This membership entitles anyone 50 years or older to enroll in any class or activity during the Fall/Winter term only. 

There are three 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

This discussion group is held on the first and third Fridays of each month. It covers local, national, and world news. The discussion provides an opportunity to share 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 discussion topics are selected by the group at the beginning of each meeting.

Dates:

October 16, 2026

November 6, 20, 2026

December 4, 18, 2026

January 8, 22, 2027

Time: 10 am-11:30 am

Paul Mullin is the facilitator for this discussion group. 

In-Person

Join Gold LEAF Institute for a tour of the Kennebec Historical Society’s historic headquarters, the 19th-century Fuller Mansion on Winthrop Street in Augusta.

The mansion’s downstairs rooms feature original furnishings and paintings dating from the early through late 19th century. A special highlight is the house’s more than 100-year-old piano, which is still in working order and well-tuned.

This unique historic gem provides a glimpse into 19th-century Augusta and the politically active Fuller family. The director of the Kennebec Historical Society will lead the one-hour tour and share the history of the mansion, the Fuller family, and their role in the community. The tour begins at 11:00 a.m.

After the tour, participants may wish to explore downtown Augusta, with its variety of restaurants, or continue to nearby Hallowell for lunch and additional sightseeing.

Date: October 19th, 2026

Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Location: Fuller Mansion, Augusta, ME

Carpool: TBD

Eric Hooglund has been a valued Gold LEAF member since 2014 and has offered numerous GLI classes.

Eric is a retired professor of Middle East politics and has taught at several distinguished institutions, including Bowdoin College, Bates College, Oxford University in the UK, and Shiraz University in Iran, among others.

In-person

John Daly will discuss the joys, trials, and tribulations one would encounter when building a cedar and fiberglass canoe. The cedar strips make up the core and create the form on which to layer the fiberglass and resin.

Most other canoe materials like aluminum, polyethylene, ABS plastic, Kevlar, and carbon fiber all require industrial equipment, so the canoe could not be built at home.

This class will discuss canoe hull shape and how it affects performance. We will also talk about the advantages and limitations of canoe construction materials and the construction of Native Americans’ incredibly sophisticated birch bark canoes.

Date: October 21, 2026

Time: 11 am-12:30 pm

Location: Education Center, 106

John is a retired college math and science teacher. He and his brother have built nine cedar strip canoes.

Hybrid

Have you ever been told your personal data was involved in a breach? Were you unsure what steps to take, what options you had, or what it means when your data is affected?

In Data Breach: The How, The When, The Why - Part One, we will review some of the major data breaches that have occurred within the past two years. We will discuss how victims were notified, what solutions were provided, and what measures relevant companies took to ensure stronger security and faster response.

In Data Breach: The How, The When, The Why - Part Two, we will discuss options users have to take control of their data, how it is shared, and where their data is stored. We will examine definitions of "cookies" and how user data is collected. We will dissect the language surrounding data breach disclosures and identify methods used to prevent users from taking action to protect their data.

Dates: October 22, 2026 (Part One) and October 29, 2026 (Part Two)

Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Location: Education Ctr, 106

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

It's time to tell your story. Many of us have verbal or written histories of our families. Our parents' generation put their stories on audio or video recordings.

This is an opportunity to tell your story on camera for ten to sixty minutes.  In the end, you'll have a copy to share with family. 

Recording options include you alone, or you with John or someone else of your choosing. John will work out the details with you before your session. 

Date: Mondays, October 26, 2026 through February 1, 2027

The participants will email or call John Henkel to arrange a time that is convenient for both parties.

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

John Henkel is the Gold LEAF curriculum chair, a board member, and a nurse.

In-person

This class introduces gentle stretches and easier yoga poses to relax the mind and body.  The class is designed to enhance flexibility, awareness, and peacefulness.

Each class includes a brief meditation, standing, sitting, and floor work stretches with an emphasis on breathing. Each class will culminate with a guided body relaxation and period of silence. 

Students are asked to bring a yoga mat and 2 towels.

3 Sessions

Dates: October 28, 2026             November 4, 11, 2026

Time: 11 am-12:30 pm

Location: Education Center, 006, lower level

Sharon (Shiri) Jones is experienced and certified by Indra Devi, a pioneer of bringing yoga to the USA. Sharon taught yoga at various locations, including Gold LEAF Institute. She lives a quiet life and continues her lifelong practices and studies.

Hybrid

We have had success with storytelling presentations as speakers have come through our network. Let's take it to the next level and create our own network for storytelling.

Once a month, we will come together to tell stories. We'll brainstorm a list of potential topics. The expectation is that everyone comes prepared with a ten-minute story to tell on a topic of choice. We'll keep it simple and have fun.

Dates: We meet the first Monday of each month

Proposed time: 11 am -12:30 pm

November 2, 2026

December 7, 2026

January 4, 2027

February 1, 2027

Time: Note: the time can be flexible.  Call or email to set up a time if more convenient than the time set. 

Location: Ed Ctr, 106

John Henkel is the GLI curriculum chair, a board member, and a nurse.