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!
September 2026
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!
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:30 AM Johnson Museum
Explore an approachable method of loom weaving in this workshop facilitated by local artist and educator Cody Curran. Participants will learn the basics of this textile art and have access to a mix of yarns to create their own design and finish their project at home.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2:30 PM Johnson Museum
Explore the Johnson Museum on this free, one-hour tour guided by a Museum Public Engagement Intern. A conversation-based experience, visitors will explore artworks on view from the permanent collection as well as our current exhibitions.
No registration required! These tours can accommodate a maximum of 16 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 44th Annual Apple Harvest Festival
The Apple Harvest Festival, held annually in downtown Ithaca, is a beloved community event celebrating the bounty of the fall season.
Featuring local farmers, artisans, and vendors, the festival offers a vibrant array of delicious apple-themed treats, fresh produce, unique crafts, and live entertainment. Visitors can enjoy farmstand fresh apples, seasonal baked goods, diverse food trucks, and a craft fair showcasing regional artisans.
Live music and entertainment add to the festive atmosphere, while downtown shops offer great apple-inspired products. This family-friendly event draws visitors from near and far to savor seasonal flavors and experience the charm of Ithaca in autumn.
Festival runs September 25-27. For more information, please see the event web page.
Cat Video Fest 2026
Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM and Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM Cornell Cinema
Join Cornell Cinema for an afternoon of laughter in service of our feline friends! Cat Video Fest is a joyous communal experience, only in theaters, that raises money for local cats in need through partnerships with cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters.
Presented by Oscilloscope Laboratories, this annual family-friendly festival is a compilation reel of the latest, best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and, of course, classic internet powerhouses. (Keyboard Cat, we’re looking at you.)
Special event ticket pricing applies! A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the SPCA of Tompkins County.
For more information, please visit the event web page.
Cornell Homecoming
Homecoming is all about Cornell spirit. Every fall, the community gathers in Ithaca to relive favorite traditions and make new memories. Check out these family-friendly Homecoming events:
Fireworks and laser light show - Friday, October 16, at Schoellkopf Stadium. We’ll light up the sky and celebrate the spirit of Cornell. Event starts at 7:30 PM and is free of charge.
Cornell Football vs. Lehigh - Saturday, October 17, 2:00 PM at Schoellkopf Stadium. Tickets are needed for this event.
For more information, please visit the event web page.
Learn to Curl
With cooler weather arriving, curling season is just around the corner—and there’s no better time to give it a try!
The Finger Lakes Curling Club is excited to host two Learn to Curl sessions this fall at the Rink in Lansing on Saturday, October 10 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Each session includes:
A short introduction & video (20 minutes)
On-ice instruction (35–45 minutes)
A friendly game (about 45 minutes)
Their fall season officially begins October 24th, and Learn to Curl is the perfect way to see if you’d like to join us for a full season of fun on the ice. Register here.
Chucho Valdés 85th Birthday Celebration
Friday, October 23, 2026, 7:30 PM Bailey Hall Tickets
The Dallas Morse Coors Concert Series kicks off with NEA Jazz Master and winner of seven Grammy and seven Latin Grammy Awards, the Cuban pianist, composer and arranger Chucho Valdés. He is the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. In a rich career spanning sixty years, Chucho has pushed boundaries in pursuit of new expressions in Afro-Cuban music. Chucho celebrates his 85th birthday in 2026 with an exciting new program featuring special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles.
Insectapalooza
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Stocking Hall
Join this annual, one-day Insect Festival hosted by the Department of Entomology at Cornell University. Insectapalooza is an interactive, hands-on experience that features hundreds of live insects, spiders, and other fascinating arthropods. Insectapalooza is fun and educational for children, teens, and adults of all ages.
Popular favorites include the Arthropod Zoo and live specimens. Exhibits explore the extraordinary Cornell University Insect Collection, pollination, plant-insect interactions, biodiversity of ants, bees, and soil insects, and how bugs work. Learn how to combat arthropod pests like the spotted lantern fly, ticks, and mosquitoes.
There will be short workshops on beekeeping, pollinator gardens, and reducing the impacts of lantern flies and ticks.
Upcoming Flu Vaccine Clinics
Getting vaccinated each year is the best way to protect yourself – and others – againstseasonal influenza.
Each fall, Cornell Health partners with Wegmans Pharmacy to provide our annual on-campus flu vaccination clinics.
Clinics are:
Offered at different campus locations
Open to all – students, staff, faculty, retirees, student spouses/partners, and other community and family members (age 3+)
FREE for all students, staff, faculty, & retirees (other community members: the cost will depend on your insurance; most plans cover flu vaccination)
For more information and dates of the clinics, please visit Cornell Health's web page.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Retirement Income
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 10:00 AM, virtual Register
In this webinar from TIAA, learn how to plan ahead and create income that lasts the rest of your lifetime.
Develop a diversified income strategy that helps you manage risk and protects your financial security in retirement.
2026 Senior Living Expo
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Hotel Ithaca
Discover more than 30 local programs and services designed to help older adults live safely and independently at home, in senior housing, or in care facilities at the Senior Living Expo. Free 10-minute fall risk screenings by physical therapists will also be available.
Admission is free. Call 607-274-5450 for details.
Community Mobility Assessments
Monday, September 21, 2026, 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Lifelong, 119 W Court Street, Ithaca
Reilley PT and the Ithaca College Doctor of Physical Therapy Program are offering free Annual Mobility Assessments for community members. During this screening, physical therapy students, supervised by licensed physical therapists, will assess walking, balance, strength, and other skills. Participants will receive a personalized mobility report card that shows how their results compare to others in their age group. The assessment is free, takes about 20–30 minutes, and is designed to support healthy aging and mobility.
Native Landscapes: Management and Planting Strategies at NYS Parks
New York State Parks is increasing the use of native plants in our shared public spaces, following a native plant policy that encourages using beneficial species in all landscaping and gardening projects. In this discussion we will go over management strategies that help horticulture staff balance aesthetic and ecological goals in landscape restoration and garden sites around the Finger Lakes state park region. The pros and cons of different planting and establishment strategies will also be discussed.
Instructor's bio: Max McCune has been a Horticulturalist at New York State Parks since 2018, he works to design, maintain and manage native plant restorations and gardens throughout the Finger Lakes region. Prior to his work at parks, Max worked at plant nurseries and sustainable farming operations in Ithaca and in his hometown of Hiton, NY. Max has a bachelor’s degree in history from SUNY Oswego.
This class is offered either online or in-person.
Understanding Your Utility Bill
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 12:00 PM, virtual Register
Join CCE Tompkins Community Energy Advisors Mary Keefe & Leigh Miller for a virtual presentation that will demystify the charges on your electricity bill and share ways to reduce your energy costs. Have your recent electricity bills handy to refer to during the workshop.
Topics covered include:
Reasons for higher electric bills
Energy cost savings measures including:
Energy Assistance Credits
Home Energy Assessments
Incentives for home weatherization and heating system upgrade
This workshop is brought to you by Smart Energy Choices, a program of CCE-Tompkins serving 8 counties in the Southern Tier.
Volunteer with the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? The Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes (CRCFL) is seeking compassionate volunteers to support individuals and families affected by cancer throughout our region.
Whether you enjoy working directly with people, helping behind the scenes, assisting with special events, or sharing your professional skills, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities available to match your interests and schedule. Volunteers play an essential role in helping us provide free support services, educational programs, and resources to those navigating a cancer diagnosis.
They welcome retirees and community members who are looking to make a positive impact while connecting with others in a supportive and rewarding environment.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit their website, www.crcfl.net or contact Jennifer Harris at jenniferh@crcfl.net.
Join them in making a difference. Your time and talents can help bring hope, support, and compassion to our neighbors facing cancer.
