Julie Schumacher, professor of English and creative writing, will be talking about her recent work—the widely acclaimed Dear Committee Members, which won numerous awards including the Thurber Prize for American Humor, New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, National Public Radio’s “Best Books of 2014,” Boston Globe’s one of “Best Books of 2014,” and the Chicago Tribune’s “Laugh Out Loud Book of the Year.”

The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth, published by Picador Macmillan, 1998. Available through Amazon (both print and Kindle) and in a Nook book at Barnes and Noble. Review by Pat Tollefson, UMRA Cares Committee.

Do you have any experience with either Survey Monkey or Qualtrics software for doing surveys? The Workshop Committee needs your help to assist with an upcoming survey. If you can help, please contact Ron Anderson, rea@umn.edu.

The Board of Directors presents the following slate for your approval:

For Officers:
President:  Chip Peterson (will automatically move from his current position as President-elect to President)

President-elect: Gerald Rinehart

Secretary:         Judy Garrard 
Treasurer          Carl Adams (continuing his service)

For Board of Directors:
Vernon Cardwell 
Cathy Gierke
Jeanne Markell (for second three-year term) 
Claudia Parliament
Richard Poppele

Festive Luncheon features your choice among four entrées

Please be sure to indicate your menu selection when you make your reservations.

Reservation Deadline Wednesday May 17

This past month both Donna Peterson, as president of UMRA, and Karen Hansen, executive vice president and provost, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which formalizes our agreement to support and further the respective missions, goals, and programs for both organizations.  In the picture, President Peterson signs the Memorandum of Understanding in the Provost’s Office.

“I planned for life as a widow, but got a lot wrong” (anonymous quote).  No matter if you have lost a spouse, partner, last living parent, or are the one solely responsible for financial decisions for yourself or another—life can get very complicated. And it can be even more difficult when these financial matters must be handled while grieving or when one is beset with anxieties for the future.  Join Andy Whitman and Susan Link in a discussion of financial planning for one.

In recent months, U.S.–Iranian relations have become more fraught than ever. Military and economic tensions have risen, and the fate of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the “Iran deal,” has been cast into doubt. William O. Beeman is professor and chair of Anthropology at the University of Minnesota. He has spent more than nine of the past 40 years in the Middle East and has also worked in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Japan, China, and South Asia. He is fluent in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish. His luncheon talk—“Iran and the United States: Continuing Tensions and Opportunities”—could not be more timely.

Dr. Robert Kane first spoke to the UMRA luncheon audience in April 2015 and therafter presided over several workshops on aging and long-term care. When he died suddenly on March 6, Dr. Kane left his UMRA partners, as well as so many other colleagues, stunned. Here are words from a few of our Care Guides, UMRA members who had the privilege of working with and learning from him.

At the late February pre-retirement seminars sponsored by the Office of Human Resources, UMRA Membership Committee members collected e-mail addresses from potential University of Minnesota retirees and sent the Retirement Kit—a directory of active links to many useful websites pertinent to retirement—was sent to 175 respondents this year.

UMRA members interested in investing responsibly and sustainably can learn more at our March workshop from Andrew Wetzel, senior vice president and portfolio manager for F.L. Putnam. Sustainable investing, in all its forms, is making its way into the investing mainstream. 

Minnesota’s State Economist, Dr. Laura Kalambokidis (pronounced Colombo-ki’as) will speak at the March UMRA luncheon about the Minnesota Budget and Economic Health. We will gain insight into how our revenue forecasts are generated and how they influence the state budget and legislative program. 

The Nominating committee has begun to solicit names for officers and board members for 2017–18. New board members will be put on the slate for election at the May meeting.

Following the luncheon on February 28, UMRA will present a workshop focused on understanding and discussing the benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) a program in the practice of managing pain without drugs. 

Sometimes it seems that our politicians, policy experts, and scholars devote excess energy to seeking answers before reflecting critically on the questions. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer urges us to reexamine the often unspoken assumptions that drive our intellectual inquiry and advocacy alike. His title: “On Asking the Right Questions.”

Professor Emeritus Jan Hogan is featured in this University of Minnesota Foundation story about giving back to the University. Through her fellowship for graduate students, she has inspired another generation of students devoted to similar work at the University of Minnesota. Read more at give.umn.edu.

UMRA Care Guides continue to be available for consultation when members are confronted by an unexpected health care situation, especially involving long-term care. To speak to a Care Guide, call the Center on Aging, 612-624-1185. 

In a joint project led by the UMRA Cares Committee and the University Center on Aging, Care Guide volunteers are trained and supervised by the Center on Aging. They have available the center’s information resources to assist you with decision making. All discussions are confidential.

Following the luncheon on January 24, UMRA will present a workshop for understanding and discussing some of the controversial substances used for pain management—opioids and medical marijuana. This workshop will be led by Dr. Charles Reznikoff, assistant professor, University of Minnesota and HCMC physician. who specializes in pain management and addiction. 

Although it may be cold outside on January 24, we can expect to be warmly entertained by Professor Seeley’s commentary about notable weather events —from hot to cold and from wet to dry. All of us talk about the weather, and most of us have opinions about climate change, but none of us can speak as authoritatively as this month’s speaker, Professor Mark Seeley, whose professional and educational activities are focused on climatology.

For colleagues and friends who may be thinking about joining the 1666 Coffman community, three units will be for sale in January.

Consider a 2017 New Year’s Resolution! Give a little of your valuable time for the good deed of volunteering for a project to help the less fortunate. The University Retirees Volunteer Center does not ask for your money, but instead seeks generous patrons who will contribute time. 

What have you been reading?

Share your thoughts about books and recommendations for reading with other UMRA readers by sending your review to Earl Nolting, enolting@umn.edu

UMRA bylaw revisions will be presented to members for approval at the January luncheon meeting. In preparation for this meeting, please see the UMRA web site: https://umra.umn.edu; click on the “About Us” menu item; click on the About Us – Documents pdf file: "UMRA bylaws 2017 Proposed Revisions” to read or download the revised bylaws and compare them to the current bylaws.  Current bylaws are available at the same location.

In a conversation with UMRA members and representatives from Care Guides/Cares Committee, we will look at how we would change long-term care. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Robert Kane, director of the University Center on Aging. Dr. Kane, UMRA Care Guides, and audience members will discuss the options and obstacles to “getting the care we really want.” 

This will definitely be an UMRA luncheon to attend! While the election is still two weeks out as I write this newsletter article, this election cycle and the results certainly will be analyzed and interpreted for years to come. To begin that analysis, Dr. Kathryn Pearson, University of Minnesota associate professor of political science, will join us for our November program to discuss the 2016 presidential campaign and election results including the Presidency, Congress, and Minnesota Legislature. 

Fall 2016 Alerts from UMRA Discount Partners: Campus Club, University Bookstore, School of Music, Northrop, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Theatre Arts and Dance, and others.  See "The Frugal Retiree Fall 2016"

The October program was a delightful sample of what can be done with an UMRA Professional Development Grant for Retirees. Kathleen O’Brien and Kathryn Fennelly talked about their projects, read more. 

At our September meeting Kris Kiesling, director of Archives and Special Collections was our luncheon speaker. You may not have known that UMRA has a History/Archives Committee. The charge of this committee is to collect and organize UMRA materials and to make them ready for deposit in the archives.

The following suggestions are from Andy Whitman, UMRA member and professor in Carlson School of Management, who provided three financial workshops last spring.

• Give from an IRA directly to a charity. 
• Make conversions from your IRA to Roth IRAs.
• Give appreciated assets.
• Diversify. 

Grants to help retirees pursuing projects related to their scholarship has been announced by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Office of the Provost, and University of Minnesota Retirees Association.  All faculty members, professional and administrative, and civil service retirees from the Twin Cities and Coordinate Campuses of the University are eligible to apply for the grants (up to $5,000).  The guidelines for applying for grants are available at 2016 rfp for 2017-2018 projects. The deadline for applications is December 16, 2016.  

Retirees who purchase supplemental health insurance from the University of Minnesota will surely want to attend the Health Benefits Workshop following the UMRA luncheon program on October 25. A representative from the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources will provide an overview of the benefits offered and describe comparisons between the different plans offered by the University for retirees.

The October luncheon speakers will be Kathleen O’Brien, vice president for University Services, retired; and Professor Emerita Katherine Fennelly, of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. 

Katherine Fennelly developed the first e-learning program for law enforcement personnel who work with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Fennelly will share insights into the immigrant experience and demonstrate the e-learning course. She is author of numerous publications on immigration policy. 

The October luncheon speakers will be Kathleen O’Brien, vice president for University Services, retired; and Professor Emerita Katherine Fennelly, of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. 

Kathleen O’Brien has used her academic training and experience as a historian to interview more than 50 women who have served in 30 Minnesota cities as mayor or city council members between 1970 and 2000.  The goal of these oral history interviews is to capture the contributions of women in our state’s local government and to ensure they are preserved and included in Minnesota’s history. 

Recently joined members of UMRA are invited to the Welcome New Members Reception in the Campus Club Lounge, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25. (You are considered a new member for this reception if you joined UMRA since November 1 of 2015.) 

The next Photo Club meeting will be at the Washburn Library, 5344 Lyndale Ave South in Minneapolis, 1– 3 p.m. on Friday, October 14. Dick Kain will continue his series on using the Lightroom program.

The Care Guides want to discuss a new initiative in which they could assist UMRA members with health concerns not restricted to long-term care. They plan to meet in October with Professor Bob Kane, director of the Center on Aging, to plan for this new Care Guide role.

UMRA Care Guides continue to be available for consultation on a health care emergency. To speak to a Care Guide, call the Center on Aging, 612-624-1185.

Here is a list of some new interesting books published this year on health and aging. Check your local library or bookseller for these references.  After your read, please send us a one- or two-paragraph summary along with the author, title, and publisher to share with UMRA members.

Curator Tim Johnson assisted with a grand tour of University Archives and caverns, home of millions of books and papers, including those of many retired faculty and UMRA’s own archives.

At the September luncheon, attendees were treated to a whirlwind tour of the University Libraries’ astounding variety of special collections in 14 distinct areas of scholarship. 

At the close of UMRA’s luncheon meeting, September 27, UMRA members will be treated to a unique tour of some special archival collections as well as the storage caverns at the Andersen Library.

Sign up for tour when you make your luncheon reservations, and, if you want a ride to the Andersen Library, please indicate that so we can save you a seat on the chartered bus. Please let us know so we can give the tour staff at Archives a count to plan for. 

We kick off our program year with a real treat for all for whom preserving research and history is paramount—or just plain interesting. Let me introduce Kris Kiesling, director of the Elmer L. Andersen Archives and Special Collections, who will be speaking at our luncheon about the experience of curating the many collections in the University archives. After the luncheon she will lead UMRA members on a tour at the Andersen Library to see not only some of the collections, but also the famous caverns created to store a vast variety of materials.

—Kathleen O’Brien, Program Committee

Judy Howe (j-howe2@umn.edu) was browsing the University Archives to get a better understanding of what UMRA documents had been archived.  She noticed a document she thought might interest all of us.  The 23 page, typewritten (remember those?) document is titled: "umra_history_1976-1983_by_e_gerald.pdf." It is very interesting reading.  Read online or download a copy.

The recent survey of UMRA members found several comments about problems in transportation: members not involved with UMRA due to an inability to drive due to medical issues, age, metro traffic congestion, etc. Our intrepid community researchers quickly found 12 transportation options for senior non-drivers, and we would like to hear if you have had experience (positive or negative) with such services.

For the past year or so, the UMRA Cares committee has taken responsibility for the “Bookshelf” column which printed recommendations from UMRA members on interesting reading.  If you found a book that you want to recommend to others, please take a moment and share your discoveries with us.

Did you know that UMRA members can also join the Campus Club and take advantage of the Club’s beautiful spaces, convenient location, great food, and social events? The Club tries to make it feasible for retirees to join. Retirees are an important part of the University community, and the partnership between the Club and UMRA is a longstanding tradition. I am always delighted to see the UMRA group at the Campus Club for monthly meetings and lunches. 

As U retirees we have much to offer...are you holding it in reserve for just the right opportunity? Can this be it?  The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will be greeting 1,800 new international students, undergrad and graduate, to the University in September. You have likely received Vice President Meredith McQuaid’s statement about the services the University provides to these students, and scholars who will visit the University during the year.  We need more facilitators for these projects. Contact URVC at urvc@umn.edu to explore your interests.

Thousands of U of M parking discount coupons have been distributed to UMRA members and successfully used over the past five years. However, from time to time, a number of us have encountered instances in which the coupons failed to work at the check-out stations. Such failures are likely due to deactivation of the magnetic strip by exposure to a magnet, perhaps on a purse closure or a cell phone speaker.  To maintain the effectiveness of your discount coupons, please guard them from magnets of all kinds. 

RUN FOR BLOOD – URVC VOLUNTEERS

A Red Cross Fund-Raiser

Saturday, July 23 @ Lake Calhoun (Field Area/ south of the lake)
We need Early Risers ! Volunteer Check-In is 6 AM ! 
(Please say: “Yes I am. Count me in.”)
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: (Sign-in at Volunteer Check-in Tent)
To sign up for an activity reply to URVC@UMN.EDU or 612-625-8016

During the business portion of the May 24 meeting, members will elect next year’s UMRA leadership. The Board of Directors presents the following for your approval:
For Officers:
President:  Donna Peterson (will automatically move from her current position as President-elect to President)
President-elect: Chip Peterson
Secretary:         Sherilyn Goldsmith May
Treasurer          Carl Adams

For Board of Directors:
Kathleen O’Brien— for second three-year term, Martha Feda, ,Judy Leahy Grimes Cherie Hamilton, Gerald Rinehart

Wrap up the year’s activities with UMRA’s Annual Gala Luncheon, officer and board election, and speaker. This year’s program spotlights one of the University’s most delicious and delightful discoveries— “Apples and Grapes for Cold Climates.” Our guide will be Peter Moe, from the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 

Make your May luncheon reservations early

Please note: The May lunch reservations deadline is earlier than usual because of the time needed by the Campus Club to react to the varied menu selection. Please make your reservations by Monday, May 16, and don’t forget to include your entrée choice with your prepayment.

May 24—Annual business meeting and election; gala luncheon; speaker will be Peter Moe, director of Operations and Research, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

As you may know, UMRA member Ron Anderson received a PDGR retirees grant to finish a handbook titled Alleviating World Suffering, to be published by Springer early next year. Ron is still looking for papers in the following areas: Climate Change; Peace in an era of global terrorism; and Remaining Calm while anger and hatred are on the rise.

While going through a physical and emotional crisis during my early teen years, this lesson was given to me in the form of a small book presented to me by my father. The book had nothing to do with my experience and situation, but it got me thinking about the hardships and tragedies of others.

Following the UMRA lunch meeting Tuesday, April 26, the UMRA Photo Club will be hosting a workshop, “People Using Little Cameras Can Do Huge Things.”

Most of us grew up taking pictures as prints or slides, and now we find ourselves in the digital age. Part of digital photography is the same—you aim your camera, focus the picture, and press the shutter. But other parts of digital photography are quite different: Digital cameras will focus for you and offer lots of other options.

At our April luncheon, the evolution of technologies and ways of doing business in the electric energy industry will be addressed by Professor S. Massoud Amin, Honeywell/Harold W. Sweatt Chair in Technological Leadership, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and director of the Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) at the University of Minnesota.

Securian reported another year of strong growth in sales during 2015, increasing the value of their business across all lines about 9 percent. They also provided evidence that they are remaining financially sound as they grow in size. Securian is updating their website and making more tools and learning modules available for our use.

Are you facing a difficult decision about health care, especially long term care? The Center on Aging at the U of M has initiated a program to assist you, and several UMRA members have been trained there as Care Guides.

We began using our new website September 15, 2015.  We are still working on expanded capabilities that will come when the member database is connected to the website. 

* Development of the new website was done entirely by volunteers. No money was involved.

"Cancer Caregiving A to Z: An At-Home Guide for Patients and Families"  This book is designed to help those of us who are caregivers to effectively carry out tasks like administering medications, monitoring symptoms, and even hooking up intravenous antibiotics.

Now you can access material that was presented at the three UMRA workshops on financial management that Professor Andy Whitman is making available for UMRA members.

The URVC is seeking a volunteer to facilitate coordination of other volunteers with projects.   This involves working in the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) office for about three hours a week making telephone calls, sending and receiving e-mails, and documenting the volunteer work accomplished. 

See how asset distributions can benefit you and your family...and reduce taxes in this third workshop of the trio we have presented on managing finances in retirement. It will emphasize distributing your assets to benefit you, your family, and charity, while avoiding taxes and probate. The presenter is Andrew Whitman, professor of insurance in the Carlson School. His credentials include Ph.D., J.D., and C.F.P.

Our speakers will be Lori Sturdevant and Tom Swain with stories to tell at the March 22 luncheon meeting. At our luncheon Lori and Tom will engage in a “Q and A” presentation based on the stories Tom relates in Citizen Swain.

The URVC is seeking a volunteer to facilitate coordination of other volunteers with projects.   This involves working in the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) office for about three hours a week making telephone calls, sending and receiving e-mails, and documenting the volunteer work accomplished. 

Volunteer to be an usher at the Rarig Theater production of Shakespeare's Henry VI, Parts 1 and 2.  Assist people as they arrive and then enjoy the show.

For those not familiar with health care for the elderly, the book is quite a revelation. The author offers words of deep wisdom, which the medical profession is only beginning to grasp. Gawande’s book will definitely assist the communication between physician, patient, and family in these moments.

. The Journal of Opinions, Ideas, and Essays. (JOIE) is intended to provide online publishing opportunities for faculty, P&A., and civil service colleagues, whether retired or still employed, from the Twin Cities and coordinate campuses.

Sunday, May 1, is the day of final rounds for the annual History Day competitions, sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota’s Department of History. Volunteer now to be a judge for the Minnesota History Day student competition. This is a University Retirees Volunteer Center Project (URVC).

Please make your reservations early to ensure your place at the luncheon. Space is limited. while we would like to accommodate everyone who wants to attend, The capacity of rooms ABC in the Campus Club is limited to 110 reservations. UMRA is growing, and some of our committees are
working on solutions to the capacity issue, but we have no good resolutions yet.

February 23 workshop focuses on factors in preparing advance health care directives, and features Family Social Science professor Marlene Stum, PH.D..

Provost Hanson to discuss the University’s Strategic Plan at February luncheon meeting. During her tenure here, Dr. Hanson has played a central role in the development of the Strategic Plan for the University. UMRA leaders have been interested in her perspectives on how the university and its retirees can be mutually supportive of one another.

The UMRA Book Club began meeting in March of 2011. We meet at 2 p.m. on the third Friday of every month except December at the 1666 Coffman Building, which is on Larpenteur Avenue near the St. Paul campus. Contact Pat Tollefson, p-toll@umn.edu, for more information.

The UMRA Cares committee is a wonderfully vibrant group, and they do so much for our organization’s members — sending cards and notes when illness strikes, comforting the bereaved, planning workshops, and now initiating Care Guides, too. They could use our help. Here are some ways in which you can assist their efforts.

The Center on Aging at the U of M has initiated a program to assist those who are facing a difficult decision about health care, especially long term care; several UMRA members have been trained as Care Guides. To speak with an UMRA Care Guide, call the Center on Aging, 612- 624-1185. 

Our second of three workshops on managing finances in retirement will emphasize managing health care costs. The presenter is Professor Andrew Whitman, J.D., Ph.D., C.F.P., professor of insurance in the Carlson School of Management. He has invited several panel members to comment on their personal experience on these issues.  The workshop will address the lack of coverage by Medicare and supplements, dealing with long-term care facilities, and issues with long-term care insurance and estate planning.

Alexander Khoruts, associate professor of gastroenterology, U of M School of Medicine will discuss new views on immune disorders at the first luncheon of the new year.   In a talk labelled "Gut Reaction," Dr. Khoruts will discuss new treatments that have been life-saving for thousands of patients

If you like to read and to share what you read, the Cares Committee invites you to write a short summary for the Newsletter’s “Bookshelf” article. Reviews of good, well-writ­ten books on any subject are welcome. Send your recom­mendations and reviews to umracares@umn.edu.

Are you or a loved one planning to move to a new setting? Having difficulty eating? Needing more information on communicating with the medical community? To address these and many other questions, look to the American Can­cer Society’s Complete Guide to Family Caregiving, edited by Bucher, Houts, and Ades.

UMRA Care Guides are a service newly available to UMRA members. Sooner or later most UMRA members are going to have to make some hard long-term care (LTC) choices. Most of us are neophytes in this area. Given our lack of experience and the enormous stress these decisions entail, it is often hard to think systematically. A group of UMRA members are training with Dr. Robert Kane, from the Center on Aging, to become “care guides.” They will be available to assist UMRA members who re­quest help in confronting LTC issues.

The UMRA Book Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Friday of every month except December.  The meeting location is the 1666 Coffman Building, which is on Larpenteur Avenue near the St. Paul campus. Coming dates are Feb 19, March 18, and April 15. Contact Pat Tollefson, p-toll@umn.edu, for more.

The November workshop offers Movin’ and Groovin’ — just in time for Thanksgiving. How is the movin’ and groovin’ in your lifestyle?   The workshop will be led by Martha Feda, MA, MLS,  who is an experienced health coach. 

Our speaker is University of Minnesota professor Craig Packer. His topic will be “Lions in the Balance: Man-Eaters, Manes, and Men with Guns.”

UMRA will hold its regular monthly meeting a week earlier than you might have expected.  This is due to the 4th Tuesday being so close to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  We will meet 1 week earlier, on November 17th at the usual place and time.

Retirees, both Faculty and Staff, retain lifetime access to their U of M Google accounts as long as they access them at least once every 3 months.  “Google Account End of Life Policies,” http://it.umn.edu/google-account-end-life-policies, states:  “The retiree will retain lifetime access to the account.”

Finance Workshop #1 of 3: Andrew Whitman, professor, Carlson School of Management, “Money Decisions in Retirement.”

Philip G. Pardey  has been a leader in analyzing the rates of return to agricultural research and the impacts of public policy on worldwide food production and consumption. On October 27 at our UMRA Luncheon he will be sharing his perspective on the future global food supply and the role of R&D

Recently received members of UMRA are invited to the Welcome New Members Reception in the Campus Club Lounge, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, prior to the luncheon.

Dr. Robert Kane has offered to train a group of UMRA members to be “Care Guides.” Nine UMRA members have volunteered to learn about decision making and the options and resour­ces available through the Center on Aging. After training is completed, these volunteers will be available to any UMRA member who seeks help about health care decisions.

The 2016-2017 Professional Development Grant Program for Retirees is now available and calling for grant proposals; Deadline December 15, 2015.

This, the seventh cycle of grants to help retirees pursue projects related to their scholarship has been announced by the Office of the Vice President for Research and UMRA.  The guidelines for applying were sent to UMRA members via e-mail and are available at 2015-rfgp.pdf. 

UMRA members are entitled to receive free parking discount coupons which will obtain a $6.00 /all day rate at all public ramps/garages and a few surface lots using automated pay machines.

Tour the Weisman Art Museum after our luncheon

Minneapolis Police Department Chief Janee Harteau will be the speaker at the September 22, 2015 UMRA luncheon. Her remarks are titled: “MPD 2.0 Transformational Leadership.” 

The University Retirees Volununteer Center (URVC) is seeking senior participants for memory research being conducted in the Psychology Department.

Vern Sutton, professor emeritus, U of M School of Music will speak about - and sing - the "Music of the Ziegfeld Follies" at the last meeting of the 2014-2015 school year.

"Addressing practical problems in giving care"

Following his luncheon presentation at the April UMRA meeting, speaker Dr. Robert Kane will lead a workshop on caregiving as part of our series, Living Well in Later Life.

Robert L. Kane, M.D., endowed chair in long-term Care and aging, University of Minnesota, will speak on "Being the Good Caregiver," and also lead the workshop on this topic. 

"Life is a Work of Art"

Our workshop theme, exploring creativity, continues with Lucy Rose Fischer, "Life is a Work of Art." The workshop begins at 1:30 p.m., in Campus Club ABC, following the luncheon program

Panel: stories told by grant recipients; moderated by Jan Hogan-Schiltgen, chair of UMRA's PDGR program

University retirees have have been able to pursue 62 projects over the past six years, making many different and important creative contributions. Like the very successful PDGR presentations last year, this year's panel will provide a sampling of those contributions.

"Stepping toward more agile and creative minds"

The Program and Cares committees are pleased to present a workshop to challenge our minds and examine new paths to creatively and adaptively meet new opportunities.

Michael Osterholm, director, U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research, “The Ebola Epidemic”

Internationally recognized expert in infectious disease epidemiology Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., will speak at UMRA’s February meeting on the topic “The Ebola Epidemic: Where we’ve been, where we’re at, and where we are going."

According to figures released by Employee Benefits, 2,273 of our 65+ retirees and their spouse/partners signed up for dental coverage under this year’s plan offerings. This is 413 fewer than those who signed up for the University’s hospital and medical coverage for retirees. 

Our book for January was THE ART FORGER by B.A. Shapiro.  The next books we will be reading are as follows:  DIARY OF ANNE FRANK for February; THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd for March; DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC by Candice Millard for April; and ALL THE LIGHT I CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr for May. 

--Contact Pat Tollefson, p-toll@umn.edu, for more information.

All are welcome for fun, fellowship, and fotos. Come at noon for the buffet lunch (with senior discount—what a deal!) at the Great Dragon restaurant just across the parking lot from the library. Please contact Craig Swan, swan@umn.edu, or Jean Kinsey, jkinsey@umn.edu so we will know to expect you and can add your name to the contact list for updated information. See you at our next meeting for fun, fellowship and fotos.

College of Design Dean Tom Fisher will speak on “ The Third Industrial Revolution—New Ways of Living”

Professor Fisher will build on this paradigm to explore what has already occurred in our economy, our cities, the place and way we live and work, and what can we expect in the future.

Where to live?

January housing workshop continues with homes designed for aging in place.

Choosing where to live as we age

Professors Becky Yust and Marilyn Bruin of the College of Design will consider and explore the multitude of housing arrangements available to retirees. 

John Adams, immediate past president of UMRA and professor emeritus of Geography, Environment, and Society in CLA and of Planning and Public Affairs in the Humphrey Institute, will address the subject of “How Metropolitan Areas Work”

Choosing where to live as we age

Professors Becky Yust and Marilyn Bruin of the College of Design will consider and explore the multitude of housing arrangements available to retirees.

At the October 28 UMRA luncheon, Dr. Mary Nichols will address the topic: "It's Only Disruptive If You Can't Be Disrupted: Lessons in Agility in Our Online Era."

Workshop: Bring your walking shoes -- Tour of new Northrop follows September luncheon

At the close of UMRA’s September luncheon meeting, UMRA members will be treated to a special “behind the scenes” tour of the New Northrop. When you sign up for the luncheon, please indicate if you intend to attend the tour, so the Northrop staff can plan accordingly. 

Hubert (Skip) Humphrey III, director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new Older Americans office will speak on “Scams for Seniors to Avoid.” The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 directed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to create an agency office to address the needs of older Americans. Given the task of improving the financial decision-making of seniors and preventing unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices targeted at seniors, the Bureau turned to Hubert Humphrey III (better known as Skip) to be the first director of the office.

“Making the most of later life–with Music” illustrated by Clif and Bettye Ware: Our final program of the year features UMRA members Clif and Bettye Ware, whose presentation will illustrate how music and performance helps us enjoy the challenges and opportunities presented in later life.