The Cornell Retiree Newsletter brings together fun, enriching, and educational opportunities designed to keep our retiree community engaged, connected, and inspired. Check out what's new and upcoming below!
The ongoing public discussion of sexual assault at Cornell and across the country is affecting members of our community, including retirees, in deeply personal ways. Many Cornellians are survivors of sexual assault or other forms of interpersonal violence, while others have supported survivors in their personal or professional lives. For some, recent events may be resurfacing past trauma. Others may be experiencing anger, fear, sadness, uncertainty, exhaustion, or a combination of emotions. There is no single or expected response.
We recognize that these events may be especially difficult for survivors within our retiree community. Cornell has established a new website with information about the university's response, independent inquiry, accountability measures, and ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention, support resources, and institutional practices. This site will remain the university's primary source for updates.
Retirees are encouraged to explore the available resources and use the support services that may be helpful during this time, including the Cornell Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.
Questions about wellbeing resources available to retirees can be directed to wellbeing@cornell.edu.
Our Pollinators, Our Health
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
This virtual session focuses on insect pollinators — a group which includes bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles, flies, and ants — and on efforts to reverse the worrying population declines described in the popular press as part of the “insect apocalypse.” For the purposes of our discussion, we will focus primarily on wild bees, domestic honey bees (a non-native invasive species in North America), and butterflies.
Friday, October 30, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 PM Nevin Welcome Center
Join Cornell Botanic Gardens staff to observe the beauty and drama of nature unfolding on monthly nature walks. While exploring various paths and gardens each month, practice mindfulness by dedicating your attention to the present moment and fully observing and appreciating the amazing plant transformations that take place throughout the year. Walks will be held rain or shine.
This month-long celebration of silent film highlights Ithaca’s role in early movie making history, produced by Wharton Studio Museum (WSM) in collaboration with many local organizations.
2026 marks the 15th year of this month-long celebration of silent film. The theme this year is Altered States in Silent Cinema and there is a wonderful lineup of films and events. WSM is very glad to once again be partnering with Cinemapolis, Cornell Cinema, The History Center, and Odyssey Book Store.
Although Ithaca might be better known for its gorges, vibrant community, and colleges, it also holds a macabre past. Find yourself face to face with the most haunted archival items in our collections (original murder masks, and items from unsolved crimes!) and explore the Haunted History of Downtown Ithaca with Heritage Ambassadors Sherri La Torre and Ben Sandberg. Dive into true stories of murder, jealousy, and insanity drawn directly from our archival collections. This program is for ages 16 to 116. Upcoming Tour Dates: October 28th, 29th, 30th. Tickets are $20/person. Tours begin at 6 or 7:30 PM on each date (unless otherwise specified). The tour will take about 75 minutes of walking in Downtown Ithaca. Registration required. For more information, please visit the event web page.
Halloween Afternoon Contra Dance with the Spring Chickens
Enjoy live music by the Spring Chickens, and calling by David Smuckler! This wonderful band is visiting from Vermont, and David from Syracuse - come have a fun afternoon dancing in the Memorial Room! Lessons will be 1:30-2pm, with dancing continuing from 2:00-5:00pm! Contra has overlap with swing, square, and other American folk dance types. No experience is needed, and you don't need to bring a partner.
Living History Museum of Central New York
The Living History Center in Cortland is a museum complex that consists of four different museums all pertaining to different aspects of local history.
The Homeville Museum that has a significant collection of military, local, and train history.
The Brockway Truck Association component features the history of the Brockway Truck Company from the beginning as a carriage company to manufacturing trucks through 1977 in Cortland New York. Antique trucks on display in the facility that rotate in and out from our collectors.
A new firehouse museum displaying antique fire equipment and elements of being a first responder.
A barn that once was a farm equipment dealer headquarters houses agricultural memorabilia including antique tractors as well as tools of farming and a dairying history for central New York. Also, Grandma's kitchen in the barn featuring bygone stoves, refrigeration etc, from the past.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. For more information, visit the museum web site.
Open Enrollment for Endowed Retirees
Monday, October 26, 2026 through Friday, November 13, 2026
In mid-October, endowed retirees enrolled in Aetna retiree health plans will receive an Open Enrollment Guide directly from Aetna by mail. Please review the guide carefully for information about your available health plan options and any contribution changes that will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Fall Open Enrollment Meetings: Cornell Benefits and Aetna Representatives will host an in-person presentations covering the 2027 retiree benefit plans. All presentations will be held in Suite 230, East Hill Office Building, Ithaca. If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available at hr.cornell.edu/retirees.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM
Reminder: No action is required to keep your current health coverage for 2027; however, if you become eligible for Medicare, Aetna will send you separate information about your coverage and any steps you may need to take.
Aetna’s dedicated Retiree Service Center remains available to assist you!
Thursdays, October 29 - November 19, 2026, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, virtual Register
Explore the various bodily systems that maintain our balance, and practice a variety of mental and physical exercises designed to strengthen balance, coordination, and overall bodily control.
This free,4-week series is appropriate for all fitness levels, and you will not need any specialty equipment to participate. No membership needed.
Stretch with Wellness
Mondays through November 23, 12:00 - 12:30 PM, virtual Register
Each session will include a combination of active, energizing stretches and soothing, relaxing stretches. Whether you are looking for movements to boost your energy in the afternoon or stretches to help ease tension, there is something for you. You can attend one or more of these drop-in sessions from anywhere, and you need not attend previous sessions to join later in the series. No equipment or Wellness membership is necessary.
Balance and Stability for the Long Haul
Thursdays, October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 2026, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Register
Have you been feeling unsteady on your feet? Are you looking to boost your balance and feel more stable as the winter weather arrives? Join Cornell Wellness for this 4-week series on all things balance. We’ll explore the various bodily systems that maintain our balance, and we’ll practice a variety of mental and physical exercises designed to strengthen balance, coordination, and overall bodily control. By the end of the series, you’ll feel prepared to take on potential balance challenges in the world around us.
This free, virtual series is appropriate for all fitness levels, and you will not need any specialty equipment to participate. Open to all faculty, staff, retirees, and their spouses/partners; no membership needed.
Friends of Tompkins County Public Library Book Sale
The Friends of Tompkins County Public Library will hold its annual Fall Book Sale over three long weekends in October, beginning Saturday, October 10. Over 220,000 gently used books, comics, graphic novels, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, games, and other items donated by community members, are organized into 70+ subject categories. The Collector's Corner offers rare and antiquarian books, first editions, collectible vinyl records, artwork, vintage toys and games, and more. Prices start low and drop each weekend. Special shopping days:
Dime Day (every item on the main floor is just 10 cents!): Monday, October 26, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Bag Day (BYO standard reusable bag and fill it for just $1 total!): Tuesday, October 27, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: 509 Esty St, Ithaca. Free parking lot across the street. For complete schedule and more details visit the sale event page.
Science in the Virtual Pub: Homeowners, Own Your Power
Tompkins Green Energy Network (T-GEN) is a community-wide energy transition service formed by the City and Town of Ithaca, New York to help any energy user design & purchase an onsite renewable energy system that combines solar power, geothermal heat/hot water & electric vehicle to convert monthly electricity, natural gas & gasoline bills into real equity.
Learn how the program is helping residents design and purchase an on-site renewable energy system, with bills converted into real equity, and how similar programs could be established in other communities.
Protect Yourself from Scams with Free Silver Shield Service
Scams are on the rise — and Tompkins County Office for the Aging is proud to offer a free tool to help keep our community protected.
SilverShield is a service that helps you identify scams and guides you through exactly what to do next. If you receive a text, email or phone call from someone not saved in your contacts — or anything that just doesn't feel right — send it to SilverShield first. SilverShield will tell you if it's real or a scam and walk you through exactly what to do next, step by step. No app needed!
Free licenses are available for Tompkins County residents through our office — spots are limited so sign up today! For more information or to get signed up contact the office at 607-274-5482.
Dementia Caregivers Research Study
Do you provide at least 10 hours of unpaid assistance/week to a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia? Assistance/help includes: Personal care, transportation, shopping/cooking, managing finances or medications, housekeeping
They are looking for participants aged 45+ for a research study on dementia caregivers’ experiences
The study involves completing questionnaires online and participating in an interview with a researcher. The study takes ~1.5 hours to complete. You will receive $30 for your participation.
All of your answers will be kept completely confidential. Contact researchers through healthyaginglab@cornell.edu or (607) 255-2457.
Cornell Institute Recruiting Survey Participants
Yang-Tan Institute researchers are recruiting participants for the study Making Work Work: Quality Work and Quality Care, which considers how disability and care work affect employment for care recipients and care workers. The study’s first phase focuses on people who use care services. This phase will continue into October 2026.
If you are an adult who relies on personal assistants or other home care workers in New York, Oklahoma, or Washington state, please take our online survey. One in 10 people who finish the survey will receive a $50 Tango gift card. Some survey participants will be invited to a 90-minute focus group or individual interview, to discuss how relying on home care workers can affect finding or keeping a job. In addition, participants who complete a focus group or interview will be sent a $50 gift card.
