Welcome to the Summer 2026 issue of ELEVATE! Featuring local business, events and happenings on the Plateau.
ELEVATE FIELD GUIDE TO THE PLATEAU VOL. 19 | SUMMER 2026
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: WORLD-CLASS CARS. SMALL-TOWN SOUL A Conversation with Highlands Motoring Festival A Shared Sense of Place Meet the New Faces in Our Family
And more... Photo Credit: David Witty
Mist clears during sunrise at Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee Image Courtesy of Old Edwards
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W Welcome. A MESSAGE FROM JUDY MICHAUD, Owner/President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty
Welcome to our summer issue of ELEVATE: Field Guide to the Plateau. There is
something exciting about this season in Highlands and Cashiers. The mountains are in full color, and the community settles into the rhythm that makes summer here so memorable. I have also been spending more time at Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, and I have enjoyed getting to know the community and its members more personally. This issue also marks a fresh chapter for ELEVATE. With new creative leadership guiding the magazine, we have taken the opportunity to update its look, refine its voice, and think more intentionally about the stories we share. While the design may feel new, the purpose remains the same. We want these pages to celebrate the people, places, traditions, and relationships that make the Plateau extraordinary. We begin with the Highlands Motoring Festival, an event our family and firm have been proud to support since its early years. What started as a local gathering has grown into a nationally respected festival without losing the small-town character that made it special. Its success is a wonderful example of what can happen when passionate volunteers, generous supporters, and a close-knit community work together with a shared purpose. Throughout the rest of the issue, you will find stories that reflect that same spirit of connection as we
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Welcome. CONTINUED
introduce new members of our growing real estate family, share an exciting new chapter at Highlands Cove and Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, and offer a closer look at Laurel Village. You will also meet local students, gardeners, volunteers, agents, and neighbors whose work continues to strengthen the communities we are fortunate to serve. As our company grows, I remain grateful for the trust that has allowed us to grow thoughtfully. New offices and new faces are exciting, but they matter because they help us serve people with greater care, knowledge, and reach. Real estate has always been about more than property to me. It is about listening, building relationships, and helping people find a place where they feel they belong. Thank you to our clients, readers, community partners, brokers, and staff for continuing to support ELEVATE and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty. I hope you enjoy the refreshed magazine, discover something new, and feel the same appreciation for this beautiful corner of the world that I do every day. I hope you will take your time with it, share it with friends, and let it inspire a few adventures across the Plateau during the beautiful summer ahead.
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In This Issue SUMMER 2026
Calendar of Events
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World-Class Cars. Small-Town Soul. A Conversation with the Organizers of Highlands Motoring Festival A Shared Sense of Place We’re Growing! Meet the New Faces in Our Family Laurel Village The first new development at Old Edwards Reserve in 2 decades A Future Built Close to Home The Leland and Bessie Speed Scholarship Rooted in Beauty An inside look at the Highlands Mountain Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
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ON THE COVER: Highlands Motoring Festival Photo Credit: David Witty
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PUBLISHER Judy Michaud GRAPHIC DESIGNER / EDITOR Mick Mayer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Betty Holt (828) 526-1717 MeadowsMountainRealty.com OFFICES 488 Main Street,
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Featured Listings
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White Chocolate Lemon Zest Homemade Cake Recipe
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Highlands, NC 28741 2334 Cashiers Road, Highlands, NC 28741 175 Highlands Cove Dr, Highlands, NC 28741 196 Burns Street, Cashiers, NC 28717 190 Village Green Loop, Sunset, SC 29685
Meet The Team
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IN THIS ISSUE
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JUNE 13 Game of Shrooms
JUNE THURSDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 11 - 14 Highlands Motoring Festival Four days of rare cars, mountain road tours, and a judged car show on Main Street. One of the most anticipated automotive events in the Southeast, the 19th annual festival pairs ticketed experiences with free public viewing downtown. Downtown Highlands | Ticketed and Free Events Visit Website to Learn More. THURSDAY, JUNE 11 Happy Hour with Wayne Carini The Highlands Motoring Festival opens with a cocktail reception and meet-and-greet with 2026 Grand Marshal Wayne Carini, host of Chasing Classic Cars. Presented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty Highlands Performing Arts Center | 5:30-7:30pm | Ticketed Visit Website to Learn More. FRIDAY, JUNE 12 Friday Night Live: Young Mountain Magic A teenage bluegrass powerhouse from Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina, Young Mountain Magic blends traditional Appalachian roots with youthful energy and virtuosity. Town Square, Highlands | 6–8:30pm | FREE Visit Website to Learn More. FRIDAY, JUNE 12 The Bascom Summer Exhibition Reception Meet the artists and curators behind the season’s new shows, including the Photography Resident Exhibition, a John C. Campbell Folk School craft retrospective, and the Blue Ridge Craft Trails Invitational. Light refreshments served. The Bascom, Highlands | FREE Visit Website to Learn More.
A worldwide art scavenger hunt comes to the Horst Winkler Sculpture Trail. Hunt for hidden handmade clay mushrooms tucked along the wooded path. Free and family-friendly. The Bascom, Highlands | FREE Visit Website to Learn More. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 Orchard Sessions: Andrew Wooten Carolinas singer-songwriter Andrew Wooten blends ear-catching vocals and heartfelt lyrics for an intimate evening under the open sky in the orchard at The Farm at Old Edwards. Light bites and a cash bar. The Farm at Old Edwards, Highlands | 6–8pm | $25 Visit Website to Buy Tickets. SATURDAY, JUNE 20 Saturdays on Pine: Groove Machine The ultimate 70s tribute band, Groove Machine delivers a nostalgic, high-energy set of timeless disco and funk at Founders Park. Free, family- friendly, and made for dancing. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Highlands | 6–8:30pm | FREE Visit Website to Learn More. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 – SUNDAY, JULY 12 Mountain Theatre Company Presents: Dancin’ in the Street A world-premiere jukebox musical set on a vibrant neighborhood block, where love stories and friendships unfold through the music of Motown, ‘70s soul, folk, and disco. The resident professional company’s summer headliner. Highlands Performing Arts Center | Ticketed Visit Website to Buy Tickets.
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YEAR ROUND EVENTS WEDNESDAYS
FRIDAY, JUNE 26 Groovin’ on the Green: The Wobblers The Wobblers take the Commons Lawn for another free Friday evening of live music under open skies. Pack a picnic and settle in. Rain or shine. Village Green, Cashiers | 6–8:30pm | FREE Visit Website to Learn More. SATURDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 27 - 28 Mountaintop Art & Craft Show Mountaintop Rotary’s juried show brings more than 80 regional artisans to Founders Park for two days of fine art, handmade craft, demonstrations, and entertainment. The first of two summer weekends. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Highlands | FREE Visit Website to Learn More. SUNDAY, JUNE 28 Chamber Music Festival: 45th Anniversary Opening Gala The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival opens its 45th season with the Zukerman Trio. The gala launches a six-week run of world-class chamber music on the Plateau through August 9. Highlands Performing Arts Center | Ticketed Visit Website to Learn More. JULY FRIDAY, JULY 3 Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green A free concert leads into the biggest fireworks show the Village Green has staged yet, marking 250 years of American independence. Reserve a tent or bring a blanket for the lawn. Village Green, Cashiers | FREE
• B luegrass - The Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands THURSDAYS • B lues & Brews - The Ruffled Grouse Tavern FRIDAYS • L ive Music - Hummingbird Lounge at Old Edwards Inn SATURDAYS • L ive Music - The Vineyard at High Holly SUNDAYS • B luegrass Brunch - Highlander Mountain House CONCERT SERIES GROOVIN’ ON THE GREEN Village Green, Cashiers Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend Free, family-friendly concerts most Friday nights, starting at 6:00pm www.villagegreencashiersnc.com/ concerts/ FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Town Square, Highlands May - October Free, family-friendly concerts Friday nights, 6:00pm - 8:30pm www.highlandschamber.org/events/ SATURDAYS ON PINE Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, Highlands May - October Free, family-friendly concerts Saturday nights, 6:00pm - 8:30pm www.highlandschamber.org/events/ BAGPIPES AROUND TOWN Various locations, Highlands May - October July 11, August 1, September 5, and October 3 www.highlandschamber.org/events/
Visit Website to Learn More. SATURDAY, JULY 4 Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
A full day downtown: water rockets and a hot dog lunch at the Town Ball Field, a Duck Derby at Mill Creek, then The Business live at Founders Park from 6pm. Fireworks close the night over Main Street. Downtown Highlands & Founders Park | FREE | Fireworks 9:30pm Visit Website to Learn More.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 Orchard Sessions presents the Erick Baker Trio Emmy-winning singer-songwriter Erick Baker, who has toured with John Legend, Brandi Carlile, and the Goo Goo Dolls, brings his blend of country, soul, folk, and blues to the orchard at The Farm at Old Edwards for an intimate evening under the stars. The Farm at Old Edwards, Highlands | 6–8pm | $50 Visit Website to Learn More. THURSDAY, JULY 23 Zahner Conservation Lecture: André Michaux The free summer lecture series continues with André Michaux in North America: Revealing the Botanical Treasures of the Carolinas. Held Thursday evenings at the Nature Center through August 6. Highlands Nature Center | 6pm | FREE Visit Website to Learn More. TUESDAY, JULY 28 Nature Center Nights: Salamander Meander The Plateau has one of the most diverse salamander populations on earth. Venture out after dark with Nature Center naturalists to explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of these elusive amphibians. Highlands Nature Center | 8–9pm | Free | Registration required Visit Website to Register. SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 Highlands Historical Society Patron’s Celebration: A Roaring 20s Soirée The Highlands Historical Society throws a Jazz Age party at the historic Highlands Inn, with food, drinks, dancing, and 1920s flourishes throughout. Advance tickets required. A spirited cap to the summer social calendar. Highlands Inn, Highlands | 5–8pm | $120
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SUNDAY, JULY 5 & TUESDAY, JULY 7 Chamber Music Festival: American Salute / Founder’s Celebration The regular series opens in Cashiers with the American String Quartet performing Gershwin, Dvorak, and Beach, followed by a Founder’s Celebration program of Chopin, Debussy, and Dvorak. Highlands dates run Mondays and Saturdays. Village Green Lewis Hall, Cashiers | 5pm | Ticketed Visit Website to Learn More. SATURDAY – SUNDAY, JULY 11 – 12 Chamber Music Festival: Young Pianist Concert The Kathy and Mark Whitehead Young Pianist Concert features pianist Chelsea Guo in works by Mendelssohn, Schubert, Beethoven, and Brahms. Saturday in Highlands, Sunday in Cashiers. Highlands PAC (Sat) / Lewis Hall, Cashiers (Sun) | 5pm | Ticketed Visit Website to Learn More. MONDAY – SATURDAY, JULY 13 – 18 Cashiers Plein Air Festival Twenty invited artists fan out across the valley to capture a Cashiers summer in real time. The week culminates in a free public gallery exhibition and sale at Lewis Hall, open July 16–18.. Village Green Lewis Hall, Cashiers | 10am–5pm Visit Website to Learn More. FRIDAY, JULY 17 15th Annual Summer Pottery Show The Bascom’s beloved seasonal show returns for its fifteenth year, spotlighting functional and sculptural work thrown and fired on-site by its Studio Members. Every purchase supports the maker. The Bascom, Highlands | FREE Visit Website to Learn More.
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Editor’s
NOTE
I t was a little 2-bedroom 2-bath cabin in Cullo - whee, perched at 4200 feet with a confidently hidden entrance, a fireplace in the primary and a serene backyard with a fence of old-growth surrounding a trickling stream that slid under a walking bridge. It was smack-dab in the middle of our price range and by the time our agents finished walking us through the property, I had imagined the rest of my life there. F or those of you actually reading this and not rushing through to glance at the big bold words. (I wanted to give others the option,) I’d like to extend a warm welcome to a new era of ELEVATE: A Field Guide to the Plateau. In this issue, you’ll find a peek into the history of Highlands Motoring Festival, a first look at some of the beautiful new faces joining our family and my favorite recipe from my husband’s cookbook. I look forward to preserving the health of this publication while striving to bring you something fresh and new. My name is Mick Mayer and my fascination with the homes of these mountains was sparked through the process of buying one for ourselves in November of 2023. My husband and I came into contact with a fabulous real estate team on the plateau through his general physician. I was working on the tech team at Apartments.com in Atlanta and had already found our dream home online. Following the tour, and right before we were able to make an offer, a competing cash offer had been submitted. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. But how I felt when I dreamed of living there was pure satisfaction. It felt like a weight had been lifted with a certainty that I was going to live a happy, healthy life. That’s what owning a home up here would feel like. I could’ve owned something that would only appreciate in value, while forcing me to live in a temperate rainforest paradise. One that holds a lush coolness the likes of which is simply not seen in the southern United States. I am immeasurably grateful that, when we found a beautiful home in Scaly Mountain, 3 months later, we confirmed all of this to be true.
All that is to say that, even though I am new to this industry, I know how important and life changing the process of buying a home can be. This magazine is not a lead generation form. (Al- though I hope you feel free to share your opinion about anything I am doing by scanning that QR code at the end and letting me know.) It’s the outward expression of a group of agents who really value the process and would love to speak with you about your dreams. They are matchmakers. It is with respect to them that I address you in such a vulnerable way. You don’t have to do it alone. You deserve an expert who can ease the already stressful change of moving your entire life to a new place. Our agents are ready to make it easy for you. See the last few pages of this magazine to meet them all. In my short time here thus far, I have learned that the history of this firm is deeply rooted in the kind of selfless philanthropy that prefers no publicity. Our story inspires me to put my best foot forward as I attempt to share what I can. I am honored to be working on this. I hope you enjoy the presentation.
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FEATURE
A conversation with Highlands Motoring Fes- tival’s Ricky Siegel and Steve Ham. Cars. Small-Town Soul. World-Class
When past festival chair and organizer Steve Ham and 2026 festival chair Ricky Siegel sat down with us at Town Hall, the new Highlands restaurant that opened earlier this month, they were quick to clarify something about their vision for Highlands Motoring Festival.
out, accepting that Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park can only hold so much and, sometimes, it means telling owners no, even when their cars are impressive. The philosophy keeps a national-caliber show tied to the town that made it pos- sible in the first place. Now entering its 19th year, Highlands Motoring Festival has become one of the Plateau’s signature weekends. The 2026 festival runs June 11 through 14, bringing rare automobiles, collectors, longtime locals, first-time guests, and serious enthusiasts into a town that has learned how to host the event without letting the event outgrow it.
Not Bigger. Better.
That distinction came up early, and it kept coming back. Larger is easy to un- derstand. More cars. More people. More noise. More room to sell things. Better is harder. It means knowing what to leave
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Festivalgoers admire an early-1960s Ferrari at KH Park during the 2025 Highlands Motoring Festival. Photo by David Witty
“For one day, Highlands is going to have one of the nicest car collections in America.” -Ricky Siegel
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Photo by David Witty
That is the appeal. Cars that might otherwise sit in museums, private collections, or major concours settings arrive in Highlands for a brief gathering. Visitors see them up close. They hear the stories. They notice the details that photographs flatten. The collection may never exist in the same arrangement again. Then, by late afternoon, the cars leave the field. The judged show at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is limited to approximately 85 cars. More than 150 applications came in for 2026. That number is not just a capacity issue. It is the result of a shift that has been years in the making. Steve described Founders Park as “a fabulous gift from the town,” but its size has shaped the festival as much as its location. The park keeps the show close to Main Street and close to the everyday life of Highlands. It also limits how far the organizers can expand. In the early days, the festival was more open-ended. Someone could arrive with a car, pay at the gate, receive a class assignment, and join the field. It had a looser local rhythm. At the end of the day, everyone went home.
Now, owners apply. They submit information. The cars are reviewed, discussed, and selected. The field is smaller than it was in 2008, when the first festival drew roughly 124 cars, but the selection is far more deliberate. That change could have created distance between the festival and the local car community. Steve and Ricky know that. It is part of why Sunday’s High Octane gathering matters. It preserves the early “if you’ve got it, bring it” spirit while allowing the Saturday field to remain tightly curated.
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Serious cars, local hands and a town close enough to the event that the fire department can be- come a part of the memory.
The Jenkins family brought an AHRA funny car to the show. The car drew attention before it made a sound, then it would not start. The battery was dead. The local fire department came over with a fire truck and heavy-duty jumper cables. They connected the funny car to the truck. The engine finally fired. The crowd erupted. It is hard to imagine a cleaner expression of what Highlands Motoring Festival has been trying to protect ever since: Steve told one story from the early years that still feels like the festival in miniature.
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As the festival grew, the cars changed too.
For 2026, the featured theme is America versus England, Corvette versus Jaguar, timed to the 250th anniversary of Amer- ican independence. The pairing is intentionally imperfect. Corvette represents a focused Ameri - can sports car story that began in 1953. Jaguar brings a wider English history, with pre-war roots, sedans, competition cars, and design language that carries its own mythology. The result is less a contest than a conversation. It also brings Wayne Carini to Highlands as the 2026 Grand Marshal. Carini is known to many through Chasing Classic Cars, but Steve and Ricky spoke more about his credentials than his celebrity. He grew up around restoration work through his father, built deep collector relationships, and has spent a lifetime around cars whose value depends as much on history and condition as on shape.
One major turning point came through Bob Ingram, the late collector known for an extraordinary Porsche collection. His connection to Highlands Motoring Festival began through Judy Michaud. Ingram was looking at property in High- lands, and Judy, already a supporter of the festival, learned of his interest in cars. She mentioned the event. Soon after, Ingram drove up on Main Street in a Porsche, joined the local car crowd, and wanted to know more. “He helped us recruit cars” Steve said. That kind of relationship changed what was possible. In 2019, Classic Motor- sports Magazine voted Highlands Mo- toring Festival “Best Concours,” a rec- ognition that confirmed what the show field had already begun to suggest.
A 1959 Porsche 356 A Convertible D Photo by David Witty
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A quiet moment among the crowds captures the spirit of the Highlands Motoring Festival, where classic cars, conversation, and community share the spotlight. Photo by David Witty
The festival opens Thursday evening with a Happy Hour event with Wayne Ca- rini, held June 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Highlands Performing Arts Center’s Martin Lipscomb Theater. Sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty, the event brings Carini together with Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours, and Corky Coker, the 2025 Highlands Motoring Festival Grand Marshal. The evening gives more people ac- cess to the kind of conversation usually reserved for smaller dinners. Saturday’s private dinner with Ca- rini is at Wildcat Cliffs. Thursday’s Happy Hour creates a wider room. Guests do not need to arrive fluent in collector-car language. That is part of the point. A serious enthusiast will
hear details worth remembering. A newcomer can sit close to people who have spent their lives around rare cars and begin to understand why a res- toration, a chassis, a race history, or an owner’s story can matter so much. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty’s role in the evening has history behind it. When asked about the relationship, Steve pointed back to Judy Michaud’s early support. “Judy got behind us before it was a popular thing to do”
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Over its history, Highlands Motoring Festival has donated approximately to local organizations. $750,000
That loyalty became part of the festival’s sponsor- ship structure. HMF has given BHHS real estate exclusivity among its sponsors, a decision Steve framed as a way to honor the firm’s early commit - ment. This year, when the Thursday Happy Hour sponsorship came into focus, the organizers brought the opportunity to Tricia Michaud Cox before offering it elsewhere. That is worth saying plainly. Some community sup- port happens quietly for years before most people notice. The Michaud family has often preferred the quiet version. But in this case, the history explains why the partnership feels less like a sponsorship placement and more like a relationship that has already proven itself. The same long-view thinking shows up in the festi- val’s nonprofit work.
Current beneficiaries include: • REACH of Macon County • The Literacy and Learning Center The Community Care Clinic. Then he explained the larger point: the festival encourages donations because the work is for the community, not for the organizers. The money raised is meant to move back into organizations serving real needs across Macon County. “ • Ricky put the relationship plainly: “The more money we make, the more money they get”
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That is why the volunteer model matters. There is no paid staff. No outside promoter taking the weekend in a different direction. No effort to turn the show field into something that feels detached from Highlands. The organizers have made deliberate choices about what the festival will and will not become. They are not chasing the beer-on-the-show-field model. They are not trying to dilute the event into a generic crowd machine. They want families to come. They want serious collectors to care. They want locals to recognize themselves in it. Near the end of the conversation, Ricky talk- ed about coming to Highlands with his wife in 1990. At the time, he was running a landscape company in Atlanta. The business was stressful. The pace was heavy. Highlands felt different. “It was healing.” he said. They kept coming back. Eventually, the question transformed into: “Instead of living in Atlanta and visiting Highlands, why not live in Highlands and visit Atlanta?”
That story sits close to the center of Highlands Motoring Festival, even though it is not about cars. People arrive for the show, the drive, the dinner, the talk around a rare machine. Then the town begins doing its own work. By the time the cars leave Founders Park, the green returns to itself. The restaurants reset for dinner. Main Street softens back into its regular rhythm. The weekend becomes a memory, and for some, an invitation. They came for the cars, but Highlands is what stays with them.
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Visit their website:
Highlands Motoring Festival’s 2025 Volunteer Judges Photo by David Witty
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COME SAY HI!
Win an American Classic Our Highlands Motoring Festival cooler giveaway celebrates timeless design, road-trip nostalgia, and summer in the mountains.
The cooler winner will be announced live at the Highlands Motoring Festival main event at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 13. Visit our tent, enter to win, and celebrate a weekend of classic cars in mountain style.
At the Highlands Motoring Festival, the details matter. The curve of a fender. The shine of chrome. The sound of an engine turning over on a clear mountain morning. This year’s friendly Corvette and Jaguar rivalry brings two icons into view: Amer- ican muscle and craftsmanship alongside British elegance and restraint. To celebrate the spirit of the weekend, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty is giving away a limited-edition Coleman Steel-Belted cooler, a chrome-bright American classic with unmistakable 1950s style. Built for tailgates, lake days, mountain picnics, and long summer afternoons, it feels right at home among the polished lines and enduring design of the Fes - tival’s show field. Visitors can scan the QR code at our tent to enter the raffle during the Highlands Motoring Festival.
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A field of Ferraris, gathered under the trees, brings concours character to the heart of Highlands during the 2025 Motoring Festival. Photo by David Witty
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty and Old Edwards continue a relationship rooted in community, hospitality, and the places people come to call home. A Shared Sense of Place
On the Plateau, real estate has always meant more than property. It is about belonging, the quiet confidence of a familiar mountain road, and the feeling that a place has become part of your story. That belief sits at the heart of a new chap - ter for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty.
With the acquisition of Highlands Cove Realty and an expanded presence at Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Moun- tain Realty continues its commitment to serving the communities that define luxury mountain and lake living across the region.
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Not just where people live. Where they belong.
The addition of the Highlands Cove office marks the firm’s fourth location on the plateau, joining offices on Main Street in Highlands, Cashiers Road in Highlands, and Burns Street in Cashiers. Together, these lo- cations strengthen the firm’s ability to serve clients across the Plateau, from established mountain neighborhoods to private club
communities and the lakefront lifestyle taking shape at The Reserve. This is not simply growth. It is a continuation of work already rooted here: helping people discover not only a home, but a way of life.
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For many on the Highlands-Cashiers Pla- teau, the story of Highlands Cove Realty has long been tied to the story of Old Edwards Club itself: a community built around con- nection, luxury mountain living, and lasting relationships. Now operating as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty at 175 Highlands Cove Drive, located at the entrance to Old Edwards Club, the office carries forward the same relationship-first at Highlands Cove A New Chapter
approach clients have trusted for years, now supported by the reach and resources of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network. For well over a decade, Jennifer Blake and Ed Hillis have helped shape one of the area’s most respected real estate firms, guiding clients with professionalism, discretion, and a deeply personal understanding of the community. Jennifer’s connection to Old Edwards began shortly after graduating from Western Caro- lina University, when she accepted a posi - tion in the dining room of what is now The Grill Room at Old Edwards Club. Over time, she moved into leadership roles within the club before transitioning into real estate. In 2013, she became Broker-in-Charge, a role she continues today with Berkshire Ha- thaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty at Old Edwards Club. Ed Hillis brings a different but equally rooted perspective. After a successful 36-year ca - reer in the automotive industry, he relocated full-time to the Plateau in 2009 after years as a part-time resident. As a founding mem - ber of Old Edwards Club, Ed found a natural second chapter helping others discover the community he had come to love.
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“This community has always been about more than real estate,” says Jennifer Blake. “It’s about helping people find a place where they truly feel connected to the mountains, the “ lifestyle, and the friendships that make Highlands so special.”
Building on the trusted team of Jennifer Blake, Ed Hillis, Suzie Sinclair, and Letty Murphy, the Highlands Cove office also welcomes Aliyah Lebron, Angela Schwerin, and Gena Futral. As the Highlands Cove team becomes part of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty, the name may be changing, but the heart of the work remains the same: rela- tionships, trust, and helping people discover the extraordinary lifestyle that defines life on the Plateau.
From Left to Right: Suzie Sinclair, Angela Schwerin, Letty Murphy, Ed Hillis, Jennifer Blake, Aliyah Lebron, Gena Futral
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WELCOME TO THE TE
SUZIE SINCLAIR , Broker A trusted Plateau guide with a gift for making the right match. suzie@bhhsmmr.com 828-342-0954
Suzie Sinclair brings years of real estate experience across the Carolinas, with a background shaped by client service, local knowledge, and a deep appreciation for both beach and mountain living. After beginning her real estate career in Hilton Head Island, Suzie made Cashiers
her full-time home in 2002 and has since built meaningful experience throughout the Plateau’s club and mountain communities. Known for her perseverance, warmth, and ability to listen closely, Suzie helps clients find not just a property, but the perfect fit.
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GENA FUTRAL , Broker Construction insight and guidance for complex RE decisions. gena@bhhsmmr.com 828-342-9144
Gena Futral brings a distinctive perspec - tive to Highlands real estate, grounded in decades of experience with residential and commercial properties, construction, and complex transactions. Licensed since 2005 and a full-time Highlands resident since 2003, Gena understands the nuances of mountain properties, quality construction,
and long-term value. Her earlier career in healthcare administration and national consulting strengthened her ability to man- age complexity, negotiate effectively, and advocate for clients with clarity. She offers informed guidance rooted in both profes - sional depth and local insight.
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WELCOME TO THE TEA
ANGELA SCHWERIN , Broker Financial sophistication with an insider’s view of Old Edwards living. angela@bhhsmmr.com 239-877-6871
Angela Schwerin brings more than 20 years of senior accounting experience to the luxury real estate market, offering clients a rare level of financial insight and strategic perspective. Licensed in both Florida and North Carolina, she understands the needs of seasonal res-
idents and the transition between coastal and mountain living. As an active member of Old Edwards Club and GlenCove, Angela offers firsthand knowledge of the amenities, culture, and lifestyle that make these com- munities so distinctive.
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LETTY MURPHY , Broker Luxury market experience with a strong sense of community. letty@bhhsmmr.com 404-784-6213
Letty Murphy brings 17 years of experience in residential and condominium real estate, with a strong background in market strate- gy, contracts, relocation, and luxury proper - ty representation. A Certified Luxury Home Marketing Special - ist and Million Dollar Guild member, Letty
combines professional expertise with a personal connection to Highlands Cove, where she has lived for nine years. As a member of Old Edwards Club and GlenCove, she understands the lifestyle, relationships, and details that matter to buyers and sellers in this community.
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WELCOME TO THE TE
JOANNE BRYSON , Broker Lifelong Plateau insight with calm, discreet, client-first leadership. joanne@bhhsmmr.com 828-200-7951
Joanne Bryson brings lifelong Plateau insight, trusted relationships, and a calm, confident approach to real estate. As a licensed broker, Realtor, and CLHMS, she pairs professional experience with years of private investing and transaction work before licensure. Her background in man- agement and concierge service shapes a
discreet, attentive client experience, while her multi-million-dollar closings reflect strong negotiation, careful follow-through, and steady leadership. Rooted in stew - ardship and integrity, Joanne protects her clients’ best interests while honoring the community she calls home.
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IN CASHIERS
CAMDEN ROG , Broker A next-generation broker with marketing insight and local focus. camden@bhhsmmr.com 919-817-1473
Camden Rog represents the next gener - ation of real estate on the Highlands-Ca- shiers Plateau. Originally from Raleigh, Camden moved to Western North Carolina to earn his B.S. in Marketing from Western Carolina University and quickly developed a passion for the area’s luxury second-home market. Before becoming a provisional bro -
ker, he interned with top-producing brokers, gaining hands-on experience in contracts, marketing, negotiations, and client service. Camden brings ambition, discipline, and sincere communication to every opportu - nity. Click here to check out his TJ Bailey’s Business Spotlight.
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WELCOME TO THE TEAM
WELCOME TO THE TE
JEFF WELLER , Broker Local leadership, architectural expertise, and deep Plateau roots. jeff@bhhsmmr.com 828-421-2047
Jeff Weller brings more than 30 years of Highlands experience to Meadows Mountain Realty, along with a deep record of commu - nity service and local leadership. Originally from Eastern Pennsylvania, Jeff earned his architecture degree from Clemson Univer- sity before moving to Highlands in 1993. He
later co-founded Summit Architecture, PA, and continues to lead the firm today. A Town of Highlands Commissioner, Jeff has served through Rotary, education, recreation, plan - ning, and nonprofit leadership, reflecting his lasting commitment to the Plateau.
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EAM
IN HIGHLANDS
ILONA VOS , Broker Global perspective, Highlands hospitality, and genuine client care. ilona@bhhsmmr.com 828-482-2186
Ilona Vos brings an international perspec - tive, refined service mindset, and genuine care to real estate. Born in Poland and shaped by a decade in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she studied International Travel and Tourism Management before building her professional foundation in Highlands hospi - tality. Her background in food and beverage
service strengthened her communication, attention to detail, and relationship-building skills. With a passion for homes, lifestyle, and community, Ilona helps clients navi - gate the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau with confidence and find not just a property, but a place to belong.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
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Beyond the ridgelines of Highlands and Ca- shiers, where the mountains soften toward the water, The Reserve at Lake Keowee offers another expression of the lifestyle that has long drawn people to this part of the Southeast. Now part of the Old Edwards family following Old Edwards’ 2024 acquisition, The Reserve is a private lakefront community in Sunset, South Carolina, shaped by natural beauty, recreation, and a strong sense of belonging. With more than $100 million in amenities already in place, including a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a 200-slip marina, multiple dining venues, a wellness At The Reserve New Developments
This new chapter also marks the debut of: Laurel Village, the first new develop - ment at The Reserve at Lake Keowee in 20 years. More than a new residential offering, Laurel Village represents a meaningful moment for the community: honoring what has already been built while looking toward the future with the care and intention we have all come to know from Old Edwards.
and fitness center, tennis and pickleball, and miles of trails, the community offers a rare balance of refinement and ease. Members at The Reserve now enjoy reciprocal access to Old Edwards Inn in Highlands and GlenCove by Old Edwards, creating one of the most distinctive mountain-to-lake lifestyles in the Southeast.
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The expansion of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty into The Reserve reflects the same philos - ophy guiding the transition at Highlands Cove: Preserving relationships and local stewardship while bringing broader reach and resources to property own- ers, members, and prospective buyers. The team’s presence at The Landing creates a dedicated setting for real estate conver - sations within the community itself, close to the lifestyle, amenities, and daily rhythms that make The Reserve so distinctive. Brad Ricker, Scott Ryerson, and Amanda Setzer bring deep familiarity with the community, the lake, and the people drawn to life at Old Edwards Reserve. We are proud to welcome them to the team.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THE RESERVE
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WELCOME TO THE TE
SCOTT RYERSON , Sales Associate A lifestyle-driven advisor with proven sales experience and lake culture insight. sryerson@bhhsmmr.com 864-414-0735
Scott Ryerson brings a strong background in sales, marketing, and client relationships to real estate at The Reserve. A native of Ames, Iowa, Scott has lived in Greenville, South Carolina, for the past 15 years. He graduated from the University of Nevada, where he was a four-year letter winner as a wide receiver
for the Wolf Pack, earning a degree in Com- munications with a minor in Journalism. Since joining The Reserve in 2024, he has produced more than $10 million in real estate sales, bringing clients a perspective shaped by boating, golf, outdoor living, and community connection.
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EAM
AT THE RESERVE
Brad Ricker brings more than two decades of real estate experience and a rare depth of knowledge of The Reserve at Lake Keowee. A native of Pickens, South Carolina, Brad earned a degree in Business Administration from Western Carolina University, where he was also a member of the golf team. He began his real estate career in 1999 as a Sales Associate with The Reserve, joining at the ground floor alongside his father, Dean Ricker, and Dr. Buddy Thompson, the community’s original founders. Today, his long-standing connection to the commu- nity and local market makes him one of the area’s most trusted real estate advisors.
BRAD RICKER , Sales Associate Decades of Reserve knowledge, rooted in the community from the beginning. bricker@bhhsmmr.com 864-423-5585
Amanda Setzer brings more than nine years of real estate experience, with a focus on luxury properties, new construction, and land acquisition. Holding CRS, ABR, and SRS designations, Amanda offers clients ad - vanced knowledge in buyer representation, seller advocacy, and residential real estate. Known for her responsiveness and person - alized service, she brings clarity and care to every step of the process. A native of Pend - leton, South Carolina, Amanda understands the Upstate lifestyle and enjoys cheering on her two daughters, whether at Clemson football games or on the soccer field.
Sales Associate AMANDA SETZER
Executive Closing Coordinator
asetzer@bhhsmmr.com 864-940-1917
Luxury expertise with a personal, highly responsive approach.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THE RESERVE
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Construction insight and guidance for complex RE decisions.
Laurel Village at Old Edwards Reserve
Set within Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Ke- owee, Laurel Village is designed for the kind of life that unfolds easily: morning coffee on a deep porch, an afternoon on the putting course, a short cart ride to dinner, and eve- nings that move naturally between friends, firelight, and the lake. Old Edwards Reserve sits along Lake Ke- owee in the Upstate of South Carolina, close enough to feel calibrated rather than remote. Greenville is about an hour away, while Highlands and Asheville are roughly an hour and a half. Atlanta is about two hours,
with Charlotte and Knoxville each about two and a half. For buyers coming from Naples or Palm Beach, Greenville-Spartanburg and Asheville offer accessible flight paths into a setting that feels removed without feeling out of reach. The first new neighborhood released at The Reserve in more than twenty years, Laurel Village brings twenty-four turnkey cottag - es together around an 18,000-square-foot private putting course, reserved for home - owners and their guests. The site plan gives the neighborhood its own center of gravity: intimate, walkable, and quietly social.
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A new golfer takes a putting les - son on the green at Glen Cove by Old Edwards.
Its architecture carries the Old Edwards spirit into a lake setting through heritage materials, cedar shake, board-and-batten, lantern light, stone details, and porches deep enough to gather, linger, and let the day settle.
Rendering is for illustrative purposes only and is intended to represent the character of the community. Final designs, materials, landscaping, views, and site conditions may vary.
LAUREL VILLAGE
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At Laurel Village, the day does not need much planning. The Orchard House, the marina, the pool, and the community’s most vibrant gathering spaces are all just a short cart ride away, allowing the pace of the day to move easily from coffee to the water, from a quiet afternoon to dinner with friends.
Golf is woven into that same rhythm. The driving range, planned short course, and state-of-the-art golf performance center are reached by cart path, making practice feel less like an appointment and more like a natural part of life at The Reserve.
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That proximity is the point. Laurel Village is not set apart from the life of The Reserve. It is placed close to it, with enough quiet to feel private and enough connection to feel immediately woven in.
LAUREL VILLAGE
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The Cottages
Click Here to View Floor Plans (or scan below)
Aberdeen feels composed and right-sized, with the quiet confidence of a cottage designed for easy return. With three bedrooms and a primary suite on the main level, it suits the couple who wants a refined retreat with room for visiting grandchildren. A screen porch with fireplace, grill porch, upstairs bedroom or playroom option, and detached garage give the home a natural rhythm between privacy, gathering, and time outdoors. ABERDEEN 4BR 3.5BA
Click Here to View Floor Plans (or scan below)
Dornoch brings a more architectural presence to the collection, with a two-story great room that gives the cottage a sense of openness and arrival. The primary suite is placed on the main level, while the screened porch with fireplace, front porch, grill porch, and optional upstairs common space or basement make the home especially suited for the couple who likes to host without los - ing the ease of everyday living. DORNOCH 3BR 3.5BA
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Click Here to View Floor Plans (or scan below)
PRESTWICK 4BR 4.5BA Prestwick offers the fullest family presence within Laurel Village, with four bedrooms, four and a half baths, and a dedicated office for the buyer who is not quite done working. The primary suite remains on the main level, while the screened porch with fireplace, grill porch, and detached ga - rage keep the cottage connected to the outdoor life of The Reserve, from slow mornings to eve - nings with a house full of guests.
Floor Plans coming soon!
Click Here or scan QR code to ex- press interest.
Cabot is the largest plan in the collection and feels especially suited to multi-generational stays, long weekends, and guests who may linger. With lower-level guest suites, a lower deck, primary suite on the main level, two-car garage, and screened porch with fireplace, the home balances privacy and connection. Cedar shake and board-and-batten give it the strongest Old Edwards presence. CABOT 3BR 3.5BA
Renderings are AI-enhanced for presentation purposes and are based on available architectural plans. Final materials, finishes, landscaping, and site conditions may vary.
LAUREL VILLAGE
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A Future Built
Close to Home.
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Alex Michaud awards Isaiah Vilardo with the Leland and Bessie Speed Scholarship Plaque.
E ach Year, a Highlands School thaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty to a deserving local student prepar - ing to enter the workforce in the housing industry. This year, that student is Isaiah Vilardo, a 2026 graduate of Highlands School who is continuing his education at trade school to study welding. It is a fitting path for a scholarship con - nected to housing. Welding is work of craft, discipline, and precision. It strengthens what is being built, supports what endures, and plays a quiet but essential role in the places where people live, gather, and make their lives. graduate is awarded the Leland and Bessie Speed Scholarship , a $5,000 gift from Berkshire Ha - The scholarship also carries forward the names of Leland and Bessie Speed, who made consistent efforts to invest their time and energy into this community through our youth. In that way, the award is both remembrance and continuation. It honors the past not by looking backward, but by
helping a student move forward. As Tricia Cox, Vice President and Broker-in- Charge, has shared: “Being part of this community means more than selling real estate.” “ It means helping local students build a fu - ture in the mountains that shaped them. Isaiah’s story also reflects something fami - lies often discover when they begin looking more closely at life on the Plateau. Highlands School, the public K-12 serving the town of Highlands, offers a scale that feels increas - ingly rare. Its small setting allows for close teacher-student relationships, strong aca - demics, and a sense of daily connection that larger schools often struggle to preserve. In Isaiah Vilardo, in the names of Leland and Bessie Speed, and in the school that helped prepare him, the scholarship becomes a quiet expression of what this community continues to value.
A FUTURE BUILT CLOSE TO HOME
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ROOTED in beauty Contributed by Betty Holt
W
hile a young man’s fancy may turn to love in the springtime, a woman’s fancy in the Highlands area may turn to love of plants and flowers, specifically. Since its inception in 1979, the Highlands Mountain Garden Club has been bringing awareness of the beautiful plants and flowers that grace the landscape here. Debby Hall, the Club’s current president, states the purpose of the Club is to help in the protection and conservation of our natural resources, encourage civic beauty and roadside beautification, stimulate the study of the fine art of gardening, and co - operate with other agencies furthering the interest of horticulture and conservation. In addition, the Club strives to be a good citizen of the community. “We have about 60 members,” she states. “They range in age from 55 to 92. We’re always interested in new younger members with an interest in gardening as well. Members must be spon - sored by a current member to join.” I wondered if the people who joined the Garden Club were experts in taking care of plants. Debby explained that many of them had interest, but wanted to learn more about plants and joined for that reason. The Club’s main projects include taking care of the Highlands School garden, the area around the Old Jail in downtown, and the Eckerd Living Center. There is a res- ident “jailbird” named J.B. who appears during holidays and special events at the Old Jail and is dressed up for the occasion! Their main fundraiser is the Memorial Day Annual Plant Sale, a favorite of both full and part-time Highlanders.
“All the plants are dug up here on the plateau,” Debby explains. “Two of the most popular sellers are cinnamon ferns and hostas,” plants that might otherwise become extinct and keep them at a secure location. “ “because they are priced well. It’s a big undertaking, and we work on it from early March through October.” Members of the Club are also involved in rescuing
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