Community

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I believe in Love through Community.

This morning, at sunrise, I gazed out across the deep, fog shrouded canyon from the brow of the Cumberland Plateau that has become my home.  Nature has a way of restoring moments of profound peace and a sense of well-being.  My soul is satisfied for the moment, like drinking deeply from a cold mountain spring on a hot, humid afternoon.

But even here, in God’s great playground, my soul hungers for more and I thirst again.  I believe He wants more for and from my life.  I believe these moments of peaceful solitude have meaning only when embedded in a greater social context where love and service are actively cultivated and expressed.  And that is what must set the Village apart from other places of natural beauty and refuge.  Prolonged isolation without the association and love of good people, even in a natural paradise is little better than a prison.  That is why the first amenity I built here is a natural amphitheater that will draw people together spontaneously, whether to share a movie on the big screen, or a play or concert, where neighbors can be either spectators or players.  It is why the covenants require broad, covered porches on every house.  It is why I chose to locate within reach of the University of the South, a great institution of higher learning that focuses on the liberal arts and enriches cultural life across this mountain.

This morning, I happened upon an essay by one of my personal heroes, Albert Einstein (part of NPR’s -This I Believe- series).  Einstein was not only a great physicist; he was a profound philosopher and, most importantly, a wonderful human being.

I lifted several quotes from this interview.
He said, “Man’s ethical behavior should be effectively grounded on compassion, nurture and social bonds.
The individual feels more than ever dependent on society, but he feels this dependence not in the positive sense,  cradled, connected as part of an organic whole. He sees it as a threat to his natural rights and even his economic existence. His position in society, then, is such that that which drives his ego is encouraged and developed, and that which would drive him toward other men (a weak impulse to begin with) is left to atrophy.
. . . the education of the individual aspires to revive an ideal that is geared towards the service of our fellow man, and that needs to take the place of the glorification of power and outer success.”

I couldn’t have said it any better.  But I wish to create a place where our connection to society becomes Einstein’s “positive sense, cradled, connected, part of an organic whole”.

Upon enjoying my thousandth sunrise in the village, I believe that the truly renewable source of energy that will keep me alive to the natural beauty that is here will be greater than the view, greater than the majestic ancient hemlock trees that I love, greater than the thundering waterfalls that cascade to Sewanee Creek below.  It will be the shared love of good neighbors that will keep me from the dull ennui of spirit that comes of boredom even with nature’s grandeur.

You can enjoy Einstein’s entire essay at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9881828

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Amphitheater Inauguration: Movies on the 4th

We just enjoyed a family reunion over the 4th with barbecue and movies on the big screen under the stars at our lovely amphitheater on the bluff.  For those of you who have requested information via this website, my apologies for the slow response, but we’ve been busy this week just enjoying life with loved ones.

Our surveyor just discovered a huge new cave on Sewanee Creek at the bottom of the canyon.  We had wanted to explore it during the reunion, but ran out of time.  That adventure will just have to wait for another day.

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Life in the Village

After a recent visit, my friend, Kerry Clay, wrote down his vision of life in the Village on Sewanee Creek.  I think he did a nice job of capturing it, so I’d like to share it with you.

“It’s Saturday morning and what are we going to do today?

We could watch the beautiful sunrise across the mountains from our back porch.
We could take the trail down the gorge to see how much water is flowing from Swallow Tail Falls.
Let’s take the east trail today that goes under Miller Falls. We might just go all the way down to the caves.
There’s a deer and look at those wild turkeys. They will always be here because of over 500 acres of nature preserve that all of us share in common.
Let’s wade the creek and look for natural treasures.
We could go down to the caves on our ATVs; we have an easement to hundreds of acres of 4-wheeler trails nearby.
Oh, these trees are magnificent, tall oaks, hickory, hemlock, maple and walnut. The ferns, mountain laurel, redbud and dogwoods, the hoot of an owl or cry of a hawk.

The big game is tonight and we have the amphitheater reserved. We’ll have steaks and ribs, burgers and dogs, on the bluff under the stars. Watching the game in high definition on the huge amphitheater screen will be better than being at the stadium.
I am amazed with our fiber optic communications systems for phone, computer and TV.

Last night we all rented a DVD and watched a great movie.
With the canyon view as a backdrop, the fire ring aglow, stars and full mountain moon. What a beautiful night it was.

We love the feeling of community here, sharing our big covered porch with close friends, our neighbors.  Drop by anytime for a visit. Let’s try that new cake recipe with coffee and fresh strawberries from the village garden ……mmmmmmmm it’s better out here.

There’s just something very special about our Village Called ‘Sewanee Creek'”.

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Nature’s Power to Restore

A little over a year ago I left corporate life and soon thereafter purchased this large tract of pristine land on the Cumberland Plateau and moved to the mountains to develop the Village.

In the process I lost about 25 pounds and believe I gained back about 25 years of life.  When faced with challenges and discouragement a short hike in the woods or sitting quietly by a waterfall in contemplation of God’s creations restores my soul.

Reading this morning from Walden by Henry David Thoreau I came across a profound statement.  “I am convinced both by faith and experience that to maintain one’s self on this earth is not a hardship but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely; as the pursuits of the simpler nations are still the sports of the more artificial.  It is not necessary that a man should earn his living by the sweat of his brow; unless he sweats easier than I do.”

Having moved to the Village, I often sweat as I enjoy working to build something beautiful.  As a “hands-on” developer I do so by choice.  Most days you can find me somewhere on the property enjoying its natural beauty.

The only thing I enjoy as much as the land is showing it off. I hope you will feel free to drop by.  A little advance notice is always appreciated, but I’m never too busy to enjoy a visitor whether for an hour or for the rest of your life.

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Why you should move to our Village in the Tennessee Mountains

This morning I received a very long inquiry filled with all the right questions.  I thought my answers might be useful to anyone interested in the Village.  Here is my response:

Dear Shirley,

It sounds like you may be exactly the kind of neighbors I would like to live near.  I will try to answer with some of the depth of detail you gave me.

As you probably read on my website, I am just now breaking ground on my own home in the Village.  As soon as it is finished I will be moving my family here permanently from the Louisville Kentucky area.  I have 5 kids with one still at home who is 14.  She will be attending St. Andrews.  It is a GREAT school.  Although we are in a remote, naturally beautiful area, we are blessed with the presence of St. Andrews and the University of the South, both outstanding liberal arts schools.  Even if your kids do not choose to attend one of these, you will enjoy the cultural benefits of great orchestras, plays, lectures, poets and art that this brings to the mountain.

If you like four very moderate seasons, the weather here could not be better.  We are about a thousand feet higher than Chattanooga which lowers the humidity and the temperature about 10 degrees in the summer.  We have frequent breezes, but no hurricanes.

The main thing that distinguishes the Village on Sewanee Creek from other developments on the mountain (and by the way, they are all drop-dead gorgeous) is the sense of community we are building here.  I guess that stems partly from the fact that I have chosen to live here and I love people.  So I am putting in the kinds of amenities that bring people together as friends and I am committed to seeing that they are actively used.  You will find that the people who have lived here for generations are some of the finest people on earth.  Hunting, fishing and outdoor life are the primary modes of recreation.  Your husband would love that.  I am putting about 500 acres in the canyon below the village into a permanent natural preserve so it will always be pristine and beautiful.  There are plenty of churches of every kind.  I am personally very active and serve in my own church.

Land prices in Tennessee are some of the lowest in the nation for comparably beautiful land, but beginning to rise as this area has been discovered, but as the amphitheater and other amenities are completed, the Village will become an even more highly sought after place to live and lot values will increase.  I purchased this 700+ acre tract and began working on it only about 6 months ago.  Of the 15 lots available in phase 1A, six are already sold.  Also, Phase 1A is the most affordable section as the lots are smaller (about 2 acres) and not directly on the bluff, although some have breathtaking views of the canyons.  Future phases will be 5+ acres.

Your daughter is right.  If you come for a visit be prepared to be infected with the urge to move immediately.   I was.

All the best,
Grant Miller

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Ground Breaking: 1st House in the Village

I am pleased to announce ground breaking for the first house in the Village on Sewanee Creek.  And the best news is that my family and I will be living in it.  Developer residence is an important feature that distinguishes our community.  It means that the developer deeply cares about quality of life values beyond profit.  We are committed to developing a sense of community at the Village and backing that commitment with our money and our lives.

Our home in the village will be built with fine craftsmanship in a rustic style.  It will incorporate:
– an in-home movie theater with a 12 foot wide screen and loft balcony seating,
– flexible, multi-use room design and
– an oufuro (Japanese style two-stage bath)
– High r-factor chemical free insulation
– Large South Facing windows for Passive Solar Heat
to name a few of its thoughtful features.
It is nestled in the woods between two creeks that run together.  While it is modest in size (just over 1,400 square feet inside), it is efficient in design and will  accommodate good sized groups for entertaining both inside and outside on its two full-length covered porches.

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Welcome two new Villagers

It’s my pleasure to welcome Jeff and Linnette (lots 6 & 7) and Marcia (lot 9).  We closed on these three lots yesterday and celebrated by spending the day with Linnette, Marcia, her daughter and grand daughter hiking the trails, visiting the amphitheater and enjoying dinner together last evening.  I couldn’t ask for better neighbors!
Marcia is a retired R.N., currently living in Atlanta.  She plans to relocate to the village this year.
The Petersens hail from the Roanoke, Virginia area.  They will take a bit longer to make the permanent move, but plan to visit often in the meantime, starting with a family reunion on their beautiful creek lot this summer.
At this point, we have closed on five of 15 phase one lots with commitments on several more.  The Village is beginning to take shape and with the coming of spring, is fully dressed out in blooming dogwoods.  Sunday’s heavy rains have filled the creeks and waterfalls.    The grass is beginning to appear from freshly mulched hillsides, so we hope to see the rolling hills become a velvet green carpet soon.  All is beautiful!

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Local Folks

Community Service

Collecting for Big Ed

Passing through Tracy City today, I had an insignificant extraordinary experience.  Each of the two “major” intersections was dominated with people carrying large signs collecting money to help a friend and family member, Big Ed, with his extraordinary medical bills.
I’m not unaccustomed to the fire department or other organizations collecting for various high profile causes, but this is the first I had encountered individuals publicly going out of their way to help individuals in need.  I was struck by the simple goodness of this act of caring.
I stopped to take pictures and learned that this kind of action on behalf of loved ones is quite common on the mountain.
So simple, yet so amazing that I have never seen this anywhere else I have lived.  I love the culture and the people who live here!  The mountain is beginning to be recognized for its unparalleled natural beauty.  But the mountain’s people are a treasure of even greater value that remains undiscovered and unappreciated.

I hope the people who move to the village can catch the spirit of the local folks.