About Macon County, NC

I can hardly believe it! In the quiant little town of Franklin, NC we have the new Smoky Mountain Center for the performing arts. Thanks to Phil Drake this 1,500 seat facility is slated to open in 2009. This is a big deal for us here. It is located on the Georgia Rd. Hwy. 441 South. Its about 2 hours north of Atlanta and a hour to Asheville. This little town is growing so fast. We also new restaurants recently, Cody's, Fatz Cafe, and Sonic. Our new extended community college is doing well also and we are already building another building next to the new State of the Art Library. Southwestern has been rated 4th in the Nation! Things are not slowing down here much in the commercial area.

Main Street Revitalizes Franklin
The Franklin Main Street Program continues its revitalization efforts in downtown Franklin.
Great business opportunities abound in repurposed buildings.

Aida July 16-19, 2009 A story of forbidden and unrequited love, two contemporary youths are swept from an exhibition of Egyptian artifacts back in time to live an adaptation of the Verdi opera. Radames, the prince of Egypt is engaged to Amneris, but falls in love with Aida, the princess of Nubia.

Charlie Daniels July 24, 2009 Partly Western and partly Southern. His signature "bullrider" hat and belt buckle, his lifestyle on the Twin Pines Ranch (a boyhood dream come true), his love of horses, cowboy lore and the heroes of championship rodeo, Western movies, and Louis L'Amour novels, identify him as a Westerner. The son of a lumberjack and a Southerner by birth, his music - rock, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel - is quintessentially Southern.

Mark Schultz July 31, 2009 He's earned numerous accolades and become one of the Christian format's core artists with seven chart-topping hits to his credit. he's also found success on mainstream radio, scoring an AC hit with "He's My Son." His last project, "Live...A Night of Stories and Songs," won the 2006 Gospel Music Association Dove Award for longform music video of the year.

Is He Dead? (A Comedy by Mark Twain) August 29, 2009 Know how a struggling artist sells his paintings? By faking his own death, then returning to the town as his long lost sister to claim the wealth... or so he thinks. Funny, smart and full of Mark Twain's southern wit and comedy.

David Phelps August 29, 2009 Outstanding talent always speaks for itself. It stands out from crowds of gimmicks, flashy clothes and pretty faces, and rises above odds, obstacles and any lesser contenders. Great talent cannot be learned or created-it is simply given to a special few. And when that talent is dedicated to a higher purpose, there's no telling where it may take the one who possesses it.

The Isaacs September 12, 2009 They have a unique style that marries bluegrass harmonies and instrumentation with modern southern gospel lyrics. Their musical influences immerge from all genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, contemporary acoustic and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series and travel throughout the year performing nationally.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver September 18, 2009 The gospel music that we record and perform on stage has always been important to me. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have made many more gospel recordings than secular ones. It is apparent to me that the folks who buy our music and come to our concerts feel, as I do, that there is no better message than the message of Jesus Christ. It is my fervent hope that my "musical mission" will lead others to Him.

Greater Vision September 26, 2009 Almost 200 times each year, the three gentlemen collectively known as Greater Vision, unite to present the gospel in a way that has endeared them to audiences across the United States and around the world. Their deepest desire is to encourage the Christian listener to share their faith with others and to cause the listener who isn't a believer to see their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Smoke On The Mountain October, 2009 The Sanders Family Singers celebrate in old-timey gospel singing and testimony as Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church welcomes its first electric light. A rip-roaring, musical comedy revival!

Ivan Parker October 16, 2009 Ivan was voted Favorite Lead Vocalist by the readers of The Singing News Magazine six times and Favorite Male Vocalist nine times. The Southern Gospel Music Association honored him with 'Soloist of the Year' award in 1998, and The Singing News Fan Awards voted him 'Soloist of the Year' in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006.

Blue Ridge October 23-24, 2009 The young men who comprise BLUE RIDGE have developed a style of singing that has become popular with all who hear them. This Southern gospel quartet combines rich vocal harmonies with an exciting program of gospel music which is enjoyed by young and old.

Annie November 5-8, 2009 Shortly before Christmas, 1971, Martin Chamin, a lyricist and director, bought a collection of "Little Orphan Annie" comic strips and began imagining a musical comedy based on the main character. After convincing librettist Thomas Meehan and composer Charles Strouse to join him in writing the show, Charmin and his collaberators created the musical together.

Lee Greenwood November 14, 2009 Few artists have ever written a song that has become more a part of America's cultural landscape than Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." If he'd never written or recorded another hit, Greenwood would have secured his place in music history with that powerful inspiring ballad.

The Imperials November 28, 2009 Founded in 1964 by Jake Hess, The Imperials have always embodied excellence in both music and ministry. Millions have embraced the quality, sound, and popularity of The Imperials, and they have become a household name around the world. With roots in Southern Gospel, The Imperials made a name for themselves and quickly became the most visible vocal group in Christian Music.

GOD BLESS THE USA & THE VETS!

I called my brother and sister-in-law to thank them for my freedom! He said your welcome and I would do it again if I had the chance. I did not get to talk to Karen, she was marching in the parade today and my brother can not walk well due to an old injury. She sent me a photo of all of those who were in todays festivities. She was the only women? I know she didn't care, she is a trooper! They are both retired now from the Navy. I don't know about you but we owe them all at least a thank you. If you see someone today or any day that you know has fought for us be sure and thank them for your freedom. Thanks to all who have served and is currently in the service.

June Tassillo

IS YOUR COUNTY GOING TO ADOPT THIS LAW? Now people who would get rid of them off their land if it didn't cost anything have a solution. Do you think some people will care enough to get rid of them now? It causes more problems than just being unsightly, such as health & fire hazards, just to name a few. Phil Haire, a NC Rep. was a speaker in one of my 30 hour real estate courses at Southwestern Community College recently and was telling us about this being passed. It was the first I even heard this was in the works. So much passess us all by I am sure. I was thrilled to hear this and was planning on contacting my county to see if they had plans in the works to adopt this. With in the next few days it was in our Franklin, NC local press that our county is seriously going to adopt this wonderful new law. I sure would have liked to be a part of it in the planning stages and let everyone know about it. I am sure some will not like this tax on New & Resale manufactured homes but its the best way to pay for this. Twenty Six to Thirty Eight% will be recycled, minimal labor to deconstruct. Are you going to contact your County? Or is yours on the ball too!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

AN ACT to protect public health and the environment by ENCOURAGing counties to develop plans that provide for the deconstruction of ABANDONED MANUFACTURED homes and the removal of reusable or recyclable components, by providing for the abatement of abandoned manufactured homes that are determined to be a nuisance, and by imposing an environmental remediation tax on the sale of new and used manufactured homes to ensure that funds will be available for the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: PASSED!!!!!!!!

Thank You NC Reps!!! June Tassillo - Realtor/Broker

OK- the world is in a panic right now. Consumer confidence is at an ALL TIME LOW. I can tell you the most successful person I have every worked with once told me "You make the best of times in the worst of times". What does this mean? Well it means, in a specialty market like Highlands and Cashiers where the average home price is $750k, now is the best time to buy. You get out there and invest in things that would normally be out of your reach, but because of the economic slump, these things are now at your finger tips at a fraction of the cost. Highlands and Cashiers is like being in a time machine. Image if you had the cash and knowledge 10 years ago when things in here where booming? Well guess what? You can have them now. Get out there, look online to MLS, Realtor.com and meadowsmtnrealty.com. You'll see that the mountain home you have always wanted can now be yours for less than you ever dreamed of. Be aware- these prices will NOT last long. Art Williams and Arthur Ashe (Home Depot) said there is more wealth between Highlands and Lake Toxaway than ANYWHERE else on the eastern seaboard with the exception of Martha's Vineyard. We felt the effects of this economy last and we will feel the recovery first. Highlands and Cashiers had always been a 2nd, 3rd and 4th home community. Most people here don't have to "tighten their belts" when times get tough. So my best advice to you is this- if you got it, INVEST IT! Call me, I know what's out there and what's a winner every time!

Till Next Time- Michelle

I spent the last few days in western North Carolina talking with folks about Diamond Dwellings and gaining perspective on the local markets up there. Our new real estate franchise model is really the perfect fit for some of these unique towns. I guess it's because there seems to be so much content to write about. There's no limit to the subject matter and it all seems so inviting.

Some of the places I visited included Asheville, Waynesville (and some other "villes" too). I got to spend some time with fellow Tomato blogger, Susie Blackmon. She introduced me to so many great people while I was there too. I also drove down through Franklin, Cashiers and then stayed for the night in Highlands, NC at a pretty amazing place called The Old Edwards Inn.

To call it an Inn just doesn't begin to describe it though. It's more of a "compound" or a resort. The old "Inn" sits right on the corner of the main road in downtown Highlands. But then the rest of this sprawling spa complex extends for a huge city block to the east (I think) and then for a block to the rear. I guess the whole area is not more than an acre? But, to have a hotel/spa complex that covers an entire acre sitting right in the downtown area of a resort town like Highlands, NC is pretty amazing! I'm on a life-long quest to find the best possible room -- and then get it for the absolute lowest possible price. This place was a smokin' deal for the price -- given the fact that I enjoyed one of the finest rooms I've ever had in my life! Next time I'm in Highlands, I'm sure to come back.

I shot this photo near Highlands, NC. I have to say that the area seemed to have some of the most interesting terrain & dramatic water features. It might just be that I happened to find it there, but Highlands seems to have been blessed with some things you just can't build! The fall colors are just starting to peek out -- as you can see. If I was a betting man, I'd bet that Oct 15th or Oct 20th will be the absolute best time to visit the North Carolina Mountains if you want to see God's amazing work in the trees.