by Karina Hunter

Emeraude eagerly looks on as applesauce is transferred from the pot.

September marks the beginning of another exciting season at the Manitouwadge Family Place – Best Start Hub.  Supervisor Kelly Sagle has adjusted centre hours to better suit the babies & young children who frequent the centre. Drop-ins are now offered Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – Noon with programmer Linda Jetté. Wednesdays, Linda is thrilled to once again welcome French speaking children and their caregivers to

The Hub is happy to announce Baby’s Beginnings continues to be offered every Friday from 10am – Noon.  Renée Warren is welcomed to the Best Start Manitouwadge Hub team as prenatal programmer and will be hosting these special drop-ins focused on prenatal Moms, and parents or caregivers of children under 36 months of age.  September 18^th, Renée is hosting a ‘Welcome Back Luncheon” at 11a.m. and you are invited to come in and meet her to hear about the many activities she has in store for the remainder of 2009.

This week at the Best Start Hub, old friends were welcomed back and new friends were made as the children enjoyed making applesauce with Renée and Kelly; Linda taught her little friends and their caregivers new songs focused on street safety as school buses are back on the roads and traffic once again increases. All crafts were of course, somehow connected to September’s theme which is apples. Throughout the month, songs, stories and crafts will continue to follow this
theme and you are invited to come in with your children to create such things as an Apple Clay Pot, Apple Tree, Apple Candle Holder, and even tasty Caramel Apples just to name a few! 

September 9^th is recognized by the Best Start Manitouwadge Hub as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day and all parents, caregivers and their children are invited to join as they will be making homemade pretzels and ‘mocktails’ from 1p.m. – 3p.m. at the centre.  Public Health Nurse, Shirley Sassto-Stopyra, RN from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit will be there with a display and to answer any questions you may have. 

Nana, Pépère, Grandma, Grandpapa, Oma, Opa or Grandfather, whatever name your children give them, grandparents play an important role in their lives and September 15^th the Best Start Hub will celebrate Grandparent’s Day, with an Appreciation Tea to which children are encouraged to bring their grandparents.

Get your copy of the Best Start Hub’s September newsletter & calendar (call 826-2883 for locations) for details on the many exciting activities happening at the centre this month or, for more details regarding any of the Best Start Hub’s programs or services, contact supervisor Kelly Sagle during regular office hours; 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. 

Cercle des Amis.  All of these drop-ins have a few things in common; they are a fantastic opportunity for parents & caregivers to interact with their children and all feature craft time, snack time and circle time where you can enjoy connecting with your children while enjoying the company of other adults to share ideas and support. 

Submitted to The Echo; 09.04.09