Knowing Iceland
Kate Maple took us to western Iceland. Her photos are incredible and her descriptions are informative and poetic. She and her friend and traveling companion Michelle Schermann had an amazing experience exploring some lesser-known parts of Iceland and we had an amazing experience hearing all about it and seeing amazing pictures.
Travel both near and far enriches
Wed, Jan 24 2024, 10am
UMRA’s first Armchair Traveler program of 2024 will take us on travels near and far with two fabulous presenters—Carol Urness and Kate Maple—from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24. Here are the descriptions of their presentations.
In search of inspiration at the edges of the earth: Kate Maple
Chasing the light, the landscape, and the sea. City stories and vast spaces. It’s hard to describe Iceland with words; images tell the tale best. Reflections on time and space and place. Highlights of landscape and sea, and some food reports. Photos and drawings. Reykjavik, the west, the north.
Traveling close to home: Carol Urness
Travel to far-off lands teaches us history, geography, culture, and enriches our lives. At some point, most of us have to give up travel to distant lands, usually due to physical limitations. This doesn’t mean we have to stop learning through travel, especially travel near us, even in our backyards. In this presentation we will consider ways to “travel” in interesting areas near home. Mark your calendars and save the date. The Zoom invitation will be emailed to UMRA members one month and also one week in advance of the program. I hope you can join us.
—Lynn C. Anderson, Armchair Traveler program chair
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.