Book Notes | ‘The Bohemian Flats’
The Bohemian Flats by Mary Relindes Ellis is a beautifully written historical novel that brings early 20th-century immigrant life along the Mississippi River, below the Washington Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis, vividly to life. Ellis weaves rich detail with compelling characters, especially through the story of the resilient and memorable protagonist, Inez. The novel explores themes of community, survival, and identity with both emotional depth and lyrical prose.
Members of the UMRA Book Club gave the book a clear thumbs up, praising its immersive storytelling, strong sense of place, and engaging narrative. It sparked thoughtful discussion and left a lasting impression on readers.
—Jim Lewis, UMRA Book Club I
‘The Bohemian Flats’ by Mary Relindes Ellis
Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 2pm
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss The Bohemian Flats by Mary Relindes Ellis when it meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20. Jim Lewis will lead the discussion.
Published by University of Minnesota Press in 2014, the book is a historical novel following German immigrant Raimund Kaufmann and his family in the early 20th century.
The setting is a real—a former immigrant enclave along the west bank of the Mississippi River below the Washington Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. The author focuses on the effects of World War I anti-German prejudice as well as an overall portrayal of the immigrant experience in America.
Email Pat Tollefson to learn more.
Upcoming Events
Connect, explore new ideas for what it means to live and age well, and celebrate a community of continuous learning at the fifth annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis on Monday, June 8.
Abandoned and discarded is the theme for the UMRA Photo Club meeting in June. Newcomers are welcome.
Michael leads this hike at Afton State Park.
Pick a favorite book and bring a brief synopsis of the book to the breakfast and share with the group.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss In Winter’s Kitchen by Beth Dooley when it meets via Zoom on Friday, June 19. Kathryn Sedo will lead the discussion.
We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.
This event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the Summer Social Trivia Game.
There are three entree options - all include dessert (or GF desert) and a choice of sodas, lemonade, and coffee or water.
Cash bar available inside the Dock & Paddle.
Kayaking at Lake Bde Maka Ska.
Two major conferences, one organized by the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and the other by the Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA), will take place this year. The AROHE conference will be held in Florida and the BTRA conference will be hosted by UMRA on the UMN campus.
The AROHE conference invites all interested retirees and university faculty and staff to reimagine retirement. You are invited to register if interested at https://www.arohe.org/2026-Conference.
The BTRA is being hosted by UMRA this year. Leadership of retiree organizations around the US will convene to share competencies. Attendance is restricted.
Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.
Nanette leads a trail of two cities hike.