December 15, 2025 to January 11, 2026 | |
In this issue...
• Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
• Australia bans social media for children under 16
• Advice to businesses: Just take responsibility and say you're sorry. It's not that difficult.
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• Pantone's colour of the year for 2026 is white. How... uhm... exciting?
• Christmas Day is on Thursday, December 25!
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed in the news
• Trivia: Did you know?
• Quotes of note
• Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
• Dream Like Taylor - A fabulous coloring book for Swifties by Rose Michaels
• Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
• Monday, January 26: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This is the last newsletter of 2025, so I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your tremendous support throughout the past year. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and that 2026 is your best year yet! The next edition will be published on January 12. See you then!
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Australia bans social media for children under 16
Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for users under 16. The move comes at the beginning of the country's six-week Christmas break for students.
Article excerpt: "Eyes around the world are turned to Australia as its world-first ban on social media for users under age 16 takes effect. The tough new law aims to block Australian children and younger teens from addictive social platforms and harmful content online.
As the country awakens on Dec. 10, the platforms the Australian government has singled out in its initial list - Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Reddit, Threads, X (formerly Twitter) and Kick - must have deactivated or removed accounts of its users in this age cohort and ensured they cannot set up new ones, a process that some of the companies began last week.
The process won't proceed perfectly right away, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others in his government have admitted, having said that about 86% of Australian kids between eight and 15 years old are on social media.
'But the message this law sends will be 100% clear,' Albanese noted in an op-ed published over the weekend, in which he harkened to when Australia set its legal drinking age to 18. 'The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear, national standard.'"
The Prime Minister's analogy is not a bad one, but it's definitely easier for tech-savvy kids to get on social media from the privacy of their own bedrooms than to beg some stranger on the street to buy booze for them and their buddies. Social media - yes, even with all its problems - is so ingrained in society that I can't imagine kids just voluntarily giving it all up because the government says they must. Are they going to start playing outside again? Ride their bikes into the sunset like it's the 1970s? Start using rotary-dial telephones again?
Good luck with that, Australia. I can't see this working, but the overall intentions are good. I just don't think its chances for success are strong.
With that said, if these efforts do make a positive impact, you can fully expect other countries to follow suit!
Read: Australia's social media ban for users under 16 starts now. Related: Australia has banned social media for kids under 16. How will it work?
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Advice to businesses: Just take responsibility and say you're sorry. It's not that difficult.
This article isn't based on something I saw in the news. It's based on a recent service issue I head with a courier company.
I ordered something from an online retailer. I'd never ordered from the retailer before. I was advised that the package would arrive via Canpar. I know Canpar exists, but I honestly can't remember receiving a package from them before. But that's beside the point.
The order was shipped on November 27. It arrived at Canpar's depot in Dieppe only a few kilometres from me on November 28. Wow! Fast service. But that's when the fun started.
The package then went on a trip around New Brunswick:
• November 27: Markham, Ontario
• November 27: Etobicoke, Ontario
• November 28: Dieppe, New Brunswick
• December 2: Miramichi, New Brunswick
• December 4: Notre-Dame, New Brunswick (out for delivery - I live in Moncton)
• December 5: Notre-Dame, New Brunswick (out for delivery - I live in Moncton)
• December 8: Delivered
The package was 7 km away from me on November 28 and then went on a tour of New Brunswick for hundreds of kilometres, then went out for delivery in a community nearly 30 kilometres from me for several days. How it reached me, I'll never know.
All I would have liked was for Canpar to stop lying to the retailer. For several days, it was, "He'll get it today!" No, I didn't. "Wait by the door! Watch the window! Can you hear the truck?" Spare me.
The retailer really did try to help. They were apologetic and promised to fulfil the order one way or another, even if it had to be reshipped. (I would only fault them with being a bit too patient with the courier company. I mean, c'mon, 10 days from Dieppe to Moncton?)
All Canpar had to do was apologize AND go the extra mile to get the VERY late package to me. It was out for delivery for several days before finally making it to my home. Just say you're sorry and get your driver to break a sweat and get it to me - even if it's out of their way due to a mistake.
Anyway, if I decide to re-order the product, I will. I have no problem with the retailer, but there's no way that Canpar will be delivering that next package. The retailer has put a note on my file to use a different carrier next time. That's the only way I'll re-order.
First World problems, yes, but we should also expect companies to do what they're being paid to do. Mistakes happen. Just say you're sorry, mean it, make amends and move on. But don't ignore the mistake and just pretend it didn't happen. That's a recipe for "I'll never use you again or recommend you to anyone!" in my books.
Read: The elements of a good apology.
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Pantone's colour of the year for 2026 is white. How... uhm... exciting?
I'm not sure whose job it is at Pantone to choose its annual Colour of the Year, but whoever it is didn't exactly break a sweat this time. It's white. White is the winner. White.
* insert sound effect of a huge yawn *
A kabillion colours. And it's white.
Article excerpt: "Mentally, aren't we all just kind of dancing in the clouds these days?
The highly anticipated Pantone colour of the year is seen by many as capturing the current cultural zeitgeist and setting the tone for the year ahead. The annual choice is debated, lauded, sometimes criticized.
And in the weeks leading up to the big reveal, designers will try to crack the code and predict it themselves. Will it be a jewel tone? Something earthy? Two tones, like the infamous 2021 choice of grey and yellow combined?
This year, given the influence of various brands and fashion, many thought it would be a shade of green. But by now, you've likely guessed it: they were wrong.
Because Pantone has just revealed its 2026 colour, and it's, well, it's white. The pick not only surprised designers, but as some people are pointing out online, it's also a loaded choice given the current political climate."
I'm not sure if I'd assign a political aspect to the choice, but white isn't exactly inspired. (And this - admittedly - is coming from someone who had white walls in his house for 20 years. I now live in the exciting world of light grey walls. Feel the sizzling excitement as I ramp up my wild side!)
Read: Pantone's 2026 colour of the year is white. Some critics say the optics aren't great.
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Trivia: Did you know?
If you're baking Christmas treats this year, you're likely going to be using a lot of different spices. You may want to skip one, however - saffron. It's the world's most expensive spice, costing several thousands of dollars per pound. A single gram on Amazon Canada can cost $10-13 CAD.
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Quotes of note
• 1. "Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"
- Theodor Seuss Geisel ("Dr. Seuss") (1904-1991), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (see photo)
• 2. "Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime."
- Laura Ingalls Wilder
• 3. "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."
- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
• 4. "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
- Norman Vincent Peale
• 5. "I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• 6. "Mankind is a great, immense family. This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas."
- Pope John XXIII
• 7. "Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."
- Larry Wilde
• 8. "Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year."
- Victor Borge
• 9. "I love Christmas. I receive a lot of wonderful presents I can’t wait to exchange."
- Henny Youngman
• 10. "The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live."
- George Carlin
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Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In December, the group is walking on the Humphrey's Brook Trail in Moncton, beginning at Mill Road. Parking is available at the bottom of Martin Street.
In January, the group moves to Mapleton Park with meetup in the Rotary Lodge parking lot off of Mapleton Road. And yes, walking starts on Thursday, January 1! A great way to start 2026!
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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Dream Like Taylor - A fabulous colouring book for Swifties by Rose Michaels
Step into Taylor’s sparkly world with Dream Like Taylor! - a fabulous coloring book for Swifties - the ultimate coloring book for young fans who adore Taylor Swift and want to shine just like her! Filled with fun and fabulous illustrations, this book celebrates Taylor’s music, fashion, kindness and creativity. Color girls who sing on stage, play guitar, write songs, and dress in dazzling styles all inspired by Taylor’s amazing journey. Whether you’re a future superstar, a dreamer or just love to color, this book will make your imagination sparkle. Grab your crayons or markers and get ready to color your way to stardom... Swiftie-style! A total of 50 images are available in the book with a blank page on the other side of the image if you want to use markers.
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/4hSY1dB
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/4p62coN
To view the entire list of Rose Michaels' colouring books, visit her website or follow her Facebook page.
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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 NB: Volumes 1-3, Forgotten Recipes
• Le P'tit Coin Acadien Poutine Râpée, Bouctouche: Volumes 1-3, Forgotten Recipes
• Monument-Lefebvre, Memramcook NB: Volumes 1-3
• Centre culturel Kent-Sud, Bouctouche NB: Volumes 1-3 (French versions only)
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Monday, January 26: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, January 26, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only).
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 8-8:15 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, canned goods, 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, Krista Richard's Community Sports Program and Bicycle Program, Diabetes Canada's D-Camps for kids, and Anglophone East School District's School Supplies Drive, 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.
Facebook event listing: bit.ly/43QNMk5
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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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