Kevin and Scott went on a busy and enjoyable getaway late last month. Their adventure began at African Lion Safari, where they explored the park and took in all the sights and experiences it has to offer. Later, they visited Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, enjoying the energetic activities there. To wrap up their day, they stayed overnight at the Hilton Hotel, creating a well-rounded mix of fun and relaxation. | | Weekend Wonders at Bubble Planet | | Hayden loves taking trips along the 401 to different destinations, and this year his goal was to visit Toronto’s Bubble Planet Experience, a goal he accomplished this past weekend. He had a great time exploring the immersive experience, where each exhibit room featured bubble activities that appealed to all five senses. His favourite part was swinging on the bubble chair while taking in the colourful lights. To top off the day, Hayden enjoyed a delicious burger at a new restaurant. He is already looking forward to his next trip. | | An Update from Career Compass | | Chris gained hands-on experience this summer through the Youth in Action program, working at FreshCo in Kingsville! He stayed busy stocking shelves, organizing carts, helping customers, and tidying aisles to keep the store clean and welcoming for everyone. Chris made a real impact and learned valuable job skills along the way! Way to go, Chris! | | |
Continuing Education - At the Farm (and Elsewhere)
Why not participate in "outdoor education," on Saturday, September 13th? Once again the families who provide us with "all good things" nutritious are inviting you to bring your family for hands on experience at the source.
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Introduce your family members! You never know what could transpire!
Follow-up Activities:
For younger participants, the 4-H CLUB provides fun activities that are geared to kids who enjoy all that country living has to offer:
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For young adults of all abilities, there may be volunteer opportunities and for those looking to secure employment, these destination farms may be potential employers. Go out and explore!
New opportunities can be found for everyone.
In and around Windsor there are valuable resources.
AUTISM ONTARIO WEST REGION offers valuable activities.
On Wednesdays starting October 1st until November 5th - from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., young adults with autism, ages 18 and older, can participate in person at WINDSOR AUTISM CAREER CONNECTIONS.
These in-person sessions will provide exposure to job expectations and practice for in-person and virtual interviews.
| Maybe your support worker is looking for a welcoming daytime fall experience? | |
The John McGivney Children's Centre is offering this county activity. Check it out!
For parents and caregivers of young adults with autism; once again, Autism Ontario West Region is providing the following valuable information session:
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Information for adults, available funding & supports once formal schooling is complete will be explored. Plan for the future!
The next couple of weeks highlight events that can be accessed by families and caregivers and their kids, young and old, with intellectual disabilities.
Ensemble hopes you find something, somewhere that sparks 🤩your imagination and leads you to new opportunities that can create "Possibilities"!
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.
New Day will also be at the Accessibility Fest-For-All on Friday, September 12th at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. Stop by our booth to say hello!
Stay tuned for an exciting get-together in October—more details coming soon.
| Outdoor Accessibility Fest-For-All! | We're excited to once again be taking part in the second annual Outdoor Accessibility Fest-For-All! This event is hosted by the County of Essex's Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee (ECAAC) and is taking place on Friday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Libro Credit Union Centre in Amherstburg. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there! | |
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!
| | 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.
| | Join a free online information session on Tuesday, September 16th, at 12:00pm - 1:00pm, to learn how to use MyDirectPlan to submit Passport claims, manage your funds, and access support. Hosted in partnership with the Passport program, this session will cover how to get started with MyDirectPlan, where to find helpful resources, and will include a live Q&A with representatives who can answer your questions. Registration is required, so be sure to sign up by clicking the button below. | |
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
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Discover the top events happening across Windsor, Essex County, and Pelee Island from now through October 31. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or exploring your own backyard, this guide is your go-to list for fall fun and experiences. Use it as a checklist for your road trips around the region or as a must-do list for discovering local gems.
Click the button below to view the guide online or pick up a print copy at the Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island main office or the Caesars Windsor Visitor Information Kiosk.
| | Celebrate a century of tradition at the Caboto Club’s 100th Grape Festival, running Friday, September 12th through Sunday, September 14th at the Giovanni Caboto Club. Festival-goers can enjoy a lively weekend filled with Italian culture, live music, and delicious food, including Caboto’s famous wood oven pizza, Italian desserts, and regional wines. Entertainment highlights include the Sean Lavin Duo and Higgi Country Band on Friday (19+) and Crisis Club on Saturday (19+), with tickets priced at $17.00 each day, and the Portofino Band on Sunday (all ages) for $12.00. Nightly contests like grape stomping and spaghetti eating add to the fun, while Family Day offers kid-friendly activities, games, and entertainment. Join the celebration of food, music, and family-friendly fun! Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | Stroll the Streets - Back to School Event | Kick off the school year with Back to School Stroll the Streets on Friday, September 12th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. along Notre Dame Street in Belle River. This family-friendly evening invites the community to walk, shop, and enjoy local food and businesses in a lively, small-town atmosphere. Explore unique shops, taste delicious treats, and experience the charm of the neighborhood while celebrating the start of a new school year. Click the button below to visit the event website and learn more. | | Scarehouse Windsor Presents: Scared Evil | | Get ready for Scarehouse Windsor, running Friday, September 12th, to Saturday, September 13th. This 20,000+ sq. ft. haunted attraction features five terrifying experiences under one roof, plus unique dining options. Tickets are available for multiple showtimes starting at 7:00 p.m. Packages include the Fright Package ($35), Monster Package ($45), and the all-inclusive Baller VIP Package ($100), which comes with a behind-the-scenes tour, fast pass, popcorn, a specialty cocktail, and a Scarehouse t-shirt. Advance purchase is recommended for this ultimate scare. Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | Enbridge Presents: Live at The Square with Coffeehouse Combo | | Live at the Square takes place Friday evening at Windsor’s City Hall Square, featuring this week’s entertainment, Coffeehouse Combo. This free weekly concert series, running July through October, 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. | |
Kids Corner Productions Presents:
Frozen in Time
| Kids Corner Productions presents Frozen in Time on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with performances at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Join your favourite princesses for an afternoon of storytelling and singing along to beloved songs. Kids and families are encouraged to dress as their favourite prince, princess, character, or villain to make the day even more magical. VIP tickets offer the best seats plus a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with the cast. Tickets are $30 for regular admission and $45 for VIP. The event takes place at the Capitol Theatre Windsor. Click the button below to purchase event tickets. | |
The 30th Annual Children’s Fest returns to Windsor-Essex on Saturday, September 13 through Sunday, September 14, offering hands-on activities, entertainment, and fun for the whole family. Tickets are $5 per person, children under 2 are free, and weekend passes are $8. Cash and credit/debit are accepted at the gate. All proceeds support the charitable work of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918). The event takes place at Central Park Athletics. Click the button below to visit the event website and learn more. | The Festival of Hawks returns to Holiday Beach Conservation Area on Saturday, September 13th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 14th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy thousands of birds of prey in flight, live hawk demonstrations, and free expert-led programs for the whole family. Daily admission is $20 per vehicle and includes all walks, talks, and Festival Program activities (ticketed evening Owl Prowl excluded). Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | Bright and vibrant, this Beet-Fennel Soup may look like a smoothie, but it’s anything but! Packed with flavor and perfect for meat-free days, this healthy dish can be served warm or chilled, making it versatile for any season. Top it off with your favorite garnishes to add a personal touch and bring out your inner chef. Click the button below for the recipe. | | Fall Forward Series: Preparing Your Home for the Fall Season | | Keep the chilly air out and cozy warmth in by inspecting your windows and doors. Look for drafts, and seal gaps with weatherstripping or caulking where needed. This simple step not only makes your home more comfortable but also helps reduce energy bills. Bonus tip: heavy curtains can provide an extra layer of insulation and add a seasonal touch to your rooms. | | Bring a touch of fall indoors with this simple pinecone craft! Start with a quick nature walk to collect your favorite pinecones, then give them a good clean to make sure they’re free of critters. Choose paint colors that complement your décor and lightly brush the tips of each pinecone for a pop of seasonal color. Not only do pinecones add a natural, rustic scent to your home, but you can also enhance them with a few drops of essential oil for a cozy, personalized touch. | |
| What’s your favorite September treat? | | | | |
Last week's poll results:
What are you most excited for this September?
🍎 The Ruthven Apple Festival 🍎 - 30.4%
Cooler, crisp fall weather - 15.2%
Watching football or other seasonal sports - 15.2%
Decorating for fall and Halloween - 13%
Fall outdoor activities (hikes, walks, bike rides) - 13%
Pumpkin spice treats and seasonal flavors - 10.9%
Back-to-school season - 2.2%
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