Four-Legged Hobby

Sam Schmitt photo by Susan Renfro

For Sam Schmitt, a passion for horses, really big horses, has filled his stable and his pastures with these magnificent animals.

Sam Schmitt rarely rides his horses, but about five years ago he became enamored with the idea of learning how to “drive,” meaning using horses to pull a wagon.

He began accumulating draft horses, breeds that are sturdy enough to not just carry a rider but pull wagons and farm equipment.

Equestrian-minded readers will relate to his herd, which includes a Clydesdale, a Percheron/Quarter Horse cross, and two Halflinger/ Brabant Belgium fillies, meaning young female horses.

His wife, Jennifer, has a Palomino Paint horse that she rides. However, Schmitt prefers holding the reins and sitting in a wagon – behind his horses – instead of on them.

Recently, he purchased a crème de la crème team: two black Percheron mares. One is 17.3 and the other 18 hands.

Here’s a quick horse measurement lesson: the average riding horse is around 15-16 hands; so these horses are tall. A “hand” is equivalent to 4 inches; horses are measured from their withers (high point where

L to R: Johnny “Cat” Howard, Sam Schmitt, Matt Pileski and son

photo by Susan Renfro

the neck meets the back) to the bottom of one of their front feet.

“It’s a hobby for me,” said Schmitt, who has attended wagon train events. “I’ve got all kinds of harness equipment, different styles of wagons.”

His ultimate goal is to breed his Brabant Belgium stallion, with its distinct coloring, to the two new Percherons. He hopes the result is a team of blue roan-colored horses that are strong and sure-footed. He will be selling foals in the future.

Schmitt, who grew up in Highlands and owns Sam’s Grading and Southeastern Firewood, drives the horses down country and forest service roads. Sometimes his wife or one of his three children, ages 17-20, goes along. Or his father-in-law Johnny (Cat) Howard, who has wagon trained most of his life, will accompany him.

But often Schmitt is alone and enjoying the experience – the challenge of his horses “hearing” his voice and responding to his commands.

“I just love learning all aspects of it,” said Schmitt. “It’s neat to learn what the animals are capable of, and to know you’re doing something that people did many years ago.”

by Deena Bouknight

Partners in Education

Summit Charter School is delivering on the promises made 25 years ago of offering an educational experience that develops students to be academically prepared, strong in character, and engaged in their community.

When Summit Charter School was founded 25 years ago, its organizers envisioned a place where talented educators and engaged parents worked together to create an exceptional educational environment.

“Summit originated from a set of beliefs shared by families and community members that a school should be the cornerstone of a community – it should be a place that welcomes parents as partners in the education of their children; it should see, honor, and teach the whole-child,” says Head of School Kurt Pusch. “A school should be a place where strength of character and academic excellence are upheld as the standard for all students.”

In fact, since its inception every Summit student in every grade recites the following pledge at the start of every day: “Each day in my words and my deeds, I will do my best to live these seven virtues: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Self-Discipline, Perseverance, and Giving.”

“This pledge is the foundation for our decision-making model. It intertwines with our classroom management, discipline, professional development, and performance evaluations – it’s used for the overall metric of school wellness,” says Pusch. “Starting with 110 students in 1997, for 25 years our students have started each day with this ritual. In an ever-changing world, we continue to find strength and direction from the Pledge of Allegiance and the Summit Pledge that start our every day, and the sense of family that unifies us.”

As testament to the words of Pusch and the vision of the founders from 25 years ago, this academic year will see the graduation of Summit’s first high school seniors – 15 students who’ve absorbed those lessons and embraced those values.

“We owe our deepest gratitude and respect for the legacy of giving on which our school has been built, and that has been furthered by countless supporters who have continued to pour their heart into our school,” says Pusch. Their legacy inspired the spirit of giving that enabled Summit’s story to grow – from our start in trailers on the Village Green, to our beautiful campus today. Five years ago, that spirit continued to give, as community members and families rallied together to raise over $7 million to enable Summit’s expansion into a K-12 school with the opening of our new high school and the Summit Center.”

If you’d like to know more about Summit and the promises that it’s delivered to its students and its community, visit the campus at 370 Mitten Lane in Cashiers or visit online at summitschool.org.

Scan for more info

by Luke Osteen

Bob and Nancy Mills

When Cupid Takes His Time

Bob and Nancy Mills’ relationship didn’t start with a Meet Cute Moment. It took patience and a go-for-broke spirit to make things work.

From the start of our conversation, the rapport between Nancy and Bob Mills is evident. In fact, I am not sure I have ever met a couple so in the thrall of each other.

I quickly realized that their eventual bliss was an outcome that their first encounter could not have foretold. In 1988 Bob, a residential builder, was working on a house at Wildcat Country Club. An Atlanta resident, he was living on the property during construction. As she does today, Nancy was running Nancy’s Fancys, the store that she had opened in Highlands in 1980.

The two had not yet met when the telephone company assigned Bob an old phone number of Nancy’s. Soon he was receiving regular calls intended for her, and the calls were becoming a nuisance.

Then one day, while eating lunch next door, Bob heard the UPS driver call out to Nancy by name.

Understanding that it was the Nancy whose phone number he now had, he approached and was immediately rebuffed. Embarrassed, he turned around and left, vowing never to return. They had some minor meet-ups over the winter that followed, but as Nancy says, “I was hardcore, I wasn’t looking to go out.”

They didn’t know it then, but the twosome had a lot in common. Fiercely independent, they each attained success on their own, driven by their careers and a motivation to help others and “give back.”

Nancy and Bob, 1991

They had their first date in March 1989, and it didn’t go so well. Nancy invited Bob to a friend’s restaurant in Waynesville. Picking him up at the job site, she soon realized that her timing was terrible – they needed Bob at work, and he had to get back quickly. Several months later, they started dating for real, clearly falling in love along the way. Yet it wasn’t until late 1991 that Bob was able to break through Nancy’s defenses and convince her to commit to the relationship.

With the job at Wildcat completed, Bob threatened to return to Atlanta, “We are going to make this relationship permanent, or we are going to cut it off.”

As Nancy told me, “I felt sick when I heard that; I knew I was ready.” They married on December 27, 1992.

The couples’ goals and dreams have merged seamlessly since that day. For nearly three decades, they have been at each other’s side constantly – working and living together, agreeing that nothing is undertaken unless there is mutual consent.

Recently they sold their house and the building that housed Nancy’s Fancys on Main Street on the same day. In the following 30 days, they uprooted their lives, relocating 14 truckloads of home furnishings and store inventory. They’re proud of the success that is Nancy’s Fancys, the opening of the store in its new location, and the contemporary lifestyling of retailing that the expanded store promises.

Bob never tires of Nancy’s companionship and her “nonstop incredible personality; it’s entertainment every minute.”

For her part, Nancy still thrills to Bob’s “contagious laugh.” “ I love how people love him; he’s just a good guy, sensitive and loving.”

by Marlene Osteen

Cold, Empty, & Full of Health

Deliberate changes in the rhythms of your daily life can benefit your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Living on the edge of your comfort zone will boost your health.

How often do you turn your hot shower to cold or turn down a dinner invitation because you are fasting after 6:00 P.M.? Simple pattern changes in traditional methods of healing will jumpstart the body’s immune system. Have you ever done these things as a practice?

Last year, I saw Hilda LaBrada Gore speak at a regenerative farming and human health symposium. We sat in chilly, wet mid-November weather in Virginia on hay bales in a hoop house. We listened to authors, health advocates, and small and large-scale farmers.

LaBrada Gore espoused ancestral wisdom. She said that earlier human realities such as discomfort, scarcity, and being exposed to the elements made humans resilient. The complete model included sustenance, sun, and spirit.

Our ancestors lived in ways that provided them better metabolic flexibility. They had to take what the Earth gave abundantly and sometimes did not give during drought, war, or famine. Modern humans in the developed world have convenience and perhaps less opportunity to build hardiness. If we’re too comfortable, are we still conditioned for adversity when our immune system needs to activate?

Intermittent fasting is a less intimidating way to experience fasting for beginners as it allows for all the food you need but within a framework of time. This practice focuses not on “what” to eat, but “when” to eat. Choosing an eight-hour window – first meal at 10:00 A.M. and last meal by 6:00 P.M.– and fasting with fresh water for the other 16 hours.

Metabolic inflexibility is highly associated with Covid-19 mortality. When we’re ill, our bodies work harder and quick blood sugar drops are dangerous when fighting off disease. We can train our bodies with intermittent fasting and common sense, proactive challenges to improve resiliency.

In our October Seasonal Reset we will spend seven days exploring best practices to boost broad spectrum immunity. Contact me at (828) 5268880 to learn more.

by Ashby Underwood-Garner Yoga Therapist, Rolf Practitioner Owner of Yoga Highlands

Healthcare Coaches

For those suffering from chronic pain, Tissue Regeneration offers a wealth of promise and possibilities.

Iam grateful to have had a very successful practice for over 15 years in the Highlands and Cashiers area, and now also in Clayton, Georgia.

For 20 years prior to going back to school to earn my doctorate in chiropractic, certification in medical acupuncture, and Masters in nutrition, my passion involved being a tennis and platform tennis professional. For many years after those careers, I suffered with spinal stenosis and chronic back pain.

Over my years of practice and adding a strong nutritional focus, I have been able to better handle the inflammation associated with the degeneration in my spine. I’ve added new therapies as I continue to find more ways of natural healing for the body.

This past year has been the most fun ever, having found a most remarkable, effective, natural, and non-invasive treatment to better equip the body to handle acute and chronic pain patterns. We refer to this technology as TRT (Tissue Regeneration Therapy) or SoftWave Therapy. This medical device actually activates our dormant stem cells through “unfocused acoustic wave delivery” which sends sound waves into the connective tissues where the body is injured or inflamed.

This non-invasive and very safe treatment is still showing a 91 percent effective rate over the 15 months that I have been using it in practice. The research continues to get stronger and the device is now being sought by professional sports teams, hospitals, and orthopedic practices across the world.

When I first found out about TRT, it was the first few months of the pandemic and I wanted something to help even more people with their pain and to alleviate potential ER or hospital visits. A colleague presented the TRT process and I decided to experience it myself first to be sure the claims were valid. I knew it was FDA-approved and showing great research results already. After two weeks of treatment, my daily pain went from a 6/10, sometimes higher, to a 2/10! I could move more easily and without that “catching” pain I’d had for about three years. I knew I would be able to help many more patients with this new technology so I brought it to my practice. Fourteen months later, I have little or no pain at all most days and my freedom of movement is practically pain free! We have used this therapy on so many patients suffering for years with debilitating and chronic pain and they are resuming “normal” activities and having a life of fun and vitality with much less pain and suffering. As a doctor, this is what I’m most passionate about.

Reducing inflammation naturally at the cellular level and allowing the body’s natural abilities to work has a powerful effect on pain and healing. Stem cells within the body are just waiting for some direction, and the TRT approach stimulates this process over the course of mere weeks. The results speak for themselves!

by Dr. Sue Aery Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture

What does retirement security mean to you?

October is National Retirement Security Month. But what does retirement security mean to you? And how can you work toward achieving it?

Here are some suggestions:

Build your resources. While you’re working, save in tax-advantaged accounts such as your IRA and 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. In your 401(k), contribute at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered, and increase your contributions whenever your salary goes up. Remember, especially early in your career, time is often your biggest asset. Be sure to save early, since the longer you wait, the more you’ll need to save to help reach your goals.

Look for ways to boost retirement income. When transitioning to retirement, you can take steps to align your income with your needs. For example, consider Social Security. You can start collecting it as early as 62, but your monthly payments will be much larger if you can wait until your “full” retirement age, typically between 66 and 67. (Payments will “max out” at age 70.) So, if you have sufficient income from a pension or your 401(k) and other retirement accounts, and you and your spouse are in good health with a family history of longevity, you may consider delaying taking Social Security. You also might want to explore other income-producing vehicles, such as certain annuities that are designed to provide a lifetime income stream.

Prepare for unexpected costs. During your retirement, you can anticipate some costs, such as housing and transportation, but other expenses are more irregular and can’t always be predicted, such as those connected with health care. Even with Medicare, you could easily spend a few thousand dollars a year on medical expenses, so you may want to budget for these costs as part of your emergency savings, and possibly purchase supplemental insurance. You

may also want to consider the possibility of needing some type of long-term care, which is not typically covered by Medicare and can be quite expensive. The average annual cost of a private room in a nursing home is more than $100,000, and it’s about $55,000 per year for a home health aide, according to Genworth, an insurance company. To address these costs, you may want to consider some form of protection, such as long-term care insurance or life insurance with a long-term care component.

Do your estate planning. It’s hard to feel totally secure in retirement if you’re unsure of what might happen if you have an unexpected health event, become incapacitated, or die earlier than expected. That’s why you’ll want to create a comprehensive estate plan – one that might include documents such as a durable power of attorney, a will, and a living trust. A review of your insurance coverages and beneficiaries can also help protect your assets and ensure they are distributed the way you want. In creating your plan, you will need to work with your financial advisor and a legal professional, and possibly your tax advisor as well.

Thinking holistically about your retirement security and developing and executing a strategy aligned with your goals may help free you to enjoy one of the most rewarding times of your life.

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

Condo Cozy

Some wise decisions and a precise vision allowed Price Connor and Joe Naryka to craft their perfect Plateau getaway.

Like many Plateau dwellers, Price Connor and her husband, Joe Naryka, regularly travel the 130-mile trek from their home in Atlanta to their home in Highlands.

Yet, instead of opting for a dwelling that required significant interior and exterior upkeep, they decided to keep it simple – and convenient.

Although the couple had visited the area for many years prior, they decided to purchase a Highlands Manor two-bedroom, two-bath condo in 1999.

“We wanted to be right in town and walk everywhere, to restaurants, plays, shops, and just enjoy being here,” said Connor.

At the time, their only daughter, Virginia, was 13. The family “loved” the condo and the location on Fifth Street; even though right in town, the condo faces trees on one side and Mill Creek from the deck space. However, they began to realize they needed more space for guests.

“In 2011, we were able to purchase the condo next door, so we opened the two through the main living room and expanded the space

L to R: Joe Naryka, Bryan Martindale holding Marshall, Virginia Martindale, and Price Connor

from 1,465 square feet to 2,930 square feet,” explained Connor. “The two condos are mirror images of each other so the living room space is now large and has a fireplace on each side. And we are using one kitchen as the bar space and the other as the main kitchen.

“Out of both sides of the living room is a door to decks. We covered them and can accommodate 16 people for a dinner party out there.”

Connor said it took about four months to combine the two condos. Rustic shiplap was added to the ceilings throughout to provide a consistent lodge-y look, and the vaulted ceilings in both spaces convey an openness that belies the condo mentality.

“So many people have told us how unique it is,” she said, adding that the extra space enables her to display some of her collections: face jugs, majolica pottery, old cow bells, antique dishes.

The couple named their Highlands’ getaway “The Lodge,” and their daughter, now 35, with a husband and new baby, has an entire guest suite to enjoy during her visits from her home in Pennsylvania.

by Deena Bouknight

Healthcare Partnerships

A pair of Family Practice Physicians are safeguarding the health of Plateau residents through Blue Ridge Health–Highlands Cashiers.

Dr. Kristy Fincher Dr. Ann Davis

The American Academy of Family Practice defines primary healthcare as, “the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by physicians and their health care teams who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.”

For Drs. Ann Davis and Kristy Fincher – primary healthcare services mean much more.

Dr. Ann Davis says, “When you think of your primary care doctor and your healthcare visits, I’m sure you think of making an appointment for an annual physical, because you are feeling sick, or for chronic disease management.

“But, for me, as your family’s primary care physician, it means that I’m your first step towards being your healthiest you! It is very important to me that I am there for you, as my patient, when you need me, and most importantly when you need me to help you navigate the confusing world of healthcare.”

Serving on the “front line of healthcare” is what being a primary care physician is centered around. For many, your primary care physician is the first to see signs of depression, early signs of cancer, or other chronic illnesses. Your primary care physician ensures that you get the best care, the right care, and by the most appropriate provider – in keeping with your wishes and desires as their patient.

Dr. Kristy Fincher describes being a primary care physician in terminology she’s very familiar with.

As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and former collegiate athlete with a special interest in sports medicine, “I like to think of myself and other primary care physicians as a coach of healthcare. It is our desire to provide you with the tools, training, and knowledge to speed up your recovery to help you maintain an active lifestyle. When managing your health concerns, I take into consideration all the different players that you will interact with on your healthcare journey. My goal is to assist with and help coordinate your care.”

Drs. Davis and Fincher know that through routine check-ups they can help you head off potentially serious medical problems. In fact, those of us who have a primary care provider are 19 percent less likely to suffer from premature death.

There is also the cost saving aspect – in fact people who have a primary care provider save 33 percent on healthcare over their peers who only see specialists.

If you want to get to your healthiest you, give Drs. Davis and Fincher a call at (828) 482-6160.

Both doctors are physicians at Blue Ridge Health–Highlands Cashiers, which is located on Level 2 of the Jane Woodruff Clinic, and they are currently accepting new patients.

by Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning

October at Carpe Diem

For Carpe Diem Farms, October brings a unique chance to revel in the past and dream of the future.

The month of October is very auspicious for all of us at Carpe Diem Farms. It’s hard to imagine, October 17-18 marks the 24th anniversary of the dedication and grand opening of Carpe Diem Farms, the place we all know and love.

The 501(c)(3) foundation to create CDF was given its educational foundation status on January 27, 1992. Five years later, the search for a site was finally complete.

Going down Memory Lane, there’s so much to be proud of, and so many things to be grateful for.

The initial board of directors, after finding and closing on the 48-acre property at the end of Western Rhodes Drive on August 15, 1997, set out to clean it up and get ready to open. An army of volunteers showed up to help. It was a labor of love for the potential and possibility of a life-enrichment center with a vision “to empower individuals through life changes to see the opportunities and possibilities that abound.” Its mission was, “to explore the human potential through equines.”

The weekend events were spectacular! Board member Judy Brinson, together with her husband Jack, hosted a cocktail and dinner party at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Troubadour/recording artist, Stephen Longfellow Fiske performed to the delight of the gathering. The next day began with Peter Sargeant piping a welcome all to enjoy the dedication ceremony, tours led by other board members, Pam Nellis, Brenda Smith, Charlotte Keyt and Frances Shaw. Chefs Leo Blair and Joyce Foster prepared the barbecue. There were hot air balloon rides. George Armor brought his llamas, as the horses hadn’t arrived.

Musicians Chuck Wilhide, Stephen Longfellow Fiske, and Richard Shulman all performed on the main stage. Presbyterian Minister Hunter Coleman provided a blessing of the place, and Philip Silverthorn gave in Lakota a prayer for the land and our work.

Fast forward 24 years and see the 23 horses who have taught the nearly 4,000 participants the magic and miracles that only horses can. Our work, our journey at CDF continues with eight horses in residence.

Yes, October is an auspicious month!

by Sue Blair, Carpe Diem Farms

Lisa Smith at Summer House

For Lisa Smith, Summer House by Reeves’ interior designer, the personal touch is of primary importance.

When planning your Plateau getaway, it takes time to establish the right balance of mountain charm and fine design.

Summer House by Reeves has always been the go-to for that perfect look and fabulous feel, but sometimes a designer’s expertise is the magic that pulls everything together.

Summer House’s in-house interior designer, Lisa Smith, has 25 years’ of experience working with architects, contractors, and renovators from Texas to South Florida, and recently, the Carolinas.

She’s not merely a world-class designer, she’s also a Pilates expert. She knows what’s good for heart, mind, soul, and body.

She listens, really listens, to what makes her clients’ happy, souldeep, and she sets about fulfilling their dreams.

She says, “The biggest key to my success is that I truly listen to my clients. By project’s end, I have made friends with people with whom I now socialize. It’s about relationship. With designing, you get close and personal with people. I pay attention to their lifestyle, so I find out what makes them happy and I build from there.”

While some designers are all about pushing product, Lisa is about making her clients happy so they will become satisfied, devoted Summer House customers. She begins with two blueprints: first, the home’s floor plan so clients can visualize flow from kitchen to patio to living area to bedroom; second, a blueprint of how to accommodate and entertain her clients’ family, children, pets, and guests.

Her goal: To make resident’s living spaces a no-stress, durable, comfortable, and timeless environment.

She adds, “There are those who spend lifetimes in houses that have nothing to do with who they really are. They may be perfectly designed, yet if they fail to reflect the personalities of the people who live in them, the very essence of intimacy is missing and this absence is disturbingly visible.”

Email Lisa at lisasmithatthesummerhouse@gmail.com.

A Botanical Wonder

For Tim Galloway, his vibrant Sapphire Valley garden is a gateway to a tranquil state of mind.

The garden at and Gary Walton’s home in Sapphire Valley is a most magical place.

Or perhaps it’s best described as my editor Luke Osteen does, as “a botanical wonder.”

Tim and Gary fell in love with the mountain and its residents on their first visit in 2013. When they inhabited their home a few years later, they thought it would be an occasional retreat but soon realized they loved it more than their Florida home.

Since 2015 they’ve spent the warmer months here.

Gary’s retired from a career in education. He golfs and Tim, a retired landscape architect, tends to the garden.

“What’s different about our home,” Tim tells me, “is that it’s a small lot, so the garden design is more intimate. And we were fortunate, to begin with an almost blank slate.”

A travertine walkway was built from the top of the street to the front door so that guests could leisurely experience the front yard.

Walking up to the house, you feel that you have arrived at the perfect spot at the ideal time.

Tim tells me that it takes his guests forever to get to the front door because “they want to take everything in.” Alongside the steps, a variety of lush plants of different shades and textures fill the spaces. Water flows and cascades gently amid large flat rocks. A small gazebo on a moss lawn adds tranquility, and bronze deer graze and add whimsy.

Gardens adorn all sides of the house. On one side, there’s a garden

Gary Walton and Tim Galloway

for their dog, who likes to explore.

A flower garden on the home’s other side honors and memorializes Tim’s gardener mother.

Here, the mix of Perennials – Black-Eyed Susans, Dahlias, and Daisies – add vibrancy and color. On the large deck at the back of the house, fertile Ferns, Ivies, and Wandering Jew hang from the rafters, and begonias and impatiens overflow in containers.

Throughout the garden in containers and in the ground, there are many plants that Tim has brought from Florida – Bromeliads, Foxtail Fern, and Junipers. He likes trying different plants and advises, “Just get out and plant; it will make you feel good.”

And because he believes in working with nature and not against it, he cautions, “If a plant is not a perfect fit, rip it out and put another one in.”

by Marlene Osteen

Beautifully Designed. Perfectly Detailed.

Black Rock Design Build’s expanding portfolio of design fields reflects the dynamic creative energy of owners Donna and Kevin Bradley, and Designer Gregg McLain.

The year 2007 brought Kevin and Donna Bradley to the Highlands area to embark on a new beginning. Having lived in and owned businesses in Florida and Michigan, “the mountains are calling and we must go” was motivation enough to make this move.

Black Rock Granite and Marble was born at 2543 Cashiers Road in Highlands in 2009 as Kevin decided to continue in the artistry and business of stone procurement and fabrication. The couple’s hard work ethic fostered successful growth that has evolved into Black Rock Design Build, offering a multiple-showroom campus along Route 64 connecting Cashiers and Highlands.

With the Granite Shop thriving, adding cabinetry was a natural complement. Donna applied her design background and introduced Kitchen and Bath design to the business.

In 2011 they purchased the two-story colonial at 2251 North 4th Street to convert it into a full custom kitchen and bath showroom. The couple hired Gregg McLain to assist with the design of the promising new space. Gregg had founded and owned a Kitchen and Bath Design Studio in Bluffton, South Carolina, where he brought his special talent for showroom design and custom residential work to clients in the Hilton Head / Savannah markets.

For the next few years, the three worked on developing the showroom. The Kitchen and Bath Design Studio celebrated its grand opening in October 2014. It features kitchen displays with Miele appliances, custom fabricated lighting fixtures, beautifullyarticulated, artisan-quality work by the Stone and Granite Shop and handcrafted cabinetry.

The new Design Studio was well-received and the Kitchen and Bath business was flourishing. This led to homeowners requesting additional remodeling work beyond installing new cabinetry and

stone countertops. Projects evolved into reworking floor plans, moving walls, and adding footage to homes to make them more functional for the family gatherings and mountain escapes that define our resort town. People wanted more from the dated, older homes they had inherited or acquired. Gregg’s architectural background combined with Kevin’s construction experience allowed clients to reap the benefits of both design and renovation services while also taking advantage of the full range of products available through Black Rock.

By 2016 a third showroom was added to the campus at 2220 North 4thStreet, directly across from the Design Studio. It features curated natural, porcelain, and ceramic tiles, as well as examples of boutique vanity cabinetry fabricated from wormy chestnut and other rustics in Black Rock’s custom shop. The ability to customize cabinetry and millwork for feature pieces, islands or vanities opens many design possibilities to make every project unique. Fabricating stone on the premises allows Black Rock to offer highly customized options for countertops, showers, fireplaces, feature walls, furniture, etc., examples of which are on display in all three showrooms.

Most recently Black Rock acquired a local metal fabrication facility, which they renamed Southern Steelworks. This addition to the family enables Black Rock to integrate metal doors, windows, and railings, custom hoods, table and island bases, fireplace screens, and decorative metal work into projects, adding to the diverse, exceptional work this firm is producing.

Today, Black Rock Design Build is positioned to partner with clients on full renovation projects that often include kitchens and one or more baths, as well as master-planning the repurposing of interior spaces and constructing additions.

With three designers on staff and a full range of interior architectural products, Black Rock’s Design Services offer a unique one-stop shop experience. Visit the website at blackrockdb.com to see their sophisticated Mountain Contemporary look. Call Black Rock Design Build at (828) 482-4424 to schedule a consultation for your remodeling project. They hold NC General Contractor’s License #81039.

Photos by Gil Stose

Africa Awaits

For Alastair and Laura Lamont, the sensations of Africa are constantly beckoning. If you’ve heard that beguiling siren song, contact them at (828) 360-8910 or visit AfricaAwaitsUs.com

Going on the Ernest Hemingway maxim, “I never knew of a morning in Africa, when I woke up and was not happy,” Alastair and Laura Lamont offer a unique business that involves making sure people have the opportunity to “wake up” in Africa and enjoy as much of the continent’s landscape, culture, and beauty as possible.

As travel consultants, the couple operates Africa Awaits from Cashiers, with many clients on the Plateau but even as far away as California.

“I am from South Africa and have 15 years in the safari-guiding business,” said Alastair, “and Laura lived for three years in Zululand, working for the Peace Corps; that’s how we met. We ended up on the Plateau because Laura was born and raised in Atlanta, but her family has had a home in Horse Cove for four generations. We married there in October 2016 and are raising two children here, so the Plateau is dear to both of us.”

The Lamonts’ desire to share Africa involves utilizing Alastair’s vast network of on-the-ground resources to create tailor-made safaris for travelers interested in exploring, relaxing, and enjoying “wow moments” that exceed all expectations.

While the couple’s personal area of expertise is in Eastern and Southern Africa, they can plan trips in other parts of Africa as well due to “partnerships with people we can trust there,” said Alastair. “If you want to go gorilla trekking in the Congo or see chimpanzees in Mahale, we can arrange that. If you want to participate in a balloon ride across the Serengeti or have a private dinner under a beautiful African sky…Whatever clients want, we can put it together.”

Many clients, Alastair pointed out, want to get as close as possible to wildlife so their senses are enlivened.

“To hear them breathe, smell them, see them interact…our goal is to create trips that are life changing and forever memorable.”

Regarding the ongoing pandemic, he assured that much of Africa is open to travelers.

“Safety is the number-one priority in the safari business. I follow so many different resources to keep up with what’s happening.”

by Deena Bouknight

ACCOMMODATIONS ACCOMMODATIONS

BEAUTY

CLEANING CABINETRY

CONSTRUCTION BEAUTY

CLEANING

FIREWOOD

HOME MONITORING HOME DECOR PICTURE FRAMING

SD

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE

ROOFING REAL ESTATE

SERVICE

photo by Charles Johnson

GIVING BACK

Pages 206-215

Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning and Ann Self

The Park for the People

As it navigates the strange waters of the pandemic while maintaining a full slate of activities, the Village Green welcomes a new executive director.

“To me, The Village Green is indeed a park for the people.” Says Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, new Executive Director of The Village Green. Ann Self, who led The Village Green since 2012, will continue to work at The Village Green with Ashlie through December of 2021 to ensure the transition is smooth, and all events and programming are as successful as they have been over the last 10 years.

The Village Green team and Board are full steam ahead, setting the stage for a season of family-fun activities, community events, and celebrating the beauty of our area’s fall foliage. “I am honored, and so excited to work alongside Ann, and learn what goes into making The Village Green our community’s favorite public space,” says MitchellLanning. “I can’t wait to watch as friends, family, and neighbors come together in our beautiful park to rejoice and celebrate during my favorite season of the year!”

The Village Green continues with time honored traditions & events during this upcoming fall and holiday season. However, throughout the pandemic, The Village Green endeavors to model social responsibility and to protect the health and safety of the larger community.

Blessing of the Animals: October 2, 11:00 A.M.

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival: Friday October 8th and Saturday October 9th - 10:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.; Sunday, October 10th - 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

Concert in the Commons with Isaiah Breedlove and Friends: October 8 - 6:30 P.M.

Concert in the Commons with Relentless Trio: October 22 - 6:30 P.M.

Gobble On the Green, Thanksgiving 5K Run/Walk: November 25

A Visit with Santa: November 26 – 2:00 - 5:00 P.M.

Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting: November 26 – 6:00 P.M.

“The Village Green will always be at the center of our community and will continue to hold many wonderful opportunities for celebration, rejuvenation, and fun,” says Mitchell-Lanning. “All of us at The Village Green look forward to seeing you and yours enjoy your Park for the People!”

To learn more about upcoming events and how you can help support programming, events, and projects visit villagegreencashiersnc.com.

Scan for more info

Reaping Rotary Rewards

Highlands Rotarian Jerry Moore’s spirit of generosity and compassion finds its expression in the club’s local and global projects.

Jerry Moore

Jerry Moore of Main Street Payments, LLC, joined the Rotary Club of Highlands in April 2014 for the same reason many are drawn to the organization: “To get more involved in the community.

“The Rotary Club of Highlands is made up of so many interesting people and it’s been fun getting to know them and getting involved with the many community service projects.”

Just a few years into his role as a Rotarian, Moore entered into his first leadership role, serving on the board as the leader of Vocation and Youth Services. Then he served as president in 2019/20. He has also overseen the Duck Derby fundraiser for the past three years. Currently, he is the club’s treasurer.

“I think Rotary’s involvement with Highlands School is our greatest impact,” he noted. “From supporting our teachers with a stipend each year and providing scholarships to our college-bound seniors, Rotary can serve as a catalyst for education in Highlands. The funds raised from our Rotary Twilight 5K has allowed our Highlands students and teachers to have some of the best technology available in the classroom. I firmly believe that investing in our students will have the greatest impact on our Highlands community.”

Like many Rotarians, Moore would like to see more people become involved in the organization that has done so much globally to assist people and groups in a multitude of ways.

And being involved, volunteering, provides as many rewards to givers as receivers, he pointed out.

“I would say whether you join a Rotary Club or get involved with your church or other non-profit, giving back to your community offers the greatest rewards,” he said. “The beauty of giving back in Highlands is that you really get to see the impact of your efforts.”

For more information about Rotary Club of Highlands, visit highlandsrotary.org. The two other local Rotary Clubs are Rotary Club of Highlands-Mountaintop (@mtntoprotary on Facebook) and Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley cashiersrotary.org).

by Deena Bouknight

A Big Intervention

Love and support given to a lonely child can propel their lives in astonishing directions.

There was a little girl I once knew. She was a child growing up in a singleparent home and was no stranger to struggle, though she didn’t understand it.

She did not comprehend the enormity of her mother working nights to make ends almost meet, or the true challenge that existed from watching the only vehicle she and her mom had being repossessed for failure to make payment.

Or sitting down to dinner many evenings and eating while mom watched because there was only enough for her.

This little girl did not know the sacrifice and hardship that was present.

Her story took a turn for the positive in August 1994, kind of. She and her mother relocated to North Carolina from Florida for a new beginning and to be closer to her grandmother. At this point in her life, the 9-year-old child had had no contact with her father for nearly two years, but not by her choice or her mother’s. Something struck this child, and she asked her mother to call her father so she could talk to him and her two half-siblings.

The phone rang in Alabama and the girl’s aunt answered, sobbing. Between tears she explained that Daddy was being taken by ambulance; he had been shot in the heart and died instantly.

This young person who had just moved to a new community two months prior, started a new school and was having a very difficult time fitting in, and dealt with bullying daily due to her weight, now had no father to ever turn to again. The emotional and psychological challenges just seemed to mount endlessly, and she did not have access to an unbiased outlet.

How could her life have been shaped differently? While much of her circumstance was out of her control, having someone extra in her life to help her cope and focus on her with an unbiased perspective could have helped build her emotionally. This enormous impact would filter into her school performance, her ability to work through peer pressure, stay away from all the things that kids sometimes dabble with, and

ultimately learn to make better decisions.

Had she had an early intervention of sorts, such as a mentor, her experience growing up would have been very different.

The impact of a Big Brother or a Big Sister in the life of a child is life-long.

The positive influence from that extra support is substantial and sets a child on a much different path, pushing them towards their fullest potential. Children are far less likely to be involved in drug or alcohol use, are more successful academically, can build coping mechanisms to work through challenging times, build their confidence, and so much more.

As a Big (mentor), you are helping shape a child’s life and support them in their endeavors. You are a friend, a Brother or Sister. And you will be equally affected by the positive impact having this role in a young person’s life as they have from you being in their lives.

The relationship a Big has with their Little not only touches the life of the Little they are matched with, but also touches the lives of the family unit.

The effect one person can have in a single life is endless! Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC – Cashiers & Highlands needs more Champions for children right here in our communities. Children are waiting to be matched with the right Big Brother or Big Sister in our immediate area! Are you ready to step up to the plate?

Now, you may be asking yourself what happened with the little girl at the beginning of this article.

Well, I’m right here, writing to you, asking you to be the champion in a child’s life who may have experienced a story like mine, or is experiencing their own struggle, or simply just needs someone to talk to.

Since my childhood, I too found a mentor in my late high school and college years, and the effect of the person who crossed my path at just the right time is still present within my heart today, at 36 years old.

I am proud to say that because of the amazing influence and positive push, I completed my Bachelors in Education, am considering seeking my Masters in Clinical Mental Health, became a teacher, and now am a very passionate Program Coordinator for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program here on the Plateau; and I know this is largely due to the people who pushed me towards my potential and who were not afraid, nor timid, about stepping up to the plate and getting involved in a young person’s life!

I invite you to contact us for more information regarding becoming a Defender of Potential in the youth across the Cashiers and Highlands communities at cashiers@ bbbswnc.org, call (828) 399-9133 or visit bbbswnc.org. Part-time and full-time residents can have tremendous impacts on a child!

by Danielle Hernandez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands

Adopt a Shelter Dog

Sweet Fella is patiently awaiting adoption into a loving home.

In addition to multiple community outreach programs, the core mission of the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society has four parts, with each component equally as important as the others: (1) Rescue; (2) Compassionate Care; (3) Spay/Neuter and; (4) Adoption.

In honor of October as National Adopt-a-ShelterDog Month, this article focuses on the fourth part of that mission.

The Humane Society of the United States classifies cats and dogs as “companion animals”. Felines and canines are different from farm livestock, wild animals, and exotic species. Cats and dogs have been bred for the past several thousands of years for companionship.

And what is companionship? Plain and simple – a loving, forever home with a responsible, compassionate human.

A non-profit no-kill shelter like CHHS does heroic work on behalf of abandoned and neglected animals in our community through the initial rescue, ongoing compassionate care, and spay/neuter of each animal to reduce future unwanted pet overpopulation. But we believe our work is not done until the new adopting family has been found.

And so our work is not done on behalf of a handsome dog named Fella. We have cared for this good fella since April 2018 after his human companion passed away. His human was an amazing animal lover known for such kindness that when he discovered some small mice living in the glovebox of his truck, he insisted before his passing that the mice be left alone and not be disturbed. We were also honored to care for this gentleman’s two other dogs and two other cats until we found forever homes for those four. Fella has patiently waited for his turn for a new human companion, and we won’t give up until he finds his perfect match.

You can learn more about Fella by visiting our website at chhumanesociety.org or call us at (828) 7435752. Established in 1987, the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. 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