This newsletter is brought to you by Human Resources.
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Retiree Spotlight: Bill Alberta |
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We recently caught up with retiree, Bill Alberta, founder of the Cornell Elves program, who retired from Cornell Career Services in 2012.
Tell us about your history at Cornell and your last position held before retiring.
I was the first person in my family to attend college and although I enjoyed the experience at the bachelor's level, the campus was small and limited in many ways. When I came to Cornell in 1974 to continue my education, it was one of those "love at first sight" situations. I loved everything about Cornell but especially the beauty and complexity. Back then the Education Department offered a two-year master's program in "Counseling & Administration in Higher Education" which I had barely squeaked into. It suited me to a tee. I had taught public school for five years and wanted to move on to college work. This was a great path to follow.
When I completed my degree I tried very hard to find a job in Ithaca but was unable to do so. Instead, I became the director of a career office at one of our community colleges. After five years there I was able to land a job as director of the career office in Cornell's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. I stayed in that position for twenty years, assisting all students, freshmen through PhD.'s as well as many alumni. I counseled students, conducted workshops, made tailored presentations to classes, and managed an on-campus recruiting program for employers who wanted to hire our students. After retiring from that position I took a job in Cornell's central career office where I managed a large career library and specialized in advising students in several career areas - nonprofit, government, environment, and teaching. I was there for eleven years and loved it, largely because it brought me into contact with students from all across the University and so many bright young people who wanted their careers to focus on doing good things.
What is your best memory at Cornell?
One of my best memories of Cornell as a student was the times I spent in Andrew Dickson White Library, the small and very beautiful library within Uris Library. I loved to study there at night, sitting on a sofa or easy chair. I could look out at Libe Slope and the city below and think how great it was to be in that place, especially as a Cornelllian.
What are your plans for your retirement?
I stay very busy in retirement. Our daughter's family lives next door to us on West Hill so we are able to spend lots of time with our two grandsons, ages four and one. What a joy that is! My wife and I mentor one or two young people at a time, those who have experienced serious troubles and need to find a positive path forward. The Elves Program keeps us busy too, especially in the fall (see below). I enjoy having the time to pursue my hobbies in stone masonry and woodworking and love to follow Cornell athletics, both the men's and the women's sports.
Tell us about the Elves Program!
My wife and I started The Elves in 1989 by purchasing some holiday gifts for children in need at one of our local elementary schools. The program grew rapidly from there as more and more people learned about it and wanted their local school to be included. To date, we have sponsored 16,280 children from 40 schools and programs. The combined value of these gifts, $125 worth per child, is $2,335,000. We help only the children who are identified by their school social worker or nurse as being among those in the very greatest need. We learn only first names and last initials. We have no overhead costs whatsoever and every child receives new clothing and toys from our checklist of items.
Most Elves are Cornellians but many other people have joined, including folks at Ithaca College. People either sponsor a child or make a donation so someone else can do the shopping. One of the wonderful spin-offs is the enthusiastic involvement of offices, departments, and groups. Full information is available on our website. I invite you to take part!
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Local & Virtual Activities |
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Ithaca YMCA Discounted Day/Guest Passes with Cornell ID
From December 20, 2021 - January 24, 2022, Cornell retirees can use their Cornell ID at the Ithaca YMCA and receive a special rate of $10/day (in accordance with current policies). Activities available include classes, lap swimming, fitness center usage, and general facility usage.
Please check the YMCA of Ithaca's website or call (607) 257-0101 with any questions, including hours of operation, class schedules, and vaccination policies.
If you are interested in purchasing a YMCA membership, please contact Nick Barlow, Membership Director at (607) 257-0101.
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Meatless Mondays Cooking Class
Monday, December 20, 2021, 4:00 PM
This online nutrition and cooking class focuses on making a holiday favorite without meat and in healthier ways! We will explore different types of non-animal proteins, and some easy substitutions that make existing recipes vegetarian or vegan to mix up your protein routine.
Contact SNAP-ED Nutritionist Sarah Grant Curless at (607) 272-2292 voicemail ext. 252 with questions or to sign up.
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New York Public Library Free Online Events
The New York Public Library presents a variety of virtual events during December that are available to everyone:
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Online Holiday Music Trivia, Tuesday, December 21, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00 PM. Are you a fan of Holiday music? Join the library online for a fun trivia game and test your holiday music knowledge! You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate, and the link will be sent to you by email approximately one day before the program.
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Brain Games, Thursday, December 23, 2021, 10:30 AM. Spend an hour with some library friends stretching our mental muscles with different cranial activities. Each session will feature some relaxing centering time, along with everything from word games to trivia, to get your needed mental fitness workout. Tips, books, and resources on how you can continue your exercise from home will also be provided.
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Build a Better Budget, Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 12:00 - 1:30 PM. As we ring in the new year, you might be looking for a fresh start with your finances. Budgeting can be a simple and effective tool to help you understand what you can spend while still saving, investing, and paying down debt. Stephanie Genkin, CFP® explores a simple (but not necessarily easy) framework to organize your money so you can begin to work on your most important goals in 2022.
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AARP NY New Year, New You: Add Health to Your Lifestyle for 2022
Monday, December 27, 2021, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Ready to work on a new YOU for 2022?
AARP NY teams up with experts from Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute to offer no-cost lifestyle strategies for a healthier you! Join this 90-minute Zoom webinar covering evidence-based suggestions supporting a healthier lifestyle including:
- nutrition
- restorative sleep
- physical activity
- stress management
- relationships
- avoidance of risky substances
- enjoying nature
- finding joy
- purpose
This interactive Zoom webinar will offer tips and reminders for good health. Bring your questions to the experts and join us to get inspired to achieve your best health in 2022.
*Please always consult with your physician before adopting a new exercise regimen.
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Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
Step back in time and enjoy the holidays the old-fashioned way with Dickens Christmas, as Skaneateles Area Businesses give a gift to the public for their continued support throughout the year. Plan now and join the Village of Skaneateles this holiday season.
An annual tradition, the celebration runs every Saturday and Sunday through December 23, from noon to 4 pm, plus December 24 from noon - 2:30 PM. Charles Dickens and his cast of over 40 characters will interact with residents and visitors in the streets, stores, and restaurants. Don't miss lively acts at the Gazebo, live music, unique shopping, wonderful food, and horse and wagon rides around the Village.
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As part of your holiday plans, be sure to join in a First Day Hike on January 1, 2022, to celebrate the New Year in the outdoors. Gather with family and friends at one of the more than 80 hikes being held across the state.
DEC and State Parks invite New Yorkers to kick off 2022 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State.
The event options for hikes range from self-guided treks to staff - or volunteer-led hikes, with some locations offering multiple options allowing people the time and space to social distance while still enjoying nature's winter wonders. The walks and hikes are family-friendly and typically range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions.
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Museum Book Club
Wednesday, January 5, 2021, 4:00 PM
Gary Nabhan, an ecologist from the North American Southwest, is a recipient of a John Burroughs Medal for distinguished writing in the field of natural history and a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “genius grant.”
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Lights on the Lake
Nightly through January 14, 2022, 5:00 - 10:00 PM
Lights on the Lake is a two-mile-long drive-thru show featuring towering holiday displays, larger-than-life Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, colorful section arches, memorable animated scenes, and a fairy tale magic grand finale!
This annual holiday tradition will be held as a drive-thru event this year due to the pandemic. To ensure social distancing, no runners or walkers will be allowed to walk the route but visitors can still get into the holiday spirit by safely driving through.
Tickets are sold by the carload and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are limited and are sold by the specific date so buy ASAP to secure the date that you have in mind.
Carload Pricing ("carload" is any vehicle with a listed seating capacity of 16 or less):
- Mondays and Tuesdays - $6
- Wednesdays and Thursdays - $10
- Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - $20
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Loaves and Fishes Free Holiday To-Go Meals
Friday, December 24, 2021, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
210 N. Cayuga Street St.
Ithaca, NY
Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County provides a place for free meals, hospitality, companionship, and advocacy for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances. They will be offering free holiday to-go meals and all are welcome!
Donations are also being accepted for new, adult-size hats and gloves and home-baked cookies and treats. Cookies, bars, and other goodies are greatly appreciated. They can be delivered on plates, platters, or boxed, or bagged 4-5 in ready-to-serve baggies. Donations can be dropped off at the kitchen, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 3:00 - 6:00 PM through December 22.
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2022 Estate Planning Practicum
Cornell Law School is pleased to announce the return of its Estate Planning Practicum in the Spring of 2022. As in the past, the course will assist those who do not have access to an estate planning attorney and will provide clients with a basic estate plan that includes a last will and testament, a living will, a health care proxy and power of attorney, all customized according to the client’s wishes. Law students will prepare and finalize these documents under the supervision of attorneys who specialize in trusts and estates.
Clients must meet income eligibility guidelines as this service is free of charge. The income limits are as follows:
- Single - less than $25k annually
- Family - less than $50k annually
Clients should understand that this service requires at least two meetings with students; the initial meeting which may be done remotely, such as by Zoom, is to lay out the basics of the estate plan. The last meeting, which must be in-person, is to sign, witness, and notarize the final documents.
In addition, once chosen to participate, clients will be expected to commit to follow through with appointments, giving at least 24-hour notice if an appointment will be missed. Please be aware that participation is very limited and those who miss appointments without notice and re-scheduling will be dropped from the list. Notification of client selection will begin in February of 2022.
If you are interested and meet the income guidelines, please email
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One-on-One Tech Help Appointments at Tompkins County Public Library
Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) is offering one-on-one tech help appointments through February 2022, in their Digital Lab. Times and dates vary.
Patrons can book an in-person appointment with a librarian or volunteer technology tutor for help with downloading ebooks and audiobooks, as well as basic computer questions.
Please contact Tom Fredette at (607) 272-4557 ext. 271 with any questions.
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Grieving Together: Ongoing General Support Group
This Hospicare group meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month via Zoom from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
This group is for anyone 18 years of age or older grieving a loss, regardless of when the death occurred.
Registration is required. Please contact Laura Ward at 607-272-0212. Login details will be provided after registration.
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Help Cornell Employees in Need Through the Employee Emergency CARE Fund
During the holidays, we often look for ways to help our communities. The Cornell community has contributed in many positive ways to help those in need. One of the ways Cornellians help is by contributing to the Employee Emergency CARE Fund, which offers financial assistance to current staff and faculty members who have experienced financial hardship due to a catastrophic event.
The CARE Fund is financed mainly through gifts from employees, and we also welcome gifts from people like you, our esteemed retirees. Your contribution helps employees repair homes after floods, manage unforeseen medical bills, and move to safe housing after leaving domestic violence situations. During these challenging times, every gift is appreciated. You can make a one-time gift or participate in other ways, like donating your recyclable bottles and cans through IthaCan & Bottle Return. Find out more about how you can give.
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Put a Freeze on Winter Fires
Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest at this time of the year when families and friends get together. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are once again teaming up to promote winter fire safety through their campaign, “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.” The goal of the campaign is to educate the public on increased fire risks during the months of December, January, and February.
“Half of all home heating fires take place in December, January, and February,” said Geoff Dunn, Community Preparedness Coordinator with Tompkins County Emergency Response. “Many of these fires are the result of cooking, heating, and holiday decorations such as lights, Christmas trees, and candles.”
As you stay warm and deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart and follow these simple tips:
- Only use holiday decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.
- Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires, excessive wear, or loose bulb connections.
- Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
- Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is a fire hazard.
- Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Know where to meet outside your home.
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, and outside all bedrooms.
- Cooking is the main cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Stay in the kitchen when cooking at high temperatures, like frying, broiling, or boiling.
For additional information, contact your local fire department or visit Tompkins Ready.
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Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays
The holiday season is here and our furry family members are often part of the celebrations! With seasonal trees, plants, decorations, and food, there are many things that can harm your pet.
To help keep your pets safe during the festivities, we have put together a few resources:
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Miscellaneous Articles & Webinars |
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