Lake of the Woods Living Independently in our Community (LOWLINC) is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) based in the Lake of the Woods (LOW) community in Orange County, Virginia. It was established in 2015-16 by three longtime LOW residents who, aging themselves, recognized the need for support for people who wanted to remain in their homes as they aged.

After the organization and its name were activated in 2016, LOWLINC joined the nationwide Village to Village Network, which provides resources and information to communities that want to support “aging in place.” The network grew out of a single community near Boston that pioneered the “village model,” a concept that helps communities provide services to members wishing to remain in their homes.

LOWLINC operates under the leadership of a board of directors. Executive Director Jeanne Comeau, in her position since 2022, told The Breeze, “Opportunities to experience joy, purpose and social connections throughout our lifetime are key to maintaining health, happiness and maximal independence. LOWLINC’s programs and services engage, support and empower older adults.”

Although membership is limited to residents of the LOW community, several LOWLINC programs are available to residents of the surrounding area. Yearly membership dues are $400 for individuals and $500 for families. At its founding, LOWLINC established a set of goals for its work, expressed in three broad areas: residence, health/mobility and connection.

LOWLINC’s residence goals are designed to ensure that members’ homes in LOW are well maintained and livable. To that end, LOWLINC volunteers provide light maintenance and, where needs are beyond their capacity, connect homeowners with other volunteer organizations or vetted contractors who can provide the necessary services.

For the health and wellness of aging adults, LOWLINC produces healthy living information, including recipes for nutritious eating. For this group, medical services are an important and growing need, and mobility is critical. Like most semi-rural areas, LOW exists in a region where medical providers are dispersed, requiring significant travel to access them. For adults who can easily drive, this is a minor inconvenience. For aging adults, it can be a major challenge. LOWLINC supports its non-driving members with rides to medical providers, offered mostly by volunteers. Volunteers also help with other trips such as shopping, banking and post office visits.

Connection is important because aging can bring isolation through the loss of contact with friends and family. LOWLINC fills that gap with frequent social activities designed to help members make new friends and stay in touch with current ones. The LOWLINC newsletter for September 2025 lists 26 events where members can gather and stay connected. Events range from group meals at the LOW Clubhouse and area restaurants to musical and dramatic performances, as well as simple get-togethers to walk and talk.
“With LOWLINC, we are never alone. We are there for each other, neighbor to neighbor — and we have fun!” Comeau said.

Barry Schaeffer

Barry grew up and completed his schooling in southern California, moving to Virginia in 1980.

As a communicator, Barry was a regular columnist for CMSWire, as well as Intranet Development and Newspapers and Technology Magazines, and was a reporter for his local newspaper, The Central Virginian.  He was also one of four consultant/authors for the landmark congressional study “Informing the Nation” (1987.) 

As a customer service provider: while finishing college, he spent four years in the retail beverage industry, dealing directly with customers.

As a corporate manager, he was a successful manager with several firms, including:

• At Pacific Telephone, he managed groups of up to 150 people and was rated Outstanding among managers in Southern California.
• For Arcata Data Management, he took over a 100-person division known for significant monthly losses and late delivery penalties, taking it to profitability in less than six months.
• For Planning Research Corporation, he managed a staff of 100 contractor personnel in the computer center for the White House (EOPCC), taking the Award Fee contract from zero award to maximum in six months.

As a project manager, Barry successfully led and completed major projects.

• For the private sector: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Boeing Helicopter, Sikorsky Aviation, Ford Motor Company (through Tweddle Group,) World Book Encyclopedia, The Bureau of National Affairs.

• For the Federal government: Congressional Research Service (CRS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U. S. Office Management and Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President (White House), Department of Defense (Army National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC), Air Force Material Command, Naval Sea Systems Command.)

• For State Governments: Administrative Code systems for Texas and Oklahoma.

As an entrepreneur, he co-founded and led two successful firms including X.Systems, (founded in 1993 and acquired by XyEnterprise in 2009.) 

He is a graduate of California State University/Los Angeles with a BA in psychology, and of the rigorous Bell System Management Achievement Program.