🦫 Big wins, big gifts & big fun in the Townships this week

Hey there, Townshippers 👋

It’s been a hot one lately, but the Townships never take a break. — from cheese taking top prize on the continent to art fairs, skateparks, and even a new hotel on the horizon. It feels like every corner has a story (or at least a fresh excuse to get out of the house).

Whether you’re looking for your next adventure, catching live music, or grabbing a bite with your loved ones, this week’s lineup has a little something for every flavour of summer.

Let’s dig in. 👇

If your summer cheeseboard needed a hometown hero, it just arrived. Fromagerie La Station in Compton has won Best of Show at the 2025 American Cheese Society (ACS) 🧀 Judging & Competition for its alpine-style Alfred le Fermier, announced during the ACS conference week in Sacramento on July 24 — an extraordinary feat on a continental stage.

The ACS is often dubbed the “Academy Awards of cheese,” drawing well over a thousand entries from across North America. This year’s podium put Canada firmly in the spotlight, with La Station first overall and Ontario’s Stonetown Artisan Cheese also in the top three. Read the official roundups and results 👉 Culture Cheese Mag

Alfred le Fermier isn’t just a trophy-winner; it’s a story in a wheel. Named after the owner family’s great-grandfather Alfred, the organic, raw-cow’s-milk cheese is celebrated for a supple paste and layered notes of flowers, hazelnut, and caramel (Fun fact: La Station also landed a second cheese, Chemin du Brûlé, in the ACS top ten.)

For Townshippers, the victory is more than bragging rights; it’s an invitation. You can taste Alfred le Fermier right at the source: 440, chemin de Hatley, Compton—with the on-farm boutique open daily. Make it a mini field trip for a grilled cheese on the terrace, a chat with the team, and a few wedges to bring home. Check hours and tour options here 👉 Fromagerie La Station (official site)

🎨 Symposium Bromont en art — Aug 22–24 — Bromont
Quebec’s largest visual arts symposium features painters, sculptors, and mixed-media artists displaying work in the stunning Bromont countryside. A serene, open-air way to discover emerging talents, chat with creators, and bring home unique art. Details 👉 Bromont en art (official site)

🕺 NanoFest — Party de cuisine — Aug 22–24 — Gould (Haut‑Saint‑François)
A bold, grassroots outdoor arts festival set in the forested hills of Gould. This year's theme, “Party de cuisine,” spices up the lineup with immersive performances, masked theatre, live music, dance, and local eats. Camping and food options available on site. Details 👉 Nanofest (official site)

🤠 Ayer’s Cliff Fair — Aug 21–24 — Ayer’s Cliff
A true Eastern Townships classic, this agricultural fair showcases livestock displays, handmade crafts, live local music, and beloved fair staples like games and food stands. With its rustic roots and community spirit, it's a delightful way to experience rural Quebec traditions with the whole family. Details 👉 Ayer’s Cliff Fair (official site)

🎭 A Midsummer Night’s Dream — Aug 21–24 — Sherbrooke
A timeless Shakespearean comedy performed in Sherbrooke, this production invites audiences into the magic, mischief, and romance of Athenian woods. Details 👉 Le point de vente

🚶 Tomifobia Nature Trail Summer Walk/Bike — All week — Ayer’s Cliff to Stanstead
Not a one-off event, but a wonderful opportunity for an all-week outdoor escape: explore this 19 km rail‑trail amid wildlife and natural beauty. Ideal for a morning walk or evening bike ride—bring water and wildlife watchful eyes. Details 👉 Tomifobia (official site)

🏒 $6M gift jump-starts UdeS varsity hockey: Université de Sherbrooke announced a $6-million donation from philanthropist Herbert Black to create women’s and men’s university hockey under the Vert & Or. The new Herbert Black – Serge Savard Vert & Or Hockey Support Fund will underwrite program development, with milestones to roll out over the coming months. Source 👉 Education News Canada

🌿 Magog publishes “Guide des rues conviviales”: Released on August 18, Magog’s new guide helps residents and groups make local streets safer and more welcoming with simple traffic-calming and placemaking ideas. It includes templates, contacts, and permit tips so people can try low-cost tweaks right away. Source 👉 Ville de Magog

🎓 Bishop’s University names new Executive in Residence: Bishop’s announced on August 15 that the Williams School of Business will welcome Charles Milliard as Executive in Residence for the fall term. The role brings an industry leader onto campus to mentor students and collaborate with faculty on talks and workshops. For Lennoxville and Sherbrooke, that means more real-world perspectives in class and on stage. Source 👉 Bishop’s University

🏨 105-room hotel planned for Fleurimont’s Quartier Santé: Activar Hôtels says a 105-room, extended-stay hotel (all rooms with kitchens) is slated for 12e Avenue N. The project is set to go before Sherbrooke’s central planning advisory committee this week, with an opening targeted for September 2026. The project adds lodging near CHUS for medical stays and fresh tourism capacity on Sherbrooke’s east side. Source 👉 FM107.7

🛹 New Magog skatepark officially inaugurated: On Saturday, August 16, the City and OSKAR cut the ribbon on the upgraded skatepark at Pointe Merry, capping a community-backed project. The park has been open since July 17 and sits by the lakefront path for easy bike or family outings. Source 👉 Ville de Magog

Looking for some peace and quiet without straying too far from town? This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Cookshire-Eaton might be it. Set on nearly half an acre, the property blends cozy living with nature at your doorstep. High ceilings and bright, open spaces give the interior an airy feel, while a double garage and two sheds mean plenty of room for all your gear. Whether it’s family life, weekend hosting, or just soaking up the slower pace, this place has the balance dialed in.

👉 View the full listing here

We all have that one spot in the Townships we love showing off to friends — maybe it’s a trail with the best lookout, a tucked-away café, or a swimming hole that never seems crowded.

What’s your hidden gem? Drop us a reply and let us in on it!

That’s a wrap on this week’s highlights. Whether you’re keeping cool lakeside, stumbling on a new hidden gem, hit reply and let us know what’s been making your Townships summer unforgettable. Who knows… your tip might be next week’s feature. 😉

If you enjoyed this edition, share it with a friend and help us keep the local love going, because life in the Townships is too good to miss a beat.

Until then, stay cool, stay curious, and we’ll see you back here next Thursday. ✌️

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫