It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Highlands, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider I like the caregiver they give us. They always”
“I am a current client of this provider I'd like to see the communication improved. The”
“such a good environment everyone’s so kind so easy and welcoming !!”
“I am a current client of this provider They need to be better at communication and”
“Lindsay was the most helpful and professional individual I have ever worked with. Highly recommended!!”
“I can’t say enough wonderful things about Lindsay at Always Best Care. She is kind,”
“I am a current client of this provider I didn't like different caregivers coming all the”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are responsive when I”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that the agency is responsive. I am”
“Lindsay was amazing to work with. She made the whole process so much easier. She”
“Hiring process is amazingly easy, absolutely friendly environment, they care about what your needs are.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are showing up. We set”
“I am a current client of this provider I had a caregiver come to my home,”
“I am a current client of this provider Maybe the selection of employees could be improved;”
“I am a current client of this provider They are very reliable. They provide transportation. They help”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are easy to work”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are always on time. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with the needs that we have. It”
“I am a current client of this provider I like my caregiver. They've made my experience positive”
“I am a current client of this provider I feel comfortable with them so far. I don't”
“ABC has provided care for my client for 5-6 years. They have been great! Melisa”
“Always Best Care for Seniors has served my clients well based on feedback received. They”
“I am a current client of this provider Belinda has done everything I have asked and”
“I am a current client of this provider They are courteous, polite, kind and hard-working. It helps”
“I am a current client of this provider I liked the intake interview lady. Mary, the”
“I am a current client of this provider I like the caregiver they give us. They always come out once a while to make sure everything is okay.”
“I am a current client of this provider I'd like to see the communication improved. The people they have sent have been pretty good. They make it positive by taking care of my daily needs.”
“such a good environment everyone’s so kind so easy and welcoming !!”
“I am a current client of this provider They need to be better at communication and scheduling. The caregiver is amazing; the issue is with the office staff having high turnover and not being reliable. The caregiver has helped the most by giving my dad transportation to go to places like the grocery store, and she offers companionship.”
“Lindsay was the most helpful and professional individual I have ever worked with. Highly recommended!!”
“I can’t say enough wonderful things about Lindsay at Always Best Care. She is kind, compassionate, and truly goes above and beyond to make sure her clients feel comfortable, respected, and well cared for. Her professionalism, patience, and genuine concern for others really stand out. Knowing someone like Lindsay is there gives families real peace of mind.”
“I am a current client of this provider I didn't like different caregivers coming all the time, but we just have one now, and that's good. The days that the caregiver comes are good for us.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are responsive when I have questions or concerns. I like having one caregiver. I don't know what they could improve on.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that the agency is responsive. I am out and about, and I don't have to be with the client.”
“Lindsay was amazing to work with. She made the whole process so much easier. She went above and beyond to help us.”
“Hiring process is amazingly easy, absolutely friendly environment, they care about what your needs are. Orientation was quick and painless which is always a PLUS in my book! 10/10 recommend if you are looking for that 1st step into the healthcare field without all the extra certifications and such!”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are showing up. We set up a plan of care, and the plan has been executed very nicely.”
“I am a current client of this provider I had a caregiver come to my home, whom I liked very much, and they took her away. Since then, I have had a bunch of different ones come in, but I need one like that caregiver I liked. They do things for me that I can't do for myself anymore.”
“I am a current client of this provider Maybe the selection of employees could be improved; I don't know for sure. Explain to them that you don't need a cell phone at work. I appreciate them letting me stay in touch with them or them staying in touch with me.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are very reliable. They provide transportation. They help with anything she needs, depending on the day.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are easy to work with and they are good. They have been great with dealing with her.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are always on time. They have helped me the most with light housekeeping.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with the needs that we have. It gives me time to go to the grocery store.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like my caregiver. They've made my experience positive by sending me Barbara.”
“I am a current client of this provider I feel comfortable with them so far. I don't have any problems getting things done when the caregivers show up.”
“ABC has provided care for my client for 5-6 years. They have been great! Melisa and Autumn have given extra effort and care to assist with managing my client's needs. I don't know how I would have made it without them.”
“Always Best Care for Seniors has served my clients well based on feedback received. They take the time to assess the needs of caregivers and care recipients alike and establish a detailed person-centered plan of care that addresses the care needs and wellbeing of the care recipient. This approach builds rapport and confidence with the caregiver and emphasizes respite for the caregiver while meeting the care recipients’ needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Belinda has done everything I have asked and more. Belinda has gone above the call of duty.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are courteous, polite, kind and hard-working. It helps keep him interactive with people.”
“I am a current client of this provider I liked the intake interview lady. Mary, the nurse, is very encouraging. Their presence is helpful because I can't be there.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Highlands, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Highlands, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Highlands, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Sign inMadisonPatriots5-13-1Thursday, Oct 22, 20266:00pm EDTHighlandsHighlanders13-1-2Madison Boys Varsity Soccer @ HighlandsStreaming & TicketingSign Up To WatchGame InfoThe Madison varsity soccer team has an away non-conference match @ Highlands (NC) on Thursday, October 22 @ 6p.MatchupRosterGame DetailsTeam ComparisonMadison (Marshall)20GoalsHighlands47Madison (Marshall)8AssistsHighlands36Madison (Mars...
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MadisonPatriots5-13-1
Thursday, Oct 22, 2026
6:00pm EDT
HighlandsHighlanders13-1-2
Streaming & Ticketing
Sign Up To Watch
Game Info
The Madison varsity soccer team has an away non-conference match @ Highlands (NC) on Thursday, October 22 @ 6p.
MatchupRoster
Game Details
Team Comparison
Madison (Marshall)20
Goals
Highlands47
Madison (Marshall)8
Assists
Highlands36
Madison (Marshall)150
Shots
Highlands262
Madison (Marshall)-
Steals
Highlands758
Madison (Marshall)1.789
Goals Against Average
Highlands1.075
Key Players
Avg. Per Game
Fernando Giron
#1MF/FORW
Goals
421
Rowen Carnes
#11FORW
Alex Valdez
#11MF/FORW
Assists
311
Michael Munoz
#1MF
Fernando Giron
#1MF/FORW
Shots
4761
Rowen Carnes
#11FORW
Not Enough Data
Steals
--103
Alex Lopez
#22FB/D
Dennis Arce
#93/15GK/FB/MF
Goals Against Average
1.8381.075
Chase Kenter
#0GK
Scoring Averages
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT1 | OT2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Highlands | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.3 | -- | -- |
Rankings
North Carolina
#499
#208
North Carolina Class 1A
--
#6
North Carolina Class 3A
#45
--
Greenville
#37
#16
Season Recap
Overall Record
5-13-1
13-1-2
Conference
2-8-1
12-0-2
Non-Conference
3-5
1-1
Head to Head
0-1
1-0
Home
2-6-1
6-0-1
Away
3-7
7-1-1
Neutral
0-0
0-0
Common Opponent
2-0
4-0-1
Playoff
0-0
0-0
In-State
5-13-1
13-1-2
Out-of-State
0-0
0-0
Win %
.289
.875
Conference %
.227
.929
GF
23
50
GA
51
17
Common Opponents
Murphy
1-0
2-0
Tri-County Early College
1-0
2-0
Head-to-Head
08/28/2026
0
2
10/22/2026
--
--
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This November, Highlands is bringing back a tradition that began decades ago.From November 12-15, Highlands Culinary Week returns as a celebration of the chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, purveyors, and hospitality professionals who have helped shape the Plateau into one of the Southeast’s most distinctive culinary destinations.Culinary Week is presented by 828 Epicurean Experiences, the coalition of local small-business owners and hospitality professionals that brought Restaurant Week to the Plateau this spring. Created ...
This November, Highlands is bringing back a tradition that began decades ago.
From November 12-15, Highlands Culinary Week returns as a celebration of the chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, purveyors, and hospitality professionals who have helped shape the Plateau into one of the Southeast’s most distinctive culinary destinations.
Culinary Week is presented by 828 Epicurean Experiences, the coalition of local small-business owners and hospitality professionals that brought Restaurant Week to the Plateau this spring. Created to strengthen Highlands as a year-round culinary destination, the organization develops thoughtful food, wine, and hospitality experiences that celebrate local talent, encourage collaboration, and give both residents and visitors new reasons to gather, explore, and support the community.
Unlike a traditional restaurant week centered around discounts or prix fixe menus, Culinary Week is built around experiences. Throughout town, participating businesses will host chef-driven dinners, collaborative events, wine and spirits tastings, live entertainment, oyster roasts, cocktail events, and other special gatherings designed to showcase the creativity and talent within our culinary community.
This year also marks the return of a Highlands tradition with roots that stretch back decades. Culinary Week was originally created as a way to celebrate the Plateau’s growing food and hospitality community, bringing people together around the talent, creativity, and sense of place that have long defined dining in Highlands. Reviving Culinary Week is not about recreating the past but carrying that tradition forward for a new generation of chefs, businesses, residents, and visitors.
The week is also about continuing Highlands’ longstanding reputation as a culinary destination. November has historically been an important time for food and wine tourism on the Plateau, with visitors planning trips around special dinners, tastings, and culinary events. Culinary Week continues that tradition while creating something that belongs distinctly to Highlands.
For visitors, it’s an invitation to turn dinner reservations into a long weekend, pairing culinary events with scenic drives, waterfall hikes, downtown shopping, afternoon cocktails, and the slower rhythm that makes Highlands especially memorable in the fall.
For locals, it is a chance to experience familiar restaurants differently, discover new talent, and support the independent businesses that give this community so much of its character.
Culinary Week gives chefs, businesses, makers, and hospitality professionals a reason to step outside their usual routines and create something together. For more information or to reach out if you are interested in participating visit 828Epicureanexperiences.com.
“Humor is hugely important in my family. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you can’t really survive around us, especially my dad, who can make a joke about almost anything,” says Tori Bilas, the daughter of ESPN college basketball analyst and Duke basketball alum Jay Bilas. In August, Bilas married fiancé Tom Walsh (a Tar Heel, naturally) in Highlands, North Carolina—and that baked-in ability to find humor amid life’s joys, sorrows, and stressors was put to the test when her wedding venue burned to th...
“Humor is hugely important in my family. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you can’t really survive around us, especially my dad, who can make a joke about almost anything,” says Tori Bilas, the daughter of ESPN college basketball analyst and Duke basketball alum Jay Bilas. In August, Bilas married fiancé Tom Walsh (a Tar Heel, naturally) in Highlands, North Carolina—and that baked-in ability to find humor amid life’s joys, sorrows, and stressors was put to the test when her wedding venue burned to the ground just four days before she was set to walk down the aisle.
At ten o’clock the Monday evening prior, the Highlands Fire Department responded to a massive structure fire at the Pavillion at the Farm at Old Edwards, Tori and Tom’s reception venue, one they’d chosen months before for its “fairytale-like feeling” and lush, mountain setting. Highlands firefighters alongside teams from six additional fire departments worked through the night to wrestle the blaze under control. Mercifully, no one was injured, but the Pavillion structure was a complete loss.
Tori and Tom’s planner, Alexandra Bailey of Atlanta’s Proper Planning Co., was the first of the wedding party to get the news. “I put my phone down, closed my eyes, and, knowing what was about to transpire, took a deep breath, but honestly I didn’t panic,” Bailey says. Her unflappable poise and can-do demeanor had sealed the deal for Tori at their first meeting more than a year earlier. “I got a great vibe from Alexandra,” Tori recalls. “I knew she’d make sure things were very calm and collected. She wasn’t going to panic anyone no matter what happened.” Admittedly, scheduling delays and summer rainstorms (Highlands sits in a temperate rainforest) were the imagined hiccups—not the total loss of the venue—but confirming Tori’s instincts, Bailey barely flinched. She just picked up her phone and got to work, fast.
“I wanted to have clarity and answers before I made the difficult phone call to the Bilases,” Bailey says. And by mid-morning Tuesday, Bailey, her vendors, and the team at Old Edwards had the bones of new plan in place, shifting Saturday’s ceremony and reception to the nearby Old Edwards Club, which could not only accommodate Tori and Tom’s 194 guests for a seated dinner but also had many of the same aesthetic elements, including warm wood tones, stone fireplaces, and large windows that can be thrown open to the landscape beyond. With a working solution taking shape, she called Tori’s mother, Wendy Bilas, first. It was Wendy who drove out to the barn, where Tori, a lifelong equestrian, spent most mornings, to break the news. “She kind of told me one sentence at a time,” Tori says. “Once I realized everyone was okay and our wedding wasn’t canceled, I relaxed a little. We had a plan. It wasn’t perfect yet, but the wedding was still going forward.” By the end of the day, the trademark Bilas humor had surfaced, with Tori and Tom deciding to change their reception walk-in song to We Didn’t Start the Fire. “We just had to continue with the happiest weekend of our lives and treat it as such—no matter what,” Tori says.
Critically, relocating to the Old Edwards Club allowed the Bilases to keep the ceremony and reception at one location as previously planned, which meant existing transportation logistics could remain in place. The biggest hurdle was finding a ceremony location that could deliver a similar experience and vision. Ultimately an exception was made owing to the compressed four-day timeline, and the club allowed the Bilases to use the driving range for the ceremony. “It’s this gorgeous mountain setting,” Tori says. “And Tom’s a big golfer. He actually played the course the weekend we got engaged, so he was thrilled.” Sleep was lost over the weather, but when the wedding day dawned, it was to a brilliant, blue-bird Blue Ridge sky.
For the reception, the staging and floor plan had to be completely reimagined, but Bailey was able to preserve the original dinner menu and seating chart, which was paramount to Tori, who’s a fine artist and stationer professionally and spent the better part of a year pouring her creative energy into the wedding’s gorgeous paper suite—menus, place cards, bar signage, and the like. “I was joking the week before that I was nearly as excited to show people what I’d created as I was to get married,” Tori says.
Extra linens had to be procured, a handful of bar tables were rearranged, and Bailey rush-ordered drapes to hide the club’s gym during cocktail hour, but miraculously, most of the original design elements translated beautifully, including the bulk of the romantic, English garden–inspired florals created by Floressence—loose, wildflower-like arrangements of allium and delphinium in a palette of muted blues, purples, and greens. The meadow-style ground arrangements meant to define a dance floor at the Farm were the only unique design element that had to be sacrificed, but even those were repurposed along the new stage front. “I feel like the guest experience was completely uncompromised,” says Bailey, who by Saturday evening wept tears of joy, relief, and awe at the hard pivot they’d pulled off.
For Tori, the day’s best moments were familial ones—her brother acting as officiant, a quiet post-ceremony moment alone on the golf course with Tom, her dad’s speech, which brought down the house, and her parents, who now share an anniversary with their daughter, dancing to their first-dance song thirty-four years later. “I was reflecting on the weekend with another [Farm at Old Edwards] bride, and obviously I would never say I’m glad this happened, but at the same time, I wouldn’t change a thing about the day. It was just a perfect, perfect day.”
is a Garden & Gun contributing editor and a full-time freelance writer covering hospitality and travel, arts and culture, and design. An obsessive reader and a wannabe baker, she recently left Nashville to return home to Charleston, South Carolina, where she lives with her husband, their twins, and an irrepressible golden retriever.
There may be no better time to fall in love with Highlands – or each other – than when the summer crowds have gone, fireplaces are lit, and the mountains begin settling in for winter. And at 200 Main, Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm, there are some very good reasons to put that getaway on the calendar now.Start with romance. At 200 Main, the Total Romance package takes the work out of planning an escape without filling every minute of it. Stay two nights and arrive to sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries wa...
There may be no better time to fall in love with Highlands – or each other – than when the summer crowds have gone, fireplaces are lit, and the mountains begin settling in for winter. And at 200 Main, Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm, there are some very good reasons to put that getaway on the calendar now.
Start with romance. At 200 Main, the Total Romance package takes the work out of planning an escape without filling every minute of it. Stay two nights and arrive to sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries waiting in your room. From there, the pleasures move across town: two $100 credits at The Spa at Old Edwards and a three-course dinner for two at any Old Edwards restaurant.
That leaves plenty of time for Highlands itself. Walk Main Street, disappear down a mountain road, linger over coffee or simply do nothing at all. 200 Main makes an easygoing base camp for exploring town, with fire pits for lingering evenings and a year-round hot tub waiting when you return. Total Romance is offered year-round, Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays, but spa appointments and dinner reservations should be made when booking your room.
And then, almost before we know it, Highlands will be stringing lights, hanging garlands and getting serious about Christmas.
For families, 200 Main’s Christmas Tree Package turns the annual hunt for a tree into an overnight mountain tradition. Available November 21 through December 15, Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays, it includes one night’s accommodations, a $50 dining credit at any Old Edwards restaurant and a voucher for a six- to seven-foot tree from Chimney Pond Tree Farm.
Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa and head to Chimney Pond to choose the tree that will eventually stand in your own living room – the centerpiece of a Highlands Christmas brought home.
For a decidedly more grown-up holiday escape, Comfort & Joy returns to both Old Edwards Inn and adults-only Half-Mile Farm. Both two-night packages pair a three-course dinner for two at an Old Edwards restaurant with two 50-minute treatments at The Spa at Old Edwards, sparkling wine upon arrival and 25 percent off retail purchases at Acorns (some exclusions apply).
And if children are along, there’s an irresistible extra exclusively at Old Edwards Inn and Spa. December 1-23, Old Edwards elves are available from 5:00-9:00 P.M. for an Elf Tuck-In with milk and cookies, coloring books and crayons, a keepsake storybook, stuffed elf and bedtime story. The cost is $55 for one child and $10 for each additional child.
Choose Old Edwards Inn for the lights and festive bustle of Highlands just outside the door; choose Half-Mile Farm for a quieter luxury retreat. Either way, someone else is cooking dinner, The Spa is waiting and the sparkling wine is already handled.
Christmas will get here soon enough. The lovely part is having Highlands waiting on the calendar when it does.
Reservations: 200 Main: 855-271-2809 | 200Main.com • Half-Mile Farm: 855-271-7246 | HalfMileFarm.com • Old Edwards Inn & Spa: 866-526-8008 | OldEdwardsInn.com.
Photographed By: Elaine Brown GoldstoneIf you’ve lived on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, or in the communities surrounding it for more than three days, you know one hard truth about life in Western North Carolina: affordable housing has become one of the region’s most urgent challenges.Rising rents, limited supply, and Hurricane Helene’s destruction have made it harder for working families, older adults, and neighbors recovering from disaster to find safe, stable housing. This fall, Pisgah Legal Services will...
Photographed By: Elaine Brown Goldstone
If you’ve lived on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, or in the communities surrounding it for more than three days, you know one hard truth about life in Western North Carolina: affordable housing has become one of the region’s most urgent challenges.
Rising rents, limited supply, and Hurricane Helene’s destruction have made it harder for working families, older adults, and neighbors recovering from disaster to find safe, stable housing. This fall, Pisgah Legal Services will bring that conversation to the center of the region through its 15th Annual Justice Forum.
On Thursday, October 22, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Brian Goldstone will serve as keynote speaker for the free public event at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. The program begins at 7:00 P.M., and registration is required.
Goldstone’s reporting focuses on housing insecurity, poverty, and economic inequality. His book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America, examines people who work yet remain without permanent housing.
Goldstone earned his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Duke University and was a Mellon Research Fellow at Columbia University. There Is No Place for Us won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2025 by The New York Times and The Atlantic.
In addition to the Asheville program, Pisgah Legal will offer a livestream and free regional watch parties in Brevard, Burnsville, Cullowhee, and Hendersonville. All regional gatherings begin at 6:30 P.M., giving residents across Western North Carolina a chance to take part closer to home.
Watch party locations include Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County in Brevard, Higgins United Methodist Church in Burnsville, Western Carolina University’s University Center Theater in Cullowhee, and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville.
A ticketed pre-event reception will be held in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall before the Asheville forum. Reception tickets are $125 per person and include food and drink. Advance registration is required for both the reception and the free Justice Forum program at pisgahlegal.org/justiceforum.
Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy, and access-to-health-care assistance across 18 Western North Carolina counties. Last year, the nonprofit served more than 25,000 people, many recovering from Hurricane Helene.
For more information about the Justice Forum, contact Lori Nierzwick at (828) 818-5474 or visit pisgahlegal.org/justiceforum.
828-676-2939
