Regional

Bryan Lewis is the new owner of Highlands Smokehouse.

Bryan Lewis is the new owner of Highlands Smokehouse.

New owner takes over Smokehouse

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
After being open for a little over a year, Highlands Smokehouse has been sold. New ownership took over management of the barbecue restaurant last week, according to partner and former restaurant general manager Tom Goldacker. “Bryan Lewis is an awesome guy,” Goldacker said.

Dahlias dazzle and delight

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
A perfect weekend with perfect weather and a perfect crowd provided the ingredients necessary for a successful Dazzling Dahlia Festival under the new normal of COVID-19 social distancing.
Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor signs a proclamation celebrating this weekend’s 10th annual Dahlia Festival. From left, Kim Daugherty holding the book, Taylor and Lisa Dailey.

Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor signs a proclamation celebrating this weekend’s 10th annual Dahlia Festival. From left, Kim Daugherty holding the book, Taylor and Lisa Dailey.

Dahlia Festival on display Sept. 19-20

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2020
While other standard festivals and celebrations in and around the plateau has fallen victim to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the 10th anniversary of the Highlands Historical Society’s Dazzling Dahlia Festival will go on as scheduled Friday and Saturday.
Author Susan Zurenda has been writing for many years, but her new work “Bells For Eli,” is her first fiction novel.

Author Susan Zurenda has been writing for many years, but her new work “Bells For Eli,” is her first fiction novel.

Zurenda pens first novel

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Regional author Susan Beckham Zurenda will be appearing in Highlands on Oct. 21 to promote and talk about her debut novel, “Bells for Eli.
The High Octane event on Sunday at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park will be closed to the general public in order to follow state COVID-19 guidelines.

The High Octane event on Sunday at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park will be closed to the general public in order to follow state COVID-19 guidelines.

High Octane event changes gears due to restrictions

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 10, 2020
The finale of this weekend’s Mountain Motoring event has had to undergo a format change due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to event organizer Steve Ham.  According to Ham, after meeting with Highlands officials about the “High Octane in the Park” event, in regard to N.C.
The 2020 Mountaintop Arts and Crafts show will take place on Aug. 29-30 in Founders Park.

The 2020 Mountaintop Arts and Crafts show will take place on Aug. 29-30 in Founders Park.

Revamped Mountaintop Arts and Crafts Shoe set for Aug. 29-30

Dan Brown
Thursday, August 13, 2020
It wouldn’t be summer in Highlands without a good craft show, COVID-19 or not. Sponsored by the Mountain Top Rotary of Highlands, the Highlands Mountaintop Art and Craft Show, formerly known as the Village Square Art and Crafts Show is slated for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug.
Planning for the 2020 Highlands Historical Society Dahlia Festival is underway.

Planning for the 2020 Highlands Historical Society Dahlia Festival is underway.

Dahlia Festival plans taking shape

Dan Brown
Thursday, August 6, 2020
While other festivals and celebrations in and around the plateau have fallen victim to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the 10th anniversary of the Highlands Historical Society’s Dazzling Dahlia Festival is soldiering onward.
Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is partnering with Blue Ridge Health and MAHEC to bring a primary care clinic to Highlands.

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is partnering with Blue Ridge Health and MAHEC to bring a primary care clinic to Highlands.

HCHF clinic recruiting physicians

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Additional details are continuing to emerge regarding a new primary care health clinic in Highlands. Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation Executive Director Robin Tindall and board chair Dr.