In-Person

This is a once-a-month walkabout in a nearby woodland.  It will involve some travel, not to exceed 45 minutes, with carpooling encouraged.  Outings will be planned for 2 or fewer hours, excluding travel time.

Dates: June 16, July 21, August 4, September 15, 2026

Time: 9:30 am - Variable

Location: TBD

Ray is a devoted sportsman and outdoorsman, and has led numerous hiking and paddling tours with Gold LEAF.

In-Person

Paddling local waters will begin with traveling in personal vehicles for up to 45 minutes to a nearby lake, pond, stream, or river. Destinations will be based on participants' interests and skill levels.   

In general, launch sites will offer relatively easy parking and access to the water.  Participants are responsible for travel, safety, and equipment, along with any personal items they wish to bring. 

The trips will leave from the Park and Ride in Farmington at 9:30 am, but independent travel to the launch site is also okay.  Return will be between 12 and 1:00 pm.  A description of each upcoming outing and related details will be sent by email about a week ahead.

Dates: June 24, July 15, August 19, September 23, 2026

Time: 9:30 am - Variable

Location: TBD

Ray has paddled many waters in the local area over the last 20 or so years, fishing and enjoying the Maine outdoors.  Many of those outings have involved Gold LEAF.

In-Person

Join a group of casual walkers for exercise and sharing goodwill.  At each session (roughly three per month), we will meet and walk 1-2 hours on mostly flat and obstacle-free paths, trails, or roads in the greater Farmington area, starting in late June. 

Walks may include the Whistle Stop Trail, the Prescott Field Trail, the Explore Farmington on Foot Trail (I made that up!), and more. Walk guides are Barbara Toner and Lisa Bailey. 

Dates: June 25, 2026

July 9, 20, 27, 2026

August 3, 20, 27, 2026

September 2, 11, 24, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: TBD

Barb Toner and Lisa Bailey are longtime “walk and talk” friends who appreciate what Western Maine has to offer for the outdoor adventurer. They are retired teachers who still love to share with others and take time to smell the roses while keeping active.

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.

Dates:

July 2, 2026

August 6, 2026

September 3, 2026

October 1, 2026

Time: 11:30 am.

Location: TBD

Patricia Overall has been a member of GLI for many years.  She is a retired high school mathematics teacher who later worked in hotel management, bartending, and other occupations, including NACA (now NASA). She has lived in 18 states and obviously enjoys eating out.

Hybrid

2 sessions

Let’s meet and share tales about our mutual experiences in health care. At our ages, it seems like a prudent thing to do. I have stories to tell (the good, the bad, the amusing) that may also provide some education in how to navigate the health care system. 

Date and Time:

August 17, 1-2:30 pm

August 31, 2026, at 11 am-12:30 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, room 114

John Henkel is a nurse who has been lucky to ride the wave of the nursing revolution from the days of starched nursing caps to color-coded scrubs.

John is eternally grateful for his time as a nurse. He can’t imagine having done anything else. He has worked as a nurse in a variety of roles and locations before ending up in Wilton.  

In-Person

Patagonia encompasses large portions of southern Argentina and Chile and is often identified as a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts.

Earlier this year, Mike Stillman, a Maine State Guide, traveled to Chile, and, while fishing was his primary reason, he planned some extra days to learn more about the area. In doing so, he explored the city of Buenos Aires and smaller communities, sampled foods in many establishments, and talked with many people who live and work there.

Then he went fishing for the next several days before an interesting return trip to Maine. So come, sit back, and enjoy photos and stories of his South American adventure.

Date: September 9, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Location: Ed Ctr, 106

Mike began working in Maine at Baxter State Park between his junior and senior years of high school, returning for extended periods over the following years.

After graduating from college, he and his wife settled in Pennsylvania while she completed her education. During that time, they made the decision to move permanently to Maine.

Alongside his work, Mike learned the craft of building bamboo fly rods—a skill he continues to practice today. He also became a licensed Maine State Guide, a role he still holds, and he regularly travels throughout the United States, Canada, and beyond to pursue his passion for fishing.

In-Person

Free

Date: September 16, 2026

Time: 12-2 pm

Location: Kineowatha Park/Barn

A time to get together and socialize with fellow Gold LEAF members.  This will be a potluck lunch at Kineowatha Park in Wilton from 12 noon until 2 PM.  Donations welcomed.

In-person

Explore Mindfulness and Meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh (Plum Village) and how they can help us deal with the challenges in our daily lives and in our world.

This will include how to stop, calm, rest, and heal before speaking or acting when upset - so that our actions can be more helpful in our struggling world.

We will listen to some of Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings and will explore ways to bring them into our daily lives, if that appeals to us.

4 sessions

Dates:

September 22, 29, 2026

October 20, 27, 2026

Time: 1 pm-2:30 pm

Location: Education Center, room 113

Martha (Marty) Soule discovered this practice in 1993 and brought it into her life. It helped support her as she raised her children, worked several jobs, and dealt with her mother's cancer, her father's Alzheimer's, and other challenges.

After Martha went to her first retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh in 2001, she began a community of practice (Peaceful Heart Sangha) which still meets every Monday evening and every Thursday morning. Martha was ordained as a member of the Order of Interbeing in 2009 and became a Dharma Teacher in 2022.