One Guy's Idea That Lit Up Waterloo Winters Forever

Rise and shine friends!

With winter solstice passing Waterloo Region calmly, the shortest day and the longest night are now behind us. From here on out we slowly move back towards the light. Wish you, your family and friends a very Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and a wonderful holiday time with loved ones.

As always, lots to cover, that’s one of the things I love about our home, never a dull moment! Reply back and share sightings, or activities you enjoyed doing. Ohh almost forgot, the hills are calling, Chicopee ski hills had their earliest start in five years, did you go already? Alright, let’s dive in…

One guy’s idea that lit up Waterloo forever…

Rewind to ‘93

So here's the thing about Wonders of Winter (remember from last week’s newsletter?) it started just because one guy, Bill Weiler, looked around in 1993 and thought "you know what? Winter in Waterloo could use more sparkle!"

And Bill didn't really mess around. He went straight to the City, and asked for a loan, to install underground electrical service in Waterloo Park. His pitch, you ask? Five thousand lights in imaginative displays that would make people wanna bundle up and actually go outside in December!!

But here's the part that gets me: Bill had one non-negotiable request. The whole thing had to be free! No admission, no tickets, no financial hoops to jump through. He wanted each and everyone in the region to be able to show up and enjoy it.

Then, Bill reached out to local businesses to sponsor these light displays, because they had to be free!! Once word got out, more & more companies jumped in wanting to help. What then started as 5,000 lights has now grown into this massive thing, over 120 displays lit up by more than 100,000 lights!

That original loan? Paid back. The whole show runs on volunteers now, a not for profit with about 15 core-workers who start planning and fixing displays over the summer, then really get into it come September.

It’s been over 30 years of families making it part of their December holiday tradition, all because one person saw an opportunity to add a little magic to the coldest months and actually followed through.

Sometimes the best traditions don't come from grand plans or big committees, they come from someone who just decides to make something happen.

Restaurant Spotlight

If you haven't been to Solé in Uptown Waterloo lately, you're missing out. This place is tucked into a gorgeous 150-year-old Seagram's building, and honestly? It feels like you've slipped away to some hidden European bistro the moment you walk in.

The menu's got Mediterranean vibes with standouts like the scallops, hemp-crusted salmon, and wood-fired pizzas. Weekend brunch is solid too. And here's the thing — they're running a holiday feature menu December 23rd and 24th after 4pm with hand-carved turkey and all the fixings for $34. Perfect for when you want someone else to handle the holiday cooking.

🍽️ Solé Restaurant and Wine Bar | 83 Erb St W, Waterloo

Room to Root

🦆 Region’s latest on Homes, Work & Ways to Help

💼 Immediate hire roles in the region, don’t wait, apply now! 200+ Kitchener City tmp summer jobs, Cambridge City tmp + urgent, Waterloo City urgent need

🏠 Charming 100+ year old updated house let’s call it the house with the red door!

🎗️Give to get more back! Wilmot Family Resource Centre need 400 volunteers, Waterloo Food Bank, or at Scouting Waterloo Region

Rise, Roars & Radiance

Look up, now down and everywhere around ☺️ I love nature so here are some finds:

🎇 See the meteor shower on the 22nd? Dec 26 Moon and Saturn will have a close pairing in the southwestern sky (about 4° apart), visible around 7 PM at about 40° high & Fomalhaut, a bright star about 13° above the southern horizon will be visible to the naked eye!

🌳 Spot the closest Eastern White Cedar Thuja Occidentalis to you!

Ruff & Fluff

Say hi to our adorable and loving neighbours!

🐿️ Always looking inside my windows! Eastern Grey Squirrel

🪶 Spot me if you can Black Capped Chickadee

🐶 Did someone say new best friend? Adopt Bruno

🐈 Rocky wants to play and who can say no to that face!

Roam, Revel & Razzle

Live Music

Sat, Dec 27

Lucas Stagg performing Live, with food and drinks at the tavern (all ages)

⏰ 7:30pm–late

📍 The Rabbid Fox Tavern, 123 Pioneer Dr, Kitchener

💰 it’s free! Call 519.748.2404

Wed, Dec 31

Jammer’s Waffle House: Award-winning indie rock performance with food and drinks (all ages)

⏰ 2:00–5:00pm

📍 The Rabbid Fox Tavern, 123 Pioneer Dr, Kitchener

💰 it’s free! Call 519.748.2404

Sports

Sat, Dec 27

KW Titans vs Windsor Express: Professional basketball matchup at the Aud (all ages)

⏰ 4:00–6:30pm

📍 Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 E Ave, Kitchener

💰 $22-$102

One Guy's Idea That Lit Up Waterloo Winters Forever

Rewind to ‘93

Restaurant Spotlight

Room to Root

Rise, Roars & Radiance

Ruff & Fluff

Roam, Revel & Razzle

Live Music

Sat, Dec 27

Wed, Dec 31

Sports

Sat, Dec 27

Sun, Dec 28

Tue, Dec 30

Art, Activities & Comedy

Sat, Dec 27 & 28

Sun, Dec 28

Wed, Dec 31

Gamefic—fun

Sat, Dec 27

Sun, Dec 28

Tue, Dec 30

Wed, Dec 31

Midnight & Beyond, Wed, Dec 31