Abbey of St-Benoît-du-Lac: This Benedictine monastery complete with turrets, copper roof and stone walls was founded in 1912 and houses 50 monks. It sits in a beautiful spot on Lac Memphrémagog, with a majestic view of Owl's Head. Up to 200,000 visitors a year come to stay in the guest houses, attend the daily 11 a.m. mass celebrated with Gregorian chants, consult with a monk or purchase ciders and St-Benoît cheese made at the abbey. Last visited: not yet. Address: St-Benoît-du-Lac, Qc., tel.: 819-843-4080, website: St-Benoit-du-Lac.com.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, Lac Memphrémagog, Owl's Head, church
FAIRS & FESTS
Brome County Agricultural Fair: Quebec's third-largest agricultural fair has been drawing throngs every Labour Day since 1856. Rides, food, exhibits of cocks and hens, tractor pulls, horse-racing, contests for pie-baking. What more could you want? Go Friday if you don't like crowds. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: Sept. 2007. Address: 345 rue Stagecoach, Brome, Qc., tel.: 450-242-EXPO (3976), website: BromeFair.com.
Festival des arts (Georgeville-Fitch Bay): This cool country-style art festival on the eastern shores of Lac Memphremagog brings together 30 artists who work with everything from Brazilian soap stone to mahogany and stained glass. The bucolic setting is also very special, including exhibition spaces in the Elephant Barn of Georgeville and the Saint-Matthias Anglican Church, which was built in 1889. The festival runs at the end of July each year (July 19 to 27 for the 2008 edition). Address: Georgeville, Qc. (follow the signs), tel.: 1-800-267-2744, website:FestivalDesArts.net.
La Fête du Chocolat de Bromont: How cool is this! Bromont hosts a five-day celebration of all things chocolate at the end of May each year. Try out artisanal morsels from Quebec and abroad, get your body painted with chocolate, attend a workshop on truffles, help build a 3,025-piece chocolate mountain and check out some kind of chocolate circus. Insane! Address: 679 rue Shefford, Bromont, Qc., tel.: 450-534-4078, website: FeteDuChocolat.ca.
Festival des arts (Georgeville-Fitch Bay): This cool country-style art festival on the eastern shores of Lac Memphremagog brings together 30 artists who work with everything from Brazilian soap stone to mahogany and stained glass. The bucolic setting is also very special, including exhibition spaces in the Elephant Barn of Georgeville and the Saint-Matthias Anglican Church, which was built in 1889. The festival runs at the end of July each year (July 19 to 27 for the 2008 edition). Address: Georgeville, Qc. (follow the signs), tel.: 1-800-267-2744, website:FestivalDesArts.net.
La Fête du Chocolat de Bromont: How cool is this! Bromont hosts a five-day celebration of all things chocolate at the end of May each year. Try out artisanal morsels from Quebec and abroad, get your body painted with chocolate, attend a workshop on truffles, help build a 3,025-piece chocolate mountain and check out some kind of chocolate circus. Insane! Address: 679 rue Shefford, Bromont, Qc., tel.: 450-534-4078, website: FeteDuChocolat.ca.
Knowlton Festival: Knowlton is the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's official home in the summer. Beautiful music in a pastoral, country setting. Sounds like a good mix to me. Website:KnowltonFestival.com, tel.: 1-450-242-2215.
Projet Ecosphere Environmental Fair: The Brome County Fairground hosts this environmental fair in late September, complete with dozens of booths showcasing natural products, books, crafts and food and conferences on the environment and healthy living. Rating: Very good. Last visited: Sept. 2007. Address: 345 rue Stagecoach, Brome, Qc., tel.: 450-298-1373 or 450-298-1441, website: ProjetEcosphere.org.
Stanstead Granite Expo: The Townships have it all - even an annual celebration of all things granite. Stanstead, which is apparently the "granite capital of Canada" (who knew!) and supplied its famous gray granite for North America's first skyscraper, hosts this yearly showcase of live granite sculpture, stone-cutting workshops and tours of a 130-year-old quarry in late August and early September. Organized by Stanstead's GranitExpo & Museum. Address: 14 West Notre-Dame Blvd., Stanstead, Qc., tel.: 819-876-5576 or 1-866-533-GEMS, website:GranitExpo.ca.
Tournée des 20: Discover the Townships at the height of the spectacular autumn leaf-colour-changing season through the eyes and art of 20 of our most renowned artists, who open their studios and workshops. Creations include fabric, acrylic, oil, photography, jewellery, porcelain and more. New artists chosen each year. The tour is centred around the wine-producing communities around Dunham and Frelighsburg, known also for their apple orchards, so toss in some tasting and apple-picking while you're at it. Website: TourneeDes20.com, tel.: 450-295-2131.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, Brome County Fair, Bromont, Ecosphere, fair, art,Georgeville, Dunham, Frelighsburg, Brome
Projet Ecosphere Environmental Fair: The Brome County Fairground hosts this environmental fair in late September, complete with dozens of booths showcasing natural products, books, crafts and food and conferences on the environment and healthy living. Rating: Very good. Last visited: Sept. 2007. Address: 345 rue Stagecoach, Brome, Qc., tel.: 450-298-1373 or 450-298-1441, website: ProjetEcosphere.org.
Stanstead Granite Expo: The Townships have it all - even an annual celebration of all things granite. Stanstead, which is apparently the "granite capital of Canada" (who knew!) and supplied its famous gray granite for North America's first skyscraper, hosts this yearly showcase of live granite sculpture, stone-cutting workshops and tours of a 130-year-old quarry in late August and early September. Organized by Stanstead's GranitExpo & Museum. Address: 14 West Notre-Dame Blvd., Stanstead, Qc., tel.: 819-876-5576 or 1-866-533-GEMS, website:GranitExpo.ca.
Tournée des 20: Discover the Townships at the height of the spectacular autumn leaf-colour-changing season through the eyes and art of 20 of our most renowned artists, who open their studios and workshops. Creations include fabric, acrylic, oil, photography, jewellery, porcelain and more. New artists chosen each year. The tour is centred around the wine-producing communities around Dunham and Frelighsburg, known also for their apple orchards, so toss in some tasting and apple-picking while you're at it. Website: TourneeDes20.com, tel.: 450-295-2131.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, Brome County Fair, Bromont, Ecosphere, fair, art,Georgeville, Dunham, Frelighsburg, Brome
GALLERIES, GIFTS & ART
Galerie Charmante: This gallery in the rolling hills west of Sutton features a charming space that showcases the work of local artists and owners Kathy Feig and Robin Pitt-Taylor, including paintings, calligraphy, hardwood creations. Also on the site: a greenhouse where Robin grows bananas. Last visited: not yet. Address: 1182 Macey Road, Sutton, Qc., tel.: 450-538-0989, website: GalerieCharmante.com.
Galerie Rouge art contemporain: This Cowansville gallery features many local artists. Address: 126 rue Principale #102, Cowansville, Qc. tel.: 450-815-0551 , website:MySpace.com/GalerieRouge.
Lynda Bruce: Dunham artist Lynda Bruce captures vivid Townships scenes in her dreamy art. Website: LyndaBruce.com.
Stanley Lake Pottery: This 30-year-old Potton County pottery workshop offers unique fountains, wall-mounted pottery and functional stoneware mugs and platters. The stunning surrounding scenery in the Missisquoi River Valley is itself worth the visit. Address: 107 chemin Ruiter Brook, Potton, Qc., tel.: 450-292-3835, website: StanleyLakePottery.com.
Terre à Terre (Down to Earth): Pottery and farm store. Maple vinegar, cool functional pottery, tiles, murals and other creative pieces, plus products from naturally fed Highland beef. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: Feb. 2008 Address: 67 Bailey, Bolton-Ouest (West Bolton), Qc., tel.: 450-242-2836, website: RobinBadger.com.
Tournée des 20: Discover the Townships at the height of the spectacular autumn leaf-colour-changing season through the eyes and art of 20 of our most renowned artists, who open their studios and workshops. Creations include fabric, acrylic, oil, photography, jewellery, porcelain and more. New artists chosen each year. The tour is centred around the wine-producing communities around Dunham and Frelighsburg, known also for their apple orchards, so toss in some tasting and apple-picking while you're at it. Website: TourneeDes20.com, tel.: 450-295-2131.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, pottery, art, gift, Dunham, Frelighsburg, West Bolton,Potton, Sutton
Galerie Rouge art contemporain: This Cowansville gallery features many local artists. Address: 126 rue Principale #102, Cowansville, Qc. tel.: 450-815-0551 , website:MySpace.com/GalerieRouge.
Lynda Bruce: Dunham artist Lynda Bruce captures vivid Townships scenes in her dreamy art. Website: LyndaBruce.com.
Stanley Lake Pottery: This 30-year-old Potton County pottery workshop offers unique fountains, wall-mounted pottery and functional stoneware mugs and platters. The stunning surrounding scenery in the Missisquoi River Valley is itself worth the visit. Address: 107 chemin Ruiter Brook, Potton, Qc., tel.: 450-292-3835, website: StanleyLakePottery.com.
Terre à Terre (Down to Earth): Pottery and farm store. Maple vinegar, cool functional pottery, tiles, murals and other creative pieces, plus products from naturally fed Highland beef. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: Feb. 2008 Address: 67 Bailey, Bolton-Ouest (West Bolton), Qc., tel.: 450-242-2836, website: RobinBadger.com.
Tournée des 20: Discover the Townships at the height of the spectacular autumn leaf-colour-changing season through the eyes and art of 20 of our most renowned artists, who open their studios and workshops. Creations include fabric, acrylic, oil, photography, jewellery, porcelain and more. New artists chosen each year. The tour is centred around the wine-producing communities around Dunham and Frelighsburg, known also for their apple orchards, so toss in some tasting and apple-picking while you're at it. Website: TourneeDes20.com, tel.: 450-295-2131.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, pottery, art, gift, Dunham, Frelighsburg, West Bolton,Potton, Sutton
KIDS, YOUTH & EDUCATIONAL
Brome County Families: A group of families in Lac Brome, West Bolton, Sutton and the surrounding area that advocates for better services, events and facilities for families and young people. It was formed in 2009 after concern about a lack of playgrounds in the area and a decline in the number of families in Lac Brome. See more info in the stories on my Townships news page. Email address: bromecountyfamilies.hotmail.com.
Ressource Famille Sutton: This super-active youth and family centre in Sutton is a beehive of activities. Their enthusiastic staff offer a huge range of services and programming for kids and parents. Visit their regularly updated blog, and sign up for their bulletin. Other, larger towns could learn something from these guys. Rating: Awesome. Address: 7 Academy, Sutton, Qc., tel.: 450-538-1919, website: RessourceFamilleSutton.Blogspot.com.
Salle Alec et Gérard Pelletier: This very active cultural centre in Sutton has strong links with the community and offers an immense amount of programming year-round for adults and young people alike: plays, dance shows, films, workshops, improv and theatre. Rating: Awesome. Address: 4-C Maple, Sutton, Qc., tel.: 450-538-0486, website: SalleAGPelletier.com.
OUTDOORS
Douglass Beach (Lac Brome):This nice kid-friendly beach offers a beautiful view of scenic Lac Brome. The beach connects with several kilometres of lakeside walking trails. Check the Town of Lac Brome's website here for more info on beach hours, parking, etc. Location: Knowlton, Qc. (drive north from the village centre two minutes on Lakeside/Hwy 243).
Granby Zoo & Amazoo Waterpark: This very cool attraction with over 1,000 animals was named one of the top 10 zoos in North America. Not overly crowded or excessively commercialized, the zoo is open year-round, and the waterpark with wave pool and lots of splashy fountains is a great place to cool off in summer. The $88 year pass (which gives discounts for restos and boutiques and many free rides) is amazing value. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: regularly (we got the year pass). Address: 525 St-Hubert St., Granby, Qc., tel.: 1-877-472-6299 or 450-372-9113, website: ZooDeGranby.com.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, Knowlton, Lac Brome, zoo, Granby
Granby Zoo & Amazoo Waterpark: This very cool attraction with over 1,000 animals was named one of the top 10 zoos in North America. Not overly crowded or excessively commercialized, the zoo is open year-round, and the waterpark with wave pool and lots of splashy fountains is a great place to cool off in summer. The $88 year pass (which gives discounts for restos and boutiques and many free rides) is amazing value. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: regularly (we got the year pass). Address: 525 St-Hubert St., Granby, Qc., tel.: 1-877-472-6299 or 450-372-9113, website: ZooDeGranby.com.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, Knowlton, Lac Brome, zoo, Granby
THEATRE
The Piggery Theatre: Venerable English-language theatre. Also host concerts, arts and crafts shows and available for private functions. Rated as the third-best summer theatre in Canada. Address: 215 Chemin Simard, North Hatley, Qc. 1-819-842-2431, website: Piggery.com.
Theatre Lac Brome: Renowned year-round productions. Also hosts workshops, professional training and other events. Address: 9 Mont Echo Rd., Knowlton, Qc., tel.: 450-242-5873, website: TheatreLacBrome.ca. Also see KnowltonPlayers.com.
TAGS: Eastern Townships, North Hatley, Knowlton
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