Unique heritage of the community celebrated.

Cowee Jamboree was not just another festival but a commemoration of the life, times, and work of one of the more colorful characters in the Cowee community.

The Cowee Jamboree was a celebration of Tom Rickman's life as much as it was the marking of the unique heritage of the community at large. “The whole event went fantastic,” said Gloria Syring, the main organizer for the Jamboree and a regular volunteer at Rickman’s General Store. “We were battling the football game, which no one anticipated until later, so we had about half the people we were hoping for, but the people that came really enjoyed the event.”

Two of Highlands oldest inns celebrated their combined 150 years Tuesday, September 13, with an old-fashioned block party on 4 ½ Street. Food, drinks and live music by Tom Hill and the Midnight Sons highlighted the evening.

Across the street from each other, the 4 ½ Street Inn and Colonial Pines are owned and operated by resident innkeepers, Rick and Helene Siegel and Chris and Donna Alley respectively. The owners conducted tours of their inns during the party.

The Siegels, former owners of an Atlanta landscaping firm, purchased the 4 ½ Street Inn in 1997. Throughout the 100-year old inn is a wealth of original woodwork, including mantels, wainscoting and 4- and 5-panel doors. The woodwork is oak, pine and chestnut, all finished with the same dark stain.

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 10:30 am, Angel Medical Center will be celebrating and honoring those who have died this last year with a Memorial Butterfly Release.

The ceremony will take place directly across from the hospital in the grassy area and the public is invited.

With more than 400 butterflies being released, those present will be able to be part of this moving service.

For questions or for more information, call Angel Hospice at (828)369-4417.

The Franklin Lion’s Club recently held its annual installation banquet for the purpose of inducting its new slate of officers and directors for the 2011/2012 fiscal year.

The club welcomed Lion Dave Jones as new president, Ruth Hensz-Stilwell as first vice-president, and Pete Haithcock, as 2nd vice-president.