gala

Sunday June 11

High Octane Car Show and Social Gathering

This year’s featured marque automobile will be the BMW, with the history of the company and a carefully curated group of BMW cars and motorcycles front and center during the festival.

The featured celebrity is Brian Redman, who is a world-famous race car driver and winner of championships in all types of motorsports during his still active 62-year driving career.

Scott Hughes from South Carolina has been a “huge fan” of HMF, according to HMF organizer Steve Ham, “and has introduced us to many important classic car collectors.”

Hughes said, “Discovering the wonderful Highlands Motoring Festival gave my wife Fran and I even more reasons to visit this magical mountain community. It became a ‘why don’t you’ moment when we heard about all the activities available within this event from fellow car friends and we headed north to join the fun! We have participated in the festival for five years now, bringing BMWs from our collection and developing new and endearing friendships and sharing our car passion with locals and guests from far and wide.”

Hughes said his hobby started in high school with a 1955 Chevy Bel Air 2-door hardtop. “We have a recreation of that car today and often cruise around with it. Our collection is mostly BMWs, which we have shown and raced all over the country and in Europe.”

Hughes added that a special highlight of last year’s festival was the appearance of his wife’s BMW Isetta 300. “Everyone, kids and grown ups, got a chance to sit in this fun little car.”

Importantly, in 2022 the HMF donated $105,000 to three local charities and, as with every year of a fundraiser, the goal is to raise even more in June.

by Deena Bouknight Scan to learn more.

Chilly Weather Retreats

Local libraries offer respite from the gray days at the end of winter and promises of greener times with the return of spring.

Getting out of the home, especially for home workers, home schoolers, and retirees, is essential – at least periodically – especially during chilly, often gray months. Libraries are ideal, free spots to meet people, broaden one’s mind, get help with countless conundrums, and generally enjoy a change of scenery. While the libraries in Highlands and Cashiers may not be bustling with as much activity during winter months as they are in spring, summer, and fall seasons, they still offer much in the way of programs, events, new releases, and more.

Highlands Hudson Library Branch

Librarian Carlyn Morenus reminds the community that Youth Theatre, family story times, and assistance in areas such as research and resources is ongoing. And, Serenity Richards, branch librarian at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, alerts that the

Winter Writer’s Workshop wraps up in March, with Ashley Stewart leading the Thursday at 1:30 P.M. sessions. In March, the following Winter Writer’s Workshop topics are: “The Red Pen: How to Edit Your Manuscript,” “The Elevator Pitch: Finding Agents and Convincing Them to Read Your Book,” The Publishing Process: What to Expect with Traditional and Self-Publishing,” and, Manuscript Critiques.”

Quite possibly, there will be gardening programs offered by libraries as well, with helpful information accessible to the public via the regional cooperative extension program. Interested parties can visit the Plateau’s libraries or the websites to learn what might be added to the March schedules.

Gardening, in fact, is an important topic – as spring is the time to get flower beds and produce plots ready for plantings. Within the Fontana Regional Library system, of which both the Highlands and

Cashiers libraries are a part, numerous books exist. In fact, almost 3,000 books on the topic are indicated as being available through this library system. Some titles are: Grow Your Own Herbs by Susan Belsinger & Arthur O. Tucker; The Southeast Native Plant Primer by Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross; Grow Food for Free by Huw Richards; Easy Gardens for the South by Harvey Cotten, Pamela Crawford & Barbara Pleasant; and, The Backyard Homestead Bible by Tom Harving.

Finally, Richards noted that Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is fundraising for new audio-visual equipment, so anyone interested in donating toward that effort can stop by the library, or contact the library to learn how at (828) 743-0215.

by Deena Bouknight