NC Living Magazine - Spring 2026

SILVER CREEK REA L ESTATE GROUP SPRING 2026 a banquet for the senses | Les Sources de Caudalie frank vickery | 15 Years at The Bascom auction fever | Elite Car Collecting host with the most | Elegant Entertaining in the Mountains

10 Y E ARS

THREE OFFICES

One

Standard

Silver Creek Real Estate Group maintains offices in Cashiers, Highlands, and Lake Glenville

Each location is positioned to ensure local perspective, collaborative expertise, and superior marketing are always within reach.

Our teams live and work in the communities they represent. We provide informed guidance, collaborative support, and superior marketing across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

CASHIERS LAKE GLENVILLE HIGHLANDS 828-743-1999 828-743-1995 828-526-2999

A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER & CEO

As spring arrives early across the HighlandsCashiers Plateau, the landscape is already beginning to awaken. Fresh greens are emerging, days are growing longer, and with this seasonal shift we are pleased to welcome our returning residents back for another vibrant chapter in the mountains. There is an unmistakable energy this time of year. It is a renewal not only of the land, but of the lifestyle that defines this remarkable place.

At Silver Creek Real Estate Group, that same momentum carried through the first quarter of the year. Our team of brokers delivered an exceptional start, driven by consistent execution and a clear commitment to our clients. While others stepped back during the winter months, our team remained fully engaged. We continued to refine our strategies, strengthen our reach, and most importantly, deliver results.

Our ongoing marketing efforts both on and beyond the Plateau continue to generate meaningful exposure and qualified interest for our listings. Through a deliberate and disciplined approach, we are not simply listing properties. We are positioning them within a broader narrative that speaks directly to those who understand and value this lifestyle.

Our national campaigns in publications such as Architectural Digest, Golf Digest, Vogue, and Condé Nast Traveler represent just a portion of our investment in showcasing the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau to a discerning audience. These platforms are not selected by chance. They are intentional placements designed to reach individuals with both the capacity and appreciation for what this market offers.

In today’s environment, marketing must be more than a checkbox. It requires real strategy, real investment, and a team capable of executing at the highest level. This should not be the exception. It should be the standard.

If you are considering selling, or simply want to better understand how your property can be positioned in today’s market, I invite you to connect with our team. We would welcome the opportunity to share how Silver Creek continues to elevate representation across the Plateau.

And as the season fully unfolds, we are ready to embrace all that makes life here so exceptional. Days spent on the lakes and streams, time shared on the courts, lawns, fairways, and greens, moments found along winding trails, and countless gatherings across the many venues that define the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. It is time once again to live, explore, and celebrate this extraordinary place.

Here’s to a remarkable season ahead.

JOCHEN LUCKE Founder, CEO, and Broker of Silver Creek Real Estate Group, and Publisher of NC Living® Magazine

JOCHEN LUCKE

Founder | CEO | Broker

GRACE BIXBY

Marketing Operations and Managing Editor

KYLEE HAMBY

Community Engagement Coordinator

MARY ELLIS FERGUSON

Lead Designer and Art Director

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ellen Jones

Patricia Laurent

Robert McEveety

ON THE COVER

Bagpipers at Mac’s View of Whiteside Mountain. Photo by NC Living Magazine.

Copyright © 2026. NC Living® is owned and published by Silver Creek Real Estate Group at 341 Highway 64 West, PO Box 430, Cashiers, NC 28717. 828-743-1999. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination." Scan to Sub S cribe

110

LIFESTYLE

FIRESIDE BLUES & BLUE RIDGE HOSPITALITY

Page 06

SOCIAL HOUSE Page 13

A BANQUET FOR THE SENSES Page 16

ANN COOPER Page 86 OUR TEAM Page 92

EXCLUSIVE LAND OFFERINGS Page 122

“OH, PLAY ME SOME MOUNTAIN MUSIC”

OUR TOWNS: HIGHLANDS

THE POLLINATOR’S PATH

A SPRING STYLE RESET Page 140 STONES THAT SPEAK Page 148

THE ART OF CUSTOM JEWELRY AT THE JUNE SOCIAL HOUSE EVENT. RSVP AT NCLIVING. COM/SOCIAL-HOUSE

DISCOVER OUR PLATEAU POLLINATORS AT THE MAY SOCIAL HOUSE EVENT. RSVP AT NCLIVING.COM/

Thursday nights at The Ruffed Grouse belong to the blues. The soulful riffs of Scott Low’s guitar wind through the charming, timber-framed room as guests settle into plush couches or lean against the bar. The music mixes with conversation, the clink of glasses, and the aroma of locally sourced, masterfully prepared food — all of it contributing to an atmosphere that both enthralls locals and draws visitors from all across the country.

This is the tavern at the heart of Highlander Mountain House — an 1880s clapboard farmhouse that has been lovingly transformed into an 18-room boutique hotel in downtown Highlands.

FROM FINANCE TO HOSPITALITY

Jason Reeves’ path to Highlander began far from the North Carolina mountains. He spent his early career in New York City, where he worked in finance for large branded hotels. But the uniform luxury of these establishments left Jason restless. He was searching for more intimate properties with genuine stories — places where design and hospitality reflected real connection to the location.

This search for something different galvanized Jason into moving to Charleston, where he started restoring historic houses. Later, he founded a boutique hotel company focused on restoring and reopening vintage motor lodges across the country. When a hurricane evacuation landed him in Highlands, he ended up on the patio of what was then the Main Street Inn. The 1880s building spoke to him immediately, and it told a story worth hearing.

DESIGN THAT HONORS PLACE

Constructed in 1885 — reportedly for a retired sea captain from Charleston — the clapboard farmhouse has withstood and borne witness to more than a century of mountain life. The land beneath it carries even deeper history. This is sacred Cherokee territory, Scots-Irish settlers poured through the mountains seeking homesteads, and later, the avant-garde artists of Black Mountain College found inspiration in these same peaks and valleys.

Each of the hotel’s 18 guest rooms blends English eclectic style and rustic mountain comfort, with Italian linens and quality amenities delivering modern luxury.

Behind the main building, the Bunkhouse offers cozy, pet-friendly rooms at a lower price point. Bunkhouse guests get full access to Highlander’s amenities.

THE RUFFED GROUSE

The rooms provide the retreat; the tavern provides the gathering space. The Ruffed Grouse takes its name from a bird native to Southern Appalachia, indicative of a menu that focuses on seasonal ingredients from Blue Ridge farmers and growers. What’s available changes with what’s in season: root vegetables in winter, peak produce in summer, and locally sourced trout year-round.

Lunch runs on Friday and Saturday, dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday brunch draws crowds for both the bluegrass and the tavern’s dishes, such as hand-cut orecchiette with pea variations or the Highlander Wedge salad. The Ruffed Grouse Tavern Burger (two Angus beef patties with sharp cheddar, house pickles, and comeback sauce) has earned its following. So has the Appalachian Charcuterie Board.

The beverage program reflects the same regional focus: classic cocktails, Methodical Coffee espresso, and rotating craft beers on tap, with a wine list emphasizing biodynamic, organic bottles from small vineyards. The bar serves morning coffee and evening drinks equally well.

The space itself encourages people to stay. A commanding fireplace anchors the room, with the best seats positioned fireside in the intimate dining room. When the weather permits, a Main Street-facing patio extends the gathering space outdoors. It’s a tavern in the old-world sense, where locals and travelers mix naturally, conversations drift across tables, and strangers find themselves becoming regulars.

Food and atmosphere would be enough, but the live music adds another layer. Thursday means Blues Night, while Sunday brings Bluegrass Brunch. On Saturday afternoons, Zorki plays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This weekly rhythm has turned The Ruffed Grouse into a community hub as much as a restaurant.

OUTPOST INN: A DIFFERENT

ENERGY

A third of a mile down the road sits Jason’s other vision. Whereas Highlander leans into 19th-century character, Outpost Inn embraces 1970s California vibes adapted for the mountains. The 14 remodeled rooms mix primitive elements with mid-century design. It’s both wellness-oriented and outdoorfocused, built for guests seeking inspiration and adventure.

The aesthetic borrows from California coastal design: Topanga Canyon meets Big Sur, filtered through Appalachia, with vertical board-andbatten siding, clean lines, and a lobby that serves both coffee and wine.

Different guests choose different properties. Highlander attracts those who love period details and fireside evenings, while Outpost draws outdoor enthusiasts, wellness seekers, and artists looking for mountain inspiration. Both deliver genuine hospitality and a strong connection to the surrounding Plateau; they are two expressions of the same philosophy, serving different needs.

OPEN YEAR-ROUND

Both properties stay open year-round, which matters in a mountain town where many establishments close after the peak tourist months. Winter means fires and root vegetables on the menu. Spring brings wildflowers and reopened trails. Summer delivers patio dining and long evenings. Fall brings foliage and perfect hiking weather.

The downtown Highlands location puts everything within reach. Guests can walk to shops, galleries, and trailheads. Waterfalls such as Glen Falls and Secret Falls are close. Staff arrange fly-fishing guides and know which trails work in winter and which swimming holes stay quiet in summer. That local knowledge transforms good trips into memorable ones.

WHAT MAKES IT WORK

Highlander Mountain House and Outpost Inn succeed because they understand that modern hospitality goes beyond amenities. It’s about creating places that could only exist in one location — places where details matter because they tell true stories.

The trout is locally sourced. The blues guitar echoes off timber from 1885. Rooms mix Victorian pieces with contemporary art because that reflects the region’s cultural layers. Staff remember coffee orders and know which waterfall you should see. The person at the next table might end up guiding you to a trail.

Whether you choose Highlander’s warmth or Outpost’s creative energy, both offer the same foundation — mountains feel closer, pace slows naturally, and every detail reminds you of where you are. You don’t need to be told these places are special. You know it as soon as you walk in.

UNDERSTAND THE TERRAIN Decide With Confidence

Where you live shapes how you live. We translate the nuances of the Plateau — seasonal rhythms, micro-markets, and community character — into clear comparisons. You’ll see the options, understand the tradeoffs, and move decisively.

On an upcoming May afternoon at the Silver Creek Real Estate Group offices in Cashiers and Highlands, guests will gather for something the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau hasn’t quite seen before. Not a lecture. Not a networking event. Not a fundraiser or gala. Instead, we’re offering something closer to what happens naturally in mountain communities, when neighbors gather on a porch or meet for coffee and talk about things that really matter.

Social House is Silver Creek’s new event series designed to bring together curious minds around topics that illuminate what makes the Plateau lifestyle extraordinary. Each gathering centers on experts sharing insights into their craft, their passion, or their corner of mountain life. The format is intimate by design, and the conversations are anything but predictable.

For Silver Creek, the series represents a natural extension of how they’ve always approached business on the Plateau. Jochen Lucke founded the firm 18 years ago on the principle that serving the community well meant understanding it completely. That philosophy has manifested in everything from innovative marketing to deep involvement of their brokers in local organizations.

Social House takes that philosophy further. It builds on a long-standing commitment to the Plateau, expanding that foundation into thoughtfully designed experiences that foster community through shared ideas and meaningful connections.

EARLY SUMMER EVENTS

The first event in May, “The Pollinator’s Path: Keeping the Plateau in Bloom,” pairs Kevin Rowland of Tiny Trail Farm & Gardens with Andrew Renfro of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. Both work daily to understand and preserve the biodiversity that makes these mountains remarkable. Their conversation will move from the intricate life of a honeybee colony to practical steps homeowners can take to support native species. It’s the kind of specific, locally grounded knowledge that can’t be found in books or websites, but only through people who’ve spent years observing this particular ecosystem.

June’s “Stones That Speak: From Sketch to Setting,” with third-generation jeweler Buddy Driggers, offers something different yet equally intimate. Buddy will walk attendees through the process of transforming inherited jewelry into wearable pieces, sharing both technical expertise and the stories that make his work meaningful. It’s craftsmanship as conversation, with all the personal touches that make smalltown businesses irreplaceable.

THE RIGHT ROOM

Attendance for Social House will be limited, and that intimacy has its benefits. These aren’t performances where an audience passively receives information. These are conversations where questions flow naturally, and a comment from one guest sparks insight from another. Silver Creek envisions Social House as an ongoing series, with topics and speakers evolving based on what resonates.

For attendees, the value extends beyond the formal presentations. The real magic happens in the margins: conversations before the event starts, questions that spark unexpected exchanges, connections made between people who discover shared interests. In a community of local and seasonal residents, where neighbors might not see each other for months at a time, these gatherings create threads of continuity.

It’s also quintessentially Plateau. It reflects a more thoughtful approach to gathering, where each experience is intentionally designed to feel both intimate and elevated, with an emphasis on substance over spectacle. Silver Creek Real Estate Group has always understood that serving this community well means more than selling properties. It means connecting people to what makes this place worth protecting and celebrating.

Social House is that philosophy made tangible. An experience. A topic. An expert guide. And a room full of people curious enough to show up and see where the conversation leads.

Events

MAY 7

THE POLLINATOR’S PATH KEEPING THE PLATEAU IN BLOOM

JUNE 4

STONES THAT SPEAK FROM SKETCH TO SETTING

A TOAST TO AMERICA 250 YEARS AT THE TABLE JULY 2

AUGUST 6

THE EXPLORER’S GUIDE ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE

SEPTEMBER 3

BETWEEN RIDGE AND RIVER LIVING WITH WILDLIFE

OCTOBER 15

AN EVENING IN THE ORCHARD THE JUNALUSKA AND CULLASAJA

PLEASE SCAN OR VISIT NCLIVING.COM/SOCIAL-HOUSE/ FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION

BANQUET for the Senses A

BEAUTY AND RESTORATION AT LES SOURCES DE CAUDALIE

a quiet pocket of Bordeaux, where vines ripple in the sun like green silk, there exists a sanctuary where beauty is not worn or applied but absorbed. Les Sources de Caudalie is not merely a spa — it is a philosophy carved from earth, water, oak, and stone. Here, beauty is restoration. The soul exhales, not in silence, but in slow, tangible acts of recalibration: hot spring waters drawn from beneath the vineyards, crushed grape seeds massaged into skin, and the rhythm of wine turned from drink into medicine.

Built alongside Château Smith Haut Lafitte, the retreat unfolds across a landscape designed to slow the body and reawaken the senses. Nothing about it is hurried. The architecture speaks in the language of balance — reclaimed wood beams, tiled courtyards, and glass panels that frame the vines like living tapestries. Even the air feels tempered, weighted with the soft clarity of forest-filtered light.

At Les Sources de Caudalie, luxury is intimacy, creating a communion between what is held in the body and what is held in the land. The architecture, the treatments, the meals, the stillness — they all participate in a single gesture: to return us, gently, to the parts of ourselves we had hurried past. There is no arrival here, only a soft and continuous unfolding.

Les Sources de Caudalie offers an invitation to belong. Not as a guest, or as a consumer, but as a presence reabsorbed into rhythm, where the skin listens again, the breath draws differently, and restoration is revealed, like the scent of soil after rain.

VINOTHÉRAPIE: A PHILOSOPHY DRAWN FROM THE VINE

The story of Les Sources de Caudalie begins, improbably, with the byproduct of wine. In 1993, Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, custodians of the Smith Haut Lafitte estate, met Professor Joseph Vercauteren, who revealed that the discarded seeds of wine-making — once the forgotten dregs of the harvest — held some of the most powerful natural antioxidants on earth. What others overlooked, nature had imbued with healing. From this truth, Les Sources de Caudalie grew, not as a brand, but as a way of seeing.

From that discovery unfurled a new grammar of wellness — Vinothérapie — coined not as a label but as an ethos.

Grape marc — the pressed residue of fruit and skins — was not seen as waste, but as medicinal. In 1999, the first spa dedicated to the ritual of grape and spring water opened on the very estate that birthed it. But what unfolded was more than a skincare revolution; it was a reorientation. Beauty here was not curated in

sterile labs, nor trapped in flacons behind frosted glass. It was local, elemental, and circular. Here, seed oils and vine sap are fermented into wraps, becoming rituals of renewal. The mineral-rich hot water, drawn from 540 meters beneath the earth and used for bathing in wooden barrels, feels earthly and ancestral, having been born from the same geology that nourishes the vines.

RITUAL AS RESTORATION

If beauty has become synonymous with transformation — sculpted, erased, augmented — then Les Sources de Caudalie offers an inversion: beauty as restoration. In the 1,500-squaremeter Vinothérapie Spa, guests do not seek to become someone else. They are invited to return to themselves.

To enter the spa is not to leave the world behind. The building itself is a hymn to its surroundings. Its stilted “bird island” suites are a nod to Arcachon’s oyster huts, and its interior rhythms are tuned to the natural acoustics that come from water, breath, and the shuffle of robe hems across stone. There are no disorienting scents of chlorine, no sterility disguised as serenity. Here, calm is cultivated, not designed.

Treatments unfold with deliberate slowness. A warm bath of grape marc, where one is immersed in mulberry-hued grape skins and seeds, softens the outer and inner body, releasing the skin from fatigue. A crushed Cabernet scrub buffs away dead cells, uncoiling tension embedded in muscle memory. The honey and Merlot wrap follows — earth-scented and thermal, cocooning the body in tannin-rich warmth. And then, the Wine Maker’s Massage: deep, sweeping, deliberately paced strokes using oils extracted from seeds grown meters away. Each session is less a performance than a pilgrimage. The therapist’s touch is informed, but never impersonal. Oils are not chosen from a menu but selected by season, by character, and by mood. The result is not euphoria. It is something gentler: one of recognition.

There is a philosophy at work that resists commodification. Each ritual speaks in the quiet dialect of the terroir. What is harvested is offered. What is offered is absorbed. Even the signature Barrel Bath, suspended within a wooden vat that echoes the winemaker’s tools, signals this return to terroir. The experience is not indulgent. It is necessary. The body wrapped in warmth and polyphenols emerges not just transformed but merged with soul and mind. The skin glows and begins to listen again.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF RESTORATION

To walk through Les Sources de Caudalie is to experience architecture as memory, as the buildings feel grown from the land itself. Architect Yves Collet, who codeveloped the site with the Thomas family, created a complex of six distinct houses, each inspired by regional farmhouses, fishers’ huts, and cloisters. The materials are sourced locally: pine from adjacent forests, limestone from local quarries, and repurposed tiles from nearby abbeys.

This commitment to material continuity is not merely aesthetic. It is philosophical. Each space is intended not to impress but to belong. Each corridor is like a quiet invitation, and glass doors open to swan-brushed ponds. Outside, stone pathways lead to hammocks by the lake. The spa’s light shifts with the time of day. Rooms are designed not just for treatments, but for transition — between states of energy, and between inner and outer worlds. Their interiors are designed with

restraint, with subtle mineral hues, local handmade textiles, and curated art. Herbal teas arrive on trays of untreated wood. Stillness here is not scheduled — it’s ambient.

A spa of this caliber, nestled within a working vineyard, could easily veer into pastiche or pretense. It does neither. Authenticity here is not curated; it is lived.

The six buildings that make up the hamlet of Les Sources de Caudalie are each named with a distinct association:

• La Bastide des Grands Crus alludes to the regional wine heritage.

• Le Comptoir des Indes takes us back to the time of Eastern colonies. La Maison du Lièvre displays its Landes-house appearance.

L’Île aux Oiseaux refers to the Arcachon Bay natural reserve.

• La Grange au Bâteau echoes the Aquitaine waters that flow from the Garonne River to Arcachon Bay.

• Finally, Le Village des Pêcheurs represents the famous huts built on stilts.

THE SLOW MEAL

Even the dining at Les Sources de Caudalie feels like a continuation of something deeper, a gesture of belonging rather than indulgence. There is no rupture between the vineyard and the plate, or the soil and the spoon. What you taste here has not traveled far. It has only transformed. Quietly. Respectfully. In rhythm.

At La Grand’Vigne, the two-Michelin-starred jewel of the estate, Chef Nicolas Masse crafts meals that align with the land’s pulse. His plates seem composed in continual conversation with the terroir rather than elaborating upon it. The menu tantalizes with grilled vegetables harvested from the on-site gardens and poulet fermier in wine reduction. A langoustine might arrive nestled beside heirloom fennel and citrus from the garden; a quenelle of caviar melts into an emulsion kissed by vineyard herbs. There is almost no excess, and yet nothing is ascetic. The pleasure is deep, but it is also anchored.

There is no grandeur for its own sake. The focus is always on essence — on the product’s voice, not the chef’s. “Enhancing the product,” Masse says, “without transforming it.” His cuisine is seasonal, not as a trend, but as an inevitability.

At La Table du Lavoir, the bistro adjacent to the spa, regional classics arrive with unfussy refinement. Masse’s seven-course tasting is a slow promenade through the Graves terroir, indulging in soft eggs with truffled vinaigrette, wood-fired meats, and garden vegetables served in clay bowls. The offerings continue with smoked beetroot, aged Comté, and a reduction of wine thickened by time and patience.

The building itself, once a washhouse for winemakers’ wives, holds a memory of labor, rhythm, and ritual. The mismatched cutlery, the flicker of the hearth, and the scent of smoke on the leeks all create an atmosphere that feels lived-in, not styled.

Even the bar, Rouge, reflects this philosophy. Bottles are not displayed like trophies — they are retrieved from the cellar. The food is shared, not plated in solitude. At Les Sources de Caudalie, food is not an escape; it is continuity. It’s a way of remaining in conversation with the same forces that touch the skin in the spa: light, water, season, and soil.

Here one dines while being drawn in and deeply enveloped in a cocoon of well-being.

SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ETHIC OF BEAUTY

The most radical expression of beauty at Les Sources de Caudalie may be its restraint. Long before sustainability became currency, the estate operated on the principle that luxury must serve both body and biosphere. In 2023, it became the first “palace” in France to earn the European Ecolabel — a recognition less of innovation than of conviction. The estate’s gardens are built on permaculture principles, supplying its restaurants with herbs, flowers, and produce. Beehives hum at the edges of the vineyard. It boasts solar panels, composting, no single-use plastic, and a majority of ingredients sourced within France. Shower products, formulated with over 95% natural ingredients, are offered in elegant refillable vessels.

There is no manifesto on pillows or walls. The commitment is quiet, but total. Here, guests are gently implicated: beauty without consequence is not beauty at all.

If spa culture has often skewed toward the superficial — aspirational, performative — Caudalie moves in the opposite direction. The beauty it fosters is less concerned with appearance than with presence.

It is the quiet recollection of what was always there.

WHAT LINGERS

There is an unmistakable rhythm to this place, but it is not human. It is one part agricultural, one part elemental. Les Sources de Caudalie does not operate in defiance of time but in step with it. The soul of Vinothérapie is to remind the body that it belongs not to urgency, but to rhythm, and to show the skin that absorption is a form of remembering. It serves to recalibrate beauty not as spectacle, but as something quieter, drawing upon the soil, spring, and slowness.

Skin glows not from product alone, but from recalibrated breath, unknotted shoulders, and slow digestion, leaving something subtler — a recalibration of the nervous system. Guests leave feeling subtly altered, not in appearance, but in attention. The taste of mineral water lingers on the tongue. The imprint of warm oils remains beneath the shoulder blade. Silence feels less like absence and more like fluency.

In the days that follow, the body resists reacceleration. Mornings stretch. Meals elongate. The skin — once treated — remembers how to breathe.

This is the deepest magic of Les Sources de Caudalie. It does not transform. It recalls. It leads you back — through vine, water, and the windworn textures of reclaimed wood — to yourself.

And when the train pulls away from Bordeaux, leaving behind the muted expanse of a vineyard under fog, what remains is not merely sensory. It is structural. A slowing of thought. A softening of edges. An unhurried breath.

THE PLATEAU

SILVER CREEK OFFICE LOCATIONS

CASHIERS

341 HIGHWAY 64 WEST

828-743-1999

HIGHLANDS

537 MAIN STREET 828-526-2999

GLENVILLE 4312 HIGHWAY 107 N 828-743-1995

WOUDES MOUNTAIN

STONE POINTE

STRAWBERRY HILL

GLENVILLE

GREYCLIFF

THE LAKE CLUB

SUMMER HILL

STONE BRIDGE

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN

BRIDGE CREEK

HICKORY KNOLL

CROSS CREEK

MOUNTAIN TOP

STILLMONT & CONTINENTAL CLIFFS

OLD EDWARDS CLUB

HIGHLANDS FALLS COUNTRY CLUB

HIGHLAND GAP

TURTLE POND

TRILLIUM LINKS

GLENCOVE BY OLD EDWARDS

COLD SPRINGS

WILDCAT CLIFFS COUNTRY CLUB

SHERWOOD FOREST THE COTSWOLDS

MIRROR LAKE

HIGHLANDS COUNTRY CLUB

HIGHGATE

MOUNTAIN LAUREL

DOG MOUNTAIN

KING MOUNTAIN CLUB

SCALY MOUNTAIN

ROCKY KNOB

VZ TOP

PINCHOT

CULLASAJA CLUB

PEREGRINE

RAVENEL BIG BEAR PEN & LITTLE BEAR PEN

SAGEE WOODS

SATULAH VISTA

BRUSHY FACE

HIGHLANDS MOUNTAIN CLUB

HOLLY BERRY ESTATES HORSE COVE

QUEEN MOUNTAIN

SIMS VALLEY

BEAR LAKE RESERVE PILOTS KNOB

COVE

STILLPOINT

BIG RIDGE

BUCK KNOB ISLAND

CHINQUAPIN

TATER KNOB

CASCADES AT CEDAR CREEK

SHEEPCLIFF

CEDAR CREEK

LAUREL FALLS

HIGH HEMLOCK

GLENRIDGE

SAPPHIRE

WEST FORK FRENCH BROAD RIVER

ZACHARY’S GAP BALD ROCK/THE DIVIDE

PINNACLE RIDGE CHATTOOGA RIDGE CEDAR HILL

CASHIERS

SPRING FOREST & PINE FOREST LONESOME VALLEY

GOLF CLUB ESTATES

CLUB

LAKE TOXAWAY COUNTRY CLUB

FALCON RIDGE

SAPPHIRE HIGH PRESERVE AT ROCK CREEK HOLLY FOREST ROUND HILL

CCSV DEER RUN

SASSAFRAS RIDGE HIGH HAMPTON ARROWHEAD

WADE HAMPTON CHATTOOGA CLUB SILVER RUN RESERVE TIMBER RIDGE

WHITESIDE FOREST

HIGH MEADOWS FOUND FOREST

WHITESIDE CLIFFS

BURLINGAME

INDIAN LAKE ESTATES

LAKE TOXAWAY

LONGCLIFF

BEAR WALLOW SPRINGS MOUNTAIN FALLS

WHISPER LAKE OVERLOOK AT SAPPIRE TWIN FALLS

EXCLUSIVE

CREEK

SILVER RUN RESERVE CASHIERS

Shape a bespoke mountain estate with Loudermilk Homes in Silver Run Reserve. Perched at 3,800 feet on 2.3 secluded acres bordered by conservancy land, this to-be-built five-bedroom residence captures long-range views, with floor-to-ceiling glass and expansive terraces, all within a nearly 300-acre sanctuary minutes from Cashiers and Highlands.

MLS# 1002606

NEWLY OFFERED

$6,800,000

THE CHATTOOGA CLUB CASHIERS

Experience refined mountain living in the gated Chattooga Club community. This serene 1.27-acre estate offers long-range mountain views, elegant indoor and outdoor spaces, a private guesthouse, and a pavilion by a waterfall, just minutes from dining and shopping amenities. An exceptional blend of luxury, nature, and comfort on the Plateau.

MLS# 1001485

$4,750,000

SUMMER HILL CULLOWHEE

Set within the Summer Hill community, this exceptional custom-built home commands sweeping 180-degree views of Lake Glenville and the mountains. The property is meticulously designed with a gourmet kitchen, an indulgent primary suite, expansive decks, a hot tub, a home theater, and deeded lake access. Experience unmatched elegance, privacy, and refined mountain living.

MLS# 1000461

$4,250,000

SUMMER HILL CULLOWHEE

Panoramic views of pristine Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond set the stage for this quintessential lake house in Summer Hill. Featuring a private boat dock replaced in 2023, expansive covered and uncovered decks, two stacked-stone fireplaces, and a spacious, split floor plan, this turnkey retreat is designed for unforgettable lake life and lasting memories.

MLS# 1002620

$4,200,000 NEWLY OFFERED

CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

Experience modern sophistication and mountain living in this beautifully crafted farmhouse, where expert craftsmanship and thoughtful design create a refined yet inviting retreat. Enjoy long-range mountain views from expansive decks, a main-level primary suite, and access to Chinquapin’s 2,000 acres of trails, fishing, and outdoor amenities.

MLS# 1002857

NEWLY OFFERED

$3,995,000

Perched on 7.68 acres at the highest point, this unique property offers outstanding unobstructed 360-degree views. Chosen by the original developer for his family home and guest house, this most unique property features an octagonal design, floor-to-ceiling masonry fireplaces, and a cupola with views for miles.

MLS# 1002709 BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

$3,995,000 NEWLY OFFERED

SASSAFRAS RIDGE SAPPHIRE

Set at the end of a private road in Sassafras Ridge, this 6.9-acre estate commands sweeping views across Nix, Toxaway, and Bald Rock mountains from nearly every room. A custom residence, covered porch with stone fireplace, hot tub deck, and detached guest cottage together define a rare standard of mountain estate living on the Plateau.

MLS# 1002949

NEWLY OFFERED

$3,950,000

107 NORTH GLENVILLE

Imagine lounging on the wraparound deck of a log cabin, gazing upon Lake Glenville framed by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Tucked on a hill within 112 acres of serene privacy, yet just minutes from downtown Cashiers, enjoy an unparalleled vantage point across from the lake. Opportunities like this one don’t come along every day!

MLS# 1001402

$3,950,000

SAPPHIRE VISTA ESTATES

SAPPHIRE

Behind the gates at the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, this 2023 residence commands views of Hogback Mountain across four levels connected by a windowed elevator. Three Brazilian IPE decks, a covered outdoor kitchen, a home theater, and a dedicated wellness level with infrared sauna and climate-controlled wine room set a standard rarely found on the Plateau.

MLS# 1002965

$3,500,000 NEWLY OFFERED

CEDAR HILL CASHIERS

Experience refined mountain living with longrange, layered views of Big Sheepcliff Mountain, western sunsets, and seamless indoor-outdoor design. Vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, multiple outdoor living areas, and a lower level built for gathering create a thoughtfully designed retreat just minutes from Cashiers and Sapphire.

MLS# 1002859

$3,500,000 NEWLY OFFERED

LAKE TOXAWAY ESTATES

LAKE TOXAWAY

Create lasting memories on over 12 private acres with panoramic views of Lake Toxaway and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This log estate features five ensuite bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and exceptional outdoor spaces. Offered for the first time, this home is a rare opportunity to experience luxury and nature in one of Western North Carolina’s most sought-after locations.

MLS# 1002493

NEWLY OFFERED

$3,397,500

CULLOWHEE FOREST

CULLOWHEE

Hinoki House is a rare architectural offering where Japanese-inspired design and natural landscape exist in quiet balance. Set on more than 17 acres with extensive river frontage, a private waterfall, wraparound covered decks, and curated gardens, this gated Cullowhee Forest retreat offers privacy, serenity, and enduring mountain beauty.

MLS# 1002530

NEWLY OFFERED

$3,100,000

CEDAR RIDGE ESTATES CASHIERS

Escape to a private mountain retreat on nearly five acres. This renovated home offers four masonry fireplaces, expansive porches, a luxurious primary suite, and a stream-fed pond with a viewing deck and a pavilion, all just minutes from Cashiers. Perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and embracing nature year-round.

MLS# 1002691

NEWLY OFFERED

$2,950,000

CEDAR HILL CASHIERS

Elegantly positioned within the gates of Cedar Hill, this newly renovated luxury residence showcases sweeping views of Big Sheepcliff Mountain. The dramatic two-story great room with a striking stone fireplace flows effortlessly to a state-of-theart chef’s kitchen and onto a covered porch with a second fireplace. A refined main-level primary suite with a spa-inspired bath completes the exquisite offering.

MLS# 1001342

$2,895,000

Experience refined mountain living at 4,300 feet in this turnkey Glenridge home with panoramic views, a custom screened porch with fireplace, and a stunning fire pit area. With designer interiors, ensuite bedrooms, and access to both nature and town, this private retreat offers elevated comfort and serenity.

MLS# 1002529 GLENRIDGE GLENVILLE

$2,750,000

THE DIVIDE AT BALD ROCK SAPPHIRE

Set along the Eastern Continental Divide at 4,000 feet, this four-bedroom home in The Divide at Bald Rock frames long-range southwesterly views across 4.45 acres. Wood ceilings, shiplap walls, a chef’s kitchen, and an outdoor pavilion with a full kitchen make it as refined inside as the setting is dramatic beyond it.

MLS# 1002948

NEWLY OFFERED

$2,690,000

Experience timeless mountain architecture and exceptional privacy at Big Sheepcliff. Designed by Tim Greene, this classic residence features cathedral ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling stone woodburning fireplace, and sweeping long-range mountain vistas toward Lake Glenville. Enjoy peaceful outdoor living and vibrant sunsets just a short drive from the heart of Cashiers.

MLS# 1002672

NEWLY OFFERED

$2,550,000

HIGH MEADOWS CASHIERS

Set within the gated community of High Meadows, this updated mountain residence commands panoramic Plateau views with no neighboring homes in sight. A dramatic wall of windows, multilevel decks, and a gracious floor plan create a property equally suited to gathering and retreat. For those seeking membership to High Hampton, a qualifying lot is available for purchase at an additional cost.

MLS# 1003005

$2,500,000 NEWLY OFFERED

ROUND HILL ESTATES

One of just nine homes on Fairfield Lake, this rare lakefront estate arrives with rock columns, English gates, a winding drive, and interiors that open to exclusive views of Bald Rock. A private dock, boat, and gazebo complete a property that captures the enchanting spirit of the lake in one of the Plateau’s most coveted settings.

MLS# 1002997

NEWLY OFFERED

$2,499,000

GOLF CLUB ESTATES

SAPPHIRE

The Horsepasture River sets the tempo here, its sound present from nearly every room, its light shifting through the day across decks, ridgelines, and the fairway beyond. A post-and-beam residence with the warmth to match its setting, minutes from Cashiers and Sapphire.

MLS# 1002978

NEWLY OFFERED

$2,495,000

LITTLE TERRAPIN CASHIERS

Take in sweeping, uninterrupted vistas of Whiteside Mountain, Shortoff Mountain, Yellow Mountain, Devil’s Courthouse, and Scaly Mountain from this 4,000-foot perch in Little Terrapin. Covered balconies, expansive decks, and an outdoor fireplace frame breathtaking horizons, creating a retreat where the mountain landscape takes center stage in every moment, indoors and out.

MLS# 1001897

$2,495,000

THE CHATTOOGA CLUB CASHIERS

Located in the prestigious Chattooga Club, this charming, fully furnished home offers stunning views of Rock Mountain and Chimney Top. Features include multiple ensuite bedrooms, a great room with a stone fireplace, a galley kitchen, a luxurious primary suite, and outdoor spaces with a covered porch and deck. Enjoy world-class amenities just minutes from Cashiers.

MLS# 1002415

$2,495,000 UNDER CONTRACT

CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

Enjoy long-range mountain views and refined outdoor living in this Chinquapin retreat. Accordion doors, vaulted ceilings, and stone fireplaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, while spacious decks and a hot tub invite relaxation. With access to premier community amenities, this 3.28-acre home offers the ultimate balance of privacy, beauty, and connection.

MLS# 1001910

$2,450,000

CHINQUAPIN

Experience refined mountain living in this brandnew three-bedroom home in Double Knob at Chinquapin. Enjoy breathtaking mountain views, soaring ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces. With premium finishes, a screened porch, and resort-style amenities, this home offers the perfect balance of tranquility and high-end living.

MLS# 1002181

$2,399,999

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Light-filled and thoughtfully designed, this mountain home overlooks the fifth fairway of Burlingame Country Club with views of Hogback Mountain. Modern finishes, a cozy keeping room, four ensuite bedrooms, and a covered porch with a fireplace create an easy, elegant setting for relaxed mountain living.

MLS# 1002389

$2,350,000

APPROXIMATE PROPERTY LINE

WHITEWATER FALLS

SAPPHIRE

Breathe in cool mountain air on 37+ acres at over 3,100 feet in Sapphire. Featuring pasture, forest, a pond, and a flexible home with an attached in-law suite, this private estate offers endless potential for farming, keeping horses, or creating a family retreat on the edge of Nantahala National Forest and minutes from Sapphire’s amenities.

MLS# 1001612

NEWLY PRICED

$2,250,000

CEDAR CREEK-BEE TREE GLENVILLE

Located on 2.3 acres near Lake Glenville, this new construction offers sweeping mountain views and modern elegance. The two-level, three-bedroom home features a vaulted great room with a cozy fireplace, an expansive porch, and an open kitchen with Thermador appliances. Upstairs, a loft leads to two guest bedrooms with ensuite baths. With a two-car garage and gentle surroundings, this home blends convenience and natural beauty.

MLS# 1002586

$1,995,000 NEWLY OFFERED

BIG SHEEPCLIFF CASHIERS

Bordering Big Sheepcliff’s community meadow with framed views of Whiteside Mountain, this Cashiers retreat offers the rare combination of refined interiors and an extraordinary natural setting. Cathedral ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, and multiple outdoor living spaces set the stage for mountain living at its most unhurried.

MLS# 1002968

$1,900,000 NEWLY OFFERED

CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

Discover effortless mountain living in Chinquapin. This move-in-ready retreat features creekside serenity, classic finishes, indoor-outdoor spaces, and access to premier community amenities, from hiking trails to summer concerts. A rare blend of nature, comfort, and connection awaits in this thoughtfully crafted home by Fern Creek Builders.

MLS# 1001516

$1,795,000

Leafstone Farms spans 60.23 acres in a high-elevation setting, offering a rare canvas for a private estate, equestrian haven, or family compound. Enjoy a custom-built residence with apartment suite, a seven-bay workshop, a ninestall barn, and extensive infrastructure, all just minutes from downtown Sylva and Western Carolina University.

MLS# 1002838

$1,775,000 NEWLY OFFERED

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Located in Burlingame Country Club, this elegant home offers breathtaking views of the 13th hole, pond, and mountains. Vaulted ceilings and natural light highlight the interiors, while the primary suite with a soaking tub by the fireplace creates a serene retreat. Enjoy a theater room, wet bar, guest suites, a six-person hot tub, and optional club membership for the ultimate mountain lifestyle.

MLS# 1001240

$1,750,000

MLS# 1001070 BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Live the dream in this 2022-built Burlingame home! Enjoy a level-entry lot, fenced yard, and bright open floor plan with Hogback Mountain views. A chef’s kitchen, stone fireplace, ensuite bedrooms, screened porch, and open deck await. With a wholehouse generator, it’s mountain living at its finest.

UNDER CONTRACT

$1,690,000

CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

This new three-bedroom, fourbathroom home in Chinquapin blends modern design with tranquil living. Featuring a finished basement, one-car garage, and a large deck overlooking a private perennial spring leading to Cow Mountain Branch creek, it offers peace and convenience. Nearby amenities include trails, pickleball, a driving range, and a clubhouse.

MLS# 1000267

$1,680,000

Nestled in Greycliff at 4,000 feet, this custom Arts and Crafts home on about 1.37 acres delivers breathtaking mountain and lake views. Fully furnished and updated with hardwood floors and Cristallo Quartzite countertops, it features a great room, a luxurious primary suite, a bonus room, and outdoor decks with a hot tub, minutes from Cashiers and Lake Glenville!

MLS# 1002407

$1,674,000

PINE FOREST SAPPHIRE

Gather in a private mountain retreat on approximately 7.7 acres, where an open-concept living area, floorto-ceiling stone fireplace, long-range mountain views, covered and open decks, hot tub, sauna, and fire pit create an exceptional setting for entertaining and relaxed mountain living.

MLS# 1002822

$1,600,000 UNDER CONTRACT

FAIRWAY HAMLETS

SAPPHIRE

Located in the heart of Sapphire Valley, this exquisite home offers a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort. Set on a beautifully landscaped lot with a tranquil water feature, it exudes sophistication. Inside, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and the open kitchen flow into the dining and great rooms, leading to a screened Carolina room with a wood-burning fireplace. Two luxurious primary suites provide spalike retreats. A detached garage with a guest apartment ensures privacy for visitors. Additional highlights include a generator and proximity to top-tier amenities.

MLS# 1002864

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,595,000

GOLF CLUB ESTATES

SAPPHIRE

Experience rare single-level living behind the gates of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. Thoughtfully and comprehensively remodeled, this move-in-ready residence offers three bedrooms, a welcoming family room with a wet bar, and tranquil creek-to-pond views, creating a private, low-maintenance retreat defined by comfort, refinement, and natural beauty.

MLS# 1002680

PENDING

$1,550,000

Design the perfect home with this Lot Home Package in Bridge Creek. Set on 2.2 acres, this offering includes the expertise of builders and designers, allowing for a fully customizable residence. Experience the perfect balance of natural beauty and modern mountain living in this scenic and serene community.

MLS# 1000384 BRIDGE CREEK CULLOWHEE

$1,500,000

CHINQUAPIN

Experience a charming mountain cottage set on a serene lot fronting greenspace, with easy access to an extensive trail system and community amenities. A spacious Carolina porch, an open-concept living room, and a loft retreat create inviting spaces for gathering, relaxing, and enjoying a peaceful connection to nature.

MLS# 1002788

$1,475,000

BALD ROCK SAPPHIRE

Rosewood sits in Bald Rock with direct views of the rock face that defines it, framed through expansive windows, carried onto a river rock fireplace deck, and present from nearly every room. Four bedrooms across three levels, sold furnished, with community trails, waterfalls, and Sapphire Valley Resort amenity access included.

MLS# 1003094

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,447,500

HOLLY FOREST SAPPHIRE

Mountain living meets comfort and space in this five-bedroom, fivebathroom Sapphire home with a wonderful mountain view. Enjoy bright living spaces, a family room with a fireplace, covered and screened porches, a stone firepit area, and a water feature meandering around three sides of the house.

MLS# 1002703

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,375,000

Take in sweeping Blue Ridge vistas from “The Lookout” a turnkey log home with screened and covered decks, two stone fireplaces, a hot tub, private lake access, and Sapphire Valley Resort amenities. Offered fully furnished, it is well-suited for both a refined mountain retreat and full-time living.

MLS# 1002901

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,350,000

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Experience classic mountain living in this log home on 2.28 private acres in Burlingame. Featuring mountain views, multiple fireplaces, spacious decks, and versatile living spaces, this property offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort in one of the Plateau’s premier communities.

MLS# 1002657

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,300,000

BIG SHEEPCLIFF CASHIERS

Discover a charming mountain retreat in the gated community of Big Sheepcliff, offered for the first time. This thoughtfully designed cottage features hardwood floors, a gas-log fireplace, a covered porch and deck, views of Whiteside Mountain, and low-maintenance living just minutes from Cashiers.

MLS# 1002483

NEWLY PRICED

$1,290,000

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Brand new construction designed for mountain living, blending rustic character with a contemporary interior. Enjoy cool evenings by the outdoor stone fireplace, an artfully landscaped setting, soaring lap-sided ceilings, and a main-level primary suite. This is comfortable mountain living at its best.

MLS# 1002550

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,274,000

Enjoy sweeping views of Lake Soquilla and Hogback Mountain from this inviting lakefront home. Expansive windows frame the scenery, while a fieldstone fireplace anchors the lightfilled great room. A screened porch, open porches, and a renovated dock create effortless moments on the water, from morning coffee to evenings beside the lake.

MLS# 1002763

$1,220,000 PENDING

HOLLY FOREST SAPPHIRE

Enjoy peaceful mountain living in this beautifully maintained Sapphire Valley home set on a quiet cul-de-sac with the gentle sounds of a nearby mountain stream. Light-filled interiors, inviting gathering spaces, and welcoming outdoor areas create a relaxing retreat, with access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities and the charm of nearby Cashiers and Highlands.

MLS# 1002706

$1,124,000

THE PRESERVE AT WHITESIDE CLIFFS HIGHLANDS

Capture year-round views of Whiteside Mountain and Black Rock from this distinctive saltbox-style mountain residence designed by acclaimed architect Jeffrey Dungan. Openconcept living, expansive windows, a screened porch off the primary bedroom, and a lower level with a secondary kitchenette offer flexibility, privacy, and effortless mountain living just minutes from Cashiers and Highlands.

MLS# 1002659

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,095,000

MOUNTAIN CLUB SAPPHIRE

Enjoy modern updates and timeless mountain charm in this move-inready Sapphire Valley cabin. Featuring three bedrooms, a flex room, recent renovations, and easy access to resort amenities, this retreat offers comfortable living inside and out.

MLS# 1002314

UNDER CONTRACT

$999,595

BURLINGAME IS A FAMILYFOCUSED MOUNTAIN RETREAT LOCATED AT 3,000 FEET IN SCENIC SAPPHIRE, NORTH CAROLINA. THIS THOUGHTFULLY PLANNED COMMUNITY IS DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF ITS SURROUNDINGS WHILE OFFERING AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF AMENITIES FOR RESIDENTS.

At its center lies the Burlingame Country Club, where an exquisitely appointed clubhouse serves as a lively gathering spot with two inviting lounges and three dining venues featuring seasonal, globally inspired cuisine. In addition to refined social spaces, residents can enjoy a championship 18-hole golf course, a state-of-the-art fitness center, HarTru tennis courts, pickleball, croquet, and a heated swimming pool.

Beyond its outstanding amenities, Burlingame embodies a vibrant lifestyle where families can connect with nature and each other. Parks, hiking trails, fishing ponds, and trout waters create endless outdoor adventures, while charming real estate options range from luxurious mountain-view homes and scenic riverfront properties to rustic, lodge-inspired condos that line the golf course. Built with a reverence for the land, Burlingame embraces a strong sense of stewardship, providing a serene yet engaging environment for all ages to relax, explore, and make lasting memories.

Call Silver Creek Real Estate Group today to learn more about Burlingame at 828-743-1999 or visit ncliving.com/burlingame/

$980,000

NEWLY OFFERED

Discover refined mountain living in this fully furnished twobedroom cottage in Chinquapin. Perched over 4,000 feet, it offers a split-bedroom layout, premium finishes, and a twocar garage with a lift. Enjoy cool mountain air, endless trails, and access to premier amenities designed for outdoor adventure and connection.

MLS# 1002725

HOLLY FOREST

$925,000

Refined mountain living at nearly 4,000 feet, vaulted ceilings, wide-plank hardwoods, a screened porch with fireplace, and a spa-inspired primary suite. Partially furnished and move-in ready, with golf, tennis, lake access, trails, and fitness just outside the door.

MLS# 1003015

$849,000

NEWLY OFFERED

An Arts and Crafts home at the end of a quiet Sapphire Valley cul-de-sac, bordering a trail to the Horsepasture River. Wood floors, a vaulted great room, a finished lower level, and a detached garage with a fully finished guest apartment above make the property well-suited for vacation rentals, multi-generational living, or a full-time mountain retreat.

MLS# 1003003

Discover a beautifully maintained, furnished, single-level mountain home on 4.73 unrestricted acres at 3,850 feet, with breathtaking short- and long-range mountain views. Three outdoor living areas, a screened-in porch with a fireplace, and a level fenced yard create an easy, inviting setting for gathering, relaxing, and enjoying mountain life.

MLS# 1002842

$759,000

This turnkey mountain retreat blends rustic charm and thoughtful updates, featuring beamed cathedral ceilings, warm wood floors, and a raised-hearth stone fireplace. Enjoy a front sitting porch, screened back deck, cool summers at nearly 4,000 feet, and access to Chinquapin’s nature-centric amenities, ideal for getaways or a strongperforming rental.

MLS# 1002540

$759,000

Experience refined mountain living in The Preserve at Whiteside Cliffs. This turnkey home offers comfort and style with its expanded layout, screened back porch, quality finishes, and breathtaking views of Whiteside and Black Rock Mountains.

MLS# 1001782

Set in Holly Forest, this brand-new contemporary mountain home offers dramatic vaulted ceilings, a grand living room fireplace, and large covered decks overlooking a spacious backyard. A main-level primary suite, chef-ready kitchen, and access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities create a refined mountain lifestyle just minutes from Cashiers.

MLS# 1002227

Experience long-range mountain sunrise views and cool mountain air from this move-in-ready chalet in Sapphire’s Eagle Ridge community. With extensive updates, step-free main-level living, and resort amenities including golf, pools, and tennis, this serene retreat offers exceptional value within Sapphire Valley Resort’s sought-after setting.

MLS# 1002168

WHISPER LAKE SAPPHIRE

$699,000

NEWLY OFFERED

A smartly laid-out home in Whisper Lake, where the main level handles everything, stone fireplace, screened deck with mountain ridge views, and a split floor plan that keeps the primary suite apart from guests, with a finished lower level and full Sapphire Valley Resort amenities rounding it out.

MLS# 1002873

HOLLY FOREST

$675,000

NEWLY OFFERED

Step into the Highlands, Cashiers Plateau lifestyle with this inviting three-bedroom, three-bathroom mountain home in Holly Forest. Two rear decks, one screened, one open, overlook a tiny stream, while a gas log fireplace, expansive lower level with bonus spaces, and a rustic stone firepit create exceptional flexibility and effortless indoor-outdoor living.

MLS# 1002603

MLS# 1001032 CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

$679,000

Discover the ultimate blend of adventure and tranquility in Chinquapin’s Natures Walk. This two-bedroom, singlelevel cottage offers easy access to Tulip Pond, The Outpost clubhouse, and miles of trails. From fishing to canoeing, enjoy every moment in this vibrant, private community nestled within 2,000 acres of natural beauty.

EAGLES NEST COLONY

Take in panoramic Lake Glenville views, sunsets, and one of the best vantage points for Fourth of July fireworks from this updated log cabin just minutes from Cashiers. With deeded lake access at Cedar Point Landings, no rental restrictions, and recent improvements, it is a compelling option for a personal retreat, investment property, or full-time residence.

MLS# 1002907

HOLLY FOREST

SAPPHIRE

$624,500 NEWLY OFFERED

A furnished three-bedroom home in Holly Forest with a main-level primary suite, a stone fireplace, a wraparound porch, and multi-level decks. Sapphire Valley Resort amenity access, two-car garage, and a layout built for easy mountain living, ready for full-time use or a lock-and-leave retreat.

MLS# 1002861

RACQUET CLUB VILLAS

SAPPHIRE

$575,000 NEWLY PRICED

Updated and inviting, this Racquet Club Villas residence offers covered and open outdoor spaces overlooking the golf course, mountain views, and evening sunsets. Inside, vaulted ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling stone wood-burning fireplace, renovated bathrooms, and a thoughtfully updated kitchen create a comfortable setting near the Lawn Sports Pavilion.

MLS# 1002463

SIMS VALLEY

$599,000

GLENVILLE NEWLY OFFERED

Experience a custom mountain home where soaring vaulted ceilings, two stacked stone, wood-burning fireplaces, and long-range mountain views set the tone for relaxed mountain living. Set within Sims Valley, with access to trails, waterfalls, and a pool with mountain views, this rare combination of privacy, character, and amenities offers a unique setting.

MLS# 1002851

RACQUET CLUB VILLAS

$499,000

SAPPHIRE NEWLY OFFERED

Thoughtfully designed with a cozy, well-planned layout, this Burlingame villa features a private guest suite, a primary bedroom with an inviting screened porch, and an elevated main living area. Enjoy stunning views of the 1st and 9th holes of the Burlingame Golf Course, a picturesque mountain ridge, and breathtaking sunsets.

MLS# 1002496

THE PRESERVE AT WHITESIDE CLIFFS HIGHLANDS

$490,000 UNDER CONTRACT

Experience modern mountain living in this 2022 Jeffrey Dungan-designed saltbox cottage. Enjoy layered views, high-end finishes, private decks, and the only fencedin dog run in The Preserve at Whiteside Cliffs. This serene retreat located between Highlands and Cashiers combines elegance, nature, and thoughtful design.

MLS# 1002351

CASHIERS IN-TOWN CASHIERS

$475,000

Private 0.75-acre setting in Holly Forest with the year-round sounds of Little Hogback Creek and peaceful mountain views in winter. A screened porch, open deck, and multiple creekside sitting areas create an ideal backdrop for outdoor enjoyment, with wooded views and a serene atmosphere well-suited for a relaxed mountain getaway.

MLS# 1002414

$455,000

Investors take note! This prime commercial space in Laurel Terrace, in the heart of Cashiers, offers excellent visibility from Highway 64. Your customers will enjoy ample parking, and this end unit benefits from abundant natural light. Comprised of open space, laundry facilities, a kitchenette, and a bathroom, this commercial space offers a versatile layout suitable for various businesses. Existing tenants and a versatile layout make Unit 8 a promising investment opportunity in Cashiers.

MLS# 1002671

Enjoy creekside privacy and single-level comfort in this three-bedroom Bear Lake Reserve home. Blending timeless mountain charm with thoughtful upgrades, this property features soaring cathedral ceilings, a stone fireplace, and inviting spaces for entertaining, all with access to premier resort amenities and the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

MLS# 1001898

Nestled in the serene beauty of Sapphire Valley, this elegant two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo boasts an open floor plan designed for light-filled living and seamless entertaining. A private patio invites relaxation amidst mountain views, while nearby amenities, including a community lake, walking trails and fitness center.

MLS# 1002513

$275,000

Enjoy expanded living and unique outdoor spaces in this rare Hilltop end-unit in Sapphire Valley. With updated interiors, a private side yard, and full access to resort amenities yearround, this turnkey home offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and mountain lifestyle just minutes from the heart of Cashiers.

MLS# 1002853

Enjoy easy, single-level living in this updated Hilltop condominium in Sapphire Valley. Featuring a refreshed kitchen, luxury vinyl flooring, and a screened porch for year-round use, this three-bedroom home offers resort-style amenities and a low-maintenance lifestyle just minutes from dining, shopping, and outdoor recreation amenities in downtown Cashiers.

MLS# 1001663

Discover easy mountain living in this partially furnished Hilltop end-unit. Featuring a spacious great room, a sunroom, and central HVAC, it offers year-round comfort. Enjoy access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, Fairfield Lake, and more. It’s perfect as a full-time home, a seasonal escape, or an investment in the heart of the Plateau.

MLS# 1001731

GROOVIN’ ON THE GREEN

Some of the best summer evenings on the Plateau don’t cost a thing. Groovin’ on The Green is Cashiers’ beloved free outdoor concert series, drawing locals and visitors together on The Village Green Commons Lawn for a season of Friday night performances that run from May through September.

Concerts kick off at 6 p.m., rain or shine — bring your lawn chairs, a blanket, a picnic, and your leashed dog, and you’re all set. Local food and beverage vendors are on-site if you’d rather travel light. For groups looking to make a proper evening of it, tent rentals are available and serve the added purpose of helping keep this community tradition funded and free. It’s the kind of event that feels effortless to attend and surprisingly hard to leave.

The concerts are free and kick off at 6 p.m. on The Village Green Commons Lawn. To learn more about Groovin’ on The Green, visit villagegreencashiersnc.com.

COREY STEVENSON BAND

May 22

DYLAN ARMOUR

May 29

THE DEEP SHALLOW BAND

June 12

THE WOBBLERS

June 26

GOTCHA GROOVE

July 24

THE WANDERING HOURS

August 14

MCINTOSH AND THE LIONHEARTS

September 4

HIGHLANDS OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES

Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine

Highlands takes its summer nights seriously. From May through September, free live music fills downtown on both Friday and Saturday evenings — two distinct series, two distinct sounds, and not a cover charge in sight.

Friday Night Live brings traditional mountain music to Highlands’ Town Square, and there’s an informal, participatory spirit to it that’s hard to manufacture: the bands feed off the crowd, and the crowd — clapping, singing, and dancing if the mood strikes — feeds right back. It’s audience participation at its best.

Saturdays on Pine moves the party a block over to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street, where the programming includes rock, blues, beach music, and beyond. Pack a picnic from one of Highlands’ restaurants, pull up a lawn chair, and settle in. By the end of the evening, you’ll have a good sense of what the remarkable small-town life on the Plateau actually feels like.

Concerts on both nights are free and start at 6 p.m. Friday Night Live concerts are held in Highlands’ Town Square. Saturdays on Pine concerts are held at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. To learn more about the Highlands Outdoor Concert Series, visit highlandschamber.org.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE

Main Street’s Town Square

FOXFIRE BOYS

May 15

SILLY RIDGE

May 22

ANDREW WAKEFIELD & FRIENDS

May 29

JOHN WEBB

June 5

YOUNG MOUNTAIN MAGIC

June 12

SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN BOYS

June 19

DOUG RAMSAY

June 26

SPARE PARTS BLUEGRASS BAND

July 3

BLACKWELL TRADITION II

July 10

FOXFIRE BOYS

July 17

BYRDS AND CROWS

July 24

NITROGRASS

July 31

JOHN WEBB

August 7

MCLAIN FAMILY BAND

August 14

SHAWN LANE TRIO

August 21

SPARE PARTS BLUEGRASS BAND August 28

SILLY RIDGE

September 4

BYRDS AND CROWS

September 11

BLACKWELL TRADITION II

September 18

SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN BOYS

September 25

SATURDAYS ON PINE

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

LAZRLUVR

May 16

THE PARKS BROTHERS

May 23

SNAP

May 30

THE AMERICAN FLYERS

June 6

U-NEEK FLAVUR

June 13

GROOVE MACHINE

June 20

SOUTHSIDE STATION

July 4

BLAZE THE CITY

July 11

MOON DANCE

July 18

BOURBON SONS

July 25

YACHT RANDO

August 1

BLAKE ELLEGE & THE RESONATORS

August 8

WILL THOMPSON BAND

August 22

DIVERSE GROOVE

September 5

HIGH 5 September 12

BOOGITHERAPI September 19

DARREN NICHOLSON BAND

September 26

EPIPHONE THUNDERBIRD IV ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR. PHOTO BY DUY TUNG TRAN VIA UNSPLASH.COM

CONCERTS ON THE SLOPES

There aren’t many places where you can watch a live band from a golf cart parked on a ski slope. Concerts on the Slopes at Sapphire Valley Resort is exactly that: an outdoor summer concert series held at the base of Ski Sapphire Valley, where the mountain itself becomes the amphitheater. The lineup leans into the classic feel-good catalog — Motown, beach music, and the songs you already know all the words to — with four shows running from June through early September.

Bring your own chairs, blankets, food, and drinks, or reserve a private tent with tables for your group. Tickets are $22 in advance and $27 at the gate, with a season pass available for all four concerts. It’s the kind of evening that earns its place on the summer calendar.

The concerts are ticketed and start at 7 p.m. at Ski Sapphire Valley. To learn more about Concerts on the Slopes, visit sapphirevalleyresort.com.

TOO MUCH SYLVIA

June 23

SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS

July 14

THE EMBERS

August 11

ACE PARTY BAND

September 5

THE HIGHLANDSCASHIERS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL CONCERT SERIES

When Lucas Drew organized a small series of concerts in Highlands in the summer of 1976, he was testing an idea: that this mountain community had both the appetite and the setting for serious chamber music. He was right. The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival was formally founded in 1982, and it has been building on that original conviction ever since.

Now in its 45th season and among the oldest and longest-running summer chamber music festivals in the country, the festival brings together an extraordinary roster of musicians for six weeks of performances spanning late June through early August. The Regular Concert Series runs on Saturdays and Mondays at the Highlands Performing Arts Center and on Sundays and Tuesdays at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers, presenting world-class chamber music in intimate, accessible settings.

Artistic Director William Ransom, who has helmed the festival since 2000, programs a range of special performances throughout the season, from informal salon-style evenings to family concerts and outreach events. For anyone who loves chamber music — or is simply curious about it — this is one of the better reasons to be on the Plateau in July.

Regular Concert Series events are ticketed. To learn more about the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, visit h-cmusicfestival.org.

REGULAR CONCERT SERIES

Highlands concerts are held on Saturdays and Mondays at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Cashiers concerts are held on Sundays and Tuesdays at The Village Green Commons. Regular Concert Series events are ticketed.

OPENING CONCERTS

45TH ANNIVERSARY OPENING

GALA CONCERT

Sunday, June 28 at 5 p.m. in Highlands

Featuring The Zukerman Trio

AMERICAN SALUTE

Sunday, July 5 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring The American String Quartet; Vijay Venkatesh and Jasmin Arakawa, piano; Yinzi Kong, viola; William Ransom, piano

FOUNDER’S CELEBRATION

Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. in Highlands Tuesday, July 7 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring The American String Quartet; Nina Bernat, double bass

WEEK TWO

KATHY AND MARK WHITEHEAD

YOUNG PIANIST CONCERT

Saturday, July 11 at 5 p.m. in Highlands

Sunday, July 12 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring Chelsea Guo, piano

NEAVE TRIO — DEBUT

Monday, July 13 at 5 p.m. in Highlands Tuesday, July 14 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring the Neave Trio

WEEK THREE

BEETHOVEN, BRAHMS, AND BRUCE

Saturday, July 18 at 5 p.m. in Highlands

Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring Chee-Yun, violin; Bruce Heim, French horn; William Ransom, piano

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Monday, July 20 at 5 p.m. in Highlands Tuesday, July 21 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring The Formosa String Quartet; Erinys String Quartet

WEEK FOUR

SOLO STARS

Saturday, July 25 at 5 p.m. in Highlands Sunday, July 26 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring Zuill Bailey, cello; Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; Yinzi Kong, viola

SIZZLING SEXTETS

Monday, July 27 at 5 p.m. in Highlands Tuesday, July 28 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring Amy Schwartz Moretti and Kate Ransom, violin; Paul Neubauer and Yinzi Kong, viola; Zuill Bailey and James Kim, cello

WEEK FIVE

ATLANTA CHAMBER PLAYERS

— 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Saturday, August 1 at 5 p.m. in Highlands

Sunday, August 2 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring Elizabeth Pridgen, piano; Helen Hwaya Kim, violin; Charae Krueger, cello; Cathy Lynn, viola; Jesse McCandless, clarinet

THE BORROMEO STRING QUARTET — DEBUT

Monday, August 3 at 5 p.m. in Highlands

Tuesday, August 4 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers

Featuring The Borromeo String Quartet

GERSHON/COHN FINAL GALA

CONCERT & DINNER

CONCERTO NIGHT

Sunday, August 9 at 5 p.m. at the Highlands Performing Arts Center

Featuring Anton Nel, piano; Abigel Kralik, violin; The Chamber Music Orchestra: Emily Daggett Smith, Jessica Wu, Helen Kim, Kenn Wagner, Juan Ramírez, Alice Hong, violin; Joseph Skerik, Yinzi Kong, Joli Wu, viola; Guang Wang, Charae Krueger, cello; Jonathan Colbert, bass

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

In addition to the Regular Concert Series, the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival organizes numerous other special performances in venues throughout the Plateau.

RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Saturday, May 2 at 5 p.m.

The Church of the Incarnation, Highlands Free Concert

Featuring the Terra String Quartet

MOUNTAIN MUSIC SOIREE

Sunday, June 21 at 6 p.m.

Home of Mary Thompson Ticketed Concert — $200 per person

Featuring William Ransom, piano; David Coucheron, violin

INTERLUDE CONCERT

Wednesday, July 8 at 2 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Highlands Free Concert

Featuring Nina Bernat, bass; William Ransom, piano

FAMILY CONCERTS

Wednesday, July 15 at 3 p.m.

Albert Carlton Cashiers Library Free Concert

Thursday, July 16 at 3 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Highlands Free Concert

Featuring Sasha Prior, oboe and English horn; Kevin Lyons, trumpet; William Ransom, piano; Alice Hong, violin; Choo Choo Hu, piano

MARTINIS, MOZART & MORE!

Thursday, July 23 at 5 p.m.

The Pavilion at The Farm at Old Edwards Farm — Highlands Ticketed Concert — $125 per person

Featuring The Formosa and Erinys String Quartets

THE NEXT PORT OF CALL IN OUR 10THANNIVERSARY OUR TOWNS SERIES IS THE SEDUCTIVE MOUNTAIN ENCLAVE OF HIGHLANDS. PERCHED AT 4,118 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, HIGHLANDS OCCUPIES RARE AIR, BOTH LITERALLY AND CULTURALLY. OFTEN DUBBED THE “METROPOLITAN VILLAGE” OF THE PLATEAU, HIGHLANDS BALANCES COSMOPOLITAN POLISH WITH MOUNTAIN AUTHENTICITY IN A WAY FEW RESORT TOWNS ACHIEVE: REFINED BUT NEVER ALOOF, SOCIAL YET DEEPLY ROOTED, AND A PLACE WHERE LUXURY FEELS INHERITED RATHER THAN INSTALLED.

IGHLANDS H

OUR TOWNS

For many, Highlands is not simply a retreat from the heat of the South (though its cool summer temperatures are legendary) but a return to something enduring: walkable streets, porch conversations, long-standing traditions, and a community that thrives well beyond a single season.

A TOWN SHAPED BY ALTITUDE

Elevation defines Highlands. The cooler climate shapes everything from architectural styles (think steep gables, generous porches, and stacked stone) to the cadence of daily life. Windows stay open in July. Sweaters appear at sunset. Even midsummer carries a softness that feels almost alpine.

Founded in the late 19th century by Kansas developers Samuel Kelsey and Clinton C. Hutchinson as a summer mountain respite, Highlands evolved into something far more layered. It avoided the fate of becoming either a seasonal ghost town or a transient tourist corridor. Instead, it matured into a year-round community with a vibrant cultural calendar and a deeply engaged civic base.

LEFT: DOWNTOWN SHOPPING

ABOVE: KILWIN’S — A LOCAL STAPLE

RIGHT: LIVE MUSIC AROUND TOWN

BOTTOM RIGHT: HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION

What distinguishes Highlands most is its culture of connection. Mornings unfold on a first-name basis at coffee counters, along Main Street, or inside the local post office. The person beside you could be a third-generation local, a nationally recognized artist, or a retired executive. In Highlands, status softens; participation matters more.

For second-home owners, there is also what many affectionately call the “summer family” — a seasonal reunion of returning residents who gather year after year on the same porches, in the same garden clubs, and at the same standing dinner reservations. Traditions here are not fleeting; they accumulate.

A CURATED MAIN STREET

Unlike many mountain towns, Highlands possesses something rare: a truly walkable, beautifully maintained Main Street. The terrain is unexpectedly flat, lending itself to an almost European rhythm of life. Downtown residents stroll from home to bakery, from gallery to theater, and from cocktail hour to concert, all without ever starting a car.

The retail landscape reflects thoughtful curation rather than commercial sprawl. High-end apparel boutiques sit comfortably beside fine jewelers, European antique dealers, art galleries, and specialty outdoor outfitters. Many shops are owner-operated, lending the experience a personal, conversational tone.

Dining, too, exceeds expectations for a town of this scale. Culinary standards here are serious. Multiple establishments have earned prestigious wine recognitions, and chefs embrace regional sourcing as a longstanding philosophy rather than a passing trend. Menus celebrate mountain produce, Appalachian traditions, and global technique with equal confidence.

Throughout the year, food and wine festivals, concert series, and cultural gatherings amp up the social calendar. These are not casual affairs but polished, well-executed events that draw national attention while still feeling distinctly local. The town’s chamber of commerce operates as an engine, orchestrating a steady rhythm of happenings that keep Highlands animated in every season.

ARTS, CULTURE, AND CIVIC LIFE

Highlands carries an artistic presence that feels, in the best possible way, disproportionate to its size. The Highlands Performing Arts Center brings professional productions, film programming, and live performances to the Plateau, often featuring talent drawn from major entertainment hubs. Meanwhile, The Bascom operates on a multi-acre campus offering exhibitions alongside hands-on education in ceramics, painting, photography, and more. Here, neighbors become classmates and collectors become creators.

Civic engagement runs deep. From land trusts and conservation groups to garden clubs, writers’ circles, and photography societies, there is a structured pathway for newcomers to find community. Volunteerism is not symbolic; it is active and visible. Residents show up for trail maintenance, environmental stewardship, arts programming, and town beautification.

At the heart of it all is Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Highlands’ town square, which functions as a communal living room. Summer brings openair concerts and gatherings on the lawn. Winter transforms it into an ice-skating rink straight from a postcard. Visitors participate enthusiastically, but locals sustain the spirit.

NATURE AS A DAILY AMENITY

While Highlands offers cultural depth, nature remains its ever-constant. Surrounded by the vast expanse of the Nantahala National Forest, wilderness begins at the edge of town. Waterfalls cascade within minutes of Main Street. Granite overlooks provide sweeping Blue Ridge panoramas. Trails weave through hardwood forests alive with seasonal color.

Perhaps the most coveted natural amenity, however, is climate. When much of the Southeast swelters in dense summer humidity, Highlands enjoys what residents often call “natural air conditioning.” Daytime temperatures typically hover in the 70s, making outdoor living pleasant with thriving gardens. Even midday activity feels manageable.

This seamless proximity to wilderness fosters an ethic of preservation. Conservation organizations are highly active, and many residents volunteer their time and resources to protect the landscapes that define the town’s appeal. Development here tends to respect topography rather than overpower it — a balance essential to Highlands’ enduring value.

A REAL TOWN, NOT JUST A RESORT

What ultimately distinguishes Highlands is its permanence. Yes, it is beautiful. Yes, it is elevated both socially and geographically. But it is also real. Children attend local schools. Businesses remain open year-round. Churches and nonprofits operate with consistency. The calendar never empties entirely.

Highlands avoids the hollow quiet that can settle over resort communities once peak season fades. Instead, it transitions from garden tours to leaf season, from holiday markets to winter performances, all while maintaining continuity through change.

For buyers considering a primary residence or a legacy mountain property, that continuity matters. It signals resilience. It promises belonging.

Highlands is a paradox in the best sense: a small town with international taste, a mountain enclave with metropolitan polish, a social hub framed by wilderness.

Here, you can walk to dinner, attend a professional performance, volunteer for trail conservation, and still be home in time to watch mist rise through the trees.

AT 4,118 FEET, LIFE FEELS SLIGHTLY LIFTED: COOLER IN TEMPERATURE AND PERHAPS CLEARER IN FOCUS. AND FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO CALL HIGHLANDS HOME, THAT ELEVATION BECOMES MORE THAN GEOGRAPHIC. IT BECOMES A WAY OF LIVING.

ANN COOPER

Forty years of building hospitality businesses and almost a decade of selling real estate in Western North Carolina have taught Ann Cooper that people thrive when they find the right fit. That lesson has proven just as valuable in real estate as it was when Ann was running Sassy Sunflowers Bakery Cafe or her quaint mountain Christmas shop. The difference is that now, instead of matching people with the perfect dessert or gift, she’s helping them discover which mountain community will actually feel like home.

“People move up here thinking they know exactly what they want,” Ann explains. “But Highlands and Cashiers are completely different, even though they’re just a few miles apart.” Ann spends time with clients touring both areas and everywhere in between, showing them the restaurants, the grocery stores, and the rhythm of each place. Usually, by the end, they realize their perfect home may not be where they first expected. And that’s when Ann finds them something that truly fits.

It’s an approach that only works when you truly know the market, which Ann certainly does. Born and raised in Cullowhee, she’s spent her entire life in these mountains, watching communities evolve while building a reputation as someone who understands both business and people. That combination has made her exactly the kind of agent that Silver Creek Real Estate Group is proud to call their own: someone with authentic insight, proven success, and genuine investment in getting it right.

WHERE CURIOSITY BEGAN

Growing up in Cullowhee near Western Carolina University shaped Ann’s perspective in ways that still influence her work. “I was exposed to so many different cultures and perspectives and ways of being,” she reflects. “It made me curious about where people were from and what it was like there and who these people were and what they knew that I didn’t know.”

That breathless curiosity became the foundation for everything that followed. Ann wanted to understand people, to learn what made them happy, to discover how she could help them find what they were seeking. It’s why hospitality felt so natural, and her transition into real estate, eight years ago, felt like the perfect evolution.

BUILDING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL

Ann’s entrepreneurial journey spans four decades and multiple successful ventures. For years, she owned and operated a quaint mountain Christmas shop and managed a family entertainment center, building a reputation throughout the area for exceptional service and genuine warmth. The business she ran for 15 years, Sassy Sunflowers Bakery Cafe, held special significance.

“Everything in my bakery cafe was my mother’s,” Ann shares. “She passed away in 2008, and she had taught me and given me all her recipes. Everything was hers.”

The bakery specialized in cakes, pies, danishes, pastries, and cookies but also offered healthy, organic soups, salads, and sandwiches. “If you can help America be healthy and put a smile on their face, why not?”

Ann’s philosophy of finding joy in serving others defined every business she touched.

“I really found out that it’s people I like to please and people I like to see enjoy the same things I do,” she explains. When she finally made the leap into real estate, that people-first approach came with her.

READING THE LANDSCAPE

What sets Ann apart in the Plateau’s luxury market is her understanding of where things are and what those places mean. Highlands functions as an incorporated town with deep generational roots and an abiding heritage. Cashiers, meanwhile, operates as an unincorporated resort community centered around country clubs and golf. Both are beautiful and attract sophisticated buyers, but they offer fundamentally different lifestyles.

Ann helps clients see those distinctions clearly. “I like to drive people around and let them see the different areas,” she says. “I want them to think about where they are and consider, ‘Is this area too local for me?’ or ‘Is this area too country club-ish?’”

A recent client spent five days exploring the region with Ann. “I’m sure we dragged her all over Jackson County, and she always gave us the best advice about location, value for price, renovations, water rights, rights of way, and so much more that we weren’t even thinking about,” the client recalls.

Ann’s expertise extends well beyond aesthetics and amenities. She understands the nuanced factors that affect both property value and daily living. It’s the kind of knowledge that comes from decades of business ownership and deep community involvement.

LISTENING FIRST

Perhaps Ann’s greatest strength is her ability to hear what clients actually need, even when they’re not entirely sure themselves. One couple asked to see a large number of properties across the Plateau. Ann, of course, showed them every property. But she also paid attention. “She knew we were water people,” the client explained. “Even though we asked her to show us homes up on the mountain, she was able to find us a beautiful lot on Lake Glenville where we built our dream home.”

This approach doesn’t override clients’ preferences but seeks to understand the lifestyle behind their wish list. “I’d rather find people a place that fits their lifestyle,” Ann explains. “Understanding that their lifestyle fits this area or that area.”

That commitment extends far beyond closing day. Ann remained involved throughout one couple’s entire home construction process and continues to check in when they visit their mountain retreat. “Her clients are friends for life, and she takes a true interest in their lives and their time in the mountains,” one noted.

The personal connections Ann forms often become lasting friendships and turn former clients into part of her extended mountain community. Her hands-on approach means buyers benefit not just from her market knowledge but from her network of trusted contractors, service providers, and local resources built over 40 years in business.

As one client put it simply: “She’s also just really fun!” Ann’s combination of professionalism and genuine warmth creates an experience people remember.

MOUNTAIN RHYTHM

What draws people to the Plateau is what Ann has cherished her entire life. “The mountains just kind of invite you to slow down and appreciate nature, and you’re part of this small community where everybody knows everybody,” she reflects.

The diversity she grew up with near Western Carolina University mirrors what she sees today. “There are people from all over the world living here, and every day it’s a new experience because you’re talking to all these folks from different places and different parts of the world. To be able to share with them what’s going on in our community and what we do around here is just a treat.”

When not working with clients, Ann enjoys the same mountain lifestyle she helps others discover. She’s a member of the Highlands Club and the local Chamber of Commerce. Her daily routine includes visits to Calders Coffee Cafe, The Wine Garden at Old Edwards Inn, and One Wicker Cheese Co., known for their renowned charcuterie boards.

She shares her life with husband Steve, two children, and four grandchildren, plus Sophie, her adorable Lhasa Apso. Her passions include cooking, baking, and traveling, particularly to Sedona, Arizona, where the red rocks and mountain views feel like home.

[ANN COOPER’S] DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL MARKET MADE THE ENTIRE PROCESS EASY AND STRESS-FREE . SHE ALWAYS TAKES THE TIME TO TRULY UNDERSTAND OUR NEEDS, ANSWERS EVERY QUESTION WITH PATIENCE, AND GUIDES US WITH EXPERT ADVICE . - PAM W.

WHY SILVER CREEK

Ann’s recent move to Silver Creek Real Estate Group reflects her appreciation for entrepreneurial excellence. “I’m so excited to be part of Silver Creek because it’s growing and Jochen’s so invested, and he’s one of those people who’s an entrepreneur himself. I really relate to that.”

She values the company’s marketing strength and business acumen. “They have great marketing. Jochen knows what it takes to make a business successful, and he’s actually doing it. He gives that to the brokers.”

For buyers seeking authentic local insight paired with professional excellence, Ann Cooper offers something increasingly rare: a true local expert who understands these communities intimately, who has grown up here, built successful businesses here for four decades, and who genuinely cares about helping people find not just a beautiful property but a place where they’ll thrive.

That’s the difference 40 years of experience makes. That’s the Ann Cooper difference.

ANN COOPER | BROKER 828-736-1198 ANN@NCLIVING.COM

OUR TEAM

PRESENTED BY SILVER CREEK

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, GLOBAL REACH

At Silver Creek Real Estate Group, our team is united by a shared passion for the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and a dedication to helping clients find their perfect place here. Each of our brokers brings a unique blend of market expertise, local insight, and genuine care, ensuring every transaction is handled with skill, integrity, and personal attention.

With a sharp entrepreneurial instinct and a lifelong passion for real estate, Jochen Lucke brings a dynamic perspective to every client interaction. His journey from Southeast Florida to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau was driven by a love for the mountains and a desire to create a more grounded, community-focused life. That same passion now shapes his approach to real estate, blending deep local knowledge with a broad view of market trends.

Known for his tenacity and thoughtful negotiation style, Jochen is also a dedicated community leader, with years of service on local nonprofit boards. Whether guiding clients through their first purchase or a complex development opportunity, he brings a calm confidence, a builder’s eye, and a sincere commitment to helping others find their place in the mountains.

“If

you’re looking to sell your home, we highly recommend Jochen. His experience, communication, and dedication make all the difference.”

D. and A. Pugel

DAN ALLEN

Dan Allen offers something exceptional: thirty years of genuine community investment that has created unparalleled local expertise. Since calling the mountains his permanent home in 1995, he has built lasting relationships throughout the region, making him a trusted guide and giving clients access to a strong network of local professionals and resources.

Known for his “treasure hunter” approach, Dan focuses on understanding each client’s vision and using his extensive market knowledge to find the right match. His commitment extends beyond closing, offering ongoing guidance and support. An advocate for the environment and passionate community supporter, Dan brings exceptional knowledge, authenticity, insight, and dedication to every client he serves.

“Dan and his team continue to set the standard for excellent communication, diligent practices, and high fidelity in their work.”

M. Draughon

From the French Quarter to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Parker Anderson’s path to Cashiers has been one of adventure, intention, and heart. A third-generation real estate broker from Rome, Georgia, Parker built his expertise in New Orleans’ competitive market before answering the mountains’ call.

Now with Silver Creek Real Estate Group, he pairs bigmarket savvy with an authentic love of community, helping clients find not just homes, but lifestyles that fit who they are. Deeply rooted in Cashiers, Parker and his wife, Caroline, are raising their children, Reeves and Figgy, surrounded by the beauty and warmth of the place they proudly call home.

“

It was a pleasure to work with such an honest and enthusiastic individual that exhibited true ethical values toward his profession. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with [Parker] again in the future.”

C. Jacobson

JULIA TATUM BANNER

With a background in fine arts, construction, and entrepreneurship, Julia Tatum Banner brings a creative and solution-driven perspective to real estate. A descendant of builders, artists, and innovators, she draws on her family’s legacy to help clients see the hidden potential in every property.

Julia’s hands-on experience with design and development, as well as her company, Banner & Associates, allows her to offer thoughtful guidance throughout the buying and selling process. Known for her dedication, vision, and personal touch, Julia helps clients not only find a home but imagine what it could become. She lives in Lake Toxaway with her husband, Mac.

“We could not have been more pleased with [Julia’s] professionalism and kindness. There is no doubt that we will be working with her again when we are ready to make our next purchase!”

L. and A. Wiedersum

Marsha Bricker has been a cornerstone of HighlandsCashiers Plateau real estate for over 30 years. A New York native and NYU graduate who left her corporate career at what is now Verizon, she moved to Sapphire in 1992 and discovered her calling in mountain real estate. Dedicated, passionate, and always communicative, Marsha has built her practice almost entirely on repeat business and referrals, while her deep local knowledge and unwavering work ethic have cemented her reputation as one of the Plateau’s most trusted real estate professionals.

A 13-time club champion at Burlingame Country Club, Marsha shares her home and her love for the Plateau community with her husband of almost 50 years and their three adorable Australian Labradoodles.

“[Marsha’s] responsiveness and followthrough are exceptional. Having someone who gets you answers quickly and confidently makes all the difference, and Marsha exceeds expectations every time.”

M. & A. Skinner

MARSHA BRICKER

CHRIS DUFFY

Chris Duffy’s journey to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau began in 2017 when a radio hosting job brought him to the mountains sight unseen. What began as a career move became a calling, blending his broadcasting, investigative, and culinary backgrounds into a real estate practice built on service, curiosity, and connection. Chris’s inquisitive nature helps uncover opportunities, guiding clients to the right home and community.

Known for his 6-foot-9-inch frame, his approachable style, and his knowledge of the Plateau’s diverse towns, Chris is deeply involved in local life — serving on boards, volunteering at events, and championing the community he treasures.

“Chris went above and beyond for us... he stepped up and did whatever was needed to see [the closing] through. We could not have done it without him!”

Blair and Allison

With decades of experience as an interior designer and business owner, Debby Hall brings an exceptional eye for possibility to every listing and an intuitive understanding of how people truly live in their homes. She helps sellers elevate their spaces with thoughtful guidance and supports buyers in envisioning what a property could become.

Warm, perceptive, and solutions-oriented, Debby blends creative vision with practical expertise, making the process feel clear and enjoyable. Deeply engaged in the Plateau community, she offers clients local insight and genuine care. For those seeking a home that fits both their lifestyle and aspirations, Debby is a trusted guide.

“[Debby] was very professional and kind, and she answered all my questions no matter how small. She is smart and caring and goes above and beyond in her duties.”

K. Strang

JONATHAN HOUGH

Jonathan Hough approaches real estate with a service-first mindset and a deep belief in the power of relationships. With a background rooted in leadership, faith, and family values, he brings thoughtful guidance and genuine care to every client interaction. His interest in real estate was sparked by his father’s example as a general contractor, and his approach is grounded in integrity, professionalism, and personal connection.

Whether supporting his community, leading within the industry, or helping clients navigate important decisions, Jonathan is known for his steady presence, clear communication, and commitment to delivering an experience defined by trust and results.

“From the initial consultation to the final closing, Jonathan was always available and responsive, and he provided expert guidance. We highly

recommend [him] to anyone looking for a dedicated and successful realtor.”

J. and M. Kiker

Authentic and approachable, Rick Jackson offers a steady demeanor complemented by a comprehensive real estate background. After selling his software company, he entered real estate in 1998, later finding his perfect fit on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Splitting time between Atlanta and the mountains before settling full-time, Rick brings unique insight into the transition to mountain living. He’s known for building genuine relationships, and maintaining a strong moral compass, enabling him to guide clients with integrity and ease. Active in local organizations and an avid golfer, boater, and vintage motorcycle enthusiast, Rick has built a life he loves and helps clients do the same on the Plateau.

“Rick

was perfect throughout our purchase in Lake Glenville. [He was] knowledgeable, responsive, informed, and helpful at all turns.”

D. and K. Feist

BAMBI FAMOUS KAINE

For Bambi Famous Kaine, real estate is a calling rooted in connection, not just to homes, but to people and the communities where they’ll thrive. With a background in sales and a deep love for the mountains, Bambi brings a calm, intentional presence to every client relationship. Her unwavering passion for helping others is matched only by her legendary attention to detail.

As a self-described “community concierge,” Bambi believes people should fall in love with a place before they fall in love with a property, and she’s there to make that happen, every step of the way.

“Bambi was our selling agent and she was superb. There aren’t enough adjectives and stars to compliment her, her team, and their service. She is the epitome of professional, knowledgeable, and customer service oriented ... Truly, she was magnificent!”

F. Trammel

With more than 30 years on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, Silver Creek’s Eddy McDonald brings a rare depth of experience — from PGA pro to club manager, builder, and seasoned broker.

As someone who listens first and talks second, Eddy combines technical know-how with genuine care, guiding clients through every market with calm confidence. His hands-on construction background and decades of community connections allow him to see value that others might miss, while his commitment to service extends far beyond closing day. Whether helping first-time buyers or seasoned investors, Eddy leads with integrity, insight, and the steady assurance of someone who knows these mountains by heart.

“Eddy is a fabulous realtor. He has been responsible for our rental home for the last year and has increased our rentals by 200%! He is always available and responsive to our needs and those of the renters.”

J. and M. Serdula

JODI MOORE

With over two decades of experience and an award-winning start to her career, Jodi Moore brings unwavering dedication and warmth to every client relationship.

A former Vice President of Sales and Marketing turned real estate broker, she’s known for her honesty, responsiveness, and genuine care. Now a respected expert in Burlingame Country Club and Lake Toxaway, Jodi combines insider knowledge with a client-first philosophy built on patience and trust. Her approach is simple but rare: Treat people the way you want to be treated and never stop working until they find the mountain home that feels just right.

“The Monteleones have bought many homes in our 56 years of marriage! But, without a shadow of a doubt, Jodi Moore is the best realtor we have ever had.”

P. and B. Monteleone

For more than 20 years, Cassie Neal has built her reputation as a real estate broker on listening deeply, communicating clearly, and perfecting the art of connecting people with places where they’ll truly belong. A military upbringing taught her to adapt quickly and connect with people from all walks of life — skills she brings to every transaction.

Cassie pairs deep market knowledge with genuine care, guiding clients through the Plateau’s unique nuances with honesty and attention to detail. Her love for mountain living is contagious. Clients often leave with more than a home — they leave with a trusted friend.

“[Cassie Neal] sincerely cares about what is best for her clients and encourages you to buy what is best for you, rather than trying to make a quick sale.”

A. Hurst

KATIE NICHOLSON

Since moving from Georgia to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 2008, Katie Nicholson has built a thriving real estate career rooted in authenticity and trust. A former acquisitions professional with a global real estate investment firm, she transitioned to mountain living and became deeply involved in the development of the Chinquapin community, specializing in land and new home builds.

Known for her patient, relationship-focused approach, Katie guides clients toward the right home and community, often remaining a resource long after closing. Her local ties, construction knowledge, and commitment to honest service make her a trusted guide for those seeking both a property and a place to belong.

“Thanks to Katie, we are home in a community that we love. We could not recommend [her] more highly.”

E. Tucker

With three decades on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and 20 years as general manager of The Chattooga Club, Silver Creek Real Estate Group broker Linda Pridgen brings unmatched insight, grace, and heart to her work. A former teacher turned hospitality leader, she blends patience, professionalism, and deep community roots to guide clients toward homes that truly fit their lives.

From advising longtime members to welcoming newcomers, Linda listens first — helping people find not just a house but a sense of belonging. Her calm expertise, insider knowledge, and genuine warmth reflect a simple truth: on the Plateau, every home begins with connection.

“[Linda Pridgen] is the consummate professional before, during, and after the sale. All aspects of our buying experience were superb.”

S. Bessent

LINDA PRIDGEN

CHUCK SELF

Chuck Self first came to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau more than 30 years ago, drawn by its beauty and sense of community. After a successful 30-year career in corporate television sales, he made the mountains his full-time home and now helps others discover the lifestyle he treasures.

By partnering with Riva Smith, Chuck combines unmatched business expertise and seasoned negotiation skills with a deep knowledge of the area and a commitment to honest, thorough service. Active in local organizations and dedicated to giving back, he guides clients with professionalism, care, and a focus on finding the right home and community for their needs.

“As

out-of-towners looking for a second home, Chuck’s local knowledge of each and every neighborhood was invaluable. Five stars — highly recommended!”

J. and K. Anderson

Bonnie brings warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful attention to detail to her real estate practice on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. After relocating from Miami to Western North Carolina in 2017, she quickly put down roots with her husband and has been practicing real estate since 2019.

A former performer, Bonnie understands that every home and every community tells a story — and she takes pride in helping clients find the one that fits their lives. Known for making clients feel like family, she pairs a personable approach with a detail-oriented mindset that ensures nothing is overlooked.

“[Bonnie’s] communication was always clear and concise, and we truly appreciate [her] ability to bring a sense of humor to what can often be a stressful process. [She] listened carefully, respected our pace, and helped us make our own decisions... At every step, we felt confident [she] had our best interests at heart.

Judy & Donald P.

828-489-7476

BONNIE@NCLIVING.COM

RAY TRINE

With more than four decades of experience, Ray Trine is one of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau’s most knowledgeable and trusted real estate professionals. After relocating from Florida in the early 1980s, he built and led one of the area’s top firms and helped assemble landmark communities including Trillium, Summerhill, and Bridge Creek.

Known for his warm, approachable nature and encyclopedic understanding of local land, Ray is often described as a true “guide to the Plateau,” offering insight, history, and an infectious enthusiasm for mountain living. Still based on his Glenville farm today, Ray continues to help clients find the places they’ll love calling home.

“Ray

has been my real estate agent for close to three decades and no one knows more about Cashiers and Lake Glenville than he does. He’s a pleasure to work with.”

Cason

Rachel Wavra brings a hospitality-driven mindset and meticulous attention to detail to her real estate practice. Originally from Winter Park, Florida, she helped grow a national restaurant brand before settling in Scaly Mountain with her husband, Tyler, and their two children. Known for her client-first philosophy, Rachel believes the difference between good and exceptional lies in carefully considered moments.

Blending thoughtful touches with modern marketing savvy, she offers the perfect balance of luxury service and heartfelt hospitality. Her practice is built on thoughtfulness, authenticity, and exceptional standards, qualities that leave a lasting impression long after the transaction is complete.

“Working

with Rachel to sell our property in Highlands was an absolute pleasure. Her communication, patience, and genuine care for our goals really shined through.”

J. Walsh

828-505-6190

RACHEL@NCLIVING.COM

RACHELWAVRA.NCLIVING.COM

ROB WHITNEY

Rob Whitney found his way to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau through a life-changing visit to Lake Glenville. Originally from Brentwood, Tennessee, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Rob built his early career as a business owner before making the mountains his permanent home. After relocating to the Plateau and marrying his wife, Susanne Moore — a longtime local contractor — Rob earned his real estate license in 2005 and began helping others discover the same mountain lifestyle that drew him here.

With over two decades of experience in the local market and a strong connection to the building industry, Rob provides practical insight for clients buying, selling, or planning future improvements to their property. Known for his accessibility and straightforward communication, Rob is dedicated to guiding clients through each step of the process with clarity and care.

“Rob

went the extra mile to find a home that fit our budget, our lifestyle and all our family needs. His thoughtfulness, dedication and hard work paid off when he recommended a home in a place we had not thought of and it turned out to be our dream home.”

S. Schoonover

POLLINATOR’S PATH the

KEEPING THE PLATEAU IN BLOOM

word S by robert mceveety photography courte S y of andrew renfro

The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau sits at a unique convergence — seven microclimates meet in the southern Appalachians to form a temperate rainforest — and the resulting biodiversity rivals that of anywhere in the eastern United States. Rare wildflowers such as the white-haired goldenrod and the Oconee bell are found nowhere else on Earth but here. Native bees, blackcapped chickadees, bumblebees, lightning bugs, and hummingbirds all move through this intricate ecosystem that has taken millennia to perfect.

AT SILVER CREEK REAL ESTATE GROUP’S MAY SOCIAL HOUSE EVENT — “THE POLLINATOR’S PATH: KEEPING THE PLATEAU IN BLOOM” — TWO LOCAL EXPERTS WILL SHARE THE INSIDE STORY OF HOW THIS REMARKABLE SYSTEM SUSTAINS ITSELF AND WHAT THE PLATEAU’S HUMAN RESIDENTS CAN DO TO SUPPORT IT.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY LEE

Kevin Rowland, beekeeper at Tiny Trail Farms & Gardens, brings decades of experience managing honeybees and understanding pollinator behavior. Andrew Renfro, who grew up exploring these mountains and now serves as director of land conservation at the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, knows all the native plants that make the Plateau special.

Together, they’ll elucidate the fragile relationship between insects, plants, and our incredible mountain home. They’ll also offer practical insights that every homeowner can use to help ensure this relationship continues to thrive.

INSIDE THE HIVE

Kevin Rowland’s interest in beekeeping began in Kentucky, where his uncle kept honeybees on the family farm. Years later, after a career managing global cybersecurity for Mastercard had taken him around the world, he returned to what had always fascinated him. Now, managing roughly half a million honeybees across his Cashiers property, Kevin has learned what he calls the 5050 rule: beekeeping is 50% art, 50% science.

At the Social House event, Kevin will discuss not just managed honeybees but the wild pollinators that make the Plateau remarkable. Mason bees, carpenter bees, and bumblebees each play a

specific role. Bumblebees, for instance, are the primary pollinators of tomatoes and blueberries. Moths, often overlooked, pollinate about 90% of flowering plants. These native pollinators evolved alongside the Plateau’s native plants over thousands of years, creating relationships so specific that certain flowers depend entirely on certain insects.

Kevin will also share sustainable hive care techniques and the fascinating life cycle of a honeybee colony, as well as the benefits of consuming local, unprocessed honey that you won’t find in the grocery store. Expect stories about queens fighting to the death, workers scheming when to revolt, and the ingenious ways these incredible animals coalesce to form a singular organism — a hive mind entirely intent on survival and, unknowingly, on keeping our Plateau in bloom.

READING THE LANDSCAPE

Andrew Renfro grew up with the Plateau as his backyard. Born and raised in Cashiers, he spent his childhood fly-fishing the streams, photographing the forests, and exploring the wild places his grandfather showed him. That childhood shaped everything. After studying at Appalachian State University, he worked in conservation land management before joining the HighlandsCashiers Land Trust.

Andrew’s work protecting special places came full circle last year when the Land Trust raised $6 million to purchase the 104-acre Peregrine Preserve at Whiteside Mountain. The property had been slated for high-end development that would have changed the viewshed forever. Now it will remain wild, open to the public for hiking and enjoying a truly unique ecosystem.

At the event, Andrew will share insights about native plants and the wildlife they

support. A black-capped chickadee raising babies must find roughly 9,000 caterpillars in just 28 days. Those caterpillars feed on native plants — without the plants, no caterpillars. Without caterpillars, no chickadees. It’s a chain, and every link matters.

Andrew will also address something many don’t realize: much of what we think has been lost still exists beneath the soil. The Plateau has an extraordinary seed bank. Rare wildflowers, some endemic only to this region, are just waiting for the right conditions so they can emerge. Sometimes that means simply giving them room to grow.

PRACTICAL MAGIC

What makes this evening special is how practical the advice will be. Both Kevin and Andrew will share specific actions any of us can take to help our pollinators survive and thrive. Small gestures create a significant impact. Leaving a brush pile in a corner of your property provides a crucial habitat where native bees overwinter. Planting native species from local nurseries such as Chattooga Gardens or Winding Stair Gardens creates food sources that support the entire ecosystem. Turning off outdoor lights at night protects moths and lightning bugs. Letting some areas go a bit wild allows native plants to emerge from that underground seed bank.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s commitment to hosting this conversation reflects an understanding that preserving what makes the Plateau extraordinary requires more than protecting land. It means sharing knowledge, building awareness, and creating a community of people who understand how special this place is and how to keep it that way.

The evening promises to be both fascinating and actionable. Expect to learn things that change how you see your own property and the wild spaces around it. You’ll discover the intricate relationships between plants and pollinators that make this ecosystem thrive. And you’ll leave with practical steps you can take immediately to support the incredible biodiversity that makes the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau one of the most remarkable places in the eastern United States.

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM SET OF WHEELS? PERHAPS IT’S A CLASSIC 1960S FERRARI WITH CURVACEOUS COACHWORK AND A RACING PEDIGREE? MAYBE A TIRESHREDDING AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR FROM THE GOLDEN ERA OF DETROIT? OR A POSTER-WORTHY ’80S SUPERCAR THAT ONCE ADORNED YOUR BEDROOM WALL?

The desire for one-off and historically significant cars is unmatched, and there are few sounds more electrifying than the sharp crack of an auctioneer’s gavel followed by the collective exhale of a room that has just witnessed six, seven — sometimes eight — figures change hands in under a minute.

Welcome to the theater of the collector car auction, where chrome gleams brighter than chandeliers and bidding paddles rise faster than heart rates. What was once the preserve of niche enthusiasts has evolved into a global spectacle. Powerhouse names such as Barrett-Jackson, Mecum Auctions, and Hagerty have turned the buying and selling of classic and modern collector cars into a cultural moment: part investment seminar, part nostalgia convention, and part adrenaline sport.

Beyond the glamor lies a more interesting question: are these cars being bought for love, legacy, or leverage? From what’s trending right now to how to bid smart, the world’s leading car experts share the shifting tastes, generational influences, and insider strategies shaping today’s collector car world.

WHAT’S HOT UNDER THE HAMMER?

The collector car market, like fashion, is cyclical. What was once overlooked can suddenly become headline material. Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, is one of the most iconic names in the collector car world. From Vegas to Palm Beach, Barrett-Jackson auctions are synonymous with high-octane excitement and jaw-dropping collectibles.

Jackson has seen a seismic shift from the pre-war classics, such as Duesenbergs and Delahayes, that sold when his father Russ Jackson founded the house. “The hottest segments today are American muscle cars,” he explains. “Restomods, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s. Gen Xers and Millennials all like the supercars and hypercars.”

With 14 auctions a year across the U.S. (including its colossal Kissimmee, FL, sale), Mecum hosts the world’s largest collector car auctions. Its COO, Sam Murtaugh, echoes Jackson’s sentiments, emphasizing that while the types of cars may change, the appeal of quality examples remains universal. At this year’s Kissimmee auction, Mecum shattered its own records, generating $445 million in sales.

“When the quality is high, prices follow,” he explains. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be the most expensive car; the best example in any price point will attract attention. Many of the newer buyers are drawn to cars from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s — the vehicles they grew up admiring.” In other words, collector tastes are deeply generational but driven by quality, nostalgia, and personal connection, rather than simply chasing rarity.

These are the cars today’s 35- to 50-year-old collectors grew up with: analog supercars, Japanese performance icons, and lowproduction European sports models. As generational wealth transfers accelerate, nostalgia is driving demand.

RESTOMODS AND THE AGE OF PERSONALIZATION

The collector car world has entered what Jackson calls the “age of personalization”, in no small part thanks to the rise of restomods: classic cars that blend vintage aesthetics with souped-up modern technology and performance. “Drivable vehicles often outperform stock versions,” he says. “While blue-chip cars like Boss 429 Mustangs or Split-Window Corvettes remain desirable in original form, we’ve seen restomods — like a custom 1963 Corvette SplitWindow — do incredibly well on the auction block.”

Murtaugh emphasizes that condition and usability influence desirability in equal measure. “Some buyers want pristine, museum-quality cars. Others want vehicles they can drive and enjoy. Both approaches have a place. What matters is the experience: very few collectibles appreciate in value while also delivering the driving thrill they were designed for.”

In short, originality is no longer the only measure of value. Modern modifications, thoughtful upgrades, and a car’s ability to be enjoyed on the road are shaping bidding behavior.

STORYTELLING SELLS

Beyond condition and rarity, narrative is king. Craig Jackson points out that provenance and celebrity can dramatically influence hammer prices. “Cars with a great story — a barn find, limited production, or historic significance — always attract attention. Celebrity ownership can elevate a vehicle into a different league entirely. Whether it’s George W. Bush, Tim Allen, Michael Phelps, or Sammy Hagar, their ownership or presence adds star power. And then cars that starred on TV or in movies like the Aston Martin DB5, Ford GT40, or Pontiac Trans Am: they have their own cultural value.”

Murtaugh observes a similar trend at Mecum: “Sellers who actively share their car’s story perform better. Buyers want a human connection. Two identical cars can achieve very different results depending on how the story is told and the seller’s engagement.” The lesson is clear: narrative drives value almost as much as metal and horsepower.

CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION COMPANY. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION COMPANY BARRETT-JACKSON.COM

INVESTMENT OR INFATUATION?

The idea of the classic car as an asset class is not new. Over the past two decades, certain rare automobiles have delivered returns that rival traditional investments. High-profile sales at major global auctions have crossed the $50 million mark for exceptional examples of historic racing Ferraris and other icons.

Yet experts are quick to caution against viewing the market as a guaranteed growth strategy. Unlike equities, cars require storage, maintenance, insurance, and careful provenance documentation. Liquidity can also vary significantly depending on market sentiment and model desirability.

For many collectors, however, financial return is secondary. The emotional dividend (the memory of a first drive, the connection to a childhood poster, the camaraderie of auction halls) often outweighs spreadsheets.

Jackson advises a balance: “Buy the car you love and the rarest you can afford. Rare cars often appreciate, but the real joy comes from ownership. Take care of it, buy at the right price,

and the financial outcome will likely follow.”

Murtaugh concurs: “Passion and nostalgia are the primary drivers. Financial outcomes are often a by-product. Those who covet their cars for personal reasons tend to achieve the best results.”

In other words, collector cars reward heart first and wallet second, a rare combination in the investment world. The healthiest perspective may lie somewhere in between: buy what you love, understand the market, and consider appreciation a bonus rather than a promise.

THE RISE OF THE DIGITAL GAVEL

While live events remain the headline act, online auctions are reshaping access. Digital platforms such as Hagerty are turning what was once a ballroom-bound affair into a 24/7 global marketplace, and its Hagerty Drivers Club boasts the world’s largest community of driving enthusiasts.

“Collectors from all over the world can view and bid on these world-class cars without needing to leave the comfort of their own homes,” explains Tyler Houts, Director of Marketplace Strategy at Hagerty. “At Hagerty Marketplace, our team provides true hands-on, dedicated support before, during, and after your auction. As online auction popularity has risen, so have the expectations of bidders. You’ll now see more photos and videos and have more confidence in what you’re bidding on.”

Which types of cars does he see as “hidden gems” that are currently undervalued but have potential long-term collector appeal?

“Every year we come out with a ‘Bull Market List’ highlighting cars that we believe, through our vast research and proprietary data, are poised to appreciate,” says Houts. “This year we published our ninth iteration of the list, featuring a breadth of cars, from the milliondollar Porsche Carrera GT to the NB Mazda Miata. In our most recent list, we noticed an uptick in ‘90s and ‘00s cars, reflecting on the analog era of driving [with] manual transmissions and few electronic assists.”

Just like in-person auctions, the nostalgia-led trend for recent-retro vehicles remains present for a younger generation of buyers who bid

online. “RADwood era cars from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s are rising in popularity with a new generation of collectors,” explains Houts. “Our nationwide RADwood events bring together collectors and cars from this era. As younger generations enter their car-collecting years, we are seeing trends shift toward their preferences, explaining the rising prices of modern supercars, and ‘modern classics’ from the ’80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s.”

Houts gives advice for someone looking to buy or sell with an online platform like Hagerty: “We’re always sourcing new and exciting vehicles, so we encourage all prospective buyers to keep up to date with our offerings on Hagerty Marketplace and through Broad Arrow Auctions,” he says. “I recommend subscribing to the Hagerty Marketplace newsletter to keep tabs on cars for sale, recent transactions, and featured lots and listings. Whether you want to participate online through Marketplace or a traditional auction with Broad Arrow, we have all the options to ensure you feel supported through the buying or selling process.”

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Looking ahead, several forces are likely to shape the next chapter of the collector car market. Generational change will continue to influence demand. Electrification may spark interest in the last great combustion-era cars. Cultural relevance from cars tied to film, motorsport, or celebrity remains powerful.

Perhaps most enduringly, the appetite for tangible assets in an increasingly digital world shows little sign of fading.

Because while the numbers make headlines, the true magnetism of the car auction lies elsewhere. It lives in the rumble of an engine fired up on stage, the shimmer of polished aluminum beneath bright lights, and the split second between hesitation and raised paddle.

In that moment, the question is rarely just about money. It is about memory. Identity. Desire. And when the hammer falls, it signals not merely a transaction but the beginning of another chapter in a car’s remarkable journey.

CAR AUCTION PRO TIPS

Stepping onto the auction floor can feel overwhelming. Engines rev. Spotlights glare. The auctioneer talks at Formula 1 speed. Before you know it, your paddle is in the air.

DEFINE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT

As Barrett-Jackson advises, “Once you have pinpointed the type of vehicle you want, be it a muscle car, truck, or sports car, and what you intend to do with it, then you need to do your homework.” Whether it’s rallies, shows, or weekend drives, clarity of purpose keeps you focused.

DO A DEEP DIVE ON THE DETAILS

Reach out to experts, understand current prices, identify potential pitfalls, and know the best versions of the vehicle you’re considering. Knowledge protects you from overpaying or buying the wrong example.

SET A BUDGET

As Jackson puts it plainly: “Don’t get carried away. Set a budget and stick to it.” Remember to factor in buyer’s premiums, transport, insurance, and any restoration costs.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE SELLER

According to Murtaugh, engagement matters: “People like to buy cars from people.” Sellers who actively help build accurate descriptions, invest in quality photography and video, and make themselves available during the auction tend to achieve stronger results.

ASK QUESTIONS AND LOOK CLOSELY

Murtaugh notes that sellers know their cars better than anyone. An engaged, transparent seller is often a good sign; two identical cars can perform very differently depending on seller involvement.

OBSERVE THE RHYTHM OF THE ROOM

If you’re new, watch a few lots before bidding. Auctions move quickly, and understanding the pace can give you confidence when your moment comes.

BUY WITH BOTH HEAD AND HEART

Do your research, stay disciplined, but ultimately choose a car you’ll genuinely enjoy. Trends shift, but passion is what makes ownership worthwhile.

AT

CLASSIC CAR AUCTION

BARRETT-JACKSON COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS (USA)

Columbus, OH — June 25–27, 2026

Las Vegas, NV — September 10–12, 2026

2027 Scottsdale, AZ — TBD, 2027

2027 Palm Beach, FL and Columbus, OH — Dates TBD, 2027 MECUM

COLLECTOR CAR EVENTS (USA)

Indianapolis, IN — May 8–16, 2026

Monterey, CA — August 13–15, 2026

Nashville, TN — September 23–26, 2026

S

FRANK VICKERY

15 YEARS AT THE BASCOM

ince opening in 2009, The Bascom has become a cornerstone of the Plateau’s cultural landscape, offering world-class artistic experiences that have enriched our community. Located on a stunning 6-acre campus in Highlands, the center serves over 25,000 visitors annually and supports nearly 300 working artists through exhibitions, residencies, and educational programming. One of the leaders of this artistic community is Frank Vickery, director of ceramics, whose mastery of crystalline glazing has cemented his reputation as one of our region’s most accomplished artists.

For 15 years, Frank has been producing his exquisite works on The Bascom’s campus, garnering widespread acclaim for his hard-won grasp of some of the most advanced techniques in ceramics. He specializes in bringing beauty to function, turning what would be an otherwise ordinary vase or pot into a piece fit for a palace.

“Working with clay is not a supplemental part of my life,” Frank reflects. “It is an essential component of my existence.” His dedication to his craft has earned him one of the most respected positions among ceramic artists in Western North Carolina.

AN ARTIST’S FOUNDATION

Frank’s journey to The Bascom began in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where his mother enrolled her active young son in his first ceramics class at a local museum. Frank’s interest was piqued, quickly snowballing into a passion throughout high school and into college. He balanced ceramic studies with soccer until an injury caused him to refocus his priorities entirely on art and education.

After earning his teaching certificate and Bachelor of Fine Arts, Frank taught middle school art for four years while maintaining his own studio. Graduate school at Western Carolina University in 2009 brought him to the mountains, where he discovered The Bascom during a class tour in 2010.

PERFECT TIMING

Frank arrived at The Bascom just six months after the facility opened its doors in its current location, and his timing proved transformative for both artist and institution. “They were looking for a resident artist to manage the space and teach classes,” he explains. “I was pulling double duty, running the studio and working on my graduate studies.”

By 2011, Frank had relocated his entire practice to The Bascom, where he completed his Master of Fine Arts thesis and developed the ceramics program that would attract students and visiting artists from across the Southeast. His dual role as practicing artist and program director allowed him to shape the studio’s identity while growing his own artistic practice and pushing the envelope of his craft.

TECHNICAL MASTERY

Crystalline glazing, one of the most demanding techniques in ceramics, became Frank’s focus. More than just an art, it is an advanced scientific process that requires extraordinary precision and a deep understanding of chemistry and firing procedures.

“The crystalline glaze itself is mixed using a variety of ingredients, some measured in minute amounts,” explains Frank. The process involves heating perfectly formed pieces to 2,365 degrees Fahrenheit, then carefully controlling cooling and reheating cycles to encourage crystal formation.

The result is something extraordinary. Crystals form randomly during the controlled cooling process, ensuring each piece is breathtakingly unique. That an intact piece comes out of the kiln at all is often a miracle.

“The crystalline technique is highly technical and demanding,” Frank notes. “The shape you put it on has to be very clean and well-made. My forms and that glaze work together to showcase where I am at this point in my career.”

PALACE WARE PHILOSOPHY

Frank’s artistic approach has always centered on creating what famed ceramic artist Tom Turner calls “palace ware.” These are pieces that combine exceptional beauty with practical function. “I like when I can make something that someone can use, and then I also like to make it really beautiful,” says Frank.

This philosophy resonates particularly well with the Plateau’s local collectors who appreciate both aesthetic excellence and the area’s heritage of independent craftsmanship. “In the mountains here, people used to be very isolated, so they had to make everything they needed,” Frank observes. “Functional ceramics have been part of the broader community here for a long time.”

COLLABORATIVE EXCELLENCE

The Bascom provides Frank with resources and a community that have accelerated both his artistic development and his program growth. Over a decade and a half, his ceramics program has hosted between 80 and 100 visiting instructors, each bringing different perspectives and techniques.

“Each one comes with different ideas,” Frank explains. “It’s constant learning. I’m around others who are also trying to learn, so it’s been a very positive environment for growth.”

In his role as director of ceramics, Frank has developed programming that serves everyone from casual visitors to serious artists. His teaching philosophy emphasizes individual discovery and personal expression over replication of techniques.

“I’m appreciative of people wanting to come into the studio and take a class,” he reflects. “I focus on exposing them to the process, showing them what’s possible, then allowing them their own individual experience.”

CULTURAL LEGACY

Frank’s 15-year tenure at The Bascom demonstrates something significant about the HighlandsCashiers Plateau: its ability to attract and sustain world-class artists. His success shows that serious artists can build meaningful careers here while contributing to a sophisticated cultural ecosystem.

Frank’s crystalline glazes capture light in clay, creating pieces that will be treasured for generations. His work transforms everyday pottery into art, reflecting the same commitment to excellence that has made The Bascom a cultural cornerstone in the Southeast.

The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts thebascom.org | 323 Franklin Road, Highlands

EXCLUSIVE LAND OFFERINGS

BALD ROCK

Live a life of luxury in the stunning community of Bald Rock, where larger estate lots offer the perfect blend of privacy and equestrian paradise. Nestled against the National Forest, this lot provides breathtaking views and easy access to scenic trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Ownership of this property grants access to both the community and Sapphire Valley’s amenities. Take advantage of an opportunity to build your mountain dream home in this exceptional community.

10.05 ACRES | $349,000 | MLS# 1000077

This 6.86-acre lot in Bald Rock offers elevations of over 4,000 feet with stunning views of Chimneytop and DoubleKnob. The property’s features include a private, serene setting, a gentle build site, an expired four-bedroom septic, and available high-speed internet. Residents enjoy a premier equestrian center, 9.2 miles of trails, and access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, including pools, a golf course, a ski slope, and Fairfield Lake.

6.86 ACRES | $249,000 | MLS# 1000565

BEAR WALLOW SPRINGS

Discover tranquility in Bear Wallow Springs, Lake Toxaway Estates. This private wooded lot provides access to North Carolina’s largest private lake and is close to Brevard and Cashiers. Enjoy community amenities such as a fitness center and Fazio Golf Learning Center. Optional Lake Toxaway Country Club membership includes a tennis court, a swimming pool, a golf course, croquet lawns, and a clubhouse. It’s the perfect location to craft the ideal mountain retreat.

1.303 ACRES | $60,000 | MLS# 106278

BIG RIDGE

Escape to Big Ridge with over 1.25 acres at 4,600 feet of elevation. Build a mountain retreat on a gently sloped site with community water and an expired four-bedroom septic permit. Connect with nature, enjoy cool summer breezes, and explore nearby lakes, trails, and charming mountain towns.

1.29 ACRES | $89,000 | MLS# 1000738

BRIDGE CREEK

Bridge Creek is thoughtfully designed with outstanding amenities, including a covered bridge entrance that invites you into this tranquil neighborhood. Enjoy the beautifully landscaped Chimney Garden, perfect for gatherings, along with a community pond, a waterfront fire pit, and scenic hiking trails that connect you to nature. Located near Cashiers, Lake Glenville, and Highlands, Bridge Creek places you close to water sports, fishing, exceptional dining, and local entertainment.

124 COMPASS ROSE WAY

2.22 Acres | $150,000 | MLS# 1000385

LOT 46 SKEEN MILL LANE

1.42 Acres | $89,500 | MLS# 1003032

LOT 82 FISHING VILLAGE LANE

1.53 Acres | $89,000 | MLS# 1000978

LOT 83 FISHING VILLAGE LANE

0.79 Acres | $22,000 | MLS# 104375

BUCK CREEK

Imagine the possibilities with 16.52 acres of land just minutes from Highlands! Build several homes or create your private estate with a creek, springs, small waterfalls, and long-range views.

16.52 ACRES | $499,000 | MLS# 1002289

ISLAND HOMESITE ON LAKE GLENVILLE. MLS# 1001010

BUCK KNOB ISLAND

Discover life on Buck Knob Island, a unique retreat on Lake Glenville accessible only by boat. Surrounded by natural beauty, enjoy this secluded enclave from your private dock, with pristine lake views and a tranquil lifestyle. Just 20 minutes from Cashiers, it’s an extraordinary opportunity to create a mountain sanctuary.

0.95 ACRES | $575,000 | MLS# 1001010

BURLINGAME

Burlingame is a family-focused mountain community set at approximately 3,000 feet in Sapphire, North Carolina, offering a lifestyle that balances natural beauty, recreation, and connection. Winding roads, parks, hiking trails, fishing ponds, and trout waters create an inviting setting for time outdoors, while homes range from golf-course residences to riverfront and mountainview retreats. At the heart of the community is Burlingame Country Club, featuring dining, social spaces, an 18-hole championship golf course, fitness facilities, tennis, pickleball, croquet, and a heated pool. Club membership is available upon application and approval and is not required for property ownership, allowing residents to enjoy Burlingame’s relaxed, welcoming lifestyle at their own pace.

LOT1HR TURKEY ROOST ROAD

4.33 Acres | $295,000 | MLS# 1002395

LOT 1 HERITAGE DRIVE

2.05 Acres | $275,000 | MLS# 1001370

LOT 3 HERITAGE DRIVE

1.72 Acres | $275,000 | MLS# 1001372

LOT 8R RIVER OVERLOOK ROAD

1.18 Acres | $225,000 | MLS# 1002410

LOT 108R ROCKHOUSE

FALLS LANE

2.2 Acres | $219,000 | MLS# 1002724

LOT 3 TURKEY ROOST ROAD

1.64 Acres | $195,000 | MLS# 1002396

LOT 48 WINDING CREEK ROAD

0.54 Acres | $22,000 | MLS# 1002669

LOT 49 BIG PINE ROAD

1.13 Acres | $20,000 | MLS# 1002394

LOT 67 BIG PINE ROAD

1.08 Acres | $11,673 | MLS# 1002412

CANEY FORK

Explore over 200 acres on Moses Creek, featuring trout-filled waters, serene pastures, a barn, a cabin, and ridges with stunning views. Convenient paved access leads to this versatile property, offering endless opportunities for relaxation or rural living in a breathtaking natural setting. UNDER CONTRACT

208 ACRES | $1,300,000 | MLS# 1001278

CASHIERS IN-TOWN

Secure a rare in-town commercial opportunity just off Highway 64 West. This 2.34-acre, road-level property offers excellent visibility between Cashiers and Highlands, with easy access and an existing well and septic. A strategic setting for a business positioned to serve one of the Plateau’s most active corridors.

2.34 ACRES | $699,000 | MLS# 1002843

Build a dream home in one of the most picturesque settings in downtown Cashiers. This rare Lancewood lot offers a gentle slope, mature trees, and vibrant native flora, with charming dining, boutique shopping, and the energy of the local community just moments away. UNDER CONTRACT

0.56 ACRES | $235,000 | MLS# 1002883

CEDAR HILL

Build a dream home on this 2.28-acre lot in Cedar Hill, an upscale gated community near Cashiers and Sapphire. This gentle building site offers privacy, potential northwest views with clearing, and access to Sapphire Valley amenities such as golf, pools, and Lake Fairfield. Luxury mountain living awaits!

2.28 ACRES | $175,000 | MLS# 1002844

Streams, streams, streams! Three streams flow through this nearly level homesite in the gated community of Cedar Hill, just minutes from Cashiers Crossroads. Two converge to create a beautiful natural focal point near a private building site positioned approximately 50 feet from the water, offering a peaceful setting defined by mosscovered rocks and moving water.

3.39 ACRES | $119,000 | MLS# 1002633

CEDAR POINT LANDINGS

Enjoy easy days on the pristine waters of Lake Glenville with this dock slip at Cedar Point Landings. As the middle slip, it offers added protection from wakes and boat traffic. Composite decking, ample parking, restrooms, and a private pavilion create a comfortable setting for relaxed days on the lake.

0.04 ACRES | $229,000 | MLS# 1002801

CHINQUAPIN

Chinquapin spans an impressive 2,000 acres with more than 700 acres dedicated to permanent conservation. This community offers park-like living with a host of unparalleled amenities. Scenic trails for hiking, biking, and utility terrain vehicles provide for an outdoor lifestyle, while fishing opportunities are available in the community’s lakes and streams. Pickleball courts, a disc golf course, and a driving range are also available just moments away. It is also one of the few communities on the Plateau equipped with fiber optic internet, providing excellent connectivity for both work and leisure. The Outpost Clubhouse provides a fitness facility, cozy gathering spaces, and seasonal live music during the vibrant Summer Concert Series. Whether relaxing by the fire pit, canoeing along tranquil waters, or exploring the unspoiled natural surroundings, Chinquapin offers countless ways to connect with nature and neighbors alike.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND AN OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE IN CHINQUAPIN. MLS# 1001168

CHINQUAPIN

LOT D52 SPRINGWATER ROAD

9.4 Acres | $599,000 | MLS# 1001677

C44 ROAMING ROAD

4.84 Acres | $429,000 | MLS# 1001168

C46 ROAMING ROAD

3.62 Acres | $419,000 | MLS# 1000451

85 REDROCK TRAIL

0.7 Acres | $410,000 | MLS# 1002009

D14 MOSSY BARK TRAIL

1.97 Acres | $375,000 | MLS# 1002878

C55 ROAMING ROAD

3.6 Acres | $349,000 | MLS# 1001021

LOT E8 NEW SETTLERS WAY

4.05 Acres | $349,000 | MLS# 1001286

LOT 22 NEW SETTLER’S WAY

6.93 Acres | $299,000 | MLS# 1001774

LOT C38 ROAMING ROAD

4.46 Acres | $299,000 | MLS# 1001467

C20 ROAMING ROAD

2.67 Acres | $279,000 | MLS# 1000449

LOT 10 TRAILHEAD WAY

3.41 Acres | $279,000 | MLS# 1002856

C45 ROAMING ROAD

3.13 Acres | $265,000 | MLS# 1001239

D34 BENCHMARK DRIVE

1.71 Acres | $249,000 | MLS# 1002689

LOT E4 NEW SETTLER’S WAY

4.72 Acres | $249,000 | MLS# 1001457

W5 WATERSOUND TRAIL

1.3 Acres | $239,000 | MLS# 1000986

LOT 63 NEW SETTLER’S WAY

1.199 Acres | $220,000 | MLS# 1002987

LOT N16 OUTPOST TRAIL

0.47 Acres | $215,000 | MLS# 1001469

LOT 17 NEW SETTLER’S WAY

2.95 Acres | $199,000 | MLS# 1002344

LOT C7 SNOWCREST DRIVE 2.25 Acres | $198,500 | MLS# 1002542

LOT C51 ROAMING ROAD 1.58 Acres | $189,000 | MLS# 1002512

LOT 123 RIPPLING WATERS TRAIL

2.65 Acres | $185,000 | MLS# 103010

LOT 9 TRAILHEAD WAY

6.108 Acres | $175,000 | MLS# 1002986

96 BLAZING STAR DRIVE

3.46 Acres | $150,000 | MLS# 1000987

LOT 98 BLAZING STAR DRIVE

1.91 Acres | $128,000 | MLS# 1001759

LOT E7 NEW SETTLER’S WAY 1.632 Acres | $119,000 | MLS# 1000313

W23 FISH CAMP TRAIL

0.97 Acres | $119,000 | MLS# 1001780

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

Build your private mountain estate inside the gates of Cross Creek Preserve. Situated at over 3,900 feet elevation, this 2.86-acre parcel includes peaceful mountain streams around and throughout the property. Short-range views are obtainable with some trimming. Residents of Cross Creek Preserve enjoy outdoor amenities such as a stocked trout lake, kayaking, and a community fire ring just 5.5 miles from the crossroads in Cashiers.

2.86 ACRES | $165,000 | MLS# 1002814

CULLOWHEE

Imagine almost 50 acres of pure serenity. Stargaze by the fire, hike amidst soothing streams, and enjoy stunning mountain views. A short drive from Cashiers and endless outdoor adventures, this unrestricted haven is a dream escape waiting to happen. Don’t miss the chance to build a mountain retreat!

55 ACRES | $467,500 | MLS# 1001074

Discover the perfect blend of privacy and scenery on this stunning 8-acre ridge-top parcel. Enjoy expansive long-range views and the flexibility of multiple potential building sites. With no building restrictions and only minimal road-maintenance HOA fees, this lot is the perfect place to design the ideal mountain retreat, vacation escape, or investment property.

8 ACRES | $115,000 | MLS# 1002268

CULLOWHEE FOREST

Explore approximately 15 gently rolling acres with Coggins Creek flowing through and potential ridge-top views. Multiple homesites, native hardwoods, and access to Hatcher Falls and the Tuckasegee River create a private setting defined by water, landscape, and connection to the surrounding mountains.

15.09 ACRES | $219,000 | MLS# 1002888

Create a custom mountain retreat on 3.89 acres in Cullowhee Forest, where selective tree trimming may reveal sweeping 180-degree short- and longrange mountain views. Enjoy deeded access to the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River and the neighborhood’s 75-foot Hatcher Falls, with cool mountain air, quiet roads, and unspoiled natural surroundings.

3.89 ACRES | $65,000 | MLS# 1002705

FALCON RIDGE

Legacy-sized and rich in natural beauty, this Falcon Ridge homesite offers year-round southern views alongside a bold cascading stream and tumbling waterfall. A thoughtfully positioned building site, space for a guest house, and access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities create a setting designed for outdoor living and lasting enjoyment.

11.04 ACRES | $299,000 | MLS# 1002390

On the market for the first time, this expansive and level buildable parcel in Falcon Ridge spans more than three acres at approximately 4,500 feet in elevation. Bordered by protected National Forest land, the property offers a high degree of privacy and direct access to nearby trails and scenic overlooks.

3.17 ACRES | $195,000 | MLS# 1002400

Discover long-range views and tranquility on 7.31 acres in Falcon Ridge at over 4,000 feet elevation. This private homesite features a waterfall, a partially cleared building site, and resort amenities such as a golf course, pools, and Lake Fairfield access. Build an ideal mountain retreat surrounded by natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

7.31 ACRES | $132,999 | MLS# 1001013

FIVESTONE

Capture a rare 41.35-acre offering in gated FiveStone, featuring six contiguous homesites with sweeping views of Whiteside Mountain and Chimneytop Mountain. Thoughtfully prepared for building and just minutes from Cashiers, this property offers the scale, privacy, and flexibility to create a signature mountain retreat.

41.35 ACRES | $649,000 | MLS# 1002865

GLENRIDGE

Nearly five acres in the low-density Glenridge community, where a creek-lined boundary and partial clearing set the stage for something quietly exceptional. Long-range mountain views are within reach, and the peaceful seclusion of Glenville is right outside the door.

4.82 ACRES | $220,000 | MLS# 1002984

A rare opportunity at 4,300 feet, this highly buildable homesite offers privacy framed by mountain laurel and rhododendron, with a stream along the property line. Paved access and a generous, flat homesite meet a peaceful setting in a community bordering Panthertown National Forest, just six scenic miles from town.

4.51 ACRES | $160,000 | MLS# 1002511

GLENVILLE

Experience 105 acres of serene privacy with panoramic Lake Glenville and Blue Ridge mountain views. Featuring pond and stream frontage, this property offers endless possibilities. Create a family compound, a private retreat, or explore multiple potential homesites, all just minutes from Cashiers.

105 ACRES | $2,150,000 | MLS# 1001344

A double lot on the east side of Lake Glenville, where possible southern views and minutes-away marina access place one of the plateau’s most celebrated recreational lakes within easy reach, all just around the corner from downtown Cashiers.

1.01 ACRES | $145,000 | MLS# 1002912

GREYCLIFF

A 1.44 lot in Greycliff, one of the few gated communities on Lake Glenville offering owners exclusive access to a shared lakefront and boat dock. Mountain and lake views available with selective clearing, in a vacation rental-friendly community built for easy mountain living.

1.44 ACRES | $80,000 | MLS# 1002943

HIGH HAMPTON

At the end of a quiet road in High Hampton, this gently sloping acre sits where meadow meets woodland, naturally lit, easy to build, and positioned to enjoy one of the Plateau’s most storied communities and everything Cashiers has to offer just minutes away.

1.07 ACRES | $995,000 | MLS# 1002875

HOLLY BERRY ESTATES

Get it before it’s gone! The last lakefront lot available in Holly Berry Estates provides a beautiful view of the lake. Build your weekend getaway or full-time residence within this secluded 430acre community, and enjoy access to two private lakes and the Rocky Gulch hiking trail. From this easy-building site located between Cashiers and Highlands, you will enjoy all that both towns have to offer.

2.5 ACRES | $189,000 | MLS# 104470

HOLLY FOREST

Enjoy access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, featuring Red Bird Golf Links, tennis, pickleball, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, hot tub, sauna, miniature golf, Lake Fairfield for swimming and boating, a ski and tubing slope, and year-round social and recreational activities. Sapphire is also home to two private country club options, the Country Club of Sapphire Valley and Burlingame Country Club, both membership by invitation only. Just minutes from Cashiers and a short drive to Highlands, Sapphire offers a mountain lifestyle defined by scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and convenient access to dining, shopping, and culture.

LOT 59 NARROWS ROAD

0.55 Acres | $29,000 | MLS# 103970

LOT 72 BLACK OAK DRIVE

0.54 Acres | $18,000 | MLS# 1002328

LOT 91 BALD EAGLE COURT

0.36 Acres | $18,000 | MLS# 1002808

LOT 30 ROCK CREEK COURT

0.71 Acres | $15,000 | MLS# 1002308

LOT 37 ALDER COURT

0.53 Acres | $15,000 | MLS# 1002447

LOT 40 BUCKBERRY DRIVE

0.83 Acres | $14,000 | MLS# 1002613

LOT 4 LAUREL DRIVE

0.59 Acres | $4,500 | MLS# 100132

LAKE FOREST

Build your dream home in the North Carolina mountains! Enjoy beautiful long-range mountain views and Lake Glenville from 3,700 feet with a bit of clearing. Just outside the gates of Glenshore, and situated in a quiet community, this lot offers peaceful sounds of a nearby waterfall. Conveniently located between Cashiers and Highlands, you can take advantage of all the water and outdoor activities Lake Glenville has to offer as well as nearby shops and restaurants.

1.2 ACRES | $175,000 | MLS# 1001211

LAKE TOXAWAY ESTATES

For the prospective homeowner with a vision, this 3.9-acre parcel in Lake Toxaway Estates provides the perfect backdrop to create a masterpiece. Careful consideration of detail and home placement will allow you to take advantage of captivating long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The wooded property, close to Meadow Ridge, provides a private setting while remaining close to luxurious amenities. Make your mountain living dreams come true!

3.4 ACRES | $449,900 | MLS# 104718

LAUREL FALLS

Escape to tranquil living in gated Laurel Falls. This property boasts a 35-foot waterfall, Robinson Creek frontage, multiple homesites with westerly views, and access to Panthertown Valley trails. Build a dream retreat amid pristine wilderness and enjoy unmatched privacy and natural beauty in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

17.82 ACRES | $1,190,000 | MLS# 1000866

Experience peaceful mountain living on this 3.33acre parcel in Laurel Falls, offering privacy, lush forest surroundings, and exclusive access to Robinson Creek. With direct entry to Panthertown Valley’s renowned trails and minimal community fees, this property provides an ideal setting for a mountain retreat immersed in natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

3.33 ACRES | $45,000 | MLS# 1002277

LITTLE HOGBACK CREEK ESTATES

Unrestricted double lot with lake frontage and views on Hogback Lake, complete with survey, septic permit, house plans, and retaining wall plans. Ready for a full-time home or weekend retreat, this property offers a serene lakeside setting with a head start on the building process.

0.82 ACRES | $115,000 | MLS# 1001624

LONESOME VALLEY

Overlooking a picturesque waterfall and tranquil creek, this exceptional homesite on the east side of Lonesome Valley offers gentle topography and a beautiful canvas for a custom mountain retreat. Enjoy miles of private hiking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, a pool, spa and fitness center, and gatherings at the beloved Canyon Kitchen.

2.18 ACRES | $1,100,000 | MLS# 1002785

Enjoy privacy and natural beauty on this 2.57-acre homesite at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Lonesome Valley. Gentle, highly buildable terrain and partial views of Cow Rock Mountain pair with access to trails, lakes, fitness amenities, and Canyon Kitchen for an exceptional mountain lifestyle.

2.57 ACRES | $975,000 | MLS# 1002361

NORTH NORTON

35 unrestricted acres just off Lake Glenville, with artesian springs, flat to gently sloping terrain, and mountain views available with selective clearing. No HOA, no architectural review, no deed restrictions, and approximately ten minutes to Cashiers. A rare opportunity to build, develop, or simply hold land on the Plateau.

35.48 ACRES | $1,250,000 | MLS# 1002929

PILOT MOUNTAIN

Enjoy short-range mountain views from this buildable lot in the Pilot Mountain community. A nearly level building site, views of Coney Bell Mountain and Prickly Ash Mountain, and close proximity to Lake Glenville create an inviting setting for a future home and a mountain lifestyle.

1.73 ACRES | $47,000 | MLS# 1002247

RAVENEL LAKE PROPERTIES

Discover the perfect canvas in Ravenel Lake Properties with deeded access to Ravenel Lake and a gently sloping, easy-to-build setting. Recent clearing reveals a new trail to the prime homesite beside a gentle stream. Enjoy privacy, natural beauty, and a central location between Highlands and Cashiers for a relaxed mountain lifestyle.

1.71 ACRES | $149,000 | MLS# 1002230

RAVENEL RIDGE

Create a private retreat on this 1.98-acre mountain homesite in the gated community of Ravenel, just minutes from the heart of Highlands. Mature woods, preserved landscape, and understated amenities set the tone for relaxed mountain living, seamlessly connected to award-winning dining, boutique shopping, and year-round outdoor recreation.

1.98 ACRES | $895,000 | MLS# 1002658

SAPPHIRE

Enjoy peace and privacy on this magnificent 12.97acre property, comprised of three combined lots to create the perfect estate setting. Offering highelevation mountain views and an ideal canvas to build your dream mountain home, this property is nestled within a gated 285-acre community bordering the Nantahala National Forest. Discover the perfect blend of seclusion, natural beauty, and convenience, complete with underground utilities that ensure comfort without compromising the mountain experience.

12.97 ACRES | $140,000 | MLS# 1001847

SAPPHIRE RIDGE

Discover 2.58 acres of mountain tranquility in Sapphire Ridge! Enjoy long-range Blue Ridge views, a gated community setting, and access to Sapphire Valley Resort’s exceptional amenities. Build your dream home on this gently sloping lot, blending natural beauty with an adventurous, upscale lifestyle. A perfect balance of relaxation and recreation awaits!

2.58 ACRES | $315,000 | MLS# 1000940

SHELBY PLACE

Create a dream home on combined Lots 79 and 80 in Shelby Place, offering mid- and long-range mountain views, city water and sewer, and gently sloping terrain. With Greenbelt frontage, nearby pickleball courts, and downtown just minutes away, this setting balances scenic tranquility with in-town convenience.

0.3 ACRES | $225,000 | MLS# 1002391

SHEPHERDS MOUNTAIN

Build a mountain retreat on over 3 acres of land in Shepherd’s Mountain, which has view of Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond, cool breezes, and community amenities. Enjoy a private park, a picnic pavilion, and deeded lake access. Conveniently located near dining, shopping, and outdoor adventures, this property is a gateway to Blue Ridge Mountain living.

3.32 ACRES | $169,900 | MLS# 1000750

Experience serene mountain living on this 4.72acre lot, nestled within the gated Shepherd’s Mountain community. This parcel offers potential views of Lake Glenville and mountains, with a stream and a walking trail leading to a building site. The community features paved roads, underground utilities, a communal center with a playground, exclusive lake access, view spots with seating, and proximity to recreation areas and marinas. This tranquil retreat is ready for your dream mountain home!

4.72 ACRES | $79,000 | MLS# 104667

Experience sweeping mountain and lake views from Shepherd’s Mountain. With multiple build sites, an expired septic permit, shared well, and gated access to amenities and lake recreation, this parcel offers the ideal foundation for your private mountain retreat near Lake Glenville.

2.55 ACRES | $69,900 | MLS# 1002122

SILVER RUN RESERVE

Build an elegant retreat on 2.3 acres in Silver Run Reserve, a gated community of preserved

meadows, lakes, and trails. At 3,800 feet with longrange mountain views and curated amenities, this homesite offers privacy, sophistication, and a refined mountain lifestyle minutes from Cashiers and Highlands.

2.3 ACRES | $985,000 | MLS# 1001860

SIMS VALLEY

Sims Valley stands apart as a gated mountain community where preserved natural landscape, sweeping long-range views of the Great Smoky Mountains, and a deep sense of history create a setting that feels more like a private park than a traditional development. Trail Dynamics-designed trails, waterfalls, and open gathering spaces are complemented by a clubhouse, fitness center, and a pool with mountain views, an uncommon amenity outside of country club communities. Located between Cullowhee and Cashiers near Lake Glenville, Signal Ridge Marina, and Happs Restaurant, it offers a rare balance of seclusion, character, and convenience.

21R PILOT KNOB ROAD

2.69 Acres | $75,000 | MLS# 1001470

LOT 76 PASTURE ROAD

0.95 Acres | $59,500 | MLS# 1001419

LOT 60 PILOT KNOB ROAD

2.11 Acres | $52,400 | MLS# 106172

LOT 62 PILOT KNOB ROAD

2.03 Acres | $52,400 | MLS# 106173

LOT 27 AUTUMN BLAZE TRAIL

0.89 Acres | $36,500 | MLS# 1002710

STONECREEK ESTATES

Stonecreek Estates offers the best of mountain living with unmatched convenience. Ideally situated just minutes from both Sapphire and Cashiers, this community provides easy access to the area’s premier amenities, including hiking trails, fishing spots, and renowned golf courses. Located just beyond the gated entrance of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, which offers membership by invitation only, residents can enjoy the serenity of the mountains without sacrificing accessibility. With its close proximity to Highway 64, Stonecreek Estates allows for effortless travel throughout the Plateau while avoiding long, winding mountain drives. Discover the perfect balance of elevation, privacy, and year-round comfort, making the community an exceptional choice for those seeking a peaceful retreat or a permanent residence amid the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

LOT 23 ROCK MOUNTAIN ROAD

2.65 Acres | $200,000 | MLS# 1001842

LOT 25 ROCK MOUNTAIN ROAD

1.19 Acres | $150,000 | MLS# 1001841

18 COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES DRIVE

0.94 Acres | $129,000 | MLS# 1000616

1 JUDGEMENT WAY

1.98 Acres | $40,000 | MLS# 1000383

STONEFLY

Located just 1.2 miles from the center of Cashiers, the gated community of Stonefly provides convenient proximity to town combined with the seclusion and natural surroundings that one expects from a Blue Ridge Mountain community. Homesites ranging from 1 to 5 acres are thoughtfully placed within the development, sheltered by a lush canopy of hardwood forest and bordered by trickling streams.Nature lovers venture out their front doors and find themselves comfortably embraced by the native rhododendrons, mountain laurels, reflective ponds, and cascading waterfalls ever-present throughout the neighborhood. With just over two dozen homesites, Stonefly provides an intimate setting for a tranquil mountain paradise, only minutes away from shopping, dining, public golf courses, and other amenities.

LOT 13 STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1.51 Acres | $390,000 | MLS# 1001395

LOT 14 STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1.5 Acres | $390,000 | MLS# 1001396

LOT 16 ZEB ALLEY ROAD

2.61 Acres | $390,000 | MLS# 1001406

LOT 10B STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1 Acres | $280,000 | MLS# 1001393

LOT 1B STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1.1 Acres | $240,000 | MLS# 1001391

STRAWBERRY HILL

Experience lake view living with some of the best southern views of Lake Glenville. Spend days enjoying boating, fishing, and cool mountain air, then return to the relaxed setting of Strawberry Hill with access to tennis and pickleball, creating an ideal backdrop for both everyday living and seasonal escape.

0.88 ACRES | $59,000 | MLS# 1002845

SUMMER HILL

Located in the peaceful and secluded Summer Hill subdivision, this 1.58-acre gently rolling lot provides an easy building site for your dream home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The private neighborhood includes a gated entrance and deeded lake access to Lake Glenville, located just seven miles from Cashiers. Enjoy the community dock, beach, boat ramp, and two pavilions for picnics and family gatherings, or seek adventure on the many hiking trails.

1.58 ACRES | $139,000 | MLS# 102261

SUNSET COVE

Peaceful mountain living awaits at this lot at the end of the road in Sunset Cove. A small stream runs the length of the property, and a path leads to a quiet little cove with easy access to the sparkling waters of Lake Glenville. Enjoy boating, picnicking by the beach, and beautiful sunsets by the lake.

0.6 ACRES | $89,000 | MLS# 1002730

TAHALA SHORES

Experience the tranquility of mountain-lake living in Tahala Shores. Featuring a concrete driveway, a partially cleared homesite, and mountain and lake views, this lot offers privacy, convenience, and access to year-round recreation on Lake Glenville, the highest lake east of the Mississippi.

0.9 ACRES | $39,900 | MLS# 1002121

Find serenity and natural beauty in Tahala Shores. Featuring a mountain spring, mountain and lake view potential, and lake access through Woudes Mountain Village, this peaceful parcel offers the perfect balance of privacy, recreation, and connection to Lake Glenville’s breathtaking surroundings.

0.89 ACRES | $19,900 | MLS# 1002123

THE POINT AT GLENVILLE LAKE

Build your dream home on this gentle lot near Lake Glenville, offering a private boat slip, lake and mountain views, paved roads, community water, and a three-bedroom septic permit on file. Enjoy 7.5 acres of green space and a lakeside pavilion with gathering amenities, all just minutes from Cashiers’ shopping and dining.

0.588 ACRES | $499,900 | MLS# 1002521

TRILLIUM LINKS AND LAKE CLUB

True to its credo, “Where Families Belong,” Trillium is a welcoming, family-oriented community on Lake Glenville. Community amenities include an 18hole championship golf course designed by Morris Hatalsky, a relaxed par-three Garden Golf course, stocked fishing ponds, croquet lawns, and a central clubhouse offering dining, gathering spaces, and views across the fairway. Apple Orchard Park serves as the fitness and wellness hub, with indoor and outdoor clay tennis courts, modern equipment, classes, and spa services. Homes reflect classic Western North Carolina design, featuring Arts and Crafts and Adirondack influences that complement the natural setting. Lake Glenville anchors daily life with boat rentals and water activities, while the nearby village of Cashiers provides easy access to shopping, dining, and seasonal events.

LOT 4 TRILLIUM RIDGE ROAD

3.87 Acres | $425,000 | MLS# 1001306

LT 1&2 TRILLIUM RIDGE ROAD

4.21 Acres | $425,000 | MLS# 1001743

LOT 1 TRILLIUM RIDGE ROAD

2.23 Acres | $235,000 | MLS# 1001739

LOT 2 TRILLIUM RIDGE ROAD

1.98 Acres | $205,000 | MLS# 1001742

WHISPER LAKE

Tucked at the end of a cul-de-sac and bordered by a privately owned estate, this 1.19-acre lot offers multiple building options and a high degree of privacy. Access to Whisper Lake, Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, and nearby Cashiers and Highlands completes a setting that balances seclusion, recreation, and convenience.

1.19 ACRES | $23,500 | MLS# 1002397

HIGHLANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Highlands has always had an outsized cultural life for a mountain town, and the Performing Arts Center is its most vivid proof. Originally founded in 2001, the PAC moved in 2022 to a new purposebuilt, state-of-the-art theater on Chestnut Street that has quickly become one of the Plateau’s most compelling reasons to plan your calendar around a visit — any time of year.

The programming ranges widely, with nationally touring concerts, the Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre Live broadcasts, independent films, and the resident companies — Mountain Theatre Company, Highlands Cashiers Players, and the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival — filling the stage year-round. Ticket prices are deliberately kept affordable because the PAC was built for the whole community, not just a slice of it. Whatever brings you to Highlands this season, it’s worth checking what’s on at the PAC.

To learn more about the Highlands Performing Arts Center, visit highlandsperformingarts.com.

CONCERTS

BALSAM RANGE

Sunday, May 17 at 4 p.m.

THE TEXAS TENORS

Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

THREE AMERICAN TROUBADOURS

Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

MEMORIES OF MOTOWN

Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.

NU-BLU

Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.

THE BARRICADE BOYS

Friday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m.

CHI-TOWN TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.

DAMN TALL BUILDINGS

Friday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.

CHRIS NORTON

Sunday, November 1 at 4 p.m.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA

Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.

MARK O’CONNOR’S APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS FEATURING MAGGIE O’CONNOR

Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m.

CANDLELIGHT CELTIC CHRISTMAS

Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m.

LIVE ON SCREEN

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY’S “EUGENE ONEGIN”

Broadcast by the Metropolitan Opera

May 2 at 1 p.m.

“EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑO DE FRIDA

Y DIEGO” | GABRIELA LENA FRANK FEATURING A LIBRETTO BY NILO CRUZ

Broadcast by the Metropolitan Opera

May 30 at 1 p.m.

ALL MY SONS

Broadcast by the National Theatre Live June 4 at 5 p.m.

THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD

Broadcast by the National Theatre Live July 2 at 5 p.m.

LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Broadcast by the National Theatre Live August 13 at 5 p.m.

HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS FILM FESTIVAL

The Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival arrived in 2025 with the kind of debut that makes you wish you’d been there — over 1,500 film lovers, four days of screenings, and more than $150,000 raised for the Performing Arts Center. For its second year, the festival returns September 17-20 with the same animating idea: that watching films together, in a room, with the people who made them present to talk about it afterward, is an experience no streaming platform can replicate.

Independent and curated films from around the world compete across categories, with an emphasis on emerging voices and the kind of stories that spark conversation long after the credits roll.

Powered entirely by volunteers and benefitting the PAC, the HCFF exemplifies what the Plateau does well — be welcoming, intentional, and quietly a bigger deal than it might first appear. The prefestival season brings award-winning films and their directors to Highlands and Cashiers throughout the summer, so there are plenty of reasons to engage well before September.

To learn more about the Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival, visit highlandscashiersfilmfestival.com.

TRAIL MIX: FINDING YOURSELF ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

June 20

THE GARDENER

August 15

NEVER NOT YOURS

August 16

HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS FILM FESTIVAL 2026

September 17-20

MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY

There’s something quietly remarkable about Mountain Theatre Company: it has been putting on shows in Highlands since the mid-1930s, born from the conviction of a few forward-thinking families that even a small mountain town deserved live theater. Nearly a century later, it’s North Carolina’s oldest continuously operating professional theater company — and it keeps getting better. What began as an amateur troupe performing in a school auditorium has evolved, through many reinventions, into a professional regional theater presenting Broadway-quality musicals from June through December.

In 2023, the company moved into its new home at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, bringing all 85-plus years of history and legacy with it. The productions are polished, the talent is real, and the season — anchored by Scott Daniel’s direction — is worth planning around.

To learn more about Mountain Theatre Company, visit mountaintheatre.com.

DANCIN’ IN THE STREET

June 24-July 12, 2026

Original story by Scott Daniel; Book by Scott Daniel and Katie Berger-Wood; Directed by Scott Daniel

SHOWSTOPPERS!

August 12-30, 2026

Directed by Scott Daniel

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

A JOYFUL NOISE

December 11-28, 2026

Book by Scott Daniel and Matthew McGee; Directed by Scott Daniel

HIGHLANDS CASHIERS PLAYERS

In the summer of 1995, five friends each put in $100 and started a community theater. Thirty years and more than 80 full-length productions later, the Highlands Cashiers Players is still going — all-volunteer, all-in, and genuinely beloved. The organization draws actors, directors, set builders, and stagehands from across the Plateau, welcoming everyone from seasoned performers to first-timers with equal enthusiasm. Its motto is “good plays, well done,” and the track record backs it up: over 250 actors, 25 directors, and a schedule that has run nearly uninterrupted through three decades of seasons. The Highlands Cahiers Players celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2025, and if the energy around the organization is any indication, the next 30 should be equally worth watching.

To learn more about Highlands Cashiers Players, visit highlandscashiersplayers.com.

BLITHE SPIRIT

May 14-17 and May 21-24

Written by Noël Coward; Directed by Michael Lanzilotta

GRACE & GLORIE

August 27-30 and September 3-6

Written by Tom Ziegler; Directed by Jayne Pleasants

DRACULA DOUBLE FEATURE AND OTHER HAUNTING TREATS!

October 15-18 and October 22-25

Almost the Bride of Dracula and Midlife Dracula by Dennis Snee; Directed by Randy Lucas

A S p RING S tyl E R ESET

DRESS SMARTER. LOOK SHARP. COMMAND YOUR CLOSET.

Spring on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is a slow reveal. One day, frost lingers on the garden paths; the next, the sun teases with warm afternoons perfect for lunch outdoors. That means your wardrobe must perform double duty: layering for cool mornings and letting you bask in the sunlight by noon.

Thankfully, the region’s boutiques know how to handle a spring refresh that respects both your wardrobe and sense of self. We checked in with renowned retailers Rosenthals, TJ Bailey’s, and Robin’s Nest to discover how to update your closet with style, strategy, and a cheeky nod to the new season’s moods.

WOME n SWE A R

A CAPSULE THAT CARRIES YOU

From the loose, easy-breezy tailoring at Dior and Ferragamo to the technicolor prints at Céline and Hermès, the spring/summer 2026 runways were awash with flowing fabrics, statement accessories, and playful layering. And nothing says spring better than intoxicating hues and chic cues.

Josh Berger of Rosenthals — Highlands’ premier luxury boutique, which sells everything from Ann Mashburn to Zimmerman — highlights the importance of adaptability when building a spring capsule. “Choose pieces that move easily from casual days to spring gatherings,” he says.

“A lightweight cardigan or soft jacket, a versatile blouse or knit top, a well-cut pair of pants or jeans, a relaxed dress that can be layered, and a quality pair of shoes or boots that can dress up or down will carry you through many occasions. Each piece should mix easily with the others, so every item earns its place in the wardrobe.”

Located in Cashiers, Robin’s Nest is a sumptuous emporium offering a meticulously curated collection of clothing and accessories in exuberant prints and standout statement pieces. Owner Robin Ashmore underscores the best way to perfect a spring wardrobe. “Your capsule should start with neutral, foundational pieces that effortlessly mix and match,” she says. “Then use layered accessories to refresh your look and add subtle personality.” A strong capsule wardrobe is about style and practical versatility for changing spring conditions and social occasions.

TEXTURE, TAILORING, AND TONES

Fabrics for spring 2026 are all about texture, flow, and comfort. Satin, silk, and cotton form the foundation, while layering adds depth and interest. Robin notes: “A long silk skirt looks great with a short-sleeve sweater and tennis shoes for a casual update.” Josh emphasizes breathable, natural fabrics that work with fluctuating temperatures: “Cotton, linen, lightweight wool, silk, and fine knits feel comfortable in changing conditions and keep you looking polished. A cotton blouse or linen dress can be paired with a cardigan or vest for cooler mornings and evenings.”

Color palettes, too, are about balance. Robin advocates working within personal comfort zones, using accessories or lower-body garments to introduce bold shades. Josh adds a complementary approach: “Neutrals like soft ivory, beige, camel, taupe, and warm gray are great bases that pair with everything. For color, soft greens, sky blue, or blush add freshness without overwhelming a wardrobe. Warm undertones look beautiful in earthy shades, corals, and soft golds, while cool undertones pair well with lavender, icy blue, and soft gray. Combining neutrals with a few seasonal colors keeps outfits versatile and lively.”

Fit and proportion are non-negotiable essentials. Robin emphasizes foundational silhouettes — straight-leg ankle pants, pullon styles without zippers or pockets, swing dresses, and cropped jackets for petites. Josh says that even relaxed clothing benefits from careful balancing: “Even relaxed clothing looks put-together when it fits well. We suggest balancing looser pieces with tailored or structured items. For example, a flowing blouse with straight-leg jeans or a soft sweater over a midi dress. Classic mountain-friendly silhouettes like A-line dresses, straight-leg or bootcut pants, and cozy cardigans flatter most women while feeling effortless.”

STYLE MISSTEPS TO AVOID

Common sartorial missteps are easy to avoid with attention to versatility and fit. Robin reminds readers to consider climate and personal comfort: “Always consider the season and climate when choosing lighter fabrics or short sleeves. Avoid trends that don’t feel like you — comfort and confidence should come first. When trying new styles, make sure they complement pieces you already own, and instead of repeating items you never wore, explore the same colors in fresh silhouettes.”

Josh adds, “A common mistake is overloading on trend pieces that are hard to mix and match. Choosing too many bright or clashing colors can overwhelm a wardrobe. Focusing on versatile, well-fitting pieces keeps your wardrobe feeling fresh and functional.”

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Accessories remain the quickest way to upgrade your look without replacing your core pieces. Robin advocates bold jewelry, layered metals, scarves, dusters, and statement outerwear. Josh reinforces this philosophy with practical additions: “A new pair of shoes, boots, or flats, a handbag, scarf, or statement jewelry can make older outfits feel current. Lightweight hats, belts, or layered scarves are great for adding style without changing the core wardrobe.”

Finally, balancing timelessness with seasonal trends is key. Robin emphasizes classics first, trends second: “Timeless is classic, but trends are fun. Keep your basics solid and go trendy with layering or outerwear. Trendy socks and ties are on the rise. Bold jewelry mixing metals, leather, necklaces, and bracelets adds instant style.”

Josh agrees: “We believe in a strong foundation of timeless pieces with a few seasonal touches to keep looks fresh. Classic staples like well-cut pants, sweaters, dresses, and boots last year after year, while trend-forward colors or accessories add playfulness. Balancing both ensures a wardrobe feels current and stylish while staying versatile and practical for everyday life in the mountains.”

ME n SWE A R

A CAPSULE THAT CARRIES YOU

Modern spring style for men is about combining classic tailoring with relaxed ease. And there’s nowhere better to find that balance than at TJ Bailey’s. For over 40 years, this Highlands boutique has curated an impeccable mix of heritage and contemporary labels. Now with a new building in Cashiers, it offers everything from classic European labels and Peter Millar to Truefitt & Hill to contemporary icons such as Orlebar Brown.

Jack Austin of TJ Bailey’s recommends starting with foundation pieces that can be mixed and matched for every transitional moment. “Spring in the mountains takes its time to fully unfold, so look for foundation pieces that you can mix and match for transitional

weather,” he recommends. “A crisp white linen shirt, a soft cashmere sweater, a quilted vest in suede or performance fabric, a lightweight sport coat, and a structured overshirt or shirt jacket. On the feet, loafers or clean white sneakers complete the capsule, bridging casual and polished with ease.”

Balancing timeless pieces with trends is another cornerstone of refined spring style. Jack advises: “Choose foundation pieces that are timeless, but spice them up with trendy accessories. In the South, preppy staples like crewneck sweaters, buttondown collars, loafers, and deck shoes have never gone out of style. The crisp white shirt remains a wardrobe essential, capable of dressing up any outfit, while chambray is a versatile fabric that pairs effortlessly with nearly everything.” As Jack points out, classic color combinations such as navy and white form a reliable, “old-money” palette that flatters virtually every man.

TEXTURE, TAILORING, AND TONES

Fabrics play a central role in spring comfort and style. “Choose breathable, layerable materials like linen, cotton poplin, cashmere, premium denim, and lightweight technical fabrics,” says Jack. “These ensure that you’ll stay comfortable from brisk mornings to sunlit afternoons.”

When it comes to color, muted pastels and lighter neutrals are the most versatile, serving as allrounders that pair well with each other. “Look for stone- or putty-colored jeans and khakis, alongside sage, cornflower, periwinkle, or dusty pink shirts and sweaters. These create a soft, sophisticated palette, leaving the more vivid tones for summer adventures,” he suggests.

How important is tailoring and fit in creating a polished but relaxed spring look? “Proper fit is crucial,” claims Jack. “Without it, nothing looks good. Look for refined but soft tailoring that skims but doesn’t cling.”

STYLE MISSTEPS TO AVOID

What common mistakes should men try to avoid when refreshing their spring wardrobes? “Don’t get too hung up on seasons,” says Jack. “Think easy, nonchalant. Nothing too contrived. Linen isn’t just for summer, and cashmere isn’t just for winter. There are cool nights in spring and warm days in fall, so throw a cashmere sweater on over a linen shirt in transitional weather. It’s more about the color than it is about the fabric. Understatement is alluring, but it demands quality.”

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Let’s talk accessories. They refresh a look without replacing everything. A jacket in a year-round fabric, for example, can transition seamlessly from a crisp winter morning to a breezy spring afternoon simply by pairing it with a lighter-colored tie or pocket square. Discreet bracelets, a switch from a leather watch strap to a fabric one, stylish sunglasses, a braided belt, or even sneakers and slip-on shoes

can elevate classic staples. “Cool colors for socks (or none at all) add subtle personality,” Jack notes. And for a touch of legacy, he quips, “A watch is not just an accessory; it’s something worth passing on to your son.”

Modern spring style thrives on a touch of casual ease. Jack celebrates high-low combinations: a T-shirt and jeans paired with crocodile loafers create an effortless, contemporary edge while still appearing polished. It’s a reminder that sophistication doesn’t always require formality — carefully chosen accessories, a smart color palette, and well-fitted foundations can make even a simple outfit feel intentional, stylish, and ready for the season’s unpredictable weather.

ROSENTHALS rosenthalsboutique.com 375 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741

ROBIN’S NEST robinsnest-cashiers.com 426 Highway 107 South, Cashiers, NC 28717

TJ BAILEY’S tjbaileys.com 343C Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741 54 Marigold Street, Cashiers, NC 28717

Many of us have jewelry that means something. A grandmother’s engagement ring. A father’s wedding band. Pieces passed down through generations, carrying weight far beyond their metal and stones, and now sitting in a drawer somewhere, collecting dust. These items of jewelry — beautiful in sentiment but perhaps less so in style — are left unworn, too precious to discard but too dated to wear.

BUT WHAT IF THESE HEIRLOOMS COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO SOMETHING YOU’D ACTUALLY PUT ON EVERY MORNING?

FROM SKETCH TO SETTING

or Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s June Social House event — “Stones That Speak: From Sketch to Setting” — Buddy Driggers will guide guests through the journey of custom jewelry creation. As a third-generation master jeweler and owner of Cashiers Fine Jewelry, Buddy brings more than 25 years of experience in turning raw materials and personal inspiration into wearable art. His specialty is taking the pieces you don’t love but can’t let go of and creating something that honors both the past and your present style.

THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION

The evening event will walk attendees through the complete process from the first conversation to the finished piece. Buddy’s approach starts with listening. When someone steps into his shop with an idea or a piece of inherited jewelry, he asks questions. What’s the story? What matters? What will you actually wear?

One recent project involved a daughter who’d inherited her parents’ wedding rings after they passed. Buddy melted the mother’s engagement ring, rolled it out, shaped it, and welded it to create a bail on top of the father’s wedding band. Now the daughter wears both parents close to her heart, with her mom’s diamond dangling in the center of dad’s ring.

Other transformations are more complex. For clients with arthritis who can no longer wear rings on their fingers, Buddy converts beloved pieces into necklaces. Others bring in multiple family pieces, each meaningful but none quite right. He’ll combine stones, melt down gold, and create something entirely new.

FROM SKETCH TO SETTING

The process has evolved dramatically since Buddy started carving designs by hand in jeweler’s wax in the late 1990s. Today, he uses ComputerAided Design (CAD) software to translate conversations into precise designs, but the real magic happens after.

Every piece comes out of casting in a rough form with an orange peel texture that hides the final piece underneath. Buddy works through progressively finer grits, sanding and buffing every surface, working into corners and along curves until the metal reveals its true character. On a complex ring, this finishing work alone can consume a day and a half. It’s meditative, exacting work — the kind that separates adequate from exceptional.

Then comes the stone setting. Each gem must be secured perfectly, the metal worked around it with tools that haven’t changed much in centuries. A bracelet with 25 stones might require a couple of days of patient, focused attention. There’s no rushing this part. The difference between a stone set well and one set adequately shows immediately, and it matters for decades.

GENERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Buddy’s grandfather, Earl Driggers, entered the jewelry business through an unlikely path. A Korean War Navy veteran who retired as a senior master chief, Earl used his GI Bill to open a jewelry store. He was also a legendary cutting horse cowboy who started the second-largest cutting horse futurity in the United States. He passed away earlier this year at 91.

Buddy’s father continued the tradition, improving on the skills passed down. But Buddy went further, spending years perfecting the craft before opening his own shop. That dedication shows in unexpected ways. Buddy double-majored in Bible and music in college, coaching and teaching before returning to jewelry

full-time. The artistic sensibility he acquired from his music training translates directly into his metalwork: knowing the importance of tempo — when to push and when to let the work breathe — and understanding that craftsmanship lives in the details most people will never consciously notice but will always feel.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

What sets Buddy apart is his complete rejection of high-pressure sales. “I want to make friends with people,” he says simply. His operation is small: it’s just him, his wife, and his sister. The focus is entirely on relationships and craft.

Buddy will meet elderly clients in parking lots so they don’t have to navigate stairs. He texts customers progress photos during the creation process. He talks people out of projects that won’t serve them well.

Silver Creek’s decision to host this event reflects an understanding that luxury is about more than acquisition. It’s about craftsmanship, story, and care. Inviting Buddy to share his process will offer guests a glimpse into a world where art, engineering, and emotion intersect.

Attendees will leave understanding why that drawerful of inherited jewelry doesn’t have to stay unworn. They’ll see how a skilled craftsman can honor the past while creating something perfectly suited to the present. And they’ll witness the personal, relationship-focused approach to business that thrives in communities like Cashiers.

Social House