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 75 year 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 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 fi nd out more about nearby Bowdoin College opportunities and has hopes of participating in some pickleball.
