SOUTHSHORE LIFE MAGAZINE
HUGE INTEREST IN TINY HOMES SUSTAINABLE LIVING CELEBR ATED HERE
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"People spend so much money maintaining the grass in their yards," lamented Debbie Caneen recently. "At the same time, they appear to feel helpless against food shortages or paying extra at the grocery for naturally grown fruits and vegetables." To encourage gardening here, Caneen gifts a raised garden bed to newcomers.
Owner of Circle Pond Tiny Home Community in Southport, Caneen fervently believes in the health and economic benefits of backyard gardens and planting plenty of fruit trees. She also adheres to the healing benefits of peace and quiet as an elixir against the stress of living in today's hectic world.
Having just left the heavy traffic of US Hwy 301, I needed some of that elixir. It was literally a breath of fresh air for me to enjoy a brief sojourn in the calm ambiance she has created, and to learn more about Tiny Home Living. She invited me into one of the tiny homes she keeps for her own personal use and to house occasional visitors. Handing me a jar of honey made right here at Circle Pond Community by Bee Keeper Sam Goodwin, from 16 on-site hives, she said, "It's a gift forspecial visitors." The homes are made of wood and natural materials. This creates a pleasant interior ambiance. These homes are easy to clean. And they are meant to travel. In 2017, she hosted a local
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tiny home show, and more than a thousand people came. Widespread interest in the lifestyle is satisfied through at least two magazines, many books and online sources. Circle Pond in SouthShore, situated on nearly five acres, has 12 lot spaces surrounding a circular pond. It is listed as one of the Top 10 Tiny House Communities in the United States by the Tiny House Authority. Current residents, from 30 some-
thing to 70, pay a monthly rate of $475. That includes water, sewer, garbage and electricity. There are a number of professions among residents ... from marketing, teaching, online businesses, truck driving, and even welding. Two containers on site are used to grow microgreens and mushrooms which are sold at the Life & Food Superstore in Parrish. Caneen recommended watching Zack Giffen's
You can see from this cover of Tiny House Magazine, that these homes are built to travel.
