Book Notes: Timeless classic highly recommended
In simple, almost poetic prose, Margaret Craven’s novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, tells the story of Mark Brian, a young Anglican vicar who is sent by his bishop to serve a First Nation parish in an isolated village in British Columbia. The bishop knows Mark is dying but Mark does not. In many ways, the book is about the natural acceptance of change and death.
As Mark settles in and builds relationships with his parishioners, he realizes that the traditions the elders hold dear are dying, and along with them possibly the village, too. Many young people are restless and feel alienated from their native culture. As they venture into the wider world, they forget about or are embarrassed by their heritage. They become so changed by the modern world that when they return to their village, there is friction between young and old.
The young vicar works hard to be respectful of the culture, integrate his work into the ways of the village, and help bridge the gap between the traditional and modern worlds. After a year with the villagers, Mark is well integrated into their community. When it becomes evident that Mark’s life is coming to an end the bishop calls him back to Vancouver. But the people of the village ask Mark to stay with them and be buried there.
Overall, the members of UMRA’s book club enjoyed the book and loved the flowing style of the simple sentences. One member commented, “The book went right to my heart, grabbed my soul, and gave me peace.” We highly recommend this timeless classic.
—Beth Bedell, Book Club member
Book Club to discuss I Heard the Owl Call My Name
Fri, Oct 12 2018, 2pm
The UMRA Book Club will meet on Friday, October 19, at 2 p.m. at 1666 Coffman. Beth Bedell will lead the discussion of I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven. For more information, contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.