The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is pleased to annouce ”In Your Own Skin”, A Complimentary, Hands-On Wellness Weekend.     March 24-27, 2011.     The Art, Science and Inner Wisdom of Skin, Beauty and Confidence.   

True beauty begins with joy and confidence, being comfortable in your own skin.      Embark on a journey of true joy and beauty through self-discovery.   Find out what options are available for the real beauty issues that are still remaining.   Enjoy free presentations, demonstrations and round table discussions on healthy skin and graceful aging with experts on inner beauty, confidence and nutrition to medical esthetics and plastic surgery.

Attend any single event or every event each day.     Please call ahead to express your intent to attend this free event at 828.787.2625, so that plans for your food and beverage samples and seating space for discussions can be pre-arranged.   Pre-callers will be eligible for prizes at the event.   For more information please call 828-526-8008. 

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa was voted the  #1 Hotel Spa in North America by Condé Nast Traveler’s readers in 2010.   Even more amazing is that The Spa at Old Edwards received the first ever perfect score in the 20-year history of the competition.    The mountains in the Highlands NC area are said to have a healing power all their own.  And the minute you enter The Spa at Old Edwards Inn you’ll feel that energy.      This is the second event in a series of three wellness workshops that tap into the minds and spirits of noted life and wellness experts to help you embark on your best life ever.

For information on real estate in the Highlands NC area, please call the expert brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty, 828-526-1717.     Stop by our website at www.meadowsmtnrealty.com.   

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 best of Highlands amateur chefs will square off on March 12th at the Highlands Community Building for the annual Chili Cook-off.      Every year around this time, when it is still a bit chilly outside, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce organizes a chili cook off and each year is a little different from the previous one.    This year, the theme is ‘Western’.     So get out your boots, bandanas, hats and chaps - come on over at 6:30pm for a toe tappin’ good time!

If you would like to enter the event as a competitor and stir up your best chili recipe, bake your special cornbread or introduce your family’s secret salsa recipe,  contact Jan Healey at the Highlands Chmaber of Commerce –  by phone at (828)526-5841, email her at visitor@highlandschamber.org, or fax in your request at (828) 526-5803.   Don’t wait too long to enter, space is limited and it is filling up fast!

If you would rather eat than cook, tickets will be sold at the door, $20 (doors open at 6:30pm) and children 12 and under get in FREE.   Soft drinks, beer and wine will be served to help cleanse your palate and put out the fire.   But that’s not all, vote to decide the winners of the evening’s competition - your ‘favorite chili’, ‘hottest chili ‘AND ‘most unusual’ .    Country music will set the mood for the evening, so you can be sure there will be dancin’ and we’ll bet, even some singin’ going on!

Stay on top of all the best events in Highlands NC by visiting our website at www.meadowsmtnrealty.com.    Our brokers are always happy to help you in any way that we can to learn more about the Highlands area or to find your special place in the mountains.     Call us at 828-526-1717 or send us an email at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Highlands NC has long been noted for it’s extraordinary restaurants and talented chefs.    From regional Italian and German cuisine, to down home southern cooking, dining is a delightful and varied experience at any of the wonderful restaurants in and around Highlands.      

On Saturday, March 5th, four of the top local chefs will face off in a “Iron Chef” competition that will feature a dual competition of two chefs with the winner facing off in the finals.   Chef Nick Figel of Cyprus Restaurant will defend his “King of the Mountain” title against last year’s runner up Johannes Klapdor of Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden plus two other invited chefs.   

Make your reservation by calling 828-526-4419.   This culinary event starts at 3pm and runs until 7:45 pm at Cyprus Restaurant, located at 470 Dillard Road across the street from Dusty’s.  Tickets are limited.   The competition plus dinner is $118; coveted counter seating is $159.   

For more information on all aspects of life on the Highlands Plateau, call any of the brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty.   We know Highlands NC like the back of our hand.   Call us today.   828-526-1717.

The Highlands community knows how to have fun, this weekend with an old fashioned barn dance.  The Bascom is home to some amazing art, both through exhibits and hands-on experience, this weekend people who live in the Highlands area and people who are visiting have the opportunity to be involved in performance art and dance the night away at the art center.

dances at Helen’s Barn were a staple in the Highlands and Cashiers area for many years.     This similar offering at The Bascom gives community members to mingle in a fun, social, musical setting.  This Saturday the Winter Dance will take place from 7 to 10 pm. and costs $5 per person.  This particular Barn Dance benefits the police, firefighters and EMS in the Highlands and Cashiers area.

Contact us today to learn more about the Highlands area.  An experienced Highlands REALTOR® not only has access to all properties currently for sale in the area but can help you get to know our wonderful community and all that it has to offer.

Click here to visit the website for The Bascom.

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.

Members of the Highlands NC community are encouraged to be involved in a variety of ways.  At the moment the town of Highlands is looking for artistic input, seeking designs for a new flag for the town.  Anyone can contribute their ideas, and the chosen winner will not only see his design put into action but will also receive a cash prize of $500.

The Highlands Flag and Town Emblem Contest is no doubt bringing forth a great deal of thought and appreciation for our unique community.  The ability for community members to focus their artistic talents toward the community is fantastic.  Entries will be accepted until the end of March and the chosen flag and emblem design will be announced in April.

Highlands is a beautiful North Carolina mountain town that has a great deal of focus on the arts.  A lovely setting the Highlands and Cashiers area provides a great deal of inspiration for novice and experienced artists alike.  Contact us today to learn more about our area as well as to have access to all Highlands real estate that is currently listed for sale.

Click here to view the contest details as well as to have the ability to view current entries.

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.

A foundation in Highlands NC has a mission which looks out for the community.  The Highlands Community Foundation was brought to life in 1996 to enable support for the the needs of those living in the Highlands area.  Since its inception the HCF has offered its support to a wide variety of causes.

Highlands has benefited from the foundation in the form of many grants, receiving funds for the Literary Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Highlands Emergency Council to name a few.  An important part of the Highlands community, the Highlands Community Foundation is a part of a larger entity, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, which oversees a broader spectrum of communities in the Western North Carolina region.

Highlands NC is no doubt a special place to call home and entities like the Highlands Charitable Foundation help to keep it special for those who find themselves in need.  Please contact us today to learn more about living in the Highlands/Cashiers area as well as the wide variety of Highlands real estate opportunities that currently exist.

JudyMichaud, served on the Highlands Community Foundation Board of Directors for 10 years and is happy to proved information on how your contributions to the Foundation multiply to help the non-profit organizations on the Highlands Plateau.     Click here to earn more about the Highlands Community Foundation.

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.

Georgia Sanders, who is the Office Manager for Meadows Mountain Realty, was born and raised in Highlands NC.     At one point in time, she was the Magistrate and her husband, Ron, served on the Highlands Town Board for years.     Georgia sent this to share with you:

Recently I found some older issues of  “THE GALAX NEWS,  Highlands’ mimeographed newspaper published weekly during the summer season during the late 60’s and early 70’s and sold for 10 cents.   I was in awe reading some of the articles and ads  in the issue dated August 8, 1970.  Nostalgic to say the least!  I am including an ad exactly as published in this issue and will continue to include bits and pieces of Highlands’ earlier years .

“KING’S INN AND MOTEL” – Celebrating 100 years of continual service and dedicated to yesterday’s charm and tomorrow’s convenience.  Announcing the FIRST AND ONLY HOTEL/MOTEL with IN-ROOM TELEVISION in Highlands.  INTRODUCING EVERY SUNDAY DINNER FROM START TO FINISH – for only $2.50 per person…from appetizer to dessert.   Tuesday Evening Buffet Dinner.  $3.00 per person for ALL YOU CAN EAT!” 

In the same issue: Tate’s Super Market Sale Prices for the weekend

Scott Tissue - Large rolls 3 for .99         5 lb. flour .59      USDA Whole Fryers  .27 per lb.

We give S&H Green Stamps.  Remember those??    If you can remember these prices, then you absolutely did enjoy “the good old days”!

The 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life for Highlands NC will be held on Friday, August 19th at the Highlands Rec Park.

The Relay celebrates those who are fighting or have survived cancer and remembers those who have lost the battle against this devastating disease.

Relay got its start in 1985 when a Tacoma, WA surgeon ran and walked around a track to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. From that one man’s passion, Relay has grown to become the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Now, more than 3.5 million people in over 5000 communities in the US, and additional communities in more than 20 countries worldwide, walk for the cause.

Because cancer never sleeps, the overnight events are up to 24 hours in length. Teams camp out and offer food or fun activities for participants and supporters throughout the night. At the event, teams are asked to have at least one member on the track at all times.

Teams are forming now for this year’s walk. So bring your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family and join us on August 19th for this life-changing event. The only requirement is a $10.00 fee, per person, upon registration.

Contributed by Colleen Fogle, who is a broker with Meadows Mountain Realty and a cancer survivor.

In May of last year, Meadows Mountain Realty decided to get involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life which took place in Highlands in August. We formed a Relay Team and started raising money through our flamingo flocking and a Bark For Life. We had no idea at the time, how close to home our participation would take us. We all tend to take our good health for granted. But on June 29th, Colleen found out that she had Infiltrated Ductile Carcinoma Breast Cancer. The tumor was 6cm in size; in Stage 3 and very aggressive.    The Relay for Life is not only a great event for a great cause, it provided Colleen the love and support of other survivors.

She went through extensive chemotherapy and surgery last year and is now feeling great and back to work full time.     If you would like information on properties in the Highlands NC area, please contact Colleen at colleen@meadowsmtnrealty.com or call Colleen at 828-526-1717.    Colleen is also the Rental Manager at Meadows Mountain Realty and can help you plan your perfect Highlands NC vacation.  

In 1960 after spending time in the Air Force in Japan, Ralph deVille decided to fulfill his dream and opened a shop specializing in Japanese antiquities. For 50 years the Stone Lantern has stood as an icon on Main Street in

Just a few steps to The Old Edwards Inn

Highlands NC weathering a variety of economic times and changes in trends while never wavering from the vision of providing the customer with superior service.  Over the years the shop has moved toward more Chinese antiques, fine jewelry and a large selection of accessories for the Ikebana enthusiast.  It is truly a rare shopping experience and as one long time customer said “Coming into the Stone Lantern is like passing through a portal into another world.” Last year they celebrated their 50^th anniversary in the same location and we all hope to see them standing in the same location for another 50 years! The Stone Lantern is open year round, weekends in the winter months.     

Contributed by Elizabeth Campbell of Meadows Mountain Realty.   Elizabeth was a real estate agent in Spain for many years.   She moved to Highlands to be close to family and joined Meadows Mountain Realty in 2010.   For information on any aspect of living in Highlands NC, including properties on the Highlands Plateau, please contact Elizabeth at Elizabeth@meadowsmtnrealty.com.