In this issue...
• Hollywood golden boy Timothée Chalamet bruises his image by going to war with opera and ballet
• Demonic "Monster of the Miramichi" Allan Legere dead at 78
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: 1) Small innovations with big impact; 2) Marketing the movies
• Is wrestling the new link to dating for young people?
• 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
• Silly Happy Monsters - Volume 2: another fun colouring book by Rose Michaels
• Monday, March 23: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
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Hollywood golden boy Timothée Chalamet bruises his image by going to war with opera and ballet
OK... full disclosure here... I love Timothée Chalamet. I think he's a great actor. During interviews, he's always seemed humble, funny, down-to-earth, etc. His guest-hosting gigs on Saturday Night Live have always been fantastic, with clips constantly being shared on social media by fans.
But... Timotheé... we need to talk. In an off-the-cuff comment about the arts during a discussion with actor Mathew McConaughey, he said he didn't see the point of ballet and opera. The reaction was swift and vicious. He went from "nice guy and future Oscar winner" to someone who loves the smell of his own farts and thinks everyone else should, too.
Article excerpt: "Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet has triggered a backlash from the performing arts world after he dismissed ballet and opera as art forms that audiences do not care about.
Chalamet had been talking to Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas in February about efforts to preserve cinema.
'I don't want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.',' Chalamet said.
'All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there', he quickly added.
The actor's comments have drawn criticism from stage stars, opera houses and ballet companies - but some saw his words as a promotional opportunity.
In the clip with fellow actor McConaughey - posted to YouTube by Variety last month - Chalamet quickly acknowledged his remarks might become contentious.
'I just lost 14 cents in viewership,' Chalamet said. 'I just took shots for no reason.'
Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny described Chalamet's comments as a 'disappointing take' while Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis asked in an Instagram Story: 'Why are any artists taking shots at any other artists?'
And it's only gotten worse since then, with celebrities openly criticizing him. To date, I don't remember him saying much about it.
By the time this newsletter comes out - depending on what time you read it - we'll know whether or not he's won the Oscar for best actor this year. If he hasn't, I think he's going to be put out to pasture for a few years until he does a self-deprecating apology tour. He'd do it well, I'm sure, but he's going to have to do it.
There's a thin line between confidence and arrogance.
Read: Timothée Chalamet triggers backlash over ballet and opera remarks. Related: Has Hollywood golden boy Timothée Chalamet lost his shine?
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Demonic "Monster of the Miramichi" Allan Legere dead at 78
Allan Legere, the so-called "Monster of the Miramichi", a notorious serial killer and criminal with a trail of victims to his credit, has died in prison in Edmonton at the age of 78. No one should mourn for him. In fact, we should cheer that the Canadian taxpayer no longer has to house and feed this demon. He terrorized New Brunswick for months and killed innocent people in incomprehensibly violent ways.
Article excerpt: "Miramichi serial killer Allan Legere, who terrorized the Miramichi area for six months in 1989, has died at the age of 78.
Legere died on Monday while serving a life sentence at the Edmonton Institution in Alberta, Correctional Service Canada confirmed in a release.
The cause of his death has not been disclosed. The Correctional Service said it will review the circumstances of the death, and policy requires that police and the coroner be notified.
Legere has been called the 'Monster of the Miramichi' for the crimes he committed in the area in the late 20th century, including rape, arson and murder.
Legere's 201 days as a fugitive began in May 1989, when he escaped from prison guards escorting him to a medical appointment in Moncton, about 120 kilometres south of the Miramichi region."
I worked at RCMP "J" Division in Fredericton in the early 1990s. One of my responsibilities was supervising the large photocopy room run by a very sweet older lady who was loved by all. She told me she was once asked to copy some of the case files dealing with the murders. She said she'd seen the photos and they were beyond horrific. A direct quote from her: "He's an animal." And coming from her, that was quite something. I truly felt bad for her that she'd even seen that.
Upon news of Legere's death, there was no sympathy. There were no condolences. In fact, there was only relief... and happiness.
Good riddance.
Read: Notorious Miramichi serial killer Allan Legere dead at 78. Related: The life and death of the "Monster of the Miramichi".
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence: 1) Small innovations with big impact; 2) Marketing the movies
The last two episodes of CBC Radio's Under the Influence with host Terry O'Reilly looked at 1) small innovations that had a big impact; and 2) marketing the movies.
• March 5 - Small Wonders: Tiny Inventions. Big Impact: "This week, we tip our hat to the tiny, small innovations that make our lives better. Like the tiny arrow on your fuel gauge (see photo above). And the bread clip. And the miniscule treadwear indicators on your car tires. In every case, the inventor saw something nobody else saw, and their miniature ideas went down in history. Small wonders." Click here to listen to the episode.
• March 12 - Sweaty Billboards: Marketing The Movies: "With the Oscars around the corner, we take a look at creative movie marketing. We’ll talk about miniature billboards that promoted Ant-Man, a billboard that actually sweated to promote an action film and we’ll discuss a movie that was saved by a Beatle – then got banned – and was a box office success." Click here to listen to the episode.
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.
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.
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Is wrestling the new link to dating for young people?
If you don't want to meet people online and prefer the in-person dating scene, forget the bars, church or blind dates. Wrestling may be where it's at for meeting the love of your life.
Yup, you heard me. Wrestling. To be specific, speed-dating wrestling events.
Article excerpt: "On Valentine’s evening in Greenpoint, hordes of young people shuffle into a converted loft space to enjoy their Saturday night. Under the hot pink club lights, they do all the things associated with a typical Brooklyn outing. They gossip with their friends. They drink margaritas, if of age. They arrive in baggy pants and graphic T-shirts, most of which become heavy with dampness as the venue fills out.
But if one squints hard enough – which, given the room’s dimness, is necessary – it becomes clear that this was anything but a typical outing. The focal point of the room is not a dance floor, but three rows of rubber mats, each sectioned off by rope. Event organisers in pink T-shirts scurry about, placing headgear and high-waisted briefs around the makeshift arena. This is not a bar crawl, or rave, or ticketed DJ set. It is Grownkid’s Wrestling Speed Dating night, and attendees came ready to tussle.
'Meeting on an app? BORING. Grabbing dinner? BORING. Wrestling as your first date? IDEAL,' read the description for the night’s event. 'The best way to know if someone is worth a second date is to see how they feel on top of you, under you, and then get a good whiff of their scent.' Even for Grownkid, the New York and Los Angeles-based social club that’s become known for its slightly ironic, extremely Gen-Z-coded events, this speed dating event was out there. The rules of the night, though, are quite straightforward. Those with a wrestling ticket are guaranteed at least one round of wrestling with a partner of their choice. In order to find that partner, the wrestler has to approach that person and ask them to join them on the mat. However the pair’s relationship evolves beyond the mat – a friendship, a relationship or something in between – is up to them."
Certainly an interesting speed-dating concept! But hey, whatever floats your boat... and if true love comes out of it, all we can do is cheer for that.
Read: Could singles wrestling be an alternative to dating apps?
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Trivia: Did you know?
According to sales reported by independent book sellers, "One Day, Everyone Will Have Been Against This" by Omar El Akkad was the top-selling book in Canada in 2025.
• To purchase on Amazon.ca: amzn.to/4bCoIBr
• To purchase on Amazon.com: amzn.to/4sHr4EZ
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Quotes of note
• 1. "The universe is made of stories, not of atoms."
- Muriel Rukeyser (1913-1980), American writer and political activist (see photo)
• 2. "I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn't mean anything? What then?"
- Neil Gaiman, Coraline
• 3. "One thing I had learned from watching chimpanzees with their infants is that having a child should be fun."
- Jane Goodall
• 4. "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
- Madeleine L'Engle
• 5. "It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not."
- Andre Gide, Autumn Leaves
• 6. "Have fun, even if it’s not the same kind of fun everyone else is having."
- C.S. Lewis
• 7. "If an apology is followed by an excuse or a reason, it means they are going to commit same mistake again they just apologized for."
- Amit Kalantri
• 8. "You are enough to drive a saint to madness or a king to his knees."
- Grace Willows, To Kiss a King
• 9. "I'll come and make love to you at five o'clock. If I'm late, start without me."
- Tallulah Bankhead
• 10. "Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I tackle you again?"
- Aileen Erin, Becoming Alpha
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Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In March, the group is walking on the Northwest Trail with meetup in the parking lot of YMCA Moncton North at 70 Twin Oaks Drive.
In April, the group will be walking at Rotary St-Anselme Park located at 505 Melanson Road in Dieppe. Meetup in the parking lot.
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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Silly Happy Monsters - Volume 2: another fun colouring book by Rose Michaels
Get ready for giggles with Silly Happy Monsters – Volume 2! This delightful children’s colouring book is bursting with playful, funny monsters who just want to have fun. Whether they’re dancing, riding their bicycles, or playing dress-up, these goofy creatures are anything but scary! Perfect for kids who love to laugh and create, each page is filled with joy, silliness and imagination. With easy-to-colour designs and plenty of happy monster mischief, this book encourages creativity and fun for all ages. Grab your crayons and join the friendly monsters on their next adventure. They can’t wait to play with you! There are a total of 50 images in the book. Each image has a blank page on the other side for those who like to use markers.
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3HeoVi3
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/4mqXSif
To view the entire list of Rose Michaels' colouring books, visit her website or follow her Facebook page.
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Monday, March 23: 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, March 23, 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/4ssUTJw
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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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