Hybrid 

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

March 6, 20, 2026

April 3, 17, 2026

May 1, 15, 2026

June 5, 2026

10 am - 11:30 am

Paul Mullin is the facilitator for this discussion group.

In-person

Participants will meet once a month for lunch at various restaurants in the Farmington area. Reservations must be firm one week before the date. Participants will order from the standard menu and receive separate checks.

First Thursday of the month

February 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

April 2, 2026

May 7, 2026

June 4, 2026

11:30 am.

Location: TBD

Patricia Overall has been a long-time member of GLI.  She is a retired high school mathematics teacher who later worked in hotel management and other occupations, including NACA, now NASA, and as a bartender. She has lived in 18 states and obviously enjoys eating out.

In-Person

Shake off the winter blues! Each session, led by GLI members who are veterans of many outdoor adventures, will be a walk or snowshoe on trails, roads, or woodlands in the greater Farmington area. The travel time to the trailhead will generally be between 30 and 45 minutes.

Participants should plan to explore for 1 to 2 hours. Efforts will be made to avoid difficult terrain. Make-up dates are hopeful, but as Spring is such a tricky time for planning outdoor activities, some cancellations may occur.

February 27, 2026

March 25, 2026

April 21, 2026   

May 22, 2026

10 am

Location & Time: TBD

Barbara Toner, Sam Horine, Sarah Carlson, Billy Proctor, and Margaret Cox have been involved in Gold LEAF over the years. Each one respects nature and enjoys sharing what Maine has to offer with others.

Online

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 

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 

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? 

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.

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 16, 2026

10 am - 12 pm

Location: Two Imagine Studios, 173 Mosher Hill Road, Farmington, Maine, 04938

Meredith Mustard 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

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 Perera 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.