Happy Thanksgiving
The Indigenous people of Canada had traditions of celebrating the fall harvest long before European settlers came to North America.

Sir Martin Frobisher, English explorer of Canada’s Northeast Coast, and his company were the first Europeans on record to celebrate a Thanksgiving in North America in 1578.

Their celebration would have been vaguely recognizable as Thanksgiving today, considering the menu featured uniquely North American food we’re all used to now: turkey, squash, and pumpkin.
October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month 
#LightCanadaPurple

Sydney is involved and promoting awareness of Rett syndrome in her community.  

She is participating in the 17th annual virtual Run4Rett, taking place from October 1st to October 31st, 2021. Sydney ordered a lawn sign for her front yard and her support team helped string lights to colour her home purple for October, as part of #LightCanadaPurple. 

Though this part of campaign is only a couple years old it is building momentum and Sydney wants to make sure Essex County glows purple.  
National Disability
Employment Awareness Month
October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It’s the time every year for acknowledging and celebrating the workplace contributions of people in our community who have a disability, and business successes stemming from hiring with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Career Compass has once again joined The Ontario Disability Employment Network in their annual campaign. This year the Canadian Association for Supported Employment and the Mentorability Canada are helping to make this a national campaign by co-ordinating a special lighting event. Buildings, businesses, municipal signs, landmarks and bridges across the country will be specially lit purple and blue for Thursday October 21st.

We are encouraging local landmarks and employers to do the same in Windsor and Essex County watch out for more updates from Career Compass this month.
Ensemble: A Resource for Families
Ensemble is a parent-directed resource for families caring for a child with a disability that provides support from birth through adulthood. The name, Ensemble, is French for “together” and was chosen for the strength and resiliency found in the connections built between families and within the community.
 
Ensemble inspires possibilities for children by promoting family leadership so that families thrive and become active members in the community.
 
Ensemble was founded in 2000 by two moms whose lives have been affected by their children’s diagnosis of a disability. These moms understood the importance of connecting to others as the first step in helping families cope with the challenges of raising a child with a disability.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 
Contact us by email or phone.
Marilyn, Lois and Rubina
Family Volunteers 

ensemble@communitylivingessex.org or 519-776-6483, ext 225
New Day Spotlight - Bill Desjardins
Bill is an active member of New Day and attends the virtual sessions twice a month.
   
Bill loves animals and has a pet cat at home. Bill recently was able to get out in his community to explore Greenview Aviaries.

Bill has a love for nature and likes to garden.  He loves to take care of his plants and flowers. He recently visited Jackson Park and enjoyed the outdoors.
   
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In other New Day news:

  • New Day would like to thank everyone who supported the KONA ICE fundraiser. New Day raised $180.

  • New Day has 6 members attending the Speaking Out Retreat on October 16th. This is a virtual retreat for self advocacy groups across Ontario.
Wills and Estate Planning: Legacy Planning for a Relative with a Disability Webcast
If you’re supporting a family member with a disability, one of the most important steps you can take to help secure their future is to create a will and estate plan. 

The latest enhanced webcast offering: Wills & Estate Planning: Legacy Planning for a Relative with a Disability will help you get started.

You will gain:

  • An understanding of the fundamental elements of an estate plan.

  • An overview of estate planning considerations families caring for a family member with a disability must be aware of.
 
  • An overview of what's involved in setting up a will, with steps you can take to get started.

  • A breakdown of different types of trusts people typically include in a will.

  •  An overview of the two types of Power of Attorney.

  • A digital workbook filled with free legal resources, worksheets and practical next steps that will support you in taking action.

The webcast is on October 12th at 7:00 pm, click the below link to register.
Pinecone Turkey Place Cardholder
This simple craft is perfect for Thanksgiving and is easy to make! Within 10 minutes you’ll have a gorgeous craft to add to each place setting and let everyone know where they’re sitting.
Visit The Harrow Market
The Harrow Market is a monthly event on the second Sunday of the month from June to October. The market features handcrafted items made by local artists as well as produce, flowers and many other local businesses. 

The market is outdoors at The Depot in Harrow. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Located at 44 Sinasac Street W in Harrow, Sunday, October 10th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Must See Movie
Nightbooks 
Scary story fan Alex must tell a spine-tingling tale every night - or stay trapped with his new friend in a wicked witch's magical apartment forever. Now streaming on Netflix.
Recipe of the Week
Green Bean Casserole
Raise your hand if you love green bean casserole! This salty, creamy veggie side dish that so many of us love has somehow become nearly as synonymous with Thanksgiving dinner as the turkey itself. 
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Weekly Poll Question
What are you most looking forward to at Thanksgiving?
Turkey with all the trimmings
Time with family
Visiting a pumpkin patch/apple orchard
Decorating for fall
Watching football
Poll Results
What is your favourite thing about the fall season?
Cool weather ~ 25%
Seasonal foods and drinks ~ 3.1%
Colourful trees and leaves ~ 50%
Fall clothing ~ 12.5%
Holidays and festivals ~ 9.4%