May 9, 2025

From clippers to confidence: A place to become

The sound of clippers hums softly in the air, a familiar rhythm as each haircut becomes a quiet act of self-creation. Beneath the warm glow of vintage lights, identities are shaped as gently as the hair falling to the floor, with each snip revealing more of the person beneath.  In this space, it’s not just hair being cut – it’s the barriers, fears, and weight of judgment, left behind in … Continued

The leadership and perceptive knowledge of Scott Miller

Scott Miller in his WCDSB office, located on 51 Ardelt Ave, Kitchener. Photo by WRDSB. When Scott Miller decided he’d pursue a career in education, he did so believing it to be a good opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youths and students.   Miller wanted to find ways for students to “encounter success and be successful with the belief that once you find success and once you’re … Continued

A hardwood experience with Austin Ernst-Finnie

Austin Ernst-Finnie standing in the Huron Heights Secondary School basketball gym, taken on Nov 25, 2024. Photos by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online Despite playing basketball since he was 14 years-old, Austin Ernst-Finnie didn’t ever see himself becoming a basketball coach. “In the beginning I couldn’t shoot. But it wasn’t until I realized that I was working on shooting for seven years of my life that I could probably end up coaching, … Continued

It’s moving day with the most Elite Services 

Hilton Nyamayaro while on the job Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.  Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online When Hilton Nyamayaro founded his company Elite Moving Services Inc., he saw it as an opportunity to have time for himself, his family and travel.  “I figured the best way to do this was to have a business that can run by itself and be able to fund my adventures and my lifestyle. And give … Continued

Five gardening tips for beginners

The arrival of spring brings many seasonal delights to Waterloo Region. It signals the end of long Canadian winters, the beginning of warm weather, and many spring activities. One of the most popular, is gardening. Gardening can be daunting for beginners who are not quite sure where to start. For students, the benefits of developing this skill are vast. The height of exam season is now a reality for students … Continued

VIDEO: The Pulao Gals combine food and hospitality to make a home away from home

Passing by the open door of The Pulao Gals, the scent of spices – like cinnamon for kofta, and cilantro for buttering naan – hangs in the air, hinting at some of the menu items that can be found within. Once you’re inside, the warm feeling you get isn’t from the oven – it’s from the kindness owners Zerka and Shahgul Mya extend.  Shahgul and Zerka, a former Conestoga culinary … Continued

VIDEO: College students who ‘forget all the rules’ about recycling could vastly improve their recycling habits

Waterloo Region has a rich history with the blue box, particularly Kitchener which started the first blue bin program. But the student population seems neither to know nor care about this. Kathleen Barsoum, coordinator of waste management in Waterloo Region, says students need to put more effort into sorting their recycling and garbage. In this video, she speaks about the history of the blue bin and youth involvement in recycling.

AUDIO: World Autism Awareness Day’s importance goes beyond April 2

World Autism Awareness Day is a day to promote inclusivity, create awareness, and listen to autistic voices about their experiences. While April 2 is the day dedicated to this, people with autism and organizations that support them believe World Autism Awareness Day should be on our minds – specifically, neurotypical minds – every day, ensuring the awareness turns into action.

FEATURE: Point Clark is a slice of heaven for cottage goers

Yellows, pinks, and oranges light up the sky around 8 p.m. in the month of August. The smell of lake water fills the air as you take a deep breath. The grass brushes against you as you sit on the edge of the hill with rocks and water below.  Your skin is warm from a long day at the beach and you’re getting ready to have a bonfire after the … Continued

Safe driving tips for the ever-changing weather patterns

As we hope for warmer spring months in Ontario, winter can have a fierce way of holding on for as long as it can. For the past few weeks, it has been coating Southern Ontario roads in a blanket of glistening ice and snow. However pretty it may appear, it can be extremely dangerous to drive on, especially when the weather around this time of year can change from a … Continued