Renowned Australian photographer, Greg Newington, is slated to have his first American exhibit in Highlands North Carolina. The exhibit is being held at the Bascom and opens today, February 19, with a  reception at 6 pm.  The exhibit is surely one not to be missed, and the opportunity exists to partake in a one-and-a-half day workshop with Newington as well.  Newington will share his knowledge of light with students, a once in a lifetime opportunity for avid photographers.  The exhibit will be available to see in Highlands through March 7th.

The Bascom in Highlands North Carolina is a place designed for the artist, the amateur  and the viewer, a place where all can explore their inner artist as well as their appreciation for art.  With a variety of exhibits held throughout the year, the Bascom also hosts a variety of workshops and educational opportunities.  The Bascom brings art to life for the Highlands community.
 
Click here for details on the Bascom and Newington’s exhibit and workshop.

For more information about Highlands North Carolina, and for access to the Highlands NC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558.

The concept of a “media room,” as a space specifically devoted to home theater and audio systems, is more popular than ever. New home designers and builders, responding to the demand of their buyers, have incorporated media rooms into the floor plans of many new homes, all along the price spectrum. Such rooms are designed for comfortable television and movie viewing and are acoustically separated from the rest of the house.

Yes, the media room has also become the game room, again driven by homebuyer demand and a host of new (mostly electronic) toys. Builders are educating their buyers about the lifestyle advantages of including such a project and the value it adds to their property.

Consider some of the special features that a true Game Room encompasses, all of which are easily accommodated in a new construction project:

• Acoustics. Sound transmission in or out of a game room can be disruptive. Builders incorporate products that block or deaden sound through the walls, floors, and ceilings. Special membranes and laminated drywall and plywood panels meet the need without adding a lot of extra cost, rendering the Game Room almost a separate acoustical zone within the house.

• Light and shading. Everyone enjoys natural light … except when there’s a movie playing. Windows are a prime consideration that maintain flexible use of the room when the house is sold. The home’s exterior appearance must be considered, as well. To create the optimal movie-watching experience, builders turn to motorized screens and draperies that smoothly draw across the windows. Controlled by remote devices or wall-mounted panels, such screens retract into the wall when not in use or disappear into a subtle housing to retain the room’s overall aesthetic design.

• Multiple displays. One screen may not be enough in the modern Game Room. Though builders usually leave the purchase of consumer electronics up to the homebuyers after the house is finished, high-tech game rooms must be designed and wired to accommodate several displays and multiple signals. These may include satellite, wireless and wired Internet, cable, personal computers, and (don’t forget!) electricity.

• Seating, storage, and snacks. Like its media room predecessor, the new Game Room is a gathering place for family and guests, often engaged in multiple activities at the same time. Space for several zones of comfortable seating is very popular, as is built-in cabinet storage for all of the game players, audio and video equipment, and other components. Small kitchen setups, complete with sink, under-counter appliances, and counter work space, provide family and guests with additional convenience in this self-contained haven.

Media rooms are among the new wave of distinct, specialized areas within today’s new homes. The “Game Room” reflects the development of high-tech consumer electronics and the consumers’ desire to maximize enjoyment of these new toys.

This article was contributed by Zac Koenig of Koenig Homebuilders in Highlands.

The Bascom art center in Highlands NC has scheduled holiday related classes for next month that you will not want to miss.  In addition to the Gingerbread Building class from Nov 27-28 on how to make creative gingerbread houses, students will be able to enter their Gingerbread structures into a contest that is judged from Dec 1-11, with winners being announced on Dec 12th.  From Dec 4-5th, Carol Singletary will be teaching basic knitting skills with “Knit a Christmas Stocking”; all materials are included with a cost of $135 for the class.  On Dec 5th is the “Holiday Cards” class which is designed for children and adults of all ages, teaching them the fun of making homemade cards.  For those nervous about holiday entertaining, “Create a Holiday Centerpiece” is the perfect class to take at Bascom; in this class all materials are included for $25 as students create a 12-inch boxwood tree to bring holiday cheer to a dining room table.  And for the budding artists in us all, on Dec 12th will be the “Ceramic Ornament” class and the “Botanical Watercolor: American Holly” class.

For more information on classes available and registration visit The Bascom online.

For more information on real estate in the gorgeous Highlands NC area, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today.

If you are planning a trip to Highlands and Cashiers NC soon don’t forget to take a look at the Jackson County NC Vacation Guide.  This newly revised guide can be accessed instantly online or be requested via mail in a hard copy form.  In this handy guide you will find information on local historical sites such as The Old Mill 1886, gift and antique shops, a list of places where family pets can stay while you travel, restaurant information, and maps to other memorable sites in the lively Jackson County NC area.

Whether you are looking for a home in this beautiful setting or taking a short vacation, the NC Mountains guide book will help you find accommodations with ease.  Keep this guide accessible and map out your Highlands/Cashiers NC vacation today.

For more information on real estate in Highlands and Cashiers NC contact The Meadows Mountain Team today.

image credit: sxc.hu

For the wildlife enthusiast, living in Cashiers or Highlands North Carolina is a perpetual vacation.  Especially for the avid birdwatcher, the natural wildlife that exists in the North Carolina landscape will keep you engaged; with approximately 139 different species of birds as identified by the Carolina Bird Club, bird watchers will find observing and identifying both challenging and fun.  The NC state bird is, of course, the elegant Northern Cardinal with its bright red coloring and cheery call.  Some of the birds you’ll find in North Carolina include Tundra Swans, Cackling Geese, Wild Turkey, Ruffled Grouse, American White Pelicans, Red-tailed Hawks, Mourning Doves, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Pileated Woodpeckers, Snowy Owls, and Song Sparrows.

Click here for a more detailed list of North Carolina bird species.

For more information on real estate with great mountain views and natural wildlife in Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville, or Sapphire Valley NC contact Meadows Mountain Realty today.

The famous international Folkmoot Festival is underway in NC.  The Festival started off with interactive family performances on July 15 with an event each day since then, ending on July 26th.  This unique festival experience in NC is a chance for a variety of different cultures to represent themselves in the performance arts, and the hard work of each individual involved shines through in their passion and the excellent presentation of each festival event so far.  But the festivities aren’t over yet; on July 25, enjoy the International Festival Day in Waynesville from 10am-5pm as well as the Candlelight closing at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska on Sunday July 26 at 7pm.  You won’t want to miss it!

For more information on the success of Folkmoot Festival and remaining events visit The Smoky Mountain News online.

For more information on real estate in Highlands, Cashiers, Glenville and Sapphire Valley, contact your local realtors at Meadows Mountain Realty today.

image credit: sxc.hu

Regardless of your artistic tastes, Highlands NC has a number of events to choose from this July.  This Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18 from 7-10 pm, enjoy live piano music “On the Verandah” with Chad Reed.  This is Reed’s 8th season performing in Highlands with his unique flair on classical, jazz, and the blues.  Other musical performances coming up include the HCCMF Concert, also on July 17 and 18, at the Performing Arts Centers in Highlands NC starting at 6:00 pm, as well as the Judy Collins concert with her signature folk-pop music on July 23 at the Performing Arts Center.

And for those with a passion for fine art, the “Moulthrops: Three Generations of Woodturners” exhibition will be open for public viewing at the Bascom from July 18 to August 29 showing the unique wood craftsmanship of the Moulthrop family.  Also this weekend, don’t miss the Highlands Civic Center and Recreation Park’s Summer Colors Show.  The Summer Colors Show offers a chance to see locally made fine art, jewelry, pottery, and photography with activities for children.

For more information on real estate in Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire Valley, and Glenville NC contact your local agents at Meadows Mountain Realty today.

The Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina bring in approximately 9 million visitors each year.  As the most visited national park in the country, the Great Smokies make a wonderful vacation spot for individuals, couples, and families alike.

On your vacation to do list, add some of these great activities and sites:

Camping, bicycling, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and horseback riding are just some of the activities you will enjoy in the Great Smokies.  There are plenty of camping options for the experienced backpacker, and for those that want a tamer stay, a developed campground site is also available.  With over 700 miles of fishable streams and over 800 miles of hiking trails, a quiet day in the great outdoors awaits.

Auto Touring is a unique chance to see the park’s panoramic vistas, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls.  Pick up a booklet before you head out and let it guide you through the sites.

Wildlife viewing is also an enjoyable activity for families.  Keep your eyes peeled for elk, white-tailed deer or even black bears (See article on safety with bears for more information).  The Great Smokies are also known for their array of year-round wildflowers.

So start planning your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains national park now and view the innate beauty of the Western mountains in North Carolina.

For more information on available real estate in gorgeous mountain communities of Western North Carolina, including Highlands, Cashiers, Glenville, and Sapphire, contact your local realtors at Meadows Mountain Realty today.

image credit: sxc.hu golf

The 18th annual Charitable Classic Golf and Gala event to be held at the beginning of September 2009 is now looking for sponsors.  For 17 consecutive years, this unique Golf and Gala event has helped raise funds for new programs, facilities and updated technologies for the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation.  This year, the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation would like to raise money for a new Hospice center; a first for Haywood county, this facility will be 10,000 sqft and located in a quiet woodland setting.

In 2008, the Golf and Gala event attracted 175 sponsors with 335 golfers and the Haywood Medical Center is looking to find sponsors now for this year’s event with a deadline of June 30.  So if you are planning on participating in this enjoyable event, don’t hesitate to contact the HRMC foundation for more information on how you can be a sponsor and/or golfer.

For more information on real estate available in the Cashiers and Highlands NC area contact Meadows Mountain Realty today.

This Father’s Day weekend is the perfect time to visit the Highlands and Cashiers NC area and experience Franklin’s 13th annual Taste of Scotland Festival. Beginning at 6 pm on June 19th, live Celtic music will fill the air with dancing and entertainment all part of the weekend festivities.  On Saturday, visitors will enjoy the Celtic dances and music as well as the parade of tartans; games for both children and adults alike will also be available for your participation.  A returning favorite this year to the festival is Bill Coburn and his border collies for a special performance.  And don’t forget the great Scottish food and vendors that will be available.

For more information on the schedule of events for the Taste of Scotland Festival click here.

For more information on local real estate available in Cashiers or Highlands NC contact your friendly Meadows Team of Meadows Mountain Realty.