September 29 to October 5, 2025 | |
In this issue...
• Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons merge their loyalty programs into one Canuck points juggernaut
• Not exactly a new phenomenon, but many Americans continue to disguise themselves as Canadians while travelling
• Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Dinner & A Movie For A Year draw!
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• British Columbia sushi chef refuses to give extra soy sauce to his clients... period... end of story!
• Thanksgiving in Canada is on Monday, October 13!
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed in the news
• Introducing the new Rose Michaels brand of colouring books!
• Trivia: Did you know?
• Quotes of note
• Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
• Monday, October 27: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
• Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
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Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons merge their loyalty programs into one Canuck points juggernaut
This is kind of like Godzilla marrying King Kong when it comes to Canadian loyalty points programs. Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons have merged like two packs of Certs in those vintage commercials. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here to check out an old Certs mints TV ad on YouTube.)
Article excerpt: "Your Tim Hortons order might soon come with a side of Canadian Tire money.
Canadian Tire announced Monday that it's partnering with the coffee giant to dish out perks to customers of both brands.
Under the partnership launching sometime next year, customers who link their Triangle and Tims Rewards accounts will earn Canadian Tire money on eligible purchases at the restaurant chain. Linking both accounts will also give customers access to exclusive offers.
Neither brand would specify what kind of offers shoppers will see. They said those details and information about what constitutes an eligible purchase and how much Canadian Tire money will be earned per dollar spent will be available closer to launch.
Canadian Tire CEO Greg Hicks and Tim Hortons chief marketing officer Hope Bagozzi each said in a statement that the partnership will deliver even more value to their customers.
The partnership continues the growth of the Triangle Rewards program beyond the Canadian Tire family of brands - SportChek, Party City, Mark's, Pro Hockey Life and Atmosphere."
I see a lot of points being redeemed in a lot of Canadians' futures! So, when is Canadian Tire going to start serving donuts and Tim Hortons offering tire changes?
Read: Coffee with your car parts? Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons merge loyalty programs. News release: Canadian Tire Corporation and Tim Hortons - two of Canada's most beloved brands - team up in strategic loyalty partnership.
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Not exactly a new phenomenon, but many Americans continue to disguise themselves as Canadians while travelling
I've heard stories about Americans travelling with Canadian flag patches on their clothing and luggage for years, but with the dramatic political happenings these days south of the border, some American tourists - even those who don't support the current administration - are getting some hard lessons on how many in the world are viewing their country right now.
Their solution? "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
Article excerpt: "Chelsea Metzger didn’t set out to pretend she was Canadian.
It was only after a heated confrontation with Canadians and a surprising exchange with a local taxi driver during her vacation in the Dominican Republic earlier this year that the American tourist from upstate New York resorted to lying about her nationality for the first time.
Metzger, 33, and her fiancé were at a French-Canadian bar in El Pueblito in February, which was showing the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament between Canada and the US.
When the American team scored a goal, Metzger’s lone, 'Woo, USA,' did not go down well.
'A Canadian couple screamed at me, saying that America is selfish, and ruining everything for Canada and the world,' Metzger told CNN. 'The girl started crying, and said, ‘I don’t think Americans realize that what’s going on is really affecting us here.’'
Metzger tried to defend herself, explaining that she didn’t vote for Trump. But tempers flared under the influence of alcohol. Eventually, the situation de-escalated and the couple returned to apologize with a flight of shots.
'I told her I get it. As somebody who didn’t vote for this, it’s affecting everyone. We’re all feeling the effects of it and unfortunately, the only thing we can do right now is ride it out together.'
While trying to flag down a taxi during the same trip, a local driver mistook them for Canadians until she corrected him. Instead of picking them up, he offered a curt, 'OK, have a good day,' and drove off.
So for a few weeks, Metzger introduced herself as Canadian."
I suspect this is only increasing with the ongoing political developments in the United States. The reported significant drops in tourism to the United States are pretty good evidence that people are taking a break for a few years until things change.
Read: Some American travelers are "flag jacking" and Canadians are livid.
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Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Dinner & A Movie For A Year draw!
Hi everyone! After a six-year hiatus, the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club's Dinner & A Movie For A Year draw is back!
One early-bird prize of a gift basket featuring a popcorn popper and other goodies will be drawn on November 24, while our grand prize consisting of 12 x $100 gift cards to local restaurants (that's $1,200 in total, folks!) and 24 movie tickets will be drawn on December 9! Tickets are $20 each or 3 for $50. If you're interested, please message me on Facebook, email me at brian@briancormier.com or call me at 506-874-8725! We can make payment arrangements from there!
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club supports our community through the funds we raise. Some of our recent charities and organizations include:
• Ronald McDonald Family Room (The Moncton Hospital)
• Diabetes Canada "D Camps" (summer camps for children)
• Anglophone East School District School Supplies Drive
• Atlantic Wellness
• Junior Achievement New Brunswick
• Make-A-Wish Canada - New Brunswick Chapter
• Krista Richard's Community Sports Program
• Krista Richard's Bikes and Trikes for Everyone Program
• McNaughton High School Reach for the Top Team
• Boys and Girls Club of Moncton
• Peter McKee Community Food Centre
• Antler Breakfast
• YWCA Moncton
• Quilts of Valour
• Project Linus - Moncton Chapter
• Karing Kitchen
• Habitat for Humanity
... and many more throughout the years!
Thanks in advance for your support!
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British Columbia sushi chef refuses to give extra soy sauce to his clients... period... end of story!
The one thing that's always fascinated me is the societal acceptance of a**hole chefs. At this point, it's almost a given that a chef on TV is just as likely to be mean, hateful and profane, than nice, agreeable and polite. When did it become accepted that chefs can be complete jerks just because they can cook well?
If someone wants a bit more soy sauce, give them a bit more soy sauce, for God's sake. They're paying you. It's not as if they're asking for a free prime rib steak. It's soy sauce.
A British Columbia chef is making waves by publicly stating that he won't give extra soy sauce to his customers, period... end of story. He knows what's best and that's it!
Article excerpt: "A northern B.C. sushi restaurant's storefront has been turning heads over the last week - and not just because Kitimat's Sushi J has a variety of sushi rolls on display for reasonable prices.
It's because of a very direct disclaimer on the front door.
'We never serve extra soy sauce, rude people, intoxicated people,' the sign proclaims. The line about extra soy sauce is highlighted in red.
Sushi J's refusal to provide extra soy sauce on request has prompted bemusement in the local community, with social media users joking about smuggling in their own condiment packets.
But the issue is no laughing matter for Sushi J owner Philip Kim, whose lengthy social media post justifying his position has prompted debates over whether the consumer is always right about their food choices.
'Most of the chefs [have] this strong opinion, but they don't want to fight with the customer so they don't mention it,' Kim told CBC News of his soy sauce refusal.
'But I'm not, because I want [to] serve my food to them in the right way. So that's why I care about the amount of soy sauce.'"
I love sushi, but that dude would never see me in his restaurant if I lived in or visited that area. The attitude. I mean, c'mon! I'm not saying that some people don't need to drown their food in soy sauce, but still... it's their food!
Read: B.C. sushi chef refuses to provide extra soy sauce - even for $1K.
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Introducing the new Rose Michaels brand of colouring books!
Do you like to colour? Do you know people who like to colour? The new Rose Michaels brand of colouring books for people of all ages is now available on Amazon Canada for $13.99 CAD, Amazon USA for $9.99 USD and in a number of other international Amazon marketplaces, as well. (International prices vary.)
Current books include:
• Let's Color Some Shoes and Purses
• Let's Color Some Letters
• Let's Color Some Trees and Birds
• Let's Color Some Cars and Trucks
• Let's Color Some Rockets
• Let's Color Some Doors
• Petal by Petal 1-2
• Silly Happy Monsters 1-2
• Goofy Ghouls & Friends 1-4
Coming soon:
• Demons & Monsters 1-2
• Skulls & Flowers
• Mythical Creatures
• Owl Mandalas
• The Owls Coloring Collection 1-3
• Christmas Coloring Fun
To view the entire list of Rose Michaels' colouring books, visit her website or follow her Facebook page.
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Trivia: Did you know?
Beginning in 2005, Sesame Street's Cookie Monster made a big change. No, he didn't change colours. He didn't get married. He didn't lose all his teeth, either. Actually, he expanded his diet and started eating fruits and vegetables, too... in addition to his beloved cookies!
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Quotes of note
• 1. "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
- Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), author (shown in photo)
• 2. "He loved October. Had always loved it. There was something sad and beautiful about it - the ending and beginning of things."
- Jacqueline Woodson, If You Come Softly
• 3. "I wish that every day was Saturday and every month was October."
- Charmaine J. Forde
• 4. "In October, a maple tree before your window lights up your room like a great lamp. Even on cloudy days, its presence helps to dispel the gloom."
- John Burroughs
• 5. "October was always the least dependable of months… full of ghosts and shadows."
- Joy Fielding
• 6. "I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
• 7. "But I miss you most of all, my darling when autumn leaves start to fall."
- Natalie Cole
• 8. "It’s the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!"
- Winnie the Pooh
• 9. "All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner."
- Red Skelton
• 10. "Finding a good barber is like finding a good lawyer - you gotta go to the same guy."
- Ronny Chieng
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Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In September, the group is walking on the Riverview Riverfront Trail, with meet-up at the gazebo on Coverdale Road in Riverview.
In October - to start its remarkable 20th year! - the group moves to Centennial Park, with meet-up in the parking lot up the street from the main entrance on St. George Boulevard.
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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Monday, October 27: 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, October 27, 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/4mA0lqq
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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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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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