About Us
- Behind the Giggles -
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Dennis Beneteau is a great guy that just happened to get Parkinson’s Disease (PD). He has a tender heart. He has led youth groups, taught two year old Sunday School classes and traveled to Malawi, Africa, to share laughter and God’s love with young people of all ages.His 45 years of marriage to Anne and raising four children reflect his commitment to family. He now enjoys six grand children.
Anne is a retired teacher and administrator that enjoys local history. She is the writer of Dennis’ accounts of found memories that were nearly lost.
To honour this fulfilling process, a portion of the proceeds of the sale of this book will be donated to memory care through The Parkinson’s Society and/or Alzheimer’s Society.
- About the Author -
Anne Beneteau is a retired teacher, librarian and administrator whose love of engaging her students with local the community led to being recognized as a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for Teaching History in Canada. She taught a wide range of students from Jk-Grade 8 and recognizes the power of a good story to promote thinking and conversation.
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Anne is caregiver for Dennis, her husband of 45 years who is navigating the world of Parkinson’s Disease. As they reminisce, he shares about his growing up on the shores of River Canard that flows into the Detroit River, she is discovering a new side of Dennis. Having grown up in suburban Detroit, Anne is fascinated by the stories that he shares of times without amenities she assumed were universal in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. Making friends with raccoons, skating to school, fishing for lunch have launched them into giggles as she finds new areas of Dennis’ life that were relatively unknown in the hustle and bustle of raising four children and navigating careers. She is finding enjoyment in the creative writing of Dennis’ short stories and researching his historical French Canadian heritage and the River Canard area.
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Her discovery of the impact of narrative stories to the Aging community for creating connection and fostering positive interactions with caregivers has lead to the book, “Tales from the Creek, Winter Skates”. She hopes that it will engage others in sharing memories that are warm, lighten life, as well as leave a legacy for future generations.