Have you noticed our new office at The Shoppes at CreekSide? We are located just west of the crossroads in Cashiers, North Carolina. CreekSide is one of the premier new retail developments in Cashiers and soon to be a landmark in our little mountain escape.

When the North Carolina Association of Realtors wanted to interview a Realtor with over 30 years experience and find out what insight they may have, they called Elaine Zachary withSilver Creek Real Estate Group. Elaine pointed out that her "best tactic in this market revolves around great customer service that always puts the client first." This attitude, combined with resources and professionalism, sets us apart from other companies and brokers. For further information about the great people at Silver Creek Real Estate Group, feel free to contact Jochen Lucke at jlucke@ncliving.com or call 828-743-1999.

Are you looking for a map of Cashiers or Highlands, NC? Have you ever gotten lost on the way someone's home in the area and wished you had a street map? We can help! We have free maps available at our office, so please feel free to stop by and pick one up. If you would like one before you get to town, please email me at jlucke@ncliving.com or call the office at 828-743-1999 and we'll mail one to you.

On January 27, 2009, the Sapphire Valley Master Association (SVMA) purchased Red Bird Golf Course. Included in the purchase were about 30 acres of land, the pro shop building, carts, and other maintenance equipment. The SVMA also owns the Sapphire Recreation Center, the Sapphire Community Center, and the ski area. The association refinanced [...]

Many of you are familiar with the devastating effects of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) on the beautiful hemlock trees in our area. According to the US Forest Service, these pests will kill a hemlock tree within a few years. The HWA does not have enough natural enemies here to keep it in check, and the hemlock [...]

Are you planning a visit to the Cashiers/Highlands area? Whether you are coming just to sightsee or plan to take advantage of opportunities in the real estate market, let us help you reserve your accommodations. We have special arrangements with some of the area's best resorts for discounted room rates and packages. Please call our office at [...]

The ABC Store (state-run liquor store) has signed a lease for a new location in the Highlands Plaza. The new store will be located between the State Farm Insurance office and Subway. The store is scheduled to open later this spring. The current location will be part of a five-year plan for the Town Hall to expand its [...]

A snow covered Cashiers Valley.

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Fly Fishing Map

The Jackson County Tourism Board has produced the first fly fishing map for Western North Carolina. The map details 15 of the best locations for fly fishing andreeling inBrook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout in our area. The map covers all of Jackson County from Balsam, Dillsboro, Webster, along Cullowhee, Tuckasegee, down to Cashiers and Panthertown. The four major rivers included in the map are the Tuckaseigee, Chattooga, Whitewater, and the Horsepasture.

You can get this map mailed to you for free by calling 1-800-962-1911 or you can download it by clicking on the map to the left. For additional information you may also log onto www. flyfishingtrail.com. We will have these maps availableat our office within the next week or so stop by and pick one up.

An undercurrent of excitement is running through the town of Cashiers in anticipation of the debut of The Cashiers Mountain Music Festival on July 4, 2009. Developed by the dedicated team at the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, this inaugural Independence Day event will be hosted at the Village Green and will benefit local area Youth [...]

Have you ever wondered how to calculate the revenue stamps (excise tax) on the sale of real estate in North Carolina? The tax rate is $2 per $1,000 of the sales price. So if you purchase a home or land for $900,000, the revenue tax would be $900,000 divided by 1,000 and multiplied by 2, which equals [...]

This past weekend felt like spring was in the air with temperatures in the low 70's. It was perfect weather to be out on the golf course, hiking or working in the yard. Then, a day later, we had some flurries. Just when it looks like spring has really arrived, one more quick snowfall always seems to sneak in and [...]

Golf Digest magazine just published their annual list of top golf courses in the country. They list the top 100 private and public courses as judged by a panel of 900 men and women. Each course was rated on seven different criteria on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being absolutely perfect). The seven criteria and Wade Hampton's ratings areshot [...]

Tours of Cashiers historic Zachary-Tolbert House Resume May 15

As visitors and summer residents of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau return to the area for the season, the Cashiers Historical Society is proud to announce the return of their tours of The Zachary-Tolbert House on May 15. Guided tours of the lovely 157-year-old Greek revival home, [...]

Cashiers is going green all summer long! Saturday, May 16th marks the kick-off of the Tailgate Farmers Market at the Cashiers Community Center. Nearly 20 vendors will converge on the Center to present locally grown, garden-fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as an eclectic blend of baked goods; plants, flowers and herbs; local honey; eggs [...]

Some things are well worth the wait! After more than a year and a half and an estimated $6 million in renovation costs Gorges State Park reopens its gates to the North Carolina public. Situated on 7,520 pristine acres in the Sapphire/Lake Toxaway region of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, Gorges is the only state park found west of Asheville. [...]

Increasing The Curb Appeal of your Home

The rainy days of April have made the ground a perfect medium for a colorful palette of May flowers. As visitors descend upon the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the coming weeks, its a given that many either wont want to leave at all or will choose to buy a vacation home here and return year-after-year. [...]

Join your friends, family, and neighbors on June 14 for the Bare Boards Party on Cashiers Village Green. This very special event is designed to celebrate the upcoming transformation of the former Summit Charter School location on Frank Allen Road into a multi-purpose open-air community facility, The Village Square on The Village Green. Having served as the site of Summit for the past ten years, the recent move of the school to a new campus leaves four viable turrets, a restroom facility, parking area and a series of covered walkways. The original courtyard provides an excellent location for a Great Lawn that will serve as the ideal setting for large private tented parties, outdoor concerts and open air community events. Following a renovation, the buildings turrets will function as facilities for meetings and lectures. Rental of the Great Lawn for private parties and the turrets for meetings will help fund The Village Green a conservancy project created to preserve, protect and enhance land for our communitys civic, spiritual, educational, cultural and recreational activities to maintain the quality of life for all citizens and visitors in the greater Cashiers area. Lucke, Silver Creek Real Estate Groups owner and broker, is a proponent of the projects mission and a proud member of The Village Greens Board of Directors.

Renderings of the future community facility designed by local architect and Village Green Board Member, Dan Duckham will be on display throughout the Bare Boards Party. The family-friendly event will also feature hot air balloon rides, a pot painting station for the kids, strolling blue grass musicians, delicious food and more. The party gets underway at 4 p.m. and lasts until 7 p.m. Consider showing your support for the community-funded Village Green Centre at the heart of the Cashiers community by donating to the building fund through the Adopt a Turret program, purchasing a Bare Board with your name on it or becoming a Village Greenie. All donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. For more information, visit www.villagegreencashiersnc.com, email me at jlucke@ncliving.com, or call 828-743-1999.

An exciting series of centennial events will take place in 2009 to pay homage to Highlands-Cashiers Land Trusts (HCLT) rich history and illuminate the community to its very bright future. HCLT is the oldest land trust in all of North Carolina and among the first 20 in the United States. Like most things, HCLT began very simply the concept of [...]