Interest Groups

Photo Club January meeting

"Reflections" will be the theme when the UMRA Photo Club holds its first meeting of the new year on January 9.

Tax update 2023 and 2024

Topics include tax changes; tax reducing moves required now and tax management in 2024.

Solving the Mystery of a Grandfather’s Death

Event Date: December 6, 2023, at 10:00 AM

Knowing your family’s medical history is important for everyone, especially as we become more aware of the role played by genetics in many medical conditions. See this video of Michelle Casey, previously a senior research fellow in the School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy & Management, as she presents her trek through family medical history.

December 4 hike

Please join us for an invigorating hike from The Monument located at the intersection of Mississippi RIver Blvd and Summit Avenue in St. Paul to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and back.  This hike is on paved trails, approximately 5.5 miles in length, and will be at a pace suitable to the weather.

Book Club II to meet December 1

UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club will discuss The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy when it meets on Friday, December 1. This is a departure from the usual fourth Friday meeting to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. 

Book Notes | ‘Strongmen from Mussolini to the Present’

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

The topic covered by this well-researched and carefully documented history is depressing but very important as the battle between democracy and autocracy continues around the world today.

Share pictures and laughter with the UMRA Photo Club

The UMRA Photo Club welcomes all UMRA members with an interest in photography. We share “theme” and “photographer choice” pictures, we ask questions, and we laugh a lot. 

Estate Planning

Event Date: November 6, 2023, at 9:40 AM

Overview of all your important financial decisions from taxes to trusts and health care directives.

November 6 hike

Join us for a 5 mile moderately paced hike around Pleasant Lake located in the heart of North Oaks.  It takes us past some of James J. Hill’s original farm buildings as well as beautiful homes built along the lakeshore. The trail is wide, generally flat and consists of packed dirt and crushed rock. 

The memoirs of Frederick Douglass

The Fourth Friday Book Club will meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CDT on October 27 to discuss the life and narrative of Frederick Douglass.

'The Dictionary of Lost Words'

Mary Jane Towle will lead the discussion of The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.

Mississippi River walk—visit the oldest and the newest parts of Minneapolis

The walk along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis is always changing, with many attractions being added along both sides of the river and, now, the beautiful fall colors.

'Light' is the theme for October Photo Club meeting

All UMRA members with an interest in photography are welcome to attend the meeting of the UMRA Photo Club on Tuesday, October 10. We welcome photographers of all abilities. Most of us are struggling amateurs. We laugh a lot and learn from sharing and talking about our pictures.

Growing up Revell

Event Date: October 4, 2023, at 10:00 AM

This Family Reunion Project is about sharing family stories and learning about surprising family connections. I asked everyone to write an essay, prior to coming, about growing up in the Revell family.  The compilation of essays from three generations that was distributed at the reunion has become a family keepsake.

From the Mel-O-Glaze Bakery to Minnehaha Falls

We will meet at the Mel-O-Glaze bakery on 28th and Minnehaha Parkway and walk to Minnehaha Falls and then back again.