Hybrid 

This is a discussion group usually held on the first and third Fridays of each month, covering local, national, and world news. The discussion provides an opportunity to share your observations and opinions on the news and to learn from other participants.

Articles of interest are distributed among the group by email in the week before each meeting, and topics to discuss are selected by the group at the beginning of each meeting.

March 6, 20, 2026

April 3, 17, 2026

May 1, 15, 2026

June 5, 2026

10 am - 11:30 am

Paul Mullin is the facilitator for this discussion group.

In-person

Participants will meet once a month for lunch at various restaurants in the Farmington area. Reservations must be firm one week before the date. Participants will order from the standard menu and receive separate checks.

First Thursday of the month

February 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

April 2, 2026

May 7, 2026

June 4, 2026

11:30 am.

Location: TBD

Patricia Overall has been a long-time member of GLI.  She is a retired high school mathematics teacher who later worked in hotel management and other occupations, including NACA, now NASA, and as a bartender. She has lived in 18 states and obviously enjoys eating out.

Online

Please join us for a monthly Zoom get-together for coffee, conversation, and crafts.  Settle in with your favorite craft, bring your coffee, tea, or beverage, and visit with Gold LEAF friends.  Crafts are not essential, and guys are welcome! The goal is to get together and spend an hour or more talking with friends.

2nd Monday of the month

February 9

March 9

April 13

May 11

June 8

10 am-11:30 am

Online 

The Book Discussion Group continues a long Gold LEAF tradition and will meet four times during the Spring Term to discuss works of fiction and non-fiction. Our sessions are open, casual, yet stimulating and informative, allowing us to learn from one another. There is a possibility that an occasional meeting will be in-person.

The group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

March 10: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

April 14: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

May 12: My Friends by Fredrick Backman

June 9: Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick

Cathy Wimett and Nadine Marchand organize the book discussion. Any group member is welcome to facilitate a session. Both newcomers and past participants are encouraged to join us for this Spring Term.

GLI Full Year Annual Membership

Please note that a full-year membership is only available in the summer term.

This membership is valid for a full twelve months and replaces the need to sign up for membership each term.  It may be renewed during the next GLI Summer Term registration period.

If you are 90 years old or older, you are entitled to free membership, although still responsible for any class fees. To take advantage of this benefit, do NOT register for membership through this online catalog; just let the office know that you're entitled to free membership.

Membership in Gold LEAF or another Maine senior college is required to participate in Gold LEAF classes. Membership in Gold LEAF also allows you to take courses in any other Maine senior college.

As part of our effort to attract new members, each current member will be entitled to bring a guest to one class session per year. Please call the Office Manager for more information (207-778-7063).

July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

This membership entitles you to enroll in any class or activity during the Summer term only. 

There are 3 GLI terms: Summer (June-October), Fall/Winter (October-February), and Spring (February-June).

Membership in GLI or another Maine Senior College is required for registration in any Gold LEAF program offering. 

If you are 90 years old or older, you are entitled to free membership, although still responsible for any class fees. To take advantage of this benefit, do NOT register for membership through this online catalog; just let the office know that you're entitled to free membership.

Hybrid

Do you feel overwhelmed by social media posts, online news, and digital media? Do you feel distracted, scattered, or irritable after scrolling on your phone? Welcome to the Attention Economy - a digital commerce initiative paid for with your focus, time, and attention. Let’s explore how social media companies, digital marketing, and even news media outlets have hijacked your mind and created reflexive behavior to keep you connected, enraged, and engaged.

Part One will provide an overview of psychological, visual, and social tactics that have been implemented to continually increase smart device use and boost company revenue. From social media apps, online shopping, and news outlet comment sections, we will explore the methods used to keep you clicking, tapping, scrolling, and engaging.

Part Two will explore resistance to engagement tactics and attention hacking. We will review various habits and alternatives to endless scrolling and learn how to develop a more cohesive and healthy relationship with technology and digital media.

These presentations will be a combination of lecture and group discussion. Participants are encouraged to come with questions and an eagerness to engage in conversation and education.

Dates: Part 1, June 12, 2026; Part 2, June 26, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Education Center, room 112

Tyler Provencher is the Program Coordinator for Greater Franklin Digital Literacy - a free community tech support program across Franklin County. Tyler's background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Maine at Farmington. He has hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as participation in virtual software and hardware events and conferences.

Through his work at Greater Franklin Digital Literacy, Tyler aims to provide practical, actionable, and rational technology education to the broader Franklin County community.

In-Person

This is a once-a-month walkabout in a nearby woodland.  It will involve some travel, not to exceed 45 minutes, with carpooling encouraged.  Outings will be planned for 2 or fewer hours, excluding travel time.

Dates: June 16, July 21, August 4, September 15, 2026

Time: 9:30 am - Variable

Location: TBD

Ray is a devoted sportsman and outdoorsman, and has led numerous hiking and paddling tours with Gold LEAF.