n Meet the Neighbors: Richard & Leslie Saltsman
n CREA Celebrates 25 Years
n Guide to Nearby State Parks
n Nature Preserve Trail Upgrades Hiking Favorites
…and more
At Highland Green, It Just Comes Naturally…
A stunning community nestled within 650 pristine acres
A vibrant, carefree lifestyle beyond compare and An unbridled welcoming spirit
All convenient to Portland and Maine’s captivating seaside towns
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It is an exciting time at Highland Green. As I am sure you have noticed, mortgage rates are dropping, making new home purchases more affordable and existing home sales more appealing to potential buyers. That, coupled with the attractive and varied homes for sale options at Highland Green, continues to keep us very busy in an otherwise challenging real estate market.
Available now, 5 Finch Drive offers single-floor comfort and charm. This enchanting two-bedroom, two-bath home also provides a two-car garage, a screened-in porch and back patio surrounded by mature landscaping, six-foot Andersen windows accented by crown molding and framing picturesque views, and an open kitchen lined with an abundance of rich cherry cabinets and seamlessly connected to a dining area overlooking a central fireplace and cozy seating.
Interest in existing resale “Available Now” homes and new construction homes at Highland Green remains high. In an effort to meet that demand, Highland Green has thoughtfully added neighborhoods and expanded its inventory.
Future Highland Green endeavors include Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care components of an apartment project, which we are hoping to get underway within the upcoming year.
If you take advantage of any of our available resale listings or desirable new construction properties, or happen to be lucky enough to get in on the early selection process of our new Independent Living Apartments, let me be one of the first to welcome you to extraordinary Highland Green living.
Leslie spent 45 years as a pediatric nurse in hospitals and doctors’ offices until 2018, at which time she served as an advice nurse – that person you call to answer your questions and ease your fears when you have a sick child and you just don’t know what to do. Richard began his law career as a clerk for a federal judge and worked his way up to assistant U.S. Attorney and then into private practice. Finally, his love of aviation drew him toward public service for the FAA.
That interest in aviation also led the Saltsmans up, up and away. In 1981, they met a hot air balloon pilot who sold them on his passion; and they became the owners and operators of their very own hot air balloon, piloting balloon flights over northern Montgomery County, Maryland for 10 years.
Born in Washington DC, Richard lived in the Washington area his entire life; and when he and Leslie were married, that is where they decided to stay for the next 40 years. They summer in Southwest Harbor, Maine, a family vacation destination first visited in the late 1920s by Richard’s father and his uncle who enjoyed sailing. When Richard’s dad married, he brought his family – a 75year tradition which continues to this day with Richard and Leslie who are visited there by their children and grandchildren.
When they were looking to move from their two-story colonial in the suburbs of D.C., Maine was top of mind. They liked the scenery and the people here and Maine was a place full of fond memories for them…and so the research began.
The Saltsmans looked at Portland apartments that they found to be “pricey and not all that attractive.” Highland Green happened to pop up on their radar during their visits to senior communities
in the Portland area. On a whim, they turned off 295 and into the Highland Green community. As Richard says, “That was it!”
It was October 2022 when they toured the beautiful, wooded site that would become their new home. Leslie says she loves the surrounding wildlife and the wooded view from her home, as well as the feeling of openness their corner home site provides. “It is a very pretty setting. I’m so pleased.” She adds that not having to shovel snow or do yardwork makes life more carefree. “We also like having the delightful college town of Brunswick and all its great resources nearby,” said Richard.
Of course, they also love their new Highland Green home, which they say is a “just the right size one-level filled with light.” The happy couple also say that the design process was exciting and fun. The Saltsmans chose an open floor plan, a sunroom and a basement that Leslie converted into a sewing room. “All the people who made it happen have been an absolute pleasure and I don’t think we could have put all the pieces of this puzzle together without them,” said Richard.
They love the fact that, at Highland Green, it is so easy to just walk out your door and go for a walk, ride a bike or take a hike. They like
The physical surroundings of Highland Green offer a distinctive natural beauty that other communities just can’t match. “
“the welcoming, built-in community and meeting new people here.” They’ve enjoyed the community-wide social events including Chowdafest and Trivia Night. Leslie has also joined a sewing group as well as the Juliets, a club that meets for lunch in different local venues. She says it has been a wonderful way to meet new people because it is a different group of people every month.
As the Saltsmans continue to settle into their new Highland Green home, Leslie looks forward to volunteering, meeting more people and gardening. In fact, she plans a spring planting for the tulip bulbs she just received from an Amsterdam garden they visited. An avid baker who enjoys whipping up a nice loaf of sourdough, Leslie will also soon be gearing up for Christmas, a time of year she likes to share a variety of her home-baked cookies with friends and family. Richard plans to find out more about nearby Bowdoin College opportunities and has hopes of participating in some pickleball.
The Saltsmans love the fact that since Highland Green handles their snow shoveling and lawncare, life has become more carefree.
Almost 50 residents attended the Highland Green Volunteer Fair, at which 20 non-profits set up booths lining the Community Center walls to share their information. Non-profit participants included Midcoast Hunger Prevention, Midcoast Hospital, Midcoast Literacy, Youth Center, Humane Society and New Mainers Group; United Way; Tedford Housing; Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust; Habitat for Humanity; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; The Gathering Place; Merrymeeting Adult Education; Partners for World Health; Maine Women’s Giving Tree; Chans Hospice, Spindleworks; Maine Maritime and Brunswick Naval Aviation museums; and Camp Sunshine.
Not only were Highland Green residents who were interested in learning more about local volunteer opportunities able to gather information from these amazing organizations, long-term volunteers also shared very positive feedback about how much they enjoyed the event and how nice it was to have access to the resources provided. “It was great to see non-profits sharing information and a very successful event all around. I hope to make it an annual event,” said Highland Green Volunteer Fair organizer and resident Carrie Strasburger.
Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA) - where hands-on, feetwet river exploration continues to inspire young minds, new friendships are forged over nature-inspired escapades and treasured memories are collected along with tadpoles – celebrates 25 years and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust marks its 40-year milestone of exceptional community connection and conservation.
Recent events included CREA Camp and field trips, a wide array of friendly trail mixers and guided forest therapy walks. Other outings include a fabulous fall events such as a sheep shearing demonstration at Crystal Spring Farm, enjoyed by all in attendance and “Baking with Maine Grains,” a Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program harvest celebration. 3
Bordering Kennebec River on the south end of its beach and Morse River on the north with offshore views of Fox and Wood islands, Popham Beach State Park is open all year and provides lifeguard coverage in the summer months. Sunbathing, stand-up paddleboarding, sea kayaking, boating, surf casting for striper and winter surfing are all popular pastimes here. Horseback riding is also welcome with a permit October through March.
Located at the south end of Georgetown Island and rated #1 in New England for surfing by Boston Globe Magazine, Reid State Park offers a rarity for Maine - long, wide stretches of sandy beach and large sand dunes. Donated in 1946 by Georgetown resident Walter E. Reid, this scenic portion of the coast is also a nesting area for endangered terns and plovers and, at Griffith’s Head, visitors may enjoy a rocky overlook of the park with sweeping seascapes including lighthouse and island views. One of those islands, Damariscove, was once a colonial fishing village; Outer Head Island is a tern sanctuary; and Southport is the island where naturalist Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring. A natural heritage hike may also be enjoyed along its Little River Trail.
Wolfe’s Neck State Park can be found just a five-minute drive from the center of Freeport’s shopping district. Marshes and open fields lead into its over 200 acres of varied ecosystems including forests of white pine and hemlock, a saltwater marsh estuary and the rocky shorelines of Harraseeket River and Casco Bay. Casco Bay Trail leads to one of Maine’s most impressive coast points and an interpretive panel about the surrounding islands. Ospreys are prevalent here and an interpretive panel along the trail explains their life cycles and annual migration to South America. Nature walks led by a park naturalist are available, as is the park’s new shelter – a picnic area which rests under a canopy of oak trees.
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own. – Charles Dickens
While Highland Green is nestled amongst several majestic state parks, it also offers incredible hiking opportunities right on its nature preserve…on which trail work was recently completed.
A group of just under 20 Highland Green residents, comprised of hikers of varying skill levels, recently participated in a hike of the entire three-and-a-half mile Cathance River Trail - within and beyond the Nature Preserve, all the way to the head of Tide Park.
According to Chuck Howard, who is a member of the informal Highland Green hiking club, which orchestrates approximately six hikes per year; these organized hikes are an excellent way for anyone who might not be comfortable hiking on their own to enjoy the hiking experience and meet new people. Chuck added, “This hike was full of great conversation and held on a beautiful fall day with a crisp, clear morning just perfect for hiking.”
The next planned Highland Green hike is Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary in West Bath, 86 acres which once belonged to avid birder and naturalist Millicent Hamilton.
Highland Green residents fully enjoy the road of life and forge new paths toward an even brighter future.
To learn more about the Highland Green lifestyle, call us at 866-854-1200 or 207-725-4549.
Previously scouted and enjoyed by Mary and Chris Meier, here are some examples of beautiful trails – many including a water feature – in close proximity to Highland Green
Top 10 Walks/Hikes
1. La Verna Nature Preserve in Bristol
2. Vaughan Woods in Hallowell
3. Oven’s Mouth Preserve in Boothbay
For Tom Kent, it is hard to choose, but these are two of his personal favorites…
Ovens Mouth Preserve, Boothbay
4. Bowden College Coastal Studies Center, Orr’s Island
5. Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson
6. “Twin Peaks” Merritt Mountain and Robinson Rock (aka the Bumpah) –Sebasco Harbour
7. Belgrade Lakes/Kennebec Highlands (French Mountain, Mount Philip, The Mountain)
8. Morse Mountain, Phippsburg Peninsula
9. Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary, Lewiston
10. Harpswell Cliff Trail, Harpswell
Walks/Hikes for Easier Distancing
1. Morse Mountain, Phippsburg Peninsula
2. Bigelows (Hike to Maine Mountain Hut and back), Carrabassett Valley
3. Androsgoggin River Trail, Lisbon Falls/ Lisbon
4. Great Salt Bay Farm/Heritage Center, Damariscotta
5. Dodge Point Circuit Preserve, Damariscotta
6. Back Cove Trail, Portland
7. Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson
8. Bradbury Mountain, Pownal
9. Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary, Lewiston
10. Mount Pisgah, Wayne/Winthrop (The Tower Gravel Road is a wide gravel path)
“This pair of connected trails in Boothbay has some dramatic ups and downs and beautiful views. Ovens Mouth Preserve West is the longer of the trails. The white-blazed perimeter trail is about 3 mi long. Starting north along the eastern side of this trail, the elevation is quite high, with a steep drop and occasional views. The trail winds down to sea level, where a beautiful foot bridge connects the trails. At the tip, you can take the shorter blue trail back, or the longer and more dramatic white trail. Ovens Mouth Preserve East is significantly shorter and a bit flatter. And when you finish, you can treat yourself to lunch in nearby Boothbay Harbor.”
“Part of Bowdoin College, the Schiller Coastal Studies Center is a 118-acre study center on the coast of Orr’s Island. It has a lot of delightful trails. My personal favorite is the Long Cove Loop, which we access from the southernmost of the parking areas. This winds through a dense young conifer forest, past big winterberries, and down to the coast of Long Cove. There are lots of views, and at the tip, a view of Dog’s Head.”
