In this issue...
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence returns for another season
• Should you be able to sue the person who broke up your marriage?
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• In a world exploding with technology, some people are gravitating toward old-school hobbies
• Valentine's Day is on Saturday, February 14
• 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
• Mythical Creatures - a colouring book by Rose Michaels
• Monday, February 2: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence returns for another season
CBC Radio's excellent Under the Influence series about advertising and marketing hosted by Terry O'Reilly is back for another season! This season's first three episodes looked at "newsjacking", "fakevertising" and "clapback advertising." Give them a listen!
• January 8, 2026 - Newsjacking: "Lately companies have been hijacking breaking news stories to create ads. When thieves broke into the Louvre (shown above) with a ladder, the ladder company quickly produced a tongue-in-cheek ad. When the Oscars read the wrong Best Picture winner, an optometry chain made fun of the mix-up. It’s called newsjacking - and it’s becoming a power marketing tactic." Click here to listen to the episode. Click here to read the episode's website post.
• January 15, 2026 - Fakevertising: "The world of marketing has discovered there’s money to be made in creating fake ads. But, they’re not trying to fool you - they’re trying to entertain you. Companies are creating fake ads and fake stores and even fake mistakes - on purpose - in order to gain your attention. The trick is to appear absolutely legitimate. While gently pulling your leg at the same time." Click here to listen to the episode.
• January 22, 2026 - Clapback Advertising: The Art of the Response Ad: "This week, we look at 'clapback ads.' A clapback ad is a response or retaliation to another commercial. We’ll talk about a Canadian province that took offence to a Vrbo ad. A youth orchestra who retaliated against a big car commercial. And a tech company CEO who got caught having an affair - which forced his company to respond - with humour." Click here to listen to the episode.
(Please note: For some reason, not all episodes make it to both the CBC "On Demand" page and/or the website page for the show. Links are provided as available.)
Under the Influence airs Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on CBC Radio One; Tuesdays at 4 p.m., Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on Sirius XM Channel 169. The show is also available as a podcast through your favourite podcast provider. Click here for the show's website and click here for the show's on-demand audio archive.
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Should you be able to sue the person who broke up your marriage?
The ability to sue the person who broke up your marriage is alive and well in some U.S. states. "Alienation of affection" laws help jilted lovers sue their exes' new arm candy for damages.
Article excerpt: "What is a homewrecker law?
The laws, legally known as alienation of affection laws, allow a spouse to sue a person who caused their marriage to end, according to Cornell Law School.
'Separate from any divorce proceedings, the spouse bringing an alienation of affection suit must show that the accused individual took steps that a reasonable person would expect and did result in the ending of the affectionate marriage between the couple,' the school said.
The United States inherited the laws from the English common-law system, but most states have since abolished them. (Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten) Sinema's home state of Arizona, for example, eliminated such claims in 1973. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that the claims should be abolished in 1992.
Alienation of affection lawsuits can still be brought in at least five states: Mississippi, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah, according to a 2016 Duke Law Journal article."
I know that Canada isn't as litigious as the United States - and that's something we can certainly all be happy about if this trend catches on here. After all, there's nothing scarier than an angry cheated-on ex with a good lawyer!
Read: Kyrsten Sinema affair lawsuit: What are 'homewrecker' laws?
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In a world exploding with technology, some people are gravitating toward old-school hobbies
If you're sick of all the technology out there - the apps, the AI... and everything associated with it... you're not alone. In fact, so-called "grandma hobbies" are rising in popularity if online searches are any indication.
Article excerpt: "With our homes and lives swarming with AI-powered devices, assistants and chatbots, a backlash is brewing.
Pitched as 'analog lifestyles,' it’s different than a short-term digital detox. Instead, it’s an effort to slow down and find tangible ways to complete daily tasks and find entertainment, especially as generative AI platforms increasingly do the thinking and doing for us.
It’s hard to quantify just how widespread the phenomenon is, but certain notably offline hobbies are exploding in popularity. Arts and crafts company Michael’s has seen the effects: Searches for 'analog hobbies' on its site increased by 136% in the past six months, according to the company, which operates over 1,300 stores in North America. Sales for guided craft kits increased 86% in 2025, and it expects that number to go up another 30% to 40% this year.
Searches for yarn kits, one of the most popular 'grandma hobbies,' increased 1,200% in 2025. Michael’s chief merchandising officer, Stacey Shively, told CNN that the company plans to dedicate more store space for knitting materials.
More people are using crafting as a mental health break to get away from doomscrolling, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, Shively said."
Get out those crochet hooks and knitting needles! It's time to make some scarves, sweaters and mittens!
Read: Tired of AI, people are committing to the analog lifestyle in 2026.
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Trivia: Did you know?
According to Guinness World Records, the bestselling book of all time is the Bible.
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Quotes of note
• 1. "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."
- Aristotle (384-322 BC), Greek philosopher (see photo)
• 2. "If I had a flower for every time I thought of you... I could walk through my garden forever."
- Alfred Tennyson
• 3. "Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend."
- Sarah Dessen, Someone Like You
• 4. "No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow."
- Alice Walker
• 5. "Words are easy, like the wind; faithful friends are hard to find."
- William Shakespeare, The Passionate Pilgrim
• 6. "The capacity for friendship is God's way of apologizing for our families."
- Jay McInerney, The Last of the Savages
• 7. "True friends are always together in spirit."
- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
• 8. "A good friend will always stab you in the front."
- Oscar Wilde
• 9. "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you."
- Elbert Hubbard
• 10. "The imaginary friends I had as a kid dropped me because their friends thought I didn't exist."
- Aaron Machado
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Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In January, the group is walking in Mapleton Park with meetup in the Rotary Lodge parking lot off of Mapleton Road.
In February, the group moves to Centennial Park, meeting in the parking lot off 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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Mythical Creatures - a colouring book by Rose Michaels
Step into a world where imagination knows no limits with Mythical Creatures by Rose Michaels - a magical coloring book for all ages. Inside, you’ll discover an enchanting collection of beings from ancient legends and pure fantasy. From graceful mermaids and mighty gods to towering ogres and creatures never before seen, each page invites you to explore the impossible. Could they exist? Perhaps - after all, they’re mythical! Featuring a variety of styles and details, this book is perfect for anyone who loves adventure, creativity and the thrill of bringing legendary worlds to life with color. Available now on Amazon! 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/4nUQrRX
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/3Wo6lYB
To view the entire list of Rose Michaels' colouring books, visit her website or follow her Facebook page.
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Monday, February 2: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
NOTE: RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 26 DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, February 2, 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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