Happy October! Have you seen any leaves turning colour yet? It's such a beautiful time of year in Canada and the months seem to be going by so quickly!
Since time is going by quickly, don't forget to log on to the website and member portal to manage your RSVPS for events!
If you haven't had a chance to signup to the portal, you can do so quickly and easily. Just go to the Account Setup link here, enter your information, and click submit. You'll see a Welcome page and can then access the portal.
If you'd like to review Account Setup with us, we'll be walking through it on Sunday at 2pm on Zoom after our usual 1pm session. Pls let us know if you'd like to attend at events@widowedfriends.ca.
Once on the portal, you can sign up for events, change your RSVP, check out some great new recipes, check out the Travel Club, photos from events and more.
Covid & Vaccine Update
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Thanks to Carolyn P for this reminder about a paper and document shredding event hosted by Halton Regional Police Oct 16th.
Find your sleep "sweet spot" to protect your brain, a report from CTV News.
Now that fall is here, do you need to prepare an emergency kit in case of bad weather or other problems? Halton has an Emergency Preparedness site for you to review.
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Read the story of how former members Randy and Shelly met at a Widowed Friends event a couple of years ago and recently tied the knot!
We are so happy for them both and wish them a future of love and joy!
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Happiest of birthday wishes to:
Joanne W - Oct 1
Kim H - Oct 3
Daksha - Oct 5
Penny - Oct 8
Joyce L - Oct 11
Margaret E - Oct 20
Marianne - Oct 21
Henny - October 23
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Carpenter Hospice - Thank you! |
Many thanks to the generous donors and walking participants at last Saturday's Hike for Carpenter Hospice!
The weather co-operated and we managed to finish our 3km walk in just an hour. With everyone's contributions, we raised just under $1000 for Carpenter. Many thanks!
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Penny reports these are delicious, easy and quick to make!
Shrimp Endive Appetizers
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces medium cooked shrimp, finely chopped
- 3 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 20 endive leaves (from about 3 heads)
Instructions:
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In a small bowl, combine shrimp, cheese, chives, and juice; season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 1 day.
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To serve, place 1 tablespoon mixture on each endive leaf, and top with additional chives.
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Ana Nunes Freitas, Wellness Care Manager & Educator, Acclaim Health, is providing a 5 part series from 1-3 on Thursday afternoons. We've already had three sessions but you still can register for the last 2 by RSVPing on the member portal.
Here are the last two topics:
October 7th Building Resiliency
October 14th Self-Compassion
Note: We realize this conflicts with our usual 2pm Loss group. We hope members of this group will be able to adjust their schedules to join us at 11am on Thursdays instead, just for the duration of the Wellness series.
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Dating & Rebuilding Your Life |
Thinking about dating again, rebuilding your life and finding ways to discuss it all with your family?
Join us Monday Oct 4th from 6:00pm-8:00pm for an informal discussion about these issues and more with Carole LaTour from Acclaim Health.
Carole is a grief counsellor and has extensive experience discussing these issues as well as the pitfalls of dating, security and precautions to keep in mind with new relationships and how to deal
with family and friends as people go in new directions following loss etc
If you'd like to attend this special session, please let Penny know by RSVPing on the member portal and Penny will send you a zoom invitation.
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Pizza, Pasta & Conversation! |
Dinner on the Patio!
Tuesday, October 5th @ 5:00pm
1860 Appleby Line, Burlington (Just south of Upper Middle Rd)
Please note this event is full. Please let us know if you'd like to be added to the waiting list at events@widowedfriends.ca
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Fables, Fairytales & Rhymes!! |
Childhood fairytales are not just the stuff of fantasy!
Join Lianne Harris Friday October 8th at 3:30pm as she turns the pages of classic fairytales and Mother Goose Rhymes and illustrates how our behaviour,
attitudes, and values have been shaped individually and as a society by innocent bedtime stories.
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We're Back! Wednesday October 20 1-3pm
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Some of you may remember volunteering with Food For Life pre-Covid!
Food For Life is one of the top ten charities in Canada redistributing food to food banks, schools and other programs to ensure everyone has access to good quality food.
In the past, we helped sort food into boxes for redistribution, fundraised and participated in a variety of activities with the organization.
We're happy to announce a new volunteering opportunity on Wed October 20th 1-3 pm at their warehouse location at 2258 Mountainside Drive, Burlington!
Due to Covid, limited spots are available and there are the usual Covid precautions including:
Attire: Please dress comfortably, layers are best. You must wear closed toed shoes – no flip flops or sandals are permitted in the warehouse. Shorts are permitted.
Gloves and Masks: Gloves and masks are mandatory.
Screening: Please complete the Widowed Friends COVID screening before coming to the warehouse
Proof of Vaccination will be required.
To join the team, please RSVP on the Member Portal and let us know you'll be coming.
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Overcoming Energy Drainers Workshop - Oct 26th at 6:30pm |
Join Laurie Hunt for a workshop on Energy drainers! What are energy drainers? They are situations where you feel stuck, feel you cannot change your circumstances or when you feel overwhelmed. Your motivation drops along with your energy.
Understanding energy drainers and how to overcome them helps gets you moving and your energy flowing!
Please RSVP on the Member Portal for this event.
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Sunday Oct 3rd 1:00-2:00pm. - Travel Day(VF) to Austria!
Sunday Oct 3rd 2:00-2:30pm - Review Account Signup for the Member Portal - pls let us know at events@widowedfriends.ca if you'd like to join us.
Monday Oct 4th 6:00-8:00pm - Discussion with Carole LaTour - life beyond loss - see details above(VF)
Tuesday Oct 5th 2:00 pm - Social Chat on Zoom (VF)
Tuesday Oct 5th. 5:00pm - Dinner at Industria in Burlington. Please RSVP at events@widowedfriends.ca if you would like to join the waiting list. (IP)
Wednesday Oct 6th -Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea
for a social and game of entertainment trivia! (VF)
Thursday Oct 7th 11:00 am-12:00pm Chat about Loss & Grief -Join us for a discussion of the grief journey and steps we can take to support one another. (VF)
Thursday Oct 7th - 1pm-3pm Fourth in our Wellness Series (see details above) (VF)
Thursday Oct 7th - 4:30pm Bingo! Join us for an hour of virtual bingo. Let us know if you would like us to email or mail bingo sheets to you. (VF)
Friday Oct 8th - Lianne returns with a new presentation on Fairytales and Fables - see details above. (VF)
After October 8th, please refer to the member portal on the widowedfriends.ca website for detailed event listings and to RSVP for events. You can access the member portal to sign up for your account using this link.
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Note: Virtual Friends events (VF) are on Zoom. In-person events (IP) require a signed Covid Waiver, social distancing rules apply and masks are optional.
Please let Penny know at events@widowedfriends.ca if you'd like to be added to the attendee list for an in-person event or if you have any questions! Please ensure that you indicate which event you are RSVPing for. To RSVP for Zoom (VF) events, pls use the Member Portal.
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Congratulations to the winner of this month's draw, Sandra!
Join us October 7th at 4:30pm for our next game! Please email us at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you'd like to join us.
Winners from the Sept 30th game include:
Game 1: Pat K, Donna T
Game 2: Chet
Game 3: Kris, Sandra
Game 4: Donna
Game 5: Kris
Game 6: Pat
Game 7: Sushma
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