Hello, my name is Ann Nordby
Hometown. Beautiful south Minneapolis. I’ve lived in many places, but I am now back in Minneapolis. I love it here.
When did you join UMRA? 2023
What was your very first job? At age 15 I got a seasonal job in the Sears catalog department. We would grab order lists from the vacuum tubes lining the walls, then wait for the listed items to come down giant wooden slides connected to the warehouses upstairs. We wrapped the items together with string and cut the string with an odd piece of jewelry: a ring that had a sharp hook-like a claw. I think I was paid $1.85 per hour. I took the bus to and from work, and I enjoyed it very much.
What was your occupation when you retired from FT work? I’m a writer, editor, and writing coach. Since leaving the U, I have two sides to my business: At this time of year, I’m busy coaching high school students to write effective college application essays. Year-round, I write and edit reports and other materials as a contractor at the U. I’m a learner, so I love diving into subjects as diverse as shared autonomous vehicles, food security, and plastic waste recycling through pyrolysis. I get to interview many interesting students and faculty members.
Do you have a favorite place on the U of M campus? The Campus Club! I have been a member since I started working at the U, and I still am. I love going there for Trivia Mafia, or just to have lunch. Their salad buffet is delicious, and the view is great, too.
What is a fun fact about you we might not know? I’m a jazz fiend and a midcentury girl. In my mind, these things go together. I love Mrs. Maisel, Danish modern furniture, and the Dakota Jazz Club.
What is something you currently enjoy doing with your time? I like to exercise regularly. I walk with UMRA’s hiking group, I go to a water aerobics class in the St. Paul Gym pool, and I practice yoga at home. But cycling is my favorite. When I ride my bike, I feel like a kid. Or a bird.
News
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: