Leadership Florida - La Florida Society Trip to North Carolina 2024

Last year, 50 Leadership Florida members and guests enjoyed three days in the cool mountains of Highlands and Cashiers, NC for fun and fellowship. Join fellow Leadership Florida members and guests again for fabulous “but for Leadership Florida” dinners and tours of beautiful member homes in North Carolina! This area is North Carolina’s most idyllic mountain plateau community.  Participate in activities of your choice like hiking, shopping, golfing, or boating, plus a fun croquet clinic and casual tournament game.

For those who would love to see beautiful Lake Glenville and the waterfalls around the lake, Tim Cartwright (Cornerstone Class 35) will offer pontoon boat rides and a casual lunch on Friday, September 6. Lake Glenville is a pristine reservoir located just eight miles from Cashiers, NC within a beautiful North Carolina mountain rainforest. The lake has 26 miles of shoreline and sits at an elevation of 3,494 feet which is the highest elevation of any lake east of the Mississippi.

Leadership Florida members and their family members or significant others are welcome to attend. Registration is $100 per person; children aged 12-17 are $50; children 11 and under are free. Registration includes cocktail hour and dinners for three nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) in Leadership Florida members’ homes, plus an afternoon Open House Tour of their homes.

While we are together, we will discuss topics like Leadership Florida trips, benefits for Lifetime Members, and more. You will also learn about ways you can support the future of Leadership Florida, including the La Florida Society. We would love to hear your ideas, too!

You will need to book your own overnight accommodations. See this list below for some great suggestions or check VRBO or Airbnb for your favorite place. Book NOW as this is peak mountain season! 

HIGHLANDS

• Old Edwards Inn
• Skyline Lodge
• Half Mile Farm by Old Edwards
• Fire Mountain Inn
• The Park on Main Hotel
• 200 Main
• Highlands Inn Lodge
• Highlands House Bed and Breakfast
• The Wells Hotel
• Highlands Inn
• The Inn at Mill Creek
• Highlander Mountain Home

 CASHIERS

• High Hampton Resort
• The Wells Cashiers
• Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley
• Hampton Inn and Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley
• Quality Inn
• Mountain Valley Inn

Agenda

Thursday, September 5

5:30 pm - Dinner at the home of Mike Hightower (Cornerstone Class 24) and Sue Hightower in Highlands

Visit this amazing home and grounds designed by the Hightowers and local landscape architects with trails, streams, bridges, and wildlife all surrounding their custom home, as well as a special “tree house” that you will absolutely want to visit.  Sue and Mike have developed this mountain retreat that truly makes you feel right at home in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

Friday, September 6

10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Croquet clinic followed by Croquet tournament - no experience required!

Afternoon pontoon boat rides and casual lunch at the home of Tim Cartwright (Cornerstone Class 35) in Glenville, NC.

6:00 pm - Dinner at the home of Ron Christaldi (Cornerstone Class 36) in Sapphire, NC

Purchased in 2020, this large 6-bedroom retreat on top of a mountain boasts large entertaining areas and views for miles.  Ron has put his own special touch inside and out since his purchase, making this a wonderful place to welcome guests.

Saturday, September 7

Free time to enjoy the area

6:30 pm- Closing Celebration and Dinner at the home of Wendy Spencer (Cornerstone Class 24) and Ron Spencer, Highlands

The Spencers fully renovated this home after purchasing it in 2017.  This home was originally built in 1966 and designed by famous local architect Jim Fox who has designed quality homes for many years in the Highlands/Cashiers region.  It is located on the very top of one of the world’s oldest mountains, called Whiteside Mountain.  This home’s large entertaining areas both inside and out have expansive views of five mountain ranges all the way to Tennessee.  As soon as you walk in, you will be immediately driven to the large, covered porch to take in the views.

Sunday, September 8

Depart or stay in the area to continue to enjoy the cool mountain air!

Cancellation policy: You must cancel by August 1 to receive a full refund of your registration fee. Please contact us if you have any further questions about our cancellation policy.