Mysteries, Marvels, and Salem Magic | Earlier this month, Joshua had an incredible time in Salem, Massachusetts! He explored fascinating museums, wandered through historic sites full of stories from the past, and popped into all kinds of unique and quirky shops. He strolled along charming streets, soaked in the atmosphere, and discovered hidden gems around every corner. Every part of the city seemed to overflow with history and excitement, making his trip truly unforgettable, and there was still so much more to see and experience. | | Friday Fun at the Outdoor Accessibility Fest-for-All | | Last Friday, Ray attended the Accessibility Fest-for-All at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. He had a wonderful time reconnecting with familiar faces and soaking in the lively atmosphere. It was a fun and engaging day for Ray, filled with smiles and community spirit. | | Earlier this week, Francis savored the beautiful water views at Lakeside Park, soaking up the last warm days of summer with a delicious ice cream sundae in hand and golden sunshine all around. Every moment felt relaxed and joyful, the perfect way to celebrate the season before it slips away. | | Jerry has worked hard in the community garden at Amherstburg Community Services all summer. He proudly shows off the garden and enjoys the fruits—and vegetables—of his labor. Earlier this week, he was thrilled to pick the sweet corn he planted and was excited to have it for dinner! Great job, Jerry! | |
An Update from Career Compass | Over the summer, through the Youth in Action program, Greta gained valuable hands-on experience as part of the dedicated team at the Town of Leamington. Her attention to detail in maintaining clean surfaces, sparkling windows, and a welcoming environment helped ensure the facility remained comfortable, safe, and inviting for all who visited. Way to go, Greta! | | |
HI! I'M HERE TO VOLUNTEER
Connecting with the community you live in has become easier and easier. We are no longer limited to information retrieved from newspapers. They have become less and less a part of our lives, as we now depend on electronic devices: computers, iPads, and cell phones. We can readily find the latest information on any topic we are interested in.
In order to be actively involved in our communities, it is important for us to get to know the places where there will be others with similar interests. To get an overview of what's available, it's often useful to look for volunteer opportunities. Here you will find others who give their time and knowledge to help others. These people usually welcome new faces. 🤗 Your volunteer experience could help you create new friendships, give you needed experience, or open doors to employment.
The best part about volunteering is that it's new, exciting, and satisfying.
Check out:
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The volunteering list is extensive. There may be something there you've never thought about doing. It's a changing season—dare to try something new! 🤩
Sit down with a trusted friend, family member, or support worker and start planning where you'll begin your volunteer adventure.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing photos of you enjoying your volunteer activity! 😊
Happy volunteering!
Marilyn
Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee
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New Day’s next meeting will be held on Friday, September 19th, at Channel Resource Centre in Amherstburg from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
The discussion will focus on travel tips, including what to bring on an airplane and other helpful advice to make your vacation smooth and stress-free.
Stay tuned for an exciting get-together in October—more details coming soon.
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The Countdown is on for the
Ruthven Apple Festival!
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🍎 Save the date for the 46th Ruthven Apple Festival! 🍎
As September wraps up, make sure you don’t miss out one of Essex County’s favorite traditions: the Ruthven Apple Festival! For over four decades, this cherished event has been a celebration of our local bounty, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever!
📅Dates: September 27th & 28th
📍Location: Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, Ruthven
👉For more details and updates, visit www.ruthvenapplefestival.com.
You can look forward to:
🍏Farmers Market: Fresh-picked apples and a fantastic array of locally grown produce.
🎶Live Entertainment: Enjoy vibrant performances by local artists all weekend long.
🎨Over 125 Craft Vendors: Shop unique handmade creations and support local artisans.
🚗Sunday Classic Car Show: Marvel at vintage vehicles and classic cars.
🍔Food Vendors: Indulge in delicious treats and tasty eats from a variety of food vendors.
Since its inception, the Ruthven Apple Festival has proudly raised over $1 million to support Community Living Essex County. Your participation helps us purchase and maintain wheelchair-accessible vehicles that provide essential transportation for people receiving supports, ensuring they can access appointments, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
Gather your family and friends for a weekend filled with fall fun. See you at the festival!
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Introducing The Connection Series:
Family Information Nights Fall Sessions
| We’re excited to launch The Connection Series – Family Information Nights, a new opportunity for families to learn, connect, and plan for the future. These free, in-person evening sessions provide practical information, trusted guidance, and access to local experts on topics that matter most when navigating developmental services in Ontario, from housing and finances to life planning and more. All sessions are designed to support your family every step of the way, with the first session taking place on October 9th in partnership with a representative from Developmental Services Ontario. Click the button below to register for fall sessions and join us to connect with professionals, get your questions answered, and meet other families in a welcoming, supportive setting. | | Yoga with Cocoyoga is offering a FREE 4-part Outdoor Yoga Series for all levels, with no registration required! Whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast, Coco, an experienced and adaptable instructor, will guide you through each session, offering modifications and adaptive methods to suit everyone. Join us as we stretch, relax, and work toward a more active, flexible, and Zen lifestyle! Sessions run on Tuesdays beginning September 23rd to October 14th, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Optimist Park in Windsor. Come out and enjoy the peaceful outdoor setting while improving your mind-body connection! | | Disability Tax Credit Assistance | | |
Get Free Assistance With Disability Tax Credit
and Canada Disability Benefit Applications
Community Living Ontario is reaching out to let you know about a resource you may be interested in.
Plan Institute is a national non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to lead a good life. They help people with disabilities and their families make informed decisions about future and financial planning through their webinars, resources, community-based programming, and advocacy.
Plan Institute also offers one-on-one support through their free Canada-wide Disability Planning Helpline. Their key areas of focus include the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, and the Canada Disability Benefit.
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Passport Program Webcast:
Submit and Manage eCLAIM
| | Join the Passport Program and PassportONE for an informative webinar on September 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Learn how to efficiently use eCLAIM to submit invoices and receipts, ensuring quick reimbursements. The session will also include a live Q&A, where you can get real-time answers to any questions about the eCLAIM process. Click the button below to register for this helpful webinar! | |
P4P Free Information Session | The Partners 4 Planning Network is hosting a free webcast on Alternatives to Guardianship for families, caregivers, and professionals of adults with developmental disabilities. Scheduled for September 22nd at 7:00 p.m., this informative session will help clarify when guardianship may be necessary and when other decision-making options are more appropriate. The webcast will explore various alternatives available in Ontario, discuss the drawbacks of guardianship, and highlight ways to support a person’s right and ability to make their own choices. A live Q&A session will follow the presentation. Click the button below to register. | | We're Member Strong! Join Us! | | A strong, thriving membership is essential to our agency. Membership includes a variety of engagement options and is a great way to show support for the work of Community Living Essex County. Members help guide the direction and work of the organization, attending events and taking a strong interest in building inclusive communities for people supported. Join us and together we can be Member Strong! Click the link below to renew your membership or join for just $10 and receive membership perks! | |
Tourism Windsor Essex County Pelee Island
Fall Event Guide
| | Get ready to embrace the Halloween spirit across Windsor, Essex County, and Pelee Island! From haunted houses and spooky trails to pumpkin patches and family-friendly festivals, this guide is your go-to list for all things Halloween. Use it to plan weekend adventures, discover hidden gems, or check off must-see events as you explore the region this season. Click the button below to view the guide. | | |
Art Windsor Essex Presents:
Night Light Festival
| Art Windsor-Essex is set to host the inaugural Night Light Festival from Thursday, September 18 to Saturday, September 20, 2025, transforming downtown Windsor into a dazzling celebration of art, light, and digital innovation. The three-day festival will feature interactive installations, world-class digital artworks, and creations by local artists, with special events each day—including flashlight tours, workshops, a high-energy dance party with DJs and a laser show, and a full family day with free admission and hands-on activities. Click the button below to purchase tickets. Please note, some of the Night Light Festival events are free admission. | | Amherstburg Uncommon Festival | The Amherstburg Uncommon Festival returns Friday, September 19th to Sunday, September 21st, bringing a whimsical fusion of steampunk and magic to downtown Amherstburg. Visitors can expect an unforgettable weekend of live performances, buskers, games, vendors, and themed entertainment, with plenty of opportunities to dress up in wizardry or steampunk cosplay. With downtown businesses joining the celebration and new surprises in store, this fan-favourite festival promises three days of wacky, wonder-filled fun for all ages. Click the button below to see the schedule of events and learn more. | | On Friday, September 19th, Point Pelee National Park invites visitors to Migration Madness, a full day of family-friendly activities celebrating the wonders of autumn migration. Enjoy crafts and activities at the Visitor Centre (10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), Parka’s Story Time at 11:00 a.m., and a 1:30 p.m. showing of The Butterfly Tale with popcorn. In the evening, catch the All About Migration talk at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Butterfly Count with a shuttle to the Tip at 6:30 p.m. Don’t miss this unique day of discovery and fun in nature. | |
Enbridge Presents: Live at The Square with
Two Track Mind Jazz
| | Live at the Square takes place Friday evening at Windsor’s City Hall Square, featuring this week’s entertainment, Two Track Mind Jazz. This free weekly concert series, showcases local talent in a vibrant, community-focused setting. Supported by the Enbridge Fueling Futures grant program, Live at the Square celebrates emerging artists and diverse voices while helping bring downtown Windsor to life. Being outdoors, performances are weather-dependent; any cancellations due to severe weather will be announced by 3 p.m. on the City of Windsor’s website and social media. Click the button below to visit the event website. | | Point Pelee: Dark Sky Nights | Explore the park after dark and experience the dark skies of Point Pelee National Park on Saturday, September 20th. You will have the opportunity to stay late and experience the park at night. Visitors can pick up a seasonal star chart at the front gate upon arrival. The park is open until midnight, unless otherwise stated. Click the button below to visit the event website. | |
Downtown Windsor Farmers' Market | Visit the Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market on Saturday, September 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Pelissier St. The market will be running every Saturday through October 25th, offering fresh, farm-to-table produce and unique artisan food products from the best local producers. Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including a Kids Corner, art exhibits, craft vendors, community booths, entertainment, food demonstrations, and special events, making it the perfect family-friendly outing. Don’t miss your chance to support local businesses and experience the best of the community! Click the button below to visit the event website. | Kingsville Block Party - Glow Night | On Saturday, September 20th, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., head to downtown Kingsville for the Kingsville Block Party: Glow Night! Enjoy an evening of great food, local vendors, and live entertainment, including aerial performances by 519 Aerial and music from DJ V’Amour all night. Explore Kingsville’s arts and culture scene, socialize with the community, and let the kids enjoy fun activities. Join the celebration in Kingsville Centre at King Street and Chestnut Street! Click the button below to learn more. | | Harvest Brie and Cheddar Apple Kale Salad | This salad brings together the best flavors of fall in one hearty dish. Shredded kale, crisp Honeycrisp apples, juicy pomegranate arils, candied seeds and nuts, and crispy prosciutto are tossed in a warm brown butter sage and apple cider vinaigrette. Finished with creamy Brie and sharp white cheddar, it balances sweet, savory, and salty notes with plenty of crunch. A seasonal staple that’s as comforting as it is fresh, it’s the perfect dish to celebrate the start of the autumn season. Click the button below for the recipe. | | |
Fall Forward Series:
Preparing Your Home for the Fall Season
| | As the leaves start to fall, take some time to prep your outdoor areas. Clear gutters of debris, store or cover outdoor furniture, and inspect your deck or patio for any repairs. Trim back overgrown shrubs and trees to keep walkways safe and ensure your yard stays manageable throughout the season. A little attention now keeps your home looking great all fall. | | This DIY project shows how to create charming charming sunflowers using coffee-stained drop cloth and homespun fabric, making the perfect rustic touch as fall approaches. With step-by-step instructions and a helpful video tutorial, crafters can easily bring the warmth of sunflower season indoors. These handmade sunflowers add cozy farmhouse charm to shelves, tables, or seasonal displays, blending simple materials with creative flair to brighten any space. Click the button below to get crafting! | |
| Which September mood fits you best? | | | | |
Last week's poll results:
What’s your favorite September treat?
Apple pie - 40.5%
Cinnamon donuts - 19%
Pumpkin spiced lattes - 14.3%
Pumpkin bread - 11.9%
Hot cider - 7.1%
Gingerbread cookies - 4.8%
Caramel apples - 2.4%
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