Volunteer Spotlight! In Tune with Service: Spotlight on James Bondelid

Cornwall Manor is fortunate to be home to many talented and dedicated volunteers and we are proud to spotlight James (Jim) Bondelid, whose wide-ranging talents, deep love of music and commitment to community have made an extraordinary impact on life at Cornwall Manor. Warm, dedicated and endlessly curious, Jim brings enthusiasm to every role he embraces, enriching both the cultural and natural environment of our campus.

A native of Seattle, Jim began as a music major at the University of Washington and Reed College before shifting gears and earning his MBA in Finance. His first professional role was with one of Washington State’s wealthiest families, managing their investment portfolio. In Seattle, he met his wife Marti at a bus stop—an everyday moment that became a lifelong partnership. Married in 1980, the couple will celebrate 46 years of marriage this September. Marti originally studied anthropology, later found her calling as a Montessori teacher after their daughter, Liz, was born.

Jim and Marti’s lives took them from Seattle to Chicago for ten years and then to Philadelphia for two decades. In 1991, they welcomed their miracle baby, Liz, who now lives in Norway with her husband and two young children. Traveling to Norway to visit their grandchildren remains one of Jim and Marti’s greatest joys.

It was during their Philadelphia years that Jim first encountered Mt. Gretna through an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the Tour of Homes benefiting Gretna Music. Drawn by both the concerts and the nostalgic charm of the community, Jim became a volunteer with Gretna Music and was later introduced to Cornwall Manor through their Artistic Director.

When Jim and Marti retired during the pandemic, they moved to The Pines neighborhood in The Woods in 2021 and quickly became active participants in community life. Jim serves on the Residents Association’s Tree & Environment Committee, where he pursues his interest in native plants. He has also represented Cornwall Manor through PARCR, the Pennsylvania Alliance of Retirement Community Residents, which promotes resident education and civic engagement across the state. Jim is a Caring Friend volunteer in the Health Center, sings with CM Sings! and has taken on leadership of the Cornwall Manor Concert Series as Chairperson—working with the committee to bring high-quality, diverse performances to the Manor and to build a sustainable program for future chairs. He also enjoys long-distance biking, whether around campus, on the Rail Trail or through Governor Dick Park.

Jim’s lifelong love of music is woven throughout his personal history. His great-grandfather, who emigrated from Prague, was an orchestra leader, and Jim’s mother ensured he had piano lessons at a young age. He still treasures a 78 RPM record of The Nutcracker Suite, and Waltz of the Flowers remains one of his most cherished pieces. Among many favorites, Brahms’ First Symphony stands out. Jim also serves on the Board of the Lancaster International Piano Festival and enjoys discovering lesser-known Eastern European and Russian composers on YouTube.

Marti is equally dedicated to service at Cornwall Manor. She is an active leader within the Cornwall Manor Society, chairing the cookie sale for “Cookies, Crafts, Carols & More,” leading the Membership Committee, and assisting with the silent auction at the “Blooms & More Festival.” Together, she and Jim enjoy walks, dinners with friends, local concerts—including performances by the Harrisburg and Lancaster Symphony Orchestras—and, of course, trips to Norway.

Jim and Marti often say that while the natural beauty of Cornwall Manor first attracted them, it is the people who made it feel like home. We are grateful for Jim’s remarkable contributions and for the vibrant spirit he brings to our community.