Get out and enjoy some good, old fashioned fun in Highlands NC this weekend.  Saturday, August 21, at 7 p.m. at The Bascom there will be a Barn Dance, a time to rub elbows with the community and get a feel for what Highlands NC is all about.  This particular Barn Dance is in honor of The Bascom’s member artists who are taking part in the Annual Members Challenge.  The Members Challenge exhibit this year is titled “Irony” and is holding its opening reception earlier in the evening, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Barn Dances take place at The Bascom throughout the summer and this will be the final one of the season.  Timeless Highway will be the band performing.  A wonderful opportunity to enjoy life in Highlands, take your dancing shoes out of the closet and celebrate art, summer, and community this Saturday.

The Bascom is a true asset to the Highlands area.  Home to art classes, special exhibits, and exposure to art education, this unique facility enriches the lives of art enthusiasts and artists who live and visit our lovely southern Blue Ridge Mountain area.  The beautiful, natural setting of Highlands NC lends itself well to artistic inspiration.

Contact me today to learn more about living in Highlands NC.  Our area is a wonderful setting for a vacation property, offering a peaceful setting to get away in which to get away, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors.  There are many amazing Highlands NC real estate opportunities available at the moment and I can help identify a property that will suit your needs.

Click here to visit the website for The Bascom and learn more about all that it has to offer.

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Catch summer in bloom in Highlands NC this weekend with the Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival that runs through Sunday, July 10th.  This is the weekend that gardening enthusiasts gather to ooh and aah over a plethora of plants and flowers, with the chance to view five majestic gardens in Highlands Country Club.  In addition there will be a flower show, garden luncheon, photographs on display, and lectures.

• Catch the Garden Tour on Saturday at 9 am, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.  Shuttles will depart from the Highlands Civic Center.
• The Flower Show will take place at the Bascom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

There is no doubt that summer brings out the best of Highlands, offering a wealth of activities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.  The Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival, celebrating its 13th year, is but one of many festivals that take place in our unique area.

Please contact us today to learn more about Highlands real estate opportunities.  Highlands offers exceptional vacation ownership opportunities as well as a lifetime of memories in the making.

Click here to visit the website for the Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival.

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Ladies, gather your friends and spend this Thursday at the Old Edwards Farm new Pavilion viewing the latest summer fashions from Acorns.   Enjoy champagne upon arrival and nibble on delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Johannes Klapdohr of Madison’s Restaurant.   The show will be accompanied by live Ambient Music.  Learn the newest make-up techniques with a demonstration from the Old Edwards Spa make-up artists.   Learn the basics of face shape contouring and highlighting, personal color com­bining, application techniques, eye contouring and accenting, product knowledge, and brush use.  You will leave with the knowledge to enhance your individual beauty.   

Top off your afternoon, with a shopping trip to Acorns on Main Street where you will enjoy complimentary champagne and a 10% discount off merchandise in the store and in the Spa.

Mark your calendar for Thursday June 9, 2011 at 11:30 am.    Reservations may be made by calling 828.787.2625.  

Thirty years ago The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force) was established when special operation personnel were killed on the mission to rescue the American hostages held in Iran.     Organized to ensure that the children of  fallen special operations personnel would receive a college education,  the foundation provides financial aid, counseling and scholarship grants.   Although these children are spread across the entire country, North Carolina has the largest number of children in the program.    The foundation also provides immediate expense money for families of wounded troops to be with their soldiers when they return from battle.

June 6th will be the kick-off for this year’s events, starting with the Bill Horwitz Memorial Golf Tournament at Cullasaja Club with a 12 noon shot-gun start.    The on June 9th at 5:30 pm, there will be a Silent/Live Auction at the Highlands Community Building with food prepared and donated by Cyprus Restaurant.

The events continue on June 10th with a spaghetti dinner at the Highlands Recreation Center at 5:30 pm and conclude on June 11th with the Special Operations Adventure Race.    The start for the race is 7:00 am at Main and 5th Street.

This is the ninth year that the SOAR committee will be raising money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.   They have raised $450,000 so far through the dedication and hard work of many volunteers and through the generosity of the merchants and donors in Highlands, Cashiers and Sapphire NC area.    Donations may be sent to SOWF at P.O. Box 923, Highlands NC 28741.  For more information on specific events or to volunteer, please call Nancy Horwitz at 828.526.0224.    You can visit their website at www.specialops.org to learn about this great 4 Star Rated Charity.

Here in Highlands, golf is king!  Since 1928, Highlands has been home to Highlands Country Club.  Since that time, five other private golf clubs have also been established.  Highlands truly is a golfing mecca! 

On Monday, June 20^th, golfers in Highlands will have the opportunity to give back to the community that we all love so much.  Now in its 36^th year, the Scholarship Golf Tournament is one of the most important fundraisers for the Town of Highlands.   This fundraiser benefits the Town of Highlands Scholarship Endowment Fund which is used to help Highlands School graduates who are committed to higher education through college, university or vocational training. 

This year’s tournament is being hosted by Wildcat Cliffs Country Club.  Celebrating their 50^th anniversary, WCCC agreed to host the event this year, generously donating all rounds of golf, cart fees and meals.  For $150 per player, you can enter this charitable tournament.  You will receive breakfast before the 8:00am shotgun start.  The tournament will be followed by cocktails, lunch and an awards ceremony.  Additionally, there will be numerous sponsorship opportunities available.

Since its beginning in 1975, the Scholarship Golf Tournament has been held at various country clubs in Highlands, including Highlands Falls Country Club and Cullasaja Club.  Each of these clubs has offered their spectacular golfing and clubhouse facilities in support of this wonderful event.  The generosity of the clubs, the players and the sponsors has been instrumental in building and sustaining the endowment fund which continues to provide financial and moral support to our high school graduates.

For more information on registering or for sponsorship opportunities for this incredible event, please contact the Event Chair, Brian Stiehler at (828) 787-2778

Highlands North Carolina is blessed to have a very active Rotary Club with extraordinary Rotarians who are dedicated to making Highlands NC the best it can be.    Two of their largest events are just around the corner.  

On Friday evening  April 29th, Monte Carlo Night will be held at Highlands Country Club.     Members of the Rotary Club will host table games, craps and roulette with all proceeds benefitting Rotary philanthropies.   For $60 per person, which includes $15 worth of chips, gamers will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer while they try their luck at the tables.      This evening of fun and excitement will all take place in the magnificent Highlands Country Club clubhouse which went through a $10 million renovation in 2005.

Then on May 29th, golfers from around the area will have a rare opportunity to tee it up on Highlands oldest country club, where legendary golfer Bobby Jones hit the first ball on the course.   Highlands Country Club was designed by legendary Scottish course architect Donald Ross and built in 1928.   Bobby Jones was an early member of the club and honed his skills on the course and practice range before achieving the grand slam.    The cost is $150 per person which included lunch on the course, beverages and prizes.    In addition to the 11am shotgun start, golfers will be challenged with closest to the pin and longest drive contests. 

The Rotary Club of Highlands is grateful for the support of Highlands Country Club again for these two events which put over $15,000 back into the community last year.   Many community organizations benefit from Rotary’s support including The Literacy Council, The Food Pantry, and Highlands School.   Please call any Rotarian or Brian Stiehler at 828.787.2778 for details or reservations for the tournament.

For more information on activities on The Highlands Plateau, give any of the brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty a call at 828.526.1717 or email us at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.    We are your experts, not just for real estate but for all things Highlands.

Plan your visit to Highlands North Carolina for April 29th through May 1st to kick off the 2011 culinary season with Wine and Dine on the Mountain.  

This special weekend will captivate all of your senses through fine meals, accompanied by fine wines and the artistic talents of Thomas Arvid.    Arvid has been named one of the top “25 Artists You Should Know” by US Art magazine.  His compositions of wine invite friends to appreciate the sharing of a great bottle, accompanied by tasteful food and lively conversation. 

The first event is a “Blue Jeans, Bluegrass Spring Harvest Barn Dinner” at the Farm of Old Edwards on Friday evening, featuring Whitehall Lane Wines.    On Saturday, Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro on Main Street will feature W.H. Smith Winery at a four course wine dinner at 7pm.    Finally, on Sunday, finish off the weekend with a delicious Jazz, Wine and Art Brunch at Madison’s Restaurant in the Old Edwards Inn.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is offering special accommodation packages throughout the spring.  This Five Star resort and spa has been named the #1 Hotel Spa in North America by Conde` Nast readers.    Seating for all events is limited.  To make reservations, call 828-787-2625 or 828-526-3807.    For additional information visit www.oldedardsinn.com/wineanddine.    

The Highlands experts at Meadows Mountain Realty can help you with all things Highlands, not just real estate but all your should know for a visit to the mountains.  Call us today at 828-526-1717 or contact us by email at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.   

Come to Highlands NC and get more than a weekend in our spectacular mountains! Relax and enjoy a sumptuous wine dinner featuring the culinary talents of Chef Todd Ginsberg and wine pairings by Sommelier Steve Pignatiello. 

The Inn at Half Mile Farm is proud to present a special April Fool’s weekend including this special wine dinner on April 2^nd.  Chef Todd is preparing a tantalizing multi-course feast with each course being paired with one of the exquisite wines from Pignatiello Wine Importers.

The Inn at Half Mile Farm welcomes guests to a magnificent blend of the past and present…  Relax in the spacious privacy of beautifully decorated rooms… with fireplaces and jetted tubs. Relax on our front porch, take a relaxing walk, visit the quaint shops in downtown Highlands, or spend the afternoon on an invigorating hike. Sunrise over the mountains precedes a hot, bountiful, gourmet breakfast, and just before sunset, evening hors d’oeuvres are paired with carefully selected wines. The Inn at Half Mile Farm offers simple luxury, quiet beauty, and graceful hospitality.

You don’t want to miss the debut of Chef Todd Ginsberg and Sommelier Steve Pignatiello working together for the first time. Prepare to have your taste buds tantalized! This special April Fool’s Wine Dinner weekend starts at just $650 per couple, plus tax & gratuity. Additional nights can be added for just $195 per night. Package includes:

• Luxurious accommodations for 2 nights at The Inn at Half Mile Farm
• Hot, country, gourmet breakfast each morning
• Wine & hors d’oeuvres each evening
• Multi-course wine dinner, Saturday evening

For more information about Chef Todd Ginsberg, click here. For more information about Sommelier Steve Pignatiello and Pignatiello Wine Importers, click here. For reservations for the April Fool’s Wine Weekend and dinner, call 1-800-946-6822 or visit the Inn at Half Mile Farm.

The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day dates back over a thousand years. For centuries, the Irish have observed March 17th as a religious holiday where families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon.

While the celebration of this holiday may have originated in Ireland, did you know that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United States? Irish soldiers serving in the British military marched through New York City on March 17th, 1762. From that point forward, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished so much that the parade which takes place in New York each year is not only the world’s oldest civilian parade, but it is also the largest in the United States with over 150,000 participants.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds across the US, including here in Highlands, NC. The Old Edward’s Inn and Spa has planned events that will help you get into the spirit and make your St. Patrick’s celebration last through the weekend:

• Special Irish Cocktails and Beers will be served in Hummingbird Lounge and Madison’s

• The Hummingbird Lounge will feature Steve Wohlrab live on Friday and Saturday from 8 pm

• Special Irish Dishes in will be featured in Madison’s throughout the weekend.

Guests of Old Edwards will enjoy:

• An authentic Irish Whiskey Tasting Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 4pm to 5pm in the Hummingbird Lounge

• Irish Coffee Making Experience on Saturday, March 19

A Pot O’ Gold—including an overnight stay at Old Edwards—awaits the winner.

• Complimentary Irish Hors D’oeuvres in the Hummingbird Lounge Friday and Saturday evening from 6 pm to 7 pm

• Complimentary Irish “after party” hors d’oeuvres in the Hummingbird Lounge Friday and Saturday evening from 10 pm to 11 pm

• Special turndown amenities throughout the weekend

Come to Highlands NC and make this St. Patrick’s Day one to remember….and don’t forget your green!

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 828-526-1717 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

The Highlands and Cashiers area of North Carolina offers great theater.  The Highlands Cashiers Players conduct plays and musicals on a year round basis, enhancing the cultural lives of the community and entertaining residents and visitors alike.  Founded in 1995 on a shoestring budget and a menu of three plays, the Players currently perform at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands NC with a variety of theatrical events throughout the year.

The current production on stage in Highlands, “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running”, is comprised of four one act plays that offer the audience a funny, satirical view of the sexual revolution of the 1960s.  If you missed “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running” this past weekend you still have another chance.  The play is running Friday through Sunday, March 4 – 6, with performances each evening at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance at 2:30 on Sunday.  The cost of admission is $20, call 828-526-8084 for more information or to purchase tickets.

The Highlands Cashiers Players undoubtedly adds to the area by providing theater without having to travel to the city.  Please contact us today to learn more about the Highlands and Cashiers area and all that it has to offer.

Click here to visit the website for the Highlands Cashiers Players.

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.