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FREE Every ThursdayVolume 17, Number 17Real-Time News, Weather & WebCams: HighlandsInfo.comSome restrictions could be eased afterApril 29; schools likely to open May 18At last Thursday’s ZoomTown Board meeting and againTuesday morning, Mayor Pat Taylor stressed the need to work col-Wide Opendeal withTown isdeadDuring Thursday night’sZoom Town Board meeting,Commissioner Amy Pattersonannounced that contract negotiations with Wide Open Networkshave fallen apart.At the March’s retreat –though business isn’t typicallydone – business was conducted regarding the Wide Open Networkcontract. The board voted 4-1 toaccept the contract. Commissioner Marc Hehn voted against it.At the time, MIS/GIS Director Matt Shuler said thoughthe contract was accepted by theTown Board, the process wasn’tcomplete.“The Town Board did approve the Wide Open contract,but now it will be sent back toWide Open for their approval,”he said. “If Wide Open approvesit, then it is a completed deal, but See WIDE OPEN page 6laboratively on a gradual openingof town businesses, properties andpublic places.During a webinar Tuesday Inside This Issue Mayor on Duty . 2Weather. 2Word Matter. 6Investing at 4,118 Ft. 8COVID dealings . 11-14 See RESTRICTIONS page 9Entegra is gone; Select Bank is hereSpring Home Imp. 16Spiritually Speaking. 18Service Directory. 20Police & Fire Reports. 22Classifieds. 22PLS workingremotely andis now inHighlands &CashiersPisgah Legal Servicesprovides free legal aidtown utilities at PAC continue tobe waived.According to Finance Director Rebecca Shuler, the town sup-Pisgah Legal Services (PLS),a nonprofit that provides FREE,civil legal aid in Western NorthCarolina (WNC), now part of theHighlands/Cashiers community,remains open and continues toprovide help for people with lowincomes during the COVID-19(coronavirus) outbreak.The staff is working remotely, helping clients and taking newapplications for assistance withcritical needs that include evictions, foreclosures, domestic violence, coping with debts, unemployment and other governmentbenefits, and health care.“Pisgah Legal Services continues to serve existing clientsand is also available to people in See UTILITIES page 10 See PISGAH page 10On April 20, 2020 the three Entegra Bank, a Division of First Citizens Bank, branches (located at 30 Hyatt Road,in Franklin, 473 Carolina Way, Highlands, and 498 East Main, Sylva) became part of the Select Bank & Trust family.For more information about account conversion – should you choose to stay with Select Bank – go to: or-entegra-bank-branch-conversion.– Photo by Kim LewickiIt’s not legal for PAC to get free utilitiesThe construction schedulefor the Performing Arts Center expansion has not gone asplanned. The cost of constructionand finding a company willing toTheThetake on the project, as well as fundraising hurdles have caused delays.At the April Town BoardZoom meeting, the last item onthe agenda was PAC’s request thatTHANK YOU.SUMMER HOUSE‘Home Furnishing Center’OpenMonday – Saturday9a-5p2089 Highway 106828-526-5577morning, Taylor said the Emergency Operations Committee(EOC) of Macon County com-Thursday, April 23 , 2020114 N. 4th Street Highlands, NC(828) 526.8300 (828) 526-4104highlandssothebys.comHealthcare Professionals CaregiversUtility WorkersFirst RespondersWaste CollectorsSanitation TeamsWarehouse WorkersGrocery Store ClerksGenerous NeighborsDelivery CarriersHeroes and HelpersRestaurant WorkersAnd so many moreIn good times and bad, always committed.M c C UL L E Y ’ SThe largest selection ofScottish cashmere inthe U.S.A.In Highlands242 S. 4th St. 526-4407andIn Cashiers24B Canoe Point 743-5515
Page 2 - Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 The Plateau’s Position Mayor onDuty Hic’sGarbage Grabbers clean up HighlandsView Yesterday was Earth Day.reation parking lot and receive aIn the past, the Highprepackaged sack of supplies inlands Plateau Cleanupcluding gloves, vests and pickuptook place on the Saturday clossticks. COVID-19 protocols wereest to Earth Day. The sponsorfollowed.of the event, the HighlandsThe small groups would thenChamber of Commerce, cantell Margot where they were gocelled this year’s Saturday cleaning to pick up trash on a highup due to COVID-19. That wasway. Margot would tell Fred andbad news.me where and when to collectNevertheless, there is goodthe trash bags. Slowly but surelynews. The cleanup has already Highlands Mayor groups came forward and progPatrick Taylorbeen done by small groups ofress was made.volunteers. Margot Teed developed theA final trash assault was made last Satidea to create a volunteer program called urday when small groups of OEI employeesThe Highlands Garbage Grabbers. Mar- spread out on all the corridors to pick upgot and her husband Fred partnered and sections that had yet to be done. Fred and Ipooled resources with the Highlands hauled to the town dumpsters about 35 bagsChamber and its program coordinator, of garbage on Saturday afternoon. I want toBeverly Wichman.thank Larry Holt, head of the town sanitaThe project started with small groups tion department, for safely processing theof 3 or 4 volunteers signing up on High- bags by that evening.lands Garbage Grabbers Facebook pageI want to thank Margot and Fred Teed,to pick up trash on a designated day. Mar- all the volunteers of the Highlands Garbagegot had a drive thru and curb side system Grabbers, and the Highlands Chamber ofwhere the groups would drive to the rec- Commerce. As Fred and I removed the lastbags of trash, I told him this program was anew model. The corridors have been sweptHighlands Newspaperof trash, and now we have a program to keepwww.highlandsinfo.comthem that way.Phone: (828) 200-1371Volunteers are still needed to keepEmail:moving forward. Go to Highlands Garbagehighlandseditor@aol.comGrabbers on Facebook and sign up to doa highway trash sweep. We will collect theHighlandsEditor@aol.comgarbage bags and make sure they get to thePublisher/Editor: Kim Lewickilandfill.Reporters: Brittney LofthouseSometimes a forced change results in aBrian O’Sheacreative alternative. A case in point is the newDigital Media/Circulation - Jim Lewickiway the corridors have been cleaned. OtherLocally owned and operated byimproved systems will be created in responseKim & Jim Lewickito this crisis.Adobe PDF version atwww.HighlandsInfo.comI have been getting numerous ques265 Oak St.; P.O. Box 2703,tions about when I and the Town Board willHighlands, N.C., 28 741reopen Highlands. My response is that wewill follow the governor and the state healthA l l R i g h t s R e s e r ve d . N o a r t i c l e s ,director’s lead in plans to reopen the state,photos, illustrations, advertisements orcounties and towns. We anticipate new statedesign elements may be used without perguidelines very soon.mission from the publisherAlso, I have been in contact with War.ren Cabe, the Macon County EmergencyLetter Policy:Operations Director. He has been in discusWe reserve the right to reject or editsions with other officials in adjoining counletters-to-the-editor. No anonymous letterswill be accepted. Views expressed are notties and towns. We all agree that there shouldnecessarily those of Highlands Newspaper. See MAYOR page 5 Weather 9 -0Thu, 23-Apr57 F50 FFri, 24-Apr65 F46 FSun, 26-AprSat, 25-AprLJI/I60 F42 FI-b56 F34 FCooler with strong t·stormsPanial sunshineCloudy wilh showersRea!Feel Real Feel:: 1-1,gh: 73 LOY/: 49 RealFeel Reatfee,.' 1-igh: 58 .avr. 46'High: 61 Low: 40'H gh· 5r Low: 46 Mostly cloudy. a shower:coolFor Real-time Weather and the Extended Forecast,go to www.highlandsinfo.com and click on WeatherNew & Re-Roofing Applications Including:Asphalt Cedar Metal Synthetic Materials.Showroom: 1511 Highlands Rd. Franklin O: 828-524-7773info@highlandernc.com www.highlandernc.com
Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 - Page 3We Invite You to#ResortRemotelyIn lieu of our We Love Locals specials that usually run in April, we invite you to#ResortRemotely with us as we bring the comforts of Old Edwards Inn right into your homewith recipes from our culinary team at Madison’s Restaurant, wellness tips from our spa team,expert advice on how to master the art of a relaxing hotel sleep at home and more.Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram to #ResortRemotely
Page 4 - Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 Highlands Area Dining Directory The LogCabinFresh Seafood, Steaks, & Comfortable Italian130 Log Cabin LaneReal pit BBQ!Stay Welland be safeCall for Take-Out828-526-5777See menu at:www.LogCabinHighlands.comTake-Out, Curb-side Delivery andChowNow Online Ordering Available!We look forwardto seeing yousoon!Take-out, curbside delivery andhome deliveryEnjoy ourTues. - Sat.starts at3 courses forDinner 305:30 p.m.specials!474 Main street828.526.3807wolfgangs.net828-526-4035Serving Lunch and Dinner Year-Round.Gourmet Foods, Full Service BarTown Square at 343-D Main St. HighlandsClosed until it’ssafe to open.Hope to seeyou soon!Please call forupdatedre-opening hoursOPENThurs., Fri., Sat.: 11-8 Sun., 11-7595 Franklin Road, Highlands, NC828.526.3554www.highlandssmokehouse.comFollow Us on Facebook & InstagramPeace from the Pit .on the VerandahRestauranton Lake Sequoyahwww.ontheverandah.comUS 64 west HighlandsOpen 4p-8pFri. and Sat.Curbsidepickup &limited deliveryavailable!828-526-2338
Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 - Page 5.MAYOR continued from page 2Call828-743-0190LUNCH TO-GO MENUAvailableMonday–Friday10a to 2pSPECIALFriday ONLY – 14Black Angus Prime Rib with aujus, mashed potatoes, freshgreen beans, home-made biscuitLunch Daily w/1 side 10Atkins SaladRoasted Turkey Cobb SaladFried Chicken SaladChicken Tender PlatterSouthern Fried Chicken SandwichBounty HunterRuebenHot Turkey ClubCranberry Chicken Salad WrapAll American BurgerWicked Fish Wrapbe a regional coordinated effort for reopening the region.Commissioner Patterson, Commissioner Hehn and Iparticipated in a Zoom meeting with the leadership of theHighlands Chamber of Commerce this week. There wasagreement of the need to work together beginning now todevelop plans to reopen the businesses and the town, eventhough the date to begin this process is still unknown.I was very gratified to hear the chamber leadershipstress that a reopening will need to be deliberate, balancedand gradual. The notion of just flipping a switch and returning to normal operations won’t happen. The town leadership must plan carefully to balance citizen safety with theneed to reopen our economy and community. MOUNTAIN FRESH GROCERYDinners-To-GoTWO SERVINGSMON LOW COUNTRY LOBSTER/SHRIMP BOIL, 42TWO LOBSTER TAILS, LARGE SHRIMP, REDBLISS POTATOES, SUMMER CORN,HOUSE-MADE SAUSAGE, ALL STEEPED INOUR PROPRIETARY SEASONING. SERVEDWITH DRAWN BUTTER AND COCKTAILSAUCE.TUE GRILLED TUSCAN CHICKEN BREASTS WITH 32SUNDRIED TOMATOES, GARLIC BASIL,WHITE WINE BUTTER SAUCE, CAPERS,AND GOAT CHEESE. SERVED WITHROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES ANDSEASONAL ROASTED VEGETABLES.WED PRIME RIB COOKED MEDIUM RARE WITH 40RED WINE AU JUS, TWO BAKEDPOTATOES, AND A FRESH CAESAR SALADFOR TWO.THUThank you for supporting us!Check out the menu atwww.randevunc.comFRIBABY BACK RIBSCOOKED FALL-OFF-THE-BONE-TENDERSERVED WITH HOUSE MADE BACON/APPLE BAKED BEANS, ANDHOUSE-MADE COLESLAW30SHRIMP: FRIED OR STEAMED35LARGE SHRIMP - YOUR CHOICE OFLIGHTLY-BREADED IN OUR SEASONEDCORN FLOUR MIXTURE, SERVED WITHHUSHPUPPIES; OR STEAMED-TO-ORDERIN OUR LOW COUNTRY SEASONING. SIDESINCLUDE BAKED POTATOES ANDCOLESLAW.Pick-up times between4:30PM - 7:30PM . WHILE THEY LASTCORNER OF FIFTH & MAIN, HIGHLANDS NC 828.526.2400 See OBITUARIES page 10
Page 6 - Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 WordI’m a word guy. I like words,some more than others. Onesuch word is paradox. Webster defines it as “a seeminglyabsurd or self-contradictorystatement or proposition thatwhen investigated or explainedmay prove to be well founded ortrue.” Example: Wordsworth’s,‘The child is the father of theman.’Right now, without knowing it, many people are experiencing a kind of paradox ofpreparedness. If you’ve everlived in Florida, you experiencedit during every hurricane season.Former Floridians, I can see youasking, “What is this paradox ofpreparedness?”I’ll tell you.As soon as a tropical disturbance surfaces in the eastAtlantic, meteorologists begintracking it. We watch it progressfrom disturbance, to depression,Matter The Paradox of Preparednessto storm, to hurAnd, risk-averse isricane. We watchone of my manyas the models tellmiddle names.us where it mightThe majority ofcome ashore, and atus had little to actuwhat intensity.ally worry about, butWe are warned,we prepared anyway.and, we are encourWe knew theaged to prepare.deal; better safe thanAnd, many of us dosorry. Hope for theprepare.best but prepare forDepending onthe worst. We underour individual cirBud Katzstand the underlyingcumstances — doidea; it’s better towe live on the east coast, the gulf overprepare and not have to usecoast, inland, in the panhandle it, than to underprepare and not– we load up on drinking water, survive it.ready-to-eat provisions, snacks,The paradox of preparednessalcohol, plywood to cover our is that some of us, not close to awindows, tarps to cover our majority, aren’t interested in preroofs, yep, even toilet paper. De- paring. Then, when some of thosepending on our individual level folks grudgingly do prepare, theyof risk aversion, we either head get angry when, in the end, thefor the hills (in many cases, these storm zigged instead of zaggedhills), or we grab our surfboards. and they didn’t get hit.I didn’t own a surfboard.Okay. Enough of the hurricane metaphor.According to a recent NBCNews/Wall Street Journal poll aWith a Mask Your Eyes are theCenter of AttentionEnhance them with Latisse\.I DRY SINK;;a H I G H LAN DI, NC'l(eep Poocf PresherLo ngerWith theRIGWABOWLTo Order:Call 828-526-3783 & leave orderor PlSurgToday@AOL.comCenter for Plastic SurgeryPlasticSurgeryToday.comsizable majority of Americans,67% against 33%, do NOT wantto rush to “reopen” the American economy in the face of acontinuing, still deadly pandemic.No surfboards for these folks. AsI write this, Covid-19 has takenalmost 170,000 lives around theworld, and more than 40,000 inthe United States. By now, I’msure those numbers are higher.We’ve been begged, recommended, even ordered to stay athome, if we can, so as to controland then stop the spread of thevirus. This tactic has been provento save lives. Still, nearly a thirdof Americans either don’t understand these measures, becausewhere they are and who they arehaven’t been affected to the extent where staying home might beobvious.They want to resume theirlives and don’t seem concerned ifthey get infected, because they’rein good health with no underlying conditions, or, they’re youngand are not among those deemedvulnerable. Of course, there’s alsothe disturbing idea that these people are thinking only about themselves and not others, even thosein their lives who are vulnerable,such as parents, grandparents,and those with underlying healthissues they might not know about.I feel bad for those who arebeing economically damaged, butthe public’s health should comefirst.Our nation is barely twomonths into its battle with thisdeadly virus. China and Europegot hit before we did and, thankyou very much, they spread it tous. They’ve been dealing with itfor up to 45 additional days. Alltold, the world is only three-plusmonths into this thing.In terms of knowledge andunderstanding, medical scienceis still feeling its way. There’slots yet to learn and they musttake as much time as necessaryto properly apply what they dolearn.The paradox of preparedness is that we prepare, eventhough we’d rather not, and bypreparing, we are spared theworst of things. If you get angry because you prepared anddidn’t get sick, fine. All it meansis you and others are still alive.So please, prepare.It’s inconvenient, frustrating, and yes, painful, but untilmedical researchers identifytreatments and a vaccine, what’sbeing done is working.Why change a winningstrategy? Keep essential businesses open and continue socialdistancing. And finally, stay athome if at all possible, and let’sride this damn thing out.WIDE OPEN continued from page 1if they have any changes, it will bebrought back to the board.”And that’s what has happened.“I wanted to update everyoneon where we stand with broadband. We have been in negotiations for two years with WideOpen Networks which was goingto provide the network for ourhigh-speed broadband,” said Commissioner Patterson. “The latestiteration of them coming back tothe town was significantly different from what we have been talking about over the last year or so,so what we decided with Matt andour lawyer in Washington who isvery well versed in these things iswe will be going in a little differentdirection.”Consequently, according toPatterson and staff, the town willnot enter into a contract with WideOpen.“We have let them know thatthe contract they sent back to uswas not acceptable so we havegone in the direction where weare putting together a Request forProposal (RFP) from other networking folks that can manage ournetwork,” she said.The relationship with WideOpen Networks was based on aRequest for Information (RFI)which had state law stipulations at- See WIDE OPEN page 19
toletseerrea)-9Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 - Page 7Gratitude.To the doctors, the nurses, the respiratory therapists, the environmentalservices workers – to every person working to keep us safe, thank you.At Mission, we are proud to say we provide the best care with the most care, but inthis time of crisis we are also seeing your selflessness, your bravery, your heroism.For your courage and compassion, your dedication,your resilience, we will be forever grateful.
Page 8 - Highlands Newspaper - Thurs., April 23, 2020 - 828-200-1371 Investing atT4,118 ft. Current and Future Real Estate Happeningshrough my interactions with current and prior clients during thequarantining, I have been askednumerous questions including: 1) are thereany real estate transactions currently happening; 2) how can you show real estate;and 3) what is the future of real estate andhow transactions occur?Currently there are real estate transactions occurring, but at a much lower ratethan before things closing down. Duringthe first quarter of the year transactionswere up significantly over 2019. Since thestock market took a loss and quarantiningbegan, a number of contracts terminatedfor various reasons. However, there arestill sellers listing properties and buyerslooking for properties. Every day there arenew listings and properties continue to gounder contract, or convert to pending orclosed. Some of the buyers had previouslydecided to move to the plateau as full timeresidents; some have been waiting for theright property for them; and some have decided that it is time to leave an urban areaor have a second home to retreat to because of situations like we are currently in.There has been a shift inbuyer actually sees the househow real estate showings octhey can move forward withcur. The most common is thethe contract and the fee is creduse of technology with virtualited to the purchase price, or3-dimensional online tours.they can terminate the contractFrom a computer or tablet youand the seller retains the fee.can walk through a house, turnThis fee is different than a duewithin rooms, go up or downdiligence fee or earnest moneystairs, and look in baths andwhich cover other issues.closets or out windows to get aSo you may
On April 20, 2020 the three Entegra Bank, a Division of First Citizens Bank, branches (located at 30 Hyatt Road, in Franklin, 473 Carolina Way, Highlands, and 498 East Main, Sylva) became part of the Select Bank & Trust family. For more information about account conversion – should you choose to
