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Traditional Chinese Fabric Arts and Crafts
with John Rosenwald
In-Person
An introduction to both the elegance of formal Chinese court embroidery and the beauty of complex folk stitchery traditions. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about, see, and even to touch numerous examples of Chinese fabric arts, while experiencing and discussing the complexity of contemporary and traditional Chinese culture.
10-11:30 am
The Landing, Olsen Learning Ctr, Lower Level
For nearly forty years, John Rosenwald and Ann Arbor have taught and traveled throughout much of China, experiencing life in the largest cities as well as in rural areas. They have been fortunate to create perhaps the largest collection of Chinese peasant paintings, to become among the first collaborative translators of contemporary Chinese poetry, and to gather a remarkable and diverse cluster of Chinese fabric arts and crafts.
Will run
Summer Rambling
with Ray Stillman
In-Person
3 sessions
Each session will be a walk or hike in various meadows, woodlands, or mountains in the vicinity of Farmington. The travel time to the trailhead will generally be between 30 and 45 minutes, and participants should plan to be on the trail for 1 to 2 hours. Efforts will be made to avoid difficult terrain, and a makeup date will be scheduled in the event of cancellation.
Approximately one week before each session, participants will receive an individual email detailing the travel plan, providing information about the destination, and offering suggestions on what to bring.
July 25 & August 21, led by Ray Stillman
September 18, led by Nadine Marchand
Ray Stillman and Nadine Marchand have conducted many similar outings in past sessions.
Maine Art Glass Studio
with Ray Stillman
In-Person
The Maine Art Glass Studio in Lisbon Falls, Maine, provides a unique experience for those interested in the artistry of stained glass. Insects, butterflies, other animals, and plants are created or enclosed in stained glass. There will be a short presentation about the museum, followed by a self-directed tour of the exhibits.
The studio is located in the former Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Lisbon Falls, which involves the use of stairs between floors. An introduction to the museum will be presented at 11:00 am.
Brochures are available on the Gold LEAF Bulletin Board.
July 28, 2025
9-3 pm includes travel time
Address: 51 Main St, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252
Lunch on your own
Carpool: TBD
Ray has collected glass items over many years.
Will run
Summer Paddles
with Eileen Kreutz
In-Person
Three sessions are planned for summer paddles on one of our many local streams, ponds, or lakes. These are relaxed paddles in your own canoe or kayak to enjoy the natural world. Each outing begins between 9 and 10 am and ends between noon and 1 pm. They have been known to include lunch out or on the shore, as folks prefer. Make-up dates will be held if possible.
About a week before each session, each person will receive an individual email describing the travel plans. Information will be provided about the destination, suggesting what to bring.
July 31, 2025
August 28, 2025
September 25, 2025
9 am-1 pm
Central meeting place TBD.
Eileen has conducted many outdoor programs in prior sessions.
Will run
Grief, Memory, Keepsake
with Ann Arsenault-Shultz
In-Person
Loss is entwined with the human condition. Join with others--men are welcome, too--as we share our losses and create keepsakes with objects that belonged to those no longer with us. Creations may be practical or abstract, they may be sewn, glued, nailed, carved, digitized, etc.
Bring whatever you have: shirts, hats, ties, photos, letters, papers.
Suggested Keepsakes:
Functional - eyeglass case, fabric belt, scarf, bookmark, toss pillow cover, walking stick. Non-functional - collage, wall hanging, shadow box.
These are suggestions, your ideas are welcome. Come to class with your items. First session we will become acquainted, discuss keepsake options, and plan for materials you will need to bring to remaining sessions for working on your keepsake.
July 30, August 6, 13, 20, 2025
10:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Education Center, room 114
Ann works with textiles to create abstract collages, a love she discovered in recent years after retiring from teaching, both in class and online. She has also dipped into the surprisingly magical art form of watercolor painting.
Life Insurance Options
with Laura Fissette
In-Person
This will be a discussion of the differences between Whole Life, Term Life, Final Expense, and Guaranteed Issue insurances.
August 13, 2025
1 pm-2:30 pm
Location: North Dining Hall-C, Olsen Learning Center
Laura Fissette is the manager of the Senior Planning Center in Farmington.
In Search of the Three Bird Orchid
with Deb Stahler
In-Person
Triphora trianthophora [three bird orchid] is rare in Maine, but not on the Mountain Trail in Belgrade Lakes. This "course" is a walk up the Mountain Trail to see this orchid as well as other wildflowers in bloom along the way.
August 14 or 19, depending on when the orchid is in bloom and weather.
10 am - 12 pm
Location: Meeting place TBD
Deb is a retired chemist who graduated from the Maine Master Naturalist Program in 2020. She loves being out in nature and hopes to share it with others.
Isabel Greenwood and the 19th Amendment
with Claudia Bell
In-Person
On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote, was ratified. Join this class to learn about local resident Isabel Greenwood and the part she played in Maine's efforts to pass the amendment.
We will meet at the Old South 1st Congregational Church and briefly review how Isabel and the Church were part of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Then the group will march up Main Street, holding banners proclaiming Women's Right to Vote, to Meeting House Park. Several Suffragists will speak about the struggle to get the 19th Amendment ratified and how important that amendment is today.
If you prefer not to make the walk from the Congregational Church to Meeting House Park, you can park in the church parking lot and drive up to meet us at Meeting House Park.
August 18, 2025
10 am
Location: Old South Church, 235 Main St, Farmington, ME
Claudia Bell is a member of the Farmington Historical Society and participated in the 200th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment's ratification on August 18, 2020. She and several other historical members will recreate the program they had prepared for that event.