Legendary Haywood County bluegrass act Balsam Range will hit the stage at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center in Highlands.

Since its inception in 2007, Balsam Range has become one of the most decorated and award-winning acts in the wide world of bluegrass music. 

In a modern world seemingly gone mad, one of distraction and white noise, what emerges from J & The Causeways’ latest album, “Motions,” is this universal theme of togetherness and compassion — melodies conjured and cultivated with a keen understanding of reaching one another through healing and transcendence. 

The Mountain Roots Bluegrass Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at the Highlands Riverbend RV Resort & Cabins in Franklin.

Celebrating the musical, artistic and cultural heritage of Western North Carolina, the gathering will feature over 50 vendors, food trucks and bluegrass music onstage. 

The popular “Under the Stars, On the Rocks” culinary series is currently underway at the Oak Steakhouse at the Skyline Lodge in Highlands.

The events feature renowned chefs from around the southeast on select dates through the fall: May 12, June 9, July 7, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13.

As the weather gets nicer and spring slowly transitions to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, a bevy of longtime and beloved festivals start to pop up in the picturesque mountain communities here in Western North Carolina. 

These annual gatherings are a way to bring all of us together after an extended period of hunkering down during the winter months. Filled with locals and visitors alike, all those present partake in numerous activities and avenues to support those in your town.

The palpable undertones of tension felt at the last several Fontana Regional Library board meetings seemed to have subsided at last week’s trustees meeting, but the system’s challenges continue to mount. 

To the Editor:

Recently, President Trump said, “I don’t know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat,” at the National Prayer Breakfast. This may surely make the Top 10 of his ridiculous statements. Likewise, if anyone stated they didn’t know how a person of faith could vote for a Republican or Independent, they too would be equally ridiculous. I must add that such an unbelievable statement coming from a sitting president is far from the expectation we should have for one in the highest office of the land. 

In the midst of eating my third hard-boiled egg of the morning, I overheard the young couple at the next breakfast table mention to their server that they’d gotten married this past Saturday. 

Taking a sip of my second cup of coffee, my gaze went from the newlyweds to the nearby roaring fireplace, then out the big glass windows onto the picturesque pond on the side lawn of the majestic property. 

Each year, I find myself covering a wide array of cultural festivals across Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia — from live music to culinary delights, the sacred arts to outdoor recreation. 

Highlands Biological Station is hosting a free “celebration of place” event.

The one-day event will feature:

• Rare & unusual native plants for sale, including the beloved Oconee Bells.