October brings with it all sorts of annual celebrations and traditions, from fall football games to carving pumpkins. We love this month — it's a time when the weather cools, the leaves change, and we can take our favourite cosy sweaters out of storage and sip on warmed apple cider.
But that's not all. There are important events to take note of in October, along with fun holidays to celebrate. Here are 10 events and holidays our Macaroni KID families will be marking this month:
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Oct. 1-31
This year the World Health Organization declared breast cancer the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. More than 27,000 Canadians will be diagnosed this year. Each of the women and men diagnosed has their own story. Read Angela Duncan's life story here. We are proud to have her as the Apollo Beach - Ruskin - Wimauma and St. Petersburg, Fla. Macaroni KID publisher. Get a digital pink ribbon from the Breast Cancer Society of Canada to show your support and consider making a donation.
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Homemade Cookie Day
Oct. 1
Kick-off October by making some cookies on Homemade Cookie Day. Check out this fun fall recipe for Caramel Apple Cookies. Yum!
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International Frugal Fun Day
Oct. 2
Today is the day to find inexpensive fun! Guess what?! We have you covered with our Macaroni KID event calendar — you'll find it filled with free or low-cost local family-friendly events.
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Fire Prevention Week
Oct. 3-9
Fire Prevention Week is the perfect time to talk about fire safety with our families, and also to ensure our home and children are prepared in the case of an emergency. Check out these 10 National Fire Prevention Association fire safety tips for families.
Chestermere Fire Services acknowledges Fire Prevention Week with fire prevention facts and tips from our Chestermere Firefighters. Visit the City's Facebook & Twitter during the week for updates!
Chestermere Fire Services' Honourary Jr. Firefighter Program runs from October 1 - 31, 2021. Parents and caregivers can download a colouring page and fire escape plan. Once your child has completed the materials, bring them into the Fire Hall between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, or 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends and present the plan to a firefighter on shift. Their colouring page will go up on the wall and the child will be presented with a Jr. Firefighter certificate!
*NOTE: Due to COVID-19 protocols, please call the Fire Hall at (403) 272-9878 before dropping off your colouring pages so that arrangements can be made to meet you at the front desk. Masks must be worn at all times inside the Fire Hall.
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Mental Illness Awareness Week
Oct. 3-9
In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem and 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence. How can you help? By working to end the stigma around those affected by mental illness. The national NAMI organization writes: "Whether you are a friend, family member, caregiver or medical professional, getting to know a person and treating them with kindness and empathy means far more than just knowing what they are going through."
Learn more about Mental Illness Awareness Week and how you may help from the Canadian Alliance of Mental Illness and Mental Health.
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Dyslexia Awareness Month
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Each year across Canada, monuments and buildings are lit up red, schools and workplaces wear red, and cities and towns sign proclamations to officially declare the month of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. According to the International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the population has a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties.
This October, show everyone how you Mark it Red Read for Dyslexia. Take a picture and share it on social media using the hashtag #MarkItReadPhoto and you could win!. Follow Dyslexia Canada on the social media platform you have chosen to enter their contest on.
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International Day of the Girl
Oct. 11
This year's theme identified by UNICEF is "Digital generation," and UNICEF and other organizations are using the platform to talk about gender inequality in technology and highlight girl tech trailblazers, like Nina, who lives in Brazil and teaches computer science on her YouTube channel and interviews female scientists from both Brazil and the African continent on her podcast.
Read Chestermere's Women in Leadership magazine. The publication shines a light on the extraordinary women who lent their expertise to a dynamic online series exploring women’s roles and engagement in municipal politics and leadership titled “The Chestermere Toward Parity for Women in Politics Project” and shares their tips for success. Read the magazine here.
Women of Impact in Canada is an online gallery dedicated to women's achievements, featuring profiles of courageous women who have made an impact in politics, the arts and sciences, and countless other fields.
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Thanksgiving
Oct. 11
For many of us, this weekend really kicks off autumn. Celebrate by making handprint Thanksgiving turkeys, Thanksgiving cookies turkeys, and an adorable printable placemat to keep the kids busy while the turkey is cooking.
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Canadian Library Month & Canadian Library Workers’ Day
October is Library Month and October 15, 2021, is Library Workers' Day.
All residents of Chestermere, Langdon, Indus, and Rocky View County are eligible for a Chestermere Public Library membership. With your membership card, you may borrow books, magazines, music CDs, DVDs, book CDs, download eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music and more! You can also access reliable information online through the Chestermere Library's E-Resources. This includes online newspapers, articles and reference books covering many topics.
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Halloween
Oct. 31
One of the most anticipated holidays of the year for many kids! Dressing up in fun costumes, fun treats, and candy... what's not to love? Be sure to check the Macaroni KID event calendar to find all of the great local Halloween activities and events happening today!
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Macaroni KID Chestermere is a free local calendar, weekly e-newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Chestermere, Langdon, Indus and surrounding rural areas. We gather all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused local businesses, deals, product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. | ||
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Are we missing something? Please use our Submit an Event form to send us all the details! If you have original recipes, crafts, or family fall fun ideas that you would like to share with our Macaroni KID community, please email kimmcrae@macaronikid.com. Be sure to include a poster or image if you've got one!
