In the late 1920s in the mountains of western North Carolina, a blight on the American Chestnut tree, caused by an Asian fungus first discovered in New York City, wiped out this amazing species.   Before the blight, the chestnut tree had been a valuable resource for its plentiful crop of chestnuts, providing a food source for wildlife in the area and a cash crop for mountain people.    Macon County had the largest concentration of chestnuts in western North Carolina and perhaps in the country.  The absence of the chestnut tree has dramatically changed the ecology of the area.

Some older Highlanders tell many stories about eating raw, boiled and roasted chestnuts and how the livestock were fattened from the chestnut crop.     Typically the trees would grow about five or six feet in diameter and would be about 100 feet tall, but records exist of these trees growing much larger in our area.   One on record near Waynesville NC was more than 17 feet in diameter or 53 feet in circumference – a seriously large tree.

The lumber from this species was highly valuable as well because it was not only easy to work with, but it was resistant to rot.    Joe Webb, born in Highlands in 1881, designed and built dozens of log cabins in the Highlands area between 1920 and 1940 using primarily lumber from the chestnut trees.   The pre-blight wood is clear, but the wormy wood, which was created by moths and beetle infestation, is still favored today.

Now there is an effort by scientists through The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), which is a nonprofit based n Asheville, to restore the American Chestnut Tree to western North Carolina.   There is a tremendous effort underway to restore the American Chestnut Tree through a program of cross breeding of the trees with the Chinese chestnut to make the tree resistant to the fungus.    Scientists are producing trees that are more than 90 percent American Chestnut and are working on a plan to reintroduce the chestnuts back into the forest.     This of course is a long term process that will take upwards of 50 years before a large scale of regeneration takes place, but there is great hope that the next generation will have the opportunity to walk through the regenerated forest of American Chestnut Trees.  

The Foundation encourages people to plant native Chestnut seeds on their property.   The resistant seeds are available to members of the TACF.   For more information on The American Chestnut Foundation, go to www.acf.org.  For more information on the Highlands Plateau, contact any of the full time brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty at 828-526-1717 or 828-526-4101 or by email at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Although Highlands is usually thought of as a summer resort, the winter has its own special charm.  Gone are the crowds of summer, replaced by quiet, laid-back days and  nights full of brilliant stars.  Most years there are several snows and nothing is more beautiful than those flakes blanketing the earth, returning the landscape to a state of purity and innocence. The winter silence after a snow is amazing.  It’s wonderful to just walk out my road and the only sound I hear is of my boots crunching in the snow.

If we have a long cold snap, sometimes there is ice skating on local lakes. Winter hiking can be fun, too, but you must dress warmly in layers for it.  And things do go on.  The Bascom is open year-round for workshops and classes.  The Highlands-Cashiers Players do several plays during the off-season.  “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” starts February 23^rd and runs through March 4th.  The Ugly Dog Pub features bluegrass on Wednesday nights and a Story Swap on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month by local writers and storytellers.  Many restaurants are open with more limited hours.

Come try it out sometime, but don’t tell everyone, okay?  We don’t want it to be just like the summer.  The cold may scare a lot of people off, but this winter has been especially mild.  We’re not complaining about that, either.

This blog was contributed by Betty Holt.   For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, contact Meadows Mountain Realty broker, Betty Holt at 828-526-4101.   For access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today,  or email us today at betty@meadowsmtnrealty.com or info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.    

This weekend in Highlands NC offerings include cooking classes, movies, theater, and dancing. Of course these options are in addition to the fine dining, shopping, and wonderful outdoor experiences that visitors and residents can take advantage of in Highlands any day of the week. The lifestyle in Highlands NC is rich with activities that enable people to get out and mingle while partaking in common interests and soaking up the surrounding beauty of the area.

Sheri Castle, the esteemed author of The New Southern Garden Cookbook will be teaching her second cooking class of the winter at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa from Friday through Sunday, February 24-26. The Sherry Castle Cooking School will be focusing on the Italian Country Kitchen this weekend, a class open to all levels. Call 828-787-2625 for more information or to reserve a spot in the class.

Put on your dancing shoes on Saturday evening and head to the Bascom for a Winter Barn Dance. The cost of admission is $5 and the doors open at 7 pm.

In the mood for a little theater? Sammy Cortino will be on stage at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday at 7 pm. Sammy Cortino is a magician who will be sure to amaze you with his illusions, which will include some music, dance, comedy, and drama as well. Tickets range from $12 to $15. Call 877-415-7315 for further information or to order tickets.

If you love film you will love Saturday Art Cinema at The Bascom. This Saturday The Greeks Part 1 will be showing at 2 pm.

There is always something to do in Highlands North Carolina, which makes it such a desirable place for a second home. Contact us today to learn more about Highlands NC real estate. We have access to all Highlands homes that are currently listed for sale and can help you locate the property that will best suit your needs.

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.

On December 30th, 2011 Signature Properties integrated into a Meadows Mountain Realty branch office and is operating under the Meadows banner.   

The owner of Meadows Mountain Realty, Judy Michaud, and the previous owner of Signature Properties, Lynn Kimball, have a long & successful history together.  They both moved to Highlands in the mid 1980’s and worked under Johnny White, Director of Sales, known at the time as ”Highlands Falls Realty”.  This team sold out Highlands Falls Country Club and in 1996 Lynn purchased the real estate firm from the developer of Highlands Falls.    She expanded the company into the general real estate business under the name of Signature Properties.   After 22 years as a Broker at Signature Properties, Judy had the opportunity to purchase another local real estate brokerage firm Meadows Mountain Realty.    She said “Although I loved working with Lynn and Johnny at Signature Properties, I saw this as an opportunity to build a legacy for my family.   I am blessed to have a great group of brokers and staff plus I get to work with my two daughters, Michelle Michaud Muraco and Patricia Michaud Cox, both of whom play a significant role in the success of our company.”     Lynn fully supported Judy in her endeavor and they have always remained close friends.

Their simple explanation for this move is that “although we were unique apart and we are powerful together.”   Kimball and Michaud both said, “It is truly a blessing for us to be working together again.” 

Judy plans to combine the best of what both firms have to offer into one dynamic real estate firm.   They both noted, “This is a new day in the real estate industry and technology is essential in marketing property”.  If you check it out on the internet, Meadows’ presence speaks for itself.   In 2011, Meadows Mountain Realty far exceeded the number of sales of any other real estate firm in Highlands.

Meadows Mountain Realty will now have two locations.   The original Signature Properties location across from Highlands Falls Country Club has become a Meadows office.   Lynn will remain as Broker-in-Charge and under Meadows Mountain Realty will have more time to do what she does best, list and sell real estate and assist the  team of brokers at the Highlands Falls location in doing the same.  Meadows will maintain their current office in Downtown Highlands.  However, in April they will move their Downtown location to Church Street, in the Old Edwards Inn complex.

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 828-526-4101 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.    

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands NC Real Estate

Open space is a priority in Highlands NC. It is the natural beauty of the area that draws people to the Highlands Plateau, offering an exceptional quality of life which is centered around the outdoors. The keen sense of pride and awareness when it comes to preserving the outdoors enables the Highlands NC area to be enjoyed to its fullest.

Outdoor activities in Highlands North Carolina include golf, tennis, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and biking to name a few. The fishing, hiking and biking tend to be activities in open space, on both state and federal land, and these trails, lakes, rivers, and streams take a priority for a number of organizations in terms of preservation and protection.

One example of the attention spent on open space in Highlands NC is a favorite trail, the Dry Falls Trail, that is slated for repairs and upkeep this spring. With local and federal funding this trail will have work completed on it that will make it more user friendly, as well as safe and healthy.

Contact us today to learn more about the natural beauty and lifestyle that Highlands NC has to offer. As an experienced Highlands NC REALTOR® I have access to all Highlands real estate that is currently listed for sale as well as all the information you need to get to know our unique area.

Click here to read the press release from the US Forest Service about repairs scheduled for the Dry Falls Trail.

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.

We attended a charrette this evening after work at the Highlands Community Building on Poplar Street.    This was a public meeting of the Small Town Main Street Branding and Wayfinding Project for Highlands.   The public was encouraged to come and share their thoughts and feelings on what identity they feel best represents Highlands in order for this project to truly be a town effort.   An online survey on the Town of Highlands Website at www.highlandsnc.org was available for participants and those unable to attend to have their input.   

In 2009, Highlands won a position on the North Carolina Small Town Main Street Program to help us improve the look of our downtown and to promote its identity.   Last year the program was making progress when the State cut the budget.   Despite that financial set back, the Town Board felt that this was such an important program voted to continue and fund the project.  

About 40 Highlanders attended, some who were born and raised in Highlands, others like us, who chose Highlands for their home.  The  first questions for consideration was “If you had to tell someone who had never been here, about Highlands in 15 minutes, what would you say?”    The interactive discussion seemed to focus on two main aspects of life in Highlands – the natural wonders of the area, including waterfalls and mountains, and the cultural venues which abound in our community.   Many spoke to the warm and welcoming spirit of the people in Highlands.

A second topic of discussion centered around signage in the community.  Opinions ranged from those who preferred to remove as many signs as possible not only within the Town limits but along the gateways to Highlands as well to those who felt that we needed not only ”welcome” signs but signs which help visitors find their way around Town.    There definitely was consensus on what we do not want for Highlands – to become overly commercialized like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee. 

Local historian Ran Shaffner says. “It’s important that the community feel a sense of pride and ownership for this project to be Town effort..”    The group has met with business and government leaders and will visit many of the venues in Highlands over the next two days.   On Wednesday afternoon, a public meeting will be held at the Civic Center to share the findings and offer suggestions for signage, logos and artwork for use in promoting our community.

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.

Maggie the Cat will heat up the cold evenings in Highlands as the Highlands-Cashiers Players set the stage for “Cat on A Hot Tin Roof” slated for February 23rd through 26th and March 2nd – 4th at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center.   The winner of the 1955 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play is one of the finest examples of southern genre theatre.  The finely drawn characters and compelling dialoge has made the play a theatre lovers favorite even a half century after it’s debut.

We all remember the movie version featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and Burl Ives and  embrace the genius of  iconic playwright Tennessee Williams.  The play is thought provoking as it tackles the difficulty of family communication and the way we deal with those closest to us.   

The play is sponsored in part by local radio station WHLC with evening performances at 7:30 pm  and Sunday Matinees at 2:30 pm.   The Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center is located at 507 Chestnut Street in Highlands.  For ticket information call 828.526.8084 or visit their website at www.highlandscashiersplayers.org.

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.

Winterizing is taking precautions to prevent cold weather related disasters. This winter of 2011-2012 has been most unusual. Although we saw temperatures in Highlands dip to 7 degrees in early December and some snow, January turned out to be the most mild in recent memory. 

Cold winter temperatures can play havoc with household plumbing, particularly in seasonal homes, and in year round homes when the residents leave for a vacation. Traditionally we counter this by turning off the water “at the street,” or well pump.  Then we open all the faucets, drain the toilets, dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator. Employ RV/marine antifreeze in the traps. The next level of defense is to drain the main lines.  Insulating pipes in crawlspaces, sealing air infiltration gaps in foundation walls, keeping heat on at a low level such as 52 degrees. Ask yourself what will freeze should there be high winds or an ice storm and downed power lines?  If you feel awkward about accomplishing these protective measures yourself, consider hiring a professional property manager or plumber to take care of this for you. 

Even for year round homes it makes sense to be aware of these steps in case of that power loss. Stock your pantry with candles, flashlight batteries, drinking water, pet food and non-perishable food. Getting snowed in, even without a power loss, seems less romantic with every passing hour. 

If you are thinking about using an auxiliary kerosene heater, or gasoline generator, remember to provide fresh air for ventilation, and a Carbon monoxide detector to monitor your success.

For more information on winter home care, please contact Bill Peavey at Meadows Mountain Realty at 828.526.1717 or contact Bill by email at billp@meadowsmtnrealty.com.    

Jane was not looking forward to going through her parents’ belongings to get their house ready to sell.  Their health had been failing for some time and they finally agreed to move to a retirement community.  Now that they were both comfortably moved into their new apartment, it was up to Jane to get rid of the things they no longer needed.

Her parents had lived in the same house for more than 50 years, so Jane expected to find things that should have been tossed out years ago. But she was amazed to discover 50 years of tax returns and bank statements carefully stored in boxes in the attic.  Her parents had saved all their financial records!

Many people are confused about what records they need to keep and for how long.  They hold onto tax returns, bank records, brokerage statements and other financial information simply because they don’t know if they’ll need it again.  Like Jane’s parents, the documents get packed in boxes that eventually take over valuable living or storage space.

Financial planner Rick Rodgers, author of The New Three-Legged Stool: A Tax Efficient Approach To Retirement Planning (www.TheNewThreeLeggedStool.com), says tax time is a great time to get organized.

“Most people are going through their records to get ready to file their return,” he says. “This is the time to get smart about what you need to keep and then set up a system to store it efficiently going forward.”

Rodgers suggests these five steps to help you effectively organize your finances for 2012 and beyond:

1. Out with the old – Discard the records you no longer need: Tax returns older than seven years; bank records and credit card statements that are not related to the tax returns you’re keeping; brokerage statements that aren’t related to purchases of current holdings. Be sure to shred all your old documents before throwing them out.

2. Go digital – Convert the documents you plan to save into digital images that are stored on your hard drive. Invest in a good scanner and scan as you go through your paperwork, shredding and tossing the hard copies as you go. On your computer, file by tax year, so your 2011 folder will contain your tax return for 2011 and all pertinent bank records and receipts. Organize the previous six years the same way. Next year you can delete the oldest folder when you add the 2012 folder.

3. Save a forest – All of the financial institutions you deal with would prefer to send your statements electronically. Stop receiving paper statements. Instead, download your statements electronically and store them in your new filing system. Most banks and credit card companies keep at least a year’s worth of statements available. You need to download these files only once a year to complete the year’s file.

4. Save backups in case of emergency – Make backup copies of your files on a CD. Choose a CD-R (recordable) as opposed to a CD-RW (rewriteable), because CD-R cannot accidentally be overwritten. Depending on your computer operating system, you may be able to continue adding data to a CD-R each year, until the CD is full. However, some operating systems won’t allow that, so you’ll need a new CD for each year.

5. Go paperless – Your new electronic filing system can be expanded to include all your financial records, from car maintenance receipts to pay stubs. Wills and insurance policies can also be scanned and stored but, of course, keep the originals of those in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe.

Gone are the days of saving your financial documents in box and shoving it into the attic.  Technology advances have made organizing your personal finances easier with minimal cost.  Make 2012 the year you get organized by moving your finances into a 21st century filing system.     For more information, visit www.rodgersspeaks.com.

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.   

A Highlands NC hotel has recently received some very positive recognition. The Old Edwards Inn and Spa was noted as a top hotel in the United States, quite an accolade for the Highlands NC cornerstone. TripAdvisor just published a list of the 25 best hotels in the USA, and the Old Edwards Inn and Spa was granted fourth place.

When one thinks about all of the incredible destinations in our nation, from beach locales and cities to desert towns and mountain villages, there are numerous spots from which to choose for a vacation. The honor of the Old Edwards filling the shoes of a best hotel is more than great news for the hotel, it is great news for Highlands North Carolina.

Highlands NC is a popular destination in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The stunning scenery offers a magnificent backdrop for a myriad of outdoor activities, from golfing and fishing to hiking and biking. In addition our fabulous area offers top notch shopping, fine dining, and of course luxurious pampering.

Contact us today to learn more about vacationing in Highlands NC. We have access to all Highlands NC real estate that is currently listed for sale as well as some fabulous Highlands vacation properties available for rent.

Click here to read more about TripAdvisor’s list of the 25 best hotels in the USA.

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.