Winter 2024: The Laurel Magazine by The Laurel Magazine of Highlands NC and Cashiers NC

a e

L UR L The Heart of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

Snow Fest @ 4118 A Fun and Frosty Celebration pg. 16

Winter 2024

Chasing Sunsets and Waterfalls

Cover Artist, Michele Schwartz

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CON T E N T S Winter 2024

13 What To Do

32 Get Your Glide On

47 Recreation & Creation 52 Our Winter Waterfowl

63 Arts

78 Your Photo, Our Cover

85 Dining

86 4118 Kitchen + Bar

111 Lifestyles & Wellness 116 Whacka Whiffle

125 Giving Back

134 A Trail for Our Friends

138

Remembering Thomas

140

An Exciting Year Ahead

At a Glance Guides

112

A Life Fulfilled

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VOLUME TWENTY-TWO, ISSUE ONE

JANET CUMMINGS Managing Partner janet@thelaurelmagazine.com

MARJORIE N. DEAL Managing Partner marjorie@thelaurelmagazine.com

MICHELLE MUNGER Art Director mungerclan5@aol.com

SARAH FIELDING Account Manager sarah@thelaurelmagazine.com

LUKE OSTEEN Editor / Writer luke@thelaurelmagazine.com

DONNA RHODES Writer dmrhodes847@gmail.com

MARLENE OSTEEN Writer marlene.osteen@gmail.com

MARY JANE MCCALL Writer mjmccall777@gmail.com

DEENA BOUKNIGHT Writer dknight865@gmail.com

THOMAS CUMMINGS Distribution Manager jothcu@yahoo.com

Publisher’s Note Welcome to our Winter 2024 Issue, and welcome to an equally exciting year ahead. Like the year itself, this Laurel is filled with Good Things, exquisite natural wonders, exhilarating art and stellar performances, and, of course, the most fascinating people on the planet. And though we didn’t plan it, we’re struck by all the irresistible invitations to stay close to home during this season – Old Edwards Inn’s We Love Locals promotion, Luke Osteen’s paean to 4118 Kitchen + Bar (where you’re bound to know someone), and the newly improved Village Green’s boardwalk – a beautiful stroll away from the cares of 2024! Happy New Year! Janet and Marjorie

Visit us online thelaurelmagazine.com phone 828.526.0173 email info@thelaurelmagazine.com mail Post Office Box 565 Highlands, North Carolina 28741

Contributing Writers: Mary Adair Trumbly, Sue Blair, David Stroud, William McReynolds, Sue Aery, Zach Claxton, Ashby Underwood, and Mary Abranyi. Contributing Photographers: Susan Renfro, Greg Clarkson, Charles Johnson, Peter Ray, Terry Barnes, Ryan Karcher, and Colleen Kerrigan. Copyright © 2024 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.

WHAT TO DO Pages 14-43

photo by Hoyt Starkey, 2018 Winter Photo Cover Contest Winner

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The Glory of the Season

The delights of Winter are reflected in the glories of the calendar’s remaining seasons.

he new year begins in the Winter, with winter winds and deep freeze temps. And a whiteout, if you’re lucky: the whole countryside covered in dazzling white crystalline forms. Winter, at Her best, comes once we are ready for Her, a fantasy and delight: Fairy Queens and foolish daffodils covered with fresh snow. Winter at her best is the aria in the opera that you wait to hear. Spring brings profusion back, as an uttered word and as a freshened reality. Everything springs forth in early Spring: the daffodils (poor precocious dears) and bulbs of all sorts includ14 W i n t e r 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

ing the overachieving hyacinth. Spring equals green. Green suddenly appears in the foreground, focus, background, and skein of life. Summer is a daze of warmth and pleasure. We all become children playing in the Summer sun. The cornucopia of summer contains fresh fruits and vegetables. Berries. Peaches! Mother Nature takes her own to her breast in the Summer. Fall, of course, is all about gratitude. First, we receive the color of life changing from green to glorious yellow, red and orange. Receiving so much we give forth in the fall, glorying God and family to the highest. This season of Grace and givingness lasts

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through December. And by the turn of the calendar and configuration of the planets, this is winter. Bracing cold. We get to bring out our woolens, our Pennington jackets and Scottish plaids. Cashmere. Overcoats and scarves. Our dress is more colorful. Cheeks are rosy and smiles more frequent. We have our warm fireplaces and warmer friends to go through winter with. A good time to count our blessings and let Gratitude invite Grace. Wishing you a warm and cozy winter, from the folks at the Laurel Magazine, grateful for you. by William McReynolds

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Fun and Frosty

Snow Fest @ 4118 is the frosty, frisky celebration that the entire Plateau needs – January 27 and 28 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands.

re you looking for a way to beat the cabin fever that inevitably hits after the holidays?

away the winter blues.

“Snow Fest @ 4118 is a great way to keep the fun and spirit of Look no further than the season going after the holidays fun-filled Snow Fest @ 4118, a have concluded. Highlands is celebration of winter in all its the perfect backdrop for a winter …a great way to keep the fun glory, and a chance to have some wonderland that can be enjoyed by and spirit of the season going… outdoor fun with your friends, the entire community, especially family, and neighbors. families with younger children,” says Kaye McHan, executive Hosted by the Highlands Chamber director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/VisitHighlands, of Commerce. NC and held this year from 11:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday, January 27 and 28, at the KelseyHutchinson Founder’s Park, this festival promises to chase

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We’ll second that notion of fun and encourage the young and the young-at-heart to grab their winter coats, gloves and warm

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boots and come out and make memories during Snow Fest @ 4118. There will be a snowball toss, ice slides, a merrygo-round, a chance to make s’mores, and more. Of course, there is also ice skating at the neighboring rink managed by The Town of Highlands. This festival is not at the mercy of Mother Nature, though of course fingers are crossed that she blesses us with snowfall. If she has other plans, snow-blowing equipment will ensure that there is snow aplenty. You won’t want to miss all this wholesome outdoor fun. For more information about Snow Fest @ 4118, contact the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC at events@highlandschamber.org or call (828) 526-2112. by Luke Osteen

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A Welcoming Wow

The Village Green in Cashiers will be a Glittering Wonderland throughout the grey days and dark, dark nights of this new year. he sparkles and twinkles at the Village Green are a holiday gift to everyone during 2024’s pitch black winter evenings.

low for the support of Village Lights. The Village Green relies on the amazing support from the community and Corporate Sponsors to keep the tradition alive year after year.”

“It’s a welcome wow on your Goose-Bump Meter” says our resident art critic, Donna Rhodes. “Accompanying the lights, Father Winter and Mother Earth are an evergreen –sometimes snow-white – partnership in their fantastic seasonal presentation. The lights, the land, the scenery, are waiting for your enjoyment.”

So pay a visit, maybe stay a bit, then pay a bit to help keep this remarkable wintertime entertainment shining in the heart of Cashiers. Annual Christmas On the Green offers visitors twinkling light displays and festive decorations from Thanksgiving Weekend until February. The park becomes a winter wonderland to make your spirits merry and bright.

“To help keep the Village Lights shining through the end of February 2024,” says Shelby Batchelor Community Event Coordinator, “The Village Green has provided a QR Code be-

Learn more about the Village Green by connecting with Facebook, Instagram (@CashiersGreen), and mail – The Village Green. 160 Frank Allen Road, P.O. Box 2201, Cashiers,

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North Carolina, 28717. Or you can call (828) 743-3434 or visit villagegreencashiersnc.com. Christmas on the Green Sponsors include: Ingles, Landmark Realty, Spinx, Rusticks, The Laurel Magazine, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Dept., Cashiers Valley Real Estate, Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club, The Wells Hotel, Whiteside Brewing, Jennings Custom Homes, Engel & Voelkers, Tampa Bay Trust Company, WHLC 104.5 FM, Hotel Cashiers, Zoller Hardware, Caliber Fine Properties, and First Citizens Bank. by Luke Osteen / photos by Mary Gillian

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Community Centers There’s no Winter at the Plateau’s twin libraries.

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he public libraries of Cashiers and Highlands are more than simply sanctuaries for browsing books, resources for online access, or havens for children’s stories. No longer just about the written world, they serve as community centers, where people go to stay connected and educated. They’re hubs of knowledge, destinations for computer classes and places where everyday skills can be learned and honed. Nowadays, our libraries play a crucial role in equipping individuals from all walks of life with essential tools to enhance their quality of life. Among the various opportunities for winter learning, the Fontana Library system offers two noteworthy resources: “Tech Time” and “Universal Class.” At the Albert-Carlton Community Library in Cashiers, Tech Time will resume on January 17 and the twicemonthly sessions will occur on the

first and third Wednesday of the month from 10:00 A.M. to noon. The Hudson Library in Highlands will return in 2024 beginning on January 10; and classes will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.

Carlyn Morenus explained, “Digital Navigators’ goals are to expand digital inclusion and promote an accessible digital literacy toolkit that educates students, adults, and caregivers on the skills critical to remote learning and workforce opportunities.”

During Tech Time sessions, Digital Navigators assist attendees in building digital literacy skills on Apple devices – iPads, iPhones, tablets, and laptops and on Android devices – tablets, phones, and laptops. The classes are freely available to everyone, do not require a library card, and teach basic skills such as getting started with email, navigating websites, commonly used apps, operating search engines, muting phones, backing up and storing files, and more.

By partnering with churches, civic groups, and senior citizens the Digital Navigators hope to reach the underserved residents of the region.

Getting comfortable and gaining knowledge of these skills has been shown to improve everyday experiences in the workplace and at home. As Hudson Library Branch Librarian

Another ongoing opportunity, offered through the Fontana library system, is the Universal Class which provides hundreds of continuing education classes in an array of subjects from accounting and bookkeeping to arts, crafts and hobbies and writing help. Courses are self-paced and available at no cost with a library card. For more information, call Hudson Library at (828) 526-3031, or Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library at (828) 743-0215.

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Bear Shadow, the season-setting music festival that unfolds at Scaly Mountain’s Winfield Farms, will be staged May 11-12. For more information, visit BearShadownc.com.

ark your calendar. The Bear Shadow Music Festival is making its highly anticipated return! The two-day extravaganza returns to Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain, treating attendees to a weekend filled with dazzling music from eight talented acts, May 11-12. Now in its fourth year, the festival unfolds on the main stage, known as Base Camp, at Winfield Farms in Scaly Mountain. Named for the enigma that is the shadow that the bear casts annually across Whiteside Mountain, the festival was conceived as a sister event to the Highlands Food & Wine Festival, with the goals of fostering community spirit and drawing destinations visitors to the area, providing a welcome economic boost during the Spring shoulder season.

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With its eclectic mix of folk and R&B, soul, country spirit, and rock and roll swagger, Bear Shadow draws everyone from faraway and nearby, from young to not, from hipster to nerd and everything in between to hear a lineup that’s just the right mix of talent and genre. Recognized by Southern Living as one of the Top 10 Music Festivals in the South in 2023, Bear Shadow has garnered media attention from reputable outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Garden & Gun. While the musical lineup is yet to be announced, Bear Shadow is renowned for its ability to dazzle the music cognoscenti with its extraordinary line up of talent. Among the celebrated bands that have stepped onto the Bear Shadow stage since its inception in 2021, are Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Luka Nelson &

Promise of the Real, The Head and the Heart, Spoon, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and many more. Beyond delivering outstanding music and performances, Bear Shadow places a strong emphasis on environmental conservation and philanthropy. Over the past three years, the festival has donated $40,000 to charities including the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust, the Highlands Biological Foundation, the Scaly Mountain Fire & Rescue, and the Resource Institute that restores waterways in Macon County and throughout North Carolina. Bear Shadow is owned by Highlands Festivals Inc. – a 501(c)(3) organization led by residents, business owners and community leaders in Highlands. by Marlene Osteen

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Getaway to Cozy

Old Edwards Inn’s We Love Locals promotion is precisely the sor t of cozy getaway your spirit’s been hinting about for weeks.

f these first days of the year of dropping temperatures and barren landscapes have stoked your desire for a winter escape, there’s good news for those who live in the nine counties that surround Highlands. And best of all, your haven from home is close by. Because now is the time when in-the-know enthusiasts for all things wintry and wonderful annually escape to Old Edwards during the “We Love Locals” promotion. With multiple places to eat, drink, listen to music, enjoy spa treatments and shop, Old Edwards brings new meaning to the term “winter break” by welcoming you with special discounts from January through March–it is their way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who make our community truly special. And because no one understands the philosophy “there’s no place like home” better than the team at Old Edwards, locals are invited to rediscover the enchantment of their own town while enjoying the unparalleled comfort and

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luxury of the Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm accommodations. From January 2 through March, residents can indulge in the European-luxury style rooms at Old Edwards for $195 per night or indulge in the bucolic and cozy ambiance of Half-Mile Farm for $165 a night Sunday through Thursday, plus tax and gratuity. At either place, those who call this community home can be assured a seamless blend of elegance and familiarity and the attentive services of the Inn’s cadre of valets and concierges. No vacation in Highlands is complete without a visit to Madison’s Restaurant where Executive Chef Chris Huerta creates refined dishes prepared with ingredients grown in the Inn’s gardens and provided by regional farmers and purveyors. The light and airy dining room has an inviting old warm charm with its stone walls and rich earth tones and a overlooks Main Street in Highlands. As a special treat, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne with your dinner, adding an extra touch of sparkle to your dining experience.

“We Love Locals” is all about the chance to create your ideal escape – whether it’s simply settling in with a good book by the fireplace, rejuvenating with a spa treatment, exploring the mountains on a hike, or taking a fitness or yoga class (now $25 for locals). Or spend a pleasurable afternoon searching through the curated collection at Acorns where 25 percent discount is offered on your entire purchase (consignment art and Elizabeth Locke Jewelry not eligible for discount.) All rates quoted are subject to availability. Local ID is required from any of the available counties – Macon, Jackson, Transylvania, Rabun, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Cherokee, Swain – for each person receiving the discount. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Not valid holiday weekends. Learn more at oldedwardshospitality. com/locallove. by Marlene Osteen

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Sapphire’s Outhouse Races Outhouses once more take their place as pillars of polite civilization on February 17 at the Sapphire Valley Outhouse Race.

here’ll be no tarrying at the slippery slopes of Sapphire Valley Ski Resort, Outhouse Race. Join the madness on February 17 for one-holer outhouse races, head-to-head and back-to-back. It’s a snow-race that gets bodacious-er every year. Whether participant or observer, you’ll agree it’s the primo demolition derby of the Plateau. Who knows who’ll show up this year? Buffalo Cow Patty? Lavatory Lunatics? Garfield’s Litter Box? LOO-mers in Bloomers? Or maybe you! Yep, You! Create your own moniker, build an outlandish outhouse, and join the lunacy. You’ve got a crescent moon on your door, right? … traditionally, a moon for the ladies, a star for the gents.

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The Cashiers Valley Rotary Club will be on the sidelines sizzling up something scrumptious. It’s good stuff. Buy a bunch of it. And Rotary will help others with your donations. Dress in your most outrageous outhouse outfit, tote a roll of TP, and contribute to the fun and foolishness. In the spirit of your dogged dedication, give what you can to Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society. If you’ve not seen the races, imagine two privies, standing upright – inside each, a pilot. Two team members launch the privy down the 120-foot bunny slide, wobbling, careening, often crashing in the snow, ice, and its opponent as it bobs to the bottom. Privies still standing/sliding are stopped by the

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Privy Police and move to the next heat. Have you ever tried halting a speeding port-a-potty on skis? It’s a toss-up who and what is left standing. No one ever gets hurt, though. Okay, a little bit stiff and sore on Sunday, but you know you had a good time if the jaws of life had to pry you loose. Kidding! Registration is at 1:30 P.M. Static parade (the viewing and judging) is at 2:30 P.M. with the races to follow in the Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 3:00 – 4:00 P.M. Visit skisapphirevalley.com for more information. Or you can email Linda Foxworth at foxworth@capitalvacations.com. by Donna Rhodes / photos by Charles Johnson

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Revvin’ to Go The wheels never stop turning – organizers are already well into planning 2024 Highlands Motoring Festival, set for June 6-9.

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rmed with enthusiasm from a wildly successful 2023 edition, the board of Highlands Motoring Festival is pulling together an even more ambitious 2024 edition. “A couple of folks get together, car lovers all, and someone says, ‘let’s have a car show.’” says HMF Board Chairman Ricky Siegal. “Then some more folks get involved and it grows. Then the group decides to invite ‘marque’ entries, named cars like Porsche, BMW, Cars of Italy, and other specific categories. And it grows more. The group then invites speakers, well-known names among car people like the late Bob Ingram, whose Porsche collection is world renowned, and famous race car drivers like Brian Redman. And it grows still more. And what started as an ‘if you got it, bring it’ event to an ‘invitation only’ event. Until it reaches a level of being one of the South’s most popular automotive events and was voted by Classic Motorsports Magazine in their January 2019 issue ‘Best Concours’ in the land! “As this year’s Chair, it’s with immense pride to announce that this year we will be featuring Brass Era cars produced before WW I, and Pre-War cars, those produced before World War II. So far, this idea

has generated immense interest. Our Grand Marshall will be Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours d Elegance. HMF is an all-volunteer organization with over 50 people helping to stage the four-day event. These local volunteers are the heart of HMF. “I think back to 2019, when we also had a forecast of six inches of rain on show day,” says HMF’s Steve Ham. “Since HMF is a rain or shine event, the show went on. It was inspiring to see the volunteers, sensing that the festival was in jeopardy, come out in the rain and help make it a success.” “Our beneficiaries continue to be Literacy, REACH, and Community Care Clinic,” says Ham. “Donations to these beneficiaries for 2023 was $105,000 ($35,000 each). Over the years, HMF has donated over $540,000 to local human needs charities.” by Luke Osteen

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Get Your Glide On

Wake Up! Step out! The entire season is waiting to be celebrated. eady for adventures in snow and ice this Leap Year? Brrrr-iliant!

Zip-up your puffer coat, wiggle your toes into fleece-lined boots, sling ice skates over your shoulder, and leap into the slides outside. Short of sticking your tongue to a flagpole, test how cold it is. If kids are yelling, “It’s freeze-degrees!” get your glide on. If for no other reason, engage in some serious sliding to work off the calorie

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calamities of holiday fests with figureskating. Whether clunky or sleek, just keep your feet closer to the ground than any other part of you. Skating is a winter classic, and it happens on frozen lakes, like Mirror and Harris. Some unfrozen lakes (such as Lake Glenville) invite a Polar Bear Plunge. It’s a great way to kick off the new year. Look for similar ops in your neighborhood. Make sure the water/ice is safe.

In addition to lake-skating, visit Highlands Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. It provides sturdy, modern skates from now until March 8 (as long as the ice holds). Times: Thursday, 3:30 to 8:00 P.M.; Friday, 3:30 to 10:00 P.M.; Saturday, 1:00 to 10:00 P.M., and Sunday, 1:00-5:00 P.M. On cold nights, warm yourself and socialize at the lower-level fireplace. It’s a wonderful family outing right in the middle of town where the air is crisp, the fire is warm (get even warmer with hot chocolate or

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coffee), and the rink invites everything from rockin’ to romantic. Only $5, and that includes skate rental. The second of the Four Big S’s (Skating, Sledding, Skiing, and Snow Boarding), is on Hickory Street in Highlands, locally regarded as sledding central. It’s a perfect slope for sliding with gravity-glee. In years past that stretch of sloping road was (and to some, still is) Monkey Hill. If you don’t have a sled, then a cookie sheet, a hubcap, your dog’s bed, even a cat litter box (preferably clean and cat-less) will send you zipping.

Alas, Monkey Hill is not safe for Snowboarding and Skiing. For those advanced enthusiasts, head for Sapphire Valley Resort. There’s a 1,600-foot run with a vertical drop of 200 feet. Whew! Somebody help me find my stomach. There’s a stateof-the-art quad-lift, a Learning Center Slope, and a multiple lane, 300-foot snow tubing run. More info? (828) 743-7663 or visit skisapphirevalley.com. Highlands Outpost in Scaly offers many solutions for your need-for-speed – snow tubing, ice skating, and the Scaly Mountain screamer roller coaster.

Mother Nature (and the outpost folks) provide the snow/water in season. Call (828) 526-3737. And for those who prefer a non-slide adventure, try Highlands and Cashiers hiking, shopping, dining and theater. Winter’s got it all.

by Donna Rhodes

photos by Susan Renfro

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Love Letters, Past and Present

Highlands-Cashiers Players will stage A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, a romantic fling that lasts a lifetime, at Highlands Performing Ar ts Center, February 1-4, 8-11.

Rev. Randy Lucas, Foy Tuttle, and Julie Best

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ust in time for Valentine’s Day, Highlands-Cashiers Players is offering A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters at Highlands Performing Arts Center, February 1-4, 8-11. It stars Julie Best and Rev. Randy Lucas and is directed by Foy Tuttle. The simple two-character play involving the financially comfortable Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and the equally financially comfortable Melissa Gardner, consists solely of letters exchanged between the two from their meeting in second grade through the decades. It’s a bittersweet tale laced with gentle humor and overlaid with an undeniable poignancy. Like the best love stories, this production echoes a rosy past – Love Letters was performed in 2003 at Highlands Performing Arts Center with Highlander/Oscar winner Collin Wilcox and New York Film Critic Rex Reed as the two leads. Wilcox, who had been a professional actress onstage and in film and television for 47 years, began her career at the Highlands Community Theatre (Highlands Playhouse) that was

founded by her parents and friends in 1939. She later studied under the late Lee Strasburg at the Actor’s Studio in New York and in Chicago at the Goodman Memorial School of Drama. Wilcox and her husband, Scott Paxton, founded the Instant Theatre Company in Highlands in 1981 as the in-house production company of the Highlands Studio for the Arts. Still, this 2024 incarnation is a mirror into our own unsettled age, and the enduring power of love, made even more poignant as we’re at the far end of a pandemic. It’s also a testament to the tenacity at the heart of Highlands-Cashiers Players – this is their declaration that they’re ready to shake off the dust of the last three years and once more take the stage, offering “Good Plays, Well Done.” Visit highlandscashiersplayers.com for tickets to Highlands-Cashiers Players’ Love Letters. by Luke Osteen

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Prepare to be Captivated Catapult!, an astonishing blend of ar tistry, beauty and athleticism, comes to the Highlands Performing Ar ts Center at 7:30 P.M. Saturday, January 27.

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special family event at the Highlands Performing Arts Center is happening on Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 P.M. Catapult! is a Shadow-Illusion company that presents concerts around the world. Prepare to be captivated by the mesmerizing artistry of Catapult!, an America’s Got Talent finalist using their extraordinary performances as a new avenue for storytelling through shadow dancing. Immerse yourself in a realm of imagination and wonder as you watch their talented dancers transform behind a screen, creating breathtaking silhouettes that seamlessly morph into shapes from the world around us. From the majestic peaks of a mountain to the gentle swaying of a palm tree, Catapult’s dancers effortlessly contort their bodies, conjuring illusions that will leave you mesmerized. Expect to be surprised and delighted at every turn as they weave a tapestry of humor,

emotion, and captivating stories through their fluid movements and intricate shadow play. Let your imagination soar as you witness the magic of Catapult, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur, leaving you spellbound by this exceptional dance company’s sheer artistry and ingenuity. Tickets are available at HighlandsPerformingArts.com. by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

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Community Jams

Nancy Kovacs is inviting musicians of all skill levels to join the Jam Sessions being staged from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. every second and four th Sunday at Alber t Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

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Bill Mauldin

Jodie Zahner

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hough hushed voices are usually the order of the day at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, those notions are tossed out the window with the delirious Jam Sessions, staged every second and fourth Sunday of the month. “Bring your guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, fiddle or rhythm instrument and join the fun at an informal jam session,” says organizer Nancy Kovacs. “All skill levels are welcome and we have a piano on site. Participants can expect folk, country, acoustic rock, Americana and traditional music.” An eager participant in the jam sessions at the Farmers’ Market in Columbus, Ohio, Nancy was eager to join the experience here on the Plateau. “When I moved to Cashiers, I was sure I would find another group of friendly amateur musicians, but although there were many opportunities to hear live music,” she says. “I found no informal

jam sessions on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. I was encouraged to stop in to see Serenity Richards at the Cashiers library. I was able to reserve their meeting room, and began to search for likely participants. “I had saved a list of participants from a workshop held in conjunction with a festival in Highlands, and after a little more digging sent out invitations for our first community jam session in the summer of 2023. We have grown our group slowly since that time. “We play a wide variety of popular music including soft rock, country, folk, blue grass and traditional Americana tunes. Everyone gets an opportunity to ‘call’ a song, and others play along. We also have a shared google drive folder accessible via internet where we post words and chords to make it easier to follow along. “Several folks who have only been in the area during the summer season

have expressed that they are excited about returning next season. We have all been especially happy to make new friends through music and hope to gain more new music friends. I hope we will expand to playing at some quasi-public spaces or events, and perhaps increase the frequency of our sessions. “People are generally a little shy when they first arrive, not knowing what to expect, but we welcome folks of all skill levels and those who might want to just sing along, lend some harmony, or pick up a shaker or tambourine. We have had guitar, piano, upright bass, violin, banjo, and harmonica players attend. “Anyone who has an interest is welcome to join us. Some people will find it hard to make that first step, but I am confident they will be glad they did.” by Luke Osteen photos by Susan Renfro

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W H AT TO DO

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J A N UA RY Welcome, winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless. – Terri Guillemets

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Food Pantry, The Bookworm, 3 1 Highlands 2 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

Ice Skating, 1-5 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. Barn, 10 AM-2 PM. 4 Bazaar 6 The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.5 The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, Kelsey-

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Ice Skating, 3:30-8 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:15 PM, Lewis Hall. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Hutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Live Music, 9 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

The MET Opera: Verdi’s Nabucco, 12:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Highlands Food Pantry, The Bookworm, Highlands Food Pantry, Bazaar Barn, Food Pantry, Bazaar Barn, 11 AM-4 PM. 7 Highlands 9 10 12 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 11 10 AM-2 PM. 13 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 8 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 10 AM-2 PM. United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. Winter Resident Artist Walker

Ice Skating, 1-5 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park Community Jam Sessions, 2-4 PM, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-8 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:15 PM, Lewis Hall. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Live Music, 9 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Tufts exhibit opening, The Bascom. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Highlands Food Pantry, Food Pantry, Barn Food Pantry, Bazaar Barn 10 AM-2 PM. The Bookworm, 14 Highlands 17 Highlands 19 Bazaar 20 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 15 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 16 11 AM-4 PM. 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 18 Mountain Findings, United Methodist Church. United Methodist Church. Emergence: A Survey of United Methodist Church. 10 AM-1 PM. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM,

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

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Great Art on Screen: Titian: The Empire of Color, 5:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Southeastern Studio Programs exhibition opening, The Bascom. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Bazaar Barn Highlands Food Pantry, Barn Food Pantry, The Bookworm, Food Pantry, 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 25 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 22 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 23 11 AM-4 PM. 24 Highlands 26 Bazaar 27 21 Highlands The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. Snow Fest @ 4118, 11 AM- 5 PM, United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, United Methodist Church. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Food Pantry, Highlands Food Pantry, The Bookworm, 28 Highlands 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 29 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 30 11 AM-4 PM. 31 United Methodist Church. United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM,

Snow Fest @ 4118, 11 AM- 5 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Ice Skating, 1-5 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park Community Jam Sessions, 2-4 PM, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

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Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. The MET Opera: Bizet’s Carmen, 12:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Catapult!, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 9:30 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

W H AT TO DO

F E B RUA RY If winter helps you curl up and more, that makes it one of the best of the seasons. – Murray Pura

Barn, Barn, 3 2 Bazaar 1 Bazaar 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-2 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Ice Skating, 3:30-8 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green. Ice Skating, 1-5 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 9 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

National Theatre: Skylight, 1 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Highlands Food Pantry, Highlands Food Pantry, The Bookworm, Bazaar Barn, Food Pantry, Bazaar Barn, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 11 AM-4 PM. 8 4 Highlands 6 7 9 10 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 5 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 10 AM-2 PM. United Methodist Church. United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM.

Ice Skating, 1-5 PM, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park Community Jam Sessions, 2-4 PM, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Music Bingo, 6:30 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-8 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Great Art on Screen: Borromini & Bernini, 5:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 9 PM, Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Highlands-Cashiers Players: Love Letters, 7:30 PM, Highlands Performing Arts Center. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Highlands Food Pantry, Food Pantry, Barn, Food Pantry, Bazaar Barn, The Bookworm, 14 Highlands 16 Bazaar 17 11 Highlands 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 12 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 13 11 AM-4 PM. 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 15 10 AM-2 PM. United Methodist Church. United Methodist Church. United Methodist Church. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. Mountain Findings, 10 AM-1 PM. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Live Music, 5:30-10 PM, Hummingbird Lounge. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. Sapphire Valley Outhouse Race, 1:30 PM, Sapphire Valley Ski Resort. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Bazaar Barn 10 AM-2 PM. Highlands Food Pantry, Bazaar Barn, Highlands Food Pantry, The Bookworm, Food Pantry, 18 Highlands 21 23 24 10 AM-2 PM. 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 22 The Bookworm, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 19 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 20 11 AM-4 PM. 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM, United Methodist Church.

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

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Food Pantry, Highlands Food Pantry, The Bookworm, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 26 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands 27 25 Highlands 28 11 AM-4 PM. United Methodist Church. United Methodist Church. Bluegrass Wednesday, 6:30 PM,

Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ugly Dog Pub. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Ice Skating, 3:30-10 PM, KelseyNational Theatre: Vanya. 1 PM, Hutchinson Founders Park. Highlands Performing Arts Live Music, 5:30 PM, Hummingbird. Center. Village Lights Display, nightly, Ice Skating, 1-10 PM, KelseyVillage Green. Hutchinson Founders Park. Live Music, 9 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

Highlands Food Pantry, 10 AM-6 PM, Highlands United Methodist Church. Ice Skating, 3:30-8 PM, KelseyHutchinson Founders Park. The Bookworm, 11 AM-4 PM. Cashiers Quilters, 12:30 PM, St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Art Benefit, drawing 5 PM, Betsy Paul Real Estate. Cashiers Valley Community Chorus, 5:15 PM, Lewis Hall. Trivia, 7:30 PM, High Dive. Village Lights Display, nightly, Village Green.

View the complete Highlands Cashiers Plateau Calendar

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RECREATION & CREATION Pages 48-59

photo by Sharon Elder, 2019 Winter Photo Cover Contest Winner

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Magical Mystical Mountain

The Winter Wilderness is an enchanting experience that shines with its own beauty.

hile hiking in winter requires a bit more preparation in terms of checking weather conditions, making sure enough – and the right – clothing is layered, and food for fuel and water for hydration are packed, stunning sights can be expected. Especially when hiking to summits and balds, conditions are known to be completely different than on the ascent. Such was the case recently when a group achieved Cheoah Bald as the last in a 12-month hiking challenge dubbed “Walking with Bartram.” Cheoah Bald, just outside Macon County in Swain County, is considered the northern terminus of the Bartram Trail, which begins on the South Carolina/N. Georgia state line and continues 110 miles over Rabun Bald, Scaly Mountain, and White Rock – to name a few – and finishes at 48 W I N T E R 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Cheoah Bald above the Nantahala River. It’s a mountain that’s also traversed by the Appalachian Trail; thus, thousands of thru-hikers (Georgia to Maine) annually stand and marvel at what seem like endless views. And, on a manageably clear cold day just before Christmas, a group of a dozen hikers enjoyed not only those astoundingly beautiful vistas, but also a Narnialike crystal wonderland section – just before the precipice. Indeed, the hikers approached a switchback and gasped as hoarfrost covered trees and native plants. The icy, white casing caused by the phenomenon provided a visual treat perhaps even more magical than a blanket of snow – due to the bright sunlight reflecting off the small but erect crystals. And then, to add to the experience,

shavings of the crystals detached from the trees and floated and swirled around us to present the allusion of snow. The slight crystals caught the sun’s rays as they glided slowly. Topping that experience was viewing the completely hoarfrost-covered peaks surrounding Cheoah Bald. “Hoar,” pronounced like another word with ugly connotations, originated as an old English word that describes the appearance of the frost, which, when viewed up close, resembles stiff, white hair – as in an elderly man’s beard. The frost forms as a result of specific climatic conditions, primarily when moisture near the ground rises on cold, clear nights and settles on trees and vegetation. Winter hikers can expect to find not only hoarfrost, but snow-covered settings

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when they explore the accessible mountaintops over the next few months. But Cheoah Bald is bucket-list worthy for hikers for a number of reasons. Not only can hikers imagine what it must have been like for famed 18th century explorer and botanist William Bartram to end his many-months mountainous journey in this area, but they can also imagine all the American Indian (mostly Cherokee) activity that took place here. Natives gravitated to the area due to available fishing in the Nantahala River (fly fisherman were out in droves on a Monday that cold hiking morning), but also because of available hunting opportunities in these Smoky Mountains. Most importantly, the view from over 5,000-feet elevation is worth the climb. There are a few options to reach Cheoah Bald. One is the way the Walking with Bartram group chose; it

is listed on AllTrails as “Bartram Trail: Beechertown to Cheoah Bald.” This is a 12.6-mile hike, out and back. Another way listed on AllTrails is “Cheoah Bald via Appalachian Trail,” which picks up near Robbinsville.” This is 10.7-mile hike, out and back. Simply follow the directions and download the map on AllTrails and Gaia GPS. And leave plenty of time to complete these long hikes, especially with the winter days being shorter. However, a connection with a forest service employee may garner an opportunity for the gate to be unlocked on the forest road that leads closer to the Cheoah Bald peak. Thus, the climb from the end of the forest service road is only about a mile and a half to the top of Cheoah Bald. Although the full hike is challenging, it is doable for anyone who is at least some-

what fit. Hikers in the before-Christmas hike ranged in age from 40s to 70s. For individuals who desire to experience Cheoah Bald, as well as many other amazing hiking opportunities on the Bartram Trail, they can reserve a spot for the monthly Walking with Bartram hikes that begin again this month (January 2024) and continue through the end of the year. Each hike is broken up into generally five to 10-mile sections, with hikes primarily led by outdoor enthusiast and Alarka Expedition co-founder Brent Martin, who is also the director of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy. Sign up for hikes by visiting blueridgebartram.org/events. Happy winter hiking! by Deena Bouknight photos by Chris Tranchina

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It’s Time to Take a Stroll A series of upgrades and enhancements means that the Village Green’s boardwalk is now even more beguiling.

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hough the Plateau is undergoing a winter’s nap, The Village Green’s Boardwalk has sprung into new, vivid life. The Village Green is the crown jewel of the Cashiers area, a space enjoyed by hundreds of people a week, and one of its most cherished and utilized features is the raised boardwalk that winds its way through the wetlands at the center of the park. This boardwalk joins the north and south sides of The Village Green and is enjoyed by walkers, young explorers, nature lovers, wildlife observers, bird watchers, and those who are simply looking for a quiet respite from the daily grind. It is a peaceful oasis in an

often-bustling world.

The boardwalk has been entirely restored with a muchIt winds through wetlands improved design that makes the and streams that flow into the area safe and accessible for all headwaters of both the Chattooga to enjoy. The new boardwalk and Horse Pasture Rivers and is decking is raised above ground home to a protected brook trout level to increase the longevity stream. These waters form a of the structure. Its width increased to 8 feet, allowing for safer pedestrian The boardwalk has been passing and allowing entirely restored with a those who are mobility much-improved design… challenged or require a wheelchair to enjoy the wetlands. Additional safety features are a 42” high handrail that’s backed unique ecosystem that is soon to by mesh. be designated as a mountain bog. These same waters whose levels rise and fall are also the reason by Luke Osteen that the boardwalk had fallen into a state of disrepair over the years necessitating needed repairs.

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Our Winter Waterfowl

Our winged winter residents provide color and sound and life to our ice-rimmed wetlands, but they’re dwindling in number.

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Male and Female Hooded Mergansers

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inter holds its own special avian delights in and around our local wetlands: lakes, ponds, flooded fields and estuaries. At Mirror Lake near Highlands, for instance, you can often spot any number of Black Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser and Mallards. Nearby Lake Junaluska, which offers both scenic vistas and a slightly warmer climate than the lakes and ponds on the Highlands Plateau, plays winter host to Ruddy Ducks, Gadwalls, American Widgeon and Osprey. These birds sport surprising colors and headgear. They are also much larger than most perching birds due in part to the amount of body fat they carry to get them through lean winter days. Spotting them from water’s edge is easy this time of the year and, with a good pair of binoculars, you can even ogle them from

the warmth and comfort of your flivver. Canada Geese are common in our area on lakes and golf courses. They are almost always seen in flocks at ground level or in characteristic high-flying V formations. Within their flocks they are highly social and hierarchically organized. The Canadas’ loud honks often announce their departures and arrivals. Mallards are also numerous in the winter. The Mallard is the ancestor of practically all domestic ducks. They are monogamous and usually pair in the fall but can be observed courting and pairbonding in the winter months as well. Strong fliers, they can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour. Only female Mallards quack; males emit a much quieter, raspy sound. Their diet, like that of Canada Geese, is varied depending on the season and includes seeds, aquatic vegetation, insects and grain.

ity and robustness of life. Despite this, their numbers are decreasing due largely to loss of habitat which is itself tied to changes in atmospheric temperature and human land use. We conserve our colorful waterfowl and the balances of nature by protecting and conserving the natural wetlands in our area. The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities 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. Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities. by William McReynolds , Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

Our winter waterfowl attest to the tenac-

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A Natural Fit For HBF Winter Gary takes the reins as Highlands Biological Foundation’s interim director.

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Winter Gary

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he Highlands Biological Foundation has announced the appointment of Winter Gary as its interim executive director. With four years of full-time dedication to HBF, Winter has not only become an integral part of the team but has played a pivotal role in shaping the Foundation’s growth and success. Armed with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Environmental Science and Psychology, she first encountered HBF through a transformative semester in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Highlands Field Site program where she studied in residence at the Highlands Biological Station (a multi-campus center of WCU), conducting environmental research and learning about the impact humans have on the southern Appalachian region. In 2019, Winter returned to Highlands as a Naturalist at the Highlands Nature Center, immersing herself in educational programming and sharing

our region’s natural wonders with the community. Following her season, she joined HBF part-time, working alongside then-Executive Director Charlotte Muir, and transitioning to full-time in January 2020.

deepen our understanding of the region’s natural wonders and the importance of their preservation. Winter’s understanding of this role and HBF’s mission overall positions us for continued growth and impact,” Mitchener said.

“It feels like a full circle moment – coming to the Station as a student and now stepping into a guiding role for the Foundation,” Winter said. “Through my different positions, I’ve seen how our programming and outreach efforts spark curiosity and appreciation for the natural world across generations.”

Throughout her tenure, Winter has been a driving force behind HBF’s member and community communications, and she has played a pivotal role in fundraising initiatives and program services. She often consults other regional nonprofits to assist them in their missions as well.

HBF’s Board President, John Mitchener, feels confident that Winter’s appointment as Interim Executive Director will ensure a seamless continuation of HBF’s work through the organization’s leadership transition. “The Foundation plays a dual role, supporting individuals’ love for the area through educational programs while actively funding research projects that

To learn more about HBF’s work and how you can become involved, visit highlandsbiological.org/foundation.

Scan to learn more.

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Get Cozy and Read On

It’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book exploring the natural treasures that are par t of the Plateau’s heritage.

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f you can’t get out and enjoy one of HCLT’s properties, these reading choices may increase your appreciation for our incredible region – and whet your appetite for warmer and longer days! Seeking personal renewal, in 1904 former Yale librarian Horace Kephart sought a wild and sparsely inhabited region and soon found himself in the Smoky Mountains, an area he would call the “back of beyond.”

photographed Highlands in the 1920s at the request of Frank Cook, then the manager of the Highlands Inn. In George Masa’s Wild Vision (2022) Brent Martin retraces Masa’s footsteps to document his lasting imprint on western North Carolina while contemplatively challenging the pace and extent of ensuing development.

Immersing himself within the community, his interactions as chronicled in Our Southern Highlanders (1913 and republished almost continually since) provided one of the first non-condescending portrayals of Appalachian culture. Kephart’s work would prove pivotal in the drive to establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

It is impossible to travel our area without being mesmerized by the presence of Whiteside Mountain. In The Mountain at the End of the Trail (1994, and available through the Highlands Historical Society’s website), the late Dr. Robert Zahner, Clemson professor and Highlands resident, details the natural history, urban lore, commercialization, and ultimate protection of this treasured peak, while urging smart uses that don’t “love it to death.”

Kephart’s friend and frequent collaborator was George Masa, the enigmatic Japanese-born photographer. Masa

Georgann Eubanks’ Saving The Wild South (2021) provides a highly readable narrative of various initiatives

throughout the Southeast seeking to preserve specific native plants. The projects cited provide inspiring examples of the passion, ingenuity, and flexibility required to conserve these endangered resources. A Road Running Southward (2022) documents Dan Chapman’s modern retracing of John Muir’s 1,000-mile trek through the Southeast in 1867. Amid the effects of climate change, industrialization, invasive plants, and battles over water quality, Chapman finds hope for conservation efforts. A river’s ability to intertwine storied histories and environmental complexities is captured by retired Wofford professor John Lane in My Paddle to the Sea (2011); part travelogue and part environmental study. by Lance Hardin, Highlands Cashiers Land Trust

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Southern Hospitality

Soak in the beauty and tranquility of the Southern Appalachians, with all the divine comfor ts and coziness of a boutique hotel – book an exclusive getaway to Southern Belles Glamping. For information and reservations, visit southernbellesglamping.com.

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ur Outdoor Columnist Deena Bouknight has expended considerable ink extolling the bliss of discovering and reveling in the Wild Places right in our backyard. That’s why I was galvanized by the opening of Southern Belles Glampground, an exclusive retreat for adults (and their fourlegged “fur babies”) seeking an escape to the heart of the Smoky Mountains. With six lovingly restored campers, adorned in exquisite mid-century style, it’s a world of elegance and relaxation. At Southern Belles Glampground, the vintage campers are a testament to timeless charm and attention to detail. Each camper offers a cozy sleeping space for two, providing a haven of comfort. Step onto your private deck and immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance of nature. Just behind each camper is a private hammock in the woods for your afternoon siestas. In addition, there is a hammock in the common area over the creek.

Indulge in the beauty of open-air dining as you employ the gas grill, allowing you to savor meals beneath the wide expanse of the sky. From sunlit brunches to moonlit dinners, the grill is your partner in crafting delightful outdoor feasts. And as evening tranquility settles in, kindle the Solo stove to weave a gentle, inviting warmth into the surroundings. The lodge at the glampground is designed to be easily accessible for all guests. It’s been renovated with a 1950s-style decor that adds a touch of nostalgia while offering a comfortable space. Besides providing shared guest spaces, the lodge also serves as the location for the glampground office. Inside the fully renovated lodge, you’ll find everything you need for a great stay. The kitchen comes fully equipped for cooking your own meals, and there’s even a commercial-grade ice machine for your convenience. The lodge also includes a full bathroom with a bathtub, a washer and

dryer, and all the basics you might expect. When it’s time to rejuvenate and pamper yourself, the meticulously designed bathhouse stands ready. Located in a renovated vintage log cabin, there are two full-size bathrooms that all guests share. These bathrooms are furnished with showers, hot water, toilets, sinks, mirrors, and outlets. Essentials are provided including towels, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper and blow dryers. Beyond the sanctuary of Southern Belles Glampground, nature lovers can explore forested trails leading to mesmerizing waterfalls, or immerse themselves in the world of fly fishing in one of the nation’s four top fly-fishing rivers (check in with our own Matt Canter and Chris Wilkes before you set out). For those with a taste for adventure, mountain trails offer cycling opportunities amidst stunning panoramas. by Luke Osteen

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

OFFERED FOR $9,995,000 A six-stall barn will delight any equestrian. Outbuildings, workshops, and garages ensure ample space to enjoy every hobby. Pass the time fishing at Lake Glenville and along western North Carolina’s fabled fly-fishing trail, or in the trout-stocked pond on property, skeet shooting in the back pasture, or hiking the property’s perimeter trails, all while pristine, lush landscaping and breath-taking views of Laurel Knob and Cow Rock Mountains paint a picture-perfect backdrop. With incredible entertaining spaces both indoors and out, you can host a gathering of any size that will wow the most discerning of guests. This fine estate is subdividable for those who wish to share-up to 7 parcels/owners. MLS 103344

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LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC MINNIE COLE HOUSE M C K E E P R O P E R T I E S. C O M

619 HW Y 107 S 8 2 8 . 7 4 3 . 3 411

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photo by Wanda Cooper, 2020 Winter Photo Cover Contest Winner

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Chasing Sunsets and Waterfalls Our cover ar tist Michele Schwar tz’s deep passion for the Wild Places of the Blue Ridge Mountains informs every aspect of her astonishing images.

“

I do what I love and find the customer later.” - Michele Schwartz

Imagine spending years establishing an online following, 70,000 devotees to be exact. Then, in an instant, have it all vanish. No warning, No explanation. No retrieval. That happened to local photographer Michele Schwartz. Her burgeoning career was swallowed-up by a huge black cyber hole. That would be soul-crushing for most artists. But for Michele, over 64 W i n t e r 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

time (as the song goes), she picked herself up, dusted herself off, and started all over again.

absorbing the panoramic beauty. And it wasn’t just visual. It was sensorial, emotional and healing.

She shares her backstory: “I began photography 15 years ago. On a vacation I fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smokies. The region continued to call me back five to six visits a year. While here, I made time to be in the moment, be present, and welcome the calling.”

She bought a digital camera. Snap, snap, snap – her shutter button ablaze. She carried the Blue Ridge Mountains in her pockets to absorb their energy, like patches of spiritual medicine.

She spent every hiking-moment

She says, “I never thought I’d make a living selling photographs.” But she trusted her journey. She

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connected with Cynthia Strain, also a remarkable photographer, who encouraged her to participate in her annual shows. Michele was surprised to meet people who’d seen her work in other venues. It stoked her fires to know there were people out there who remembered her. An artistic re-birth was blossoming. To rebuild her business, she sold her condo, made the leap, and moved to the place that nourished her most, the Highlands area. “Now photography is my career,” she says. “I am blessed to chase waterfalls and sunsets all day long – and get paid

to do it.” Michele’s eye is that of a veteran pro. Capturing perfect light comes naturally to her. She says, “God gave me a gift, so it’s my job to use it. I try to capture beauty of the world to share with others.” When you see her landscapes, skyscapes, mountainscapes, waterfalls, and dramatic cloud formations, it’s clear why jaws drop and eyes pop. And who can say? Perhaps her horrific loss became a gift in disguise. Okay, that’s stretching it, but whatever road-bumps veered her journey toward

us, we are glad she and her magical eye were guided to our patch of paradise. By the way, her magical eye has its sights on establishing a small gallery on Main in a few years. Keep posted. See Michele’s work in The Bascom gift shop, Calders Coffee Cafe, Facebook, and mydivinelandscapes.com, or selected local shows. by Donna Rhodes

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Creating with Calderone

Local ar tist Patty Calderone is offering her wisdom and ar tist’s sensibilities to an exclusive coterie of disciples.

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Patty Calderone

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atty Calderone, with her talented hand and paintbrush, made her mark on the Plateau Art Scene two decades ago. She was a long-term president of the Art League. She owned and operated her own art gallery in Sky Valley. She’s exhibited and taught in the region for years. Along the way, she’s compiled a huge portfolio of artwork, volumes of samples, a valuable collection of art books, and a headful of consummate skills. All this while building an art community for her art circle and scores of other enthusiasts. It’s no wonder she’s a go-to guru of the area. And she’s about to open her world of experience to talented artists in the Western Carolinas with one-on-one, personal sessions, both instructive and enlightening. Intermediate and advanced artists are welcome to claim their personal weekly session with Patty. In the Spring and Summer of 2024, not

only will Patty be teaching privately to select students, she’ll be opening her home, inside and out, for art showings. Enjoy a casual wine-and-cheese meet-and-greet event with a walk-about, artist commentary, sign-ups for private sessions, and, of course, socializing with fine artists about town.

Improve your artistry, as you zoom in on your strongest talents…

Take advantage of this personal art experience. Under her tutelage: you’ll fully-define your style. Polish your figurative work. Improve your artistry, as you zoom in on your strongest talents – and those that need tweaking. Revisit your friends, the Principles and Elements of Design.

And for all those questions you’ve wanted to ask of an accomplished artist – now’s your chance. Join Patty, who not only loves teaching, but loves learning herself. Enjoy her warm and welcoming studio, vibrating with beauty and possibility. If you’ve wanted to explore mixed media, figurative work, alcohol ink, landscapes, or scores of other mediums, the Creative Calderone is right ‘round the mountain. Whether you are a vacationer, a resident, or just an occasional visitor, your session awaits. Contact Patty through calderonegallery.com. Join the lucky ones who skyrocket with the personal guidance of Pat Calderone, bravura artist. by Donna Rhodes

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Whimsicals By Jen Jen Strall’s enchanting treasures are carefully constructed from cast-off bits and bobs.

here are artists who create just to please themselves. Then there are artists who choose to make the world a better place, through beauty, entertainment, clever inventions. And some go one step further – repurposing toss-aways for the sake of art. Jen Strall is one of the latter. Nature inspires her. Her crafting materials are often reused items. Some of her best sellers are composed of parts from found objects, computer components, broken toys, machinery bits, and other cast-offs. “I create upcycled, whimsical windchimes and jewelry,” Jen explains. “I like things that are fun to wear and that make people smile. I’ve been doing it for ten years.” Her assemblages are strong sellers. Owl pendants are made of watch pieces and discarded jewelry. Attached to a chain, owls and other creatures transform into a necklace that makes a 68 W i n t e r 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

striking focal point against a simple blouse or garment. Windchimes are also big sellers. “I may use a sifter, a chandelier, or a candelabra as a base,” she says. “Forks, spoons, and metal strips that have a musical ring are perfect dangling chimes, Sometimes keys, beads, shells, belt buckles, nails, or customers’ personal trinketremembrances are finishing touches.” Jen participated in 15 craft shows this summer. Semi-retired, she is starting to feel like it’s full-time employment during the season. She takes custom orders for specific themes, colors, objects like a teapot, or some heirloom items. People bring Jen interesting objects and ask expectantly, “What can you make with this?” She also makes enamel jewelry on aluminum. She adds brilliant

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colors of alcohol inks. She turns some colorful beer labels into pendants, earrings, or bracelets. When asked if anyone in her family inspired her artistically, she said, “My grandfather took up simple windchime-making as a hobby. Just for family. I still have the one he gave me.” You can see Jen and her work at all the annual local shows: Hard Candy Christmas, the Franklin art/craft shows and Pumpkin Show, Maggie Valley, Sapphire Valley, Highlands, and more. Visit her on Facebook – Whimsicals by Jen. If you have some cool, smallish, artful-looking items to give away, let her know. And, along that line, if you have a broken earring or other jewelry, she can fix it for you. Just contact her through Facebook. She says, “I can repair, create, and recreate just about any costume jewelry – or turn it into art.” by Donna Rhodes 69 W i n t e r 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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On History and Movements The legacies that have nourished The Bascom’s aesthetic sensibilities will take the spotlight throughout the year.

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he Bascom rings in the New Year with new ideas and visual experiences for all in 2024.

Our annual exhibitions focus this year on the theme of Legacies. We are pleased to announce that among the exhibitions this year will be a show focused on Studio Glass, and the strong contribution that North Carolina artists bring to the history of the movement. In addition, we look forward this summer to a celebration of the artist, Will Henry Stevens, whose work and teaching influenced artists across the South, especially in North Carolina and Louisiana. A special partnership with the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and the Blue Spiral gallery in Asheville will allow audiences to understand Stevens’ legacy from a number of lenses and locations. The concept of legacy is in part about impact – there is no better time to witness this than in our winter exhibition season, which celebrates the role of

education and mentorship in the fine arts. In its fifth iteration, Emergence: A Survey of Southeastern Studio Programs continues to grow as a significant exhibition opportunity for students and faculty currently practicing in higher education fine art programs throughout the southeast. After receiving over 50 pairs of submissions for the exhibition, we welcome several new institutions of higher learning to participate in the exhibition opening January 20. The Bascom also celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Winter Resident Artist Program, affectionately known as the W.R.A.P. This competitive opportunity has welcomed artists from across the country to challenge themselves by creating a site-specific installation in The Bascom’s Thompson gallery in a few short weeks. For 2023-2024, the Bascom welcomes Winter Resident Artist Walker Tufts to the campus. Mr. Tufts is an MFA

graduate from the University at Buffalo and has exhibited widely across the country and internationally. The exhibit will open on January 13. Also, in the New Year, we are releasing our 2024 workshop schedule. Make sure to secure your spot in one of The Bascom’s 30-plus workshop intensives in the fields of painting and ceramics, led by visiting professional artists from throughout the region. Bascom workshops are a great way to hone your skills in the studio and build a creative community around your studio practice. We look forward to seeing everyone on The Bascom campus in the New Year! by Billy Love, The Bascom

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Mountain Theatre Company’s 2024 Season will feature Grease, a greasy con man, Appalachian brothers in an explosive scheme, the return of a treasured holiday tradition and, of course, plenty of hear t.

ountain Theatre Company has announced its 2024 Mainstage Season. In what will mark the theatre company’s 86th season, an exciting lineup of shows has been released which is certain to have something for everyone. The Mainstage Season will kick off May 31 with Grease. One of the most beloved musicals of all-time hits the Mountain Theatre Company stage in this highoctane production featuring hit songs, including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “You’re the One That I Want,” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You.” Grease will run May 31 – June 22. Next up is Catch Me If You Can, running July 19 – August 10. Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, Catch Me If You Can is a high-flying musical comedy which was nominated for four Tony awards, including Best Musical. The plot follows Frank Abagnale Jr., a 74 W i n t e r 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

precocious teenager seeking fame and fortune, who runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination, and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer over several years – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. Catch Me If You Can is a big and bright spectacle with high-energy dance numbers and a riveting story.

Jake Twitchell is an employee of that same company, doing the same job that took his own father’s life. Much to the dismay of his movie-buff younger brother, Pete, the Pickaway Coal Company is going to begin re-mining The Burnt Part and send down the next generation of young men. Inspired by his silver screen heroes, this new musical is a heartwarming adventure following the journey to discover the importance of the choices we make to protect our family.

In the fall, Mountain Theatre Company will bring a new musical to their stage. The Burnt Part Boys will run from October 11 – 26. The story, centered in Appalachia, follows a touching journey as siblings from a mining town learn the power of self-reliance. Locally known as “The Burnt Part,” the Pickaway Coal Company’s South Mountain closed down after an accident in 1952 that resulted in the death of four miners. Ten years later,

December will bring the return of a Highlands tradition, Home for the Holidays, running December 6 – 21. Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Mountain Theatre Company at their annual holiday spectacular. For more info, visit mountaintheatre.com. by Lindsay Garner Hostetler, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Mountain Theatre Company

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Happenings at PAC

Highlands Performing Ar ts Center’s trio of screened presentations will launch the new year in spectacular fashion.

ur three great internationallyrecognized performance series – The MET Opera, the National Theatre of London, and Great Art on Screen – are once more bringing the show biz dazzle to these quiet winter months. The MET Opera, the National Theatre of London, and Great Art on Screen are all on the calendar during January and February. The MET Opera, screened on Saturdays at 12:55 P.M. (with pre-opera discussions at 12:30 P.M.) launches with Verdi’s Nabucco on January 6. Ancient Babylon comes to life in this classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze stars as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska, reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek are Fenena and Ismaele, whose love transcends politics,

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and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria. Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s exhilarating masterpiece. On January 27, join us for Bizet’s Carmen. Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell brings a vital new production of one of opera’s most enduringly powerful works, reinvigorating the classic story with a staging that moves the action to the modern day and finds at the heart of the drama issues that could not be more relevant today – gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. Dazzling young mezzosoprano Aigul Akhmetshina leads a powerhouse quartet of stars in the complex and volatile title role, alongside tenor Piotr Beczała as Carmen’s troubled lover Don José, soprano Angel Blue as the loyal Micaëla, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s

A RTS heart-pounding score. Great Art on Screen is shown Fridays at 5:30 P.M. Join us on January 19 for Titian: The Empire of Color. Winning over popes and emperors with his iconic, revolutionary works, Titian succeeded in becoming one of the artists that symbolized the entire Renaissance. Titian was an extraordinary master of color and a brilliant entrepreneur, innovative both in a painting’s composition but also in how to sell it. In only a few years, Tiziano Vecellio became the official painter of Venice and the utmost artist sought after by the richest and most influential Courts in Europe. On February 9, it’s Borromini & Bernini – A journey into the great beauty of Baroque Rome, when the city was the center of western art and where every ambitious painter, sculptor and architect had to be. This is the story of the most famous artistic rivalry of all time, the one between Borromini and Bernini, but

also the story of Borromini’s rivalry with himself: a genius so absorbed by his art that he turns it into a demon that devours him from the inside. And finally, there’s the National Theatre, screened on Saturdays at 1:00 P.M. On February 3 it’s Skylight, one of the most successful NT Live titles of all time, featuring Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy. Skylight was captured live from the West End in London in 2014, where it became one of the biggest selling shows of all time. Academy Award nominees Nighy and Mulligan star in this intense play where ideologies and passion collide. Stephen Daldry (The Audience) directs David Hare’s (Straight Line Crazy) award-winning play, with Matthew Beard (The Imitation Game) in the supporting cast. This production garnered a host of 5-star reviews across the national press. On February 24, join us for Vanya.

Andrew Scott boldly takes on eight separate roles in this fresh take on Chekhov’s classic play, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences. Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation, which explores the complexities of human emotions. Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya promises to be one of our biggest screenings. Tickets are available at HighlandsPerformingArts.com. by Mary Adair Trumbly, Highlands Performing Arts Center

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Jason Henry

Your Photo, Our Cover

Sasha Lay

Show us the magic of Winter on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau – it’s all around you. If it’s just right, we’ll put you on the cover of Laurel and proclaim you a Winner!

e’d invite you to gaze at the deeply evocative cover of this Winter 2024 Issue.

That’s the product of Michele Schwartz’s discerning eye and an almost preternatural alchemy of light, shadow and landscape. You can read all about Michele and her magic moment in Donna Rhodes’ profile. We’re inviting you to capture your own Plateau Winter Image and submit it to our Laurel Winter 2025 Cover Contest. The Laurel Magazine’s annual winter photo competition is your chance to become the cover artist of our 2025 Winter Edition. Each year we look forward to seeing everyone’s magical winter photos as you, our readers, log onto our Facebook page and vote for your favorites.

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Whether you’re a professional photographer, or just someone who loves to capture the magic of the moment on your cell phone or pocket camera, The Laurel is offering you a chance to become a cover artist. That’s right, the 2025 Laurel Winter Photo Contest has begun, so grab your camera and start snapping your way to fame.   Your evocative image could be the cover of our 2025 winter edition. Pictured are some of our favorites from last year’s competition. One of these might be just the inspiration you need to capture your own winning shot. All you have to do is keep an eye open for the beauty of this, our quietest and most reflective season, and capture that moment on film.  You can submit shots of our Wild Places, hushed winter landscapes, cozy interiors bathed in warm colors, or the faces of

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Rodney Byard

loved ones (or friendly strangers) making their way through this storied season. Enter your seasonal and magazine-appropriate shots at thelaurelmagazine.com/contest/winter2024 by March 31 Submitted photographs should be high resolution of the Highlands-Cashiers area. Amateurs, professionals, young and old, are encouraged to join the fun and share the beauty of the season.  The deadline to enter and to vote is March 31 and the winner will be announced on Facebook and Instagram. The winning photograph will appear on the cover of the 2025 January-February edition of The Laurel Magazine. We can’t wait to see what you’ve captured! by Luke Osteen

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DINING

Pages 86-99

photo by Rodney Byard, 2021 Winter Photo Cover Contest Winner

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Kalamata Flatbread

Taste the New Delights

Chicken Pot Pie

Turkey and Brie Wrap

With its new menu and wise bar, 4118 Kitchen + Bar maintains its status as the Plateau “local.” Discover its secret at 64 Highlands Plaza.

t was with a measure of absolute delight that our friends joined us on a dark December evening to take in the bounty of 4118 Kitchen + Bar.

British “local,” or corner pub, a gathering spot where you and your love or you and your friends can unwind the day or rev up the night.

2024 Menu, and we were primed for surprises and cozy callbacks to those classic comfort foods.

For as long as it’s been in Highlands Plaza, 4118 has served as a beacon for those seeking comfort food embellished with modern palate-pleasing touches, a clever bar and, this is vital, an invitation to fellowship.

And we always, always, run into friends or soon-to-be friends at adjoining tables or parked at the bar.

In a previous review I’d compared the place to the Plateau equivalent of a

Fortunately for us, Chef Adam Bresnahan had just unveiled his Winter

“My team and I are really excited about these changes as we are with each menu change. I try and change the menu six times a year to keep things fresh and seasonal. Showcasing local and regional products as much as I can. This menu hits some old favorites like the Chicken Pot Pie, Pot Roast Style Short Ribs,

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But let me focus on the 4118’s menu, which is what keeps bringing those regulars back.

Here’s what Chef Bresnahan told us:

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Mushroom Tacos

Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and our version of an Elevated Chicken Parm featuring a breaded chicken cutlet with vodka sauce, burrata, and fresh basil. The new menu will still hold the triedand-true local favorites of our Classic 4118 Burger, Chicken tenderloins, as well as the Fish and Chips. “Along with owners Ryan Aydelotte and Richard Errington believing in the culinary vision we have in place, none of this would be able to happen without the ongoing help of my amazing kitchen staff Samantha, Angel, Marcus, and Marlena.” And let’s turn our attention to the other

Painted Hills Short Rib

Providence Farmstead Wag yu Chili

part of the equation, that confident, playful bar.

bottle. Hope to see ya’ll soon at the bar at 4118 Kitchen and Bar.”

“The new bar menu will feature cocktails for the winter months with a martini menu that will satisfy your sweet tooth as well as cocktails for the season,” says Bar Master Ryan Henry. “You have to try our Hot Buttered Rum that will warm you up on a cold day. We will also be making the classics like our 4118 Old Fashioned with house-made syrup and our 4118 Cosmo. We have draft beer with two rotating taps featuring an IPA and a seasonal selection, plus PBR and Bud Light. We also have a great selection of liquors, plus a diverse beer menu and wines by the glass or

So, there you have the reasons my friends and I reveled in our dinner on that cold, dark night – the warm sense of community amongst the tables and along the bar, a new menu concocted with care – and cleverly crafted cocktails. What a marvelous recipe for a memorable lunch or dinner and a sure tonic for whenever the winter inertia threatens to wobble your equilibrium. by Luke Osteen photos by Susan Renfro

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Good Friends and Good Chili Louis’ beloved Chili is the perfect tonic for frigid nights and winter blahs.

ecause it’s January, a month consumed by the fervor of the Super Bowl and all things football, our collective mindset invariably gravitates towards a culinary classic – Chili.

could go on. Over the years we created a veal chili, naming it after John Henry, not for its taste, but for the good times and friends in Pawleys Island.

While aficionados cherish their favorite renditions and voice strong opinions on the optimal preparation, the one I turn to is from none other than my husband, Louis Osteen, a nationally recognized Southern chef and cookbook author. The delectability of this classic is rendered ever more delicious by the sweet story of the recipe’s origin in our restaurant in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The charming narrative is recounted in the headnotes of his book, Louis Osteen’s Charleston Cuisine.

2 tablespoons peanut oil

John Henry’s Texas Schoolhouse Chili

1 tablespoon ground cumin

Ingredients 1 ½ pounds veal, hand chopped top-round or store-bought ground (beef may be substituted) 3 tablespoons minced garlic ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon chile powder 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano.

John Henry Whitmire, a jeweler and bon vivant, is a great friend who resides in Pawleys Island.

2 teaspoons salt

One Labor Day Weekend, he burst into the restaurant kitchen during dinner like a tornado, asking for a little space to cook chili for the next day’s picnic. On the busiest weekend of the year, John Henry was under everybody’s feet borrowing knives and pots and pans and asking advice. When he finished with his chili, he asked the kitchen staff for its verdict. I declared that it was worse than the chili served at the schoolhouse on hot dogs. We all pitched in and repaired the chili so that the picnic

5 cups veal stock or beef stock

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¼ cup masa flour (see note) 1 cup dark beer 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Chili Paste with Garlic 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper.

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Marlene and Louis Osteen with John Whitmire, 1990s

Directions 1. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over mediumhigh heat until hot but not smoking. Add the veal and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until it turns light brown, stirring occasionally. 2. Add the garlic, chile powder, oregano, cumin and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Stir to combine well. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the flour and stir to combine well. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock and stir to combine. Bring the chili back to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until it has thickened, stirring occasionally. 3. Add the beer, stir to combine, and cook the chili for 20 minutes or until it thickens again. Add the vinegar, chili paste, pepper and remaining teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine and serve immediately. Note: Masa flour is made from dried kernels of corn that have been cooked in limewater, then soaked overnight in limewater. The flour is then ground from these wet kernels. Since it is used to make tortillas, it is available in many grocery stores. by Marlene Osteen

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Conservation, Collaboration

and Cocktails

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Raise a glass! Old Edwards Discovery Gin is the product of a unique par tnership that directly benefits the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

t would not be a stretch to say that Old Edwards Inn is unlike any other inn in the country. The small, charming luxury inn has not only achieved status as a Relais and Chateaux property, and Travel and Leisure World’s Best Resort, but was the first hospitality provider in the state to be awarded the N.C. Green Travel Award. Since its opening in 2009, Old Edwards continues to be the focal point of the Highlands community; the go-to destination for lodging, dining, entertainment, spa treatments, meetings, and weddings. Indeed, the Inn, which since its initial launch has expanded to include two more hotels, would stand out if it were simply luxury accommodations. But from the get-go Old Edwards has distinguished itself with unique features: a concern with environmental preservation and conservation efforts to protect the Plateau’s valuable natural resources. To further its environmental mission, Old Edwards has engaged in a collaboration with Asheville’s Chemist Spirits and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) to create Old Edwards Discovery Gin; a botanical gin using native wild juniper handharvested on protected land under the trust’s stewardship. The collaboration was conceived as a way to highlight and promote the important work being done by HCLT. 114 years ago, HCLT began conserving the Plateau’s natural heritage when citizens of the newly formed town of Highlands came together to save HCLT’s first property. “That same spirit of collaboration continues to fuel HCLT’s efforts,” said Julie Schott, Development Director for

HCLT. “Partners like Chemist Spirits and Old Edwards Inn help remind those who love these mountains that each of us play an important role in saving our wild places for the benefit of current and future generations.” Chemist Gin owner Debbie Word got her start in nearby Glenville, and botanicals native to the North Carolina Highlands have always been a distinctive feature of her gin. In developing the new gin, the culinary and beverage team at Old Edwards worked closely with Word to refine the unique flavor and profile of the gin to meet the Inn’s exacting standards of “sustainability and quality.” The result is a gin that is a true homage to the region – a blending of the subtle minty freshness of sweet birch bark with the gentle resinous notes of native hemlock, the earthiness of Pitch Pine, balanced by the piney essence of local juniper and caressed by the sweet touch of sourwood honey. Food and Beverage Director Chris Huerta explained that “We consider ourselves custodians of this unique and beautiful natural environment where, for nearly two centuries, travelers have come from around the world to rest and recharge.” Look for the Old Edwards Discovery Gin as a key ingredient in signature cocktails across Old Edwards Hospitality properties. The gin’s initial production sold out quickly at local ABC stores – generating a highly-anticipated restocking in 2024. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold benefits HCLT directly. by Marlene Osteen

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Beguiling and Bewitching Just a bit off the beaten path, Jura is a French region rich in possibilities and palate pleasing vintages.

xploring the world of wine can be a most engaging and engrossing pastime.

Especially when in the company of a glass of wine – my preferred travel companion when doing so virtually. In any case, because I have long been enthralled by French wines and have yet to be persuaded that any country is more skilled in the production, I am forever on the hunt for regions that are home to the country’s unsung or lesser-known wines. Jura is such a place. A place where the wines are often beguiling and frequently bewitching. Located east of Burgundy, the Jura region offers a headspinning diversity of incredible wines Beyond the traditional styles you might expect (dry whites and reds, sparklers, fortified and sweet wines) the wines from the Jura are among the most unusual in circulation, made from obscure grapes and offering unexpected flavors. 94 W i n t e r 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

For instance, it’s typical that wineries here produce the legendary Vin Jaune, or yellow wine, made of the savagnin grape, a Jura staple, and uniquely aged under a yeast crust. A wine for a highly engaged wine drinker, it is powerful, almost punishingly austere and with a nutty, sherry-like aroma that many regard as oxidized, although it is actually tangy, complex, pure, and delicious. The best reds barely have enough color to be called red. They are delicate and graceful, with an earthy intensity and a simple, lip-smacking deliciousness. The indigenous grape trousseau wines, offer freshness and a characteristic gaminess. The Domaine Pignier Cotes du Jura Trousseau has a firm nose with fruity notes of black cherry. The other major red grape, the poulsard, sometimes known as ploussard, is uncommonly delicate, and so pale it looks more like a dark rosé than a red. It, too, can have an earthy, gamy flavor, yet it is deliciously refreshing. The Domaine Rolet

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Arbois Poulsard Vielles Vignes is light and precise with a gentle hint of hibiscus. The pinot noirs can be wonderful, though. Domaine Ganevat Côtes du Jura Cuvée Julien is gorgeous - light-bodied, lively and a pure pleasure to drink. The region is also a reliable source of Champagne-style sparkling wines that are subtly different from Champagne. The excellent Domaine de Montbourgeau L’Etoile Cuvee Speciale is a fine example - rich and creamy, yet precise — bone dry and still rounded and lush. With broad portfolios and minuscule production numbers, the distribution of these wines tends to be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it situation. Still, I urge anyone looking for something way outside the everyday box, to seek them out. Meanwhile pour me another glass of wine! by Marlene Osteen

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220 Greystone Lane, Lake Toxaway 3638 US Route 64, Sapphire

(828) 966-4700 (828) 866-3144

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Take Out

(828) 547-2096 (828) 745-6900 (828) 743-0020 (828) 743-7711

Outdoor Dining

US 64 West 127 US 64 45 Slab Town Road 45 Slabtown Road

Live Entertainment

Full Bar

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Wine

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(828) 526-8364 (828) 526-3807

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Reservations Recommended

Meals

Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Vegetarian Selections

Plateau Dining Guide

Children’s Menu

thelaurelmagazine.com/cuisine

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4118 Kitchen + Bar 64 Highlands Plaza The Bistro at Wolfgang’s 460 Main Street Calder’s Cafe 384 Main Street Don Leon’s 462 Dillard Roads Fire + Water Restaurant Reservations Required Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main Street The Hideaway at The High Dive 476 Carolina Way Highlands Burrito 226 South 4th Street Highlands Pizza Place 365 Main Street Hummingbird Lounge 455 Main Street Highlands, NC The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering 350 S. Fifth Street Los Vaqueros 30 Dillard Road Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Road On the Verandah Highway 64 (Franklin Road) Primary Restaurant + Bar 310 Main Street The Ugly Dog Pub 298 South 4th Street Wolfgang’s Restaurant 460 Main Street

(828) 526-5002 (828) 526-3807 (828) 200-9308 (828) 482-1513 (828) 526-4446 (828) 787-2990

(828) 305-7700 (828) 787-2525 (828) 526-2110 (828) 482-7040 (828) 482-4720 (828) 526-2338

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CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Cashiers Valley Smokehouse Las Margaritas Slab Town Pizza Zookeeper SAPPHIRE/TOXAWAY AREA RESTAURANTS Greystone Inn Hidden Valley Tavern B Breakfast

Lunch

D Dinner

CASHIERS, NC Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522 JJ’s Canteen and Eatery - (828) 743-7778 On the Side BBQ - (828) 743-4334 Slab Town Pizza - (828) 743-0020 Subway - (828) 743-1300 Town and Country General Store (828) 547-1300 Ugly Dog - (828) 743-3000 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000 FRANKLIN, NC Papa’s Pizza - (828) 369-9999 (ad on page 107) GLENVILLE, NC Happ’s Place - (828) 743-5700

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SB Sunday Brunch

Takeout Only

HIGHLANDS, NC Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Black Bear Cafe - (828) 482-7020 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 Divine South Baking Company - (828) 421-2042 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 Fressers Courtyard Cafe - (828) 526-4188 Highlands Deli/SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632 Highlands Smokehouse - (828) 526-3554 Highlands Tavern - (828) 526-9002 Lakeside Restaurant - (828) 526-9419 Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Paoletti’s - (828) 526-4906 The Ruffed Grouse - (828) 526-2590 The Secret Garden - (828) 305-7509 Spinx Highlands - (828) 526-4191

Dress Code: C Casual

NC Nice Casual

J Jacket

The Stubborn Seed - (828) 200-0813 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035 LAKE TOXAWAY, NC Grand Olde Station - (828) 966-4242 Los Vaqueros - (828) 966-7662 Sweetwater Perk & Creamery, LLC - (828) 577-0469 Villa Amato (828) 885-7700 SAPPHIRE, NC Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 The Fix Bar & Lounge - (828) 743-7477 Jim’s Place at Sapphire Country Store - (828) 966-4011 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Panthertown Cafe - (828) 862-3663 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655

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L DO I NDIGNIGN G

Pet Policy

Ad On Page

Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet

Cable/Satellite TV

In Room Microwave/Fridge

Whirlpool Rooms

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

Exercise Facility

On Site Restaurant

Plateau Lodging Guide

On Site Bar/Lounge Pool

thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging

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HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS Fire Mountain

700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain

firemt.com | (800) 775-4446 n n

Greystone Inn

220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway

thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700 n n

445 Main St | Highlands

Old Edwards Inn and Spa

470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands

Skyline Lodge

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VACATION RENTALS 9 High Camp Way | Highlands

highcampnc.com | (828) 482-5115

37 High Holly Road | Scaly Mountain

thevineyardathighholly.com | (828) 482-5573

High Camp The Vineyard at High Holly

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VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals

488 Main Street | Highlands meadowsmountainrealty.com | (828) 526-1717

401 N 5th St | Highlands

highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

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Landmark Vacation Rentals

17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers

landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

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Rent in Highlands - CCP

507 Main Street | Highlands

rentinhighlands.com | (800) 684-2171 x 302

HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717 The Chateau - (561) 613-1496 Fairview House - (866) 526-8008 Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186 Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380 Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899 Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839 The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999 The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560 Lotts of Sky - (404) 395-4000 Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-2999 The Wells Hotel - (828) 482-7736 Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222

SAPPHIRE, NC Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-3441 Foxhunt at Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-7667 Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-4545 Mt Toxaway Lodge & Motel - (828) 966-4582 Sapphire Run at Whisper Lake - (863) 412-5734 Whispering Falls - (352) 470-4085 Woods at Buc - (770) 714-9211

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

BREVARD, NC: Meraki Escape - (828) 463-7440 CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 648-4252 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999 The Wells Hotel A Cashiers Experience - (828) 761-6289 FRANKLIN, NC: Southern Belles Glamping - (828) 371-9890 (ad on page 59) GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482

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SCALY MOUNTAIN, NC: Fire Mountain - (800) 775-4446 The Vineyard at 37 High Holly - (828) 505-6190 LAKE TOXAWAY, NC Cabins at Seven Foxes - (828) 877-6333 Earthshine Lodge - (828) 862-4207 Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700 Lake Toxaway Realty Company - (828) 508-9141

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Visit Our Advertisers WEST END

1. On The Verandah Restaurant 3. High Country Wine & Provisions 5. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 6. The Bascom Shop 7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar 27. Dauntless Printing 37. Lupoli Construction 38. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group 45. Don Leon’s 48. ACP Home Interiors 50. The Summer House 51. Nancy’s Fancys/ The Exchange 60. Divine South Baking Company

MAIN STREET

104. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 106. Los Vaqueros 114. Edward Jones 124. Landmark Realty 128. Primary Kitchen + Bar 136. Dutchmans 141. Main Street Gifts 146. Wit’s End Shoppe 147. Calders Coffee Cafe 148. Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry + Wine Shop 152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty 158. C. Orrico 160. TJ Bailey for Men 169. Country Club Properties 170. Highlands Pizza Place 174. Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear 178. McCulley’s II 180. Bijou 187. The Dry Sink 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 195. Old Edwards Inn 196. Madison’s Restaurant 197. The Wine Garden 198. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 203. Country Club Properties 210. Creative Concepts Salon

WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN

(Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero) 117. Country Club Properties, Wright Square Office

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ON THE HILL

306. Acorns 308. Highlands Burrito 310. McCulley’s 312. The Ugly Dog Public House 313. Old Edwards Inn 318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering - Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation

VILLAGE PARK

613. Cleaveland Realty 619. Christie’s Internatonal Real Estate Highlands Cashiers

CAROLINA VILLAGE

701. Mountain Life Properties 709. Wayah Insurance 710. The High Dive 710. The Hideaway at the High Dive 712. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

NORTH END

815. Highlands-Cashiers Players 815. Highlands Performing Arts Center 815. Mountain Theatre Company

OUT NC 106

➡ Peak Experience ➡ Highlands Outpost ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ Vineyard at High Holly ➡ Fire + Water/Fire Mountain ➡ Sky Valley Country Club

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Design Build ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden ➡ High Camp ➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group ➡ Highlands Dermatology ➡ Roman’s Roofing

VISIT FRANKLIN

➡ Diva’s on Main ➡ Highlander Roofing ➡ Market Square Emporium Patisserie ➡ Papa’s Pizza ➡ Smokey Mountain Auction Co. ➡ Southern Belles Glamping ➡ Whistle Stop Depot .

For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com. Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

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Visit Our Advertisers NORTH 107

2. Zookeeper Bistro 6. Slab Town Pizza 16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship.

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS 30. Bombshell Hair Boutique 31. The Watershed Shoppe 33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS 37. Landmark Realty Group

CHESTNUT SQUARE

43. A Jones Company 47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders 54. Mountain Home Consignments 55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness 55. The Bungalow Boutique 59. Las Margaritas

EAST 64

63. Alexander Gardens: - Victoria’s Closet - Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses - Vic’s for Men 75. Carolina Rustic Furniture 76. Blue Ridge Bedding 79. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques 80. Laura Moser Art 89. Nearly New Furniture Consignment

SOUTH 107

102. TJ Bailey’s for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 105. Atelier Maison 105. ID.ology Interiors & Design 105. Living Stone Design + Build 107. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 110. McCulley’s 111. Rusticks 122. Landmark Realty Group 123. Caliber Fine Properties 128. Mountainworks Custom Home Design LTD. 130. The Cashiers Store 136. McKee Properties 137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery

THE VILLAGE GREEN 142.Village Green Commons 143. The Village Green

WEST 64

154. Cashiers Valley Smokehouse 155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 157. Sotheby’s International Realty 173. Betsy Paul Properties 176. Lenz Gifts

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DOWN 107 NORTH ➡ Bazaar Barn

DOWN 107 SOUTH ➡ Silver Run Reserve

VISIT GLENVILLE

➡ Crawford Construction ➡ K-9 Meadows

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY ➡ The Greystone Inn

VISIT SAPPHIRE : ➡ Hidden Valley Tavern ➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate

, s r e i h s Ca arolina C th r o N For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com. Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

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H ISTORY

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H ISTORY

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H ISTORY

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LIFESTYLES & WELLNESS Pages 112-119

photo by Susic deVille, 2022 Winter Photo Cover Contest Winner

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS

Erika, Emily, George and Morgan

A Life Fulfilled For Erika and George Mason, a passion for golf built the foundation for a love that’s endured and grown and brought them a family.

rika and George Mason’s initial encounter was so unremarkable that when asked to recall the date they both struggled to do so. Their backstories turned out to be eerily similar. Despite these uncanny connections, it took nearly three years from that unassuming day before they officially became a couple. The details that eventually unfolded are as follows. The son of a father in the paper industry and a stay-at-home mom, George Mason mostly grew up in Lancaster and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. On weekends he and his father bonded over rounds of golf, but George was more intrigued by the pristine landscapes than the game itself. Encouraged by his father, he worked on a local golf course maintenance crew during a high school summer break. Unsure of his career path after graduation, George attended community college, while continuing to work at the golf course. 112 W I N T E R 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Within a year, he joined Penn State University’s Turf Grass Management program, now certain that his future calling was as a golf course superintendent. In college, he befriended a fellow classmate, who was employed at the Cullasaja Club, and informed him of an open assistant superintendent position at Highlands Cove Club (now the Old Edwards Club). It was 2004 and George was 25. As he recalled later, “When I got to Highlands and looked around, I thought to myself, “What have I done?’ I figured I would stay for the summer and move on, but I fell in love with the small-town life and the premium they put on golf and stayed.” In 2006, two years after George arrived in Highlands, Erika moved to Cashiers. Though she didn’t know it at the time, her upbringing in Danville, Kentucky, closely mirrored George’s. Likewise, her mom stayed at home and

her father, who worked in business management, instilled in her a love of golf. She played golf recreationally while at the University of Kentucky and post-graduation, landed a job at Florida’s Naples National course, thanks to the recommendation of her brother-in-law – an assistant golf pro. Three years later, fascinated by the club’s caddies’ tales about Highlands, she applied for and accepted a job at Mountaintop as the club’s merchandiser. While there she became friendly with club member and Old Edwards President Lou Miller. Miller had long thought that George and Erika would be a great match, a sentiment shared by one of Erika’s friends. Their initial meeting happened on a spring day when Erika was visiting with the same friend. As George recalled, “I was out working on the golf course and Lou came over and grabbed me. He started dusting me

LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS off and trying to clean me up. “He said, ‘Come on, you need to come meet this girl.’” The two remember meeting briefly, saying “hello,” but both were underwhelmed.

in the simple and straightforward style that would become emblematic of their eventual lives together. He came home for lunch one day and simply told Erika

But destiny clearly had more in store for the couple. Three years later, in 2012, when the Old Edwards Club Retail Operator post opened, Erika assumed the responsibility. In search of a roommate, she unexpectedly turned to George.

Surprised but non-plussed Erika thought, “what took you so long?” It was kismet. George swiftly found himself captivated by “Erika’s humor and quick wit, and her incredible calm. She very rarely loses her cool.” Erika, in turn, was equally enamored, noting, “He’s very attractive, and extremely loyal, and my favorite thing about him is his sense of humor.” From that moment on, their lives accelerated. Erika was promoted as the head Golf Professional at Old Edwards. In the fall of 2013, George proposed

Erika articulates, “It’s our simplicity. George and I spend a ton of time together and honestly, he is the only person I want to spent time with. He’s the first person I think of for anything.” The couple emphasizes the profound connection they share, describing themselves as remarkably attuned to each other’s rhythms.

As Erika recalled, “I was caught off guard.”

Still, despite sharing a townhouse they seldom saw each other, and the relationship remained platonic. That is, until six months later, when George worked up the courage to ask the question that would change everything, “Do you ever wonder why we’re not together?”

recurring theme of their partnership.

Erika expresses gratitude for the stability they’ve cultivated, stating, “In a world that can often feel turbulent, our lives feel remarkably steady. We’re content in our careers, proud of the lives we’re building for our girls, and fortunate that we don’t argue.

he wanted to take the next step. “For us, lunch, particularly in the wintertime was our time together and it seemed like an appropriate occasion to ask,” George told me. They were married on January 22, 2014, at The Farm at Old Edwards in a ceremony that was as “simple” as George’s declaration of love. In attendance were 16 of their immediate family and friends. “It was was perfect, as simple and understated as we are,” Erika said. That authenticity has become the hallmark of their lives ever since. George and Erika, now parents to two daughters, 9-year-old Morgan, and 7-year-old Emily are happiest at home with each other and their children.

In recent years, the couple has intentionally slowed down. Erika transitioned out of golf two years ago and currently owns and operates the Cashiers Store in Cashiers. George continues his role as Superintendent at the Old Edwards Club, and both relish spending time outdoors. Erika takes pride in maintaining the lawn at the home they built together on Norton Road in 2016. Their most joyous moments revolve around family activities and, not surprisingly, playing golf. George readily admits that Erika is the superior player. As we concluded our interview, Erika shared with me, “I am very happy where we are right now, and what we’re accomplishing as a family. If nothing ever changed, we’d be fulfilled.” by Marlene Osteen

When asked about what sets their relationship apart, they return to the

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Financial Focus®

New Year’s Financial Resolutions

ow that we’ve reached 2024, you might be thinking about your goals and hopes for the new year. But in addition to whatever personal resolutions you might make — volunteering, going to the gym more, learning a new language and others — why not make some financial resolutions, too?

the effort. The lower your debt load, the greater your monthly cash flow. So, look for ways to consolidate debts or find other, possibly more productive, ways of using credit. And if you truly can’t afford something that’s nonessential, don’t go into debt for it. “Live within your means” is an old piece of advice, but it’s just as valid now as ever.

Here are a few to consider:

• Build an emergency fund. If you suddenly needed a major home or car repair, or received a large medical bill not fully covered by insurance, would you have the funds available? If not, you might be forced to dip into your retirement accounts or other long-term investments. To avoid this possibility, try to build an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account that’s separate from the ones you use to meet your daily expenses. It can take a while to build such a fund, but if you make it a priority and contribute

• Boost your retirement savings. If you can afford it, try to increase your contributions to your IRA and 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. The more you put away in these accounts, the greater your chances of reaching your retirement goals. At a minimum, contribute enough to your 401(k) to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered. And whenever your salary goes up, consider raising the amount you put in to your 401(k). • Reduce your debts. It’s not always easy to reduce your debts — but it’s worth

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LIFESTYLES & W ELLNESS regular amounts each month, you can make good progress. • Avoid emotional decisions. Too many people overreact to events in the financial markets because they let their emotions get the better of them. If the market is temporarily down, it doesn’t mean you need to sell investments to “cut your losses” — especially if these investments still have good fundamentals and are still appropriate for your portfolio. It can be hard to ignore market volatility, but you’ll be better off if you focus on the long term and continue following an investment strategy that’s designed to meet your needs. • Review your goals. Over time, your goals may have changed. For example, while you once might have wanted to retire early, and planned for it, you may now find that you’d like to work a few more years. If that’s the case, you may also need to adjust your financial and investment strategies.

• Revisit your estate plans. If you’ve married, divorced, remarried or added children to your family within the past few years, you may need to review the account titling and beneficiary designations on your 401(k) and other retirement assets, along with your estate-planning documents, such as your will or living trust. You might also need to revise these documents in other ways. Of course, you may not be able to tackle all these resolutions at one time, but if you can work at them throughout the year, you can potentially brighten your financial outlook in 2024 — and beyond.

Todd Holder

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

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Whacka

Whiffle

Donna’s New Year’s Resolution is not a swing and a miss.

t’s dawn. I’m shoe-horning myself into spandex for an early walk.

“What’s with these squeezy-pants?” I ask my cat, Tiggs – like she knew. “They shrink every time I put them in the dryer.” Tiggs stares at me. She cocks her head as if to say, “You’re kidding, right?” “Don’t look at me that way,” I say. “Dryers shrink stuff all the time” She yawns, disinterested, then meows, “Fahgittabout your pants,” she says. “I’ve had an agonizing 17 minutes since last I ate. I’m feeling the icy fingers of starvation.” Tiggs and I are pathetic. We can’t finish breakfast without planning lunch. “That’s it. It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions,” I grumble, “and I’m launching an innovative walking routine – one with body shrinkage, not pants shrinkage. I shall call it Whacka Whiffle.” Tiggs yawns again. My weight-loss plan will include punting

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a whiffle ball along my walk. Well, not so much punting, as clobbering – a whiffle workout. Whiffles, BTW, are those plastic balls that little kids learn to smack with a featherweight bat, so they won’t hospitalize their siblings. I showed the whiffles to Tiggs. She gave it a courtesy-sniff and went back to preening. “Watch this, “I said. I took a whiffle out, walked it to the end of the drive, and kicked it down the street. It made a cool, clickety sound as it bounced across the asphalt, skittering bumpity-bump. It caromed off the gutter and slowly spin-wobbled a few feet further, creeping to a stop in a concrete crack. “Wow! I’m doing that again!” I said. Tiggs distanced herself to her preening-perch. Some folks like to fool with fidgets. Some like to preen themselves. Personally, a satisfying whiffle-bash is much more satiating, burns more calories, improves foot-balance, and

promotes strategy-planning .… like dodging cars. But there’s another challenge. Roads are engineered to drain water. Street surfaces are rounded every which way. They are gravity-designed to move rain and rolly-stuff, like whiffle balls, smacked-down into sewers. In golf, you score when you putt the ball into the hole. When the whiffle goes down the hole, game over, dude. Want to join me in whiffle-whacking? Ask your doctor, your lawyer, your pastor, your spouse, your neighbors, your pharmacist, and your feet (but not your cat) if it’s a good idea for you. So far I’ve lost two balls and nary a pound. Heck! It’s only been two days, but I’m having fun. Tiggs, on the other hand, is staring at her empty bowl, screeching the Howl-lemew-ya Chorus. Me? I just wanna be featured in a Whacks Museum – wearing spandex! by Donna Rhodes / art by Norma Jean Zahner

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Looking Into

The Future Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation welcomes Charlotte Muir as new Executive Director and looks forward to a 2024 with good health and boundless possibilities.

Charlotte Muir

he holiday season is a time of reflection and gratitude for what we have achieved and the promise of what lies ahead. It is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, and for the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, it is also a time of transition. The Health Foundation is excited to welcome Charlotte Muir as its new Executive Director and looks forward to the positive impact her leadership will bring. Muir joined the Health Foundation after serving as the executive director of the Highlands Biological Foundation since 2018. She significantly expanded the donor base and annual gifts during her tenure, fostered strategic collaborations with the Highlands Nature Center, and successfully cultivated new board members and stakeholders. Muir’s experience and expertise make her an ideal fit for the Health Foundation, and she is excited to take on this new challenge. “I am thrilled to join the Health Foundation team,” said Muir. “Having witnessed firsthand the profound impact they’ve made on our community since 2019, I am incredibly honored for the

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opportunity to lead this organization alongside such a strong board of directors and staff. The Health Foundation’s unwavering commitment to our region ensures that we are set to reach even greater heights in our mission to enhance health and wellness within our community.” As we move into the new year, the Health Foundation remains focused on its goal of forging a path toward a healthier and more connected future. Their vision is to create a community where well-being thrives and resilience prevails, and it has made significant progress toward this goal over the past five years. Through key collaborations and partnerships, the Health Foundation has built access to primary care and supported the mental health and well-being of residents on the Plateau and beyond.

to primary healthcare services regardless of financial status and address crucial mental health concerns, particularly among our youth. As we celebrate the holiday season and look forward to the new year, it is a time to come together, reflect on what we have accomplished, and renew our commitment to creating positive change in our community. Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is positioned and ready to continue to significantly impact the Plateau’s health and well-being in 2024 and beyond. The Health Foundation would like to express its most profound appreciation to the community for its warm and generous support of our mission. Together, we can make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of our citizens and help ensure that every person in our community has access to the care they need.

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation’s recent investment of $1.4 million in the community through 14 grants made to local organizations in 2023 is a testament to Happy New Year! its commitment to the Plateau and beyond. by Josh Bryson, By committing this support for the Plateau Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation and its residents, the Health Foundation can help ensure that all people have access

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Helping Others Keep Warm

The Community Coat and Winter Clothing Drive is literally a lifesaver during this exceptionally frigid season.

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he Community Coat and Winter Clothing Drive is now under way.

The coat boxes are in these locations around Highlands:

We are asking you to clean out your closet and donate your gently used winter overcoats to the Community Coat Drive. We need winter overcoats for both adults and children, gloves, hats, scarves, anything that will help keep your neighbors warm this winter.

Community Bible Church, First Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Don Leon’s Restaurant – where you get 10 percent off of your meal for any donation of winter clothing, First Bank, Highlands Recreation Park, and The Performing Arts Center.

Place your donated clothing in the big silver coat boxes located around town.. You can also make a monetary donation, which will be used to buy new and used winter clothing for adults and children. Place your donation in the clear plastic cash boxes located next to the coat boxes in area churches. Checks should be made out to the Mountain Top Rotary Club. The feeling that you get from helping your neighbor stay warm this winter, the feeling you get from seeing your old coat on one of your neighbor’s backs, those feelings are like chicken soup for the soul.

Late summer of 2023, we decided to make five important changes: 1. We renamed the Coat Drive the Community Coat Drive to broaden our base of support, and to reflect the actual reality that coats were coming from many different sources, not just Mountain Top Rotary. 2. We decided to put out more boxes to get more coats. 3. Berry Howard, Jim Spencer, and Cath Connolly, decorated the boxes to make them much more appealing. 4. We

decided not to set a numerical goal for the Coat Drive this year, but instead to adopt the more powerful goal of, “Enough.” 5. Mountain Top Rotary put $2,000, which was matched by $2,000 from Rotary District 7670, and another $1,000 from a private foundation. Why a Coat Drive? First, there is a need. When it comes time to go out and play for recess, the kids who don’t have a warm coat to wear have to stay inside. Men and women who work outside suffer greatly if they don’t have warm enough clothes. Secondly, Coat drives are economically and practically efficient. We are asking our friends and neighbors to give away a garment that they no longer want or need in order to help someone who really needs that garment. by Duncan Greenlee Mountaintop Rotary Club

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Bigs and Littles

A successful future for Big Brothers Big Sisters is built upon a record of successful matches of Bigs and Littles.

hile we’re casting our gaze toward a busy 2024, there’s a benefit in glancing back to survey what we accomplished last year. It’s also a marvelous time to acknowledge all the wonderful people who’ve allowed Big Brothers Big Sisters to thrive on Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. That’s because, at its heart, all that we accomplished was predicated upon our volunteers and a small knot of faithful, unceasingly generous supporters. At the center of that wonderful bunch of unique, compassionate people are our wonderful Bigs. These women and men have made a commitment to open their hearts and minds to a coterie of children who could use a measure of kindness and understanding in their lives.

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They’re balanced by an equally committed company of young people – our Littles must also make a courageous leap of faith in opening their hearts and their lives to strangers who will quickly become cherished friends. How brave they are! And, of course, we can’t leave out the parents and guardians of our Littles, who have the audacity to entrust us with the children’s care. In this unsettled world, that’s a tremendous step. And surrounding all those incredible Littles and Bigs is an unshakable battalion of supporters – individuals, businesses, and non-profits – who magically always come through for us when we need them. I am constantly astonished at the level of kindness that’s built into the communities across the

Plateau. Just try to define the limits of their generosity – I know I can’t! Which brings us to this New Year and the challenges and the promises that it brings. We’re still filling in our calendar of events and tightening up our schedule for activities and fundraisers, but there’s one constant that I don’t even have to glance at my planner about – that’s our need for Bigs. There’s still a vast number of children who could use the attention and kindness of a trusted adult, and sadly their ranks seem to increase every year. If you feel in your heart that you could open your heart to a little one, please contact us – bbbswnc.org. by Luke Osteen

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Power of Lifelong Learning

This new year is stuffed with possibilities for learning.

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s we embark on a new year, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our personal goals and aspirations. While some may focus on physical fitness or financial well-being, another equally important goal often gets overlooked: the pursuit of lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is more than staying ahead in the job market or keeping up with the latest trends. It is about enriching our lives, expanding our horizons, and cultivating a sense of wonder and curiosity that keeps us engaged and energized. A simple goal to learn at least one new skill in 2024 could have a surprising impact on your life in several ways: 1. Spark Your Creativity: Learning new skills can ignite your creativity and open new avenues for self-expression. Whether picking up a paintbrush, writing a short story, or composing a melody, embracing new creative pursuits can tap into your

imagination and bring joy and fulfillment. 2. Cultivate Connections: Stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring new areas of interest can lead to unexpected connections with like-minded individuals. Whether joining a book club, volunteering for a cause, or taking a cooking class, learning new skills can expand your social circle and create meaningful connections. 3. Enhance Your Mental Agility: Just as physical exercise keeps our bodies healthy, mental stimulation keeps our minds sharp and agile. Learning new skills, from mastering a foreign language to understanding complex scientific concepts, can strengthen neural connections, improve memory, and enhance critical thinking abilities. 4. Embrace New Challenges and Experiences: Lifelong learning is a journey of continuous discovery and growth. By embracing new challenges and stepping into unfamiliar territory,

you can foster a sense of adventure and expand your perception of the world. 5. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Embracing lifelong learning means adopting a growth mindset, believing that your abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. This mindset empowers you to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Lifelong learning is not a destination but an ongoing journey of exploration and self-discovery. It is about cultivating a love of learning, embracing new experiences, and continuously expanding your knowledge and skills. So, commit to a lifelong learning journey today and discover the transformative power of knowledge and skill acquisition. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and enjoy the enriching experience. by Anna Norton Literacy & Learning Center

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A Brand New Floor

Though its mission is to serve the community, Fishes & Loaves itself needs a little TLC.

ishes & Loaves needs your help. Their building’s floor is collapsing. Freezer cases, equipment, refrigerators are slowly sinking, making thresholds and doorways lopsided toe-stumpers. It won’t be long before shifting floors, walls, and cabinets will make daily duties impossible. The time has come to pour a real floor of concrete that will literally ground the building for decades to come. Fishes & Loaves’ Executive Director, Larry Morris, says, “While our commitment is to feed those in need as usual, our routines are impeded by sinking floorboards. The repairs will make it hard to distribute food during December’s busy-ness. Temporarily, we are moving our operation into the old thrift store to bypass the floor problems. We will be doing what we normally do with no shut down.” The work is underway and will take three to six months to complete, finishing no later than early June, assuming weather and materials cooperate.

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F&L’s plea for financial help is necessary for obvious reasons, but they do have grant money and contributions in the coffers. The cost of the additional 300 square feet of floor space, rebuilding and adding a cover over the exterior ramp and the work on replacing the floor is estimated at $300,000. They could manage half, but there is always concern about running out of money for unexpected challenges like this. Banked money is there to buy food for distribution, especially during winter months when work and pay are scarce. To keep a financial cushion on hand, additional grants and contributions are always welcomed. F&L receives donations as well as volunteers through 11 local supportive Churches. You’ve got to sing F&L’s praises. All workers are volunteers. No one receives payment. And local businesses, like our local Ingles, sell food to F&L at discount and sometimes cost. Additionally, the Farmer’s Market donates food occasionally, and they allow F&L to buy produce at their cost.

The board is excited about F&L’s new floor – and new philosophy. Instead of handing out random foodstuffs to clients, F&L now gives recipients personal choices. That eliminates food waste and adds to clients’ self-satisfaction. Larry closes with this promise, “Because of constant use, it’s evident F&L’s building needs some TLC. We want it to remain functional and well-used in years to come. Through the challenges of floor cost, inflation (food this year is three times the cost of last year), and the pandemic, we’ve discovered someone always steps up. Thank you, Community!” Inquire about Fishes & Loaves, a 501(c) (3) organization, at fishesandloavescashiers.org. Please consider a generous donation by year’s end. Think about joining the board, too! Thought for the Day: If you’re going to take a giant step forward, it might as well be on a new, solid floor. by Donna Rhodes

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A Trail for Our Friends

A safe, fun trail for the canines of the CashiersHighlands Humane Society is in the works thanks to the shelter’s generous volunteers, wise board, and the compassionate spirit of Friends of Panther town.

HHS Board President Gary Maddox, Executive Director David Stroud, and CHHS shelter dog Apollo stand at the site prior to construction of the new volunteer dog walking trail. The CHHS Canine Adoption Center, Feline Adoption Center and Puppy Pavilion can be seen in the background.

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or decades, our beloved dog walking volunteers have visited CHHS to give our shelter pups an extra opportunity for exercise and socialization. The most common walking route used was down our main entrance road, then across Highway 64 East to the gravel road that winded its way to the Sapphire Valley Resort. In recent years, our summer Critter Campers have also used this route during their Friday “graduation hikes.”

This past winter our awesome dog walking volunteer Kim Allen initiated discussions with our great neighbors, the Friends of Panthertown Valley. The Panthertown folks lent us their expertise and helped map out a trail on the northwest section of our property. It was a perfect solution that provides a safe and beautiful environment to hike for our community volunteers and our shelter dogs.

A pedestrian crossing Highway 64 with a leashed dog in tow has become more and more treacherous over the years, especially from motorists speeding westward around the blind curve from Lonesome Valley. We had an idea to solve this challenge, and at the same time utilize the pristine natural resources on our campus in a responsible, sustainable way.

In September ground was broken on the new volunteer dog walking trail and opened soon thereafter. The first phase of the trail is an approximately quarter-mile loop, and a volunteer can walk a shelter dog around the loop in about 10-15 minutes. Additional spurs are envisioned for future phases, along with a peaceful and serene resting area with a “rainbow bridge”

theme. Over the winter and spring, we will be adding signage, a water station, dog waste station and some benches. An official grand opening of the new trail will take place in Summer 2024. Established in 1987, CashiersHighlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire, one-and-a-half miles east of the Cashiers Ingles in between Cedar Creek Club and Lonesome Valley on Highway 64. Our no-kill shelter is open TuesdaySaturday 10:00 A.m. - 4:00 P.M. For more information, visit us online at chhumanesociety.org or call (828) 743-5752. Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717. by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society

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All Things Great and Small

For the ageing equestrians at Carpe Diem Farms, life’s a little sweeter thanks to the regular application of tender care.

Ashby and Chad Garner helping heal Mercedes.

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ll of us at Carpe Diem Farms, the five horses, three dogs and three cats, together with all who keep the farm operating wish for you and yours a warm welcome to 2024! What a wonderful promise we have of a glorious New Year! We are all so blessed to live on the Plateau. The snowy days mixed with the beauty of the winter landscape give us broader horizons in our view as well as our activities. Here at CDF, we have the privilege of working with children and adults alike offering one-on-one time and learning about the magic our herd teaches. Since our inception and arrival at the farm in 1997 we have offered a unique experiential learning opportunity. Children and adults alike have learned to trust the process, exploring, and conquering their fears in an amazing natural environment. There have been more than 4,000 children and adults

whose lives have been enhanced through their interactions with the herd and the individual horses.

less pain in their aging years utilizing all these modalities. Because of our invention and manufacturing of Easy’s Slippers here at CDF, when any hoof issues arise, we can provide immediate care and relief.

Our aging herd is nurtured by our friends Chad Garner and his lovely wife Ashby who provide their Rolfing expertise. Yes, we do go Most recently above and beyond they have been for our equine …the horses regain working on family! They give range of motion and 18-year-old their very best relief from pain … Mercedes and every day, we 34-year-old can’t do less. The Pumpkin. Like farm is available the benefits I receive from my weekly to guests and visitors by appointment. Rolfing sessions, the horses regain range Located off the beaten path by design, of motion and relief from pain in their and surrounded by the Nantahala bodies. You can clearly see in their eyes National Forest, truly a place of magic and their gate when they “walk out” and miracles. following their sessions. by Sue Blair, In addition to Rolfing, we provide Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy, red light therapy and TTouch. The horses stay more active and experience

Carpe Diem Farms

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Remembering Thomas

Thomas Taulbee and Chambers

It’s nearly impossible to gauge the positive impact that Thomas Taulbee fostered across the Plateau.

ell, we here at The Laurel are as stunned as you are by the loss of Thomas Taulbee, the executive director of the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, on November 26. Thomas was born in 1963, in Delaware and grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, and graduated from the University of Miami. He moved to the Cashiers area in 2013. On his daily leisurely stroll with his beloved dog Chambers on November 26, Thomas passed away. Thomas was a passionate fly-fisher and loved spending his time in the rushing streams that wind through the Plateau. His patience, diligence, and deft roll cast proved formidable, with the experience of fellowship within his trout gang among his most cherished times. The patience that he cultivated pursuing trout was called into play with his 138 W I N T E R 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

other passion -- a yoga practitioner and instructor, Thomas was able to present his teachings and guidance at Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga and Wellness. “I had the sweet pleasure of meeting Thomas in November of 2012 when he dropped into my yoga studio and took a class with me,” said his friend and the owner of Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga and Wellness, Mary Abranyi. “After the class, we engaged in a long conversation about our mutual love of teaching yoga and swapped stories about teaching in a small town and for him, in a big city. He also told me he was considering a move and asked me lots of questions about life on the mountain. By the time the conversation was over, I had offered him a teaching position if he ever decided to make the move. “In May 2014 Thomas made the move to Cashiers and has been a part of our Fusion family ever since, teaching and

sharing his love of yoga and anatomy. He often laughed with his students about being an anatomy nerd and would lead his classes with a technical twist that focused on structural alignment. He knew the immense benefits of doing the work on the yoga mat and wanted each student that practiced with him to experience the same joy he had experienced since beginning his yoga journey. “Off the mat, Thomas was also a leader as his passion for bringing bodies into alignment spilled over into the Cashiers community. He often worked tirelessly at aligning people and their positions and ideas for the betterment of our small mountain town. His tenacity and infectious personality will be missed and he will continue to be a shining light and inspiration for years to come.” “We will grieve, and then we will reflect, and then we will celebrate. Thomas was loved and admired by so

Thomas (far right) with his family: James, TK, Susan, and Tim.

many” said his family.

on our community and our hearts.”

Let’s hear from them:

Or here’s what Village Green Executive Director Ashlie Mitchell, who found herself working alongside Thomas on numerous occasions, had to say:

Are taken from our midst

“Thomas Taulbee was one of my best and dearest friends. Our time spent together was always filled with laughter, warmth, and joy. He was the person that I could go to with good news and bad. He always said the right thing and gave the best advice or was able to sit and listen without judgment or interjecting his own opinion (if it wasn’t asked for). He was an incredible teacher, not only of yoga but of life. I will always miss him, and I will always cherish the lessons he taught me while he was here. I know he’s still around, I can feel him giving a gentle pat or hug and a smile.”

lightness of being

“Thomas was not only a chamber colleague but also a dear friend,” said former Chamber Executive Director Stephanie Edwards, whom Thomas succeeded. “We shared many laughs and sometimes tears over the years. He will be remembered with great affection and hopefully our community will always reflect his generous spirit.” His Chamber co-worker Susan Gregory had this to say about her friend: “Thomas championed our community through relationships; in life and death, he brought us together, and together we’re better. A dear friend, Maggie Carton, said it best when she told me she had stopped saying how much we would miss Thomas and, instead, how much we would remember him. His generous spirit touched so many organizations, people, and initiatives. His efforts created a Venn diagram of the community with Thomas at the center. Thomas left an indelible mark

We end with Thomas’ yoga disciple Sarah Harkins’ invaluable words, each line freighted with love and sadness and an abiding hope:

That you still in the prime of your life You who gave so much your good cheer, and kindness of heart My being does not accept this knowledge of your passing As though I am made with glass it finds no place within me to abide only the unyielding “No” By many and many more Yet, I wish you grace in your journey into the light of which you often spoke Our loss is Mukha’s* gain Love continues *Mukha was Thomas’ previous dog

Unfathomable We are stunned

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An Exciting Year Ahead Highlands’ 2024 calendar is packed with dynamic events and engaging activities.

s we welcome the dawn of 2024, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC, is pleased to unveil a dynamic calendar of events designed to foster community spirit and showcase the vibrancy of our charming mountain town. Mark your calendar! Snow Fest @ 4118 – January 27 and 28: Kick off the year with the magic of Snow Fest, a winter wonderland experience that promises chilly thrills and cozy delights. Plateau Pickup – April 13: Give back to our community through Plateau Pickup, an initiative to keep Highlands pristine and beautiful. Outdoor Concert Series – May through October: Embrace the rhythm of warmer days with our crowd-pleasing Outdoor Concert Series every Friday and Saturday, May through October. Pop-Up Pipers – First Saturday, May through October: Enjoy the enchanting tunes of the Pop-Up Pipers, making your stroll through Highlands a melodyfilled experience. High Style – May 17 through 19: Elevate 140 W I N T E R 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

your fashion sense and explore the intersection of style and culture during the High Style event. Volunteer Fair – June 6: Discover ways to give back and make a difference in our community at the Volunteer Fair, where opportunities to contribute abound. Independence Day Concert & Fireworks – July 4: Commemorate and revel in the nation’s independence with a concert and fireworks display that lights up the Highlands sky. Community Shred Event – August 29: Safeguard your identity and dispose of sensitive documents responsibly at our Community Shred Event. Highlands Heritage Jamboree – October 12: Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Highlands with a day of music, dancing, moonshine and more at the Highlands Heritage Jamboree. Halloween on Main – October 31: Transform into your favorite ghost, goblin or ghoul as Main Street Highlands becomes a spooky Halloween haven for trick or treaters. Light Up the Park & Main – November 30: Welcome the holiday season with the magical illumination in our park,

creating a festive atmosphere for all, including Santa Claus. Highlands Christmas Parade – December 7: Celebrate the holidays with the joyous Highlands Christmas Parade, a heartwarming tradition that captivates young and old alike. Lighting of the Menorah – December 25: Conclude the year with the Lighting of the Menorah which marks the start of Hanukkah, an eight-day winter festival of lights, celebrated to mark the triumph of light over darkness. For more information about these events or the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC, visit highlandschamber.org or call (828) 526-2112. For information about other community events, please reach out to the respective host organizations or view the events calendar at highlandschamber.org Let’s Make 2024 a Year to Remember Together! by Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, NC

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4118 Kitchen and Bar 4118kitchen-bar.com A Jones Company A-List Antiques Acorns acornshighlandsnc.com ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group patallenrealtygroup.com Around Back at Rocky’s Place aroundbackatrockysplace.com Atelier Maison ateliermaisonco.com The Bascom thebascom.org Bazaar Barn Bear Shadow bearshadownc.com Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices meadowsmountainrealty.com Beth Bowser, Artist Betsy Paul Art Benefit Betsy Paul Properties betsypaulproperties.com Bijou Jewelry bijoujeweler.com Black Rock Design Build blackrockdb.com Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com Blue Ridge Music Bombshell Hair Boutique Bounds Cave’s Rug Gallery boundscaverugs.com Bungalow Boutique bungalow828.com C Orrico corrico.com Calders Coffee Cafe calderscoffeecafe.com Caliber Fine Properties caliberfineproperties.com Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com Cashiers Chamber of Commerce cashiersareachamber.com Cashiers Candy Shoppe The Cashiers Store thecashierstore.com Cashiers Valley Community Chorus Cashiers Valley Smokehouse cashiersvalleysmokehouse.com Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals highlandsiscalling.com Charles Johnson Fine Art Photography charlesjohnsonfineart.com Christie’s International Real Estate highlandscashierscire.com Christine’s Home Decor christineshomedecor.com Classic Lighting & Design, Inc. classiclightinganddesign.com Country Club Properties ccphighlandsnc.com Crawford Construction Creative Concepts Dauntless Printing Diane McPhail, Artist Diva’s on Main Divine South Baking Company divinesouthbaking.com Don Leon’s The Dry Sink thedrysink.com Dutchmans dutchmansdesigns.com Edward Jones edwardjones.com Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear elenagolf.com Fire + Water firemt.com Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins firemt.com Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar four65.com 144 144 W I N T E R 2 0 24 | T H E L A U R E L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Fusion Yoga & Wellness fusionyogaandwellness.com P 137 The Greystone Inn thegreystoneinn.com P4 Hidden Valley Tavern hiddenvalleytavern.com P 25 High Camp HighCampNC.com P4 High Country Wine and Provisions P 62 The High Dive P 90 Highlander Roofing highlandernc.com P 55 Highlands Aerial Park highlandsaerialpark.com P 46 Highlands Burrito highlandsburrito.com P 96 Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation hchealthfnd.org P 119 Highlands-Cashiers Players highlandsperformingart.com/hcp P 51 Highlands Chamber of Commerce highlandschamber.org P 141 Highlands Dermatology highlandsdermatology.com P 136 Highland Excursion mtntours.com P 46, 121 Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry Wine Shop highlandsfineart.com P 21 Highlands Lawn & Garden highlandslawnandgarden.com P 115 Highlands Outpost highlandsoutpost.com P 46 Highlands Performing Arts Center highlandsperformingarts.com P 76, 77 Highlands Pizza Place P 95 Highlands Rock Yard highlandsrockyard.com P 130 Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Andrea Gabbard sothebysrealty.com P 123 Highlands Transportation Company P 130 Hollymont Camp for Girls hollymont.com P 39 Hummingbird Lounge oldedwardsinn.com P 148 ID.ology Interiors & Design idologydesign.com P 83 Jack’s Upholstery P 126 Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com P 57, 117 John Cleaveland Realty jcrealty.com P 53 K-9 Meadows P 59 Ken Bowser Art P 72 King Background Screening kingbackgroundscreening.com P 120 The Kitchen thekitchenofhighlands.com P 89 Landmark Realty Group - Pam Nellis landmarkrg.com P 121 Las Margaritas P 97 Laura Moser Art lauramoserart.com P5 Lehotsky & Sons lehotskyandsons.com P 117, 120 Lenz Gifts & Luxury Linens P 20 Leslie Jeffery lesliejeffery.art P 79 Living Stone Design + Build livingstonedesignbuild.com P 82 Los Vaqueros P 99 Lupoli Construction lupoliconstruction.com P 50 Main Street Gifts P 114 Market Square Emporium & Patisserie marketsquarepatisserie.com P 107 Mary Kay-Linda Turner marykay.com/LTurner7896 P 120 McCulley’s P3 McKee Properties mckeeproperties.com P 29, 44, 45, 60, 61 Morales Painting P 38 Mountain Construction Engineering mountain-ce.com P 114 Mountain Home Consignments P 34 Mountain Life Properties mountainlifere.com P 101 Mountain Theatre Company mountaintheatre.com P 75

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Mountainworks Custom Home Design, Ltd. Nancy’s Fancys Nearly New Oak Steakhouse Old Edwards Inn & Spa On the Verandah Papa’s Pizza Pat Calderone Peak Experience Penny Pollock Encaustics Porch Living Preferred Properties of Highlands - Ann Scott Primary Pro Servicess Rabun Flooring Reach of Macon County Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Service Rent In Highlands-CCP Roman’s Roofing Rusticks Sapphire Valley Real Estate Sky Valley Country Club Skyline Lodge Slabtown Pizza

mtnworks.com nearlynewnc.com oaksteakhousehighlands.com oldedwardsinn.com ontheverandah.com papaspizzatogo.com calderonegallery.com peakexp.com pennypollockart.com porchliving247365.com ppoh.com primaryhnc.com

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rabunflooring.com reachofmaconcounty.org

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rentinhighlands.com romansroofingnc.com rusticks.com sapphirevalleyrealestate.com skyvalleycountryclub.com skyline-lodge.com slabtownpizza.com

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Smokey Mountain Auction Co. Southern Belles Glamping Spraggins Home Inspections Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship The Summer House by Reeves Tarah’s Beauty Bar TJ Bailey’s for Men Toccoa Falls Family Dental The Exchange The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands Vic’s for Men Victoria’s Closet Victoria’s Sportswear The Village Green The Vineyard at High Holly The Watershed Shoppe Wayah Insurance Group Whistle Stop Depot WHLC FM 104.5 Willow Valley Wit’s End Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro Woofgang Bakery & Grooming Zach Claxton Zoller Hardware The Zookeeper Bistro

smokeymountainauctionco.hibid.com southernbellesglamping.com spragginshi.com summerhousehighlands.com tjbmens.com toccoafallsdentals.com theuglydogpub.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com victoriasclosetnc.com villagegreencashiersnc.com thevineyardathighholly.com wayah.com whistlestopantiquesnc.com whlc.com willowvalleyrv.com wolfgangs.net zachclaxtonart.com zollerhardware.com thezookeeperbistro.com

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