FARMINGTON — The Gold LEAF Institute Senior College at University of Maine Farmington will present 21 courses and activities in their summer term, July 1 through Oct. 17.

The offerings are listed below, with more detail and a registration form available at goldleaf.wikispaces.com. Registrations are open now; because some classes fill up early, everyone is encouraged to register as soon as possible. Annual membership dues are $30 for the year beginning July 1.

A kick off of the senior college’s summer term will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at the University of Maine at Farmington Olsen Student Center, North Dining Hall, 111 South St. This is an opportunity to learn more about Gold LEAF and the summer term, become a member and register for classes. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The classes and activities are designed for people age 50 or older, and their spouses/partners regardless of age, who are interested in lifelong learning opportunities and socializing with people who have similar interests.

There are no tests, homework or educational requirements to be a part of Gold LEAF (which stands for Lifelong Education at Farmington). Gold LEAF is a nonprofit, member-run organization sponsored by the University of Maine at Farmington, and is one of 17 Senior Colleges in the state. Call 778-7063 or email [email protected] to get a course booklet, registration instructions or general information.

Summer courses

Tai Chi: Wednesdays, July 2 through Oct. 15, 9-10 a.m. for new participants and 10-11 a.m. for those returning from a prior term. Tai chi, in the Yang Style Short Form, is led by Drew Holston. Fee: $12.

Self Defense for Seniors: Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, 10-11:30 a.m. Drew Holston, assisted by Officer Darin Gilbert, will offer instruction on how to best defend yourself with simple, practical and effective moves. The techniques are for people of all abilities and ages. Fee: $7.50.

We Love Opera: Thursdays, July 10, 17 and 24, 9-10:30 a.m. Andy Viruleg will explore the tragic story, the history, the music and the lyrics of one of the world’s favorite Italian operas, “Rigoletto,” Guiseppe Verdi’s opera in three acts. Fee: $6.75.

Matter of Balance and Go 4 Life: Thursdays, July 10, 17 and 24, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Learn from Linda Gramlich how you can be proactive in safe-guarding yourself and your surroundings to help prevent falls. Examine the benefits of staying active throughout your life, and discuss strategies pertaining to endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Fee: Free

Tennis Tune-Up: Fridays, July 11, 18, and 25, 11a.m.-noon. This course is geared toward the new tennis player or intermediate level player. Instructor Mark Stofan will adjust the course of practice according to the skill level of those who register. Fee: $2 payable to instructor each class.

Embden Fish Hatchery Tour: Tuesday, July 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Get an inside look at the fish hatchery with Gene Arsenault, the fish culture supervisor at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s Embden Fish Rearing Station. Fee: $3.

Critical Perspectives on U.S. Policy in the Middle East: Tuesdays, July 15 through Aug. 19, 3-4:30 p.m. Eric Hooglund will provide an overview of U.S. policy toward “problem areas” in the Middle East since 2001 (and before): Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Israel-Palestine peace process. The objective is to gain an understanding of the various political forces that have influential roles is shaping U.S. policy toward the greater Middle East region. Fee: $9.

Soil Testing: Maybe the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Garden: Friday, July 18, 1-3 p.m. Dave Fuller, the Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Franklin County, will talk about how to properly take a soil sample, how to read the test results and what you can then do to have more veggies and blooms. Fee: $5.50.

Book Discussion Group: Tuesdays, July 22, Aug. 19 and 26, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Join the group for informal discussions and exchange of ideas and perceptions about two books: “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and “The Girls of Atomic City,” by Denise Kiernan. Fee: $6.75

Hike Mount Phillip: Thursday, July 31 (rain date Aug. 14), 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ray Stillman and Eileen Kreutz will lead a hike to the top of Mount Phillip, one of the Kennebec Highland Trails in the Belgrade Lakes region. Fee: $3.

Rangeley Lake Cruise & Logging Museum: Thursday, Aug. 7 or Thursday, Sept. 18 (choose one date), 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Take a one-hour scenic cruise on Rangeley Lake with Registered Maine Guide Kevin Sinnett, eat lunch at the Gingerbread House Restaurant in Oquossoc and visit with Ron Haines at the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum. Fee: $22.

Rangeley Lake Paddle & Logging Museum: Thursday, Aug. 21, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Beginner and intermediate kayakers will take a one-hour guided kayak trip with Kevin Sinnett on Rangeley Lake. Then eat lunch at the Gingerbread House Restaurant in Oquossoc and visit with Ron Haines at the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum. Fee: $22.

A Day at the Great American Folk Festival: Saturday, Aug. 23 (rain date Aug. 24), leave at 9:30 a.m. for the full day. Carpool to the Great American Folk Festival in Bangor. Cost of admission is $10 donation per day at the festival.

Where Were You in ’64?: Thursdays, Sept. 4, 25, Oct. 16, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, 10-11:30 a.m. This series, led by David Richards, will use specific books to examine the history of the pivotal year 1964. Fee: $8.25.

Finding the Poet Inside: Tuesdays, Sept. 9, 16 and 23, 9 a.m.-noon. Bruce Spang, a former poet laureate of Portland, will lead a workshop on writing poetry. Fee: $9.

Composting for Better Gardens: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 10-11 a.m. Learn from Dave Fuller, Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Franklin County, how to produce good compost, which in turn can result in more productive gardens. Fee: $5.

Summer Social: Thursday, September 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Annual member summer social event at Kineowatha Park in Wilton. Fee: $5.

The Tellington TTouch: Wednesdays, Sept. 17 and 24, 3-5 p.m. Irene Rebecca Bodendorf will offer an introduction to “The Tellington TTouch” Animal Healing and Training Course, initiated by Linda Tellington Jones. This healing modality is a hands-on healing technique to care for and train your favorite animal. Fee: $6.50.

Exploring the “farm” in Farmington: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 10-11:30 a.m. Taffy Davis, member of the Farmington Historical Society, will talk about how Farmington achieved its agricultural strength, from the first settlers through the logging and tourism industries. Fee: $5.25.

Horse Rescue Farm Tour in Windham: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Irene Rebecca Bodendorf will lead a tour of the farm facilities of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, which maintains nearly 100 equines. Fee: $3.

Maine Balsam Fir Products Tour: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tour Wendy and Jack Newmeyer’s production facility in North Paris, where the fir is harvested, dried and made into a variety of products that are sold nationwide. Fee: $3.