What’s happening this week

September 20

September 23

• Nature Center Camp: From September 23-27, the Highlands Nature Center will be celebrating “Take a Child Outside!” week by hosting an after-school nature camp. Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to attend. Nature Center Education Specialist, Paige Engelbrektsson, will lead campers as they take walks through the Botanical Garden, help care for the Nature Center’s live animal collection, and learn new and fun ways to explore outdoors. The cost of the camp is $10 per day per participant. Advance registration is required. The camp will be held at the Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road in Highlands from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., September 23–27. To register or for more information, please call 828.526.2623.

• Commons Building Unveiling: The Village Green Commons Building is in the final stages, and invites the public to view this beautiful new facility. We invite you to join us for a tour from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Monday, September 23 at 160 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers. This venue will be the EPICenter for education, performance, innovation, and community in the heart of The Village Green, Cashiers 13-acre privately conserved public park.

September 27

• Satulah-bration 2019: Hike to Satulah Preserve from 10-2 p.m. on Sept. 27, followed by the Chili Cook-Off on Sept. 28 from  1-4 p.m. On September 30, 1909, the organization that eventually evolved into Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) officially took ownership of the summit of Satulah Mountain, their first property. From that day forward, they have cared for the summit of Satulah as a public property for all to enjoy in perpetuity.   This public park, now known as Satulah Mountain Preserve, has become a community treasure and on the last Saturday in September – the 28th this year- HCLT will host their fourth annual Satulah-bration. All are invited to this community event to honor this very special property and celebrate all the 3,000+ acres that HCLT preserves for ours and future generations.  This year’s festivities will include a hike to the Preserve on Friday followed by a chili cook-off at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday. Enter your chili in the cook off, or taste and judge your favorite, enjoy cold beer from Satulah Mountain Brewing, treats from Cake Bar and new this year- gem mining!  Purchase your bag of gems for sifting and also discover all the gems your land trust preserves in our own backyard.  Big thanks to our 2019 event sponsor- Entegra Bank. If you have any questions contact HCLT at info.hitrust@earthlink.net, 828.526.1111 or click HERE. Come out and celebrate with Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust; with your help HCLT, protects the quality if the air you breathe, the water you drink and healthy habitat for all who live here.

• Community Coffee at Hudson Library: On Friday, September 27 at 11 a.m. in the Hudson Library Meeting Room for “Updates on Legislation in the NC House” with Mayor Patrick Taylor and guest speaker State Representative Kevin Corbin. 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 February 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 The Highlands Biological Station. For more information or to request an accommodation, please call the library at 828.526.3031 or click HERE. Hudson Library, 554 Main Street in Highlands, is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday.

September 28

• Satulah-bration Chili Cook-Off: From 1-4 p.m. at Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands.

September 29

• Live Concert Series at the PAC: Sunday, September 29, at 8 p.m. spot lights the Tenors Unlimited from the UK. A clever combination of popular opera, musical theatre, crooner standards and original songs has been the key to their success.  That, combined with a wicked sense of humor makes their performance more than just a show and this is clearly apparent when ‘the Rat Pack of Opera’ (as they are also known) takes to the stage.

October 6

• Highlands on the Half-Shell: Join the Highlands Biological Foundation for a Cajun celebration on Sunday, October 6, at “Highlands on the Half-Shell” in the meadow behind the Nature Center.  This annual fall event supports the Highlands Biological Foundation. The bayou comes to the mountains with a feast of oysters, gumbo, and other Louisiana delicacies under the canopy of Highland’s autumn flame-colored leaves.  The Highlands Biological Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides support for the Biological Station and its three facets: Nature Center, Botanical Garden and Biological Laboratory. Thanks to the generosity of members and community residents, admission to the Nature Center and Botanical Garden are free. Come support the mission of the Highlands Biological Station: “To foster research and education focused on the rich natural heritage of the southern Appalachian mountains.” Knowing that your support is directly contributing to conservation efforts, research and education to better understand the exceptional organisms in the southern Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find that oysters and gumbo have never tasted so good. Whether there is rain or shine, Highlands on the Half-Shell is guaranteed to be a good time. The fun starts at 4 p.m. and will last until dark. Come dressed in your favorite “Cajun casual.” Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for non-members. To purchase tickets, click HERE or call 828.526.2221.