Life on the farm suits Schleicher

If Cushing alumna Courtney Schleicher could be anywhere, it would be on a farm or out on the water. Luckily, in Yarmouth, Maine, she can have both. 

Schleicher, 34, lives on her family’s coastal property, which includes dozens of acres of farmland. 

“She really enjoys taking care of and feeding all the animals — the sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and horses,” said her private nanny, Christine Howe. “We’ll gather the wool and the eggs, and she also does a lot of work in the garden, harvesting cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and pumpkins. It’s teaching her responsibility. She enjoys getting up and going out to the animals. The horse that she rides was an abused animal and he’s very gentle with her. She’ll feed him and brush him and he’ll kiss her on the nose. She loves going out to the barn to see him.” 

Schleicher was a residential student at Cushing and enjoyed cheerleading and softball during her time there. She was connected to Howe, who was a group home manager at Cushing, and they both moved to Yarmouth in 2019. Schleicher’s late grandfather, Jim Gorman, was the grandson of L.L. Bean, and her grandmother, Maureen, and mother, Barbara, are still living on the property. Schleicher is able to live in her own residence, with the assistance of Howe. 

“She loves fishing and going out on the boat and spending time with her family,” said Howe. “She’s always so happy. When she walks into a room, she just lights it up. She talks a lot, and loves to bake and cook and be in the kitchen. She’s like another kid to me, and my own kids love her like a sister.” 

Howe still works with Schleicher on handwriting and communication, but she describes her as “smart as a whip.” 

“She teaches me something new every day,” she said.