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

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

In-Person

Dr. Barton will explore how wildfires work, the history of wildfires in Maine, and whether fire risk is likely to increase in the state as temperatures warm.

March 11, 2026 (Snow Date: March 18, 2026)

10:30 - 11:30 AM

Education Center, Room 107

Andrew (Drew) Barton is a forest and fire ecologist, science writer, and professor of biology at the University of Maine at Farmington.

His research focuses on how forests are responding to changing climate and wildfire in the Southwest USA, northern Mexico, and Maine. Drew is an author of The Changing Nature of the Maine Woods and co-editor of Ecology and Recovery of Old-growth Forests in Eastern North America.

He’s worked for many years with Maine science and environmental groups, including the Science Subcommittee and Emergency Management Working Group of the Maine Climate Council, the science advisory board for Maine’s Ecological Reserve System, the Mt. Blue-Tumbledown Conservation Alliance, and the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition.

After nearly three decades at UMF, Drew continues to greatly enjoy teaching courses in ecology, conservation, and forests.

In-Person

This is a quest to understand a dynamic river and its impacts on communities along its 73.3-mile corridor. Come and hear what experts say and what concerns residents.

In February 2025, 50 local and regional partners met to address worsening floods in the Sandy River Watershed. Following major 2023 floods and over 100 events in 230 years—including three recent FEMA disasters—farmers reported erosion and land damage. Professionals cited outdated flood maps, past river modifications, and climate change.

The group called for updated mapping, a geomorphic assessment, and coordinated, large-scale solutions beyond piecemeal fixes. How would this impact citizens, and what are their ideas?

Four forums took place across the Sandy River Watershed. These forums were centered on the community—designed not only to help residents understand the characteristics of the Sandy River, but more importantly, to listen to their stories, concerns, local knowledge, and history.

March 12, 2026

1:00 P.M.

Location: Franklin County's Emergency Operations Center, 1 County Way in Farmington.

Amanda Simoneau, Franklin County Emergency Management Director, will be joined by Sara Bickford, Somerset Emergency Management Agency Director, to describe what impact the flooding has had and mitigation suggestions moving forward.

In-Person

County government in Maine is our oldest form of governance. Counties were created even before towns, intended to deliver essential services that individual communities could not provide on their own.

Today, that framework is both rooted in history and unexpectedly forward-looking, as smaller towns face new pressures in education, fire and police protection, and the demands of a changing economy.

Date: March 19, 2026

1 PM - 2:30 PM

Location:  Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, 140 Main Street, Suite 1, Farmington, ME

Amy Bernard, MPA, is Franklin County's Administrator, and Fenwick Fowler is a County Commissioner representing Farmington.

Hybrid

This presentation by licensed forester Ted Wright will provide information on an innovative new program to ensure annual revenue for forest landowners through the generation of carbon credits from their growing trees.   

In short, getting paid to let trees grow. Ted is a consultant for Renoster, a carbon removal supplier. The company is collaborating with owners of Maine working forests to encourage longer tree growth cycles for more market value while earning annual revenue through committed carbon credits. Ted will also discuss how carbon credits are generated, supplied, and traded, and cover integrity issues in the current carbon markets. 

See Renoster's announcement here:  

https://www.renoster.co/resources/blog/launching-apollo-a-new-era-for-nature  

Date: March 31, 2026.  Snow Date: April 1, 2026 

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 

Location: Education Center, room 107 

Ted Wright has dedicated over 25 years to advancing responsible forestry practices and sustainable management of forest resources in Maine. His deep commitment to working forests and rural economies allows him to connect Maine's woodland owners with carbon finance opportunities.

Ted is the owner of Ted Wright Forest Services https://tedwrightforestservices.com in Brunswick. 

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.

Gelli printing is a simple monoprinting method that uses a reusable gelatin-like plate to create unique prints. Artists apply paint, add textures or stencils, and press paper onto the plate to transfer designs, resulting in one-of-a-kind artworks without the need for special equipment.

Date: April 7, 2026

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 

Do you fantasize about living in Three Pines and having a meal with Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache or a walk around the green with Ruth and Rosa?

Do you want an opportunity to talk about Louise Penny’s latest two books, The Grey Wolf and The Black Wolf, as they weave a complicated tale in the province of Quebec? This class is about two books.  The main character's home is in Three Pines, Quebec, Canada.  

Join us to discuss the characters, settings, questions, dogs, and ducks of Louise Penny’s mysteries. 

Dates: April 8, 22, 2026

1:30 - 3:00 P.M.

Location: Education Center, 113

Deb Stahler and Cathy Wimett would like to vacation in Three Pines and have at least one meal a day in the Bistro.

Hybrid

License to Browse: Safety While You Scroll will focus on traversing the expansive landscape of the internet, smart devices, and the ever-widening reach of artificial intelligence. From security basics to protecting your private information, "License to Browse" will provide you with practical steps you can take to ensure confidence and safety while using your devices.

This presentation will be broken into two parts:

Part One will be an introduction to safety features and settings that are built into smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.

Part Two will expand on these settings and features and will delve deeper into how they can be used in real-world settings and digital environments.

The presentations will be a combination of lecture and group discussion. Participants are encouraged to come with questions and a willingness to engage in a communal conversation and education.

Date: April 9, 23, 2026

10:00 am - 12 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, room 107

Tyler Provencher is the Program Coordinator for the Greater Franklin Digital Literacy, a free, county-wide support program offering educational resources, technology guidance, and support to the broader Franklin County community. Greater Franklin Digital Literacy offers a combination of group presentations and individualized tutoring opportunities.