March 2016 Luncheon Speaker
Tue, March 22 2016, 11:30am
Campus Club ABC
The March luncheon speakers will be Lori Sturdevant and Tom Swain. Tom and Lori wrote a book together, Citizen Swain, which is about Tom’s life—as a kid growing up in Minneapolis, as a corporate executive and a University of Minnesota vice president, as an elected official, as staff to a governor, and as a volunteer extraordinaire.
Lori is a longtime editorial writer and columnist for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. Her columns about current legislative issues and issues facing the future of Minnesota appear on the Sunday Opinion page.
Lori has collaborated on many books, including A Man’s Reach by former Minnesota governor Elmer L. Andersen. She is the author of Her Honor: Rosalie Wahl and the Minnesota Women’s Movement and The Pillsburys of Minnesota.
Citizen Swain is another collaboration, and one that can help us, the public, better understand and respect community and public participation in shaping a better Minnesota.
At our luncheon Lori and Tom will engage in a “Q and A” presentation based on the stories Tom relates in Citizen Swain.
Tom’s life and career often brought him to the University of Minnesota, first as a student, then a football fan, and as an employee of the athletic department. After 23 years of work at the St. Paul Companies, he served as a vice president for three University of Minnesota presidents. He has been a champion of the University throughout his career, not only with financial donations, but also in the commitment of his time in mentoring students and U employees.
Tom Swain’s life has been one of government and community service, and Lori helps tell the story in a most entertaining way. They will delight our audience with laughter and with inspiration of what it means to be a citizen activist.
— Donna Peterson, President-elect and Program Committee member
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.