In-Person

As most of us know, Western Maine has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts in all four seasons. This Gold LEAF opportunity joins the paddling trips, light hikes, walks, and snowshoes of past offerings into one package geared to take advantage of local resources. We are organizing an activity each month of each term based on seasonal conditions. For this term, we will focus on water with paddling opportunities in Western Maine for beginner to moderate paddling abilities. Participants should have access to canoes or kayaks, paddles, and personal floatation devices (although equipment can be rented through UMF’s Mainely Outdoors Program). We will be keeping a close eye on the weather before each event and keep participants posted about changes and “Plan-B’s” Our goal is to be safe, have fun, and get outside!

Summer paddles* are tentatively set for: 10 am-12 pm

June 22 -  Taylor Pond/Hopkins Stream

July 20 -   Parker Pond (with lunch?)

Aug 24 -   Flying Pond

Sept. 21 - Belgrade Lakes Mystery Destination (with lunch?)

*All paddles are subject to change or postponement due to weather. 

Barb Toner will alert participants to the meeting place.

Barbara Toner and Sarah Carlson are mostly retired teachers who simply enjoy being outside and staying active. They choose hikes or paddles they think everyone will enjoy in order to explore different recreational sites around Franklin and neighboring counties.

In-person

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

First Thursday of the month at 11:30

July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5

Patricia Overall has been a member of Gold LEAF for three years.  She is a retired high school mathematics teacher, who later worked in hotel management and other occupations, including NACA, now NASA,  and working as a bartender. She has lived in 18 states and obviously enjoys eating out.

Online 

This is a discussion group 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 prior to each meeting, and topics to discuss are selected by the group at the beginning of each meeting.

Paul Mullin is the facilitator for this discussion group.

July 7, 21

August 4, 18

September 1, 15

October 6 

ONLINE

Please join us for a monthly Zoom get-together for coffee, conversation, and crafts.  Settle in with your favorite craft, bring your coffee, tea, or beverage, and visit with Gold LEAF friends.  Crafts are not essential, and guys are welcome! The goal is to get together and spend an hour or more talking with friends.

2nd Monday of the month, 10 a.m.

July 10, 2023

August 14, 2023

September 11, 2023

October 9, 2023

In-Person

Come enjoy nature at Kennebec Land Trust's Ezra Smith Conservation area.  This class will be a fern refresher for some of us and possibly a new experience for others.  We will walk on the boardwalk trail and discover the many ferns growing along the way.  There are over a dozen different species of ferns which you will learn how to identify with two Maine Master Naturalists [Deb Stahler and Anthony Underwood] and a few MMN students in this year's class.  

For those traveling from the Farmington area: take Rte 41 through Farmington Falls and Vienna.  Turn right at the "T" in Mt. Vernon to stay on 41.  The Ezra Smith area is about 0.3 miles south of Blake Hill Road.  The parking lot and trailhead are on the left. For those traveling from Augusta: take Rte 202/17 to Manchester and turn right onto 17.  Go through Readfield and turn right onto 41 in Kents Hill.  The parking lot and trailhead are on the right approximately 1.2 miles past the Dew Haven Zoo.

See the property website at Ezra Smith Wildlife Conservation Area https://www.tklt.org/ezra-smith-wildlife-conservation-area

10 am

July 13, 2023. Rain date 17.

Maine Master Naturalist and GLI presenter.  Anthony Underwood, Maine Master Naturalist, and Fern specialist along with several MMN students will be available to help on the walk.

Central meeting location to be determined.

In-Person

Free

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