Women Who Shape the Plateau

The Magic of Wolfgang’s Mindy Green

Mindy Green’s tireless efforts have boosted the profile of the entire Highlands dining scene.

Julia Child famously said, “People who love to eat are the best people.” Mindy Green would agree. When she and her husband opened Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro, their primary objective was to serve people superb food and excellent wine. Over the course of nearly 30 years, she has built upon this foundation to influence and shape the food scene in Highlands. When the Greens purchased Hildegard’s on Main Street, Mindy immediately saw its potential. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she says, “My dad taught me to be ‘an opportunist.’ So, I look for opportunities.” This is a key ingredient to the success of their restaurant. She knows his strengths as a chef as well as hers as the visionary. “We complement one another well,” she observes, “He knows food and wine. I know marketing.” Mindy is a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in marketing and a subsequent career in sales in Dallas before moving with Wolfgang to Highlands. She employed her skills and experience to position their restaurant as a fine dining establishment. “In the earliest days of the restaurant I introduced myself to other businesses and individuals, hotels and retailers in the community,” she recalls as a tool to spread the word. She conceptualized the outdoor pavilion, covered deck and bistro additions to the restaurant. She seized upon the niche venue demand for special occasion parties. She created menus. She formed collaborative relationships with other chefs and restaurants to bring acclaimed wines and wineries to the area. Mindy views this as the catalyst toward contributing to Highlands growing into a food destination. “Today there are six Wine Spectator restaurants,” she says. She recognizes that this is because of local restaurants working together to enhance the dining experience with premium wine. “Silver Oak was a big influence,” she says, “The Silver Oak wine dinners were very popular and led to other wine dinners

[throughout Highlands].” Mindy believes this sense of community is what makes the area so unique. The Green’s daughter Katie was born on Halloween, so her birthday is always in combination with the town’s grand celebration of the holiday. “All of the Mindy,…helped establish the great small-town holiday traditions are special,” reputation of the food and wine scene in Highlands as we know it she muses, “Community support is important here. I’ve always enjoyed being an active part of this community.” She remembers one event today… for Valentine’s Day when high school families and area chefs created a special evening for the students at the restaurant. “We served a three-course dinner to the kids for $5. Parents served and washed dishes. It was a lot of fun.” All of the thousands of hours of planning and strategizing, coupled with that restless energy, gave Mindy a unique position in the development of Highlands and its extraordinary restaurant community. “Mindy, along with Wolfgang, is one of the shakers and movers that helped establish the great reputation of the food and wine scene in Highlands as we know it today,” says John Woods, the General Manager of Skyline Lodge and Oak RestaurantHighlands and the past chairman of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. “In the beginning, Mindy would answer the phones, perform all the marketing including community outreach while Chef Wolfgang brought new food concepts to the Highlands area. You must keep in mind that all this started while she was raising a family and before the purchase of alcohol was legal in Macon County. Where would we be today, without her hard work and dedication to the culinary scene in Highlands?” The food and restaurant landscape has evolved the past three decades. Mindy calls Highlands a “foodie resort” town, less seasonal and more year around. She also appreciates how this opens new opportunities to continue to elevate the dining experience to appeal to diners’ ever-changing tastes. Change may be inevitable, but Mindy’s continued contribution to food on the Plateau is enduring. No doubt she is already dreaming about the next ways to cater to people who love to eat. by Ann Self

A Restaurant’s Family’s Deep Roots

Sallie Peterkin’s life has revolved around delivering a deeply personal dining experience.

The Cornucopia Restaurant has an abundant history as Cashiers’ favorite porch to gather around a table and enjoy good food. The restaurant’s family roots are deep. As a teenager, Sallie Orr Peterkin worked there as a server. It’s where she met her husband, Brien. And over the course of several years, she and her family would be influential in not only its development but also in the creation of additional restaurants in the community. Her endeavors have shaped dining options for hungry residents and visitors to the Plateau for three decades.

Sallie expanded The Purple Onion, a cheese and gourmet food shop found inside The Cornucopia Restaurant. “That was the most enjoyable venture,” she says. “I really like the process of opening a restaurant. Developing the concept is the fun, creative part.” She explains that after months of designing the space, making the menu, ordering equipment, and meeting new staff, the moment it all comes together is so rewarding. Sallie observes that Canyon Kitchen went from a planned sports activity barn for Lonesome Valley families to a fine dining restaurant with an award-winning chef, John Fleer, in just one year. The original idea of serving simple, seasonal locally sourced food in a beautiful, rustic setting with spectacular views continues to make this a coveted reservation.

Though Sallie’s too modest to trumpet her outsized influence on the Plateau’s culinary scene, her friends aren’t. “Sallie raised the bar for the local culinary scene,” says Sarah Jennings, who by virtue of her service on the boards of Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, Cashiers Valley Preschool and the Summit Charter School Foundation, is well aware of her friend’s impact on the Plateau. “Many restaurants that are here today have followed on the path that she paved. Sallie’s efforts have helped elevate Cashiers to be a culinary destination.” Yet Sallie’s influence with the area’s eating establishments isn’t just limited to fine, upscale dining. In 2014, the Peterkins recognized an opportune time for a different kind of restaurant for Cashiers. They opened Slab Town Pizza in the shopping center of the same name in January of that year. “We saw the success and popularity of fast casual restaurants in other places,” Sallie says, “Slab Town Pizza is fast casual with a Cashiers twist.”

She adds that they wanted to serve delicious food that appeals to everyone but use real plates, not paper, as well as offer high quality wine and beer. Sallie’s son, Brien Peterkin Jr., grew up working at The Cornucopia Restaurant. He went on to graduate from culinary school in Colorado. Since then, he has been integral to the family’s restaurant enterprises. “Young Brien recruited his friends to come to Cashiers,” she sees adding, “One of the reasons I’m still working in the restaurants is that I like being around young people. The young people keep me young.” Sallie divides her time between Slab Town Pizza and the family’s most recent restaurant, Cashiers Valley Smokehouse on Highway 64 West. Much like before, the family created a restaurant with a fresh spin on the traditional concept of a Southern smokehouse.

Sallie has seen a lot of growth and change in Cashiers during her years in the restaurant business. However, the one constant she finds the most gratifying is the people who visit. “You meet a lot of interesting people,” she remarks, “It is a joy to provide hospitality to the customers.”

…she raised the bar for the local culinary scene. Many restaurants that are here today have followed on the path that she paved. by Ann Self

Best Buds

Darren and Michelle Gillett with Buddy

It turns out that Buddy the blue heeler arrived in the lives of Michelle and Darren Gillett at precisely the right time.

Michelle and Darren Gillett did not want another dog. They were the owners of two boxer rescues, Robi (8yrs old) and Maggie (12.5 years old) and own and operate Scaly Mountain Crafters, a local artist gift shop where every item sold provides food for families in cooperation with local food banks.

Not only are Darren and Michelle the store owners, they are both class instructors. However, when a blue heeler (also known as an Australian cattle dog) began roaming around Dillard Road, where they reside, they became involved. “It was August 2020, and everyone was trying to catch this dog to find out if he was chipped…who he might belong to,” said Michelle. “No one could get their hands on him because he was so scared, but he kept hanging around. Everyone in the area was feeding him. He would sit in the rain near the parking lots of the Scaly Mountain Post Office and Dollar General. We just felt terrible for him.”Area veterinarians and blue heeler rescue organizations were contacted to determine if anyone was missing a dog. Information about the stray was posted regularly on Facebook. No one came forward. By November, the dog became comfortable enough that it would play with the Gillett’s boxer, Robi, when she was let out of their fenced back yard. However, he would never go inside the fenced area. And then the couple placed a dog bed and food on their front porch. The dog began sleeping and eating there regularly but still would not go inside the fenced yard or their house.

Michelle and Darren decided that if the dog ever did allow them to get close enough to establish contact, they would rehome him.

However, “Buddy,” the name they chose for the dog, had other intentions.

On December 19, over four months after Buddy showed up in Scaly, he entered the Gillett’s fenced back yard for the first time to play with Robi. Not long after Buddy was in the back yard, Maggie came out of the Gillett’s house to meet Buddy for the first time. While Buddy had been playing non-stop with Robi, when Maggie appeared through the doggie door, he stopped playing and just walked around the entire yard with Maggie.

When they were finished walking, the skittish dog followed Maggie inside the house. The Gilletts could not believe that Buddy was finally in their house. For the next two days, Buddy would not leave Maggie’s side. “I’ve been around dogs my whole life, and I hadn’t seen such a connection before,” said Michelle. They quickly learned why. The day after Buddy decided to go inside the Gillett’s house, Maggie began showing signs of sickness. The couple soon learned she was bleeding internally from advanced cancer. She died soon after. “We believe Buddy knew Maggie was sick and that’s why he came inside – to be with her.”

That was almost two years ago, and four-year-old Buddy is now “the friendliest” dog – advancing obediently daily to get his “work” collar on, loading in the car for the drive to the shop, and greeting everyone who enters. “For months, people tried to get that dog into their car or in their house,” she added. “We’ve heard that blue heelers pick their family and we are so blessed that Buddy chose us.”

by Deena Bouknight

Here’s Your ‘Recession Survival’ Checklist

It’s unfortunate, but recessions are a fairly normal part of the economic landscape. When a recession occurs, how might you be affected? The answer depends upon your individual situation, but regardless of your circumstances, you might want to consider the items in this recession survival checklist:

Assess your income stability. If your employment remains steady, you may not have to do anything different during a recession. But if you think your income could be threatened or disrupted, you might want to consider joining the “gig economy” or looking for freelance or consulting opportunities. Review your spending. Look for ways to trim your spending, such as canceling subscription services you don’t use, eating out less often, and so on. Pay down your debts. Try to reduce your debts, especially those with high interest Plan your emergency fund. If you haven’t already built one, try to create an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account. Review your protection plan. If your health or life insurance is tied to your work, a change in your employment status could jeopardize this coverage. Review all your options for replacing these types of protection. Also, look for ways to lower premiums on home or auto insurance, without significantly sacrificing coverage, to free up money that could be used for health/ life insurance.

Keep your long-term goals in mind. Even if you adjust your portfolio during times of volatility, don’t lose sight of your long-term goals. Trying to “outsmart” the market with short-term strategies can often lead to

missteps and missed opportunities. Don’t stop investing. If you can afford it, try to continue investing. Coming out of a recession, stock prices tend to bottom out and then rebound, so if you had headed to the investment “sidelines,” you would have missed the opportunity to benefit from a market rally. Revisit your performance expectations. During a bear market, you will constantly be reminded of the decline of a particular market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. But instead of focusing on these short-term numbers, look instead at the long-term performance of your portfolio to deter- mine if you’re still on track toward meeting your goals. Assess your risk tolerance. If you find yourself worrying excessively about declines in your investment statements, you may want to reevaluate your tolerance for risk. One’s risk tolerance can change over time — and it’s important you feel comfortable with the amount of risk you take when investing. Keep diversifying. Diversification is always important for investors — by having a mix of stocks, mutual funds and bonds, you can reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. To cite one example: Higher-quality bonds, such as Treasuries, often move in the opposite direction of stocks, so the presence of these bonds in your portfolio, if appropriate for your goals, can be valuable when market conditions are worsening. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification cannot guarantee profits or protect against all losses in a declining market.) A recession accompanied by a bear market is not pleasant. But by taking the appropriate steps, you can boost your chances of getting through a difficult period and staying on track toward your important financial goals.

Todd Holder

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

Playing For Good

The 40th Annual Bob Jones Invitational Tournament, held at Highlands Country Club, brings in more than $230,000 for local health care needs.

August was a stellar month for golfers and the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation. The 40th Annual Bob Jones Invitational Golf Tournament resulted in more than $230,000 for Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, established on February 1, 2019, as a 501(c)(3) public charity to improve the health and well-being of Highlands, Cashiers, and surrounding communities. The tournament, held this year on August 13, is named after the legendary Bobby Jones and features Walker Cup players from the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland. Jones, who died in 1971, was selected to play on the United States Walker Cup Team five times and twice served as its captain. Most importantly and relevant to The Laurel readers, Jones loved Highlands and was instrumental in the development of Highlands Country Club, where he christened the course there by hitting the first ball when it opened in 1928. Jones played in 31 championships and placed first or second more than 50 percent of the time. But he was also an inventor and an entrepreneur, and a line of clothing still bears his name today. Proceeds raised during the tournament fund the Foundation’s initiatives, including the Blue Ridge Health Highlands-Cashiers Clinic, which is the Foundation’s number-one priority project due to the fact that the Clinic provides an array of services to meet the needs of many people in the region. Some services include behavioral, family medicine, pediatric medicine, nutrition, and pharmaceutical. After the tournament, Jim Santo, co-chair of the tournament committee, said, “We are pleased to dedicate the proceeds from the Bob Jones Invitational Golf Tournament to support the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation. Their important work supports health and well-being for families and neighbors across our Highlands and Cashiers area. Their commitment to Blue Ridge Health Highlands-Cashiers Clinic, and the local access to high quality, affordable health care, is essential to all of us.” Supporting healthcare on the Plateau is not new to Highlands Country Club. In fact, the Bob Jones Invitational has contributed over $6 million to vital healthcare services and initiatives over the last 39 years. Commented Robin Tindall, the Foundation’s CEO and Executive Director, “We are extremely grateful for our historic partnership with Highlands Country Club’s distinguished Bob Jones’ event. The generous support each year is pivotal to the Foundation’s long-term commitment to health and well-being in our communities. Thank you to everyone who participated and who worked backstage for making a profound difference as we continue our work to lift health and well-being, together.”

by Deena Bouknight

A Salute To Veterans

As the Plateau honors its veterans this Veterans Day, we wanted to showcase how a pair of local vets were recognized for their service.

Lauch Magruder and Paul Schowalter

Aunique opportunity for military veterans is to participate in an Honor Flight. This spring, a few area vets experienced the memorable activity. Paul Schowalter, who flew 135 combat missions in Vietnam in a F4 Phantom II aircraft, accompanied Korean War combat Veteran Lauch Magruder, author and attorney, to Washington, D.C., for their April 23 Honors Flight. Participation in an Honor Flight gives veterans the opportunity to share a momentous occasion with other comrades, to remember friends and comrades lost, and to share stories and experiences with other Veterans. All honored veterans travel at no cost.

Schowalter and Magruder met up with other Veterans at the Asheville Airport to enjoy the “very well organized” trip to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. “As we taxied to the gate, fire trucks welcomed us with traditional water hosing,” said Schowalter “We were also welcomed and saluted by Naval Academy cadets. As we awaited our buses, we chatted with the cadets…bright young people; the Navy’s future is in good hands! As we departed the airport, the cadets lined up to salute our departure. Wow! They organized this for me? For us?” After a boxed lunch, veterans arrived at the Lincoln Memorial, where the Joint Services (Army/Navy/USMC/USAF/Space Command) Color Guard with a trumpeter were at the steps to salute and welcome them. An Air Force Brigadier General also welcomed them and dedicated a wreath to signify WWII, Korea, and Vietnam losses.

After the ceremony, veterans toured the Vietnam, Korean War, and WWII memorials. A brief stop was made at the Marine Corps Memorial. Then it was on to Arlington Cemetery. “Our final D.C. event was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard,” commented Schowalter. “We were given special front row positions. As the ‘Sergeant of the Guard’ passed our positions, he gave us a special salute … a very solemn, reverent, and dignified ceremony.” As the men reboarded the plane to return to Asheville, they thought the day’s special events were completed. Yet, “as we leveled off for our flight home, the captain announced: ‘Mail Call!’” said Schowalter. “Inside my box are close to a hundred ‘Welcome Home’ and ‘Thank You for Your Service’ cards and letters from family and friends. Tears stream down my face as I see the many familiar names.” At the Asheville airport were corridors lined with bagpipers and hundreds of well-wishers.

Both men expressed that the Honor Flight solidified the “honor” of completing that long-ago military commitment.

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photo by Terry Barnes

Diverse Projects

Fueled by an unquenchable desire to serve its community, The Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands works tirelessly to spread the money around.

Robin Neal and Michael Lanzilotta

The Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands has been engaged in local and international service projects for the last several months and its members are looking forward to a busy November and December. However, the club’s two large fundraisers in June and August are the Highlands Arts and Crafts shows, where there were many new and returning vendors at both annual events. Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands dedicated all donations collected during the June show, including proceeds from a raffle of original artwork to benefit Ukrainian efforts. The club collected $9,456 in donations during the show. The August show raised $6,205 to help the Kyle McKim family; Kyle was seriously burned in a chemistry experiment accident, has endured many surgeries, and is facing more procedures in the future. He spent weeks at the Burn Unit at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. In August, Robin Neal received the first Non-Rotarian Community Service Award for her tireless work in the Covid Initiative. Annual awards honored four outstanding Mountaintop Rotarians: Dixie Barton, Lifetime President

Designation; Michael Burel, Rotarian of the Year; and Jim and Lorine Spencer, President’s Award for Service. During Dahlia Festival Weekend, the club won the Honorable Mention Judges Award, and over $600 was raised to fund a new visual arts scholarship at the Highlands School. Looking forward, the club …dedicated all donations collected is spearheading a coat drive, to benefit Ukrainian efforts. shoes for children drive, and a toy drive. Donation boxes are in Highlands at the First Baptist, Highlands United Methodist, Presbyterian Church of Highlands, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, and Community Bible Church as well as First Bank, and the Highlands Recreation Center. The Highlands Emergency Council is distributing the collected coats. The Toy Drive will be in the form of trees with “giving” ornaments located at several Highlands’ businesses. December’s Shoes for Children Drive is assisted by the administration at Highlands School. For more information about these projects, contact Jim Spencer, club service chair, at jim.spencer@ua42.org. by Deena Bouknight