Filter by Category
Our Classes
Diet & Dementia - Avoiding Alzheimer's
with Beth Perera
In-Person
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are reaching epidemic proportions, and the myth that memory loss is a "normal" part of aging has been disproven. Every bite either helps or hurts when it comes to our health, including brain health.
Join us for this single class to learn what to include and what to eliminate from your diet, to hold onto your memories, and to lose the fear of losing loved ones to dreaded memory loss.
There will be short video segments, lively discussion, and a delicious plant-based recipe demonstration with sampling.
April 28, 2026
10 am - 12 pm
Location: Ed Ctr, room 107
Beth has studied plant-based nutrition for 15 years under the guidance of multiple successful physicians and researchers, including Dr. Barnard, Dr. Esselstyn, Dr. Sherzai, Dr. Popper, Dr. Stancic, Dr. McDougall, Dr. Ardis, and Dr. Greger, to name a few.
She dove into this topic after reading how to reverse her own painful joint issues with simple diet changes. No pills or procedures necessary!
There will be $4 per attendee for recipe ingredients, due in cash at class.
Beth was a Food for Life instructor with Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine for 8 years and helped train new instructors. She now enjoys sharing this information in a mostly retired off-grid life in the woods.
Poisons
with Charles Parker
Hybrid
Agatha Christie served as a nurse in World War I. When she turned to mystery writing, she may have used her pharmaceutical knowledge to provide the means of murder in her novels.
The presentation will attempt to communicate Parker's enthusiasm for chemistry generally and for poisons specifically to members of Goldleaf.
A brief analysis of the symptoms of each poison and the presentation of the poison by Christie will be mentioned.
Parker will not provide drinks or snacks :)
Date: 1:00 - 2:30 P.M., April 28, 2026
Location: Education Center, room 107
Chuck Parker taught chemistry in public high schools and as an adjunct for Crowder College, Webb City, and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin until 2017.
He is especially enamored with alkaloids (caffeine is an alkaloid). The more he explored alkaloids and their deleterious effects on people, the more he investigated the use of poisons in mystery novels. Agatha Christie is remarkably accurate with her depictions.
Parker has typically presented subjects concerning Muslim histories, such as the Crusades, the Ottomans, and the roots of Islamic extremism. However, his chemistry background kept crying for equal time.
Talk at Northeast Archaeology Research Center
with Gemma Hudgell
In-Person
Northeast Archaeology Associates is located in Farmington at 382 Fairbanks Road.
It is a privately-owned company that provides a wide range of archaeological services from small-scale survey evaluations and data recovery to its various clients. Come learn about the organization.
We will meet at their location, as they have a number of exhibits they would like to show us.
April 29, 2026
10 am-11:30 am
Dr. Gemma Hudgell Ph.D is the director of the research center.
Children & Resistance in WWII
with Eileen Kreutz
In-Person
In this course, we will read and discuss three books for and about young people during World War II. These books include: Snow Treasure (Norway), Number the Stars (Denmark), and Twenty and Ten (France). We will focus on one book and its historical foundation during each session of this class.
Source for obtaining the books: local libraries and used book stores.
Dates: May 5, 19, and June 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Education Center, room 107
Eileen Kreutz has been interested in and a participant in resistance movements for her entire adult life.
Cathy Wimett taught classes in children's literature for many years.
Farmington Solar Farm II
with Bradley Greenleaf
In-Person
Back by popular demand, this is a talk and tour at the Farmington Solar Farm. We will meet at the York entrance on Route 2, across from Mosher's Seafood.
Date: May 6, 2026
10 am - 11:30 am
Bradley Greenleaf is a senior solar technician with Nextera Energy.
Tour of Fredrikson Dairy Goat Farm
with Ed Fredrikson
In-Person
Tour of Fredrikson Farm in China, Maine, with owners Ed and Dianna Fredrikson. Join us to visit the baby goats and to appreciate the intricacies of goat dairying, cheese-making, responsible animal husbandry, and sustainable farming practices.
Gold LEAF is honored to be selected for Fredrikson's first farm tour.
May 13, 2026
11:00 am
Location: Fredrikson Farm, 60 Danforth Rd, China, ME
Fredrikson Farm is on the web at www.Fredriksonfarm.com and on FB.
Two Eleanors, 900 years apart. Both extraordinary in their own centuries
with Diane Parker
Hybrid
Eleanor of Aquitaine and Eleanor Roosevelt: Intelligent, strong, courageous. Different times, different circumstances, but more in common than you might think
May 14, 21, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Education Center, room 103
Diane is a history geek. Although her main interest is usually in the Spanish-speaking world, she often wanders into broader fields.
After reading about FDR, she disliked the man but admired his wife. Reading about her led Parker to remember a research paper on Eleanor of the 12th century. Come see if you agree with Diane that the ladies have traits in common.
Talk at the Franklin County Regional Communication Center
with Michelle Whittier
In-Person
Ever wonder if you have to call 911, who answers the call, and how your information gets transferred to the appropriate emergency service? We will be going to the Franklin County Regional Communications Center at 124 County Way in Farmington to find out.
May 20, 2026
10 am - 11:30 am
124 County Way, Farmington, ME 04938
Michelle Whittier is a communication specialist.