The new look for 2025

Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!

Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers

+++++++++++++++

From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips on how to use adobe acrobat

Sure! Here are 10 tips for using Adobe Acrobat effectively, whether you’re working with PDFs for productivity, editing, or collaboration:

1. Use the “Edit PDF” Tool
•
Go to Tools > Edit PDF to edit text, images, and formatting directly in your PDF—no need to convert it back to Word.

2. Combine Multiple Files into One PDF
•
Use Tools > Combine Files to merge PDFs, images, Word docs, or spreadsheets into a single, organized PDF.

3. Sign Documents Electronically
•
Use the Fill & Sign tool to insert your signature or initials. You can type, draw, or upload an image of your signature.

4. Organize Pages Easily
•
In Organize Pages, you can reorder, rotate, delete, or insert pages. Just drag and drop thumbnails to rearrange.

5. Add Comments & Annotations
•
Use the Comment tool to highlight, add sticky notes, text boxes, or draw freehand to give feedback or mark up documents.

6. Export PDFs to Other Formats
•
Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint using File > Export To. Great for editing content in original apps.

7. Protect PDFs with Passwords
•
Use Tools > Protect to add password protection, restrict editing, copying, or printing sensitive documents.

8. Use OCR to Recognize Text
•
For scanned documents, use Tools > Scan & OCR to recognize text and make it searchable and editable.

9. Create Fillable Forms
•
Go to Tools > Prepare Form to turn PDFs or scanned paper forms into interactive forms with text fields, checkboxes, etc.

10. Search and Redact Sensitive Info
•
Use Tools > Redact to search for and permanently remove confidential information like names, numbers, or legal terms.

To contact me please send an email to donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)

_________________________

Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
Memories of the Fatima Shrine

And it was 2022 when I purposely journeyed to Portugal in order to visit the Fatima Shrine.
I was not to be disappointed.

On the day before I departed Portugal, I hired a wonderful lady cab driver and she drove me to Fatima.
It was a two hour drive and along the way my driver regaled me with lots of rich history lessons of Portugal.
She told me about her son and so much more.

When we arrived at the Shrine, she escorted me around the Shrine and I bought some souvenirs.
Then we sat on a bench and waited for the noon Mass to commence.

My never to forget experience was when just before Mass started I felt someone put their arms around my shoulders and bury their face in my hair.
This memorable sensation lasted for about 15 seconds and their was a distinct smell that accompanied the sensation.

I am so privileged to have visited this very special Shrine.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.

To learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author visit

Home

On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

_________________________

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
October 2025
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) An easy to cook noodle?
Why, it is egg noodles that cooks very quickly.

2) About diamonds?
They come in yellow, blue, and even pink!

3) Some great info about water:
Drink enough water and you can avoid headaches and be in a good mood.
About 8 glasses per day keeps you hydrated.

4) About bottled water:
Tap water is better to drink than bottled water.
Bottled water is just tap water purified.

5) About fruits and vegetables?
They contain lots of water
And they can help to keep you hydrated.

6) Very interesting about donkeys!
They are being used to guard cattle in fields and pastures!

7) About yawns!
There are 2 types of yawns, hunger yawns and sleepy yawns.
Hunger yawns originate from your tummy.
Sleepy yawns are ones that give you weepy eyes.

8) The differences between taking a direct flight versus an indirect flight?
Direct flights cost more than indirect flights.

9) With Covid still hanging around, here are some must haves for you to keep on hand.
Hand sanitizer, hand wipes, laundry soap,
Tooth paste, and body wash.

10) Looking to save on your liquid laundry soap and liquid dish soap?
Use one small bottle and fill it halfway with water.
Then fill the rest of the bottle with soap.
Shake well and voila!
You are now saving on soap.

_________________________

From the scam watchers
Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!

Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.

The three most prominent scams in October often reflect seasonal patterns, current events, and shifting tactics used by scammers. Based on historical trends and evolving fraud reports, here are three scams that tend to spike during October:

1. Online Shopping & Halloween Scams
October = Halloween. Scammers take advantage of the holiday rush by setting up fake websites selling costumes, decorations, or candy at discounted prices. These sites either:
•
Never deliver the product
•
Deliver counterfeit or low-quality goods
•
Steal your payment info
Red flags:
•
Unusually low prices
•
New websites with poor reviews
•
No secure payment options (HTTPS missing)

2. Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
With student loan payments often resuming around the fall (especially post-pandemic), scammers pose as “student loan relief agents” offering:
•
Loan forgiveness
•
Consolidation assistance
•
Lower payments—if you pay a fee upfront
Red flags:
•
They ask for personal info or money up front
•
Claim they’re from the “Department of Student Loan Relief” (not real)
•
Use pressure tactics (“Act now or lose your eligibility”)

3. Medicare & Open Enrollment Scams
Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 – December 7. Scammers pretend to be from Medicare or a health insurance company to:
•
Steal your Medicare number
•
Sell bogus plans
•
Charge fees for services that are free
Red flags:
•
Unexpected calls asking for Medicare/SSN
•
Promises of better benefits for a fee
•
Fake websites posing as official Medicare portals

_________________________

Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com

Email us at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca

Or call us at 416 491-7711

_________________________

Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com

Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca

Or call us at 416 491-7711

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) A house hold remedy for an upset stomach?
Squeeze some lemon juice into a glass of fizzy water.

2) To prolong the life of your washer?
Do not over load it.

3) What can you slide down a chimney but cannot push up a chimney?
Why! An umbrella.

4) The difference between bees and butterflies when it comes to flowers?
Bees go from flower to flower as they pollinate each.
Butterflies fly over flowers.

5) Some unpleasant facts about foxes!
They may look cute but they are destructive.
They love to dig holes in gardens while hunting for worms
And they love to bite off the ears and tails of sheep.

6) An interesting fact about dogs!
They usually urinate in places where other dogs have done the same.

7) A friendly tip on dish soap!
You should not be using dish soap in your dish washer.
You should also refrain from using dish sop as a substitute for shampoo.
You can mix dish soap with a wee bit of bleach for cleaning purposes in your kitchen.

8) A warning for when using What’s app when traveling abroad.
Before using What’s App, make sure that you are connected to a wi-fi
Or else your data roaming will kick in and you will be charged for roaming.

9) When you purchase new clothes!
You need to wash them before wearing them.
Wash them in cool water and on the gentle cycle
Make sure to wash the coloured clothes separately from the white clothes.

10)And how can you tell that a text is a potential scammer laying a trap for you?
Well! If the text begins with the numbers 7326 (scam) then just delete said text

While

Introduction

This charming city in Quebec, Canada, deserves your attention—especially if you value warm hospitality and thoughtful accessibility. During my visit, I found that everyday experiences were made easier through courteous staff, clear communication, and a welcoming atmosphere.

With 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest, here are my ratings.

At Hotels and Restaurants

• Service desk assistance: 5/5
  Prompt, patient, and solution-oriented. Questions were answered clearly, and staff checked back to ensure needs were met.

• Assistance for guests with special needs: 5/5
  Proactive offers of help without being overbearing. Staff provided verbal wayfinding, described surroundings when asked, and respected independence.

• Assistance at restaurants: 5/5
  Servers were attentive and knowledgeable. They described menu options on request, guided to seating safely, and verified preferences before placing orders.

Remarks

Access to restaurants was very user-friendly for a person with vision loss. Entrances were easy to identify, aisles had sufficient clearance to move between tables, and staff offered to guide when needed. Background noise was generally manageable, and requests for quieter seating were accommodated.

About Hotel Staff

Very warm and welcoming. Check-in was unrushed, assistance with luggage was readily available, and directions to elevators and key areas were described clearly. When asked, staff provided an orientation to room layout and nearby amenities, and follow-up calls ensured everything was satisfactory.

My Meals

Very tasty and delicious. Dishes were well-seasoned and served at the right temperature, portions were generous, and dietary preferences were handled thoughtfully. Descriptions of presentation and sides made choosing easier and more enjoyable.

Any Suggestions?

This is a must-visit city. To make a great experience even better, I encourage continued investment in clear signage, consistent lighting at entrances, and staff training that includes best practices for guiding and describing spaces. Visitors with vision loss may wish to mention any specific assistance needs at booking—Stanstead’s teams are receptive and ready to help.

Contact Information

To learn more about me as an award-winning sight-loss coach and advocate, visit www.donnajodhan.com.

Explore the Coach page for details about my affordable services: www.donnajodhan.com.

The Monthly News Round Up For Award Winning Advocate, Sight Loss Coach and Author Donna J. Jodhan
For the month of August 2025

Read about Donna’s external engagements

Current Affairs

Now you can read about Donna’s press releases here
https://at-newswire.com/company_name/donna-jodhan/
And you can easily access her podcast interviews here
https://www.donnajodhan.com/rwc-interviews.html. Donna will keep this updated as new interviews take place.

Major news items can be found here
It’s all about Donna’s major initiatives for this month plus a lot more

Current Affairs

For August
Donna’s August was very quiet.
She did not conduct any podcast interviews but behind the scenes:
• She started negotiations with DR. Alan Chase of the Eye Retreat Cam to expand her camp offerings. DR. Alan has made her an incredible offer.
• She has been seeking the advice of Rob Lattanzio of the Arch Disability Law Centre to offer a brand new service. She has obtained the endorsement of Glenda Nicol of the Canadian Transportation agency.
Both Rob and Glenda are mentors and advisors to Donna.
• Donna has also been in discussion with Denis Boudreau, a high profile Canadian Advocate to kickstart an initiative for Barrier Free Canada.
Denis is yet another mentor and advisor to Donna.
Stay tuned for more news on this!
• Donna has also been in discussion with Larry Lewis JR to help her breathe new life into the Access Park initiative and the Vision Tech Academy initiative.
Larry is a mentor, advisor to Donna and a high profile advocate in the United States.

You can start by taking a tour of Donna’s personal diary by visiting
www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Donna posts 3 times weekly and her posts gives you great insights into her daily life, challenges, and perspectives as a blind/vision impaired person.

Blogs posted for this month
To the www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog page

World Renown Advocate Donna J. Jodhan asks – Are we ready to accept artificial intelligence?

From World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – A Possible Canadians With Disabilities Consumer Movement?

World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – The Troublesome Truth About Tokenism

My Transitioning To A New World Initiative – See How World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan Is Helping to Reshape The Work Force

World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – When Change Is Unexpected

You can also view previous selections here.

Contributions From Founder and Advocate Donna Jodhan

Donna has also posted other articles of interest on her
www.sterlingcreations.com/blog page
for this month.
News round up for July 2025

World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan Shares Her News Round Up for July

Hottest tips from the Sterling Creations Business Desk

Jump aboard and read the August helpful tips from the Sterling Creations team

Highlight review

World-renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – A Review of the Alt Hotel

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s latest did you know diary

World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – From Her Monthly Diary A Bit Of This And A Bit Of That

Catch up with Donna’s expert page at

Ask An Expert

and for this month

Ask expert Donna J. Jodhan – 10 practical tips to help you master Excel

Read Donna’s author’s tip for this month

Ask World-Renowned Author Donna J. Jodhan – How August Can Inspire You To Greater Heights

And catch up with previous author’s tips

Ask An Author

Read Donna J. Jodhan’s articles on ask the coach for this month
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/ask-sight-loss-coach-donna-j-jodhan-are-there-bacon-cookers-for-the-microwave-ways-to-cook-eggs-and-omelets-in-the-

Read Donna J. Jodhan’s tips and hints for catching up with the coach for this month

Catch Up with World-Renowned Sight Loss Coach Donna J. Jodhan – Inserting Drapery Hooks Removing Crayon Marks Nail Polish Spills

Articles posted to Donna’s contribution page from founder Donna J. Jodhan

Contributions From Founder and Advocate Donna Jodhan

See an archive of all of her product reviews at
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/news.html

Listen and catch up with Donna’s shows
Ask Donna advocacy in action
Ask Donna: Advocacy in Action: August 2025

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/ask-donna-advocacy-in-action-august-2025
“ask Donna advocacy in action”( )
Ask Donna YouTube Playlist: https://donnajodhan.com/askdonna

“dining with donna”
Week 1 –
Dining With Donna: Cashew Chicken

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-cashew-chicken

Week 2 –
Dining With Donna: Chinese Pork Tenderloin

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-chinese-pork-tenderloin
Week 3 –
Dining With Donna: Kielbasa and Cabbage

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-kielbasa-and-cabbage
Week 4 –
Dining With Donna: Mexican Chicken

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/dining-with-donna-mexican-chicken
( )
Dining With Donna YouTube Playlist: https://www.donnajodhan.com/dwd

Your mental stretch with donna
The Mental Stretch: August 2025

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/the-mental-stretch-august-2025
YouTube Playlist: Mental Stretch
https://donnajodhan.com/mentalstretch

Ask the business reviewer:
Ask The Business Reviewer: August 2025
10 tips for promoting a bed and breakfast august 2025

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/ask-the-business-reviewer-august-2025

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/ask-the-business-reviewer-august-2025
YouTube Playlist: Ask the Business Reviewer –

Ask an expert:
Ask The Expert: August 2025
10 tips on how to use excel

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/ask-the-expert-august-2025
YouTube Playlist: Ask an Expert –

And now for Donna’s latest podcasts – her Blindly brilliant page on ETSE where Donna’s pottery creations are now available.
Blindly Brilliant Podcast: August 2025

https://sites.libsyn.com/538282/blindly-brilliant-podcast-august-2025
YouTube playlist: Blindly Brilliant – Etsy:

Libsyn:
https://sites.libsyn.com/521708/site
The Libsyn RSS feed link is here:
https://feeds.libsyn.com/521708/rss
For Spotify:
https://feeds.libsyn.com/521708/spotify

Finally!
Donna has resumed posting to the Access to Information News weekly online newsletter
Sponsored by Mindvault Solutions!

World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan Asks How strong Are Canadian Organizations Of Persons With Disabilities?

From World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – Thoughts on Workplace Accommodations

World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan Asks How Well Is The Accessible Canada Act Doing These Days?

A Perspective from World-Renowned Advocate Donna J. Jodhan – How Some Canadian Government Departments Are Using Work Arounds

To learn more about Donna as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate plus more visit www.donnajodhan.com

That’s it for this month.
Don’t forget to drop me an email at donnajodhan@gmail.com
Don’t be shy! Share your thoughts and feedback!

The new look for 2025

Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!

Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers

+++++++++++++++

From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips for learning Power Point
Here are 10 tips for learning PowerPoint efficiently:
1. Start with the Basics
• Learn how to add slides, insert text, images, and shapes.
• Get familiar with the ribbon (toolbar) and its key features like Home, Insert, Design, and Transitions.

2. Use Pre-Made Templates
• PowerPoint offers built-in themes and templates to make slides visually appealing.
• Try free resources like Microsoft’s template library or websites like Slidesgo, Canva, or SlideCarnival.

3. Master Slide Layouts and Masters
• Use Slide Master to maintain a consistent design across all slides.
• Adjust layouts instead of manually formatting each slide.

4. Keep Slides Clean & Minimalistic
• Avoid excessive text—stick to bullet points and key ideas.
• Use high-quality images and icons instead of text-heavy slides.

5. Learn Shortcut Keys
• Speed up your workflow using shortcuts like:
• Ctrl + M → Insert a new slide
• Ctrl + D → Duplicate a slide or object
• F5 → Start the slideshow
• Shift + Drag → Resize images proportionally

6. Use SmartArt for Visuals
• Convert bullets into graphics using SmartArt for better visual appeal.
• Use charts, diagrams, and infographics to present data effectively.

7. Experiment with Transitions & Animations
• Use subtle transitions (e.g., Fade, Push) for professional slides.
• Avoid overusing flashy animations like Bounce or Spin.

8. Use Speaker Notes for Presentations
• Add Speaker Notes to guide yourself while presenting.
• Use Presenter View to see notes while the audience sees only slides.

9. Practice Presentation Mode
• Use F5 to start a full-screen slideshow.
• Press Shift + F5 to start from the current slide.
• Use the Laser Pointer or Pen tool (Right-click → Pointer Options).

10. Save & Export in Different Formats
• Save as PDF to share a non-editable version.
• Export as MP4 to turn your presentation into a video.
• Use PowerPoint Online for cloud-based access.

To contact me please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)

_________________________

Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
Memories of Anne Frank’s house

O my gosh and this is one of the dreams of my life that I managed to fulfill in 2024 and thanks to my friend Jilla it was done.

What made this visit very accessible despite the many steps to be ascended and descended was the following:
* Staff members were extremely accomodating and went beyond the call of duty to ensure that I as a vision impaired visitor did not miss out on any of the attractions and exhibits.
* A staff member discretely followed us at every step to ensure that we could negotiate the stairs.
* The atmosphere created absolutely suited the reverence and seriousness of the visit.
I truly appreciated this dream come true and it was worth the while to travel so far to make it happen.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.

To learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author visit

Home

On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

_________________________

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
September 2025 monthly tips
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) A great way to promote restful sleep?
Wear a pair of socks on your feet.
This helps to keep your feet warm and to promote blood circulation to your feet.

2) A way to keep your microwave fresh and clean?
On a regular basis, fill a cup with equal parts of vinegar and lemon juice.
Place your cup of vinegar and lemon juice in your microwave.
Turn on your microwave on medium high for 2 minutes.
When done, leave the cup in the microwave then remove.
You can now use a soft cloth to wipe the sides of your microwave.

3) Growing tomatoes?
Tomatoes love warm temperatures.
They do not thrive in colder weather.

4) Heard about the double decker scam?
This is the scam where scammers carry out their scams by obtaining your financial identity along with your personal identity.
They use your financial identity to obtain your credit card and banking details.
Then they use your personal identity to obtain your address.
They place their orders using both of your identities and voila!
They come by to collect their package using your info.
They keep a watch on your porch and balcony and swoop in when the package is being delivered.

5) And here is a tip when cooking salmon!
You do not need to cook it for more than five minutes.
Spread some butter in your skillet.
Place it skin down in your skillet
Cover and cook for five minutes.

6) About caffeine in your tea?
Believe it or not tea contains caffeine.

7) Wi-fi connections on a river boat?
Wi-fi connections are pretty iffy at the best of times.

8) Wi-fi connections in a hotel?
They are pretty reliable.
You can have access to a secure network or sometimes it is unsecured so be ware of this.

9) If you are planning to visit Switzerland!
This beautiful country is made up of lots of lakes and mountains.
It is divided into four Cantons based on language.
French, German, Italian, and Austrian.
Switzerland is a neutral country because of its location and being bordered by France, Germany, Italy, and Austria.

10) A safe way to wash your delicate clothes in the washer?
Place your delicates in a mesh bag and then place the mesh bag in the washer.
See how well they wash!

_________________________

From the scam watchers
Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!

Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.

Here are three scams that are likely to be prevalent in September:
1. Back-to-School Phishing Scams
• How it Works: Scammers send fake emails or text messages pretending to be from schools, universities, or educational suppliers. These messages may offer discounts on school supplies, demand urgent tuition payments, or claim to update student records.
• Red Flags:
• Emails with urgent payment requests or unexpected login links.
• Misspellings or generic greetings like “Dear Student” instead of your name.
• Unfamiliar sender email addresses.
• How to Avoid: Always verify with the school directly and never click on suspicious links.

2. Hurricane or Disaster Relief Scams
• How it Works: September is peak hurricane season in the Atlantic, so scammers take advantage of disasters by setting up fake relief fund websites or posing as charities seeking donations.
• Red Flags:
• Unsolicited calls, emails, or social media messages asking for donations.
• Requests for donations via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Fake charity names that sound similar to real ones.
• How to Avoid: Verify charities through Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before donating.

3. Labor Day Travel & Sales Scams
• How it Works: Scammers create fake airline ticket deals, hotel discounts, or Labor Day sales on social media and fake websites. Victims pay for a trip or product that doesn’t exist.
• Red Flags:
• Too-good-to-be-true travel deals.
• Being asked to pay via CashApp, Zelle, or Venmo instead of a credit card.
• Websites with poor design, misspellings, or missing contact details.
• How to Avoid: Book directly with well-known airlines, hotels, or retailers, and check for HTTPS in the website URL.
_________________________

Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com

Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca

Or call us at 416 491-7711

_________________________

Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com

Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca

Or call us at 416 491-7711

A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com

Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.

Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) Hard to believe but here is a tip on how to stay safe from an approaching bear:
Do not run away.
Stand your ground and do not make any attempt to make noise or attack the approaching bear.

2) The difference between food poisoning and a stomach flu?
Food poisoning takes longer to identify itself.
Here is an example.
If you have just eaten something and within minutes you have to make a trip to the washroom then it is possible that a stomach germ has been in your system and has just awakened because of something that you have just eaten.
In the case of food poisoning it takes a bit longer for things to happen.

3) An important traveling tip for you.
Make very sure that the name on your boarding pass is the same as that on your passport.
If they do not match, that is the one on your boarding pass is not the same as the one on your passport You may be in for a very rough time

4) A handy dandy tip when opening and eating chips:
Open the bag from the bottom and in this way you will be able to taste more of the flavour of the chips.

5) Types of memory for us to take note of:
Short term memory, long term memory, and working memory.

6) a possible allergic reaction to an antibiotic?
A blood shot eye.

7) About the severity of hurricanes?
5 is the most serious severity.
3 is the middle of the road severity.

8) The best way to convert to the appropriate currency when traveling?
Do not think of doing this at a hotel.
Go to the closest bank.

9) When using your credit card to pay a bill in a foreign country!
Pay the bill in the currency of that country.
For if you don’t, you’ll be charged for the conversion rate.
10) and an important tip about water melons
Do not buy them if they have bumps and dents
Water melons can explode in very hot and humid weather.
This is because the gas inside them can build up.

A review of the Alt Hotel
By Donna Jodhan
Award winning advocate and sight loss coach

Introduction:
This new hotel definitely resonates with the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Montreal.

So how would I rate their services? With 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, here are my ratings.
Service desk assistance – 5
Assistance for guests with special needs – 5
Assistance at restaurant – 4.5

Remarks :
Access to the restaurant was extremely user friendly for a vision impaired person and navigating among the tables was not very difficult.
Restaurant staff were extremely attentive to duty.

About hotel staff:
Warm, welcoming, friendly, and helpful.

My meals:
Excellent, yummy, delicious.

Any suggestions?
Just keep up your wonderful work.

Contact info:
and the address is 500 McMillan Avenue, Montreal, Quebec.
Their phone number is 514-633-0900.

To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com
Visit www.donnajodhan.com and access the coach page to learn about the services that I offer; affordable