Event Summary

Book Notes | ‘The Frozen River’

Event Date: May 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM

Author Ariel Lawhon's book of historical fiction is based on the real life of Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer in 1789 colonial Maine. Members of the UMRA Book Club liked the first-person narrative with Martha telling the story. Also, the descriptions of the woods and landscape, the Ballard mill, and the Kennebec River. It is a good read.

How to avoid being scammed

Financial scams are a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, and learning how to spot and avoid scams is more important than ever to your financial health. For UMRA’s May workshop, Jay Haapala, leader of AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, will share with us the latest criminal trends in scamming and how to avoid them.

Rwanda and the British Columbia Coast

Event Date: April 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM

The April 23, 2025 Armchair Traveler Program featured Ceeya Patton-Bolman sharing insights, maps, and photos based on her 20 years of experience in Rwanda, and Gene Allen sharing pictures, maps, and information about the British Columbia Coast and its San Juan and Gulf Islands.

Commercializing UMN Research & Inventions - Yields Excellent, Lasting Returns

Event Date: April 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Rick Huebsch, Associate VP for Research, Technology Commercialization at UMN, discussed UMN Technology Commercialization. Tech Comm facilitates the transfer of UMN innovation beyond the research lab, to benefit the public good, foster economic growth, and generate revenue to support the University's mission.

Book Notes | ‘Random Family’

Event Date: April 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM

Author Adrian Nicole LeBlanc spent 10 years hanging out in the Bronx with one loosely defined family, while she tracked its fate. Most UMRA Book Club members thought LeBlanc’s “unflinching documentary” provided more questions than answers.

Finding Almira Fifield (1833-1863) of Valparaiso, Indiana

Event Date: April 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Barbara Brandt discovered her ancestor, Dr. Almira Fifield, “the Lost Heroine of Porter County,” buried in an unmarked grave in Indiana. Learn how she unlocked Almira’s story.

Book Notes | ‘Good Night, Irene’

Event Date: March 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM

Luis Alberto Urrea’s historical novel about the Red Cross Clubmobile women who served in Europe during World War II is based on the experiences of his mother, who joined the service in 1943.

Building a Blue Zones community: Lessons from Albert Lea

In 2009, Albert Lea became the pilot project for adopting Blue Zones strategies to improve a whole community’s well-being. Since then, the project has expanded to more than 70 communities across North America. Cathy Malakowsky, the guest speaker for UMRA’s March 18 workshop, will explain the changes made in Albert Lea and new projects in the works. 

Researching family history using local and virtual resources

Event Date: March 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Will Craig and Laura Ericksen discuss how they research family history using local and virtual resources.

Book Notes | ‘A Walk in the Woods’

Event Date: February 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM

Author Bill Bryson describes his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail with Stephen Katz, a childhood friend from Iowa. The Appalachian Trail is 2,100 miles long and traverses 14 states, from Georgia to Maine. Bryson's commentary is done with accuracy, environmental consciousness, and hilarious wit and humor.

Healthy at home

Many life challenges that get in the way of quality of life and good health at home have little to do with medical issues. Cathy Lauring, our presenter for UMRA’s February 18 workshop, will explore a variety of resources to assist in keeping us healthy at home—including physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial services.

Japan, Norway, and Sweden

Event Date: January 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM

UMRA’s first Armchair Traveler program of the new year included two presentations featuring travels in Japan with Wayne “Ironwain” Potratz and in Norway and Sweden with Lynn Anderson.

Book Notes | ‘Tom Lake’

Event Date: January 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM

'Tom Lake' by Ann Patchett is set in the early summer of 2020 at a cherry orchard on the shores of Lake Michigan, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the three daughters of the main character have returned home to help with the harvest.

Out of the basement and into the museum

Event Date: January 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM

See the Family History presentations on sharing belongings that have historic value outside the family!

Taxes and Elections and Sunsets, Oh My! Tax planning for 2024 and beyond.

Event Date: December 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM

Watch the video to help you choose the moves that are right for you in this coming tax season. Everyone's tax situation is different, consult with a tax professional to come up with a financial plan well before year end.