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.

Hybrid

Do you feel overwhelmed by social media posts, online news, and digital media? Do you feel distracted, scattered, or irritable after scrolling on your phone? Welcome to the Attention Economy - a digital commerce initiative paid for with your focus, time, and attention. Let’s explore how social media companies, digital marketing, and even news media outlets have hijacked your mind and created reflexive behavior to keep you connected, enraged, and engaged.

Part One will provide an overview of psychological, visual, and social tactics that have been implemented to continually increase smart device use and boost company revenue. From social media apps, online shopping, and news outlet comment sections, we will explore the methods used to keep you clicking, tapping, scrolling, and engaging.

Part Two will explore resistance to engagement tactics and attention hacking. We will review various habits and alternatives to endless scrolling and learn how to develop a more cohesive and healthy relationship with technology and digital media.

These presentations will be a combination of lecture and group discussion. Participants are encouraged to come with questions and an eagerness to engage in conversation and education.

Dates: Part 1, June 12, 2026; Part 2, June 26, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Education Center, room 112

Tyler Provencher is the Program Coordinator for Greater Franklin Digital Literacy - a free community tech support program across Franklin County. Tyler's background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Maine at Farmington. He has hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as participation in virtual software and hardware events and conferences.

Through his work at Greater Franklin Digital Literacy, Tyler aims to provide practical, actionable, and rational technology education to the broader Franklin County community.

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

Brian Ellis, a veteran and Assistant to President McDonnell at UMF, will be joined by Conner Malone, a member of the Student Senate and the American Legion, for a lecture and discussion on veterans at UMF and within the broader community. Together, they will share insights into veterans' experiences, contributions, and the resources available to support them.

Date: June 17, 2026

Time: 10:30 am-12 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, 114

In-Person

As the war in Vietnam unfolded, more and more active-duty soldiers refused to serve in what they saw as an immoral and illegal war.  This film captures their spirit and their strategies.

Date: June 18, 2026

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, 112

Doug Rawlings is a Vietnam Veteran who joined the GI resistance movement upon his return from the war.

In-Person

This class will provide instructions on the methods and materials used for building a cedar strip canoe. The class will include canoe design and how it affects performance. Attendees will learn how to build forms to which cedar strips will be attached. They will also learn how fiberglass and resin are used to form the hull.

Dates: June 22, 29, 2026

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, 112

John is a retired college math and science teacher. He and his brother have built 9 cedar strip canoes.

In-Person

We Gold LEAFers love sharing our stories and eating, so why not combine the two?

We will gather at the picnic tables in the pavilion at Walton's Mill Park in  West Farmington to discuss (OF COURSE) our most memorable food stories. At the same time, we will enjoy our brown bag lunches and a lovely view of the water flowing by.

At the park, there are bathroom facilities and drinking water, but no vending machines or other sources of food, so this is a BRING YOUR OWN event.

Date: June 23, 2026

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Walton's Mill Park, 208 Temple Rd, West Farmington, ME

Eileen remembers leading other similar topics (such as most memorable job disasters) in very fun discussion sessions.  Hopefully, this gathering will include no food disasters.

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.