🦫 A winter week, done right

Hey there, Townshippers

We’re glad you’re here. Late January has a way of slowing things down just enough to notice what’s happening around us: quiet work in the woods, lights on at the rink, and small moments that make winter feel shared instead of heavy. This week’s edition leans into that in-between feeling, part preparation, part comfort, part getting out anyway. Take five minutes, settle in, and see what’s worth your time right now.

Grab your morning brew and let’s catch up.👇

In the woods outside Cookshire-Eaton, late winter is anything but idle. While most people are still counting down to spring, maple producers are already deep into their most anticipatory season, the calm before the sap starts to run.

At a small, family-run sugar bush tucked among snow-laden maples, preparation begins weeks before the first drip. Snowshoes crunch between trees as lines are checked, taps cleaned, and firewood stacked close to the sugar shack. There’s no steam rising yet, no crowds, no music, just the steady rhythm of getting ready.

“This is the quiet part people don’t always see,” one producer explains, pausing to brush snow from a line. “Once the sap starts flowing, there’s no catching up.”

Sugaring-off season in the Eastern Townships is famously short and unpredictable, governed by that delicate balance of freezing nights and thawing days. A few degrees too warm, and the season can end almost as quickly as it began. That uncertainty makes preparation essential, and a little nerve-wracking.

Inside the sugar shack, the evaporator has been scrubbed and tested. Thermometers are checked. Old tools hang beside newer ones, a reminder that while technology has changed the process, the rhythm remains much the same. The work is practical, but it’s also deeply rooted in tradition.

For many small operations, maple syrup isn’t just a product, it’s a family inheritance. Knowledge passes from one generation to the next in quiet moments like these, long before visitors arrive for pancakes and fresh syrup on snow.

There’s also a sense of stewardship at play. Producers walk their sugar bushes carefully, keeping trees healthy and monitoring the impact of warmer winters. Climate shifts are no longer abstract here; they show up in shorter seasons and earlier thaws.

Soon enough, cars will line country roads and sugar shacks will fill with laughter and steam. But for now, in the woods around Cookshire-Eaton, maple season is still a promise rather than a performance, a patient waiting for the first unmistakable sound of sap hitting metal. Read more online 👉 estrie.upa.qc.ca

🚵 Fatbike Extravaganza — Fri, Jan 23 – Sun, Jan 25 — Bromont montagne d’expériences: Get out in winter weather for this fat-bike fest featuring trails, a festive atmosphere, and lots of snowy outdoor fun. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or trying fat-biking for the first time, there’s good energy and scenic terrain to enjoy. Bring warm clothes and your bike if you have one (rentals are often available locally). Details 👉 tourismebrome-missisquoi.ca

📚 Heure du conte — Thu, Jan 22, 6:30–7:00 PM — Médiathèque Nelly-Arcan, Lac-Mégantic: A cozy, kid-friendly storytime designed for ages 3 to 9, with animation and crafts. It’s short (perfect for winter evenings) but feels like a real outing, especially for families looking for low-cost local activities. The listing notes it’s free and registration is required, so plan ahead.  Details 👉 ville.lac-megantic.qc.ca

🎶 2Frères – Science humaine — Fri, Jan 23, 8:00 PM — Salle Maurice-O’Bready (Centre culturel de l’Université de Sherbrooke): One of Québec’s most popular duos brings a full-band show to Sherbrooke. If you like sing-along choruses and polished pop-folk songwriting, this is the week’s “big room” concert. The venue setup makes for good sightlines and clear sound, even from farther back.  Details 👉 centrecultureludes.ca

📸 Regard d’hiver – Atelier de photographie naturaliste — Sat, Jan 24, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM — Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke: This free winter nature photography workshop invites participants to explore how light, form, and silence shape winter landscapes — all through the lens of your smartphone (no fancy camera required). Led by Martin Bilodeau, a seasoned photographer and Radio-Canada Estrie caméraman, the session alternates short theory, creative photo exercises, and mindful observation outdoors or nearby, helping you see snow, trees, and tracks with fresh eyes. Details 👉 mns2.ca

🎭 Chez soi — Sun, Jan 25, 2:00 PM — Centre d’Art de Richmond: This contemporary stage production explores what “home” really means—emotionally, socially, and culturally—through an intimate and human lens. Blending text, performance, and subtle staging, Chez soi invites the audience into a reflective space that feels personal without being heavy. It’s the kind of matinee that sparks conversation afterward, whether you attend solo or with someone close.  Details 👉 centredartderichmond.ca

🏒 Stanstead College Stars Make Big Waves on World Stage: Players from the Stanstead College hockey program, including Sherbrooke’s own Rosalie Tremblay, have been earning attention on the international ice. Tremblay and teammates recently represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, contributing goals and assists as Canada fought its way through strong competition in Cape Breton. Her journey highlights the depth of hockey talent growing right here in the Townships. Source 👉 Stanstead College

💰 Sherbrooke Boosts Local Community Groups with New Funding Support: The City of Sherbrooke has recently announced an expansion of its financial support programs for community organizations, giving a welcome lift to local groups that enrich neighbourhood life. Under updated guidelines, eligible nonprofit and grassroots groups can now apply for grants through municipal initiatives like “Des communautés en action”, which can cover up to 85 % of eligible project costs. Source 👉 Ville de Sherbrooke

🌱 Magog Expands Rebates for Eco-Friendly Purchases: The City of Magog is making it a little easier for residents to go green. A refreshed municipal reimbursement program now offers financial incentives for eco-responsible products such as reusable diapers, electric lawn equipment, rain barrels, and water-saving toilets. The city has also simplified the application process, aiming to encourage more households to participate. Since its launch, the program has steadily grown in popularity, with officials noting increased demand year after year.  Source 👉 Ville de Magog

🎿 Quebec Cup Skiing Returns to Sherbrooke: The Quebec Cup stopped in Sherbrooke on January 17–18, marking the 33rd time the event has been hosted by the Orford Cross-Country Ski Club. Held on the Bishop’s University campus, the races brought together nearly 300 athletes, from developing juniors to top provincial contenders. A regional youth stream helped introduce younger skiers to high-level competition, while a record seven para-athletes took part. Source 👉 Radio-Canada Estrie

🏘️ Sherbrooke Unveils Plan to Energize the Alexandre Neighbourhood: The City of Sherbrooke has announced a new initiative aimed at revitalizing the Alexandre neighbourhood, with a focus on improving quality of life and strengthening community ties. The plan includes targeted investments in public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and support for local social and community projects. City officials say residents were closely consulted, helping shape priorities that reflect everyday needs rather than big-ticket construction.Source 👉 Radio-Canada Estrie

Bright, modern, and move-in ready — this stylish Granby condo is a strong pick for anyone seeking easy living with convenience and low-maintenance comfort.

Inside, the open-concept layout feels welcoming and airy, anchored by a well-appointed kitchen and generous living space that’s ideal for cozy nights in or casual entertaining. Two bedrooms mean flexibility for guests, a home office, or a hobby nook, while the full bathroom and in-unit laundry add everyday practicality.

👉 View the full listing here

☕ Your Cold-Weather Comfort Order

It’s one of those winter days. The light’s gone by 4:30, the air bites a little, and you’ve decided to treat yourself. So — what’s your order?

A hot drink and something to eat.

Maybe a local latte and a croissant you didn’t plan on. Maybe soup, a grilled cheese, and zero regrets. Maybe a pub classic that hits every time.

👉 Hit reply with your comfort combo (bonus points if it’s local).

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for reading all the way through, it really means a lot to us. Whether you’re planning an outing, bookmarking something for later, or just enjoying the sense of what’s happening close to home, we’re happy to be part of your week. If something here sparked a memory, a craving, or a recommendation, hit reply, we read every message.

Same place next week. ✌️

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫