August 2014
Life Plateau on the
A publication of The Highlander and the Crossroads Chronicle
The Cashiers Historical Society invites you to join us for...
THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL
CASHIERS DESIGNER SHOWHOUSETM HILLIARD HOUSE AUGUST 23-AUGUST 31 Twenty-five prominent designers transform the rooms and gardens of Hillard House, an intimate yet encompassing 29-acre family retreat in the shadows of Whiteside Mountain. Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 12pm - 4pm “Farm to Fork” daily lunches by renowned Chattooga Club chef Jason Whitaker
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Friday, August 22 - 7pm - $250 per person Join us on the beautiful grounds of The Zachary House Music by Liquid Pleasure & Catering by Lee Epting
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Saturday, August 23 - 11am - $125 open seating • $150 reserved seating $2,500 Favored Table seated with Nina Campbell, honored speaker $2,000 Favored Table seated with Clinton Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Veranda Magazine $2,000 Favored Table seated with Suzanne Kasler The Country Club of Sapphire Valley
PRIVATE CASHIERS Presented by McKee Properties, Inc. A PRIVATE TOUR OF THREE CASHIERS HOMES Saturday, August 30 - 9am - 4pm, $150 per person Parking and transporation, Barrs’ lot
SPONSORS Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles • McKee Properties, Inc. • ADAC of Atlanta, Ga. • Staghorn Energy, LLC • Hennessy Automobiles of Atlanta • Acorns • Macon Bank of Cashiers • Ainsworth-Noah • Vivace • The Chattooga Club • Coward, Hicks and Siler, P.C. • The Laurel
Tickets available online at: www.CashiersHistoricalSociety.org • 828-743-7710
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Contact Susie deVille Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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I
t’s no secret that late summer is one of the best times of the year on The Plateau. Sunny skies and warm temperatures make it hard to resist spending time outside, whether it’s a leisurely afternoon in town or a rugged mountain adventure. This time of year brings alive the streets of Highlands and Cashiers, which offer countless cultural actives in a beautiful mountain setting. This issue of Legacy magazine offers a snapshot of the plateau and a just a few of the things that make living in Highlands and Cashiers ideal. In this issue meet Wesley Wofford, a prosthetic make up artist turned artist whose works are now on display at the Bascom. “Foodies” can add a few more recipes to their collections with new twists on common dishes from Marilyn Underhill’s extensive collection. Readers are invited to revisit two familiar subjectssunset rock and dahlias- to learn more about their history in the area and the upcoming events that celebrate them. We’ve also compiled a list some of the most anticipated events of the season. Whether you enjoy the closing days of summer at a restaurant, art studio, concert or trail, we encourage you to take advantage of all Highlands and Cashiers has to offer.
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828-743-0623 To be included in the pages of Legacy Magazine, please contact us at: The Highlander (828) 526-4114 or online at news@highlandsnews.com or the Crossroads Chronicle at (828) 743-5101
Pebble Creek Village VACATION�RENTALS
Cashiers, North Carolina
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Publisher
Michael Johnson
Writers Meredith Burns Lilly Knoepp Eric NeSmith Meagan Bergeron Account Executives
Tyler Shook Mike Henry Brandy McElroy
Graphic Designers
Katherine Brown, Peter Morlock
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Life Plateau
215174
on the
Table of Contents
Sunsational: 100 years at Sunset Rock
12
August 21-31, 2014 The Red Hot Lovers
Artist profile: Wesley Wofford Summer Hiking Guide
6
Hooked for Life
18
February 26-March 8, 2015 TBA
26
May 21-31, 2015 Welcome to Mitford
Also inside ...
Growing a Legacy
28
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
October 16-26, 2014 4 One Act Plays by Neil Simon
Mountain Flavors, page 34 Cashiers Design Showhouse, page 38 Summer entertainment, page 42 Index of advertisers, page 47
For Tickets contact: PO Box 1416 Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-8084
www.HighlandsCashiersPlayers.org
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Life Plateau on the
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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S
unsational
100 Years at Sunset Rock
By Meredith Burns
Every town has a spot. A place to rest and reflect. A piece of land that is familiar to all, but still special to each individual. While there is no shortage of “spots” in the area, one of the most recognizable and beloved is Sunset Rock. A short distance from downtown, Sunset Rock is one of Highlands’ most visited places, providing visitors a spectacular view of downtown and the surrounding mountains. And whether it’s been a setting for a picnic, camp for the Fourth of July fireworks, or — as the name suggests — the arena for a sunset, almost everyone around has a special memory of Sunset Rock. Julie Schott, who now helps maintain the property as development coordinator for the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, grew up coming to Sunset Rock to watch the stars with her friends. Today she still ventures to the property when she needs to clear her head. “It’s a place that’s always been special to me, but it seems like anybody who’s visited this area, who’s visited Highlands, knows of or has been to Sunset Rock,” she said. “It’s kind of something we can all connect to.” Though countless people enjoy Sunset Rock every year, the land wasn’t always open to the public. The rocks belonged to the Ravenels, one of the oldest families in Highlands, until it was donated to the town a century ago. The Ravenel children donated the rocks in 1914 and the town has been celebrating the occasion throughout
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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the year. Not only did Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor declare 2014 “100 Years Together at Ravenel Park,” but the land trust has been partnering with local organizations to celebrate the “Sunsetenniel” and spread the history of Sunset Rock. “I feel like most people know about Sunset Rock, but what they don’t know about it is it’s protected by the land trust and how it came to be,” Schott said. “We’re hoping to help people understand it’s here because the Ravenels decided to make it a public park 100 years ago. If they hadn’t done that, these past 100 years people wouldn’t have been able to make their own memories here. To me, that’s the story we’re trying to tell this year.” Thanks to the work of the long-time residents and historians, including Randolph Shaffner who authored the tome “Heart of the Blue Ridge” about Highlands’ past, the story of the Ravenels and their connection to Sunset Rock is a well-documented, enduring one. The Ravenel’s connection to Highlands began around 1858 when Samuel Prioleau Ravenel first came to the area to help build a railroad from Charleston to Knoxville. Though the railroad was never finished, the beauty of the mountains that S. Prioleau Ravenel explored during his
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free time left an indelible mark on his soul. After the Civil War ended in 1865, S. Prioleau Ravenel returned to the land he loved with the title of Captain and a new bride, widow Margaretta Amelia Fleming Parker. The couple had four children together, Prioleau Jr., Marguerite, Clarissa and Elise, whom they raised in Highlands on a continuously expanding stretch of land. Near the turn of the 20th century, the family had about 30,000 acres that ran from Satulah and Whiteside mountains to Cashiers Valley. Far from idle landowners, the Ravenels took an active approach to improving the area while preserving its beauty. Captain Ravenel is credited for supporting and spearheading various projects, including a carriage road to the top of Satulah Mountain and a telephone line connecting Highlands to Victoria. Prioleau continued the tradition, building a turnpike from Cashiers to Highlands and opening to the public hundred of acres — much of which now belongs to the Highlands Biological Station and Nature Center. Highlands lost two of its leaders near the turn of the century, with Captain Ravenel dying in 1902 and Margaretta following in 1912. To honor the couple that had so cherished the land, the Ravenel children donated Sunset Rock to the
town of Highlands in 1914. It is often noted that the Ravenels’ contributions to the area outnumber those of Samuel Kelsey and C. C. Hutchinson, the town’s founders. While the Kansas men stayed only 15 years, the Ravenel’s presence remains to this day. Sunset Rock was the second land acquisition for what would become the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust — the first land trust in the state and one of the oldest in the country. Five years earlier, the summit of Satulah Mountain was bought for preservation under the leadership of Marguerite Ravenel.
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It all comes down to legacy. The Ravenels left a legacy. And here we are, 100 years later.
”
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Today the land trust still maintains the property, which also includes Sunrise Rock overlooking Horse Cove. This year, in addition to ecological tours of its protected properties and a nature series program in Cashiers, the land trust hosted various events for the centennial of Sunset Rock. To broaden its reach, the land trust partnered with local organizations to incorporate the “Sunsetennial” theme into area events. Local organizations assisting in the celebration include The Bascom, the Highlands Historical Society and the Highlands’ Writers Group, which will host a story swap about Sunset Rock on Aug. 12 at the Ugly Dog. “Many of these programs that we have going on this year we’ve collaborated with other organizations in the community. We talked with them to see how we could get other groups involved because this is such an important part of our community. We thought, the more groups that could be involved the better it would be,” Schott said. One of the most anticipated events will be held Aug. 16 — the exact date Sunset Rock was donated 100 years ago — and will include dinner at the private Ravenel House, which was known as Wolf Ridge when the Ravenels built it as a summer residence atop Sunset in 1916. “This is the biggest event this year, the most significant I guess because of the history of it because it is the centennial,”
Schott said. Celebrating Sunset Rock is part of a larger movement of the land trust’s staff and board of directors to educate and present to the public the pieces of land the organization cares for. Gary Wein, the trust’s executive director, said until recently, many land trusts collected and maintained land, but remained largely silent about the role it played in its own community. “There’s actually a movement in the U.S. away from that, saying that we have to show people what we’ve done so they understand it’s in their interest,” he said. Land trusts have been around since King Henry VIII and the war that pitted English and Vatican soldiers against one another. When landowners began giving away their properties to very young and
very old relatives to avoid fighting, the king inadvertently created the first land trusts. “Henry, who was not an idiot, said ‘Fine. You can do that, but you can’t give it to a related party. It has to go to a third, uninterested entity — a land trust,” Wein explained. Land trusts in the United States began booming in the 1980’s when changes to the tax laws provided an incentive for conservation easements. Today, many of the land trust’s properties are easements, which allows an owner to keep the property while giving the land trust certain development rights. Though a version of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust has existed since the purchase of Satulah in 1909, it was 2006 before the organization brought on Wein
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Page 6-7: View from Sunset Rock at Sunset on July 4, 2014. Page 8: One of the members of the Ravenel family atop Sunset Rock, courtesy of Clare and Wiley Ellis. Page 9: Aerial shot of Sunset Rock, Black Rock and Sagee. Page 10: View of Highlands Main Street from Sunset Rock. Page 11: Former HCLT Executive Director, Mike Cavender, who recently passed away, points out the many landmarks visible from Sunset Rock to his grandson. (Photos on pages 8, 9, and 11 submitted by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.)
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
as its first full time executive director. Unlike Sunset Rock, most of the properties the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is responsible for are not open for the public to explore. All of the trust’s land does have some public benefit, whether the land has historical significance, is needed for wildlife conservation or has water resources that need protection. Wein points to the top of Chimney Rock, which is visible from “The Big View” between Highlands and Cashiers, as an example. “The public benefits because the top of the mountain will be without buildings forever. So public benefit can be something as weird or unconnected as the view,” Wein said. The land trust’s ecological tours often allow the public rare opportunities to view these protected lands. Wein said in addition to sharing with the public what the land trust already has, the group has tried to identify and collect land that is important to the community. This marks a transition away from only
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
accepting land being offered as donation or easement from the property owner. “Instead we really would like to be in the position where we’re saying, ‘Your land is important, let us help you protect it,’” he said. In Jackson and Macon counties, the land trust currently holds about 2,500 acres, which it is obligated to maintain forever. The enormous responsibility of caring for a property forever means the land
trust must ensure its own survival by building funds and fueling interest in the land it protects, Wein said. Fortunately, the land trust has a perfect example of how one family’s land conservation efforts have greatly benefited an entire community. “It all comes down to legacy. The Ravenels left a legacy,” he said. “And here we are, 100 years later.”
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“ ‘Demetre’ • 12
It is the tragedies and struggles that create the radiance of the positive moments, and through these we become more humble and grateful for the spelndor that surrounds us. - Wesley Wofford
from the Beneath the Surface exhibit at The Bascom Life on the Plateau • August 2013
B
eneath the Surface Cashiers artist inspires emotion through his work
By Lily Knoepp
W
hen you step into Wesley Wofford’s sculpture studio in the mountains of Cashiers, the smells of resin, clay and wax welcome you into his world. “Most people can, but I really don’t smell it at all,” Wesley said. “It’s like you can’t smell your house but everyone else can.” This studio has been Wesley’s home since he and his family moved to Cashiers in 2002 when he began to transition into a full-time sculptor. Now, surrounded by rolling mountains and a quiet community, it might be difficult to picture Welsey in his previous role as a prosthetic make up artist who helped some of Hollywood’s biggest stars transform into legendary characters on screen. As a prosthetic make up artist, Wesley contributed to major films, including “Hannibal” and “America’s Sweethearts,” and won both an Emmy and Academy Achievement Award for his work. Most people wouldn’t compare make up for the movies to the sculptures found in a gallery, but Wesley knows how similar the two art forms are. “Essentially it is a moving sculpture with the same pieces as fine art just in an innovating, rushed sort of way,” he said. But there are also challenges to applying prosthetic make up that do not arise
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
when sculpting. “It’s challenging to take actor’s faces and turn them into someone else — especially recognizable people,” he said. One of Wesley’s favorite transformations happened when he turned actor Brad Garrett into the late comedian and actor Jackie Gleason for the TV movie “Gleason.” “It was kind of like doing a portrait but having to deal with him being underneath it,” he said. Wesley moved to California with his wife Odyssey when they were just 21 years old. He hoped to work in a field beyond industrial design, which was suggested to him while he attended a fine art school in Georgia. “You don’t know what you’re going to miss if you don’t give it a shot,” Odyssey
said. While Wesley was worked on film sets, Odyssey attended Cal Northridge to finish her degree in child development. Wesley Wofford quickly secured a job on film sets applying make up — a skill he learned during a 6-month stint at a trade school on the east coast. “Since I was 7-years-old I knew I wanted to be a sculptor. I had taught myself how to sculpt and how to use oil based clay and molds,” Wesley said. “They wanted me to sculpt cars and planes — industrial design shapes. I don’t know I just couldn’t do it. For me it was always people and faces — so in movies I was employed to sculpt people and faces. Wesley continues to use the lines of
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faces and bodies to convey emotion and invite reflection about controversial topics. Now, he simply uses a different medium. After moving back to Cashiers, Wesley began working on his current exhibit at The Bascom in Highlands called “Beneath the Surface.” Sallie Taylor, the current interim director at The Bascom, discovered Wofford’s work while shopping for antiques for another gallery exhibit. “I was with Bo Sweeny when he said, ‘Look at that sculpture.’ It was expressive and beautiful — I hadn’t seen anything like it,” she said. Wesley developed ideas for the show as Taylor helped him frame the conversation. “The arrangement and the setting are really important in trying to convey the concept and the feeling of a show,” Taylor said. For “Beneath the Surface,” the setting is dramatic and calm. A single spotlight lights each sculpture while dark music softly plays. The Loft Gallery also holds a reflecting pool in front of the largest sculpture on display, “The Sacrifice.” This piece, inspired by the school shootings that occurred during the shows production, shows a child laying in a large hand. “He wants to bring out conversation and emotionally excite people. It inspires emotion,” Odyssey said. “I saw one woman crying when she saw it, some-
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Pages 12-17: Works by Wesley Wofford. Page 12: ‘American Love,’ Clay for Bonded Stainless Steel. Edition 25, 2014. Page 13: Wofford working on a new portrait piece, commissioned by The Village Green in Cashiers. Page 14: ‘The Sacrifice,’ Bonded Bronze. Edition of 9, 2014. Page 15: A piece in Wofford’s garden at his home in Cashiers, ‘Balance.’ Page 16 and 17: Wofford working on ‘21st Century Graces’ and the finished piece. Bronze. Edition of 9, 2014.
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
thing deeply affected her emotionally. It makes people feel something.” This kind of emotional reaction is exactly what Wesley wanted to achieve in the show. “The show is all about trying to talk about things that people aren’t comfortable talking about: violence, nudity, technology and how they are affecting us as humans,” he said. Wesley says the exhibit is meant to start a conversation — but not a politcally charged one. “It’s horrendous that we can’t talk about it,” Wesley said. “Both sides are so polarized — ‘Don’t touch our guns,’ second amendment rights and all that, or ‘take all the guns.’ The two sides can’t talk to each other — even the politicians — it’s ridiculous. Meanwhile, the shootings continue as adults refuse to breach the
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problem.” During the process of creating “Sacrifice” Wesley was inspired to create another reaction to the school shootings — “American Love.” “I came in like, ‘What are you doing?’” Odyssey remebers saying when she found her husband working on a new piece while still trying to finish ‘Sacrifice.’ “It is getting if off your mind and your heart,” she said. “It was unexpected but we liked it and it has been well received by people.” The piece is still in molded clay as it was unable to be fully finished in time for the show. “Wesley goes to look at it and there are fingerprints in the clay where people have touched it. It is an exhibit where people are allowed to touch and it is still clay so he will have to get it back to its
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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original state before it is molded and cast,” Odyssey said. Another topic Wesley addresses in the exhibit is our culture’s addiction to technology. The sculpture, “Generation X” is meant to broach the subject. He worries that the next generation will never spend any time away from a screen. “Quiet moments are when revelations happen and there doesn’t seem to be enough of them,” Wesley said. His studio in Cashiers is where Wofford is able to reflect on the complex issues that he believes art was meant for. “Art should talk about serious topics, not all whimsy and oversized clothespins that are prevalent in contemporary art today,” Wesley said. “We should show art as a tool for inner reflection.” Even though Wesley’s world is now focused on art he still sometimes works in the film industry. He recently was able to work on the film currently titled, “Loomis Fargo” starring Owen Wilson, Zach Galifinanakis and Kristin Wiig that has been filmed in the Asheville, Waynesville and Franklin areas.
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
“We went last Friday to deliver the pieces over in Waynesville. He made crooked noses for the actresses for some scene,” Odyssey Wofford said. “They told us to just jump in the van and get in the back then Kristin Wiig and Zach got in so we were all in the van. Wes
is completely not star struck at all but it was pretty cool that they are right in our backyard filming all this.” This encounter proves that their two worlds of art and film can come together in the community of Cashiers that they call home.
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Dahlias: large
Growing a Legacy • 18
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Dahlias of the Plateau By Meagan Bergeron
e photo
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Delicately placed across the landscape of the plateau, dahlias have found a home in the Highlands-Cashiers area. The “poor man’s flower” of the 1960’s is now a symbol of beauty on the plateau, as well as a shared interest among the residents. Dahlias have been used by natives and seasonal residents to create bonds between neighbors deeper than any flower’s roots. Buddy Dean is a resident of Cashiers who has been able to turn Dahlia growing into his life’s business. Dean is the vice president of the Carolina Dahlia Society, a member of the National Classification Committee with the American Dahlia Society, a senior judge with the American Dahlia Society, dahlia commercial distributor, as well as the owner and operator of Hilltop Gardens. “Honestly, I think it started out as flowers that could be grown here with very little money. Sixty or 70 years ago you could grow a dahlia and then share it with your neighbors as a plant, and that neighbor can give a neighbor a plant. For a long time, people got away from them because they thought that they were too hard to grow,” Dean said. The varieties of dahlias are almost endless. According to Dean, dahlias are sensational for their ability to be hybridized into different variations and colors. In 1925, there were about 5,000 dahlias recognized in classification records. In 2014, the American Dahlia Society announced the number of dahlia varieties registered reached 59,000. Within the dahlia community hybridizers are working to introduce new dahlias to benefit the worldwide community. Hybridizers, like Buddy and his wife Kelly Dean, are working to transform their own varieties and register new dahlias in the Royal Horticulture Society in England. If you’re searching for a
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plateau-bred dahlia, look for “Hilltop” or “Born” in the name to find varieties registered from Hilltop Gardens of Cashiers. Carol Austin, sales clerk at Highlands Lawn and Garden who has worked there for 14 years, said this year the nursery sold 300 bulbs and another 200 in containers. One of the most-requested types were dinner plate Dahlias, which are known for their large size. “They are a lot of hard work, but they are beautiful,” Austin said. But Dean said he would beg to differ with the widely-held notion that dahlias are difficult to grow.
“All you have to do is put it on the ground and kick some dirt over it,” he said. For Highlands and Cashiers residents looking to pick-up an interest in growing dahlias, there are only a few key things to remember. First, the plateau is recognized by dahlia lovers and exhibitors to be the second best place in the nation to grow these unique flowers, following closely behind the Pacific Midwest region. The next tip agreed upon by dahlia experts is to not over-water dahlias. Dahlias love the water, but too much could rot the plant before it has the chance to blossom.
595 Franklin Rd Highlands, NC
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(828) 526-5000 Open 7 days a week for Lunch & Dinner
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Lastly, remember Dean’s aphorism: “What you give to it, it will give back to you.” Dahlias are considered easy to grow, but producing a flower up to exhibition standards requires growers to keep a close watch for viruses and regularly maintain their plants. If one is unsure if they have seen a dahlia before, the uncertainty can easily be fixed with a stroll through High Hampton’s two-acre dahlia garden. The High Hampton dahlia garden is recognized to be one of the oldest dahlia gardens in the area with varieties rooted to strains of flowers that were first planted on the land by European travelers. According to the general manager Clifford Meade, High Hampton takes a lot of pride in the garden and its history. “After every season we dig up the tubulars and place them into our root cellar to plant just before Mother’s Day. Because we continue to replant the tubulars, these flowers are related to the same ones that were first planted here in the 1890’s,” Meade said. The original bulbs were planted by Dr. and Mrs. William Halsted between 1892 and 1920. Mrs. Halsted would invite Cashiers residents to pick the blossoms each year and she would gift excess bulbs to townspeople every spring. The tradition of opening the garden to guests has continued to this day. Each year High Hampton hosts an exclusive dinner welcoming guests into the dahlia haven. For the first year, High Hampton will be slating three
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
“Dinner in the Dahlias” events and each will seat up to 35 guests. The dates for Dinner in the Dahlias this fall are Aug. 18, 25 and Sept. 8. Another yearly dahlia-centric tradition occurs in Highlands. The Dazzling Dahlia Festival offers an opportunity for local enthusiasts to highlight their own dahlias to the community. The fourth annual festival will occur Sept. 20 at the Highlands Rec. Center and will provide an opportunity for all gardeners to showcase their efforts from the summer dahlia season. Kitty Moore, one of the festival’s coordinators, emphasized that the festival is an inclusive event. “It’s not just for people who grow these professionally or think they know every-
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Page 18-19: High Hampton’s centennial garden, where 2 acres of Dahlias are planted. Submitted photo by Caroline Grogan. Page 20: 2012 “Dinner in the Dahlias” event. Submitted photo by Caroline Grogan. Page 22: A flower from Kelly and Buddy Dean’s garden. Submitted photo by Kelly Dean.
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
thing about dahlias,” she said. “It’s for everyone.” Professional judges will assess the flowers on color, form, substance, size, type of stem and other characteristics. For the first time, the festival will include a children’s division where young gardeners can show their flowers and a photography exhibit that will display works available for purchase. Moore said she thinks dahlia’s popularity can be attributed to the wide variety of dahlias and their brilliant colors. “Even if you don’t grow them, you can have an appreciation for the people who grow them and the beauty of the flowers,” she said. In addition to showcasing flowers, the festival is an opportunity to learn more about dahlias and connect with others
who enjoy them, Moore said. “It’s for e v er yone, peop l e w h o a re maybe third or fourth generations who bring dahlias from their farms, and we also have people who are up here two or three months who grow them,” she said. Exhibitor fee for the event is $10 for those looking to join in on the competition and those desiring to visit the event without exhibiting can gain admission at the door on the day of the event with a $5 ticket. All proceeds from the Dazzling Dahlia Festival will go toward the Highlands Historical Society fund for preservation projects. For more information, one can visit the Highlands Historical Society’s website, www.highlandshistory.com, or contact 828-787-1050.
Cashiers Farmers Market
Fresh local produce, jams and jellies, baked goods, gourmet cheese and wine, frozen appetizers and entrees, hostess gifts, meats and seafood, take-out BBQ and sandwiches served daily. Hwy 64 East • PO Box 2111 Cashiers, NC 28717
828-743-4334
www.CashiersFarmersMarket.com
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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Hooked Life FOR
By Eric NeSmith It can be frustrating, infuriating and exhilarating almost all at once. The terminology alone can be intimidating – #18 rubber-legged prince nymph, blood knot, Appalachian hopper, Jack Cabe hopper, riffle, three weight, 7x, mending the drift, wooly bugger, matching the hatch, hare’s ear, pheasant tail, pocket water. Listening to the way fly fishermen speak, it’s easy to feel a little lost before you even step foot in a river. But a little more than a decade ago, I found myself here, in these Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by more than 2,200 miles of crooked, cold water creeks, where the deepest holes, so I was told, held the most beautiful thrill a fisherman could seek. These tales proved too tempting for my curious nature, and I figured it was time to see what fly fishing was all about. Naturally, I was nervous as I walked into the Highland Hiker to inquire about fly fishing. The closest I’d ever come to casting a fly was a cricket hooked to the end of the line on a cane pole. But my brother had recently given me a fly rod
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Taking fly fishing’s first steps and reel, and now, all I needed was a few flies and some guidance, or so I thought. I was sold an odd, yet funny, illustrated book called, “Curtis Creek Manifesto,” and a small box of assorted flies. Walking out the door, the store’s owner, David Wilkes, gave me a little more advice.“Give yourself plenty of space, get in a rhythm, let the rod do the work, and then let it fly. Oh, and one more thing,” he said. “The first time a trout takes your fly on topwater, you’ll be hooked for life.” But I’m sorry to say that over the next several weeks, I spent more time fishing my flies out of tree branches instead of watching them on water. Sometimes, I felt sure I could have found a snag even in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Still, unwavering, I pressed on. Wilkes was right. One day it finally clicked. My fly miraculously started going where I wanted it to go. It no longer took me all day to get rigged. I learned to just sit on the bank for a moment and read the water before stepping in. I found my rhythm and finally saw and felt the reckless abandon of a trout’s rise. How in a flash, the fish strikes, your rod jerks and bends as a tight line slips through your fingers. The pleasant
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
hum of the reel, as your line peels off into the water. Indeed, I was hooked, and it was love at first sight. But I wondered, “What had taken me so long?” Fishing in the beauty of these mountains is unparalleled. The clean and cold waters keep our native trout so colorful and vibrant. The pursuit of fooling these finicky creatures entices you to explore new and often out-of-the-way places. Once you begin wading these streams, you start to see this beauty from a whole new perspective. You learn to slow down and to start thinking like those persnickety trout. Like them, you too cannot afford to get in a hurry. You learn to be patient. In this process, you begin to soak in more of the environment around you. On a great day, you may fool a few fish. But even on a day when none turned their heads, it was time well spent, enjoying the wild beauty of these mountains that we are so lucky to have. This is what continually draws you back – the quiet time on the water, the quiet time with good friends. The point is, just get out there. Start simple, select basic gear and stick with it. You may soon find yourself purchasing a few of those flies with names you can barely pronounce.
Great Spots The Tuckasegee (page 24) is a wonderfully accessible river. Its wide and wadable water makes it a great place for beginners. Soon in October, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will begin stocking the delayed-harvest section of the river, between Hwy. 107 and the dam in Dillsboro, with rainbow, brown and brook trout. This section becomes catch and release only and is one of the most heavily stocked rivers in the state, making it also one of the most heavily fished. Henry Sullivant is shown tempting a Tuckasegee trout. The scenery in Panthertown Valley (page 24, left) is reason enough to visit this wonderful park. Its clear and continually cold creeks are excellent places to catch native brook trout. Henry Sullivant is shown casting in front of one of the park’s many waterfalls. West Fork of the Chattooga’s waters (page 25) are stocked regularly with rainbow trout throughout the year. It is another beginner-friendly stretch of water. Billy Gravely is shown taming one of those rainbows. Note: you will need to purchase a Georgia fishing license to fish this river.
Starter Flys A few essential local stream flies for your fly box: #12 Appalachian Hopper While it mimics no particular bug , a #12 Appalachian Hopper will lure everything from brown trout to bream to small mouth bass.
#12 Jack Cabe Hopper Na me d for its creator, local fly fishing legend Jack Cabe, this versatile hopp er c a n b e fished on local streams year round and will attract all types of trout, especially brookies.
#12 Black Elk Hair Caddis Versatile and effective, a #12 Black Elk Hair Caddis can be fished on local rivers throughout the summer months.
#12 Olive Wooly Bugger A ny f ly box should have an assortment of wooly buggers in all sizes and colors, especially olive, black and brown. A #12 olive wooly is a favorite.
#18 Rubber-Legged Prince Nymph #18 R u b b e r leg ged prince nymph makes an excellent dropper when tied to one of the above hoppers with about 10-12 inches of 7x tippet.
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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Exploring the Plateau
An area guide to hiking in the mountains
Life is an adventure. None know that better than those who call this area home. One of the greatest aspects of living on The Plateau is the accessibility to a number of hiking trails, whether you’re only up for a short .6 mile hike to Sunset Rock or an overnight 10.4 mile undertaking along the Chatooga River. For generations, exploring the peaks surrounding Highlands has been a tradition. The group below is pictured at Whiteside Mountain circa 1909. (Photo courtesy of the Highlands Historical Society.) Though no matter how many years you have been here, there’s always a new trail, waterfall, or mountain peak to explore. With the number of beautiful waterfalls, granite faced walls, and wooded trails, you are sure to find an area that suits what you’re looking for. Whether you are experienced or novice, a lover of waterfalls or a tremendous view, ready for the adventure of a lifetime or just
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looking for a quick trip for your family, The Plateau has exactly what you’re looking for. Having so many options makes choosing just one a little difficult. Factors to consider in choosing a hike are the physical condition of the hikers, the steepness and length of the trail, how much time is to be spent looking around and to some extent the weather. A word of caution: The trails, waterfalls and natural areas are beautiful, but they can be very dangerous. Waterfalls, in particular, have been the scenes of numerous accidents, life threatening injuries and deaths. The descriptions for the trails include the length of the trail, directions to the parking area and some information about what to expect on the trail. The best part of all? The end of our list is just the beginning! There is so much more to discover in this area. Get ready to take an adventure through the plateau.
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Wayah Bald Lookout Tower
Safety Tips
Length: 0.6 miles round-trip This national historic landmark provides panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, Tennessee and both North and South Carolina. Mountains visible from the tower include the Smoky Mountains to the north, the Balsams and the Cowees to the east and the Tusquittee and Slickrock ranges to the west. A short paved trail provides easy access to the tower. The stone observation tower stands at an elevation of 5,385 feet. It was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps for fire detection. During early summer look for blooming rhododendron and azaleas. For those wanting a longer hike, the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail cross Wayah Bald at the tower. To access the tower, follow Hwy. 64 west through Franklin, and turn right at the Wayah Bald direction sign. Take first left onto Wayah Road (state road
1310). Stay on state road 1310 past FS388, up winding road to top of hill (Wayah Gap). Turn right on gravel road (FS 69) to Wayah Bald. Drive about 4.5 miles to parking area near end of road just around 180 degree turn.
Whitewater Falls Length: 0.56 miles-2 miles Whitewater Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States, with a total drop of 411 feet. A 0.25-mile paved, wheelchair accessible trail leads from the parking lot to an overlook. The Foothills Trail begins to the right of the overlook. If you continue down this very steep trail, it will lead to the Whitewater River and bridge. The dirt trail to the left of the overlook leads upstream and fords the Whitewater River above the falls. Use extreme caution near the top of the falls. On the far side of the river, the trail forks into two old roadbeds. Both trails end shortly on Whitewater Road, above the parking area. This is an easy walk of about 0.5 mile one way from the parking lot. During the spring, wildflowers are plentiful. To access the trail, take Hwy. 64 east to Cashiers and continue on Hwy. 64 for 10.1 miles to Hwy. 281 south. Turn right and continue south for approximately 9 miles.
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
• Never hike alone. • If there are children with you, keep them in sight at all times. • Tell a friend or family member where you are going and what time you expect to be back. • Stay on designated trails and obey all caution signs and other posted information. • Never climb on waterfalls. • Be prepared for rain, wind and cold. Be aware that hypothermia can occur even in the summer. • Remember that cell phones do not always have reception in the forest. • Carry a first aid kit. • Carry water and a snack. • Carry a flashlight. • Do not approach wild animals. • Wear shoes with good traction. • Carry a whistle. • If you become lost, do not keep walking. Stay where you are and be visible and heard. If your cell phone does work, be prepared to give rescuers information on where you started hiking and how long you have been out. 27 •
Glen Falls Length: 2.4 miles round-trip
Bartram Trail from Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain Length: 4.6 miles round-trip The Bartram Trail is a 115-mile trail that extends from North Georgia into North Carolina and is named for 18th century botanist William Bartram. The 2.3-mile stretch between Jones Gap and Whiterock Mountain is a perfect section for day-use hiking. At Jones Gap, elevation 4,360 feet, the Bartram Trail passes through a field and circles the right side of Jones Knob to descend to Whiterock Gap. Follow the yellow blazes. At 0.7 miles past the gap, a spur trail to the left goes to Whiterock Mountain. Take this trail and continue past the top of the mountain to
the rock face on the far side, which offers great views of the surrounding mountains. A side trail to Jones Knob is also accessible early in the hike at the far end of the field. An additional 0.6 miles up and back on the blue-blazed trail, the Jones Knob trail climbs approximately 300 feet in slightly less than 0.5 miles. To access the trail: Follow Hwy. 64 west 4.6 miles. Watch for the Cliffside Lake entrance on the right. Just past Cliffside Lake, turn left on Turtle Pond Road. Follow Turtle Pond Road for 1.1 miles to Dendy Orchard Road. Turn right on Dendy Orchard road and follow it for 1.4 miles. This will become a steep dirt road. At the top of the hill, turn left onto Jones Gap Road. A Bartram Trail sign indicates this road. Follow it 2 miles to a parking area at the top of the gap.
This steep trail leads to a series of waterfalls and descends about 700 feet in one mile. This popular trail has three spurs leading to three major waterfalls. The first two cascades are relatively close to the beginning of the trail. The third is a 10-15 minute walk down the mountain. The trail begins at the top of the falls. While the walk down is easy, the walk back can be steep. Several trail upgrades have been recently completed. Hikers should stay on the trails at this waterfall as visitors have been regularly injured from falls from the rocks. To access the trail: Follow Hwy. 106 south 1.8 miles from Highlands. Turn left at the sign for Glen Falls. Two roads are accessible from Hwy. 106 at this intersection. Follow the right fork from the highway. Follow This road to the parking area. Pay attention to signs at this trailhead as the Chinquapin Trail also begins at the parking area.
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Mountain Weather Forecasts On the Hour 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week and at www.whlc.com
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Chattooga River Trail Length: 10.4 miles round-trip Many who enjoy this long hike along the Chattooga River shorten the distance by parking a vehicle at the Iron Bridge trailhead and beginning the hike
in Whiteside Cove, making the distance a more manageable 5.2 miles. This scenic trail follows the Chattooga River between Whiteside Cove and the popular iron bridge. The trail is steep at points but is not particularly difficult. Much of the trail passes through a rhododendron canopy with numerous views of the river.
Beginning from Whiteside Cove, after 1.2 miles the trail passes by huge granite rock overlooks to the left. At 2.71 miles, there is a large waterfall river crossing at the junction of Norton Mill Creek and the Chattooga River. Cross the bridge. At 3.3 miles, the trail intersects an old logging road, the Chattooga Narrows Trail. Turn left and descend toward the river. At 3.7 miles, cross the bridge over Cane Creek. The trail ends at the Iron Bridge. To access the Whiteside Cove trailhead: Follow Main Street east, which becomes Horse Cove Road, for 4.5 miles to the intersection with Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Take a left onto Whiteside Cove Road and proceed 3.45 miles to a parking area on the right. To access the Iron Bridge trailhead: Follow Main Street east, which becomes Horse Cove Road, for 4.5 miles to the intersection with Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Road. Turn right on Bull Pen Road. Follow Bull Pen Road 3.1 miles to the Iron Bridge. The trail begins on the left just before the bridge.
Skyline Lodge & Altitudes Restaurant Unforgettable Experiences Await You Designed circa 1929 in the Frank Lloyd Wright tradition at 4300 ft elevation. Along with our sweeping panoramic vistas, we offer a full line of amenities to enhance your mountaintop experience: Fine Dining at Altitudes Restaurant, A Lobby Bar, Lovely Rooms and Cabins with Native Fireplaces, Private Porches, Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts Game Room, Horseshoes, Spa, Sauna, Nature Trails, Waterfalls
The Loose Moose Full Service Bar
190881
470 Skyline Drive, Highlands, NC 28741 (828) 526-2121 or (800) 575-9546 www.skylinelodge.com
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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Mountain Flavors
A Little Flare Just a few ingredients can transform the ordinary to extraordinary
By Marilyn Underhill
H
Grilled Shrimp Ingredients: 6 Tbs. butter 32 shrimp, peeled and de-veined 2 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed 1 tsp. fresh thyme One-half tsp. salt One-fourth tsp. pepper Directions: In a large skillet, heat butter over high heat. When butter is very hot, add shrimp, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Keep heat high, toss and stir shrimp until just cooked through. Serve the shrimp in large bowls and hot cornbread.
Apricot Meringue Bars Ingredients: 2 sticks butter, room temperature One-half cup sugar
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ere on the plateau there are everyday epiphanies that can change how you experience mountain life when you open your eyes to the ordinary. My days have been nourished by Mozart and Sylvester the beautiful white dogs in front of Highlands Fine Art and Estate Jewelry store on Main Street who want only to welcome you, Rugby the loyal four-legged friend at Shakespeare and Company bookstore, the gumdrops at Wit’s End Dress Shop, the ducks quietly adding their beauty to Harris Lake, the bells ringing from the Presbyterian church, the gracious folks at Highland Hiker, the faithful volunteers at the charity shops, the Farmers’ Market sellers, and then there are the policemen, firemen, and other servers of our community that keep us safe. The list could go on and on. Each of us must find the ordinary that becomes amazing when we really see. So let us
open our eyes to the ordinary so we can see the amazing in our town. So where does food enter the picture? Easy: A perfectly created recipe with the best available ingredients can leave a Proustian moment with you, one that can be revisited. The following recipes from my recipe box are sure to give an ordinary meal an amazing taste. Bon appetit. Contact Marilyn at dmunderhill@ gmail.
quiet beauty and graceful hospitality highl ands, north carolina
8 0 0 . 9 4 6 . 6 8 2 2 | 8 2 8 . 5 2 6 . 8 1 7 0 | s ta y @ h a l f m i l e f a r m . c o m | w w w. h a l f m i l e f a r m . c o m
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
2 egg yolks Two and one-half cups all-purpose flour Topping: 1 jar (10 ounces) apricot jam 4 egg whites, room temperature One-fourth teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 2 cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a jelly roll pan, 15x10x1-inch. 2. To make the pastry, cream the butter, sugar, egg yolks in a food processor fitted with the metal blade on in an electric mixer until well blended. 3. Add the flour and mix until incorporated. Pat the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. 4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, but leave the oven at 350 degrees. 6. Cool the pastry for 5 minutes, then spread it with jam. 7. Beat the egg whites and salt in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Fold in the sugar and nuts. 8. Gently spread meringue on top of the jam, making sure to seal the edges and corners. 9. Return to the oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. 10. While still warm, cut into bars.
Cornish Game Hens With Blackberry Sauce Ingredients: 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon butter, melted, divided Three-fourths cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, divided 1 cup tawny Port 2 cups fresh blackberries One and one-half cups low-salt chicken broth 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour 3 Cornish game hens, halved lengthwise, backbone removed Directions: 1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and one-half tablespoon thyme: sauté 5 minutes. Add Port and boil 5 minutes.
2. Add blackberries and broth; boil until reduced to one and one-half cups, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. 3. Strain into heavy saucepan, pressing on solids to release as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. 4. Mix flour and 1 teaspoon melted butter in a small bowl. 5. Bring sauce to simmer. Gradually whisk in butter mixture. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 6. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 7. Brush baking sheet with 1 tablespoon melted butter. P 8. lace hens on sheet; brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle with remaining thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 9. Roast until cooked through, about 35 minutes. 10. Bring sauce to simmer. Slice hens; divide hens among 6 plates. Pour sauce around hens.
Your destination for unconditional love! One of the most picturesque no-kill shelters in the United States, the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is nestled amongst ten rolling acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by the natural beauty of scenic forests, mountains and rivers. Dogs romp and run in multi-acre play yards, and felines interact and play in cageless community cat rooms. Since 1987, CHHS has rescued, cared for, and found forever homes for thousands of abandoned and neglected animals.
Visit the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society today – it’s your destination for unconditional love!
ADOPT
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www.chhumanesociety.org | (828) 743-5752 | Hwy 64 East, 2 miles from the Crossroads behind Reid Real Estate
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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Crab Bites Ingredients: One-half cup butter 1 cup grated old cheddar cheese One and one-half teaspoons mayonnaise One and one-half teaspoons garlic salt 7 ounces crab, drained 6 English muffins, split Directions: 1. Blend the above ingredients. 2. Spread on muffins. 3. Freeze muffins on cookie sheet. When muffins are frozen cut into quarters. 5. Place muffin quarters into freezer bags and return to freezer. 6. When ready to serve, broil frozen muffin quarters under broiler until bubbly. Makes 48.
Caribbean Quesadillas Ingredients: One-half cup pineapple preserves, divided 2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken or turkey One-half cup precooked bacon, crumbled One and one-half cups shredded
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Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons butter, divided 4 tablespoons Heinz 57 sauce 8 burrito size flour tortillas
cream/pineapple mixture for dipping or spreading and serve while warm. Makes 8 snack servings.
Directions: 1. Blend together Heinz 57 sauce and 2 tablespoons of the preserves. Spread mixture over four of the tortillas to within an inch of the edges, dividing equally. 2. Divide the chicken or turkey, bacon, and cheese among the four tortillas. Top with the remaining four tortillas to form quesadillas, pressing gently to firm. 3. Blend sour cream with the remaining preserves. Cover and reserve in the refrigerator. 4. Place a large heavy skillet over medium heat until hot; add one-half tablespoon butter, distributing evenly over the bottom of the pan until it starts to bubble. 5. Add one quesadilla to skillet. Cook for about one to 2 minutes on each side, or until the cheese melts and the tortilla is crisp. 6. Repeat with the remaining butter and quesadillas, keeping the cooked ones warm in a 250-degree oven until all are cooked. 6. Cut each quesadilla into six wedges. Place on a platter with sour
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil One and one-half cup chopped onion 3 medium pears, peeled, cut into one-half inch pieces (about 3 cups) 6 tablespoons brown sugar One-third cup raisins 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh vinegar 4 whole cloves
Pear Chutney
Directions: 1. Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. 2. Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until pears are tender and mixture thickens slightly, about 30 minutes. 3. Discard cloves. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool. Can be prepared one day ahead. Serve cold or room temperature. Great with chicken or spread on top of cream cheese and crackers.
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
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Your Mattress and Bedding One Stop Shop Complete Home Furnishing
Come see our mattress shop!
Widely recognized as the most fascinating and diverse shopping experience in Highlands!
Interior Design and Custom Furniture
Monday - Saturday 9-5 ~ Sunday 12-5 2089 Dillard Road ~ HIGHLANDS, NC ~ 828-526-5577 www.summerhousehighlands.com ~ summerhousehighlands@brmemc.net
The name recognized for timeless styles and ultimate durability for porch, patio, and decor. Visit us at the Idea Showhouse Special Savings for Out of State Deliveries. Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Kipling Collection
Largest Dealer in North Carolina for
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An Important Asset to Our Community and Your Good Health.
Moving forward, HCH is proud to partner with one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems. Together, with integrated clinical services and expanded access to medical resources, we are committed to improving the health and well being of our mountain communities. For more information call
526-1DOC (1362)
or visit our website at www.hchospital.org
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Unique Beauty
C
lose to the center of Cashiers, through the gates and down a beautifully wooded and winding trail stands an utterly charming, low-country home, on 29 breathtaking acres set deep in the shadows of Whiteside Mountain. As relevant today, as when completed in 1993, Hilliard House boasts extraordinary and encompassing views, soaring ceilings and a gracious and open floor plan for large scale entertaining. Bedrooms and baths are intimate and private with each perfectly positioned for a picture framed view of Whiteside Mountain. A sweeping veranda – stretching the entire width of the home – welcomes you inside while porches and decks off the back beckon a lazy summer day spent with a glass of lemonade and a great book. From Aug. 23-31, interior designers representing the Southeastern region will not only bring trending design to Cashiers but will again create the magic that is The Cashiers Designer Showhouse. Leading area landscapers are involved in redefining the areas surrounding the home and in turn creating serene and evocative late summer mountain gar-
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Hilliard House is 17th Annual Cashiers Designer Showhouse
dens for Showhouse strolling. “Once again, CHS has chosen a stunning property for the 2014 designer show house. Sitting in the middle of 29 acres is a lovely, light, and airy southern style home. This home offers spectacular views from almost every room of woods and Whiteside Mountain,” said Showcase Event Manager Laura Jane Stanton. “As one approaches the back of this property, you will be blown away by the view of the Chattooga Valley and the mighty Whiteside Mountain. Combined with the talented designers, the exciting shopping experience and the tantalizing lunch, we promise you will have a wonderfully memorable day in the mountains of Cashiers.” Showhouse Boutique Manager Cherie Tibbetts serves as liaison with 25 separate boutique/shop owners in structuring two unique shopping experiences at Showhouse – the annex boutique and the cafe level shops. Antiques, jewelry, area crafts, foods, clothing and accessories and garden plants with that Cashiers style can be found again this year, along with surprise pop-up shops and books from various
designers throughout the world. Lunch will be served daily at the Showhouse Cafe from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Cashiers Designer Showhouse is the primary fundraiser of the Cashiers Historical Society, whose work in educating and advocating to preserve the cultural heritage of Cashiers is essential. Daily admission is $35. Tickets are available at the Barrs Parking Lot and online. For further information, please contact the Cashiers Historical Society at 828743-7710 or visit www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org.
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Things to do Plateau on the
S
ummer may be coming to an end, but there are still plenty of things to do on the plateau. From the Cashiers Designer Showhouse to a Twilight 5K, make room for these events in your calendar! Have you hugged your mug today?
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Art show
The Village Square Art & Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23-24 in Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Pine and Fifth Streets. The event includes fine and folk art, crafts, demonstrations, food and mountain music. Cynthia Strain listed some of the goods that can be expected at the show, “We’ve got leather bags, wrought iron - all handmade by the crafters - rustic furniture, loads of different types of jewelry and pottery, clothes for kids and dogs and baskets,” Strain said. The is sponsored by the non-profit Macon County Arts association. For more information, call Cynthia Strain at 526-9227.
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209755
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Theatre
The Highlands Cashiers Players will present the theater production “Almost Maine” Aug. 22-25 and Aug. 29-Sept. 1. The Highlands-Cashiers Playhouse website describes the show as offbeat comedy of nine vignettes by John Cariani that occur on a winter night in a small fictional town in northern Maine. The show will be directed by Virginia Talbot. Call 526-8084. The Playhouse also announced it will have a second play in the summer season titled, “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers.” The play will have shows Aug. 21- 24 and Aug. 28 -32. It is a comedy by Neil Simon and directed by Virginia Talbot.
Summer dance
The Bascom will host a summer dance from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 15. It will be a traditional barn dance with a local band, “Benny Queen and the Wild Hog Band.” “It’s gonna be a good time,” said Tracy Ryan, director of internal events. “Guests are welcome to dress up.” The Bascom holds three dances annually, and this is its summer dance. Food and beverages will be served at the dance. Cost of entry is $5. Call 526-4949 for information.
Twilight 5K
The Twilight 5K will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 23 in downtown Highlands. The event includes music in Kelsey-Hutchinson Park by Copious Jones, an Atlanta indie rock band from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. and glow sticks for kids as night falls. Everyone is welcome to bring a blanket and cooler to enjoy the music and atmosphere of the race. “Last year even with the rain we had about 115 runners so I would expect 150 this year,” said Michael Johnson, one of the race organizers. Each runner that finishes the race will receive a free beer provided by the Ugly Dog Pub House. Cost to register to run is $30. Proceeds will benefit Highlands School Track Team. For more information or to register call Derek Taylor at 526-3571.
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Let Marvin and Reeves help design your dream home. Visit us in our three locations: Main Street, Highlands, NC • 828-526-2157 Railroad Street, Clayton, GA • 706-782-4219 Highway 441 North, Dillard, GA • 706-746-7414
Life on the Plateau • August 2013 SUP0967_Reeves Ad_Highlander_FINAL.indd 1
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Late summer events
There are a variety of events planned in the Highlands and Cashiers communities through August. For a complete list of events, see weekly issues of The Highlander and Crossroads Chronicle or call the Chambers of Commerce at (828) 5265841 (Highlands) and (828) 743-5191. • Interludes concerts: 2 p.m. Aug. 14, 21 and 28, locations alternates between Highlands’ First Presbyterian Church and Church of the Incarnation. Free. • Bel Canto: The annual Bel Canto Recital will be held Sept. 8 at the Performing Arts Center. Call (828) 5269047 for information. • Friday Night Live: Music in Highlands’ Town Square, through August. Free. • Bark, Beer & Bluegrass: Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society Benefit at The Farm at Old Edwards on Aug. 21. Features barbecue and music by Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Blue-
grass Boys. $90. Call (828) 743-5752. • Friday Night Live: Live bands perform at the Town Square from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. thru Aug. 26. • Zehner Lecture: Informative lectures will take place Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Highlands Nature center through Aug. 29. • Pancake breakfasts: Scaly Mountain Women’s Club hosts monthly pancake breakfasts on Aug. 24, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26 at the Scaly Mountain Community Building. $5.50. • Male Beauty Pageant: Fundraiser for the Bolivian Mission, Aug. 26 at Highlands Playhouse. $100. Email rucker@dnet.net for information. • Village Nature Series: Learn more about the regional environment at the Village Green in Cashiers, through
Aug. 26. Free. • Swine, Wine and Dine: Highlands Playhouse will host a fundraiser Aug. 31 including barbecue, beverages, entertainment, an auction and children’s games. Call (828) 526-2695. • Arts & Craft Festival: The Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley will host an arts and crafts festival Aug. 31-Sept. 1 on the Village Green. • Relay For Life: The Relay For Life of Cashiers will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center.
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Life on the Plateau • August 2013
For a
HEALTHIER
Index of Advertisers Accommodations Inn at Half Mile Farm ...................... 15 Pebble Creek Village ........................... 2 Skyline Lodge .................................... 29 Park on Main ..................................... 38 Animals Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society ................................ 31 Art and Entertainment The Bascom ....................................... 15 Cashiers Designer Showhouse .............. Inside front cover Highlands Aeiral Park ........................ Inside Back cover Highlands Cashiers Players ............... 3 Performing Arts Center ................... 11 Village Square Art & Craft Show ...... 32 Auctions Scudder’s Galleries ........................... 22 Golf Clubs Sapphire Valley .................................... 9 Health Care Highlands-Cashiers Hospital .......... 34 Homebuilders and Remodeling Highlands Decorating Center ......... 23 Keystone Kitchen & Bath ................ 16
Life on the Plateau • August 2013
Carrying a Wide Variety of Natural Products for your
Reeves Hardware ............................. 37 Sycamore Cabinetry ........................ 36 Home Accessories and Interior Design Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery ............ 21 The Summer House .......................... 33 Media WHLC FM 104.5 .............................. 28 Real Estate Landmark .......................... Back Cover Preserve at Rock Creek .................... 17 White Oak Realty ............................... 1 Restaurants and Food Retail Altitudes Restaurant ......................... August Produce ................................ Cyprus ................................................ Cashiers Farmers Market ................ Nectar Juice Bar ................................ Highlands Smokehouse ................... The Ugly Dog Pub ............................ Whole Life Market ...........................
Life
29 17 10 23 39 20 14 39
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370 MAIN STREET HIGHLANDS, NC 828.526.5190 • 40
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850 5TH AVE S. NAPLES, FL 239.403.3033 Life on the Plateau • August 2013
The Best Family Adventure In Highlands
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