05/31/18 15:51 Filed in:
Real Estate | FinanceJust recently we have had a new reason to question one of the buzz-words in real estate in our area - Radon
Of course we know a lot of folks make a darn good living preying on people scared by “government guidelines” and more than a cottage industry has developed around “curing” things like Radon and a more feared intruder - Black Mold.
In our curiosity and search for real truth about Radon, we came upon a Forensic Industrial Hygienist - Caoimhín P. Connell - who seems to cut through the hype and smoke of this naturally occurring gas. He breaks the technical jargon down into layman’s terms by stripping away some of the “scare” that goes with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
If you have concern about Radon or mold and would like the “rest of the story,” we suggest taking a look at the findings here: Forensic Applications Consulting Technologies, Inc.
We don't advocate that the information given at the above links is correct or incorrect, but we do think all side of the issue should be considered.
12/28/17 11:27 Filed in:
Scenics | Education | WeatherOne of the most beautiful times in Highlands and Cashiers is when we are covered in a thick blanket of snow.
This year we started early and big with almost 15 inches of early winter snow on December 9th. It's a time when the sounds of hustle and bustle are muffled and the tweets of
the birds and the whisper of falling snow is a thing to behold.
As we enjoy sitting by the fire and taking a deep breath of relaxation, let us not forget our feathered friends outside who must weather through the cold and bluster.
Remember to keep your feeders filled and the seed dry. Wet seed encourages mold and bacteria which can be deadly to birds, especially when they are physically stressed by the cold weather.
Keep your feeders in a sheltered place out of the wind, but in a location that allows birds to seek refuge in bushes and trees between visits to the feeder.
Last but certainly not least, keep your bird feeders high enough off the ground to prevent bears from paying an unwelcome visit. Those high-priced feeders don't stand a chance against a bear looking for a snack!
08/19/17 13:31 Filed in:
Day Trippin' | ScenicsHighlands is a beautiful place to be all year long, but taking time to stroll around town and enjoy the diversity of shops, architecture and landscaping is an easy activity when the weather is great and the flowers are in bloom.
A mountain town at heart, the use of native stone, wood and planting ensures the feeing of "oneness" throughout the city.
Many of our structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are a delight in themselves.
Shown here is the Church of the Incarnation. It is located prominently on the East end of Main Street and founded in 1875.
The gardens around the church are open and accessible to all who walk by, and are a fabulous example of the gardening skills of the members.06/29/17 14:35 Filed in:
Day Trippin' | ScenicsAs promised, the Mountain Laurel are starting to show their full potential.
One of the most abundant and prolific flowering evergreens in our area, Kalmia latifolia is found throughout the mountains of North Carolina. Its range is from Alabama up the spine of the Appalachains into Maine.
The flowers range from almost white to a medium pink depending on soil conditions and habitat.
Mountain laurel was first recorded in America in 1624, but named in the 18th century after Pehr Kalm who shipped samples to Carl Linnaeus the Swedish botanist.
The Rhododendron are a sight to see when driving the roads around Highlands and Cashiers - don't miss your chance!
06/05/17 09:37 Filed in:
Day Trippin' | What's To Do?In Highlands, it seems like it is always something - something to do, that is!
This weekend the Highlands Motoring Festival comes to Town for 4 big days of cars, food, touring and fun.
From Monte Carlo Night on Thursday to Cars and Coffee on Main Street, Sunday morning, Highlands Motoring Festival brings some of the most coveted, collectable and viewable cars to in the Southeast to Highlands.
Don't miss a single event this weekend: June 8 - 11, 2017
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is one of the most common evergreen shrubs in the mountains of North Carolina.
This years bloom is far more spectacular than we have seen in decades. One visitor commented today that it is "more beautiful than Calloway Gardens when the azaleas are in bloom."
Mountain Laurel is often confused with its larger leafed cousin Rhododendron - of which Rhododendron maxima is our most prolific species locally. It usually blooms in late June and early July.
If you have the chance to come to the mountains in the next week or so, we promise one of the most breath-taking displays of Mountain Laurel in many years.
Of course, you can alway come back for the native Rhododendron too…
05/27/17 10:32 Filed in:
Our ThoughtsMemorial Day is one of those days when the vast majority of Americans are celebrating with road trips, barbeques, golf or personal and family entertainment.
While getting together with family should be of the most important activity in our lives, remembering the true reason for Memorial Day and the lives sacrificed for our freedoms should be a part of this most sacred of days.
As we go through this Memorial Day weekend, let us all give thanks and a prayer to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedoms - freedoms that the rest of us so often take for granted.
05/13/17 13:58 Filed in:
Kids | Schools | Education
Highlands School has just been rated one of the BEST schools in the state of North Carolina and in the Top 1000 schools in the nation!
The school is a K - 12 school with a total enrollment of only 351 students for the 2016-17 school year. It has a 12:1 student - teacher ratio. Highlands School is ranked #29 in the State of North Carolina and #1 in Macon County where it is located. It is ranked #998 Nationally
Recent graduates have gone on to attend: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, Georgetown University, Columbia, Elon University, Clemson University and other distinguished institutions.
When you think about relocation with your children,
Highlands School is certainly something to consider.
05/09/17 17:35 Filed in:
Scenics | Day Trippin'Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the mountains of Western North Carolina and there are few rivals to the Rhododendron - one of the showiest, first hints that Summer is almost here. Our unusually mild Winter brought them out earlier this year than recent colder months.
Besides the hundreds of hybrids, there are over 1000 specie of native rhododendron spread across the globe.
In the Highlands and Cashiers area (and a little beyond), there are 13 specie that can be found in the woods, along creek banks and on ridgetops.
Every time of year is beautiful in our area, but given the chance, don't miss the rhododendrons. The hybrids start about the first of May, the native varieties a few weeks later.
02/22/17 22:34 Filed in:
Kids | What's To Do?"Adult Swim" 
Thanks the generosity of Art and Angela Williams, Highlands has one of the most exciting, fun and fitness complexes in Western North Carolina.
Mr. & Mrs. Williams donated the money to pay for the upgrades to the existing pool facility, making it a facility to truly be proud of.
Highlanders and visitors alike now have a year around venue in which to exercise and enjoy themselves - even when the snow is flying!
It doesn't matter whether you are coming for the weekend or here for the rest of your life, make sure you dip your toes in our new "swimmin' hole."
