SUNY COBLESKILL MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO MAINE-FARMINGTON 79-73 IN NAC ACTION

Cobleskill, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill men’s basketball team returned home on Friday evening to drop an extremely physical contest to the visiting Beavers of the University of Maine-Farmington in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) action by a score of 79-73 at the Iorio Gymnasium in a battle between the league’s Eastern and Western Division leaders. With the loss the Fighting Tigers are now 12-4 overall with a 4-2 record in league play while the Beavers move to 9-4 including a 5-0 record in NAC action. 

Trailing 56-46 with 12:35 remaining in regulation the Fighting Tigers tied the contest at 70-70 with 1:37 left to play on a short jumper by junior guard Iziah Pigott, Brooklyn, N.Y, Urban Assembly High School/Dutchess Community College, on a feed from senior forward Justin Feldman, Chester, N.Y., Chester High School/Orange Community College. 

However, that was as close as the home team would come as the Beavers outscored Cobleskill 9-3 down the stretch to secure the victory. 

First-year swingman Jeremy Rosario, Colonie, N.Y., Colonie High School, keyed the Fighting Tiger comeback effort coming off the bench to score a team high of 14 points to go with three rebounds and an assist while Iziah Pigott tossed in 13 points, grabbed four rebounds and passed out four assists.  

Cobleskill also received strong inside play from Justin Feldman with 11 points, four assists and three rebounds and from junior center Markel Jenkins, Elmira, N.Y., Elmira High School/Corning Community College, with 10 points and a team high of nine rebounds.  

The Fighting Tigers will close out the weekend’s action on Saturday January 14 when they host the Hornets of Northern Vermont University-Lyndon for a conference meeting with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. 

Me.-Farmington at SUNY CobleskillJanuary 13, 2023 Final 1 2 T Me.-Farmington 42 37 79 SUNY Cobleskill 38 35 73 Me.-Farmington PLAYER MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS STARTERS   22 - Drew Storey - f 18 1-2 1-2 0-0 1 4 5 0 0 0 2 2 3 45 - Silas Mohlar - f 30 1-2 1-2 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 1 5 55 - Jack Kane - f 34 7-14 0-0 5-7 4 10 14 1 2 3 4 4 19 10 - Zachary Mickle - g 35 4-7 1-3 0-1 0 3 3 6 2 1 5 1 9 14 - Terion Moss - g 37 7-19 1-3 0-3 0 3 3 8 1 0 2 2 15 RESERVES   32 - Nathan Poulin 27 9-13 4-8 2-2 2 3 5 0 0 0 1 4 24 41 - Dylan Griffin 6 0-1 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 50 - Will Harriman 13 1-3 0-0 0-0 3 4 7 0 0 0 1 1 2 TM - TEAM 2 2 4 0 0 TOTALS   30-61 8-19 11-17 12 32 44 17 7 4 16 15 79     49.2% 42.1% 64.7%   SUNY Cobleskill PLAYER MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS STARTERS   33 - Justin Feldman - f 26 4-8 2-3 1-1 0 3 3 4 0 0 0 2 11 32 - Markel Jenkins - c 28 4-7 0-0 2-3 5 4 9 1 1 1 2 2 10 03 - Andre Starks - g 32 3-13 0-6 0-1 3 2 5 5 0 0 3 1 6 05 - Iziah Pigott - g 25 5-14 0-6 3-4 2 2 4 4 1 0 2 4 13 20 - JaNyve Smith - g 25 1-9 0-0 3-4 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 5 RESERVES   01 - Keaton Goldsby 11 3-7 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 3 8 02 - Shaun Johnson 6 2-4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 11 - Quanire Greene 10 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 21 - Jeremy Rosario 17 6-10 2-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 1 14 23 - Trent Lomax 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 24 - Chace Peterson 16 0-1 0-0 1-2 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 25 - Jermaine Wheeler 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 TM - TEAM 2 4 6 0 0 TOTALS   28-73 7-22 10-15 16 24 40 17 7 1 13 17 73     38.4% 31.8% 66.7%   Game Information Date/Time: January 13, 2023 - 5:30 pm Location: Cobleskill, NY Technical fouls: Me.-Farmington-None ; SUNY Cobleskill-None . Officials: Matthew Burks,Tyree Allen,Dan Greenwald Attendance: 95

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Jump-Starting Retirement Plans for Small Businesses

If you are among the nation’s more than 31 million small business owners1, you likely spend much of your time juggling day-to-day activities of your business. While handling the here-and-now, it can be easy to put off planning for the future. 

If retirement planning has fallen on your back burner, it’s time to bring it to your forefront. As a small business owner, you deal with a different world of retirement plans than somebody who is employed in a more conventional manner – making it all the more important to closely explore your options when deciding what’s right for you.

Plan options to consider

Self-employed individuals or business owners should be sure to fund IRAs as much as possible. In 2023, the annual limit for 2023 is $6,500 ($7,500 for those age 50 and up). Funding IRAs is only a starting point. Here are a few other options for business owners to consider: 

Solo 401(k)s

This offshoot of the traditional 401(k) plan can be established if you – or you and your spouse – are the only employees of your business. It offers the ability to direct the largest potential contribution annually. As much as $61,000 can be set-aside in 2023 ($68,500 for those age 50 and older). This comes from a combination of employer and employee contributions. There are initial costs and efforts needed to start and maintain the plan as it requires a plan administrator. Earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis and contributions made by an incorporated business can be deducted from business expenses. For non-incorporated businesses, the owner can deduct contributions from their personal income. For those with employees, a full 401(k) plan can be established, though different rules will apply.

SEP IRAs

This is very similar in structure to Solo 401(k)s with two main exceptions. Costs are minimal as it does not require the support of a plan administrator and it can cover employees. In this plan, all contributions are made by the employer equal to no more than 25 percent of compensation or a maximum of $66,000 in 2023. The employer can determine what percentage of compensation to set aside each year, but it must be consistent for all employees, including the owner. 

SIMPLE Plans

These plans allow businesses with fewer than 100 employees to establish either a SIMPLE IRA or SIMPLE 401k for each employee. Employees can make salary deferral contributions of up to $15,500 ($19,000 for those 50 and older) in 2023. Employers are obligated to provide a matching contribution in SIMPLE 401ks of three percent of compensation for employees who elected to defer or two percent for employees who did not elect to make contributions. 

Your business as a retirement asset

Of course, monetizing the value of your business may be another way you fund your retirement. If your business can continue to operate successfully without you, then it should have value when it comes time to retire. Ideally, planning for any kind of business transition should start years before a sale occurs. Selling your business to a current employee may be one option to consider, or you may want to look for potential outside buyers. 

As a business owner, you have unique challenges – and opportunities – when it comes to planning for a successful retirement. Talk to a financial advisor about how to put a strategy in place to assure your long-term financial security.

1 U.S. Small Business Administration, “2020 Small Business Profile.”

###

Michael D. Lanuto, CRPC®, AWMA® is a Financial Advisor with S.M. Miller & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Albany, NY.  He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 7 years. To contact him: 518-949-2039; 4 Atrium Drive, Ste 200, Albany, NY, 12205; Michael.Lanuto@ampf.com; https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.lanuto/lp/request-contact/3/. 

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results.

Investment products are not federally or FDIC-insured, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

© 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

File #3707704 (Approved 08/2022)

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Bassett Healthcare Network Expanding K-9 Security Program in 2023

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network announced today it is expanding its K-9 security program in 2023. This past fall, the team welcomed Coal, a bicolor German Shepherd, and his partner, Ryan Salisbury. An additional K-9 unit will join the health system this winter.

 

Officer Ryan Salisbury poses with Coal.

Bassett’s growing K-9 Security team is possible due to the generous support of Jane Forbes Clark of Cooperstown. “We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Clark for her generosity,” says Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “Over the past few years, Bassett’s K-9 program has been very successful. We are so proud of the important work our K-9 unit and Security personnel do every day to keep our patients, visitors, and staff members safe.”  

Coal and Ryan started on September 27, 2022. The two had been training together since August. Coal, along with Bassett’s other security K-9, Hudson, rotate across Bassett’s hospital and clinic campuses to help meet the increased security needs health care workers face today. Bassett Healthcare Network, like hundreds of other health systems and hospitals across the country, has seen a significant uptick in instances of physical and verbal assault towards health care workers in recent years. K-9 units are often able to quickly defuse tense situations before they escalate.

 

Salisbury sees Coal’s positive effect on difficult situations every day. “If people are getting agitated and they see a dog coming, it settles them quickly," says Salisbury. "Meanwhile, it gives others in the room a sense of safety.”

“Coal and Hudson are extremely intelligent, highly in tune with their environments, and adaptable to the moment,” says Harold Southworth, director of Public Safety and Transportation at Bassett, who has led the development of the organization’s K-9 program. “They add a new level of expertise and human connection to our Security team.”

 

K-9 dogs can offer comfort and reassurance. “Patients, staff, and visitors are always happy to see Coal—especially kids,” says Salisbury. Like Hudson, Coal will have his own baseball-style trading card available for young patients and visitors who wish to collect them.

 

A third dog, a German shepherd named Ryker, recently retired from his duties as a K-9. He served as part of Bassett’s Security team for more than a year. “Ryker provided amazing service to our patients and employees,” says Southworth. “Ryker has now retired, and we are grateful for his service. Jared, his former handler, remains part of our Security team. Ryker is enjoying his retirement with Jared's family.”

 

In addition to its K-9 units, Bassett’s Security Department consists of more than 60 security officers who staff five hospitals and over two dozen regional health centers, acting as a safety resource for staff, patients, and visitors. They respond to emergencies and are the organization’s liaison with area law enforcement.

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Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill Announces Second Cohort of Farm and Food Business Accelerator Participants

COBLESKILL, N.Y. – The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill and the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE) are proud to announce the second cohort of entrepreneur participants of SUNY Cobleskill’s USDA-funded Farm and Food Business Accelerator. Over the next 18 months, through access to strategic support services and professional facilities, Accelerator participants will launch new value-added products to the regional marketplace and capitalize on a collective $500,000 investment into product development and business growth.

Participants are selected based on their potential for growth and impact on the local farm and food sector. Each has been carefully vetted to ensure they will have economic impact in the Mohawk Valley region. The second cohort consists of the following growers and producers:

Empty Pockets Ranch – Cobleskill, NY

King Creek Farms – Delanson, NY

Old Homestead Farm – Richfield Springs, NY

Lovin’ Mama Farm – Amsterdam, NY

Van-Dale Farms – Central Bridge, NY

Broadwell Dairy – Carlisle, NY

The first Accelerator cohort consisted of nine participants and launched in December 2021. Since then, 21 new products have been introduced to the local farm-to-table market. “Through the success of our first cohort, we have proof of concept of the transformative potential of this Accelerator program, and its ability to create positive impact for small business on an individual scale, and on a larger scale, the entire regional food system,” said Dr. Scott Ferguson, executive director of the Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill. “The members of this next cohort show the same promise, and we are excited to get underway and once again expand our reach and capabilities by working together and sharing resources.”

Participants receive access to a complete suite of services and resources from SUNY Cobleskill and CADE, tailored to each’s specific needs. Services include support with new product development from food science experts, completion of a scheduled process from the Cornell Food Venture Center, technical support on marketing strategy, legal and financial advisory services, and outreach assistance to develop a network of distributors, retailers and wholesalers, institutions and restaurants, in the Mohawk Valley and beyond.

Cohort members also have access to SUNY Cobleskill’s on-campus, shared-use facilities, which include a dairy processing center, USDA-inspected meat processing facility, commercial kitchens, packaging equipment, and use of the Carriage House Café & General Store for conducting retail pilots and market research.

The Farm and Food Business Accelerator is made possible through a $741,271 grant from the USDA Agriculture Innovation Center, and was one of just three centers funded in 2020 by the USDA, nationwide. Through additional funding from other sources, the program represents a total investment of $1,121,002. The grant funds resources specifically earmarked for cohort members, as well as dedicated staff at SUNY Cobleskill and CADE to address identified needs of farm and food entrepreneurs in the Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and Southern Tier regions.

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Adaptive Sports Foundation and Windham Mountain to Host 5th Annual ASF Awareness Day

WINDHAM – The Adaptive Sports Foundation and Windham Mountain are teaming up to host the Fifth Annual ASF Awareness Day on Saturday, January 14, which will include festivities celebrating the foundation all day, highlighted by a free concert by The Nerds that evening. 

 

The ASF will have a tent at the Windham base lodge from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., where skiers, snowboarders and passersby can learn about the organization’s mission, how to get involved and donate. The tent will also have games for people to play and will have raffle prizes and giveaways. At 10 a.m., the ASF Race Team will compete in the ASF Awareness Day race, with the award ceremony for the participants occurring at 2 p.m.

 

After the day of skiing ends, the ASF and Windham Mountain will hold a concert at SEASONS featuring rock ‘n’ roll cover band The Nerds at 4:30 p.m. General admission to the show is free.

 

During the band’s first set break at 5:30 p.m., the ASF will conduct a very special torchlight parade down Windham Mountain’s trail Whiteway as a tribute to the memory of former Chairman of the ASF Board of Trustees Harvey Silverman. Silverman, the foundation’s first-ever chairman, played an integral part in building the Adaptive Sports Foundation from a small winter program based out of a room in the Windham base lodge to what it is today; a year-round service for the disabled community that operates out of its own slope-side lodge. Silverman passed away in the summer of 2022. 

 

After the torchlight parade, Windham Mountain will put on a fireworks show before The Nerds hit the stage again to perform until 7 p.m. For more information about this day of celebrating the athletic abilities of the ASF’s adaptive athletes, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/awareness-day-2023.

 

The Adaptive Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides profound and life changing experiences for children and adults with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses through outdoor physical activity, education, support and community. For more information about the ASF, visit adaptivesportsfoundation.org. 

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Audubon to Lead Member Trip to View Local Bald Eagles

[Oneonta, NY- REGIONAL] Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) will be leading a field trip to view wintering Bald Eagles around the Delaware County rivers and reservoirs on Saturday, January 14, 2023.  Eagles concentrate around open water in the region to feed, and recent trips have turned up 20+ birds.  Other raptors and waterfowl are usually sighted also.  We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch for interested participants. This trip is limited to DOAS members, and pre-registration is required at the DOAS website (form is linked below and includes the option to join). Memberships will also be available on the day of the trip. Register at https://doas.us/events/eagle-viewing-trip-for-doas-members/ The trip will leave the Dietz St. parking lot across from the YMCA in Oneonta at 7:30 a.m. Participants can also be met en-route in Delhi and Walton. Carpoolers: Please be prepared to follow COVID protocols while ride sharing based on driver and passenger preferences. Return to Oneonta will be mid to late afternoon. For further information, contact Andy Mason, (607) 652-2162, AndyMason@earthling.net.

Bald Eagle, Photo by Rick Bunting.

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Two Bassett Leaders Selected as Becker's Rising Stars in Healthcare

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that two of its leaders have been recognized as Rising Stars in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review, the respected industry publication.

“Congratulations to both Deanna Charles and Henry Knoop on being included in this exceptional group of health care professionals,” said Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “We are very proud that not one, but two Bassett leaders are recognized as Rising Stars in Healthcare for their deep dedication to patient care and their outstanding performance.”

Deanna Charles is Senior Vice President, Chief Ambulatory and Transformation Officer at Bassett Healthcare Network. She is a member of Bassett’s executive leadership team and is responsible for all ambulatory and outpatient operations. She heads strategic planning to support continuous growth and development to advance quality care and the patient experience.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be recognized as a Becker's Rising Star. Over these last five years, I have found Bassett to be more than just an employer, it's a family. It is a privilege to work alongside my colleagues, peers, and friends each and every day,” said Ms. Charles. “I look forward to continuing our mission to improve the health of our patients and well-being of our communities in the new year.”

Henry Knoop IV, PA, is Chief Advanced Practice Officer and Associate Chief Clinical Officer, one of Bassett's highest clinical roles. He has been instrumental in Bassett’s rapid telemedicine advancements during the pandemic – and now virtual medicine’s continued evolution – to better serve its patients.

“I am really proud of the work we are doing here at Bassett with a focus on our rural community and patients. It is very exciting to help shine a spotlight on our incredible team and everything we have accomplished during an unprecedented time in healthcare. In my role as Associate Chief Clinical Officer, I look forward to continuing to advance the care delivered at Bassett through our quality, access, and patient experience initiatives,” said Mr. Knoop. 

"Emerging leaders in healthcare are focused on accessibility, affordability and boosting the patient experience. They are an impressive group of enthusiastic and inspiring individuals with big goals to shape the future of healthcare delivery. Becker's is proud to recognize the rising stars in healthcare, focused on leaders with a diverse background from across the industry who are 40 years old or younger. We accepted nominations for this list and selected members based on their quick ascent within their organizations and drive to improve patient care," states Becker’s.

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CCE Directors to Meet Jan 25th

January 25, 2023, at 6:30pm

 

 

The Board of Directors of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will meet at the Hamden office at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

“Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County at 607-865-6531 by January 19th, 2023 to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.”

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Gardening: Choose Your Own Adventure

Gardening: Choose Your Own Adventure

In the dark days of January, gardeners sometimes find themselves overwhelmed by dazzling seed catalogs and online offerings. Everything looks wonderful and it is hard to decide what to pick or what to plant. Join Otsego Master Gardener, Francine Stayter, on Saturday, January 21, at 10 a.m., for Gardening: How to Choose Your Own Adventure, a hybrid workshop in-person at the CCE Education Center in Cooperstown, or virtually via Zoom.

Cornell has many resources that can help you make decisions that suit your garden to give you the right plants for the right place. In this workshop, Ms. Stayter will discuss how to use some of these resources, from selecting from seed catalogs, to seed starting, to planting your 2023 garden, that will help you choose your best gardening adventure.

This workshop is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required by Wednesday, January 18th. To register and for more information, go to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Gardening-Adventure_243 or call 607-547-2536 x0.

Otsego Master Gardener Volunteers have been specially trained and certified by Cornell University Extension with a mission to provide education on a broad range of horticultural topics and practices based on university research and recommendations.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Accommodations for persons with special needs may be requested by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties prior to a program.

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MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER PRODUCTION SCHEDULED AT PAUL NIGRA CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS

Gloversville, NY – The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is hosting an original Murder Mystery Dinner Theater production, “A Roaring Rubout or Who Plugged the Palooka?” on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The production, written by Roberta Esposito, includes a storyline that takes place during the Roaring 20s and features performers from the Esposito-led Foothills Family Productions. 

Tickets are $55 per person and attendees are encouraged to put on a flapper dress, zoot suit, or throw on a boa or fedora to join the fun at this interactive experience.  Price of ticket includes dinner and the show, with dinner prepared by Chef Wally Hart.  Members of the Nigra Arts Center receive a 20% discount on tickets.  Reservations are required and there will be a cash bar available. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or by calling the Nigra Arts Center at (518) 661-9932.

Because of the nature of the production’s storyline and performances, seating will be assigned. If there are seating requests please indicate that upon registration. If attendees have any dietary restrictions it is requested that the Arts Center be apprised of this at least one week prior to the performances. The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville, NY. 

 

About the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts:
The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is a beautiful, year-round arts center open to the public. It houses premium art venues, hosts fun family events and provides educational opportunities for persons of all ages and levels of ability. The Nigra Arts Center also offers exceptional spaces for private parties or business events. The Nigra Arts Center was founded in 2015 by The Arc Lexington, an accredited, award-winning provider of disability services. For more information, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

 

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Bushel presents its January Community Film Pick: Summer of Soul

Bushel presents its January Community Film Pick: Summer of Soul

DELHI—As part of its Community Film Picks series, Bushel is excited to heat things up with a screening of Summer of Soul (2021), directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The film will be shown on Friday, January 20, 7 pm. Doors open at 6:45 pm; screening begins at 7pm, followed by a DJ set 9–10:30 pm with Darwin Marcus Johnson. This program is free to attend. Masks are optional but encouraged; please remain home if you are feeling ill. 

Summer of Soul is the acclaimed filmmaking debut of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. This powerful and transporting documentary is part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture, and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was largely forgotten, until now. Summer of Soul shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, and more. Summer of Soul premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award.

Bushel thanks Christina Hunt Wood for her film pick! Wood is a visual artist and Bushel collective member. She describes herself as a “local gal and opinionated sugar plum” who loves to hike, bike, and run.

Community Film Picks is a once-a-month film night at Bushel taking place on third Fridays at 7 pm. Bushel invites the community to propose films for future screenings. For information please email: info@bushelcollective.org. Upcoming: Latcho Drom on February 17, 2023, picked by Jonathan Kane.

BUSHEL is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, volunteer-led, mixed-use space dedicated to art, agriculture, ecology, and action. It is located at 106 Main Street in Delhi. For more information, go to www.bushelcollective.org.

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Financial Wellness Programs for Businesses

If you’re a small business owner, chances are that at least some of your workforce is stressed and distracted by worries about money, making them more frazzled and less productive on the job. Studies show that 73% of Americans say their finances are the number one cause of stress in their life.1 And for those who are employed, nearly half say that personal financial issues create distractions at work.2

These statistics could paint a worrisome picture of the mental health of your employee population. They could also impact your company’s bottom line. Each year, employers lose an average of $1,900 per employee in lost productivity due to financial stress.2 This helps explain why more and more employers are making financial wellness programs available as a workplace benefit.

Financial wellness is mutually beneficial for both employees and employers. Such programs can improve your company’s fiscal health while boosting your employees’ productivity and engagement. Let’s take a closer look at employee financial wellness programs and the benefits they can bring to both employees and employer.

What is an employee financial wellness program? 

Employee financial wellness programs are programs that help employees better manage their finances and reduce financial worries. As such, they contribute to a better overall financial wellbeing for employees.

When it comes to employee financial wellness, employers can implement a variety of different programs and offerings. Some focus solely on financial education, while others layer employer matching, financial assistance, and other opportunities into the equation. 

Educational-focused programs, for example, may provide employees with financial workshops about homeownership, retirement savings, budgeting, or debt management. Employer matching programs may involve matching a certain percentage of retirement contributions employees make to their 401(k) or to student loans. And other types of financial assistance could include tuition assistance, medical bill negotiation, or financial planning subsidies.

The key to a successful financial wellness program is first determining the specific needs of your employees so that you can more accurately meet those needs. Different workforces will have different financial situations and necessitate different programs.

Why is it important for employers? 

In a recent survey, nearly 70 percent of employers say they recognize the value in offering financial wellness programs to make them more competitive in hiring and retaining employees.3 If you haven’t explored a financial wellness program for your employees, you may want to consider how adding one could benefit your organization. Doing so may provide:

• The potential to enhance workplace satisfaction as your employees gain greater confidence about their financial direction in life. 

• Improved productivity among employees who are no longer overwhelmed with concerns about their financial situation

• Better retention of employees, who find enhanced gratification from work that they are confident is fulfilling their financial needs

• The potential that employees who carry less stress about their financial well-being will enjoy greater health, resulting in fewer medical issues and reduced health care costs. 

Financial wellness programs should be looked at as an attractive add-on to your company’s total compensation plan.  

Plans can be structured to suit the needs of your business. Reach out to your financial advisor. Ameriprise Financial and other firms have programs that can be designed to benefit your employees.

1 2021 CreditWise National Get Smart About Credit survey. 

2 2020 PWC Employee Financial Wellness survey.

3 MassMutual Financial Wellness Trend Study, Feb. 2020.

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Michael D. Lanuto, CRPC®, AWMA® is a Financial Advisor with S.M. Miller & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Albany, NY.  He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 7 years. To contact him: 518-949-2039; 4 Atrium Drive, Ste 200, Albany, NY, 12205; Michael.Lanuto@ampf.com; https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.lanuto/lp/request-contact/3/. 

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Snowshoeing at Landis Sunday!

SECOND SUNDAY SNOWSHOE

JANUARY 8

1:00 - 3:00 PM

Meet at the Barn

(This would be a fun last-minute gift ...)

If you have joined us for Sec­ond Sun­day Snow­shoe, you will be look­ing for­ward to the new sea­son. If you haven’t yet par­tic­i­pat­ed, we invite you to join us from 1:00 - 3:00 for a fun event. If there is no snow, the event lead­ers will take par­tic­i­pants on a win­ter hike, and every­one ends up back at the Farm House for hot cocoa and good conversation.

We'll be back for Sec­ond Sun­day Snow­shoe on Feb­ru­ary 12 and March 12. (the March event will feature Fred "the Tree Man" Breglia, our executive director, who will provide instruction in dormant tree identification during the event!)

January instructor: Susan Strangia, volunteer coordinator

February instructor: George Steele, nature educator

March instructor: Fred Breglia, executive director

Registration: Mem­bers: $5 or mem­ber fam­i­ly $15; Non-mem­bers: $15, non-mem­ber fam­i­ly $25.

Call 518−875−6935 or email info@​landisarboretum.​org for more infor­ma­tion or to reg­is­ter. You can also reg­is­ter online using Pay­Pal (small admin­is­tra­tive fee).

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Elmo's Speed & Supply-Chassis Seminar

( ALBANY, N.Y.)- In an effort to help racers improve their off track maintenance program, which will hopefully translate into improved on track performance, Elmo's Speed & Supply of Burnt Hills, N.Y. will host a North East-Chassis Seminar on Saturday, February 25th. at the Polish Community Center located at 225 Washington Avenue, Extension in Albany, N.Y. 12205.

 Chris Reckner of Elmo's Speed & Supply has lined up a full day of presentations by some of the top manufacturers in auto racing, thus offering anyone interested the opportunity to gain more knowledge geared toward the North East-Dirt Modified.

  With a format of How to Keep it Simple & Tune for Success,Topics to be discussed include Basic Maintenance, Tire and Wheel preparation/ maintenance, Braking for success, Understanding exhaust for performance, Basic shock functions, Basic spring functions, Tuning your shock/ spring package. And a question & answer session.

 Guest speakers are tentatively scheduled from Bicknell Racing Products, Fox Shocks, Swift Springs, Wilwood Brakes, Gale Force Suspension, Henry's Headers & Exhaust, and Jam Performance.

  A light breakfast is included and also lunch. Space is limited, so reserve your ticket now. Registration fee is $120 per-person or a 5 person package for $500. For those wishing to stay overnight, reduced lodging rates are available.

 Door prizes will include Keizer Wheels, Swift Spring 4 pack, Complete Henry's Crate Exhaust, Mad Skins outer body kit, Complete set of Jam Performance/ Fox steel shocks, and more.

 To reserve a spot. Please call or text 518-429-4746, E-mail creckner17@gmail.com, or message their facebook page.

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Missing Davenport Man Found

From the New York State Police:

Update: Mr. Sikora has been located.  He is safe.  Troopers searched for Sikora daily after receiving a report on December 26 to check on his welfare.  Troopers searched his home and the area surrounding it, local stores, hospitals and with relatives and friends.  Thanks to the public for any assistance and tips you gave us!  

 

Original release: New York State Police at Oneonta is asking for the public’s assistance with a missing person. 

Theodore W. Sikora, age 78 of Davenport, NY has not had any contact with his friends or family in over two weeks.  Sikora was last seen on December 23, 2022 at a local gas station.  Sikora does not have a cell phone.  Troopers have checked with relatives, friends and local hospitals but have not been able to locate Mr. Sikora.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact New York State Police at (607)561-7400, case 11214954. 

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Bassett Healthcare Network Welcomes First Baby of 2023

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network’s Birthing Center in Cooperstown welcomed the first baby of 2023 at 3:15 a.m. on January 2. Ezra was born to parents Calvin and Sarah Hardy of Jordanville. Their little boy weighs 8 pounds and is 21 inches long. Ezra has two older siblings – a brother, Oliver (5), and a sister, Leah (3). Calvin and Sarah are thrilled about the arrival of their baby boy. “We thought Ezra would make his appearance in 2022,” said Sarah. “But we’re so happy he decided to arrive in the New Year – we can’t believe he is officially the first baby of 2023 at Bassett! We’re very excited to move into the New Year with a bigger family.” In 2022, 975 babies were born at Bassett Medical Center’s Birthing Center.

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