September 2018, The Laurel Magazine of Highlands NC and Cashiers NC

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SEPTEMBER 2018

LAUREL THELAURELMAGAZINE.COM

YOUR GUIDE TO

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INSIDE THE LAUREL SEPTEMBER 2018 71

The Art of Jude Stuecker

72

H-C Chamber Music Festival

Highlands Biological Station

74

Carolina Gallery of Fine Art

114

Mission Hospital

Highlands Music

75

Highlands Playhouse

116

The Battle of Weight

Big Brothers Big Sisters

76

Colby Deitz

118

Guided Relaxation

18

Balance and Bliss

77

Bel Canto

120

Spicy Immunity Slaw

19

Highlands Marketplace

78

Highlands Performing Arts Center

20

Village Nature Series

22

Hudson Library

24

Baldaroo Music Festival

25

Craft Beer Night

82

26

Cashiers Library

28

EVENTS 12 14 16

DINING

HEALTH

HOMES & LIFESTYLES 124

Wade Hampton Club Home

Meritage Bistro

126

Presidential Firsts

84

The Story Behind the Wine

127

Financial Focus

Dahlia Festival

86

Big Kahuna Burgersteaks

128

Private Waterfall Home

29

Village Green

88

Chefs in the House

30

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

90

Evenings at Lakeside

31

Pumpkin Patch

92

Awards of Excellence

32

Tour de Cashiers

94

Venue Wine Dinner

132

Rose Mary Achey, Volunteer Spotlight

36

Highlands Arts & Crafts Show

96

Honoring Osteen

133

Carpe Diem Farms

38

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival

98

Dining Guide

134

Highlands Rotary Club

40

Fall Festival

135

Museum of the Housecat

42

Empty Bowls Project

136

C-H Humane Society

43

Recovery Ministries

137

Bascom Fundraiser

46

Sky Valley Fall Festival

50

Highlands Food & Wine

52

Blessing of the Animals

53

Songwriters’ Round

54

Pancake Breakfast

56

Bascom Happenings

58

Founder’s Day

60 Calendar

THE ARTS 68

Highlands Cashiers Players

70

The Art of Rik Long

VENTURE OUT

GIVING BACK

100

Adventure Out

137

Peggy Crosby Center

101

Fly Fishing on the Plateau

138

Friends for Life

102

Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

139

Father Casmir

103

Golf Talk

104

The Accidental Gardener

HISTORY 108

Highlands History

110

Cashiers History

BIZ SPOTLIGHT 142

The Brier Patch

143

Blue Valley Press

143

Highlands Chamber of Commerce

144

Lakeshore Marina

145

Unique Mantiques

146

Sashay Around

60 Calendar | 62 Highlands Map | 64 Cashiers Map | 98 Dining Guide | 132 Service Directory | 204 Advertiser’s Index

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MAKING IT HAPPEN

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner

Publisher’s

Note

MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN Managing Partner

janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director

SAM CUMMINGS Account Rep

mungerclan5@aol.com

sam@thelaurelmagazine.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager

DONNA RHODES Writer

September. Summer begins her final scene, Labor Day cookouts give way to hay bales and apples. Adventures in the sun are now ending around the fire, blankets covering flip-

jothcu@yahoo.com

dmrhodes847@gmail.com

WILEY SLOAN Writer

LUKE OSTEEN Writer

flopped toes that aren’t ready for shoes quite yet. Pumpkin Spice is poking his head around the curtain already. Fall will soon make her way onstage as well, with Maple trees taking their cue, leading nature into the transition from lush green to those familiar jewel tones.

sloans@antiks4u.com

dumbdogs@earthlink.net

JENNY KING Writer

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer

We at the Laurel thank you for being a part of this change of seasons with us. Cheers!

With love,

Janet and Marjorie Volume Sixteen • Issue Eight thelaurelmagazine.com • 828-526-0173 info@thelaurelmagazine.com P.O. Box 565 • Highlands, NC 28741

jettking@gmail.com

mjmccall777@gmail.com

Contributing Writers: Jane Gibson Nardy, Donn Gash, Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, Dr. Anastasia Halldin, David Stroud, Curt Christiansen, Jeannie Chambers, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Ann Self, Zach Claxton, Elizabeth Spaulding, Charlotte Muir, Chris Wilkes, Emily Crowell and AJ Stewart Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, and Terry Barnes

Copyright © 2018 by The Mountain Laurel, LLC. All rights reserved. Laurel Magazine is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Laurel Magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel Magazine nor any of its staff is responsible for advertising errors, omissions, or information that has been misrepresented in or to the magazine. Any substantial errors that are the fault of the magazine will be subject to a reduction or reimbursement of the amounts paid by the advertiser, but in no case will any claim arising from such error exceed the amount paid for the advertisement by the advertiser.

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EVENTS

HAPPY TRAILS

BY CHARLOTTE MUIR | HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION

Thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers, the precious Highlands Botanical Garden gets a well-deserved sprucing up.

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ne of Highlands best trail systems runs through the Highlands Botanical Garden, which was established in 1962 as a refuge and demonstration garden for the diverse flora of the southern Appalachians and its unique communities. Today, the garden is a popular destination for visitors of all ages, with blooming water lilies, purple pitcher plants, and rare Oconee Bells scattered throughout the 1.6 miles of trails. The Highlands Biological Station’s horticulturist, Chan Chandler, along with many volunteers, does not use any pesticides or fertilizer, as this garden is a living laboratory of native flora and fauna. In recent years, the trails have become muddy and root-filled, complicating strolls through the garden. To counteract this natural degradation, Highlands Biological

Station and Foundation staff and volunteers have begun large trail improvements. With the help from volunteers of the Highlands Plateau Greenway, we have made significant trail improvements by covering nearly 50 percent of our trails in gravel and native stone to make exploring the garden much easier. These measures keep the surface flat and walkable while allowing precipitation to drain. More than 30 tons of gravel have been used to smooth our most popular trails, with nearly 20 tons of native stone to ensure the gravel does not wash away. We are especially grateful to Hillrie Quin and Ran Shaffner for organizing the fantastic volunteers and their efforts. The Highlands Botanical Garden is a window into the heart of Southern Appalachia. Keeping the gardens wild while walkable

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is a constant struggle, but several steps towards a more stable solution have been taken. The Biological Station strives to constantly improve, most notably with this recent trail work. Our mission is to foster education and research focused on the rich natural heritage of the Highlands Plateau, while preserving and celebrating the integrity of the “biological crown of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.” We hope you can come walk these wonderful trails for yourself to see how special our place on the Plateau is for our community. For more information about the Highlands Botanical Garden or other programming at the Highlands Biological Station, visit our website at highlandsbiological.org or call us at (828) 526-2221.


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EVENTS

MOUNTAIN MUSIC BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The sounds of the season are changing, but there’s still music in the air in Highlands.

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abor Day used to mark the end of a busy season is Highlands but, oh, how the times have changed. Some things still close down, for instance the popular Saturdays on Pine concerts end on Labor Day weekend, but don’t despair, because there’s still live music to be heard downtown. The ever-popular Saturdays on Pine at the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park drew their biggest crowds yet this year with a great line-up of popular bands. Labor Day weekend marks the last such concert of this season, so make plans now to go out and enjoy the show on Saturday, September 1, by The Kind Thieves, a Jam/Americana band. Pack a picnic or pick up a to-go order at a nearby restaurant, bring your lawn chairs or blankets, and come dance the night away, or simply sit back, relax and let the sounds carry you away. The show starts at 6:00 P.M. While Saturdays on Pine are winding up for the season, Friday Night Live at Town Square is just hitting its stride and will continue to delight crowds with concerts through mid-October. Shows start at 6:00 P.M. and the September lineup is a great one, bringing back bands that have delighted crowds throughout the season. On Friday, September 7, Curtis Blackwell and The Bluegrass Boys will take the stage; September 14, crowd favorite The Johnny Webb Band returns for a show; September 21 will feature the Mountain Dulcimer Group; and September 28, the Silly Ridge Roundup closes out the month. Visitors and locals alike appreciate the chance to gather downtown on Friday nights and enjoy the sounds of traditional mountain music at Friday Night Live. For more information about Saturdays on Pine or Friday Night Live, visit highlandschamber.org or call (828) 526-2112.

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Curtis Blackwell


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EVENTS

CROQUET FOR CAUSE BY ELIZABETH SPAULDING | BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands fuel an entire year of activities with pair of Fun Croquet Fundraisers.

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ig Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers hosted its Fourth Annual Croquet Tournament fundraiser this summer. There were 48 players from a variety of clubs on the Plateau. We’d like to thank Country Club of Sapphire Valley for providing courts and hosting the luncheon for our tournament. In addition to playing on these beautiful courts, the players also enjoyed competing for different titles, such as Best Dressed, Best Shot of the Day, and many more. Restaurants and local businesses were generous in donations for the prizes we awarded. Table 64, Ugly Dog, The Orchard, Madison’s,

Micah’s, and The Zookeeper donated gift certificates for these prizes. The overall winners, Pat Cunningham and Peter Carlin, received the Grand Prize, which was donated by Old Edwards Inn for an overnight stay at OEI and dinner for two at Madison’s. This event proved to be both fun and beneficial to the program’s growing needs. BBBS of Cashiers and Highlands are responsible for annual fundraising in order to keep their programs thriving. This year, Highlands’ branch will be hosting a croquet championship on September 12 at Highlands Falls Country Club. Players of all

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skill levels are invited to take part in this fun event for a great cause. We are always looking for additional mentors of all ages who would like to commit to being a part of a child’s life. Cashiers and Highlands’ branches offer both school-based and community-based programs that allow our volunteers flexibility and fun. If you would like more information about mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers, please contact Elizabeth Spaulding at (904) 206-3525 or email cashiers@bbbswnc.org.


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EVENTS

BALANCE AND BLISS

Anna Russ (left) and Old Edwards; culinary and farm assistant Hannah Delany (right).

BY JENNY KING | PHOTOS BY GINGER MOSELEY

Half-Mile Farm is hosting a plunge into the glories of life well-lived with Anna Russ’ Luxury Wellness Retreat, September 23-25.

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alf-Mile Farm is the setting for a glorious luxury wellness retreat September 23–25. Old Edwards Inn and Spa is bringing Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbal Formulator Anna Russ to these serene surroundings just minutes from downtown Highlands to lead this Balance and Bliss retreat. Learn how to feed and properly nourish yourself by turning your kitchen in to your very own personal apothecary. You’ll find out how to create delicious meals using the perfect spices, foods, and preparations for your body’s unique needs. Ayurveda provides the tools for a fully integrated approach to the health of your body, mind, and spirit. Anna Russ has studied under Deepak Chopra and David Frawley, key leaders in the field of Ayurveda, and received her certification through Sai Ayurvedic College. She is committed to helping people lead meaningful, healthy lives, naturally. Experience the benefits of Teaney, Anna’s own tea and honey elixir cocktails at social hour and enjoy morning nature walks and light movement. You’ll discover whole plants for body and skin and learn how to deeply care for your skin, then how to create your own skincare products. Relax and re-center with guided meditations and take time for yourself in nature. Half-Mile Farm is a luxury country inn in the beautiful countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its guest rooms and cabins at Half-Mile feature hardwood floors and rustic-chic decor with modern luxuries to create a relaxing mountain getaway. Immerse yourself in the comforts of sumptuous bedding, relaxed furnishings, and gas fireplaces. Take a romantic paddle on Apple Lake or a dip in the heated hillside mineral pool. You’ll have plenty of time to rest, enjoy dinner in town, book an appointment at the Spa at Old Edwards Inn, or participate in any of the many group activities. Rest, relax, recover, and replenish at the Balance and Bliss Wellness Retreat, September 23–25. To plan your luxury wellness retreat, call (828) 787-2635 or (828) 787-2620.

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EVENTS

TO MARKET BY JENNY KING

As we enter the days that Keats called the “Season of Mellow Fruitfulness,” Highlands Marketplace celebrates the glories of life on the Plateau.

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very Saturday through the month of October, you’ll find local farmers, growers, and artisans at KelseyHutchinson Founders Park for Highlands Marketplace. It’s the ideal place to shop for the freshest, most nutritious foods around. From 8:0 0 A.M. til noon, vendors will have their tents and stalls set up for your shopping pleasure. There are many reasons to shop at the Marketplace, but everyone has their own motivation. If you’re someone who really cares about the quality of produce, it’s a no-brainer. You get to meet the folks that planted and harvested your greens, potatoes, berries, and beans. They’ll tell you

when they picked their produce, even how it’s planted and farmed. You don’t find that kind of personal attention when buying a cellophane-wrapped bag of spinach. If you’re looking to try new things, you’re in the right place. If you head to the park in search of broccoli or tomatoes, you may find they’re no longer in season. And guess what? You get to try something new! Expand your menu with a bag of golden beets or French radishes. Highlands is known for its flowers and gardens, and thanks to the market, you’ll be able to find some beautiful fresh flowers to use in your home. They’ll look perfect with the art you’ll find there on Saturday morn-

ings. Artisans of all types are available to share their talents with you and it’s a great place to do some gift shopping, too. If you have children or grandchildren, let them come along as you shop to get a whole new perspective of where their food comes from. They love visiting the different vendors and watching all the people who start their weekend with baskets filled with fresh eggs, baked goods, and honey. If you want to bring a pet, please make sure it’s on a leash. Highlands Marketplace is held at Founders Park on Pine Street in downtown Highlands Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. until noon, May through October.

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EVENTS

RUBIES, GOLD & EMERALDS BY ANN SELF THE VILLAGE GREEN

A Village Nature Series presentation, set for September 25 at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers, explores the natural treasures beneath our feet and lining local trails.

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orth Carolina has a rich history of mining for gold and other precious metals. Many of these mines are located here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Rubies, gold, emeralds, and turquoise are among the more than 30 different minerals prospectors and rock hounds searched for. The Village Nature Series will explore the prospecting landscape and history of mines with a program presented by Western Carolina University Professor Trip Krenz. “Digging Rocks” will be at 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, September 25, at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers. Geological activity formed the wide variety of minerals that can now be found in the Southern Appalachians. As a result of a continental collision 40 0 million years ago, molten rock was forced into the cracks in a dark rock called gneiss. Because the rock cooled very slowly, huge deposits of minerals formed. Today, geologists find minerals like quartz, feldspar, mica, and gemstones. Many of these rocks and minerals are widely apparent on a number of popular hiking trails in the area. The Village Nature Series is sponsored by the HighlandsCashiers Land Trust and The Village Green. Each month, May through September, residents and visitors can attend a free presentation to learn more about the natural and cultural features of this area. The programs are always at 5:30 P.M. the last Tuesday of each month at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road near the post office in Cashiers. For more information on The Village Nature Series you can visit The Village Green website at www.villagegreencashiersnc.com and click on the “Events” tab.

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EVENTS

COMMUNITY HUB BY EMILY CROWELL

Through its suite of activities for all ages, Hudson Library maintains its status as the cornerstone of the Highlands community.

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ublic libraries, in order to survive, must identify and meet the needs of the communities they inhabit. Hudson Library is a vital part of Highlands and is always looking for ways to get more Highlanders inside its doors, especially through community partnerships. Walk into Hudson Library on any given day and evidence of its connection with the surrounding community abounds, from free maps of local hiking trails and waterfalls to the rotating collection of Bascom-owned art on its walls. “Hudson Library is truly a community hub,” says librarian Carlyn Morenus. “Folks come here for books and movies, for computer and wi-fi access, and more broadly, to connect with the community and the world. We are very pleased to partner with many organizations around Highlands to help make this happen. Events such as the monthly Community

Coffee with Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor provide an important forum for exchange of information and the opportunity for open discussion.” Community Coffee is sponsored by different local organizations and draws 40+ people. It’s usually held on the last Friday of each month—come see what all the fuss is about! The younger and youngest generations will also find a multitude of welcomes at Hudson Library. “Children are both our present and our future, so I’m especially pleased that we have been able to expand our efforts in that direction. For example, The Mountain brought their summer campers to the library for special programs this summer, as did Highlands Parks & Recreation’s summer camp,” Carlyn says. “This year we [also] started an afterschool program, Kids Zone,

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which runs every Thursday afternoon, where we offer a variety of engaging programs for school-aged children. That has continued through the summer as well, with activities ranging from Rock Painting to Lego Club. And in the fall, we’ll be able to add even more excitement with the addition of makerspace items such as robotics and 3D printing, as well as a new partnership with The Bascom, which will explore the connections between stories and art.” If you’re part of an organization that wants to be a part of the library excitement, call Carlyn at (828) 526-3031 or email her at cmorenus@fontanalib.org. As always, the Hudson is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. and Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Be careful dodging those post-Labor Day tumbleweeds as you make your way to the library at 554 Main Street.


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EVENTS

BALDAROO FESTIVAL BY A.J. STEWART

Jay Drummonds

The grand Baldaroo Festival, now in its third incarnation, is set for September 15 at Fairfield Lake in Sapphire. It’s a jolly party that benefits the young charges of the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau.

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t takes a village to raise a child, and the children that live here on the Plateau could not ask for a better village! Since 2014, the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau has been enriching the lives of students at Blue Ridge School and Summit Charter School through after school tutoring programs, summer camps, and a future vision of programs for middle and high school students. “Over a third of the students that attend Blue Ridge and Summit are enrolled in the Club,” says Chairman of the Board Allen Tansil. “We want them to continue to attend and benefit from the club as they continue into middle school.” To help fund these programs and future expansions, the Boys and Girls Club will be hosting their Third Annual Baldaroo Festival on September 15 at Fairfield Lake at the base of Bald Rock Mountain in Sapphire. The festival bids farewell to the summer season with a line up of renowned local artists including Jay Drummonds, Hurricane Creek, and Georgia natives, the Kurt Thomas

Band. The gates open at 4:00 P.M. and Hurricane Creek will take the stage at 5:00 P.M. Find a seat or make your way down to the dance floor. A fantastic selection of food trucks will be available to satisfy that appetite you work up, or if you’d rather, you’re welcome to bring a picnic and a bottle of wine. The proceeds from the Festival go directly to the Boys and Girls Club. The Club’s mission is to help the children of the Plateau reach their full potential, as successful students and responsible citizens. Each day begins with an hour of homework help and tutoring. During the summer months, the club takes advantage of the local landscape by organizing field trips and day hikes. There are three tiers of tickets available for purchase. VIP tickets are $75 and include preferred seating and other special perks. General admission for hillside seating is $40 for ages 12 and over. Ages six to 10 are $10, and children under six get in free. Tickets for college students are just $25. For more information, please visit baldaroo.com and bgcplateau.org.

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The Kurt Thomas Band


EVENTS

CRAFT BEER NIGHT BY LUKE OSTEEN

Music, craft brews, and marvelous bar bites are on tap at Highlands Rotary’s Craft Beer Night, Thursday, September 20, at The Farm. And dancing, lots and lots of dancing.

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ighlanders used to gather at Helen’s Barn on Saturday nights for evenings of music, dancing, and all sorts of refreshments. Those celebrations were so joyous, in fact, more than a few Highlanders got their start in the Helen’s Barn Parking Lot. If you miss those days when Helen’s Barn was the place to gather for an evening’s worth of dancing and kick-your-heels-up celebration, or maybe you missed those days altogether, mark your calendar for the Fourth Annual Rotary Craft Beer Night at The Farm. Raise the roof, raise a pint, raise a sweat, and raise some funds at this great annual party. It’ll be staged from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on Thursday, September 20, at The Farm at Old Edwards. This fun evening brings together locals and visitors to enjoy some of the best that Highlands has to offer, all in Highlands’ premier venue. Participants will enjoy a wide variety of local and regional craft beers and lite bites from area restaurants. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will also be served, but you must be at least 21 years old to attend. Revelers will also be treated to great rockin’ music, perfect for cutting loose on the dance floor. Setting the pace for the evening is Timeless Highway with Tommy Dodd on steel guitar. Timeless Highway has earned a national reputation for its exuberant rockin’ Country Swing Music. Once again sponsored by Diane and Ray McPhail, this musical act is perfect for the kind of dancing that made Helen’s Barn central to the social scene of old-time Highlands. Cost of the evening is $50 per person. Tickets and reserved tables are on sale at www. rotarycraftbeer.eventbrite.com . All of the funds raised by this event will benefit the programs and projects of The Rotary Club of Highlands. Sponsors include Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Laurel Magazine, Diane and Ray McPhail, and The Ugly Dog Public House. For more information about the evening, email rotarycraftbeer@yahoo.com.

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EVENTS

CASHIERS LIBRARY BY LUKE OSTEEN

Author Patty Smith will illuminate her family’s struggle with addiction and the long, perilous journey to recovery with a program at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, Friday, September 14.

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lbert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library will present a lecture by Patty Smith, author of “Beyond Rock Bottom: Escaping the Dark Hole of Addiction,” at 3:00 P.M. Friday, September 14. The book, written with her son Grayson, chronicles Grayson’s deep addiction and how the two of them found recovery. The presentation is free and open to everyone. Ms. Smith, who lives in Cashiers, will outline the experience of her family, recognizing that families across the Plateau and across the country are facing the same issues. “This is our separate journey to a world of health and freedom,” she says. “I’ll explain what life was like for us, what happened for us to want to change and what life is like now. “Grayson started drinking cough medi-

cine at 14-years-old and by the time he was 15 he was taking pills, drinking, and smoking pot. I was at my wits’ end trying to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it. His drug use increased rapidly and I’ll never forget his phone call after what could have been a fatal car wreck. We tried all kinds of things to help him: therapy, changing schools, self-help books, and stricter rules, but things only got worse. I got worse, consumed by awful thoughts of ‘what ifs.’” “We sent him to rehab and then watched him move out West at 20. I began to let go of him as my attention shifted to the needs of our middle son, also battling addiction. Our family was falling apart and I learned I was powerless over addiction. “In my desperate search for answers, I began to see what recovery for me would

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take. I walked back in on myself and took control of my life, and in time, began to heal. Grayson, in his own journey and desperation, eventually found recovery for himself. Be assured that writing this paragraph of sixty-six words, however, doesn’t begin to convey the heartache, frustration, and struggle. “Our lives became unmanageable and at different points we surrendered to God and applied the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. “Today, we both enjoy the freedom that recovery brings. I live my life and recovery and he lives his life and recovery. Separately, we pursue physical, emotional and spiritual health. We do this one day at a time.” Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is located at 249 Frank Allen Road. For more information, call (828) 743-0215.


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EVENTS

AUTUMN’S OPENING ACT BY WILEY SLOAN | PHOTOS BY MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN

Dahlias in all their beguiling shapes and colors will take center stage over the course of three days at the Dazzling Dahlia Festival, September 6 through 8.

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all is in the air. Before long the trees will be ablaze with color. Dahlias, in a stunning array of colors and shapes, are in full bloom. Come celebrate the beauty of the Dahlia at the Highlands Historical Society’s Eighth annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival on September 6 through 8. On Thursday, September 6, Highlands Country Club will host patrons as they reminisce about Highlands’ place in Hollywood history. “Highlands & Hollywood” will highlight Highlands’ starring role in “The Four Seasons,” a 1981 romantic comedy starring Alan Alda and Carol Burnett. Come learn about Highlands’ part of film history! Saturday September 8, the Dazzling Dahlia Flower Exhibition will be held at the Highlands Rec Center. An amateur show with garden club-certified judges allows everyone, even children, the chance to share their beautiful blooms. For $15, participants can enter up to eight blooms into the show. Flowers are accepted Friday, September 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. and Saturday, September 8, from 8:00 until 10:00 A.M. Flowers are judged and ribbons are awarded before the public begins their viewing at 1:00 P.M. Tickets for the Dahlia Exhibit are only $ 5 per person. Purchase one of the beautiful arrangements for your home and get one to give to a neighbor. Dahlias are as varied and unique as people. They come in every size and shape, from dinner plate size to orchid shapes. Colors range from white to crimsons so dark they appear black. After you’ve toured the exhibit and compared your winners to those of the judges, be sure to stay for the seminar led by Jodie Zahner of Chattooga Gardens in Cashiers. You will be wowed by Jodie’s knowledge of the dahlia and will want to incorporate some of her tips into your garden routine. Support Highlands Historical Society and be inspired by nature’s bountiful gifts of color and shape. Go to Highlandshistory.com for patrons’ party tickets and more information, or email Kim Daugherty at gatorsinparadise@ gmail.com with your questions.

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EVENTS

GROWING A VISION BY ANN SELF THE VILLAGE GREEN

An exciting vision of the future of the Village Green begins with a pair of public forums, September 5 and 25.

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he Village Green is Growing a Vision for Cashiers, to raise funds for construction of a multi-use year-round facility in the 13-plus acre privately-conserved public park. The goal of the campaign is to extend the mission of The Village Green by enhancing the lives of residents and visitors to Cashiers. The facility will host an array of events such as civic forums, musical and theatrical performances, educational programs, and religious services. The Village Green has raised $2.5 million to-

ward the goal of $3.5 million for this community project. The Village Green has several opportunities for public participation in Growing a Vision for Cashiers. Two public information forums will be held during the month of September. The first will be at 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 5 and another at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 25. Both opportunities will be at The Village Green Commons. Members of the community will also be able to help with framing the building dur-

ing a “timber raising� event. A date for this event will be announced later. Other events will include two public informational forums in late summer as well as a tour of construction progress at certain points. The Village Green is also accepting donations toward funding this capital improvement program. To learn more about Growing a Vision for Cashiers or to make a donation visit VillageGreenCashiersNC.com, email info@villagegreencashiersnc.com or call (828) 743-3434.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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EVENTS

109 YEARS OF CONSERVATION BY JULIE SCHOTT HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS LAND TRUST

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is dedicated to preserving the rich natural heritage that’s embroidered into the Plateau.

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eople visit the Plateau for many reasons – golf, shopping, family reunions. But once here, they come to appreciate other things even more – mountain air wafting across meadows; clear water babbling over boulders; soft breezes rustling leaves; singing, calling, chirping birds; a strutting turkey, the glimpse of a bobcat. They take a hike, climb a mountain, raft a river, or wade a creek. They wish they could stay forever. Enjoying the serenity of the mountains costs nothing. But it does take a great deal of work and treasure to protect the tranquil landscapes we crave. While the Plateau is lucky enough to be embedded in a national forest, the government manages land for

a diversity of reasons, and land use in the national forest can change, based on the government’s changing priorities. So, it falls to citizens who cherish wild landscapes to protect private lands so as to enhance our lives now, and to ensure the same for our great-grandchildren and their children. The most effective way for individuals to protect land is to join like-minded people at non-profit land conservation organizations, such as land trusts. Land trusts use a variety of methods to conserve and protect land. They accept gifts of property, negotiate easement agreements, and raise funds to purchase and maintain their properties. The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust has been protecting land since 1909 when

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Highlanders bought the summit of Satulah to protect it for future generations. Thanks to those with foresight, today we are able to enjoy the natural treasures that made so many of us fall in love with these mountains. On Saturday, September 29, come celebrate this special place during HCLT’s annual “Satulah-bration!” Come out for our popular Chili Cook-off at Founders Park – enter your chili or be a judge! For more information about the celebration or how to become involved with HCLT and our mission visit hicashlt.org or contact us at info.hitrust@earthlink.net or (828) 5291111. Together we can protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and healthy habitats for all.


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PICK YOUR PUMPKIN BY WILEY SLOAN

It’s really not a Highlands autumn without pumpkins from Highlands United Methodist Church’s front yard patch.

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here has the summer gone? It’s hard to believe that the leaves are beginning to turn as the night air turns crisp. Another sentinel event of the fall in Highlands is the annual Pumpkin Patch operated by the youth at Highlands United Methodist Church. Support the youth as they change lives – both their’s and the people that they serve. Funds from this project underwrite their Spring and Summer Youth Missions. Beginning the first week in October, the front lawn of the church on Main Street and the grassy area in front of the new Faith & Fellowship Center (access via Third Street)

will be filled with pumpkins. Pumpkin prices are super affordable ranging from $1(ittybitty ones) to $50 (XXL). Bulk orders are appreciated. If you need six or more, the HUMC Youth can fulfill that need. Just call the Church Office at (828) 526-3376 or e-mail christinehumc@icloud. com no later than September 21. Challenge your neighbors to a pumpkin decorating contest with pumpkins from the HUMC Youth Pumpkin Patch. Plan to have lunch with the youth on Saturday, October 6, from 10:0 0 A.M to 2:0 0 P.M. Enjoy grilled hot dogs, chips, and a drink

for $5, or grilled bratwurst, chips, and a drink for $6. Home-baked goods will be available to satisfy your sweet tooth. Take some home to freeze in case unexpected guests drop in. Children always enjoy face painting, fall coloring pages, and photos made with friends. Bring the kids and grandkids and make it a day. If you can’t make the Festival or don’t have a place for a pumpkin, but want to support the youth, send your checks to HUMC at P.O. Box 1959, Highlands, NC 28741 (MEMO: Youth Missions) or visit highlandsmethodist.org to give online.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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TOUR DE CASHIERS BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The 26th Annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling and Running Event, slated for Saturday, September 15, sets the pace for athletes of all skill levels.

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he 26th annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling and Running Event rolls out on Saturday, September 15, at 8:00 A.M. from The Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center on Frank Allen Road. Riders make the pilgrimage to Cashiers for this annual event, which has earned a reputation as one of the premier events in the Southeast, with its challenging ascents and thrilling descents. Once again this year Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, a Mission Health Hospital, is the proud Premier Event Sponsor. More than 300 cyclists dedicate their day to the challenge of one of several routes: Quarter-Century (25 miles), Metric (62 miles), or Century Race director Tony Hammett (100 miles). Peak Racing Events, who have event with exciting plans for this year and transformed the Jekyll Island Ride into a destination event, has partnered to years to come: “We continue to plan for this fun and exciting weekend in Cashiers. We direct this event, and they will be providing operational support throughout. The Tour are happy to help grow the ride and introduce the 5k run with more ideas on the horide Cashiers promises a weekend of enjoyable activities for riders, runners, and their zon for the future.� In addition to the weekend race and families. Race director Tony Hammett of rides, everyone should plan on attendPeak Racing Events is excited to be helping ing the Baldaroo concert scheduled for this event grow into a weekend destination the evening of September 15, which ben-

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efits the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau. Joining Peak Racing Events staff will be community volunteers and regional fire departments, rescue squads, and local law enforcement agencies who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and comfort of the riders. Other generous community sponsors include Gold Sponsors Hampton Inn & Suites; Landmark Realty Group; Whiteside Brewing Co.; Iezzi Custom Homes; Mountainworks and WHLC FM 104.5. Silver Sponsors Laurelwood Inn, Baldaroo, Slab Town Pizza; Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company; Cashiers Color Center; and Jackson County Recreation Department. Bronze sponsors include The Corner Toy Store; The Orchard Restaurant; Camp MerrieWoode; Glenville Wellness Place; and Cornucopia Restaurant. More sponsors will be announced post-publication deadline. For more information on sponsorship or volunteering, contact the Cashiers Area Chamber at (828) 743-5191 or info@CashiersAreaChamber.com. Early rider registration at $60 is available at TourdeCashiers.


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ART IS IN THE AIR BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The 38th Highlands Arts and Crafts Show is a showcase for the fruits of this vibrant, creative community.

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he Town of Highlands celebrates the 38th Highlands Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, October 13, from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Highlands Civic Center at 600 North Fourth Street. Admission and parking to this event are free. Autumn is a season ripe for exploring all the bounty our area has to offer. For many, autumn is the season to visit craft shows, and the Highlands Own Craft Show has become a regional favorite. Boasting over 60 artisans, this show is big enough to offer something for everyone, but even with its phenomenal growth over the years, it still manages to keep that local flavor.

Make plans now to stock your cupboards from the wide assortment of home-baked cakes, pies, cookies, fudge, and breads, as well as jams, jellies, preserves, pickles, sauces, and other homecanned goods available. There is also always a wide selection of arts and crafts of every imaginable kind – wood-working; fine handcrafted furniture; Christmas wreaths, ornaments, and gifts; woven items; items in stone and clay; paintings; drawings; handcrafted knives; jewelry; candles; scarves and other textiles; hand-blown glass; woodworking; pottery; and so much more. The colors of the season will be on full

display with many local gardeners sharing a wide assortment of dried flowers and arrangements, or choose from the large assortment of Japanese lanterns, dried hydrangeas, and other dried flowers and herbs sold here and create your own unique creation. All that shopping will make you hungry, so while you’re at the show you’ll want to enjoy the fresh food prepared by Fressers. Just another one of the many reasons that make this craft show so enjoyable. Mark your calendars now to spend the morning or afternoon here. For more information, please call the Town of Highlands at (828) 526-2118.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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CASHIERS VALLEY LEAF FESTIVAL BY A.J. STEWART

With the dazzling Fall Foliage as a backdrop, the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival is a remarkable gallery for local artisans and crafters.

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ust because the summer season has ended, doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to see and do here on the Plateau. Our seasonal guests will be returning for one last visit to our beautiful mountains to witness Mother Nature replace her brilliant green dress with her cloak of gold, red, and orange. The Village Green takes advantage of this transitional season to host the 10th annual Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival on Columbus Day weekend. Selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Tourism Events in October, the Leaf Festival is the perfect place to get a head start on your Christmas shopping. On October 5 –7, over 100 vendors will spread out across the 13-acre park, showcasing beautiful woodworks, metalworks, fiberworks, and pottery. One of a kind pieces like jewelry, paintings, and photography will sit alongside specialty food vendors and their selection of soup and dip mixes. A concert on the Green on Friday night is the perfect send off for the incredible season we have had. If you can’t make it Friday night, catch one of the other concerts that will be held throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday on the Green and at the Gazebo. Lunch will be available at one of the many food trucks. Hosted by the Village Green, the Leaf Festival will also showcase a juried art show. Be one of the thousands of ‘leafers’ that come to the Plateau to see our dramatic landscape in the most beautiful season of the year. As always, the Leaf Festival is free to attend. Come celebrate the end of another beautiful summer on the Plateau.

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FALL FESTIVAL BY JENNY KING

Highlands School’s Fall Festival, set for Saturday, October 6, is a beloved town tradition.

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ake sure all electronic devices are turned off, grab the fam, and get ready for a night of hands-on fun at the annual Highlands School Fall Festival, Saturday October 6, at the Highlands Rec Park. This fundraiser has been a tradition for many generations and has seen its fair share of changes over the decades. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the abundant fun for all ages. Take a look around and see lots of smiles as staff and students from Highlands School set up games of chance, raffles, face painting, and more. You’ll see even the coolest teenager grin as they help with the haunted house or cakewalk. It’s a testament to the power of intergenerational interaction. All month students have been preparing for this night by creating themed boxes for the silent auction. In years past, themes have included camping, kitchen and cooking, party, and international food. It’s al-

ways fun to see what exciting items fill these boxes that you get to bid on. Local businesses get into the act by offering raffles for everything from gas, groceries, and dining, and the PTO will be serving food throughout the evening. The fall festival is a PTO fundraiser but it is primarily organized by the senior class to pay for their caps and gowns for graduation. They run most of the booths and build the entire haunted house themselves. Tickets are only 25 cents a piece for each activity and raffle tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your family and it’s all for an undeniably great

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cause, supporting Highlands School. The Fall Festival is a tradition for many families who look forward to this evening each year and it’s not too late for you to start your own tradition. Make plans to attend the Highlands School PTO’s annual Fall Festival, Saturday, October 6, from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Highlands Rec Park.


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THE EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT BY A.J. STEWART

The Empty Bowls Project recognizes the plight of the impoverished on the Plateau.

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hen was the last time you ate a hot meal? Was it a chicken biscuit this morning? Or maybe it was that juicy steak you had for dinner last night. Even if it was a cold cut sandwich, you probably spent more time just trying to decide where to get it from. But for many people, where their next meal is going to come from is the least of their worries. Nearly 1 in 5 people in Jackson and Macon County fall below the poverty line. Faced with gnawing hunger and food insecurity, they may not know when they’ll get to eat again. You can help ease that uncertainty by participating in the Empty Bowls Project. On Sunday, October 7th, the Fishes and Loaves

Pantry in Cashiers and The Highlands Food Pantry will serve a humble meal of soup and bread served in a handmade bowl. These bowls are lovingly crafted by local artists and donated to the project. The soups are provided by various local restaurants. For a nominal donation, guests enjoy the warm meal and take the bowl home as a reminder of their generosity. The donations help the Pantries in their never-ending quest to fill the bowls of others. The Pantries are operated solely by volunteers that give their time throughout the year to keep the doors open for anyone that may need it. The Empty Bowls Project started in 1990 as a fund raiser for a Michigan high school.

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The bowls were created by art students and used to serve a simple meal. Since then, Empty Bowls has spread across the nation, bringing local artists and charities together to support food banks and pantries and bring awareness to the grim reality of chronic hunger. In Cashiers, visit the Orchard Restaurant Event Barn from 12:00-2:00 and purchase your bowl and meal for $25. In Highlands, pick up your bowl at Coleman Hall at First Presbyterian Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $25. For more information, contact Carole Stork in Cashiers at (828) 743-3222, or The International Friendship Center in Highlands at (828) 526-0890.


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RECOVERY MINISTRIES BY PRISCILLA WODEHOUSE

A gathering in Asheville will examine the challenges and promise at the heart of addiction recovery.

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he 35th Annual Gathering of the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church is taking place at All Souls’ Cathedral in Asheville, North Carolina Thursday, September 27 through Saturday, September 29. This event is an opportunity for education, fellowship, great food and good music. People from all over the country come to meet others either in recovery or interested in learning more about the epidemic of addiction that is overwhelming our country. Only recently have we started to pay attention to issues that might fuel substance abuse and addiction. We have long known that people overuse substances and behaviors such as food, gambling, and sex to self-medicate. We are looking closely at the role trauma may have played in the development of the

addiction. Understanding that instead of just focusing on healing the wounds of addiction, we must look for past traumas, and heal those wounds also. Speakers will include Kelly McGillis; Twyla Wilson, clinical social worker; Roxanne Ellington, LCAS; Donna Eash, MSW; Ginger Edwards, psychotherapist; the Rev. Jan Brown, Founder/Executive Director of SpiritWorks for the Soul; and Chris Budnick, peer specialist. Ms.McGillis will tell her life story and her impact on the recovery population. In addition to the speakers, a Recovery Eucharist will be held in the Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:30 A.M. with the Diocesan Bishop celebrating and retired Bishop Porter Taylor as preacher. Workshops will range from Adolescent Addiction and Recovery to Enabling, Codependency, Addiction Medi-

cine and Relapse. During the three-day celebration of the “The New Face of Recovery,” guests will enjoy local cuisine of barbecue accompanied by bluegrass music and mountain dancing, tours of local highlights and the beautiful Biltmore Estate as well as roaming around Biltmore Square. Registration for the event is $250. Youth are encouraged to come to the workshops, which for them is free. There is a special $25 charge for clergy and a special day rate of $50, without meals. Everyone is welcome from every denomination. This is a great opportunity to listen to the experts discuss the growing lethal addiction problem in our area. For more information, please email wncrecovery@gmail.com or pdwodehouse@ icloud.com or visit wncrecovery.org,

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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SKY VALLEY FALL FESTIVAL BY JENNY KING

The Sky Valley Fallfest revels in the splendid glories of autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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he Fifth Annual Sky Valley Fallfest is scheduled for Saturday, October 20, from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Fallfest activities take place adjacent to the beautiful Sky Valley Golf and Country Club. Visitors will be treated to hayrides throughout the day taking you to the valley’s magnificent waterfall, a crystal-clear falls with a vertical drop of 100 feet that flows into the beautiful Estatoah Falls. If you’re a connoisseur of cars, you won’t want to miss the car show. Unique cars and trucks ranging from the classics to the new trend-setters will start rolling into the Lodge parking lot by 10 A.M. There is no registration fee to enter and everyone is welcome. Collector dash plaques will be given to the first 100 entries. Trophies will be awarded at 3:00 P.M. The Fallfest has activities for all ages. Arts and crafts vendors will have their wares for sale. There will be plenty of food and kids of all ages will enjoy the pumpkin painting and inflatable games. There will be live music from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. featuring Dos Blues Guys and Heart of Pine. Back by popular demand is the Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest beginning at 1:30 P.M. There may even be some furry little friends on site for adoption. Finally, you won’t want to miss the Hay Bale Trail, which features whimsically decorated hay bales scattered throughout the city. This is a timehonored tradition in Sky Valley since 1998 and a combined effort of the talented and imaginative people in the community. University Row was added in 2017 highlighting some of the valley’s favorite football teams, hay bale style. Everyone anxiously waits to see the creative displays and hay bales come to life each year. Parking shuttles will be available from the posted event parking areas within the valley. Admission is free and the photo opportunities are priceless. For more information call the Sky Valley offices at (706) 746-2204.

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HIGHLANDS FOOD & WINE BY JENNY KING

Celebrity Chefs and carefully composed menus form the centerpiece of the 2018 Highlands Food and Wine Festival.

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he planets have aligned to lure stars of the culinary and musical worlds here for the Highlands Food and Wine Festival, November 8-11. Visit HighlandsFoodAndWine.com for a complete list of all the talent who will be participating in this, the most popular food, wine, and music event in the Southeast. You’ll see bios of chefs from all over the region, like Jason Daly of Warehouse Kitchen and Bar in Charleston, South Carolina. Chef Jason Daly is a huge addition to this year’s line up, and he’ll be cooking at the Main Event and the Gospel Brunch. Chef Daly is well-known nationally for his tenure on The Food Network’s, “Chopped,” which featured him creating Surf & Turf-themed plates utilizing land and sea resources against other highprofile chefs. An up-and-coming addition to Charleston’s ever-growing culinary scene, Daly grad-

uated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2011 and has run kitchens from Savannah and Austin to Boston and Portland, Maine. Whether having worked under Michelin-starred chefs in New York City, securing AAA Four-Diamond Awards in Savannah, or winning Maine’s Food and Cocktail Pairing competition, Chef Jason always strives for excellence and pushes the boundaries in his kitchen. Daly chose to take part in the Food and Wine Festival because of its rich diversity in chefs and culinary styles. “Some of the best chefs from the Southeast Region will be showcasing their talent and technique and I was honored to be asked to be a part of that,” he explained. “I plan to prepare my creative take on New England Clam Chowder for the Main Event. I smoke my clams and deconstruct the dish down to its basic elements and highlight each one sepa-

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Chef Jason Daly rately, so that when it all comes together each ingredient is clearly defined and noticeable. “For the Gospel Brunch, I’ll prepare two styles of Eggs Benedict. One is a New England-inspired approach, featuring house gincured salmon, red onion, poached eggs, and a roasted tomato and caper hollandaise. The other version features rosemary-roasted prime rib, fresh tomato, pickled red onions, and a truffled smoked paprika hollandaise. Both are equally as decadent as each other; I’m a sucker for big, bold flavors!” For a complete list of all activities, tickets, and everything you need to know about the Highlands Food and Wine Festival, visit HighlandsFoodAndWine.com. It’s quickly becoming the highlight of November in the Southeast.


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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS BY ANN SELF | THE VILLAGE GREEN

Every dog (and cat and goat and chicken and possum(?)) has its day – in Cashiers, it’s the Blessing of the Animals, September 29 at The Village Commons.

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he Blessing of the Animals is a tradition in the Cashiers community started by the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Cashiers area churches will observe this annual event at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 29, at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road. Bring a chair to this gathering with animals that features music and prayer in celebration of all God’s creatures great and small. Each animal receives a special blessing.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation for the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society. Besides a monetary gift, items like blankets, rugs, towels, Milk Bones, unscented cat litter, and canned dog and cat food are useful as well as always needed. The Village Green will provide water and trash cans for the animals, which must be leashed or otherwise secured and under the owners’ control at all times.

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The tradition of animal or pet blessings is in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all of God’s creatures. St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4, wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things: “All praise to you, O Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” For more information, contact the Church of the Good Shepherd online at goodshepherdofcashiers.com or (828) 743-2359.


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SING IT FOR THE STUDENTS BY A.J. STEWART

The 11th Annual Songwriter’s Round, September 15 at Trillium Links & Lake Club, is a raucous, joyful night of music and fine dining, benefiting local students.

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n 2002, The Blue Ridge School Education Foundation was founded on the principle that “it takes a village.” Their mission is to support Blue Ridge School in providing quality education to the students of Cashiers, Glenville, and Sapphire, as well as the Early College, giving rising seniors a leg up on continuing their education. They believe that the cooperation and involvement of parents, businesses, and communities with the school and its administration is the foundation for success and pride for everyone. To help fund this goal, the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation will present the 11th annual Songwriter’s Round at Trillium Links & Lake Club on September 15. The sole fun-

Rivers Rutherford

draising event for the Foundation, the Songwriter’s Round features Grammy Award–winning songwriter Rivers Rutherford. Rivers visits Cashiers every year for the Round, accompanied by a group of fellow writers and entertainers. The doors will open at 6:30 P.M. for dinner and social hour. Local Features will be presented at 7:30 P.M., and the Round Concert will begin at 8:00 P.M. The Round will end around 10:00 P.M. The proceeds from this event directly benefit the school by providing supplemental resources to help the staff provide a more enriching educational experience for the students. The proceeds are generated by three tiers of participation. For $300, you can be a

Bronze sponsor and receive reserved seating with two tickets and a poster. Silver Sponsors, for $600, will receive all of the benefits of a Bronze sponsor in addition to two additional tickets and VIP parking with shuttle service. Gold Sponsors, for $1,500, will receive all of the benefits of Silver Sponsors, plus six additional tickets (for a total of 10) and a reserved table for the dinner and concert. All sponsors will receive recognition at the Round as well as in local advertising. Individual tickets are $100 and will be available at the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (828) 743-5191 or visit www.brsfoundation. com/songwriters-round.html.

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A SHORT STACK FOR A TALL CAUSE BY PEGGY PAYNE | SCALY MOUNTAIN WOMEN’S CLUB

Don’t miss the Scaly Mountain Women’s Club’s last pancake breakfast of 2018 – it’s a long wait until next spring. They’ll be serving up their legendary Chocolate Fantasy in October, though.

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ome join us for our last pancake breakfast of the season. The breakfast will be held at the Old Scaly School House on Buck Knob Road on Saturday, September 23. Breakfast is served from 8:00 until 10:30 A.M. There will be blueberry pancakes (berries are picked, washed, and frozen by members), plain pancakes, Blalock sausage, orange juice, and coffee. It is $6 for adults, $4 for children, and no charge for under five. The ladies of the club will be cooking and serving and you may spot some husbands manning the sausage station and flipping pancakes. It seems that everyone joins in to help the clubs quest to enable young students to further their educations. The club has four new scholarship students who graduated from Highlands school in May and will be added to their other scholarship students. The club ladies will have no down time as they are working

Scaly Mountain Women’s club prepare to serve up pancakes. (Left to Right): Diane Herring, Lydia Hall, Barbara Thomas, Susan Cillo.

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on their next fundraiser, the Chocolate Fantasy, to be held on Saturday, October 13, at the Highlands Own Craft Show at the Civic Center. The show begins at 8:0 0 A.M. and lasts until 4:0 0 P.M. This is an event not to be missed. These ladies know all things chocolate. The Scaly Mountain Women’s Club is a 501(c)3 organization and in addition to our scholars we support we support many local nson-profit and community services, among which are the Highlands Literacy Council, Sky Valley/Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Dept., The Highlands Emergency Council, and The Sid Weber Cancer Fund. For more information on Scaly Mountain Women’s club, visit scalymountaionwomensclub.org.


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BASCOM HAPPENINGS BY LIN SHEFFIELD THE BASCOM

There’s nothing sleepy about September at The Bascom!

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he season is beginning to slow down on The Plateau but we’re still full steam ahead with activity at The Bascom. We offer workshops, art by appointment, tours, and, of course, exhibits! Our workshops for the month of September include everything from painting, to wood working, to mixed media, to ceramics and more. Take a class with New Orleans-based Ann Strub. Ann will instruct on “Bold and Vivid Acrylics” September 5 through 7 or “Get Splashy” with Carol Conti and learn how to apply watercolor on textured surfaces, September 26 through 28. “Bowl Turning Intensive” with John Tagliarini is being offered September 19 through 21, so if woodturning is your thing, this is just for you. In our mixed media areas, “Creating Beautiful Artwork with Alcohol Inks”

with Dottie Bruce on September 8 will enlighten you on a relatively new art technique, and “Encaustics” with Sue Fazio, September 12 through 14, will melt away your fear of creating using wax as the main medium! In our ceramics department, we offer workshops in hand building, wheel throwing, glazing techniques, and more. Take a workshop with Colette Clark and create your version of “Saints and Sorcerers,” September 12 and 19 or pay “Attention to Detail” with Kyle Carpenter September 17 through 21, honing your throwing and decorating techniques. All of these areas of art also offer Art by Appointment. Sometimes, we just need a little one-on-one attention! This program works perfectly for beginning artists who need to establish a good foundation or for

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the advanced artists who need help with a particular technique. Just give us a call to book an appointment. Speaking of one-on-one attention, we offer guided tours of The Bascom. Schedule your group today and get a more in-depth look at how The Bascom was formed and what we offer. Don’t miss our cutting-edge exhibits that are always free to the public. On view for the month of September are Off the Wall in The Bunzl Gallery, Familiar Faces in The Joel Gallery and Homage in The Loft Galley. The Bascom is open year round Monday through Sunday. For more information, please visit our website at thebascom. org, give us a call at (828) 526-4949, or stop in at 323 Franklin Road. We are just across the covered bridge!


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FOUNDER’S DAY BY MARY JANE MCCALL

The Founder’s Day Celebration at the Zachary-Tolbert House is an immersive opportunity for young people to understand the early days of Cashiers.

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ashiers Historical Society hosts their 15th annual Founder’s Day Celebration on Thursday, September 27, this year. Now in its fifteenth year, the Historical Society hosts all third and fourth graders from Blue Ridge and Summit Charter Schools, as well as homeschoolers, for a celebration of the area’s roots, reflecting on life in the 19th century, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty. Music and dancing were central to the social life of early settlers, so the day will also include square dancing, taught by Mallory Carter of Brevard, with fiddle music supplied by her husband. Storytelling was another form of entertainment that our ancestors greatly enjoyed and students will be treated to traditional Appalachian tales, brought to life by nationally-celebrated storyteller Connie Regan-Blake. She will also teach the children a short sign language story. Once again this year, Dr. Gary Wein will be taking the students through a nature walk on the nature trails surrounding the Zachary-Tolbert House, discussing the local

flora and fauna, and being on the lookout for animal tracks to identify. Students will also be able to see wolves firsthand, thanks to Mountain Wildlife Outreach, which will present an informative program on wolves. Other activities scheduled are a tour of the Zachary-Tolbert House, games, crafts, a look at the heirloom garden with a story of the three sisters, and a few other surprises. Students bring their lunches and the entire group enjoys a picnic on the beautiful grounds of the Zachary-Tolbert House. Co-chairs Kathy Sanderson and Gloria Weir are coordinating this event for the third year and are enthusiastic about giving the students a fun day of learning what life was like for our early settlers. Sandi Rogers, the Chairwoman of Education and Events for the Cashiers Historical Society, is once again lending a hand with the event, as she has for the last 15 years. Founder’s Day was her brainchild 15 years ago when she was a teacher at Blue Ridge School, and she has enjoyed seeing it grow into a sustainable event supported by many community volunteers.

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EVENTS

WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONDAY • Daily Free Tastings,Highlands Wine Shoppe, (828) 526-4080. • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695. EVERY TUESDAY • Daily Free Tastings,Highlands Wine Shoppe, (828) 526-4080, www. highlandswineshoppe.com • Dulcimer Club meets at 9:00 A.M., at Kelsey Hutchinson Park. Free beginner lessons at the church at 1:30 P.M. (828) 743-3797 • Dulcimer Lessons - Intermediate Class 10:00 A.M., Beginners Noon, Highlands United Methodist church, (828) 787-1586. • Highlands Rotary Club, Noon, Highlands Community Center. • Duplicate Bridge, 1:00 P.M., Albert Carlton Library. (828) 743-0215. • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695. • Community Dinners, 6:00 P.M. Highlands Community Building. No charge for the meal. EVERY WEDNESDAY • Daily Free Tastings,Highlands Wine Shoppe, (828) 526-4080, www. highlandswineshoppe.com • Highlands Mountaintop Rotary, 5:30 P.M. Episcopal Church 500 Main Street, Highlands. • Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley, 8:00 A.M., Cashiers United Methodist Church, (828) 743-2243. • Children’s Storytime Hour 11:00 A.M. Albert Carlton Library, 828) 743-0215. • Cashiers Quilters Guild, 12:30 P.M., St Jude Catholic Church. • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:45 P.M., Highlands Civic Center. • Mah Jong Games, 1:00 P.M., Albert Carlton Library, (828) 743-0215. • Locally Grown on the Green Farmers Market, 3:00 to 6:00 P.M, Village Green Commons in Cashiers.. • Live Music, 7:00 to 9:00 P.M., Slabtown Pizza, (828) 743-0020. • Bluegrass with Nitrograss, 7:30 P.M., The Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands, (828) 526-8364. EVERY THURSDAY • Daily Free Tastings,Highlands Wine Shoppe, (828) 526-4080, www. highlandswineshoppe.com • Free Movie, 3:40 P.M., Albert Carlton Library, (828) 743-0215. • NAMI Appalachian South support group meeting 6:45 to 8:15 P.M. at 14 West. Palmer St., Franklin, (828) 526-9510. • Bluegrass 7:00 P.M., The Dog Pub in Cashiers, (828) 743-3000. EVERY FRIDAY • Daily Free Tastings,Highlands Wine Shoppe, (828) 526-4080, www. highlandswineshoppe.com • Duplicate Bridge Games, 12:45 P.M., Highlands Civic Center. • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695. • Live Music, 6:00 to 11:00 P.M., Hummingbird Lounge, (828) 787-2625. • Live Music, 7:00 P.M., On The Verandah, (828) 526-2338. • Live Music, The Ugly Dog Pub in Cashiers, (828) 743-3000. EVERY SATURDAY • Daily Free Tastings,Highlands Wine Shoppe, (828) 526-4080. • Highlands Marketplace, 8:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street. • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695. • Live Music, 6:00 to 11:00 P.M., Hummingbird Lounge, (828) 787-2625. • Live Music, 7:00 P.M., On The Verandah, (828) 526-2338. • Live Music 8:00 P.M.. The Ugly Dog Pub in Cashiers, (828) 743-3000. • Live Music 9:30 P.M.. The Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands, (828) 526-8364. EVERY SUNDAY • Movies, Highlands Playhouse 1:00 and 4:00 P.M., (828) 526-2695. • Live Music, 8:00 to 10:00 P.M., Hummingbird Lounge, (828) 787-2625. 60 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! • September 1-2: Art for A Cause, Cashiers Valley Rotary Club, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., The Gazebo and Lawn., (828) 743-3434. • Saturday, September 1: Saturdays on Pine, music by The Kind Thieves, 6:00 P.M., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, visit highlandschamber.org, (828) 526-2112. • Saturday, September 1: Groovin on the Green, music by The Boomers, 6:30 P.M., (828) 743-3434. • September 5-7: The Bascom painting class “Bold and Vivid Acrylics”, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • Wednesday, September 5: The Village Green Growing a Vision for Cashiers Public Forum, 4:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons, VillageGreenCashiersNC.com, info@ villagegreencashiersnc.com, (828) 743-3434. • September 5-7: The Bascom painting class “Bold and Vivid Acrylics”, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • Friday, September 7: Friday Night Live, music by Curtis Blackwell and The Bluegrass Boys Town Square, highlandschamber.org, (828) 526-2112. • September 8: The Bascom class “Creating Beautiful Artwork with Alcohol Inks”, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • Saturday September 8: Dazzling Dahlia Flower Exhibition, 1:00 P.M., Highlands Rec Center, Highlandshistory. com, gatorsinparadise@gmail.com. • Saturday, September 8: Highlands Lawn & Garden Customer Appreciation Celebration, 1:00 to 4:00 P.M., (828) 52602395, highlandslawnandgarden.com. • Sunday, September 9: Bel Canto, 4:00 P.M., Highlands Performing Arts Center, (828) 787-1463. • September 12-14: The Bascom class “Encaustics” using was as a main medium, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • September 12-19: The Bascom ceramics class “Saints and Sorcerers,”, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • Friday, September 14: Lecture by Patty Smith, author of “Beyond Rock Bottom: Escaping the Dark Hole of Addiction,” at 3:00 P.M., Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. • Friday, September 14: Friday Night Live, music by The Johnny Webb Band, Town Square, highlandschamber. org, (828) 526-2112. • September 14-15: The Carolina Gallery of Fine Art Landscape Workshop with Jon Houglum, (828) 526-3705. • Saturday, September 15: 26th annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling and Running Event, 8:00 A.M. Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center. Cashiers Area Chamber, (828) 743-5191, info@CashiersAreaChamber. com, TourdeCashiers.com. • Saturday, September 15: Baldaroo Festival, 4:00 P.M Fairfield Lake in Sapphire, www.bgcplateau.org. • Saturday, September 15: The Carolina Gallery of Fine Art exhibition, Contemporary Botanicals opening reception is 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., (828) 526-3705. • Saturday, September 15: 11th annual Songwriter’s Round to benefit the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation, 6:30 P.M., Trillium Links & Lake Club, Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, (828) 743-5191, www. brsfoundation.com/songwriters-round.html • Saturday, September 15: “O Sole Trio: Bravissimo

Broadway,” 8:00 P.M., Highlands Performing Arts Center, highlandspac.org, (828) 526-9047. • September 17- 21: The Bascom ceramics class “Attention to Detail” honing throwing and decorating techniques, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • September 19-21: The Bascom woodturning class. “Bowl Turning Intensive”, thebascom.org, (828) 526-4949. • Thursday, September 20: Smitten Third Thursday event featuring fiber artist Jude Stuecker, 5:30 P.M., (828) 526-9300. • Thursday, September 20: Highlands Rotary’s Craft Beer Night, 6:00 P.M., at The Farm, rotarycraftbeer@ yahoo.com . • Friday, September 21: Friday Night Live, music by Mountain Dulcimer Group, Town Square, highlandschamber.org, (828) 526-2112. • Saturday, September 22: Erin Knight Jewelry Trunk Show, The Look Boutique, (828) 200-9573, thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com • Saturday, September 22: “One Night in Memphis,” 8:00 P.M., Highlands Performing Arts Center, highlandspac. org, (828) 526-9047. • Saturday, September 23: Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 to 10:30 A.M., Old Scaly School House on Buck Knob Road, Scaly Mountain Women’s Club, scalymountaionwomensclub.org. • September 23-25: Balance and Bliss Wellness Retreat, Half Mile Farm, (828) 787-2635 or (828) 787-2620. • Tuesday, September 25: The Village Green Growing a Vision for Cashiers Public Forum, 4:00 P.M., The Village Green Commons, VillageGreenCashiersNC.com, info@ villagegreencashiersnc.com, (828) 743-3434. • Tuesday, September 25: Village Nature Series presentation “Digging Rocks” 5:30 P.M. at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers, www.villagegreencashiersnc. com. • Friday, September 28: Friday Night Live, music by Silly Ridge Roundup, Town Square, highlandschamber.org, (828) 526-2112. • Saturday, September 29: Venge Wine Dinner, On the Verandah, (828) 526-2338, ontheverandah.com. • September 26-28: The Bascom painting class “Get Splashy” watercolor on textured surfaces, thebascom. org, (828) 526-4949. • September 27-29: 35th Annual Gathering of the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church, All Souls’ Cathedral in Asheville, NC For more information, please visit wncrecovery.org, or email wncrecovery@gmail.com. • Saturday, September 29: Blessing the Animals, 11:00 A.M., The Village Green Commons, 828-743-3434. • Saturday, September 29: Drawing for the winner of the Betsy Paul Art Raffle to benefit the Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department. Features handcrafted pottery donated by Justin Allman of FireMoss Pottery. (828) 743-0880. • Sunday, September 30: “Chefs In The House” at Half-Mile Farm, (828) 787-2635 or (828) 787-2620, HalfMileFarm.com.

See website for details: www.highlands-cashierscalendar.com


EVENTS thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 61


ACCOMMODATIONS Colonial Pines Inn.................... Whiteside Cove Cottages.......

ARTS Carolina Gallery of Fine Art......... Mill Creek Gallery & Framing....... Smitten.................................... The Bascom........................... REAL ESTATE Country Club Properties.......... John Cleaveland Realty.......... Landmark Realty Group.......... Meadows Mtn. Realty............. White Oak Realty Group......... Pat Allen Realty Group ........... RESTAURANT / BAR Altitudes Restaurant................ The Log Cabin......................... Meritage................................. Nectar Juice Bar..................... Rosewood Market..................... The Ugly Dog Pub...................... Wild Thyme Gourmet ............... Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro. SHOPPING ACP Home Interiors..................... Bear Mountain Outfitters............ Brookings Fly Shop.................... C.Orrico..................................... Cabin Couture......................... Celebrity Collection................. Classic Links & Luggage.......... Jannie Bean Fine Custom Jewelry.

High Cotton..............................

Highland Hiker..........................

Dry Sink....................................…

HighlandsFineArt&EstateJewelryCorp.

Martha Anne’s..........................

Dutchman’s Designs................

Highlands Kids............................

McCulley’s on the Hill..............

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HIGHLANDS NC

McCulleys Main Street.............

TJ Bailey’s..................................

Creative Concepts Salon...............

Mirror Lake Antiques................

Whole Life Market....................

Highlands Visitors Center................ Highlands Aerial Park...............

Peak Experience............... …… Spice & Tea Exchange...................

SERVICES

The Summer House..................

Dauntless Printing ...................

Warth Construction..................

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EVENTS

ACCOMMODATIONS High Hampton Inn & Country Club .................................................... Innisfree Bed and Breakfast By-the-Lake ................................................... Laurelwood Inn ............................................... ARTS FireMoss Pottery ............................................. Mountain Mist Gallery ........................................... REAL ESTATE Betsy Paul Properties ............................................. Landmark Realty Group ........................................ McKee Properties ........................................... Silver Creek Real Estate Group ..................... RESTAURANTS Sapphire Brewery & Pub .............................. The Ugly Dog Pub .......................................... The Zookeeper Bistro ........................................ RETAIL A Jones Company........................................... Afternoon Delight .......................................... Bee Bags and Such ......................................... Bella Cotn .......................................................... Bird Barn and Gift Emporium........................ Blue Ridge Bedding/ Carolina Rustic Furniture ............................... Bounds Cave........................................................... Brooking’s Cashiers Village Anglers .................. Cashiers Farmer’s Market ............................. Consignment Market ........................................ Dovetail Antiques .................................................... Fiddlehead Designs ................................................ Gray Lighting & Woodwork......................... Gracewear Collection .................................... Highland Hiker ................................................ Josephine’s Emporium ................................. 64 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com 64 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Interior Enhancements ................................ Lenz Gifts & Linens .................................................. Mantiques .................................................................. McCulley’s ......................................................... Nearly New ....................................................... Nora & Co........................................................... Rusticks. ............................................................. Sawyer Family Farmstead ...............................


EVENTS

CASHIERS NC

CASHIERS VALLEY NC

S’more Kids Klothes .................................................. Summer Place Antiques ................................. The Look Boutique ........................................... TJ Bailey................................................................ Victoria’s Closet ...................................................... VC for Men ................................................................. The Village Hound ............................................ Vivianne Metzger Antiques .............................

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming ............................................ Zoller Hardware ....................................................................... SERVICES Cashiers Chamber .................................................................. Dargan Landscape Architects/ Dovecote Gardens ......................................................... Shear Sensations ............................................................. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming ............................................

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THE ARTS

PLAYING OUR PART BY ADAIR SIMON

For myriad reasons, Highlands Cashiers Players enriches the entire Plateau.

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ighlands Cashiers Players is one of the non-profits to which I give my time, energy, and money. My sister asked me the other day why I spent so many hours acting in plays and directing them. Well, one reason is the joy I get from challenging myself, not only to remember the lines I have in a play but to breathe life into a character. As far as directing goes, I love to see a project filled with disparate people come together to make an engaging hour and a half for others to enjoy. HCP’s May “Rodgers and Hammerstein Revue” stretched every person involved to their limits and sometimes all of us despaired of the show being ready by opening night. Yet every one of the 29 cast and crew persevered through long rehearsals and vocal challenges. HCP’s October show, “Mauritius,” a dramatic comedy, which opens on October 18, has a cast of five. They will rehearse for eight weeks, find their costumes and props,

help build a set to perform eight shows, October 18 –21 and October 25 –28, and then help deconstruct the set and put it away

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for the next set crew to use. Why do we do this? I think that the American Association of Community Theater says it best: “Community Theater is essential to the cultural health of our communities. It enriches the lives of those who take an active part in it, as well as those in the community who benefit from live theater productions. On either side of the footlights, those involved represent a diversity of age, culture, life experience, and a strong appreciation of the importance of the arts.” People have been performing amateur theatricals ever since the caveman reenacted a mammoth hunt in front of his fire. We do it to teach, to entertain, and to build camaraderie with each other. Highlands Cashiers Players is proud to begin their 24th season doing all these things. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at (828) 526-8084 or online at www.highlandscashiersplayers.org starting October 11.


THE ARTS thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 69


THE ARTS

A STORY TOLD BY TRACEY BURNETTE

Rik Long’s tales come from his heart and his hands and, at least in the case of his Biblical scenes, from his backyard.

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ach one of Rik Long’s pieces tells a story. There are the Central Park ones that showcase the green expanse and whimsical quality of New York’s most famous park. Then, there is the “City People,” whose graceful movement is forever captured in hues of greens, reds and blues. On pieces of lumber are depictions of Bible scenes, immortalized in tones of brown, yellow and clay red. And we shouldn’t forget about the roosters. “I love the color of the art,” Long said. “Folk art has come a long way. I started doing this years and years ago, but stopped when everyone started doing folk art.” If the name “Long” and the subject of folk art sound familiar when put together, you’d be right. Long is the son of renowned folk artist Woodie Long, a house painter turned artist, whose pieces are included in the permanent collections of museums nationwide and whose paintings have been published in numerous books, as CD covers and accompanying magazine articles in major magazines such as Smithsonian. So, yes – the Long family knows folk art. “My dad had such a unique style,” he said. “He was a man not afraid of color. I think I got that from him, but we came to an agreement early on. We didn’t want people to think that I was copying him, and I didn’t want to come close enough to his style for people to think I was doing his work. Long said he loves to see people appreciate his work. “It’s nice to sell something,” he said. “It’s that feeling of knowing someone has seen something they appreciate and are now walking out the door with it. That makes me happy – seeing someone enjoy what I do.” His most recent undertaking is creating scenes from the Bible using nothing but the clay from his own yard, as well as creating his own wooden canvas out of scraps from the local wood yards. “Bible scenes aren’t really done a lot,” he said. “The Bible – it holds such inspiration. And the clay, well, it doesn’t get more simple than that.” Around Back at Rocky’s Place is located at 3631 Highway 53 East in Dawsonville, Georgia.

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THE ARTS

THE GARMENT CHOOSES YOU BY DONNA RHODES

Jude Stuecker’s path as a fiber artist has been marked by chance encounters and good fortune.

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re landmark events happy accidents or part of some divine plan? Jude Stuecker, accomplished Asheville Fiber Artist, is convinced some things are simply meant-to-be. It was her destiny to meet puppeteer Karen Pritchett from Berea, Kentucky, when she (Jude) was nine, and Karen 21. Karen planted a love of fabric, art, design, color, and stitchery deep in Jude’s soul. Over the years she nurtured it. “I also got much of my training at Penland School of Crafts and feel it really changed me from a hobbyist to a professional,” Jude says. Thanks to Karen and Penland, Jude’s inner tree of creative genius blossoms every day. Jude’s current passion involves several processes that produce exquisite, one of-a-kind, hand-dyed, hand-printed, hand-stitched garments. She loves watching customers try on her wearables. For potential buyers, it’s a bit like choosing a Harry Potter wand. Do you choose the wand (in this case garment) or does it choose you? At craft fairs, by interacting with customers Jude gets excellent feedback in exchange for some quality customer time and marketing exposure/strategy-planning. With so many aspects of production, you’d think Jude could be overwhelmed. Quite the opposite. She says, “Each process and each day have a different feel about them. One day I am dyeing, the next I am printing, the next I am stitching, and ‘sew’ forth. Alternating sets of skills keeps me on my toes. I am rarely bored.” Her quality work is rewarded with membership in the distinguished Southern Highland Craft Guild. Watch her video at judestuecker.com, produced by her neighbor Will Eccleston of Kinetiscape Media, to view her quality garments. They’re fit for royalty or for those who simply want to look and feel like a queen. Email Jude at judestuecker@hotmail.com. You can meet Jude at Smitten’s Third Thursday, September 20, 5:30 P.M ‘til the fat lady sings and the cows come home. Trunk show through Saturday, September 22. Call (828) 526-9300. Smitten’s address is 468 Main Street in downtown Highlands. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; and Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. You can email kat@smittenofhighlands.com.

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THE ARTS

Argus Quartet

CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL BY NANCY GOULD-AARON | HIGHLANDS CASHIERS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

The internationally-recognized Argus Quartet will make a whirlwind swing through Highlands and Cashiers in October.

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raised for their “supreme melodic control and total authority” (Calgary Herald), the Argus Quartet is quickly gaining a reputation as one of today’s most dynamic and versatile young ensembles. First-prize winners at the 2017 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, the Argus Quartet’s recent and upcoming performances include appearances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall, Roulette, the Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival, Bang on a Can at the Noguchi Museum, the Hear Now Music Festival, Providence College, the University of Michigan, James Madison University’s Contemporary Music Festival, Princeton University, the Shalin Liu

Performance Center at Rockport Music, and the Muziekgebouw aan‘t IJ in Amsterdam. From 2015-17 the quartet served as the Fellowship Quartet in Residence at the Yale School of Music and was the first ensemble to be mentored by the Brentano String Quartet in that capacity. In the fall of 2017, the Argus Quartet began an appointment as the Graduate Quartet in Residence at the Juilliard School, where they will work closely with the Juilliard String Quartet – Argus made their Lincoln Center recital debut with a performance at Alice Tully Hall in May of 2018. On Friday, October 12, the Argus Quartet will give a program for students at Blue

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Ridge School and Summit Charter School in Cashiers and later that afternoon at Highlands School. Friday evening a fundraising feast will be held at the home of Mike and Cathy Crosby. The Argus will attend as guests only, no performance. Call the HIghlandsCashiers Chamber Music Festival office at (828) 526-9060 for availability and tickets for this feast. Saturday, October 13, the quartet will perform at Chestnut Hill in Highlands for the community’s residents. At 5:00 PM on Saturday, The Argus Quartet will present a ticketed concert in Highlands at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. Tickets are available at HCCMF’s office at (828) 526-9060.


THE ARTS thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 73


THE ARTS

“Yellow Rose Falling” by Autumn Lucas

CONTEMPORARY BOTANICALS Luke at the Carolina Gallery of Fine Arts A From new exhibit examines the majesty of vast mountainscapes and the precious beauty found in garden closeups.

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he Carolina Gallery of Fine Art is guaranteed to grow on you with September’s new exhibition, Contemporary Botanicals. Plateau visitors and residents delight in the region’s beauty. Most people photograph the scenery, but gifted artists go one step further and represent their visual interpretations of mountainscapes, landscapes, gardens, and floral still lifes on canvas, paper, and a variety of surfaces. Artists gifted enough to be juried into the Gallery’s current show offer everything from photo-realism to fantasy flowers to sinewy vines to misty vistas of mountain fields and flowers that will delight viewers’ senses and draw them into imaginary gardens of delight. Among featured artists are Donna Johnson with her beautiful, sophisticated encaustics. Jacquelyn Leebrick will take you on a stunning digital photographic tour of iconic floral colors, shapes, forms, and

textures. Mary Lou Carpenter delights viewers with her colorful, playful bird of paradise palette. Originally botanical drawing/painting was intended to provide a scientific, detailed, and accurate illustration of plant species. Contemporary Botanicals encourages artists to take flight and push the boundaries of their imaginations… sow creative seeds and see what will germinate and blossom. The opening reception is Saturday, September 15, 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. The show will run through October 21. The Carolina Gallery of Fine Art, known for its exquisite lighting and open space, is available for events. Any meeting, gathering, or engagement staged at the Gallery will be enhanced by the ambiance of its fine art setting, walls filled with high-quality paintings, photography, and more. Workshops are held in the spacious stu-

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dio classroom. Last month, internationallyknown portrait artist Mark Chatov presented a well-attended three-day workshop. On September 14 and 15 renowned landscape painter Jon Houglum will be conducting a long-awaited Landscape Workshop in the Dutch Master style. The Gallery is located at the corner of North Fourth Street and Carolina Way, upper level, entrance off Carolina Way. For more information call (828) 526-3705.


THE ARTS

HIGHLANDS PLAYHOUSE BY DONNA RHODES

Even though Highlands Playhouse’s 2018 season is but a memory, there’s no slowing down as the staff contemplates the future.

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uality, crowd-pleasing entertainment was born at Highlands Playhouse decades ago. As the fame of 362 Oak Street sky-rocketed, so did the region’s delight in its own community theatre. In fact, since the Playhouse opened, there’s been a giant, invisible arrow pointing toward it, reading: Bliss This Way. This past season was a record-breaker, with more tickets sold and more money raised than ever before. You, the supporters, are why the board, staff, and actors break dozens of legs every year to make sure you get your B.Q. (Bliss Quotient). Lance Matzke, the man tasked with putting the business in show, says, “We’re eager about what’s coming over next year’s horizon. The success of 2018’s productions/

events and the promise of an excellent 2019 will pave the way for our move to the Performing Arts Center in 2020. While we’ll miss our beloved little theater, we’ll celebrate the size, accommodations, acoustics, and professionalism our new home will provide us.” There’s a ton of effort that goes into the gearing up of just one season. Imagine what setting up a new season and a new facility will involve. Lance says, “You’d be surprised at how much work goes into preparation of a season: selecting plays, casting, finding the right match of actors-to-parts, securing rights, acquiring housing for visiting artists, signing on images for advertising, designing/constructing sets, balancing the bud-

get, and so much more. What is seen on the stage represents the fruition of a year’s worth of challenging labors.” Next year the Playhouse team will be building on the successes of this year’s winning classics, “Guys and Dolls,” and “Damn Yankees” for its launching of the new facility the following year. We look forward to celebrating 2019 with you. Let’s keep that bliss streaming at every show, screening, and gala. Thank you again, people of the Plateau, for your help in maintaining the high quality of our performances. For more information about Highlands Playhouse, its relocation, and how you can help keep that red carpet rolling out year after year, contact Matzke at (828) 526-2695.

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THE ARTS

Colby Dietz performs at the wedding of Eric and Tori Fielding on June 30. Photo by Sara Kerhoulas

SINGER/SONGWRITER, COLBY DEITZ BY DONNA RHODES

The Colby Deitz Band’s meteoric rise is fueled by a passion for hard-edged music and a non-stop stage energy.

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hen I watched Colby Deitz and his band perform on YouTube, I found his distinctive raspy voice, his high-octane energy, and his explosion of amazing hair to be downright Belishi-esque. Couple that with a laid-back bass, a solid beat, and the effortless fiddlin’ of his band members, and you’ve got slow heat giving way to a roaring fire. The Colby Deitz Band has been performing together for only a couple of years, but they are already a sensation in Asheville and Highlands/Cashiers venues. Before putting his band together, Colby spent several years developing his stage persona. He focused on being authentic and making music with whatever evolved, organic and original. Interviewing Colby on his 26th birthday prompted questions about growing up. Was he a music lover from the start? He said that his mom told him he was one of those kids who rocked in the cradle, literally and figuratively. If music were playing, he was groovin.’ Colby added, “Music always made sense to me. It is where I find my center and peace.” Colby’s manager, Jennifer McMahan, explained why she fell in love with his voice and jumped at the chance to represent him. “Colby’s a hard worker who really cares about his music,” she says. “He writes a lot of original songs and performs them vocally and instrumentally. He’s a true artist.” Chances are you’ve seen the Colby Deitz Band at Groovin’ on the Green or at Kesley-Hutchinson Park. At the heart of their style is good ol’ Rock and Roll. Colby says, “We are trying to bring 80s arena rock back. We play anything from Journey to Bruno Mars to Hall and Oats to the Stones.” The band has one CD to their credit and is working on a second. Follow them at colbydeitzband.com. To book them for a party or event, contact justin@speakeasyartists.com or Jennifer@colbydietzbandofficial.com Check out colbydeitzband on Instagram, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, and Pandora.

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Colby Dietz


BY JANET GRANTHAM

Bel Canto continues its tradition of exquisite performances from the world of opera, September 9.

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n September 9, Bel Canto will once again treat the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau to an exceptional program by four performers from the world of opera that will include not only opera, but Broadway favorites. The concert will be followed by a sumptuous dinner at Highlands Country Club, giving the audience a chance to meet and talk to our performers. Dr. Stephen Dubberly will accompany the performers – and perform a solo piano piece – as he has since Bel Canto’s inception 26 years ago. Stephen is a masterful pianist and accompanist. His discussion of the pieces performed by the singers always gives a well-thought-out perspective. Soprano Elizabeth Caballero is a frequent guest of numerous American and international opera houses, festivals, and concert venues. Her repertoire encompasses staples of the dramatic coloratura and full lyric repertoire, from Mimì and Musetta in “La Bohème” to Donna Anna and Donna Elvira in

“Don Giovanni” and Contessa di Almaviva and Susanna in “Le nozze di Figaro,” among many others. In March she sang Mimi at the Metropolitan Opera, receiving an enthusiastic ovation at her curtain call. Mezzo soprano Elizabeth Pojanowski is gaining renown in opera houses and concert halls across the country for her voice and for her electric stage presence. She has performed Shelley in the American premiere of “Anna Nicole” in 2013 at New York City Opera. Other roles include Tisbe in “La Cenerentola,” Dorabella in “Così fan tutte,” Cherubino in “La nozze di Figaro,” and then originated the role of Sadie in the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera, “Morning Star.” Tenor Robert McPherson is committed to the bel canto repertoire and is rapidly earning international recognition. His roles include Rodrigo in Rossini’s “La Donna del Lago,” Don Ramiro in “Cenerentola,” Roméo in “Roméo et Juliette,” and as Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Tamino in “Die

Zauberflöte,” Almaviva in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” and Lindoro in “L’Italiana in Algeri.” Earlier this year he stepped in for Javier Camarena as Idreno in “Semiramide” for two performances at the Metropolitan Opera to warm acclaim. Praised for the distinctive warmth of his voice, clear diction, and exceptional musicianship, baritone Keith Harris is captivating audiences in his performances on both operatic and concert stages. This season, he returns to The Metropolitan Opera for “The Merry Widow.” His repertoire includes the role of Papageno in “Die Zauberflöte,” Count Almaviva in “Le nozze di Figaro,” and the debut of the role Sir Plume in the world premiere of “The Rape of the Lock,” Albert in “Werther,” and productions of “Faust,” “Werther,” and “Lulu” with The Metropolitan Opera. Put September 9 on your calendar. If you aren’t already on our mailing list, call (828) 787-1463. Don’t miss a wonderful afternoon and evening of great music and food.

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THE ARTS

FROM THE WORLD OF OPERA


THE ARTS

PAC’S FALL CONCERT SEASON BY MARY ADAIR TRUMBLY HIGHLANDS PAC

The Highlands Performing Arts Center concert season continues in September with irresistible Broadway and Retro Rock hits.

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aturday, September 15, at 8:0 0 P.M. Broadway returns to Highlands with “O Sole Trio: Bravissimo Broadway,” combining classic show tunes from the most beloved Broadway musicals. The performance includes highlights from shows such as “Les Misérables,” “West Side Story,” and “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Ghost: the Musical.” The show will take you on a thrilling 70 -year adventure of the best songs and behind-the-scene stories Broadway musicals have to offer. On Saturday, September 22, get ready for a night of rockabilly, country, gospel, and pure 1950’s rock and roll with “One Night in Memphis,” a high-energy concert that takes you back to December 4, 1956, the night when four of the biggest names in early rock and roll − Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash − gathered together for an impromptu jam session at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis. This concert is Sold Out, but call to get on the waiting list, (we always have tickets turned in). The Friday after Thanksgiving is “Christmas with the Nelsons,” starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. This heart-warming multi-media live concert stars this third generation of Nelson Family hitmakers, Ricky Nelson’s twin sons and multi-platinum recording artists. They have been thrilling sellout audiences world-wide for the past decade with their high-integrity “Ricky Nelson Remembered” show… and they’ve got a new gift for you to open, “Christmas with the Nelsons.” From October to May, the MET Opera and the National Theater of London are presented Live via Satellite. The Met’s first opera will be on Saturday, October 6, “Aida” by Verdi; next up is Saturday, October 20, “Samson et Dalila” by Saint-Saëns (a new production); and Saturday, October 22, is “La Fanciulla Del West” by Puccini. Tickets are available online at highlandspac. org or by calling (828) 526 -9047. Inquire about becoming a PAC member and the benefits offered to members. Highlands Performing Arts Center is located at 507 Chestnut Street.

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DINING

FOOD IS LOVE

Faroe Island Salmon

BY LUKE OSTEEN PHOTOS BY MARJORIE CHRISTIANSEN

This world needs love. And a place like Meritage Bistro.

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arriet Van Horne was a columnist for the New York World-Telegram and is considered the first television critic. That means that over the course of her storied career she reviewed evergreen episodes of “I Love Lucy” and “Playhouse 90,” creations that even today maintain their wit and their bite and their irresistible pull. Yet the other part of the equation means that she endured thousands of hours of watching things like “Mr. Millionaire” or the lesser spawn of horse operas like “Wagon Train,” where the level of dialogue rarely surpassed the eloquence of a punch in the mouth. Think of it, hunched in a darkened room in front of a 12-inch flickering screen, watching endless iterations of “My Little Margie,” and “December Bride.” Yet somehow, Ms. Van Horne managed to maintain her critical faculties and present her sensibilities over the course of decades, extending her discerning view into the granular necessities of everyday life. She did it with style and grace and an aplomb that set her apart from her male colleagues in the editorial suites. and, of course, she managed to do it as a woman or, as she’d have been described by those colleagues, a “girl.” Consider this pearl, tossed out like a note in a bottle amidst the rolling seas of lowest-

denominator television: “Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” Which brings us to Meritage Bistro. Unlike every restaurant review I’ve ever submitted to Laurel, I made my reservations for Meritage without a scintilla of knowledge about the chef or his staff. I still don’t know who he or she is. But it was clear, with every dish, with every course that was presented to our table, that this culinary team was deeply, passionately, in love with their craft. Our meals included Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Ahi Tuna Tartare, Pomme Frites, Caesar Salad, Woodland Mushroom Risotto, Faroe Island Salmon, Peekytoe Crab Cakes, Peach Cobbler, and Lemoncello Cake. Crispy Brussel Sprouts proved to be the surprise hit of the table. Who knew there were any tricks that could elevate this most-benighted vegetable into a flavor sensation? But the addition of molasses and sesame seeds and the judicious application of heat transformed it into something rich and strange. It evinced the first instance of my pseudodaughter Kathryn’s unconscious habit of patting the table with her hand to demonstrate her delight with a first bite. By the end of our long meal, with the arrival of dessert

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and coffee, she was tap-tap-tapping the table like a slap-footed goose in the throes of St. Vitus Dance. Yes, Ms. Van Horne, food is love. And somehow Meritage fosters it. And I’m not just talking about the menu. Meritage Bistro is that rarest of creatures, a place that’s set for whispered intimacies, yet perfectly conducive to joyful table talk among clutches of close friends and extended families. Part of this is the floor plan of the restaurant. Half of the place is a cozy Dining Room of nine tables, dominated by a beautifully designed bar. You can lean in and talk, really talk, with your dining companion. The other half is given over to a canopied outdoor space that’s an invitation to lively conversation and a healthy dose of laughter. We dined outside and the evening had its own soundtrack – the gentle, jazzy sounds of Saturdays on Pine wafting over from Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Part of this memorable meal was the fact that Kathryn and I were dining with a couple clearly falling in love. Throughout the meal, they’d say something funny and slyly dart their eyes at one another, or in the midst of conversation they’d gradually yet inexorably lean into one another with an unconscious grace. It was hypnotic and acres of


DINING

Ahi Tuna Tartare

Woodland Mushroom Risotto

Crispy Brussel Sprouts

Peekytoe Crab Cakes

good fun to watch. Which once again speaks to the love there in the kitchen. Think how this budding romance could have faltered with a dish that just wasn’t right. Love is hard enough to sustain and nurture. A meal conceived with expediency and inattention is just one more hurdle. Meritage Bistro is located at 490 Carolina Way in Highlands. Reservations are a must! Call (828) 526-1091.

On a final note, Harlan Ellison died as we were putting this issue of Laurel to bed. For all of his life, Harlan was a writer, raconteur and all-around Angry Man to the injustices in this world. Read his “I Have No Mouth

and I Must Scream” and see if your socks don’t go up and down. At a writer’s workshop in Santa Rosa in the barely remembered year of 1978, Harlan disassembled a story of mine and described it as a dog’s breakfast. It was harsh and at the end of the harangue I felt like about four pounds of milk-sogged Shredded Wheat. He told me never to write any more fiction or he’d come to my house and roll my tongue around the platten of the typewriter and hit the carriage return lever until my guts were pulled out. And then slap my Mom several times for causing the whole thing. He did, however, say that I had potential as a writer of non -fiction and that I just needed to keep writing until my style emerged. He said to write every day, without hesitation, and I’d discover a voice of my own.

I took his advice, grateful for emerging relatively unscathed (you should have seen how he treated my classmates), and eventually became a writer – someone who actually gets paid for his work. Years later, when I ran into him and told him about my good fortune, he told me he had no memory of me, but he was glad I got my money’s worth out of the course. This sad world will miss his gimleteyed consideration. Oh, and don’t worry about Harlan: At this moment, he’s arrived at the Pearly Gates and has filed 48 lawsuits against the Almighty and the Company of Angels; Or he’s just arrived in Hell and is busy reorganizing the place; Or he’s a dyspeptic 34-pound one-eyed dog, cheerfully patrolling a junkyard in the South Bronx.

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DINING

DAVID VS. GOLIATH There’s a bit of blood, sweat, and tears in every bottle of a small production wine.

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n May of this year, I was speaking to the House Hosts for The Bascom’s Collective Spirits. The hosts were kind enough to open up their homes to guest chefs and winemakers to raise funds for The Bascom. I intentionally served a small production wine and made the following statement, “Each year there is a wine discovered at Collective Spirits and this year I believe it will be this wine you are drinking now, Reference Point.” The Oregon pinot noir did not fail me; feedback and orders were impressive for a wine no one had heard of the day before. What is a small production wine? For Reference Point and Owner/Winemaker Mike Bell, 560 cases a year. In comparison, Rombauer Chardonnay is close to 100,000 cases a year and Meiomi Pinot Noir is approaching 700,000 cases a year. How can a small producer compete? By making great wine and wearing all the hats needed to “find a way to survive.”

BY DAVIS PICKLESIMER HIGHLANDS WINE SHOPPE

Mike stated, “It’s just me and friends with pick-up trucks who are willing to get dirty and help pick grapes. My neighbors help and give guidance as well when I’m not in Oregon.” Reference Point consists of almost two acres and produces both a Pinot Noir and a Pinot Noir Rose. How did Mike decide to start such a challenging adventure? “As a child, we lived in Washington State and on weekends traveled to the 15-acre vineyard my parents owned,” he said. “They would call this ‘family time’ but we worked both Saturday and Sunday and never received a paycheck. We would laugh and say it was ‘slave labor.’” Later in life, Mike and his father had a strained relationship. Mike thought if he could make wine, they would reconcile over a bottle of wine. Unfortunately, his father died within weeks of the first bottle being released. Fortunately, Mike connected with his daughter through this process and the label

is a joint painting the two of them created. Being small, there is no marketing department, sales team, legal team or winemaking staff; Mike does it all. This actually works to the wine’s advantage. Mike has to keep the wine “natural” because he doesn’t have the funds or staffing to manipulate the wine. Reference Point illustrates the characteristics of the region, climate that year and the property itself. There is hazelnut farm nearby and you get a hint of hazelnut in the wine. Each vintage is unique. One could even say “it has a soul.” What are the risks? “You can spend a lot of money to make a little wine,” he said. “One bad year, I could be done.” So, when you are enjoying a small production wine, it is the “blood, toil, tears and sweat” of someone who risks it all each year. Let’s do our part and support them by trying their wine in a restaurant or local wine shop. May our next glass of wine be together.

DAILY FREE WINE TASTING 3:00 - 6:30 PM

MIRA WINE TASTING Wednesday, Sept. 5 | 4:00 - 5:30 PM | $10 pp Stags Leap - Rutherford - Carneros AVA’s

hlands g i H

ITALIAN WINE TASTING Thursday, Sept. 20 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM | $20 pp So many options...Let’s find you a favorite

TASTING WITH A WINEMAKER

Wine Shoppe

Wednesday, Sept. 26 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM | $10 pp

(828) 526-4080

Oded Shakked - LongBoard Vineyards Top Selling Winery for 2017 Collective Spirits

Open Daily

Buy Your Wine in Highlands! Check pricing and order online www.highlandswineshoppe.com

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highlandswineshoppe.com Main St. | Across from Reeves | Parking on Oak St.


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DINING

BIG KAHUNA BURGERSTEAKS BY JENNY KING

Chris Duffy

Duffy’s Big Kahuna Hamburger Steak Loco Moco

Chris Duffy brings us a downhome taste of Hawai’i.

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hris Duffy, operations manager and morning show host at WHLC FM 104.5, excels at crafting seven- to ninecourse Japanese kaiseki -style meals. But having raised twins that now stand 6’9” and 6’10”, he knows a thing or two about satisfying big appetites on one plate, and he loves the hearty fusion flavors of Hawaiian cuisine. Radio listeners have probably heard Duffy talk about his girlfriend, “The Mayor”; her 12-year-old son requested this meal for his birthday dinner, and Duffy can think of no better endorsement. For exciting, bespoke, home-dining experiences, visit him on Facebook at DinnerWithDuffy.

Serves 4 hungry people Ingredients: 2 lbs ground 80/20 beef 2 slices white bread, cut into 1/4” cubes 4 tbsp milk 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1/2 cup minced or coarsely grated Maui (who are we kidding, Vidalia) onion 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp ketchup salt and pepper For the gravy: 3 tbsp flour 4 tbsp water 1–2 cups beef stock OR Buy a canned beef or mushroom gravy OR Use a packaged mix (he won’t tell) 4 extra large eggs, fried sunny side up OR poached, preferably sous-vide; Sushi rice (and it MUST be sushi rice) to serve 1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked per person

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Preparation: Mix the bread cubes and milk until the milk is absorbed and the bread softened. Combine the beef, bread cubes, and remaining ingredients and mix well. If making your own gravy, make a slurry of the flour and water. Form the beef mixture into 4 patties. Important note: Don’t overly compress the patties, just get them to the point where they hold their shape so they will be super juicy. Duffy finds an oval shape about 1 1/2 inches thick works best. Pan fry the patties until nicely browned, about 4 minutes per side. If you’re not making the gravy from scratch, skip the next bit. Set the patties aside and keep warm. Remove the fat from the pan, but leave the scrummy brown bits. Return the pan to the heat and add 1 cup of the beef stock, scraping up all those brown bits. Add the slurry to the pan and stir to thicken. You want a fairly thick gravy that will coat everything (if it gets too thick, add a bit more stock). Give each plate a healthy foundation of sushi rice, top with the hamburger steak, egg, and cover with gravy. Serve with a shaka (Google it!).


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DINING

CHEFS IN THE HOUSE BY JENNY KING

Nationally-recognized Chef Rob McDaniel takes the spotlight for Half-Mile Farm’s “Chefs in the House” series, set for Sunday, September 30.

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hanks to Half-Mile Farm, there is a brand-new dinner series coming to town this fall and winter. “Chefs In The House” will feature up-close-and-personal experiences with some of the South’s most acclaimed chefs. On Sunday, September 30, Chef Rob McDaniel of SpringHouse in Lake Martin, Alabama, will be at HalfMile Farm for the inaugural dinner. Chef McDaniel’s impressive career includes training under such celebrated chefs as Johnny Earles of Criolla’s in Grayton Beach, Florida, and Chris Hastings of Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama. His time in these kitchens helped hone a passion for Southern foods, foraging, and sustainability that began while studying at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. His restaurant, SpringHouse, in Russell Crossroads, Alabama, was named one of Southern Living’s 100 Best Restaurants in the South in 2014 and has been featured in Good Grit Magazine, The Local Palate, and on The Cooking Channel among others. His food is simple and honest. Call it what you will, contemporary American or progressive Southern, the dishes make the most of the region. Chef Rob will be joined by Donald Hackett of Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Importer, who will serve as the evening wine host. Half-Mile Farm is a luxury, country inn by Old Edwards, in the beautiful countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The guest rooms and cabins at Half-Mile Farm feature hardwood floors and rustic-chic decor with modern luxuries to create a relaxing mountain getaway, all just minutes from downtown Highlands. Tickets for the inclusive evening are $135 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (828) 787-2635 or (828) 787-2620 to reserve your seats; and to check overnight accommodation availability at Half-Mile Farm, visit HalfMileFarm. com. For information on future Chefs In The House evenings, visit https:// www.halfmilefarm.com/chefsinthehouse or follow Half-Mile Farm on Facebook and Instagram.

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Chef Rob McDaniel


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DINING

DINE FOR DOLLARS BY MARY JANE MCCALL

Lakeside Restaurant offers a delicious way to support local charities.

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or the ninth season, Lakeside is setting aside Wednesday evenings for area nonprofits to join them in raising money and awareness for their causes. Interested nonprofits should contact Lakeside at (828) 526-9419 to select an available date. The nonprofits are then responsible for marketing their evenings and encouraging their supporters to come out for a great dinner, while raising money for their cause. Guests should mention their non-profit when making their reservations. Lakeside will donate 15 percent of the nonprofit’s guest checks that evening to the non-profit. Since the program’s inception, Lakeside has donated more than $26,000 to local charities. Those nonprofits include Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Highlands Playhouse, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music

Festival, Scaly Mountain Women’s Club, Gordon Center, International Friendship Center, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, Food Pantry, MANNA, WNC Hospice House, and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Many have already enjoyed their Wednesday night this year, Dates are still available for interested local charities to choose their Wednesday evening in September and October. It’s

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a fun and delicious way to raise money for the organizations that contribute so much to the fabric of our local community. For more information, to make reservations, or to sign your nonprofit up for this program, please call Lakeside at (828) 526-9419. They are located at 531 Smallwood Avenue in Highlands and are open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner starting at 5:30 P.M.


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DINING

Andrea Schmitt, owner of Meritage Bistro, celebrates her first Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

OUR PLATEAU POURS THE BEST BY A.J. STEWART

A small coterie of marvelous local restaurants have been recognized for outstanding achievement by Wine Spectator Magazine.

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ince 1981, the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards have been honoring restaurants all across the nation for their unique and interesting wine lists. The Awards aim to recognize those that exceed expectations with a wide selection, accurate information, and superb presentation. We are lucky to have six Wine Spectator winners right here in Highlands, and one in Lake Toxaway. Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden at Old Edward’s Inn offers a distinctive menu with a Southern flair. Awarded the Best of Award of Excellence, they offer a selection of California, French, and Bordeaux wines. Paoletti’s Ristorante is the place to go for fine Italian dining. They have been awarded the Best of Award of Excellence since 1987 for their wide selection of wines.

“Our wine program and cellars stock many heralded producers as well as those that fly under the radar,” says owner Arthur Paoletti. Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro has won the Best of Award of Excellence for the second year in a row. “We are proud of our wine collection at Wolfgang’s” says wine director Annelize Giliomee. With over 650 selections, their wine list is balanced by region, in various price ranges, and features many boutique wines that are often hard to come by. Wild Thyme Gourmet in Highlands is unique for its fusion of American and Asian cuisine. Their affordable selection of California wines earned them the Award of Excellence. Mountain Fresh Grocery and Wine Market in Highlands is not just another

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small-town grocery. “We don’t just carry a retail set to fill a brand line,” says wine coordinator Steve Snead-Smith. “We select our wines individually and make it a point to taste every wine we sell.” They’ve earned the Award of Excellence for three years running. Meritage Bistro is new this year to the Wine Spectator Awards, earning the Award of Excellence. “I’m proud of the depth and complexity of the list that we were able to achieve. Presenting wines from all over the world with focus on Europe, California and emerging viticultural gems.” says owner Andrea Schmitt. The Restaurant at Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway has earned the Award of Excellence for their collection of California wines that pair well with their down-home American menu.


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DINING

TWO CHEFS. TOO DELICIOUS. BY A.J. STEWART

On the Verandah is offering a sumptuous meal prepared by chefs Andrew Figel and Jerri Fifer, paired with some of the world’s finest wines.

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or more than 37 years, On the Verandah has been providing exceptional service and dining in Highlands. Their dinner menu features an inspired fusion of American, Asian, and European cuisine, and their Sunday brunch is a local favorite. One of their most popular services is their wine dinners. On the Verandah has been hosting wine dinners since they opened in 1981. The dinners serve to highlight wines from vineyards around the world, pairing them with exquisite foods for a truly unique experience. On Saturday, September 29, they will be hosting their Venge Wine Dinner, featuring wines from Venge Vineyards in California. Rooted in a passion for winemaking, the

Venge family has been making fine spirits since the early 1900’s. Venge Vineyards was founded in 1976 with the purchase of a vineyard in Napa Valley. Today, their vines are tended by hand; the fruit is picked in the early dawn. Everything is done with as little machinery as possible. Jason Williams, General Manager of Venge Vineyards, will be there as a special guest. Inspired by the passion and dedication of the Venge family, Jason “resolved to be a partner in the winery’s success.” The dinner will also feature wines from Croix Estate. The dinner will consist of six courses by co-chefs Andrew Figel and Jerri Fifer. Each course is paired with a different wine, accentuating the unique blend of flavors.

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A Brut Rosé from Iron Horse Vineyards will be served for the reception. The dinner will be accompanied by a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir from Croix Estate, as well as a Zinfandel and two Cabernet Sauvignons from Venge Vineyards. Should you find one of the featured wines to be truly exceptional, each of them will be available for one night only for purchase at a discount. Attendees will also be eligible to pre-order the exclusively allocated and highly sought after 2016 Bone Ash Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Dinner is $135 per guest and will include a reception with hors d’oeurves. There will also be a raffle prize and a contest prize. Call (828) 526-2338 to make a reservation.


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DINING

HONORING OSTEEN BY A.J. STEWART

Chef Louis Osteen

Highlands Food and Wine will honor Chef Louis Osteen with an elegant meal and the premiere of a documentary chronicling his life and the wonderful cuisine that he’s shaped.

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very region has its signature dish that defines the culture and tradition of the people that live there. Maryland has its crab legs, Tennessee has its barbecue, and thanks to the lifelong passion of chef Louis Osteen, the coastal South has Lowcountry cooking. For nearly thirty years, Louis transformed the Charleston culinary scene with his menus that featured everything from braised lamb shank to the staple of every Charleston diet, shrimp and grits. Originally from Anderson, South Carolina, Louis began his career in Pawley’s Island, just north of Charleston, in 1980. Over the intervening years, he’s become one of the most revered chefs in the restaurant business. He has made appearances on the Food Network and the Discovery Channel and has received many awards and honors, including a James Beard Best Chef Southeast in 2004.

To top off his list of accomplishments, Louis curated the best regional recipes and collected them in his cookbook, “Louis Osteen’s Charleston Cuisine.” Louis has since retired and the Plateau is fortunate that he and his wife, Marlene, have decided to spend their golden years in Highlands. On Monday, October 8, join Highlands Food and Wine in a celebration of the extraordinary life of Louis Osteen and his achievements. At 6:00 P.M. at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn and Spa, a dinner will be held in his honor. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal with wine pairings. The meal will be prepared by seven renowned chefs as they pay tribute to a man that made such an impact on their careers and their lives. The evening will include live music and the premiere of a documentary produced by The Southern Foodways Alliance, “The Many Lives of Louis Osteen.”

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Tickets are available for $275. You will receive dinner and a ticket to the premiere. All taxes and fees are included. For more information, please visit honorlouis.com.

Louis and Marlene Osteen, 1993


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Take Out

Outdoor Dining

Live Music

Dress Code

Reservations Recommended

Vegetarian Selections

Children’s Menu

Full Bar

Wine

Dinner

Lunch

Your Guide to the Restaurants of Highlands & Cashiers

Breakfast

DINING

Mountain Dining

Sunday Brunch

thelaurelmagazine.com/cuisine

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4118 Kitchen and Bar • 64 Highlands Plaza • (828) 526-5002 $ $ • • • C • 93 Altitudes at Skyline Restaurant & Lounge • 470 Skyline Lodge Road • (828) 526-2121 ¢ $$ $$$ • • • • • NC • 95 Bake My Day Cafe & Bistro • 137 Main Street • Wright Square • (828) 487-4633 ¢ ¢ ¢ C • 93 The Bistro at Wolfgang’s • 460 Main Street • (828) 526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • • 5 Cyprus Restaurant • 332 Main Street • (828) 526-4429 $$$ • • • NC • 97 Fire + Water Restaurant • Reservations Required • (828) 526-4446 $$$ • REQ C • 13 Fressers Courtyard Cafe • 470 Oak Street, Village Square • (828) 526-4188 ¢-$$ $-$$ • • • C • • • 87 * The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering • 350 S. Fifth Street • (828) 526-2110 $-$$ $-$$ • • 89 Lakeside Restaurant • Smallwood Avenue • (828) 526-9419 $$$ • • • • • NC • • 87 The Log Cabin • 130 Log Cabin Lane • (828) 526-5777 $-$$ $-$$ $$ • • • • • C • • 85 Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden • 445 Main Street • (828) 787-2525 $ $$ $$ • • • • NC • • 130 Meritage Bistro • 490 Carolina Way • (828) 526-1019 $-$$ $-$$ $-$$ • • • C • • • 97 On the Verandah • Highway 64 (Franklin Road) • (828) 526-2338 $-$$ $-$$ • • • • • NC • • • 85 Paoletti’s • 440 Main Street • (828) 526-4906 $-$$ • • • • NC • 87 *Rosewood Market • Main Street • 828-526-0383 $-$$ $-$$ • • C • 89 Sky Pie Pizza • 423 N 4th Street • (828) 526-5188 $ $ • • C • 90 SweeTreats Deli • Corner of 4th and Main • (828) 526-9632 $ $ • • C • 94 The Ugly Dog Pub • 298 South 4th Street • (828) 526-8364 ¢ ¢ ¢ • • • C • • 95 Wolfgang’s Restaurant • 460 Main Street • (828) 526-3807 $-$$ • • • • NC • • 5 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Adair Bros. Smokehouse BBQ • 281 Highway 64 • (828) 743-3200 ¢ ¢-$ • • C • • • 91 *On the Side at Cashiers Farmers Market • Crossroads • 828-743-4334 • 89 The Orchard • Highway 107 South • (828) 743-7614 $$$ • • • • • C • • 91 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Co. • 50 Slicers Avenue, Sapphire, NC • (828) 743-0220 $-$$ $-$$ • • • • 6+ C • • • 93 Slab Town Pizza • 45 Slab Town Road • (828) 743-0020 $ $ • • C • • 91 The Ugly Dog Pub • 25 Frank Allen Road • (828) 743-3000 ¢ ¢ ¢ • • • C • • 95 Whiteside Brewing Co. • 128 Highway 107 North • (828) 743-6000 $ $ • • • C • • • 55 Zookeeper • Mountain Laurel Shoppes • 828-743-7711 ¢ ¢ ¢ • C • • 91 ¢ $

Minimal, most entrees under $10 Moderate, most entrees $10-$15

Pricing Guide

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS Altitude’s at Skyline Lodge - (828) 526-2121 Annie’s Cafe - (828) 526-1663 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bake My Day Bakery & Cafe - (828) 487-4633 Bella’s Junction Cafe - (828) 526-0803 Bistro on Main/Main Street Inn - (828) 526-2590 The Bistro at Wolfgang’s - (828) 526-3807 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 526-0020 Cyprus International Cuisine - (828) 526-4429 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 El Manzanillo - (828) 526-0608 Fire + Water Restaurant - (828) 526-4446 Fressers Courtyard Cafe - (828) 526-4188 The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering - (828) 526-2110 Lakeside Restaurant - (828) 526-9419 The Log Cabin - (828) 526-5777 M Equals 3 - (828) 284-5096 Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden - (828) 787-2525

$$ Deluxe, most entrees $15-$20 $$$ Grand, most entrees over $20

*

Takeout Only

Meritage Bistro - (828) 526-1019 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 On the Verandah - (828) 526-2338 Pescado’s - (828) 526-9313 Pizza Place - (828) 526-5660 Paoletti’s - (828) 526-4906 Rosewood Market - (828) 526-0383 Sports Page - (828) 526-3555 Subway - (828) 526-1706 SweeTreats Deli - (828) 526-9632 The Ugly Dog Pub - (828) 526-8364 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 Wine Garden at Old Edwards Inn - (828) 787-2525 Wolfgang’s Restaurant - (828) 526-3807 CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Adair Brothers Smokehouse - (828) 743-3200 Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 Cork & Barrel Lounge - (828) 743-7477

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C Casual

Dress Code J

NC Nice Casual Jacket

El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522 Four Season Grille - (828) 743-4284 Grandpop’s Ice Cream Parlor - (828) 743-7711 High Hampton Inn - (828) 743-2411 Hunt Bros. Pizza at Cashiers BP - (828) 743-2337 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 On the Side at Cashiers Farmers Market - (828) 743-4334 The Orchard - (828) 743-7614 Randevu Restaurant - (828) 743-0190 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Slab Town Pizza (STP) - (828) 743-0020 Subway - (828) 743-1300 The Blind Mule - (828) 553-8978 The Falls Cafe and Grill - 828-877-3322 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers - (828) 743-3000 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226 Zookeeper - (828) 743-7711


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VENTURE OUT

A JOYOUS TREK “A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands; How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more than he.” Walt Whitman, from “Song of Myself”

BY EMILY CROWELL BY EMILY CROWELL

A simple hike to Jones Knob reveals the richness of our natural heritage and offers a chance to evaluate your place in existence. Pretty good deal.

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very now and then for a day or so I find myself adrift in a fog of melancholy. (Melancholy being the siren song for creative genius, of course.) Having learned in recent years that feelings pass, and I may as well not get into fights with them, I like to find a good place to sit on these melancholic days. Coincidentally, my sweetie and I had already planned a lunch trip to Jones Knob on the Bartram Trail when I was visited by ennui. It’s not a long trip to Jones Knob from the trailhead – about three-tenths of a mile, with a leftward veer at the fork – and it’s a perfect place to wander listlessly along, caught up in your own mild disconsolation. (Does this make you want to go hiking with me?) The trail passes through a field, and I love fields, so I had to start working to hold on to my melancholy. In late summer the grasses are darn near as tall as my head, and wildflowers abound in brilliant hues that seems to generate their own light. Even on a day as overcast as my mood, this stretch of trail sparkles with light. For some reason I always expect to see a bear in this field, even though I never have. It helps me to sing a song as I go along – on this day it was a made-up tune called “If I Were A Bear,” sung to the tune of Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy.” I apologize

to anyone who has to share a trail with me. Moving on and slightly up, we reached Jones Knob and unpacked lunch – black bean burgers, homemade mac-andcheese, and coffee. More flowers up here, and more varieties of grass than you’d think existed if all you ever looked at was a lawn. I laid on my back against the warm rock, closed my eyes, and listen to the buzz of bees that filled the air. I used to be scared of bees until I realized they’re not interested in me because I’m not a delicious flower. Being comfortable surrounded by oodles of busy bees makes me feel small in a good way, sort of like staring up at the stars and contemplating the vast barely-knowable universe does. By the time we got back to the car, my mood had lifted, despite myself. Sometimes a long, difficult, all-day hike is called for; other times a short, observant, contemplate the what-ness of grass and bees hike is called for. (The views from Jones Knob are pretty nice, too.) From Highlands, take Highway 64 toward Franklin for a little over seven miles to a left turn onto Goldmine Road. In 0.8 miles, take a left onto Dendy Orchard Road, then a right in 2.2 miles onto a Forest Service road that ends at the trail head. The stretch of trail in question is on the right.

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Chris Wilkes

VENTURE OUT

SERENITY SEASON BY CHRIS WILKES HIGHLAND HIKER

Local fish can be caught by men and women – they really don’t care who’s angling for their attention.

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ly-fishing is one of the few sports that is tailor-made for women every bit as much as it is for men. Fly-fishing has so much more to do with finesse and presentation than it does with power and strength. The important stuff to do in a stream like spotting fish, knowing the feeding habits of trout or bass, matching what’s in your fly box to a hatch, and being able to make a proper presentation are certainly not specific to a gender. Let’s spend some time overcoming the two most common objections so we can improve the guy to girl ratio out on the streams a little bit. “I’ve never fly-fished before.” As most

guides and fly shop personnel could tell you, neither have 80 percent of the people that are contacting them about a guided trip, and a lot of people who I talk to about setting up a trip have never held a fly rod in their hand. So being a novice actually puts you in pretty good company. “I don’t have time to take lessons.” Completely understandable. But consider this: Figuring out whether or not the sport is for you can be accomplished in a two-hour casting lesson. Fly fishing is all about the cast and, just like golf, tennis, or croquet, once you get the basics down then there is a place for you in the sport no matter your skill level. And don’t feel like

you can’t book a fly fishing excursion without taking a lesson, either. Most guides are also instructors, so simply letting them know that you have never fished before will allow them to make preparation on some basics before you get in the water. That way you can catch fish while you learn, which is always the better way to go in my opinion. The things that most fly fisherman love about the sport – serenity, peace and quiet, and just being outside – are certainly not a “guys only” type of list, and fly fishing is a great excuse to go to a lot of pretty places. The peak season is right around the corner, I hope to see you out there!

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VENTURE OUT

BROAD-WING HAWKS BY WILLIAM MCREYNOLDS

The proud Broad-wing Hawk makes a splashy September appearance before departing for warmer climes.

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road-wing Hawks (Buteo platypterus) are recognizable while soaring by their full wing span and white tail bands. Like hawks generally, they are intelligent and highly adaptive. Their visual acuity, sharpness of vision, is astounding owing to the density of photoreceptors in their retina being five times greater than the density of the human retina. Broad-wings are skillful hunters, preying on lizards, chipmunks, and voles but changing their diet as seasons and available food change. They hunt beneath the forest canopy from a high perch, diving down upon and seizing prey with their deadly talons. They skin some prey like frogs and snakes but consume small mammals whole. Some hawks pair bond for life. They mate famously in freefall from high altitudes. Both male and female build the nest. The male subsequently brings food to the brooding female or takes his turn on the nest and then brings food to the hungry nestlings. The female is larger than the male. The fall migration of Broad-wings and other hawks returning to Central and South America reaches its peak in September.

At this time large “kettles� form containing hundreds to thousands of migrating birds, taking advantage of favorable winds and riding thermals in huge spiraling cauldrons, reach their highest point before individual birds peel off to soar great distances to the south while searching for the next updraft. On September days with clear skies and favorable wind, thousands of Broad-wings can be sighted soaring through the gorges and mountains of the Great Smoky and Appalachian ranges. A local opportunity to sight migrating hawks is being led by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society this month. During the dates of September 17-22, depending on weather conditions, birders will hike up Whiteside Mountain to search the sky for soaring hawks. This trip requires some strenuous hiking up the mountain and down again along steep trails. The exact date will depend upon wind and weather forecasts. Call Brock Hutchins, (828) 787-1387 or (404) 2950663, to join the email notification list. All are welcome; binoculars will be provided. The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportuni-

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ties to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them. HPAS is a 501 (c) (3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities.


VENTURE OUT

FROM CASTLE TO CLASSIC COURSE BY TOM CHILLEMI, PGA | TOMSGOLFTOURS.COM

A wonderfully choreographed tour of the great links of Ireland provides memories to last a lifetime.

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his was from a group of 12 golf nuts that had a wonderful time this July. They sent me some of their great memories that I will share with you. “Our group had a fantastic trip in Ireland with Tom’s Golf Tours arranging things. From the moment we met Tim (our driver) in the Dublin airport we felt at home. His friendly manner and excellent pub suggestions (very important) throughout the trip made our experience one to remember. “A start at Ardglass Golf Club was a great way to ease into the trip, with incredible scenery along the coast and an enjoyable classic links course. The clubhouse (the world’s oldest clubhouse and former castle) was a highlight to remember. “Royal County Down did not disappoint, even though our caddies found some previously unknown parts of the property chasing our shots playing in the true Irish conditions. They were complete pros, enjoyed a good laugh, and we somehow barely lost

any golf balls. We followed it up with dinner, drinks, and a nightcap (or two) at Quinn’s in downtown Newcastle. “Castlerock Golf Club was an absolute gem. The clubhouse, staff, and, golf course made pre-round pints and golf feel like being a local. “The views at Portstewart were absolutely stunning. The front nine was arguably the best of the trip (even with one of our golfers getting stabbed by a tee on the third hole). “The Harbour Gin Bar in downtown Portrush provided us with some good medicine, and we enjoyed a nice steak at The Harbour Bistro afterwards. The next morning we got the chance to play at the home of the 148th Open Championship in 2019 – Royal Portrush. After doing some damage in the pro shop we tried our luck on the course. Even in great weather it was a tough test, but it still ranked at or near the top for most of our group. “After a scenic ride south we closed our

trip in Dublin. We started at Portmarnock Old, followed by a fantastic meal at Locks in downtown Dublin. We rented out a private room upstairs, and found it to be a wonderful way to close out our trip with a farewell dinner. “For our final round (looking a bit more tired than at the beginning of the trip) we decided to play a scramble at The European Club with 3 four-man teams. It was a good thing we did, because playing that course on your own ball would have been brutal (it is a test). It was a great way to finish up a great week of golf and hanging out with friends and family. “Thank you to Tom for planning a great rotation of courses, and especially to Tim our driver for helping make our trip a special set of lifelong memories.” If any of you are interested in playing some of the finest courses in Scotland or Ireland let me know. I now have offices in both countries to handle things while you visit.

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VENTURE OUT

TATARIAN ASTER BY JEANNIE CHAMBERS | THE ACCIDENTAL GARDENER

There’s nothing shy about the proud presence of Tatarian Aster.

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ove over Hollywood, there’s a new Us in town. Kirk Douglas stood tall in the 1960’s film “Spartacus,” proclaiming, “I am Spartacus!” Later in the 20 0 0 movie “Gladiator,” Russell Crowe faced death by saying “My name is Maximus!” For over 20 0 0 years, the Tatarian Aster has stood tall (really tall) and seems to yell to all who will gaze his way, “I am Aster Tataricus !” This fall beauty, native to northeastern Asia can grow as high as 8’ and loves basking in the sun. He’s pretty self-sufficient, as he requires little to no staking. The flowers are purplish in color, but some appear almost blue, and butterflies swarm around him like groupies are known to do. He stays in the spotlight until his final encore when Jack Frost takes center stage. Although these plants are beautiful as a backdrop to your garden, or left to natu-

ralize (and they love naturalizing to the point of taking over if you allow), these plants have other jobs in their repertoire as well. The flowers are beautiful in cut flower arrangements, and they have been a part

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of Chinese medicine for over 20 0 0 years! How’s that for an encore? The roots have a property, tritenpenes which was used to fight bacterial infections. In Japan, Tatarian Aster is known as shion, which means “I won’t forget you.” In Korea, the leaves are known as Chwinamul, and are eaten as we eat fresh spinach. The Tatarian Aster is one of only two members of the North American aster genus that has remained, the other being the aster alpinus, a mountain species seen in the Rocky Mountains, while Tataricus stays east of the Mississippi. Not to be confused, there are plenty of other asters around, hundreds in the species, but they’ve been adopted by other names. Alpinus and Tataricus are true to their Eurasian roots. Consider planting this beast of a beauty in your landscape. Long live Tataricus!


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VENTURE OUT

Susan B Photography 828.200.4809 | suebphoto.com

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HISTORY

MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR BY DONNA RHODES | PHOTO COURTESY HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Highlands’ timeless appeal is predicated upon its unique blend of characters.

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t’s easy to get Highlanded. The region’s beauty snaps people up. Once a visitor takes a downtown tour, a hike to any falls, a drive through a covered bridge, or a trek to the historical museum, he/she is suddenly, willingly, and often permanently planted in paradise. There are volumes of fascinating tales about the Plateau’s lure. From the Cherokee, to pioneers, to early settlers, to the visitors of today, the Highlands experience continues its draw. You can thank Ran Shaffner, author, historian, keeper of the region’s legends and archives for providing the inspiration for my monthly historical accounts. September’s magical history tour takes us back to the 1960s when Reeves and Highlands Hardware were the building

materials’ HQs. There was no guarantee you’d get what you wanted there, but if courtesy were the stuff of which homes were made, you could build a mansion. One day Dusty Rogers was purchasing something at Reeves’ check-out. A customer rolled in, mistook Dusty for a sales person, and announced he needed half a stovepipe. Dusty raised an eyebrow, but in the spirit of goodwill he headed to the back of the store yelling, “Hey, Joe! Some fool out front wants half a stovepipe!” He suddenly realized that fool had followed him to the office. Without dropping a beat, Dusty continued, “And this fine gentleman wants the other half!” Shaffner shares another story about Jimmy Crawford, a real estate salesman/ barber. One of the local brokers said,

“No wonder he outsells us. He goes out and shows a piece of property, and then he offers the prospective buyer a free shave. When he’s got the razor right over the man’s Adam’s apple, he says, “You’re gonna buy, aren’t you?” Shaffner’s got a zillion of ‘em, interspersed with 80 0 pages of maps, photos, documents, reports, legends, tales, biographical accounts, and more in his book, “Heart of the Blue Ridge.” Stop by the Highlands Historical Museum, Shakespeare & Co., or The Toy Store to buy your own copy and get Highlanded in the process. Visit highlandshistory.com, email highlandshistory@nctv.com, or check out The Highlands Historical Museum, 524 North Fourth Street.

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HISTORY

THE TALE OF CHARLIE WRIGHT BY JANE NARDY | HISTORIAN, CASHIERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Charlie Wright’s extraordinary humanity was revealed in a legendary act of courage along the sheer face of Whiteside Mountain.

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n the August 2018 Laurel Magazine, the Cashiers history article was about Whiteside Cove’s Felix Eugene Alley, who in the late 1800s wrote the “Ballad of Kidder Cole” which detailed his love for the pretty Kidder and his disdain for Charlie Wright, his rival for the affections of Kidder. In this article, you’ll learn about Charlie Wright of Highlands who was actually Felix’s first cousin, both born the same year – 1873. In December 1910, 38-year-old Charlie married Helen Pauline Cabe, an 18-year-old teenager. After sharing a wedding feast with their best friends, they spent their wedding night at the Central House Hotel in downtown Highlands. Just five months after Charlie and Helen were married, the most famous tale of near-tragedy in Highlands history took place on Whiteside Mountain when Charlie Wright saved Gus Baty from falling to his death 1,000 feet to the bottom of the mountain. Thirteen picnickers with baskets full of food and a supply of alcoholic beverages, had gathered at the top of Whiteside Mountain on a bright spring day in May. Gus Baty had a little too much to drink and

decided to scare the girls by pretending to almost fall off the edge of the mountain.

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The pretend turned true as Gus slipped and plunged 60 feet down the almost vertical rock face of the mountain, stopping only when he managed to grab hold of a small bush with one arm and one leg, dangling over the brink. Following was a two-and-half-hour perilous rescue by Charlie Wright – a rescue so daring that a few years later, Charles N. Wright was awarded the Carnegie Gold Medal for Bravery. Besides the solid gold medal which is still in the Wright family, Charlie got $2,000 in cash which he used to buy land and build a home. For one who risked his own life to save his friend’s life, Charlie Wright died a death he didn’t deserve. In 1927, 16 years after the rescue, while driving his Model T Ford one foggy night on the Lake Toxaway Road, Charlie’s car fell 300 feet over the Toxaway Dam, killing Charlie. He was 54 years old. Gus Baty died in 1969 at the old age of 82. For the complete details of the harrowing rescue, read Bill Marett’s book, “Courage at Fool’s Rock; A True Tale of Incredible Heroism at Whiteside Mountain.”


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HEALTH

IN THE RIGHT HANDS BY DONNA RHODES

(L to R): Nancy Rogers (speech pathologist), Dalton Reed (physical therapist), Marie Swisher (occupational therapist), Grant Newman (rehab tech outpatient physical therapy), Leslie Green (physical therapist), Michelle Wilson (physical therapy assistant), Brittany Rickert (physical therapist), Marion Macy (manager rehab services and physical therapy), Angela Tyre (physical therapist), Dawn Sanborn (physical therapy assistant), and Lori Craig (physical therapist)

With the right care, body aches and pain can be managed and even eliminated.

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arion Macy, Manager of Mission’s Rehab Services and Physical Therapy heads the rehab department, Team Spirit, that turns the impossible into possible. Patients with joint replacements, stroke, severe back pain, cardiac issues, neck pain, shoulder surgery, ankle fractures, knee replacements, or just about any injury or impairment will come out good-as-new or better-than-ever after just a few weeks of rehab/therapy. “Ninety-nine percent of our stories have happy endings,” says Macy. A lot of people with pain try to ride it out, thinking it will get better. Macy says, “There are two types of pain: Traumatic pain caused by falls, a car accident, and/or an unexpected arm/shoulder yank by a strong dog. If traumatic pain persists more than a few days, please see

a doctor. She will give you a referral for the rehab team’s services. “The second type, insidious pain (inflammation, arthritis, etc.) that happens over time, interferes with daily activities like getting in and out of a car, reaching in the closet for clothes or walking out in the community. See your physician for a referral, then schedule an appointment at Mission’s Rehab Services. You’ll receive a full evaluation, detailing the cause/effect of your injury.” The team will help you create goals. On average it takes just six to 10 visits to reach them. You’ll be ready for that European vacation you booked, visit to the grandkids, and a round or two of Pickleball in-between. The Rehab Team offers a wide range of therapies, including Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapies, Cardiac Re-

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hab, as well as a Lymphedema program, specializing in post-breast cancer and/or other lymphatic issues. Nationally-certified physical therapists have three years of P.T. graduate medical training in addition to a four-year undergrad degree. They know their stuff. Sharing back-pain advice from a neighbor with a disc issue can actually hurt you if you have something else like spinal stenosis. A friend’s medical advice, although wellintentioned, and a buck ninety-five will get you a cup of coffee and a backache. So be in the know. Go to the pros at Mission for a treatment and a cure designed specifically for your condition. You’ll reach your goals in no time, in a comfortable, fun and confident setting. Call your doctor for a referral and get moving! Call the Rehab Office at (828) 526-1457.


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HEALTH

THE BATTLE WITH WEIGHT

Dr. Sue Aery

BY DR. SUE AERY AERY CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE

Battling fat requires clarity of thought and an ironclad commitment to exercise and proper diet.

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s Americans, we seem to have an obsession with fat, weight and weight loss, especially around our midsections. Many health issues stem from the inflammatory cells associated with belly fat. The battle with weight and undesired fat seems to get worse instead of easier. Aging is usually blamed for the abdominal fat so often associated with heart disease and diabetes. But weight gain and fat are not simply factors of aging. Culturally, we are not paying attention to the formula for losing the dangerous, stubborn fat cells that are ultimately responsible for so much of what pains us in our health stories. Even younger Americans are suffering at an alarming rate with ailments previously reserved for older bodies. Fat cells are designed to protect the body from harmful toxins. These toxins can come

from our environment, including beauty products, detergents, air pollution, pesticides, and fertilizers; we can ingest dietary toxins with poor food choices; we can work out like fiends, which produces toxins within the body; and then we deal with the ordinary production and supply of daily toxins. You can see that we really need fat cells to protect us from all this harm! There is a big difference between the amount of fat our bodies need to protect our organs and our bodies from all these toxins and other harmful things and the amount of fat that many of us carry around, causing major health issues as well as often making us self-conscious and unhappy. Losing weight to reach an ideal weight and fat level takes a few important steps. We must understand the relationship between clean foods and toxin removal. In-

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creasing your intake of antioxidants will help to rid the body of toxins, making it easier to release unwanted fat cells. Second, we must understand that by reducing the “quick� energy of simple carbohydrates, we can then dig into the reserves of the fat cells to furnish energy for our bodies to function, again shedding fat cells. Third, we must make sure that we exercise or move daily for a total of at least 30 minutes or 6,000-8,000 steps. This will ensure that our body stays more toned and efficient, taking the burden off the heart and lungs. Put all of these components together and you might be pleasantly surprised by losing some inflammation along with its corresponding weight and usually inches! Choose your nutrition on purpose so you can be well, eat well, and stay well at a healthy weight! #eatwellbewell #nutritiononpurpose


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HEALTH

GUIDED RELAXATION, AUTUMNAL COOL-DOWN BY ASHBY UNDERWOOD | YOGA HIGHLANDS

Accessible Yoga Nidra is Yoga’s Remedy for Hidden Stress

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Yoga HIghlands believes in building deep reserves that support agility of body and mind. They specialize in adapting yoga for your individual needs and a nourishing approach to self-care through Ayurveda and personal retreat.

et’s practice! Read this aloud, slowly, to a friend, spouse, or child: “Now we will begin the practice of Yoga Nidra or Yogic Sleep. Lie down on a soft surface with pillows under your head and under your knees. Close or cover your eyes. Allow your top eyelids to rest on the lower eyelids. Notice the darkness. Allow your whole body to become heavy into the support of the ground under you. Connect to the solidity of the Earth: your smallness and the Earth’s mass and greatness to hold your full weight. Let go and surrender for a time. Give weight to your bones. Observe the relief of your own heaviness, your muscles loosen their grip. Take pause. You are in total body stillness. “Now, turn your attention to the air passing through each of your nostrils. How does your focus change your breathing rate? Watch until your breath pattern deepens. Observe the breath within the body: The lift of the front ribs and abdomen while taking in air, and the drop and centering with the release of air. For the next five minutes observe the

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growing silence within you and the outer world moving out into the distance. (pause) Now, let’s systematically release all of your body starting with your toes. Staying relaxed and present, bring your attention to your toes with your full awareness. Think to yourself, ‘my toes are relaxing, my toes are completely relaxed.’ Watch the tension melt from your toes. Move your inner gaze up to each part of your body…’the soles of my feet are relaxing, the soles of my feet are completely relaxed,’ gently releasing tension up your legs and into your hips. Gently release tension from each finger, and hand, up your arms to your shoulders. Spread this wave of relaxation with though your internal organs, torso, ribs, whole length of the spine from your tailbone to the upper neck…your face, your jaw, your eyes, and whole skull. Now, relax here while soaking in peace and rejuvenation into your whole body and being.” Practice Benefits: 20 minutes of Yoga Nidra equals a four-hour nap. Yoga Nidra improves digestion and motor control, increases spatial awareness, opens circulation and inspires positivity and ease with meditation.


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HEALTH

SPICY IMMUNITY SLAW BY DR. ANASTASIA HALLDIN | HEALTHYMAMAINFO.COM

Spicy Immunity Slaw offers plenty of health-boosting vitamins and an exhilarating workout for the taste buds.

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hen the first chilly winds begin to hit, the colds and the runny noses begin to happen. There is no better way to enhance your immunity that through eating delicious immunity-enhancing foods. A lot of these foods are combined in this easy slaw. The flavor is absolutely addicting and those that like spicy foods, like garlic and kimchi, will surely appreciate the Spicy Immunity Slaw. The slaw is better made in large amounts and left in the refrigerator, to be eaten over the course of five days. This way it has a chance to ferment and further develop favor. Recipe amounts are not set in stone.

Putting in more radishes and less cabbage, or more leeks and less cucumbers results in a fine slaw, as well. The key is the right balance between the spicy, the sweet and the sour flavors in the slaw. Always taste your Spicy Immunity Slaw to make sure the balance is perfect to your taste. Ingredients: 3 cups Shredded carrots 3 cups Shredded cabbage 3 medium Cucumbers sliced 1 medium Leek sliced 5 medium Radishes sliced 1/4 medium Onion diced

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8 tablespoons Raw apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons Sea salt 1 teaspoon Red pepper 1 teaspoon Paprika 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper 2 tabespoons Grated fresh ginger 1/4 cup Diced dill 2 teaspoons Coriander seed powder 8 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil 8 cloves Garlic diced Preparation: Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl. Leave in the refrigerator, covered, for four to eight hours to develop flavor.


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HOMES & LIFESTYLES

WADE HAMPTON CLUB HOME BY WILEY SLOAN

Elegant comforts and sumptuous surprises adorn every room of this mountain sanctuary.

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njoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains from your elegant home overlooking the 10th fairway of the award-winning Wade Hampton Golf Club. Few homes today embody the quiet elegance of this golf course estate. With its intimate sense of scale and timeless floor plan this home is perfectly suited forBY your carefree living whether you are ?????? home alone or are entertaining scores of your friends. Mature landscape plantings surround the motor court that sits between two extending wings of the house. Build fond

memories as you entertain outdoors in the spacious double carport or on one of the large porches. The home’s hipped gable roof lines combine with the sumptuous exterior materials of cedar shake, natural cedar and native stone to encapsulate the home in richness and charm. The main entry is flanked by stone columns with a post-and-beam roof above. Entering via the front door guests traverse the wide central entry hall past the Library/Den to the Great Room with its dual bookend stone fireplaces. Light from the custom-designed antler chandeliers illumi-

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nates the massive post-and-beam trusses to dance across the wide plank floors warming the room. The lodge-style Great Room, which is reminiscent of the grand manors of yesteryear, opens onto two exterior porches, one with a fireplace. Family and guests move freely throughout these magnificent spaces enjoying the fresh mountain air. Adjoining the Great Room is the large eat-in Kitchen with its spacious eating area. The central island and walls of cabinets provide storage aplenty and work space for a bevy of cooks. Support services


HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

of Mud Room, large Pantry and Laundry are conveniently located nearby. Completing the home’s main level is the Master Bedroom Suite plus two additional Guest Bedroom suites. The upper level provides two additional Bedroom Suites. Rest easy knowing that your guests and family are enjoying the utmost comfort in their private abodes. If hiking and golf do not provide enough

exercise, you’ll appreciate this home’s Gym/Exercise Room located adjacent to the large Family Room on the lower level along with a full bath and additional storage areas. Architect Tim Greene is well-known in the area for his careful attention to detail. Rich pine floors and pine paneling exude warmth and comfort. Commune with nature as you stroll the grounds. There is a separate building that

was originally built as a chapel. You may decide that it best fits your lifestyle as an art studio or a playhouse for the grans. Let your imagination determine its best use. Claim this masterpiece as your own. Call Elizabeth Harris of McKee Properties at (828) 342-3194 or Keven Hawkins at (917) 209-0679 to schedule an appointment for a private showing of this property. You’re sure to be enchanted!

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HOMES & LIFESTYLES

PRESIDENTIAL FIRSTS BY DONNA RHODES ILLUSTRATION BY NORMA JEAN ZAHNER

Donna’s right, every president is bound to be the first to do something, but it’s hard to forget John Quincy Adams’ place in posterity.

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onald Trump was the first to use tweeting as a running presidential commentary. But what are some other firsts performed by residents of the Oval Office? Uncle John’s Fourth Bathroom Reader, one of my favorite reference books (what does that tell ya?), lists other presidential instigations. Teddy Roosevelt was the first to create a slogan while in office. While visiting Andrew Jackson’s home in Tennessee, someone brought him a cup of coffee from the nearby Maxwell House Hotel. When offered a second cup, Roosevelt exclaimed, “Will I have another cup? Delighted! It’s good to the last drop.” Later Maxwell House used his quote in their advertising campaign. That earworm’s been a steady drip-drip-drip in

my brain ever since. Speaking of Andrew Jackson…he was the first President to be born in more than one place. The following areas insist he was their native son: Union County, North Carolina; Berkeley County, West Virginia; Augusta County, West Virginia; York County, Pennsylvania; England; Ireland; and the Atlantic Ocean (he may have been born at sea). His official birthplace, however, is listed as Waxhaw, South Carolina. All you Waxhawnians …Saah-lute! Perhaps the most interesting presidential first is a nude interview done with John Quincy Adams by a woman reporter. President J.Q. loved to go skinny-dipping. In the Capitol’s summer heat he’d sneak out for a

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morning dip in the Potomac. Reporter Anne Royall had been trying to interview him for months. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, so she sneaked up on the starkers Prez and held his clothes hostage by sitting on them. He got them back after he agreed to give her an interview. And finally, President Warren Harding was the first to pardon a dog. He’d read an article in the newspaper about a dog that was to be destroyed in Pennsylvania because he’d been brought into the country illegally. Animal-lover Harding applied some presidential pressure to Pennsylvania’s governor who then released him. Every president has his firsts. Every dog has his day.


BY MARY BETH BRODY | EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISOR

You work hard for your money. Treat it with thoughtful consideration.

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ere we are at Labor Day, a holiday to honor all the hard-working people in this country. As one of them, keep in mind that your efforts can have positive results. Famed film producer Samuel Goldwyn once said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” And this same philosophy can apply to your investing, too – because you can indeed work to become a better investor. Consider these steps: • Work to understand your goals and risk tolerance. Self-knowledge is important in all phases of life – and it’s certainly essential to you when you invest. For one thing, you need to know your goals. How long do you plan to work? What would you like to do when you retire? If you have children, do you expect to help pay for their college educations? You’ll also need to know your risk tolerance to help determine your investment choices. Investors with a high tolerance for risk typically can overlook the dayto-day fluctuations in the financial markets, and may be comfortable investing more aggressively. But those with a low risk tol-

erance may be more inclined to focus on investments that offer greater preservation of principal, even if this means sacrificing some growth potential. • Work to learn all you can about your investments. Here’s a bit of advice that will always be valid: Don’t invest in what you don’t understand. The more you know about your investments and what you can expect from them, the less likely that you will be surprised at their performance and their impact on your financial strategy. When you invest in stocks, you hope their value will appreciate over time, but you shouldn’t be shocked over short-term price fluctuations. Conversely, when you purchase a fixed-rate vehicle, such as a Certificate of Deposit (CD), you expect regular interest payments and a return of your principal when the CD matures. But do not anticipate much, if any, growth in the value of your investment. • Work to develop good investment habits. Developing good habits often pays off. For example, if you exercise regularly, don’t smoke and follow a sensible diet, you will likely help your long-term health. And you

can follow good investment habits, too, such as contributing regularly to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. You’ll also want to avoid bad habits, such as overreacting to a sharp drop in the financial markets. In an effort to cut your losses, you might respond to this downturn by immediately selling investments whose fundamentals are still strong and whose prospects still may be positive. • Work to get the assistance you need. Investing can be complex, so you may want to work with a financial professional. But investing is just one part of your overall financial picture, so working with an attorney can help with your estate plans. And a tax professional can advise you on the tax-related consequences of various financial moves. There aren’t many guarantees in the investment world – but the harder you work at becoming a good investor, the better your chances of reaching your ultimate objectives. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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HOMES AND LIFESTYLES

LABOR DAY YOU CAN WORK TO BECOME A BETTER INVESTOR


HOMES & LIFESTYLES

PRIVATE WATERFALL HOME BY WILEY SLOAN

Revel in a close-up view of nature’s splendor at this Highlands hideaway.

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hether you’re a looking for your first mountain retreat or are downsizing from a larger home to something more manageable, you will want to check out this beautiful home. It is conveniently located on the Atlanta side of Highlands near golf, hiking and zipline. Enjoy a leisurely drive to Highlands or Clayton for shopping, fine dining and the arts. Feel the tensions of the work week fade away as you enjoy the tranquility of the area. With approximately three acres of gently rolling land surrounding your home, communing with nature may be the priority of your day. Enjoy the soothing sounds of your own private waterfall as you sit on the stone terrace or bask in the sunshine from the large deck just off the kitchen. Marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature as dappled sunshine lights the tree tops like an angel’s halo as you sip your morning coffee.

Welcome your friends and family to this luscious mountain abode. The spacious entry foyer flows seamlessly into the large Great Room with its wood-burning fireplace and shimmering oak floors. The home’s clean lines and 21st century appeal make this the perfect home for families of all ages. Imagine sharing time with friends and family around the dining table. The Kitchen’s spacious granite-topped counters and walls of cabinets make meal prep a breeze. Relax after a busy day in your sumptuous Master Bedroom Suite. Conveniently located on the main floor, it’s the perfect retreat after a busy day when you need to relax and recharge. The spacious walk-in closet and Master Bath complete this private enclave. Let your family or guests enjoy their own private digs on the Terrace Level. Their Private Suite includes a large closet and pri-

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vate bath with laundry facilities nearby. Want to finish that gripping novel or answer emails? Slip out to the solitude of the reading nook. As the sun sets behind the hills, you may find yourself sitting at the Bistro table near the Terrace Level entry enjoying a glass of wine. A magical moss-covered path lines the property for evening walks listening to the waterfall below. The attached two-car garage will protect you from inclement weather or could allow room for expansion if your family needs more space. Recently updated by one of the area’s most sought-after builders, this home is ready for you to enjoy. Call Julie Osborne at Pat Allen Realty at (828)-526-8784) or via cell at (828)-2006165 to arrange to see this beauty. For more details on this please visit www. HighlandsWaterfallHome.com or highlandsncrealestatepatallen.com


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SERVICE DIRECTORY

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS

ARCHITECTS

BEAUTY

CABINET DESIGN

CLEANING

CONSTRUCTION

HOME DECOR

HOME SERVICES

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NAILS

PRINTING

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

ROOFING

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

MASSAGE


GIVING BACK

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ROSE MARY ACHEY

COMPASSION TO ACTION

Rose Mary Achey

BY JENNY KING

Armed with an effervescent smile and a deep well of energy, Rose Mary Achey has assembled a small army of volunteers.

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he Village Green in Cashiers, under the direction of Ann Self, is unquestionably the center of the activity in Cashiers Village. You’ll find music festivals, art shows, children’s events, and much more. It’s a lot to organize, but Rose Mary Achey helps by staffing the varied activities with local volunteers. Achey is Volunteer Coordinator for The Village Green. Having come from a career in nonprofits, she knows how important it is to foster volunteer relationships. She feels that the most important part of her job is communication. A volunteer can feel lost or overwhelmed if no direction is given, so Achey is very aware that she needs to educate, too. She’s a strong believer in the importance of seeing that each volunteer’s time is used to the fullest, which increases the level of satisfaction and probability of returning. It’s also vital that the interests of the volunteer be taken into account when making assignments. Her model is obviously working, given the

cadre of volunteers has grown from zero to over 300 during her tenure. She knew she wanted to get involved in the community as soon as she became a full-time resident of Cashiers. On one of her many walks through the Village Green with her black lab, Charlotte, she realized just what a special place it is and wondered how she might help. Achey began volunteering as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2015 and has consistently built the program over the last three years. A great deal of her life is spent out-ofdoors, with her bees, her garden, and hiking throughout the area. She treasures the peace and quiet of her life in Cashiers Valley and is a powerful advocate for her community. She has recently become the Secretary for the Jackson County Beekeepers Association, which currently has a membership of 37. If you’d like to join the happy volunteers for the Cashiers Village Green, please let Rose Mary know. You may email her at volunteer@VillageGreenCashiersNC.com or call her at (704) 517-1976.

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GIVING BACK

IN MEMORY OF MARTHA BY SUE BLAIR CARPE DIEM FARMS

Martha Parish’s well-lived, well-loved life set the tone for every aspect of the life of Carpe Diem Farms.

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he richness of life is not determined by your bottom line, your checkbook, your car or your home. The richness of life, your personal wealth on this journey, in my opinion is directly proportional to the depth of the relationships you share in life. For me and Carpe Diem Farms, it’s been rich beyond measure because of a 35-year relationship with Martha Mobley Parish. (May 16, 1916 - July 13, 2018) Because of Martha I have experienced first-hand “growing older with grace.” If only I can be so grace-filled. Martha was only two years older than I am today when first we met and never did I feel an age gap. We met at the Highlands Country Club, assigned as team members in the weekly ladies golf association. She never cringed when paired with me, a novice golfer, and I never had a

Martha Parish and Promise

chance against her skill or competitive nature! We found common ground in our love of nature and became fast friends. When I moved to my comfort zone establishing Carpe Diem Farms, Martha was right there cheering me on, telling folks all about her adventures on the farm. She was first to visit “Promise” the day he was born and her special relationship with him was born. She painted his portrait, her first-ever of a horse and named our 100 percent organic compost “Promising Results.” The painting became the product’s logo. Martha’s interest in the magic of horses grew every year. She brought car loads and a full activity bus from Chestnut Hill to meet her equine friends and have me demonstrate the human/horse connection. She bought front row seats for every “horse whisperer” training

we held and made sure to bring others along. Her commitment included encouraging others to donate and volunteer, always wanting to help feed and care for the horses. Her enthusiasm knew no bounds. When Easy’s Slipper was in its production infancy four years ago she and her friend Mott Wight volunteered weekly to help in the factory. It always seemed to me that there was nothing she wouldn’t do to be a contributor to the life and times of CDF. She never visited without a bag of treats for her barn buddies and they knew it. Martha, at 102 and through all the ages I have known her, set the bar high. Her selfless acts of kindness, her appreciation of clouds, flowers, friends, and family made her one in a million. She will be missed and always remembered. Rest well, my friend.

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GIVING BACK

IT STARTS WITH ONE SMALL STEP BY JANE JERRY HIGHLANDS ROTARY CLUB

A simple commitment to one good idea can make a world of difference.

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here’s no question that when you’re a candy maker you’re a pretty popular guy and you’re really busy. In Jerry Moore’s case, you’re extremely busy because you also have a very involved-in-the-community-wife, four children, and you’re President of the Rotary Club of Highlands. How could you possibly have any time left over to “Be the Inspiration?!” That’s Rotary International’s 2018 theme. “Sometimes we all get overwhelmed by really big ideas – like curing cancer

Jerry Moore and family

or ending poverty,” Moore reflected. “But inspiring others starts with the small things. Things we can all do. Like I tell my kids: ‘Every day pick up one piece of trash. Just one.’ So in my family that’s six pieces of trash every day. In a month that’s 183 pieces of trash – in a year over 2,0 0 0 – five years, 10,0 0 0. You get the point! And that’s a lot of trash picked up by just my family. And if each of us work together to inspire others that makes a huge difference. “I think about teachers at Highlands

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School and how so many of them could be off making big bucks, but they stay here making a difference, one child at a time in our own community. And I think about the members of Rotary and how they inspire others through their work in nonprofit organizations. And I think about the Rotary Club as a whole – ours is only one club out of 33,0 0 0 in the world – but put it all together and we are on the verge of eradicating polio! “It all started with one small step. That’s how I think we can be an inspiration!”


Harold Sims

BY EMILY CROWELL

If every dog has its day, then surely every cat deserves its museum – The American Museum of the Housecat just outside of Dillsboro.

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n Egyptian cat that was killed and mummified to be a vessel for transporting a person’s spirit to the afterlife. A petrified feline that, in medieval times, perhaps unwisely hid in a chimney to escape death by fire as part of Pope Gregory IX’s persecution of cats. A large collection of wind-up cats dating back to the 1890’s, for the less-morbid among us. These are a few of the wonders you’ll find at the American Museum of the Housecat located on Highway 441 a few miles south of Dillsboro in Jackson County – a must-visit for any cat lover or history buff venturing off the plateau. As its name suggests, the museum celebrates the common housecat (as if there’s such a thing) and is the work of retired biology professor Harold Sims, who has dedicated his

retirement to the safe and compassionate rescue and adoption of cats. Dr. Sims spent over 30 years collecting cat memorabilia, including folk art, vintage advertisements, art glass, antique cat toys, carousel cats, and the petrified and mummified cats – he even had the mummy x-rayed to be sure it wasn’t a fake. The museum opened last April and had 6,000 visitors during its first season – and it’s on track to surpass that number this year. One of the main draws of the museum is Dr. Sims himself, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the origins and history of the items in the museum and can often be found giving museum tours. The American Museum of the Housecat is located inside the Old School Antique Mall at 4704 U.S. Highway 441 South in Sylva, about three miles south of Dillsboro – you can’t miss

the delightfully colorful cat art that decorates the outside of the building. It’s open seasonally from April 1 to December 31 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Tuesday through Saturday; and noon to 4:30 P.M. Sundays. Tickets are $7.50 and proceeds fund the museum and the Catman2 Shelter, which is a no-kill cage-free cat shelter currently located in Cullowhee, with origins on Dr. Sims property in Glenville.

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GIVING BACK

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE HOUSECAT


GIVING BACK

THE $30 FIX BY DAVID STROUD CASHIERS-HIGHLANDS HUMANE SOCIETY

A good pet needs a responsible, loving owner.

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o be sure, a litter of puppies or kittens can be incredibly cute. But not so cute when they arrive unwanted or unexpected and are then dumped at the nearest animal shelter, or worse, abandoned on the side of the road or deep in the woods. Each year, countless litters are brought to the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, and most of the time these babes are infested with worms and other parasites and require immediate and expensive veterinary attention. This heartbreaking situation can be easily prevented if more responsible pet owners would take advantage of our low-cost spay/neuter program known as “The $30 Fix.” We have fixed more than 2,000 animals in the past four years and we are on a

record pace for spay/neuters in 2018, dramatically reducing pet overpopulation in our community. We offer spay and neuter for cats and dogs for just $30, and we never turn anyone away for lack of ability to pay. The benefits of pet spay/neuter are welldocumented, including: reducing euthanasia of unwanted puppies and kittens in government-run municipal shelters; “fixed” cats and dogs live a longer healthier life and are less likely to wander, roam, and run away; spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats; and neutering male canines and felines prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. We know your pets aren’t broken, but

they still need to be fixed! Get your pet spayed or neutered with The $30 Fix. We offer several low-cost spay/neuter days each month, and we ask that payments and appointments be made in advance. For more information, please call CHHS at (828) 743-5752. Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal shelter that receives no state or county tax dollars, and no funding from any national animal organization. CHHS is located on Highway 64 in Sapphire, two miles east of the Cashiers Crossroads. For more information, visit us online at CHhumanesociety. org. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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GIVING BACK

AN ARTISTIC CONFLUENCE Diane McPhail and her creative process took the center stage for an enriching evening of revelation and inspiration.

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he Bascom Shop recently hosted a very special studio event with local artist Diane McPhail, attended by patrons interested in visiting Diane’s private studio and watching the artist paint in her creative haven. The evening began as attendees followed a candle-lit path down the wooden stairs of Diane’s studio, which resembles an enchanted tree house located across a wooden bridge on the edge of a stream. Inside, guests enjoyed Spanish tapas as they explored Diane’s three story tall gallery-esque walls, covered from floor to ceiling in paintings representing a collection of work spanning several decades. After a short artist talk, the night’s main attraction featured live music by the musical trio Encounter singing acoustically from

the balcony overlooking Diane’s studio as the artist painted, drawing inspiration from the crooning above. Always a champion of the creative process, Diane invited the audience to join her in the painting, creating a piece that draws energetic influence from music, artist, and participant. As the event wound down, the finished painting was auctioned off to the audience, a true one-of-a-kind treasure to crown the night. A longtime supporter of The Bascom, proceeds from Diane’s studio event will go directly to funding The Bascom’s Artist Talk Series. The Artist Talk Series is a collection of 15-minute interviews

released on The Bascom’s Facebook page highlighting local, regional, and national artists, giving them a platform to talk about their work and process. The Bascom is a six-acre visual art center in Highlands. An admission-free facility, The Bascom offers year-round exhibitions to creatively enrich the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. The Bascom offers educational opportunities and partners with over 40 non-profit organizations to fill art education needs both locally and regionally.

THE HOUSE OF MANY HOMES BY WILEY SLOAN

The Peggy Crosby Center is home to so much goodness, it’s a community treasure.

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et’s explore what the Peggy Crosby Center is and why it’s one of Highlands’ most valuable assets. The PCC, located at 348 South Fifth Street, offers well-maintained and comfortable office space to nonprofit entities and small startup businesses that are vital to our community. Since its creation in the mid ‘90s the PCC Board of Directors has worked tirelessly to update the original Highlands Hospital building (constructed in the 1940’s) to meet the needs of organizations operating in today’s world. The organizations housed at the Center improve the lives of area residents in numerous ways. Continual learning is the focus of both The Literacy Council and The Center for Life Enrichment. Improving health is paramount for The Counseling & Psychotherapy Center,

The Center for Acupuncture & Healing Arts, Overland Unlimited Bridge of Hope, and At Your Service Home Care. The International Friendship Center helps folks acclimate to our area while financial services firms like Curtis Mathews CPA and Prudential Advisors keep clients grounded. Thank You Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust for protecting the ecology of our area, Stratton Construction for guiding area development through an interactive scheduling process, and The Kitchen Carry Away for keeping us all fed and happy. Looking at the Crosby Center in its splendor, who’d know that it was originally Highlands first hospital? Over the past few years the building has been updated to be energy

efficient, offer 21st century services like internet and has been given a total facelift. The affordable rents, which allow the tenants to utilize more of their valuable resources to serve their clients, cover only the day-today operating costs. Capital improvements are covered by funds raised from grants and The Center’s annual fund-raising campaign known as “Peggy’s Heroes.” A tiered program of giving, Peggy’s Heroes encourages new donors and return donors to increase their level of support. Won’t you join your friends and neighbors in being one of Peggy’s Heroes? Check out the October Laurel or visit peggycrosbycenter.org for more details on Peggy’s Heroes.

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GIVING BACK

A PRICELESS GEM NAMED RUBY Ruby has found sanctuary at the Forever Farm, but she could use a loving home.

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t the Forever Farm, a big part of our mission is care of senior pets. It might be the thing Friends For Life is best known for. However, another important part of what we do is take care of special needs pets. Young cats and dogs who end up at the farm are usually here due to special medical needs. A lovely example of our young special needs pets is Ruby, a three-year-old Redbone Hound. Ruby came to us this spring after she was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a condition in which the adrenal gland stops producing enough of two hormones called cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol is a steroid that helps combat stress, and aldosterone helps regulate water and electrolytes in the body. Addison’s is rare in dogs, but left untreated, it’s fatal. Ruby’s family noticed she was acting

different. Normally lively and playful, she became lethargic. It quickly became obvious something wasn’t right. At the emergency clinic, she was diagnosed and the process of regulating her treatment began. The key to Addison’s treatment is replacement of the hormones the body isn’t producing in sufficient levels. In Ruby’s case it is a once a month shot. If a dog is being treated and stress levels are kept low, it can live a completely normal, active life. The only unfortunate drawback is that the cost of the treatment can be pricey. In the case of Ruby’s family, this cost, as well as the impending arrival of a new child, caused them to strongly consider whether they could provide the stable and low-stress home she needed to thrive. They reached out to us, and we de-

termined the farm could be an environment where Ruby could thrive. In the couple of months she’s been here, Ruby has made lots of canine and human friends. She’s responding well to treatment. We consider Ruby to be very adoptable and she would make an amazing addition to someone’s life. In the meantime, her medication, along with all the medications and veterinary treatment we must provide to our residents, is a significant part of our budget. We rely on the kindness and generosity of people like you to help us meet those needs. If you’re interested in adoption or in contributing to the mission of Friends for Life, visit our website at friendsforlife.foreverfarm.org or call (828) 508-2460. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 340, Sapphire, NC 28774.

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FOREVER FARM


GIVING BACK

FATHER CASMIR Father Casmir Maduakor is leading the congregation of Our Lady of the Mountains.

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ur Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church is pleased to announce the appointment of Father Casmir Maduakor as Pastor and Administrator. Father Casmir comes to Our Lady of the Mountains from Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point, North Carolina, where he was parochial vicar. Previously, he has served as parochial vicar at St. Peter Church in Beaufort, South Carolina; as supply priest in residence at St. Theresa the Little Flower Church in Summerville, South Carolina; and as parochial vicar at St. Andrew in Myrtle Beach. Father Casmir was born in Enugu, Nigeria, and is a graduate of Urban University in Rome and Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, where he received a doctorate in Moral Theology. He was ordained in Nigeria in 1984, and served as a pastor and rector of a seminary there before coming to the United States in 2003 to serve in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, visit thelaurelmagazine.com

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BIZ SPOTLIGHT

70 YEARS OF FABULOUS BY MARY JANE MCCALL

Catherine Peay

The Brier Patch is a beguiling escape from the stresses of the world.

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nce upon a time in a little cottage tucked on the side of a busy highway there lived a charming little store called The Brier Patch, and that charming little cottage and that equally charming business are still here today, celebrating their 70th anniversary. Jack and Catherine Peay invite you to stop in and celebrate their anniversary with them. The business was opened and the store built in 1948. Though it looks like a repurposed home, the building has in fact always been a storefront. Catherine is the daughter of Jon and Virginia Appelton who bought the business in 1982. As business has grown, the building has been added onto several times, but has always managed to keep that cottage feel. Stepping into this oasis is a delight for the senses. It is immediately calming with lively colors, natural light, and the hypnotic sound of a slightly creaking wooden floor as you meander through looking at every delightful treasure in this gift and home accessory store. You may think you’re stopping by for a short visit “just to look,” but you’ll become so entranced you’ll stay longer. They feature a multitude of lamps for

your every need; an array of beautiful pillows (dog lovers will especially love their breed specific pillows); hostess gifts of every imaginable kind; décor items, including this year’s best seller: tabletop fountains; vases; silk flowers, plants and containers; and charming teak stools hand painted and carved in Thailand but designed by an American artist in Summerville, S.C. They also feature fine furniture pieces. Which brings us to the pièce de résistance, the original artwork by Jo Ann Williams Walker, whose paintings adorn the walls, and whose bright colors enhance the light and brightness of this business wonderfully. It is a match made in heaven, and the paintings themselves are created in a place some would call heaven, the back porch of The Brier Patch. This serene covered porch, with a stunning and unexpected view of Shortoff Mountain, overlooks a delightful backyard garden and serves as Jo Ann’s studio. It also serves as a favorite for customers who look forward to sitting for a bit in this peaceful little alcove. Catherine and Jack welcome old friends and new to stop by and see them at 4186 Cashiers Road. You’ll be glad you did.

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BIZ SPOTLIGHT

THE WRITE STUFF BY EMILY CROWELL

AJ Stewart’s Blue Valley Press offers confident help navigating the tricky depths of grammar and composition.

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o you need to promote your business but grammar, spelling, and writing in general ain’t your thang? Or are you a student who needs a little extra guidance writing that looming essay? Lucky for you – Blue Valley Press is here to help! Cashiers-based Blue Valley Press is the brainchild of Glenville resident AJ Stewart. AJ published her first novel in March of 2018 and started offering drafting and editing services as a way to give back to the community that has shown her so much support. Blue Valley Press can help businesses by drafting original brochures, newsletters,

AJ Stewart web content, and the like. If a business just wants another set of eyes to check grammar and punctuation, they can do that, too. They can also do line editing to improve sentence structure, character development, and organization. “I think writing really is an art form, but because it’s not a visual art, it tends to get overlooked,” says AJ. “I have seen many press releases that have typos and misspelled words; websites that have misleading information or incorrect facts. These things look unprofessional and can turn away potential customers and clients, but they’re very easily fixed just by having someone review it be-

fore it’s published.” Another place where good writing, accurate information, and attention to grammar and spelling count is in the classroom. Blue Valley Press also offers tutoring and homework help with writing assignments and essays during the school year – a fact that both high school and college students should note since the beginning of the year is fast approaching. Those interested in the services of Blue Valley Press should contact AJ at aj@ bluevalleypress.com or by phone at (828) 508-9148. There’s also a contact form online at bluevalleypress.com.

CHAMBER’S TARGETED OUTREACH BY DONNA RHODES

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s improved website offers benefits for member businesses and the people who seek them.

T

he Highlands Chamber of Commerce is in the process of launching its new website in tandem with a dynamic Customer Relationship Management program. Enthusiasm has risen dramatically as Chamber members help usher in this new strategy for managing data, information, and interactions associated with existing and potential customers. Businessmen/women, residents, and visitors will benefit substantially from this well-researched plan for putting Highlands on all the right maps. Highlands’ unique businesses, exceptional outdoor activities, friendly people, and great food and entertainment will be highly visible

when the program is fully implemented. Thanks to the national destination-marketing firm Simpleview, whose client resume´ includes Asheville, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, and even New York City, the Highlands Chamber is raising the bar in its marketing game. Dale Gordon, Marketing and Project Manager says, “This latest collaborative system will not only allow us the ability to reach new and existing audiences through its systematic algorithms with qualified and targeted outreach, but it will also help us to better serve our Chamber members.” One fabulous improvement is that Chamber members, in real time, will have

direct access to the inner workings of the system. They can update content related to their businesses on the new Chamber website in a snap. “Promoting a business’s latest specials, news, and highlights, right on the spot, is now a reality,” says Dale. “Having a sale at your shop? Log on and add it. Want to highlight the special menu of the day? Log on and add it.” “All in all, this is yet another way our Highlands Chamber is making the Town of Highlands look not just good, but five stars great.” For more information about the new Website/CRM, email Dale at marketing@ highlandschamber.org.

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BIZ SPOTLIGHT

Regina and Chris Hunter

LAKESHORE MARINA A healthy dash of kindness and courtesy lies at the heart of Regina and Chris Hunter’s Lakeshore Marina.

A

s you come around Lake Glenville, there’s a little green shack tucked under the shade trees just before Hamburg Baptist Church. That little green shack is the home of the Plateau’s only full-service concierge marina, Lakeshore Marina. Unlike the sprawling complex and full staff that is Signal Ridge, Lakeshore Marina is nothing more than a cozy little dock and the welcoming smiles of owners Regina and Chris Hunter. Lakeshore Marina may be small, but what they lack in size they make up for in their generosity and exceptional service. “You have to get into the mind of the traveler,” says Regina. “We provide every service you could ask for.” And she’s not exaggerating. The level of

personal service they offer is unmatched. From the moment you pull into their parking lot, Regina and her family are there to greet you and carry your belongings to the boat. From there, you can take the boat out for a fun filled afternoon on the lake with one of their tubes or kneeboards, or you can take one of their guided tours. They offer tubing, history, and sightseeing tours of Lake Glenville. If you’d rather see the lake without the roar of a motor, you can take one of their canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards for a spin. Opened in 2000, Chris and Regina started with just one boat. Over the last 18 years, they have slowly expanded their fleet to feature four boats and three jet skis. But the exceptional level of service doesn’t

end there. Chris and Regina’s generosity extends further to offer boat tours to the international students working at Old Edwards Inn who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience Lake Glenville. The Hunters also donate boat rentals to local fundraisers. 2018 has been a busy year for all of us and Lakeshore Marina is no exception. “This has been our busiest season so far,” says Regina. “We’re just here to please.” Lakeshore Marina is open April through October from 8:00 A.M. to dusk, depending on the weather. For more information call (828) 743-9998 or visit lakeshoremarina-nc. com to book your next adventure.

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BIZ SPOTLIGHT

Cheryl and Carl Littlefield

UNIQUE MANTIQUES BY A.J. STEWART

Mantiques has opened an expansive new space in Brevard, but it hasn’t lost the spark that powers its Cashiers flagship.

M

antiques is unquestionably a unique shop among the Plateau’s business ecosystem. This isn’t your average antique shop. This carefully-curated collection of antiques, art, Americana, and vintage sports memorabilia will add color, richness, and texture that you didn’t realize your rustic decor was missing. The eclectic array of gifts is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else – perfect for that particularly hard to shop for gentleman. Owners Carl and Cheryl Littlefield opened this museum/treasure chest/hunting lodge scavenger hunt in 2012 as an excuse to spend more time on the Plateau and escape the heat and humidity of Florida. “We wanted it to be a destination store,” says Carl. “A place that people would be willing to travel to, that’s worth the trouble to get there.” And travel they did. Mantiques was an immediate success and has been for six years. John Nichols, a real estate developer in Brevard, visited Mantiques with his father and immediately fell in love with it. He knew it would fit right in Downtown Brevard, but Carl needed a little more convincing. Mantiques has enjoyed great success in Cashiers, but Carl was wary about expanding. John knew just the thing to change Carl’s mind: the location. Built in 1930, the triple tier building at 68 Main Street was once an early Ford dealership. A 1935 Ford panel truck sits in the front window, paying homage to the buildings history. It doesn’t get much manlier than that. Thanks to the hard work of John and a dedicated management staff, their new location opened for business on July 25 to an eager crowd. “That first day, there was not one single minute that we didn’t have at least a handful of people browsing through the store,” says Carl. Sprawling across 8,000 square feet of retail space, the new store has a whopping 10 times more floor space than the cramped 800 square feet in Cashiers. Carl and Cheryl are taking full advantage of the elbow room, creating striking displays and arrangements to show off the antique furniture and vintage accessories. You can find antiques anywhere. For something truly unique, go see Carl and Cheryl. Get a MANtique.

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BIZ SPOTLIGHT

LIFE IS YOUR PARTY BY DONNA RHODES

Sashay Around still specializes in comfortable couture, figure-flattering fashion, and, of course, impeccable personalized attention.

I

n the year of America’s Bicentennial when Gay Townsend and business partner Paulette Crabtree opened Sashay Around, styles were very different from today. Floorlength gowns with padded shoulders were standard evening wear. On the other end of the spectrum the hippie subculture influenced fashion with its cutoffs, bell-bottoms, and mini-skirts. Fashion was experiencing extremes. Jeans were not acceptable office or on-the-town wear. There was no comfortable middle ground for 40-somethings unless a leisure suit had appeal. Fast forward to 2018. New fiber discoveries offer lightweight, wrinkle-free, breathable options. Today’s jeans are an acceptable choice for nearly every occasion. Shoppers are less concerned with formality and more interested in comfort and easy care. While online shopping is tempting, there are three important reasons why a local boutique like Sashay Around is a much

better choice: 1. Real sales people will take an interest in your look, help you find colors that Debi Stewart and Elphaba match your skin tone, and suggest fit-like-a-glove selections for your unique bodythat keep those good ol’ days alive. Your type and preferences. faith in these shops and your purchases 2. It’s a place to experience up-closeand-personal the fabric’s texture, its give are the only things that propel and sustain and stretch, its actual color, and the feel of their excellence. Through the evolution of fashion and its the cloth next to your skin. 3. All sizes are not uniform. You can’t step purchase options, one thing remains coninto the computer and try on a dress. You stant in the Cashiers/Highlands clothing have to wait for shipping. If the garment world: Sashay Around is a friendly place doesn’t fit, you have to wait for return mail, where customer service is an artform, and sales people dress you like Life is your party. and then a new size has to be sent. MeanSashay Around is open Monday through while, the occasion for which it was needed Saturday, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Sunhas passed. day after church to 4:00 P.M. Contact Gay’s We often talk about the good old days daughter, Debi at (828) 743-3003 or email when customers really mattered and sales debi@sashayaround.com. clerks really cared. It’s the local boutiques

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FAMILY FARM | Orchards on 23 Private Acres LAKEFRONT RETREAT | Relaxing Weekends Await PRIVATE WATERFALL | HGTV Extreme Home Winner

VACATION RENTALS | Lakehouses & Cabins

NC LIVING SILVER CREEK REAL ESTATE GROUP

SUMMER 2018

THE LAKE

LIFE

Which lake fits your lifestyle?

READ IT ONLINE

AT

NCLIVING.COM thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 149


UX XU UR RY Y E E SS TTA ATT E E O ON N 77 33 A AC CR RE E SS LL U UR RR RO OU UN ND DE ED D B BY Y W WA ATT E ER R FFA A LL LL SS SS U

CULLOWHEE $6,995,000

Perhaps the most remarkable home and water features in the area, this 6,000+ square foot home straddles Knob Creek and a large swimming hole. The property’s many acres on either side of the creek provide complete privacy with walking and four-wheeling trails throughout. There are two ponds with a fishing dock. The property is gentle with elevations from 3620-3950 feet. The property is convenient to both Cashiers and Highlands. The long driveway into the home is flat and meanders through meadows and under brushed forests. Entering this property feels like entering a huge private estate or National Park. Most of the property is in a conservation easement with the main house and 10 cabin sites as out parcels. There are fireplaces in the living room, in the guest suite, and on the all season porch. MLS# 84897.

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Sprawling Estate WADE HAMPTON GOLF CLUB

CASHIERS CASHIERS

Wade Hampton Hampton Golf Golf Club Club Wade

$3,995,000 $3,995,000

Offered for the first time, this elegant sanctuary designed by Tim Greene sits high in the Blue Ridge Mountains inside the premier golf club of Wade Hampton. A serene setting along with the highest quality materials, fine craftsmanship and thoughtful architectural details make it an exceptional find. Exuding a warm and inviting ambience, the main house boasts generous living space, gorgeous mountain views, and seven stacked stone fireplaces. Opening out to a private porch with soothing mountain vistas, the expansive master suite includes two fireplaces, a spa-like master bath, and an adjacent private sitting room. MLS# 87969.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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JUST LISTED

THE CHATTOOGA CLUB

Woodland Cottage $3,400,000

Featured in Garden & Gun and Southern Accents magazines, Woodland Cottage was decorated by acclaimed designer Kathleen Rivers. The home was assembled from reclaimed nineteenth-century log buildings from Tennessee and Kentucky and sited on nearly an acre overlooking Chimney Top and Rock mountains. With its patina of over 150 years of weathering, the log home feels as if it was passed down through many generations. With all the sophisticated charm of a British hunting lodge, there are historic details everywhere you look, such as dovetail notches and hash marks created by the broadaxes of Appalachian pioneers. The sumptuous great hall offers 30-foot ceilings and an imposing fireplace crafted by third-generation stonemason. MLS# 89048.

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Just Listed FURNISHED ESTATE HOME WITH CENTRAL LOCATION

BIG SHEEPCLIFF

Centrally located just minutes from the Cashiers Crossroads in the beautiful and private gated com-

Aerie Manor

properties in the Western North Carolina mountains. Sitting at approximately 4,600 feet in a seclud-

$3,000,000

munity of Big Sheepcliff, Aerie Manor was featured in Veranda magazine as one of the most astounding ed setting, this estate is set amidst jaw-dropping panoramas of Cashiers, Cashiers Lake, and the multi-layered mountain ranges beyond. Soaring 29-foot ceilings greet you at the entry and continue into the stately living area and sitting room. Filled with natural light, the living room floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views that go on seemingly forever. MLS# 89155.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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CASHIERS

Wade Hampton Golf Club $2,950,000

Adjoining national forest, the property looks out over panoramic and pristine mountain views. From the moment you open the front door, you’ll feel the openness and easy flow created by acclaimed architect Al Platt. The kitchen opens to the dining room and out to an incredible Carolina porch with beamed ceilings, featuring an outdoor kitchen and wood-burning fireplace. The spacious master suite is on the main floor for easy access. The upper floor has two guest suites with a large office area, and a second living area and two more guest suites are downstairs. The lower Carolina porch features a hot tub and a fireplace to enjoy the view and breezes. MLS# 88854.

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ZACHARY’S GAP $2,590,000

On five acres in the idyllic mountaintop community of Zachary’s Gap, this stunning estate welcomes you with rich wood and stone architectural details. The foyer opens to the living room with a massive stone fireplace, soaring ceilings with strong timber beams and room for a grand piano, and then flows into the elegant dining room with wet bar — an inviting atmosphere for small gatherings or larger festivities. The impressive gourmet kitchen is designed for every level of culinary skill, from the casual cook to the experienced chef. This beautifully finished custom home offers an array of living spaces for privacy, comfort and versatility. MLS#86270.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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LAKE GLENVILLE

LAKE GLENVILLE

This custom-built home with 180 degree panoramic views of Lake Glenville and the mountain ranges

Summer Hill

beyond. Spacious master suite on main, with screened sleeping porch. The home features four fire-

$2,395,000

take in the incredible views in every direction. Upstairs, you’ll enjoy views from almost every room-

places-two inside and two out, plentiful covered screened deck space and a large open deck below to even from the chef’s kitchen with a small office. Downstairs you’ll enjoy the three guest suites, large second living area, an office with custom built-ins, and a state-of-the-art home theatre. MLS# 88426.

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JUST LISTED

HIGHLANDS

Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove $2,300,000

Experience true luxury at nearly 4,500 feet with one of the best views the Western North Carolina mountains have to offer. Designed for relaxed entertaining and hosting family and friends in pampered comfort, the expansive floor plan highlights the incredible panoramic vistas from almost every room. The well-appointed home features a magnificent kitchen with all the amenities a chef could desire, looking out to a water feature in one direction and incredible mountain views in the other. The kitchen opens to the dining and a spacious living area which is dressed to impress, with a grand stone fireplace, soaring ceilings and windows, an elegant chandelier and an inviting ambiance that sets the tone for the entire home. MLS# 89129.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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HIGHL AND GAP $1,995,000 Tucked away in picturesque Highland Gap, this extraordinary 48-acre estate has been lovingly carved out of Nantahala National Forest. The striking, partially furnished three-bedroom home is reminiscent of the Biltmore Bungalows, with true Arts and Crafts architecture, authentic period pieces, and careful attention to detail in the design and woodwork. MLS# 87036.

FIRST TIME

ON T HE

MARKET

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $1,900,000 Five bedrooms and five baths provide plenty of room for guests. Located at the end of a quiet street with plenty of privacy, beautiful landscaping with indigenous plants surrounds the home. A covered deck with wood-burning fireplace boasts spectacular views of Chimneytop, Bald Rock, Hogback, Big Sheepcliff, Little Sheepcliff, Shortoff, and Yellow Mountains. MLS# 88392.

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FIRST TIME

ON T HE

MARKET

ROUND HILL ESTATES $1,849,000 Situated on tranquil Fairfield Lake, Nestledown is truly a masterpiece of architectural, interior, and landscape design. Massive stone walls, columns, and mature landscaping grace the approach. The porte cochère’s stonework offers an impressive entry to this elegant estate home with a level of craftsmanship and artistry that is unsurpassed. MLS# 88833.

HIGHL ANDS $1,750,000 Tranquil and picturesque long range vistas abound from this 22-acre Blue Valley estate in Highlands. Positioned at an elevation of 3,780 feet, the property features excellent privacy and incredible panoramic views of several mountain ranges, with layered ridges that turn a cool, misty blue in the distance. Taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings, the main home offers several inviting outdoor living spaces for entertaining friends and extended family. MLS# 88430.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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NE W LISTING

SASSAFRAS RIDGE $1,750,000 This stunning mountain estate offers fantastic panoramic, multi-layered views of Bald Rock and the Balsam Mountains beyond. The custom home is nestled on the ridge at over 4000’ of elevation, offering cool summer temperatures and tons of curb appeal. From the moment you enter the home, the captivating views take your breath away. MLS# 89149. $1,750,000.

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $1,700,000 Located inside the gates of the exclusive Chattooga Club, this elegant, fully furnished cottage would make a perfect year round residence or seasonal family retreat. Fine finishes and thoughtful design details throughout impart a luxurious yet relaxed ambiance. The classic floor plan is designed for entertaining, with plenty of natural light and outdoor living space. MLS# 88119.

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SASSAFRAS RIDGE $1,700,000 Located on over nine acres for absolute privacy, this beautiful mountain estate offers gorgeous long range, layered mountain views of Bald Rock and beyond from high atop Sassafras Ridge. Enjoy the panoramic vistas from almost every room in the house, including the striking great room with a massive stone fireplace and the fabulous covered porch with its own stone fireplace for cool evenings. MLS# 87265.

CEDAR HILL $1,695,000 Nestled in a shady grove of trees, this elegant custom-built mountain estate bids welcome to all who enter. Both formal and casual entertaining are a pleasure in the gourmet kitchen, which has been completely renovated with modern finishes and all-new appliances, including a Wolf gas cooktop, two warming drawers, and double ovens. MLS# 86369.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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HIGHL AND GAP $1,595,000 Located on over six acres in the picturesque Highlands Gap community of Scaly Mountain, this unique custom home offers gorgeous long range mountain views. No expense was spared in the construction or upkeep of this spacious retreat. Features include master bedroom suites on each level, three stacked stone fireplaces and a beautiful chef’s kitchen, along with a large media room, home office and laundry/mud room. The open decking and screened porch with hot tub offer the best in outdoor living. MLS# 87855.

BIG RIDGE $1,495,000 Created by acclaimed architectural designer Tim Greene, this beautiful home offers breathtaking views of the Great Balsam Mountains with layers that seem to go on forever. The spacious layout is perfect for hosting friends and family, with the master suite on the main level and three guest suites upstairs. The gourmet kitchen features custom cabinetry, an eat-in area, ample countertops for serving, and premium appliances including a six-burner gas range, dual wall ovens and a warming drawer. MLS# 88488.

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BIG RIDGE $1,399,000 Situated high atop Big Ridge, this modern farmhouse at app. 4,000' of elevation offers stunning panoramic long range mountain views. Overlooking the 22 acres which includes a pond and expansive lawn areas not typically in the area, this estate property must be seen to fully appreciate. The main level includes the generous living and dining rooms both with stone fireplaces and attractive wood floors. The expansive main bedroom suite with sitting area opens to the porch and magnificent views. MLS# 88192.

L AKE GLENVILLE $1,395,000 This is elegant lake-front living at its finest, spread over 1.3 acres. One of the nicest lake homes on all of Lake Glenville, this property is tucked in a tranquil cove, and abuts Summersong the premier estate property on all of Lake Glenville. The home is an entertainer's dream, and features a kitchen that will be any cook's delight - complete with bar and wine cooler. Open, comfortable living area with incredible views out over the lake from most every room in the house. MLS# 87978.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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SAPPHIRE $1,350,000 Designed for nature lovers, this home offers a fabulous water feature, a terraced stone patio with a fire pit, and a pavilion suspended high above the valley floor below. On the main level, the master bedroom features two walls of windows and a private covered Trex deck with an en-suite bath which overlooks the breathtaking view towards Whiteside Mountain. The guest bedroom and an office are also located on the main level of the home and offer spectacular views. The family room and an additional bedroom are on the lower level, just a short walk from the gazebo. MLS# 88846.

SAPPHIRE $1,295,000 Sitting at just under 4,000 feet of elevation, this magnificent contemporary home boasts huge long-range views into South Carolina, up to 50 miles on a clear day. Dramatic floor-toceiling windows fill the rooms with natural light and create a seamless link to the incredible natural surroundings. The spacious four-bedroom floor plan has three levels, with a great room, kitchen, master suite, guest suite and den/library with bath on the main floor. MLS# 87447.

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THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $1,295,000 This cozy three bedroom, three bath Tudor-style Club Cottage is full of storybook charm, with enchanting views of Chimney Top and Rock Mountains in a lush setting. Features include poplar bark siding, wood interior walls and ceilings, marble bathrooms and fine finishes throughout. Enjoy the crisp air and beautiful scenery on the screened living porch with its own fireplace and room for dining. Conveniently located just steps away from all Chattooga Club amenities and minutes from downtown Cashiers, this carefree bungalow is the perfect getaway. MLS# 87269.

GLENVILLE $1,285,000 Lane’s End Farm is a magical 20-acre oasis with sprawling pastures, meandering wide creeks and countless trails to explore. A pretty tree-lined driveway leads the way to a breathtaking pastoral setting, with mountain views all around. Complete with a rocking chair front porch and a great view of Ward Mountain, the charming main house is surrounded by flowering gardens with arbors. The cozy guest cottage has its own front porch and a nice living area with a wood stove, full kitchen, two bedrooms and a guest bath. In the lower field, a covered pavilion sits next to a bold creek. MLS# 84469.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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L AKE GLENVILLE $1,250,000 Magnificent scenery, cool temperatures and the occasional white squirrel highlight the short drive from the Cashiers Crossroads to this gorgeous waterfront mountain home on the east side of Lake Glenville. High style begins with cedar shake siding and an inviting stone entry, leading to an elegant and rustic interior with eight-foot doorways, oak floors, neutral colors, exposed beams, and reclaimed barnwood lining the soaring ceilings. MLS# 88060.

CEDAR HILL $1,250,000 This meticulously maintained retreat features a grand living room with wood cathedral ceilings and lots of light, a wood-burning stone fireplace, a wet bar and a dramatic wall of glass highlighting the surrounding vistas. Designed for the Plateau lifestyle, the inviting covered porch is perfect for savoring a hot cup of coffee in the morning or gathering friends to have sunset cocktails and dine al fresco. MLS# 87275.

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L AKE GLENVILLE $1,150,000 This beautiful lake home is mountain lodge elegance at its very finest, and comes with everything for you to start enjoying the good life right away. Located inside the gates of the prestigious Summer Hill community, this property sits at a cool 3,800’ elevation and offers spectacular views looking out over Lake Glenville with the beauty of the Balsam mounatains beyond the lake. This home displays the work of a true master craftsman. Eleven different types of wood were used inside the home, and features a beautiful and impressive suspended cherry log staircase down to the lower level. MLS# 86274.

SAPPHIRE $1,149,000 This stunning home is in the scenic gated community of Stonecreek Estates, centrally located near the Cashiers/Sapphire line with restaurants, shopping, golf, hiking and more just minutes away. An abundance of windows and doors grace all of the living spaces, offering dramatic vistas year round and an in-pouring of natural light. Every room on the main and lower levels has direct access to 2,200 square feet of decking, providing a gentle transition between the outside world and the casually elegant spaces within. The gracious open floor plan provides a grand setting for entertaining family and friends. MLS# 87716.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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SAPPHIRE

Located in the premier equestrian community of Bald Rock, this gorgeous rustic mountain lodge is

Bald Rock

a sublime spot for wiling away the seasons amidst cool temperatures and making lifelong memories

$950,000

stone fireplace, wood walls and beams, cathedral ceilings and an abundance of windows for natural

with family and friends. In harmony with the natural surroundings, the great room features a massive light. The family chef will love the gourmet kitchen with its large center island, six-burner gas cooktop, double ovens and warming drawer. Outfitted with clear shades for inclement weather, a covered living porch adjacent to the dining room offers another comfortable space for casual meals and relaxing by the fire. MLS# 88185.

ADJOINING HOME WITH STABLES $489,000

ADJOINING 6 ACRES

A unique property offering an array of options for the equestrian enthusiast! Located in the pictur-

$94,000

esque gated community of Bald Rock, this fantastic newer mountain getaway sits on over six acres.

Located in Bald Rock this lot features gentle

Ready to use at a moment’s notice, the thoughtfully designed layout makes riding and caring for

topography and is perfect to build a mountain

one’s horses very convenient and comfortable. Three stalls, a tack room and caretaker’s accommo-

home on at a higher elevation in a fabulous

dations sit on the main level, while the stylish second floor

gated community. Bald Rock is the premier

features three bedrooms, an open great room with kitchen

equestrian community on the Highlands-Ca-

and dining areas, and a covered porch for grilling dinner

shiers Plateau. Take a look at this well priced

and relaxing with a cool drink at the end of the day. MLS#

lot today. MLS# 87096.

87095.

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SAPPHIRE $1,100,000 Perched at 3,400 feet overlooking the lush golf course of The Country Club of Sapphire Valley, this lovely estate offers exceptional long range panoramic views of Bald Rock, Big Sheepcliff and Cow Rock Mountains from almost every room. The circular driveway is gated and fully landscaped for privacy. Professionally decorated in an elegant Southern traditional style, the entire home has been recently updated with fine finishes, fixtures and window treatments. Most living areas are located on the main level, including the master suite with his and hers baths. MLS# 85630.

CEDAR HILL $999,000 Gleaming wood floors, a stacked stone fireplace, beamed cathedral ceilings and a wall of glass in the great room with the mountain vistas beyond make a terrific first impression. The open floor plan flows into the kitchen, dining area and spacious deck, which is ideal for entertaining and enjoying the mountain lifestyle of outdoor living. A master suite, den and office area can also be found on the main level. Upstairs are two guest bedrooms, one with a morning kitchen and deck access. Offered fully furnished. MLS# 85980.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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CEDAR HILL $995,000 Perched at approximately 3,700 feet with excellent long range views of Big Sheepcliff and Yellow Mountains, this well maintained, solidly built home is located in the prestigious gated community of Cedar Hill. The 2.34-acre property offers privacy and a rare combination of incredible vistas with plenty of near-level space for guests to enjoy. MLS# 88199.

CEDAR HILL $995,000 Lots of natural light fills the spacious great room, which includes vaulted ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, impressive windows, built-ins, and rich wood floors. A master suite and guest bedroom are on the main level. Don’t be afraid to invite the whole family over, because on the lower level are the family room, a second kitchen, and three additional bedroom suites, as well as a large deck. The upper level features another large bedroom with its own cozy sitting area. Spectacular mountain and rock face views and a central location minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire make this a perfect seasonal retreat or year round home. MLS# 88704.

GLEN POINTE $995,000 Dreaming of a mountain home with an exceptional lake view and plenty of room for family and friends? If so, this spacious Glen Pointe estate fits the bill. Sitting on almost two acres, with five bedrooms and five and a half baths, this elegant residence features a dramatic view looking down Lake Glenville with the mountains beyond. Enjoy the natural beauty from the large covered decks or relax by one of several fireplaces. Multiple living areas and a great floor plan make entertaining a pleasure. This home also includes private lake access with a dock and generous parking. MLS# 74152.

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CEDAR HILL $965,000 Amazing view of Lonesome Valley Canyon from this home located in the premier gated community of Cedar Hill, just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire. From the moment you enter the home the views greet you and invite visitors to relax and enjoy. The living room opens to the covered deck. The main bedroom and one of the guest rooms are on the first level of the home. A family and two additional guest rooms as well as another outside deck can be found on the lower level. Great location and views! MLS# 84371.

NEW LISTING

HICKORY RIDGE $939,000 Enjoy panoramic views of Whiteside and Chimneytop Mountains from this spacious four bedroom, four and a half bath home in Hickory Ridge, a picturesque enclave located just minutes from town. Vaulted ceilings and skylights bring in lots of natural light to the open floor plan. The master suite, one guest room and an office are located on the main level. Two additional guest rooms are located on the lower level, along with an indoor pool with glass doors opening onto a stone patio. The covered decks expand the living area and let you enjoy cool summer breezes along with the amazing views. MLS# 89127.

FALLS COVE $859,000 This welcoming and comfortable two-story lakefront home sits in Falls Cove at the south end of beautiful Lake Glenville. Norton Falls, the largest waterfall on the lake, is only a few hundred feet from the dock and the relaxing sounds of rushing water can be heard throughout the house. MLS# 82924.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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HIGH MEADOWS $799,000 Situated only minutes from Cashiers in the private High Meadows community, this custom-built getaway features the perfect blend of a mountain-inspired rustic feel with all the modern accouterments. Every detail was thoughtfully designed in this light and bright home, including Douglas fir posts and beams, shiplap wall coverings, and impressive exterior stonework. MLS# 88386.

THE CHAT TOOGA CLUB $795,000 Sassafras is a charming and spacious three bedroom, three bath Tudor style Club Cottage in the premier gated community of The Chattooga Club. Ideally located just steps away from all club amenities and minutes from downtown Cashiers, this carefree cottage is a wonderful getaway for the season or just the weekend. MLS# 81813.

CULLOWHEE MOUNTAIN $749,000 This magnificent three-bedroom log cabin with charming rustic touches has huge views facing south over Lake Glenville and numerous mountains. This spacious property is perched at 4,000 feet of elevation with end-of-the-road seclusion. A separate living area downstairs offers privacy for guests with another bedroom, bath, a living area with its own fireplace, and a full kitchen. MLS# 88701.

FALLS COVE $735,000 Tucked away in the quite Falls Cove neighborhood is this charming lakefront cabin. Norton Falls, the largest waterfall on the lake, is only a few hundred feet from the dock and the relaxing sounds of rushing water can be heard throughout the house. The deck on the back of the home is the perfect place to enjoy the fantastic waterfall. MLS# 88303.

NORTH NORTON $725,000 This fantastic log home with huge long-range views of mountain ranges and Lake Glenville is a must-see.The over four-acre property is a rare opportunity to own land that is almost flat until the edge, where it falls away for a stunning view. All of the living areas are on the main floor, with two lofts for an extra office, bunk beds, or play areas. The backyard on the view side is terraced with a stone patio and fire pit, providing plenty of room for family fun. MLS# 88660.

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DEER RUN $665,000 End of the road mountain escape awaits. 5 bedroom, 5 bath and 2 half bath home. Sitting among the mountain tops at an elevation of approximately 3,366 ft, the panoramic views of 10 mountain tops and Meadow Lake below provide a wonderful atmosphere for all to enjoy year round! Carport, spacious living room with cathedral ceilings. MLS# 85950.

COWEE RIDGE $649,000 This recently renovated four bedroom, three bath home sits at the very top of the gated Cowee Ridge community, with stunning 180-degree, long range mountain views. Enjoy the cool temperatures at an elevation of over 4,000 feet. Cowee Ridge is midway between Highlands and Cashiers. A major remodel in 2006 included an all new kitchen, new HVAC. MLS# 86365.

HIGH HEMLOCK $649,000 Amazing setting overlooking Lonesome Valley with views of Laurel Knob rock face and Cow Rock. This from 4,000’ elevation in wonderful High Hemlock. Well maintained log home provides comfort and relaxation, with wood floors, wood-burning fireplace and master suite on main. This home is just a short drive from Panthertown Valley. MLS# 82295.

TRILLIUM $649,000 Perched at 4,000 feet of elevation, this charming Arts and Crafts home offers the finest in outdoor living to take advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings. The comfortable and functional layout includes spacious rooms spread throughout the main level, with a bonus room upstairs that would make a great office or study. MLS# 87407.

SAPPHIRE HIGH $625,000 This three-bedroom pristine mountain home provides unbelievable views of Chimneytop Mountain, Whiteside Mountain, Yellow Mountain, and Hogback Lake. The living room is impressive, with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and a floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace. A second kitchen, living area, game room, and bonus rooms are on the terrace level. MLS# 88644.

CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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BRIGHT MOUNTAIN $624,900 This lovely home sits high atop Bright Mountain with excellent southerly views of the Trillium Links & Lake Club and the mountains beyond. The owners have turned the property into an outside living paradise with a fire pit located by a huge rock outcropping and other seating areas. Two unique cottages, currently used as a potting room/bar and an office. MLS# 85959.

SHEPHERDS MOUNTAIN $599,000 Situated at a cool 3,900+ feet in elevation, the 2.10 acre lot is teeming with natural flora and fauna and features a view you’ll never grow tired of! Both the main and lower level have spacious decks looking out to Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond. If the sights of the cool lake beyond entice you to go for a swim, the public beach access is only a quick ten-minute drive from your front door! There is also a private walking trail that leads to the community lake access that has an additional picnic area, perfect for lake days! MLS# 88450.

NEW CONSTRUCTION PILOTS KNOB $599,000 This exciting new home offers high-end finishes and exceptional layered mountain views at an affordable price. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac at an elevation of over 4,100 feet, it is the perfect place to enjoy mountain living in cool temperatures. Jennings Construction was the builder on this project. MLS# 86968.

NE W LISTING

GLENSHORE $599,000 Located in the gated Lake Glenville community of Glenshore, this traditional home sits on a double lot, with beautiful lake and mountain views from almost every room. The convenient floor plan features the master bedroom and two guestrooms on the main level, as well as a sunny great room, covered porch and kitchen with a center island and eat-in area. Relax with friends in the expansive lower level family room with a built-in bar and wood stove, along with a walkout to the stone patio. The upper level loft would make a great office or hobby room. MLS# 89054.

DEER RUN $599,000 Your end of the road mountain escape awaits complete with 5 bedrooms, each with their own full bath and two half baths. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 3,366 ft, the views of Nix, Chimney Top, Rocky, Yellow, Black Rock, Little Sheepcliff, Glassy Rock, Cowrock, Laurel Knob and Meadow Lake below provide an atmosphere for all to enjoy! MLS# 85961.

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HOGBACK L AKE $595,000 Offering the best of waterfront living at an excellent price point, this spacious home sits on two lots on serene Hogback Lake in the heart of Sapphire Valley. Spend the day on the pontoon boat, or relax before dinner on one of the covered or open decks. The rich wood interior and stone fireplace in the living room add to the welcoming feel. MLS# 85838.

NEW LISTING WATERFALL COVE $575,000 Only steps away from Lake Glenville’s cool shore, this three-bedroom, three-bath lakefront home is loaded with mountain charm! The property features two stories of wrap-around decks and tons of natural light, staying remarkably cool during the summer months. If the lake views entice you to take a dip in the refreshing waters, you can do so from your own private dock, just yards from the gorgeous Norton Falls. MLS# 88951.

HIGHWAY 64 WEST $550,000 Overlooking majestic Whiteside Mountain, this two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home is brimming with old world Cashiers charm on over six acres! The property is totally unrestricted and has a large yield well, making it perfect for a small development, tiny home compound, or family estate. The property features an updated guest suite over a garage, as well as a single room guest cabin down the hill. MLS# 88801.

HIGHL ANDS FALLS COUNTRY CLUB $550,000 Situated at a cool 4,000 feet of elevation in the gated community of Highlands Falls Country Club, this charming mountain getaway has been recently remodeled with a completely new look. The home boasts three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, an attached single car garage, golf cart storage, and a large deck that’s ideal for entertaining or relaxing. MLS# 89109.

L AKE TOX AWAY $549,000 Incredible long range mountain and lake views await you in this well-maintained three bedroom, four bath home in scenic Lake Toxaway Estates. Sitting at a cool elevation of over 4,000 feet, it offers breathtaking vistas of multiple mountain ranges and four lakes in three different states — Lake Toxaway (NC), Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee (SC), and Lake Hartwell (GA). MLS# 79994.

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CATS PAW $549,000 This attractive, well maintained home has exceptional long range, layered mountain views extending as far as Clingman’s Dome, Newfound Gap and the Balsams. At 4,700 feet, cool summertime temperatures are the norm — no air conditioning needed! Rustic yet refined, the interiors are light and bright with lots of windows. MLS# 87947.

L AKESIDE CIRCLE DRIVE $549,000 Enjoy peaceful living on the large, unrestricted lot. A long meandering drive past the pond, meadow, and pasture area leads you to the front door of the original charming farmhouse that was built in 1930. The main farmhouse has been updated and features two bedrooms. On one side of the house is an adorable guest house, with its own bathroom and kitchen. the quaint barn—a large two-car garage under a full apartment with its own kitchen. MLS# 88619.

NEWLY PRICED CEDAR CREEK WOODS $525,000 This home has it all: mountain view, lake view, rock face view, sounds of rushing nearby Laurel Creek and only minutes from shopping and dining in Cashiers! This spacious home has soaring ceilings in the great room with a floor-to-ceiling stone wood burning fireplace. An open concept living area and lots of windows provide the living area with lake views. MLS# 87710.

NEW LISTING COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES $524,900 There’s plenty of room for family and friends in this spacious mountain log home in the heart of Sapphire Valley, offering relaxed mountain living in a beautiful country club community. The master suite is on the main floor, along with an expansive open living area with an updated kitchen. Upstairs is an office that’s large enough for two, flanked by two spacious bedroom suites at either end of the hall. The property is a short golf cart ride away from the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. MLS# 88947.

NEWLY PRICED BRADLEY FALLS $499,000 Situated on 20+/- acres, this large custom-built home is light and open with cathedral ceilings in the living room and dining room. The view of Blue Ridge Parkway, park-like setting, and bold creek make this a true legacy estate. Enjoy long hikes or horseback rides on the trails throughout the property. The home is being offered fully furnished with a short list of exclusions. MLS# 88382.

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FIRST TIME

ON THE

MARKET CEDAR RIDGE ESTATES $495,000 Don’t miss the opportunity to live in this classic home situated on a very gentle lot in quiet Cedar Ridge Estates, private yet conveniently located just minutes from the Crossroads and several golf and country clubs. The master bedroom and office are conveniently on the main level, while the lower level features two additional bedrooms and a cozy family room with a fireplace. MLS# 88699.

FALCON RIDGE $475,000 Perched above 4,200 feet in elevation in the quiet and picturesque enclave of Falcon Ridge, this attractive family home boasts gorgeous southerly views of layered mountains. Three bedrooms, two living rooms, an office/bonus room and four full baths provide plenty of space to accommodate family and friends. MLS# 86967.

HOLLY BERRY ESTATES $475,000 Between two trout-filled streams, this custom three bedroom, three and a half bath home is a true mountain retreat. The 6.75 acre lot begins at the gated driveway and surrounds the home in lush foliage and mature trees. Listen to the rushing waters of Greens Creek from the screened porch and open decks or take a leisurely walk through the quiet neighborhood. Offered fully furnished. MLS# 87548.

NEWLY PRICED HOLLY FOREST $439,900 Offered tastefully furnished with rustic accents such as log, wine barrel, and leather pieces, this welcoming log home is brimming with character. On the market for the first time, this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath custom-built home with an attached two-car garage was constructed with an impressive round timber roof system using nine-inch logs with seven-inch cross ties. This home has been meticulously and lovingly maintained by the same owners who supervised construction. MLS# 88637.

VIEWPOINT $409,900 This beautiful mountain view home is conveniently located near the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. This one-owner home has been lovingly maintained and cared for since 2001. Enjoy the cool mountain breeze from this high elevation home that sits at 3,900 ft. Cozy great room features wood floors, cathedral ceiling, lots of windows and wood burning stone fireplace. MLS# 86115.

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CEDAR LEDGES $399,000 Nestled in the beauty of nature, and just a short walk to the pristine shoreline of Lake Glenville - this charming home has everything you could want in a mountain getaway. Oversized master bedroom and master bath, with two nice size guest rooms all on separate levels. Nice covered deck on main level is a great spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. Bedroom on main level opens out to the deck. House has deeded access to Lake Glenville. MLS# 86366.

BIG RIDGE $389,000 Spectacular 360 degree views from this charming log cabin perched at 4,600+ ft. elevation! Long range mountain views are enjoyed from both sides of the great room, master bedroom and main level guest room. Renovations on this mountain escape were just completed and include new wood flooring throughout the main level and new carpet on the lower level. MLS# 87697.

CONCHO MOUNTAIN $389,000 This elegant cottage has been recently updated, with renovated bathrooms, kitchen and sunroom. The 12-foot wrap-around, covered porch makes this cottage perfect to enjoy solitude while listening to birdsong. This great porch is a gathering place for eating al fresco, enjoying the views and beautiful gardens. Personal touches include the new siding made from hemlocks harvested from the property. Property adjoins 33 acres with a deeded nature preservation. MLS# 88442.

MILL CREEK $389,000 Sitting in the cool air at an elevation above 4,000 feet, this well-kept and affordable mountain retreat sits on a sparkling private lake on the north side of Yellow Mountain. The natural beauty of the property is enhanced by pretty landscaped areas complete with a rock path leading to the water. The entire family will have something fun to do, such as canoeing, hiking, fishing and swimming. MLS# 87815.

KILLIAN’S PARK $369,900 The abundant character of this quaint A-frame style home is sure to capture your heart. Located in the Killian’s Park community, this home has a deeded lakefront lot just a short walk away. When you arrive at the home you’re greeted by its inviting appearance and ample gardening space. The home offers two bedrooms with an additional loft area above the upper level and a spacious living area with woodadorned cathedral ceilings. MLS# 88687.

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CEDAR CREEK WOODS $365,000 This classic cottage sits at a convenient distance from Cedar Creek Racquet Club and all of its amenities, including tennis, croquet, dining and fitness. The new open deck leads to a large front porch — perfect spots to enjoy the Carolina mountain lifestyle. Inside, a natural stone wood-burning fireplace. Cedar Creek Woods is just off Highway 64– convenient to Sapphire and Cashiers. MLS# 86347.

YELLOW MOUNTAIN $359,000 Crossing over Knob Creek and through the woods, you’ll find a peaceful cedar home on Lake Winona. Grandmother’s house has nothing on this handicap accessible home with curb appeal to include the welcoming, running waterfall feature to the left of the entry door. This home is perfect for those looking for acreage, their own dock on a lake, larger bedrooms, open floor plan, and an abundance of parking at an affordable price! MLS# 86857.

HOLLY FOREST $349,000 First time on the market, this adorable house has lots of customizable space and a terrific central location in the heart of Sapphire. The master is on the main level with a bonus room and full bath above. The detached two-car garage features a workshop area, perfect for DIYers; above is a full apartment with a kitchen, living area, bedroom and full bath. Ownership includes Sapphire Valley Resort amenities. MLS# 87817.

HOLLY FOREST $329,000 Only minutes from Cashiers, this affordably priced home has been impeccably maintained and would be perfect for a second home or full-time residence. Enjoy easy mountain living in the open split floor plan with all the rooms sitting on the main level. Take delight in the private wooded backyard with lots of hardwoods, laurel, and rhododendron from the back deck, or cozy up on the lower deck on a stormy day. Owners have access to the Sapphire Valley community amenities. MLS# 88348.

NEW LISTING TRILLIUM LINKS & L AKE CLUB $295,000 Sitting at a cool 3,600 feet of elevation, this turnkey cottage has been meticulously maintained and is offered with all of its fine furnishings.The open floor plan combines the living room, dining room, and kitchen into one easy-to-use space. Two bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and two baths are on the main floor. Membership to Trillium Links and Lake Club is an appurtenance to the property. MLS# 89012.

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CASHIERS IN-TOWN $270,000

A

WHITESIDE FOREST $269,500

B

RIVER RUN I $269,000

CEDAR CREEK $269,000

NEW LISTING

D

C TRILLIUM $265,000

E A

B

C

BEE TREE $202,000

F

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is within a very short distance to Cashiers area restaurants, shopping, community recreation center, swimming pool, and the Village Green. The well-maintained home sits on a gently rolling, fenced-in lot and offers plenty of additional parking, garden space, and a large private yard for kids and pets to explore. The necessities are located on the main level. MLS# 88838. Great get-away rustic cabin nestled in the woods with easy access to both Cashiers and Highlands. Small pond is totally owned by you. Adjacent flat picnic/garden area. Very private yet in a neighborhood with paved roads. Surrounded by National Forests and very near Whiteside Mountain and the Chattooga River. The sliding rock is just a few minutes up the road. MLS# 85358.

D

E

F Totally renovated down to the studs, this elegant River Run condo has been given a completely new look. Upgrades include hardwood floors throughout, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, new appliances, and an HVAC system. There isn't a nicer condo or townhome on the market in this price range. MLS# 89145.

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Are you searching for an affordable cottage with bold cascades and picturesque waterfalls? This cottage is located on the confluence of two large streams, and the sounds of the water resound throughout the property. A cozy covered porch provides beautiful views of the stream below. The access is easy just off Highway 107, with Lake Glenville and Cashiers’ shopping just minutes away. MLS# 88822.

Fully furnished and move-in ready, it features an open great room and master suite with soaker tub on the main level, with two more bedrooms and a family room downstairs. The cozy covered porch with its own fireplace is a great spot for relaxing with a drink. This affordable mountain getaway is convenient to the many Trillium amenities. MLS# 85419.

Calling all nature enthusiasts! Nestled in the serene woods of Glenville, this three bedroom, two bath home features plenty of garden space, an easy to maneuver circular driveway, and end of the road privacy. Relaxing amongst the sights and sounds of the mountains is a joy with the outside entertainment space and hot tub accessible off the side deck and living area. MLS# 87834.


HOLLY FOREST $185,000

RIVER PARK VILL AS $164,000 NEWLY PRICED

UNDER CONTRACT

A

B

THE WOODS $129,000

CONCHO MOUNTAIN $96,000

NEW LISTING

D

C BIG RIDGE $95,000

E AA

BB

CC

HILLTOP $89,000

F

Sitting at over 3,200 feet of elevation in picturesque Holly Forest, this affordable three-bedroom, three-bath home would make a great seasonal or year-round residence. Offering loads of potential, this home is being sold as a fixer-upper and is in need of repairs. The price has been greatly reduced in light of this and is a fantastic opportunity for the savvy investor or contractor. Enjoy the mountain views from the deck and balconies, or a side patio. MLS# 88707.

D

E This beautiful Burlingame golf front villa has two spacious bedrooms and a fully enclosed sun room. Level access from the parking area with just a few steps inside the foyer area to the main living space. MLS# 86191.

This absolutely charming two-bedroom, two-bath townhouse is the perfect long weekend getaway spot. Tucked away in the woods overlooking a small pond, the home is within walking distance of the beautiful Meadow Lake common area complete with picnic tables and a dock. The interior features cathedral ceilings, quality wood floors throughout, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a brand new HVAC system, a built-in breakfast nook, and a floorto-ceiling stone wood-burning fireplace. Anglers will love being just a short walk from the trout-filled Horsepasture River. MLS# 89142.

F

Nestled in the woods of Concho Mountain you'll find this unique off the grid tree house style cabin sitting on 6+ wooded acres! As you walk to the home, you'll travel on a winding forest path and cross over a quaint mountain stream. As the trail opens you're certain to be drawn inside by the funky and fun character of this little secret hideaway. MLS# 88309.

This quaint and charming two bedroom cabin is tucked away in the peaceful and quiet neighborhood of Robinson Creek. A cozy wood burning stove, skylight, washer/dryer connections and HVAC system make this rustic getaway feel like home. Gorgeous antique wood flooring adorns the living space and kitchen, and the front porch is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the cool mountain air. MLS# 87287. Spacious unit with some mountain and golf course views. Great room has a stone wood burning fireplace and double sliding glass doors leading to long back deck. Fully equipped kitchen with small serving window and breakfast bar. CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 Large dining room with private HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 balcony, great for entertaining guests. MLS# 87692. NCLIVING.COM

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COMMERCIAL SAPPHIRE $1,100,000

A SAPPHIRE $450,000

B A

CASHIERS $365,000

C Let your imagination run wild in this spacious-almost 12,000 sf building. No restrictions on the property. Currently being leased by Wyndham/Diamond Resorts. Would make for a great office building, restaurant, retail space or even employee housing. CWS sewer and water in place, and has capacity to expand current # bathrooms in building. Property is almost two acres and has a total of 70 parking spaces-38 in top parking lot, and 32 on lower lot behind building. MLS# 85231.

B

C

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Great commercial opportunity being offered in the heart of Sapphire Valley, connected to CWS sewage and water system. Nice welcoming entry foyer with reception area, conference room, kitchenette, two bathrooms and a large office on main level. Stone fireplace in entry. Upstairs is another 6 offices and bathroom. Room to expand behind building and almost 2 acre parking lot next door can be purchased for additional parking/expansion. MLS# 88278.

Great business location between intersection and Ingles. Fantastic exposure on most traveled section of Highway 64. Office, retail, etc .If you are needing easy access and/or high visibility, this is the location. Property is currently rented. Continued occupancy is negotiable. MLS# 83247.


LOTS & LAND

Bald Rock Mountain Cabins

Cascades at Cedar Creek

Beautiful home site with high elevation on a federally protected Appalachian Marshland with Highland Bog stream frontage. Situated in a very exclusive equestrian community enjoying 9 miles of horse trails from cabin area to barn and pastures. Hiking trails lead to Panthertown Valley, USFS Forest, with delightful views of mountains, streams and waterfalls. Sapphire amenities are included. MLS# 88781. $25,000

Extremely gentle and easy lot to build on in a beautiful community close to Lake Glenville. Lot has winter mountain views from the back side of the lot. This home site is a stone’s throw from the private community clubhouse, Cedar Creek stream, playground and covered pavilion. MLS# 84182. $29,500.

Big Ridge Spectacular panoramic views from this 17 acre tract of land are perfect for subdividing or a new mountain estate home. Long range views are not all created equal and these are a must see to appreciate. A short drive from Cashiers to this private estate acreage in Big Ridge surrounded by other larger tracts of those that seek privacy with the convenience of town nearby. MLS# 88346. $257,500.

Big Sheepcliff Lot is located in the upper section of the community with mountain views of the Glenville Valley. 4 bedroom septic evaluation. MLS# 83307. $139,000.

Great lot with over an acre of land to build your vacation home! Pond frontage and overlooks the community clubhouse, park, playground and rushing Cedar Creek. The private clubhouse features a full kitchen, living area, pool table, fitness center, shower facilities and a beautiful outdoor grilling area with patio for entertaining. Short range mountain views may be possible with tree trimming. MLS# 88242. $20,000.

Cedar Creek Woods This extremely gentle lot is perfect for someone looking to build a mountain home with a lake and mountain view but doesn’t want to be far from local shopping and restaurants. With just a little tree trimming you can enjoy a lovely view of Lupton Lake, the Cedar Creek Racquet Club clubhouse with a nice mountain backdrop. MLS# 86997. $50,000.

Bridge Creek

Cedar Hill

Bridge Creek is a wonderful gated community only 4 miles from the Cashiers crossroads. Lot 59 is a big view lot with underground utilities, an easy build site and end of the road privacy. Common amenities include a chimney garden and fishing/swimming pond. No time limit for beginning to build. Wonderfully maintained community with easy year round access and close to both Cashiers and Highlands NC. MLS# 87144. $60,000.

NEWLY PRICED Situated high atop The Summit at Cedar Hill section on East Ridge Road, this 1.46 acre lot features an easy building site for the perfect mountain home with great views. Located just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire, the gated community of Cedar Hill is conveniently located to so many amenities. Enjoy the casual stroll around the neighborhood or a hike along Rochester Creek to the Pavilion with stone fireplace. MLS# 87462. $139,000.

Bridge Creek is a wonderful gated community only 4 miles from the Cashiers crossroads. Lot 40 is a nearly level stream front lot with underground utilities and an easy build site. Common amenities include a chimney garden and fishing/swimming pond. No time limit for beginning to build. Wonderfully maintained community with easy year round access and close to both Cashiers and Highlands NC. MLS# 87141. $40,000. Beautiful lot at the end of a gravel road for privacy in the peaceful subdivision of Bridge Creek! Wooded and filled with nature, this land provides the peace and quiet needed for a great mountain home site. Bridge Creek is one of the best kept secrets off of North Norton Road. This gated community features trails, a pond, chimney garden and quiet!! This 1.71 acres is the perfect parcel for peace and tranquility in the mountains within a short distance to town! Natural North Carolina flora and fauna dominate the land making it indigenous and lush. Looking for a smaller cabin in the mountains? The minimum square footage for cabins in Bridge Creek is 1,500 heatable square feet. MLS# 84655. $27,900. This lot has an easy building knoll with a natural walking trail leading to the stream and partially cleared area below on the lower portion of the property. Great price for an easy building lot! MLS# 85016. $19,900. Beautiful wooded lot and filled with nature and a mountain view provides the peace and quiet needed for a great mountain home site. This gated community features trails, a pond, chimney garden and quiet!! MLS# 84657. $17,900.

Burlingame Affordable building lot with a great mountain view! Close enough to Highway 64 to enjoy easy and paved access but far away enough to not listen to road noise. Ideal home site location with space for a gentle meandering driveway that leads to a private, almost flat building site featuring great mountain views. MLS# 87446. $49,000.

NEWLY PRICED Looking to build your mountain home on a gentle sloping lot in a gated community and only minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire? You just found it! With a winter mountain view this lot offers a great building envelope with lots of privacy. MLS# 88200. $69,000.

Cold Springs Gorgeous lakefront lot in the desirable Cold Springs Saddle & Tennis Club. Paved roads throughout community with level access onto this lot and home site. Once home site is clear you will have a front and center view of the lake! Located close to Highlands for quick trips to town for shopping and dining out. MLS# 88189. $250,000.

Cross Creek Preserve Unique 2.68 acre lot with a BOLD stream and 2 waterfalls with mountain views backing up to the common area. Nearly level building site, underground utilities, community water, expired 3 bedroom septic permit. MLS# 87680. $199,900.

The Divide Beautiful long range views from this oversized lot in the premier community of Bald Rock and The Divide. Enjoy the views from your new mountain retreat or take advantage of the Pavilion at the Divide and invite your friends for a gathering. Only minutes to Sapphire and Cashiers, from this gated community. Also, take advantage of the Sapphire Valley Master Association amenities. CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 MLS# 88702. $159,000. HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 NCLIVING.COM

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LOTS & LAND

Falcon Ridge

road and underground utilities. MLS# 85586. $35,000.

Mountaintop acreage directly across the street from Panthertown Preserve at 4,300 feet elevation. Perfect for an estate or subdivide with views of Whiteside, Chimneytop, Rock, and Sheepcliff mountains. MLS# 88183. $499,000. This may be the best and longest view lot in the area. At 4,600 feet in elevation, there is no higher mountain looking south. So the view is only limited by the clarity of the day and the curvature of the earth! On a clear day you see the following lakes in South Carolina; Bad Creek, Jocassee, Keowee, and Hartwell. On a clear night you can see the lights in Clemson and Greenville and many other towns in South Carolina. MLS# 87828. $250,000. Private 3 plus acre nearly level lot with fantastic long range mountain views that include Chimney Top and Whiteside Mountain. Perched at 4,200 foot elevation with multiple building sites and plenty of room for a garage and circular driveway. MLS# 86584. $159,000. Enjoy long range southwestern views from this large 11.73 acre gently rolling lot. Located in desirable Falcon Ridge, this lot sits at a cool 4,000+ feet elevation & has amazing views into SC. MLS# 83900. $129,900. Enjoy long range southwestern views from this large 7.21 acre gently rolling lot. This lot sits at a cool 4,000+ feet elevation & has amazing views into South Carolina. Second adjoining lot can also be purchased separately for a total of 11.73 acres. Sapphire amenities available. MLS# 83896. $79,900. Enjoy long range southwestern views from this large 4.52 acre gently rolling lot at 4,000’+ elevation and has amazing layered views into South Carolina. The neighboring lot is also available and can be purchased together for a total of 11.73 acres for even more privacy. Sapphire Valley Resort amenities included. MLS# 83899. $59,900.

Falls Cove This lot looks directly at Norton Falls, the largest waterfall on Lake Glenville. Has great lake access and plenty of room to spread out. A four bedroom septic evaluation is on file with Jackson County Health Department. Sit and enjoy the sounds of the waterfall from any location on this lot! MLS# 88354. $599,000.

Fenley Forest Well priced lakefront lot on Lake Glenville located on a quiet little cove. 4 bedroom septic evaluation in hand along with a new survey. Shared well. MLS# 85310. $300,000.

2 Lots in Glen Laurel - Easy build lake access lots within walking distance to Lake Glenville and the community boat dock. Glen Laurel has paved roads and underground utilities. Minimum square footage for homes, only 1,400 sf. Affordable opportunity to own your mountain cabin with an almost lake front lot. Within ¼ mile of public boat ramp. $22,500 - $29,500. MLS# 74340, and 74341.

Glen Pointe Lake Glenville access lot with dedicated boat slip. No need to share when you have your own slip in community dock. Gated community with tennis court. Norton Creek Falls just a few yards away can be heard clearly. MLS# 81652. $129,500. Lake Glenville access lot with dedicated boat slip. No need to share, this lot has short walk to community boat dock and across drive from community tennis court. Very level building site. Some lake view. Underground utilities. MLS# 81650. $199,500. Lake Glenville access lot with dedicated boat slip in community dock. Wooded lot in gated community with tennis court. Easy building site, easy septic. Hear the sounds of Norton Creek Falls just yards away. Unlike most lake access communities, Glen Pointe has a boat slip for every off lake lot. MLS# 81651. $129,500.

Glenview Exceptional year round lake and mountain view lots with paved access and community water. Three well-priced lots to choose from, so cherry-pick the best one! Expired septic evaluations on file. Easy 15 minute drive to Cashiers. MLS# 87042, 87043 and 87044. $60,000 each.

Glenville Amazing river front property! Heavily wooded lush forest with several trails cut through the acreage. The property adjoins not only Shoal Creek but the Tuckasegee River. Astoundingly beautiful with hundreds of boulders dotting the landscape. Deep water channels, recirculating pools and small waterfalls all lead to a large swimming and fishing hole, a fly fisherman’s and nature lovers dream! MLS# 86284. $72,000.

Golf Club Estates Beautiful lot located in gated Golf Club Estates. Just a short golf cart ride away from the Country Club of Sapphire Valley and SVMA amenities. MLS# 87721. $19,900.

Fivestone This lot is a investor’s dream, an entire subdivision ready for completion! This 53 acre gated development features signature views of Whiteside and Chimneytop mountains. The entrance alone is grand with it’s own waterfall! The first 4 of the 18 lots have been sold, leaving the remaining 14 contiguous lots totaling 41 acres as a package deal. The lots can be sold individually or held as a private estate. MLS# 88178. $699,000.

Glen Laurel Huge views of Lake Glenville and mountains. Access to Lake Glenville with shared dock. Paved roads and community water. Underground utilities. Less than 1/4 mile, from a public boat launch. MLS# 81939. $49,500. Large view lot with lake access. Paved road wraps around lot with gentle building area at bottom and big view from top. Lake and mountain views. Paved

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High Hemlock One of the most beautiful building sites on the plateau. Gorgeous views everywhere you look including Laurel Knob and Whiteside Mountain. 5.55 acres with flat building site ready to begin your dream home in the charming small subdivision of High Hemlock. MLS# 86181. $675,000.

High Springs Gentle 1.8 acre building lot with easy driveway access and a house site that has already been partially cleared. Southwesterly views of Whiteside Mountain, Satulah Mountain, Yellow Mountain, Black Rock Mountain and more. MLS# 87611. $78,000.


LOTS & LAND

Highway 64 East Stunning level property on Highway 64 in Sapphire Valley located across the street from Lonesome Valley entrance. The rear of the property is bordered by the Horsepasture River. This property is suited for a variety of development opportunities including multi-family, restaurant, RV resort, or a host of other commercial uses. Sewer available. MLS# 85720. $599,000.

Holly Forest Unbelievable long range views from this fantastic building site in Holly Forest XIV. Community features include paved roads, underground utilities with public water and sewer available at road. Southwesterly views from this lot sitting at 3,800 ft. elevation. Enjoy the panoramic vistas of Chimneytop Mountain and Rocky Mountain. MLS# 88095. $99,000. Easy build lot with a great view of Chimney Top Mountain. Sapphire HOA has approved access through adjoining green space allowing for a gentle driveway and very private home site. Quick drive to Highway 64 with no steep roads to climb or descend. MLS# 83009. $35,000. Nice gentle lot with over an acre of land and year-round mountain view potential! This property has a long private driveway already roughed in so it’s easy to see where the best home site would be. Both lots on each side already have homes built on them so privacy won’t be an issue. Expired 4 bedroom septic permit on file. MLS# 88273. $30,000. This 1.47 acre lot has been priced to move! Lot sits above road so you are not in a hole and you should be able to situate your house so it is private. Home to the right is built close to its right property line and no home can be built on the left as it’s Holly Forest Association Green Space. Comes with Sapphire amenities. MLS# 85844. $15,000. NEW LISTING Great view lot in the heart of Sapphire Valley. Just minutes to Cashiers and Sapphire, as well as all the Sapphire Valley amenities. Year around view will be available from the home once the trees are trimmed. MLS# 89042. $15,000. Located in the heart of Sapphire Valley, this 0.79 acre lot has an ideal gently laying building site overlooking a noisy stream. The perfect location for a mountain getaway that feels private but is only minutes from the hub of Cashiers including the grocery store, farmer’s market, restaurants and other shopping. MLS# 86461. $11,500. Peaceful stream front lot with gentle building site. Partially cleared so it’s easy to see the potential home site. Conveniently located close to Highway 64 East for easy access but with no road noise! Walking distance to the Holly Forest common area on Hogback Lake where owners can enjoy fishing, swimming or canoeing from the dock. Community has paved roads and underground utilities. Expired septic permit on file. MLS# 87573. $10,000. A noisy stream runs along the bottom portion of this lot! This gently sloping home site will make the perfect mountain cabin spot. A great location for nature lover’s with a canopy of trees surrounding the property. Just a short walk to the Narrows waterfall and common area. This would be a great building site for a 2 story home that overlooks the stream. Expired septic permit on file and community has low homeowner’s fees. Ownership comes with Sapphire Valley amenities. MLS# 88627. $9,000. Great building lot in growing resort area in the Blue Ridge Mountains, possible mountain views with trimming. This lot is located on a cul-de-sac road in growing resort area. The septic permit on file was issued in 2009. With trimming lot will have a great view of Whiteside Mountain, Chimneytop Mountain and Bald Rock Mountain. The topography should provide a good site for a home with a partial basement. MLS# 88744. $5,000. Vacant lot with great mountain view potential. Dreaming of your own mountain getaway? The price is right to build on this affordable lot with great view potential of Whiteside, Chimneytop and Rock Mountains. The topography lends itself to a home with a lower level. MLS# 88747. $5,000.

Vacant lot with great mountain view potential. Dreaming of your own mountain getaway? The price is right to build on this affordable lot with great view potential of Whiteside, Chimneytop and Rock Mountains. The topography lends itself to a home with a lower level. It’s easy to see the potential by seeing the view from neighbors home. MLS# 88746. $5,000. NEWLY PRICED This gentle home site will be a breeze to build on! Great location with easy paved driving access into the community and just a few minutes’ drive to Cashiers. Drive past pretty Hogback Creek on the way to and from this lot! Located towards the end of a cul-de-sac for extra privacy. Lot backs up to a wide Holly Forest green space area and is also just a short walk to the community waterfall common area called Narrows Falls. Just around the corner from the public Sapphire National Golf Club. MLS# 86920. $4,500.

Leawood High above the highest major lake in the East, you have huge views of Lake Glenville, multiple mountain ranges, all the way to the Smokies. Easy access on paved roads, located in the gated Leawood community, and only a short drive to Cashiers and Highlands. Build your dream home atop Bright Mountain. Sit on the porch and watch the boats below and see the hawks and eagles fly by. Facing west, you will have amazing sunsets. Community water. MLS# 85984. $199,500. This 1.83 acre lot offers exceptional views of Lake Glenville and multiple mountains beyond. Owners also have a set of plans for the lot available to the buyer. This small gated community is easily accessible with paved roads only a short drive into either Cashiers or Highlands, NC for shopping and plenty of great restaurants. MLS# 87603. $175,000.

Laurel Falls Gently rolling 10+/- acre lot in the Laurel Falls community in Glenville, NC. Plenty of privacy and usable acreage to build your dream home. Great potential for a unencumbered ridge line view with selective tree clearing. A small babbling stream runs through the property adding to the mountain charm. A driveway and partially cleared home site has been pushed in and an expired 3 bedroom septic evaluation is on file. MLS# 87876. $74,900. Perched atop a gentle knoll in the private and peaceful Laurel Falls gated community is this 4.65 acre lot. This lot has potential for a fantastic long range mountain view with clearing, and is gentle enough to make for easy building. Laurel Falls is a wild and scenic gated, low density community with large un-manicured lots for a true deep in the mountains feel. MLS# 88595. $25,000.

Old Wagon Road Perched at 4,240+ feet in elevation is this fantastic and high potential lot! The view you could have with selective tree clearing from the prospective building site would be phenomenal and include dozens of mountaintops, a front row seat to Whiteside Mountain as well as a view of the famous “Bear Shadow” that blankets the valley below in the autumn months. As you explore this lot you’ll fall in love with the serene feel and the mountain landscape teeming with natural flora and fauna. MLS# 88819. $225,000.

Pilots Knob Pilots Knob is a gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees. With 4 recent home sales, numerous lot sales, developer owned spec builds and privately owned custom builds soon CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 to be underway, Pilots Knob is quickly becoming a bustling mountain commuHIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 nity! MLS# 88759. $92,000. NCLIVING.COM

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LOTS & LAND The communities finest big view lots handpicked for ease of build and their incalculable long range views! Pilots Knob is a hot and new gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees. With recent home sales, numerous lot sales, developer owned spec builds and privately owned custom builds are underway. MLS# 88752. $89,900. The community’s finest big view lots handpicked for ease of build and their incalculable long range views! Pilots Knob is a hot and new gated, mountain top community with high elevation lots rising above 4,100 feet. The community offers paved roads, green space, beautiful landscaping, a community pond, fire pit and refreshingly low HOA fees. With recent home sales, numerous lot sales, developer owned spec builds and privately owned custom builds are underway. MLS# 88758. $84,900. Perched at almost 4,000’ elevation, you’ll enjoy beautiful long-range mountain views and a long private driveway that leads to this lot. This almost 2 acre lot provides you views that leave no doubt where you are. Very gentle, nearly flat driveway cut in that leads to a flat build site for the main level. The property drops off below the homesite, assuring you’ll own the view for years to come. MLS# 85946. $79,000. Truly a hidden gem of a community where owners enjoy beautiful majestic long range mountain views and quaint Christmas tree farms as they drive through the area. Community features a pond and fire pit common area. This particular lot has a very gentle building site with easy driveway access and large rock outcroppings for built-in landscaping features. Low POA fees and underground utilities. MLS# 85489. $29,500.

Sapphire Dramatic large acreage inside Sapphire Valley. 63 acres of mountain beauty with a bold stream flowing through the middle. Includes a small cabin and numerous out buildings. Property has views of mountains and rock faces. Little Hogback Creek is the stream which cascades through the property with many small waterfalls. The sounds of the stream can be heard all over the property. The small cabin has a new kitchen and bath. MLS# 87880. $1,250,000.

Sapphire Commercial

total parcel with stream and land behind. MLS# 88280. $300,000.

Sapphire High NEWLY PRICED A cascading stream with waterfalls and pools that is entirely inside the property. A building site with long-range mountain views that also overlooks the falls. Southern exposure from the building site and a mountain to the north to block the cold winter winds. A community with golf courses, pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, a swimming-canoeing-and fishing lake, hiking trails, tennis, community center, fitness center, restaurants and bars. MLS# 82083. $175,000.

Sapphire Ridge Cool mountain breezes, incredible mountain vistas and end of road privacy await you from this 3 acre lot in Sapphire Ridge, perched at approximately 3,500’. Very easy drive in to this property, with a very gentle build site awaiting your dream home. If ultimate privacy is what you’re after, the two lots below lot 15 are also available and would give you your own private road. Developer will consider selling all three lots together, and allowing buyer to combine in to one PIN, with only 1 HOA fee. MLS# 87153. $99,000. Here’s your chance to have great mountain views, with end of the road privacy in the gated community of Sapphire Ridge. This lot could be combined with lot 27 to the right, or lots 29 and 30 to the left for the ultimate in BIG VIEWS and PRIVACY. Developer would consider allowing buyer to “bundle” additional lots and combine in to one parcel and pay just one POA fee. Lot 28 has a Southeastern facing view and offers a very gentle driveway to lot and easy build site. MLS# 87156. $99,000. A big mountain view awaits you from this estate size lot perched at almost 3,600’, including views of the rock face on Little Hogback mountain. Gentle homesite in the gated community of Sapphire Ridge. This lot offers you privacy and big views, yet it’s less than 8 miles from the center of Cashiers. Sapphire Ridge is a gated community, with only the best in terms of infrastructure. Wide paved roads, underground utilities and public water all in place. MLS# 87155. $95,000. Developer has reduced price from $49,000 on this very “easy to build” lot. Large 2.5 acre lot where you can enjoy the sound of moving water surrounding the home site - a nice stream runs through the property down along homesite. Very gentle access to lot and near level build, surrounded by beautiful trees. MLS# 87152. $19,900.

Sheepcliff Woods Only 1 mile from the center of downtown Cashiers to this property-very easy building envelope, to keep your foundation costs minimized. Sitting at 3600’ elevation, this lot has a view of the famed Whiteside Mountain. Community water in place and an expired 3 BR septic permit in hand, that could likely be improved-given the size of the lot. MLS# 87480. $69,000.

Shepherds Drive

Almost 2 acres with 461 feet of frontage along Highway 64 in the heart of Sapphire. 5 tap fees have been paid for CWS sewer and water, and will convey with property. Property can be used for residential and light commercial purposes, such as hotel/motel, office and/or retail space. Parking area represents about half of

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Situated at 3,720 ft. in elevation is this spacious, un-manicured and gently rolling lot, full of wildlife and natural flora. As you explore the land you’ll find a small stream, roughed in roads, and a serene mountain setting. This lot has an abundance of gentle grade potential home sites, and can be subdivided into 1 acre minimum parcels. There are few restrictions on this parcel, providing ample opportunity for development and enjoyment. MLS# 88628. $45,000.

Shepherds Mountain $50,000 price drop on this incredible lake and mountain view lot with a flat building site to perch your home 400’ above Lake Glenville. This almost 2 acre lot is located in the gated


LOTS & LAND community of Shepherds Mountain--that provides property owners in-ground utilities, nice paved roads, a small clubhouse, play area for the kids and deeded access to Lake Glenville. MLS# 88407. $99,900. Perched at 3,700’ elevation, this lot offers cool summer temperatures and end of road privacy. Shepherds Mountain has two lane paved roads throughout, and has a clubhouse and deeded access to Lake Glenville. Water rights in place and there is an expired 4 bedroom septic permit. MLS# 85588. $19,000.

Sims Valley Paved driveway already in place leading to the perfectly flat building site with 360 degree views. Long or short range mountain views in any direction you look! This private home site adjoins another 22+ acre tract that is privately owned with road access from the opposite end of the property providing this home site ultimate privacy. Sims Valley is a beautiful gated community with paved access, community water and underground utilities. MLS# 87563. $119,000.

neighborhood in Sapphire Valley. A short walk or golf cart ride to CCSV or SVMA. Lots from $15,900 to $39,900. Fabulous views over Sapphire Valley and a short golf cart ride away from The Country Club of Sapphire Valley (membership by invitation only) and the Sapphire Valley amenities. Build your dream house on this value priced lot. Lot next door also available for those seeking additional privacy or larger yard. Enjoy the views of Bald Rock and Lonesome Valley canyon. This gated community offers quick access to everything Sapphire Valley has to offer. MLS# 87722. $25,000.

Stone Pointe

Extremely desirable building lot with bold stream frontage and a nearly level building site. This is the ideal place to build a mountain home overlooking a beautiful babbling stream with many small waterfalls. Enjoy some short and long range mountain views from this peaceful setting as well. Conveniently located near the community clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center and pavilion that owners can use for social gatherings. MLS# 85846. $59,900. Big view, small price! This easy build lot includes community water, paved roads, streams, ponds, a clubhouse with pool and exercise room and an antique farm house community center. Sims Valley is private, gated and just 10 minutes from Lake Glenville and 20 minutes from Cashiers. MLS# 88694. $30,000. Beautiful almost level lot with easy year round access and a near perfect build site. A rock lined bridge driveway goes level onto the lot. Betsy Creek boarders the property to the right of the driveway. Mountain views possible with tree trimming. Sims Valley is a scenic gated community located just 20 mins outside of Cashiers NC and offers amenities to include a clubhouse, pool, exercise facility, pond and picnic areas. MLS# 87145. $15,000. Great value for this 1.64 acre lot with nice building site, gated, paved, year round access. Possible long or short range ridgeline views with tree cutting. Located in the scenic Sims Valley, a beautiful gated community with paved access. Residents enjoy the private clubhouse, pavilion, swimming pool, ponds, fitness center, community water and underground utilities. MLS# 87773. $14,950.

Shoal Mountain Possibly the most dramatic view in the mountains. Own the whole mountain top at the northwest corner of Lake Glenville. You can see the whole lake and all the mountains ranges surrounding. Miles and miles of views all the way to Tennessee. The building site is flat and the mountain falls away in every direction. MLS# 87237. $615,000.

Snowbird Tucked away in the high end Snowbird gated community is this fantastic 45.71 acre Gentleman’s farm! This property has plenty of room for homes and an abundance of easy building sites. As you approach the small rustic camping cabin, your greeted by gently rolling meadows and gorgeous layered mountain views. The cabin itself is studio style, with an outhouse steps away for a true 1800’s historic feel. MLS# 88803. $799,000.

Stonecreek Estates Four fabulous lots, some with incredible mountain views, in this conveniently located

One of the premier lakefront lots on all of Lake Glenville is now available for the discerning buyer. Lot 5 is the namesake for its community, sitting on a point and features a beautiful rock outcropping. The lot features 1.54 acres to spread your wings, very gentle build site and walk to water, more than 400’ of shoreline, deep water, and an incredible Southerly facing view down the main channel of the lake. The extensive rock work and boat dock convey, along with a 5 BR septic permit and drain field already installed.. MLS# 88390. $849,000. Nestled on the western shores of Lake Glenville, this 1+ acre lot is ready for your lakefront home. The home site features: driveway, potable and non-potable water lines, and underground power. The house site is cleared and a large dock is in place. Come see and imagine yourself on this beautiful piece of mountain waterfront property. MLS# 84508. $425,000.

Strawberry Hill Listen to the sounds of a rushing waterfall on Lake Glenville from this beautiful lot in Strawberry Hill! Build high to take advantage of lake and mountain views. Just a short walk to the common area access to Lake Glenville and the tennis courts. Peek-a-boo views of Lake Glenville that can be improved some with tree trimming and house site clearing. There is stunning rock face wall that sits just behind the home site adding a natural and unique landscape feature. MLS# 88761. $49,000.

Summer Cove Tremendous lake and mountain views, with a southern exposure from this lot. This incredible view lot offers amazing views down the south channel of the lake, with many layered mountain ranges in the distance. Summer Cove offers all

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LOTS & LAND lake view property owners a designated slip on the 10-slip community dock that’s just a short golf-cart ride away. Sitting 300’ above the lake, you’ll enjoy the cool breezes and spectacular views from 3,800’. MLS# 84680. $275,000.

Whiteside Mountain in well-established and exclusive neighborhood of Wade Hampton. Priced below market value! Motivated seller! MLS# 88888. $79,000.

Waterdance

Summer Hill Almost 3 acre lot in Summer Hill, a premier Lake Glenville community. Driveway partially in. Big lake and mountain view. Community dock, boat launch ramp, sandy beach, picnic shelter with fireplace and tennis court. Well managed gated community with wide paved roads and friendly neighbors. MLS# 88751. $295,000. Large lake access lot with great mountain and sunset views. MLS# 73981. $85,000. Big lake access lot with western exposure. View of mountains and sunsets. MLS# 73982. $85,000. Very large Lake Glenville access lot. This lot faces west with sunset and mountain views. MLS# 73983. $85,000.

Tahala Shores This lot is a must-see for anyone looking for an easy-build site for their lakefront dream home with convenient boating access. The lot overlooks the wide part of the lake, offering unrivalled views. Its central location between Cashiers and Highlands provides a short drive to a variety of shopping and dining. A site plan is available that outlines the potential layout of this gently sloping lot, and a current three-bedroom septic permit is on file. MLS# 88490. $239,000. Fantastic opportunity to buy a lot with a boat dock on Lake Glenville within easy walking distance and not pay the high price of a lake front lot. Dock is in. Shared well. Easy build wooded lot. MLS# 83464. $100,000.

The Chattooga Club NEW LISTING One of the few lots still available in this established, exclusive and gated community. Gentle building site with view potential. Many beautiful hardwoods and indigenous plants on property including rhododendron and mountain laurels. Membership to Chattooga Club by invitation. MLS# 88891. $360,000. Level and easy building lot located inside the prestigious, well established and gated community of the Chattooga Club. Homeowner amenities include Lake Chattooga, which is stocked yearly with trout; small boats available and fishing is allowed. Membership to club by invitation only. MLS# 87975. $335,000.

If you love the idea of walking out your front door and going for a swim in the gently moving pool below your home, then this is the lot for you. The section of river frontage you own with this lot has both small rapids and slow moving pools, perfect for the avid angler or nature enthusiast. This lot has a valid septic permit for a three bedroom home, and also has access to the community water located 100’ from where the proposed home site is. MLS# 88593. $125,000. NEW LISTING Located in the scenic Waterdance gated community is this great 1.76 acre riverfront lot! The lot has a roughed in road leading directly to the potential building site, which is just steps away from the rushing Tuckasegee River. There is a current three bedroom septic permit on file (no septic tank installed yet) and community water is readily available. The community itself features paved roads, covered bridge, gated access, and gorgeous water features such as the waterfall that is up the road from this lot. MLS# 88921. $125,000.

Whisper Lake Just around the corner from the Whisper Lake common area, this home site is the perfect setting to build a mountain getaway! The Whisper Lake common area has a lake side picnic area and dock where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing and kayaking. This beautiful lot also comes with Sapphire Valley amenities. MLS# 88503. $35,000.

Woudes Mountain Village The shore of Lake Glenville is a short and easy five minute walk from the bottom of this gently rolling and private wooded lot. Located in the quiet Woudes Mountain Village community, this lot has a gentle building site, available community water, and a two bedroom septic system already installed. As you follow the cascading mountain stream down the lot, you’ll come upon the road leading to the community lake access and park. MLS# 88626. $25,000.

Zachary’s Gap

Very gentle easy building site on corner lot on a quiet street. Amenities include picnic spot deeded to homeowners with views of 3 states. 10 acre lake stocked with trout, hiking trails, beautiful mature landscaping consisting of native flowering shrubbery and trees making for a very lush environment. Club membership by invitation only. MLS# 86667. $330,000.

Trillium The lowest priced lot in Trillium. Great location, close to both the lakeside clubhouse and marina and the golf clubhouse and associated amenities. This lot faces south with a view of Yellow Mountain. MLS# 84110. $29,000.

Wade Hampton NEW LISTING Lot has a good view of

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High above the valley floor at 4000’ of elevation with a panoramic view of Sapphire Valley including views of Whiteside, Chimneytop, and Rock Mountain. This partially cleared lot with fire pit area and path from the road cleared offers spectacular views. MLS# 80127. $410,000.


VACATI O N SAPPHIRE Holly Forest Hideway

AA

CC

EE

CC

SAPPHIRE Needlepine

D

WHISPER L AKE Lakeside Cottage

BB

RENTALS

B

SAPPHIRE River Chase

AA

SAPPHIRE Whisper Ridge

HIGH HEMLOCK Living on the Edge

F Family friendly home located in Sapphire Valley. This home offers an open kitchen, dining area, Master bedroom with private bath, and TV. Living room has a vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace (wood burning), and large deck. Great home for a couples getaway, guys golfing weekend or larger family. Sleeps 8 + daybed. For a small fee, guests have access to the many Sapphire Valley Resort amenities. This 4 bedroom, 3 full bath gem is nestled in the woods of Holly Forest IV. It features 2 king sized bedrooms, one full bedroom and a bedroom with two twins that is great for kids. In addition there is a loft that kids will love to hide in and often sleep in. This house sleeps 8-10 comfortably. There are two decks off of the main dining area with outdoor tables. This great condo is located in the Sapphire Valley community of River Chase, a wonderful neighborhood with lots of places to walk to including Meadow Lake & the Horsepasture River. Unit is only a short drive to many of the Sapphire Valley amenities. Some of the amenities include beautiful Fairfield Lake where you can hike or fish and enjoy nature at its finest.

D

E

F

This wonderful three bedroom, three bath, single level living home is located in the heart of Sapphire. Entertaining is a pleasure with the well-appointed kitchen and an open, airy floor plan makes for comfortable living. Enjoy the cool mountain breezes on the large screened porch. Just minutes away are the many Sapphire Valley Resort amenities. This lakefront home is situated alongside tranquil Whisper Lake in the heart of Sapphire Valley. The upstairs has an expansive Great Room that features a gas fireplace and wall of windows overlooking the lake and mountains. All four bedrooms are roomy with good views and have access to a full bath. The outside garden was designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Amazing setting overlooking Lonesome Valley with views of Laurel Knob rock face and Cow Rock. This from 4,000’ elevation in wonderful High Hemlock. Well maintained log home provides comfort and relaxation, with wood floors, wood-burning fireplace and master suite on main. This CASHIERS: 828 743 1999 home is just a short drive from the endless hiking trails of HIGHL ANDS: 828 526 2999 Panthertown Valley. NCLIVING.COM

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VACATIO N

RENTALS

THE CHATTOOGA CLUB

High Five

Rustic elegance meets classic Southern style in this spacious tri-story home, situated on a private road in exclusive, gated Chattooga Club. With plenty of room for the entire brood, entertaining guests is a pleasure. Gather for lively conversation or curl up with a good book in the great room with its soaring cathedral ceilings and stone fireplace. The family chef will love the beautiful, light-filled French Country gourmet kitchen featuring a professional gas range, double oven, center island with seating, and reclaimed timber beams. You must be a member of the Chattooga Club to enjoy any of the amenities.

THE CHATTOOGA CLUB

Tsali Cottage

Quaint and cozy cottage inside the gates of the prestigious Chattooga Club community. Conveniently located to Clubhouse/Lodge and all amenities. Beautifully furnished two bedroom, two bath cottage with wood burning fireplace, wonderful deck with fireplace & open area. Master bedroom on main level, second bedroom upstairs. You must be a member of the Chattooga Club to enjoy any of the amenities.

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4X

HOMES LISTED WITH VIDEO GET FOUR TIMES THE INQUIRIES THAN THOSE WITHOUT.

REAL ESTATE GROUP

95%

PROPERTIES FEATURED WITH VIRTUAL TOURS GET 95% MORE PHONE INQUIRIES.

L E A R N M O R E a b o u t O U R I N N O VA T I V E MARKETING METHODS at NCLIVING.COM

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BETH TOWNSEND Owner / Broker

LIZ HARRIS Owner / Broker

STEVE HODGE President

ANN McKEE AUSTIN Owner / Broker

REPRESENTING THE BUYERS AND SELLERS OF PREMIER PROPERTIES IN THE CASHIERS & HIGHLANDS AREA FOR OVER 40 YEARS. McKeeProperties.com

MERRY SOELLNER Broker Associate

PAUL COLLINS Broker Associate

COLEEN GOTTLOEB Broker-In-Charge

SANDY & JOHN BARROW Sales & Listing Team / Broker Associates

KEVEN HAWKINS Broker Associate

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PHILIP BRADLEY Broker Associate

MICHAEL BENITEZ Broker / Developer

WAYNE MONDAY Broker Associate


THE KEY TO DISCOVERING YOUR NEW MOUNTAIN LIFESTYLE.

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC MINNIE COLE HOUSE 619 Highway 107 South

/

Cashiers, NC 28717 /

828.743.3411

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LU X U RY E S TAT E

$2,5 0 0,0 0 0

46.22 acres in the heart of Sapphire Valley. Own big acreage with a main home and guest home perfectly sited for privacy, ponds, waterfalls, streams and mountain views! Both homes have quality finishes, and convenient access to all areas of our plateau. MLS# 86761

A MASTERPIECE

$ 2, 375,0 0 0

A contemporary masterpiece. Walls of windows allow the interiors to be flooded with light and magnificent mountain views. Many features include gourmet kitchen, family room, office/den, 2 laundry rooms, wine cellar, elevator and amazing porch with fireplace. MLS# 87645

HIGH HAMP TON

$1,475,0 0 0

Newer construction home in High Hampton Resort. Privately situated on 1.59 acres of gentle topography, allowing garden or play space. A+, Opulent finishes, an open plan and large screened porch allow for seamless entertaining and enjoying mountain weather. MLS# 88022

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UNDER CONTRACT

HIGH HEMLOCK

P I N N AC L E R I D G E

$ 8 9 9,0 0 0

$76 9,0 0 0 0

Charming 5BR/3.5BA home boasting high elevation, pond frontage and year round mountain views to be enjoyed from spacious decks and screened porch. Family-sized living room with stone fireplace and cathedral ceilings, library with fireplace. MLS# 86728

Charming 4BR/4.5BA home in a private gated community. Cathedral ceilings, stone fireplace in living room. Spacious kitchen, covered deck, screened porch with fireplace, recently finished basement with wet bar, bedroom, and bunkroom. MLS# 85508

NEW TO MARKET

VIEW FOR MILES

$ 5 07,5 0 0

$ 49 9,0 0 0

This well-built home is newer construction, and just perfect for year round or vacation living. Lots of storage for all your treasures, and plenty of room to spread out and relax. Open floor plan and split bedrooms for master privacy, all one level! Very pretty mountain view, too! MLS# 88798

Amazing, long-range panoramic mountain views are available from this very well-maintained home in Bee Tree Ridge. Comfortable and charming, the home boasts 7 acres, end-of-cul-de-sac privacy and terrific outdoor spaces. MLS# 87792

I N -T O W N C O T TAG E

SOOTHING WATER VIE WS

$ 49 9,0 0 0

In-town, English-inspired cottage boasts gorgeous gardens, exceptional views of Big Sheepcliff, and charming, all on one level living. Open plan kitchen/living room with fireplace and wet bar. Dining room/den features a wall of windows. Great for entertaining. MLS# 88041

MERRY SOELLNER 828.399.1580 (c) merry@cashiers.com

$ 3 9 9,0 0 0

Sweet Cottage enjoys views of Lake Lupton and you’ll be able to walk to the newly renovated club. Pretty wood interiors and spacious decks. Live on one level, with guest accommodations on the upper floor. Additional office and bath over the carport. MLS# 88454

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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ELEGANT CONDO

$ 3 49,0 0 0

C E DA R C R E E K

$ 3 3 0,0 0 0

Outstanding newer construction (2007) 3BR/3.5BA condo very conveniently located in the heart of Sapphire Valley. Enjoy the Horsepasture River rolling noisily past your back porch! Plus, 2-car garage parking! MLS# 88323

Nicely remodeled 3BR/3BA tennis cottage with loads of charm and a private feel! Open floor plan features stone WBFP and wood walls. Kitchen has granite countertops. 2BR on the main level, each with its own bath. Enjoy large decks surrounding the home! MLS# 87172

R E A DY F O R M OV E - I N

G R E AT R E T R E AT

$ 32 9,0 0 0

$2 8 9,0 0 0

Newer construction home in Holly Forest 2! All updated, and with a mountain view, too! Open Floor Plan. Master and 2 guest rooms on the main level of the home. Well finished kitchen with adjacent dining and screened porch. Cathedral ceilings, wood flooring. MLS# 88004

Affordable, quiet and private retreat located in Holly Forest with a mtn. view! Cozy, updated interior allows for carefree move-in! 3BR/3BA, just the right size for a summer get away or year-round residence. Kitchen has upgraded appliances and granite. MLS# 87971

M O U N TA I N G E TAWAY

TREE HOUSE

$ 275,0 0 0

Just another day in paradise! This is the place for peace, quiet & privacy! High elevation, newer construction & immaculately maintained. 2BR(+bonus rm)/2.5BA open plan, attractively furnished, ready to move in. On 2.47 acres bordered by nice, active streams. MLS# 86494

This well-built and beautifully maintained Holly Forest cottage enjoys end of cul-de-sac privacy on almost an acre! A wrap around deck leads to a peaceful screened porch across the back of the home. Inside find vaulted wood ceilings, ceiling fans and many windows. MLS# 85724

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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$2 2 5,0 0 0

MERRY SOELLNER 828.399.1580 (c) merry@cashiers.com


CA S H I E R S I N -T O W N

$1,15 0,0 0 0

Private custom-built 3BR/4.5BA home on 7 gently rolling acres includes stream-beds, walkways, and arbors. The striking beauty of the grounds mirror perfectly the incredible comfort and livable layout of the home. The main level is designed with full exposure to the elements, windows everywhere; easy flow to all outdoor areas; decks and porches abound; an open kitchen, center island, farm table dining, and family room flow; and the master suite. MLS# 86915

GLENVILLE

L ANCE WOOD

$ 59 0,0 0 0

$ 4 3 5,0 0 0

Charming vintage farmhouse with a root cellar out-building set on over 11 acres of gently rolling land. The parcel boasts wide frontage along Highway 107 in Glenville, NC. Possible commercial development opportunities in addition to residential use. MLS# 87790

Vintage 1950s farm house cottage with a spacious living room, high ceiling, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen and walk-in pantry. The main house has 2BR and detached garage has studio apartment on the 2nd floor. Seasonal views of Sheep Cliff and Lance’s Lake. MLS# 87793

LIT TLE TERRAPIN

BEE TREE RIDGE

$2 2 0,0 0 0

Two Lots — incredible views! Whiteside Mountain and many other layered mountains at over 4,000’ elevation. Lot 1... 2.2 acres, 4BR septic evaluation on file, offering one of the best views in the area. Lot 16... 1.28 acres, also with great mountain views. MLS# 85580

KEVEN HAWKINS 917.209.0679 (c) keven@cashiers.com

$ 8 9,9 0 0

Enjoy partial lake and mountain views from this gently rolling lot in Bee Tree Ridge. Just minutes from Lake Glenville. MLS# 87897

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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UNDER CONTRACT

WA D E H A M P T O N G O L F C LU B

$2,59 5,0 0 0

Gorgeous home in Wade Hampton overlooking the golf course and peeking at Chimneytop Mountain. Built in 2016-17 this home offers exceptional finishes and appeal. The bright elegant living room features a full wall of steel and glass windows. Nano doors between the kitchen and outdoor living space, open fully to create the perfect flow between the large outdoor screened porch and the beautiful bright chef’s kitchen. MLS# 87516

Y E L L O W M O U N TA I N P R E S E RV E

$ 6,9 5 0,0 0 0

Cashiers/Highlands finest estate opportunity located minutes from both Mountaintop Golf Club, Old Edwards Club and Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina. 150 acres, the finest views in all of Highlands and Cashiers, borders National Forest, utilities and roads in place for low density estate development, 5127 ft at its highest point, farm area with beautiful irrigated meadows, stream and pond. A legacy property! MLS# 85322

MOTIVATED SELLER

BALD ROCK

C H AT T O O G A C LU B

$1,5 0 0,0 0 0

A handsome Equestrian estate with 3BR/3.5BA mountain rustic home on 6.55 acres overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. 3-Stall custom, top-of-the-line barn with pastures and arena make this an equestrian lover’s paradise. MLS# 86905

$1,0 9 5,0 0 0

A charming, one of a kind mountain home built from Appalachian log timbers reclaimed from old settlers’ cabins. Utterly unique, its exposed beams, old wood paneling and four wood-burning fireplaces give it the feel of a real cabin, but with great light, space and amenities. MLS# 88263

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S I LV E R R U N R OA D

H O L LY F O R E S T

$2,4 5 0,0 0 0

$ 6 9 9,0 0 0

Silver Run Creek runs through this state of the art farm estate. The main house, completed 2013, offers current clean styling, 3BR/2.5BA, beautiful sun room, large lower level game room. 2BR/1BA remodeled guest house just a short walk from the main house. MLS# 87637

Charming 4BR/3.5BA home overlooking lovely mountain views! Wall of windows and cozy fireplace in living room, main level master suite with private porch. Upstairs is a bright relaxing loft and office area. Lower level family room & wet bar. MLS# 86666

ARROWHE AD

ARROWHE AD

$79 9,0 0 0

$ 5 49,0 0 0

Cozy and spacious cottage with vaulted great room, beautiful masonry stone fireplaces, and large Carolina porch overlooking the beautiful Chimney Garden in Arrowhead community. Master bedroom on main level and 2 spacious guest suites upstairs. MLS# 88754

An ideal “lock and leave� home providing warm inviting spaces for entertaining and so much charm for a quiet relaxing getaway. Emphasis of natural light, an impressive floor to ceiling stacked stone fireplace in living room & cozy screened porch. MLS# 87392

HIGH ME ADOWS

C E DA R C R E E K W O O D S

$ 474,0 0 0

Adorable cottage located in an exceptional gated community close to town. 3 bedrooms with master on main level, vaulted great room with window wall looking out over a large lawn. Two spacious guest suites upstairs. Covered screened porch with fireplace. MLS# 88842

LIZ HARRIS 828.342.3194 (c) liz@cashiers.com

$ 4 49,0 0 0

Cute cottage in Cedar Creek Woods is just a short walk to the lake and clubhouse! Great short-range mtn. views and frontage on the Horsepasture river. Master on main level. Spacious vaulted great room and open kitchen dining area. Covered porches on the front/back. MLS# 87934

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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WA D E H A M P T O N

$ 2,5 8 9,0 0 0

Magnificent 5BR/5.5BA, estate-sized home on the market for the first time. Beautifully situated on 8+ acres with year-round mountain views. Two story guest-house with bedroom, bath, kitchenette, and living area. Stone terraces, porches, decks & patios. MLS# 88678

SPRING FOREST

$1, 2 8 5,0 0 0

Beautiful 4BR/4BA home on 3.14 acres has a gorgeous great room with a huge stone, wood-burning fireplace, a charming den with a gaslog fireplace and built-ins galore. Enjoy a 180 degree mountain view from the screened porch with fireplace! MLS# 87799

UNDER CONTRACT

WA D E H A M P T O N

$1,0 9 5,0 0 0

Lovely 4BR/5BA home featuring vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace, and large windows in living room. Dining area with bar and 2 wine coolers. Spacious screened porch with golf course and ridge view. Recently renovated kitchen and bathrooms. MLS# 86344

C H AT T O O G A C LU B $ 975,0 0 0 FURNISHED This beautifully furnished 3BR/3BA cottage welcomes you home the minute you walk in the door! Enjoy views of Chimney Top Mountain from the covered porch with a handsome stone fireplace. Property has lovely gardens and plantings! MLS# 84845

RECENTLY REDUCED

HIGHLANDS CC

$ 9 2 5,0 0 0

Totally updated 3BR/3BA home provides a fabulous open floor plan. Stone fireplace, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and covered porch overlooking forest & fauna. Circular front driveway with connected 2-car garage. Beautiful native plantings abound. MLS# 85412

MOUNT LORI

$ 4 3 5,0 0 0

Charming 3 bedroom home with covered porches and decks abounding! A lovely 1 bedroom guest house including wood working shop and multi-purpose room is attached by a walkway. Awesome location, just minutes from downtown Highlands. MLS# 87194

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STILLMONT

A P P L E M O U N TA I N

$ 49 5,0 0 0

$ 49 5,0 0 0

What a gem! This 3BR/2.5BA home has a lovely, sunny great room with wood burning fireplace, spacious kitchen with wood cabinets and breakfast area, and porch overlooking the beautifully manicured yard with stream. MLS# 88078

This charming 3BR/2.5BA home has beautiful wide-plank floors, woodburning stone fireplace and vaulted ceiling in the great room. The spacious kitchen includes pantry, granite counter tops, and new appliances. Includes adjacent lots on either side of home. MLS# 87432

T R I L L I U M L I N KS

M OUNTAIN VIE W VILL AS

$ 42 0,0 0 0 FURNISHED

$2 9 9,0 0 0

Spacious two-story 3BR/3.5BA home just a golf cart ride away from all the amenities. Wraparound decks overlooking 14th fairway. Lovely great room with cathedral ceilings. Nearly new golf cart and storage included. Also includes membership. MLS# 84233

Beautiful and well-maintained 2BR/2BA home in Sapphire Valley includes adjacent lot. Additional sleeping loft and kitchenette. Gorgeous year-round golf and mountain views. Amenities available through Sapphire Valley Master Association. MLS# 84560

T H E OA KS

H I G H L A N D S M T N C LU B

$ 2 9 8,0 0 0 FURNISHED

Enjoy outstanding year-round views from this completely updated, move-in ready 2BR/2BA cottage. Conveniently located between Cashiers & Highlands, on a beautifully landscaped lot with decks, firepit, patio pond, and waterfall. MLS# 86862

SANDY BARROW 478.737.9664 (c) JOHN BARROW 828.506.9356 (c) 619 Highway 107 S / 828.743.3411 (o)

$215,0 0 0

This handsome unit includes three bedrooms and two baths. A beautiful stone, wood-burning fire place has been converted to gas logs for instant warmth and convenience on those chilly mornings. Sliding glass doors provide access to the deck. MLS# 87739

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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NEW LISTING

R I L E Y M O U N TA I N FA R M MLS# 88507 / $4,100,000 8 B R / 6 B A / 2 H B A (3 HOMES) This stunning estate was host to the Cashiers Designer Showhouse in 2013, “Serenity Acres,” and many claim it was the best site ever! With over 39 acres of fenced and cross fenced pasture land, trees, water features and trails, this privately gated property seems light years from the bustle, but is only 3.5 miles to the center of Cashiers and has zero road noise! Buildings include beautifully remodeled 3-4BR main house with living room flanked by two enormous stone fireplaces, gorgeous new kitchen and fine mountain-current architectural detailing such as custom iron stair rails and reclaimed Oak wood floors. Nearby, the 2BR/2BA “southern living” style Guest House is complete with stone fireplace, full kitchen and laundry. The 2BR/2BA Bunk House could also be used for a great home office. And oh, what a magnificent barn! Beautifully set up for horses... but based on its highquality construction, placement on the property and view, this structure could be transformed into an outstanding new estate home! Fantastic views of Laurel Knob and Cow Rock Mountain can be seen from all the major buildings and pastures. Property adjoins the Lonesome Valley neighborhood. PICTURED HERE: MAIN HOUSE INTERIORS AND GUEST HOUSE EXTERIOR

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RECENTLY REDUCED

P R I VAT E E S TAT E , WA D E H A M P T O N

$2,42 5,0 0 0

5 B R / 5 B A Long range panoramic mountain views from beautifully constructed custom home featuring hardwood floors, gorgeous pine paneling and three stone fireplaces. Delightful chef’s kitchen has tons of natural light. Private setting accessed by beautifully landscaped paved drive has ample parking and two car garage. In award winning Wade Hampton community with award winning Fazio private golf course. MLS# 84422

LIT TLE SHEEPCLIFF

$1, 8 9 5 ,0 0 0

Spectacular views from this high elevation sophisticated custom home in gated Little Sheepcliff neighborhood. Two large bedrooms suites on the main level, opposite ends of the home. Living room has high coffered ceilings, and at the heart of the home a massive stone fireplace with three openings- living, keeping room and covered porch. Fantastic 8.9 acre yard with waterfall. MLS# 88777

Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture

Wade Hampton Golf Club Development Team

LOTS, IN TOWN

Highest elevation view lots in gated Cedar Hill neighborhood top 4,000 feet in elevation, and have sweeping views to the northwest or southeast. Sizes vary from 1.2 to 2.4 acres. Paved roads, water and sewer system, underground utilities in place. This close to town neighborhood is one of the finest! MLS# VARIES

BETH TOWNSEND 828.421.6193 (c) beth@cashiers.com

Co-Founder McKee Properties

$14 5,0 0 0 – $2 5 0,0 0 0

BETH TOWNSEND Co-Owner / Broker beth@cashiers.com 828.421.6193 (c)

Cashiers area summer resident since 1970, full time since 1981

McKeeProperties.com 619 Highway 107 South OFFICE: 828.743.3411

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ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Accommodations Black Bear Lodge blackbearlodgeofsapphire.com Page 23 Chambers Realty highlandsiscalling.com Pages 42, 130 Country Club Properties ccphighlandsnc.com Page 2 Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins firemt.com Page 13 Half Mile Farm halfmilefarm.com Page 99 Landmark Vacation Rentals landmarkvacations.com Pages 44, 45 Laurelwood Inn laurelwoodinncashiers.com Page 55 Old Edwards Inn & Spa oldedwardsinn.com Page 130 Pebble Creek Village pebble-creek.com Page 127 Skyline Lodge skylinelodge.com Page 95 Silver Creek Real Estate Group ncliving.com Pages 149-191 Whiteside Cove Cottages Page 109 Antiques & Home Furnishings Bound’s Cave boundscaverugs.com Page 47 The Brier Patch Page 17 Cabin Couture cabincouturehighlands.com Page 140 Christine’s Home Decor Page 130 Dogwoods Home shopdogwoodshome.com Page 146 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Josephine’s Emporium Page 57 Mantiques mantiquesnc.com Page 145 MIrror Lake Antiques & Jewelry mirrorlakeantiques.com Page 14 Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 109 Rusticks rusticks.com Page 81 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 The Village Hound onceuponadog.com Page 36 Vivianne Metzger vmantiques.com Page 81 Architects ® Home Architects homearchitects.com Page 130 Archival Picture Framing Josephine’s Emporium Page 57 Art Galleries/Artists Annell, Portrait Artist annell.com Page 79 ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Around Back at Rocky’s Place aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 75 The Bascom thebascom.org Page 71 The Brier Patch Page 17 Cabin Couture cabincouturehighlands.com Page 140 Carolina Gallery Page 70 CK Swan ckswan.com Page 8 Dogwoods Home shopdogwoodshome.com Page 146 Highlands Fine Art highlandsfineartandestatejewelry.com Page 15 Justin Allman - Fire Moss Pottery Page 110 Oakleaf oakleafhighlands.com Page 31 Nora and Company Page 13 Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 109 Shuptrine Gallery shuptrinegallery.com Page 73 Smitten Page 79 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 The Village Hound onceuponadog.com Page 36 Auto Upgrades/Tuning Passion Performance passionperformanceauto.com Page 13 Bars The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands theuglydogpub.com Page 95 The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers theuglydogpub.com Page 95 204 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Bedding ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com Page 10 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Lenz Gifts Page 57 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Bird Supplies Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 9 Boat Rentals Lake Shore Marina lakeshoremarina-nc.com Page 101 Signal Ridge Marina signalridgemarina.com Page 74 Books The Book Nook Page 42 Josephine’s Emporium Page 57 Breweries Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company sapphiremountainbrewingcompany.com Page 93 Whiteside Brewing Co. whitesidebrewing.com Page 55 Builders designsouthbuilders.com Page 41 lupoliconstruction.com Page 33 rabunbuilders.com Page 122 srebalusconstruction.com Page 130 warthconstruction.com Page 212 Building Supplies Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com Page 21 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com Page 48 Business/Office Supplies Dauntless Printing Pages 74, 110, 131 Catering Fressers Courtyard Cafe & Catering Page 87 The Kitchen thekitchenofhighlands.com Page 89 Rosewood Market rosewoodgourmet.com Page 89 Chambers of Commerce Cashiers Chamber of Commerce cashiersareachamber.com Page 109 Highlands Chamber of Commerce highlandschamber.org Page 109 Cleaning/Housekeeping Services Pro Servicess Pages 130, 208 Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Service Page 130 Cloth/Upholstery ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Clothing & Accessories A Jones Company Page 17 Allison Diane Clothing Page 107 Annawear Page 22 Bags on Main Page 43 Bella Cotn Page 49 Design South Builders Lupoli Construction Porch Living/ Rabun Builders Srebalus Construction Co. Warth Construction


Liberty Wood Products The Summer House

.libertywoodproducts.net

summerhousehighlands.com

Page 4

Page 37

Custom Furniture ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Gray Lighting & Woodwork Pages 4, 48 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Dentists Dr. Joe Wilbanks wilbankssmilecenter.com Page 117 Doors/Windows Highlands Doors & Windows Page 111 Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com Page 21

Liberty Wood Products

libertywoodproducts.net

Page 4

Events Baldaroo baldaroo.com Page107 Betsy Paul Art Raffle Page 73 Carolina Gallery Page 70 Empty Bowls Project Luncheon Page 147 Half Mile Farm halfmilefarm.com Page 99 Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival hcmusicfestival.org Page 90 Highlands Cashiers Players highlandscashiersplayers.org Page 77 Highlands Food And Wine highlandsfoodandwine.com Page 112 Highlands Playhouse highlandsplayhouse.org Page 27 Highlands Wine Shoppe highlandswineshoppe.com Page 84 Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center highlandspac.org Page 79 Rotary Craft Beer Night Page 121 Smitten Page 79 The Village Green villagegreencashiersnc.com Page 80 Event Rentals The Orchard theorchardcashiers.com Page 91 Fence Companies Franklin Fence Company franklinfencecompany.com Page 147 Flooring The Designer Market thedesignersmarket.com Page 133 Floral Design /Florists Fiddlehead Designs Page 139 Oakleaf oakleafhighlands.com Page 31 Fly Fishing/Guide Services Brookings brookingsonline.com Page 141 Furniture ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 The Brier Patch Page 17 Cabin Couture cabincouturehighlands.com Page 140 Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com Page 10 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 High Country Furniture & Design highcountry.com Page 55 Nearly New Page 134 Oakleaf oakleafhighlands.com Page 31 Rusticks rusticks.com Page 81 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Vivianne Metzger vmantiques.com Page 81 Furniture Consignments The Blue Elephant Page 134 thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 205

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Bespoke by TJ Bailey Page 30 Classic Links & Luggage classiclinksandluggage.com Page 17 Elevation of Highlands Page 40 The Look Boutique - Cashiers thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com Pages 53, 54 Martha Anne’s Page 119 Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 109 Sashay Around sashayaround.net Page 17 McCulley’s Page 3 Narcissus Page 20 Nora and Company Page 13 Robin’s Nest Page 23 Southern Way Page 43 Spartina spartina499.com Page 61 Spoiled Rotten spoiledrotten2.com Page 111 TJ Bailey for Men tjbmens.com Page 33 VC for Men victoriasclosetnc.com Page 135 Victoria’s Closet victoriasclosetnc.com Page 135 Victoria’s Sportswear victoriasclosetnc.com Page 135 Wit’s End Page 57 Clothing Consignment The Blue Elephant Page 134 Victoria’s Closet victoriasclosetnc.com Page 135 Closet Design Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry blackrockgraniteandcabinetry.com Pages 130, 139 The Designer Market thedesignersmarket.com Page 133 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Comforters ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com Page 10 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Lenz Gifts Page 57 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Communities Chattooga Club chattoogaclub.com Page 39 Cullasaja Club cullasajaclub.org Page 113 Silver Creek Real Estate Group ncliving.com Pages 149-191 Concierge Services HCCM Home hccmhome.com Page 8 Convenience Stores Dusty’s Page 87 Cosmetic Surgery Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, M.D. plasticsurgerytoday.com Page 119 Crafts The Bascom thebascom.org Page 71 Peak Experience peakexp.com Pages 109 Custom Cabinetry/Countertops ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry blackrockgraniteandcabinetry.com Pages 130, 139 Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com Page 21


ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Consignment Market consignmentmarketcashiersnc.com Page 135 Nearly New Page 134 Garden Design Alex Smith Garden Design alexsmithgardendesign.com Page 22 Garden/Landscaping Supplies Four Seasons fsl-wnc.com Page147 Highlands Lawn highlandslawnandgarden.com Page 141 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com Page 48 Gas Services Wilson Gas wilsongas.com Page 103 Gift Shops A Jones Company Page 17 ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Afternoon Delight Page 59 Around Back at Rocky’s Place aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 75 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 9 CK Swan ckswan.com Page 8 Classic Links & Luggage classiclinksandluggage.com Page 17 Fiddlehead Designs Page 139 The Look Boutique-Cashiers thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com Pages 53, 54 Nearly New Page 134 Nora and Company Page 13 Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 1 Robin’s Nest Page 23 Smitten Page 79 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Zoller Hardware

zollerhardware.com Page 48 Giving Back Betsy Paul Art Raffle Page 73 Goldsmith T A Anderson Goldsmith Page 47 Golf Accessories & Supplies Classic Links & Luggage classiclinksandluggage.com Page 17 Golf Clubs Sapphire National Golf Club sapphirenational.com Page 93 Golf Tours Toms Golf Tours tomsgolftours.com Page 103 Gourmet Foods Dusty’s Page 87 Grading/Excavating Larry Rogers Construction Page 111 Grills Wilson Gas wilsongas.com Page 103 Groceries Dusty’s Page 87 Groomers Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Page 136

206 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Gutters Pro Servicess

Pages 130, 208 Hair Salons

Bombshell Hair Boutique Page 140 Creative Concepts Page 130 Heating and Air Holley Heating & Air Conditioning holleyheating.com Page 9 Home Accessories A Jones Company Page 17 ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Afternoon Delight Page 59 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 9 Cabin Couture cabincouturehighlands.com Page 140 Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com Page 10 CK Swan ckswan.com Page 8 Consignment Market consignmentmarketcashiersnc.com Page 135 Dogwoods Home shopdogwoodshome.com Page 146 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Nearly New Page 134 Nora and Company Page 13 Oakleaf oakleafhighlands.com Page 31 Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 109 Robin’s Nest Page 23 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Vivianne Metzger vmantiques.com Page 81 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com Page 48 Home Design Mountainworks Design mtnworks.com Page 27 Ice Cream SweeTreats sweetreatshighlands.com Page 94 Interior Design & Home Furnishings ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Afternoon Delight Page 59 Bound’s Cave boundscaverugs.com Page 47 The Brier Patch Page 17 Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com Page 10 Christine’s Home Decor Page 130 CK Swan ckswan.com Page 8 Dornbush Design Studio dornbushdesign.com Page 105 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 High Country Furniture & Design highcountry.com Page 55 Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com Page 21 Rusticks rusticks.com Page 81 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Investment Planning Edward Jones Investments edwardjones.com Page 127 Jewelry - Fashion A Jones Company Page 17 ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Afternoon Delight Page 59 Cabin Couture cabincouturehighlands.com Page 140 Celebrity Collections celebritycollectionjewelry.com Page 105


janniebeandesigns.com Page 8 thelookcashiers.boutiquewindow.com Pages 53, 54 Page 20 peakexp.com Page 109 sashayaround.net Page 17 Jewelry - Fine Afternoon Delight Page 59 Highlands Fine Art highlandsfineartandestatejewelry.com Page 15 MIrror Lake Antiques & Jewelry mirrorlakeantiques.com Page 14 Kitchen Accessories Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 9 Cashiers Kitchen Co. Page 48 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com Page 48 Kitchen and Bath Design ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Black Rock Granite and Cabinetry blackrockgraniteandcabinetry.com Pages 130, 139 The Designer Market thedesignersmarket.com Page 133 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Lake Tours Lake Shore Marina lakeshoremarina-nc.com Page 101 Lamp Repair Gray Lighting & Woodwork Pages 4, 48 Landscape Architects Dargan Landscape Architects dargan.com Page 21 Landscapers Pro Servicess Pages 130, 208 Four Seasons fsl-wnc.com Page 147 Lighting ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com Page 10 Classic Lighting & Design classiclightinganddesign.com Page 8 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Gray Lighting & Woodwork Pages 4, 48 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Linens ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com Page 10 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Lenz Gifts Page 57 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Luggage Classic Links & Luggage classiclinksandluggage.com Page 17 Marinas Lake Shore Marina lakeshoremarina-nc.com Page 101 Signal Ridge Marina signalridgemarina.com Page 74 Massage Services Canyon Spa lonesomevalley.com Page 106 Cashiers Valley Fusion cashiersvalleyfusion.com Page 118 Creative Concepts Page 130 Tranquility Cove Massage Page 131

Yoga of Highlands

yogahighlands.com Page 118 Mattresses Afternoon Delight Page 59 Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com Page 10 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Medical Services Dr. Edward D. Frederickson MD FACP Page 118 Highlands-Cashiers Hospital hchospital.org Page 119 Mission Primary Care – Highlands/Cashiers mission-health.org Page 115 Mortgages Regions Mortgage Page 40 Movies Highlands Playhouse highlandsplayhouse.org Page 27 Music Stores Blue Ridge Music blueridgemusicacademy.com Page 26 Nail Care The Boutique Nails & Spa Page 131 Creative Concepts Page 130 Outdoor Adventures Toms Golf Tours tomsgolftours.com Page 103 Painting Morales Painting Page 101 Pro Servicess Pages 130, 208 Pet Care/Supplies The Village Hound onceuponadog.com Page 36 Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Page 136 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com Page 48 Pharmacies Highlands Pharmacy Page 116 Photography Charles Johnson Fine Art Photography charlesjohnsonfineart.com Page 75 Susan B Photography suebphotography.com Page 106 Picnic Items A Jones Company Pages 17 Plants/Nurseries Highlands Lawn highlandslawnandgarden.com Page 141 Pools/Spas Mountain Spring Spas and Pools mountainhotspring.com Page 9 Porch Living Porch Living Page 122 Porch and Patio The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Portraits Annell, Portrait Artist annell.com Page 79 thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 207

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Jannie Bean Custom Jewelry The Look Boutique-Cashiers Narcissus Peak Experience Sashay Around


ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Pottery ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Around Back at Rocky’s Place aroundbackatrockysplace.com Page 75 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 9 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Justin Allman - Fire Moss Pottery Page 110 Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 109 Smitten Page 79 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Printing Companies Dauntless Printing Pages 74, 110, 131 Private Clubs Cedar Creek Club cedarcreekclub.com Page 123 Produce Cashiers Farmers Market cashiersfarmersmarket.com Page 89 Dusty’s Page 87 Public Safety Blue Ridge Public Safety blueridgepublicsafety.com Page 39 Pubs The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands theuglydogpub.com Page 95 The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers theuglydogpub.com Page 95 Radio Stations WHLC FM 104.5 whlc.com Page 13 Rare Maps/Prints Josephine’s Emporium Page 57

208 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com

Real Estate Sales Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Andrea Gabbard Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices John Muir Betsy Paul Blair Realty Chambers Realty Country Club Properties Cullasaja Club John Cleaveland Realty Landmark Realty Group Landmark Realty Group – Holly Falls Landmark Realty Group – Rob Whitney McKee Properties McKee Properties John & Sandy Barrow McKee Properties - Liz Harrris McKee Properties Kevin Hawkins McKee PropertiesMerry Soellner McKee Properties Beth Townsend

meadowsmountainrealty.com Pages 11, 66, 67 meadowsmountainrealty.com Pages 66, 67 meadowsmountainrealty.com Pages 66, 67 betsypaulproperties.com Page 211 blair-realty.com Page 105 highlandsiscalling.com Pages 42, 130 ccphighlandsnc.com Page 2 cullasajaclub.org Page 113 jcrealty.com Page 56 landmarkrg.com Pages 44, 45, 51, 136 landmarkrg.com Page 136 landmarkrg.com Page 51 mckeeproperties.com Pages 34, 35, 123, 192-203 mckeeproperties.com mckeeproperties.com

Pages 200-201 Pages 34, 35, 198-199

mckeeproperties.com

Page 197

mckeeproperties.com

Pages 194-196

mckeeproperties.com

Pages 202-203


patallenrealtygroup.com ppoh.com

Page 212 Page 131

sapphirevalleyrealestate.com Page 59

ncliving.com Pages 149-191 highlandssothebysrealty.com Page 105 highlandsssir.com Page 5 highlandsssir.com Page 131 Restaurants Highlands-Cashiers Directory Page 98 4118 Kitchen and Bar Page 93 Adair Bros. Smokehouse BBQ adairbrotherssmokehouse.com Page 91 Altitudes at Skyline altitudesatskyline.com Page 95 Bake My Day Cafe & Bistro Page 93 Cashiers Farmers Market cashiersfarmersmarket.com Page 89 Cyprus cyprushighlands.com Page 97 Fire + Water firemt.com Page 13 Fressers Courtyard Cafe & Catering Page 87 The Kitchen thekitchenofhighlands.com Page 89 Lakeside Restaurant lakesiderestaurant.info Page 87 Log Cabin Restaurant logcabinhighlands.com Page 85 Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden Page 130 Meritage Bistro meritagehighlands.com Page 97 On the Verandah ontheverandah.com Page 85 The Orchard theorchardcashiers.com Page 91 Paoletti’s Restaurant paolettis.com Page 87 Rosewood Market rosewoodgourmet.com Page 89 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company sapphiremountainbrewingcompany.com Page 93 Slabtown Pizza slabtownpizza.com Page 91 Sky Pie Pizza Page 90 SweeTreats sweetreatshighlands.com Page 94 The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands theuglydogpub.com Page 95 The Ugly Dog Pub - Cashiers theuglydogpub.com Page 95 Whiteside Brewing Co. whitesidebrewing.com Page 55 Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro wolfgangs.net Page 5 The Zookeeper Bistro Page 91 Roofing Pro Servicess Pages 130, 208 Roman’s Roofing LLC romansroofingnc.com Page 131 Rugs ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Bound’s Cave boundscaverugs.com Page 47 Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com Page 10 Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery shirazruggalleries.com Page 50 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 The Village Hound onceuponadog.com Page 36 Shipping Services Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship Page 9 Shoes Annawear Page 22 Martha Anne’s Page 119 Nora and Company Page 13 Spoiled Rotten spoiledrotten2.com Page 111

TJ Bailey for Men

tjbmens.com Page 33 Socks Peak Experience peakexp.com Page 109 Bird Barn and Gift Emporium Page 9 Spas The Boutique Nails & Spa Page 131 Canyon Spa lonesomevalley.com Page 106 Old Edwards Inn & Spa oldedwardsinn.com Page 130 Sportsman Collectibles Mantiques mantiquesnc.com Page 145 Sunglasses Classic Links & Luggage classiclinksandluggage.com Page 17 Tables ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Dutchman’s Designs dutchmansdesigns.com Pages 19, 25, 29 Summer Place Antiques summerplaceantiques.com Page 26 Vivianne Metzger vmantiques.com Page 81 Theatre/Entertainment Highlands Cashiers Players highlandscashiersplayers.org Page 77 Highlands Playhouse highlandsplayhouse.org Page 27 Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center highlandspac.org Page 79 Transportation Highlands Transportation Company Page 111 Vacation Rentals Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices meadowsmountainrealty.com Pages 11, 66, 67 Chambers Realty highlandsiscalling.com Pages 42, 130 Landmark Vacation Rentals landmarkvacations.com Pages 44, 45 Pebble Creek Village pebble-creek.com Page 127 Silver Creek Real Estate Group ncliving.com Pages 149-191 Websites Cashiers Community Website cashiersnorthcarolina.com Page 120 Wedding Services 37 High Holly thevineyardat37highholly.com Page 30 Fiddlehead Designs Page 139 Oakleaf oakleafhighlands.com Page 31 The Orchard theorchardcashiers.com Page 91 Wedding Farmhouse weddingfarmhouse.com Page 77 Wine & Accessories Highlands Wine Shoppe highlandswineshoppe.com Page 84 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com Page 48 Window Treatments The Designer Market thedesignersmarket.com Page 133 Gray Lighting & Woodworks Pages 4, 48 The Summer House summerhousehighlands.com Page 37 Woodwork ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Page 69 Gray Lighting & Woodwork Pages 4, 48 Yoga Cashiers Valley Fusion cashiersvalleyfusion.com Page 118 Yoga of Highlands yogahighlands.com Page 118 thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 209

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Pat Allen Realty Group Preferred Properties – Ann Scott Sapphire Valley Real Estate Silver Creek Real Estate Group Sotheby’s - Bill Bubenick Sotheby’s - Bert Mobley Sotheby’s - David Parker


PARTING SHOT SHADOW BY CAROLE SHEPARDSON

210 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com


thelaurelmagazine.com | September 2018 | 211


212 | September 2018 | thelaurelmagazine.com


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