EVENT SUMMARY: | ARMCHAIR TRAVELER
The following article summarizes the original event which is listed below the summary.

Israel, Egypt, and Tanzania

November 20, 2024, at 10am
 

UMRA member Paul Letourneau takes us on a safari in northern Tanzania and Brenda Knapp-Polzin shares photos and insights from a 2023 family trip to Israel and Egypt.

Event recording
Click on , then    to view recording in full screen.

 


 


ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

Israel, Egypt, and Tanzania

Wed, Nov 20, 2024, 10am

Location
Event to be held via Zoom.
 

UMRA’s next Armchair Traveler program will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20, via Zoom. Paul Letourneau will take us to Tanzania, and Brenda Knapp-Polzin will share photos and insights from a 2023 family trip to Israel and Egypt.

“Our cruise to Israel and Egypt in August-September 2023 included my 92-year-old mother, Virginia, and my husband, David,” Brenda says. “We travelled from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and then on to Egypt, including Cairo, Gisa, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, and Aswan. Shortly after our return, Hamas attacked Israel. I look forward to sharing highlights of our trip and will try to provide some insights into the unrest and displacement of refugees from this region.”

An elephant family in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. Photo from Paul Letourneau
An elephant family in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.

Here is how Paul describes the two-week trip he and his wife, Carol, took with two friends in 2009, visiting five national parks in northern Tanzania: “In the care of our driver-guide Wilfred, we drove across the savannah and into bush and woodlands to see, up close, the large mammals and beautiful birds that are highlights of African wildlife. We also visited a village of the Maasai people, who lead a pastoral life herding cattle and goats. My images and short videos will provide a brief summary of our safari.”

A Zoom invitation will be emailed to all UMRA members a month before the program and a reminder will be sent a week before. I hope you can join us. 

—Lynn C. Anderson, Armchair Traveler program chair



Upcoming Events

Event Date: July 18, 2025, at 2pm

The UMRA Book Club will discuss Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid when it meets via Zoom on July 18.


Event Date: July 24, 2025, at 1 - 2:30pm

Bill Doherty's April Living Well Workshop, Dealing with differences in a polarized world, inspired many UMRA members.  He has very graciously agreed to hold a Skills for Disagreeing Better workshop for us in July.   You will learn about the values and concerns of the other political side and practice skills for communicating more effectively in the presence of disagreement.


Event Date: July 25, 2025, at 2pm

Still Life by Louise Penny.


Event Date: August 4, 2025, at 9:30am

Join hike leader Nanette Hanks on August 4th for a “Trail in Two Cities” hike.


Event Date: August 15, 2025, at 2pm

The UMRA Book Club will discuss Blue Ribbon by Karal Ann Marling when it meets via Zoom on August 15.  


Event Date: August 18, 2025, at 9:30am

Join Larry Micek, hike leader, on August 18th for a hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, located at 1515 Keats Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN. 


Event Date: August 20, 2025, at 11am - 1:30pm

You are invited–join other UMRA members and friends for a late summer river cruise, this year on the Saint Croix River, departing from Stillwater Riverboat Company dock. Our lovely 2.5 hour private charter cruise on the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway includes lunch, a cash bar, and the excellent company of friends and colleagues. 

Daytrip Stillwater in the afternoon with friends!  Make a day of it.


Event Date: August 22, 2025, at 2pm

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.


Event Date: September 9, 2025, at 12:30pm

The UMRA Photo Club will next meet at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.


Event Date: September 19, 2025, at 2pm

Book Club I will discuss West with the Night by Beryl Markham.


Event Date: September 22, 2025, at 9:30am

Please join hike leader Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers on September 22nd for a hike at Afton State Park.


Event Date: September 29, 2025, at 10am

By David Foster, CFP©, CRPC©, CRPS©. Vice President, Senior Wealth Planner. 


Event Date: October 6, 2025, at 9:30am

Our October 6 hike will be a reprise of our hike last year at William O'Brien State Park. Your leaders will be Jo Prouty, Michael Luxenberg and Bev Moe.