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Hope
Magazine would like to apologize for the delay in getting
this beautiful article out. Computer problems seemed to
plague us at the end of 2009, but keep it in mind for next
year too.
ANCA®
Christmas Open House – a time for sharing in the “JOY” of
being
Contributed by Leonora Gregory-Collura, President of the
Naturally Autistic®
ANCA®
organizations
Each Year at ANCA®
we have our annual Christmas Open
House. This is the 5th year it is being held here
on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Every
year this event continues to expand. It is a time for all
the ANCA families both past and present to come together and
reflect on years gone by, the growth and development of all
concerned, the accomplishments and milestones achieved by
all. It is a community event, insofar as extended members
from our local community who contribute to ANCA as guest
facilitators, volunteers, business partners, sponsors and
contributors throughout the year join us in this annual
festive occasion.
Pot Luck is a
favourite amongst members, sharing recipes for seasonal
baked goodies, and old family favourites handed down. One
year ANCA created an Autistic Cookbook with photographs of
group members and their favourite family recipes and
vegetable and fruit harvests from the ANCA garden which the
ANCA Group help plant in the Spring and eat during Summer
Camp-out.
Another Open House
favourite is “Pass the parcel” now an ANCA tradition. It
starts with a circle of children with a huge parcel being
passed from one to the other with Christmas music playing in
the background. As soon as the music stops, the child who is
holding the parcel gets to unwrap it, discovering a gift
wrapped present. The present is unwrapped much to the glee
and eagerness of all involved! Then the music plays again
until it stops at another child, eagerly anticipating the
gift he will unwrap! This is a family tradition from my
childhood – passed on to my son’s childhood birthday parties
and then onto ANCA.
Four years ago we
started musical chairs, much to the delight of the parents,
particularly the moms, who were vying for the Brass
Christmas ornament that was to be the prize. Since then, the
children make a point of reminding me about this, so it has
become an addition.
Every year a
different flavour is added to this festive occasion,
sometimes planned, often spontaneous. The house features two
decorated trees, now with handmade ornaments made by ANCA
families gifted to ANCA last year. Above every door and
archway are fir branches gathered from our surrounding
forests with interwoven lights that change colors. Christmas
Crackers, moving ornaments and soft Christmas toys adorn the
bottom of the trees ready for the youngest of group members
to play with and to share. Last year we added Ginger Bread
House making, this year we will add a new game “Blind man’s
Bluff” and the Summer Camp-out cooking challenge winner will
be announced, least I be reminded yet again by one of our
sibling members!
It is a wonderful
occasion we all look forward to – much to share and much to
cherish. The videos and photos shown during our ‘Year in
Review’ capture the essence of this wonderful time in our
community history. I hope I have spiced up your season with
a few unique ideas that you too can share with your local
Autistic Community™
- naturally, Naturally Autistic®
To view our 2010 ‘Year in Review’ with
footage from our 2009 Christmas Open House click below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1PeC4jvLvs&feature=share
Leonora with husband Charlie and son Anthony
Cover Photo of the Premiere Issue of Naturally Autistic®
magazine
by Jacynthe Geschke, ANCA®
Facilitator
Subscription to Naturally Autistic®
magazine can be purchased by clicking this link
http://www.naturallyautistic.com/subscribe/
A great present for friends, family, community members
  
Naturally Autistic®
ANCA®
P.O. Box 1658, Gibsons,
B.C., V0N 1V0, Canada
anca@naturallyautistic.com
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