Plateau Magazine Dec-Jan 2022-23

December / January 2023 

The 

Nice List 

End-of-Year Giving for 

our Treasured Nonprofits 

History 

Becomes 

Legend 

Reviving a Micro-Resort 

on Flat Mountain Farm 

Winter Getaways 

Award-winning Inns for the 

Perfect Holiday Respite 

$4.50 US 

Encaustic Painter 

Penny Pollock 

Holiday 

Tablescapes 

Falconry 

with Peter Kipp 

December/January 2023 | 1

2 | ThePlateauMag.com

A one 

of a kind 

destination 

boutique 

CLASSIC. SPIRITED. 

CURATED. 

HIGHLANDS 

TOWN SQUARE 

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CASHIERS 

95 HWY 107 S. 

828.743.8855 


Mountain Mist 

Gallery 

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 

Saturday, 11-5pm, and Friday, 12-5pm 

71 Commons Dr, Cashiers, NC 

1 Block North of Hwy 64 on 107 N. 

828-743-1801 

January call (407) 620-2685 

www.mountainmistgallery.com 

< Mother’s Child 

by Bill Farnsworth 

Triple Falls by Roger Bansemer 

A Mothers Love by David Berger 

Skip Kohler Lamps Pottery by Doug Jones Mangum Pottery Blue Velvet by Julie Berger 


custom home builders 

Located in Cashiers, NC, Crawford Construction is an integrated design-build firm, specializing in 

custom home building and residential renovations, with superior attention to project completion. 

160 Down Ridge Road, Cashiers | 540-798-4205 | charlie@crawfordconstruction.com 


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Both Bear Mór and Saratay Falls are new communities of luxury mountain homes to be built 

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home builder out of Atlanta, GA, known for a relentless focus on quality craftsmanship, transparency, 

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Mountain Realty, a leader in luxury real estate sales on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. 

THE MICHAUD/RAUERS GROUP 

JUDY MICHAUD: (828) 371-0730 | MITZI RAUERS: (404) 218-9123 

TOM GOLDACKER: (828) 200-9045 | JOHN MUIR: (404) 245-7027 

488 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741 

www.MeadowsMountainRealty.com 

© 2022 BHHS Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHHS Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are 

registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity. 


EVERY DAY IS A REASON TO CELEBRATE 

WHEN YOU OWN YOUR OWN HOME. 

828.526.1717 

MeadowsMountainRealty.com 

488 Main St, Highlands 

2334 Cashiers Rd, Highlands 

196 Burns St, Cashiers 

© 2022 BHHS Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHHS Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are 

registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity. 


BETH TOWNSEND 

Co-Owner / Broker 

LIZ HARRIS 


ANN MCKEE AUSTIN 


COLEEN GOTTLOEB 

Broker-In-Charge 

OUR TEAM 

— OF — 

EXPERIENCED 

BROKERS 

WAYNE MONDAY 

Broker 

SANDY BARROW 

Broker 

JOHN BARROW 

Broker / Rental Coordinator 

MAGGIE ELMER 

Broker 

JOANNE BRYSON 

Broker 

LOGAN CROCKER 

Broker 

KARALINE CANTLER 

Broker / Administrator 

CLAY CANTLER 

Broker / Licensed Assistant 

JESSICA HOHEISEL 

Broker / Licensed Assistant 

619 HWY 107 S | CASHIERS, NC 28717 | 828.743.3411 

6 | ThePlateauMag.com 

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC MINNIE COLE HOUSE

A Founding Partner 

McKee Properties is proud to be a Founding Partner of G&G Land, 

a feature program of Garden & Gun magazine, highlighting properties 

that are dedicated to an “authentic sense of place and inherent 

responsibility to the natural world.” 

NEARLY 50 YEARS OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE 

EXPERTISE IN THE CASHIERS-HIGHLANDS AREA 

MCKEEPROPERTIES.COM 


December/January 2023 

61 

Your Winter Getaway is 

Closer Than You Think 

Classic, award-winning Inns 

for the perfect holiday respite 

By Marianne Leek 

65 

The Power of Water in 

Western North Carolina, 

Part Two 

Duke Energy and the future of 

hydroelectric energy in the region 

By Ben Williamson, 

Duke Energy 

73 

The Nice List 

Our treasured non-profits 

and the generosity of 

the plateau 

By Lisa Gray Youngblood 

68 

History 

Becomes Legend 

Flat Mountain Farm 

welcomes guests with a 

unique rustic-meetsluxury 

ambiance 

By Dawn Liles 

PHOTO JUDAH BOLLINGER 


D U T C H M A N S 

Have a warm and 

cozy 

H O L I D A Y S E A S O N ! 

Highlands | Atlanta | Saint Simons | Cornelius | Athens 



$4.50 US 

Departments » December/January 2023 

17 

Buzz 

17 Sweetie Boy, a male 

Harris's Hawk 

Falconry with Peter Kipp 

18 Events 

Your guide to planning 

your social calendar 

24 Staff Picks 

These books will make 

good gifts – any reason, 

any season 

26 Local Chatter 

Highlands Writers 

Group supports and 

encourages writers 

30 Health 

Coach Joanne P. McCallie’s 

fight for mental health 

34 Newsmaker 

Mountain Theatre Company 

launches its Theatre for 

Young Audiences program 

38 History 

Falconry on the plateau 


40 Art Seen 


Penny Pollock is as multilayered 

as her art 

44 Southern Drawl 

Carl Hyde, the tale of a 

Texan’s path to North 

Carolina and how he’s 

changing the world 

47 79 

Well Styled 

47 Fashion at the Farm 

A holiday outing at 

Bear Valley Farm 

48 Shopping 

Eclectic, modern 

style at Annawear 

50 Fashion 

A holiday outing at 

Bear Valley Farm 

56 Entertaining 

How to create an inviting 

holiday table that makes 

everyone feel at home 

40 

Food+Drink 

79 Orchard Chicken 

with Golden Delicious 

apple, walnut, sage and 

provolone and apricot glaze 

at The Orchard Restaurant 

80 Dining Review 

Innovation and history 

in sync at The Orchard 

Restaurant 

82 In the Kitchen 

Home for the Holidays 

87 Restaurant Guide 

The best spots for eating 

and drinking 

94 

Travel 

94 Isles of Surprise 

Living the life in the 

Turks and Caicos 

Fundamentals 

14 Reader Services 

16 Editor's Letter 

91 Real Estate Forum 

96 The Last Reflection 

The 

Nice List 



History 

Becomes 

Legend 







Penny Pollock 

Holiday 

Tablescapes 

Falconry 


ON THE COVER » 

A Holiday Outing at Bear 

Valley Farm. 

Photo by Chelsea Cronkrite 


Best winter wishes 

from your friends at 

Orchard Chicken 

The Look Boutique, 

Cashiers 

with Golden Delicious apple, walnut, 

sage and provolone. Topped with apricot 

glaze. The Orchard Restaurant. 

137 N. Highway 107, Cashiers, NC . 828-200-9573 


CEO & Publisher 

Robert Sweeney 

Executive Director of Operations 

Emily Sweeney 

■ ■ ■ 

Managing Editor 

Lisa Gray Youngblood 

■ ■ ■ 

Quality is not our goal...It is our Standard 

Account Executive 

Sales: 843-822-0119 

Art Director 

Carl Turner 

Travel Director 

Katie McElveen 

Graphic Designers 

Kristina Parolla 

Shanna Thomson 

Carl Turner 

Whether your project is a renovation, remodel or new construction, 

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moving in ourselves. Our experienced licensed general contractor works 

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Westmark Construction Company of North Carolina, LLC 

Custom Construction | Renovations | Remodeling 

20 Continental Drive | Sapphire NC | 828.743.4124 

WestmarkConstructionNC.com | GCL #75453 


Contributing Writers 

Brittany Conley, Kim Henry, Bud Katz, 

Kristin E. Landfield, Marianne Leek, Dawn 

Liles, Katie McElveen, Mandy Murry, Anne 

Wolfe Postic, Judy Royal, Liesel Schmidt, 

Kay West, Ben Williamson 

Photographers 

Judah Bollinger, Chelsea Cronkrite, 

Phil Curcuru, Diana Herrera, Johnny 

Krawcheck, Dylan Lytle, Tammi Nowack 

■ ■ ■ 

Customer Service 

Local Office: (404) 226-7567 

Corporate Office/Subscriptions: 

(843) 856-2532 

Plateau Magazine (Vol. 3, No. 6) is 

published 6 times per year by DueSouth 

Publishing, LLC. The entire contents of 

this publication are fully protected and 

may not be reproduced, in whole or part, 

without written permission. We are not 

responsible for loss of unsolicited materials. 

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. 

SUBSCRIPTION price is $24.95 per year.

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Reader Services 

1473 Hwy 64 W 

Cashiers, NC 

828-743-5900 • 828-380-0473 

dflenz@nctv.com 

Come Shop 

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and Linens 

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from the editor 


The 

Nice List 



History 

Becomes 

Legend 






$4.50 US 


Penny Pollock 

Holiday 

Tablescapes 

Falconry 


Give the gift 

that lasts 

all year long... 

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Winter 

Winter is a trickster. It is all about family 

and community and celebration, and then, 

in the blink of an eye, it is about solitude 

and quiet. I liken it to the way one feels 

when standing at the base of a mountain. 

In the shadow of the great granite, we are 

so small and insignificant, and yet we are 

all connected to that mountain, an essential 

part of the world in the way that every 

part is essential, which makes us powerful 

beyond belief. 

The collective part, when we gather with 

friends and family, is not so hard to digest. 

With our holiday gatherings, we enjoy a 

sense of belonging. But then the winter 

settles in, blankets the plateau with snow 

and ice. The bears go to sleep, and a walk 

in the woods is so quiet one begins to 

wonder if all the woodland creatures have 

disappeared. Whether this quiet feels like 

solitude or isolation depends on so many 

factors and can change by the day, or even 

the hour. 

Although I have always loved solitude, 

one particular winter tested this love. 

I was three months into a four-month 

chemotherapy regimen, and my body and 

mind were slowing in every way. Afraid 

my spirit would dull as well, I clung to 

my routines, including a daily hike with 

my beloved dog Buffy. This hike was not 

strenuous, but it kept me moving and 

made me feel normal, which seemed vital. 

One afternoon, as Buffy and I hit the 

half-way mark, I found I could not finish. 

Demoralized, I took a seat on a granite 

rockface, Buffy tucked in at my side, everpatient, 

and studied Cow Rock and Laurel 

Knob. I may have been feeling sorry for 

myself, but mainly I was just exhausted 

and defeated. Then I looked upward, 

maybe to the heavens, maybe to pray, but 

what I saw was very much of this earth. 

A bald eagle soared above, its wings wide 

and still. It was putting on quite a show, 

gliding back and forth between two mountain 

peaks, effortlessly as if it were riding 

some strange, boomeranging rollercoaster 

of wind. It wasn’t hunting, nor did it seem 

to have any destination. It was playing, 

flying for the pure joy of it. Had I been my 

normal self, I would have missed it. 

I sat for twenty minutes and watched. 

It felt as though Mother Nature had 

wrapped her arms around me and said, 

Rest. That’s what you need now. In that 

moment I felt safe. I was exactly where I 

needed to be, doing exactly what I needed 

to do. Isn’t rest what we all need from time 

to time? Our mental and physical health 

thrive on balance, and what better way to 

balance ourselves than to take refuge in 

these beautiful mountains? 

In your time of rest, we hope you will 

enjoy this issue. It is filled with stories of 

mental and physical health, preservation 

and enjoyment of our beautiful mountains, 

ways to connect with friends and 

family, and how to support those in our 

community most in need. We hope the resources 

and stories inspire and enhance 

your holiday season. 

Stay warm, my friends, and enjoy the 

duality of this amazing season. 

Lisa Gray Youngblood 

Managing Editor 

editor@theplateaumag.com 

We welcome your comments. Please send 

us your feedback or story ideas by emailing 

us at editor@theplateaumag.com 

Find Us Online! 

Visit us on our website at 

theplateaumag.com 

facebook.com/plateaumag 

instagram.com/plateaumag 


Your Local Rundown on News and Culture 

Sweetie Boy, 

a male 

Harris’s Hawk 

Falconry with Peter Kipp 

See page 38 

PHOTO JOHNNY KRAWCHECK 


McKee 

Properties 

and its 

Historical 

Stewardship 

The Historic Minnie Cole House, 

now home to McKee Properties, a 

luxury real estate company on the 

plateau, is the recipient of the 2022 

Cashiers Historical Society Village 

Heritage Award. This award honors 

an historic property that has been 

successfully adapted for current 

use in the central Cashiers business 

district. McKee Properties uses 

the house as its base of operations. 

Located on Highway 107 South, the 

Minnie Cole House is one of the oldest 

buildings in Cashiers. The home can 

be traced back to 1875, with some accounts 

of the core structure being built 

around 1850. A designated Cashiers 

Historical Society Heritage Property, 

it is named after Minnie Cole, the 

third child of Elizabeth Bryson. Both 

women served as Cashiers Valley 

Postmaster, about 50 years apart, and 

were icons in the community. 

The adaptive reuse of this building 

is an excellent example of historic 

preservation and restoration. As an 

integral part of the community, McKee 

Properties wanted to do its part to 

enrich the cultural heritage of Cashiers, 

which was the primary reason 

Beth Townsend, Co-owner of McKee 

Properties, bought this property. “It 

was not an easy project,” Townsend 

says, “and more than a few builders 

were daunted. But ultimately Crawford 

Construction Company undertook 

the project, and the results speak 

for themselves. We would be remiss 

not to commend their hard work and 

vision in restoring this important 

property.” 

The award ceremony was held at 

the Minnie Cole House on October 10 

in the stunning center section of the 

house. This section is likely one of the 

oldest, perhaps even predating the 

Civil War, and is of log construction 

and weatherboard siding with a steep 

gable roof. “We take seriously the 

stewardship of this piece of Cashiers’ 

history,” says Townsend. “We’d love 

for you to visit.” 

Event Calendar 

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown 

on what to do and explore. 

ONGOING 


Various dates and times from December 16 to December 31 

Written and directed by Scott Daniel and presented by Mountain Theatre Company. 

Celebrate the holiday season by singing along to your favorite holiday hits while being 

dazzled by high-energy choreography, beautiful costumes, a triple threat cast and 

incredible live musicians. Featuring classics like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Go 

Tell It on The Mountain,” “O Holy Night” and many more! The Historic Highlands 

Playhouse, 362 Oak Street, Highlands. Tickets are $45. 

Bluegrass Wednesdays with Nitrograss 

at The Ugly Dog Pub. 

Come and enjoy dinner and music with 

beloved bluegrass band, Nitrograss. Table 

Reservations required ($10/seat). Call Kellye 

to reserve your table. 828.318.5762. Seating 

starts at 5:30 p.m. Music from 6 to 9 p.m. 

Ugly Dog Pub, 294 S. 4th Street, Highlands. 

Thursday Night Trivia at The High Dive. 

Test your trivia skills at Highland’s funkiest 

watering hole. The High Dive opens at 

4 p.m. Trivia begins at 7:30 p.m. Thirsty 

Thursday includes pints for $3.50 and 

pitchers for 

$12. The High 

Dive, 476 Carolina 

Way, Highlands. 

7:30 p.m. 

to 10 p.m. 

DECEMBER 

One Christmas Night in Memphis 

December 9 

Presented by Smoky 

Mountain Center 

for the Performing 

Arts. Get ready for 

a holiday night of 

rockabilly, country, 

gospel and 

pure 1950’s rock 

and roll. This high energy concert takes 

you back to December 4, 1956, the night 

when four of the biggest names in early 

rock and roll - Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, 

Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash 

- gathered together for an impromptu jam 

session at the legendary Sun Studios in 

Memphis. Smoky Mountain Center for 

the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Road, 

Franklin. Tickets range from $25 to $38. 


Winter 

 

 

SPA & DINNER PACKAGE 

Two Nights for Two in Deluxe Accommodations at 

Old Edwards Inn or Half-Mile Farm 

A Three-Course Dinner for Two in any Old Edwards 

Restaurant One Evening 

Two 50-Minute Spa Treatments Per Package 

 

 

 

Book 

Today 


Build Something Beautiful 

From Cozy Cabins to Luxury Estates, we Help You 

Build the Home of Your Dreams 

87 Chestnut Square, 

Cashiers . 828-743-5864 

lehotskyandsons.com 

Custom Homes | Remodels & Renovations | Additions 

Santa in the Park, Letters to Santa 

and Photo Opportunities 

December 10 and 17 

Santa will appear in the park each Saturday 

(weather permitting) to hear wishes 

from children and pets of all ages. Santa 

will also periodically sneak into the park 

to retrieve letters placed in a special 

mailbox from the North Pole! Stop by the 

park any time to drop off letters or see 

the festive decorating of Santa’s sleigh by 

his elves. Be sure to bring your camera! 

Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, 

December 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those who 

desire a Santa visit with their pet are encouraged 

to select the December 17 date. 

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 

Pine Street, Highlands. Free. 

Come visit Peak Experience for fine 

American handcrafts, including 

jewelry, pottery and great gifts! 

Fireside at The Farm, A holiday evening 

with Mike Kinnebrew 


Settle into the magical ambience of The 

Farm and relax to holiday music with the 

charming and treasured singer-songwriter 

Mike Kinnebrew. 6 to 8 p.m. The Farm at 

Old Edwards Inn, 336 Arnold Road, Highlands. 

Public welcome. $40 for the public; 

$25 for Inn guests. Cash bar and complimentary 

light bites. 

2820 Dillard Road, Highlands, NC | 828-526-0229 | Open Daily 

Highlands Wreaths Across America 


Wreaths Across America will be at Highlands 

Community Building and then 

Highlands Cemetery to remember and 

honor our veterans through the laying of 

Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of 

our country’s fallen heroes and the act of 

saying the name of every veteran aloud. 


Listen to Your Dreams and We'll Help You Build Them 

Creating exceptional homes and providing a professional, enjoyable 

building experience for our clients. 

Custom Homes 

Renovations 

12 Canoe Point, Cashiers NC | 828-547-0777 | harriscustombuildersnc.com 


Our luxe cozy 

turtleneck for 

Resort 2023 

follow us on instagram 

@witsend65 

828.526.3160 

382 Main Street 

Highlands, NC 

Ceremony begins at noon at the Highlands 

Community Building, 869 North 4th 

Street, Highlands. For questions, please 

contact Phil Potts, Highlands Location 

Coordinator 828.200.9753. Free. 

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer – 

The Musical 

December 16 & 17 

Presented by The Overlook Theatre Company, 

this musical adaption of the beloved 

television special features all your favorite 

characters, including Santa, Mrs. Claus, 

Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable 

Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius 

and, of course, Rudolph. It is an adventure 

that teaches us that what makes you 

different can be what makes you special. 

Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing 

Arts, 1028 Georgia Road, Franklin. 

Tickets $13 in advance, $15 at the door. 

JANUARY 

Snow Fest at 4118 

January 28 – 29 

Presented by Highlands 

Chamber of 

Commerce and Visit 

Highlands, NC, 

Snow Fest is back and better than ever! 

Bring friends and family for guaranteed 

winter fun in the park. Outdoor activity 

is just the ticket to fight off those winter 

blues. Enjoy a snowball toss, ice slides, 

s’mores, snowga (a twist on yoga) and 

more, including The Highlands Ice Rink. 

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 

Pine Street, Highlands. Free. P 


#1 in the Carolinas 

Highlands-Downtown Main Office 

Highlands-Downtown Main Office 

828.526.8784 

828.526.8784 

Wildcat Office/Cashiers Road 

Wildcat Office/Cashiers Road 

828.526.4525 

828.526.4525 

Rooted locally. Connected globally. 

240 Upper Brushy Face Road 

240 Upper Brushy Face Road 

Highlands, NC 28741 | $3,695,000 | MLS #100886 

Highlands, NC 28741 $3,695,000 MLS #100886 

Pat Allen & Julie Osborn | 828-200-9179 

Pat Allen Julie Osborn 828-200-9179 

Located on a spacious and private lot in the 

prestigious 

Located on 

area spacious 

of Highlands 

and private 

Country 

lot 

Club, 

in the 

this 

spacious 

prestigious 

home 

area 

is 

of 

sitting 

Highlands 

on top 

Country 

of the mountain. 

Club, this 

spacious home is sitting on top of the mountain. 

96 Moltz Court 

96 Moltz Court 

Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 | $1,899,000 | MLS #101012 

Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 $1,899,000 MLS #101012 

Kelly Ramsay & Dan Doughty | 828-556-1252 

Kelly Ramsay Dan Doughty 828-556-1252 

Meticulous, private and bathed in natural light! If you 

Meticulous, 

are searching 

private 

for the 

and 

perfect 

bathed 

mountain 

in natural 

home 

light! 

where 

If you 

you 

are searching 

can entertain 

for the 

friends 

perfect 

and 

mountain 

family look 

home 

no further. 

where 

you can entertain friends and family look no further. 

December/January 2023 | 23

staff picks 

Hot off the Press 

These books will make good gifts – any reason, any season 

Geraldine Brooks, Horse 

Geraldine Brooks is a master of historical fiction and her latest doesn’t disappoint. Horse interweaves 

the stories of a young black slave, a 1950s gallery owner, an art historian, and a Smithsonian scientist. 

Jarret, a young black slave in 1850s Kentucky, becomes the groom and trainer of Lexington, the 

greatest racehorse the world has ever seen (The Horse is based on a true story). The bond between 

Jarret and Lexington is strong and inspiring – Jarret believes in treating animals with kindness 

which contrasts sharply and puts him at odds with other trainers and jockeys. The present-day pair 

separately stumble upon artifacts of the horse - a painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic. Brooks 

provides an interesting look at the technology and investigative skills used in historical research. 

This novel is sure to please inquisitive minds and historical fiction lovers of all ages! – Megan Mathis 

Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Big Girl 

This stellar coming-of-age story will have particular appeal for people who grew up in the 90s or love 

a deep dive into the heart and experiences of a character. Growing up with a mom deeply entrenched 

in diet culture is tough for eight-year-old Malaya, an overweight black girl living in late 1980s Harlem. 

She’d prefer to spend her time painting or sneaking snacks from the corner bodega with her best 

friend, but her mother insists on dragging her to Weight Watchers meetings instead. She tempers 

the pressures of attending a prestigious Upper East Side prep school and navigating the constant 

barbs lobbed by her sharp-tongued grandmother with art and hip hop, but how will she find peace 

in a culture that says her worth is intrinsically tied to her size? Sullivan has created a deeply loveable 

character in Malaya and a beautiful portrait of pre-gentrification Harlem. – Sarah Cameron 

Laurie R. King, Back to the Garden 

Laurie R. King, best known for her Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, returns with Back to the 

Garden, a standalone mystery. The Gardener family and the California estate that was their home and 

legacy drew the wealthiest and most powerful people for much of the early twentieth century but in the 

1970s, heir Rob Gardener turned his palatial home into a counterculture commune of peace, love, and 

equality. Now, the magnificent home and formal gardens draw tourists. While the Estate staff is preparing 

to move into a new future, restoration work on some of its art digs up human remains that were 

likely buried during the year the commune mysteriously fell apart. SFPD Inspector Raquel Laing is 

called in to assist since the body’s disposal is similar to the kidnappings and murders committed by the 

serial killer dubbed The Highwayman. But the more she digs through the Estate’s archives, the more 

she suspects that this crime has more to do with the Gardener family than with The Highwayman. Told 

through chapters that move back between Now and Then, the various mysteries unfold with satisfying 

conclusions. This novel would make a great gift for those who enjoy a an intricately plotted slow burn 

mystery. – Chantal Wilson 

Sarah Gailey, Just Like Home 

No matter what the season, everyone loves a haunted house book! Vera’s estranged mother is dying 

and has asked her to return to the family home for her final days. The family home in question was 

hand built by Vera’s father, who died in prison after what he was doing in the basement for so many 

years came to light. Now there’s a true crime enthusiast living in the shed and something making 

a great deal of noise under the bed. Just Like Home is an intimate, claustrophobic domestic horror 

book – a little bit gothic, a little bit psychological, and very effective. For people who love both Gillian 

Flynn and Shirley Jackson.– Sara McBride 


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December/January April /May 2022 2023 | 19 25

local chatter 

Meeting of the Highlands Writers Group 

at The Bascom. Pictured left to right: 

Lisa Gray Youngblood, Margaret Waters, 

Betty Holt, Stan Gedzelman, David 

Stearns, Virginia Talbot, Patty Andrea 

and Vanessa Steele. 

The Blank Page 

IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT 

many who live on the plateau feel a 

desire to create. As scientists have 

long understood, awe and creativity 

go hand-in-hand. As we stand 

before our beautiful mountains, granite 

megastructures that will long outlast us, 

we feel awe, and that awe literally triggers 

the brain, sending the message that this is 

a safe place to open your mind and think - 

which is why you probably realize you have 

a story to tell. We all do. But most of us 

will never find the courage to tell it. 

For sure, writing has its own alchemy. 

There is the story, the inspiration behind 

it, the intended reader, the manner in 

which the story is told and the voice. These 

are all very different things, interrelated 


The Highlands Writers Group supports 

and encourages writers 

By BUD KATZ » Photos by CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

but independent, and each worthy of individual 

attention. The actual list is longer 

– point-of-view, place, pace, mood, genre, 

dialogue, among others. It is easy to get 

overwhelmed, which is where the right 

writer’s group can make all the difference. 

All artists need a safe place to explore 

their creativity, and there just so happens 

to be such a place on the plateau. 

No one should be surprised that we enjoy 

a robust community comprised of people 

from all over, and from all creative disciplines, 

at work, enjoying life and engaged 

in acts of service. We have much to learn 

from one another, which is what happens 

when we share our experiences and our 

work. If you are ready to do just that and 

accept that you have a story to tell, read 

on. You will be glad you did. 

Meeting regularly at The Bascom Visual 

Arts Center in Highlands, is a group called 

The Highlands Writers Group, not the exceptional 

painters and potters you’d likely 

expect, who are also there, but a group of 

writers who want to share their work and 

hear yours. Sneak a visit to The Bascom 

on any of many mid-Tuesday afternoons, 

and you’ll find assembled anywhere from 

a handful to an entire gaggle of novelists, 

short-story writers, essayists, poets, songwriters, 

memoirists and journalists. 

No one currently attending HWG 

gatherings dates to the group’s actual 

beginnings, although many current participants, 

which include both year-round 

and seasonal residents, have been sharing 

their work with their fellow scribes and 

scribblers literally for decades. Our meetings 

feature readings in response to writing 

prompts, excerpts from published and, 

as-yet unpublished work, discussions pertaining 

to craft and style, along with gentle 

critique designed to make the writer’s 

work the best it can be. Animated discussions 

about writing and related topics can 

occur at the drop of a hat, or at some other 

appropriate or inappropriate cliché. 

Writer-members of the HWG come in


local chatter 

HWG Members 

discussing 

Margaret Waters' 

novel-in-progress 

all shapes and sizes, and from all make 

and manner of geography, cultural background, 

and/or current and former jobs 

and careers. We have retired professors, 

working realtors and retailers, folks from 

law enforcement and the U.S. military, an 

airline pilot, a teacher, actors and writers 

from the world of live theater, a psychiatrist 

or two, a few journalists … you get 

the idea. We all share at least one thing: 

an unbridled passion for placing words 

and sentences onto a blank page or screen. 

When asked about the group, Vanessa 

Steele, a non-fiction writer, said, “Joining 

the group has been an experience of laughter, 

lessons on writing and the enjoyment 

of a great group of intelligent and funny 

writers.” Betty Holt agreed and added, 

“The sessions are very stimulating. It is in- 


teresting to be around all types of writing 

– fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, essays 

and even songwriting.” Patty Andrea addressed 

the seemingly sacred space of being 

among writers and commended Bud Katz, 

the facilitator, for being “hugely supportive 

of everyone, making it easy to share work.” 

There are precious few real rules or 

regulations associated with membership 

in the HWG. There are no dues, no tests 

or formal writing credentials necessary to 

join. There are no mandatory attendance 

or participation requirements, although 

we’d love to hear you read your writing. 

There are no criteria to have been published, 

nor do we require any formal writing 

education or experience. Kindness and 

politeness are expected, for sure. Support 

for your fellow members’ efforts is absolutely 

encouraged. 

Anyone interested in learning more is 

asked to contact Bud Katz, facilitator of 

the group, at either budandlynn@me.com, 

or at 407-256-6271. You might have to 

leave a message. 

If you’re a writer, or if you would like 

to become one, or if you’d like to become a 

better one, or, if you’d simply like to hang 

out with some neat, creative-type people, 

all of whom happen to be writers, we’d love 

to hear from you. 

We meet every other Tuesday afternoon 

at 3 p.m. at The Bascom Center for 

the Visual Arts. If you find yourself off 

the plateau, or are still squeamish about 

gathering in person, we connect once each 

month via Zoom. 

Write on! P

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health 

Story Over Stigma 

Coach Joanne P. McCallie’s fight for mental health 

By LIESEL SCHMIDT 

Coach P achieved 600 wins at 

Duke University during the 

2017/2018 season. 

an 18-month-old baby girl when she had 

her first manic episode. Life was clicking. 

Her career was taking off. Her team was 

winning championships, and recruiting 

was up. But there were still factors that 

worried the young coach and kept her up 

at night, triggering an episode of mania 

so severe that her husband, family and 

friends had to intervene. Under the guise 

of a gynecological exam, her her husband, 

John, enlisted medical help from her doctor. 

And then, on one sunny fall day, he 

drove her to a hospital in Bangor, Maine, 

to admit her under psychiatric care. 

Over the next two days, she remained 

adamant and even combative. In her mind, 

there was absolutely nothing wrong, and 

she was being held against her will. “I 

was not in a place of acceptance or compliance 

and really didn’t think I should have 

been there,” McCallie recalls. And so, she 

brought in a lawyer who facilitated her release 

after only two days. 

Back home, she could have remained in 

denial. She could have walked away from 

the family and friends who were trying so 

hard to offer their help and support. But 

that human connection, as she says now, 

is what opened her eyes—that, and the 

weight of motherhood. “I realized I needed 

WITH ALL ITS CHEMICAL 

reactions and neural 

pathways that control 

not only our bodies, but 

also our emotions and 

psychological responses, the brain is a 

wonderous, complex thing. One factor can 

affect a myriad of other aspects of our 

lives and our health—and in the case of 

bipolar disorder, the chemistry causing 

imbalances in mood is something that can 

be incredibly harmful and make functional 

life impossible. 

As common as mood and anxiety disorders 

are in today’s world, there’s still a 

stigma attached, so much so that seeking 

treatment can be a source of shame. Deshaming 

means talking about these issues 

and bringing them into the light, so those 

who suffer don't feel they have to struggle 

in secret or in silence. All it takes is getting 


the conversation going. But that conversation 

must come from someone who speaks 

from personal experience, who is willing to 

stand up and be a face for an issue that has 

been hiding in the shadows. 

As an outspoken advocate for brain 

health, elite basketball coach Joanne P. 

McCallie, known affectionately as “Coach 

P,” has become that face, bravely stepping 

into the spotlight to bring attention 

to bipolar disorder as well as other mood 

disorders and anxiety issues. In her new 

memoir, Secret Warrior, she explores her 

own journey through bipolar disorder and 

how she learned not only to manage it, 

but also how she finally came to a place 

of compliance in realizing that something 

was wrong. 

Diagnosed at age 30, McCallie was four 

years into her career as the head coach 

at University of Maine and the mother of 

PHOTOS JOANNE MCCALLIE

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health 

but I knew that I couldn’t have written 

it while I was still coaching. The media 

would have made my career all about my 

bipolar disorder, and if I was aggressive on 

the sidelines, they would have said it was 

an episode. Now that I’ve stepped back 

from basketball, I’m still a coach—I’ll always 

be a coach—but more of a coach in 

life, in motivating people.” 

Part of motivating and coaching now 

is the speaking she does—for students, 

student athletes, administrators and various 

companies—all as part of the larger 

goal of raising funds for the brain health 

foundation she intends to create. In being 

candid about her own struggles and everything 

she has overcome, McCallie has 

opened the doors to others. “I have a tagline 

of ‘Stories Over Stigmas,’ and that’s 

all about creating a human connection 

through sharing that enables you to take 

action in your life.” 

Always the coach, McCallie may no 

longer be along the sidelines of a basketball 

court—but the impact she’s making is 

still a part of an incredible legacy. P 

Coach P, her husband, 

John, and children 

Maddie and Jack on 

a family vacation. 

Secret Warrior is available online at 

Amazon.com and in audiobook format at 

Audible.com. 

to get better for my daughter,” she says. 

“That made me accept my condition and 

become willing to take the steps I needed 

to get well.” 

Those steps meant finding a psychologist 

and starting medications that would 

correct the chemical imbalances in her 

brain causing the bipolar disorder. “I still 

didn’t want to take the meds right away,” 

McCallie admits. 

As effective as treatment was, there was 

a point when McCallie stopped taking her 

medication. The result was another episode—this 

time of depression rather than 

mania. “I learned a lot from that,” she 

says. “I realized that this was my life and 

I needed to manage it.” 

Her plan forward included finding a psychiatrist 

who was more relatable to her, 

someone who explained the unique qualities 

of her brain. “She showed me that it 

wasn’t all bad, that I’m smart, creative, 

organized and motivated as well as a highperformer,” 

McCallie says. “She was also 

very convinced that if I took control of my 

bipolar, I’d be better than I’d ever been.” 

Taking control did, indeed, catapult her 

success even further, making her a more 

effective coach and improving her relationships 

with her players. Naturally, that 

translated into wins on the court. “I realized 

that when I’d gone off my meds and 

wasn’t taking care of myself, I was letting 

my team down,” McCallie notes. 

She spent the next two decades coaching 

her teams to success, and after 28 years 

of head coaching, McCallie hung up her 

whistle and sat down to write. “I’d moved 

to Durham, North Carolina, and been at 

Duke University for 13 years by then, and 

my career was just at that point where it 

was winding down,” she explains of what 

inspired her to write a book as open as Secret 

Warrior. “It was incredibly cathartic, 


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newsmaker 

A Wrinkle in Time 

(November 2022), 

directed by Lindsay 

Garner Hostetler. 

This is the first 

production in the 

Theatre for Young 

Audiences (TYA) 

Program. 

THE ORIGINS OF THEATRE 

in the West trace back to ancient 

Greece, where Athenians performed 

in community festivals, 

sharing in rites and rituals at 

the temple of Dionysus. Still today, there 

remain extant texts of 5th and 6th century 

B.C. playwrights. These performances were 

central to the lives of early Greeks, who 

recognized theatrical expression as a 


In the Spirit of 

Giving 

Mountain Theatre Company launches its 

Theatre for Young Audiences program 

By KRISTIN E. LANDFIELD 

means for communal sympathy. Theatre 

served as a method to understand the 

lives of humans in relation to the gods and 

their fellows. 

Records of gift-giving date back even further. 

Many anthropologists and evolutionary 

neuroscientists believe that early hominids 

exchanged gifts as a means of bonding 

and reciprocal altruism. Such gifts established 

connections within communities and 

therefore promoted survival. Gifts remain a 

significant way in which we express affection, 

gratitude and commitment. They are 

for celebration, condolence and mending 

fractured bonds. 

The Mountain Theatre Company (MTC) 

embraces not only excellent theatre but 

also this ancient tradition of giving. This 

season marks 84 years of offerings. It also 

marks the advent of an exciting Theatre for 

Young Audiences program, in which MTC 

will expand its legacy to younger audiences. 

MTC’s executive artistic director, Scott 

Daniel, explains that while the “mountains 

are where we gather to escape and embrace 

the wonders of nature, the theatre is where 

we escape and embrace the gifts and stories 

shared by passionate artists.” These are the 

stories that help us grow, and it is MTC’s 

mission to make them available to our 

youth. 

One of the most wonderful things about 

theatre is its communal nature. Many of us 

consume an overwhelming amount of media 

on small devices, which categorically changes 

the experience from being a member of an 

audience to being an individual follower of 

content. The etymology for theatre derives 

from the Greek verb theasthai, meaning “to 

behold, to observe.” We’re often alone scrolling 

rather than beholding among our fellows. 

Theatre is intimate and immediate. It 

teaches empathy and engagement; it lends 

physical expression to complex archetypes 

of human experience. Willingness to unveil 

our hearts, which is exactly what theatre 

offers, is perhaps our greatest gift to others. 

There is power in vulnerability. Such 

is the art of stage performance: vulnerable 

generosity. 

MTC embarked on its first Theatre for 

Young Audiences performance with A Wrinkle 

in Time, which opened on November 4 

at The Highlands Playhouse. Adapted from 

the Newberry Medal winning novel by Madeleine 

L’Engle, with the playscript by John 

Glore, A Wrinkle in Time tells the timeless 

story of good and evil, the redemptive power 

of love and how those things that make us 

different can be our greatest gifts. This book 

was a treasured gift to me as a young person, 

as it has been to countless readers for 

60 years. 

Director Lindsay Garner Hostetler was 

drawn to this story because “it does not ignore 

the fact that children know darkness,” 

both in the world and in themselves. But it 

also illustrates that children have strength 

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY.

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c (828) 526.6428 | george.raines@sothebysrealty.com 

114 GLR 



N. 4th Street | 114 N. 4th Street | Highlands, NC NC 




114 N. 4th Street | Highlands, NC 


114 N. 4th Street | Highlands, NC 


newsmaker 


and are drawn to and can find “their own 

internal light” and the confidence to “share 

that light in the world.” 

In the play, Meg and Charles Wallace, 

with help from neighbor Calvin, travel in 

time in hopes of finding and rescuing their 

father. They are guided in their journey by 

Mrs. Whatsit, a being of light who had once 

been a star, and Mrs. Who, representing all 

motherly love. In their journey, they must 

lean on each other and their inherent gifts. 

The acting carried the show, with standout 

performances by Kaléa Leverette (Meg), 

Veronica Vale Duffy (Charles Wallace) and 

Shoshana Canali (Mrs. Whatsit). Anquanizia 

Hall and Jacob Elliott, both of whom 

played multiple characters, and Ben Butters 

(Calvin) were likewise superb. Based 

on the standing ovation that followed the 

performance, the audience, young and old 

alike, appeared to agree. 

With the generous support of donors (especially 

local non-profit thrift store Mountain 

Findings), MTC has made this season’s 

Theatre for Young Audiences plays free to 

all school children and their families in Macon, 

Jackson, Rabun & Transylvania counties. 

On its holiday wish list, TMC hopes to 

expand its sponsorship, donor, patron, and 

volunteer support base, especially as they 

move to the Highlands Performing Arts 

Center in 2023. Ticket sales only cover 40% 

of their operating budget, so community 

investment is essential as they continue in 

their 84-year legacy of offering professional 

theatre to our local community. To learn 

more and share in their spirit of community 

giving, go to www.mountaintheatre.com P

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history 

Harnessing The Wild 

Falconry on the plateau with Peter Kipp 

By MANDY MURRY 

falconers are now looking to their practice 

to not only protect and foster wild raptor 

populations but to protect and foster the 

habitats where they thrive. 

The techniques for trapping and training 

birds of prey are thousands of years 

old and what Kipp calls time-tested. They 

have worked for thousands of years, and 

they will work for thousands more. Falconry 

is a practice with an historic impact 

A 

ONCE NOMADIC SURVIVAL 

practice in the arid Arabian 

desert some 4,000 years ago, 

the art of falconry has crossed 

the globe as both a sport and 

a vessel for environmental appreciation. 

For more than 40 years, local Master 

Falconer Peter Kipp has taken his birds to 

schools, camps, assisted living communities, 

libraries, and other public venues, sharing 

his passion for the sport and the connection 

between falconry, the environment and 

healthy ecosystems. Today, Kipp is able to 

take small, intimate groups out to learn about 

falconry and its environmental connection. 

The history of falconry is disputed among 

historians and falconers. There is reason 

to believe that falconry began as early as 

12,000 years ago. Human remains found 

in the Fertile Crescent, where modern-day 

Syria and northern Turkey are located, 

have been associated with mass quantities 

of hawk and eagle bones, suggesting this 

man-and-animal relationship existed prior 

to that of the horse-and-human relationship. 

The ancient technique of falconry has 

played a major role in the saving of critically 

endangered bird of prey species and 

the rehabilitation of sick, injured, and 

abandoned birds of prey. Kipp was licensed 

for raptor rehab back in the early 80s and 

was a volunteer and consultant on the reintroduction 

of the Peregrine Falcon on Whiteside 

Mountain near Highlands in 1987. 

Many falconers such as Kipp are devoted to 

the conservation and protection of our air, 

water, wildlife and habitats. Kipp’s friend, 

mentor, and colleague Jim Fowler of Mutual 

of Omaha's Wild Kingdom is a prime 

example of that. 

Accordingly, some of the world’s earliest 

known avian conservation laws, as far 

back as the 14th century, were established 

for the protection of prized falconry species. 

Drawing on this centuries-long legacy, 


Hooded Venus, 

a Peregrine 

Falcon. 

Buckminster Fuller at Black Mountain College, ca. 1948-1949. 

PHOTO TAMMI NOWACK

PHOTOS CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

Four-year-old 

falconer. 

Outing with Pete Kipp. 

on mankind, complementary to the impact 

of horses and dogs, only these birds of prey 

cannot be domesticated, which means they 

are acquired from their natural habitat or 

captive bred. Falconers have a connection 

to and understanding of the environment 

and thus recognize the natural capabilities 

of falcons, hawks and other birds of prey. 

At the age of eight, Kipp stood eye-locked 

with a blood-red-eyed Northern Goshawk 

in the forest of his family’s Connecticut 

property. The raptor, protecting a nearby 

nest, made all sorts of commotion to ward 

him off, but Kipp, in awe, stood steadfast. 

With encouragement from his father, the 

two pulled Birds of America and Encyclopedia 

Britannica off the shelf to look up the 

bird and falconry, and that was it for Kipp. 

Falconry became his calling and lifelong 

passion. At 12, Kipp caught his first Redtailed 

Hawk from the wild, a ritual of becoming 

a falconer, and he has never looked 

Pete Kipp discussing 

how a feather is a 

miracle of creation. 

back. Kipp now has 52 years of training 

and experience and is a sought-after educator 

in the field. 

Falconry is not so much about a successful 

hunt as it is about a successful flight, 

which is a direct result of the training process. 

Falconry is a practice, each flight its 

own accomplishment and learning experience. 

It takes patience, time and education. 

It is an act of love, an act of “harnessing 

the wild,” which Kipp has been doing for 

decades on the plateau. 

Kipp and then falconry apprentice Jeff 

Curtis of Curtis Wright Outfitters started 

Curtis Wright Falconry in 2014, one of only 

20 or so outfits in the United States federally 

licensed for falconry education. Jeff is 

now a Master Falconer as well, and both offer 

a unique experience to get up close and 

personal with these incredible beauties. 

During an outing, one can expect a 

magical experience working with the 

winged ones and a glimpse into a mystical 

tradition and working relationship 

between man and animal. Many of Kipp’s 

clients use the words magical, spiritual 

and healing. I have had the opportunity to 

experience this great adventure. Having a 

raptor take flight and return to your arm 

is such an incredible moment. Words cannot 

express the royalty of this sport or how 

it feels to lock eyes with such a creature. 

Understanding is experiential. 

“In nature, everything is interconnected 

and interdependent,” Kipp explains. “Nature 

is a wonderfully perfect place, and 

all things have a purpose. Hawks are cool, 

falcons and eagles are cool, and we use all 

those in falconry, but they are no cooler 

than a cricket, snake, mouse or tree. The 

Predator/Prey relationship is one of the 

most important relationships as only the 

fastest, strongest and smartest escape the 

predator. Therefore only they reproduce, 

keeping the integrity of the gene pool of the 

prey species at its highest level.” 

Kipp challenges people's preconceived notions 

of animal intelligence and sentience. 

Each bird is unique and extremely intelligent, 

with its own likes, dislikes, and idiosyncrasies 

- not so very different from us. 

Falconry has taught Kipp many things 

but the most important lesson is a love for 

all creatures great and small, and a desire 

to share that love. P 

Contact Info: 

Master Falconer Peter Kipp 

828.553.5063 

Falconerpete58@gmail.com 

Curtiswrightoutfitters.com/falconry 

Master Falconer Jeff Curtis 

jeffcurtiscwo@gmail.com 

828.645.8700 

Curtiswrightoutfitters.com/falconry 


art seen 

From Loss to Joy 

Encaustic Painter Penny Pollock is as multi-layered as her art 

By KIM HENRY » Photos by DYLAN LYTLE 

EXPERIENCING THE WORLD 

as an invitation to artistically 

express yourself will lead to 

a colorful life story. This is 

certainly true of Highlands/ 

Cashiers artist, Penny Pollock, who wears, 

writes, collects, explores and researches 

the arts with every step she takes. 

Having always been drawn to textiles, 

the mysticism of other cultures, her own 

deep connection to nature and the power of 

words, Pollock weaves layer after layer of 

these elements, together with fragments of 

her own story, to bring heartfelt encaustic 

creations into the world. 

Despite having had more than her fair 

share of tragedy, Pollock comes from a 

place of joy and feels compelled to “spread 

the celebration of kindness” through her 

whimsical, multimedia encaustic art. The 

path to discovering this ancient medium, 

however, was neither straightforward nor 

predictable. One could say, it found her 

when she most needed to be found. 

Pollock was born in Rye, a small town in 

New York state, surrounded by beauty and 

countryside although her childhood was less 

than idyllic. When she was just eight years 

old, her mother left the family home, forcing 

Pollock to find solace in her love of dancing, 

fashion and animals. Although challenging, 

Pollock, who has always been inclined toward 

joy and survival, kept her gaze forward. 


(Opposite:) Penny Pollock at work in her 

Highlands studio; (Left:) Maasai Warrior 

by Penny Pollock; (Above:) Penny Pollock’s 

encaustic process. 

As an adult, Pollock found herself in 

San Francisco and then, drawn to the 

bright lights of the Big Apple, New York 

City where she pursued a career as a 

fashion designer. While in New York, she 

became fashion director of Mattel’s Barbie 

magazine and styled the celebrities for 

the Muppets magazine and TV show. “The 

children kept me sane,” exclaims Pollock 

with her warm laugh. Pollock knows all 

about warmth. She exudes it. 

But Pollock had more adventures ahead 

of her. Determined to explore her interest 

in indigenous cultures, particularly 

women and their artifacts, Pollock traveled 

the world. She collected elements of tribal 

art by the Maasai of East Africa and the 

Berber tribes of the Sahara. She connected 

with the artisans of India, Bhutan and Morocco 

where she fell in love with the woven 

fabric. Little could Pollock know that the 

stories of the people she met, the cultures 

she experienced and the treasures she 

brought home would all one day become 

aspects of a newly found art form. 

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art seen 

A love for travel doesn’t mean Pollock 

isn’t a nester. She is, and 16 years ago, she 

found the perfect nest in the mountains of 

North Carolina. “I just felt my soul sing 

when I got to these mountains,” shares Pollock 

with certitude. When walking through 

her home, one can almost hear her sing, her 

essence laid bare at every turn, each artifact 

or painting selected or created with 

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precision and love, all cradled by breathtaking 

views of Whiteside Mountain. In 

the comfort of this new nest, she could feel 

something calling her, the need for a new 

art form that allowed her to express her 

whole self. But it would take over a decade 

and a heart-breaking loss for her to find it. 

Clay had been Pollock’s primary medium, 

but the endless “waiting game” involved in 

the ceramic process (wait for the clay to 

dry, kiln to fire, glaze to set….) made her 

curious about other artistic outlets. Then 

tragedy hit again. She lost her only child. 

Many cannot endure such loss, but Pollock 

is a fighter. She is drawn to light. 

Winter Hours: 

Tuesday – Saturday 

11:00am – 4:45pm 

Weather Permitting 

CLOSED SUNDAY 

44 Village Walk Way 

Cashiers, NC 

828.743.6267 

(Above:) Collection of Penny Pollock’s 

encaustic art in her Highlands studio; 

(Opposite:) Words to the Wise by Penny 

Pollock. 

As part of her grieving process, she attended 

a workshop at The Bascom, a center 

for visual arts in Highlands, NC. Here Sue 

Fazio introduced her to encaustic art and 

all its delicious complexity, aligning Pollock 

with what may be her deepest calling 

to date. Pollock instantly resonated with 

the tactile, hands-on immediacy and flexibility 

of this method. Like the mountains, 

it spoke to her. “Through the layers of 

encaustic art, I can carve, paint, add my 

treasures from around the world, tell stories 

and spread joy. I’m also crazy about 

bees and the element of fire, so it just all 

clicked,” Pollock explains, her voice overflowing 

with gratitude. 

Yes, gratitude. Gratitude in the face of unimaginable 

loss - spreading joy to find it again. 

Encaustic art has a long history, which 

also spoke to Pollock. This fascinating medium 

was developed by the ancient Greeks 

and used by the Egyptians. The encaustic 

process utilizes beeswax, paint pigments 

and tree resin, which are shaped by heating 

and molding with fire. Melting the first 

layer of beeswax, Pollock smooths it onto a 

wooden board where she adds layer after

layer of color, words, objects and stories, 

carving and shaping as she goes, to produce 

her multi-media 3D creations. 

Her process begins with her own blog, inspired 

by affirming quotes. Steeped in symbolism, 

Pollock’s work has many reoccurring 

themes. Animals feature largely, inspired by 

the messages and associations they carry for 

her. Owls speak of wisdom and transitioning 

from this world, foxes of cleverness and 

tenacity and crows of transformation, intelligence, 

fearlessness and a higher perspective. 

Honoring the wisdom of women from 

around the world is another focus for Pollock. 

One of her latest exhibits was an 

homage to Terry Tempest Williams, who 

suggests in her memoir that women were 

once birds, and they sang at dawn and 

dusk to remind the world to celebrate joy. 

All of this circles us back to Pollock’s dedication 

to spreading joy, or perhaps better 

said, layering joy, her hands busy at work, 

sorting through her own loss and finding 

the love and joy that lay deep beneath it. 

The art of this talented, creative and 

resilient woman can be found on magazine 

covers, in Pop-Up shows at The Bascom, online 

through her website, and at her studios. 

Always up for adventure and immersing 

herself in each chapter of life, Pollock is 

now based half the year in the mountains 

and half in balmy Florida. Pollock has a 

studio in both places, where she creates, 

surrounded by nature. Her work exudes a 

childlike wonder of the world with all its 

diversity and the sheer miracle of being 

alive. Her piece titled Spread Your Wings 

reminds us to do just that, and to do it 

again and again. Despite the challenges 

life may throw our way, there’s always 

beauty, joy and kindness to be shared. P 

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southern drawl 

One Young Mind 

RIGHT NOW, IT IS ALL TOO 

easy to focus on the shortages. 

You can’t turn on the news 

without hearing of something 

being hard to find or future 

expectations falling short. It’s easy to get 

mired down, to feel a little less hopeful. 

But there is plenty of abundance right in 

front of us, and in this very community 

there is no shortage of people working hard 

to keep hope alive. At the forefront of that 

noble mission is Texas transplant-turned- 

at a Time 

The tale of a Texan’s path to North Carolina and 

how he’s changing the world 

By BRITTANY CONLEY » Photos by CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

local, Carl Hyde, whose goal is to see to it 

that students and teachers at Blue Ridge 

School and Early College have everything 

they need to be successful. 

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of talking 

to Carl, you’ll have undoubtedly picked 

up on his deeply southern accent with its 

Texan twist. That specific drawl and cadence 

is unmistakable and has the ability 

to both put people at ease and make them 

sit back and listen to whatever Mr. Hyde 

has to say–and is all the explanation one 

needs to understand why his nickname is, 

fittingly, Rawhyde. 

As a little boy born in Lubbock, Carl had 

a big imagination and believed his future 

would involve wrangling beef cattle or 

conquering a corner of the oil industry, but 

after his father came back from the Philippines 

at the end of World War II and his 

family moved to Midland, TX, new experiences 

and interests took Rawhyde on a different 

path. Focused on an education, Carl 

graduated from Texas Tech University, 

which served as a springboard for the next 

chapter in his life. 

The most influential thing to happen to 

Carl wasn’t making a name for himself 

in the paper industry, which he did in his 

25-year tenure with the Scott Paper Company, 

or even bravely and proudly serving 

his country in the Army Reserve, which 

he did from 1962 to 1968. It was meeting 

and marrying the love of his life, Barbara, 

who was the catalyst for all of his very best 

adventures. 

Carl and Barbara married in 1963, and 

59 years later the admiration and love they 

have for one another is undeniably the 

most present thing in the room. As their 

family grew with the addition of their two 

sons, Billy and Ken, the Hydes made a leap 

of faith and moved to Atlanta in 1968. In 

1985, Carl took the reins as Vice President 

of Sales and Marketing for the produce 

processor, Dixon Tom-A-Toe Company. The 

very-much-a-Texan Rawhyde and his family 

found themselves among the Georgia 

Peaches for almost 40 years. 

During the decades in Atlanta, Carl and 

Barbara often travelled to the plateau and, 

as avid golfers and tennis players, spent 

plenty of time teeing off at the illustrious 

greens and country clubs of the Highlands- 

Cashiers Plateau, a respite that spoke to 

them immediately. When Dixon Tom-A-Toe 

Company sold in 1999, Mr. Hyde decided it 

was high time to slow down and enjoy all 

life has to offer with his family. It didn’t 

take long after retiring to realize that in 

order to truly enjoy the things that meant 

the most to them, a genuine change of pace 

and scenery was in order. There was little, 

if any, debate about their new destination, 

Blue Ridge School, Art, Elementary School 


Carl Hyde 

Volunteer President of 

the Blue Ridge School 

Education Foundation, Inc. 

» Hometown: 

Midland, Texas 

.» Education: Graduated 

Texas Tech University with 

a Bachelor of Business 

Administration with a 

Major in Marketing and 

Minor in Economics. 

» Family: Married to Barbara 

in 1963. They have 

two sons, Billy and Ken, 

and four grandchildren. 

» Local Affiliations:: 

Cashiers United Methodist 

Church, Cashiers Valley Rotary 

Club, Cashiers Rotary 

Club Charities, Inc., The 

Country Club of Sapphire 

Valley, Blue Ridge School 

Education Foundation, Inc. 

» Fun Fact: 

Played trumpet and cornet in 

marching band in high school. 


southern drawl 

(Above:) Blue Ridge School, Art, Elementary School; (Below:) Blue Ridge School Baseball cap. 

and in 2004, Carl and Barbara Hyde became 

permanent residents of the plateau 

with their new home in Sapphire. 

Since planting roots in these hills, Mr. 

Hyde has found far more than golfing to 

occupy his time and talents, though golf 

is still very much a favorite pastime and 

occasional conduit for the good works to 

which he has devoted himself. While active 

in many local organizations, the heart 

of Mr. Hyde’s passion lies in his work with 

the group of volunteers that make up the 

non-profit organization Blue Ridge School 

Education Foundation, in which Mr. Hyde 

volunteers his time as president. 

“It’s all about the kids,” says Hyde, 

whose deep, languid voice ticks a bit faster 

as he speaks with great pride in his team, 

all of whom volunteer their time, and the 

incredible achievements they’ve enjoyed 

working in tandem with the Blue Ridge 

School to meet its most urgent needs. 

“The mission of our foundation is to supplement 

educational funds for the needs 

of the faculty and the students to make 

sure they have materials and technology 

for classrooms to drive their academic 

achievements. We work in concert with 

the school administration and faculty 

to make sure the students have the best 

materials and most up-to-date technology 

aids available,” he says. 

Among their numerous accomplishments, 

the BRSEF has recently helped to 

expand the offerings of Blue Ridge School 

by funding a second Pre-K classroom, providing 

the necessary materials, furniture, 

and even the funds for hiring the teacher. 

From the earliest beginnings of a child's 

education to the promise of a bright future 

through generous scholarships for graduating 

seniors, Mr. Hyde and his team have 

a clear vision of the importance of their 

work and the impact it has on the plateau 

for decades to come. 

While Mr. Hyde may seem focused 

solely on quality education, the truth is 

he has a much broader picture in mind: 

the betterment of the entire community. “I 

have always been a believer that a community 

needs strong schools to be viable. 

And a strong school system can’t survive 

and grow without a community to believe 

in it,” he says. Well-educated graduates 

often either stick around or come back to 

the plateau and start their families and 

businesses here, creating a symbiotic relationship, 

a fact hardly lost on Mr. Hyde 

and his team. 

Mr. Hyde takes great interest in all aspects 

of his growing community. He works 

with local authorities toward sustainable 

growth and takes part in charitable golf 

tournaments for any number of causes, 

including the humane society, Cashiers 

Cares and The Country Club of Sapphire 

Valley (CCSV) Cares. He also supports 

the grassroots effort to fund and implement 

a second location for the Glenville- 

Cashiers rescue group. It’s a lot for anyone 

to take on, but Carl and Barbara do so 

with open hearts simply out of love for the 

place they call home. “We’re communityoriented 

people. We love living up here full 

time. We made the right choice; it’s a great 

community. It’s interesting to watch these 

places grow and go forward,” says Hyde. 

Whether you call him Carl, Mr. Hyde, or 

you are close enough to call him Rawhyde, 

perhaps Mr. Hyde’s favorite monikers are 

Dad and Pop, a name coined by his four 

beloved grandchildren. As much as he 

does for the residents of the Highlands- 

Cashiers Plateau, his heart is steadfastly 

devoted to his family. He always has them 

in mind, hoping to build a legacy they will 

be proud of. And for those who live here, 

even if you’ve never met him or heard his 

name until this moment, he has touched 

your lives through his incalculable good 

works. It feels strange to refer to Carl 

Hyde as a transplant to the plateau. Even 

though he was born and raised in Texas 

and spent nearly four decades in Georgia, 

his heart and soul are embedded here. 

His efforts are intrinsically woven into 

the tight-knit community we all know 

and love. Oh, what a world it would be 

if every community had a pillar like our 

Carl Hyde. P 


shopping fashion entertaining 

Fashion 

at the Farm 

A holiday outing at Bear Valley Farm 

See page 50 

PHOTO CHELSEA CRONKRITE 


shopping 

An Artist’s Eye 

Eclectic, modern style at Annawear 

By JUDY ROYAL 

ANNA HERZ WAS A COUPLE 

years out of college and 

fiddling around with some 

ideas when she launched 

Annawear in 1986. Now, 36 

years later, the business has moved and 

changed its focus, but it’s still going strong. 

“When I started, it was really just kind 

of a fluke,” Herz said. “It just sort of kept 

evolving a little bit along the way.” 

With an art background from Centre College 

in Danville, KY, Herz started painting 

clothes for fun in the 80s when it was a hot 

fashion trend. After selling a few items to 

friends, she decided to expand her efforts 

into a business opportunity and opened a 

small store along Main Street in Highlands. 

A representative from clothing lines at 

the Atlanta apparel market stopped in one 

day and liked Herz’s clothing so much that 

he offered to represent it at the market, 

so she began manufacturing a variety of 

items and selling them across the country 

to different boutiques. The tiny retail shop 

continued to operate, but the focus became 

shipping to other stores. 

In need of more space, Annawear moved 

into the former Galax Theatre building in 

1991 and continues to operate there today. 

Eventually Herz felt the hand-painted look 

was waning in popularity, so she traded 

producing clothing for curating and buying 

items to create a retail store that strives to 

excite women of all ages and budgets. 

“We try to keep it eclectic,” Herz said. “I 

don’t think we have a typical customer. We 

try to reach a lot of different demographics 

with the variety we have in here. We are 

constantly getting feedback and a feel for 

what people like, and we try to make those 

adjustments as we go.” 

The appeal often spans generations. Herz 

said it’s not unusual for a teenage daughter 

to come in with her mom and grandma, with 

all of them finding something they love. 


Vibrant winter streetwear. 

PHOTOS CHELSEA CRONKRITE; JOHNNY KRAWCHECK

“That really makes us feel good when 

that happens,” she said. 

In fact, Herz said the best part of owning 

Annawear is the relationships she has 

formed over the years. 

“You just meet so many people and hear 

about their lives and get to know them a little 

bit, and that’s really nice,” she said. “It’s always 

evolving, and there’s never a boring day. 

Every day is different, and I love that." 

Customers will find lots of premium 

denim at Annawear – including brands 

such as Mother, Joe’s, Hudson, AG and 

Citizens of Humanity – and other clothing 

from brands such as Free People, Z Supply, 

Daydreamer, Michael Stars, Sage the Label 

and Steve Madden. The shop also carries 

accessories and shoes from Shu Shop, 

Matisse and Diba. The intent is to “keep it 

fun,” Herz said. 

Being a successful entrepreneur for over 

three decades is no small feat, and Herz is 

quick to give credit to her family and staff. 

She said her husband, Patrick, has been a 

big part of the operation since the beginning, 

and her kids Lucy and Ezra grew up 

in the business. Herz said her employees, 

including Manager Tracy Roman, have 

been instrumental in making Annawear 

what it is today. 

“Tracy has been a big part of the evolution 

and spirit of the business since the 

very early days,” she said. “We often joke 

that we are like an old married couple. She 

is responsible for all of our denim buying, 

and if you are looking for jeans in the Highlands 

area Tracy is a great denim consultant. 

In fact, we call her the Jean Genie.” 

Herz said her daughter-in-law Katie Herz 

Winter jackets and boots. 

Jean selection, 

for which the 

store is known. 

has also been a great addition to the business. 

“Not only is Katie wonderful at sales in 

the shop, but she is also in charge of our social 

media presence,” she said. “We have a 

wonderful staff overall that includes other 

family members from my family as well as 

Tracy’s family and others who are so special 

they become like family.” 

Chat with Herz for a few minutes and her 

love for what she does is clear. In addition 

to her glowing words, what she doesn’t say 

also speaks volumes. When asked about 

the challenges of owning the business, 

Herz struggles to come up with a response. 

“You have your ups and downs for sure,” 

she said. “You have to be willing to work 

hard and put in the effort. I just feel so 

lucky and fortunate with my business and 

happy with the way things have gone that 

it’s hard to think of a lot of negatives.” P 

Katie Herz, Anna Herz 

(owner) and Tracy 

Roman (Manager). 

Winter 

collection and 

graphic tees. 

More about 

Annawear 

» Owner: Anna Herz 

» Services: Women’s clothing, 

shoes and accessories 

» Location: 355 Main St., 

Highlands, NC 

» Contact Info: 

828.526.4660 

www.annawearnc.com 

www.facebook.com/annawearnc 

@annawearnc 


A Holiday Outing 

at Bear Valley Farm 

On Her: Black Tibetan 

Lamb Muff $249; 

Richard Grand Floral 

Cashmere Scarf $595; 

Mac Wide Leg Jean 

$249; Manto Lambskin 

Suede Jacket $1395; 

Volle Blanche Marah 

Fur Sneakers $319. 

On Him: Ruth Graves 

Baby Alpaca Scarf 

$345; Alpaca Wool 

Shirt Jacket $599; Raffi 

Cashmere Sweater 

$395; Smith Cotton 

Cashmere Shirt $225; 

Brax Corduroy Trouser 

$198; Alan Payne 

Leather Boot $325. 

All from TJ Bailey’s 

in Cashiers and 

Highlands. 


Photography: 

CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

Models: KATHI ODOM 

and BRIAN OSBORNE of 

Ursula Wiedmann Models 

Special thanks to Bear 

Valley Farm for offering 

up their beautiful 

Christmas tree farm 

Metric Reversible Fur Vest in 

Navy $305; Metric Knits Crew 

Neck in Pewter $105; Joseph 

Ribkoff Multiprint Pant in 

Navy $215. All from Spoiled 

Rotten in Highlands. 


Kinross Isla Cashmere 

Sweater $352; Cortland 

Park Cashmere and Down 

Vest $352; Top it Off wool 

hat with Sherpa Lining $24; 

Leather Shield Cuff bracelet 

$44. All from Gracewear 

Boutique in Cashiers. 


Kinross Cashmere Pleated 

Cable Funnel Neck in 

Mushroom $490; Linda Ross 

Rabbit Puffer in Champagne 

$1150; Edwin Highrise Flare 

in Tangled $198; Linda 

Richards Cashmere Fur Pom 

Hat in Cream $122; Linda 

Richards Cashmere Fur Pom 

Gloves in Cream $98. All 

from Wit’s End in Highlands. 


Tractr Jeans $90; 

Shiraleah Dora Cape 

$49; Johnny Was Bethau 

Blouse $340. All from 

A Jones in Cashiers. 



entertaining 

Elevate the Holiday Experience 

Creating an inviting table makes everyone feel at home 

By JUDY ROYAL » Photos by CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

EVERYONE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS, BUT THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE 

entertaining know it’s just as important to prepare a feast for the eyes when hosting festive gatherings. Setting the table like it's a 

standard weeknight dinner just won't do for the holidays, but not to worry. There are several locally owned retailers ready to help you 

wow your guests the moment they walk into the dining room. Centerpieces, glassware, flatware, linens, serving plates and decorative 

finishing touches come together to create tablescapes that transform your event from mundane to memorable. 

Acorns 

212 S. 4th St., Highlands 

acornshighlandsnc.com 

FEATURING LUXURY SHOPping 

in a rustic downtown 

Highlands setting, Acorns 

offers furniture and home 

décor in both contemporary 

and antique styles. You’ll discover an 

abundance of choices, from fun and eclectic 

finds to upscale and elegant showstoppers. 

“We love entertaining at the holidays and 

sharing these special moments with loved 

ones, people we don’t get to see on a regular 

basis, making new memories and just being 

together," Acorns Assistant Manager Sinead 

Proscia said. “Creating a festive tablescape 

is always so much fun because it just 

adds that extra elegance to your home, and 

it elevates the holiday experience. It’s such 

a fun way to add your personality. You can 

build on your collection each year to create 

these beautiful traditions that are personal 

to you and your home.” 

The Acorns staff has created a Christmas-colored 

tablescape filled with the new 

holiday collection from Juliska, a brand 

that invites you to “overdo it a little” with 

layers of texture, color and patterns when 

it comes to holiday festivities. The artwork 

on the plateware is hand-illustrated with 

the mythical folklore of the North Pole; the 

workshop, elves, village, Santa’s cottage and 

more enliven the classic shapes. The glass 

trees from Simon Pearce, a signature of the 


brand, come in a range of sizes and styles. 

From small, sapling-sized to stately and 

tall, they can be clear, dusted with “snow,” 

wrapped, dappled or silvered. Scattered 

throughout the place settings are decorative 

berries, fruits, candy canes, pinecones 

and nuts as well as shimmering ornaments. 

This winter wonderland on a table sets the 

tone for a traditional, yet impressive holiday 

gathering. 

Featured items include: Juliska Berry 

& Thread plates, ramekins, mugs, platter 

and side plates; Simon Pearce evergreen 

hand-blown glass Christmas trees; Bodrum 

table linens, including Pearls placemats in 

Forest/Red.

they walk through the door. What better 

way to do just that than a festive, lovingly 

curated dining table? It’s just an elevated 

experience.” 

Many people are now getting back into 

gathering and entertaining following more 

than two years of COVID restrictions. So, 

with family and friends visiting more, a 

terrific tablescape is once again a priority. 

Preferring more of a “comfortable elegance,” 

Stephanie said she always wants 

her table to feel welcoming and inviting 

rather than full of fragile items everyone 

is afraid to touch. The family put together 

a tablescape incorporating durable dishes 

and flatware that can go right in the dishwasher 

when the meal is over. Their love 

for animals is evident with touches that 

include owls, cardinals and elks, and each 

place setting includes an ornament that 

guests may take home. 

“It’s a gift, and it’s something pretty for 

the table,” Stephanie said. “I love this dual 

functionality.” 

Featured items include: Skyros Designs 

Isabella plates on top; Skyros Designs Cantaria 

plates underneath; Spode ornaments 

at each place setting; Skyros Designs Porto 

Latte stainless-steel flatware; Skyros Designs 

Abigail glassware; Pom Pom at Home 

linens and placemats; Vagabond House 

pewter owl napkin rings; Vagabond House 

wooden pewter elk ice bucket; Vagabond 

House pewter owl salt and pepper shakers 

on a wooden branch. 

ACP Home Interiors 

1990 Dillard Road, Highlands 

www.acphomeinteriors.com 

ACP HOME INTERIORS, 

showcases furniture and 

accessories in industrial, 

farmhouse, transitional and 

mountain chic designs. The 

family-owned business strives to find 

unique and beautiful items to “feather 

your nest.” Bernard Molyneux founded the 

company in 1983 and ran it with his wife 

Stephanie for many years before their 

daughter Kerri launched the Highlands 

location in 2018. 

“We enjoy being part of the community 

and look forward to people stopping in just 

to say hello,” Stephanie said. “We also work 

hard to keep the store interesting with 

new shipments arriving weekly, so there's 

always something new and exciting to see.” 

“It’s not unusual to see an uptick in people 

buying things for the table this time 

of year,” she said. “I just think it’s nice 

to do something different for the holidays 

because they’re special and you want 

to make people feel special the moment 


entertaining 

ckSWAN 

233 N. 4th St., Highlands 

www.ckswan.com 

ASHLEY HARLLEE, OWNER 

of ckSWAN, describes her 

store as “an established and 

growing fine home furnishings 

and gift store with an emphasis 

in home furnishings and gift needs, custom 

upholstered furniture, bed and bath linens, 

garden, kids, decorative accessories, 

apothecary, garden, books, art and jewelry.” 

The 3,400-square-foot loft-style showroom 

displays her carefully curated collections 

of goods that include both vintage antique 

and contemporary inventory. It has been 

part of the Highlands business community 

since 1989. ckSWAN’s diverse product range 

– which spans locales, eras and styles – 

includes plenty of items to top your table. 

“I enjoy entertaining, especially for friends 

and family,” Harllee said. “I love the creative 

process that goes into preparing a fabulous 

meal and enjoying it on a beautiful table 

setting. A festive tablescape can really set 

the ambiance of the evening. This is often 

accomplished by the layering of color and 

texture in linens, glassware, dinnerware 

and flowers or greenery with the addition of 

candlelight and your own prized collections 

for that more personal touch.” 

“Don’t be afraid to move away from red 

and green for holiday décor that’s just as 

festive as the traditional combination of 

hues,” Harllee added. Her tablescape uses a 

pink, green and brown landscape for dinnerware, 

table linens and plentiful candles of 

all sizes, with whimsical ornaments in the 

deer and color theme at each place setting 

for party favors, a fun keepsake that will 

remind guests of your gathering for years 

to come. A deer centerpiece with ascending 

antlers and flatware reminiscent of branches 

solidify the nature theme, a popular motif 

for mountain living. 

If the deer ornament is not your thing, 

you’ll find plenty of other choices at ck- 

SWAN. The shop has been stocking tree 

adornments since early October in a wide 

array of colors, sizes and styles. 


PHOTO DIANA HERRERA 

Dutchmans 

Casual Living 


www.acphomeinteriors.com 

DUTCHMANS CASUAL 

Living started in Highlands 

22 years ago and now has 

six retail locations in North 

Carolina and Georgia. The 

Highlands location, situated in the bustling 

heart of town, is a two-story building that 

houses a colorful inventory of all things 

home. Striving to provide a wide variety of 

products that will appeal to anyone’s taste, 

Dutchmans offers furniture, lighting, 

rugs, bedding and home goods, including 

plenty of dining décor to make your meals 

memorable. 

“Entertaining brings friends and family 

together, and the absolute joy of planning 

a meal from the table décor to the food 

shows the love you put in and creates 

treasured memories forever,” said Stephanie 

Nieuwendijk-Bramble, founder, owner 

and creative director of Dutchmans. “A 

tablescape for any occasion is made up of 

many layers, starting with a simple tablecloth 

or table runner that can be a neutral 

color, then placing candle holders of varied 

sizes. The candles do not have to all be 

the same. In fact, a mix of pillar and taper 

candles adds dimension. Next intertwine 

garland or fresh Christmas greenery and 

berry branches for a natural look. You can 

always add in a little sparkle with Christmas 

baubles. Place settings can start with 

beautiful chargers and plates and festive 

napkins and napkin rings. The final touch 

is a handmade place card.” 

Featured items include: Colorful and 

festive 12-inch square floral dessert 

plates made of dolomite material featuring 

bright red amaryllis and poinsettia 

mixed with berries and green foliage; 

elegant, blurred-effect optic white wine 

glasses with gold rim; LightLi flameless, 

remote-ready pillar candles in cream with 

melted smooth edges, offering a flame that 

dances like a traditional candle; mango 

wood black candle holders with a square 

base and distressed look. 


entertaining 

The Summer House 


www.summerhousehighlands.com 

THE SUMMER HOUSE HAS 

been a fixture in Highlands since 

1996, when Paula and Barry 

Jones moved their small retail 

storefront in Scaly Mountain to 

35 acres of an old apple orchard to create 

a complete home-furnishing complex. The 

business is a whole-house concept that 

features a variety of showrooms decorated 

into vignettes that can transfer directly into 

customers’ own spaces. 

“The Summer House feels like home,” 

Manager Rebecca McCracken said. “I want 

people to be able to envision that our things 

would be fun to have at their house. We offer 

a comfy, cozy vibe.” 

Customers looking for unique tabletop 

items will find a great selection of specialty 

pieces at The Summer House. “My favorite 

part of entertaining is the decorating,” Mc- 

Cracken said. “Bringing in the little details 

is what really ties a space together. I love 

using nature to inspire those elements. 

Classic style with natural elements never 

leads you astray. Creating an inviting table 

makes all your family and friends feel at 

home, and I want everyone to feel comfortable 

at my table.” 

The Summer House put together a traditional 

rustic tablescape that can work in 

mountain homes throughout the year, but it 

offers elements that can be interchanged for 

more festive touches during the holidays. A 

classic pattern with lots of natural texture, 

it features a neutral plaid placemat with 

a twig overlay, followed by a classic green 

charger. The highlight is the animal-themed 

plates complemented by small wreaths and 

a simply folded neutral plaid napkin. 

“If you have a great timeless setting, you 

can always bring in the holiday elements 

throughout the rest of the table,” McCracken 

said. “To make the tablescape ready for the 

holiday season, incorporate red placemats 

and napkins into the setting to make it perfect 

for Christmas. If you have great plates 

and silverware, then it makes it easier to 

bring in the holiday touches.” 

Featured items include: Vietri Wildlife 

dinnerware; Lucaris titanium crystal glassware; 

faux Oregon juniper candle rings for 

the wreaths. P 


Your Winter Getaway 

is Closer Than You Think 

Classic, award-winning Inns for the perfect holiday respite 

By MARIANNE LEEK 

AS THE DAYS BECOME SHORTER, A LAYER OF FROST COVERS THE GROUND, PROMISES OF 

snow flurries linger in the chilly evening air, and most of us gather indoors with family and friends in anticipation 

of the holidays. However, with winter break just around the corner, a weekend getaway is a guaranteed respite 

from the bustle and busyness of the season. Sometimes the best escapes are far from the ordinary, but not too far 

from the familiar, and still feel remarkably like home. Whether you’re planning a girls' weekend, couples retreat, 

family destination vacation, or solitary sabbatical, these exquisite mountain inns have you covered. 

PHOTO CHRISTIAN GIANNELLI 

Exterior of 

White Birch Inn. 


Mountain Laurel 

Suite at the White 

Birch Inn. 

Hammered 

copper soaking 

tub in the 

Mountain Laurel 

Suite. 

Community 

Gathering area, 

White Birch Inn. 

The White Birch Inn 

Clayton, Georgia 

The White Birch Inn is a boutique hotel 

in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of 

Northeast Georgia. Conveniently located 

on the square in downtown Clayton, the 

White Birch Inn is within walking distance 

of fine dining, wineries, artisans, 

antique stores, boutiques, breweries, and 

simply some of the best shopping in the 

area. This charming downtown feels like 

stepping back in time, complete with many 

of the quaint nuances captured in a Norman 

Rockwell painting. 

The White Birch Inn offers stunning 

luxury accommodations for the most discerning 

traveler. For instance, the Mountain 

Laurel Suite features an in-room 

stone fireplace, cozy down bedding, and an 

elegant bath complete with a hammered 

copper soaking tub, while the Willow Room 

has “an iron king canopy bed, painted to 

look like white birch branches.” Each guest 

room in the inn is a meticulously decorated, 

dreamy space. 

Begin your morning sipping a hot beverage 

on the screened porch, the Hemlock 

sundeck, or the white birch patio. After a 

full á la carte breakfast, spend your day 

shopping downtown or exploring the beautiful 

outdoors of nearby Lake Burton or 

Tallulah Gorge State Park. Consider visiting 

local favorites like Wander North Georgia, 

Universal Joint, Moonrise Distillery, 

Main Street Gallery, Currahee Brewery, 

or the wine bar Napa South, before returning 

late afternoon to complimentary wine 

and cheese in the guest lounge. And don’t 

forget to pick up some freshly baked treats 

at White Birch Provisions before heading 

up to your room. Whether you’re looking 

to learn how to fly-fish, are excited to hit 

the trails, need to relax and recharge, or 

celebrating an anniversary, The White 

Birch Inn has the perfect getaway package 

tailored to meet your recreation requests. 

PHOTOS CHRISTIAN GIANNELLI 


Inn on Montford 

Asheville, North Carolina 

Surrounded by Mountain Laurel, beautiful 

gardens, and hundred-year-old trees, 

it’s hard to believe the historic and beloved 

1900 Inn on Montford is only steps away 

from downtown Asheville. Innkeepers Willy 

and Shawnie Gruber have curated a bed and 

breakfast experience as unique as Asheville 

itself. “Outdoor thrill-seekers, history buffs, 

and art and music aficionados alike all feel 

at home in our expansive Arts and Crafts 

style bed and breakfast.” Book lovers will 

appreciate that guest rooms are named after 

such literary heavyweights as Fitzgerald, 

Wharton, Morris, O’Henry, and Asheville’s 

very own local luminary Thomas Wolfe. 

The carriage house includes three dogfriendly 

guest rooms with private entrances 

and outdoor patio space. At 1,300 square 

feet, the Cloisters, one of the guest rooms 

located in the carriage house, boasts an inroom 

fireplace and heated marble floors, as 

well as a luxury bath. Spend the evening 

taking in the surrounding mountain vistas 

while savoring a glass of wine and relaxing 

in the oversized soaking tub. Zelda's 

retreat, a stunning, 1,100 square foot, twobedroom 

suite located in the main house, 

also offers guests a private entrance and a 

spa-like tub to relax in after a day of adventure. 

Smaller guest rooms are available in 

both the carriage house and the main inn, 

depending on your preferences. 

The Inn on Montford offers premiere accommodations 

without feeling the least bit 

pretentious. Guests will start their day with 

a hot, three-course breakfast, thoughtfully 

prepared and served, using locally sourced, 

farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients whenever 

possible, and with vegetarian and vegan 

options available upon request. 

Whether you spend your day strolling 

downtown, hiking or biking local trails, or 

visiting the nearby Biltmore Estate, you’ll 

enjoy afternoon snacks, refreshments, and 

freshly baked cookies when you return to 

the Inn. But make sure to book your visit 

on a weekend if you want to enjoy the sweet 

Exteriour of the 

Montford Inn. 

PHOTOS CHELSEA LANE PHOTOGRAPHY 

sounds of Appalachian heritage music from 

renowned local artists on the expansive 

front porch or in front of the fireplace every 

Saturday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. The 

Inn’s porch has become a favorite intimate 

“venue.” Over 40 local musicians have 

visited to date, some of whom have played 

with GRAMMY award-winning artists at 

the Grand ole’ Opry and the New Orleans 

Jazz Festival. The Grubers believe that 

“visiting Asheville means not only visiting 

the city but experiencing the culture. For 

us, culture means music and community. 

We are proud to support local artists and 

give them a platform (or at least our front 

porch) to perform.” 

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a 

loved one, or with the family and the family 

dog, Willy and Shawnie are curators of 

hospitality and comfort. 


Local Inns 

Old Edward’s Inn 

On December 15th, guests can enjoy 

Fireside at the Farm: A Holiday 

Evening with Mike Kinnebrew. This 

event is open to the public. The Old 

Edward’s Inn also offers several inclusive 

holiday packages, including 

the following: Winter Slip Away and 

Save, Winter All-inclusive, Comfort 

and Joy and Romantic Mountain Escape. 

To reserve your winter staycation 

or purchase tickets to Fireside at 

the Farm, visit 

www.oldedwardshospitality.com. 

Exteriour of the 

Orchard Inn. 

The Orchard Inn 

Saluda, North Carolina 

Bedroom Suite 

Christmas Eve 

Dinner on The 

Terrace at The 

Orchard Inn. 

“Located where the foothills end and the 

Blue Ridge begins,” The Orchard Inn is a 

historic bed and breakfast in Saluda, North 

Carolina, a small town about 35 minutes 

from downtown Asheville. Recognized as 

a National Historic District for being at 

the top of the Norfolk Southern Railway’s 

Saluda Grade, Saluda is a picturesque 

mountain village that serves as a mecca for 

outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re visiting 

for road biking, whitewater rafting, 

hiking, fly-fishing, zip-lining or shopping, 

you’ll want to stay at The Orchard Inn. 

Featured on PBS, The Orchard Inn has 

a rich local history, originally built in 1926 

“as a summer getaway for railroad employees 

and their families.” Marc and Marianne 

Blazar are the current innkeepers, with 

son Adam Blazar as general manager, and 

they pride themselves on cultivating “the 

perfect combination of charm, elegance, 

and coziness.” Whether you stay in one of 

the nine rooms in the inn, five cottages, or 

two luxury suites, you can rest assured that 

your stay will be nothing less than perfection. 

If you’re traveling with kids, or just 

simply want a more spacious, private, petfriendly 

option, the cottages offer charming 

and cozy accommodations with such amenities 

as fireplaces, soaking/whirlpool tubs, 

private decks, and screened-in porches. Just 

five minutes from downtown Saluda, home 

to outdoor adventure, trendy boutiques, 

local cuisine, general stores and art galleries, 

The Orchard Inn is your perfect “base 

camp” for fun! 

The on-site, award-winning, Newman’s 

Restaurant is a fine dining, farm-to-table, 

experience that is open to the public, but 

as a guest at The Orchard Inn, you’ll enjoy 

a made-to-order gourmet breakfast as part 

of your stay. Newman’s Restaurant also offers 

a delicious dinner and Sunday brunch 

menu, with most seasonal produce sourced 

from their very own organic garden and 

mini-orchard. 

Newman’s Restaurant’s annual Charles 

Dickens’ Dinner is a holiday treat not to 

be missed. This beloved Christmas tradition 

happens every Thursday to Sunday, 

December 1st - 18th, and features a fourcourse 

dinner, ending in candlelight readings 

in front of the fireplace from Charles 

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. However, if 

you can’t book your stay before the Christmas 

holiday, consider ringing in 2023 at 

The Orchard Inn with Newman’s black-tie 

optional New Year’s Eve Gala, which in- 

Park on Main 

The Park on Main is conveniently 

located on Main Street in Highlands 

and offers views of their Central 

Park-inspired hotel garden or balconies 

overlooking the charming streets 

of downtown. “The Park on Main is a 

24-suite luxury, dog-friendly hotel in 

Highlands, NC with an upscale-rustic 

theme, providing an elegant place 

to stay in the southern Appalachian 

Mountains.” To reserve your winter 

staycation, visit 

www.theparkonmain.com. 

High Hampton 

Celebrating 100 years, High Hampton 

is ready to commemorate this 

milestone. “Celebrate the holiday season 

all month long at High Hampton 

with festive crafting, cookie decorating 

every Saturday, holiday movies 

on Christmas Day, and more! On 

Christmas Eve, join us for fireside 

story time with cookies and hot chocolate 

with Mrs. Claus!” To reserve your 

winter staycation, visit 

www.highhampton.com. 

cludes hors-d'oeuvres and a seven-course, 

spectacular dinner. 

On-site spa accommodations, fine dining 

and the coziest of modern amenities, all set 

against the backdrop of the beautiful Blue 

Ridge Mountains, make The Orchard Inn 

the perfect holiday getaway destination. 

The Appalachian mountains of western 

North Carolina and the beautiful Blue 

Ridge Mountains of north Georgia have 

some of the most scenic small towns in 

America. So whether you book a weekend 

adventure in Clayton, Asheville, or Saluda, 

or consider a staycation right here on the 

plateau, your next winter getaway is much 

closer than you think. P 

PHOTOS MARC BLAZER 


The Power of Water 

in Western North Carolina 

Duke Energy and the future of hydroelectric energy in the region, Part Two 

By BEN WILLIAMSON, DUKE ENERGY » Photos by CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

IN PART ONE (OCT/NOV ISSUE), BEN WILLIAMSON EXPLAINED THE HISTORY OF HYDROELECTRIC 

energy in western North Carolina, including its profound impact on World War II. Initially the hydroelectric sites 

served the primary function of electric generation. However, as Duke Energy worked to relicense each of these products, 

the objectives broadened. Part Two discusses the public and its interests, and how Duke Energy plans to proceed in 

the FERC 1 relicensing process. Hydro power allows Duke Energy to both provide electricity and support communities. 

Duke Energy’s hydro projects now operate 

under FERC licenses with certain requirements 

that benefit the public and ensure 

public safety. FERC licenses come with 

an expectation for comprehensive development 

and use of the waterway. 

Each license regulates how the utility 

operates. For example, there are maximum 

and minimum lake level limits along with 

times and flow rates for scheduled recreational 

flow releases. Duke Energy maintains 

a website, www.duke-energy.com/ 

lakes, where all this information can be 

found. The lakes also help manage flooding 

events, and the stations help the company 

prepare and respond to them. 

These FERC licenses also require applicable 

water quality standards to be met, 

preservation and creation of aquatic habitats, 

protection of cultural resources and 

more. 

Allen Nicholson, Sarah Korellis, 

Phil Postell in front of one of 

the two Pelton turbine wheels 

and single generator inside the 

Thorpe Powerhouse – Thorpe is 

the beautiful brick building on 

highway 107 between Cashiers 

and Sylva. 


The recreation component of these projects 

is never more apparent than in western 

North Carolina. An entire industry relies on 

the predictable recreation flow releases, and 

the lake and river access areas required by 

the licenses and stakeholder agreements. 

Visits to the river and lakes have only increased 

in recent years as people rediscovered 

the outdoors during the COVID-19 

pandemic. 

Benefits to the habitat and environment 

are also provided by these hydro stations. 

“We are having to adapt to all the changes 

that come along with new licenses. The 

amount of work that it takes to meet license 

requirements is so much different now. People 

used to not care about the effects of lake 

levels, water quality, and recreaction flow 

releases. Twenty-five years ago, Bear Creek 

Lake had a few homes; now it has dozens,” 

said Allen Nicholson, lead engineering 

technologist for 11 of Duke Energy’s hydroelectric 

plants throughout the Blue Ridge 

Mountains. 

A portion of the spillway gates 

at Thorpe dam. Lake Glenville 

is on the other side of these 

gates. These are the gates that 

open to spill water during 

recreational releases – causing 

the popular High Falls to turn 

into a kayaker paradise. Lake 

Glenville is the water source 

for the Thorpe Powerplant. 

Duke Energy is leading one 

of the most ambitious clean 

energy transformations in 

the industry, targeting 70% 

reduction in carbon dioxide 

emissions levels by 2030 in 

the Carolinas and net-zero 

carbon emissions by 2050. 

“You used to go up to these lakes, like 

Lake Glenville and Nantahala Lake, and 

they were empty. You would see maybe one 

or two docks. Now there is a dock on every 

lot,” said Kevin Holland, a Duke Energy 

Lake Services representative and Franklin 

native. “These lakes have brought people 

here. They were the hidden gems. Then 

people discovered how pretty the lakes were 

and wanted to move here. These pristine, 

beautiful lakes would not exist without our 

hydro plants.” 

“Duke Energy is proud to support some of 

the best public recreation around my community. 

Whether it is a summer visit to The 

1 

FERC is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 

which is the agency that regulates the transmission 

and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas 

in interstate commerce. Of the 28 hydroelectric 

stations that Duke Energy owns and operates, 11 sit 

within about two hours of Cashiers. Seven of those 

exist within four different licenses regulated and 

enforced by FERC. 


A view looking downstream from 

the Thorpe spillway. This area is 

overcome with white water during 

a recreational release from Lake 

Glenville. Lake Glenville is the water 

source for the Thorpe Powerplant. 

Pines swim beach (Lake Glenville), casting 

a reel at Wishons Fishin' Hole (Nantahala 

River) or paddle-boarding on Bear Creek 

Lake, there are endless possibilities to enjoy,” 

said Sarah Korellis, a Cashiers local 

and a generation project engineer manager 

for Duke Energy. Korellis has been with the 

company for six years. 

Economic Impact 

“I grew up here. I am confident that this region 

wouldn’t look this way today without 

this system of hydro stations. The growth 

around the lakes, the growth around the 

rivers. I couldn’t have imagined how much 

growth came from this,” said Phil Postell, 

who oversees operations at Thorpe Hydro 

Station. “I grew up with these plants. My 

grandfather helped drill the tunnels for 

Legacy Turbine Inlet Valve at Nantahala. 

This device is used to shut off water to 

the unit and was replaced in 2022. 

these systems. This career chose me. I first 

saw an ad in the paper, and I wanted to 

work in the Nantahala powerhouse.” 

Without energy, there is no economy. 

Without power, there is no progress. Electricity 

remains a basic functional need for 

the growth and development of the region. 

Duke Energy worked with federal, state 

and local agencies, along with lake neighbors 

and river stakeholders to adapt operations 

to optimize the electric generation of 

the stations, while also ensuring the public 

interests are met. 

“We understand the economic impact we 

have outside of energy generation and our 

role in being a good neighbor,” said Preston 

Pierce, the General Manager for Duke Energy’s 

11 hydroelectric plants that sit in the 

western footprint. 

Upgrading Hydro Stations 

“Hydro is the cleanest and most efficient 

way to produce electricity. We are spending 

lots of money to bring these hydros up 

to date and into the 21st century, making 

them even more efficient,” said Nicholson. 

Duke Energy additionally spends time 

and resources ensuring its plants are as 

safe and environmentally protective as possible, 

constantly investing to replace gates, 

hoists, valves, transformers and more. 

“We are consistently committing resources 

for projects that will increase the 

reliability, efficiency and lifespan of these 

plants. For me, it is gratifying to also see 

how these projects increase the safety and 

enviormental benefit of these plants,” said 

Korellis. 

At Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station in 

Salem, SC, the four power turbines are being 

upgraded to increase capacity. A similar 

project was just completed on the turbine at 

Tennesee Creek Hydro Station in Tuckasegee, 

NC, and plans to increase the generation 

capacity of many other hydro units are 

in the works. 

“There is still a lot of value in these 

plants,” said Postell. 

The Future 

Duke Energy is leading one of the most 

ambitious clean energy transformations 

in the industry, targeting 70% reduction 

in carbon dioxide emissions levels by 2030 

in the Carolinas and net-zero carbon emissions 

by 2050. 

Hydroelectric energy plays an important 

role in that transition. 

“The hydro generation in western North 

Carolina really was the original renewable 

energy and the foundation for the company 

as it expanded into coal, nuclear and gas in 

the 20th century. Duke Energy is committed 

to a diverse energy mix that will include 

hydro, solar, wind, new nuclear and batteries, 

all of which provide a foundation for a 

cleaner energy future,” said Lisa Leatherman, 

a Duke Energy community relations 

manager. 

As the company continues to add solar 

and wind generation, which are intermittent 

sources depending upon the weather, 

complementing them with reliable and 

quick-starting generation assets will be 

critical. Duke Energy’s fleet of hydroelectric 

plants ensures customers have reliable and 

affordable energy when they need it. 

“The transmission lines and hydroelectric 

units really created the early backbone 

that Duke Energy now uses for the region's 

transmission and distribution as well as 

supporting our grid optimization work,” 

said Leatherman. “We are working on new 

self-healing grid technology to increase the 

resiliency and reliability for the customers 

we serve throughout the Carolinas. That 

technology couldn’t have been envisioned 

when these hydros were first created, but 

even our most advanced technology builds 

upon the infrastructure put in place here a 

century ago.” 

The company started as a hydroelectric 

company, and that history will continue to 

be a vital part of Duke Energy’s overall generation 

profile. 

“If you want to live here, you have to be a 

good neighbor and I think Duke Energy has 

been a good neighbor. The need for a reliable 

power supply cannot be overstated. It is the 

basis of almost everything,” said longtime 

Duke Energy engineer Jerry DeWeese. P 


Living Room of 

The Kingfisher. 

History Becomes Legend 

Flat Mountain Farm welcomes guests with a 

unique rustic-meets-luxury ambiance 

By DAWN LILES » Photos by JUDAH BOLLINGER OF TEMBO HOSPITALITY GROUP 

Stylist, CHRISTY CURCURU OF GROWING STUDIO 

AWARD-WINNING DESIGNER Stylist, MARGARET CHRISTY CURCURU SHUTZE of Growing HAD Studio A VISION, COMBINED WITH THE TALENT, 

determination and resources to make her dream come true. Along with her husband, Chris, a designer and 

furniture maker with an impressive portfolio of custom-crafted pieces, they created a micro-resort in Highlands 

that has welcomed families, brides, grooms and corporate workshop attendees seeking a rustic mountain 

experience wrapped in luxury amenities. 

Work began on Flat Mountain Farm in 2019, when the Shutzes moved 

to Highlands from Boulder, Colorado with their two young sons. Margaret 

and Chris knew they wanted to take on a big project, but location 

was key. “We felt God was leading us on a journey, so we turned 

to Google to find the right spot,” laughs Margaret. Her search criteria 

included 1) in the mountains, 2) small town, 3) high elevation 4) cute 


and charming. Highlands came up over and over again. Margaret 

was familiar with the south, having gone to college in Florida, and 

they both had been to North Carolina and liked the area, so they contacted 

a realtor. 

They purchased the property from an eighth generation 

Highlands family who had created a magical, rustic paradise

over the last 40 years. The buildings were 

run down and in desperate need of love 

and attention. But with three ponds, a 

waterfall, hiking on site and a location 

that is less than 10 minutes from the town 

of Highlands, they knew they had found 

a new home for their family as well as a 

place to build their resort. 

“After we chose the name Flat Mountain 

Farm, we discovered that Isabelle 

Chambers, the mother of the previous 

owner, had also called the property by 

that name back in the 1970s when she 

had a rhododendron farm here,” explains 

Margaret. “We had no idea, so that just 

felt like another sign that the project was 

divinely inspired.” 

Rustic, Natural Elements in Perfect 

Sync with Luxury Accommodations 

Right away, the couple got to work reviving 

the antique cabins on the property 

and, with Margaret’s upscale, stylish 

taste, created a luxury experience. “Each 

cabin has its own personality and its own 

point of view,” says Margaret. “It was 

important to us to salvage as much of the 

original buildings as possible and mix old 

and new. Doing so makes everything feel 

more residential and less thematic, the 

same approach I use with hotel interiors,” 

she explains. 

The Wren features two bedrooms, two 

bathrooms and two living rooms, sleeping 

six. Margaret describes it as “a crisp, 

casual, tailored J. Crew meets log cabin 

style.” Margaret honored the plateau’s 

history by layering in Native American 

touches, such as the colorful geometric 

tribal print on the upstairs balcony floor. 

The beautifully appointed chef’s kitchen 

houses appliances by Monogram and an 

iLVE Italian gas range. The showstopping 

large white porcelain farmhouse sink was 

Isabelle Chamber’s grandmother’s sink 

(salvaged from the original property) and 

brought back to mint condition. 

Several of the pieces in the living room 

were designed and built by Chris, whose 

great great-uncle, Philip Trammell 

Shutze, was a famed architect and partner 

of the firm Hentz, Adler and Shutze, 

which designed many well-known buildings 

in the Atlanta area. 

The primary suite on the main level 

has vaulted ceilings, a king bed and large 

ensuite bath with a marble shower. Margaret 

found the burled wood, mid-century 

armoire at The Antique Tobacco Barn 

in Asheville. Upstairs, there is a second 

The Barn. 


The Exterior 

of The Wren. 

Living/Dining Room 

of The Wren. 


Master Bedroom 

of The Wren. 

king bedroom, looking out on a private balcony with seating. A 

second living area upstairs boasts a sleeper sofa, vaulted ceilings 

and another large bathroom with a vintage clawfoot tub. 

Each bedroom features the same mattresses used by the Four 

Seasons Hotels & Resorts and is outfitted with luxury Italian 

linens. Each bathroom is stocked with spa-inspired amenities - 

shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, bath salts, shave 

kits, etc - by Lather. 

Outside, Chris and Margaret have created a cozy limestone patio 

with dining for six, string lights, Adirondack chairs, a firepit 

and hot tub. 

Wander deeper into the property and you’ll find a stone path 

that leads to a second cabin, the Kingfisher, an antique log cabin 

that was originally located in Burlington, NC and relocated to 

Flat Mountain Farm. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, 

and sleeps up to ten people. There are two primary suites on the 

first floor, each with ensuite baths and king beds with the same 

high-end mattresses and linens found in the Wren cabin. Chris’s 

talents are again on display downstairs, where he designed and 

built rustic side tables, among other pieces. 

Upstairs features a secondary living room with a queen sleeper 

sofa and a third bedroom/bunk room with four twin beds. Margaret 

describes the cabin’s décor as “Ralph Lauren meets log cabin style.” 

She says she resisted the urge to brighten the entire space by 

painting the walls white. “I wanted to keep the warm cabin feel, 

so instead we had additional windows added to bring in more 

light,” she explains. The cabin’s kitchen boasts a center island 

covered in soapstone and high-end appliances. Margaret calls 

the upstairs bathroom the “most Instagram-worthy space,” with 

a colorful mural wallpaper, mixing navy blue, green and gold, a 

rust colored claw foot tub and unlacquered brass hardware. 

The Kingfisher cabin is located near a lake on the property 

and boasts its own small pond fed by a gentle stream. Guests can 

lounge on the cabin’s large deck and dine at the outdoor dining 

table, which seats ten. Chris built the table from old logs that 

were part of an original cabin on the property. Guests can also 

enjoy a fire pit and hot tub. 

More Offerings at the Resort 

Margaret says, “hospitality is my gift,” and she puts that into 

action daily, whether hosting guests in the property's two cabins 

or hosting a wedding, corporate workshop or family gathering. 

The Farm recently hosted two sold-out floral workshops in 

their newly remolded antique barn. Artist Christy Curcuru 

of Growing Studios led the class on how to create an organic, 

statement-making wreath. “I love seeing the growing population 

of young artists come to this area, and I get the chance to work 

with some really creative people,” says Margaret. The antique 

barn is the perfect space for a wedding reception and guests can 

spill out onto the large deck, also designed by Chris. 

There is never a dull moment on the farm, and Margaret and 

Chris embrace the craziness and the opportunity to meet new people. 

However, they’re also aware of the neighbors who live around 

them. “We try to be respectful of our neighbors and turn down any 

music from an event we are hosting by 10 p.m.,” says Margaret. 

“We truly understand because we live on the property, too.” P 

For more information or to book a cabin or event, 

go to flatmountainfarm.com. 

Contact Margaret Shutze at hello@flatmountainfarm.com 

or call (828) 487-4174. 


Exterior of 


Kitchen of 


Master Bedroom 

of The Kingfisher. 

PHOTO PHIL CURCURU OF TEMBO HOSPITALITY GROUP 


The Nice List 

Our treasured nonprofits and the 

generosity of the plateau 

By LISA GRAY YOUNGBLOOD 

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN - THE END, A TIME FOR REFLECTION. MANY OF US WILL LOOK BACK 

on the year and ponder what went well, what didn’t, what we are most proud of and where we can improve. Businesses, 

including nonprofits, do the same. For many of our nonprofits, the stakes are high, running from how to better amplify 

their mission to, at times, how to stay afloat. End-of-year giving can be the key to their success, or even their survival. 

Below you will find the end-of-year Wish Lists for many of the plateau’s nonprofits. Whether you are drawn to offer 

support for animals, the environment, families in need, the creative arts, literacy and education, historical preservation, veterans 

and first responders, those who have come to our country from distant shores, libraries or health and wellness, there is something 

here for you. What a wonderful gift to yourself and your community: the opportunity to serve. 

WISH LISTS 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of 

Cashiers & Highlands 

828.399.9133 

bbbswnc.org 

Facebook: @bbbsplateaumaconjackson 

Our mission is to ignite potential in youth 

through professionally supported one-toone 

mentorships. 

Annual Budget: $70,000 

Christmas wish list: We are in great 

need of mentors! Littles in Cashiers and 

Highlands are waiting to be matched. 

Part-time and full-time residents can impact 

a child for a lifetime! 


WISH LISTS 

Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic 

828.743.3393 

brfdc.org 

The Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic delivers 

emergency, restorative and preventative 

dental care to people who cannot otherwise 

afford these critically needed services. We 

restore lives, one tooth at a time. We estimate 

that over 17,000 people in our serviceable 

counties meet the financial qualifications 

of the Clinic, making them eligible 

for our services. Since 2005, the Clinic has 

performed over 75,000 procedures through 

21,000 patient visits with a value exceeding 

$11 million – all at no cost to the patients! 


Christmas wish list: All we want for 

Christmas is our two front teeth! We wish 

to maintain our highest capacity to make 

sure that everyone in need of compassionate 

dental care is able to be treated at our 

Clinic. To do this, operating funds for critical 

dental staff are necessary. 

Blue Ridge JAM 

(Junior Appalachian Musicians) 

704.245.2302 

www.facebook.com/greatkidsJAM 

Blue Ridge JAM seeks to connect young people 

with their culture and region through 


instruction in traditional Appalachian 

Mountain music. 


Christmas wish list: Funding to help us 

attract and retain well-qualified music instructors; 

volunteers – both musician and 

non-musicians welcome. 

Blue Ridge School Education 

Foundation, Inc. 

828.743.3586 

brsfoundation.com 

The Blue Ridge School Education Foundation 

provides supplemental resources for 

Blue Ridge School and Early College (Pre- 

K to 13th Grade) to expand educational 

experiences for students and staff in order 

to achieve and maintain a “world-class” 

education environment. 

Annual Budget: estimated $170,000 

Christmas wish list: That both Blue 

Ridge schools will remain a “safe-place” and 

maintain the highest quality environment 

for student learning and accomplishment, 

and that the Foundation will continue to be 

supported by individual and organizational 

donors so our mission can be maintained. 

Blue Ridge School Parent- 

Teacher Organization (PTO) 

828.785.5756 

BlueRidgePTO.org 

Blue Ridge PTO strives to enhance every 

child’s education at Blue Ridge School from 

pre-K through grades 12 and Early College. 

We help supplement the school’s district 

budget through financial support to promote 

superior educational experiences, family 

interaction and community involvement. 


Christmas wish list: Due to COVID 19, 

Blue Ridge PTO could not host our most 

significant fundraiser events for 2019-2022. 

Now that school is back in full swing, our 

wish is for financial support to enhance our 

budget and continue enriching Blue Ridge 

School’s students and families. Contact us 

at info@blueridgepto.org to learn more! 

Bobcat Athletic Booster Club 

828.508.3909 

www.facebook.com/BRSBoosterClub 

Our goal is to help build the future for all 

athletes at Blue Ridge School and Early 

College and to provide support for our current 

players. We proudly advocate for our 

student athletes and our BREC Athletic 

Department. We help raise much needed 

supplemental income and provide significant 

volunteer support. We strive to give 

our student-athletes the best possible experience 

through athletics at the middle and 

high school levels. 

Annual Budget: As a new organization, 

the annual budget is in development. 

Christmas wish list: We need more volunteers, 

sponsors for sport uniforms and 

financial donations. 

Boys & Girls Club of the 

Plateau 

828.743.2775 

bgcplateau.org 

The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau seeks to 

enable all young people, especially those who 

need us most, to reach their full potential as 

productive, caring and responsible citizens. 

Annual Budget: $1.1 million 

Christmas wish list: On the top of our list 

is funding for an activity bus. We would also 

like school/art supplies, sports equipment 

and volunteers! 

Cashiers Cares 

828.743.7158 

Cashierscares.org 

Our mission is to support ten charities 

that specifically target the underserved in 

Southern Jackson County. Our focus ranges 

from childhood to end-of-life. We have raised 

over $600,000 for these charities over the 

past fourteen years. Our mission is to raise 

awareness and funds for these charities and 

to fill in the gaps by working with small and 

large organizations in our area. 


Christmas wish list: Raise awareness of 

our efforts to support these deserving charities 

and increase our funding goals.

Cashiers Historical Society 

828.743.7710 

cashiershistoricalsociety.org 

Through thoughtful educational platforms 

and preservation of the Zachary-Tolbert 

House, Colonel John's Cabin, The Dependency 

and the Hampton Schoolhouse, CHS is 

maintaining the legacy of a historical place. 


Christmas wish list: Volunteers and donations 

supporting the maintenance and preservation 

upkeep of our historical buildings, including the 

Zachary-Tolbert House, which is on the National 

Register of Historic Places. Historical buildings 

require constant maintenance; their upkeep is 

vital to our mission of preserving the history of 

the Cashiers Valley and providing educational 

opportunities for learners of all ages. 

Cashiers-Highlands 

Humane Society 

828.743.5752 

chhumanesociety.org 

The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society 

is the only non-profit no-kill shelter on the 

plateau. We rescue, provide compassionate 

care and find forever homes for abandoned 

and neglected animals, reunite lost pets 

with families, and offer low-cost spay/neuter, 

pet pantry and summer camps. 


Christmas wish list: Adopt, foster, volunteer 

and please donate! 

Cashiers School of the Arts 

336.653.1051 (Tim Womick) 

The Cashiers School of the Arts is a new 501(c) 

(3) that seeks to support art education for all. 

Annual Budget: Budget is in development. 

Christmas wish list: To have more exposure 

around the plateau and to raise funds 

to support developing programs. 

Center for Life Enrichment (CLE) 

828.526.8811 

clehighlands.com 

highlandsporchfest.com 

CLE is a nonprofit organization, serving the 

Highlands community for nearly 30 years 

and delivering opportunities for life gratification 

and enrichment through educational 

programs presented by well-informed scholars, 

fine culinary experiences, music, entertainment, 

travel opportunities and art and 

hobby workshops. 

Christmas wish list: Porchfest Sponsors 

(from businesses and individuals) and to 

welcome new members to our CLE family. 

Generous support to host innovative 

programs comes through membership and 

class attendance. For more information, 

please visit our website. 

Circles of Cashiers-Glenville 

828.553.5874 

circlescashiersglenville.org 

The mission of CirclesUSA, a national program 

with chapters across the country, is to 

inspire and equip families and communities 

to thrive and resolve poverty. We believe 

strongly that responsibility for getting out 

of poverty starts with the individual in 

poverty but also rests in engaging people 

and organizations in the community to help 

them and to reduce and end poverty. We 

serve the low-income citizens in Cashiers, 

Glenville and the surrounding plateau who 

are motivated to create a change in their 

lives, from “surviving to thriving,” by committing 

to Circles Training and partnering 

with a supportive Ally. Circles also aspires 

to change the mindset of the community at 

large regarding poverty. Our vision is that 

everyone has enough money, friends and 

sense of purpose to thrive! 


Christmas wish list: We are looking for 

candidates who are interested and committed 

to leading their way out of poverty. 

We are also looking for folks who would be 

interested in becoming “Allies” (intentional 

friends). For more information or to get 

involved, please contact Mary Jane Lucas 

at 828.553.5874. 

Counseling Center 

864.481.0598 

counseling-center.org 

The Counseling Center strives to strengthen 

families and individuals by providing access 

to quality mental health services regardless 

of financial ability. 


Christmas wish list: Tax-deductible monetary 

gifts. Give in honor of someone you 

love, allowing another person to receive the 

mental health care they need. 

Fishes & Loaves Food 

Pantry, Inc. 

828.508.0378 or 828.743.4931 

(Larry Morris) 

fishesandloavescashiers.org 

Our mission is to provide free food to persons 

in Jackson County and the surrounding area 

who fall below the federal poverty line. 


Christmas wish list: Great turnouts for our 

annual distribution of complete Thanksgiving 

dinners and complete Christmas dinners and 

a healthy, hunger-free holiday season. 

Friends of the Albert Carlton- 

Cashiers Community Library 

828.743.0215 

cashiersfriends.com 

Enriching the library through advocacy, fundraising 

and activities. We work to obtain 

and provide funds which enable the library 

to acquire books, periodicals, equipment, 

digital and other materials, and supplies 

needed to make the library one of the most 

important providers of education for the communities 

of Cashiers, Glenville and Sapphire. 

Annual Budget: FY 2022-2023 - $51,000 

Christmas wish list: We hope shoppers 

will visit our used bookstore for holiday 

gifts; their purchases will help support fun 

and educational programs and materials 

for kids and families. We also hope more library 

users will join Friends of the Library. 

Friends of Founders Park, Inc. 

foundersparkhighlands.org 

Founded in 2007 for purchase and construction 

of a downtown green, our goal is to 

protect, inform and represent the park. Our 

mission is to generate and apply financial resources 

for maintenance and improvement 

in cooperation with the town. The park is 

used as a downtown retreat for workers and 


visitors as well as supports events such as 

concerts, ice skating, arts and crafts, market 

days and nonprofit fundraisers. 


Christmas wish list: We wish for many 

continuing years of enjoyment of our beautiful 

and locally beneficial park in downtown 

Highlands. 

Friends of Panthertown 

828.269.HIKE (4453) 

panthertown.org 

Friends of Panthertown serves as stewards 

of our treasured forest by protecting and 

maintaining 30 miles of public non-motorized 

backcountry trails over 6,311 acres on 

Nantahala National Forest for all to enjoy. 

The mission of Friends of Panthertown is 

to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest 

Service to conserve this outstanding natural 

resource while improving the quality 

and experience of recreational opportunities 

in Panthertown. 

Annual Budget: approximately $130,000 

Christmas wish list: We encourage everyone 

to “Leave No Trace” when visiting 

Panthertown and please consider becoming a 

Friend by volunteering or making a donation. 

Text PANTHERTOWN to 44321 or visit our 

website to make a tax-deductible gift. 

Highlands Biological Foundation 

828.526.2221 

highlandsbiological.org 

Our mission is to stimulate, promote and 

fund biological research and education in 

the southern Appalachians. We work to 

connect individuals of all ages to nature 

through year-round programming at the 

Highlands Nature Center and “Nature 

on the Go!” outreach programs for local 

organizations across the plateau. We also 

invest in important scientific research and 

educational efforts of the Highlands Biological 

Station, including their Highlands Field 


WISH LISTS 

Site program through UNC - Chapel Hill’s 

Institute for the Environment. 


Christmas wish list: 

• Funds to support the mission of the 

Foundation 

• Amazon gift cards to purchase supplies 

for Nature Center programs 

• Gas cards to cover transportation to outreach 

events 

• 30 composition notebooks to be used as 

journals for nature campers 

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber 

Music Festival 

828.526.9060 

h-cmusicfestival.org 

The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music 

Festival enhances the cultural life of Western 

North Carolina by sponsoring performances 

by acclaimed musicians and promoting education, 

outreach and audience development 

programs that foster an appreciation of 

chamber music. The Festival's regular concert 

series runs July 1 - August 6, 2023. 



• Sponsors for our Special Events 

• Concert underwriters and sponsors of concert 

receptions 

• Hosts for our Feasts of the Festival and 

Salon programs 

Highlands Cashiers 

Health Foundation 

828.482.6510 

hchealthfnd.org 

The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation’s 

(HCHF) mission is to improve the 

health and well-being of Cashiers, Highlands 

and surrounding communities. 


• To continue to support the great service 

provided by Blue Ridge Health–Highlands 

Cashiers (BRH-HC) and the healthy impact 

they have in our community. BRH-HC is a 

federally qualified health center providing 

primary care services for all patients, regardless 

of their ability to pay. 

• To continue to improve health and wellbeing 

through collaborative and transformative 

grant partnerships with non-profits. 

• To raise awareness, reduce the stigma 

and bolster resources around mental health 

and wellness. 

• To listen to our communities and be ready 

to assist as critical needs arise. 

• That you will consider investing in HCHF 

and join in our mission to Lift Health and 

Well-Being, Together. 

Highlands Emergency 

Council (HEC) 

828.526.4357 

Our mission is to assist low-income residents 

of the Highlands area, senior citizens, 

young families, single parent families and 

disaster victims of any age. Help includes 

food, clothing, household goods, appliances 

and fuel as they are available. 


Christmas wish list: Food and volunteers. 

Any items for winter weather for the elderly. 

Monetary donations are very much appreciated 

and can be mailed to: PO Box 974, Highlands, 

NC, 28741 or dropped off at our physical 

address: 71 Poplar Street, Highlands. 

Highlands Historical Society 

828.787.1050 

highlandshistory.com 

Highlands Historical Society preserves and 

promotes the rich heritage of Highlands for 

present and future generations. Open to the 

public free of charge from June to October, 

The Historic Village welcomes visitors, both 

out-of-town and local residents. 


Christmas wish list: Volunteers and donations 

supporting the maintenance and 

preservation of our historical buildings, 

including The Prince House, which is on the 

National Register of Historic Places. Historical 

buildings require constant maintenance, 

and their upkeep is vital to our mission 

of preserving the history of Highlands 

and providing educational opportunities for 

learners of all ages. 

Highlands Performing 

Arts Center 

828.526.9047 

HighlandsPeformingArts.com 

Our mission is to provide high quality venues 

and performing arts for the Highlands- 

Cashiers community. 

Annual Budget: $300,000+. With our new 

venue, it will surely go up! 

Christmas wish list: An Operating Endowment, 

a Marley Floor for dancers, and a 

fully funded Youth Theatre Program.

Highlands Plateau Greenway 

highplateaugreenway@gmail.com 

highlandsgreenway.com 

Our mission is to develop a system of walking 

and hiking trails that protect and connect 

the natural settings and historic sites 

of the Highlands, NC, area. 


Christmas wish list: The Greenway is 

working on new signage for the trail system 

to make access to our trails more convenient 

for everyone looking for a walk in the woods. 

Highlands School Parent- 

Teacher Organization 

828.400.7826 

natashakittrell@gmail.com 

Natasha Kittrell, President of Highlands School PTO 

P.O. Box 940, Highlands, NC 28741 

Our mission is to further develop Highlands 

School education by creating an environment 

where the teachers and students feel 

supported by their community. After a 

few long years of COVID restrictions that 

hindered our main fundraising events, we 

now seek to expand in-class programs and 

provide teaching aids and updates to class 

materials. 


Christmas wish list: Funding and donations 

for the expansion of in-class programs 

and teaching aids. 

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust 

828.526.1111 

hicashlt.org 

To conserve valuable natural resources 

on the plateau, including our lush forests, 

cool waterways and scenic vistas for all 

generations. 


Christmas wish list: All we want for 

Christmas is donors. HCLT conserves ecologically 

important lands that benefit all 

who live here. Demand on our land is higher 

than ever, but with your support, HCLT will 

protect our wild places and those who depend 

on them. Your support also helps care 

for our properties and hiking trails. 

Hudson Library of 

Highlands, NC, Inc. 

828.526.3031 

fontanalib.org/hudsonboard 

Our mission is to support The Hudson Library, 

its buildings and grounds through 

fundraising, volunteerism and advocacy. 

We accomplish our mission by promoting 

the free flow of information, the enjoyment 

of reading and an appreciation for the challenge 

of ideas. 


Christmas wish list: That we ensure the 

Hudson Library remains a center of excellence 

within the Highlands community. We 

look forward to completion of several capital 

improvements in 2023, including installation 

of an emergency generator that will 

ensure we continue to provide our normal 

services to the community, and more, under 

any adverse circumstances. 

International Friendship Center 

Highlands Food Pantry 

828.526.0890 

internationalfriendshipcenter.org 

Our mission is to build cross cultural relationships 

that foster well-being and self-sufficiency. 

We strive to assist people experiencing 

hardship and to address concerns and challenges 

facing the immigrants in our community 

by fostering understanding among all 

people, facilitating social and human services, 

and providing nutrition to the underserved 

through the Highlands Food Pantry. 


Christmas wish list: Donations to our endowments 

that support general operations 

and college scholarships for local, financially 

challenged students. 

Literacy Council of Cashiers 

828.743.0215 

cashiersliteracycouncil.org 

The Literacy Council of Cashiers focuses 

its efforts to support and promote emergent 

literacy and literacy throughout the population 

of Cashiers, NC, from birth through 

adulthood. 

Annual Budget: Approximately $20,000 

Christmas wish list: Donations for our 

book giveaways and other programs provided 

for free to the community. Donations can be 

mailed to: Literacy Council of Cashiers, PO 

Box 1398, Cashiers, NC 28717. 

Mountain Theatre Company 

828.526.2695 

mountaintheatre.com 

As the longest-running professional live 

theatre company in North Carolina with an 

84-year legacy, Mountain Theatre Company 

strives to set the bar for regional theatre. 

Our mission is to enrich, engage, entertain, 

and educate our community on the plateau 

and our surrounding Western North Carolina 

community with quality professional 

theatre throughout the year. 


Christmas wish list: We hope to expand 

our sponsorship, donor, patron and volunteer 

support base. Our “Christmas Wish” 

is to honor the legacy of our history as we 

continue to secure necessary funding to 

strengthen our organization as we move to 

a new venue. Ticket sales alone only cover 

40% of our operating budget. We rely on 

sponsorships and donations each year to 

ensure we can continue to provide professional 

quality theatre. As we move to the 

Highlands Performing Arts Center in 2023, 

financial support will be more important 

than ever. With a bigger space, we will also 

need more volunteers to welcome guests 

and ensure a quality experience. To become 

a show sponsor, make a donation or join a 

volunteer team, please visit our website. 

Pisgah Legal Services – 

Plateau Poverty Law Initiative 

828.210.3424 

pisgahlegal.org 

Pisgah Legal Services seeks to pursue justice 

by providing legal assistance and advocacy 

to help low-income people in Western 

North Carolina meet their basic needs and 

improve their lives. 


Christmas wish list: Expand our network 


of friends and donors. Learn more about how 

to contribute at pisgahlegal.org/give or contact 

Megan Quattlebaum at 828.575.1353 

or megan@pisgahlegal.org. 

Summit Charter School 

828.743.5755 

summitschool.org 

Summit is a tuition-free K-12 public charter 

school that engages students in learning 

experiences that stimulate discovery, 

inspire excellence and nurture a positive 

influence in an ever-changing world. Our 

primary goal is to graduate students who 

are academically prepared, engaged in the 

community and strong in character. 

Annual Budget: $3,700,000 

Christmas wish list: As a public charter 

school, Summit receives significantly less 

public funding than a traditional public 

school and relies on private monetary donations 

to fully fund the vital needs of our 

students, teachers and facilities. Donations 

to the Summit Charter School Foundation 

2022-23 Annual Fund would make our spirits 

merry and bright! 

Summit Family Association 

828.743.5755 

Summitschool.org/parent-resources 

Our mission is to enhance and support the 

educational experience at Summit Charter 

School, to foster the relationship with our 

Summit families through communication 

and inclusion, to improve the environment 

at Summit Charter School through volunteer 

and financial support as well as coordinate 

and host family-oriented events. SFA 

is instrumental in coordinating and hosting 

a variety of volunteer opportunities at Summit, 

both inside and outside the classroom, 

including the Back-to-School Picnic, Summitfest 

fall festival and the talent show, 

Summit’s Got Talent. 


Christmas wish list: Gift Cards for teachers 

for classroom supplies. 

The Bascom: 

A Center for theVisual Arts 

828.526.4949 

thebascom.org 

The Bascom creates visual art experiences 

that inspire and empower individuals and communities 

through seeing, thinking and doing. 

Annual Budget: $1,600,000 

Christmas wish list: Financial or other 

support for rental housing for the summer 

resident education artist for two months 

(June-July 2023). Art supplies for children 

and youth. 

The Literacy & Learning Center 

828.526.0863 

maconncliteracy.org 

The mission of The Literacy & Learning 

Center is to advance the benefits of literacy 

on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and its 

connected communities. 


Christmas wish list: Over 1,000 children 

ages 0-5 are currently being served through 

the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, 

receiving a book a month until their 

5th birthday. TL&LC wishes to receive the 

$30,000 in annual funding to continue allowing 

these books to nourish the youngest 

minds of Macon County. 

The Mountain Retreat 

and Learning Center 

828.526.5838 

TheMountainRLC.org 

The Mountain enriches lives, fosters an 

appreciation of the natural world, honors 

the interconnectedness of all things and inspires 

people to build inclusive, meaningful, 

sustainable communities throughout their 

lives. We offer adult and youth programming 

throughout the year, enhanced by our 

on-site farm and natural environment. 

Annual Budget: Approx. $1,200,000 

Christmas wish list: Items helpful for outdoor 

adventure, farm educational programs, 

trees for the food forest and other options. 

The Village Green - 

The Heart of Cashiers 

828.743.3434 

villagegreencashiersnc.com 

The Village Green was established with the 

mission to preserve and enhance land for 

our community’s civic, spiritual, academic, 

recreational and cultural activities in order 

to maintain the quality of life for all citizens 

and visitors to the greater Cashiers area. As 

a non-profit, The Village Green relies solely 

on the generosity of donors and granters to 

ensure that the events, programming and 

park remain free and open to the public for 

generations to come. 


Christmas wish list: With the closing of 

2022, the Village Green’s 30th Anniversary 

has come to an end. In the past year, The 

Village Green began construction on The 

Boardwalk Renovation and Expansion Project, 

slated to be completed by the Spring 

of 2023. Our wish list includes financial 

donations to allow for completion of this and 

other projects. The Village Green is also 

greatly appreciative of any and all donations 

of time, talent and treasure. Thank you for 

your support of our park. Visit our website 

to give safely online. 

Warrior Survival School 

850.814.0694 

warriorsurvival.org 

Warrior Survival School is a situational and 

mental resiliency training nonprofit. While 

primarily focusing on veterans and first responders, 

we also offer corporate, family and 

small group coaching. Learn how to process, 

adapt and prevail during both minor and 

severe situational abnormalities. (Due to 

COVID, we have expanded our training to 

the general public in teaching mental health 

first aid and helping individuals in crisis.) 


Christmas wish list: We need volunteers 

to help pioneer a community project of offering 

peer support in the Highlands/Cashiers 

area. Training and resources will be provided. 

For more information contact Davis@ 

warriorsurvival.org. P 


dining review in the kitchen restaurant guide 


with Golden Delicious apple, walnut, 

sage and provolone. Topped with apricot 

glaze. The Orchard Restaurant. 



The Long Way Home 

Innovation and history in sync at 

The Orchard Restaurant 

By KAY WEST » Photos by CHELSEA CRONKRITE 

The Orchard Restaurant 

905 Highway 107 South 

Cashiers, NC 28717 

(828) 743-7614 

theorchardcashiers.com 

(Above:) Interior of restaurant. Owners Travis 

Boswell and Chad Boswell sought to maintain the 

history of the building by preserving the integrity 

of the foyer, Oak Room and Chestnut room. The 

Pine Room is new construction brimming with the 

same charm and character. 

LIKE MANY PEOPLE RAISED 

in a small town, brothers Chad 

and Travis Boswell wanted to 

get out into the wider world 

as soon as possible. They did 

just that, but it wasn’t a permanent exit 

for either. “Once we had lived away from 

Cashiers for a while, we realized there is 

a reason people love to go there, and so we 

went back,” says Chad. 

It turned out to be a sound professional 

and personal decision and an enduring gift 

to year-round and seasonal residents who 

have been dining at The Orchard Restaurant 

since it opened in 2000. 

Restaurateuring is not unfamiliar to 

the brothers; their paternal grandparents 

operated a drive-in style eatery in Miami, 

Florida, and their father Bill Boswell 

owned White Goose Café on the property 

of the Oakmont Lodge in Cashiers. The 

family lived on-site, and both boys began 

working there as youth, assuming their 

preferred stations early on: Chad was front 

of house and Travis in the kitchen. 

Travis was working in the White Goose 

kitchen when Bob Boswell closed it in 1999, 

offering to support him in a new venture. 

Travis accepted Bob’s support and invited 

Chad to return to the biz and start anew. 

Chad agreed, and they got to work restoring 

a 100+-year-old farmhouse first built by the 

Hawkins family and later serving as a rental. 

“We get a lot of people who tell me they 

used to live here,” Chad says with a laugh. 

Because of its history and connection to 

the community, the Boswells focused on 

renovating the existing structure with an 

eye to maintaining as much of its original 

integrity as possible. The foyer, Oak 

Room and Chestnut Room are all original. 

The brothers did add a large commercial 

kitchen, modern restrooms and more dining 

space. “We felt we could replicate the 

quaintness of the farmhouse and keep that 

character and charm in new construction.” 

That vision is realized in the Pine Room, 

which fits like a glove with the other rooms 

thanks to its similarly wood-paneled walls. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of 

the verdant grounds. 

The name of the restaurant is plucked 

from the apple orchard planted by the second 

owner of the property; by the turn of 

the century, only a couple trees remained. 

More significant is the Franklinia Alata- 


maha, pointed out by a visiting botanist as 

a stellar example of the species, advising 

them to preserve it. As they have. 

In considering the concept for the restaurant, 

Chad says they wanted a place reflective 

of the area in the design and décor of 

the building (much of which comes from 

their father’s large collection of antiques) 

and that pays homage to their own history. 

In the foyer a photograph of their grandparents 

at their Miami drive-in hangs behind 

the welcome desk. 

Though the service concept was initially 

fine dining, in acknowledgement of less 

(Above:) Silver Run Seafood and Pasta, Orchard Chicken and Dannyboy’s Fried Chicken Livers.; 

(Left from top:) Owners Travis Boswell and Chad Boswell; Outdoor Dining space overlooking 

verdant grounds; Homemade Bread Pudding served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. 

formal times, it is now described as casual 

fine dining. The staff is well-versed in both 

and easily balance warmth and expertise. 

The Orchard menu leans to southern 

infused, elevated comfort food -- meat and 

potatoes to shrimp and grits, ravioli and 

risotto to charcuterie and crab cakes (a 

recipe passed along from Bob Boswell and 

thus dubbed Boswell’s Crab Cakes). 

Fans of fried chicken livers reluctant 

to cook them at home are in luck at The 

Orchard and have Dan Allen (now a successful 

realtor) to thank. “Dan was one of 

our first employees and he ordered the fried 

chicken livers every shift he worked,” Chad 

explains. “He made us promise we would 

call them Dannyboy’s Fried Chicken Livers.” 

By whatever name, these are divine, 

breaded and fried to fork-cutting tenderness, 

mounded on a bed of creamy Adluh 

Mill stone ground grits with a scatter of 

barbecue-caramelized Vidalia onions. 

Travis’s wife has a marker on the menu 

as well – Shelly’s Shrimp and Grits, the 

first dish he ever made for her and over 

time gussied up with andouille sausage, 

applewood smoked bacon, Vidalia onions, 

red peppers, squash and shitake mushrooms 

on cheese grits. 

Other dishes are shoutouts to the geography 

and botany of the area. Silver Run 

Falls lends its name to Silver Run Seafood 

and Pasta, a merger of mussels, scallops 

and shrimp with Franklinia ravioli (see: 

Franklinia Alatamaha) in a garlic herb 

white wine broth. 

Four trout preparations have permanent 

places on the menu; the Continental Divide 

trout stuffed with crabmeat was inherited 

from the White Goose. 

The Bohaynee Trail is an historic trail 

once taken as a quick route from Cashiers 

to lower Sapphire. At The Orchard, it is a 

pan-roasted chicken breast, topped with 

a subtly spicy Roma tomato sauce. Panthertown 

Pork Tenderloin is a delectable 

standout – slices of pink-centered meat 

with black cherry demi-glace. The chicken 

and pork mains are plated with whipped 

potatoes and perfectly al dente fresh green 

beans. 

Since the opening of the private events 

barn, Travis Boswell has taken leave of the 

line in the kitchen to oversee menus and 

execution for parties of up to 100 people. 

Iwayan Sudiatama, whose 19-year tenure 

at The Orchard began as a dishwasher, 

holds the reins as chef de cuisine. 

Travis’s oldest son has worked in the 

back of the house, and his daughter has 

assisted pastry chef Ayden Nottingham. 

Chad says his oldest is approaching the age 

where he’ll pitch in, too. 

Meanwhile, they love welcoming secondgeneration 

diners to The Orchard. “People 

who came with their parents are now coming 

in with their children. They’re grown 

adults, but they’ll always be kids to us.” P 



Recipes and Photos by KAITLIN GOODING 


The holiday season in the south is steeped in family traditions, including classic recipes 

that are cooked each year. But perhaps in 2022 you’ll want to strut your stuff and enhance that tried and true flavor profile. 

The same – yet just a touch more tasty. We’ve taken a few of our favorite nostalgic dishes and spiced them up a bit for your 

holiday tables. Here’s what we’re thinking: Consider adding Gouda scalloped potatoes (an ode to warming comfort food) to 

your holiday dinner favorites. On the big morning, you’ll want to enjoy these pumpkin-gingerbread pancakes with just the 

right holiday spices. When opening gifts around the tree, our jammy cookies taste a bit like childhood for the kids, and pair 

well with our peppermint-style White Russians for adults. And whenever your family serves its big holiday meal, the herbed, 

crusted steak and crunchy kale salad add the perfect touch of indulgence to the festivities. Come to think of it, that White 

Russian might also be just the thing when you’ve kicked back to relax after the big event. Cheers to the cook! 

Pumpkin-Gingerbread Pancakes 

Yields: 4 

Ingredients 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 tbsp ground ginger 

2.5 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp allspice 

3/4 cup of canned pumpkin 

1/4 tsp baking soda 

1 1/2 tsp baking powder 

2 eggs 

1 1/3 cup milk 

1.5 tbsp butter, melted 

(extra for greasing the skillet) 

Your favorite syrup to drizzle on top 

Directions: 

1. In a medium-sized bowl combine your flour, baking 

powder, baking soda, and all your spices. 

2. In a separate bowl, add the eggs, pumpkin, milk, and butter. 

Whisk until smooth. 

3. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until well combined. 

4. Grease a large skillet and allow it to get hot on the 

stove. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter on the skillet 

and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly 

golden. Grease the pan in between pancakes. 

5. Stack the pancakes, top with a drizzle of syrup, 

and enjoy! 

Gouda Scalloped Potatoes 

Serves: 5-6 as a side dish 

Ingredients 

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 

9 x 13 pan, greased with butter 

1 garlic clove, minced 

dash of cayenne pepper 

1 cup chicken broth 

8 ounces Gouda cheese 

1 tbsp salt 

1 tsp ground black pepper 

1/4 cup heavy cream 

2 tbsp butter, extra to grease the pan 

1.5 tbsp all-purpose flour 

1 shallot, thinly sliced 

1 tbsp thyme leaves 

1 ounce Parmesan cheese 

Add the cream, thyme, and the broth. Bring the mixture 

to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes. 

3. Arrange the potatoes into the baking dish in a row so that 

they sit upright. Continue this until you have four rows 

and the dish is covered. Pour the cream mixture over the 

top of the potatoes. Top it off with the Gouda cheese and 

Parmesan. Cover with foil and add to the oven to cook for 

thirty minutes. 

4. After thirty minutes, remove the tin foil and cook for 

another 20-30 minutes in the oven uncovered. Allow the 

potatoes to cool before serving. 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Liberally grease the 

9x13 baking dish with butter. 

2. In a saucepan on low heat add the garlic, 

shallots, cayenne, salt, pepper, and butter. 

Stir in the flour until well combined. 


Herb Crusted Steak 

Serves: 3-4 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 lb flank steak 

2 tbsp soy sauce 

2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 

2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary 

2 tbsp chopped fresh sage 

1 tbsp olive oil 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper 

Salt (to taste) 

Directions: 

1. Add your steak to a bowl and brush with olive oil and soy sauce 

on both sides. 

2. In a separate bowl add your herbs, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix 

well. Rub the herb mix all over the steak. Cover the bowl and allow 

it to sit for at least two hours in the refrigerator. 

3. Prepare your grill (medium high heat). Place a cast iron pan on the 

grill and allow it to preheat for about five minutes. Grill the steak 

in the pan to desired doneness, about 2-3 minutes per side, for 

medium-rare, depending on the thickness. 

4. Transfer steak to a wood block and allow to rest for 10 minutes. 

Cut across the grain of the steak in 1/2 inch thick slices. 

5. Add slices to a dish to serve as a main course or top the kale salad 

with steak to serve. 

Crunchy Kale Salad 

Serves: 3-4 servings 

Ingredients 

1 cup Israeli couscous 

1/2 bunch kale (about four cups) chopped 

and massaged, thick stems removed 

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 

1/2 cup roasted pistachios 

2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled & cut 

into cubes 

1/2 cup Manchego cheese, shaved 

(can add more if desired) 

1/4 tsp salt 

Salt & pepper to sprinkle 

1 tbsp olive oil 

Dressing: 

1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar 

1 tsp Dijon mustard 

1/4 cup olive oil 

1/4 cup maple syrup 

2 tsp Greek yogurt 

1/4 tsp salt 

*This recipe can be a stand-alone dish. 

It pairs well with the herb-crusted 

steak as a side dish, or can be topped 

with the steak for a main. It’s very 

versatile and great to accommodate 

holiday guests with different options. 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Begin by making your dressing. Whisk 

together all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and set aside. 

2. Add the sweet potatoes to a bowl and toss in olive oil. Lightly sprinkle with 

salt and pepper and mix well. Add the sweet potatoes to a baking sheet 

with parchment paper and add to the oven to cook for 20-30 minutes or 

until soft and golden brown. Remove from the oven and add to a large bowl. 

3. Add two cups of water, couscous, and 1/4 tsp salt to a saucepan and bring it 

to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium heat and let it cook for about 10 

minutes and then drain through a strainer to remove any remaining liquid. 

Add the couscous to the sweet potato bowl. 

4. Add the massaged kale into the bowl, along with the pomegranate seeds, 

pistachios, and Manchego. Drizzle the desired amount of dressing over 

top and toss all the ingredients together. 

5. Plate the salads, sprinkle with salt, and serve. 


Jammy Cookies 

Servings: 15 cookies 

Ingredients 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2/3 cup sugar 

2 eggs 

1.5 sticks unsalted butter 

1 tsp baking powder 

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

pinch of salt 

Strawberry or cherry jam 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. In a large bowl combine the eggs, vanilla, butter, and sugar. 

Beat together until smooth and creamy. 

3. In a separate bowl add the flour, salt, baking powder, and 

coconut. Combine the ingredients and slowly pour into 

the wet mixture. 

4. Add water if the mix is too dry or flour if it is too sticky. 

Create one inch balls and place on baking sheets covered 

with parchment paper. 

5. Use your thumb to press a 1/2 inch hole into the middle 

of the cookie. Fill it with your favorite jam. 

6. Add the cookies to the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes 

or until lightly golden. 

White Christmas 

Cocktail 

Serves: 2 

Ingredients 

2 oz vodka 

2 oz Kahlua 

1.5 oz peppermint schnapps 

3/4 cup milk 

1/3 cup peppermint candies, crushed 

1/3 cup white chocolate 

rosemary for garnish 

Directions: 

1. Melt the white chocolate in the 

microwave. Add a dash of milk 

if it is too thick. Stir until nice 

and smooth. Dip about a 1/2 

inch of the top of your glass into 

the hot melted white chocolate. 

2. On a plate add the crushed 

peppermint candies, and dip the 

white chocolate-rimmed glass into 

the candies to coat. Set aside to dry. 

3. In a shaker add the vodka, Kahlua, 

schnapps, and milk with ice. 

Shake the mix. 

4. Add ice into the prepared glasses and 

pour the strained mixture over top. 

Garnish with a rosemary sprig. Cheers! 


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with apricot glaze 

at The Orchard 

Restaurant 

Ready to Eat? 

Use our restaurant listings to find the best 

eating and drinking on the plateau. 

Blue Hound 

BARBECUE 

NOW OPEN!! 

7420 Dillard Rd 

Scaly Mountain 

(at Highlands Outpost) 

Classic BBQ 

Delicious Sides 

Homemade Puddin' 

Supр-fast and 

Friendly Sрvice! 

www.bluehoundbarbecue.com 

American 

4118 Kitchen + Bar (H) 64 Highlands 

Plaza, 828-526-5002. With a casual dining 

ambience, this New American cuisine eatery 

offers a delectable menu that changes seasonally, 

using fresh, local ingredients. Craft 

cocktails, beer and wine. Lunch and dinner 

Tue-Sun. 

Brunch HQ (H) 137 Main St., 828-820-8686. 

A breakfast and lunch café serving locally 

sourced American fare, fresh baked goods 

and house-squeezed juices. Open Wed-Mon. 

Cornucopia Restaurant (C) 16 Cashiers 

School Rd., 828-743-3750. A cozy open-air 

cottage is a local staple, serving an American 

menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. 

Try their Savannah crab cakes, trout 

piccata, chicken pot pie or famous house 

Reuben. Lunch and dinner, seasonally. 

Panthertown Cafe (T) 16614 Rosman 

Hwy, 828-883-5551. A casual and familyfriendly 

eatery serving country-style breakfast 

and lunch. Eggs, bacon and biscuits, and 

tasty burgers and sandwiches. 7:30am-3pm 

Mon-Fri (Sat-Sun seasonally). 

Mica’s Restaurant & Pub (S) 25 Logan 

Creek Trail, 828-743-5740. A down-home tavern 

serving American cuisine like NC rainbow 

trout, filet mignon and prime rib. Burgers, 

sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza. Large 

covered patio with a fire pit and live music. Full 

bar, beer and wine. Lunch and dinner daily. 

Mountain Fresh Grocery & Wine Market 

(H) 521 E. Main St., 828-526-2400. An upscale 

grocery and specialty shop that offers a deli, 

grill, wood-fired pizza, bakery, butcher and 

wine. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner 

daily, enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer, or take 

home a dinner-to-go during winter season. Catering 

and custom cakes are available. 

Primary Restaurant + Bar (H) 310 Main St., 

828-526-3555. A contemporary American eatery 

with classy digs and a large bar area. Salads, 

burgers and sandwiches for lunch and entrees 

for dinner. Try the braised lamb shank, sesame 

seared ahi tuna and Carolina trout. Full bar, 

wine and beer. Lunch and dinner Mon-Sat. 

The Hidden Valley Tavern (S) 3638 US-64, 

828-866-3144. High end food from down to earth 

people. Blend of American and Italian Cuisine. 

For lunch, try the Penne Alla Vodka or Salmon 

Piccata. For dinner, try the pecan-crusted trout 

or the fillet. Closed Sunday and Monday. 

Locations: (C) Cashiers; (H) Highlands; (S) Sapphire; (SM) Scaly Mountain; 

(T) Lake Toxaway 

New American Cuisine 

Seasonal menus showcasing 

regional products 

Open daily for lunch and dinner 

Sunday brunch 

Craft cocktails, beer & wine 

$6 smash menu provides 

the most affordable lunch in town! 

64 Highlands Plaza, Highlands NC 

828-526-5002 • 4118kitchen-bar.com 


Whiteside Brewing Co. (C) 128 Hwy 107, 

828-743-6000. Serving up American pub-grub 

with handcrafted beers that change seasonally. 

Wings, paninis, soups, salads, burgers and 

sandwiches. Try the Whiteside burger, salmon 

BLT or the Reuben. Large outside seating 

area and several TVs for watching your 

favorite sports. Lunch and dinner, Thur-Tue. 

Asian 

Asia House (H) 151 Helens Barn Ave., 828- 

787-1680. Authentic Asian eatery serving 

Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes, including 

sushi, hibachi, soups and curry. Kani 

salad, red snapper, beef and scallops and red 

curry chicken are some of the favorites. Full 

bar. Lunch and dinner. Closed on Wed. 

Bakery 

Cake Bar (H) Town Square, 828-421-2042. 

A cozy speakeasy for the sweet-tooth, offering 

decadent handcrafted desserts, wines by 

the glass, cappuccino and espresso. Live jazz 

on the weekends. Savor on-site or take-out. 

Highlands Coffee Shop (H) 384 Main St., 

828-200-9308. A coffee shop with bagels 

flown in from New York, locally-made cinnamon 

rolls, authentic Welsh Cakes and a variety 

of pastries. Open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 

Sugar Cloud Baking Company (C) 113 

Hwy 64-E, 828-774-9709. An award-winning 

bakery and wedding cake boutique. Specializing 

in gourmet cupcakes, donuts, Macarons, 

cookies, handcrafted pies and custom 

cakes. Follow on social media for hours. 

Bar/Pub 

Highlands Wine Shoppe (H) 269 Oak St., 

828-526-4080. A cozy wine shop with a cellar 

collection of rare and hard-to-find wines. Sample 

up to 16 wines at the Napa Wine Station. 

Gift baskets and Riedel glassware. Open daily. 

Satulah Mountain Brewing Company 

(H) 454 Carolina Way, 828-482-9794. Producing 

a premium craft beer, the brewery offers 

8 high-craft beers in their taproom. Try 

the Tuckasegee Gold or the Sunset Saison. 

Open Thur-Sat. 

Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company 

(S) 50 Slicers Ave., 828-743-0220. A pubstyle 

eatery overlooking Sapphire Mountain 

and the golf course. Small plates, salads, 

pub grub and entrees. Try the smokehouse 

burger, steak frites or a wood-fired pizza. 

Full bar, wine and several craft beer selections. 

Lunch and dinner, Thur-Sun. 


SlopeSide Tavern (S) 217 Sapphire Valley 

Rd., 828-743-8655. Enjoy a menu where 

traditional tavern favorites get a little twist. 

Full bar with wine and large selection of local 

beers. Indoor and outdoor seating, dog friendly. 

Open every day but Tuesday, 11 am to 9 

pm. Live music every Thursday from 6 - 9 pm. 

The FIX Restaurant Bar & Lounge (S) 

3093 US-64, 828-743-7477. Sapphire's spot 

for upscale bar food enhanced with sports 

bar amenities. Serves a casual breakfast, 

lunch and brunch while dinner brings in a 

finer dining experience. Winter hours vary. 

Closed Tuesdays. 

The High Dive (H) 476 Carolina Way, 828- 

526-6400. A late-night bar where the locals 

and visitors come for libations and stay for 

the fun. Enjoy karaoke on Tuesdays and live 

music on Fridays. Tue-Sun beginning at 4pm. 

The Ugly Dog Pub (C) 25 Frank Allen Rd., 

743-3000; (H) 294 S. 4th St., 828-526-8364. 

Two locations that offer a casual and relaxed 

atmosphere, serving American pub grub, 

like chef-created burgers, sandwiches, salads 

and soups. Full bar, regional craft beers 

and wine. Live music with top talent weekly. 

Lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch. 

Barbecue 

Blue Hound BBQ (SM) 7420 Dillard Rd., 

Southern Appalachian BBQ crafted from 

locally-sourced meats, produce, and wood. 

Open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday-Saturday. 

Everything made from scratch and 

with love on the smoker. 

Cashiers Valley Smokehouse (C) 281 Hwy 

64 W, 828-547-2096. The perfect casual spot to 

kick back and enjoy a great meal of honestto-goodness 

pit cooked barbeque pork, chicken 

or beef, with homemade sauces for every 

taste. Their home cooked sides will make you 

reminisce of by gone days, with Sunday dinner 

tables laden with vegetables, homemade 

potato salad, slaw and baked beans. 

Highlands Smokehouse (H) 595 Franklin Rd., 

828-526-3554. Enjoy real pit barbecue, including 

pulled pork, brisket, ribs and classic Southern sides. 

Also offering tasty burgers, tacos, stew and vegetarian. 

Full bar and beer. Lunch and dinner, Wed-Mon. 

On The Side Barbeque (C) 78 Hwy 64-E, 

828-743-4334. Located at the Cashiers Farmers 

Market, this take-out eatery serves sandwiches 

like pulled pork, smoked turkey, beef 

brisket and egg salad. Take home ribs and 

BBQ by the pound and sides. Open seasonally. 

Bistro 

Bistro On Main (H) 270 Main St., 828-526- 

2590. Classic, polished bistro located inside 

The Main Street Inn, featuring elevated 

American fare and outdoor dining. Appetizers, 

soups and sandwiches for lunch, 

and dinner includes trout, steaks, salmon 

and lobster bisque. Lunch and dinner 

seasonally. 

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar (H) 465 

Main St., 828-787-2990. Enjoy handcrafted 

Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, cast-iron 

sandwiches, small plates and salads in a 

modern Mediterranean eatery. Try the Polpette 

(homemade pork meatballs), cast-iron 

grilled cheese or choose a tomato-based or 

olive oil-based pizza baked to perfection. 

Lunch and dinner, Wed-Mon. 

Zookeeper Bistro (C) 45 Slab Town Rd., 

828-743-7711. Casual dining for breakfast 

and lunch, serving American dishes like 

caramel apple French toast and Western 

omelet, or try the Slabtown burger or Jackson 

County club. Beer and wine. 7:30am- 

2pm, Tue-Sun. 

Café 

Bella’s Junction Café (SM) 20 Old Mud 

Creek Rd., 828-526-0803. A casual dining 

café serving American fare. Salads and 

sandwiches for lunch, like salmon BLT and 

Reuben, and for dinner try a homemade 

pizza or the stuffed flounder, prime rib or 

lobster ravioli. Lunch Thur-Sat, dinner Fri- 

Sat, Sun brunch. 

Blue Bike Café (H) 423 N. 4th St., 828- 

526-9922. A casual breakfast and lunch café 

offering breakfast all day, and tasty burgers, 

sandwiches and salads for lunch. Try 

the grilled portabella with sweet potato tots 

or the smoked chicken salad. Open daily 

7am-3pm, closed Wed. 

Buck’s Coffee Café (C) 6 Hwy 107 S., 828- 

743-9997. The local’s hangout most mornings, 

offering fresh brewed coffee and tea, 

along with breakfast, lunch and dessert 

items. Try the egg & cheese English muffin 

or a grilled Panini. Open daily 7am-6pm. 

Calders Coffee Café (H) 384 Main St., 

828-200-9308. Calders serves up fine classic 

coffee, tea, wine and food. Select from 

breakfast and lunch sandwiches like ham 

and cheese croissants or smoked salmon.

Fressers Courtyard Café (H) 470 Oak 

St., 828-526-8847. A small take-out café 

with patio tables offering delicious baked 

goods, hearty burgers and sandwiches, and 

their famous thick-cut Fresser fries. Fullservice 

catering is available. Lunch and 

dinner seasonally. 

Deli/Ice Cream 

Crossroads Custard & Cold Brew (C) 45 

Slab Town Road, A-6, 828-743-1888. Experience 

the house-made, rich, soft-serve custard 

available in 24 flavors. Also serves shakes, 

smoothies, cold brew coffee, floats, sandwiches, 

bagels and more. Closed Mondays. 

Kilwins (H) 341 Main St., 828-526-3788. An 

old-fashioned confectionery serving original 

recipe ice-cream, hand-crafted chocolates, 

Mackinac Island fudge, handmade sweets 

and gift baskets. Try top sellers like turtle 

fudge or milk sea-salt tuttles. Open daily. 

SweeTreats (H) 115 S. 4th St., 828-526- 

9632. A craft ice-cream shop and deli that 

has been a family gathering place for over 

30 years. Soups, salads and specialty sandwiches 

like the Muffaletta, French dip and 

torta de carnitas are crowd favorites. Or try 

a delicious milkshake, sundae or frozen yogurt. 

Lunch and dinner daily. 

Fine Dining 

Canyon Kitchen (S) 150 Lonesome Valley 

Rd., 828-743-7967. An upscale restaurant 

serving New American cuisine in a rusticchic 

ambience. Enjoy a four-course meal 

with selections like flounder crudo, duck 

boudin, seared diver scallops and apple foster 

cheesecake. Full bar and extensive wine 

list. Dinner Wed-Sun, May-Oct. 

A Tradition That Feels Right at Home. 

Reminiscent of 

days gone by 

and suggestive 

of wonderful 

times to come! 

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • 41 Commons Drive, Cashiers, NC • 828-743-9091 

Celebrating 

40 Years of 

Fine Dining! 

Enjoy international cuisine while 

overlooking beautiful Lake Sequoyah. 

Book Reservations by phone 

or online with RESY 

Open nightly, 5:30-9pm 

Lakeside Restaurant (H) 531 Smallwood 

Ave., 828-526-9419. A fine dining experience 

within a cozy cottage on Harris Lake, 

offering fresh seafood and American fare. 

Local rainbow trout, Carolina grouper and 

Maryland-style crab cakes are favorites. 

Extensive wine list. Dinner Tue-Sun. 

Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden 

(H) 445 Main St., 828-787-2525. Awarded 

the AAA Four-Diamond Award, Madison’s 

offers a seasonal, farm-to-table fine dining 

service in the elegant Old Edwards Inn. 

Enjoy lush dishes like Painted Hills beef 

ribeye and Sunburst trout, along with an 

extensive wine list. Lunch and dinner daily. 

Midpoint Restaurant (H) 332 Main St., 

828-526-2277. An eco-friendly restaurant 

Listen live anywhere, 

anytime! 

Now streaming our 

broadcast on 

WWW.WHLC.com 

1536 Franklin Road, Highlands 

828-526-2338 

ontheverandah.com 


using local farm-to-table practices. A global 

culinary team offers an inventive menu, like 

lemon crisp calamari, chicken tikka masala, 

sea bass aw mawk and Spanish paella. A good 

selection of wines to pair with your meal. Dinner 

nightly. 

On The Verandah (H) 1536 Franklin Rd., 

828-526-2338. An upscale eatery offering international 

cuisine and seafood, with a romantic 

atmosphere overlooking Lake Sequoyah. Enjoy 

dishes like spicy Thai coconut shrimp, filet 

mignon, Creole chicken and seared scallops. 

Extensive wine list. Dinner nightly, seasonally. 

Ristorante Paoletti (H) 440 Main St., 828- 

526-4906. Enjoy refined Italian dining in an 

elegant European-style atmosphere. Handmade 

pasta, veal, beef, lamb, elk and several 

fresh seafood dishes comprise the extensive 

menu. Over 850 wines to pair with your 

meal, that has earned Wine Spectator’s Best 

of Award of Excellence since 1987. Dinner 

nightly, seasonally. 

Bridge at Mill Creek (H) 445 N St., 828-526- 

5500. A high-end, farm to table atmosphere, 

enjoy lunch or dinner in casual luxury. Menu 

includes mains ranging from burgers and 

salads to NC trout and Delmonico rib eye 

stake. Small plates include crispy brussels 

and shrimp tartine. Mon/Thu 11 am - 2:30 

pm, 5 - 9:30pm; Fri/Sat 11 am - 3 pm, 5 -11pm; 

Sunday brunch 8 am - 2pm. 

The Library Kitchen & Bar (S) 184 Cherokee 

Trail, 828-743-5512. An historic upscale 

eatery with a casual and modern vibe, serving 

dishes with German influences from Michelinstar 

trained Chef Johannes. Try the pistachio 

crusted Georgia quail or the coriander sautéed 

Carolina trout. Full bar, wine and beer. Catering 

available. Dinner Tue-Sat. 

The Orchard Restaurant (C) 905 Hwy 107 

S., 828-743-7614. A restored farmhouse serving 

southern-inspired American cuisine with 

an elegant, rustic ambience. Try the trout 

Chattooga, Grimshawe’s ribeye or apple bourbon 

pork osso buco. Full bar, extensive wine 

list and beer. Dinner Wed-Sat. 

The Restaurant at the Greystone (T) 

220 Greystone Ln., 828-966-4700. Situated 

inside The Greystone Inn, the restaurant offers 

breathtaking views of Lake Toxaway 

and mountains. Enjoy a seasonal menu from 

award-winning Chef Sean, like Bouillabaisse 

and pomegranate and molasses glazed duck 

breast. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, 

seasonally. 


The Ruffed Grouse Tavern (H) 270 Main 

St., 828-526-2590. Enjoy a locally sourced, seasonal 

menu, craft cocktails, extensive wines 

and a curated selection of craft beers and ales 

by the wood burning fireplace in the eclectic 

tavern or outside on the wrap around terrace. 

(Dec-May) Breakfast, lunch and dinner 

served Wed -Sat, brunch on Sunday. (June- 

Nov) Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Tues-Sat, 

brunch on Sunday. 

Wild Thyme Gourmet (H) 343 Main St., 

828-526-4035. An upscale eatery serving 

Asian-influenced American cuisine. Specialty 

dishes include spicy stir-fry waterfall beef tenderloin, 

herb crusted rack of lamb and salmon 

with Vidalia onion crust. Wine list won Wine 

Spectator Award of Excellence in 2018. Lunch 

and dinner daily. 

Winslow’s Hideaway (C) 33 Village Walk 

Way, 828-743-2226. Fine dining in the heart 

of Cashiers, serving authentic American cuisine. 

Try the trout Winslow, Manhattan bonein 

strip or roast Long Island duckling. Full 

bar. Dinner Tue-Sat. 

Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro (H) 

474 Main St., 828-526-3807. Enjoy an eclectic 

menu of German, American and Cajun cuisine 

by nationally recognized Chef Wolfgang. An 

intimate and upscale bistro serving up dishes 

like Venison Au Poivre, pecan crusted shrimp 

and roast loin of lamb. Award-winning wine 

list. Dinner nightly, seasonally. 

Italian/Pizza 

Slab Town Pizza (C) 45 Slab Town Rd., 

828-743-0020. Enjoy New York style pizza 

with handmade dough and fresh toppings. 

Build your own pie or choose from one of their 

specialty pizzas. Calzones, salads and sandwiches. 

Beer and wine. Lunch and dinner, 

Tue-Sun. 

The Pizza Place of Highlands (H) 365 Main 

St., 828-526-5660. A community staple since 

the mid ‘70s, offering an extensive menu selection 

of pizza, calzones, sandwiches, salads and 

a kid’s menu. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. 

Villa Amato (T) 15887 Rosman Hwy, 828- 

885-7700. Classic homemade Italian fare like 

eggplant parmesan, lasagna, penne vodka, 

pizza, Stromboli and calzones. Lunch and dinner, 

Mon-Sat.. 

Mexican 

Chile Loco (C) 45 Slab Town Rd., 828-743- 

1160. Casual dining in a friendly atmosphere, 

serving authentic Mexican fare. Tacos, soups, 

fajitas, tortas, steak, chicken and specialties 

like chalupas, tostadas and chimichangas. 

Full bar, beer and wine. Lunch and dinner, 

Mon-Sat. 

El Azteca Rainforest Bar & Grill (H) 72 

Highlands Plaza, 828-526-2244. Authentic 

Mexican cuisine using fresh, local ingredients, 

featuring ceviche, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas 

and burritos. Full bar, beer and wine. Lunch 

and dinner daily. 

El Manzanillo (C) 30 Hwy 64-E, 743-5522; 

(H) 30 Dillard Rd., 828-526-0608. Two locations 

offering authentic Mexican cuisine. Burritos, 

fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, steak, 

chicken and seafood. Margaritas, wine and 

beer. Lunch and dinner daily. 

Las Margaritas (C) 127 Hwy 64-E, 828- 

745-6900. Traditional Mexican cuisine with 

the freshest of ingredients. Don't miss the 

fabulous margaritas, and venture out to try 

the California-inspired Mexican cuisine. Open 

daily. 

Los Vaqueros (H) 30 Dillard Road, 828-482- 

7040. Fantastic, authentic Mexican cuisine 

using only the freshest ingredients. For a nice 

surprise, try the shrimp cocktail. Open daily. 

Pescado’s Highlands Burritos (H) 226 S. 

4th St., 828-526-9313. A lively burrito eatery, 

serving up specialty burritos like roast pork 

and garlic-cilantro steak. Tacos, quesadillas 

and homemade soups. Lunch Mon-Sat.Main 

St., 828-526-5660. A community 

Take-Home Meals 

Dusty’s Rhodes Superette (H) 493 Dillard 

Rd., 828-526-2762. A 2nd generation, family 

run specialty foods store, with a butcher shop, 

deli, sundries, take-home prepared meals, 

wine and gifts. Tue-Sat. 

Rosewood Market (H) 117 Franklin Rd., 

828-526-0383. A fixture in Highlands for 

homemade, prepared foods to-go and catering. 

Choose from over 150 menu items with local 

favorites like lemon-caper chicken or baked 

halibut. 

The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering (H) 

350 S. 5th St., 828-526-2110. Short on time? 

Come in for high-quality, made-from-scratch 

take-home meals. Also offering full-service 

catering for any occasion. Open seasonally.

REAL ESTATE FORUM | Special Advertising Feature 

488 Farmhouse Trail 

Sapphire 

Located on a stream-front home site in gated 

Lonesome Valley, this five-bedroom, five-and-a-half 

bath home also features separate guest quarters 

with an additional bedroom and bath above the 

two-car garage, complete with a sitting area and 

kitchenette. The open floor plan boasts stunning 

hardwood floors, high ceilings, and a masonry 

fireplace; it flows seamlessly to the expansive 

outdoor spaces that include a dining porch, plus 

a screened porch with a stone fireplace, and two 

open decks. The master suite has a lovely mountain 

view and a bathroom worthy of a spa. Upstairs are 

three en suite guest rooms. 

MLS# 99054 | Offered for $4,995,000 

The Michaud/Rauers Group 

(828) 526-1717 


Lot 4 N. 1st Street 

Highlands 

These homes exude the best of mountain modern 

design, embrace the mountain lifestyle, and the 

desire for upscale living. The houses being planned 

for the Highlands neighborhood, Sanctuary on 

First, epitomize Sanctuary Developers’ goal of 

making sure that the homeowner feels cocooned, 

protected, and pampered in their own home. 

This four bedroom, four bath home is built in the 

popular transitional farmhouse style - traditional 

while offering a sleek, updated feel. The layout 

includes a main floor master bedroom, four 

fireplaces, and a sun porch that is accessible from 

the great room. Upstairs is a family/media room. 



(828) 526-1717 


28 Ron Sanders Lane 

Highlands 

Tucked into a small, quiet neighborhood, just minutes 

from everything Highlands has to offer, this immaculate 

home is perfectly positioned on a completely flat lot 

with plenty of land. The open concept great room has a 

fireplace with built-ins on either side, wood floors, and a 

vaulted and beamed ceiling. The kitchen is open and has 

a large island. A screened porch, open deck, and two 

car garage complete the home. The main level has two 

ensuite bedrooms plus a half bath. The oversized primary 

bedroom has a fireplace. Upstairs is a guest bedroom 

suite, plus an additional sleeping area and great storage. 

There is a potting shed and a generator in the back yard. 

May be purchased fully furnished. Membership to Old 

Edwards Club available with purchase of home. 



(828) 526-1717 


23 Streamside Lane 

Highlands 

Sited just above a rushing waterfall with views of the 

pond below and the mountain in the distance, this 

beautiful, high-quality home has been impeccably 

maintained. There are hardwood floors throughout 

and granite countertops in all bathrooms. The floorto-ceiling 

stone fireplace is the focus of the great 

room, which also boasts a wood-beamed vaulted 

ceiling. There are a total of three stone fireplaces 

with gas logs; one is also wood burning. An 

updated kitchen with Wolf/Sub Zero appliances and 

honey-honed granite countertops makes cooking 

a pleasure. There are two master suites; one on 

the main floor with an upscale ensuite bathroom. 

Another on the lower level with a private deck. 



(828) 526-1717 


186 Happoldt Drive 

Highlands 

Make this wonderful Highlands Country Club cottage 

your next home! This home offers three bedrooms, 

three baths, a one-car garage, two stone masonry 

fireplaces, and fantastic decks. Two bedrooms, two 

baths, the kitchen, and living room with a cozy 

fireplace are on the main level. The large downstairs 

features a third bedroom and bath, plus a comfortable 

family room with another stone fireplace. This lower 

level also has a separate entrance, providing your 

guests with ultimate privacy. Enjoy in-town living with 

quick access (approximately 1 1/2 miles) to Main Street 

in Highlands with world-class shopping, dining, and 

cultural activities. This lovely home is the perfect yearround 

or seasonal residence. 



(828) 526-1717 


276 Wandering Ridge 

Glenville 

Relax in this rustic mountain getaway only five minutes 

from the Cashiers Crossroads for nearby dining, 

festivals, and shopping. The open main living area is 

complemented by both the primary and secondary 

bedrooms on the main level for convenience and 

comfort. The spacious covered deck expands outdoor 

living around the wood-burning fireplace and a 

relaxing view of the ridge line. Cathedral ceilings and a 

grand fireplace greet you from the moment you enter 

the house. A beautiful owner's suite with fireplace has 

a remodeled ensuite bath, 10’x15’ walk-in closet and 

private porch. The sleeping loft with a bathroom has 

room for two queen beds. The lower level family room 

with a fourth fireplace boasts a side deck to backyard. 


Mary Abranyi 

(828) 226-9818 



REAL ESTATE FORUM | Special Advertising Feature 

160 Down Ridge Road 

Glenville 

Perched atop a flat ridge within the majestic Blue 

Ridge Mountains, Beaumont Ridge Farm offers the 

unparalleled sanctuary of days long past. 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. A new multidiscipline 

riding ring, four contiguous pastures, and a 

six-stall barn will delight any equestrian. Outbuildings, 

workshops, and garages ensure ample space to enjoy 

every hobby. The 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. 

MLS 100977 | Offered for $14,500,000 

Beth Townsend 

828.421.6193 

beth@cashiers.com 

465 Gristmill Ridge 

Cashiers 

Modern, mountain luxury perfectly describes this 

estate home located within the Chattooga Club on 

a private lot and just a few minutes from Cashiers. 

The main level leads you from the vaulted kitchen 

and dining room into the upscale great room, and 

out onto the fully finished Carolina porch featuring 

automatic canvas shades. A cozy library with its own 

fireplace welcomes you through to the beautiful 

Primary Suite. Upstairs features a large guest suite 

and a bonus room with its own full bath and 

beautiful views. The lower level features a large family 

room, sun room, half bath and laundry room. The 

exterior completes this home with a winding, stone 

driveway lined with beautiful landscaping. 


Liz Harris 

828.342.3194 

liz@cashiers.com 

144 Manahawk Way 

Sapphire 

Do you want a home with long-range views? 

Here it is! The home features stunning views into 

South Carolina with glimpses of Lake Jocassee, 

Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell. Along with four 

bedrooms, there are three additional bonus rooms. 

The main floor offers the convivence of one-level 

living with the kitchen, walk-in pantry, dining room, 

living room and primary suite. Additionally, there 

is a two-car garage and workshop. The upper and 

lower decks are the perfect place to watch the 

sunrises and sunsets. With plenty of extra space, 

this home is perfect for entertaining! 


Wayne Monday 

828.508.8661 

wayne@cashiers.com 

286 Stockton Road 

This beautifully built round-on-round log home is 

the perfect mountain retreat! The terrace level has 

everything your guests will need including full kitchen, 

laundry room, and spacious living room. Enter the main 

floor through the custom, slumped-glass door to the 

open den with stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. The 

well appointed kitchen flows perfectly into this space 

making for great entertaining with family and friends. 

The custom stone firepit and grilling station is the ideal 

spot to relax after a long day of hiking or sightseeing. If 

the firepit gets too hot, you can cool off in the Ledford 

Branch which runs through part of the property. 


Maggie Elmer 

803.493.5734 

maggie@cashiers.com 

Logan Crocker 

843.224.2059 

logan@cashiers.com 


1130 Sitting Rock Trail 

Cullowhee 

Snowbird is the most unique community in our area, 

focusing on these most desired prime attributes; large 

private estate parcels (all over 20 acres), beautiful longrange 

views, frolicking streams and noisy waterfalls 

and a patchwork of rolling open fields connected 

by common hiking and horseback riding trails. This 

home is oriented on a knoll facing southeast and was 

built to offer passive solar advantage. At over 4000 

elevation, there is an additional, higher site on this tract 

that could accommodate a guest house or private 

pavilion. A primary bedroom and bath are on the 

main level with kitchen, living/den and view porch. A 

covered breezeway leads to the large two car garage. 

Downstairs is another bedroom, bath, laundry and a 

large common area. 

MLS 99164 | Offered for $949,500 

Beth Townsend 

828.421.6193 

beth@cashiers.com 

20 Alure Drive 

This charming two bedroom, two bath cottage has 

undergone a complete remodel, bringing in light and 

airy mountain modern finishes. Located in the The 

Oaks, it is turnkey and ready to enjoy making it the 

perfect first-time home buyer's dream or amazing 

rental in the highly sought-after Cashiers area. From 

the vaulted Kitchen, Dining and Living Room ceiling to 

the primary en-suite with gorgeous views, this cottage 

is a must see. An expansive deck allows for ample 

lounging and enjoyment of the long-range, year-round 

mountain views. The generous size lot features mature 

garden spaces, a water feature, and a fire pit. 

MLS 101032 | Offered for $789,000 

Liz Harris 

828.342.3194 

liz@cashiers.com

150 Zermatt Circle Highlands 

Highlands 

Located in the heart of the Great Blue Ridge 

Mountains, this beautifully renovated home 

is within walking distance to downtown 

Highlands. This home offers two master 

bedrooms with en-suite baths, flex space on 

the main floor, and an oversized loft space with 

a kitchenette. Guests will feel pampered while 

enjoying dinner and drinks by the fire in the 

main dining/living area or around the outdoor 

fire pit. 


Darlene Conley 

(404) 427-2448 

394 High Pinnacle Road 

Glenville 

Turkey Ridge, the Plauche' Estate, nestled on 

nearly 24 acres of unrestricted land & located 

15 minutes from downtown Cashiers, was the 

lifelong dream of Dr. Herbert Plauche'. The 

sanctuary is surrounded on 2 sides by 727 acres 

of conservation land. The 3BR/2-1/2 BA main 

house was sited for sunsets & was crafted from 

hand-hewn logs disassembled from a turnof-the-century 

stagecoach way station from 

TN. The estate also includes a 4BR/2 BA guest 

cabin, and open-air pavilion. 


Julie Osborn 

(828) 200-6165 

and 

Pat Allen 

(828) 200-9179 

1701 Cherokee Mountain Trail 

Murphy 

Everyone is searching for a mountain home 

with breathtaking views and this home has 

exactly what you are searching for! Amazing 

open concept kitchen, granite countertops, 

stainless steel, appliances, convection oven, 

5 burner gas top stove, beautiful cabinets, 

and pantry! Main level primary bedroom with 

a walk-in closet. New walk-in tile shower 

and claw foot tub. The living room features 

a wood-burning soapstone stove. Main level 

sunroom! 

MLS# 100356 | Offered for $474,000 

Taylor Gremli 

(828) 644-4002 

59 Whiteside Cove Road 

Cashiers 

Beautiful home located in the prestigious High 

Hampton Club community. The large one-story 

house contains four bedrooms and four full 

baths, with three bedrooms having their own 

en suite bathroom. The many extras include a 

generously sized laundry room and oversized 

two car garage. Deed restrictions on the lot 

end in 2025, allowing even more opportunity 

for the owners. Don’t miss your chance to see 

this incredible, private home in a premier club 

of the area! $1,525,000 

Kyle McKim 

828-200-0454 

highlandsproperties.com 

Lot 17, Lone Chimney Drive 

Cashiers 

One of the best lots in Pinchot, this private 

and beautiful 5.13 acres is located in the 

heart of this prestigious gated community. 

With spectacular long-range mountain views, 

property is flat with easy topography and has 

a great home site overlooking a quiet, open 

and fenced pasture area. Membership to 

Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club is available 

with approval upon the purchase of this 

property. $880,000 

Kyle McKim 

828-200-0454 

Highlandsproperties.com 

731 Ravenel Ridge Road 

Highlands 

Rare listing on Ravenel Ridge with an eastern 

panoramic view. There are two bedrooms and 

a den/media/bedroom with a full bath in the 

main house. A 4th bedroom/apt. is located 

above the oversized 2 car garage. Many fine 

details are located in this custom home built by 

John Lupoli. Whole house generator powers 

house and guest house. $2,995,000 

Myrna Moore 

828-371-2446 

Highlandsproperties.com 


travel 

Isles of Surprise 

Living the life in the Turks & Caicos 

By KATIE MCELVEEN 

Though best-known for its wide, sun-splashed beaches, it turns out that Turks and Caicos 

is also a great destination for adventurers and foodies. And while it does have a 

well-deserved reputation for being expensive, budget options abound. Just back 

from a visit, where they sampled both the casual and elegant side of this archipelago, 

publishers Robert Sweeney and Emily Sweeney share their discoveries. 

Why Turks & Caicos? 

Robert: As an advanced scuba diver, Turks has always been on 

our list, but we’ve never been able to make the trip work until now. 

Emily: Turks is a great place to snorkel, too, which is great now 

that I’m no longer diving. 

What surprised you the most about the islands? 

Robert: We knew there would be great wall diving, but had no idea 

about the range of lodging and dining options or the abundance of 

activities. We spent a great day kayaking through mangroves in 

clear kayaks. The wind made it tough going but also cleared away 

the bugs and humidity. We spotted lots of sea turtles and other 

sea life. The diving was exceptional. The reef is very close to shore, 

which usually means there will be some cloudiness in the water. 

Not here. We had at least 100 feet of visibility and were able to see 

coral heads, sharks, rays and lots of tropical fish. 

Emily: We had a fabulous day trip from Providenciales, where we 

were staying, to the North and Middle Caicos, where we explored 

Three Marys Cays, Bambarra Beach and Mudjin Harbor. I especially 

loved Mudjin Harbor—the beach and water are beautiful and 

the limestone rocks and caves are fascinating. I had no idea the 

landscape would be so diverse. If you go, bring sandals with thick 

soles so you can hike over the rocks as well as binoculars so you 

can check out the pink flamingoes that live on the island. There are 

thousands of them. 

Getting there was fun and an adventure. We took the TCI ferry 

from Provo to Middle Caicos, where we rented a car. The roads are 

bumpy, but we got around easily. 

How was the food on the island? 

Emily: Delicious and also diverse. Da Conch Shack is super casual; 

if you’re lucky, the conch knockers will show you how to remove 

the conch, island style! They serve conch any way you like along 

with chicken, local fish, shrimp burgers and more. Tribe serves 

fresh pastries in the morning and curried chicken salad for lunch; 

at Skull Rock Cantina we started with a conch ceviche salad that 

came with crispy plantains. Their grilled chicken and steak fajitas 

were not only sizzlin’ but yummy! Both restaurants were located 

in the Ports of Call Resort, where we stayed the first three nights. 

We enjoyed a number of fine dining restaurants as well. On the 

campus of The Shore Club on Long Bay, where we stayed after 

Ports of Call, Sui-Ren offers Asian-inspired dinners by candlelight. 

We started with an assortment of Makimono rolls (Asian fushion, 

samurai & volcano) followed by pan seared native red snapper. The 


lamb chops were an incredible presentation and delicious! Sweet 

potato donuts were a unique and tasty dessert. Friday happens to 

be their sushi night with specials! Colonade poolside dining Bento 

box was my personal favorite! 

We also loved Grace’s Cottage Restaurant, where we started with 

escargot before moving on to grilled rack of lamb and grilled yellowtail. 

The accompaniments—confit shallots, grilled veggies and 

pommes dauphinoise, were as delicious as the mains. The garden setting 

is just gorgeous too. At Provence by Eric, we opted for the weekly 

special menu at the chef’s table, which included yellowfin tuna crudo 

and pan seared Hokkaido scallops with dashi kombu beurre blanc 

sauce. Dessert was Chef Eric’s version of tiramisu, which subs out 

limoncello for the espresso. Truly fabulous lemon twist to end the 

dinner. Parallel23 at the Palms Resort serves on a stunning al fresco 

terrace overlooking beautiful gardens or a domed dining room. The 

restaurant offers land and sea favorites with 21-day aged steaks, a 

signature Caesar salad and house-made pastas. Save room for their 

signature sticky toffee pudding! With sand in between our toes and 

salt in the air, we ate on the beach at Bay Bistro Restaurant, all 

while taking in a gorgeous Caribbean sunset. We started with the 

coffee rubbed tuna before moving on to coconut crusted grouper and 

fresh blackened snapper. We loved the liquor tasting flights at Opus 

Restaurant Wine Bar & Grill almost as much as the food, which included 

tuna tartare, whole snapper and signature Opus coffee, which 

is infused with Grand Marnier and Frangelico. 

Outdoor 

garden seating 

at Parallel23 

restaurant. 

PHOTOS TURKS & CAICOS TOURIST BOARD 

Where did you stay? 

Robert: We spent our first three nights at Ports of Call Resort, 

which is just across the street from both Grace Bay Beach and some 

of Provo’s best restaurants and boutiques. Our room was super 

clean and spacious, with a bedroom and living room setup. It would 

be great for families, as they offer multi-room villas and there are 

grocery stores nearby. We enjoyed the pool, but if we wanted to go 

to the beach, they’d take us over in a golf cart. The beach area is 

gorgeous, and they have paddle boards, kayaks and chaise lounges 

available at no charge. The entire resort was recently renovated. 

We spent the next three nights at The Shore Club. It’s located on 

Long Bay Beach, which is across the island from Grace Bay Beach. 

It’s a much quieter area and really has a sense of exclusivity. This is 

a luxury property in every way. The gardens are lush and pristine, 

the rooms expansive and the service impeccable—you can even request 

a butler. There are four pools, including a black bottom pool 

with its own cooling system that keeps the water comfortable. There 

are also five restaurants, a stunning spa and even free transport to 

the resort’s sister property on Grace Bay if you want to see that side 

of the island. Breakfast is included, too, which is nice. 

Our last two nights were at Ocean Club West, an oceanfront resort 

on Grace Bay, offering several room layouts, watersports and 

beachside dining. 

We rented a car for our trip, but also used a local shuttle service, 

Islandlife Transportation, that could eliminate the rental all 

together. Excellent service that picks you up and then comes back 

to take you back to your resort (all done via texting). 

Sounds like a terrific vacation! 

When are you headed back? 

Both: As soon as we can! • 

Lodging 

Portsofcallresort.com 

Theshoreclubtc.com 

Oceanclubresorts.com 

Sui-Ren 

restaurant 

at The 

Shore Club 

Conch 

ceviche and 

fritters at Da 

Conch Shack. 

P 


the last reflection 

Saving the Day with Meatballs 

By ANNE WOLFE POSTIC 

THE PITIFUL SOB FROM THE 

the back seat broke my heart. A 

wail of regret so momentous I 

almost wrecked in solidarity. 

What tragedy had befallen my 

youngest son, not yet three years old, that 

he could feel such abject hopelessness? 

I pulled over to find out what I could do 

to mitigate any lasting psychological 

damage. “What is it, my sweet baby? What 

happened?” 

“I…I…I…ATE OLIVER’S 

MEATBALLS…ahhhoooowahhhh…” 

He erupted into sobs once more, tears 

streaming down his innocent, chubby 

cheeks. His beloved older brother, in sixth 

grade, had biked to a local spot with friends 

after school. With his own money, he had 

bought spaghetti and meatballs, leaving 

the leftovers in the car with specific instructions 

not to eat a bite, especially the 

meatballs. The container, just barely reachable 

from the toddler’s car seat, had proved 

irresistible. 

“My baby, my darling,” I sighed with relief, 

“I can fix this. Oliver will be fine. I can 

make more meatballs!” 

His sobs turned to suspicion, tinged with 

the slightest hint of resentment. “You can 

make meatballs?” 

I had been holding out, and he was less 

than pleased. That afternoon, I made meatballs. 

At supper, we broke the news to his 

older brother as I served heaping plates of 

pasta and meatballs. Bad news is less painful 

with a side of comfort food. 

My children forgave me for waiting so 

long to make meatballs, mainly because, 

as a penance, I pledged to always make 

large batches, freezing some for later, so 

we could enjoy them whenever necessary. 

You are perfectly capable of sharing this joy 

with your nearest and dearest, and there’s 

no need to wait for a meatball emergency. 

Here you go! 

First, assemble these things: 

1.5 cups breadcrumbs (or crushed potato 

chips or crackers or whatever.) 


1.5 cups milk 

3 large eggs 

1.5 cups shredded Parmesan (or 

Asiago or Romano or whatever.) 

A handful of chopped fresh parsley 

(or basil or a mix of whatever 

green herby thing you have 

that might be good.) 

1 tablespoon salt, or a heaping tablespoon 

of your favorite seasoning 

salt (we like Seasonello, sea salt with a 

traditional Bolognese blend of herbs.) 

Optional: a few dashes of Italian seasoning 

if you used unseasoned salt 

Black pepper 

3 pounds ground meat, any combination. 

I use one pound each 

pork, lamb, and beef. 

1 large onion, finely chopped or grated 

1 tablespoon or so of chopped garlic 

Now, make the meatballs! 

Stir the milk and starchy crumbs in a bowl 

to combine. The crumbs will get nice and 

soggy while you work. 

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, 

cheese, parsley, salt, Italian seasoning, 

and pepper. 

Add meat to the bowl and mush everything 

together by hand. Remove any jewelry 

first, or you’ll have to have them profes 

sionally cleaned. 

Add onion and soaked starchy crumbs, 

blending by hand. Don’t get too aggressive. 

Work the meat as little as possible 

to blend all ingredients. 

Shape meatballs by hand. Line a freezer 

container with waxed paper, 

adding the meatballs as 

you go. The size is up to you. 

We prefer bite-size, 

about an inch and a half, 

usually a heaping tablespoon 

of the mixture. 

Freeze the extra 

meatballs for a 

rainy day. 

Setting aside what you 

plan to eat immediately, 

freeze the uncooked meatballs. Once frozen, 

transfer to a freezer bag for more efficient 

storage. Thaw in the fridge before 

cooking. 

Make your meal! 

Heat some olive oil in a pan on the stove. 

Add a single layer of meatballs, leaving 

a little room to stir, and brown them on 

medium heat, nudging every so often until 

the whole exterior is brown. 

Pour in enough tomato sauce to barely cover 

the meatballs. Cover the pan and simmer 

on low heat until the meatballs reach an 

internal temperature of 165 ºF, about 30 

minutes. 

While the sauce simmers, prepare your favorite 

pasta. Classic spaghetti works, but 

the meatballs are the star here, so whatever 

shape you have on hand is just fine. 

Drain the pasta, top with meatballs and 

sauce, serve with extra cheese, and sit 

back and accept the love. 

Our story had a surprise twist. One lone 

meatball was located hidden under the 

mound of pasta in our older son’s treasured 

to-go box. It was a good meatball. But in a 

side-by-side taste test, the homemade meatballs 

were declared by everyone present to 

be infinitely superior. 

Here’s to being your child’s hero every 

once in a while. Not all heroes wear capes 

— some of us save the day (and the toddler) 

with meatballs. 

Buon appetito, y’all! P

Custom Home Building on the 

Highlands-Cashiers Plateau 

Custom residential construction in Lonesome Valley 

Highlands & Cashiers, NC 

828.743.0724 

Located at 17 Old Cashiers Square, Highway 107 South in Cashiers 

www.ChinquapinBuilders.com 

Scott Westendorf, Owner/General Contractor 


Highlands Properties 

INTEGRITY | SINCERITY | CREDIBILITY 

Representing Buyers and Sellers for 25 Years 

in the Highlands/Cashiers Market 

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, 

over-civilized people are beginning to 

find out that going to the mountains 

is going home—that wilderness is a 

necessity.” – John Muir 

Let us help you find your piece of Heaven on the Highlands/Cashiers plateau 

R E A L T O R S ® 

450 N. 4th Street, Highlands, NC | 828.526.5522 | highlandsproperites.com

Plateau Magazine Dec-Jan 2022-23

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