In this issue...
• Wayne Gretzky goes from "hero" to "zero" in the eyes of many Canadians... and he just blinked
• Canadian businesses can now sell directly through Temu
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: Movie theatre marketing
• Starbucks is slashing staff and getting rid of a bunch of its more complicated menu items
• New release: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
• 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, March 24
• 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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Wayne Gretzky goes from "hero" to "zero" in the eyes of many Canadians... and he just blinked
U.S. President Donald Trump and Wayne Gretzky's mutual admiration society has done what it always does: nothing to Trump... and trashes the reputation of the other.
In the eyes of many Canadians over the past few weeks, Gretzky has gone from hero to zero faster than one of his slap shots. Trump's aggression and insults toward Canada while Gretzky just smiles and waves have had a disastrous effect on the (former) "Great One's" reputation in Canada, with many seeing him now as a traitor to his native land.
I didn't think he really cared, but obviously he does, because in the background it seems like he's begged Trump to throw him a lifeline with his fellow Canucks.
Article excerpt: "U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media Wednesday to defend hockey legend Wayne Gretzky following mounting criticism from Canadian fans over his ties to Trump and the United States.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Gretzky, emphasizing that he does not want Canadians to turn against the Hall of Famer because of their friendship.
'He’s the greatest Canadian of them all, and I am therefore making him a 'free agent,' because I don’t want anyone in Canada to say anything bad about him,' Trump wrote.
He acknowledged Gretzky’s loyalty to Canada but reiterated that the country would benefit from becoming America’s 51st state.
'Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat ‘low key’ about Canada remaining a separate Country, rather than becoming a cherished and beautiful 51st State,' Trump’s post read."
Did you just throw up in your mouth? I did. I don't believe a word.
Personally, I have zero pity for Gretzky. He made his choice. He's rich today and he'll be rich tomorrow. But as far as the adulation of Canadians for him goes, I think that's gone forever. Gretzky is now just another victim of the wholly predictable and deserved backlash toward the Orange Menace's tactics.
Just go count your money, Wayne, and leave the country that you turned your back on alone.
Read: Trump says Wayne Gretzky supports Canada not becoming 51st state. Related: Why Gretzky's legacy just became more complicated for some Edmontonians.
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Canadian businesses can now sell directly through Temu
In light of its growing popularity, Chinese-owned online marketplace Temu has opened up its platform to Canadians who want to use it to sell their wares.
Article excerpt: "Online marketplace Temu is launching a program allowing Canadian businesses to sell goods through the e-commerce platform to customers in the country, the company said on Monday.
The move marks the first time Canadian businesses will be able to list their products directly on the site, according to the company. Only businesses registered in Canada with local inventory and fulfilment capabilities will be eligible to join Temu through the program.
The company positioned the initiative as a way to expand its product base while speeding up fulfilment of orders.
Temu, which originated in China and shares owner PDD Holdings with e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, began allowing Canadians to make purchases through its marketplace in February 2023."
I haven't used Temu yet, but probably will at some point just to see what all the fuss is about. I keep hearing conflicting things about it, particularly around the quality of its goods. With that said, you get what you pay for.
Read: Online marketplace Temu says Canadian businesses can sell through its platform.
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Starbucks is slashing staff and getting rid of a bunch of its more complicated menu items
It looks like Americans are starting to pinch their pennies and are avoiding spending as much on fancy caffeinated drinks. Starbucks is cutting staff and simplifying its menu.
Article excerpt: "Starbucks announced Monday it will lay off over 1,000 corporate workers and cut complex and unpopular drinks from its menu in an effort to turn around lagging sales and revamp the coffee chain.
Starbucks is cutting some Frappuccino blended drinks, Royal English Breakfast Latte and White Hot Chocolate as part of its effort to simplify operations and shrink its menu.
'These items aren’t commonly purchased, can be complex to make, or are like other beverages on our menu,' the company said in a release announcing the menu change.
Starbucks is cutting 30% of its menu in an effort to simplify its processes. Starbucks’ iced energy drinks and its controversial olive oil coffees have already been removed from menus. Other retailers and restaurants are also cutting choices to reduce costs and focus on selling their most profitable items."
Particular in regards to Canada as Canadians move away from supporting American businesses, it will be interesting to see how this impacts Starbucks' ability to maintain what it has now or grow north of the border. Will the chain shrink its footprint in Canada? It's highly possible. There's not exactly a red carpet laid out for American businesses these days due to their president's continued negative behaviour toward the Great White North.
With that said, the list of drinks being discontinued is as follows:
• Iced Matcha Lemonade
• Espresso Frappuccino
• Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino
• White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
• Java Chip Frappuccino.
• Chai Crème Frappuccino
• Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino
• Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
• Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino
• White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino
• White Hot Chocolate
• Royal English Breakfast Latte
• Honey Almondmilk Flat White
RIP Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino. You were truly phenomenal.
All joking aside, in fairness to Starbucks, some of those drinks needed a PhD to put together.
Read: Starbucks is laying off workers and paring back the menu as it tries to turn the business around. Related: Starbucks removing over a dozen drinks from its menu next week: Here’s the list.
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence: Movie theatre marketing
Being Oscar season, the February 27th episode of CBC Radio's Under the Influence series with host Terry O'Reilly looked at movie theatre marketing.
• February 27, 2025 - Putting The Motion in Motion Pictures: Movie Theatre Marketing. Synopsis: "This week, we look at how cinemas are transforming to attract more movie goers. To survive, theatres now offer restaurant meals and full bar menus. They offer loyalty programs and special theme nights. And many cinemas now offer patrons “atmospheric” movie experiences - where wind blows through your hair, rain falls from the ceiling, and seats not only jolt back and forth, they also emit smells that mirror the action on the screen. It puts the motion in motion picture." 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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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! For ebook lovers, the book is part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription-based program from Amazon. To purchase today:
• Chapters (Dieppe NB location)
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/4gckiQX
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/3CnKfiF
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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, March 24
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, March 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only). Facebook event listing: bit.ly/4hIvvKF.
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, March 24, 2025
• Monday, April 28, 2025
• Monday, May 26, 2025
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Trivia: Did you know?
We all know that Dino from the The Flintstones is a dinosaur... but what kind of dinosaur? In fact, he's a snorkasaurus.
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Quotes of note
• 1. “Wretched are those who are vindictive and spiteful.”
- Pope Francis (see photo)
• 2. "Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence."
- Leonardo da Vinci
• 3. “Disunion by force is treason.”
- Andrew Jackson
• 4. "I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live as if there isn't and to die to find out that there is."
- Blaise Pascal
• 5. "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
- Andre Gide
• 6. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'”
- Eleanor Roosevelt
• 7. "You just do the best you can with what you've got... and sometimes magic strikes."
- Sally Field
• 8. "The University of Nebraska says that elderly people that drink beer or wine at least four times a week have the highest bone density. They need it - they're the ones falling down the most."
- Jay Leno
• 9. "Do unto others, then run."
- Benny Hill
• 10. "I shouldn't be saying this - high treason, really - but I sometimes wonder if Americans aren't fooled by our (British) accent into detecting brilliance that may not really be there."
- Stephen Fry
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Enjoy the outdoors this winter with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In March, the group is walking on the Northwest Trail in Moncton. Meet-up is in the parking lot of YMCA Moncton North located at 70 Twin Oaks Drive.
In April, the group will be walking in Rotary Park, Dieppe, with meet-up in the Rotary Lodge parking lot located at 505 Melanson Road.
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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