About 30 people attended a community meeting and brainstorming session in December to plan for Kitchener’s centennial celebrations in 2012, according to city councillor Kelly Galloway.
   On June 10, 1912, the Town of Berlin was elevated to city status and 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of that event. Galloway is on the centennial committee that is planning a number of events to commemorate this occasion.
   Galloway said the main event of the year will be a party on King Street on June 10, 2012. But the committee is hoping that people can work the 100th anniversary of its cityhood into whatever community event they are hosting this year.
   “We want to promote the heritage and history of our city wherever we can,” she said.
   The city is also offering a Celebrate Our City grant program, which will provide funds to people and groups interested in planning their own centennial events.
   A website with information about the grant program and the celebration is expected to be up and running on January 9. It is located at www.kitchener100.ca. It invites residents to “Join us as we remember our past, celebrate our present, and imagine our future.”
Galloway said the website will also give people the opportunity to share historic photos and information about the city.
   The next meeting for the centennial committee will be held today, January 5, but the location was not known as of our presstime. To get more information on this meeting, contact Gina Holstead at gina.holstead@kitchener.ca or by calling 519-741-3400 ext. 3175.