Community Fun: Getting into the Halloween Spirit | Last week, Julie and Jason attended the Italian Canadian Handi-Capable Association Halloween Party in Windsor. They enjoyed being part of the event and experiencing the Halloween festivities. It was a fun opportunity to connect with the community and celebrate the season together. | | Josh Scores a Spitfires Experience | Josh, along with a support worker, visited Sport Chek at the Devonshire Mall to meet the Windsor Spitfires last week. Josh loved getting his hat signed by several players and also received a Bomber poster. He had the chance to meet nearly the entire team and even scored tickets to an upcoming game. It was an exciting experience for him! | | A Twilight Pumpkin Adventure | | Last week, Anna and Janice attended Pumpkins After Dark at Storybook Gardens in London. They enjoyed seeing the brightly lit pumpkins and festive lights and had a wonderful time making their way through the decorated gardens. The evening was filled with fun, seasonal cheer, and spooky sights that captured the spirit of Halloween. | | An Update from Career Compass | | |
Celebrating Taj’s One-Year Anniversary!
This month marks one year since Taj joined the Town of Lakeshore team at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre as a Program Monitor. Taj plays an important role in keeping the facility safe and welcoming by patrolling the building, assisting the public, supporting programs, and always stepping up to help wherever needed.
Congratulations, Taj, on reaching this incredible milestone!
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You Are One in 3.3 Million
**Family Caregivers**
As I prepared to attend the Rural/Remote Caregiver Initiative in Stratford, Ontario, on October 30th, 2025, I came across several resources that I believe families can benefit from:
| | Why not explore resources that can help you find information, support, and services? All of these caregiver resources are available on the Ontario Caregiver Organization website, which you can access by clicking the button below. | | |
Many families in Ontario live in rural areas. As a resident of rural Essex County, I am providing this caregiving initiative with a rural Essex County perspective.
In a future newsletter, I will share the insights I’ve gained.
Happy Halloween!
Marilyn
Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee
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The Connection Series:
Family Information Nights Fall Sessions
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The Connection Series – Family Information Nights continues to provide families with the opportunity to learn, connect, and plan for the future. These free, in-person evening sessions offer 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. Each session is designed to support your family every step of the way.
Upcoming Session: Tuesday, November 4th, 2025
Transitioning to Adulthood
This session will help families prepare for life after age 18, covering changes in services, legal rights, and planning for independence. Click the button below to register and join us for an informative, supportive evening.
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Jingle Bell Run, Walk, & Wheel
Last Call: Register Online by November 4th!
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JOIN US SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9th
AT KEN KNAPP FORD IN ESSEX!
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Join us on Sunday, November 9th, at Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for our 31st annual Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel!
This festive event supports Community Living Essex County and offers a variety of options: a 2km or 5km walk/run, and a Little Elf Run for kids 6 and under.
You can join individually or as part of a team, and festive attire is encouraged!
Entry Fees:
- Adults: $40
- Ages 7–13: $25
- Little Elf Run (ages 6 and under): FREE (starts at 9:45 am)
Registration Information:
Online: Closes Tuesday, November 4th at 4:00 p.m.
In Person at Ken Knapp Ford: Closes Tuesday, November 4th at 4:30 p.m.
On Race Day: Sunday, November 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Please note: any registration after 9:30am on Race Day cannot be entered for timed results.
A special thank you to Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for their ongoing support of this inclusive community fundraising event!
| | Upcoming DSO Virtual Event | | Join the DSO Housing Navigators for Learn About Taxes & Benefits, a free virtual presentation with Canada Revenue Agency representatives on Tuesday, November 4th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The session will cover topics such as the Disability Tax Credit, the Ontario Caregiver Credit, and other tax and benefit information relevant to individuals and families. Click the button below to register for this free event. | |
P4P Free Information Session | The P4P Planning Network is hosting a free online webcast on Talking About Children’s Mental Health on Thursday, November 6th, at 7:00 p.m. The session will explore the intersection of disability and mental health, including how to recognize signs of mental health challenges, what to expect when discussing your child’s well-being, where to find help, and how to collaborate with your child’s school. A live Q&A with expert guests will follow, and a recording will be available for one month. Click the link 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
Halloween 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. | |
On Friday, October 31st, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Deer Run Church will be hosting Family Fun Night at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre. This free community event features inflatables, free skating from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and two registered swim sessions, offering fun activities for the whole family. Click the button below for more details and to visit the event website. | | Windsor International Film Festival | | Now through Sunday, November 2nd, the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) continues, featuring over 200 films in downtown Windsor. As Canada’s largest volunteer-run film festival, WIFF offers something for every movie lover. Explore the full schedule, get recommendations, and purchase tickets by clicking the button below to visit the event website. | | From Saturday, November 1st to Sunday, November 2nd, Cindy’s Holiday Market returns, transforming the greenhouse and event space into a festive holiday shopping destination from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. With more than 40 local vendors each weekend, gourmet foods, and family-friendly activities, it’s the perfect way to kick off the season. Admission is free, and visitors can follow Cindy’s on Facebook or through the weekly newsletter for updates and special surprises. Click the button below to visit the event website and learn more. | | The Harvest Festival is back at Pelee Island Winery in Kingsville on Saturday, November 1st, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Enjoy grape stomping, barrel rolling, wine tastings, local vendors, food trucks, and live music. Family and pet friendly, tickets are $20 without wine tastings or $30 for three tastings—don’t miss a fun day celebrating the end of the harvest! Click the button below to purchase your tickets today! | | NCG Pro Wrestling Presents: Steel Bound | | Get ready for an action-packed night! On Saturday, November 1st, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., NCG Pro Wrestling's Steel Bound takes over the Event Center at LaSalle Landing with high-flying moves, intense matches, and non-stop entertainment. Tickets start at $31.59—click the button below to secure yours for this thrilling wrestling event! | | Closing Day at Leamington Raceway | | On Sunday, November 2nd, Leamington Raceway hosts Closing Day, marking the final live harness racing of the 2025 season. Everyone is invited to enjoy an exciting afternoon of racing and giveaways. Admission and parking are free, with post time at 1:00 p.m. Don’t miss this last opportunity to experience the thrill of the season. | | Windsor Spitfires vs. Flint Firebirds | Don’t miss a night of hockey and fun! On Sunday, November 2nd, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the Windsor Spitfires take on the Flint Firebirds at the WFCU Centre. The theme for this night is Taylor Swift Night, with giveaways of limited-edition Life of a Showgirl merchandise and more. Tickets start at $26—click the button below to grab yours and cheer on the Spitfires! | | Get into the Halloween spirit with Silly Apple Bites—a fun, spooky twist on a healthy snack! Made with crisp green apples, sunflower butter, sunflower seeds, fresh strawberry “tongues,” and silly googly eyes, these allergen-free treats (no nuts, gluten, or soy) are perfect for Halloween parties or after-school fun. Easy to make and even more fun to eat, they’re sure to bring smiles—and maybe a few giggles—to your spooky celebrations! | | Mind Your Money: Fall Financial Tips | | As October winds down, take a few minutes to review your spending and see how your budget held up. Did you reach your goals or run into a few surprises along the way? Celebrate every win—big or small—and make note of what you’d like to improve next month. Taking time to reflect regularly helps you spot spending patterns, make smarter adjustments, and stay in control of your finances. Wrapping up the month with clarity and confidence sets you up for success as you head into November and the busy holiday season ahead. | | Easy Tissue Paper Pumpkin Favours | | Make Halloween extra sweet with DIY Tissue Paper Pumpkin Favors! These little pumpkins can be filled with treats and opened like presents for a fun, festive twist. Easy to create and adorable to display, they make the perfect party favors, after-dinner treats, or classroom surprises. These pumpkins turn any Halloween snack or celebration into a playful, memorable moment! Click the button below for the tutorial | |
| How will you be celebrating Halloween this weekend? | | | | |
Last week's poll results:
If you could visit one spooky place, where would you go?
I’ll stay home with the lights on, thanks! - 41.3%
A haunted mansion - 20.8%
A ghost town - 17.4%
A haunted forest - 6.5%
A secluded haunted hotel - 4.3%
A spooky abandoned carnival - 4.3%
An old, abandoned doll factory – 3.1%
A creepy graveyard at night – 2.2%
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