HG Lifestyle Newsletter - Winter 2024

AT HIGHLAND GREEN

Remaining Committed to the Environment: A John Wasileski Update

You may know Highland Green CEO John Wasileski as an innovative developer, but he has also been committed to the environment and its protection since the onset of his career. John graduated from McGill University in Montreal with a double major – one of which was Environmental Studies. He also interned for the Environmental Careers Organization through the Bath Planning Office, which he continues to support today.

His latest environmental endeavor is the Solar Farm at Highland Green, which has been approved and will partner with ReVision Energy to offset over 1 million pounds of CO2e - the equivalent to 52,727 gallons of gas not burned, 99 passenger cars removed from the road or 81,404 gallons of propane not burned per year.

Of course, Highland Green and the agreement to protect the Cathance River and other open space on its property is another example of John Wasileski’s environmental stewardship; and he is just as committed to the residents of Highland Green.

In fact, in an effort to maintain healthy, open lines of communication, informative, well-received meeting for residents and potential residents interested in learning more about the apartment project at Highland Green were recently held – each of which included a presentation by John, as well an engaging discussion and Q&A. Surveys, addressing items such as dining, activities, wellness and whatever else residents felt was important, were also conducted for the purpose of continually providing the best and most fulfilling quality of life at Highland Green.

WHAT’S NEW AT HIGHLAND GREEN

A New Neighborhood Takes Shape

New construction, for our residents who hail from all corners of this country, is going exceptionally well. All but one home site on Jasper Drive has been sold and seven homes have closed. Across the street at Diamond Drive, roadwork continues, and the area looks dramatically different.

Just Released Home Sites

Highly desirable home sites have also just been released on Diamond Drive between picturesque quarries and the 5th hole of the Highland Green Golf Course. These elevated sites are the highest in the Quarry Phase and provide the added privacy of no homes in front or behind, as well as peek-a-boo views of the golf course from a screened-in porch, sunroom or patio and a healthy wooded buffer. Diamond Drive sites #249, 250 and 251 are also very convenient to the restaurant, community center and fitness area.

Newly released Marble Lane home sites are part of a three-home road which borders a wilderness corridor and home sites #259 and #260 there enjoy south facing living space.

All home sites offer single floor living with a second-floor upgrade option and accommodate one- or two-car attached garages.

The first foundations for the custom homes sold here are scheduled to be poured this spring and a look to the very near future includes the construction of a new model home.

“ We consider it an insurance policy for the future,” said Jose Mas, who moved to Highland Green in 2017 along with his wife Deirdre. “We may never need to move into the apartment, but if we do need the services, we will be very grateful to have a place right here on the Highland Green campus that meets our needs.”

Luxury Apartments with Support as Needed

There has been a great deal of excitement surrounding the apartments – an innovative concept offering luxurious, spacious, maintenance-free, energy-efficient living with supportive services including, but not limited to transportation, wellness, dining, housekeeping, as well as the incredible lifestyle at Highland Green. Interest continues to build for Highland Green apartments. More to come, so stay tuned!

Only one home site remains available on Jasper Drive.

New Quarry Phase Residents Create Neighborhood

Highland Green is pleased to announce that twelve new residents, representing nine households have closed, moved in to the new Quarry Phase neighborhood on Jasper and Diamond Drive and enjoyed their first get-together. To date, there are nineteen sales within this new phase with residents hailing from Machias, Brunswick, Bethel, Lincoln, and Rome, Maine; Plymouth and Wellesley, Massachusetts; Wilmington, Delaware; Potomac and Rockville, Maryland; Lovettsville and Centreville, Virginia; Chester and Sicklerville, New Jersey; San Antonia, Texas; Black Diamond, Washington; and Potsdam, Germany!

Jasper Drive homes nearing completion. Diamond Drive homes sites can be seen along 5th hole.

AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE IS THE Signature

Highland Green is a vibrant oasis with a robust sense of community and an active lifestyle including fun and interesting activities run by residents, for residents…and who knows residents better? Looking for good times with good people? Want to learn something new or lend your time or extend your expertise to a worthy cause? The sheer depth and breadth of offerings at Highland Green ensure that there is always something for everyone – whatever your pleasure…

Like a little friendly competition? You may want to join an open game of pickleball which occurs every Sunday from 2-4 pm for men and women or meet some friends for a rousing couples match of tennis. Bocce League and Social Bocce casual play is also available to both men and women.

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Fun is definitely on the menu for our dining groups. There is JULIET’s for the ladies, ROMEO’s for the men and JULs/Just Us Ladies for single, widowed and divorced ladies - each enjoying good conversation over a delicious lunch at a different local establishment of their choosing each month.

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And who doesn’t like a good party? There’s a New Year’s Eve celebration and a St. Patrick’s Day bash. Our Chowda Fest warms the soul, the Summer Solstice event is always a good time and our holiday parties are brimming with comfort and joy…just to name a few.

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If you’re looking to keep things fresh, the Highland Green Community Garden Club, which varies with season, nurtures raised beds. Residents are welcome to pick veggies fresh from the vine in exchange for a donation toward future crops.

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Fitness activities include Yoga and Tai Chi classes as well as Walk Walk, an informal fitness/walking class which is popular among Highland Green residents.

A OF YOUTH

If golfing suits you to a tee, you may be interested in the weekly Men’s or Women’s Golf Scramble held on the Highland Green golf course which was recently upgraded. The restaurant is also a popular stop for our golfers (and everyone else) and remains open throughout the winter.

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Naturally, many people who have chosen to live at Highland Green enjoy spending time surrounded by nature, so there are organized outings for walkers and hikers along lovely local coastal and inland trails, as well as specialty walks and birding.

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Word is that Book Club at Highland Green is also wildly popular among residents. If you enjoy games, choose from bridge, mah-jongg, cribbage and canasta. There are clubs for crafters and environmentalists. Volunteering in every capacity is easy, interesting classes and a host of additional offerings are available at nearby colleges, and the Highland Green Lunch & Learn presentations by remarkable lecturers are captivating.

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Picture this...art programs including the Artist-In-Residents club, Art Jaunts to amazing art destinations, art materials swaps and art challenges at which artists collaborate to improve different works of art. You can find it all at Highland Green.

ccording to Susan Loebs, she and her fellow Highland Green residents try to stay healthy by remaining active and keeping fit; and they have a good time doing it! She is personally involved in bridge and mah-jongg, which she says club members like to refer to as a way of keeping their minds sharp. For fitness, she takes a Tai Chi class and participates in Walk Walk as well as pickleball games. She also enjoys Travel Group, with its stimulating discussions and shared photos of recent trips, and Book Club, which has an author on tap to discuss her book. And now that Wednesday Night Dinners - which she describes as a venue in which you can get to know people you might not have otherwise - are back in session at Highland Green’s restaurant, she will be attending those as well.

Sue also says, “If there is something that you are interested in and you don’t happen to find it here, you can just start it!” Just one example is Off Their Rockers, a band made up of ten Highland Green residents who have played together for seven years and residents enjoy. Their music is an eclectic mix including traditional blues, early rock, and catch 21st century music. In addition to this band, another group started a band made up of five residents who enjoy jamming together.

Speaking of remaining healthy and happy, Sue adds, “One of the nicest things about living in Highland Green is that we really care about each other. We are very aware of other residents who need support, such as someone who has lost a loved one, recently had surgery or just needs a little extra care. It is truly neighbor helping neighbor here.”

MEET THE NEIGHBORS

Ted Stainman, a retired Air Force military chaplain, and his wife Barbara lived in many parts of the country during his career.

Prior to moving to Highland Green, they resided in Denver, Colorado, which became a bit too congested for them. Since Barbara originally came from Bangor, they turned their sights to Maine and became attracted to Highland Green.

Once they arrived, the Stainmans were overwhelmed by the hospitality of residents, who warmly welcomed and readily included them into their community. “No one grew up at Highland Green,” Ted joked and then added, “It is a community where many of us come from somewhere else, having to recreate a network of friends, associations and activities. Existing Highland Green residents understand that and try to be quite helpful when new residents are moving in and readjusting.”

The Stainmans also appreciated Highland Green’s close proximity to the Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick and all it offers, including interesting lectures, concerts, classes and other activities. In fact, they are a host family who have opened their Highland Green home to two students so far—one who is now spending a year overseas in China and a first-year student from California. Interested in meeting people and actively participating in the Highland Green lifestyle, the Stainmans have taken part in a number of activities and clubs, such as Green Steps, which Barbara chairs. Focusing on providing environmental information and education, Green Steps promotes the use of native plants and works to make Highland Green a healthy and beautiful place to live.

Then there are the Highland Green Lunch & Learns, which the Stainmans assumed leadership of this year (I know, they are very busy!). These are immensely popular monthly presentations and include diverse topics like the operation of a nuclear plant or the problems faced by a private school headmaster during COVID. According to Ted, “The talent here is prodigious, and the people are very generous with their time. Many of our lecturers are residents of Highland Green.”

The couple also mentions that many of the residents become involved in the community, volunteering, for instance, at the local library or the Maritime Museum, while others are politically active or prefer social service. Ted has chosen to conduct tours at the Joshua Chamberlain Historical House and volunteers at the Food Bank, preparing and delivering meals.

He also takes a Tai Chi class at Highland Green while Barbara is involved in the Highland Green Art Club, which encompasses all levels of skill – from accomplished artists to those who are interested in learning.

“ At Highland Green, residents have the freedom to be involved as little or as much as they like; but the activities here can prevent people from becoming insular and instead remain involved in the world.”

Barbara shares, “At Highland Green, residents have the freedom to be involved as little or as much as they like; but the activities here can prevent people from becoming insular and instead remain involved in the world.”

Ted and Barbara Stainman attending the Monhegan Island Art Club trip.

CREA Corner

Stalwart stewards of the environment with an unwavering commitment to broadening ecological awareness, Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA) consistently offers a front row seat to nature’s masterful artistry. A staunch supporter of outdoor education and activity cultivation, CREA has worked in tandem with teachers, providing nature-based elementary lessons since 2007 and an extensive nature library and Ecology Center for curious minds. Nature experts from a diverse spectrum of specialties conduct engaging presentations and knowledgeable volunteers provide guided hikes as well as helpful hike suggestions and trail maps for those who prefer to set out on their own nature excursions.

Here is just a sampling of some of the latest CREA programming:

d CREA StoryWalks, which present pages of a book along a trail to encourage reading and nature exploration in children of all ages, starts at the head of Barnes Leap Trail just past the CREA Ecology Center and currently features A Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan.

d Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT), which has merged with CREA, offers its Annual Winter Garden Workshop series with a DIY Resilient Yard online presentation March 3rd at 3pm and Getting Kids in the Garden March 23rd at 3 pm at Curtis Memorial Library

d The Latest in the CREA Speaker Series is These Trees Tell a Story March 17th at 7 pm, a virtual presentation by award winning author and University of Maine Biology and Conservation Assistant Professor Noah Charney.

Photos by Jim Wilkes