Little White Pines :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2006

This page last updated:3/13/2011

Little White Pines

Michigan City, Indiana,

United States

Little White Pines community is now forming on 20 acres of rural, wooded land in Indiana near Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dune State Park. The land is just east of Michigan City and close to the Michigan state border. It is about two hours from Chicago by car or train.

Hopefully it will become a small community of singles and families of differing ages that welcomes children and nonhuman companions such as cats and dogs. it would be made up of people from differing backgrounds who are accepting and sympathetic to each other; a community that allows its members to pursue their own interests and goals with the support and assistance of the community.

Self-sufficiency, exploring the use of alternative power and building methods and learning the principles of permaculture to live lightly on the land would be one of the goals.

Core values would be a respect for the earth and nature; a respect for each other; an open-mindedness to other opinions and outlooks; an interest in helping each other in the community and contributing to the outside community with a sense of wonder and fun.

There would be a balance of individual privacy and solitude, as needed, with the opportunity to share in work and play with fellow members and friends nearby.

All members, as they are able (whether they are young, disabled, or elderly), would participate in decision-making and in participating in the running of the community.

There are a number of possible home sites and there are rooms in the house while building. A separate new apartment is being finished in the house.

Further and more specific plans will be made by a core group as it forms, so there is quite a bit of flexibility in how the community will operate based on core member input. There are possibilities for community or individual businesses that would not conflict with protecting the land and our individual privacy. A childcare center or nature center are only two possibilities. The community would remain small, in order to preserve and protect the woodlands and it's wildlife.

A core group will form beginning with emailing to find interested people. If you think you may want to help in starting this community, please introduce yourself by email. Questions and feedback are very welcome. constructive input is always appreciated. please read all information here first and hopefully we can start a mutually helpful dialog.

Contact:

michigan city, Indiana 46360 United States

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:3/13/2011

Visitors Accepted

(after an initial get-to-know period by email)

Visitor Process: Since the community is not yet operational and is just in the formation stage, visitors would need to have communicated beforehand and be seriously interested in becoming part of a core group, and also seem to be a good fit. A more formalized process will be used once a working community is operating. That will probably include a visit and trial period.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Comment: Diversity is welcome

Population Open to new members: Yes (we prefer diversity in our population)	Government Decision Making: By consensus (hopefully some training or knowledge of consensus would be provided) Identified Leader: No (there would be leadership as needed based on a consensus, but no permanent leader.) Leadership Core Group: No Answer (a core group needs to be formed to become an active community)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances (Open to possibility of community or individual business(es)) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes (as long as they honor community financial commitments) Labor Contribution: Expected (to maintain property and community. specifics not yet determined) Join Fee: No Answer (to be determined) Regular Fees: Yes (possibly for land use/maintenance. to be determined)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 20 acres (8.1 hectares) (mostly climax forest with a few small clearings) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (changes may be determined by group to allow everyone to be on a more equal basis) Number of Residences: 1 (there are sites for individual/family homes to be built. existing house has an apartment on ground floor (almost complete) and there are bedrooms available that could be used while buiding.) Cohousing: No Answer (it is a possible model to be decided by core group when it is formed)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: (we would like to grow as much of our food as possible and become part of a food co-op/ buy local organic produce when possible) Share Community Meals: 1 time/week (possibly a weekly planning meeting with a pot luck) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Other (it would be an individual decision) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (up to individuals reasonable use that does not interfer with others) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (private use by individuals that does not interfer with others)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (we would encourage individual beliefs and philosophies as long as they do not interfer with others) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions") (beliefs and philosophies that are accepting of others.individual choice that does not interfer with beliefs of other members) Educational Style(s): (determined on individual basis)

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): lonegreyrabbit

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Comment from ridgewalker on 8/23/2010 (Reader Rating: 0)

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I love the stated core values. The photos and description of the property are most appealing.

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