Community Support and Respurces
Renee Stainrod of the Maryland Department of Aging (MDA) presented information on how to access the State's support system for older adults.
Events
The Towson University Retiree Association (TURA) offers many events throughout the year for the enjoyment, engagement and continued edification of members.
Event Information
TURA 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 TURA members and non-members interested in attending additional events on campus are encouraged to explore TU Events Calendar, Department of Music’s Events Calendar, College of Liberal Arts Events and TU Today.
TURA has a special relationship with the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Towson. Osher offers discounted membership and tuition fees for TURA 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 TURA President Jim Roberts to share your suggestion.
Upcoming Events
TURA Film Club – Virtual discussion – Oct. 23, 3–4:30 PM.
Please join us via Zoom on Friday, October 23 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. for discussion of the film The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis (USA, 1999). Larry and Andy Wachowski became transwomen Lana and Lilly Wachowski at some point after 1999. The Matrix is an odd and original blend of philosophical, technological, literary, film and religious influences. There are echoes of the Allegory of the Cave from Plato’s Republic, and of the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard’s idea of reality as a simulacrum. The film attributes a future dystopia to AI, a striking parallel between 1999 and the AI concerns of 2026. Literary references include Alice in Wonderland and William Gibson’s cyberpunk novel Neuromancer. The film mixes several cinematic genres including film noir, science fiction, horror, Chinese martial arts, and anime. The martial arts connection includes the idea that physical, fighting ability is linked to spiritual development, a concept taken from some forms of Buddhism. And Neo, hero of the film, is presented as a Christian Messiah figure. All this in a popular action film that reached hundreds of millions of viewers!
Please note that The Matrix is not necessarily a great film despite those impressive cultural references, but it is certainly worth discussing. If you puzzled over The Matrix in 1999 or are watching it for the first time, please join TURA colleagues in interpreting this fascinating film.
Contact Peter Lev at PLev AT_TOWSON if you have any questions.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – Nov. 12, 4:30–6 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church by Kevin Sack (Pub. 2025, 480 pp.).
“Mother Emanuel is a masterpiece in which Kevin Sack tells the story of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Charleston, S.C., 'the most historic Black church in the South’s most historic city,' now best known as the site of an egregious act of barbarism: the killing of nine congregants on June 17, 2015, by a white supremacist." (NYT review)
From publisher's website:
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST • ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’ TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • A sweeping history of one of the nation’s most important African American churches and a profound story of courage and grace amid the fight for racial justice—from Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Kevin Sack
“A masterpiece . . . a dense, rich, captivating narrative, featuring vivid prose . . . expansive, inspiring and hugely important.”—The New York Times (Editors’ Choice)
“Race, religion, and terror combine for an extraordinary story of America.”—Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., bestselling author of Begin Again
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – Jan. 14, 2–3:30 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in the Age of Revolution by Amanda Vaill (Pub.2025, 600 pp.).
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – Feb. 11, 2–3:30 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in the Age of Revolution by Amanda Vaill continued (Pub.2025, 600 pp.).
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – Mar. 11, 4:30–6 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan (Pub. 2026, 496 pp.).
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – Apr. 8, 4:30–6 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond by Lydia Denworth (Pub.2020, 312 pp.).
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – May 13, 2–3:30 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt (Pub. 2024, 400 pp.).
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
TURA Non-fiction Book Group – Virtual discussion – June 10, 2–3:30 PM.
Join us for a lively discussion of the book – What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill (Pub.2022, 352 pp.).
For more information contact Jo-Ann Pilardi.
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
- October 8 from 4:30 to 6 PM: TURA Non‐fiction Book Group – Virtual Discussion of the book Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal and the Secret History behind Pearl Harbor by Christine Kuehn.
- September 30 from 3 to 4:30 PM: TURA Film Club – Virtual discussion of the film Souleymane’s Story directed by Boris Lojkine (France, 2024).
- April 16 from 4 to 6 PM: TURA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Michael's Café, 2119 York Rd, Timonium, MD.
- February 28, starting at 2 PM: Towson versus Cambell University Basketball Game.
TURA Flicker Event Photos
- Check out photos from previous events on the Towson University Retiree Association Flicker page.
Groups
As the listing below shows, there are several active special interest groups.
TURA Non-Fiction Reading Group
This group meets regularly each month. If you are interested in participating please contact the group facilitator, Jo-Ann Pilardi. A listing of all books previously discussed by the group is available here.
TURA Film Group
The film group has been meeting regularly. If you are interested in joining, please contact Peter Lev.
TURA Bicycling Group
The bicycling group plans short rides depending on the weather. If you want to get involved, contact Jim Paulsen.
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. TURA will support your efforts and get the word out to members.