“Art for sanity’s sake” is the motivating ethos behind The Gently Mad Magazine, says UWindsor alumna Serafina Piasentin (BA 2024), one of the founders of the online literary journal.

“Looking around, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the chaos in the world,” Piasentin says. “The Gently Mad Magazine thinks it's important to publish what you created to combat and cope with insanity. Besides, aren’t all artists and authors a little gently mad anyway? It is in clinging to the beauty in the ruin that sustains us.”

After meeting at a creative writing summer course at the University of Edinburgh, Piasentin and co-founder Juliana Allan launched the publication as a platform for established and emerging writers.

“Our goal is to stand out in the literary world by introducing a gently mad persona for each issue,” says Piasentin.

The first issue featured a gently mad navigator who searched for purpose beyond the known path. The second issue, launching May 4, features the gently mad muse, a self-created source of inspiration.

The launch event will serve as a belated celebration of National Poetry Month and is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Biblioasis Bookshop, 1520 Wyandotte St. East. It promises readings and signings by Windsor-based contributors.

The Gently Mad Magazine will open submissions of poetry, prose, photography, and other art forms including digital art for its third issue starting May 5, under the persona of the gently mad giant.

“Send us your poems, stories, and artworks that encapsulate your dreams for greatness,” Piasentin says.

Find more information on submission guidelines, click here to submit work, or email the editors directly at gentlymadmagazine@gmail.com. Submissions will close June 12. 

A family-focused event celebrating Windsor-Essex and its diverse tapestry is coming to the Toldo Lancer Centre on April 26 and 27.

Organized by the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association and the Rotary Club of Windsor-Wide, #YQG Togetherfest is billed as a one-stop shop of more than 60 vendors and 17 entertainers.

Cultural and community groups promise accessible opportunities for all ages: diverse entertainment, crafts, artisans, traditional foods, educational and health care supports, a games zone, and other activities.

“We are looking to bring together families from across our multicultural community,” says Kelly Gosselin, director of UWindsor advancement and alumni relations and president of the BANA board of directors.

“Togetherfest will support the work of BANA in such causes as eating disorders, food insecurity, health promotion, and body acceptance.”

The event will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Admission is $5, free for those 5 and under. Learn more on the event website.

Procurement Services is committed to supporting the UWindsor community in acquiring the goods and services needed to advance academic, research, and operational goals. As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, the staff is launching a survey to gather feedback from departments across campus.

The purpose of this survey is to better understand:

• Your experience working with Procurement Services
• How well its policies, procedures, and tools support your purchasing needs
• The clarity and effectiveness of training materials and communication
• Ways to improve collaboration and service delivery

Your input will help refine procurement services to ensure it not only meets campus needs but also upholds the responsibility to act as good stewards of University funds. This includes ensuring compliance with procurement policies and practices that promote:

• Best value for money
• Transparency and accountability
• Financial sustainability
• Responsible stewardship of institutional and public resources

Strong partnership between Procurement Services and campus departments is essential to achieving these goals. Your feedback will help inform enhancements to processes, resources, and customer support.

The survey is open until April 24. Access it here: Procurement Services Survey. The survey should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential, and your insights are invaluable to shaping how the service moves forward.

For questions about the survey or Procurement Services, email procurement@uwindsor.ca.

All content hosted on UWindsor.icampus21.com will cease to exist as of Aug. 31, as iCampus21 will no longer support its hosting of WordPress.

Users who wish to keep their site will have to move it to another platform before that date.

The Office of Open Learning has created a document to help users explore some options for hosting their site with instructions for exporting and importing content to these other platforms.

It will also hold regular drop-in support sessions for those who need help starting Tuesday, April 15. These sessions will be hybrid so people can come to Room 1232, Centre for Engineering Innovation, or log in via Teams.

Information and join links will be available on the ePortfolio webpage. Direct questions or concerns to openlearning@uwindsor.ca.

There is still space to register for training in Wen-Do self-defence April 26 and 27 on the UWindsor campus.

The course focuses on navigating risk for violence in women's lives, in an empowering and choice-based way, says instructor Anne Rudzinski.

It is open to women and girls ages 10 and up, trans and cisgender: students, staff, faculty, and the local community.

“University employees are welcome to bring their daughters,” Rudzinski notes.

The two-day course typically costs $150 but is being subsidized by the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention, Resistance, and Support, so it’s free. Participants pay only a $20 deposit, refundable upon completion of the workshop.

It will run 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Find details and register here.

Can you find the Easter eggs hidden in the DailyNews to win a prize basket filled with candies, chocolate, and a University of Windsor T-shirt?

All you have to do is look over the photos in the DailyNews and spot the one with the superimposed Easter egg, then fill out your entry specifying which article the egg appeared with. One egg will be hidden in each edition of April 11, 14, and 16.

The contest is open to all members of the campus community.  Here’s the link to today’s entry form: https://forms.office.com/r/cdfjRzP4ku.

A winner will be drawn at random from all correct responses in time to claim the basket before the Easter weekend.