January 27 to February 2, 2025 | |
In this issue...
• NEW RELEASE: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: World's hottest new self-help book is burning up the bestseller charts
• Oreo partners with rapper and singer Post Malone for new cookie flavour due out Tuesday, February 3
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: The marketing of ice
• Are Jack Daniel's fans not enjoying the new bottle design, or is it just a tempest in a teacup?
• Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
• The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night will be held on Monday, January 27
• Valentine's Day is Friday, February 14
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed in the news
• Enjoy the outdoors this winter with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
... and trivia, quotes and more!
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NEW RELEASE: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
I'm thrilled to announce that The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1 is now available for purchase through Amazon in ebook or paperback (300+ pages) format. The book contains 75 updated and revised Hump Day stories that ran for many years in a local newspaper. I've been asked many times to put these in book format, so I'm hoping you'll like it! In addition to Amazon, the book will be available at Chapters in Dieppe NB in a few weeks and perhaps at other locations, as well. To purchase today:
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/4gckiQX
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/3CnKfiF
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The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: World's hottest new self-help book is burning up the bestseller charts
I've listened to some of Mel Robbins' other audio books – I'm an audio book guy lately, not a reader – and always found them to be interesting. I found that she'd been a bit absent from the marketplace in the past few years, but boy, has she come storming back with The Let Them Theory. The book has hit #1 all over the place and is well worth the listen! I recently purchased it on Audible and am quite enjoying it.
I started seeing tons of people commenting on the book – and even Oprah jumped on board. And when you've won over Oprah, you know you're doing something right!
Remember that scene in Moonstruck where Cher slaps Nicholas Cage across the face and tells him to "Snap out of it!"? Well, this is the book version of that very scene.
Article excerpt: "If you’re on the self-help side of social media, there are two words that you may be hearing a lot lately: 'Let them.' Fans of the Mel Robbins-backed phrase say it can help you learn to let go of expectations and set boundaries with loved ones – but what does it mean, and how can you incorporate it into your life? Here’s what to know.
The phrase 'let them' was popularized by author, podcast host and former lawyer Mel Robbins. It is the cornerstone of her new book The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About, described as a 'a step-by-step guide on how to stop letting other people's opinions, drama, and judgment impact your life.' The theory, she wrote, will 'set you free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you.'
Robbins, who wrote in the book that she first learned of the theory from her daughter, initially shared the concept with her social media followers in May 2023. In an Instagram video that now has nearly 1.5 million likes, she said that she had just heard about the 'let them' theory, and decided she loved it. 'If your friends are not inviting you out to brunch this weekend, let them,' Robbins said. 'If the person that you're really attracted to is not interested in a commitment, let them. If your kids do not want to get up and go to that thing with you this week, let them.'"
Trying to control others' behaviour is a recipe for disaster. Sometimes, we just need a slap in the face and to be sternly reminded to mind our darn own business and let others take their own journeys in life.
Among other locations, The Let Them Theory is available on Amazon Canada.
Read: What is the "let them" theory? Breaking down the phrase popularized by Mel Robbins that's all about boundaries. Related: Mel Robbins says two words freed her from taking care of everyone else.
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Oreo partners with rapper and singer Post Malone for new cookie flavour due out Tuesday, February 3
I'm not terribly familiar with Post Malone's work, but these new Oreos may accidentally find their way into my grocery cart - at least to try. This is certainly an interesting twist on the traditional look of the beloved treat.
Article excerpt: "On Jan. 22, the sandwich cookie brand announced the launch of Limited Edition Post Malone Oreo Cookies, which turns the original Oreo cookie on its head in an innovative way.
Post Malone’s cookies feature a 'first-of-its-kind swirled creme" – which combines salted caramel and shortbread-flavoured cremes – sandwiched between an Oreo chocolate cookie and signature golden cookie, according to a press release.
'Can’t believe they let me make my own Oreo cookie. So happy everyone gets to try the taste twist – hope you love it as much as I do, ‘cause I think it’s the best Oreo ever!' Post Malone said in a statement. 'It’s the first time Oreo has ever twisted the creme of the cookie and they named it after me.'
Each cookie also features one of nine 'unique embossments' inspired by Post Malone’s life and music, including a guitar, a butterfly and a pickup truck.
The back of each cookie package boasts a handwritten signed note from the singer himself."
Oh just shut up and hand me an Oreo! You had me at salted caramel.
Read: Oreo and Post Malone team up for "first-of-its-kind" cookie flavour.
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence: The marketing of ice
Last week's episode of CBC Radio's Under the Influence series with host Terry O'Reilly looked at the ice industry and how it grew over the years.
• January 23, 2025 - The Iceman Cometh: How Ice Transformed Our Lives. Synopsis: "This week, we look at the marketing of ice. It may sound like a strange topic, but our obsession with ice – as a product – is only 200 years old. The history of ice marketing starts with an amazing story about a bold entrepreneur with a vision, the cutthroat clash between competing ice companies, and the long list of icy brands and products that have transformed our lives. It’s a remarkable story." Click here to listen to the episode. Click here to read the episode's website post.
Click here for the show's website and here for the show's podcast archive.
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Are Jack Daniel's fans not enjoying the new bottle design, or is it just a tempest in a teacup?
When I first saw this, I said to myself, "Ooh! A scandal is a-brewin'!" Then, the more I looked into it, it's all based on seemingly one guy's opinion on a social media site - and then a design-related website ran with it. But is there actually a story here?
Article excerpt: "Change in packaging design is fraught with danger. Sometimes a new design is needed to inject some life into a brand that's losing its edge or to help a product stand out on the shelf amid new competition, but cases like Bahlsen and the unpopular Tropicana rebrand have taught us that change has its risks.
If a new look is too radical, loyal customers may miss their favourite product on the shelf. And even if a redesign is relatively subtle, it can cause another potential problem: doubts about whether the product itself has changed. That's what's happening with the new Jack Daniels bottle.
The changes to the Jack Daniels bottle and label are subtle enough that people are only just noticing although the new design has been rolling out for a few months. The shape of the bottle itself has been tweaked, with a longer neck, but it retains its distinctive squared shape, while the label has more storytelling elements."
I highly doubt that (very) slightly altering the shape of a glass bottle will change the taste of a product. And while I acknowledge that I'm giving this non-story more oxygen than it deserves, the point is that sometimes one comment online – no matter how legitimate or provable – can lead to negative media coverage for a brand.
And in case you're wondering, here's a fun fact: In the United States, it's spelled "whiskey", while it's spelled "whisky" in Canada.
Read: The new Jack Daniels bottle design is leaving a bad taste for some. Related: Reddit: Has Jack Daniel's changed? Bottles have a new shape and flavour is off.
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Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
My three volumes of Acadian recipe books (English and French) and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1 are out now and make a great addition to your recipe book library or a gift for someone else! They are available on Amazon Canada, Amazon USA and in some local retail outlets in Southeastern New Brunswick:
• Chapters (Dieppe) (Volumes 1-3, Forgotten Recipes)
• Le P'tit Coin Acadien Poutine Râpée (Bouctouche) (Volumes 1-3)
• Jean Coutu Pharmacy (Champlain Street, Dieppe) (Volumes 1-3)
• Monument-Lefebvre (Memramcook) (Volumes 1-2)
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The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night will be held on Monday, January 27
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night of the 2024-2025 season will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, January 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only). (Facebook event listing: bit.ly/3Z9PQ3m)
Participants may play as teams or individuals. The winning team gets 50% of the door receipts as their prize.
It is strongly suggested that participants arrive by 5:15-5:30 p.m. for a seat. Trivia begins at 6:30 p.m. sharp and is usually over by 8 p.m. Everyone welcome!
Please note that restaurant reservations are NOT available for this event. First come, first served. Limited seating of approximately 50 guests.
Participants may bring an optional non-perishable food item (box of granola bars, Kraft Dinner, cereal, etc.) for distribution at Krista Richard's Community Sports Program events, of which the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club is a sponsor. Any donations will be gratefully received and provided to Krista for distribution to her program participants (school-aged children from Moncton-area schools).
Since Rotary Trivia Nights began in 2016, the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club has donated more than $20,000 to Atlantic Wellness, Karing Kitchen, Ray of Hope Kitchen, Salvus Clinic, The Humanity Project, BGC Moncton (Moncton Boys & Girls Club), Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Project Linus - Moncton Chapter, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Children's Wish Canada and Krista Richard's Community Sports Program, among others.
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges the kind and generous sponsorship of our restaurant partner, St. Louis Bar & Grill.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a no telephone rule at these events. The answers cannot be researched except among discussion with your team members.
The remaining Trivia Night schedule for 2024-2025 is as follows:
• Monday, January 27, 2025
• Monday, February 24, 2025
• Monday, March 24, 2025
• Monday, April 28, 2025
• Monday, May 26, 2025
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Trivia: Did you know?
The Little House on the Prairie TV series (1974-1983) was set from the 1870s to 1890s and was based on a series of nine books by Laura Ingalls Wilder (see photo). But did you know that the real-life Laura only passed away well into the 20th century in 1957 at the age of 90?
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Quotes of note
• 1. "Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses."
- Eppie "Ann Landers" Lederer, newspaper advice columnist (1918-2002) (see photo)
• 2. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
- William Butler Yeats
• 3. "Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own."
- Aesop
• 4. "You can't do it unless you can imagine it."
- George Lucas
• 5. "Life is very, very complicated, and so films should be allowed to be, too."
- David Lynch
• 6. "The secret to getting things done is to act."
- Dante Alighieri
• 7. "There is no substitution for hard work."
- Thomas Edison
• 8. "You can only milk a cow so long, then you're left holding the pail."
- Hank Aaron
• 9. "A good rule to remember for life is that when it comes to plastic surgery and sushi, never be attracted by a bargain."
- Graham Norton
• 10. "Every morning I get up and make instant coffee so I’ll have enough energy to make the regular coffee."
- Steven Wright
Photo credit: Fred Palumbo, World Telegram staff photographer - Library of Congress. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection.
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Enjoy the outdoors this winter with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In January, the group is walking in Moncton's Mapleton Park until Thursday, January 30. Meet-up is in the parking lot next to Rotary Lodge off of Mapleton Road.
In February, the group moves to Centennial Park in Moncton. Meet-up is in the parking lot on St. George Boulevard. Walks at Centennial Park begin on Tuesday, February 4, and run until Thursday, February 27.
The group meets for walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. New participants are always welcome! For more information, please contact Wayne Harrigan at 506-386-2187 or via email.
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About this newsletter
Brian Cormier's Weekly Update is distributed weekly from September to June. If you're reading this newsletter online and want to subscribe, please email me, fill out the subscription form on my website, or subscribe via the "Join Our Email List" button at the top of the newsletter (if you're viewing this in a browser.) This newsletter is not published in July and August and on holidays.
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