Local

Nora Kate and Everett McLure meet with Santa at the Cashiers Festival of Trees over Thanksgiving weekend | Photo courtesy of Summit Charter School

Festival of Trees sees rise in fundraising results, attendance

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

The annual Cashiers Festival of Trees, a fundraising event hosted by the Summit Charter School Foundation, took place over Thanksgiving weekend, featuring decorated trees and wreaths, gift baskets, holiday vendors, rivalry-weekend football broadcasts, live entertainment, arts and crafts, story time...

Mr. and Mrs. Clause cheerily wave to parade attendees at the Highlands Christmas Parade | Photo courtesy of Visit Highlands NC

Christmas parades in Highlands, Cashiers celebrate holiday season

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

The holiday season will be in full swing this weekend as Highlands and Cashiers host their annual Christmas parades on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Highlands Christmas Parade runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and the 51st Cashiers Christmas Parade follows from 3 to 5 p.m.

Alice Manning, Brady Kittrell, Clarence Bystrzicki, Shep Muir, Eliza Muir and Stanley Bystrzycki at Highlands Performing Arts Center for the premiere of Wicked: For Good.

OFF TO SEE WICKED: FOR GOOD

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Starting Nov. 21, the Highlands Performing Arts Center began showing Wicked: For Good, its first-ever premiere film. The movie has already become the theater’s second-highest grossing title, drawing about 190 people in its first four days.

2025 Chairman of the Board Nick Sarra and President & CEO Carol Dover present the FRLA Restaurateur of the Year award to Mike Quillen.

Mica’s Quillen named FRLA Restaurateur of the Year

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

At the 2025 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) awarded Restaurateur of the Year to Mike Quillen, owner of Mica’s Mountain Kitchen in Sapphire.

A new path to wellness

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

This December, Jackson County will celebrate a milestone in community wellness and nature connection: the official opening of the Jackson County Greenway in Sylva, as an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail.

Dotson steps down from Town Board

News Staff

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

At the Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners monthly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, Commissioner John Dotson announced he will step down from his position, effective Dec. 31. The longtime commissioner, who has served on the board since being sworn in on Dec.

HCLT protects over 100 acres

News Staff

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

2025 has been a landmark year for conservation achievement for Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT), protecting more than 100 acres of ecologically significant land across three major projects completed in 2025.

The Village Green’s Mistletoe Market and Lights on the Green will take place on Friday, Nov. 28. Both events are free.

Village Green rings in the holiday season

News Staff

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

The Village Green is excited to kick off the holiday season with festive celebrations on Friday, Nov. 28. Residents and visitors are invited to join in the fun at the annual Mistletoe Market and Lights on The Green events, both offering something special for everyone!

The Festival of Trees at Summit Charter School has become a must-see event for people of all ages from across Western North Carolina.

MERRY AND BRIGHT

News Staff

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

The Summit Charter School Foundation’s 2025 Cashiers Festival of Trees will open on Friday, Nov. 28, at 370 Mitten Lane in Cashiers, North Carolina. The festive fundraiser—accessible both in person and online—will run through Saturday, Nov. 29, with doors open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cashiers Area Chamber Board President Ashton Harris and Educator of the Year Andrea Chalker.

Cashiers community members honored

News Staff

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual “Cashiers Spirit of Our Community Awards” at Micas Mountain Kitchen on Thursday, Nov. 13. The event honored six different individuals or organizations in the Cashiers area that embody the word “spirit”.