SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Winter Social will celebrate brighter days ahead

Tue, January 28, 2025, at 2pm
Urban Sound
A cappella ensemble
U of M students

Location
Midland Hills Country Club
 
 

UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles. 

We’ll be gathering mid-afternoon at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville in its light-filled Turnberry Hall. The winter solstice will be behind us, the days will be getting longer, and spring semester will have started. 

Before the students fill our hearts and ears with song, we’ll have time to socialize and enjoy a wonderful selection of appetizers and sweet treats. We’ll also have coffee, water, and a cash bar.

As U of M retirees, it will be fun to connect with the young and talented U of M students. I have asked the members of Urban Sound to identify themselves, their class years, and their majors.

The price of UMRA’s 2025 Winter Social is $39 for those making reservations by December 31, and $42 for later reservations. The reservation deadline is January 18.

—Will Craig, UMRA Special Events Planning Group



Upcoming Events

Event Date: December 19, 2025, at 2pm

Meeting to plan books for next year.


Event Date: January 8, 2026, at 8:03am

There has been a lot in the news recently about the University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota Physicians, and Fairview Health Services. Please join us at breakfast on January 8 for a respectful and engaging discussion of their relationship. 


Event Date: January 13, 2026, at 12:30pm

The theme for January is great MN views.


Event Date: January 16, 2026, at 2pm

52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust by William Alexander will be the selection for discussion when the UMRA Book Club gathers via Zoom for its first monthly meeting of 2026.


Event Date: January 20, 2026, at 11am

Developing a sense of identity is a central psychological task of the lifespan. Memories and stories from our personal past, as well as cultural memories and stories in society play key roles in how we develop our identities. This presentation will discuss psychological theory and research on how memories and stories make us who we are.


Event Date: January 21, 2026, at 10am

When you are of Icelandic descent you can trace your ancestors back to around 1200 and sometimes further. 


Event Date: January 23, 2026, at 2pm

Bleak House by Charles Dickens. 


Event Date: February 1, 2026, at 2pm

Here’s another great opportunity to buy discounted tickets and join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gophers when the Women’s Basketball team hosts the Purdue Boilermakers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on February 1.


Event Date: February 2, 2026, at 9:30am

Join fellow UMRA members for a morning hike in Theodore Wirth Park to celebrate Groundhog Day on Monday, February 2. 


Event Date: February 3, 2026, at 2pm

UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles.


Event Date: February 11, 2026, at 10am

Family history with Jim Kurle.  A tale of Swedish emigration to Dunn County, North Dakota, including my grandfather whose unusual relationship to several churches and religion in general was one of the reasons for his emigrating.


Event Date: February 12, 2026, at 10am

UMRA’s Cabinets of Curiosity tour on Thursday, February 12, will offer an inside look into the rich resources of the University Libraries Borchert Map Library. Map Librarian Ryan Mattke will showcase the treasures and innovations of one of the largest map libraries in the U.S. 


Event Date: February 27, 2026, at 2pm

Growing Up by Russell Baker.