Life's a Journey - and So Is Lifelong Learning

Summer is a favorite time to travel. But Maine is so fantastic in the summer, why leave?

Let your lifelong learning journey begin right here in Maine. It's a beautiful time to drive across the state whether you're following the coast, trekking into the mountains, or heading farther north to the border. And just about anywhere you go, you'll find a senior college.

You can tour the senior college trail from York to Fort Kent. Each college has its own personality, offering unique experiences based on its location and community. Take a walking tour of Bangor's art installations with Penobscot Valley Senior College, delve into the future of AI with Gold LEAF Institute in Farmington, or swing by the Brunswick Farmers Market to meet Midcoast Senior College members. So many options.

Members of any Maine senior college can attend courses at other colleges without having to purchase a new membership. So visit a new college in-person or online today!

Happy travels!

Best wishes,

Joyce

Joyce Doyle

Communications Coordinator

Maine Senior College Network

In this issue

Scroll down the page to see each article.

MSCN on Maine Calling August 7

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Coastal SC anniversary celebration

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Midcoast SC ribbon cutting

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MSCN at the Maine COA Summit

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Hello from Gold LEAF Institute

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What's new at our colleges

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Take a class near you

Stay up to date!

Visit our website to find out What's Happening and to discover a Senior College near you!

Visit our website

Questions? Contact your local senior college linked below.

How the senior colleges work

Become a member of your local college so you can join in classes for a small fee. Most memberships cost between $25-$40.

Your membership is good across the network!

MSCN on 'Maine Calling' August 7

Tune in to hear students, instructors, volunteers, and staff from several Maine Senior College Network colleges talk about lifelong learning on MPBN radio's "Maine Calling" on Friday, August 7, at 11 a.m. Join the conversation and tell your friends!

Can't make it live? The show is rebroadcast at 8 p.m., or you can visit the Maine Calling website to stream the recording.

Coastal Senior College Anniversary Celebration

Coastal Senior College (Lincoln & Knox counties) is celebrating its silver anniversary after 25 years of lifelong learning. Members gathered for the annual meeting earlier this spring where they honored 12 founding members of the first Board of Directors. The celebration was in full swing with banners, confetti, mylar balloons, designer cupcakes, floral bouquets, and celebrator songs from the new CSC "Any Body Can Sing" chorus.

Onward and upward to the golden anniversary in 2051!

A collection of three photos showing the founding members with flowers, the 25th anniversary table, and the CSC chorus.

Midcoast Senior College Ribbon Cutting

The Midcoast president cuts a ribbon with giant scissors while others gather around smiling and laughing in front of the new building.

Midcoast Senior College director stands with three representatives from the Downtown Association holding a giant pair of scissors in front of the senior college building with its sign.

Midcoast Senior College celebrated its new home in Brunswick with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. The event was hosted by the Brunswick Downtown Association.

The senior college now has fantastic rooms next door to the public library providing dedicated classroom/meeting space for its members.

Photos:

Top: New Board President Susan Goran cuts the ribbon. Bottom: Midcoast Senior College Director Dana Eidsness is joined by members of the Brunswick Downtown Association.

MSCN at the Maine COA Summit

We'll be hosting a table at the upcoming Maine Council on Aging 2026 Change AGEnt "Stronger Together" Summit. The event will take place September 30 at the University of Southern Maine, Portland. Can't wait to see everyone there!

Hello from...

Gold LEAF Institute (Franklin County)

Where learning is social, local, and lifelong

Membership: $15/4 months or $40/1 year

Classes: $8-14

Members of the Gold LEAF Institute dressed in jackets, hiking boots and hats, pose on a rocky slope with hiking poles.

Members take part in Spring Ramblings.

There is a special kind of energy that comes from joining a small group of people who are there simply because they want to learn. No tests. No grades. No pressure. Just curiosity, conversation, and the pleasure of discovering something new.

That spirit is at the heart of the Gold LEAF Institute, a member-run senior college affiliated with the University of Maine at Farmington. Established in 1997, Gold LEAF serves adults in Franklin County and the surrounding region, offering opportunities for people age 50 and older—along with spouses or partners of any age—to continue learning, exploring, and connecting with others.

A women watches the instructor demonstrate with a page cutter at a table with rulers, pencils, and wax paper.

Gold LEAF stands for Lifelong Education At Farmington, and the name captures the organization’s purpose beautifully. Members come together for small classes—often with fewer than 15 people—along with discussions, field trips, social gatherings, and special programs that reflect a wide range of interests. Sessions might include nature walks or a local history talk; another might feature literature, science, current events, food, technology, health and wellness, or the arts; still another offers community by dining together, crafting and coffee together, or book discussions.

A book making course.

Visit the Gold LEAF website

What's New at Our Colleges

Acadia Senior College / Fall Registration / Now Open

Acadia's fall course registration is now open. Courses start August 31 and run through November 13.

Acadia SC website

Coastal Senior College / Fall Courses / August 11

Coastal's fall course catalog is now available; registration starts August 11. Classes begin the week of September 15. And don't miss the Homecoming Picnic September 28!

Coastal SC website

Lewiston-Auburn Senior College / Fall Term / Courses posted August 10

The fall term is shaping up to be both varied and interesting with courses for foodies, science and nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and those interested in politics and social issues.

Take a Class Near You... or from Afar!

Did you know Maine is the only state with a Senior College Network? Our college courses are open to anyone age 50 and above. We offer multi-session classes, one-time workshops, local and international travel, and so much more. Members can take classes at any college. Discover what membership can do for you!

Visit a Maine Senior College for upcoming in-person and online class offerings.