By LYNN STEINBERG
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Like many of Seattle's older residential neighborhoods, what gives Leschi much of its flavor -- and what distinguishes it from other communities -- are the people who live and work here, plant its trees and tend its gardens, nurture its young and care for its old, plan its rummage sales, raise money for its school, and fight to preserve its character.

Lisel Salzer, a 91-year-old artist, stands barely 5 feet tall and is blind in one eye. One of the community's most senior residents, she continues to paint in her expansive home overlooking Lake Washington. An exhibit of her work opens at Four Corners Art and Frames in the University District this weekend and runs through the end of the year.

Barber, who moved to Leschi in 1971, organizes volunteer work parties every year to clear weeds from neighborhood parks, stabilize trails, even rebuild a wobbly bridge.

Wade Vaughn, a 68-year-old retired industrial designer, has established himself as the community historian. A tall, lanky man who takes steps two at a time, Vaughn pieces together bits and pieces of Leschi's past, then gathers them into books. Each of his four volumes has been published by the community council, which uses them to raise money for neighborhood projects. Of the four books, Vaughn's "Seattle-Leschi Diary" has been the most popular; it sold 500 copies.

There are few fixtures in Leschi that serve as hubs or gathering places for the community, just the school, which was built in 1909 and remodeled in 1988, and a senior center.

Most children at Leschi Elementary School live close enough to walk to class. There is a small but active PTA that raised $12,000 last year, up from $3,000 five years before. The community council holds a rummage sale for the school every year, and the proceeds pay for library books and musical instruments.

Residents also tutor children. This year they started a bridge club for fourth- and fifth-graders that meets on Friday afternoon. Principal Patricia Newton didn't think there would be much interest and was surprised when 20 students signed up.

A few blocks away, seniors congregate at the Central Area Senior Center. The mood is generally festive, and even more so on Halloween when volunteers, staff members and many of the center's regulars showed up for lunch in costume.

"Lord have mercy!" exclaimed director Carol Allen upon seeing staff member Lena Sanford transformed into a bag lady for the occasion. But the prize for best costume went to Evelena Hatcher, who dressed as a witch. She received a gift pack of chocolates and coffee.

Continued:

• It's a shore thing: Area rich in its past and people
• Community stands firm on quality of life