Social Activities

Lake Minnetonka Cruise

10:30 a.m. check in; 10:45 boarding; cruise from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join UMRA friends and colleagues for a summer cruise and lunch aboard the Paradise Destiny II on beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Paul Maravelas, sailor, historian, and author of The History of Big Island, Lake Minnetonka will join us to share stories from 200+ years of lake-dwellers. Come early or stay after the cruise to explore Excelsior, a charming small town on the big lake.

Ticket price includes lunch: chef's sandwich, garden salad, fruit, chips, and cookies. Coffee, iced tea, and lemonade are complimentary and there will be a cash bar for other beverages. A vegetarian sandwich can be selected during registration.

Como Lakeside Pavilion Social

We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.

This event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the Summer Social Trivia Game.

There are three entree options - all include dessert (or GF desert) and a choice of sodas, lemonade, and coffee or water.

Cash bar available inside the Dock & Paddle.

UMRA breakfast: Books, books, books

Pick a favorite book and bring a brief synopsis of the book to the breakfast and share with the group.

Cabinets of Curiosity: Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

As a follow-up to UMRA’s October 2025 forum with neuroscientist Damien Fair, PhD, co-director of the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain in Minneapolis, he has generously agreed to host us for a visit. Participation will be limited, so don’t wait to register. 

Cabinets of Curiosities - Mapping our world: a visit to the Borchert Map Library

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. 

Winter celebration and songs to bring the light

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.

Minnesota Gophers vs. Purdue Boilermakers Women’s Basketball

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.

Minnesota Gophers vs. St. Thomas Tommies Women's Hockey

Hey UMRA Gopher fans! Here’s a great opportunity to join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gopher Women’s Hockey team when they face off against the St. Thomas Tommies in Ridder Arena.

UMRA breakfast - caring for/interacting with grandkids

Caring for grandkids: fun and age-appropriate activities and resources, making your house kid-safe, how to set up college funds, and more.

Cabinets of Curiosity: St. Anthony Falls Laboratory

Located next to St. Anthony Falls, across the river from downtown Minneapolis, the lab has been a hub for pioneering research in fluid dynamics, hydrology, and earth surface dynamics for 80 years. Our expert guide will be College of Science and Engineering Distinguished Professor Chris Paola, PhD. 

Cabinets of Curiosity: Tour University Grove

On a bus and on foot, we’ll explore this extraordinary neighborhood—called "a living museum of Minnesota's architectural heritage"—adjacent to the University of Minnesota campus in St. Paul, with four experts including architectural historian Jane Hession, and an opportunity to visit inside two unique homes. There will be a fee to participate, to cover the cost of the bus charter and audio equipment.

Watch the Gophers tackle Michigan State Nov. 1

University of Minnesota Gopher Athletics has provided Twin Cities campus ticket discounts to UMRA members for many years. For 2025–26, we have something special to offer: Gopher Athletics, along with UMRA members Will Craig and Bev Moe, will be hosting three Gopher games—along with a postgame gathering at the Graduate hotel on Washington Avenue. A special treat for UMRA Gopher fans!

UMRA Breakfast group creates a book list

Event Date: September 11, 2025, at 8:30 AM - September 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM

When the UMRA breakfast group met in September, we had a full house of book lovers, and a lively discussion about books we are currently reading, and favorite reads. The genres ranged from non-fiction history to mystery and fantasy. The group created a list (attached) of these books, with the author and genre. For more information about the book list or the UMRA breakfasts, please contact Lynn Slifer ([email protected]) or Bill Donohue ([email protected]).

UMRA Cruise on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

You are invited–join other UMRA members and friends for a late summer river cruise, this year on the Saint Croix River, departing from Stillwater Riverboat Company dock. Our lovely 2.5 hour private charter cruise on the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway includes lunch, a cash bar, and the excellent company of friends and colleagues. 

Daytrip Stillwater in the afternoon with friends!  Make a day of it.

Breakfast Discussion With Two Great Leaders

You are invited to an UMRA breakfast Discussion with Former University of Minnesota Presidents Ken Keller and Bob Bruininks. We hope to hear from them about their presidencies, their insights into the current events at the University and the best moments as presidents. More importantly we will get to ask them your questions in an informal setting.