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Our Classes
GLI Book Discussion Group, Spring Term
with Cathy Wimett

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 and casual, but also stimulating and informative - we learn from each other. This term, each book has been chosen and will be facilitated by a member of the group.
The group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
March 11: The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier
April 8: The Weir: A Novel of the Maine Coast by Ruth Moore
May 13: The Mothers by Brit Bennett
June 10: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
10 am
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.
Truth Tellers
with Doug Rawlings

In-Person
Truth Tellers is a documentary film chronicling the lives of courageous Americans fighting for peace, racial equity, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights through the eyes of Robert Shetterly, a long-time activist and artist.
The film explores the intersection of these issues, stressing the urgency of coming together to confront them and galvanizing our resolve to uphold our country's founding ideals.
Artist/activist Robert Shetterly has painted 255 portraits of Americans, past and present, who had the moral courage to confront issues of social, environmental, and economic justice. These Americans Who Tell the Truth have been exhibited throughout the United States for almost two decades. Truth Tellers is both a story of Shetterly's art and activism and a history lesson in what it means to be a citizen of a democracy.
March 19, 2025, March 26 Snow Date
10:30 am - 12 pm
Location: Education Center, room 112
Doug Rawlings taught at UMF for 27 years and is a co-founder of Veterans For Peace. He has known Rob Shetterly for years.
Will run
Introduction to Pysanky (Ukrainian Egg Decorating)
with Barb Toner

In-Person
Participants will learn the basics of transforming a raw egg into a work of art using a wax-resist method of dying eggs in creative designs. Everyone will make a decorated egg to show off at home (don't drop it!)
Please note that dyes used in this process may stain clothes; therefore, students should bring a smock or apron to class.
A $5 supplies/materials fee will be payable upon the first class.
March 25, 2025
9 am-12 pm
Location: Wears and Wares, 413 Wilton Rd, #1, Farmington ME 04938
Barbara was introduced to the art of Pysanky over 35 years ago and has enjoyed making decorated eggs for display and gift-giving to friends and family.
Will run
Springtime Ramblings
with Ray Stillman

In-Person
Each session will involve a walk/hike at one of the several meadows, woodlands, or mountains near Farmington. In general, we will travel between 20 to 30 minutes to the selected spot, ramble a trail for 45 to 90 minutes, and return to start. We will attempt to avoid difficult terrain.
A make-up date will be explored if we encounter inclement weather. Individual emails will note the selected site, a brief description of what to expect, and suggestions of items to bring along.
4 sessions
March 27, 2025,
April 17, 2025,
May 22, 2025,
June 26, 2025
9 am -12 pm
Location: TBD
Ray has conducted similar trips in past sessions and is an avid hiker & outdoorsman.
GLI Members' Stories
with Doug Rawlings

In-Person
Who cares? We Do! Come to this special discussion where you and your friends in Gold LEAF can share some of your life stories! What events were pivotal in your life? How and why did you end up in the Farmington, Maine area? Special thanks to those who bring their high school yearbooks to the session.
April 1, 2025
10 am - 11:30 am
Location: North Dining Hall West End A
Doug Rawlings taught at UMF for 27 years and co-founded Veterans For Peace.
Will run
The European Crusades to the Holy Land, 1095-1291
with Charles Parker

In-Person
The Crusades were military expeditions launched between 1095 and 1291. They were organized by European Christians to recover the Holy Land from the infidels. Enthusiasm for crusading was high in the twelfth century but diminished with the decline of papal authority and the stirrings of the Protestant Reformation.
The era of the Crusades was distinguished by a variety of personalities: kings, queens, emperors, and princes. The events are the basis for mythologies, legends, and countless novels (usually very poor history but entertaining). In this class, you will be introduced to some of the interesting participants, the major events, and the influence of the Crusades on the expansion of medieval Europe.
4 Sessions
April 9, 16. 23. 30, 2025
10:30 am - 12 pm
Location: Education Center, room 110
Charles Parker received a BS in Plant Science and a Master’s in Education at the University of New Hampshire.
Charles and his wife Diane ended up in Joplin, Missouri where he taught chemistry. He also taught at Crowder Junior College in Webb City and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.
What does chemistry have to do with Middle Eastern history? Absolutely nothing. However, when he retired from teaching chemistry, Charles realized a long-held dream of a Master’s degree in history. He attended Pittsburg State University in Kansas and was deeply impressed with the classes of Dr. Stephen Harmon, whose specialty was Middle Eastern/North African history, specifically Middle Eastern and African terrorist groups. His thesis discussed the legitimacy of Hamas. He has taught several classes related to Middle Eastern history and hopes to continue.
Open Mic Poetry Reading
with Doug Rawlings

In-Person
Twice Sold Tales in Farmington, ME is opening its doors for an open-mic poetry reading that features Gold LEAF members. Here's a chance to read your own poetry or to bring poems from your favorite poet. Each reader will be given approximately ten minutes. Please join us!
May 6, 2025
10:30 am - 12 pm
Location: Twice Sold Tales, 155 Main St, Farmington, ME 04938
Doug Rawlings taught at UMF for 27 years and is a co-founder of Veterans For Peace. Much of his poetry is political in nature and much of it comes from his experience as a soldier and veteran.
What Puts the Roar in the Roaring Twenties
with Diane Parker

In-Person
For only lasting a decade, the 1920s sure made a mark. Learn some history, fashion, lingo, and more in this class.
May 14, 2025
2 PM - 4 PM
Location: Education Center, room 112
Diane Parker, who majored in history once upon a time, is still passionate about it. While living in what she thought was a mundane town in the Midwest, she discovered its history to be not so mundane. The 1920s were anything but mundane. Bonnie and Clyde had one of their major shootouts there. That led Diane to delve into more history of the decade called The Roaring Twenties.