UM Retirees' Association Newsletter

Winter 2024 Newsletter

UM Retirees’ Association--Winter 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to 2024 and to February, now that we’ve made it through January! The winter weather has been all over the map, not sure what we can look forward to in February and March! UMRA is presently scheduling events and activities for retirees for the spring semester 2024 and beyond.

Since our last newsletter, UMRA held a successful no-host lunch in November at the Blackfoot Café at Missoula College and enjoyed a tour of the culinary program. December found us at the new Montana Museum of Art and Culture on the UM campus for a docent’s tour. In January, retirees enjoyed seating in the President’s box for the Griz vs. Northern Colorado basketball game. The Board resumed its monthly meetings in January and welcomes any retiree to join via Zoom. The next board meeting is Monday, February 12, at 10 a.m.

Upcoming UMRA Activities:

Thursday, February 22, 3:15 p.m.: Tour the recently opened Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium, which features many hundreds of beautiful free-flying butterflies from all over the world. UMRA will pay for the tickets, getting the group rate, so the tour will be free to UM retirees. The Butterfly House is located near the northeast corner of the Missoula County Fairgrounds at 1075 South Ave. West. Enter the fairgrounds via South Ave. W. and turn left into Parking Lot C.  For more information about the Butterfly House and Insectarium, go to https://www.missoulabutterflyhouse.org/ 

Monday, March 25, 11:30 a.m.: No-host lunch at the Iron Griz, part of UM Campus Dining, an American bistro with southern flair. It provides opportunities for UM students to learn skills in hospitality, management, and guest service. Menu items range from $10 to $15, see www.irongriz.com/menu/ Space is limited. To reserve your spot, email Dan Doyle (DoyleDP@mso.umt.edu) by Wed., March 20th with your name and whether or not you will be bringing a guest. The Iron Griz is located at 515 South Ave. E. between the north side of the UM Golf Course and the Iron Griz Gardens.

UMRA Co-Chair Dan Doyle is planning additional outings for this spring. On April 18, we plan to return to the Missoula Public Library for a demonstration of 3-D printing and other technology in the library’s Maker Space. Other spring activities include the spring highway cleanup on Highway 200 in late April/early May and the 2023-24 retiree recognition reception on June 11. More information about those events will be forthcoming. As always, check our website at www.umt.edu/retirees for information on meetings and activities. In addition, we also refer you to the UM Events Calendar (https://www.umt.edu/events) for a listing of events and activities scheduled by campus entities.

Ongoing Activities: 

Cycling Group:  Weekly bicycle rides are on hold until the snow and ice are gone, but should resume in early spring. This activity is coordinated by Bob Wachtel; you can reach him at cyclingquailr@gmail.com for more information.

Mahjong Sundays and Mondays: Jack and Lily Eidswick are hosting mahjong games every Sunday and Monday at their home. Whether you’re familiar with the game or not at all, but have an interest to learn, please come and join our friendly get-together and spend a delightful afternoon of fun in a (stimulating) game of mahjong.  Questions?  Please contact Lily at lily.eidswick@gmail.com or 406-542-0603.

Retiree Privileges:

UMRA continues to pursue information on the status of retiree privileges, such as the recently revoked free campus parking for lifetime retirees. Working with LeAnn Layton, Alumni Association Director, who is the UMRA campus liaison, we are asking to have input and timely notification on decisions that impact privileges extended to UM staff, faculty and administrators at retirement. We are also seeking ideas for new privileges that might be provided.

Memorial Hall:

If you have visited the UMRA webpages on the UM website recently, you may have noticed the new Memorial Hall. This page has been created to list and honor recently deceased UM retirees, with the person’s name, department, dates of UM service, and date of death. A link to an obituary is also included, if known. A form is being developed that will be used to report this information to UMRA; in the meantime, please notify us of recent deaths at retirees@umontana.edu

UMRA Scholarship: 

The UMRA Scholarship will be awarded this spring to a University of Montana student, which includes those enrolled in Missoula College. The scholarship considers students’ financial need and academic achievements as well as campus involvement and commitment to the betterment of community and family. The individual must be a Montana high school graduate and have earned 24 or more college credits.

The current balance of $28,300 in the fund allows the endowment of a single scholarship. We are continuing to accept donations to reach a balance of $40,000 which will allow us to provide two scholarships from interest earned on the fund, without touching the principal. As you consider charitable giving for the year, be aware that the Montana Endowment Tax Credit may allow you to contribute to the fund. Montana taxpayers who make a qualifying gift to support UM may be eligible to receive a state tax credit of up to $10,000 for an individual or $20,000 for a couple and may also qualify for a federal income tax deduction.

Our Foundation Scholarship account is #6RY. Go to the UMRA website, www.umt.edu/retirees, for more information about the scholarship and how to contribute.

Attend a meeting: The UMRA Executive Board will meet next on February 12, 2024, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. You can join those meetings at https://umontana.zoom.us/j/7338946713  Remaining meetings for this spring are tentatively scheduled for March 11, April 8, and May 13, 2024. UMRA may have one or more vacant positions on the Executive Board so please reach out to a board member if you are interested in joining us.

 

Happy 2024!

Members of the Executive Board

Fred Allendorf

Howard Beall

Richard Daily

Claudia Denker-Eccles

Dan Doyle – Steering Committee

Tim Edwards

Kathy Frantzreb—Steering Committee

Gayle Hudgins—Steering Committee

Penny Jakes

Tom Seekins

Arlene Walker-Andrews—Web updates

Mona Weer

LeAnn Meyer - ex officio