Look back: Community stories from 2025 in Waterloo Region

As the year draws to a close, people are starting to look back on what made 2025 in Waterloo Region.

From celebrating a historical Blue Jays run to donating to those in need or seeing people step up, this year was marked by multiple large events that brought people together.

Below you’ll find a selection of stories and photos that are being republished to look back on the year. They are not in chronological order.

Locally famous dog becomes hero after rescuing owner

A local corgi with over 13,000 followers on social media is being hailed a hero after a normal morning walk on the weekend turned into a dangerous accident.

The corgi’s owner, Jess Parker, took a step in the wrong direction, slipping on a muddy part of the sidewalk and heard a crack.

Without a cell phone, Parker began yelling for help, which is when Waldo, her corgi, kicked into gear. The nine-year-old dog gave her a quick kiss before running off, causing concern for not just her safety, but his.

As Parker lay helpless on her back, she saw Waldo do something unexpected.

He began tugging at the pant leg of a stranger about to hop into their car. The stranger saw Parker and walked toward her as Waldo led the way barking. As that person called for an ambulance, Waldo took off running again.

“Sure enough, moments later, he comes around the fence with my landlord and comes back and kisses my face again,” said Parker.

KW Symphony set for ‘resurrection’ with return to Centre in the Square

Strings, brass, voices, and more are all set to return as the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony makes its triumphant return home to Centre in the Square.

The regional staple will perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection,” looking to be joined by the Grand Philharmonic Choir and various vocal soloists, including Allyson McHardy and Lauren Margison, under the direction of James Sommerville.

The chosen piece is a clear emotional and literal reference to what the KW Symphony has endured over the past few years, after its future was uncertain following an announcement that it had filed for bankruptcy in September 2023.

Rooftop solar panels look to power hundreds of Kitchener homes

Hundreds of homes in Kitchener could one day be powered by rooftop solar panels.

Kitchener Council was encouraged by a couple of proposals to install panels on six buildings across the city. Each project would produce enough energy to power between 530 and 730 homes, or charge electric vehicles for millions of kilometres.

The amount of power produced relies on a number of factors, including weather, sunlight, and how efficiently the system is designed and maintained.

The requests needed municipal support before the province awards projects in 2026, with hopes of being operational by 2030.

Ayr Home Hardware reopens after recovering from 2024 tornado

More than a year of rebuilding after a tornado tore through Ayr, one of the largest stores in the community reopened.

The Home Hardware Building Centre on Northumberland Street in Ayr is welcoming customers back once again.

The store was significantly damaged after an EF2 tornado touched down in Ayr on Aug. 17, 2024. The roof of the Home Hardware collapsed, and debris was scattered throughout the property.

“We’re stepping into this new chapter with a renewed sense of momentum,” said Jeff Seydel, owner of Ayr Home Hardware Building Centre. “With the support of our customers, hardworking staff, and Home Hardware partners, we’re moving forward stronger than ever.”

Blue Jays World Series run bringing large crowds to local watering holes

Fans have been flocking to pubs and restaurants to catch the games, which is leading to big-time sales.

Joseph Siasit, General Manager at The Moose told 570 NewsRadio there wasn’t an empty seat in the house on Monday night.

“Every table was filled. The game was on every single TV. It was a great vibe. It was awesome.”

Moose Winooski’s is one of the region’s better-known spots to catch the game. Siasit said they got on board the Blue Jays bandwagon years ago, so they’re all in on this moment, and they want to bring everyone along with them.

‘Just incredible’: Organizers say KW Oktoberfest 2025 was one of the best

The steins have been washed and put away, the tents are coming down but the job is far from done for the folks at KW Oktoberfest.

In fact, organizing the region’s signature event is a year-round process for Executive Director, Tracy Van Kalsbeek and her team.

But, before they put all their efforts into 2026, Van Kalsbeek took a few minutes to look back at this year’s Oktoberfest. She told 570 NewsRadio she’s over the moon with the reception this year.

“It was just incredible. Our Kid-toberfest, our Dog-toberfest, our Farm-toberfest. We had our Sticks and Steins hockey tournament too. There was just so much energy and I love to be a part of it and it really energized me. It was just so great this year.”

New Heritage Minute celebrates the life of Canadian giraffe expert

A new Historica Canada Heritage Minute celebrates the life of an unsung Canadian hero.

Anne Innis Dagg fell in love with giraffes at a young age. After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1956, she left home and travelled by herself to South Africa to study the animals in the wild.

Mary Dagg, CEO, Anne Innis Dagg Foundation, said her mother was a true-blue trailblazer.

“She was the first western researcher to study a giraffe in the wild. Male or female. And was in Africa about four years before Jane Goodall was.”

Men’s group fostering connection gains over 70 members since inception

As a way to help men build more friendships, a group called Connecting Men of Guelph was launched at the end of November, quickly growing to over 70 members and counting.

It was modelled after a similar group for women that was founded over a year ago by Ella Baker. Connecting Women of Guelph has been creating new connections through local events, unique meetups and posting on the Facebook group. It has over 1,300 members who participate.

Baker also launched on social media something called ‘The Loneliness Movement’ as a way to inspire others to create these types of groups that foster connectivity locally in their own cities or towns.

“I have found that when you’re vulnerable, people really respond in such a kind way and they then open up,” she said.