Welcome to the winter issue of ELEVATE! Featuring local business, events and happenings on the Plateau. We hope that you will find it useful as well as entertaining! Enjoy!
ELEVATE F I E L D GU I DE OF T HE P L A T E AU
E d i t i o n 3 W i n t e r 2 1
ELEVATE F I E L D GU I DE O F T H E P L A T E AU
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowf lake , it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” - Aristotle We hope you will find our third edition field guide just another way we go the extra mile to ensure that your experience in the mountains exceeds your expectations.
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Top 10 of the Plateau Winter Happenings
Featured Article The Way We Were Inside a New Eatery SlopeSide Tavern Home Winterization PEAK Home Management, LLC Featured Listing 264 Hammond Road, Highlands Featured Listing 251 Harris Drive, Highlands Why We Love Real Estate
WELCOME
Season’s greetings to you and your family! Welcome to our winter issue of Elevate: Field Guide of the Plateau. With the holidays upon us and 2021 drawing to a close, I find myself reflecting on this past year. As I think back over the experiences and events of the last 12 months, the one word that comes to mind repeatedly is “gratitude.” Yes, we have had to come to grips with some new normals due to the pandemic that is still in our midst, but we have also been reminded to be thankful for many things that we used to take for granted. It felt so good to once again embrace friends and family and to gather for holiday celebrations; these things that we never gave a second thought to suddenly became more precious after being suspended for 18 months. The blessings of this year have indeed been many and far outweigh the tough moments. I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the many clients who have entrusted us with helping them purchase their dream home or sell their property here on the Plateau. You are the reason we are in real estate to begin with and providing you with the very best service possible is our utmost goal. To my extraordinary team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty, I cannot thank you enough. You are what makes this firm special and successful. We simply could not do what we do without you, and I appreciate your hard work and commitment to each other and our clients. Wishing each of you a safe and happy holiday season and a wonderful 2022! - Judy
Things to Do, to Give, and Ways to Celebrate During the Holidays on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau DO
Photo Credit: Bear Valley Farm
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Choose your own Christmas tree: Bear Valley Farm You choose the perfect tree; they cut and bale it for you! 231 Bee Tree Road, Glenville, NC 28736. Open through December 24 but check website for hours: www.bearvalleyfarm.com/
Special holiday performance: The Scott & Patti Show Holiday Spectacular Everyone’s favorite mother and son cabaret act returns to Highlands Playhouse with an all-new holiday spectacular perfect for the whole family. So, don your gay apparel and prepare for a Yule that’s cool with select performance dates December 9-19. www.highlandsplayhouse.org/2021-season
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Skating in Highlands’ Ice Skating Rink
Special holiday schedule for Christmas. For schedule and price information, call Highlands Recreation Center at (828) 526-3556.
Build a Gingerbread House The Bascom is selling gingerbread kits. Choose your favorite: a traditional home or a log cabin. Kits are $75 each. Call the Bascom for more info: (828) 526-4949. Image shown above is for illustrative purposes only and not representative of actual product. 7
Photo Credit: Highlands Chamber of Commerce
GIVE
Photo Credit: Brookings
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The perfect restaurant for New Year’s Eve Wolfgang’s Restaurant will be open December 26- 31. Make reservations online at https:// wolfgangs.net/.
Photo Credit: Nick Breedlove/Discover Jackson NC
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Cashiers Christmas Parade December 4 at 3:00pm. This year’s theme is “A Cast of Christmas Characters.” Santa and Mrs. Claus are making the rounds today with an appearance at both Highlands’ and Cashiers’ Christmas parades!
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The Ultimate Gift for HIM: A fishing excursion from Brookings Everything from lessons for the novice, to guided, local river experiences, to destination trips from Brazil to British Columbia for the ultimate angler’s experience. www.brookingsonline.com/
The Ultimate Gift for HER: Custom made jewelry from Jannie Bean Jannie Bean specializes in creating personalized, unique solutions to specific customer requests. www. janniebean.com/ Photo Credit: Jannie Bean
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Photo Credit: Wolfgasng’s
Highlands Olde Mountain Christmas Parade December 4 at 11:00am. What other Christmas parade do you know of that has CAMELS?
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The Ultimate Gift for KIDS (of all ages): A gift certificate to Highlands Outpost in Scaly Mountain Kids can ice skate, snow tube, go gem mining, fish for trout, and ride the Scaly Screamer, an alpine coaster that will be the longest in North Carolina, boasting 360 degree turns and gor- geous views. Just west of Highlands on Hwy 106. https://highlandsout- post.com/#home
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CELEBRATE
Photo Credit: Highlands Outpost
WINTER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS & Helpful Resources
The Bascom | TheBascom.org 323 Franklin Rd, Highlands Re: Play Exhibition, Bunzl Gallery | September 13 - December 30 Art League of Highlands-Cashiers Member Exhibition Joel Gallery | August 28- December 31 Craft to Art Series: Mosaics Thompson Gallery | September 18 - December 23 Classes and Workshops | Ongoing Outdoor Sculpture Trail The Farm At Old Edwards | oldedwardshospitality.com 336 Arnold Rd, Highlands Fireside At The Farm | December 16 Half-Mile Farm | oldedwardshospitality.com 214 Half Mile Dr, Highlands Hosted weekend with Rebecca Lang | December 3 - 5 (dates vary) Hosted event with the Cheese Biscuit Queen Mary Greene January 21 - 23 - 15 Hosted weekend with Tea Huntress | February 18 The High Dive | highlandsdive.com 476 Carolina Way, Highlands DJ Jimmy Shur Saturdays at 9:30pm
Highlands Outpost | highlandsoutpost.com 7420 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain Snow Tubing | See website for hours
Feed your need for speed! Grab a tube, ride the Magic Carpet lift to the top, then hop on your tube and laugh (scream) all the way down! If you have never been tubing, it is a must-try activity. The tradition began in the Alps and our Highlands Outpost rendition is an experience all its own. Come enjoy this wild and crazy ride for yourself! Scaly Mountain Screamer | See website for hours Just imagine over 3800 feet of gravity-powered thrills through the magnificent Appalachian Mountains! Our mountain coaster is the longest in North Carolina, boasting 360 degree turns and gorgeous views that you enjoy at your own speed. This is family fun at its finest! Perfect for the young and the young at heart. The ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, who attempts to harness the power of music to rescue his beloved Eurydice from the underworld, has inspired composers since opera’s earliest days. American composer Matthew Aucoin now carries that tradition into the 21st century with a captivating new take on the story. With a libretto by MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Sarah Ruhl, adapted from her acclaimed 2003 play, the opera reimagines the familiar tale from Eurydice’s point of view. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium, leading Aucoin’s evocative music and an immersive new staging by Mary Zimmerman. Soprano Erin Morley sings the title role, opposite baritone Joshua Hopkins as Orpheus and countertenor Jakub Józef Orlinski as his otherworldly alter ego. MET: Cinderella - Holiday Presentation | January 1, 12:55pm Highlands Performing Arts Center highlandsperformingarts.com | 507 Chestnut St, Highlands MET: Eurydice | December 4, 12:55pm Laurent Pelly’s storybook staging of Massenet’s Cendrillon is presented with an all-new English translation in an abridged 90-minute adaptation, with
mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as its rags-to-riches princess. Maestro Emmanuel Villaume leads a delightful cast, which includes mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo as Cinderella’s Prince Charming, soprano Jessica Pratt as her Fairy Godmother, and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and bass- baritone Laurent Naouri as her feuding guardians. MET:Rigoletto Live | January 29, 12:55pm Tony Award–winning director Bartlett Sher creates a bold new take on Verdi’s timeless tragedy, resetting the opera’s action in 1920s Europe, with Art Deco sets by Michael Yeargan and elegant costumes by Catherine Zuber. Baritone Quinn Kelsey, a commanding artist at the height of his powers, brings his searing portrayal of the title role to the Met for the first time, starring alongside soprano Rosa Feola as Gilda and tenor Piotr Beczala as the Duke of Mantua, with Maestro Daniele Rustioni on the podium. James Gregory: Crockpots and Chicken Legs | February 25, 7:30pm For decades, the unforgettable caricature of veteran comedian James Gregory has stood grinning: his shirt untucked, his arms outstretched, a carefree welcome to a down-home, hilarious comedy experience. It’s storytelling at its best. The trademark caricature is the essence of James Gregory’s comedy: rib-tickling reflections on life from the front porch. James does not “tip-toe” through life as if he’s walking on broken glass or egg shells. That style is evident on stage as well. He is not politically correct. Much of his humor is centered on brilliant observations of crazy relatives and people obsessed with the slightest change in weather conditions - now referred to as global warming. He delights in poking fun at modern sensitive parents and out-of-control environmentalists. Gregory has been quoted as saying, “If you want me to be concerned about endangered species, you need to convince me that we’re about out of chickens. Highlands Playhouse | highlandsplayhouse.org 362 Oak St, Highlands Meet me in St. Louis | December 3, 6pm In the year before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the four Smith daughters learn lessons of life and love, even as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. White Christmas | December 4, 6pm In the year before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the four Smith daughters
learn lessons of life and love, even as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. Miracle on 34th Street | December 5, 3pm Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy’s following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity. The Scott & Patti Holiday Spectacular | December 9 - 12 America’s “Best Cabaret Act” (Creative Loafing ) The Scott & Patti Show brings you an all-new Holiday extravaganza perfect for the whole family (especially your weird uncle)! Join Scott & Patti as they celebrate the season through songs, dances, side splitting comedy and a bevy of special guests. Remember Andy Williams and his annual Christmas Special? Well, Scott and Patti guarantee to bring back a nostalgic Yule of yesteryear that is warmer than your Aunt Fanny’s fluffy poinsettia sweater. Highlands Recreation Center | highlandsnc.org/recreation 600 N 4th St, Highlands | (828) 526-3556 Skate Park The areas only skateboard park. Kids and adults of all ages gather here to practice their skateboarding tricks, learn to skate or scooter. There is no fee for the park, all are welcome. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders’ Park foundersparkhighlands.org | 411-499 Pine St, Highlands Light Up The Park | Now - January 2022 It’s the moment children who are young and old have been waiting for all year! The park is dark but there is a hum of excitement as people gather and share candy canes and hot chocolate waiting for the program to begin. It’s coming together to share traditions of reading the Christmas story, singing carols and wait for it..... Santa arrives and Lights the Park with millions of twinkling lights! There is a sense of magic at the first blink of twinkling Christmas lights and that magic will happen at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park starting 6pm on November 27th. Evenings set amongst the softly lit trees of the park, joy and laughter from the ice skating rink, it’s all available for you throughout the holiday season.
Winter Event Highlights
2022 Winter in Highlands Walk behind an icy waterfall, ice-skate just off Main Street, and go snow tubing or skiing in Highlands, NC. The hot chocolate is creamy, the fireplace is crackling - so plan your trip now!
Santa’s Mailbox At The Park | Now - December 24 Santa and Mrs. Claus will have a special mailbox from the North Pole set up in the Kelsey Hutchinson Park this year. Be sure to write a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Claus for your Christmas wishes. Santa will be sneaking into the Park to get his mail from you. His mailing address is 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888 Holiday Photo Opportunity | Now - December 24 Holiday photos bring back those special memories for years to come. Stop by Kelsey Hutchinson Park and you will find the elves have decorated Santa’s sleigh for the holidays and your perfect photo opportunity! No worries if the photographer wants to be in the photo too, you’ll find Highlanders are a very friendly bunch and can snap a shot of the whole group! Ice Skating in the Park | Now -Mid March Thursdays 1-8pm, Fridays & Saturdays 1-10pm, Sundays 1-5pm $5 skate rental. No reservations necessary Sapphire Valley Resort | skisapphirevalley.com 127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire If you have ever wanted to experience snow skiing, snow boarding, snow tubing or ice skating but never had the opportunity, here is your chance at one of the most southern winter sports areas in the US! Ski Sapphire Valley! First opened in 1964, Ski Sapphire has been helping create family memories for generations! Ski Sapphire Valley has a great learning slope with an easy ride ‘moving carpet’ lift and plenty of room to practice! Better make your plans to ski, board, tube, zip, play!!
Snow Fest at 4118
January 29 - 30 Cold-weather magic front and center, featuring everything from twinkly lights and winter fun. Jan 29th and 30th is Highlands first annual Snow Fest. The event is for those of us who are adventurous and unfazed by the blustery wind and temps, and an outdoor activity is just the ticket to fight off those wintertime blues. Put on your best winter coat and mittens for 2 adventurous days of snowballs, ice slides, a merry go round, s’mores, snow-ga and more at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. The Festival will be open Saturday, January 29th from 10am – 9pm and Sunday, January 30th from 10am – 5pm. Avoiding the cold may cause you to miss out on some of the most authentic and festive events in Highlands, NC mark your calendar now!
Winter Event Highlights
Photo credit Greg Newington
The Way We Were
By our own, Betty Holt
People sometimes ask me how real estate was back in the late 70’s when I first started. “It was pretty different,” I usually reply. “It really bears no resemblance to today’s fast-paced, sometimes frantic attempts to buy property. Things were a lot slower then.” For starters, the main way Realtors got business was when people walked through their doors. “Walk-ins,” as they were affectionately called, were usually people visiting Highlands who had an interest in property. Often, they were enticed to enter a certain office because of photos in the window or a black and white advertisement they had seen in the Real Estate Buyer’s Guide magazine. A small, entry level house with two or three bedrooms usually sold in the $20,000’s or $30,000’s. Most of the sales were cash, with interest rates around 14% in the early 80’s. There was some owner financing those days as well. Realtors came to the office every day because that’s where people found them. Mostly it was a nine-to-five job, six days a week, with an occasional Sunday, and sometimes calls going back and forth at night to negotiate an offer. Sellers sent telegrams to confirm they had accepted an offer, because the mail back and forth could take a week or more. Until the paperwork was complete, we relied on the good word of people that they planned to go through with the sale. The sales contract was one legal page, front and back, compared to our 15 pages and several disclosures today. Copies were painstakingly slow to make in small machines that involved slick pink paper that accompanied the documents.
There was a small local MLS that approximately six offices belonged to. We had a tiny listing book that had some information about the listing and maybe one photo. In those days most listings were “open” listings, not exclusives. It was always confusing to our clients to see the same picture in several ads in the Buyer’s Guide . eople who wanted to sell their homes would often bring an information sheet to several offices simultaneously. It was rare to have an exclusive listing, but if you did, you sure advertised that it was! In the early 80’s there was a feud between some of the offices. Some offices didn’t want to join the MLS and share their listings with other offices. They started their own organization called “Highlands Cooperative Listing Service.” They would share their listings only if they wanted to. You could ride through town and see on the front of the offices either “Member MLS” or “Member HCL.” That was doubly confusing to our clients!
Finally, we got affiliated nationally and had big listing books we carried around everywhere. In the early 90’s came fax machines, which basically changed the way we did business. We thought it was just amazing that someone could stick a piece of paper in a machine somewhere across the country and it would come out in our machine!
letters. Instead of sticking our heads in computer screens, we were scouring MLS books or the Buyer’s Guide for available properties. Answering machines where people could leave messages after hours was a welcome change. As opposed to today’s multiple offer situations where speed is paramount to the process, it was a rare occurrence to have two offers on the same property at the same time. If that ever happened, though, the first offer would have been given preference and dealt with before the second one. Oh, and because we didn’t have all the legal information from the courthouse online until years later, many properties didn’t have 911 addresses, so the legal information on the contract might read something like “the Smith house off Highway 64 West.” I’ve heard stories of Realtors selling people the wrong lot, because they never had a survey, and the owners were never quite sure where the lot began and ended! We never gave a thought to safety and would put most anyone in our cars to travel the area’s backwoods territory miles from town. I never heard of an instance where anyone was harmed, though. We also never went out of our territory to show other properties. If I had someone looking in Cashiers, I would refer them to a Realtor there, rather than take them myself. Now we go anywhere our MLS goes and more if we want to, even to neighboring states if we’re licensed there. “We’ve moved from “local” to “global” now with the internet blasting listings all over the globe.”
It took quite a while to get rid of keys, though. I remember the crowded summer days when you needed to pick up a key from another office and couldn’t find a parking place. Often you would have the listing realtor meet you out at the street and they would hand you the key as you drove by. Our electronic lockboxes of today were only a dream back then. I remember there was a lot of sitting around in offices in those days. Mostly we were waiting for people to walk in the door or call on the phone. Or we were farming neighborhoods for listings with personal
The Way We Were
Since more than 90% of buyers begin their property searches online, they are more educated about the market before they come look in person. Real estate has grown into a real profession with some exciting new tools to use with buyers and sellers alike. Many of those I started with have either retired or gone to the “great real estate office in the sky.” While I mostly I like the way real estate has become, there are moments when I feel nostalgic for the smallness and the intimacy of how things were then. More than anything, I’d love to turn the corner and see Boots Pierson, Tony Chambers, or Sonny Parrish walking down the street holding a contract for me!
SlopeSide Tavern Ins ide a New Eatery
Betty Holt began her real estate career in 1978 with Mountain Realty in Cashiers and moved to Highlands Real Estate in 1979. She also worked for Coldwell Banker Ashburn Real Estate and Signature Properties. She has been with BHHS Meadows Mountain Realty for 10 years.
Q Tell us about you; How long have you been in business and what made you decide to go into the restaurant business.
A I started in the service industry young. I began working with the Darden Restaurant Group when I was 15 and later worked on one of their national concept opening teams for eight years. “ Traveling to different states and meeting interesting people was an amazing opportunity.” I had plenty of experience to fall back on when it came to opening my own place and a vision. I was recruited by the Sapphire Valley Masters Association to take over the Four Seasons Grill that sat at the base of the Sapphire ski slopes. After a year of renovations, SlopeSide Tavern was all set for our grand opening on March 17th, 2020 then COVID-19 shutdowns began. But, I held on and finally opened to the public on June 1st, 2020. If you think running a restaurant during a pandemic is harrowing, try opening in the middle of one.
OPEN Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 11am - 8pm CLOSED Sunday & Tuesday
slopesidetavern.com
SlopeSide Tavern
“My vision was a “Cheers” atmosphere for Sapphire Valley. Casual and comfy is the idea, with a bar that curves so everyone can meet and chat. “
We strive for consistently great service!
I am a hands-on owner that leads by example, if I don’t want to get my hands dirty, why would my staff? When you are hired at SlopeSide you become part of a family, we look out for each other and work as a team!
My passion is to make people happy through food and drink.
Could not be more excited to see what the future of SlopeSide Tavern brings!! See you at the base of the slopes!
Q Being in Sapphire next to the ski slope is pretty special, what is your favorite thing about the winter season
A Last winter was our first season and it was fantastic. You can sit at the bar and watch them blow snow while enjoying one of our hot specialty cocktails. I suggest the SlopeSide cider!!! Or enjoy watching the skiers fly down the slopes while in the warm tavern or in our enclosed patio. Seeing the look on faces when they see snow for the first time is magical.
Q What do you want people to know about you your employees and your business
A SlopeSide Tavern has some of the best employees around! (not being biased at all) Through all the struggles of covid guidelines, especially wearing a mask all day in the dead of summer, they kept a positive attitude! Then the world wide labor shortage made its way to Sapphire Valley. With a limited number of employees we stayed strong and kept our doors open. The public was very kind and understanding with all the struggles we encountered.
All photos by: Chelsea Cronkrite
SlopeSide Tavern Nicolle Fogar ty 217 Sapphire Valley Rd Sapphire, NC 28774 SlopeSideTavern@gmail.com (828) 743-8655
SlopeSide Tavern
Ins ide Home Winter i zat ion
Q Who is your client base and are you currently accepting new clients?
Peak Home Management Todd Sherwood
? A Most of our client base is secondary/vacation homeowners who do not rent their properties. These are seasonal homeowners who may use their residences anywhere from just a few weeks per year up to eight months and leave for the winter. Our clients want to ensure that their home is cared for and watched while they are away. Due to the robust real estate market our area has experienced in the past 18 months, our client base has grown, and we continue to accept new homeowners. What are the most important things to do when winterizing your home? The approach to winterize a home depends on if the homeowner is going to visit the residence during the winter or if they are not returning until the spring. If the home will not be visited, many homeowners choose to turn off their water and winterize their plumbing systems. For those who will continue to visit their residence, ensuring that pipes do not freeze is the highest priority and your home’s heating system is the most critical component. I advocate testing your heating system during the fall so that any issues can be addressed prior to freezing temperatures. Check your system fuel levels, inspect/clear heating vents, and replace your HVAC air filter. Winterize water supply pipes in uninsulated areas such as crawlspaces by wrapping them with foam pipe insulation. If possible, exterior faucets (hose bibs) should have their water supply turned off inside the house. Disconnect garden hoses and use insulated covers on the hose bibs.
Q Tell us a little about Peak Home Management and why you got into the business?
A PEAK Home Management specializes in Home Watch Services for seasonal property owners in the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. I saw a need in our area for a professionalized approach to monitoring and caring for properties while owners are away from their residences. PEAK provides regularly scheduled visits to your home and conducts comprehensive interior and exterior
visual inspections. Following each visit, we provide homeowners with a detailed post-inspection email report with photos of the residence. My family are full-time Highlands residents and PEAK wishes to enhance the Plateau lifestyle for those who also call this special area “home.” Prior to starting PEAK Home Management, I was a financial investment professional for 20 years and advocate
monitoring and enhancing your wealth portfolio. Your home is an asset and a provider of life-long memories. Do not leave it unattended, leave it in our care.
Peak Home Management, LLC
Q Can snow really be damaging to a property?
A Unfortunately, yes. The snow on the mountains is a beautiful sight but can also cause damage. Ice dams are a common cause of roof damage due to snow and ice. When gutters are clogged, melting snow on your roof has nowhere to go. Instead of running down the gutters and away from the house, water backs up under the roof and refreezes, creating an ice dam. When ice dams melt, they can cause mold growth and roof rot. To prevent ice dams, clean your gutters in the fall and make sure your attic is properly insulated. Heavy snow and ice build-
up on trees can cause branches to snap and
damage homes and power lines. Trim branches away from your house and power lines to help avoid this hazard. Also, when clearing snow, do not pile it near your home’s foundation to better prevent possible flooding of your crawlspace.
Some other important items include inspecting your fireplace and chimney , check windows and doors for drafts, inspect your roof for damage to shingles/flashing, and clear your gutters and downspouts.
Q What are the negatives of leaving a home unattended in the winter?
A As discussed earlier, frozen pipes are a major concern. Water issues left unnoticed can cause significant damage and costs. If caught early, those damages and expenses can be mitigated. Our winters on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau can be especially challenging with the numerous storms and their severity. Damage from fallen trees is a concern and something that our clients worry about while away. PEAK’s Home Watch Services include checking on homeowner’s properties following any significant weather event. Home security systems are very beneficial and adding in the human element of having eyes on a residence provides for a more comprehensive plan for an unattended property.
Q What is the most surprising thing you’ve seen on a job site?
A Thankfully, I have been fortunate to not have had anything too out of the ordinary while watching client’s homes. Aside from the occasional bird nest in an awkward location, nothing really stands out. In our business, “We like things to be nice and boring when we conduct our home inspections!”
Peak Home Management, LLC
Q Biggest learning experience?
Thank you for the opportunity to help educate your readership on home winterization and to discuss how PEAK Home Management can assist by providing year-round home watch services. Please contact us to set-up a home consultation and experience how PEAK will treat your property like our own .
A When I started PEAK Home Management my initial business model was to include a “specified monthly package and rate.” I quickly realized that approach was incorrect as each homeowner is unique as to their wants/needs and each property differs as to how to properly care for the specific home. I always conduct an at-home visit with my clients and listen to what they want out of a home watch service. PEAK then tailors a custom plan to meet their wishes and the needs of the residence.
264 Hammond Road, Highlands A featured listing
“Tradition” is the reason so many people give when asked why they want to own a home on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau. Often, they have fond memories of visiting the plateau as a child and staying at their parents’ or grandparents’ homes. However, times and tastes evolve, and the beloved traditional family home that was perfect two or three generations ago might not be so perfect for today’s “plugged in” generation. Tastes are changing to favor more open and lighter,
brighter living spaces, where no one is left out of the conversation. When you step inside this newly renovated home just minutes from Main Street in Highlands, you will be “wowed” by the combination of traditional architecture and today’s contemporary living. Built in 1985, the home outwardly presents itself as traditional. However, the home’s interior offers a comfortable, yet luxurious, modern sensibility. Clean lines, high-end finishes, and a fresh,
open layout are the hallmarks of the renovation. Everything in this home is new: new roof, new floors, new HVAC, new kitchen, new bathrooms, new paint, new decks, new lighting, and new landscaping.
by an open living space with beautiful, light-colored wood flooring, modern furnishings, vaulted ceilings, distinctive light fixtures from Circa, and a see-through, double-sided fireplace that warms both the living room and the kitchen on the other side. The stunning
Located at the end of a quiet residential street, this home feels like a sanctuary . A relaxing porch swing on the covered front porch invites you to slow down and savor the cool mountain air. A few steps away, there is an open deck with a fire pit where you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature while sipping a glass of wine. Enter through the front door and you are immediately welcomed
kitchen is a chef’s dream with custom cabinetry, open shelving, and stainless-steel appliances. Skylights over the island flood the space with natural light illuminating the show-stopping elements: the countertops, backsplash, and center island, which are all made of imported Italian marble. The dining area is open to the living room and features a custom built-in bar for entertaining.
With three bedrooms and two full baths on the main level , this home is perfect for a family or to host visitors for a weekend in the mountains.
With three bedrooms and two full baths on the main level, this home is perfect for a family or to host visitors for a weekend in the mountains. The two baths have been fully updated and feature handmade tiles from Spain, modern light fixtures, and custom vanities with soapstone tops. If that was not enough, there is a fully finished lower level accessible by either the staircase or the elevator. There you will find another family room, a half bath, a laundry closet, abundant storage, space for a home office or gym, and a one-car garage.
This gorgeous turn-key property is offered for sale fully furnished, including four pieces of original art.
Contact us for more information or to schedule your personal tour of this fine home
Tricia Cox (828) 200-1251
251 Harris Drive, Highlands A featured listing
Built in 2004, this single level Sunset Hills bungalow has quite the personality. Cozy nooks and wainscoting give it the familiarity of homes of times past, yet the open floor plan shows off a pleasantly surprising and modern interior. The home welcomes and invites you into its entertaining spaces, all arranged around a gorgeous, three-sided stone fireplace set at a rakish angle and visible from the living room, keeping room, kitchen, and dining area. The keeping
room is flanked on one side by the fireplace and has windows on the other two sides. It is open to the kitchen and is the perfect place to sit by the fire while sipping your morning coffee. The kitchen has a breakfast bar, granite countertops, tile backsplash, custom cabinetry in both stained and natural pine, a wine refrigerator, a Wolf gas range, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer. The dining room is in an alcove just beyond the kitchen and has large windows facing the rear
deck and back yard. The intimate flow from the front living room through the keeping room and kitchen to the dining alcove will allow your guests to feel like they have become part of your family. Warm wooden floors extend throughout the home, except for the bathrooms, which are tiled. Both baths have beautifully tiled, glass- enclosed showers. The ceilings in the living room, keeping room, and kitchen are vaulted with honey-colored pine to complement the floors, while the ceilings in the dining alcove, bedrooms, and baths are white shiplap. The home is offered tastefully decorated with coordinating furnishings in contemporary neutrals with blue accents. Spacious decks greatly expand the living and entertaining options.
A feat ured Propert y
To one side of the house is a covered deck area that offers Phantom retractable screens and Bromic heaters making it the perfect space
for outdoor living all year round. The covered deck and another open deck are accessible from the keeping room; the open deck extends across the back of the home and has plenty of space for relaxing on sunny days. Other features include a new roof, a new driveway with a new gate, a Sonos surround sound system, a double garage, and a partial generator. Sunset Hills is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Highlands due to its proximity to downtown with its shopping, dining, and entertainment options. You’ll love being able to walk to Harris Lake, the Nature Center, Sunset Rock, the Hudson Library, and Mountain Fresh, to boot!
Contact us for more information or to schedule your personal tour of this fine home.
Mitzi Rauers (404) 218-9123
Tom Goldacker (828) 200-9045
Judy Michaud (828) 371 -0730
A closer look at us
In 2015, Judy decided to take her company and her team of expert agents to the next level by affiliating with one of the worlds most respected and trusted companies, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. By choosing to work with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty, you know you will receive the highest levels of service and integrity available and you will be working with a market leader in the area.
A Little About Me & Why I Love Real Estate
JUDY MICHAUD In 1986, Judy Michaud began her career in real estate in the sleepy hamlet of Highlands, North Carolina. She spent countless weeks, months and years honing her craft as one of the two top broker/agents in this bustling arena, working tirelessly for her clients at Signature Properties of Highlands. But deep inside, this willful desire was becoming the dream to have her own real estate firm. She wanted to lead a team of agents that would distinguish themselves by their commitment to the buyers and sellers of the unique
TRICIA MICHAUD COX After falling in love with the area, Tricia’s family settled in Highlands in 1986. Upon graduating from Highlands High School, Tricia went on to obtain her B.A. from Wake Forest University in Winston Salem. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she pursued a career in Information Technology working for major organizations including Computer Sciences Corporation and ING Investment Management.
OWNER / PRESIDENT / BROKER IN CHARGE
properties that seem to abound in this beautiful mountain oasis. Armed with experience, market savvy and her dream, Judy purchased Meadows Mountain Realty and began to assemble a team of professionals that are the elite core in the Highlands-Cashiers real estate marketplace. A team with one over-riding purpose….Help each client fulfill their dream; whether it’s to sell their home as quickly and effortlessly as possible or to purchase their dream home, second home or mountain get-away here in this mountain paradise. Each individual and their dream is of paramount importance to this illustrious team of professionals, from previewing each property that is listed with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty to contacting each client regularly to update them on current activities. This level of communication provides knowledge and knowledge is power in the ever-changing real estate marketplace. Each agent of this remarkable team is at work for you, knows this community and all its virtuous amenities and is tech-savvy, without losing the warm, personal touch so necessary to make the buying or selling of a home a tranquil, enjoyable experience.
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In 2005, her role with ING allowed Tricia and her family to relocate to New York City for three and half years where they lived in Manhattan and wholeheartedly embraced the city even giving up their cars! After giving birth to their first son, Wesley, they decided to move back to Atlanta to be closer to their families. Tricia finished her career with ING and, shortly thereafter, they moved permanently to Highlands and welcomed their second son, Christopher. With its wealth of outdoor activities and sense of community, Highlands is the perfect place to raise two boys. Tricia pursued her real estate license and currently holds licenses in both North Carolina and Georgia. Tricia was very excited to join her mother, Judy Michaud, and her sister, Michelle Muraco, at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty, where she is able to utilize her technology skills as well as participate in the family business of real estate.
MARY ABRANYI As a full time Real Estate Professional,
years. Her knowledge of construction and design offers obvious added value to her clients. Sellers are guided on how best to stage and present their home to the marketplace with complimentary staging on all her personal listings…while Buyers working with her are delighted with her vision in helping them to see the potential of every home they consider through the eyes of a seasoned builder, designer and Realtor. Whether marketing your home for sale or searching for the perfect home for you and your family, Cathy offers the promise of dedication, integrity and service. And the process is even further enhanced by the support of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services world class marketing tools, technology and name recognition. She is an Associate Broker, a Certified Relocation Specialist, a Luxury Collection Specialist, a member of The National Association of Realtors, The Atlanta Board of Realtors and The Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors, Atlanta’s Top Producers and she passionately supports the Sunshine Kids charity serving kids with cancer.
Mary feels fortunate to live, work and play in an area that is one of the most sought after destinations in the Southeast. “The quality of life here is truly unbeatable!” A graduate of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Mary moved to the area in 2001 from Denver, Colorado and began work in business to business sales with a Fortune 500 company for a couple of years prior
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to entering her career in real estate in 2004. She attributes her success in part to her dedication to each client and her above and beyond attitude. Mary has long been known as a hard working go-getter who is committed to whatever it is she is involved in from business and community to family and friends. She and her husband, owner of Green Mountain Builders, have two young and vibrant children and she is also the owner of Cashiers Valley Fusion, a yoga studio and wellness boutique in Cashiers.
JOYCE ANDRZEJEWSKI Joyce was born and raised in South Florida. She attended Florida State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1968. She also attended Florida Atlantic University and studied Exceptional Childhood in Education. In 1992 she received her Florida real estate license and began selling real estate in south Florida. When she and her husband, Alan, moved to Georgia in 1997 she earned her Georgia real estate license as well. From
CATHY ADAMS Cathy Adams offers 30 plus years in the real estate industry combining real estate brokerage, new homes sales, custom home building and interior design to her impressive resume. Attaining the level of Chairman’s Circle Gold, she is in the Top 2% of Realtors in the Berkshire Hathaway National Network and was the #1 Sales Agent in the North Fulton/Alpharetta Branch in 2016.
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2014-2018 she worked as a senior sales consultant in new home sales with the largest privately-owned builder in the nation, David Weekley Homes. Joyce earned a reputation specializing in selling luxury homes in north Atlanta and earned the J.D. Powers awards Sales Consultant of the Year 2015 - Atlanta Division and Sales Consultant “Definitely Would
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Having owned a home in the Mirror Lake area for over 17 years, Cathy brings her passion for serving her clients to the Highlands community which she, her husband and family have loved for so many
JOHN BYNAM A Marine and former Department of Defense contractor, John settled in the Florida Keys when he retired and opened a cigar shop. However, in 1996 fate intervened when he came to Cashiers on vacation. Not being able to find a “decent” cigar anywhere in Cashiers, he came back two weeks later and opened Cigars of Cashiers. After two years of commuting between the Keys and the mountains, John decided to make the mountains his permanent home. When the cigar boom eventually waned, John closed his cigar shop and obtained his real estate license. He has since found his niche on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau. John has an intimate knowledge of the area as a full-time, year-round Realtor. Coupling that knowledge with his “no nonsense/tell it like it is/ win-win” approach to real estate and his great sense of humor, John has turned clients into loyal friends who have in turn referred him to others. BROKER
Recommend” Customer Service 2015 – Atlanta Division. In 2016 Joyce sold more than $12,800,000 in new homes. In 2017 she had more than $18,491,000 in new homes transactions and in 2018 from January through August, she closed more than $12,000,000 in new homes. Integrity, honesty, and being a leader in service to the community are essential components of Joyce’s life and as a result her client relationships are one of trust. The joy of being a part of watching someone acquire their dream home is quite an honor and offers her deep satisfaction. She is still licensed in Florida and Georgia as well as North Carolina. Joyce and her husband now live in Burlingame, in Sapphire, NC; they still own a home in north Georgia. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Her hobbies include playing tennis, croquet, watching college football, horseback riding, hiking, and enjoying lots of family time.
LOUISE BOOTH Louise and her family have vacationed on Lake Glenville since 1995, and dreamed of owning a home in the Highlands-Cashiers area. For twenty years, she had a fulfilling career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Volusia County, Florida public school system. Louise obtained her real estate license in Florida in 2007, and also sold real estate in the Port Orange market.
DONALD COLLINS Don was first introduced to the Highlands and Cashiers area in the summer of 1987, when he met his lovely wife who was raised Cashiers. Now, 30 years later, and having had the opportunity to live here as well as in other areas, they quickly realized just how blessed they have been to call the Cashiers community home! Don and his wife have three wonderful children and could not imaging raising their family anywhere else.
In 2010, Louise and her husband fulfilled their dream of mountain living and bought a home in Glenville. She is thrilled to be a part of the Berkshire Hathaway team and help others find their happy place in the mountain. In 2020, Louise received the President’s Circle Award for her sales among the top 6% of Berkshire Hathaway sales agents in the US. She strives to provide excellent service and value to her customers. BROKER
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Don has been in the real estate industry for more than 30 years with over $500 million in sales. He has extensive experience representing both buyers and sellers with all types of property. From large parcels for developments to perfect family cottages or spectacular luxury homes, Don can help you find what you are looking for or he can help you sell the
property you own. His goal is to keep it as simple and stress free as possible while achieving your real estate goals.
helping others and facilitating a significant milestone in their lives. Most importantly, it allows him the ability to spend quality time with his young son and wife. While not on the farm, the Cooks enjoy hiking, fishing, and camping in the mountains as well as attending all the events the surrounding communities offer.
TONY COOK Tony Cook was born and raised in Pinellas County, Florida. He spent his childhood playing on Indian Rocks Beach, surfing in New Smyrna, or camping and fishing on the Suwannee River. After high school, he worked in the service industry until joining the U.S. Army in 2010 as an infantryman. During his service, he spent two years stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany where he immersed himself in the local culture, participated in regional festivals, took
PHILIP CURCURU A graduate from Rhode Island School of Design, Philip moved to Austin, Texas in 2010 and began a career in real estate with a focus on residential community marketing. His interests soon expanded into real estate market research and product development, including earning his real estate license in 2014.
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weekends in Nuremburg, and attended Oktoberfest in Munich. He also completed a one-year combat deployment on FOB Tillman in the Paktika province of Afghanistan where his unit received the Valorous Unit Award, the second highest U.S. Army unit decoration. Following his military service, he went back home to Florida and attended the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg. In college he earned money rolling cigars on St. Pete Beach and later worked in the Financial Aid Department at USFSP. After earning a degree in History with a minor in legal studies, Tony moved to Franklin, North Carolina in 2018 with his wife Stephanie. After working for Public Safety in Sapphire, NC and as an Assistant Director in the Financial Aid Department at Western Carolina University, Tony decided to change careers and go into real estate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty in Cashiers, NC. Tony and his wife currently own a small farm in Franklin with chickens, goats, sheep, and donkeys. Working in real estate allows him the flexibility required to run a farm, but also the satisfaction that comes along with
Philip’s wife Christy and her family have been seasonal residents of Highlands for many years
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before they decided to move to the area full-time in 2020. They enjoy spending time with their son and daughter exploring the outdoors and strolling through town with their dog, Hilly.
Philip is an active member of Vision Cashiers, The Bascom, and the Art League of Highlands Cashiers.
DINAH DAVIS Working with an agent like me, with a varied skill set, can help you win in a competitive real estate market. With limited inventory, it is important to have a knowledge of the market and the ability to move quickly. I can help you get the knowledge you need, so you are confident when you are making an offer or selling your property.
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As your real estate agent, Trac is committed to providing you with great customer service, consistent communication, strong attention to detail, and ensuring a positive experience for both buyers and sellers. She understands what it means to communicate and what it takes to successfully close a transaction, making the buying or selling experience positive and seamless.
I became a NC licensed agent in 1997, but I have been working in real estate since 1987, when I began my career as a commercial transaction attorney. Since then, I have worked as in-house counsel to a national real estate firm and as a consultant on a commercial tenant team, both in Atlanta, Georgia. In all these positions, I honed negotiating skills and attention to detail. I leverage my legal background to bring a logical and measured approach to each transaction. Real estate transactions are complicated puzzles. They have a beginning, middle, and end. There is a flat aspect: that is, reading surveys, plans, and permits and understanding how they all fit together with boundaries, easements, access, and available utilities. There is a 3-D aspect to understanding slopes, neighborhoods, towns, and distances to services. Contract negotiation and financing add more pieces to the Rubik’s cube. For me, the most rewarding piece of the puzzle is having a buyer and seller leave a closing table satisfied and as friends. Education: I was raised in an Atlanta suburb and graduated from high school at Westminster. After earning my BA in English at Dartmouth College, I received my JD from University of Georgia Law School.
TOM GOLDACKER Tom had been vacationing to the Highlands/Cashiers Plateau for over 20 years and like many others who have visited, fell in love with the mountains and the quality of life in our area. After spending the majority of his life in Florida and working as both a Florida Marine Patrol Officer and Private Investigator, Tom finally made the move, got his Real Estate License and is now a permanent resident in our community. In 2004, Tom was offered a job at Signature Properties where he worked under the guidance of Judy Michaud.
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When Judy Michaud got the opportunity to have her own Real Estate office, Tom was delighted to join her and her team at Meadows Mountain Realty. During his first three years, Tom became well acquainted with the area and used his people skills to develop his own style of Real Estate sales. Tom is laid back, has a very outgoing personality and is one hell of a tour guide. Just ask his clients!!!
TRACI ERWIN Traci Erwin spent most of her life in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. After completing 20 years in law enforcement, Traci as a Crime Scene Investigator, decided to retire and make change. In 2015, she and her husband moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina on a year round basis.
BETTY HOLT A Highlands native, Betty grew up exploring the woods and natural wonders of the area. After receiving two degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she returned home to the mountains in the late 1970’s to begin her real estate career.
Prior to moving to Cashiers area permanently, she and her husband spent about six weeks a year here on vacation. They knew this is where they wanted to be. Traci and her husband enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family, making the best of what this area has to offer. BROKER
In addition to helping people make decisions about real
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