Dahlias to dazzle in Highlands

The 13th annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, in Highlands.

Summer starts at Highlands Nature Center

The Highlands Nature Center kicks off its summer season on Memorial Day weekend, with extended hours noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 28, and summer hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday starting Monday, May 29.

Riddle your way through Highlands

The ‘Kids Hike Highlands’ trail passport program is back, with a refresh for the 2023 season. 

Protecting the plateau

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust welcomes new director

 For the first time in its 114-year history, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is saying goodbye to a full-time executive director and welcoming a new one. Gary Wein, who was hired as HCLT’s first full-time employee in 2006, is retiring after nearly 17 years of service. Lance Hardin, who previously served as the organization’s finance and development associate, took over Wein’s old job May 1. 

Take a walk in the woods

Spring is here, bringing with it ample opportunity to get outside, stretch your legs and enjoy the abundance of wildflowers and other plant life in the Southern Appalachians. 

Highlanders object to canceling school expansion 


Several Highlands residents converged on a recent Macon County commissioners meeting to voice their opposition to the county commission cancelling a project that would have expanded Highlands School.

Plateau Pickup

Join neighbors, friends, family and co-workers for the annual Plateau Pickup on Saturday, April 15. Volunteers will begin at Kelsey- Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street at 8:30 a.m., where they will receive their geographic assignment. Stretches of U.S. 64, N.C. 28, N.C. 106 parts of downtown Highlands will be covered. Groups, families and individuals are welcome.

Highlands 
Middle School renovations incoming

Whether it is routine maintenance, renovation, expansion or new construction, Macon County Schools has a long list of needed capital improvements. One of those projects is a step closer to completion after county commissioners approved a contract for architectural services earlier this month.

Couple calls out FedEx after driver admits to 17 break-ins

A couple that owns a home near Highlands is speaking out after they say FedEx failed to act even after warned that one of its drivers was likely robbing several homes along his route.

Hidden amongst the tree line: Highland’s Skyline Lodge combines natural, culinary beauty

Pulling up to the Skyline Lodge, a peaceful silence washes over you while emerging from your vehicle. Walking toward the courtyard entryway, laughter and conversation is heard, whether between old friends or strangers who became fast friends. Soon, the smell of culinary delights wafts from the open doorway to the Oak Steakhouse.

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