Events

The Towson University Retiree Association (91短视频RA) offers many events throughout the year for the enjoyment, engagement and continued edification of members. 

dan rodricks speaking
Dan Rodricks speaking at a 91短视频RA Fall Forum event.

Event Information 

91短视频RA events are wide ranging and include such things as: timely talks on current affairs, social get-togethers, informative talks by invited speakers and by members on their areas of expertise, virtual and live tours of both on-campus and off-campus facilities, conversations with university administrators and project directors, film discussions, non-fiction book group discussions, bicycle rides and many other types of events.

Events are open to all members and typically are held all year long. Upcoming events are posted below. Event announcements and details are also sent to members via email. Frequently, members are invited to bring guests.

Both 91短视频RA members and non-members interested in attending additional events on campus are encouraged to explore Calendars & Events,  Department of Music鈥檚 Events Calendar,  College of Liberal Arts Events and .

91短视频RA has a special relationship with the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Towson. Osher offers discounted membership and tuition fees for 91短视频RA members giving discounted access to classes, lectures, trips and special events.

Members are encouraged to make suggestions for events or to create interest groups. Have an idea for an event?  Email the 91短视频RA President to share your suggestion.

Upcoming Events

Please join us on Wednesday, September 17 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the film Yi Yi (Taiwan, 2000), directed by Edward Yang.

This is a modern film about a middle-class family鈥攆ather, mother, teenage girl, eight-year-old boy鈥攚here each member is facing basic problems such as love, family bonds, work pressures, death of a loved one, and so on.  Particularly interesting is the little boy, who asks questions his elders have learned to avoid; for example, what is the difference between what you see, and I see?  One fascination of the film is how modern and westernized the city of Taipei has become.  According to critic Victoria Meng, the characters in Wang鈥檚 films 鈥渟truggle to find maturity and meaning鈥� within this hybrid, cosmopolitan setting.

Yi Yi is available for free streaming on Kanopy from 91短视频, but not on Baltimore County Public Library.  There are five DVD copies at Baltimore County Public Library.  A streamed copy can be rented from Amazon for $3.59.

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  • Meeting ID: 913 2414 8560    Passcode: 59000689

  • Contact Peter Lev at if you have any questions.

Setember's Thirsty Thursday will be at Racer's Cafe, Harford Road and Taylor Avenue September 18th, 4pm to 6pm.- the 4th Thursday of the month. Racer's Cafe has 20 beer brands on Tap (plus all other kinds of 'adult' drinks).   

Park in the shopping center parking lot directly across the street from Racer's or in the lot behind Racer's (accessible from Taylor Ave, right before the light).  Metered parking is sometimes available directly in front of Racer's Cafe on Harford Road. 

If the weather is good, we can sit outside and visit in their beer garden. 

Come join us for libation and conversation.

For more information snd an email to Tom Maronick.

Please join us on Thursday, October 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins:  Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, and the Minimum Wage, by Kirstin Downe.  (Pub. 2009. 480 pages)

"Ms. Downey鈥檚 book offers fresh insights into a woman who profoundly influenced social welfare legislation in New York and the nation ... but has been largely forgotten as both a suffrage leader and labor advocate credited with a range of reforms, from fire escapes to Social Security, unemployment benefits to the minimum wage 鈥� Downey skillfully paints a portrait of a no-nonsense pragmatist."
鈥� New York Times, Sam Roberts, June 19, 2009.

"Arriving in Washington at the height of the Great Depression, Perkins pushed for massive public-works projects that created millions of jobs ... (and) breathed life back into the nation's labor movement ... As head of the Immigration Service, she fought to bring European refugees to safety in the United States. Her greatest triumph was creating Social Security.鈥�
鈥淏ased on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents and exclusive access to Perkins' family members and friends, Kirstin Downey's biography is the first complete portrait of a devoted public servant with a passionate personal life and a mother who changed the landscape of American business and society."
鈥�

"Perkins was the first woman cabinet secretary (and) ... also the longest-serving labor secretary in American history, a key architect of the New Deal, and an advocate for immigrants at the helm of the Immigration Naturalization Service (INS) when it was in her department."
鈥�

  •  for a discussion of the book.
  • Questions or problems, contact book group coordinator Jo-Ann Pilardi at .

The guest speaker is Alison McCartney, Dean of 91短视频鈥檚 Honors College. The topic is 鈥淐ivic Engagement in Retirement and at Towson.鈥�

More details to follow.

Please join us on Thursday, November 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World, by William Dalrymple (Pub. 2025, 432 pages)

Details to follow.

Please join us on Thursday, December 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book Class Clown: Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass, by Dave Barry.  (Pub. 2025, 256 pages)

Details to follow.

Additional Events Being Planned

  • Thirsty Thursdays
  • Discussion on topics of interest to members
  • Bicycle rides
  • Film group discussions
  • Non-fiction book group discussions

Recent Past Events

  • September 11 from 2 to 3:30 PM: Non鈥恌iction Book Group Virtual Discussion 鈥� How Democracies Die, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt.
  • June 25, 2025, from 11:30 AM 鈥� 1 PM: Office of the Presidents鈥� Luncheon to Celebrate All Retired Faculty and Staff at the 91短视频 South Campus Pavilion.
  • May 30, 2025, from 3 鈥� 4:30 PM: 91短视频RA Film Club 鈥� Virtual discussion of the film 鈥淲alkabout鈥� (Australia, 1971), directed by Nicholas Roeg.
  • May 29, 2025, from 4 鈥� 6 PM: 91短视频RA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Racer's Cafe, Harford Road and Taylor Avenue.

91短视频RA Flicker Event Photos

  • Check out photos from previous events on the .

Groups

As the listing below shows, there are several active special interest groups.

91短视频RA Non-Fiction Reading Group

This group meets regularly each month. If you are interested in participating please contact the group facilitator, Jo-Ann Pilardi at .

91短视频RA Film Group

The film group has been meeting regularly. If you are interested in joining, please contact Peter Lev at .

91短视频RA Bicycling Group

The bicycling group plans short rides depending on the weather. If you want to get involved, contact Jim Paulsen at .

There are plenty of opportunities to take the lead and initiate a new group. Local theater, hikes, crafts, genealogy, etc., await a member with an interest to take the lead. 91短视频RA will support your efforts and get the word out to members.