UT Shield

Travel, Interest Groups, Events and Activities

Members and their guests may participate in any or all of the following groups.

TRAVEL COMMITTEE

EXCITING NEWS – ANNOUNCING 2027 RFSA TOURS!

APRIL 3 – 11, 2027: SPAIN’S COSTA DEL SOL & MADRID

Explore the southern coastal region of Spain visiting Malaga, Marbella, Ronda, Granada, Alhambra and Madrid, only changing hotels once!

Fares start at $4149 including round trip economy airfare and insurance is additional.

Located in the Spanish region of Andalusia, Costa del Sol, or Sun Coast, has appealed to citizens of Europe—and the rest of the world—for centuries. With its mild winter temperatures and abundant sunshine, it’s no wonder it’s long been a retreat for northern Europeans escaping harsher winters. Here, golden sands line the Mediterranean coast, while small towns and whitewashed villages with cobblestone streets pepper their shores. For all its recent history, the region has been in the path of explorers and settlers for thousands of years and boasts incomparable historical monuments to prove it.

Madrid is a vibrant city where history, art, and lively Spanish culture come together beautifully. From world-class museums and grand landmarks to delicious tapas and stylish plazas, it’s the perfect destination for a fun and memorable group adventure. From sunlit coastlines to the capital city energy of Madrid, this is Spain in perfect balance.

WATCH PREVIEW TRIP VIDEO – OR – BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW

JUNE 8 – 19, 2027 – CANADA & NEW ENGLAND CIRCLE, MARITIMES & NEW FRANCE CRUISE

Sail with Holland America on the St. Lawrence from Montreal to Quebec City, Newfoundland, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Halifax to Boston.

Fares start at $3804 with airfare and insurance additional.

Escape the Texas heat and journey on a Holland America cruise from Montréal to Boston. Cruise the scenic St. Lawrence River, uncover the French charms of Quebec’s cities and towns, and call on three dynamic Newfoundland ports.

Cruise staterooms sell out quickly on this VERY POPULAR Holland Cruise!! You may want to consider signing up for the cruise ASAP to have a better choice of staterooms. Trip Preview Meeting will be scheduled soon!

VIEW INFORMATION FROM THE TRIP PREVIEW MEETING – OR – BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW

OCTOBER 1 – 9, 2027 – IRELAND’S “IRISH GOLD”

Explore the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Galway, Kilarney, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and several Irish cultural experiences.

Fares start at $3675 with airfare and insurance additional.

Join in on this thoughtfully designed Ireland tour on a 9-day, 8-night fully guided tour which explores the most acclaimed sights and scenic byways of West and South Ireland, including beautiful Connemara.

WATCH TRIP PREVIEW VIDEO – OR – BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW

This trip is currently SOLD OUT, buwe are anticipating that additional seats will become available. If interested in being placed on the wait list, contact Lori Threatt at lori@relaxedescapes.com.

RECENT TRIP PHOTOS:

Co-Chairs: Kathy Armenta or Richard Armenta 512-262-7019. Contact Lori Threatt (our travel advisor) at lori@relaxedescapes.com

SPEAKER SERIES

These events will be held at a branch of Austin Public Libraries (Yarbrough, Howson and Old Quarry), generally on the second Wednesday of each month. Speaker Series includes Finance/Investments, Interdisciplinary Topics, Health and Discussion Topics.

UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

Wednesday, September 30: “Rightsizing Part II: Your Home, Your Options, Your Next Move” with Nancy Guilloteau, PhD, Realtor, McGuire Team and Bramlett Partners. Yarborough Branch Library, 2200 Hancock Dr.

Whether you are considering a future move, preparing to sell in the spring market, or hoping to remain comfortably in your current home, this program will help you explore your options with confidence. Join Nancy Guilloteau, Austin’s Realtor-Professor, for an update on Austin-area housing conditions, what today’s buyers are looking for, and how to prepare a longtime home for a successful spring sale. We’ll also explore the three paths to rightsizing: adapting and simplifying your current home for the long-term, moving to a smaller or lower-maintenance home, or considering a senior-living community. Guest panelists will share guidance on aging in place, local senior resources, and how to begin evaluating assisted-living options before a decision becomes urgent.

Co-Chairs: Phil Kelton, 512-466-9120, Alice Reinarz, 979-571-7723

View photos from the Speaker Series

FOODIESFoodies 10/21/22 at Sawyers & Co.

The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for RFSA members and a guest to experience interesting restaurants in Austin and to socialize.  Guests will be responsible for their own costs.

Chair: Robert Lawrence, 512-585-6208

View photos from the Foodies group

Blanton Art Museum, May, 2026

ARTS AND CULTURE

This group informs our members of all types of art and culture events: Museums, Music, Dance, Theater, Lectures and more (both on and off campus).

Co-Chairs: Hillary Hart, 512-423-5022 and Madeline Sutherland-Meier, 512-565-0906

COME FROM AWAY: Through September 27 at Zach Scott Theatre. You might remember Kevin Tuerff, UT graduate, and collaborator on several RFSA events. Kevin’s life changed on September 11, 2001, when US airspace was closed due to the World Trade Center bombings. Kevin’s jet, along with 37 others, was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, where that small town suddenly had 7000 unexpected guests. The Tony award winning Broadway show “Come From Away” is based on real Gander residents and real stranded passengers, including Kevin, and how that small town managed it all. After his 9/11 experience he created Pay It Forward 9/11 (payitforward911.org) to pass forward the kindness that was shown in Gander. This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. And Zach Scott is putting on “Come From Away” through September 27. Kevin will be at the after-show talk-back on August 19 & 20. Tickets may be purchased online at Zach Scott Theatre.

“Saturday Samplers” at Laguna Gloria: Siobhán McCusker will be hosting two “Saturday Samplers” on Saturday, October 3 and Saturday, November 21 (1:00 – 4:00 PM), entitled, “Cultivating Creative Practice for Brain Health”. These workshops will involve looking at a few sculptures in the glorious gardens, using museum pedagogies to slow down and look closely together, and generating a simple creative response. The burgeoning field of Neuroaesthetic research supports looking at or making art for our health and well-being. Simple creative practices—daily or weekly doses—support flourishing, benefiting everything from cognitive health to mental health and mobility.” Sign up for either of these workshops here: https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/courses/saturday-sampler-cultivating-creative-practice-for-brain-health/

EVENTS AND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES: 

View photos from the Arts & Culture group

BRIDGE

The Bridge Group meets on the first Monday of each month in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Texas Exes provides free parking in the garage, as well as free iced drinks and coffee.

We play party bridge, not duplicate, and you do not need to provide your own partner. If you want to join the group or have your name added to the mailing list, you may reserve a spot by contacting Mary Kay Hemenway (mkhemenway@utexas.edu).

Chair: Mary Kay Hemenway, 512-913-6058

View photos from the Bridge group

ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES

TEXAS EXES SUPPORT and COORDINATION: Carol Barrett [512-840-5657]

Volunteerism and Service Learning – Volunteerism and Service Learning’s programs offer students the chance to learn outside the classroom, focusing on service and leadership to learn about the world and themselves during their time at The University of Texas at Austin. VSL envisions a world in which all students become lifelong citizens, embodying the University’s core purpose: “to transform lives for the benefit of society.”

OLLI (Oscher Lifeling Learning Institute) – The University of Texas at Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (UT OLLI) is where curious adults can enjoy classes in a relaxed community of friends, among leading scholars and experts, who share a fascination with exploring new areas of knowledge and traditional disciplines.

AROHE (Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education) – RFSA is a member of this international organization. AROHE champions transformative practices to support all ages of faculty and staff retirement, the mutually beneficial engagement of retirees with one another and with their institutions, and their continuing contributions to campus and family life. By sharing research, innovative ideas and successful practices, AROHE supports the development and enhancement of campus-based retirement organizations and programs which support retirees’ lifelong engagement in higher education. The association is an excellent resource for retirement organizations and their membership in assisting with the varying stages of retirement.