About the Program

Creating Community Anywhere is a living framework, drawn from 65 years of real-world experience in homesteading, entrepreneurship, hospitality, placemaking, and personal growth. It’s not a course or formula, but a space designed to foster deeper connection, shared purpose, and collaborative practice in any setting.

 

The Story Behind It: Seven Life Lessons

1. Self-Reliance and Nature – Confidence through making, growing, and living close to land.
2. Craftsmanship and Teamwork – Building machines and a team from scratch.
3. The Limits of the American Dream – A business sale brought financial gain but emotional loss.
4. Inner Work and Hospitality – Emotional needs drive every guest experience. Presence matters.
5. Designing for Belonging – Neighborhoods can either isolate or connect us.
6. A Practice of Unity – Intersubjective practices can shift groups from 'me' to 'we'.
7. Resilience – Designed through commitment, structure, and community support.

 

Cross-Threaded Lessons

Perseverance – Through recessions, pandemics, and natural disasters, continued commitment builds resilience.
Mentorship – A sixth-grade science teacher, an uncle, a grandmother. Legacy lives in mentoring the next generation.

 

Highland Lake Cove: The Living Laboratory

Located in Western North Carolina, Highland Lake Cove is a 200-acre campus that integrates the lessons above into a cohesive environment. It includes a retreat center, walkable neighborhoods, a supper club, gardens, and gathering spaces.

 

How the Program Works

The journey begins with a shared meal. From there, the program unfolds through:
- Salon-style conversations
- Hands-on workshops
- Collaborative projects
- Mentorship circles
This is not about instruction—it’s about hosting, designing, and practicing community in real time.

 

Who This Is For

- People at life transitions or seeking meaningful work
- Local leaders, elders, or new settlers
- Builders, stewards, and hosts
- Anyone called to serve a greater whole

 

Join Us

We invite you to begin with a conversation. Whether you're local or afar, there’s a place at the table.

To learn more, request an invitation, or attend an upcoming event, visit: highlandlakecove.com/communityanywhere