Community Engagement

Hi there green beans!

There is no question that Fall is my favourite season. I love trees all year but when they change and treat us to their beautiful picturesque landscape full of reds, oranges, and yellows it humbles me. I will be enjoying many long drives in the country this fall and taking lots of pictures, Have I told you how much I love Pictou County; less than 4 minutes and you are in the woods.

Today I want to offer a few ways we can get ready for the Fall in an eco-friendly way. As we think about the kids off to school, getting ready for Halloween, and dare I say Christmas, we need to start thinking about trying out the second-hand stores. They don't just sell clothes, you can find all sorts of treasures. When people downsize, as lots of our aging population is doing, they donate some pretty good stuff to thrift stores. You might find lunch boxes, school supplies, and art supplies. school clothes, backpacks, and fall or winter jackets.

You will certainly find decorations for Halloween, Another great idea is to go out to the forest and find the beautiful leaves and cones that nature has left behind for us; they make excellent table decorations, You can fill a vase with gorgeous coloured branches, and if you're crafty, you can make a wreath for your door or press leaves into homemade candles. The ideas are endless, and the great part is you haven't spent a cent!

Fall is also the time when I get into reading. There is no better place to get books than the thrift shops or the library. Don't buy new when you have free options; you can even check out DVDs (for those, like me, who still use them) or magazines, I find it shocking how expensive magazines are now.

There are so many wondergul thrift shops, but be careful because I often come home with more than I need. But like a friend of mine, she buys a bunch of new clothes, returns her used-used ones and still spends very little money.

Please give thrift shops a try and look out for more details on or Nu 2 U sale this month! I hope to see you there!