Laurel Magazine

Craft Camp at The Literacy & Learning Center
2025-08-01 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Craft Camp for K-2nd graders
Led by Carolyn Middlebrooks, is a fun and creative experience where young artists can explore different crafts! Kids will have the chance to make colorful projects and express their creativity in a hands-on, playful environment.

CHS | Mountain Heritage Series: “Monticello: Sharing History for a Century” at Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
2025-08-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Mountain Heritage Series: “Monticello: Sharing History for a Century”, with Brandon Dillard at the Albert-Carlton Cashiers Library from 3-5pm

Saturday Sound Bath at Unfurl Wellness Spa
2025-08-02 16:00 | Unfurl Wellness Spa, 454 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us each Saturday at 4:00 pm for Unfurl Wellness Spa’s Sound Bath, a serene experience designed to help you reset and reconnect. Through the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls and gentle percussion, sound baths encourage deep relaxation and promote mental clarity. These harmonic tones help slow brain waves, reduce stress, and foster a meditative state, allowing your body and mind to unwind from the pressures of daily life.
Take this time to nurture your well-being in a calm, supportive environment.

Sacred Sundays at Unfurl Wellness Spa
2025-08-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Unfurl Wellness Spa, 454 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Sacred Sundays is a 90 minute class of mindfulness movement and poses accompanied with an acoustic sound meditation held by Robert John Malone.
This is an all levels class focused of a variety of wellness practices to assist in raising our mind/body awareness through conscious movements and poses (1:00 – 2:30 each Sunday this season)

Highland Plateau Audubon Society | "Four Cameras, 100 Birds" at Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
2025-08-04 18:30 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
A photographic flight path through our woods taken by four local artists showing the beauty of our local birds.

Presented by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society

Nature Center Nights | What Bat is That? at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-05 20:00 - 21:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Stretch your wings and tune into the sounds of the many special bats of the Highlands area! Join our Naturalists on a walk through the Botanical Garden to watch them in flight.
All ages welcome
FREE | Registration required
(Weather dependent)

CLE | Rooted in Restoration: A Garden Tour with Lisa Dailey
2025-08-06 10:00 - 12:00 | NC
Join Lisa Dailey of Cultivation for an immersive horticulture restoration class on plant diversity, soil rebuilding, and sustainable gardening practices.
This interactive tour will guide you through a stunning 5-acre in-town mountain property, showcasing everything from untouched spaces to sophisticated gardens. Discover how Lisa integrates native plants, cutting gardens, dahlias, and seasonal vegetables into her landscape. Learn about the stages of garden development and soil rejuvenation. We’ll cover about 1/2 acre on foot with moderate inclines, so please dress accordingly and wear sturdy, comfortable footwear.
CLE will provide a sack lunch, and there will be time to sit and reflect after the tour. Bring a camping chair or folding chair for comfort.

Tinker Time for Tots at The Literacy and Learning Center
2025-08-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-13 11:00 - 12:00 | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Literacy & Learning Center is excited to bring back another season of engaging workshops tailored for preschoolers and their parents. The aim is to empower parents by demonstrating inventive ways to utilize everyday household items for their children’s educational benefit.
These sessions will showcase practical activities that parents can seamlessly incorporate into their daily routines, fostering a rich learning environment at home.

Garden Tour at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-06 12:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join in for a free guided tour of the Highlands Botanical Gardens! Led by our Horticultural Specialist, a naturalist, or a guest expert, these weekly tours explore the fascinating native plants, ecosystems, and seasonal wonders of the Southern Appalachians. No two tours are ever the same!
Meet at the Highlands Biological Station Amphitheater. Come take a walk with us and see what’s blooming!

Exclusive! How Journalists Skewered Big Business in U. S. History—and Why It Mattered at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Thoughtful Americans have long resented special privilege and foreign domination. For much of U. S. history, one word—monopoly–symbolized both of these perils. To combat these perils, journalists —in conjunction with jurists, government officials, social scientists, and business people—have popularized an anti-monopoly vision that has shaped law, public policy, and popular culture. This illustrated lecture (with lots of cartoons) surveys the long history of journalistic representations of big business in U S. history. Why is big business so often represented as an octopus? What about “Mr. Money Bags”—the comic figure in the popular board game “Monopoly”? Anti-monopoly is often conflated with the “big is bad” ethos identified with an 1890 law known as the Sherman Act. This is misleading. The journalistic critique of big business in U. S. history is much more capacious. In 1904, for example, journalist William Randolph Hearst ran for president on a platform that was anti-trust, but pro-municipal ownership. The journalistic indictment of big business—in cartoons, fiction, and oratory, as well as the law—offers us a window on one of the most enduring political impulses in American history. In this lecture, we will not only see how, but also why, this indictment mattered in the past, and how it can help us think more constructively about plutocracy, health care, finance, digital media platforms, and the “tech-industrial complex” of the present.

Family Storytime at Hudson Library
2025-08-07 10:30 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us for stories, music, and movement at Family Storytime, every Thursday morning at 10:40AM.

Cashiers Quilters at St Jude's Catholic Church
2025-08-07 11:30 | NC
Come join us for lunch each Thursday at 11:30 at a local restaurant and then quilting at the church.
Held at St Jude’s Catholic Church in Cashiers.

Summer Writing Workshop at Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
2025-08-07 13:00 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Beginning on June 5 at 1:00 p.m. and continuing every Thursday until August 28, ACCCL staff member Michael Redman will lead a writing workshop that is free and open to everyone, regardless of previous writing experience.
The workshop will be a place to be introduced to techniques, perspectives, and exercises to help you develop your writing. It will also provide a safe,welcoming environment for you to share your own thoughts, ideas, and questions.

Kids Zone at Hudson Library
2025-08-07 15:30 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Kids Zone features a variety of fun and interesting programs where kids can explore art, nature, science & more! Best for ages 5 and up.

Paint your Pet with CHHS at Highlands Community Building
2025-08-07 17:00 | Highlands Community Building, 869 North 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Cashiers Highlands Humane Society and PAWS Bryson City announce our second annual joint fundraiser to support the animals at our no-kill shelters!
No painting skills necessary! Chances are, the less artistic you feel you may be, the more fun you will have! Just send us a head shot photo of your pampered pet when you register below and our artist partner with Be a Light Painting will have customized for you that evening a line drawing sketch of your pet on a 16” x 16” canvas ready for you to paint! Brushes, paints and aprons will all be supplied.
Join us for a fun-filled two hours of creativity and love for the four-legged members of our family! Attendance is limited, so register early! Or show your support and get in on the fun becoming a Sponsor of one of the events.
To give our awesome artist partner with Be a Light Painting time to prepare your customized line drawing sketch of your pet based on the photo you submit, the deadline to register for Paint Your Pet is Friday, June 27th for the July events in Sapphire and Monday, July 21st for the August event in Highlands! Reservations come in hot and fast for this wonderful event and attendance is limited, so don’t delay!
Net proceeds from this event will be split 50/50 with the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and PAWS Bryson City, both 501(c)3 non-profit no-kill animal shelters rescuing, caring for, and finding forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in western North Carolina.
RAFFLE PRIZES: Thanks to our generous partners, there will be some awesome prizes we will raffle during Paint Your Pet! So bring some extra bucks (raffle tickets are $10 each) to support the shelter pets and a chance to win some great prizes!
Check-In: 4:30pm | Event: 5:00-7:00pm
Early check-in is encouraged so you have the full two hours to paint your pet!

BBBS | Boots & Bourbon at Chimney Pond Farm
2025-08-07 17:30 - 20:30 | Chimney Pond Farm, 240 Chimney Pond Rd, Glenville, NC, 28736, United States
BBBS of WNC – Macon and Jackson Counties is hosting their annual fundraiser at Chimney Pond Farm in Glenville, NC. Mark your calendars for Aug. 7th!

From 5:30 – 8:30 PM, enjoy live music by Young Mountain Magic, dinner by Village Pantry of Cashiers, live and silent auctions as well as local beer, bourbon and wine!
Tickets are selling now – grab yours here!

Zahner Conservation Lecture Series | Finding the Fabulous Ordinary at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Featured Speaker: Georgann Eubanks, author, University of North Carolina Press
Nature writer Georgann Eubanks gives us a guidebook to the spectacular seasonal joys of ecosystems in the Southeast. The destinations and events she explores in her latest work are scattered across seven states. They include such wonders as bugling elk in the Smokies, a half-million purple martins roosting on an island in a South Carolina lake in July, the bloom of thirty acres of dimpled trout lilies in a remote Georgia forest in February, and gnat larvae that glow like stars on the rock walls of an obscure Alabama canyon. These magical sites are great destinations to visit with children, inspiring wonder and the impulse for protection.
FREE | No registration required

Carolina Concert Series at Trailborn Highlands
2025-08-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Trailborn Highlands, 96 Log Cabin Ln, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us in the Trailborn Highlands backyard for live music and drinks during our Carolina Concert Series!

Judging the Court: The Evolving Role of the Supreme Court in Modern America at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
In the Federalist 78 Alexander Hamilton called the Supreme Court an “intermediary” between the “People” and the legislature, as the Court served as a “bulwark” for a limited Constitution. Some contemporary judicial critics challenge this notion, as public opinion of the Supreme Court has decreased, long-standing precedents have been overturned, and personal issues with the justices have created controversies. Others see the Supreme Court as protecting the fundamental and essential principles of the United States’ founding. All perceptions, of course, are filtered by partisan ideology in these modern times.
This presentation will examine the current Supreme Court, putting these issues in historical context and placing emphasis on cases from the 2024-2025 term.

Art Workshop - Creating a Watercolor Brush Painting in the Style of Japanese Tradition at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Create a work of art based on the tradition of watercolor brush painting! Practicing traditional techniques and using traditional design materials, class participants will produce a final project: a watercolor painting of a “sakura” cherry blossom tree on handmade paper. All materials will be provided for this class, and you will leave with a supply list for continuing your art exploration at home.

Friday Night Live with McClain Family Band at Town Square
2025-08-08 18:00 - 20:30 | Town Square, Main Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Friday Night Live  Showcasing Traditional Mountain Music and Local Talent
McClain Family Band
Hailing from Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, the McClain Family Band have become internationally known as one of the most spontaneous, creative and spirited groups performing original and traditional bluegrass music. Television appearances include NBC’s Today Show, the CBS Morning News and ABC’s Good Morning America. They have also performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, and the Grand Ole Opry.

Macon County Art Association | Artfest 2025 at Macon County Public Library
2025-08-09 10:00 - 16:30 | Macon County Public Library, 149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Get ready! The Macon County Art Association (Uptown Gallery) invites you to a day of hands-on creativity and community fun at Artfest 2025, happening Saturday, August 9th from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Macon County Public Library (149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin, NC). This exciting FREE event is open to the public and welcomes families, kids, and art lovers of all ages!
What to Expect:
• Interactive art activities for children and families
• Face painting and make-and-take art stations
• A bake sale with homemade treats
• A raffle with creative prizes
Whether you’re a parent, a student, a supporter of the arts, or just looking for a fun and inspiring Saturday, Artfest 2025 has something for everyone—indoors and outdoors, rain or shine!
Hosted by the Macon County Art Association, this event celebrates local creativity and connects the community through the arts.
For more information, visit the Uptown Gallery at 30 East Main Street in downtown Franklin, or email us at franklinuptowngallery@gmail.com.

Full Moon Ceremony at Unfurl Wellness Spa
2025-08-09 18:00 | Unfurl Wellness Spa, 454 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
At Unfurl Wellness Spa, our Full Moon Ceremony offers a sacred space to set intentions and invite new beginnings. Participants come together to reflect, release past limitations, and plant seeds for personal growth. This ceremony combines intention-setting rituals designed to align with the powerful energy of the lunar cycles.
We join together for Full Moon Ceremonies to harness the peak energy of the lunar cycle, promoting release and transformation. Gathering in community, participants engage in practices that facilitate letting go of what no longer serves them, celebrating progress, and embracing personal empowerment. These ceremonies provide a supportive environment for reflection, healing, and renewal under the illuminating full moon.
(6:15 pm; Facilitated by – Maxine Smith)

Our Dishonesty Crises: How Technology is Eroding Honesty at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Dishonesty has always been with us. But in recent years new technology has led to a variety of dishonesty crises, in which being dishonest is easier and more tempting than it has ever been in the past. We will look closely at three examples. In the first, deepfake videos which represent people saying and doing things they never did, are becoming easier to make and harder to detect, with implications for everything from our elections to the war between Ukraine and Russia. In the second, it has become easier than ever to become a celebrity due to TikTok and other forms of social media, but that also increases the threat of dishonest behavior. In the third, professors are drowning in a wave of academic cheating by students using ChatGPT and other AI. All is not lost, however, as we will also see some practical strategies to help us resist these dishonesty crises.

Behind the Scrubs: A Behind the Scenes View of the Operating Room and Hospital Quality Ratings at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Ever wonder what actually happens in surgery? Many people have had surgeries, such as a hip or knee replacement, and they have no recollection of what happened until well into the recovery phase.
This lecture will cover all the stages of surgery from the other side, from the time a decision for surgery is made through recovery. We’ll talk about the use of robotics in surgery, how trainees participate in surgical care, and where we are headed with surgical care in the next 10-20 years. We’ll also discuss hospital performance ratings and what they really tell (or don’t tell) us about hospital quality. We’ll seek to clarify some of the common misconceptions about these ratings and explain why they often don’t tell the full story.

Effortlessly Elegant : The Appetizer Edition with Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-12 14:00 - 17:00 | NC
Elevate your appetizer game in this stylish, hands-on class. Chef Susan Hansen will guide you through crafting three sophisticated yet simple starters that are perfect for any occasion. First, dive into the delicate art of making a Sushi Shrimp Bowl, featuring perfectly seasoned shrimp served atop a bed of sushi rice with fresh veggies, garnished with a splash of soy sauce and a hint of wasabi. Next, master the savory flavors of Sundried Tomato and Garlic Butter Bruschetta. Learn to make sundried tomatoes and garlic butter from scratch, then top them on crunchy toasted baguette slices for a perfect balance of tangy and rich flavors. Finally, discover the art of making Pesto Pinwheels. Susan will show you how to create fresh pesto from scratch, which you’ll then spread on puff pastry and roll into perfect pinwheels, ready for baking into golden, flavorful bites. By the end of the class, you’ll have the skills to make these elegant appetizers at home, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a personal gourmet treat.

Kids Nature Series at The Village Green
2025-08-12 16:00 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Marsh Magic
Join HCLT to learn about the wonderful world of an Appalachian Bog! We will be exploring the Village Green trails to see the wonderful organisms that live in this unique ecosystem!

Nature Center Nights | Salamander Meander at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join our Naturalists on a nighttime search for our secretive salamander friends.
All ages welcome
FREE | Registration required
(Weather dependent)
