In this issue...
• McDonald's introduces Grandma McFlurry that tastes like the candy you would find at the bottom of your grandmother's purse
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: 1) Annual Bookmarks episode; and 2) Reviving old commercials
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• New Brunswick monastery to close after 100+ years
• Alberta's governing provincial UCP cancels "social dance" for young people aged 14-25
• Father's Day is Sunday, June 16
• Next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night: Monday, May 27
• Nearly 1,200 copies sold! #1 bestseller on Amazon: Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 1. French version just released!
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed last week
... and trivia, quotes, community events and more!
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Please note that this newsletter is taking a summer hiatus and will not be published in July and August, returning Monday, September 9. | |
McDonald's introduces Grandma McFlurry that tastes like the candy you would find at the bottom of your grandmother's purse
No, you haven't gone mad. And no, you aren't having a fever dream. McDonald's has introduced a new McFlurry flavour that tastes like the candy found at the bottom of your grandmother's purse.
Sounds kinda gross, but the butterscotch-like treat will probably be a hit with customers if they can get their hands on one.
Article excerpt: "A McFlurry flavor that celebrates a grandmother's love is the definition of subjective, but in order to connect it to grandmas in some way, McDonald's drew inspiration from the hard candies they always seem to have in their possession. You know the ones - brandless, butterscotch medallions or an assortment of vaguely fruity ovular sugar lumps, twisted into squares of cellophane. Sitting in a jar on your grandparents' coffee table, you weren't sure if they were purely decorative so you tried one out of curiosity. Grandma also procured them from her purse to quell your boredom while in line at the store or as a simple gesture of affection.
Hard candy and soft serve aren't a textural match made in heaven. McDonald's knows this, which is likely why the Grandma McFlurry leans into the butterscotch candy angle rather than a fruit flavored one. The candies in the McFlurry depart from the typical hard candy texture as well - and for this we are glad. There's definitely a crunch factor, but it's more like eating bits of toffee or brittle than smashed-up hard candy. The candy pieces don't give off a lot of flavor on their own, but a caramelized sugar taste is present. This allows the candies to pair cohesively with the caramelly ribbons of sauce stirred into the soft serve. It's delicious and very sweet."
Will many people actually get to try these things? For years, it's been a running gag that the ice cream machines at McDonald's are always broken anyway. A myth? Perhaps? But on my own Facebook feed in the past week, two people I know personally posted that they couldn't get ice cream at McDonald's because their machines were broken. Broken - or had they not been cleaned yet?
"Broken" ice cream machines at McDonald's seem to be about as common as mosquitoes in the summer. If they want to actually sell any of these new Grandma McFlurry products, they'd better make a better effort at keeping their machines operational. Nothing breaks down THAT often - especially all at once everywhere.
Will the Grandma McFlurry be to summer like the Shamrock Shake is to St. Patrick's Day? We'll see!
Read: Grandma McFlurry review: It's like McDonald's raided your Grandma's candy jar.
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence: 1) Annual Bookmarks episode; and 2) Reviving old commercials
The latest episodes of CBC Radio's Under the Influence with host Terry O'Reilly were its annual Bookmarks episode (you know the season is nearing its end when this one airs...) and a look at reviving old commercials.
• May 16, 2024 - Bookmarks 2024. Synopsis: "This week, it’s our annual Bookmarks episode. There’s never enough room to include all the great stories we find in our research books. So this episode is dedicated to all those stories that didn’t fit into our regular episodes. The theme is 'bravery' - and we’ll talk about how a brave goaltender revolutionized hockey, how Larry David routinely ignored studio executives, and we’ll salute the bravery of Lucille Ball." Click here to listen to the episode.
• May 23, 2024 - Die Another Day: Reviving Old Commercials. Synopsis: "Occasionally, an old advertising campaign is brought back from the dead. Even if it has been off the air for decades. This week, we’ll discuss a recurring Coke commercial that has been called the most popular ad of all time. A much-loved beer campaign that has been revived after 34 years. And a controversial commercial that was yanked off the air in 1989, but was re-run again recently." Click here to listen to the episode. Click here for episode's website post. (Click on the photo above to watch the Coke commercial on YouTube.)
Click here for the show's website and here for the show's podcast archive.
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New Brunswick monastery to close after 100+ years
This monastery is within an hour's drive of where I live. I've heard about it for years and always wanted to visit, but I procrastinated and never got around to it. Now, it's too late. It was definitely a very unique place in New Brunswick - one of those places that you assumed would be around forever.
Unfortunately, time has taken its toll on the religious order and the Cistercian-Trappist Monastery of Our Lady of Calvary will soon be no more. Its closure is definitely a loss for the local community and the province as a whole.
Article excerpt: "A monastery that has been a fixture in Rogersville, N.B., for over a century is shuttering later this year.
The Cistercian-Trappist Monastery of Our Lady of Calvary was a place where Roman Catholic monks worked in agriculture, in addition to their religious pursuits.
But there were 30 monks at one point and now there are three. The announcement to close was made earlier this month on the Archdiocese of Moncton's website.
For now, life at the monastery proceeds as usual.
'A commission has been formed to deal with the practicalities of closure,' wrote Father Innocent Ugyeh. 'We are still here though, living our monastic life until all issues regarding this closure are resolved.'
Kevin Arsenault, a farmer and the MLA for Kent North, said the monastery was important to agricultural life in the region. He said he hopes the ownership of the site will stay in the community.
'I hope the monastery will be given back to the community, to continue to contribute to the community,' said Arsenault."
I wish all the best to the remaining brothers. Their peaceful presence will be missed.
Read: Rogersville monastery to shutter after over a century in operation.
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Alberta's governing provincial UCP cancels "social dance" for young people aged 14-25
Political watchers across the country understandably moaned a collective "Ewwww!" when a riding association of the governing provincial United Conservative Party (UCP) in Alberta decided it needed more young people involved, so they organized a dance for individuals in the specific age range of 14 to 25. So yeah, 25-year-old grown men would be encouraged to dance with 14-year-old female minors (and vice-versa). I mean, c'mon!!! No one saw this political fallout coming from a thousand kilometres away?
Article excerpt: "A dance for people aged 14 to 25 by the United Conservative Party Lacombe-Ponoka constituency association appears to have been cancelled.
The association did not make a formal announcement, instead posting to Facebook on Monday a picture of the invite with a red banner(opens in a new tab) across it that read, "Event cancelled."
The original announcement for the June 8 'spring dance and social' in Clive on Facebook – which was removed sometime over the weekend – was received with mixed reaction.
Critics called the age range inappropriate, while others defended it as normal."
The age range for this is INCREDIBLY inappropriate. On what planet does a political organization hold dances for minors mixed with adults? It sounds like a bunch of religious fundamentalists trying to set up marriages. Oh... wait...
This has "Ick!" written all over it. Any political operative who thought this was OK has rocks in their head.
Read: UCP youth dance cancelled amidst criticism
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Nearly 1,200 copies sold! #1 bestseller on Amazon: Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 1. French version released!
My very first book is now available for purchase! Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 1 is a compilation of recipes gathered from members of the Acadian Poutine Râpée Facebook Group and elsewhere.
There are more than 100 recipes available in the book - many of which are family recipes that are impossible to find! Enjoy the extra bonuses of exclusive goodies from Marven's Biscuits and Cy's Seafood Restaurant, too - both iconic food legends in Moncton, New Brunswick!
The print edition and ebook (Kindle) are available exclusively on Amazon. Click on the country you live in to visit the appropriate site for purchase:
• Amazon Canada (English edition)
• NEW! Amazon Canada (French edition)
• Amazon U.S. (English edition with harcover option available)
• Kobo.com (for Kobo ebook readers, English version)
I'm also pleased to announce that the next two books in the series will be released this year. Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 2 (June 2024) and Acadian Recipes and More - Holidays (September 2024). Stay tuned!
This is a great book for delicious homestyle recipes. Enjoy!
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Trivia: Did you know?
In the Roman Catholic Church, St. Denis is the patron saint of headaches. Why, you may ask? It may have to do with the fact that he was beheaded.
According to Wikipedia: "Denis of France was a 3rd-century Christian martyr and saint. According to his hagiographies, he was bishop of Paris (then Lutetia) in the third century and, together with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, was martyred for his faith by decapitation."
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Quotes of note
• 1. "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced."
- Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), Dutch painter (see photo)
• 2. "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any."
- Alice Walker
• 3. "A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside."
- Denis Waitley
• 4. "I think that anybody that smiles automatically looks better."
- Diane Lane
• 5. "Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect."
- Margaret Mitchell
• 6. "Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them."
- George Eliot
• 7. "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
- C.S. Lewis
• 8. "In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra."
- Fran Lebowitz
• 9. "I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother."
- Prince William
• 10. "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."
- Groucho Marx
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Next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night: Monday, May 27
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, May 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only). Click here for the Facebook event listing. This will be the last Rotary Trivia Night for the 2023-2024 season. (We'll be back in September!)
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 nearly $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, and Krista Richard's Community Sports Program, among others. During the last Rotary Trivia Night season (September 2022 to May 2023), more than $6,000 was raised.
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges the kind and generous sponsorship of its restaurant partner, St. Louis Bar & Grill.
See you on Monday, May 27!
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Summer is just around the corner! Enjoy the great outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In May, the group is walking on the Dobson Trail in Riverview, meeting at the parking lot on Quinn Court.
In June, the group moves to Mapleton Park, meeting at the Rotary Lodge 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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About this newsletter
Brian Cormier's Weekly Update is distributed weekly from September to June via email to more than 500 subscribers in addition to many others who access it online. 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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