Gold LEAF Institute Senior College

10/16/2026

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻

On a lovely, sunny October 15th, Gold LEAFers enjoyed the beautiful fall colors during a visit to The Farmhouse B**r Garden on Route 2 in Farmington, Maine.

As part of Gold LEAF’s ongoing efforts to learn about and support local businesses, long-time GLI member 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘁𝘇 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲, 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁, and the Herculean effort it took to restore the original 1850 horse barn and transform it into a successful restaurant. The impact of the coronavirus played a key part in her rebuilding, as did a current expansion into cow cuddling with Highland Cows!

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻, The Farmhouse B**r Garden continues to grow and evolve under Keeley’s enthusiastic leadership. Her commitment to continually improving the establishment brings new excitement and possibilities each year.

Following the inspiring presentation, members stayed to enjoy a wonderful variety of food and drinks, rounding out a delightful afternoon of learning, fellowship, and 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀.

10/13/2026

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮

𝗢𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 13, 2026, 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮 led an informative and tasty 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 (𝗚𝗟𝗜) 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲 and the important role it plays in our overall health.

Beth explained what makes up our microbiome, how our environment influences it, and how our daily food choices and habits can help keep it healthy. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲𝘀. The class also explored best practices for supporting a healthy microbiome, including foods and habits to embrace and those best avoided.

Learning was even 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁! GLI participants had the opportunity to see, smell, and taste how healthy choices can be both nourishing and delicious.
𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 that offered participants practical ideas for supporting their health.

10/12/2026

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱!
Gold LEAF Institute
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽?
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱: Duties include recording the minutes of the Annual Meetings, all the board meetings (about 6), and special meetings. On occasion, additional requests of the secretary may be made by the GLI president or the board.

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱: Duties of the committee are to attract new members, attempt to retain non-renewing members, and “promote the purpose and programs of GLI to the public.” The chair will organize the committee’s efforts.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗳@𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲.𝗲𝗱𝘂

10/12/2026

𝗚𝗟𝗜'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 2026–2027 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹/𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁!
The successful event was well attended, with approximately 53 people and guests gathering to celebrate the start of another exciting season of lifelong learning.

We were especially pleased to welcome four 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 to the Gold LEAF Institute community.

Thank you to everyone who attended, to our presenters and volunteers, and to all who continue to support Gold LEAF Institute!
𝗚𝗟𝗜 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹/𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺: https://tinyurl.com/378v2a5h

10/04/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗼𝗻, 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗚𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀

Gut health is all about what goes in (food) and what gets eliminated... feeding the "good guys" and starving out the "bad guys." Your environment is vitally important also. We'll discuss what your microbiome is made up of and best practices for keeping it/you healthy and, of course, what foods and practices to avoid.

What leads to cravings? Who and what lives in and on my body?

Come get the scoop while enjoying a delicious plant-based recipe, prepared on the spot. A $5 fee, payable at the class, will cover the ingredients. Please bring your own plate, bowl, and spoon.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 13, 2026 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 10:00 𝗮𝗺-12:00 𝗽𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿,

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: https://tinyurl.com/5ft7bwwb

09/29/2026

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 1, 2026, 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘
Gold LEAF Institute Fall/Winter Term Registration.
You can renew your membership and enroll in a variety of classes on that date and beyond.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁
Bring a friend and/or family members for a great gathering!

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: October 7, 2026
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 2 pm-4 pm
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: St. Joseph Parish Hall, 130 Quebec St, Farmington, ME

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗚𝗟𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 will be there to explain their classes
·Light snacks and beverages
·Free and open to the public
·We hope to see you there!!!!

09/22/2026

09/18/2026

𝗢𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 9, 2026, 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 “𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮” 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗻.

Mike’s PowerPoint presentation shared stunning imagery that brought Patagonia to life, combining his passion for fly fishing with historical insights and personal experiences from his travels.

The class was well received, and we look forward to welcoming Mike back for another armchair adventure—this time exploring his experiences in Scotland!

09/17/2026

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 16, 2026
A warm, sunny day sets the stage for the annual Gold LEAF Institute Summer Social.
About 25 members and friends gathered to enjoy a wonderful potluck, good food, beverages, and great camaraderie.

𝗔 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸-𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝘆, special events chairperson, and her committee for organizing the food and beverages and helping make the event a success.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make it such an enjoyable afternoon!

Below is a group picture of GLI members who attended the potluck lunch.

09/13/2026

𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧: Summer Social Gold LEAF Institute Event IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 16, 2026 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 12- 2 𝗽.𝗺

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Kineowatha Reunion Barn located in the park at 90 High Street, Wilton, ME
𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱.

Please email Christine Daly, GLI Special Events Chairperson, at [email protected] and let her know what you plan to bring.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱:: https://gold-leaf-institute.coursestorm.com/course/summer-social1
𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!

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...