In-person

John Daly will discuss the joys, trials, and tribulations one would encounter when building a cedar and fiberglass canoe. The cedar strips make up the core and create the form on which to layer the fiberglass and resin.

Most other canoe materials like aluminum, polyethylene, ABS plastic, Kevlar, and carbon fiber all require industrial equipment, so the canoe could not be built at home.

This class will discuss canoe hull shape and how it affects performance. We will also talk about the advantages and limitations of canoe construction materials and the construction of Native Americans’ incredibly sophisticated birch bark canoes.

Date: October 21, 2026

Time: 11 am-12:30 pm

Location: Education Center, 106

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

In-person

Host: Joe Terranova

This is a talk and tour at the Maine Museum of Innovation and Labor in Lewiston, Maine. The museum focuses on work and the diverse heritage of central Maine. Each individual will be responsible for paying the $10 entrance fee on arrival.

Date: November 18, 2026

Time: 11 am-1 pm

Location: 1 Beech St, Lewiston, ME 04240

Driving directions: https://tinyurl.com/5fe7cesj

Carpooling: Meet at the Park-n-Ride lot next to Walgreens.  Meet at 9:30 am and leave at 9:45 am.  Arrive at 10:50 am.  The tour starts at 11 am.

Please email Joe Terranova at joelynterranova@gmail.com if you intend to carpool or drive directly.

Mary Kate Macvicar is responsible for public programs at the Museum. She has over 22 years of experience as a teacher and a librarian.

Hybrid

In this course, we will explore the phenomenon known as "AI psychosis." What happens after prolonged interaction with an AI chatbot? What leads to romantic feelings for a Large Language Model?

What are the dangers of technology that always agrees with a user? These questions and more will be explored in AI Psychosis: Large Language Delusion.

We will break down the technology behind Large Language Models and delve into how their responsive, conversational nature has led to a rapid increase in human-to-bot interactions and relationships.

Date: December 8, 2026

Time: 10 am-12 pm

Location: Education Center, 106

Tyler Provencher is the Program Coordinator for Greater Franklin Digital Literacy (GFDL). GFDL is a free community technology education and support program offering assistance in basic computer skills all the way to advanced AI analysis.

GFDL is proud to partner with 16 community locations, including Gold LEAF, across Franklin County to provide community members with the tools and guidance they need to successfully and confidently use their digital devices.