The following article summarizes the original event which is listed below the summary.
UMRA 2021 Summer Social
On a clear and sunny Tuesday in August, the Retirees Association held its first all-member, in-person event in more than a year. UMRA’s 2021 Summer Social took place at the Como Lakeside Pavilion in St. Paul.
Nearly 100 members and their guests took advantage of the fantastic weather on August 17 to enjoy lunch outdoors, provided by the Dock & Paddle restaurant, and talking with each other in the fabulous setting.
Each table was brightened by a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers which a member was able to take home as a memento of the event. It was wonderful being able to meet friends again, almost like our monthly luncheon meetings at the Campus Club.
Excited to be in the company of friends
UMRA President Jan Morlock welcomed everyone and gave a brief update of UMRA activities. She indicated that UMRA’s fall programming will be conducted by Zoom, but that as soon as conditions permit, we will return to in-person meetings, most likely in the Campus Club. The crowd was enthusiastic and excited to be outside in the company of friends.
Morlock then introduced Dave Dorman who led the group in a “U Know” trivia game about the University. Each table was given a list of 35 questions and 20 minutes to complete the answers. (Members were surprised to learn that a few of them were included in the answers.) Prizes were awarded to those at the wining table with the highest score of 29.
The event was a huge success and many members commented that we should do this more often.
—Bill Donohue and Cherie Hamilton, UMRA Summer Program Task Force members
UMRA Summer Social — in person!
Tue, August 17 2021, 11:30am
Summer social
Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway North
You are invited to an in-person, outdoor summer social and lunch for UMRA members and guests.
Register and pre-order your lunch choice online via the UMRA website. The fee per person is $20. Advance registration and payment by August 10 is required. August 10 is also the deadline if you must cancel your registration.
For the safety of all, this event will be for UMRA members and their guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 17.
Lunch will be provided by Dock & Paddle restaurant at Como Lakeside Pavilion. There are five sandwich or main course salad options; all include a nonalcoholic beverage. Be sure to specify your choice of lunch for yourself and anyone else who is included in your online registration.You may purchase beer and wine at the cash bar inside the Dock & Paddle. Please note that no outside food or beverages may be brought into the Pavilion.
The Pavilion is a covered, open-air, dining venue overlooking Lake Como. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Free parking is available in two adjacent lots, both with access off Lexington Parkway. MAP
We thank the UMRA Program Committee for planning this event. Questions about the summer social may be directed to Bill Donohue at [email protected].
I look forward to being together with you on August 17. Don’t forget to register by August 10. Until then, may you have a healthy, joyful summer.
—Jan Morlock, UMRA president 2021–22
Upcoming Events
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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.