W@K - Katie Mack
Katie Mack -The Perimeter Institute: The end of the universe- astrophysically speaking: Katie Mack is a theoretical cosmologist who holds the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute. She will speak about her 2020 book, The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), which presents a scientific overview of the end of the universe.
W@K - Stuart McTavish
Stuart McTavish - What on Earth: Stuart will talk about rare-earth minerals that are truly rare and also critical minerals, which have become a major focus in the news. All of this excitement is driven by both low-emission transportation targets and by modest goals for low-carbon generation of electricity. Mining is sexy; our lives depend on it.
W@K - Paul Spencer
MCC - Paul Spencer will be joining us to talk about the Mennonite Central Committee Meat Cannery, which opened in New Hamburg in January 2025. The goal of this operation is to help deal with food insecurity by producing nutritious food which can be shipped around the world.
W@K - Joe Mancini
Joe Mancini - The Working Centre: Making Home began by rethinking 97 Victoria N, The Working Centre's 100-year-old industrial building. The project brought together developers, architects, lawyers, planners, engineers and local builders, all of whom were committed to remaking the property into a purpose-built hub supporting both people experiencing homelessness and those who are precariously housed. Making Home will provide a campus model of housing, including a community gathering space, healthcare and mental health supports and beautiful architecture
W@K - Peter Rasberry
Peter Rasberry- Gaia's Gifts: Gaia was the Greek earth-goddess or Mother Earth. As a hobby photographer, Peter is excited to share his deep connection to nature through some of his images and experiences. His photographs have appeared in several wildlife publications and were on exhibit at Environment Canada's Biosphere Museum in 2010.
W@K - Lawrie Carter
Lawrie Carter: The Camino - My Camino Walk: A compilation of photos taken and reflections upon my 750 km walk on the Way of St James across Northern Spain - the El Camino De Santiago.
W@K - M.A.I.D.
A representative from Ontario Health at Home will join us to make a presentation on medical assistance in dying (MAID) and end-of-life decisions.
W@K - Hugh Donnelly and friend(s)
Hugh Donnelly and friend(s) will share with us some Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day.
W@K - Kyra Chisholm
Kyra Chisholm: Kyra is the Plan Manager for Climate Action Waterloo Region. ClimateActionWR is a collaboration between local organizations, community members, and municipalities within Waterloo Region.. The recommendations, actions, and strategies detailed in TransformWR outline how we can work collaboratively to achieve an equitable, prosperous, resilient, low-carbon future.
W@K - Cathie Stewart Savage:
Cathie Stewart Savage: Cathie joins us from ALIVe (Awareness of Low Income Voices), which provides mutual aid to people living with low income, and Poverty Professors, who educate people about what it’s like to live with low income, and to provide education to people living with low income to find the resources to manage what they’re doing.
W@K - Bearded Baritones:
The Bearded Baritones are a barbershop quartet from Kitchener.. They sing traditional barbershop, modern a cappella, and everything in between.
W@K - David Gascoigne:
David Gascoigne: David is affectionately known as the Bird Man by the folks at W@K. He is currently working on a new presentation.
W@K - Westmount Pharmacy
Westmount Pharmacy - Salish Mistry and Jennifer Jacobi: The local pharmacist now plays an even greater role in our healthcare. Join us for this important and interesting update.
W@K - Full House Brass
Full House Brass - Deb Lacoste and her group are a brass quintet based in the K-W - Stratford area. We look forward to having them entertain us for our last gathering of this season.
W@K - Jay Bailey
Jay Bailey - Deyohahá:ge - “two roads or paths” in the Cayuga language is a book written by members of the Six Nations and their neighbours, including Knox member Jay Bailey. This book introduces readers not only to the 17th-century history of how the Dutch and British joined the wampum agreement, but also to how it might restore good relations today.
W@K - Full House Brass - Deb Lacoste
Potluck Lunch!
Full House Brass - Deb Lacoste Full House Brass consists of five brass players: two trumpets, one French horn, and two trombones. The members are Deb Lacoste, Dave Manning, Randi Patterson, Carolyn Culp, and Susan Follows. They are based in Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford, Ontario. Their repertoire includes a variety of musical styles, including Classical and Jazz.
W@K - David Gascoigne
David Gascoigne (a.k.a. The Bird Man) will talk to us about the birds found in the Waterloo Region. You may be surprised by the diversity! There are many good spots to find them which are not too far from home. David’s beautiful photography, extensive knowledge and love of the natural world are legendary at W@K.
W@K - Roxanna Williams
Roxanna Williams works in Regulatory Affairs at Grand River Foods (Cambridge and Waterloo). Roxanna will discuss what’s on a food label, along with a discussion on Canadian Package requirements.
W@K - Hugh Donnelly & Friends
Hugh Donnelly & Friends will entertain us with some good Irish tunes along with stories of the country that gave rise to the songs. St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been around the music of the Emerald Isle and it’s a tradition we are happy to continue .
W@K - Bonnie Sitter
Bonnie Sitter will share the story of Bill and Helen Wright and their children who lived on CPR School Car #2. The method of teaching isolated children in Northern Ontario, using converted rail cars, is a largely unknown story and their memories are sure to interest educators and history buffs.
W@K - Nemira Parpia
Nemira Parpia is the owner of the Tadpole Children’s Shoppe. Last year she gave us a presentation on her life as a refugee from Uganda. This time Nemira will take us through some basic Chair Yoga moves. We all need to do activities like yoga and exercise to keep us moving.
W@K - Kevin Thomason
Kevin Thomason, Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network, will speak about the fight for farmland as well as the network’s environmental work in the Grand River Watershed.
W@K - Linda Lee
Dr. Linda Lee - MINT Memory Clinic, is a family physician with expertise in caring for the elderly. Dr. Lee recognized gaps in care for people with memory difficulties, including dementia. Together with her team in Kitchener-Waterloo, she created MINT Memory Clinics: an integrated, team-based model that helps build capacity and improve access to highquality memory care.
W@K - Denis Longchamps
Denis Longchamps, Executive Director & Chief Curator, Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, will speak to us about what the gallery does and what is coming up for 2025, including an Indigenous ceramic exhibition and one on homelessness; as well as some special programs such as Sharing Experiences and Gather at the Gallery (55+).
W@K - Janice Harper
Janice Harper is a local historian who previously spoke to us about the early history of Waterloo. Janice will present a more recent history project that covers innovative technology here in Waterloo before Blackberry. She feels that this is Waterloo’s best-kept secret.
W@K - Kelly Corriveau
“Kellea Corriveau has been a ray of sunshine in the lives of many, not just locally, but across the globe. She has spent time In Cambodia, painting, doing health checks, and supporting garment workers; and in Tanzania where she helped at a local school with a ready smile and a genuine caring heart despite language barriers.” Kellea will speak about her most recent trip to Guatemala.