Hudson Library is thrilled to welcome Alabama author Terah Shelton Harris to Hudson Library on Friday May 24 at 12:30 PM to talk about her new novel Long After We are Gone. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free event. Books & Bites programs, including lunch bites, are sponsored by the Hudson Library Board of Trustees.

Following up on her successful 2023 debut One Summer in Savannah, Terah Shelton Harris is back with a powerful novel, Long After We are Gone.

“Don’t let the White man take the house.”

These are the last words King Solomon says to his son before he dies. Now all four Solomon siblings must return to North Carolina to save the Kingdom, their ancestral home and 200 acres of land, from a development company, who has their sights set on turning the valuable waterfront property into a luxury resort.

While fighting to save the Kingdom, the siblings must also save themselves from the secrets they’ve been holding onto. Junior, the oldest son and married to his wife for 11 years, is secretly in love with another man. Second son, Mance, can’t control his temper, which has landed him in prison more than once. CeCe, the oldest daughter and a lawyer in New York City, has embezzled thousands of dollars from her firm’s clients. Youngest daughter, Tokey, wonders why she doesn’t seem to fit into this family, which has left an aching hole in her heart that she tries to fill in harmful ways. As the Solomons come together to fight for the Kingdom, each of their facades begins to crumble and collide in unexpected ways.

Long After We are Gone is a searing portrait of the power of family and letting go of things that no longer serve you, exploring the burden of familial expectations, the detriment of miscommunication, and the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children.

Terah Shelton Harris is a former librarian and a freelance writer. She has been published in Women’s Health, Natural Solutions, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Backpacker, Draft, and Women’s Adventure. Originally from Illinois, she makes her home in Alabama with her husband Jamel.

For more information or to request an accommodation, please call the library at 828-526-3031. Hudson Library, 554 Main Street in Highlands, is open 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Saturday.

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Author Diane Kelly

North Carolina author Diane Kelly, who has several cozy mystery series to her credit, will give a talk about her books and The Appeal of Appalachia on Friday May 10 at 11:00 AM. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free program.

Diane Kelly has set both her Southern Homebrew and Mountain Lodge Mysteries series in Southern Appalachia. She’ll talk about these cozy mystery series and about why Appalachia holds such enduring appeal.

Diane Kelly writes funny mysteries featuring feisty female lead characters and their furry, four-footed sidekicks. Diane is the author of over three dozen novels and novellas, including the Death & Taxes white-collar crime series, the Paw Enforcement K-9 series, the House Flipper cozy mystery series, the Busted female motorcycle cop series, the Southern Homebrew moonshine series, and the Mountain Lodge Mysteries series.

When not writing, Diane enjoys walking her dog, playing with her cats, and hiking in the beautiful woods in her home state of North Carolina. Learn more about Diane and her books at DianeKelly.com You can also find her on Instagram, Twitter/X, Pinterest, and TikTok at @DianeKellyBooks, and on Facebook at her Author Diane Kelly page.

For more information or to request an accommodation, please call the library at 828-526-3031. Hudson Library, 554 Main Street in Highlands, is open 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Saturday.

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We can’t wait to break out the paddles. Sponsored by pickleball apparel and equipment brand Short Court, the Pickleball Smash is open to all ages, as long as you’ve got game! Sign up to play as a single or a team. We’ll see you on the court!

June Diane Raphael is an actress, comedian, screenwriter and producer. Most recently, she co-starred in The High Note and the hit Netflix series Grace and Frankie, appeared in the Lionsgate comedy Long Shot and the Casey Wilson directed short “Daddio,” as well as reprising her role in the Netflix series Big Mouth. June is also the founder of The Jane Club, a digital community for women; and co-author of Represent: The Woman’s Guide to Running for Office and Changing the World.

Danielle Schneider is a writer and performer who co-created and starred in The Hotwives series for Hulu and wrote and recurred on Showtime’s Black Monday. Additional television credits include Hacks, Champaign, Ill, Community and Happy Endings. She has also written for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, NBC’s Kenan, USA’s Playing House and TRU TV’s I’m Sorry. Feature film writing credits with writing partner Dannah Phirman include Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 for Disney, Catfight for Newline and Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks at Them for Universal Studios. Danielle can currently be heard weekly as the co-host of the Podcast Bitch Sesh alongside Casey Wilson, where the duo dish and dissect the latest happenings in the world of the Real Housewives and beyond.

Paul Scheer is a SAG Award-winning actor, writer, podcaster, and director. In addition to creating, producing, and starring in multiple TV shows, his award winning and critically acclaimed podcasts top the iTunes charts. Paul has won Clios for his commercial work and co-created the first branded comedy special on Twitch. He’s written comic books for Marvel and DC and can be seen in the new Netflix film Family Switch with Jennifer Garner. He’s currently in post production on his latest documentary and is shooting an improvised multicam pilot for Freevee with Marta Kauffman.

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As of this summer, Billy will mark 10 years as a part of the Bascom. He shared with the club all the upcoming events scheduled for the upcoming season as well as talking about the center’s outreach and classes, the wonderful pottery barn, and the numerous exhibitions planned for this season.

The Bascom is open and free to the public with much to see, enjoy, and opportunities to learn. For a schedule of events and exhibitions, visit their website www.bascom.org or call 828-526-4949.

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Community Coffee with Mayor Taylor, a joint endeavor by Hudson Library and the Town of
Highlands, is held on the last Friday of each month from March through October at Hudson
Library. Every month Mayor Taylor, regularly joined by guest speakers, offers information
about topics of interest to the entire Highlands community.

This month’s refreshments are provided by Advance Highlands Education Committee.

For more information or to request an accommodation, please call the library at 828-526-
3031. Hudson Library, 554 Main Street in Highlands, is open 10:00 AM-5:30 PM
Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 AM-4:00 PM on Saturday.

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Bear Shadow, hosted by Highlands Festivals Inc., is an annual spring music festival that brings highly anticipated, world-class music acts to the Highlands Plateau for a weekend of music, mountains and revelry. This year’s lineup features the Black Pumas, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Record Company, Futurebirds and many more.

“As a sponsor of Bear Shadow, we wanted to provide an avenue for our residents to partake in the festivities and experience the atmosphere firsthand,” says Kaye McHan, Executive Director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. “It’s not just about attending a music festival; it’s about celebrating our community’s spirit and ensuring that everyone has the chance to be a part of it.”

Entry rules are as follows: Only one entry allowed per person over the age of 18. You must enter by 12 a.m. on April 22, 2024. Winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted by email on or before April 26. Upon winning, you will be required to pick up your tickets in person and present a government issued ID with your name and a Highlands (28741) or Scaly Mountain (28775) zip code. Tickets are not eligible for resale. Go to www.highlandschamber.org/bear-shadow to enter.

For more information about the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC call 828-526-2112 or log on to www.highlandschamber.org. For more information about Bear Shadow visit their website, www.bearshadow.com.

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(l-r) Pat Gleeson, Bee Gleeson, Clif Gottwals, Doug Helms, Steve Castellaw, and Colleen Kerrigan

When you’re looking for direction in the unique and specialized world of Plateau Real Estate, it helps to have an insider’s perspective. A local’s insight is worth its weight in gold – or in this case, prime real estate.

That’s why the office of Christie’s Highlands/Cashiers (North 5th Street in Highlands) is such a valuable resource.

It’s loaded with full-time residents – starting with Broker-in-Charge Clif Gottwals, and including Doug Helms, Steve Castellaw, Pat Gleeson, Bee Gleeson, and Colleen Kerrigan.

“Our team is composed of only full-time residents who know and love the area and that is what drives our enthusiasm and value proposition to clients who want a trusted and knowledgeable advisor,” says Gottwals. “We are committed to our community and actively invest our time and financial resources advancing local programs ranging from the cultural to the ecological.”

Those local investments include support for Mountain Theatre Company, Mirror Lake Improvement Association, Literacy and Learning Center, and the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation.

“We each bring with us our experience from prior successful careers in industries ranging from International Trade, Investment Banking, Law, Advertising, Local Business Ownership, and Photography,” says Gottwals. “We’ve come together as a team born out of common values, ethics and like-minded enthusiasm.

We offer over 75 years of collective real estate experience in this very specialized market.”

Of course, this locally-flavored real estate office approaches its success with a different metric than what’s the industry standard.

“Unlike most brokerages, we measure our success based on the quality of relationships that we build with the goal of becoming a multi-generational resource for those that share our love of this magical place,” Gottwals says.

You can discover for yourself by visiting highlandscashierscire.com or calling (828) 482-5022.

Even better, stop by North 5th Street in Highlands for a chat. After all, that’s the local way.

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Networking: One of the most significant advantages of joining the Highlands Chamber of Commerce is the opportunity to expand your professional network. By becoming a member and attending events such as Coffee Chats and Business After Hours, you gain access to a diverse community of local businesses and professionals. These connections can open doors to potential partnerships, collaborations and new opportunities.

Enhanced Credibility: 63% of consumers are more likely to buy products or services from businesses who are members of their local chamber. Being affiliated with the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and proudly displaying your member sticker demonstrates to customers and clients that you are committed to excellence and actively involved in the local business community.

Resources: Members of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce gain access to a wealth of resources designed to enhance their expertise and effectiveness. Programs like Leadership Highlands and Chamber-led community meetings provide valuable opportunities for business leaders to sharpen their skills and stay ahead of industry trends.

Increased Visibility: The Highlands Chamber of Commerce offers prime exposure opportunities for its members. Through the Welcome Center, members can showcase their marketing materials. Furthermore, the Chamber amplifies member visibility through its annual Experience Guide (available in both print and digital formats), weekly Community newsletter, and monthly Member and Visitor newsletters, all of which prominently feature member information. Complementing these efforts are the Chamber’s robust social media channels, providing an additional platform for members to gain exposure.

Community Engagement: Beyond the business benefits, joining the Highlands Chamber of Commerce allows you to play an active role in enriching the local community. Through various events including Plateau Pick Up, the Christmas Parade, Snow Fest and the like, the Chamber fosters community engagement and civic involvement. By participating in these activities, you not only contribute to the prosperity of the community but also enhance your businesses visibility and goodwill.

We invite you to become a Business or Social member of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. Together, we can discover new opportunities, forge meaningful connections and make a lasting impact on our community.

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“This year marks our 10th anniversary, and the club has grown by leaps and bounds.  We started with about 100 kids, and now are over 450 and growing,” says Merrel Hattink, who serves on the BGC Board. “This year we will open an additional Club in Highlands and are beginning to build a teen Club building at the Cashiers site.”

1. To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.  This is achieved by providing aworld-class Club experience that ensures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors.

2. BGCP provides a safe supportive environment filled with caring adults who love working with the youth of our community.  Programs are filled with fun activities that support academic success, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing, character, and citizenship.

3. Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau is excited to be celebrating its 10th year of operation.  Founded at the Community center in cashiers 10 years ago the Club operated in two rooms and served 150 members.

4. In 2022 it opened its new facility at 558 Frank Allen Road where membership has increased to over 450 members in 2023.

5. BGCP will be opening its second location in Highlands, NC this Spring and Club devoted to teen members will open on the Cashiers campus in 2025.

6. Summer Camp will operate at both the Cashiers and Highlands locations and registration is currently open.  For more information, visit the Club website at bgcplateau.org.

“We are thrilled and amazed at the success and growth not only of the Club in the last 10 years, but that of the young people we serve,” says Carmen Waite, the chairwoman of the Childcare Coalition of Highlands.  “I’ve really had a chance to understand the needs here in Highlands and we are looking forward to being part of the community as we open this second location.”

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