Donna Rhodes

Local farmers bring late‑season produce, meats, baked goods, and handcrafted items to the Highlands and Cashiers markets throughout September and October, offering a rich harvest as cooler weather arrives.

Michelle Radford, winner of the Dazzling Dahlia Festival poster competition and The Laurel’s September cover artist, celebrates landscapes and dahlias through her multidisciplinary work blending painting, textiles, and family life.

Highlands Rotary hosts its monthly Bingo fundraiser on September 10 from 6:00–8:30 P.M. at the Highlands Community Building, with this month’s proceeds supporting The Literacy & Learning Center’s free programs.

Not Dead Yet 2.0 brings four dynamic artists to Dead Artists Gallery for a lively September 5 opening in Wright Square.

Historic Toxaway Market blends farm‑fresh goods, specialty items, and a warm community spirit, offering year‑round hours, seasonal wine tastings, and a curated mix of local products that make every visit feel like a treat.

Christine Hyde’s layered wildlife paintings fuse her love of “tweaking and shifting” with vivid technique and storytelling.

The Corner Store in Cashiers offers toys, books, puzzles, and Cashiers T‑shirts curated by owner Natalia Belyshev, making it a go‑to spot for locals and visiting families.

Fourth‑generation artist Annell Metsker blends photography, digital artistry, and traditional oil painting to honor a family lineage of creativity that continues through her granddaughter.

Stained glass artisan Deanna Loacano transforms sunlight into luminous, color‑rich works of art shaped by curiosity, and a Renaissance spirit.