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Taste the New Delights

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Chasing Sunsets and Waterfalls

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There are so many great articles in the pages of The Laurel Magazine, sometimes you want to read them again. You won’t miss a thing. Use these helpful search parameters and find just what you’re looking for about Highlands, NC and Cashiers, NC.

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Hell, Fire, and Stumpy Cigars

My granddad had a trademark – a half-smoked cigar dangling from the corner of his mouth.  It was always there, a stubby thumb of a thing.  It was rarely lit, though ash burns in his ties and suits told the real tale. He was superintendent of the Piedmont and Northern Railroad in the Carolinas.  A bear of a man, he …

A Stay and Play Chalet

Do you remember as a child rushing down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought you?  Along with the gifts that you had told Santa about, there’d be a couple of surprises that made your eyes twinkle with delight. This month’s Home of Distinction is a surprise – not one of the larger, estate homes of …

Cornelius Zepher Neal Zachary

The October issue of The Laurel contained an article about Neal Zachary’s tombstone in the Upper Zachary Cemetery in Cashiers which was lacking his date of death and a plea was made for help in learning that death date.  Just a few days after the October 1 publication hit the new-stands, a reader phoned and provided an answer which will …


A Twenty-Five Cent Fine

It’s almost New Year’s Day, 2016.  Roll back to New Year’s Day, 1884, when a new city ordinance went into effect. It was one of many as Highlands transitioned from a “boysterose” town, as one resident put it, to a lawful municipality. The ordinance read: “That any hogs found at large in the town of Highlands on or after the …

Winged Reminders

During the winter months our resident avian friends – the Titmice, Dark-Eyed Juncos, and Carolina Chickadees that live around and amongst us – become more easily seen and appreciated.  With branches bare from the fall, they are more visible in the trees.  If you have a bird feeder they become frequent visitors.  Suet attracts woodpeckers of all sorts; sunflower seeds …

Above All, Bee Kind

In the November issue we reported on the alarming disappearance of honeybees.  In this issue we take a first-hand look at what’s happening to bees in our own back yards. Geared up in overalls, gloves, hats, and veils, bee farmers Kenny and Kathy Hayes, Laurel Managing Partner Marjorie Christiansen and I set out for the Hayes’ apiary (the bee yard).  …


Male Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a fairly large songbird, rare in the Western U.S., which neither migrates nor changes color by molding. The male is a commanding red, the female dull brown with red highlights. Both are crested with black faces and red beaks. They are common on bird feeders offering sunflower seeds. The song is varied and the …

Research and Education

For the past 88 years the Highlands Biological Station has fostered research and education focused here in Highlands.  Each summer hundreds of students come to Highlands to learn more about this rich and diverse environment.  Here are a few of the many excellent projects that were funded by the Highlands Biological Foundation and conducted here in Highlands this summer: Damien …

The Poinsettia Legend

Whether you pronounce the name of this Christmas favorite “Poin-set-ah” or prefer “Poin-set-ee-ah,” or as some from Across the Pond say, “Poin-set-ya,” it really doesn’t matter. This flower hails from Mexico and Central America, and has almost as many tales of origin as it does pronunciations.  In the 14-16th century, the Aztecs called it cuetlaxochitl (and you thought we have …


Tree Toppin’ Thrills

Sitting atop the luscious High Holly Mountain, the Highlands Aerial Park is a perfect choice for those with a desire to mix the gorgeous scenery of the Appalachian Mountains with a thrilling ride through the treetops.   The Aerial Park features zip lines, a family challenge course, an oversized swing, and several nature trails offering a little something for everyone, …

The Etiquette of Corkage

Never has a term been more misunderstood than the use of “corkage.” A frightening number of people believe that corkage or corkage fee is a charge to remove the cork from an outside bottle of wine. Corkage is a fee to recoup the revenue lost to an outside bottle, four to five drinks or $35 to $50. For a restaurant …

Mice Cookies

December is the month of crispy-smelling Christmas trees, hot chocolate, presents and cookies.   Instead of making the regular Chocolate Chip Cookies this year, try some very simple, yet very tasty Mice Cookies. Ingredients: 2 cups Vanilla Cookies, crumbled 3 tablespoons raw Cocoa Powder 1/2 cup Butter, melted To Decorate:  Tiny Pieces of Cheese 1/4 cup Sliced Almonds 18 pieces …