Happy Wednesday friends!
A few days ago, we asked if you'd be interested in small, curated dinners around the region. Six people at one table. A local restaurant. Easy conversation. And no pressure to be anyone other than yourself.
Over 120 of you said yes!
Here's how the Grandriver Digest Dinner Club works:
You take a short quiz about your interests, age range, and preferences.
We match you with 5 other locals who feel like a good fit.
You meet for dinner and spend the evening getting to know each other.
A small $15.99 deposit saves your seat and makes sure everyone at the table actually shows up — meals are paid individually on the night.
A few things that make this different:
Small tables so conversation feels natural.
Thoughtful matching so you're not walking in blind.
And a chance to support a local restaurant and try somewhere new.
The first dinner is happening on Wednesday, April 30.
If you've been wanting to meet new people in KW who share similar interests, click the link below and take the quiz.
We'll handle the rest.
SOME GOOD NEWS
A UW student built a goose map!
The geese are back. And they are not messing around.
Last week one walked into the Starbucks on Laurier's campus, caused a full scene, and flew out past The Hawk Stop like it paid rent there. Do you guys remember when last year, a pair in Uptown Waterloo were attacking students, pedestrians, and dogs. One household had to sneak in through the back door to avoid them.
@darylsimilas This place ain’t real bro #laurier #wlu #waterloo #university
So a first-year UW student named Anirudh Dabas built Waddleloo, a crowd-sourced, AI-powered map that routes you around the angry ones on campus. Pick your comfort level, it finds you a safe path.
It's already at Laurier too. Dabas said the response has been "surreal."
SOME MORE NEWS!
Steaks are expensive and local butchers spill the secrets that actually are worth reading. info
No idea what to do with the old green bin? The Region has drop-off events all April. info
The folks at Food Bank of Waterloo Region just earned national accreditation. These guys deserve it for feeding 73,000 of our locals right now. info
Kitchener got named a Tree City of the World two years running. To celebrate, the city is giving away 300 free trees. One per household. Go get your tree. info
Kitten season is here and local shelters are already feeling it. If you can foster, volunteer, or just make sure your cat is spayed… K-W and Guelph Humane Societies needs us right now. info
Spring is here, which means turtles are crossing roads again and they are not in a hurry so lets slow down and watch the roads, especially near wetlands.
March was the wettest in 15 years and the third snowiest winter on record. Turns out it wasn't just you, it really was that bad.
The October municipal election is coming and Kitchener and Waterloo are literally bringing the ballot to your door if you can't make it out. Cambridge is still figuring out their plan info
🪿Did the goose ever come for you?
What is that?
Someone posted a photo on internet asking what the weird metal thing in their driveway was. Turns out half the neighbourhood had the same question.
It's called a curb stop box which basically is the thing that shuts off water from the street to your house. The spring thaw pushes it up a few inches and suddenly everyone's confused.
Here's what you need to know:
It's normal and happens every spring
Don't hammer it down yourself as you can crack it and cause a leak
Just call the city and they'll fix it for free
It controls your entire home's water supply, so yeah, leave it alone
Kitchener Utilities says this is one of their most common spring calls. Mystery solved.
Just wanted to share it here before someone tried to hammer it lol
OUT THERE
SIGHTING: Hermit Thrush
Fun fact: The Hermit Thrush is the only spotted thrush that actually sticks around in North America through winter. Every other spotted thrush flies south. This one just... stays. Respect.
ROOTED IN THE REGION
House of the week: 19 Pioneer Tower Crescent. Pool, trees, and wow.
New Work: Clinical Support worker in Kitchener and Cambridge
CONTRIBUTE TO GRANDRIVER DIGEST
Grandriver Digest is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (written by me).
Your contributions goes towards keeping this newsletter running so we can have more fun and build community.
Thank you for your support.
MEME STREET
EH & ADVENTURES
got an event to share? SUBMIT EVENT
MULTIPLE DATES
Food & Drink: KW Wine & Food Show, sample Ontario craft beers, cocktails, wines and bites with live cooking demos and music (19+), Friday 5pm–10:30pm and Saturday sessions at 12pm or 4pm, The Aud, Kitchener. Book
THU APRIL 9
Community: Woodcock Walk, search for the American Woodcock's mesmerizing sky dance display at dusk, 7:30pm, Huron Natural Area, Kitchener Book
FRI APRIL 10
Wellness: Sip & Stretch Rosé & Reset, gentle yoga followed by wine tasting and pairings in a relaxing social evening (19+), 7pm–8pm, Puddlecombe House, New Hamburg Book
Comedy: Two Asians One Mic, Bonggun Kim and Robert Peng bring hilarious unfiltered Asian stand-up, 8pm, Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, Waterloo Book
Workshop: WEFTFest 2026, fibre arts festival featuring the Quilt of Belonging, Grand River Quilt Project, guild demonstrations and fibre art auction, free entry, 7pm, Hampton Inn, Waterloo Book
Classical: Morning & Night, KW Symphony with conductor James Sommerville and guest composer/soprano Deantha Edmunds performing works from Delius to Dvořák, 7:30pm, Central Presbyterian Church, Cambridge Book
SAT APRIL 11
Family: Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, sample maple treats, explore 200+ vendor booths, live entertainment and pancake breakfast in Canada's largest single-day festival, free, all day, Downtown Elmira Book
Community: WLV Awesome Earthday Clothing Swap, bring gently used items to donate and swap for new-to-you favorites in a fun, sustainable style exchange, free, 10am–2pm, Church of the Good Shepherd, Kitchener Book
Families: Science Stage - Moon Craters, discover how space rocks crash into the Moon and leave big dents and cool splash marks behind (all ages), 12pm, THEMUSEUM, Kitchener Book
Workshop: Introduction to Cricut Maker, learn to design custom t-shirts, cards and party decorations (13+), 10:30am, Cambridge Public Library (Old Post Office), Cambridge Book
Live Music: Country Music Video Dance Party with country classics and chart-toppers with videos on big screens (19+), 8pm, Maxwell's Concerts & Events, Waterloo Book
Sports: Tri-City Spring Double Header, two back-to-back roller derby games featuring Tri-City Juniors vs South Simcoe Juniors and Storm vs ToRD Bay Street Bruisers, 5pm and 7pm, Queensmount Arena, Kitchener Book
Community: National Hockey Card Day, grab a free Upper Deck pack featuring NHL superstars and rookies at this collector celebration, 10am–5pm, ClouitsnChara Sports Cards, Kitchener Book
Community: Uptown Waterloo Egg Hunt, explore Uptown businesses collecting candy and treats with live music, face painting and caricature sketches, free, 11am–2pm, Uptown Waterloo, Waterloo Book
SUN APRIL 12
Family: Brass Butterflies Spring Circus Showcase Sunday Matinee, live circus acts featuring aerials, acrobatics, dance and clowning, 2pm, St. George Greek Performing Arts Centre, Kitchener Book
Community: Tutti 2026 – All Together Now, the Waterloo Concert Band hosts a relaxed, inclusive performance for all ages and abilities, with a post-concert instrument meet and greet (all ages, free), 2pm, Knox Waterloo Book
Community: Cambridge Wedding Expo Spring 206, meet local vendors, explore design inspiration and formalwear, win prizes including Mexico honeymoon and wedding cash, 11am–3pm, Tapestry Hall, Cambridge Book
Workshop: Free Community Self-Defence & Empowerment Event, practical safety skills including awareness, boundary-setting and de-escalation, led by a 6th-degree black belt world champion (women and girls 11+), 2:30pm, YMCA of Guelph Book
Community: National Tartan Day – Pipes and Drums of Fergus, the Fergus Pipe Band and Grand Celtic Pipe Band perform along St. Andrew Street with stops at local pubs and patios, 1pm–4:30pm, Downtown Fergus Book
MON APRIL 13
Food & Drink: Barrels & Bites An Uptown Waterloo Whisky Walk, whisky tastings with culinary pairings, live music and local history exploring Uptown's whisky heritage (19+), 6pm, Uptown Waterloo, Waterloo Book
Workshop: Paint Your Partner Night, couples paint session with step-by-step guidance and all supplies included, 7pm, Four Fathers Brewing, Cambridge Book
WED APRIL 15
Classical: Murdoch Mysteries Murder in F Major, KW Symphony performs orchestral music with an interactive murder mystery experience in the lobby, 7:30pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener Book
That’s it for this week.
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