Event Summary

Family Stories—Open Discussion

Event Date: May 17, 2023, at 10:00 AM

The May 2023 UMRA Family History Interest Group ZOOM presentation was an open discussion and question/answer session that covered a wide range of topics.

Leveraging digital technology to support health and wellness

There is now a plethora of wearable devices to monitor of your body’s functioning plus Bluetooth and other wireless technologies to support health and wellness. UMRA’s May workshop via Zoom will discuss how to select and use these technologies to support your health and fitness goals.

When Will the Medicare Advantage Bubble Burst?

Event Date: May 8, 2023, at 1:00 PM

Recording spreads awareness to rein in the Medicare Advantage (MA) privatized system, and protect traditional Medicare funding.

Pieranna Garavaso and Lory Lemke's visit to Pavia and Verona, Italy

Event Date: April 26, 2023, at 10:00 AM

Pieranna Garavaso and Lory Lemke, retired professors of philosophy at UMM, took us on an incredible visit to Pavia and Verona, Italy.

UMRA welcomes Star Tribune Editorial Page Editor Scott Gillespie to April luncheon forum

UMRA members will have a rare opportunity to hear from and ask questions of one of the major thought leaders in Minnesota when Star Tribune Editorial Page Editor Scott Gillespie joins us for our April 25 luncheon forum at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville.

Book Notes | ‘Elephant Company’

Event Date: April 21, 2023, at 2:00 PM

Set in Burma after World War I, this “spellbinding” true story about James Howard Williams and his love for elephants provides lessons in courage, trust, and gratitude.

College admissions: What you and your grandkids should know about applying for college

The college-admissions process has become more complex in recent years. Do you have grandchildren or other family members who will soon be applying for college? If so, you should tune into UMRA’s April 18 workshop to hear first-hand from an expect, Keri Risic, executive director of admissions at the U of M Twin Cities.

Telling the stories of the living

Event Date: April 12, 2023, at 10:00 AM

Larry Rudnick and Vicki Gaylord shared how they have worked with living family members to gain more information and insight into their family trees. Gaylord and Rudnick explained the processes they used and gave great examples.

UMRA welcomes U of M Budget Director Julie Tonneson to March luncheon forum

UMRA is pleased to welcome U of M Budget Director Julie Tonneson as the guest speaker for our first in-person forum of the new year, which will be held in a new venue for UMRA: Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. She will speak about the U's funding request for the next two years and goals for obtaining funds from the state surpluses.

How to protect your finances from consumer scams and fraud

How criminals mislead consumers and deceive people into transferring money, and how to protect our finances from exploitation as we age, will be the focus of UMRA’s March 21 Living Well Workshop via Zoom, featuring gerontologist Marti DeLiema.

Book Notes | ‘A House Among the Trees’

Event Date: March 17, 2023, at 2:00 PM

The fictional story and characters portrayed in 'A House Among the Trees' are based on the last will of Maurice Sendak, the renowned author and illustrator of children’s books who died in 2012 and left his entire estate to his longtime personal assistant.

A fascinating glimpse into a rare collection

Event Date: March 8, 2023, at 1:00 PM

More than two dozen UMRA members gathered for a behind-the-scenes visit to the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine on the U of M Twin Cities campus in early March.

The history and future of elections and democracy in Minnesota

If you are interested in the history and future of elections and democracy in Minnesota, then UMRA’s February 2023 Forum is a “don’t miss” event. Our featured guest will be Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.

Bone health and aging

Orthopedic surgeon and Minnesota Top Doctor Julie A. Switzer, MD, has dedicated much of her career to making a difference in the care of older patients. She will discuss bone health and aging as the guest speaker for our February 2023 Living Well Workshop.

Book Notes | 'Nomadland'

Event Date: February 17, 2023, at 2:00 PM

For several years, journalist and author Jessica Bruder followed a group of retirees who lived in their vehicles, everything from small cars to worn out RVs, as they tried to piece together a subsistence lifestyle. Her book chronicles the challenges, the hardships, and the community these modern nomads created for themselves.