Spoke

Lions, tigers, and super heroes, oh my – what costumes are people donning this year?

With Halloween lurking around the corner like a ghost in a haunted house, costumes are starting to be snatched off the shelves. Whether it’s one to give a fright or one that’s comfy all night, the possibilities are endless – maybe a princess, someone from Star Wars, or a horror movie character. But some costumes offend by mocking someone else’s culture. While there are some classic Halloween characters seen every … Continued

AUDIO: COVID-19 has changed Halloween but some activities have returned

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic changes in the way people can participate in traditional events like Halloween. Instead of bouncing around the streets and knocking on doors, people have been encouraged to watch from the glossy windows in the front seats of their cars or attend a walk-through attraction while keeping six feet apart. For the first time in nearly two years, residents in Waterloo Region have been given … Continued

COVID-19 drives up the demand for Food Bank at Conestoga College

With the challenges that come from a global pandemic, places like The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (FBWR) have been hit harder than ever before as the need for food resources in the region grows. “Since March 2020, we have seen an increased need for emergency food assistance throughout the Community Food Assistance Network,” said an impact report provided by Jennifer Judges, Communication Specialist at the FBWR. The Food Assistance Network is … Continued

New Conestoga freelance website launches to connect students to their next gig

For students needing an outlet in the realm of freelance employment, there is a new service that they can use closer to home and their potential clientele. The new Conestoga Gigs website, spearheaded by the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective, is meant to be the first official support tool for those in the Conestoga community attempting to find ‘gigs’ and other types of for-hire employment in Waterloo Region. Companies or individuals who … Continued

Online guided meditation

The Kitchener Natural Areas Program will host an online nature meditation on Monday, Oct. 18, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Zoom event will be free and is open to anyone who wants to join. You can register at any time before the event. Meditation helps ease stress and can leave you feeling refreshed. The high amount of stress among students can actually decrease their cognitive function. Meditation can help … Continued

Kitchener’s Frederick Art Walk returns, moving outside for the first time

Kitchener’s Frederick Art Walk could be a walk to remember this year. The 20th annual art walk that started in 2001 will look a little different. It will be held outdoors because of COVID-19 restrictions. “We started the art walk to just build community in our area and as an outlet for artists,” Lori Cole, Coordinator of the Frederick Art Walk said. “We learned we had a lot of creative … Continued

VIDEO: Dive into the autumn season with fall festivities around Waterloo Region

COVID-19 has changed how people enjoy the seasonal activities they love, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the fall season safely in Waterloo Region. From pumpkin patches like Good Family Farm to movie theatres like Princess Cinema, everyone has had to adapt to the pandemic. While some places have had to find new and innovative ways to celebrate the fall season, others have found success amidst the … Continued

AUDIO: Local restaurants work to adapt to new vaccine policy

This week marks two weeks since the government unleashed a new regulation for the residents in Waterloo Region, causing some concern about how restaurants can continue to serve the public. As of Sept. 22, 2021, vaccinated and unvaccinated people are divided by certain conditions. Those who are vaccinated can dine indoors in restaurants, while unvaccinated residents must be served outside unless they are picking up for a carry out, or … Continued

Rangers kick off season with win against rival Guelph Storm

The Kitchener Rangers beat the Guelph Storm in overtime 6-5 in their first game of the season on Friday night. The Rangers appeared shaky in the first period, but rallied during the second. According to the game preview on the Storm’s website, the Rangers enjoyed a record of five wins and only two losses against the Storm last season. In the last five years the Rangers have had the upper … Continued

The Personal Stories of Orange Shirt Day

Ryan B Chan This was the first year that Canada recognized the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation which now takes place annually on Sept 30. The day is to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. The event also coincides with Orange shirt day which is a symbolic day to represent the culture that was taken from Indigenous peoples. The story behind Orange … Continued

VIDEO: Conestoga College professor wins Halloween Food Network challenge

Raquel France, a Conestoga baking and pastry arts professor, recently won “The Big Bake: Halloween” which aired on the Food Network. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Ottawa, Ontario. She has opened her own bakeshop in Waterloo, Ontario called Q’s Cakes. She has also recently been named a Top 30 Under 30 award winner by Kostuch Media Ltd.

The tradespeople of tomorrow: are they getting the best learning today?

Online teaching has changed the way students learn and are exposed to their future careers – especially for hands-on industries, like the trades. With a shortage of tradespeople, those in the industry wonder if the students who will work alongside them, eventually replacing them, will have enough experience to get the job done. For many of the trades programs at Conestoga, theory based classes are being taught online through Zoom. … Continued

World Mental Health Day in the time of COVID-19 related stress

Life has looked considerably different for many people over the past two years. COVID-19 took a big toll on mental health, especially in students. Sunday, Oct 10 is World Mental Health Day, a time to raise awareness and advocate for mental health around the world. Mental health supports and services are needed now more than ever. According to a 2020 Statistics Canada survey, around 64 per cent of participants aged … Continued

Environmentalist cleans up Kitchener neighbourhood

Night settles over Huron Village and the residents emerge to put their trash on the curb. However, trash day here also means excess garbage, furniture waste, and lack of recycling. Miranda Powell, a resident and environmentalist, decided it was time to make a difference in her community. “I noticed how bad the garbage here was when I first moved in,” said Powell. “Weeks would go on with no change and … Continued