Online 

The Book Discussion Group continues a long Gold LEAF tradition and will meet four times during the Summer Term to discuss works of fiction and non-fiction. Our sessions are open and casual, but also stimulating and informative - we learn from each other. 

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

July 8: Time of the Child by Niall Williams

August 12: Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale by Linda Rutledge

September 9: Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo

October 14: The God of the Woods: A Novel by Liz Moore

Each of the facilitators has participated in this book group previously. Both newcomers and past participants are encouraged to join us for this Fall/Winter Term.

This membership entitles anyone 50 years or older to enroll in any class or activity during the Fall/Winter 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; simply let the office know that you're entitled to free membership at goldleaf@maine.edu

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.

NOTE: The Fall/Winter term begins on October 1, 2025.  Please register if you wish to continue or are new to the class.

2nd Monday of the month

October 14th

November 10th

December 8th

January 12th

February 9th

10 am-11:30 am

In-person

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

First Thursday of the month

October 2, 2025

November 6, 2025

December 4, 2025

January 1, 2026

February 5, 2026

11:30 am.

Location: TBD

Patricia Overall has been a member of GLI for several years.  She is a retired high school mathematics teacher who later worked in hotel management.

Other occupations included working for NACA, now NASA, and bartending. She has lived in 18 states and obviously enjoys eating out.

In-Person

The South Solon Meeting House (1 Meeting House Rd, Solon) deserves to be called the “Sistine Chapel of Maine”: between 1952 and 1956, courtesy of the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, its interior was completely covered in frescoes depicting Biblical subjects, along with a few secular depictions in the lobby. A dozen artists, many at the time in their twenties, participated. Most of them went on to become famous, often in other media, such as beloved writer and illustrator of children's books, Ashley Bryan. Come learn how this extraordinary place came about in the middle of rural Maine and discover the messages its frescoes convey. Please dress warmly for this lecture!

For more on the Meeting House: https://web.colby.edu/southsolonmeetinghouse/

Driving directions from Famington, ME  https://tinyurl.com/3ezefstc

October 9, 2025

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: South Solon Meeting House

1 Meeting House Rd, Solon, ME 04979

Carpooling: TBD

Véronique Plesch is the James M. Gillespie Professor of Art at Colby College. Born in Argentina and raised in Switzerland, she holds advanced degrees from the University of Geneva and from Princeton University, where she received her Ph.D. in 1994, the year she joined the Colby faculty. Plesch is the author and editor of nine books and over 100 articles in English, French, Italian, and Spanish, among others, on the topic of religious fresco cycles. She is one of the editors of the Maine Arts Journal: Union of Maine Visual Arts Quarterly, to which she regularly contributes. In 2022, she taught a semester-long course on the South Solon Meeting House.

In-Person

Join us as you will step back in time and explore the old historic Mercer cemeteries for a talk and tour.

Whether you’re interested in local history, genealogy, or simply enjoy discovering hidden pieces of the past, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with Mercer’s heritage.

Meet and park at the Historical Society at 77 Main Street.   Carpooling is highly recommended.  A museum tour will be available afterwards if desired.

October 10th, 2025

1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Mercer Cemetery

Meet at the Mercer Historical Society, 43 Old Rte 2 Rd, Mercer, ME

Barry is a passionate historian and genealogist with a strong dedication to preserving and interpreting the past. A veteran of both the Navy and the Marines, he brings a unique perspective shaped by service and discipline. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, is skilled in multiple foreign languages, and is actively engaged as a historical reenactor.

In-Person

This will be a studio visit and demonstration of gelli printing with stencils on paper and fabric, and image transfers onto paper. You will have an opportunity to try your hand at printing during your visit.

Date: October 16, 2025

10 am - 12 pm

Location: Two Imagine Studios, 173 Mosher Hill Road, Farmington, Maine, 04938

Meredith received her BFA from Cooper Union in NYC.  She has worked as a calligrapher and graphic designer, and has pursued a path as a painter, printmaker, and hand bookmaker. Although she is currently retired and a member of Gold Leaf, you cannot keep her out of the studio.

In-Person and Hybrid

Pancho Villa was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. Since he outlived the other leaders, his name is the one we know. The leaders were from varied backgrounds with various motives. Let me fill in some blanks about these men. You can decide for yourself whether they were heroes or hooligans.

October 21 and 28, 2025

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: The Landing, Olsen Learning Center, Lower Level

Diane Parker was a Spanish teacher for many years. She is a lover of Latino and Spanish history and culture. She spent formative years living on the Texas border with a bilingual mother. History was one of her favorite subjects throughout high school and college. She was lucky to have both worlds to share in her career.