Tag: books

Top Auction Houses in Winnipeg for Unique Finds

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I have been discovering some unique finds at auctions in and around Winnipeg. I don’t buy larger items at auction such as automobiles, farm equipment, and land, so those will not be listed here. There are a few auction companies I have used, or those that I follow, that I will mention here (in no particular order). Please let me know if you know of any more in or around the Winnipeg area! Happy bidding! 

Neighbourhood Auctions Ltd.

Estates, high-end collectibles, and liquidation goods (Consignment)

36 Mandalay Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Maples area). (204) 306-0024

Consignment fees are 10 – 100% depending on how much the item or lot was sold for. 

https://www.neighbourhoodauctions.com

Centre Flavie – Boutique Unique (Donation-based)

Centre Flavie is a donation and volunteer-based Non-Profit Charitable Organization that serves vulnerable and impoverished members of the community. Centre Flavie provides clothing, furniture, beds, appliances, etc. free of charge to people in need. A division of Centre Flavie, Boutique Unique has a secondhand and vintage shop (free for those in need, see next paragraph below) and an auction entity created to help raise long-term sustainable funding for Centre Flavie. Their online auction site through Boutique Unique has lots of amazing items. I have successfully bid and won auction items (ex. Sherman jewelry, Lalique glass statue) and I highly recommend!

FYI – For those in need, folks can go to Centre Flavie (301 Archibald Street) to find the items they require at Boutique Unique. Help is available Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. All who are present at the Centre at 8:30 a.m. Monday to Friday will be entered in a random draw held each morning to decide the order of entry. There is no need or purpose in coming any earlier to wait in line. Anyone arriving after the draw will go to the end of the line.

CTV report: https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/a-peek-inside-winnipegs-boutique-unique/

301 Archibald Street (St. Boniface area). (204) 231-9513

https://centreflavie.com/en/

Kaye’s Auctions

Winnipeg Family Owned and Operated business since late 1980s. Bringing unique and tucked-away treasures to the surface. They do larger scale sales like estates and cannot accommodate smaller individual consignment lots now or in the near future (as they are backed up!).

263 Stanley Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Downtown area). (204) 668-0183

https://www.kayesauctions.ca

Tailored Auctions LTD.

Updating new items weekly! Unique finds and collectibles. Contact them for consignment opportunities. I have successfully bid on some smaller lots of jewelry and it was fun. Reasonable prices (depending on who is bidding and what people are going for!).

666 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba (West End area). (204) 330-8008

https://tailoredauctions.hibid.com

Dominion Auctions

The offer consignment. They have a strong market for a variety of goods including sterling silver, gold jewelry, fine Canadian and International art, Chinese antiques, Fine furniture from the middle ages or mid-century, carpets, hand-knotted wood and silk, collectibles, and more. Many of their items are in the thousand-dollar and up price range. 

424 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Downtown, inside Bison Books). (204) 477-5353

http://dominionantiques.com

Canadian Goodwill – Sharing Secondhand Stories

Goodwill has thrift store auctions called “Auction Windows” where collectible, vintage, or otherwise highly desired items are displayed for a number of weeks with a “Last Chance to Bid” date posted. The bidding is done by a “Silent Auction” process. The bidder does not get to closely inspect the items; they only get to see the item from the window. A starting price is suggested. Then the person goes into the store and writes their bid on a piece of paper and inserts it into a box which has a slot on the top. Other people’s bids are not visible or revealed. On the day after final bidding, the person with the highest bid will be called. They can choose to accept and go into the store to give the item a closer look and inspection. If the item is suitable and desired for the bidded amount, the buyer can pay for the item. If not, the item will then be offered to the next highest bidder. 

Auction Windows in Winnipeg can be found at the following four Goodwill locations:

3431 Portage Avenue, (204) 431-0988 (Crestview area)

1540 Pembina Hwy, (204) 475-4593 (Fort Garry area)

17-2136 McPhillips St., (204) 475-6438 (Garden City area)

317 St. Anne’s Road, (204) 257-3644 (Southdale area)

Photos of the items as seen through the window are also posted at https://canadiangoodwill.ca/auction-items. If you follow on Facebook or Instagram, you may get to see the items up for auction sooner. 

Winnipeg Police Unclaimed Goods Auction (City of Winnipeg)

Usually held in March. No upcoming dates available. 

Willy’s Auctions (Oakbank)

Family-owned and operated. They truly LOVE all collectibles. No upfront fees for listing your items. They encourage consignment. Competitive commission rates on sold items. I have won a few auction lots and I combined picking up my goods with a trip to Pine Ridge Hollow for a lunch and visit to the shops!

27070 Hillside Road, Oakbank, Manitoba. (431) 388-8371

https://www.willysauctions.com

Bidding Wars for St. Amant (a Facebook Community, Located in Winnipeg Beach)

A fundraiser to raise money to help with any training or upkeep to the service of St. Amant. Money raised is 100% for all autistic and special needs children and adults that benefit from services through St. Amant. Many of the items are in the $5-20 price range. Donations accepted.

Box 585, Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba. Contact: leopardlady@mymts.net

https://facebook.com/biddingwarsforstamant

Craig Street Cats Auction (Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16EhmNxaKm/

eBay

Look for local auctions on the eBay website. Use the Advanced search feature and enter Keywords (Whatever you want), Buying Format: Auction, Shipping Options: Local Pickup, Item Location: Items within…of your postal code. If there is anything in your area or in Winnipeg that matches your search it will pop up.

https://www.ebay.com

Happy bidding!

Angela G. Gentile

We Must Be Doing Something Right: The Rate of Newly Diagnosed Alzheimer’s is Dropping in Canadians 65+

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I am very interested in helping older people, especially those who are caregivers to those who have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Two of my books are written specifically on this topic. January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month here is Canada, and I was pleased to see this statement from the Minister of Health which I felt was important enough to share here (I bolded a section for emphasis!). I found there is a lot of valuable information, plus the good news that we are doing something right! It also includes steps we can take to help reduce our risks.

Way to go Canada!

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

Link to purchase my latest book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4PDKnBj

Message from the Minister of Health – Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

From: Public Health Agency of Canada

January 3, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Almost half a million people in Canada live with dementia, impacting not only themselves, but their loved ones and caregivers as well.

While the risk of dementia increases with age, it is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, the rate of newly diagnosed cases in Canadians aged 65 and over has been dropping for the last several years.

This is why the Government of Canada has been investing in the implementation of Canada’s national dementia strategy – A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire. It focuses on the areas of research, surveillance, awareness initiatives (including a national public education campaign), community-based projects and guidance.

Implementing the national strategy is a joint effort by a wide range of organizations across Canada, including provincial and territorial governments, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and health and social care providers. Over the past five years, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has funded more than 70 dementia projects through organizations such as these across the country. A number of these projects were featured in the 2023 Report to Parliament on the national dementia strategy.

Targeted research is needed to better understand cognitive impairment in the aging brain, which is one of the reasons why the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) launched the Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative in March 2023. This initiative encompasses a number of aspects including the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging and the Dementia Research and Innovation Funders Alliance (launched in November 2023) and several new funding opportunities.

It has been estimated that 12 risk factors that can often be managed and reduced could explain 40% of cases of dementia globally. This highlights the importance of raising awareness about these factors which include physical inactivity, smoking, obesity and chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

This January, for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, I encourage you and your family to visit Dementia: Risk factors and prevention – Canada.ca to learn more about dementia risk reduction. Choose one habit that you can change or improve such as being more physically active, socializing regularly, or having a healthier, more balanced diet. Engaging in these healthy behaviours can help reduce the risk of dementia and delay the onset of symptoms, thereby improving your quality of life as you age.

We can all help improve the quality of life of those living with dementia. For more about how to reduce dementia-related stigma and communicate in a supportive way with people living with dementia, visit Dementia: Tips on how you can help – Canada.ca.

As more of us take these actions, we’ll reduce the impact of dementia on Canadians.

The Honourable Mark Holland

Contacts

Christopher Aoun
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
613-291-4176

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada 613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2024/01/message-from-the-minister-of-health—alzheimers-awareness-month.html#

My First Book on Amazon Was AI Hybrid Plagiarized Twice

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My Book on Amazon was AI Hybrid Plagiarized Twice – Angela G. Gentile

In 2015, I self-published my first ebook and paperback through CreateSpace, now Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and sold it on Amazon. It is called, “Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide.” It is my best seller and I do presentations and book talks based on it and the expanded and revised edition called, “Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers.”

As I was preparing for a presentation, I typed my book’s title into the Amazon search bar. I was checking on the status of my reviews.

To my surprise, a book with a similar title (a sponsored title!) popped up right above mine. i clicked on the link and looked more closely at the “Book Overview.” As I started reading through I saw my words, not in the same order, but in a slightly different arrangement. My terms used in my book made up the bulk of the overview. I had a strong suspicion that this was MY book.

I wasn’t able to see any of the inside of the book via the “Read sample” option. It had only the cover, back cover (with no text on the back), title page, author’s name, and copyright information.

I checked the Amazon Prime return policy, and I was able to return the book at no extra cost. So there was no risk in my opinion. I ordered the book and waited.

When the book arrived three days later, I opened it up and saw MY photos. MY writing. This was direct plagiarism. But, the “author” had scrubbed the book clean of any personal information such as my title page, copyright information, dedication, acknowledgements, and the back-matter such as resources, recommended reading, and my about the author page.

When I opened up the book, it was a jaw-dropping moment. I was shocked. My heart sank. I felt like I had been robbed. The violation of stealing my hard work felt like a punch to my stomach. Sadness, anger, victimization all balled up into one.

After the initial shock wore off, I took a closer look and discovered that the “Introduction” was AI generated. I had plugged in the first few paragraphs into an AI Checker and it came up as being written by AI. I had never seen a book combining AI-generated text and direct or cloned plagiarism before. The bulk of the book was my work. Word-for-word. And it was taken from my 2015 ebook (which has since been revised in 2021).

I started searching Amazon to see if there were any other books plagiarizing mine and I found another one! So far, I have found two.

I have since reported both books to Amazon for copyright infringement and they have been removed. I have to be diligent though because it can happen again. There is an online Amazon Report Infringement form and process that has to be followed and you don’t get to speak to a human unfortunately. I ran into a snag because the books I was reporting on had fake ISBN numbers, so I had to use the ASIN numbers instead.

Many other suspicious books written by others have been discovered. I suspect there are hundreds if not thousands of these AI Hybrid Books on Amazon. It’s not right.

AI Hybrid Plagiarism is running rampant on Amazon. Many unsuspecting authors are being robbed and readers are being deceived. I want others to be aware of this issue in hopes of preventing the sales of these illegitimate books that disrespect the intellectual property rights of others.

My ask is I want Amazon to do a better job at checking for plagiarism. I suggest they go beyond the first 500 words. Perhaps the first 10,000.

I have a Facebook page called, “My Book was Stolen Plagiarised Pirated” with more information. Give a Follow and Like there to see what I find and what is new in the world of AI and books.

More information on my books and services can be found on my website at www.AngelaGGentile.com.

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

AI Hybrid Plagiarism – A New Level of Literary Theft

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My book, “Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide,” has been plagiarized at least twice on Amazon. The top book in the photo is my book, the bottom two are Artificial Intelligence Hybrids or what I call AI Hybrids for short. Let me provide you with a definition that I made up.

AI/Cloning Hybrid Plagiarism is a combination of cloning or direct plagiarism plus artificial intelligence, AI-generated, text.

An AI Hybrid Book is a book that consists of artificial intelligence, AI-generated, text plus cloned or direct text from the original human author. The direct copied work has been used without authorization from or acknowledgement to the originator of the human-generated text (the author). AI is also not given credit and the book’s credit goes to a completely different author. Sometimes these are fictitious names.

The version of MY book that was plagiarized was the 2015 ebook version. “Caring for a Husband with Dementia” has since been revised (2021) and is available in both ebook and paperback.

There are MANY AI Hybrids on Amazon and Goodreads. Perhaps they are everywhere online. This is a problem that I want all consumers and authors to be aware of. The photo below shows a combination of my books that were plagiarized and others that I highly suspect are also AI Hybrids.

HOW TO SPOT AN AI HYBRID PLAGIARIZED BOOK and FRAUDULENT “AUTHOR” ON AMAZON

*The book overview summary description is most likely written by AI. (You can run it through an AI checker to get an idea if it was or not.)

*The book cover image may appear irrelevant to the topic. 

*The title is on the cover but there is a lengthy subtitle in the book listing that is NOT on the book cover.

*There is no back cover copy. 

*The author’s name includes a middle initial – and no credentials. 

*No information on the author. 

*No Amazon Author profile page. 

*No search results on the author’s name. 

*No sample to read other than the copyright info. (If there is a sample, it is probably poorly formatted.)

*Publisher = “Independently published” (usually 2023, after ChatGPT and Generative AI took off)

*It likely has a FAKE ISBN # (ex. 979-8861564083)

*No ebook for Kindle available. Just paperback. 

*No reviews. 

If you think this may have happened to you, please let me know. I have a Facebook page where you can follow along. Https://www.facebook.com/mybookwasplagiarised.

Comments or questions? Please contact me.

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

How to Have a Successful Book Launch Event

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Angela G. Gentile, book launch for Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss

1. Plan well in advance: Give yourself enough time (3-4 weeks) to plan the event and invite guests.

2. Recruit a sponsor who can get more exposure for their generosity. They can pay for refreshments for example. Give them a table so they can have brochures and business cards available to your guests.

3. Choose the right venue: Select a venue that is appropriate for the type of event you want to have. Plan for about 40 people.

4. Create a guest list: Invite friends, family, media contacts, politicians, and other important people to your book launch party. Have an RSVP contact number. Follow up with your guests.

5. Consider holding a fundraiser to compliment the theme of your book. Offer to donate a portion of your sales to a charity. Take a collection. Set up an online donation page.

6. Promote the event: use social media and other marketing channels to promote your book launch party. Make posters and send them out.

7. Enlist people to: take photos, take a video, help with other tasks as needed.

8. Offer refreshments: Provide snacks and drinks for your guests to enjoy. Your sponsor can pay for this!

9. Greet people as they arrive. Let them know how much you appreciate them.

10. Prepare a presentation and tell your guests about your book. Provide a Powerpoint presentation with visuals to make it more interesting. Present some background on your book and read some passages. Let your guests know what inspired you. Aim for 20-30 minutes or so. Leave time for questions!

11. Make it interactive: Encourage guests to engage with the book’s topic by having activities or discussions related to the book’s theme.

12. Provide door prizes. Everyone likes to win something!

13. Have copies of the book available for purchase: Make sure to have copies of your book available for purchase at the event, so guests can take home a copy. Prepare to sign the books, too!

14. Prepare a small flyer as a takeaway if they aren’t ready to buy the book or want to bring back information to someone else.

15. Share your news on social media (photos, videos).

16. Thank your guests: Show your appreciation to the guests who attended your book launch party by sending thank-you notes or other small gestures.

17. Follow up with media contacts and guests after the event to thank them for attending and see if they have any feedback or opportunities for future promotion.

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

Made with the help of ChatGPT.

Book Launch and Alzheimer Society Manitoba Fundraiser

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January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and I am planning to launch my newest book, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023, 7:30 – 8:30 pm, at Smitty’s, 1629 Kenaston Blvd. here in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I hope you can make it! Seating is limited so please let me know if you plan to be there.

Please help me out and share this with anyone you feel would be interested in attending.

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss by Angela G. Gentile with Brent Hoag (Book)

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Buy the paperback

Buy the ebook (Kindle)

Here in Canada, January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month. To commemorate this event, I am thrilled to announce the release of my newest book, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers (2022). This book has been in the making for a few years now and I am pleased with its completion. It is available for purchase on Amazon in paperback and ebook (Kindle) format.

Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss is a fully revised and expanded version of my book, Caring for a Husband with Dementia. Caring for a Husband with Dementia, written in 2015, has been my number one seller and this new book is sure to enlighten everyone. It is written in gender-neutral language and will be relevant for all care partners and those who provide assistance and help to those struggling with cognitive decline and neurocognitive disorders.

My idea for this book came to me not long after I published, Caring for a Husband with Dementia. I had people asking me, “Where is the book for us husbands?” and “Where is my book? I am a child of a parent with dementia.” This got me thinking. So I started by having men who were caregivers look over the book. I had one man who was unable to complete his mission. So I had to continue to search for the right person(s) to help me.

Dubbed the “first aid kit” and “quintessential survival guide” for caregivers.

Eventually, I developed a friendship (through an online caregiver support group) with a man named Brent Hoag, whose wife Sally had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years prior. He was very keen on helping me and agreed to review the book from a male caregiver’s perspective. He is a prolific writer in support groups and online, so I knew he would be a great choice. His contributions to this book project were so valuable that I included his name on the front cover!

Brent’s contributions to Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss include a chapter on humour and his words of wisdom, experience, and advice are sprinkled throughout the book. You can sense the love for his wife in his words and the challenges he endured and how he handled them with loving care.

In this expanded volume I include special chapters on delirium, drinking, driving, and doggy dementia. In the seven years since I wrote my first book on dementia, caregivers have come to me with some very challenging situations that are unfortunately more common than we realize. The dementia-affected brain can pose so many difficult situations for caregivers, so this book is sure to shed some light on how to cope and manage.

Topics include:

  • Getting a Diagnosis
  • Understanding Dementia
  • Understanding Caregiving
  • Asking for Help
  • Practical and Emotional Support
  • Caregiver Burnout and Self Care
  • Humour as a Coping Strategy
  • Improving Self-Esteem
  • Long-Term Care Placement
  • Loss, Grief, and Bereavement
  • Communication (includes Therapeutic Reasoning®)
  • Coping with Difficult Behaviour (the biggest chapter with tons of tips!)
  • Abuse and Neglect
  • Legal and Financial Preparedness
  • Delirium and the Older Adult
  • Problem Drinking and Dementia
  • Unsafe Driving
  • Doggy Dementia
  • and more!

These 210 pages are full of support, tips, and advice that everyone can learn from whether you are a informal care provider or a formal caregiver. Problems with one’s memory and recalling recent events is often one of the first signs of dementia. I have included the term “memory loss” in the title in case a failing memory is the main problem one is having.

If you would like to purchase a copy, I always have some available on hand, or you can purchase the book online from Amazon. Contact me for any other inquiries, or click on these links to go to Amazon (USA – change country if needed):

Buy the paperback

Buy the ebook (Kindle)

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

Angela G. Gentile is a clinical social worker who has worked with thousands of clients and their families. She has a specialization in aging and has been working with older adults for more than 25 years. Angela is married, has two adult children, and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

For more information: AngelaGGentile.com

Book News: Updates

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I have been working on my books and I have two updates to tell you about.

Now in hardcover: “Flourish or Fade”

My newest book, “Flourish or Fade: A guide to total well-being for women at midlife and beyond” (2021) is now available in hardcover! This is the first book that I have been able to make into a hardcover version. Amazon had approached me to see if I would be interested in trying out this new feature they were offering, so I took them up on it. Let me know if you decided to get a copy of it in hardcover. I would love to know what you think.

Paperback updated for 2021: “Caring for a Husband with Dementia”

I have updated the paperback version of “Caring for a Husband with Dementia” for 2021. I have taken out some links that no longer worked. Many of the links were from the “Alzheimer’s Reading Room” which has been removed off the internet. I have also added a reference to a book by Marie Marley and Daniel C. Potts which has a lot of the information that was in the links which have been removed. Their book is called, “Finding Joy in Alzheimer’s: New Hope for Caregivers” (2015).

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

“Flourish or Fade” Book Launch Giveaways and Contest Details

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Celebrate National Women’s Health Week with us! On May 11, 2021, at 8:00 pm CST, Angela G. Gentile will be hosting a Zoom book launch for her newest book, “Flourish or Fade.” Register on Eventbrite to attend. There are a number of awesome books, services, and products that have been donated by some amazing women to help make this book event special. Please see the list below and enter to win! (see Contest Details below).

Flourish or Fade

1. Angela G. Gentile: “Flourish or Fade: A guide to total well-being for women at midlife and beyond” (paperback, $21.00 CAD value). Now available!

BrainShape Accountability Calls

2. Dr. Andrea Wilkinson: BrainShape Accountability Calls ($300.00 CAD value)

“Free Phase II Accountability Calls with Dr. Andrea of BrainShape” ($300 CAD value)

Accountability Appointments take place via TWO 60-minute video calls. 

CALL 1: Discuss your concerns and struggles + build a plan to help you address them (e.g., sleeping difficulties, chronically stressed, low energy, lacking mental focus, etc.) Whatever the problem, let’s talk about it & build a plan you can implement right away. 

CALL 2: Accountability Appointment to check-in on the goals you set out in Call 1.

The winner of the BrainShape Services prize will book their INITIAL CALL by visiting www.BrainShape.ca/call and book a time in Dr. Andrea’s calendar. This is a free offering of the supportive elements provided inside the Brain Vitality Blueprint, and helps people take the first step towards improving their health and well-being. 

How I Made a Huge Mess of My Life

3. Billie Best: “How I Made a Huge Mess of My Life” (paperback, $12.99 USD value)

https://billiebest.com/

The World Came to Us

4. Molly Duncan Campbell: “The World Came to Us” (paperback, $12.99 USD value)

http://mollydcampbell.com/

The Playground of Possibilities Card Deck

5. Kay Ross: “The Playground of Possibilities” (card deck, $20.00 USD value)

This card deck is a self-help, personal-development tool with 52 questions for you to ask yourself. Every question starts with “What would be possible for me if I…?”, to prompt you to let go of your old, limiting thoughts, beliefs and stories about yourself and the world, choose more useful ones, take inspired action, and improvise more resourceful, joyful ways of being. Kay was born in Scotland, grew up in Australia, and has lived in Hong Kong for 27 years. She’s passionate about personal development and healing, and is also an improv performer. The deck costs $20 USD plus postage from Hong Kong (the full amount depends on the number of decks ordered and the destination).  

https://playgroundofpossibilities.com/card-deck/

Seize the Moment!

6. Camille Goscicki, of Vitalaging4women, “Seize the Moment! A Guide to Living in the Present” (ebook, $4.99 USD value)

Do you live with regrets from the past, and fear the unknowns of the future?

It’s time to let go of fears and regrets and live for today. Seize the Moment! is your mini-guide to grab the present moment and live for today. It includes three bonus worksheets that will help you become more mindful. (Everyday mindfulness tips, practicing mindfulness, and becoming present for peace of mind.) Note: eReader not included.

https://www.vitalaging4women.com

The Unexpected Journey of Caring

7. Donna Thomson: The Unexpected Journey of Caring (hardcover book, $39.00 CAD value).

“The Unexpected Journey of Caring: The Transformation From Loved One to Caregiver” by Donna Thomson and Zachary White, PhD with a foreword by Judy Woodruff (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019) Available at all online booksellers Hardcover – $39.00 CAD)

With a foreword by Judy Woodruff, The Unexpected Journey of Caring is a practical guide to finding personal meaning in the 21st century care experience.

Personal transformation is usually an experience we actively seek out—not one that hunts us down. Becoming a caregiver is one transformation that comes at us, requiring us to rethink everything we once knew. Everything changes—responsibilities, beliefs, hopes, expectations, and relationships. Caregiving is not just a role reserved for “saints”—eventually, everyone is drafted into the caregiver role. It’s not a role people medically train for; it’s a new type of relationship initiated by a loved one’s need for care. And it’s a role that cannot be quarantined to home because it infuses all aspects of our lives.

Caregivers today find themselves in need of a crash course in new and unfamiliar skills. They must not only care for a loved one, but also access hidden community resources, collaborate with medical professionals, craft new narratives consistent with the changing nature of their care role, coordinate care with family, seek information and peer support using a variety of digital platforms, and negotiate social support—all while attempting to manage conflicts between work, life, and relationship roles. The moments that mark us in the transition from loved one to caregiver matter because if we don’t make sense of how we are being transformed, we risk undervaluing our care experiences, denying our evolving beliefs, becoming trapped by other’s misunderstandings, and feeling underappreciated, burned out, and overwhelmed.

Informed by original caregiver research and proven advocacy strategies, this book speaks to caregiving as it unfolds, in all of its confusion, chaos, and messiness. Readers won’t find well-intentioned clichés or care stereotypes in this book. There are no promises to help caregivers return to a life they knew before caregiving. No, this book greets caregivers where they are in their journey—new or chronic—not where others expect (or want) them to be.

“Nobody grows up planning to be a caregiver, but many of us will become one and sometimes when we least expect it. Thomson and White bring powerful insights to help understand what it means to be a caregiver and how to truly support those of us who will travel this unexpected journey.” – Samir K. Sinha, director of geriatrics, Sinai Health System and University Health Network, Toronto; health policy research director, National Institute on Ageing

www.donnathomson.com 

Keeping it Together

8. Eleanor Silverberg: “Keeping it Together: How to Cope as a Family Caregiver without Losing Your Sanity” (paperback, $20.00 CAD value)

https://www.eleanorsilverberg.com/kit-book

I Could Be Wrong

9. Billie Best: I Could Be Wrong (paperback, $7.99 USD value)

https://billiebest.com/

Contest Details:

  • Contest open to adults aged 18+, worldwide. No purchase necessary.
  • Identify which prize(s) you would like to win. Submit the item name/number, your name and email address to Angela at caretoage@gmail.com. (Your name and email address will not be given out to anyone else, unless it is required in order for you to obtain your prize(s)).
  • One entry per person, per item.
  • Entries accepted from Wednesday April 21, 2021 at 5:00 pm CST until Saturday May 15, 2021 at 12:00 noon CST.
  • Winners will be drawn on or before Sunday May 16, 2021 at 12:00 noon CST.
  • Qualified winners will be notified by email and your mailing address will be required so we can ship you your prize.
  • Every attempt will be made to get your prize to you, however, in the unfortunate event there are restrictions in your country, you will be ineligible. In that case, another draw will be made to seek a suitable winner.

Good luck!

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

www.angelaggentile.com

Cancer Up the Wazoo Book Launch — Photos and Video

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Reading

Angela Gentile reading from Cancer Up the Wazoo

Portrait

Purple suit to match the ribbon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, September 27, 2018, my two latest books Cancer Up the Wazoo and How to Edit an Anthology were presented and launched at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was also a fundraiser for the “CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.” 60 people attended and Tache Pharmacy sponsored the beverages. There were also decorated sugar cookies (made with love by me, Sheila and Simone) and brownies (made by Cupp, my husband).

 

Hope

Cancer Up the Wazoo, How to Edit an Anthology, Hope symbol, and Me (Angela Gentile)

I also revealed my latest project — a symbol of HOPE. It includes the anal cancer ribbon in green and purple and a dragonfly. The logo was created with the talented help from Fusion Communications. The dragonfly is a creation of Chinese brush artist Virginia Lloyd-Davies. Her artwork is also found in the book, Cancer Up the Wazoo. I have plans to help share this beautiful logo with those as a symbol of strength and hope.

Although there are 25 people who contributed to the book, only 5 of us were able to be at the launch. These three short speeches were very touching.

Speakers

Three guest speakers. Left to right: Lynda Sie Greaves, Maureen Warren, Me (Angela Gentile) and Virginia Davis Wilson).

Fr Sam

Me and Father Sam, one of my esteemed guests!

The presentation was 26 minutes in total. I have put it on YouTube, in two parts.

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

Signing

People bought books and I signed them if they wanted me to!

cookies

 

Overall, the launch was a success and we raised $300 for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation! In addition to that, $1 from the sale of each copy of Wazoo will be donated to the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation.

To purchase copies, you can find Cancer Up the Wazoo and How to Edit an Anthology on Amazon or at McNally Robinson Booksellers.

 

A special thank you to all who attended, donated and purchased books.

Warm regards,

Angela G. Gentile

www.AngelaGGentile.com