March 2024: The Laurel Magazine

L aURe L

The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

The Blair String Quartet Spring Concert pg. 92

Petaled Portraits

Cover Artist, McCalister Russell

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

Paradise.

Believe us, this entire Plateau is waiting for you to join the party!

With appreciation, Janet and Marjorie

MARJORIE N. DEAL Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

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, Ryan Karcher, and Colleen Kerrigan.

photo by Hoyt Starkey, 2018 Winter Photo Cover Contest Winner

WHAT TO DO

Pages 14-51

photo by Susan Renfro

From Our Lands and Hands

With the return of warm weather, both Farmers’ Markets are preparing to serve up the Plateau’s bounty.

The mountains are on the March. Forests are stretching their trunks and limbs, uniting in a universal yawn after winter’s hibernation. Sprouting in the midst of the awakening is a glorious garden of fresh produce and an array of natural materials for crafts – stones, minerals, fiber, flowers, vines, natural dyes, botanicals, soaps, and more.

If your refrigerator’s produce drawer is down to shrivels and shucks, it’s time to visit one or both of the region’s finest farmers’ markets, where the freshest and the best are right at your fingertips and taste-buds.

The Village Green has unveiled 2024’s Green Market schedule: Wednesdays, 11:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M., May 1 through Oct 30. Exceptions: July 3 (because of July 4 events) and August 7 (the time of the Cashiers Annual Antique Show).

“If you’re new to the area,” says Shelby Batchelor, Community Event and Volunteer Coordinator, “The Green Market welcomes you to our producer-only market. All of the vendors grow, produce, and/or make all the products they sell. It’s food right out of Mother Nature’s finest soil, tended by skilled hands, and nurtured by devoted hearts. This year there will be loads of surprises. Bring the kids – they love those honey sticks and bakery treats. Don’t forget your umbrella, just in case, though the market is weather-protected and has plenty of parking and facilities.”

If the Highlands’ Saturday Marketplace/Farmers’ Market at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park beckons you, here are examples of the vendors’ bounty: fresh vegetables, mushrooms, local honey, nuts, plants, baked goods, flowers, jams and jellies, hormone-free beef and pork, micro greens, homemade barbecue

sauce, bear paintings, certified Hemp products, many handmade items, jewelry, and more.

Don Deal, Highlands Marketplace Organizer, says, “We’re open Saturdays, April through October, 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Reserve your Saturday mornings for a visit with local farmers, craftsmen, and artists who sell their hand-growns and hand-mades.”

While you’re at it, mark Wednesdays and Saturdays on your calendars for a double delight, two shopping stops for homeproduced lusciousness. Your veggie crispers won’t have time to collect shrivels and peels. The fresh food-market fare is just too darn delicious – and nutritious.

by Donna Rhodes

Dominque

A Tapestry of Talent

The burgeoning Bear Shadow experience, now in its fourth incarnation, brings music to the Plateau’s vast open spaces, May 11-12.

On the evening of Saturday May 11, the Bear Shadow Music Festival will, for the fourth year, thrum to life at its “base camp” at Winfield Farms in Scaly Mountain. Dreamed up in the months preceding the Pandemic, the idea from the start was to create a spring counterpart to the widely beloved Highlands Food & Wine Festival. The vision – to engage a broader, more local audience while extending a warm invitation to music enthusiasts from beyond the town’s borders to experience the charms of Highlands.

Transcending its initial aspirations, Bear Shadow has become a phenomenon in its own right. Drawing attendees from 32 states and earning recognition from Southern Living as one of the Top 10 Festivals in the South, it has established itself as a must-attend musical celebration.

The stage is set to host an impressive lineup, bringing together a tapestry of talent and renowned artists.

Headliners:

Saturday, May 11: JJ Grey & Mofro

JJ Grey, of Jacksonville, plays music that mixes raw rural blues

with tough, swampy Southern rock, generating a sound that has a loose, natural feel while maintaining a potent edge that ignites when live. Then the band’s jams and Grey’s singing become a kind of combustible testimony that’s as exciting for those onstage as it is for anyone in the audience.”

Sunday, May 12: Black Pumas

The soul duo Black Pumas surfaced out of nowhere when it scored a surprise Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2020, and then, a year later, crashed the Record and Album of the Year categories. Its odd-couple members – Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada – have a provincial origin story and stirring, ageless music sound, juke-joint-tested and stage-ready, tender yet massive.

Beyond the marquee events, bands equally talented:

Saturday: May 11

Futurebirds: Known for their Laid-back country rock, Futurebirds incorporates tuneful melodies of pop along with the Southern sound that made them hometown heroes in Athens, Georgia.

Black Pumas

photo by Jody

American Aquarium: An alt-country band from North Carolina with a sound that skillfully mixes grit, twang, and some straight-ahead rock’n roll.

North Mississippi Allstars: Grammy nominees with an astonishing diversity of style under a muddy roots umbrella, spanning from Delta blues to bluegrass. Sunday, May 12:

The Record Company: A swaggering three-piece rock band with a lean, rootsy sound. Their 2016 debut album was a strong roots rock session that garnered a Grammy nomination.

White Denim: A freewheeling indie rock combo from Austin, Texas, drawing influences from psychedelic/garage rock, punk, funk, jazz, blues, and rock influences.

Grace Bowers: A 17-year-old guitar phenom inspired by blues and rock, promising a sizzling performance. Single and weekend tickets packages are available. All tickets include complimentary beverages and shuttles to and from Highlands. For more information visit bearshadownc.com.

by Marlene Osteen

JJ Grey & Mofro photo by Tom Britt

Capturing Winter’s Quiet

There’s magic contained in these final Winter days – magic that can earn you a place on the cover of The Laurel .

With the arrival of Spring, you’re probably focused on the beautiful things that’re popping up all around us this month.

However, before you finally stash away your heavy coat and sturdy boots, let me make one final pitch for the glories of the winter that we’ve just endured.

Whether you’re a professional photographer, or just someone who loves to capture the magic of the moment on your cell phone or pocket camera, The Laurel is offering you a chance to become a Cover Artist.

That’s right, it’s the start of The Laurel ’s Winter 2025 Cover Photo Contest. Every year, we ask our readers to share with us their vision of the Quintessential Highlands-Cashiers Plateau Winter.

Now some of you are saying that Winter 2023-2024 is an anomaly, that the near-balmy weeks, and days and days of rain were anything but a typical Plateau winter.

Well, it’s true, there haven’t been sweeping vistas of snow or ponds locked in the grip of a hard-frozen layer of ice, but it’s been winter all the same.

The forests are still hushed, the mountains look like they’re clothed in mouse fur, and a bold cardinal can still light up the day with his exuberant plumage.

All of these are irreducible signposts of a Plateau Winter.

Or you could focus on the faces of the men and women and children who are making their way through this most confounding of seasons. The writer Theodore Sturgeon said that he could have saved thousands of acres of timber that were sacrificed for his stories if he only could have photographically captured the mystery and miracle that’s imprinted upon every face. Are you up for the challenge?

Your winning photograph could be the cover of our Winter 2025 Edition. Just look at the award-winner on the adjoining page. It might be just the inspiration you need to capture your

Michele Schwartz

Beth Jones

own winning shot.

All you have to do is keep an eye open for the beauty of this, our quietest and most reflective season, and capture that moment on film.

Aspiring cover artists should enter their seasonal and magazine appropriate shots at https://www.thelaurelmagazine.com/contest/winter2024 by March 31. Submitted photographs should be high resolution and must be of the Highlands-Cashiers area. Amateurs, professionals, young and old, are encouraged to join the fun and share the beauty of the season. You can vote once a day!

by Luke Osteen

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Get a Move On

It’s the perfect time to discover the spirit in your feet and the dance in your heart.

Ballet at Community Bible Church

Horizon 5Rhythms Dance Movement at The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center.

If the return of warmer weather has revived your spirits, if the arrival of Bear Shadow has prompted you to slip on your dancing shoes, there are two opportunities to get into shape and dance to your heart’s content.

First, Community Bible Church in Highlands has established Creation Music and Arts, a fine and performing arts academy for young people throughout Highlands and Cashiers and the surrounding communities.

The academy offers lessons in art, music, and ballet.

The ballet classes are divided into:

Introduction to Ballet for students three and up; Ballet I through Ballet III; Ballet IV (by invitation); and Ballet IV Pointe (by invitation).

Classes are led by Julie Hughes and her students/instructors Radiance Hoagland and Briella McKim.

“Each level of ballet class varies in

regard to the steps taught, but they all learn the fundamentals of the classical ballet technique,” says Hughes. “Even from age three we teach them the proper ballet term and meaning, so that they understand how to execute each step even from an early age. I expect all classes to improve your child’s coordination, cognitive memory, focus, confidence, and grace.

“At the beginning of each class we give thanks to God for the gift of dance and lift one another up in prayer by request. I find that these classes have become so much more than dance, they have become like family that are growing together.”

That unity of spirit and attention to excellence is mirrored in a dance workshop being held at The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center – Horizon 5Rhythms Dance Movement Retreat Spring 2024, set for March 21-24.

“This retreat is for you if: You’re drawn to dance and movement but sometimes

feel inhibited about your expression or ability to move on the outside the way you feel on the inside; You’ve been dancing all your life and now you’d like to tap into that feeling of transcendence that happens now and then on a more consistent basis; you haven’t given yourself time or space to explore movement in a way that feels safe, creative and maybe even mystical,” says instructor Julie Stuart. “This workshop is for people who are new to 5Rhythms or who have danced the practice for decades. We welcome people of all cultures, colors, creeds, all genders and sexualities, all sizes, abilities, and life stages. You don’t need to feel strong or energetic to join us. If you’re breathing, you’ve got all you need. Chairs available for seated dance.”

To learn more and register for ballet classes, visit cbccreation.com. To register for the 5Rhythms Retreat, visit themountainrlc.org.

by Luke Osteen

Exploration Station

The resilient spirit of the Cherokee is explored, tabletop battles are fought, and digital deep dives are served up in a busy month at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is well known to residents of Southern Jackson County as the epicenter of community life and a hub of knowledge – a place of exploration, where folks go to stay connected and educated.

In today’s complex world, libraries play a crucial role in equipping us with the tools to handle and enhance our everyday lives. In the coming weeks a host of diverse activities are offered to achieve these goals.

For those captivated by history, the library is partnering with the Cashiers Historical Society on March 6 at 4:00 P.M. for a presentation by Dr. Susan Abram, visiting professor at Western Carolina University.

As branch librarian Serenity Richards explained, “Dr. Abram is researching Cherokee women in Western North Carolina from the Removal Era through their activism in the 1970’s. Her study begins with the challenges Cherokee women overcame during the hardships and losses endured

from the attempted Removal actions against them and their families to their adaptations in a post-Removal society wherein they became marginalized by a white society that filled the land they were forced to vacate.”

Reservations are not required, but those wishing to guarantee a seat, can call the library at (828) 743-0215

Digital devotees will be happy to learn that Tech Time has returned for twice weekly sessions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 10:00 A.M. to Noon. This is a chance to learn basic skills, explore features and enhance skills on Apple and Android devices – including getting started with email, navigating websites, operating search engines, backing up and storing files and more. One-on-one help is offered, and residents of all ages are invited to bring their devices and ask questions. The classes are free to everyone and do not require a library card. Call the library at (828) 743-0215 to make an appointment.

For the adventurous teens of southern

Jackson County, a thrilling evening of epic quests, and a battling of mythical creatures awaits in the form of Dungeons and Dragons – weekly tabletop play is scheduled to debut in late March or early April.

On Fridays, at 3:00 P.M. the library welcomes creative Cashiers artisans to the Fiber Arts Club. The library’s own Sarah Ballentine hosts this weekly meeting where ideas and knowledge involving the full array of fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.) are discussed, tips are shared, and support is offered. All ages and experience levels are welcome.

Gazing into the future: an April presentation in partnership with the Historical Society will delve into the story of the American chestnut, and the ongoing efforts to preserve this iconic and endangered species.

For more information and details on listed events and more, call (828) 7430215, or visit: fontanalib.org/cashiers.

by Marlene Osteen

A Book For Our Times

Award-winning author Karen Spears Zacharias brings the heartbreaking story of Carrie Buck to Hudson Library, at 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 6.

Just as reading has changed – from paper to pixel to audio – and tools for research have streamlined, so have our libraries. Silence is no longer a requirement; and most people no longer come only for books. They come on school trips, for free WIFI, for tech help, for children’s story-time and special events.

Certainly, this is true of Hudson Library in Highlands, a place well known for delivering to its constituency challenging conversations and thoughtful presentations. As will happen on March 6 at 4:00 P.M. when the library will host a free wine and cheese Books & Bite event with Oregon-based author Karen Spears Zacharias.

A Gold Star daughter who calls Georgia home, Zacharias holds a Master’s degree in Appalachian Studies from Shepherd University, West Virginia. An award-winning author of numerous

books, both fiction and nonfiction, she is former crime beat reporter, and has taught journalism at Central Washington University. Her work has been featured on NPR, CNN, and Good Morning America, and her op-eds have appeared in The Washington Post and The New York Times She lives at the foot of the Cascade Mountains in Deschutes County, Oregon, where she serves as president of the League of Women Voters.

Zacharias will be on hand to discuss her newest book, No Perfect Mothers. Set in Charlottesville, Virginia in the 1920’s, it explores characters, historical and imagined, who were parties to the infamous Buck v. Bell U.S. Supreme Court case of 1927. It’s a tale both consistent with the author, whose work on women and justice have informed her career, and relevant to our current times. As W. Ralph Eubanks said, “This

is a book for our times, since it is hard to read and not think of the hard choices women are being forced to make today.” It brings to life the tragically true story of Carrie Buck, who as a toddler was taken from her mother and put up for fostering. At age ten she is forced to go to work as a domestic. When she turns up pregnant at 17, she is fraudulently committed to the Virginia Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded. Dr. Priddy, the colony’s superintendent, deceptively labels Carrie an imbecile, unfit to bear children. In pursuit of a legal argument granting states the right to forcibly sterilize individuals, he exploits her. Books will be available for sale and signing. Reservations are not required, to inquire for more information or request an accommodation, call (828) 526-3031 or visit fontanalib.org/highlands

by Marlene Osteen

Karen Spears Zacharias

Nature’s Reawakening

William delivers a full-throated hymn to the transcendent beauty of this most misunderstood month.

Spring commences in March like the beginning of a full orchestral symphony.

Subtle green appears at the tippy tops of tall trees, fading into awareness like the rising tones of soft violins. Eager crocuses pop up and take their early place in the symphony like joyous piccolos. Hyacinths appear in sudden purple, pink and white like harmonizing flutes, bassoons and oboes.

Early also are the cherry, peach, and pear blossoms, pink and red and white, that join in like the tintinnabulation of tiny percussionist bells.

My favorites are the early daffodils and tulips – yellow, red, and blue gone wild – trumpeting their appearance like a

standing brass horn section with their coronets, French horns and trombones.

Early also is the forsythia, known as Spring Herald and one of the “Four Friends of the Snow,” along with plum blossoms, narcissus, and camellias. The surprising yellow of forsythia pierces the air like a drumbeat establishing the new rhythm of the season.

Pushing synesthesia to its glorious limit, we now look forward to hearing the rest of the orchestra, to the appearance of our azaleas and hydrangeas: the full string section and all the woodwinds.

Later comes the beauty of a tree-sized rhododendron in full

bloom in the summer sun, a strapping soprano soloist who has joined the maestro and orchestra on the stage.

Remember also that the American Robin has been called “a piano in the woods.” Have I exhausted that metaphor? Such is the irrational exuberance of Spring.

Spring is Nature’s renewal of Her lease on life for another twelve months.

We Western Carolinians are renewed also and go forward with new hope for the future. The lamb cometh.

It’s a good time to listen to Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring

Happy March!

by William McReynolds

Gifted Journeys

Journeys School will offer a deeper educational experience for local gifted and talented students.

Brianne Hudak

As most local students – and let’s face it, most teachers – are beginning to cast their hopeful gaze toward the rapidly approaching end of the School Year, a group of educators and parents are looking with anticipation toward the beginning of the 2025-26 School Year.

That’s because founder Brianne Hudak is already accepting initial applications for Journeys School for the Gifted and Talented, a Sylva-based school serving Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania county students, offering a unique educational opportunity for ages 5 through 13, or students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grades. Even though the first official Journeys’ school year begins August 2025, enrollment has already begun.

“Journeys is a new, independent school dedicated to the success of exceptional individuals,” says Hudak, who holds a master’s degree in educational administration and will serve as the head of school.”

Journeys School will develop students both academically and social-emotionally through personalized learning plans in which they reflect, goal set, and master content based on their specific interests and approaches to education. The school will have a biophilic design to encourage natural, nurturing settings and organic growth.

“Gifted and talented students are a neurodiverse population that process information and perceive the world in different ways. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked or underserved in traditional environments. At Journeys School for the Gifted and Talented, these learners receive proper identification, interventions, and support through “outside-the-box” learning plans that evolve with them as they move through their academic journey.”

Journeys’ first school year will begin in August 2025 and is open to all families. Initial applications are now being

accepted. More information can be found at journeysgt.org.

“We’re still considering the tuition rate,” says Hudak. “We want to be affordable to families, but also provide exceptional education opportunities to students and recruit quality staff. We will offer financial assistance to families, as our goal is to create a sustainable, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for all to thrive.”

Hudak brings a wealth of experience to the job. Her roles in education are diverse and include teaching the gifted and talented, STEM, theater arts, and global studies. She has also held administrative roles as student activities director, dean of students, assistant principal, K-12 school leader, and adjunct professor.

For information, visit at journeysgt.org.

by Luke Osteen

Easter On The Green

The Village Green embraces both the solemn and the silly during its Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

The Village Green hosts many community events each year that enhance the lifestyle of the Cashiers area for residents and visitors alike.

Easter Weekend features events that celebrate the hope, renewal, and joy of the Spring holiday.

Cashiers area churches come together to observe the Stations of the Cross at 4:00 P.M. Good

…celebrate the hope, renewal, and joy of the Spring holiday.

Friday, March 29, at The Village Green Commons. The ancient tradition of carrying the cross is a way of remembering how Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha. This walking devotional experience with fourteen readings is open to residents and visitors in the area. It features scripture, prayer, and reflection to recall the events of Good Friday.

The following day, The Village Green host the 13th annual free Easter Egg Hunt for children 11 years and younger

at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 30. Children will be divided according to age in three separate areas of the park near the Gazebo at the Cashiers’ crossroads. Please bring your own baskets and cameras! The Easter Bunny will be making a visit for photos and the Literacy Council of Cashiers will be handing out books. The Community Easter Egg Hunt is proudly presented by Landmark Realty Group.

The Cashiers Community Easter Sunrise Service will be the following day at 7:00 A.M., Sunday, March 31, at The Village Green Commons. Celebrate the Resurrection with a service featuring live music, scripture and an uplifting message with the backdrop of a beautiful sunrise over the mountains. Those attending will need to bring a lawn chair.

The Village Green looks forward to seeing everyone on Easter Weekend!

The Village Green provides a beautiful, free public space, however The Village Green receives no funds from Jackson County, the state of North Carolina, or the Federal Park System. The Village Green depends solely on contributions to maintain the park, provide an exceptional community building and to continue bringing Cashiers the events and programs we have all come to cherish.

by Shelby Batchelor

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Orchard Sessions Return

Mike Kinnebrew launches the sixth season of Orchard Sessions – April 18, at The Farm at Old Edwards.

Mike and Lindsey Kinnebrew

On Thursday, April 18, the stage at The Farm at Old Edwards will resonate with the sounds of singer/songwriter Mike Kinnebrew, marking the kick-off of the 2024 season of the Orchard Sessions, now in its sixth year.

Kinnebrew’s journey to this platform traces back to 2014 during his family’s first trip to Highlands and Old Edwards – a visit that fostered a connection and friendship with then-General Manager Jack Austin. It was Kinnebrew that Austin invited to tour The Farm at Old Edwards, and with whom he shared his dream of hosting a concert series in the evocative setting of the Apple Orchard at The Farm.

In Austin’s utopian future, he foresaw birdsong and clouds at twilight, with spectators amidst the trees and mountains in the backdrop as the music played. Austin’s vision materialized in November 2019, and despite missing the

inaugural Orchard Sessions as hoped, he has since become the artist who consistently graces this stage as its most frequent performer.

Kinnebrew has long endeared his Highlands’ audience with his lyrics about life and love – songs that mine his own history. Tender capsules of his own experiences, they are as comforting as a home cooked meal.

This past year has brought new ventures and successes – playing at the 30A Songwriters Festival with Elvis Costello, Grace Potter, and John Hall (Hall and Oats), and an appearance at Scotland’s Fringe Festival. He dedicated much of 2023 recording a new fulllength album. Kinnebrew described the album as introspective and honest, with “bright and shiny songs about family and life, along with some darker more searching songs.”

Joining him on the stage will be his wife Lindsey and a recent addition to his

band, Ramsey Wynn, who dazzles on the electric slide guitar.

Eager to return to Highlands, Kinnebrew expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Sessions, stating, “I stare at the Orchard Sessions dates on my calendar all year long wishing they would come sooner!”

Concerts are held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. and the public is welcome. There’s a $25 cover charge for Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm hotel guests and members; and a $40 cover charge for the public. Expect a cash bar and complimentary light bites. Visit oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions to book.

by Marlene Osteen

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Take a Break

Half-Mile Farm and Old Edwards Inn and Spa’s Local Love Specials splash into Spring.

Through the end of the month, there’s good news for those of us who live in the nine counties that surround Highlands – the ones who kept promising themselves a winter getaway but are now facing the headlong plunge into the Busy Season.

And that good news is made even sweeter with the advent of Spring and the return of warm, sunny weather.

Because now is the time when in-theknow enthusiasts for all things Spring-y escape to Old Edwards during the “We

Love Locals” promotion.

With multiple places to eat, drink, listen to music, enjoy spa treatments and shop, Old Edwards brings new meaning to the term “winter break” by welcoming you with special discounts through March–it is their way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who make our community truly special. And because no one understands the philosophy “there’s no place like home” better than the team at Old Edwards, locals are invited to rediscover the enchantment of their own town while

enjoying the unparalleled comfort and luxury of the Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm accommodations.

Through March, residents can indulge in the European-luxury style rooms at Old Edwards from $195 per night or indulge in the bucolic and cozy ambiance of Half-Mile Farm from $165 a night Sunday through Thursday, plus tax and gratuity.

At either place, those who call this community home can be assured a seamless blend of elegance and familiarity and the

attentive services of the Inn’s cadre of valets and concierges.

No vacation in Highlands is complete without a visit to Madison’s Restaurant where Executive Chef Chris Huerta creates refined dishes prepared with ingredients grown in the Inn’s gardens and provided by regional farmers and purveyors. The light and airy dining room has an inviting old warm charm with its stone walls and rich earth tones and a overlooks Main Street in Highlands. As a special treat, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne with your dinner, adding an extra touch of

sparkle to your dining experience.

“We Love Locals” is all about the chance to create your ideal escape – whether it’s simply settling in with a good book by the fireplace, rejuvenating with a spa treatment, exploring the mountains on a hike, or taking a fitness or yoga class (now $25 for locals). Or spend a pleasurable afternoon searching through the curated collection at Acorns where 25 percent discount is offered on your entire purchase (consignment art and Elizabeth Locke Jewelry not eligible for discount.)

All rates quoted are subject to availability. Local ID is required from any of

the available counties – Macon, Jackson, Transylvania, Rabun, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Cherokee, Swain – for each person receiving the discount. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Holidays excluded. Valid Sunday – Thursday

Learn more at oldedwardshospitality. com/locallove.

by Marlene Osteen

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Bowl Your Hearts Out

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers Highlands is hosting Bowl For Kids’ Sake, happening on Saturday, March 16, at Galaxy Lanes and Games, 347 Jackson Plaza in Sylva.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake, 2023

Bowl For Kids’ Sake, 2023

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers Highlands is looking for teams to compete in its Bowl For Kids’ Sake Tournament, set for Saturday, March 26, at Galaxy Lanes and Games in Sylva.

This annual event raises important funds for the mentoring programs coordinated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. Teams can expect to have some fun and, at the same time, provide support to local youth.

Money raised during this annual event helps community children by enabling BBBSWNC staff to recruit and vet prospective Bigs, who commit to being a steadfast presence in the child’s life for at least a year. Supported by professional BBBS staff locally in each of the 18 Western North Carolina counties that BBBSWNC serves, these matches have shown that they improve a child’s success in school and in life.

The theme of this year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake – “Support Your Sport” – reflects BBBSWNC’s commitment to improving its Littles’ reading skills. BBBSWNC is enlisting literacy partners locally to make books and reading more available to Littles here at home. The literacy initiative is meant in part to help local children make up ground they lost during the pandemic. Plus, reading is fun!

As in former years, Bowl For Kids’ Sake invites bowlers to raise money and create or join a team online. Bowlers are asked to raise at least $50 each from their friends, family members and co-workers, so that the four- to five-member teams raise at least $250. Bowlers will bowl for two hours (shoe rental is included) while having a blast. There will be door prizes and contests. Costumes are encouraged, using Support Your Sport as inspiration.

BBBSWNC has dozens of children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Bigs

spend as little as an hour every couple of weeks with their Little, just hanging out and talking. Some Bigs start out with their Little at school, during school hours. Some matches move on – or begin – as Community-Based Matches and do things like hike, bike, get a snack, or participate in other activities, many of which BBBSWNC organizes or has discounts for.

Caregivers and prospective Bigs can learn more at bbbswnc.org.

The place to register and learn more about Bowl For Kids’ Sake is secure. qgiv.com/event/bfks2024.

by Luke Osteen

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Highlands Easter Egg Hunt

Little ones (and the people who love them) are invited to Highlands Rec Park for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 30.

The Easter Bunny’s scheduled to lead an Easter Egg Hunt at Highlands Rec Park at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 30.

“We urge our little hunters to arrive a little early, because we start promptly at 10, and everyone is charged up and ready to hunt as soon as the Easter Bunny gives the signal,” said a Rec Park spokeswoman. “We’ll make sure that the littlest basketeers get their chance to score some Easter Eggs, too.”

The annual Easter Egg Hunt held at the Highlands Recreation Park is on Saturday, March 30, at 10:00 A.M. The event and parking are free, so by all means bring your own basket and join the fun. Children from toddlers to age 9 are welcome to join the hunt and share the fun.

Highlands Recreation Park employees ensure that plenty of eggs are hidden and that all the children will delight in filling their baskets with brightly colored eggs and treats. It’s an exciting start to the weekend.

by Luke Osteen, photos by Susan Renfo

Great Futures Start Here

The Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau is spreading its good cheer to everyone in the community with Mayfest, set for noon to 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 11, at the BGCP Building on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau will be staging its free

Mayfest at the club’s headquarters on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers –Saturday, May 11.

offered at the Club. Teen participation is free. Summer Camp Registration is now open.

…to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

It’s a way to celebrate the club’s impact on local youth through 10 years of service. True to its family friendly foundation, there’ll be fun activities and educational opportunities for everyone.

BGCP remains the only five-day per week after-school program for students in Southern Jackson County. Families pay $12 per year for an individual Club membership, and $200 for Summer Camp – this grants members access to countless opportunities and programs

Thanks to robust community support, the club has been carrying out its mission for the last 10 years: “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

If you’d like to learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, visit bgcplateau.org or, of course, make a point to join in the fun at Mayfest.

by Luke Osteen

Scan to learn more.

HMGC’s Annual Plant Sale

Local gardens and landscapes (and the people who love them) have cast their hopeful gaze toward the Mountain Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale, May 25, at the Highlands Ball Field.

Who doesn’t long to have the most beautiful landscaping and flowers in your neighborhood and who hasn’t struggled to find just the right plants to grow in our unique environment?

This unique plant sale offers you the chance to purchase native plants grown by some of the most accomplished gardeners on the Plateau.

Many of us have purchased plants that simply didn’t thrive or live up to their potential or our vision. Well, worry no more fellow gardeners and plant lovers, simply mark your calendars to attend the Highlands Mountain Garden Club’s annual plant sale on Saturday, May 25, from 9:00 A.M. until noon at the Town Ballfield at the corner of Highway 64 and Hickory Street.

This unique plant sale offers you the chance to purchase native plants grown

by some of the most accomplished gardeners on the Plateau. The plants here have all been lovingly cultivated in native soil and are plants native to our area, so they are ideally suited to our unique ecosystem. These acclimated plants will grow and thrive for years to come. The guesswork has been taken out of the equation of whether it will grow and thrive in our climate.

There will be as many as 40 distinct types of plants, from those that attract pollinators such as Bee Balm, Astilbe, and Clematis, to the always popular Hosta in its many varieties, Cinnamon Ferns, Creeping Jenny, Coneflower, Bleeding Heart, Forsythia, Iris, Daylily, and many other offerings, including Dahlia bulbs. If you’ve admired a plant in any local garden, you’ll most likely

be able to purchase it here and have a chance to chat with the gardeners who have lovingly tended to those plants from seedling to sale.

This is the Mountain Garden Club’s largest fundraiser of the year and proceeds are used to fund scholarships for local students who are studying horticulture, environmental studies, and education, as well as for other community projects, conservation efforts, and community gardens. It is a chance to beautify your garden while giving to a worthy cause. Be prepared to come early as the sale is extremely popular and long lines form quickly. Cash or check only, please.

by Luke Osteen

Scan to learn more.

Bingo Like No Other

The Rotary Club of Highlands unveils an entire slate of fun and fortune with the return of Bingo at Highlands Rec Park.

Bingo, an Italian game of luck played in the 1500s, was recreated in the USA, circa 1900.

The 1900-version is the one we know and love today, not only for its clever rhymes, but (in our case) for the money it raises for local organizations – courtesy of our hard-working and generous Rotary Club of Highlands.

If you’ve not been to Rotary Bingo Night, you missed all kinds of feel-good. And it’s not too late. A card full of winning numbers is waiting just for you, not to mention the organizations that welcome your participation. It’s a win-win-win for everyone: for you, for charity, and for Rotary.

Bob Baxter, Chairman of the Club’s Bingo Committee, wants to remind loyals and newbies of upcoming events and games.

This year, on Saturday, March 16, 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., there’s a special fundraiser

for the Highlands School Parent-Teacher Organization at the Highlands Recreation Center. While the Saturday, March 16, evening is a one-of-a-kind event, most Bingo Nights are always on Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.

On those Thursday game nights, players can purchase a card for $15, which is playable all evening. And players can buy several cards. At the very last game, extra cards are sold for $1.

Bob says, “The final game is the biggest winner of the night. Sometimes the jackpot peaks around $200.”

While dedicated Rotarians work hard to stage Bingo nights, the sponsors and organizations work even harder, selling sponsorships. That’s where the real money comes in. Last year the total income for Rotary Bingo was $46,000.

Here are 2024’s Bingo dates. All Games are held at the Highlands Recreation Center until further announcement pend-

ing the completion of the Community Building refurbishment. As a result, some dates are yet to be determined. Highlands School Parent Teachers Organization: Saturday, March 16, 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.; Interact Club of Highlands School: April 11; Counseling Center of Highlands: May 23; Gordon Child Care Center: June 27; Scaly Mountain Women’s Club: Date TBD; Scaly Mountain Historical Society: Date TBD; Highlands School Athletic Booster Club: Date TBD; Wreaths Across America: October 24; November: Alzheimer’s Association: Date TBD ; Shop With A Cop: December 12.

For more information about upcoming bingo events, contact Bob Baxter at rbax47@gmail.com, or visit highlandsrotary.org and click on “Events.”

Then some lucky Thursday, be prepared to yell, “Bingo!”

by Donna Rhodes

Wag and the World Wags With You

Local pooches and their people are invited to join the 3rd Annual Highlands Dog Show, 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 11, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands.

When Shakespeare had Hamlet portend that “every dog has its day,” who would have guessed that he was casting his gaze forward over 400 years, to Highlands on May 11?

For evidence, witness the Plateau gearing up for the much-anticipated 3rd Annual Highlands Dog Show, set to take place on Saturday, May 11, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

“This event is expected to be a bark-tastic celebration of our furry companions and a perfect lead-in to the Mother’s Day weekend, proudly sponsored by Landmark Realty Group and The Park on Main Hotel,” says Landmark’s Hilary Werre.

The Highlands Dog Show invites all pups and their owners to join in the festivities, promising a delightful afternoon filled with fun, laughter, and canine camaraderie. Admission to the

event is free, making it an accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone in the community.

The event showcases the dogs in five critical categories:

Best Behaved: Well-mannered canines will showcase their obedience and good behavior.

Happiest Dog: Judges will look for the pup with the most infectious and joyful spirit.

Best Trick: Get ready to be amazed as talented pups demonstrate their impressive tricks.

Looks Like Owner: A playful competition where judges will determine the best resemblance between dogs and their owners.

Best In Show: The ultimate title, awarded to the dog that captures the hearts of both judges and spectators.

“The event is free and open to all members of the community,” says Werre. “Bring your friends, family, and, of course, your beloved fourlegged companions for a day of tail-

wagging excitement. Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, come and be part of this heartwarming celebration of the bond between humans and their canine companions.”

Landmark Realty Group stands as a premier real estate agency deeply committed to serving the community with integrity and expertise. With five dog-friendly offices strategically located on the Plateau, they provide accessible and welcoming spaces for both property seekers and their beloved canine companions. As ardent supporters of the Highlands Dog Show, Landmark Realty Group takes pride in their dedication to

fostering vibrant and inclusive events that unite people in the community.

The Park on Main Hotel is a premier pet-friendly hotel in Highlands, providing luxury accommodations for both two-legged and four-legged guests. Their sponsorship of the Highlands Dog Show reflects their passion for fostering a pet-friendly community and celebrating the bond between pets and their owners.

by Luke Osteen

Highlands Motoring Festival

Organizers are already revving up their plans for the 2024 Highlands Motoring Festival, set for June 6-9 in downtown Highlands and curvy roads all around the Plateau.

For automobile enthusiasts, the Highlands Motoring Festival, taking place from June 6 to June 9, offers a chance for admirers of automotive artistry to bask in the glamour of yards-long hoods of gleaming chrome and glistening paint.

What began in 2008 as simple single day car show with 114 cars in attendance, has evolved into an entire “holy” weekend for the motoring faithful. Voted Best Concours by Classic Motorsports Magazine in 2019, it has become one of the South’s most esteemed automotive events.

Spanning four days and three evenings across the Plateau, the festival kicks

off on Thursday and continues with full throttle excitement until Sunday. Adding to the festival’s allure is this year’s Grand Marshall, Bill Warner, an acclaimed author, photographer, racer, car collector, and Founder and Chairman at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Perhaps nothing defines the Plateau more than its mountain roads with its perilous turns and stunning views. These serpentine roads serve as the backdrop for the festival’s most popular events; the 2024 “One Lap of the Mountains” Driving Tours.

The “Grande Drive” on Thursday departs at 9:00 A.M., covering over 175 miles, while the “Speciale” on Friday

leaves at 10:15 A.M., covering 110 miles. These exhilarating driving adventures, designated as technical rallies rather than time rallies, are designed to give 50 lucky drivers and their passengers a chance to experience the mountains.

A high spot of the weekend is Friday evening’s Main Street Parade starting from Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park at 6:05 P.M. Held with assistance by the Highlands Police, the parade historically includes 100 cars, mostly antique cars and show cars, though anyone is welcome to participate.

The pinnacle of the weekend is Saturday’s “Classics in the Park,” a judged invitational car show.

Approximately 85 total entrants are anticipated to be gleaming on the park’s grounds, including about twenty examples of some of the greatest and rarest cars from the golden era of classic cars. The 2024 featured “marques” are Brass Era cars, named because of the light fixtures and accessories used to adorn the carriages, and Pre-war cars, automobiles manufactured before World War 2, normally defined as cars built between 1920 and 1940. Imagine an entire park filled with exquisite automobile classics, most in perfect condition with histories spanning a literal century.

Symbols of an era when workmanship was paramount, these are rare works of art on wheels and history, and as one viewer said, “make you want to go home and throw rocks at the family vehicle.”

The event opens at 9:30am and is free to the public, though donations are welcome.

Organizers are particularly thrilled with this year’s venue for the Saturday evening gala, the Vineyard at High Holly. Spirits, spirited conversation, dinner, silent auction, and conversation and programming with Bill Warner are included.

The final act in the weekend is the free “High Octane” social and car gathering at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Sunday morning, 8:30 A.M. At this second, more casual car show, all vehicles and cars of any age invited.

2024 Festival chair Ricky Siegel spoke about the importance of the Motoring Festival to Highlands and its contribution to local charities, “Our focus is to

assist the underserved in our community by providing funding to REACH of Macon County, the Highlands Literacy and Learning Center, and the Highlands Community Care Clinic. Last year we were thrilled to raise $105,000 and hope to surpass that total this year.”

Funds are raised through entry fees, direct donations, and sponsorships. 2024 premier sponsors are: Porsche Cars North America, Porsche of Asheville, and Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC

For more information, visit highlandsmotoringfestival.com.

by Marlene Osteen photos by Bernie Coulson Scan to learn more.

WHAT TO DO

MARCH

MARCH

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. – Charles Dickens

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. – Charles Dickens

Ice Skating, 1-5 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

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Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

Books & Bites: Karen Spears Zacharias, 4 PM, Hudson Library. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge..

The Aristocrats Kids PAC Educational Theatre, 7 PM, Highlands PAC.

Live Music, 9 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Community Jam Sessions, 2-4 PM, Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:15 PM, Lewis Hall. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

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Great Art on Screen: The Immortals, 5:30 PM, Highlands PAC. Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge. Live Music, 9 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM. Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge..

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, PAC Educational Theatre, 7 PM, Highlands PAC. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:15 PM, Lewis Hall. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Eco-Explorations, 10:30 AM, Highlands Nature Center.

2

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The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM. Eco-Explorations, 10:30 AM, Highlands Nature Center. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Educational Theatre, 7 PM, Highlands PAC.

Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Educational Theatre, 7 PM, Highlands PAC.

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Eco-Explorations, 10:30 AM, Highlands Nature Center.

Eco-Explorations, 10:30 AM, Highlands Nature Center.

The Bookworm , 11 AM-4 PM.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM.

MET Opera: La Forza Del Destino, 12 PM, Highlands PAC. Celebrate Young Artists reception, 3 PM, Uptown Gallery, Franklin.

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.

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MET Opera: La Forza Del Destino, 12 PM, Highlands PAC. Celebrate Young Artists reception, 3 PM, Uptown Gallery, Franklin.

9

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM.

Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. BBBS Bowl For Kids’ Sake, Galaxy Lanes, Sylva. Rotary Bingo Night, 6 PM, Highlands Recreation Center.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, PAC Educational Theatre, 7 PM, Highlands PAC. Salon Series, 8:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House. Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

BBBS Bowl For Kids’ Sake, Galaxy Lanes, Sylva. Rotary Bingo Night, 6 PM, Highlands Recreation Center. You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, PAC Educational Theatre, 7 PM, Highlands PAC. Salon Series, 8:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House. Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Eco-Explorations, 10:30 AM, Highlands Nature Center CHS Heritage Apple Day, 10 AM, Cashiers Community Center.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Eco-Explorations, 10:30 AM, Highlands Nature Center CHS Heritage Apple Day, 10 AM, Cashiers Community Center.

MET Opera HD Live: Romeo et Juliette , 12:55 PM, Highland PAC. HCCMF free residency concert, 5 PM, First Presbyterian Church in Highlands.

MET Opera HD Live: Romeo et Juliette , 12:55 PM, Highland PAC. HCCMF free residency concert, 5 PM, First Presbyterian Church in Highlands.

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge.. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Community Chorus Easter Concert, 2 PM, Lewis Hall, Village Green. Community Jam Sessions, 2-4 PM, Albert Carlton Library. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

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Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

26

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM.

Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church.

Bazaar Barn 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

31 Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Art Benefit, drawing 5 PM, Betsy Paul Real Estate. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:15 PM, Lewis Hall. Squabbles, 7:30 PM, Highlands PAC. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive.

Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Stations of the Cross, 4 PM, Village Green Commons. Squabbles, 7:30 PM, Highlands PAC.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

29 Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt, 10 AM, Highlands Rec Park. Easter Egg Hunt, 11 AM, Village Green.

Art Benefit, 5 PM, Betsy Paul Real Estate Squabbles, 7:30 PM, Highlands PAC.

The Bookworm 11 AM-4 PM. Annual Easter Egg Hunt, 10 AM, Highlands Rec Park. Easter Egg Hunt, 11 AM, Village Green. Art Benefit, 5 PM, Betsy Paul Real Estate Squabbles, 7:30 PM, Highlands PAC.

Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive.

ON THE HORIZON

April Events

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Plateau Pickup

8:30 AM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

Volunteers will receive a light breakfast, a safety vest, gloves, pick-up tools, garbage bags and a thank you t-shirt. A boxed lunch will be served to volunteers when they return to the park at noon. visithighlandsnc.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

Salon Series With Lillie Mae

8:30-10:30 PM, Highlander Mountain House

An acoustic performance in a cozy, mountain tavern with master-musican / tunesmith, Lillie Mae. highlandermountainhouse.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Village Nature Series

5:30 PM, The Village Green

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and The Village Green co-host a series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields! villagegreencashiersnc.com/village-nature-series

SATURDAYS, APRIL - OCTOBER

Highlands Marketplace

8 AM-12:30 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

Reserve your Saturday mornings for a visit with local farmers, craftsmen, and artists who sell their hand-growns and hand-mades.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Orchard Sessions with Mike Kinnebrew

The Farm at Old Edwards

Highlands will resonate with the sounds of singer/songwriter

Mike Kinnebrew, marking the kick-off of the 2024 season of the Orchard Sessions, now in its sixth year. oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions

MONDAY, APRIL 29 - SUNDAY, MAY 5

Cashiers Burger Week

Cashiers Burger Week is a weeklong celebration of the Almighty Burger. Area restaurants are getting creative and showcasing limited time burgers. Participants can Vote for Best and Most Creative Burger and will be entered to win prizes. cashiersburgerweek.com

May Events

WEDNESDAYS, MAY - OCTOBER

Cashiers Green Market

11 AM-3 PM, The Village Green

Fill your basket with naturally raised meat and dairy items, fresh eggs, jams, pickles, freshly baked bread and delicious granola. Set your table with fresh cut flowers or plant your entryway with locally grown perennials. Always fresh. Always local. villagegreencashiersnc.com/locally-grown-on-the-green

SATURDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 11-12

Bear Shadow Music Festival

Transcending its initial aspirations, Bear Shadow has become a phenomenon in its own right. Drawing attendees from 32 states and earning recognition from Southern Living as one of the Top 10 Festivals in the South, it has established itself as a must-attend musical celebration. bearshadownc.com

MAY 24 -SEPTEMBER 6

Groovin’ on the Green 6 PM, The Village Green Music fills the air in The Village Green. Groovin’ on The Green is a vibrant, free summer concert series, creating unforgettable music experiences for the community!. The series kicks off with the Darren Nicholson Band. villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Highlands Dog Show

1 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

This event is expected to be a bark-tastic celebration of our furry companions and a perfect lead-in to the Mother’s Day weekend.

FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, BEGINNING MAY 17

Outdoor Concert Series

6-8:30 PM

Town Square / Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

Enjoy free, live music every Friday and Saturday evening, from May through October courtesy of Highlands Chamber of Commerce. The Series kicks off with Silly Ridge and Continental Divide. highlandschamber.org

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Mountain Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale

9 AM, Highlands Town Ballfield

This unique plant sale offers you the chance to purchase native plants grown by some of the most accomplished gardeners on the Plateau.

RECREATION & CREATION

Pages 62-71

photo by Susan Renfro

Our Winter Flocks

Your feathered neighbors could use a measure of neighborly love.

If you live amongst the trees here in Western North Carolina – and who doesn’t – you probably have a resident mixed, winter flock of birds living around you.

This mixed flock is composed of juncos, titmice, chickadees, wren, nuthatches, sparrows, finch, small woodpeckers, cardinals, and a few other species. It’s a localized flock and if you have bird feeders you will see them, the same one

or two dozen birds, come and go as the flock forages during the day.

This residential flock is native to your property, as much as the maples and oaks that grace your lot or acreage. It’s your mixed flock in that you can maintain and nurture it as you pamper your native Flame Azaleas and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. These birds go through the winter with us. Imagine their challenge as temperatures dip below freezing.

The more you get to know your winter flock the more you can enjoy it. The accompanying photos feature some of our more common winter birds. They’re easy to recognize: the little chickadees have black caps and chins; the titmice have crests; the nuthatches are upside down; the ubiquitous juncos are slate grey with white bellies; the cardinals – well, you know the cardinals.

If you have a suet feeder you will see

Tufted Titmouse

black and white woodpeckers. Many birds will eat fatty suet on frigid winter days to maintain their body temperature.

Bird feeders are a good way of nurturing and sustaining these precious winter wards. Feed the birds and watch your flock grow. We’ve encouraged you to maintain bird feeders before so here’s a bulleted summary of what to do:

• The best seed feeders defeat squirrels and provide posts for the birds to land on.

• Bird feeders must be accessible for refill. Winter birds are ravenous eaters.

• Sunflower seeds attract the flashiest birds.

• In the cold of winter, you can leave your feeders out overnight because the bears are hibernating and the raccoons are inactive.

• Check our website or Audubon National to get into specifics.

Always wash your hands after handling your feeders.

Use an app or bird book to identify your grateful guests. Expect a menagerie of

avian delights. Every bird is part of our rich Natural Heritage.

Happy March bird watching from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. Visit us at highlandsaudubonsociety.org.

by William McReynolds , Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch

The Allure of Lures

The Three River Fly Fishing Festival, set for May 2-4, is looking to reel in anglers of all stripes – from newwadered beginners to seasoned vets with a preternatural Zen chill.

Chief among the many allures of Highlands is its vast network of waterways, spanning 2,200 miles within an hour’s drive.

The Three River Fly Fishing Festival, from May 2 - 4, celebrates the area’s natural bounty and intoxicating clear waters. Given the ease of fishing and abundance of fish here, few places are as ideally suited for such a contest.

Festival Chairman Chris Wilkes and cochairs Pat Gleeson, Drew Townes, and Bryan Lewis just might be the fishingest people on the Plateau: skilled anglers all with a passion for the sport.

Wilkes is proprietor of the Highland Hiker, a longtime local outfitter and resource for fishermen – the store is one of the festival sponsors. Gleeson, an associate at Christie’s International Real Estate, sponsors the Saturday night wrap-up party, and Lewis’s Highlands Smokehouse throws the Friday party. Other benefactors include

Old Edwards Hospitality Group, Kayak Manufacturing, State Farm Insurance, and Coca-Cola.

Over the course of the three-day festival handlers of flies and rods will test their skills and have a chance to win prizes in two categories, guided and unguided.

The festival launches on Thursday night with a cocktail party at The Spring House at Old Edwards where attendees receive an overview of the rules and maps detailing the 2,500 square miles of fishing territory within contest boundaries.

Friday night features a festive gathering at the Highlands Smokehouse where participants share their day’s results. Since “catch and release” is practiced, anglers are equipped with measuring devices to photograph their catch for submission.

Saturday features a free casting clinic from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., led by

David and Chris Wilkes and Steve Perry. The highlight of the festival is the Saturday night wrap-up party at a private Highlands residence, where the prestigious Jack Cabe Cup is awarded to the team with the highest total inches caught.

Now in its 13th year, the festival was the brainchild of Chris Wilkes, David Wilkes, and Steve Perry, and serves as a fundraiser for the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund. Through the years, it’s raised nearly $40,000. The $500 entry fee per team does not include a guide, but arrangements can be made through Highlands Hiker.

For more information or to register call Chris Wilkes at (828) 526-5298 or email him at chris@highlandhiker.com or stop in at any of the Highland Hiker stores (highlandhiker.com).

by Marlene Osteen

Young Adventurers Arise!

Families are invited to join in the season of new life and new understanding with Highlands Biological Foundation’s Eco-Explorations. Register at highlandsbiological.org.

As the first buds of spring emerge, the Highlands Biological Foundation invites families to embark on a series of eco-explorations during the month of March.

Held on the first four Saturdays of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M., these family programs at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road) promise engaging activities that connect children with the wonders of the natural world.

Designed for young adventurers aged seven and under, but open to all nature enthusiasts, the free programs kick off with a reading and eco exploration of Over and Under the Pond on March 2. Participants will dive into the world of aquatic ecosystems, inspired by the enchanting story of life over and under the water’s surface.

On March 9, families will explore the mystical realm of salamanders in Shady Streams, Slippery Salamanders. Through this captivating book and guided investigations along the Highlands Botanical Garden’s stream, children will discover the secrets of these slippery and fascinating creatures.

The adventure continues on March 16 with a focus on bears through a reading of The Troublesome Cub. Families will delve into the world of these magnificent creatures, uncovering tales of curious

cubs and their adventures in the wild. Floral wonders take center stage on March 23 in a reading of The Reason for a Flower. Participants will explore the Botanical Garden, discovering the fascinating reasons behind a flower’s existence and its role in the natural world.

Register your family today for these Saturday sessions at highlandsbiological.org. It’s important to note that parents must accompany children during the programs. In case of inclement

weather, the programs will be adapted for indoor exploration.

The Highlands Nature Center and the Highlands Botanical Garden are part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University. These programs are made possible by the Highlands Biological Foundation. Stay tuned to highlandsbiological.org for more upcoming programs at the Highlands Nature Center.

by Winter Gary, Highlands Biological Foundation

Appreciating the AT

With winter’s bluster fading, the Appalachian Trail is once more beckoning.

With early spring comes an interest and motivation to hit the many beautiful trails offered to us all throughout the region. In fact, residents and visitors alike are gifted with hiking opportunities ranging from easy, stroll-worthy paths to generous workouts to challenging adventures. And all three levels are presented on a trail that has international acclaim: the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT).

The 100-year-old (in 2025) public footpath runs from Georgia to Maine and passes right through Macon County. In fact, Franklin, just down the mountain from Highlands and Cashiers, is noted as an official AT Trail Community, due to it being one of the first stops on a south-to-north thru-hikers route. Thousands from all over the world, not just in the United States, begin at the starting point at Springer Mountain in Georgia, and by the time they get to the first main town, Franklin, 100 miles in, they either have their “trail legs” or they do not.

Some give up at this point, but thousands keep going, or at least section hike a bit more – with plans to finish additional sections as their schedules allow. The thru-hikers must commit several months of time off from work and families, organize logistical support along the way in terms of supplies, and allot significant finances in order to achieve the finishing goal: Mt. Katahdin, in Maine.

Each spring, beginning in March, Franklin rolls out the red carpet – so to speak – by welcoming hikers with free meals in

some spots, celebrations, rides to town and back to trail, supplies, and much more. Outdoor shops in Highlands, Cashiers, and Franklin help equip local hikers interested in trekking the AT, as well as those passing through the area.

The AT sections in our area offer plenty for the senses, such as water features, from trickling creeks and flowing springs, to small to large waterfalls. Plus, there are vistas galore, as well as dense rhododendron and mountain laurel forests and spans of towering, mature hardwoods. Hikers are almost certain, no matter the time of year, to witness bizarre shaped and vibrantly hued mushrooms.

For individuals not wanting to commit to a section or thruhiker, getting onto the AT is easy for a few hours for a day hike. Here are some suggestions:

- Park at Winding Stair on Hwy. 64 and hike south, toward Georgia, or north, toward Maine – for as long as one desires.

- Park one vehicle at Standing Indian Campground’s Rock Gap lot and another at the Winding Stair lot on Hwy. 64 and hike over the mountain, about a 4-mile hike.

- Park one vehicle at Wayah Bald and another at Tellico Bald and hike the 7 miles in between; or backpack to one bald and spend the night and return the next day.

These hikes and more are listed on AllTrails. And, fortunately for hikers, the AT is well marked with white blazes. Plus, bringing up your location on the GaiaGPS app shows exactly

where you are hiking.

The best part about hiking the AT in the spring is that the trail is heavy laden with serious section and thru-hikers bent on meeting their goals. And they are hungry, due to their bodies burning hundreds and even thousands of calories daily. Thus, carrying what is called “trail magic” in a backpack and handing it out elicits smiles, fascinating conversations, and gratefulness. Easily make up small bags – plastic or paper – of trail magic by adding healthy treats such as dried fruit, nuts, meat sticks, and protein bars, as well as some fun sugary candies. AT hikers are thrilled to meet “trail ambassadors” and are more than willing to share where they are from, their plans, and their reasons for being on the trail. Everyone has a story to tell, and day hikers benefit from these interesting tales.

Interested in being a regular on the trail to help keep it cleared, clean, and supported for posterity? Look into joining the Nantahala Hiking Club, responsible for maintaining an AT section that runs through Macon County: 58.6 miles from Bly Gap at the Georgia/North Carolina border to the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the Nantahala River at Wesser.

Pick up AT maps at most visitor centers, outdoor stores, and some local retails stores and breweries.

The AT is an amazing resource to appreciate and enjoy! Happy hiking!

by Deena Bouknight

Addressing Nature Directly

The Plateau’s preservation ethic was built into the Appalachian Trail.

You probably know that the Appalachian Trail, or the “AT,” is an iconic 2,200-mile footpath that extends from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

You may even be aware that this month, March, is the mostpopular starting time for the more than 3,000 ambitious hikers that seek to “thru-hike” each year. But did you know that as originally envisioned, the AT might have passed through Cashiers and Highlands?

The AT was first proposed in 1921 by Benton MacKaye, a Harvard-educated forester and visionary regional planner, as a means to allow an increasingly civilized world to “address nature directly.” MacKaye initially suggested a trail connecting Mount Washington, New Hampshire, the highest mountain in the north, with Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, the highest mountain in the South; to continue the southward trek, two alternatives emerged, one traversing westerly toward the Smoky Mountains, and the second heading south through Asheville and Transylvania County before turning west and climbing the CashiersHighlands plateau and then on toward Rabun Bald.

One of MacKaye’s trusted advisors regarding the southern route of the AT was Harlan Kelsey, the son of Highlands’ founder Samuel Kelsey.

In 1922 Harlan Kelsey was a nationally-renowned nursey owner in Salem, Massachusetts, but still took time to pen a letter to MacKaye extolling the beauty of the plateau route; this “section of the trail has the advantage of a large number of very beautiful waterfalls beginning with Linville Falls and ending with a wonderful group of cascades and waterfalls in the vicinity of Highlands and including the Tuckaseegee and Whitewater Waterfalls near the North and South Carolina line and many others I could mention.” Ultimately, however, MacKaye and Kelsey concurred that more wilderness experience could be obtained by routing the AT through what would become Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

But our area’s involvement with the AT doesn’t stop there. In 1934 four regional hiking clubs met at the King’s Inn in Highlands to hear a presentation from MacKaye on recreational opportunities along the AT. The group passed a resolution that included “we deem the preservation of the wilderness in its primitive state vital to a balanced life.”

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust still embodies that conservation ethic; seek your own “balanced life” by experiencing the wilderness on our trails. For more information see hcltnc.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

by Lance Hardin, Highlands Cashiers Land Trust

by Andrew Renfro

photo

THE LEGACY CONTINUES

The McKee Group

Cashiers Sotheby’s International Realty

Beth Townsend and Liz Harris, Co-Founders of McKee Properties, along with McKee Brokers, will continue the legacy as The McKee Group brokered by Cashiers Sotheby’s International Realty. Nearly half a century of local luxury real estate expertise is now backed by the Sotheby’s brand offering worldwide exposure and world-class resources for their clients.

7 BR / 7.5 BA / 39.17 ACRES Perched atop a flat ridge within the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of the Western North Carolina Appalachian chain, Beaumont Ridge Farm offers the unparalleled sanctuary of days long past. Prestigiously selected as the 2014 Cashiers Designer Showhouse, the premier estate has only been improved upon since with extensive renovations in every residence, bringing modern luxury to the picturesque and private property. Discover a bucolic 40 ± acres of pristine pastoral land with a spectacular main house flanked by a two-bedroom guest house and additional bunk house. Soaring vaulted ceilings and incredible views greet you at every turn, the perfect accent to exposed stone walls and rustic finishes befitting a

Offered for $9,495,000

luxury country estate. A six-stall barn will delight any equestrian. Outbuildings, workshops, and garages ensure ample space to enjoy every hobby. Pass the time fishing at Lake Glenville and along western North Carolina’s fabled flyfishing trail, or in the trout-stocked pond on property, skeet shooting in the back pasture, or hiking the property’s perimeter trails, all while pristine, lush landscaping and breath-taking views of Laurel Knob and Cow Rock Mountains paint a picture-perfect backdrop. With incredible entertaining spaces both indoors and out, you can host a gathering of any size that will wow the most discerning of guests. This fine estate is subdividable for those who wish to share-up to 7 parcels/owners. MLS 103344

Continental Cliffs Offered for $2,995,000

5 BR / 6 BA / 9.36 ACRES What a view! Rock Mountain, Chimney

Top, Terrapin, and Whiteside are four of the many mountains seen from this large, lovely property! Upon entering the home with its new double-doors with glass panes, step into a lovely foyer, then a sizable great room with a dining area seating at least 10, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and a wall of windows facing the view. To the left is a large kitchen and keeping room with plenty of comfortable seating. Just off the kitchen is the first of two laundry rooms and

a charming den/library. Also on the first floor is the lovely primary bedroom with fireplace and an en suite bath with the gorgeous mountain view and doors out to the deck and covered porch. In addition, there is a guest bedroom on the main floor with en suite bath. Downstairs is a spacious den with woodburning fireplace and three bedrooms. The home is located in the charming and welcoming neighborhood of Continental Cliff s and is a short distance to the Crossroads of Cashiers. MLS 103409

Silver Run Reserve is paradise of natural beauty offering a variety of amenities for indoor and outdoor fun and wellness, and a range of large estate homesites, and built cottages. Call Liz Harris for more details and a tour of this beautiful community.

WELCOME HOME.

ARTS Pages 78-95

photo by Susan Renfro

Petaled Portraits

For our March Cover Artist McCalister Russell, a confrontation with her own mortality has given her work depth and an irrepressible vitality.

Photographer McCalister Russell loves capturing Mother Nature’s beauty pageants – those from Fall’s colorful cloaks to Spring’s golden daffodils to pastoral scenes of grazing herds. She believes a camera can tell certain stories that words could never convey.

Though she’s a powerhouse today, McCalister was forced to slow down a decade ago when she was faced with a life-threatening auto-immune disease.

When she was 15 years old (in 2013) she survived an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome episode.

She says, “I had to take the time to truly slow down and smell the flowers.” She regained her strength walking through her mother’s flower garden. She beams, “It was wonderful therapy.”

On her blossom-stops, she snapped petaled portraits in perfect poses. Not

only was this restorative, but it was also instructive.

“Being faced with a severe illness forces you to grow up quickly,” shared McCalister. “It took me from being an invincible teenager to appreciating life and being more aware of what others were going through in the world. I am now in touch with the fact that we take our health for granted. This made me slow down and be more in tune with

others who are carrying their own load.” Happily, McCalister experienced a full recovery. Her journey helped her realize the importance of each day. She values having close, heart-to-heart relationships with family and friends.

Over the past few years, her family brought their farm from California to North Carolina. Fortunate to be in business together, they enjoy their growing trade in quality beef and dairy products. McCalister still considers photography her avocation, but in the

not-too-distant future, she hopes to develop her passion and utilize it more in collaboration with her family’s business.

It was wonderful therapy.

She looks forward to capturing cows posing with a jaw full of cud. So, get gussied up, Bessie, you’re about to be

Dairy Queen of the Month. Say Cheese!

If you’d like to purchase McCalister’s greeting cards, one of her photographs, or try some of the buttery-tender cuts of beef (a cross of full-blood Wagyu bulls and Jersey cows) from her farm, contact her at mccalister.russell@gmail.com

And while you are savoring, enjoy McCalister’s favorite Thoreau quote: “It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see.”

by Donna Rhodes

PAC For Kids

Two – count ‘em ! – two student musicals will be staged this month by Highlands Performing Arts Center’s PAC Educational Theatre.

Educational Theatre rehearsal, February 2024

Apair of productions by local elementary and middle school students will be presented by PAC Educational Theatre at Highlands Performing Arts Center.

First up is the elementary students’ show, Aristocats KIDS at 7:00 P.M.

cat Thomas O’Malley and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day.

…a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns.

Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2. Aristocats KIDS is based on the beloved Disney animated film, and features a jazzy, upbeat score – a nonstop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns.

In the heart of Paris, a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it’s up to the rough-and-tumble alley

The middle school students are up next in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown – 7:00 P.M. Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16. Though considered a “good man” by his friends, Charlie Brown can’t seem to win the heart of the Little Red-Haired Girl, nor his friend Lucy, her crush, the pianoplaying Schroeder. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Linus daydream and the rest of the friends battle with kites, school, baseball and misunderstandings before finally coming to realize what makes them truly happy.

Under the direction of co-artistic director Erik Bishop, musical director and co-artistic director Joi Chapman, and associate director Lee Trevathan,

the students have been working all semester on these two shows – learning the songs, the choreography, the stage blocking and the lines. The students have been coming to HPAC in the afternoons to get “accustomed” to the stage and the audio demands. Come support our school’s students. Tickets are available at HighlandsPerformingArts.com. Save the Date – Oliver is coming to the Highlands PAC in April. The PAC Educational Theatre will present the full production of Oliver on April 26 - 28.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

Scan to learn more.

The Stage is Set

Highlands Performing Arts Center launches a glorious season of art and opera with a trio of presentations.

La Forza Del Destino by Verdi

Highlands Performing Arts Center’s Great Art on Screen presents The Immortals: The Wonder of the Museo Egizio on Friday, March 8, at 5:30 P.M.

This documentary is a journey among the most beautiful archeological finds Egypt has left us. Kha, the architect and builder of tombs for the pharaohs, must undertake the journey to the Underworld. Telling us the story of his voyage is Jeremy Irons, in the guise of a narrator. His words take us inside the secret world of Egyptian mythology, religion and funerary culture, interweaving the story with the history of the oldest museum in the world, the Museo Egizio in Turin, founded in 1824 and will soon be celebrating its 200th anniversary. In fact, Kha’s own tomb is to be found in Turin along with the most complete and most valuable private collection of grave goods outside of Egypt.

The MET Opera will present two operas live via satellite in March.

You’re invited to La Forza Del Destino by Verdi on Saturday, March 9, at 12:55 P.M. Verdi’s grand tale of ill-fated love, deadly vendettas, and family strife, with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen as the noble Leonora, one of the repertory’s most tormented – and thrilling – heroines. Director Mariusz Treliński delivers the company’s first new Forza in nearly 30 years, setting the scene in a contemporary world and making extensive use of the Met’s turntable to represent the unstoppable advance of destiny that drives the opera’s chain of calamitous events.

Saturday, March 23, at 12:55 P.M. brings Romeo & Juliette by Gounod. Two singers at the height of their powers – radiant soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor sensation Benjamin Bernheim –come together as the star-crossed lovers in Gounod’s sumptuous Shakespeare

adaptation, with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct one of the repertoire’s most romantic scores. Bartlett Sher’s elegant staging also features baritone Will Liverman and tenor Frederick Ballentine as the archrivals Mercutio and Tybalt, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as the mischievous pageboy Stéphano, and bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Frère Laurent.

There will be a pre-opera discussion before both operas beginning at 12:30 P.M.

Tickets are available at HighlandsPerformingArts.com.

We’re located at 507 Chestnut Street.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

Inspiring Future Artists

Mountain Theatre Company employs an entire suite of options to make its performances available to the widest possible Plateau audience.

As Mountain Theatre Company is gearing up for their upcoming 2024 Season, they are looking forward to an array of community outreach programs.

Mountain Theatre Company’s Student Ticket Program offers free tickets to all local students under the age of 18 in Macon, Jackson, Transylvania, and Rabun Counties.

“We believe strongly in the benefits of giving children access to professional theatre,” stated Lindsay Garner Hostetler, MTC’s Director of Marketing and Outreach. According to a 2019 study by the National Endowment for the Arts, “Seeing live theater offers a range of academic, social, and emotional benefits to children. This includes an increased hope for their own future, with the ability to imagine attending college and envisioning success; a greater recognition that the arts can have a place in their lives; increased success on standardized tests; higher writing scores; and a stronger command of narrative devices.”

MTC’s Rush Ticket Program offers a limited number of $30 tickets available at the door one hour prior to performances. “Our outreach programs are created with the mission to make our programming accessible to as many people in our community as possible,” said Garner Hostetler. “This offers an affordable ticket option to people who would not otherwise be able to see our Broadwayquality productions.”

Additional ticket discounts are offered to educators, active and veteran military personnel, Town of Highlands employees and first responders.

Back by popular demand, is MTC’s Backstage Pass event where audiences are invited to attend post-show talkbacks with members of the cast and crew after select matinee performances. These informal question-and-answer sessions are an excellent opportunity to dive deeper into the process of creating a show. Anyone is welcome to attend these events, free of charge.

New in 2024, a preview performance will be added to summer productions at a significant discount for employees of local restaurants, shops, and hospitality organizations. These preview performances, one night before shows officially open, will be presented on Tuesday.

“Many of our locals who work in service industries have told us they rarely find an opportunity to come see a show when our performances align so closely with their work weeks,” stated Garner Hostetler. “With these new preview performances, we are excited for more locals to have the opportunity to see our shows, while also giving them a sneak peek before it opens to the public.”

Visit mountaintheatre.com to learn more about the upcoming season, ticket discounts, and MTC’s outreach programs.

Exploring Photographic Boundaries

At the start of a busy year ahead, The Bascom welcomes its 2024 Photography Artist in Residence, Erik Mace.

Each spring since 2016, The Bascom welcomes to the community a new artist working in the photographic medium as part of its residency program.

The 2024 Photography Artist in Residence has been awarded to Asheville-based photographer Erik Mace. Arriving on The Bascom campus in February, Mace will begin exploring the area and focusing on new approaches to his photographic practice, with an exhibition of new works in The Bascom’s Joel Gallery.

Many of his projects germinate from specific personal memories and grow into deeper discussions of place and identity, while other bodies of work are born from a general

sense of wonder.

Mace is a visual artist who uses photography, graphic design, and book arts as his tools of inquiry.

As an experimental visual thinker, he is deeply curious about the power of photography and adjacent media, and how to take advantage of their limitations. Mace’s exhibition will explore how the promise of exactness informs a viewer’s relationship with a photograph. He will capture photographs of prints of his work, which, in turn, will undergo processes such as dithering, distillation, and other forms of distortion, pushing the boundaries of the original content.

The Bascom’s Photography Artist in Residence Program also

supports STEAM-based education for school-aged children in Macon County, an appealing component of the residency program for Mace.

“The Bascom’s and this residency’s focus on community involvement is of particular interest to me,” he says. “A consistent thread throughout my career has been finding ways to connect with and inspire those outside of the art world through my passions.”

Please join The Bascom in welcoming Erik Mace to the community as an artist in residence. His exhibition will open at The Bascom on April 20, and a public reception will be held on July 11.

by Billy Love, The Bascom photos by Erik Mace

Zydeco, Bluegrass, and So Much More

The Highlands Performing Arts Center brings the sounds of classic rock, bluegrass, Texas-infused tenors, and a dash of zydeco.

Highlands Performing Arts Center has long been a beacon for some of the greatest musical talent this country has produced. For proof, look at the performances that have filled our calendar.

Starting off with a new genre for Highlands – it’s zydeco music from New Orleans. On Saturday, May 4, we’ll feature Mr. Mojo, and the Bayou Gypsies. This band brings all-original mojo music from the traditions of the Louisiana bayou. Mister Mojo, and his troupe of near-mad musical provocateurs, have poured Louisiana fire on audiences across the planet for over a quarter century.

Saturday, June 29 brings Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll to the Main Stage. Neil brings a highly entertaining look at the history of iconic music, using the best musicians and authentic Broadway/ Rock & Roll artists in the world, but also tells the story of America since the 1930’s. And all the incredible influences

and cultures that make up our melting pot, which influenced generations around the world.

Friday, July 5, we’ll introduce local audiences to The Texas Tenors. These classically trained, versatile tenors were recently honored to be included among the top 50 acts in the world to appear on NBC’s America’s Got Talent: The Champions. To honor the July 4th weekend, you’ll hear rousing patriotic favorites and everything from country to classical. Come celebrate with the boys and make new and lasting memories at a concert experience you’ll never forget.

On Thursday, August 15, we’ll be bringing you Chi-Town Transit Authority, a Chicago tribute band formed in 2017. The key to their success has been knitting together a highly accomplished team of long-time musicians who truly love the music of Chicago. The band guarantees the audience will have as much fun as they are having.

End of the Line is the premiere Allman Brothers tribute band – you’re invited to their concert on Saturday, September 7. They have made a name for themselves with a sound as classic and heavy as the original brothers. End of the Line carries the legacy of the Allman Brothers with poise and power. Come share the soul,

the jam and the ramblin’ spirit.

Saturday, September 28, brings bluegrass to Highlands, Darren Nicholson. A Grammy-nominee and winner of 13 International Bluegrass Music Association awards, Darren has taken his own brand of mountain music around the world. He’s been a regular for years on the Grand Ole Opry, and a founding member of acclaimed bluegrass group Balsam Range. Darren Nicholson Band is known for creatively blending bluegrass, folk, gospel, and swing, into a new music experience.

Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29, it’s Mark O’Connor’s Appalachian Christmas, featuring Maggie O’Connor. The Grammy-winning composer and fiddler, Mark O’Connor has created several arrangements of Christmas classics and fashions a wonderous mixture of instrumental and vocal music in bluegrass and other American music genres. Concertgoers are treated to a fresh take on traditional Christmas songs; his renditions are playful and joyous but can be strikingly earnest too.

Monday, December 30, come to a Pre-New Year’s Eve Party and Concert with The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra from Savannah, Georgia. This recipe for 100 percent audience approval includes the favorite melodies from recent history – a dash of Motown, a shot of Country, some folk and rock sprinkled on top–and the stories behind them, serving up a musical banquet that feeds every soul.

Memberships and tickets are available online at HighlandsPerformingArts.com.

by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

Fabulous Equinox Orchestra

Spring Brims with Music

Artistic Director William Ransom’s unyielding demands for excellence have earned Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival a global reputation for innovative programming.

The Blair String Quartet

Established over 40 years ago by a small coalition of civic-minded businesses and citizens, the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival (HCCMF) has consistently brought the finest chamber music artists to the Plateau.

Throughout his 24-year-long tenure, Artistic Director William Ransom has expanded the festival’s offerings to foster a more welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, reaching a broader audience and enriching the chamber music “conversation” beyond the traditional performance hall.

Each spring, HCCMF hosts the Residency Program, aimed at enhancing the accessibility of music and forging meaningful connections between chamber music and everyday life. The Blair String Quartet, long-established at Vanderbilt University and celebrated for their commitment to “bringing serious fare” (as praised by the New Yorker) are

slated to perform at various local venues on March 22 and 23.

Designed to engage students and foster a love for classical music, free performances are scheduled at three schools: Highlands, Blue Ridge, and Summit in Cashiers. An anticipated performance at the Fidelia Eckerd Living Center promises to immerse residents in the enchanting world of chamber music, while enriching their daily lives. Additionally, the highly anticipated free public concert at the First Presbyterian Church in Highlands at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, March 23, is sure to be exhilarating.

The quartet is a frequent presence at the Blair School of Music of Vanderbilt University, and have received acclaim with performances at the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, and the Weill Recital Hall through Edgar Meyer. Their diverse repertoire spans from traditional classical pieces, including Mendelssohn, Debussy and

Ginastera to contemporary compositions by John Harbison, George Rochberg and George Tsontakis. Notably, they have collaborated with jazz banjoist Bela Fleck and bluegrass bassist Edgar Meyer. The quartets members include Christian Teal and Cornelia Heard (violins), John Kochanowski (viola) and Grace Mihi Bahng (cello).

The Residency Program is made possible through the generous support of a grant from Cullasaja Women’s Outreach.

The HCCMF regular season officially commences on July 6 and concludes on August 11. Highlands concerts are scheduled for Saturdays and Mondays at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, while Cashiers concerts take place on Sundays and Tuesdays at the Village Green Commons, Lewis Hall.

For tickets and more information, visit h-cmusicfestival.org.

by Marlene Osteen

More Than Just a Play

The squabbles in Squabbles are animated by love and its ensuing complications, March 28-April 7 at Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Seated (l-r) Devon Allio and Sarah Mathiowdis, Standing (l-r): Diandra Mundy, Cathy Myers (stage manager), Berney Kirkland, Michael Lanzilotta, Ron Leslie (director), and Ricky Siegel.

Squabbles, written by Marshall Karp and directed by Ron Leslie, is both a hilarious comedy and a very realistic and insightful portrayal of love and conflict in a multigenerational household. It’s particularly on-point in its portrayal of the viewpoint of younger family members regarding the romantic interests and actions of their parents.

This production marks the first appearance on the Highlands Cashiers Players stage of two wonderfully talented veteran actors – Berney Kirkland and Diandra Mundy, as well as newcomer Sarah Mathiowdis.

Berney is a veteran of more than 30 productions in Atlanta and the surrounding area, with a range including musicals (South Pacific and The King and I, among others), to the very serious (Wait Until Dark), to tap Dancing (The Mel Street Tap Dancers Troupe).

Diandra has a background in virtually all aspects of acting, having appeared in movies (Weekend at Bernie’s), television (The Charlie Wedemeyer Story), theater (Man of La Mancha, Oklahoma), and radio (Spokesperson for The Star News).

…is both a hilarious comedy and a very realistic and insightful portrayal of love and conflict…

Sarah attended Highlands School through the 9th grade, before moving to Hawaii with her family. She chose to relocate here with her husband, Will Mathiowdis, as she considers it to be an ideal place in which to raise her two daughters. She is the owner of Highlands Plateau Construction Services, a local company specializing in concrete foundation construction. Other actors appearing in the production

are two talented local actors, Michal Lanzilotta and Ricky Siegel.

Both residents and visitors are in for a wonderful evening of live local theater at the Performing Arts Center in Highlands March 28-31 and April 4-7. Evening performances are at 7:30 P.M. and the Sunday Matinees are at 2:00 P.M.. Cabaret seating is available at HighlandsCashiersPlayers.com.

by Luke Osteen photo by Susan Renfro

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photo by Susan Renfro

Playful Bites, Delightful Menu

A getaway to The Hideaway at The High Dive is a welcome wake-up.

Discover for yourself at 476 Carolina Way in Highlands.

Though it may seem like a coincidence, I must believe that there’s something more involved – Tricia and I sampled the new menu at The Hideaway at The High Dive on Groundhog Day.

Like Punxsutawney Phil, we were pulled out of our winter’s slumber, and rejoiced at the prospect that a particularly grey wet winter was soon going to evaporate.

Though that pampered rodent was going to feast on a trio of fat carrots, we were going to awaken our winter-constricted taste buds with a full complement of this clever food truck’s playful menu.

Comparing our fortune to that of a sleepy groundhog, it’s clear we got the better deal.

Stepping into The High Dive is always

a subtle charge of energy. There are the murmurs of hushed conversations at the bar itself, punctuated by bursts of laughter.

There’s usually a game of billiards with its own soundtrack of slightly louder conversations, punctuated by the marvelous clicking of balls in collision and the whisper of felt.

But the fun begins in earnest when you approach the bar and pick up a menu for The Hideaway. It’s a compact thing – loaded with snacks like Spiced Edamame, Hot Pretzels, Chicken Tenders, and Chicken Wings (braised in Old Bay, Buffalo, or Garlic Parmesan).

Now Tricia would have you believe that the Pretzels with Cheese Dipping Sauce is the Aristotelian Ideal of Snack-y Goodness, but I propose that

this logic-driven Ancient Greek would snap his stylus in frustration if he could have had a single taste of my Pork Belly Bites. Drenched in Korean Sticky Sauce and garnished with Green Onions, these savories could have altered the course of Western Civilization had they been introduced in the Lyceum in Athens. Of course, if you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, affix your gaze upon the second portion of the tri-fold menu – the Handhelds.

This gives the kitchen the chance to demonstrate its Pub Grub Prowess – the glorious Smashburger; Ultimate Tuna Melt; Springer Mountain Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and Philly Cheese Steak.

If you’ve read these reviews over the years, you know that Tricia considers a

Grilled Cheese the ultimate in comfort food, throughout the seasons, throughout the years.

This kitchen gets this simple truth, and they zhuzh this humble sandwich in ways that her mother never knew. (I had to look up how to spell “zhuzh,” which Tricia tells me is the word of choice now for an improvement, adjustment, or addition that completes the overall look of something, particularly in cooking or fashion.)

For this creation – the glow up was American Cheese, Thick Bacon, Tomato, and Sourdough Bread.

And then there’s my choice – the classic Philly Cheese Steak. This creation was a true jewel – House Shaved Steak sliced paper thin; a generous layer of Grilled Bell Peppers and Onions, drenched in a Cheese Sauce; and, for unimpeachable authenticity, served between a split Amorosa Roll. Someone in that busy

kitchen has done their homework!

Of course, there’s a lighter side to all this on the third fold of the menu – a Spinach Salad composed of Spinach(!), Cranberries, Goat Cheese, Walnuts, slices of Hard Boiled Egg and a remarkable Warm Bacon Dressing.

Our friend opted for the Asian Salad (and was kind enough to share) – Mixed Greens, Mandarin Oranges, Bell Peppers, Cucumber, Walnuts, all drizzled with a house-made toasted sesame dressing. Once it became obvious how much Tricia and I had been seduced by our samples, our friend immediately stopped offering to share. This is bad form.

Chef Jesse Coffeen changes his menu seasonally, so be prepared to be astonished if you’re a regular.

The High Dive maintains its impressive selection of brews and we opted for

Highland Cold Mountain and Bell’s Oberon Eclipse Wheat. I went with a tall glass of Coca Cola, since I had to be the responsible one, and in honor of the legendary Robert Woodruff, who escaped to Highlands whenever possible.

Oh, let me note here that The High Dive still offers Trivia Night every Thursday. I’m part of an extremely trivial team –We’re the Worst – and we challenge you to assemble a bunch of people steeped in useless knowledge and meet us in battle. (I’d remind you that we boast local historian and Laurel contributor Stuart Ferguson and the lovely and talented Deena Bouknight, who’s also a contributor to these pages!)

The Hideaway at The High Dive is located at 476 Carolina Way in Highlands. Reservations? C’mon – it’s a cozy neighborhood restaurant/bar!

by Luke Osteen,

photos by Susan Renfro

Chef Jesse Coffeen

Chef Dinner Series

To kick off the 2024 year of events, Chef Craig Richards takes the helm of the first 2024 Old Edwards Inn Chef Dinner on Sunday, April 14, at The Farm at Old Edwards.

Since 2018 a brigade of celebrated chefs has passed through the kitchens at Half-Mile Farm and Old Edwards Inn.

Guest Chefs of Executive Chef Chris Huerta are invited to cohost a series of dinners, which began in 2018 as the “Chefs in the House Series,” and two years later grew into a larger series of “Old Edwards Chef Dinners.” Through the years, eloquent sommeliers and cooks in white uniforms have traveled to Highlands, to showcase their talent at this Relais & Châteaux property. To the

delight of enthusiastic guests at an ongoing dinner series which now counts 35 in number, they’ve deftly rolled out pastry, expertly worked meat with knives, shaken sauté pans, jiggled fry pans and skillfully deboned hunks of beef.

It is at dinners like these that one truly understands how good Southern cooking can be. In truth, some of the best eating in the country can be had at any one of these meals, which have set the culinary pace for the Plateau and the region.

At every dinner there is a set menu combined with thoughtful wine pair-

ings – the fare exhibiting a style that is Southern, but intensely personal.

Though perceived by guests as a seamless presentation of delicious courses, effortlessly served, the execution of each affair is meticulously detailed. Event planner Elizabeth McDonald has collaborated with the team at Old Edwards from the outset to coordinate the dinners—inviting chefs, scheduling dates, and initiating menu planning. McDonald recalls, “There have seldom been any real snafus,” even when faced with the most challenging circumstanc -

es, such as when, “Rodney Scott joined us on the first weekend in December, shortly after winning the James Beard Best Chef Southeast. It was 39 degrees and raining sidewise and Scott was smoking a hog in the parking lot at The Farm. We hung out with him all day, bringing coffee and donuts in the morning, and sipping whiskey with him later in the day, while the rain poured down. The party that evening was epic, and we danced the night away despite the weather.”

Speaking about the series, Executive Chef Chris Huerta observed, “It’s a great opportunity to wow guests with an up-close and personal culinary experience, while the Old Edwards team gets

to create new flavor styles – delving into what other regional chefs are crafting in their restaurants.”

To kick off the 2024 year of events (running monthly from April to November), Chef Craig Richards takes the helm on Sunday, April 14, at The Farm at Old Edwards.

Richards’ menu will highlight the Southern Mediterranean-focused cuisine served at his acclaimed Atlanta restaurant, Lyla Lila. Since its opening in 2019, Richards has made a name for himself as a master in the craft of pasta-making, fashioning dishes, “Italian in spirit and technique”, but with an “expanded pantry” that spotlight the

flavors of Italy and Southern Spain. He’s the recipient of numerous accolades including being featured in The New York Time 2021 Restaurant List and being named a semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards in two categories, Best Chef Southeast, and Outstanding Wine Program.

For more information and to book your seat at the table online, visit oldedwardshospitality.com/chefdinners.

by Marlene Osteen

Culinary Magic

For Chef Rodney Smith, an unquenchable curiosity and a passion for learning have led to an exalted position in the kitchen of The Ruffed Grouse. For reservations and details, visit highlandermountainhouse.com/the-ruffed-grouse-tavern.

Late last summer, Chef Rodney Smith took over the head spot behind the stoves at the Ruffed Grouse Tavern, the restaurant housed in the Highlander Mountain House.

In the months since, he’s set about ushering the restaurant into a place of culinary excellence. He’s made a name for himself refining and interpreting regional dishes with creativity and the freshest seasonal ingredients, and installed a menu revolving around “field, forest, fish, fowl and farm” – nailing the classic ingredients of regional Blue Ridge farmers and growers.

Ruffed Grouse is indisputably Smith’s show now. One can see it in the personal

take on the regional cooking of the South and Appalachia that he now offers, and in his dance between traditional dishes and envelope-pushing ones.

“I use the pantry of the locale, but I also use imagination – I like to play around and come up with something new,” he said of the menu.

Classic dishes like Brunswick stew, chicken pot pie, and short ribs are customer favorites. But Smith is by no means tradition bound. He’s introduced some of his favorites from places far afield, including an elk meatloaf burger, Ramen, Moroccan lamb, and Indian specialties.

Smith, who grew up in Chippewah Falls, Wisconsin, first discovered a love of food, as he listened to family tales about grandfather’s restaurant – of smoking ribs and pigs and chickens in the smokehouse.

And later he worked the soil in the family garden – tending to the beans and strawberries and rhubarbs in the family garden.

“We had a rule in the family that you had to fend for yourself – we all had to learn to cook and sew and do the basics. I literally learned how to cook from the ground up, and it stuck with me.”

He understood that his calling was in

Chef Rodney Smith

the kitchen.

When he was 10, the family moved to Minnesota and Smith got his first job at 15, cooking burgers and chicken tenders. It lasted a month before the proprietor told him he had no future in the industry. Undeterred, he hung on. By 21 he was working as a line cook in an Island-style Café at the Mall of America, breading chicken tenders and making pizzas. He accepted a job as executive chef at a pizza place in town “to pay the bills “and spent three years there before realizing he needed a culinary education to advance.

He enrolled at the Art Institute of Minnesota, completing the four-year course in three, graduating with Bachelor of Applied Science in culinary arts.

After which, he began cooking in

earnest, working his way through the culinary world. He moved to Puerto Rico for a year-long stint at an Alain Ducasse affiliated restaurant and then returned to Minneapolis, as culinary Director at the landmark First Avenue, once made famous by Prince and subsequently as executive chef of the US Bank Stadium.

By 2018, hungry for adventure and knowledge outside of the Twin Cities, he spent three years traveling and working as a freelance chef, specializing in large-volume events – like the PGA Tour and Staples Arena.

He eventually found his way to Atlanta and K5 Hospitality. During his tenure there he worked his way up to culinary director, overseeing the company’s 3 farm-to-table restaurants, and capturing the attention of the food press.

took over last July.

Now heralded as one of the best restaurants in Highlands, it doesn’t disappoint.

Some of this is owed in part to the location. Situated in a splendidly renovated 1885 former sea captain’s house, the restaurant maintains many of the period architectural details giving it a lived-in excellence that takes most eateries years to achieve.

Smith’s menu is clearly being shaped by being in Highlands. He tells me that, “If there’s a vendor bringing in a new ingredient, we’re eager to try. You can expect something tasty and extraordinary on every visit.”

Ruffed Grouse has been awash in praise since Smith

by Marlene Osteen photos by Susan Renfro

Cozy Up with Vino

Let’s raise a glass to the unexpected delights embedded within March.

Is March the best month ever to drink wine?

As we navigate the chill of a fifth month of lowering temperatures, and blowing winds, we seek solace in cozying up against the cold, reveling in the pleasure of long simmering stews and hearty soups. In these moments, there is nothing so comforting as soulful glass of wine.

Might it be then that cold weather is the magician of wine?

The deep, savory flavors that come from the blends of herbs and spices, and those long braises, and meats and birds roasted on the bone call for wine.

Enter the Malbec. While those yearning for a white wine, should consider the winter-friendly Chenin Blanc.

While the roots of the Malbec grape go deep in France and its origins might be traced to ancient Rome, the grape has become identified with Argentina. And it’s no coincidence that the dusty-tannined

Malbec grape is king in Argentina, the land of great swaths of cattle herds, because it so aptly pairs with beef.

Here are three commendable choices:

Altos Las Hormigas Uco Valley

Terroir Malbec: One of the most dependable producers in the Mendoza region, consistently delivering wellbalanced wines that are balanced and tapered rather than sweetly fruity.

Altos Las Hormigas Mendoza Malbec

Classico: A superb value, violet-scented, and untarnished by clumsy oak treatments. Matias Michelinig Uco valley

Esperando a los Barberos Malbec: Michelini farms biodynamically and these wines grown in granite and limestone are focused and balanced and tempered by fine tannins.

Venturing to the southwest of France, worth seeking out is the Clos La Coutale’s Cahors – a deep and inky Malbec blended with supple and juicy

berry-fruited Merlot, giving us a versatile and food-friendly red.

For aficionados of white wine, Chenin Blanc is capable not only of transparently expressing the qualities of different terroirs but of making bone-dry wines, succulently sweet wines, and a whole range in between.

The greatest examples come from France’s Loire Valley, but the grape also yields impressive results in South Africa. Here are two options to consider:

Lena Filliatreau Saumur: A crisp, vibrant Chenin, meticulously crafted from a blend of both estate and purchased fruit from Loire, France

A.A. Badenhorst Swartland Chenin Blanc Secateur: A perfect example of the sweet-and-dry paradox of Chenin Blanc; infused with lemony notes, but with an earthy element and a final bright, floral, honeyed impression.

by Marlene Osteen

Perfect Every Time

Baker extraordinaire Krysti Henderson shares a recipe that’s beautiful (and so-very-tasty) in its simplicity.

Krysti Henderson knows more about the transformative power of baking than most of us.

After all, she’s been cooking up sumptuous sweets at her commercial bakery, for 10 years – ever since that memorable July 4th day when she first brought around a slice of her luscious chocolate heaven cake (the creation that also became the eponym for her business) to the Cashiers Farmers Market.

Today her repertoire of baked goods – Chocolate Heaven, Caramel Cake, Coffee Cake and four varieties of Banana Bread – are sold throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic through independent retailers and distributors.

So, it’s not surprising when she tells me, “Personally, I don’t bake

a lot because it’s what I do every day. But once in a while I goof off and decide to have some fun.”

When that happens, she reaches for her whips, bowls, and mixers and cooks up a batch of her favorite cookies – Ranger Cookies.

“They’re just a very happy experience for me. They’re good and simple without any exotic ingredients, and don’t need any ‘churching up’ – that’s the draw of the ranger cookies, they’re perfect every time.”

Uniquely crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, with the occasional crunch of a nut between creamy bites of buttery oatmeal and crispy Rice Krispies, they are a whammy of texture and flavor – a sort of simple perfection in and of themselves.

Krysti Henderson

Krysti Henderson’s Ranger Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar (I like to use dark brown sugar for the molasses-ey flavor)

2 large eggs

1 tbsp. bourbon

2 cups all-purpose flour (I like unbleached)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups quick oats

2 cups crispy rice cereal (crushed corn flakes are pretty awesome, too)

1 cup shredded coconut

Optional: 1 cup finely chopped pecans - or your favorite nuts, 1 cup dried cherries, cranberries or raisins. I like to add a tsp. of nutmeg as well.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed until the butter and sugar are incorporated, then increase the speed to medium high and mix until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low, add the egg and bourbon and mix until incorporated.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and whisk together. Slowly add to the mixer and mix until mixed well. Add the cereal, oats, shredded coconut, and other add-ins if using.

4. Portion the dough using a small scoop (about ½ cup) on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about four inches apart.

5. Bake until golden brown around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. (Krysti likes her a tiny bit underdone to keep them chewy) Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Note: Krysti advises that “They probably freeze extremely well, but they never last long around me so it’s never been an issue!”

by Marlene Osteen / photo oby Susan Renfro

Clinching Top Honors

Vintner Guy Davis’s decades of laboring in the vineyard have paid off in spectacular fashion.

Guy Davis is a very happy guy indeed! As the owner of the popular wine tasting haven in Highlands, High Country Wine & Provisions, and visionary behind Sonoma County’s Davis Family Vineyards, he recently received some remarkable news in the world of wine. After dedicating more than 25 years to working the land, navigating climate challenges, and overcoming devastating fires, Davis is now reaping the rewards with multiple wins and high rating from esteemed critics.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, one of the world’s most significant wine contests, recently announced its winners, and Davis Family Vineyards clinched top honors in several

categories. Notable victories include the 2021 Chardonnay earning Best of Class, the 2021 Cabernet 5 securing a Double Gold, and the 2021 Cuvee Luke, 2021 Pinot Noir Soul Patch, 2021 Syrah, and 2021 The Sage all receiving Gold accolades.

Now in its 24th year, the competition stands as one of the world’s most important wine challenges. More than five dozen expert panelists chosen from media, trade, winemaking, education, and restaurant/hospitality industries, meticulously evaluated 5500 wines from 1000 wineries.

Renowned wine writer, Mike Dunne, responsible for tasting and evaluating the best-class wines, highlighted the

Davis Family Vineyard 2021 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, noting its ability “speaks clearly to the transparency of the variety when it is grown in such a receptively cool setting.” Davis, in acknowledging the Best of Class recognition emphasized its significance especially given the intense competition with over 700 Chardonnays vying for the top spot. “Best of class might sound like a blue ribbon at a country fare, but it’s really a big deal,”

The good news continued with the 2024 Houston International Wine Competition awarding Golds to both the Davis Family Cabernet 5 and the 2021 Cuvee Luke. 2985 entries from over 22 countries participated in the competition. The 2021 Estate Chardonnay received a remark-

Guy Davis

able “92 Points Gold Medal Exceptional” from the Beverage Tasting Institute, founded in 1981 as the first international wine competition in the US.

Further adding to Davis’s excitement was the spotlight on his newest wine, the Davis Family Vineyard Albarino, featured in the buyer’s section of the March Wine Enthusiast Magazine as a “hidden gem” and awarded an impressive 93 points.

Guy Davis exemplifies the epitome of hard work and the possibilities achievable through dedication and passion. In 1995, when he purchased a 22-acre parcel in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County that hadn’t been farmed in more than 20 years, it was a humble appellation living in the shadow of the better-known Napa Valley. From the outset Davis grew wines organically on his dry-farmed vineyards and was soon

recognized as a trailblazing innovator that drove interest in the valley. Led by hard work, skill, and charisma he powered Davis Family Wines into a respected and highly regarded name.

In 2023 fueled by his love for wine and enthusiasm for the town Highlands, Davis expanded his operation with the opening of High Country Wine & Provisions – a “magical confluence of vineyard dreams and mountain allure.” Though a classic wine bar, it decidedly has its own vibe – as dictated by Davis – a wine country cameo that celebrates the best of the South’s and Appalachian artisan producers. Visitors can explore a diverse wine list, featuring varieties from the Davis Family Vineyards as well as select offerings from top wineries across the globe. The thoughtfully curated selection encompasses a ranges of categories, including Classic, Pinot

Lovers, Rhone Inspired, Chillable, Bubbles and Bordeaux Blend.

Plans are underway to enhance the culinary mix with a dozen new items to specifically pair with the wines and to complement the existing selection of cheeses and charcuteries. Small plates, crafted by the neighboring Highlands Smokehouse, and described as “Mediterranean inspired with a Southern twist” will be on the menu beginning in April. Additionally, a morning coffee service on the outside downstairs stone patio, equipped with an espresso machine and pastries, is in the pipeline.

For more information of Wine Country Provisions, visit: highcountrywineprovisions.com. To explore Davis Family wines, visit daviswines.com.

by Marlene Osteen

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

CASHIERS, NC

Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997

Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160

Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750

El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522

JJ’s Canteen and Eatery - (828) 743-7778

On the Side BBQ - (828) 743-4334

Slab Town Pizza - (828) 743-0020

Subway - (828) 743-1300

Town and Country General Store (828) 547-1300

Ugly Dog - (828) 743-3000

Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777

Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000

FRANKLIN, NC

Papa’s Pizza - (828) 369-9999

GLENVILLE, NC

Happ’s Place - (828) 743-5700

HIGHLANDS, NC

Asia House - (828) 787-1680

Black Bear Cafe - (828) 482-7020

The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922

Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775

Divine South Baking Company - (828) 421-2042

Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762

El Azteca - (828) 526-2244

Fressers Courtyard Cafe - (828) 526-4188

Highlands Deli/SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632

Highlands Smokehouse - (828) 526-3554

Highlands Tavern - (828) 526-9002

Lakeside Restaurant - (828) 526-9419

Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525

Midpoint (828) 526-2277

Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400

Paoletti’s - (828) 526-4906

The Ruffed Grouse - (828) 526-2590

The Secret Garden - (828) 305-7509

Spinx Highlands - (828) 526-4191

The Stubborn Seed - (828) 200-0813

Subway - (828) 526-1706

Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC

Grand Olde Station - (828) 966-4242

Los Vaqueros - (828) 966-7662

Sweetwater Perk & Creamery, LLC - (828) 577-0469

Villa Amato (828) 885-7700

SAPPHIRE, NC

Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967

The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512

The Fix Bar & Lounge - (828) 743-7477

Jim’s Place at Sapphire Country Store - (828) 966-4011

Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740

Panthertown Cafe - (828) 862-3663

Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220

Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655

Plateau Lodging Guide

BREVARD, NC:

Meraki Escape - (828) 463-7440

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

Pebble

Silver

The

FRANKLIN,

page 163)

GLENVILLE,

Innisfree

Mountain

- (828) 743-7614

-

HIGHLANDS, NC

200 Main - (855) 271-2809

Berkshire Realty

Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717

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

Lotts of Sky - (404) 395-4000

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

& Breakfast - (828) 743-2946

- (828) 743-6875

Valentine Manor - (561) 613-1496

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 & SuitesCashiers-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

Earthshine Lodge - (828) 862-4207

Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700

Lake Toxaway Realty Company - (828) 508-9141

photo by Susan Renfro

A SPRING-THEMED TABLE

Guests will applaud your taste with this salad serving set, worthy of royalty. Nestle faux grapes inside the finely crafted bowl. Add a sweet buzz with sugar bowl and spoon. Want more sweetness? Add a Bee Honey bowl. Wrap-up with dainty linens, and a lovely quartet of napkins. Slide them into individual ring holders. Voila! Spring has sprung.

Wooden Salad Bowl $130 | Salad Serving Set $105

Decorative Grapes $ 20 | Honeybee Cutting Board $ 50

Sugar Bowl with Spoon $ 68 | Bee Themed Honey Bowl $ 49

Napkins (Set of 4) $ 81 | Napkin Rings (Set of 4) $ 40

Acorns | Highlands

HAND-WARMING MUG

Clay in Motion is a family-owned studio that produces more than 100 unique, hand-crafted items. One of their most popular is a hand-warming mug that will keep you toasty, inside-and-out. The mug’s ergonomic, organic shape, fits like a glove and warms even better. Grip and sip, then, well – get fired-up for the day.

Hand-Crafted Mug | $ 30

Calders Coffee Cafe | Highlands

Plateau Picks

A few of our favorite things

GIANT CHUNK OF YUM

Something that’s this delicious should be criminal. Candy Bar Milk, a combination of candy, pretzel, and scrumptious secret ingredients is a bravura experience. Just ask your tastebuds. Get two bars while you’re at it. You know one standing ovation demands another. Brava!

Candy & Pretzel Bar | $12 Cashiers Candy Shoppe | Cashiers

SIMPLIFIED STYLE

Free your hands and change your life with this hands-free bracelet keyring designed to keep your most important essentials within reach. Pair it with the matching coin and card purse and make your life simpler - and stylish.

Big O Key Ring $ 55 | Coin/Card Purse $ 45

Nora & Co. | Cashiers

BREAKFAST, BRUNCH, SNACK, LUNCH

With these stylish home appliances, juice, tea, toast, and coffee seem to practically make themselves. It’s classic perfection and so very Italian.

Smeg Appliances in Navy Blue | $199- $ 299 Cashiers Kitchen Co. | Cashiers

SAY YES TO SPRING FASHION

Floral patterns, from brights to pastels, await your Spring wardrobe. Inviting, cheerful, chic, trendy – you’ll find the perfect dress for your form and your personality.

Pull over. Pull up. Dressing’s done. In two steps, Barefoot Dreams comfort wear from A Jones Company will wrap you up in dreamy, slouchy pullover top and pants. Guaranteed to give a new dimension to your leisure and lounging. All you need is a crackling fire and a glass of bubbly.

Slouchy Pullover Top | $115

Track Pant | $125 A Jones Company | Cashiers

FASHION FOR YOUR FOREST HOME

Burrow into these forest green armchairs. Their sleek, stylized lines are built for beauty and comfort. The luxurious, soft, yet durable velvet, is designed to last for decades. And the color is the perfect complement to your Nantahala Forest home.

Spring Dresses by Free People | $168/each Annawear | Highlands Green Velvet Chair | $1,100/each

Blue Elephant Consignment Studio | Highlands

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WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant

3. High Country Wine & Provisions

5. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts

6. The Bascom Shop

7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar

27. Dauntless Printing

37. Lupoli Construction

38. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group

45. Don Leon’s

48. ACP Home Interiors

50. The Summer House

51. Nancy’s Fancys/ The Exchange

60. Divine South Baking Company MAIN STREET

104. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

106. Los Vaqueros

123.

124. Landmark Realty

128. Primary Kitchen + Bar

141. 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

158. C. Orrico

160. TJ Bailey for Men

166.

169.

170.

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN

(Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero)

117. Country Club Properties, Wright Square Office

ON THE HILL

303. Mirror Lake Antiques

306. Acorns

308. Highlands Burrito

310. McCulley’s

312. The Ugly Dog Public House

313. Old Edwards Inn

318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering - Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation

319. Lakeside Restaurant

NorthHighlands,Carolina

VILLAGE PARK

613. Cleaveland Realty

619. Christie’s Internatonal Real Estate

Highlands Cashiers

CAROLINA VILLAGE

701. Mountain Life Properties

709. Wayah Insurance

710. The High Dive

710. The Hideaway at The High Dive

711. Roots & Vine

712. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

NORTH END

815. Highlands-Cashiers Players

815. Highlands Performing Arts Center

815. Mountain Theatre Company

OUT NC 106

➡ Peak Experience

➡ Highlands Outpost

➡ Highlands Aerial Park

➡ Vineyard at High Holly

➡ Fire + Water/Fire Mountain

➡ Sky Valley Country Club

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Design Build

➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services

Meadows Mountain Realty

➡ WHLC

➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden

➡ High Camp

➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse

➡ Highlands Rock Yard

➡ Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group

➡ Highlands Dermatology

➡ Roman’s Roofing

VISIT FRANKLIN

➡ Diva’s on Main

➡ Highlander Roofing

➡ Market Square

Emporium Patisserie

➡ Southern Belles Glamping

➡ Whistle Stop Depot

For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com.

Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

Visit Our Advertisers

NORTH 107

2. Zookeeper Bistro

6. Slab Town Pizza

9. The Look Boutique

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship.

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS

22. Joan Anderson Interiors

30. Bombshell Hair Boutique

31. The Watershed Shoppe

33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS

37. Landmark Realty Group

CHESTNUT SQUARE

43. A Jones Company

47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders

54. Mountain Home Consignments

55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness

55. The Bungalow Boutique

59. Las Margaritas

EAST 64

63. Alexander Gardens: - Victoria’s Closet - Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses - Vic’s for Men

72. Ingles Plaza - Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group

75. Carolina Rustic Furniture

76. Blue Ridge Bedding

79. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques

80. Josephine’s Emporium

80. Laura Moser Art

89.

SOUTH 107 102.

THE VILLAGE GREEN

142. Village Green Commons

143. The Village Green

WEST 64

145. Edgewood Antiques

154. Cashiers Valley Smokehouse

155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center

157. Sotheby’s International Realty

173. Betsy Paul Properties

176.

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photo by Susan Renfro

95 and Thriving

Through the decades, a local landmark has dispensed wisdom and compassionate care.

This past December, Sherry Sims and her chorus of customers sang “Happy Birthday” to a cherished, Highlands nonagenarian.

Can you guess of whom they sang? A hint: Over the years, the 95-year-old celebrant got around town – four times, to be exact, which was phenomenal, since the fella has a world of heart, but not a leg to stand on.

Give up? Our birthday boy, born in

1928, was christened: The Highlands Pharmacy.

Over the years, through four owners (Charlie Anderson, Doc Mitchell, Jack Alexander and Sherry Sims), the Highlands Pharmacy has outlived all other local drug stores.

How? By being the finest healer of bandaged knees, the common sneeze, and the latest disease. Not bad for an almost centenarian, huh?

The Highlands Pharmacy is truly a survivor.

“Mail-order pharmacy competition and gigantic drugstore chains make it more and more difficult to stay viable,” says Sherry. But she and her staff (and all owners/staff since 1928) have a secret weapon that few giants possess: a phenomenal work ethic.

She says, “My staff labors hard – there is a lot of after-hours work that customers

The staff of Highlands Pharmacy with owner Sherry Sims

never see. 95 years of service would not have been possible without the multitudes of great people who have worked at Highlands Pharmacy!”

Angela Lewis Jenkins, author of Highlands, North Carolina: The Early Years, and granddaughter of Charles J. Anderson, shares the following: “In 1923 my grandfather moved to Highlands from Westminster, South Carolina. Soon after arriving, he married 5th generation Highlander, Mattie Angela Hall. They purchased a tract of land on South

4th Street, and in 1928, Charlie built Highlands Drugstore. In those days, Anderson was permitted to fill prescriptions. but the laws soon changed. He hired a pharmacist, Mr. Clarence Mitchell, also from Westminster. During the 1940s, transit buses regularly came through Highlands from Asheville or Atlanta with the drug store serving as the terminal. In 1942, Anderson sold the drug store to Clarence Mitchell. In 1971, Mitchell sold the drug store to pharmacist Jack Alexander, and in 1992, Alexander sold

it to current owner, Sherry Sims.”

Credit for the historic photos goes to Angie Jenkins and her delightful historic collection. For further info, consult Ran Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge, or visit Highlands Historical Society Museum. Or just go to the good ol’ Highlands Pharmacy itself. It’s alive and forever-kickin’ – legs or no legs.

by Donna Rhodes

Heritage Apple Day

Apples were vital to Cashiers’ first families. You’re invited to 2024 annual Heritage Apple Day, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 23, at the Cashiers Community Center. You can bet that the animating spirit of CHS friend Trevor Howard will be there.

There was always a need for apples to feed our local families – some were eaten fresh, others were stewed or baked. Then there were apples that were made into cider, vinegar, or brandy.

And of course, apples were dried in the sun or in a heated dry house and made into preserves and apple butter. Not to waste, even mediocre apples were used no matter their form and the worst of the fruit was used as livestock feed.

Zachary family and apples

Like most if not all of the early settlers to the Cashiers area the Zachary family had an apple orchard. Mordecai and Elvira’s third child, Flora Jane, born March 30, 1856, who grew up at the Zachary homeplace, gives proof of the Zachary orchard found today on the grounds of the Cashiers Historical Society.

She wrote in her memories about her father’s orchard: “My father had a nice orchard of apple trees and I have been in the top of every one of them and gathered some of the most

delicious apples anybody ever tasted; Granny Rogers, Morgans, and others.”

Today, some of the trees can still be found on the grounds at CHS. However, it was Flora Jane’s uncle and Mordecai’s brother Alexander that gives the first written record of apple trees.

According to CHS Historian Jane Nardy, in order to make a living for his family, “Alexander farmed and cross-bred varieties of apples.” From 1847 to 1851 he recorded the names of the apple trees he planted in his store account book including the varieties and if he was planting or grafting them. Alexander is credited with an orchard that included at least 21 varieties. Some of the varieties included Junaluska Valley, Streeked, Red Horse, and Harvey.

A Special Friend

CHS has lost a special friend, Trevor Howard.

Trevor could be found many days in the orchard, trimming and just continuing to maintain Mordecai’s orchard. As a long-time

Trevor Howard shared his love of apple trees.

friend, Trevor also generously gave his time each year at the annual Heritage Apple Day. He gave demonstrations that highlighted the event in grafting and answered questions on growing apples.

Trevor was also known for his many words of wisdom. Recently he made the comment that it “sounds technical but a lot of common sense is paying attention to what goes on around you when growing apples. That’s why I think apples and apple growing are such fun. Anyone can do it and learn a little bit more each year and try not to make the same mistake again.”

A Date to Remember

The date for 2024 annual Heritage Apple Day will be Saturday, March 23. This annual event will once again be held at the Cashiers Community Center from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Join CHS as we honor our long-time friend Trevor and all the usual demonstrations, apple snacks and much more.

by Sandi Rogers, Cashiers Historical Society

Elizabeth Wright Prince House

Highlands’ oldest home, now the centerpiece of Highlands Historical Society’s collection of treasures, continues to welcome visitors.

The Elizabeth Wright Prince House was built in 1877 on the west side of Fourth Street just north of Main Street in Highlands. It’s Highlands’ oldest surviving residence. Highlands natives Frank and Annie Wright bought the house in 1913. Their second child, Amelia, was born in the house. It should have been a happy beginning, but in 1916 Frank died at age 35 of typhoid fever, contracted from contaminated water from the well on the property. Frank’s brother, Jim Wright, acquired the house in 1919.

It was enlarged in 1935 when a second story was constructed over the rear ell to convert the property from its historic residential use to commercial use as a boarding house. It took brothers Jim and Joe Wright and Annie’s father, Bob Reese, and half-brother, Norman Reese, a year to add above the kitchen a half-story guest room and bath, including front and back stairs.

The boarding house was run by Jim’s sister, Elizabeth Wright Prince, the namesake and longest tenured resident of the house. She welcomed many guests over the years – paying and non-paying – as she ran the boarding house for much needed income.

Today, the house is owned by the Highlands Historical Society, which opens it up to visitors each season from the end of May to the first of November. The Elizabeth Wright Prince House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 by the United States Department of the Interior. The house retains architectural integrity from 1935 to 1967 in the areas of setting, location, association, design, and feeling. A goal of the Historical Society for 2024 is to raise funds for the implementation of a self-guided audio/visual tour of the house where visitors can use their own phones and a series of QR codes to enhance their experience while walking through the

timeless setting of the grand home. For more information about the Prince House and the museum’s hours, visit Highlandshistory.com.

by Tracy Foor, Highlands Historical Society

2024 Calendar of Events

Saturday, May 25: Season Opening Celebration

Tuesday, August 27: Dahlia Patron’s Party

Thursday, September 5: Dahlia Poster Party at the Bascom

Saturday, September 7: Dazzling Dahlia Festival

Saturday, October 12: Descendants Reception and Heritage Jamboree

Saturday, October 26: A Walk in the Park

Remnants of Another Time

Lick Log Mill Store remains a tangible link to a rough-hewn lifestyle that’s all but disappeared from the Plateau.

Just a few miles from Highlands on Dillard Road, going down Scaly Mountain toward Georgia, is a small log, cedar-shingled roof structure situated close to the road. Generations of Highlanders and visitors alike have probably breezed past the property without a thought. However, the deteriorating landmark is worthy of highlighting – due to the rich history that occurred there.

Lick Log Mill Store, circa 1851, was one of countless roadside stores that primarily serviced people living in walking, horseback riding, or buggy/wagon distance. These stores enabled people to buy and trade for goods they otherwise

may not have been able to make or had access to like woven fabrics, medicines, nails, sewing needles, cast-iron cookware, farming accoutrements, and more. But these basic provisional establishments were also often connected to or in sight of a grist mill, situated on an adjacent stream, so that people could bring wheat and corn for grinding into meal and flour. Such was the case of the Lick Log Mill Store, and perusing the grounds provides evidence of a time when plenty of locals must have sat on the porch bench to “catch up” and share news, play dulcimers, banjos, and fiddles, and trade recipes. Its stone steps are worn

by many a leather-soled shoe and boot. An aging, moss-covered wagon wheel is propped against logs still holding their chinking. And the mill’s rotating gear lies like a mystic bridge over the small stream, whose waters once turned it for grinding.

The demand for milling grain for use as flour or meal grew as the population of North Carolina increased,” according to the Encyclopedia of North Carolina. And the population most definitely began to rise in and around Highlands in the mid- and latter-1800s, as the bordering states of South Carolina and Georgia advertised the beneficial climate and

mountainous beauty – especially during sweltering summer months indicative of their lowland states.

Ran Shaffner’s comprehensive Heart of the Blue Ridge, Highlands, North Carolina history book features one of those advertisements, published in a Greenville, S.C., “Daily News, Pamphlet and Law Press” (1876). It assured readers that Highlands had “no better climate in the world for health, comfort, and enjoyment …” and that there were “no grasshoppers, chinch bugs, canker worm, or musquitoes [spelling at the time] …” to worry about.

Thus, stores and mills like Lick Log sprang up. A hand-carved sign on rough-hewn wood affixed to the front of Lick Log reads: “This cabin was built

by an early settler of North Carolina in 1851. The logs were hewn by hand with a Broad Axe out of White Pine 10 years

…hewn by hand with a Broad Axe out of White Pine 10 years before the Civil War.

before the Civil War. The building has been restored [time period unknown] in memory of our Pioneers.”

While the store operated for many years as it was intended, offering essential goods for residents nearby, in modernity it became a retailer of antiques and

primarily Appalachian handcrafted items as well as craft supplies. Although little information was accessible via recent research, the property seems to have been purchased and the store operated by a Florida-based family, but it closed sometime around 2013-14. Today, it appears long forgotten.

Fortunately, (or unfortunately, depending on one’s perspective), no megastores exist on the Plateau, but retailing has changed drastically since the 19th and early 20th century. Lick Log Mill Store – despite its waning appearance – offers a glimpse back to a simpler time, yet a time when a rural roadside store met important and sundry social and practical needs.

by Deena Bouknight

LIFESTYLES & WELLNESS

Pages 144-155

photo by Susan Renfro

Peace and Rejuvenation

A weekend away at Greystone Inn is a deeply indulgent getaway from the cares of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Winter on the HighlandsCashiers Plateau encourages a natural slowdown, a time to embrace the stillness – to turn inward.

And on a cold, icy weekend, two local girlfriends headed to The Greystone Inn for a Winter’s getaway with only one item on the agenda - a deep, soulsoothing exhale.

The Greystone Inn is nestled on the shores of Lake Toxaway –and it comes with a show-stopping arrival. After turning into The Lake Toxaway Country Club, the winding drive to the inn provides a kaleidoscope of scenes

– Blue Ridge Mountains, breathtaking lake vistas, and simply stunning mountain homes.

As my travel buddy prepared for her highly anticipated massage at the spa, I settled into my room. Oh, the instant comfort. The antique furnishings (my heart sings when I turn a glass doorknob), the warm and roomy spa robe that simply insisted on being worn, and a delightful eucalyptus scented room spray – it was the trifecta of coziness.

Dinner time approached, along with a tangible excitement. The Restaurant at Greystone Inn is known for its unsur-

passed lake views – a dramatic backdrop to the evening.

Our meal was beyond delicious, it was a choreographed dance of textures and flavors. The rich, smoothness of Crispy Pork Belly with the tartness of pickled shallot; the subtle Grilled Spanish Octopus enhanced by harissa and charred lemon. Executive Chef Peter Brinckerhoff was equally delightful – generous with his time at each table, and graciously accommodating to dietary allergies.

Enhancing the candlelit atmosphere was a warming fireplace and inviting wine

list. On this rather chilly evening, we chose a Daou cab. It did not disappoint.

After dinner, we headed to the Mansion Bar for dessert – you know –disguised as a night cap. Warm wood and leather furnishings, a crackling fire – it was the ideal spot to put an exclamation point to the day. The bar boasts an intriguing array of spirits, an impressive specialty cocktail list, and fun, knowledgeable bartenders.

We both landed on espresso martinis – and toasted to the most enjoyable, stress-free, laid-back day.

The next morning – after a sound night’s sleep wrapped in sumptuous bedding – we found ourselves gleefully back at The Restaurant enjoying gluten-free

pancakes. Yes, gluten free. Yes, delicious. And cappuccinos. And omelets. It may have been cold outside, but inside we were full of joy and sunshine.

We made our way back to the Mansion and plunked down in leather chairs strategically placed by a roaring fire. We read, knitted, and enjoyed the muted conversations spiraling throughout the room – appreciating that the inn is a gathering place to locals.

In between knitting and contemplative conversations, I became intrigued by the historic photos adorning the walls of the Mansion. Greystone Inn began as the private home of Lucy and George Armstrong in 1915.

“I’ve traveled the world twice and I

believe Lake Toxaway to be the most beautiful and special place on earth,” Lucy said. Her only request when she sold her home many years later was that it be “enjoyed by many.”

After a devastating flood and decades of abandonment, Lucy’s home reemerged as The Greystone Inn in 1985 – rebuilt and reimagined into one of the top hotels in the world.

At the end of our Winter’s respite, I felt a great gratitude for Lucy and her vision of over 100 years ago that brought me - and countless others – a deep sense of peace and quiet rejuvenation.

by Marjorie N. Deal

Excited For The Future

Faviola Olvera’s decades-long commitment to serving others here on the Plateau finds its full flowering as she oversees the Community Care Clinic’s expanded operations. To learn more about the clinic (located at 52 Aunt Dora Drive in Highlands) and its services, visit highlandscashiersclinic.org.

Faviola Olvera

When Faviola Olvera arrived in America with her family when she was eight, she knew she wanted to take an active part in the life of her community, eventually settling on nonprofits.

“My interest in nonprofits began in my teenage years while tutoring ESL (English as a Second Language) at the Literacy Council of Highlands,” she says. “Growing up in Highlands and going to Highlands School made me realize that it takes a village to raise a child and more importantly, make that child feel like an integral part of the community. Teachers, teacher’s assistants and several community members worked diligently with my siblings and I to make sure we learned and eventually mastered the English language.”

That passion for learning and teaching percolated in young Faviola.

“After taking a break from college to figure out what I actually wanted to study,

I taught English as a Second Language at the place where my language journey began, Highlands School, and continued to tutor with the Literacy Council” says Faviola. “I also started working for the International Friendship Center, a nonprofit resource center for the international community here in Highlands. For me, working in this type of nonprofit was a natural choice, as I could identify and communicate with the people I was helping.

“In 2019 I began working at the Community Care Clinic of HighlandsCashiers. Working here and eventually leading the organization was a full circle moment for me, as I volunteered as an interpreter for the clinic since the first clinic in 2005.

“I am excited for the future of the clinic. In 2023, we drafted and adopted an ambitious strategic plan to expand hours, services and providers.

“The clinic this year is working on

expanding our services to include urgent care hours. Historically, we have only had two weekly evening clinics but at the end of February, we will have extended hours on clinic days to accommodate walk-in urgent care patients. The urgent care hours will allow us to see acute care cases that would go to our local emergency rooms for care or otherwise go untreated.

“In 2024, we plan to have a more in-depth vision screening program-we are currently working with some local optometrists to develop a way to provide low-cost eyeglasses to our patients.

“In 2023 the clinic had 1,307 patient care visits, more than ever before. We hope this expansion will allow the clinic to continue to provide more quality medical care to those who need it the most.”

by Luke Osteen

Financial Focus® Why See A Financial Advisor?

Investing for your future is important — but it can be challenging. How can you navigate the complexities of the financial markets and make the right decisions for your situation?

Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. A financial advisor can help you in these key areas:

Developing a personal financial strategy – Many factors go into creating a long-term financial strategy. What is your risk tolerance? When would you like to retire? What sort of retirement lifestyle have you envisioned? What are your other important goals? A financial advisor will ask these and other questions in getting to know you, your family situation and your hopes for the future. By taking this type of holistic approach, a financial advisor can help you create financial and investment strategies appropriate for your needs.

Avoiding mistakes – A financial advisor can help you avoid costly investment

mistakes. One such mistake is attempting to “time” the market. Investors pursue market timing when they try to “buy low” and “sell high.” In theory, of course, this is a great idea — if you could consistently buy investments — stocks, in particular — when their price is down and then sell them when the price has risen significantly, you’d always make some tidy profits. The main drawback to this technique, though, is that it’s virtually impossible to follow, especially for individual investors. Nobody, not even professional money managers, can really predict with any accuracy when stock prices have reached high or low points. Consequently, those who try to make these guesses could miss out on opportunities. For example, investors who are determined to buy low might not want to purchase investments when the market is up — but this practice could lead to taking a “time out” from investing just when the market is in the midst of a rally.

But a financial advisor can steer clients toward a more disciplined approach, such as buying quality investments and holding them for the long term, regardless of the ups and downs of the market. Checking progress toward your goals – If you were to invest without any guidance, you might not be looking at your investments’ performance with the proper perspective. For example, some investors simply compare their portfolio returns against a widely used market index, such as the S&P 500. But this comparison may not be that useful. The S&P 500 only measures the stock prices of the leading publicly-traded U.S. companies by market capitalization — but your investment portfolio, if properly diversified, will include investments other than U.S. stocks, such as bonds, government securities, international stocks and more. Consequently, the performance of your portfolio won’t track that of the S&P 500 or any other single index, either. Your

financial advisor can help you employ more meaningful benchmarks, such as whether your portfolio’s progress is on track toward helping you meet your financial goals. Also, a financial advisor will review your portfolio and investment strategy regularly to determine what changes, if any, need to be made, either in response to the markets or to events in your life.

Investing for your future can be ex- citing and rewarding — and you can feel more confident in your decisions when you have someone helping you along the way.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Todd Holder

The Donkey and The Elephant

Buckle

Up – 2024’s bruising political season promises all the excitement of a barrel ride over Whitewater Falls.

It’s an election year, and we’re floating in a sea of political jabberwocky. To turn the tide, and the channel, here’re some factoids about our Democrats and Republicans.

The Democrats: Why did they choose a donkey for their mascot? The donkey (aka jackass) was the name assigned to Andrew Jackson (our first Democratic president) by his political enemies. In that era, jackasses were considered stupid and stubborn. Jackson rather liked this common-man implication, so he and his party adopted the donkey’s name and image.

Nowadays, the donkey reputation has a new spin. Asses are proven smarter than we thought. They are loyal, though a bit stubborn, but who isn’t? They can be friendly and protective – and they can kick the shizbot out of coyotes and other predators. They are

resolute hee-hawnkers just for the pure pleasure of hearing their own bellowing – make your own judgement about Democratic honking.

The Republicans: GOP stood for Gallant Old Party when it was established in 1854. The story goes, a newspaper was printing an article and ran out of space, so it abbreviated Gallant Old Party to G.O.P. Changed later to Grand Old Party, it was considered Lincoln’s party, as he was the first Republican President.

But how did the GOP get its mascot?

Influential Thomas Nast, famous newspaper and magazine cartoonist of the mid 1800s, drew a charging, trumpeting elephant to represent the Republican Party. It didn’t take long for newspapers all over the country to imitate Nast’s Republican symbol. The Republicans and the pachyderm have been a union ever sense. (An aside: Thomas Nast was

also the creator of the modern image of the Santa Claus we celebrate today.)

In closing, here’s some presidential and mascot trivia: Ronald Reagan was given a baby elephant by the President of Sri Lanka. President Ford and wife, Betty had an elephant room in their house with stuffed, sculpted, painted, and hand-crafted elephants given to them by party members.

Lyndon Johnson said, “Being a President is being like a jackass in a hailstorm. There’s nothing to do but stand there and take it.” Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt had his own personal donkey when he was a child.

So, pick your Party animal and remember Mark Twain’s famous words, “The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”

by Donna Rhodes / art by Norma Jean Zahner

Chronic Low Back Pain? Check Your Gut.

Gut health could be linked to low back pain. There are safe, effective treatments for this widespread malady.

Dr. Kristin Lander, DC

There are many reasons for low back pain. Research tells us 84% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Most of these cases will resolve with various combinations of conservative care (like chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, dry needling, or therapeutic exercise).

For an unlucky minority, this pain will become chronic. In these instances, imaging such as X-rays and MRIs may show various abnormalities such as bulging or degenerated discs or spinal arthritis. While these abnormalities can absolutely be the source of pain, we also commonly see these findings in completely asymptomatic people. This always begs the question in my mind, “what is causing the pain in our chronic low back pain patients?”

Researchers have long set out to answer this question and we are rapidly getting more answers. It turns out impaired gut

function and a poor gut microbiome (made up of all the healthy organisms which make our guts work properly) appear to be one of the causes of chronic pain in many people.

…eat a healthy diet consisting of high fiber foods … and fermented foods … as well as limit your intake of processed foods and refined sugar.

When the gut does not have the proper amounts or ratios of microorganisms (known as ‘gut dysbiosis’), it causes widespread inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can wreak havoc on muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments, even your heart and brain. This means it’s not just our chronic low back pain patients who may be suffering from gut dysbiosis, but all of our patients experiencing any kind of chronic pain,

including osteo- or rheumatoid arthritis. To improve gut health and promote diversity of the microbiome, eat a healthy diet consisting of high fiber foods like legumes, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi, as well as limit your intake of processed foods and refined sugar.

Many of our patients find great relief by starting with GI-MAP testing designed to detect microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness. This testing includes key markers related to digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function and helps us, as practitioners, treat the root cause of your gut issues, and thus treating the root cause of your chronic pain.

by Dr. Kristin Lander, DC Highlands Chiropractic & Wellness

Remembering Anna Banana

The loss of their beloved Anna Banana leaves the Carpe Diem Farms horses without a leader.

Anna Banana

May 20, 2002 – January 6, 2024

From the moment she arrived, stepped off the trailer, she was the quintessential filly. Magnificent beyond words in looks, movement, personality, and zest for life. Her very presence was a showstopper.

Anna was born at High Pasture, named for Frances Bunzel’s granddaughter, Anna Banana. A dual registered cardcarrying member of the Spotted Walking Horse Association and the Paint Horse Association, she was what the British refer to as a “colored horse.” The most magnificent I had ever seen. Perfectly matched marking.

She was three months old and my purpose of adding her to our herd was to be CDF Lola’s Promise’s, our fourmonth-old Morgan’s playmate and best friend. It was love at first sight. They would spend every day romping together in the fields, painting a magnificent picture of pure joy and exuberance.

When Anna and Promise were three in

November 2006, we lost both Charlie Brown, our lead gelding, and Graceful Command, “Gracie,” Promise’s mom and Alpha Mare 19 days apart.

Within weeks of their deaths the herd would choose them as their leaders. I was blessed to witness that one day in time and have it etched in my mind’s eye. Together they did a ritual dance in the field running freely in opposite directions in huge circles announcing their new roles. Until Promise’s death on November 20, 2015, they could be seen daily – Anna leading the herd every morning to graze and Promise following the line of horses, bringing up the rear. They instinctively knew it was their responsibility to protect and guide their herd. Together, they did their jobs flawlessly.

Following Promise’s death Anna, without her friend and trusted partner, continued alone to be the guardian of herd. She welcomed each new member

over the years and kept a watchful eye out for their safety.

As their “Alpha” the herd knew they were safe. Whenever Anna wanted to lay down to soak up the sun’s rays the herd would provide her a perfect protective circle, facing out so that she would feel safe to rest from her duties. I am grateful that my memory clearly provides me with the magical moments of herd behavior. The remaining four are now at a loss without her, as am I.

Nearly 23 years with her just doesn’t seem enough. We’ll see you again sweet girl.

by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms

BEAUTY

CONSTRUCTION

CLEANING CABINETRY

HOME CARE

HOME DECOR

Pages 160-173

photo by Susan Renfro

The Vision of Leadership Cashiers

Bold and bright members of the community are invited to apply for Leadership Cashiers –leadershipcashiers.org/ apply.

Now in its sixth year, with over 100 graduates, the Leadership Cashiers Program continues to Inform, Connect, and Engage individuals seeking greater community involvement. As the program sponsor, the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce invites individuals to apply for the 2024 class at leadershipcashiers.org/apply.

Monthly sessions are typically held on one Tuesday a month, May through December, with a two-day opening retreat. Tuition is $600 (a $100 discount is applied for Chamber members) and scholarships are available. As one recent program graduate said, “Leadership Cashiers has allowed me to grow individually as a representative of Cashiers to positively impact area communities. The connections I have made will last and shape my life for years to come.”

In the class, personal leadership skills are developed through academic and teambuilding exercises led by Angela Owen of Truventure Enterprises who serves as Program Director. She is also executive director and course instructor of Vision Transylvania, a similar program in Brevard.

Leadership Cashiers is associated with the national Association of Leadership

Programs, which can provide members with further access to development and educational opportunities.

In 2017 a task force of the Cashiers Area Chamber and Vision Cashiers developed Leadership Cashiers. The curriculum is based on a model used by many cities/areas across the country. By taking an intensive look into the issues affecting the area, they prepare and motivate participants to offer quality community leadership.

The Vision of Leadership Cashiers is to build a cadre of area leaders with the necessary tools and connectivity for making a meaningful positive impact on our community, as well as insight on our future challenges – fulfilling its mission to inform, connect, and engage individuals by studying civic issues, building strong working relationships, and motivating participants to provide enlightened, dynamic community leadership.

The program is designed for leaders who want to impact the Cashiers community significantly and positively. The program is open to Cashiers Area residents and stakeholders (both permanent and seasonal) with a class size of 25 to 30 participants representing a wide range

of diversity. Participant criteria include a strong Cashiers orientation, community stakeholder, demonstrated elements of leadership, and community civic involvement and commitment in the Cashiers area.

The Leadership Cashiers Alumni Network was founded by the inaugural class to support the long-term sustainability of the Leadership Cashiers program. All current and future program graduates are invited and encouraged to actively participate with the LC Alumni Network through various opportunities including task force and leadership roles, networking opportunities, program engagement as guest speakers, sponsors, and more. Annual graduate investments of $75 help support the Network’s goals.

The Leadership Cashiers Program is also supported by numerous generous sponsors in the business, non-profit, and educational sectors. To join these organizations in supporting this important program for our community, visit leadershipcashiers.org/ sponsor/131-sponsorship-details.

by Serenity Richards, Librarian, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

Leadership Cashiers 2023

Festival Gives Back

Highlands Motoring Festival pauses (just briefly) in its preparations for the 2024 Festival to reward a trio of local nonprofits with the proceeds of the 2023 event.

Though organizers of the 2024 Highlands Motoring Festival are clearly focused on the details surrounding the event, which will be staged from June 6-9, they took a moment this week to present funds raised from the 2023 HMF to a trio of local human needs charities – the Literacy and Learning Center of Highlands, REACH of Macon County, and the Community Care Clinic of Highlands and Cashiers.

The 2023 Highlands Motoring Festival was the most successful in festival history by every measure, including financial support to local human needs charities. To commemorate this accomplishment, representatives from the three nonprofits were on hand to receive the proceeds. The festival’s net proceeds of $105,000 were distributed equally between the three charities.

Highlands Motoring Festival is a 501(c) (3) non-profit operated by an all-

volunteer team of classic car enthusiasts.

The sixteenth annual Highlands Motoring Festival was held on June 8-11 of last year. Amazing collector cars could be seen on town streets during the four-day festival which consisted of two days of driving tours, two evening gatherings, a Main Street parade, and two car shows.

The centerpiece of the motoring festival was Saturday’s “Classics in the Park” juried car show that attracted an attendance estimated to be upwards of three thousand people, to view eighty-five classic cars.

The motoring festival has grown significantly in stature over the years, not by increasing the number of show cars, which is limited by the capacity of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, but by raising the level of quality of the cars by going to an invitational entry process.

Over 50 volunteers joined the 15-mem -

ber planning committee to stage the events.

“The Highlands Motoring Festival Committee would like to thank the entire Highlands community, including citizens, volunteers, businesses, organizations, and Town officials and staff, without whom none of this would have been possible,” said HMF spokesman Steve Ham.

This article is also an opportunity to remind our readers of the 2024 Highlands Motoring Festival, which is racing toward us with the smooth assurance of the pre-WWII classics (including Brass Era, and American and European cars) that’ll be the theme of the event.

Registration is open at HighlandsMotoringFestival.com.

by Luke Osteen

Workshops for Toddlers and Family

There are plenty of opportunities for the youngest tots to learn and play with the Literacy & Learning Center’s new suite of workshops.

Have you heard about The Literacy & Learning Center’s new series for toddlers and their caretakers? These workshops are tailored for preschoolers and their parents or guardians.

Organized and led by Carolyn Middlebrooks, Pre-K Director, the aim is to empower parents by demonstrating inventive ways to utilize everyday household items for their children’s educational benefit.

Studies have shown the years leading up to Kindergarten are critical to a child’s future success. These early years directly impact scores throughout a child’s education and, at the core, build a lifelong love of learning.

Because a child’s first teacher is their parent, TL&LC’s monthly sessions will showcase practical activities that parents can seamlessly incorporate into daily routines. This understanding fosters a rich learning environment at home,

fostering a child’s growth in language and literacy and overall social and emotional health.

Studies have shown the years leading up to Kindergarten are critical to a child’s future success.

A vital component of these workshops involves hands-on, make-and-take activities. During these interactive sessions, children can create something meaningful, which they can then take home and use as a tool for ongoing learning. These creative endeavors are designed to be fun for parents and children as they reinforce essential skills crucial for early development. The workshop curriculum is diverse, encompassing activities designed to enhance motor skills, instill fundamental concepts, and prepare young learners for the academic challenges they will

encounter as they transition into school. The series began with workshops on fine motor skills in January and color recognition in February.

TL&LC looks forward to connecting with area toddlers and their caretakers as this series continues leading up to the new pre-K program. No registration is required; as with all TL&LC programs, participation is free.

Please check for upcoming events at TheLiteracyandLearningCenter. org or contact Carolyn Middlebrooks at CMiddlebrooks@ TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org or (828) 526-0863.

by Anna Norton Literacy & Learning Center

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It’s Art! It’s Fun! It’s Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society’s Paint Your Pet – July 22 at Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center. To register or for more information, visit chhumanesociety.org/paintyourpet.

Picasso Your Pet

The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and PAWS Bryson City have announced our first-ever joint fundraiser to support the animals at our no-kill shelters! Join us for a funfilled two hours of creativity and love for the four-legged members of our family at Paint Your Pet!

No painting skills are necessary. In fact, the less artistic you feel you may be, the more fun you will have.

Just send us a head shot photo of your pampered pet when you register (details below) and our artist partner with Be a Light Painting will have customized for you that evening a line drawing sketch of your pet on a 16” x 20” canvas ready for you to paint. Brushes, paints and aprons will all be supplied. Attendance is limited, so please register early!

Paint Your Pet is Monday, July 22, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Check-in begins at 4:30 P.M. Early check-in is encouraged so that you have two full hours

to paint your pet. Paint Your Pet takes place at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center, 207 Sapphire Valley Road in Sapphire.

The cost for Paint Your Pet participants is $50 ages 16+, and $30 children ages 8-15. To register, pay and upload your pet’s photo, please go to: chhumanesociety.org/paintyourpet.

The fun doesn’t stop at 7:00! Our animalloving friends at Slopeside Tavern are offering a special dinner promotion for Paint Your Pet participants. After you have created your pet’s masterpiece, walk right next door to Slopeside Tavern after the event and present your Paint Your Pet ticket, and not only will you enjoy great food and friendly service, Slopeside will donate 25% of each dinner’s purchase to our shelters!

Net proceeds from this event will be split 50/50 with the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and PAWS Bryson City, both 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill

animal shelters rescuing, caring for, and finding forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in Western North Carolina.

Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, oneand-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. Our no-kill shelter is open TuesdaySaturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For more information, call (828)743-5752 or email info@chhumanesociety.org. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

Enhancing Access to Healthcare

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation strives to make primary and preventative care available to everyone on the Plateau.

Access to preventative and primary healthcare services is essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Yet, many individuals and families in our communities face obstacles to receiving the care they need.

Fortunately, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is dedicated to funding and supporting health initiatives and access to healthcare for everyone in Highlands, Cashiers, and surrounding communities. In the 2023 grant cycle, the Health Foundation supported organizations such as the Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers Clinic, Community Care Clinic of Franklin, and Vecinos. These initiatives contribute to improving the availability of healthcare services for the community.

Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers is a federally qualified health center that offers comprehensive care for individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Dr. Kristy Fincher and the staff at the Highlands location are now joined by Julie Carpenter, FNP-BC, who provides a full range of care services to patients. The services offered at Blue Ridge Health include family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, screening and vaccinations, preventative care, testing for minor infections such as

cold and flu, and more. You can find Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers on the 3rd floor of the Jane Woodruff Clinic located at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital campus.

Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in healthcare, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has collaborated with Vecinos to expand its offerings of quality, culturally sensitive, person-centered healthcare services for the uninsured, low-income, and farmworker communities. The offered services include comprehensive medical care, preventive services, disease management, and bilingual support. Vecinos strives to ensure that all community members receive equitable and culturally sensitive healthcare services regardless of their background or language barriers.

The Community Care Clinic of Franklin is another vital primary care provider in the region. This clinic focuses on offering healthcare to low-income and uninsured individuals. Through the support of the Health Foundation, the clinic is expanding its operation hours to provide crucial medical services like preventative care, diagnostic testing, and treatment for a variety of medical conditions at no cost. Their approach to healthcare is centered around the

individual, focusing on prevention, wellness, and patient education. The Community Care Clinic is located at 1830 Lakeside Drive in Franklin.

By supporting organizations like Blue Ridge Health, Vecinos, and the Community Care Clinic of Franklin, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is committed to improving our community’s health and well-being. By leveraging the Health Foundation’s support, these organizations can continue to enhance healthcare services, ensuring everyone in the community receives the necessary medical care they deserve. These collective efforts are helping to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need to live happy, fulfilling, and healthy lives.

• For more information or to schedule an appointment with Blue Ridge HealthHighlands Cashiers, call (828) 482-6160.

• For more information about Vecinos, call (828) 293-2274 or visit vecinos.org.

• For more information about the Community Care Clinic of Franklin, call (828) 349-2085 or visit communitycareclinicfranklinnc.org.

by Josh Bryson, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation

A New Home for Bazaar Barn

The Church of the Good Shepherd’s purchase of the Bazaar Barn property is a boost to the fortunes of the communities of Southern Jackson County.

The Church of the Good Shepherd Cashiers has bought the Bazaar Barn building and property at 1846 Highway 107N (across from Blue Ridge School).

Having leased the property since February, the Bazaar Barn’s 10,000 square-foot building on 1.6 acres has seen great success. As an “Upscale Resale” ministry, the Barn’s proceeds fund Good Shepherd’s outreach grants to area nonprofits, which totaled over $300,000 in 2023.

“It’s miraculous and inspiring to watch how the Good Shepherd and the Cashiers communities have embraced the Bazaar Barn,” said Rector Rob Wood. “We now own the property outright. Reductions in rent and overhead translate into substantially more funds for community

outreach grants.

“Better space and parking helps volunteers and shoppers alike. It’s truly transformational for our parish and for Cashiers – not just in monetary terms but in the way it builds bonds between donors, volunteers, shoppers and

It’s miraculous and inspiring to watch how the Good Shepherd and the Cashiers communities have embraced the Bazaar Barn.

outreach. I can’t wait to see what grows out of this endeavor.”

The Barn leadership team includes Ruth Russ (Board Chair), Laura Lankford, Peter Keck, Nell Hines, Annemarie Halback, and Ray Magaro – as well as Ryan. They work with 70 volunteers from Good Shepherd and around the community to display and sell donations of top-notch, gently used home furnishings. The Barn is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the winter (and Thursdays in season), and by appointment.

outreach partners. Truly, the Barn is a community ministry.”

“We are grateful and blessed to have found this new home for the Barn,” said Bazaar Manager Skip Ryan. “Our board and volunteers have done a masterful job in turning the property into a Cashiers shopping destination, which in turn has raised more funds to give to

“This investment of faith in the Bazaar Barn is a direct reflection of the church’s mission to ‘reflect God’s love through our faith in action,’” said Rev. Wood. by Luke Osteen Scan to learn more.

The Road They Know

A Dementia/Alzheimer’s Support Group is meeting at both Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library and Hudson Library in Highlands. Caregivers, family members, and friends are invited to attend.

Chris and Fred Jefferson

Dementia/Alzheimer’s is more difficult and stressful for the spouse, family and caregiver than the person afflicted.

That statement is not believable until faced with the daily responsibility of caring for someone.

The initial changes can easily be taken for a bad day or outside stressors when in fact, the personality of that person is being affected from the onset. Dementia’s progress can be slow, offering many plateaus. Each drop from one level to another brings changes for the caregiver: driving, bills, errands, doctor’s appointments, repetition of the same question in a matter of minutes, and meals.

A new support group was formed in June 2023 in Cashiers after Chris and Fred Jefferson received three calls from people who knew their stories. In talking one afternoon on their deck, they felt the calling to do something for those who were traveling the road

they knew well.

Both Chris and Fred lost spouses to the deterioration of Dementia/Alzheimer’s.

Chris’ husband, Don, passed away in January 2018 while Fred’s wife, Marilyn, passed away in early 2022.

The pair met in Atlanta in 1970 while attending a Neil Diamond concert with a group. After realizing Fred wasn’t too interested in his date, Chris suggested he call her roommate. The rest is history. Fred and Marilyn married in 1971 with Chris serving as the Matron of Honor. These friends shared life from that point on – even the shared diagnosis of their spouses.

Chris is a Certified Senior Advisor. Because of these personal experiences, they felt the calling to offer an open, autonomous, confidential and safe place for families and spouses to talk.

In June, they held their first meeting at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community

Library. The group meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:30 P.M. There is no need for reservations, and it’s open to all.

As a result of the Cashiers support group, the Jeffersons were approached and asked to start another support group in Highlands. The first meeting was held at Hudson Library on February 8. While the resources of these communities are not as deep as in larger cities (adult day care, home health companies, assisted living facilities or memory units), Chris has been able to compile a few handouts which may help those on this journey.

For more information, contact Chris at c.loftus@ymail.com or call (772) 473-1088.

by Luke Osteen photo by Mary Gillan

Pisgah LegalServices

Dr. Fred Littleton’s decades-old commitment to compassionate care continues with a new avenue of service –Pisgah Legal Services.

Dr. Fred Littleton with a client

This week, as he has for the last five years, Dr. Fred Littleton, a retired and compassionate Internist from Asheville, will spend 10 to 15 hours volunteering with Pisgah Legal Services. Littleton is one of dozens committed to helping low-income individuals and families gain access to healthcare services.

“I had volunteered throughout my career, and wanted to continue doing so but I was also eager to do something other than practice medicine,” he says. “This appealed to me and struck me as a way to get people really good health care.”

Since its opening 45 years ago Pisgah Legal Services has helped more than 863 people in 2022 alone in Macon and Jackson counties by preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence, increasing access to health care, and securing basic income. At the heart of this impactful work is its robust volunteer program.

The urgent nature of their work is ever more pressing as recent changes in North Carolina legislation have dramatically expanded the reach of Medicaid. It’s estimated that in Western NC alone, 100,000 individuals are newly eligible to qualify for Medicaid.

The transformative impact of access to healthcare can be told in the story of this 55-year old woman. As the sole caretaker of her disabled husband and son, she was only able to manage an after-hours cleaning job and lived in constant fear of getting ill.

With Dr. Littleton’s assistance, she was able to obtain a healthcare plan.

Just in time, as it turned out, because shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with a rare and chronic, but treatable disease. Thanks to her insurance, which facilitated access to necessary treatments, her illness is now under control, allowing her to continue her

vital role as the family’s caretaker and maintain her employment.

To prepare volunteers for their roles, PLS provides comprehensive training. The organization actively collaborates with volunteers to identify positions that align with their skills and interests.

As PLS’s Jennifer Collier Wilson explained, “Our volunteer corps and our donors are two sides of the same coin. It allows us to extend what we can do, to provide more support and serve more people.”

To volunteer or for more information, visit pisgahlegal.org/volunteer. You may also inquire directly to Jennifer. collierwilson@pisgahlegal.org, or call (828) 435-2031.

by Marlen Osteen

Much to Look Forward To

The arrival of spring allows the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce to dream once more, following the devastating loss of Thomas Taulbee.

The winter season on the Plateau creates a quiet and calm that gives one time to reflect on the past.

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce has experienced much change since the sudden unexpected passing of Executive Director, Thomas Taulbee, in November just a few days before the annual Christmas Parade. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, our community rallied together to produce a well-executed event amidst the sudden loss of the parade director and constant mist and rain throughout the weekend. So many stepped up in honor of Thomas and executed despite the many challenges. It was a bright spot in an otherwise solemn time and as Thomas would have wanted us to do, the business of the CACOC continued.

With the new year came the annual transition to an updated board of directors.

Recently, the membership of the CACOC elected a new slate and welcomed three new board members. We are thrilled to have Serenity Richards of the Albert Carlton Library. Kristina Newsom, owner of Specialties Plus NC, and Rich Price,

Director of Economic Development and Regional Partnerships for Western Carolina University join the board. Both Serenity and Kristina are graduates of the Leadership Cashiers program, while Rich has worked closely with the Chamber in his previous role as Economic Development Director for Jackson County.

The membership also voted in a new executive committee with Ashton Harris, General Manager/COO of The Country Club of Sapphire Valley, taking the helm as President. He is supported by Sarah Jennings, as President-Elect, Brandy Letson as Treasurer, Ben Harris as Past-President Elect and Susan Gregory as Secretary. The Chamber is extremely grateful to Susan who has been integral in keeping operations running smoothly over the last few months.

The Chamber has much to look forward to in 2024. We are actively in the process of hiring to fill the full-time position within our organization spurred by Thomas’ passing in addition to bringing on a new software program to modernize many of our administrative and marketing processes.

Events like Burger Week, Leadership Cashiers and the annual

2024 Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce Officers and Directors

Cashiers Christmas Parade will surely be high points of the year while we continue the mission of advocating for our local business community by providing extraordinary leadership. There are times when loss can create unanticipated opportunities and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead at the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce.

2024 Officers and Directors: Ashton Harris, President, Country Club of Sapphire Valley; Sarah Jennings, President-Elect, Cashiers Valley Real Estate; Brandy Letson, Treasurer, Cashiers Valley Pharmacy; Susan Gregory, Secretary, Cashiers Area Chamber, on-going; Ben Harris, Past-President-Elect, Harris Custom Builders; Glenn Ubertino, Emeritus, Zoller Hardware; Kristina Newsom, Specialties Plus of NC, VP; Richard Price, Western Carolina University, VP; Serenity Richards, Leadership Cashiers Liaison, Albert Carlton - Cashiers Community Library, VP; Oscar Alcantar - Alcantar Painting; Stephanie Edwards, Daniel CommunitiesCashiers Lake, VP; Daniel Fletcher, Hotel Cashiers, 2026; Lec Hobbs, Highland Hiker/Cashiers, 2025; Johannes Klapdohr, The Library Kitchen & Bar, 2026; Garrett Taylor - Taylor’d Designs, VP 2024.

by Sarah Jennings, Cashiers Area Chamber of

Commerce

Plateau Pickup

Like a wild scavenger hunt that’s laden with surprises,

everyone’s

invited to the Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s Plateau Pickup, slated for Saturday, April 13.

Volunteers are needed for the annual Plateau Pickup scheduled for Saturday, April 13. The event will begin at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street at 8:30 A.M., where volunteers will receive geographic assignments for stretches of U.S. 64, N.C. 28, N.C. 106 and parts of downtown Highlands.

Volunteers will receive a light breakfast, a safety vest, gloves, pick-up tools, garbage bags and a thank you t-shirt. A boxed lunch will be served to volunteers when they return to the park at noon.

“In 2023 we had more than 120 volunteers collect 905 cubic yards of garbage,” says Kaye McHan, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands. “It is so nice to see the community come together to beautify our roadways.”

Plateau Pickup is organized by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands. To participate, send an email to events@highlandschamber.org or call (828) 526-5841. For more information about Plateau Pickup or other Highlands events, visit highlandschamber.org.

by Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, NC

PARTING SHOT

by Susan Renfro