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Help Welcome New Retirees
A virtual Kudoboard has been created for the Cornell community to share videos, photos, and written messages of recognition and thanks to our participants of the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program. We would like to invite you share messages and help us prepopulate the Kudoboard prior to it being shared with the VRI recipients and the broader Cornell community on Wednesday September 2nd through the Faculty and Staff Newsletter.
 
Retiring is not an easy decision for some, and may have been more difficult for our employees during this time given the current environment and the nature of the program. Several of our VRI participants have requested to remain anonymous. We kindly ask that you keep your messages general to recognize all retirees. We have created printable poster and Zoom background templates on the Kudoboard that you are welcome to use to capture your message.
 
Thank you for recognizing our amazing employees who will soon be joining our wonderful community of retirees.
Stay Active & Engaged
Bird Migration Webinar
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 12:00 pm

Tune in to the next Cornell Lab of Ornithology webinar about fall migration and be ready for some great birdwatching! In September and October, billions of birds will migrate from the U.S. and Canada to the tropics. The Lab’s BirdCast project can let you know when to expect them around your hometown. How? BirdCast uses weather radar to predict when pulses of heavy migration will be coming through. Research associate Adriaan Dokter and Lights Out project coordinator Julia Wang will explain how it works and answer your questions.

For more information, contact cornellbirds@cornell.edu.
Panel Graphic Novel Book Club
Monday, September 14, 2020 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

Adults are invited to celebrate their love of this diverse and subversive medium. Registration is required, and books will be provided for participants. The September meeting will focus on All American Girl by Robin Ha, a moving graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how art can save a life.

Register through the Tompkins County Library online calendar and receive an email with details on how to access the workshop.

For more information contact Sophia McKissick at smickissick@tcpl.org.
Virtual 4-H Duck Race & Compost Fair
Cornell Cooperative Extension's 4-H Duck Race and Compost Fair will take place at noon on Sunday, September 13, 2020 -- this year the ducks are going virtual!
 
4-H Duck chances are available to purchase online. One duck chance is $5.00 or a flock of five is $20.00. Each entry is assigned a number corresponding with the duck(s) prior to the event. Numbers will be available 10:00 am Sunday, Sept. 13th. Participants have the opportunity to join in the fun from the safety of their home. Winners will be announced by our special guests. Check back to the website over the next couple of weeks for more details.
 
Top-finishing ducks win great prizes donated by local businesses and individuals. Grand Prize is $750 cash "nest egg." Other prizes include GoPro Hero Action Camera, Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones, grill, KitchenAid Mixer, gift certificates and more!
Women Thriving Through Exercise
Lifelong and the Cancer Resource Center are presenting a second exercise series for women 55+ and any age cancer survivor, beginning September 15. Moderate cardiovascular and strength training exercises will be taught virtually. You will use your own body weight and resistance bands. The class is free of charge and participants must be willing to commit to one-hour long weekly classes for 8 sessions. Held Tuesdays from 4- 5 pm beginning Sept 15th.

Instructor: Bailey Colvin is a certified personal trainer, cancer exercise trainer and cancer survivor herself.

If interested, please contact Tammy Dunn at tdunn@tclifelong.org
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Cortland County Area Agency on Aging Offerings
The Cortland Area Agency on Aging has several offerings that may be of interest:

  • Pen Friends is a social isolation program by the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging, based on randomly selecting pen pals for our area seniors. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pen Friends reinstates the old ideas of writing your thoughts on paper and sharing with your friends.  
 
  • Senior Zoom Social Hour: Every Wednesday from 10:00 - 11:00 am video or phone call in options available. an opportunity to discuss how we are all doing through the pandemic and answer any questions about aging and have fun!


For more information, please contact the Agency at 607-753-5060.
Volunteer to be a Speaking Group Discussion Facilitator
Do you like working with international students and learning from others who may have different life experiences? Have you traveled abroad or are planning to? Are you interested in learning about other cultures? Join the English Language Support Office’s Speaking Groups Program this fall as a Discussion Facilitator! It’s a great way to connect with new people on campus.
 
Facilitators commit for 8-weeks of a semester to help lead and organize small weekly 1-hour discussions with international graduate students. This program brings together international graduate students and fluent English speakers for language support and conversations about culture, academic interests, and campus life. Groups begin meeting on a remote platform the week of September 21 and continue until November 14.

For more information, contact the English Language Support Office (ELSO) Speaking Services Coordinator Melissa Myers at mm177@cornell.edu or visit the Speaking Groups Program website.
In the Garden
Saving Your Own Garden Seeds
Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Learn to save your own flower and vegetable seeds for next year’s garden and to share with others! Participants will learn the basic principles of seed saving, such as which home garden species you can save seed from, how to harvest, clean and process, and how to store them for the next year. Learn the basics of saving wet seeded crops such as tomatoes and peppers. 

Instructor Jennie Cramer is our Horticulture Program Manager and coordinates the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. She is a former conservation biologist with expertise in organic gardening, regenerative agriculture, natural history and botanical education. $10-$30/person sliding scale, pay what you can afford.
Food Preservation Zoom Classes
Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga is offering a series of free food preservation classes taught by Diane Whitten, CCE Nutrition Educator and Cornell Certified Master Food Preserver.

  • Friday, September 11th, 11:00 am, Canning Salsa & Tomatoes: Learn how to can whole and diced tomatoes, plus make salsa. This class will cover the basics of canning in a boiling water bath or steam canner, including equipment needed. Register


  • Friday, September 25th, 11:00 am, Dehydrating Fruits & Vegetables: Learn tips and techniques for getting quality dehydrated fruits & vegetables. This class will include a discussion of types of dehydrators. Register

For additional information, contact Diane at dwhitten@cornell.edu.
Caring for Others
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Thursday, September 10, 2020 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

This free event, hosted by the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging’s Caregiver Resource Center, covers the basics of Alzheimer’s and dementia, examines what happens in a brain affected by Alzheimer’s, details the risk factors for and three general stages of the disease, identifies FDA-approved treatments available to treat some symptoms, discusses what’s on the horizon for Alzheimer’s research, and offers helpful Alzheimer’s Association resources.

Call 315-472-4201 x227 to register. * Please note this Program held virtually by the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter. When you register you will be sent an email on how to join. 
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Course
Tompkins County Office for the Aging is offering a six-week educational program designed to provide caregivers with tools to take care of themselves.

Participants will learn to:
  • Reduce Stress
  • Improve self-confidence
  • Better communication skills
  • balance their life
  • increase ability to make tough decisions
  • locate helpful resources

Each class will be 90 minutes and is offered free of charge to those caring for spouses, parents, or other adult relatives/friends. This is not intended for professional caregivers.

Classes begin September 10th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm and will be held online via Zoom. Call 607-274-5482 to register.
Cornell Caregiver Support & Education Network
You are warmly invited to attend virtual meetings of the Caregiver Support & Education Network. Caregivers connect monthly to share the challenges and joys of caregiving, exchange resources, and occasionally listen to speakers presenting on topics of interest to caregivers.

Our caregiving meetings, workshops and webinars are made available through Zoom so you can join us from the privacy of your own office or home. Registration is required. Email sdb39@cornell.edu and a Zoom link will be sent prior to the meeting. 

Next meeting, "Maximizing Cornell and Community Adult/Eldercare Resources" will be Thursday, September 17th.
Powers of Attorney
Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 10:00-11:00 am
 
Learn about the importance of Powers of Attorney, pitfalls to avoid, and how to help remove uncertainty and stress.

Presenter: Emilee K. Lawson Hatch is an Attorney at Bousquet Holstein. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, and elder law. When possible, most individuals want some sort of control over their final wishes. And, they want to make decisions easier for loved ones. Emilee assists many of her clients in navigating their end-of-life choices.
  
Questions? Cal the Finger Lakes Independence Center at 607-272-2433.
Additional Resources
Library Offers Limited Internet and Self-Service Copy/Fax/Print Services
Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) now offers limited internet and self-service copy/fax/print services. Patrons of all ages will be able to use the internet for a max of 30 minutes per day. Due to social distancing requirements, TCPL can allow only one per person per internet station. Part of the reopening plan requires separate entrances and exits for staff and patrons. You will be asked to enter the building on the south side, through the door just beyond the Ezra Cornell mural. Please note that masks and six feet of social distancing are required to enter the building and must remain in place for your entire visit. You will be able to exit the building through the lobby facing Green Street.

Find more information here. Hours for this service coincide with the library’s in-lobby hours:
  • Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
AARP Safe Driver Class
CCE-Tompkins hosts the AARP Safe Driver Classes several times per year for drivers of all ages. AARP national has decided that in-person driver-safety classes will not be held for the rest of 2020 and classes will resume in 2021.

AARP has instructed CCE-Tompkins to direct interested participants to the online course as an alternative, especially for those who need to renew their car insurance discount. They are extending their special 25% off discount through the end of the year.

Please use promo code for 25% discount: DRIVINGSKILLS. Good through: December 31, 2020.
Miscellaneous Articles
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