🦫 From Lennoxville to Nationals 🏒 - What’s happening this week in the Townships

Hey there, Townshippers

This week’s edition has a little bit of everything: a Lennoxville hockey story heading all the way to a national championship in Florida, some upcoming events around the region, and a few local updates worth knowing about.

Whether you’re planning a March break outing, looking for something to do this weekend, or just keeping up with what’s happening around the Eastern Townships, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get into it.👇

For most hockey teams in the Eastern Townships, the season ends quietly, an equipment bag slung over the shoulder, a handshake at center ice, and plans for next year. But this March, the men’s club hockey team at Bishop’s University is packing their gear for something bigger: a trip to Jacksonville, Florida, to compete in the AAU College Hockey National Championship tournament.

At the center of the journey is head coach Jordan Chabot, a Richmond-born hockey player turned bench boss who has helped guide the program from a campus club to a nationally competitive squad.

The team earned its place at the national tournament after a strong season in the AAU collegiate club hockey circuit, an organization that brings together club programs from across North America. According to a recent announcement, Bishop’s will travel south to face some of the top club teams in the country at the championship event in Jacksonville this spring. 👉 www.prweb.com

For Chabot, the moment is about more than wins and losses. It’s about building something lasting in Lennoxville.

Club hockey programs often operate with fewer resources than varsity teams, relying on student leadership, fundraising, and community support. Chabot has leaned into that reality, emphasizing culture and commitment as much as skill.

Players balance classes, part-time jobs, and practices, yet still travel long distances for games. That dedication, Chabot says, is what makes this opportunity meaningful. A national tournament appearance isn’t just recognition of talent; it’s validation of the work the players have put in behind the scenes.

The trip also puts a small corner of the Eastern Townships on a much larger hockey map. While Bishop’s varsity teams are well known in Canadian university sport, the club program’s rise highlights another layer of campus athletics, one powered largely by student initiative.

For the players boarding the bus to Florida, the experience will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime memory: trading late-winter Quebec ice for a national tournament atmosphere under southern skies.

And for Chabot, it’s proof that a program built on passion, persistence, and community can travel a long way from a small rink in Lennoxville.

🌌 Astronomy Evening at ASTROLab — Mar 5–6 — Notre-Dame-des-Bois: Experience one of the darkest skies in North America during a special astronomy evening at the foot of Mont Mégantic. The program begins with a multimedia presentation introducing constellations, galaxies, and the science behind the observatory. Afterward, participants head outside for guided telescope observation of the night sky. Details 👉 astrolab.qc.ca

📚 L’heure du conte nostalgique — Mar 5 — Valcourt: A cozy storytelling event that invites participants to rediscover beloved stories from the past. Designed primarily for families and younger audiences, the session blends classic tales with interactive reading moments. Expect a relaxed community atmosphere where imagination takes center stage. The nostalgic theme connects generations—parents may recognize stories from their own childhood Details 👉 centreculturelbombardier.com

🎬 Les Aventuriers Voyageurs: “L’autre Mexique” — Mar 5 — Bromont: Travel the world without leaving the Townships through this cinematic travel conference. “Les Aventuriers Voyageurs” combines documentary filmmaking with storytelling as travelers share experiences from regions of Mexico that tourists rarely see. Expect stunning landscapes, cultural insights, and behind-the-scenes travel anecdotes. The event typically includes a short talk or Q&A segment after the screening.  Details 👉 lestjohn.com

🎣 Ice Fishing + Acoatica at Parc Découverte Nature — Thu–Sat, Mar 5–7 — Coaticook: Want a hands-on winter outing that’s not just “go for a walk”? Parc Découverte Nature is open during Spring Break, with ice fishing sessions that include equipment, ice safety basics, a prepared catch, and admission to Acoatica (their indoor interactive game). It’s a solid family pick because it’s structured, guided, and beginner-friendly.  Details 👉 decouvertenature.qc.ca

🦁 Zoo de Granby — Spring Break Day Camp — Thu–Fri, Mar 5–6 — Granby: If you need a structured March Break day for kids, the Zoo’s Spring Break camp runs by individual day (sign up for one day or both). It’s for Grades 1–6, with a full schedule that includes a zoo visit, animal moments, winter games, plus art/science activities.  Details 👉 zoodegranby.com

💧 Good news from the tap: Magog lifts boil-water notice for 300 homes: Residents in a pocket of Magog can officially put the kettle away. The City announced that the preventive boil-water advisory affecting roughly 300 residences near rue du Belvédère has now been lifted, after tests confirmed the water once again meets all regulatory standards. The advisory had been issued following a water-main break on Feb. 26, and city crews moved quickly to repair the issue and verify water quality.  Source 👉 Ville de Magog

🌳 Sherbrooke parks in the Brompton–Rock Forest sector are getting upgrades: Several parks in Sherbrooke’s Brompton–Rock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville borough are slated for improvements throughout 2026. The city recently shared a preview of recreational projects planned for the sector, including upgrades to park facilities and outdoor spaces designed to better serve families and active residents. The goal is to modernize infrastructure and make neighbourhood parks even more welcoming places to gather, play, and stretch your legs. Source 👉 Ville de Sherbrooke

🤝 Sherbrooke launches “anti-rumour” initiative to keep conversations constructive: Sherbrooke is rolling out a new “Stratégie anti-rumeurs”, an initiative designed to counter misinformation and encourage respectful conversations across the community. Inspired by similar programs used internationally, the strategy focuses on equipping residents and community partners with tools to challenge stereotypes and misleading narratives. The city plans to work with local organizations to spread accurate information and encourage dialogue. Source 👉 Ville de Sherbrooke

🏋️ Granby’s new “borrow sporty stuff” vibe (free equipment access!): Granby is rolling out a project that makes activity easier (and cheaper): free access to a range of sports and recreation equipment at several municipal facilities, thanks to circonflexe – prêt-pour-bouger and local partners. Think of it as a lending library, but for moving your body instead of your brain (both are good, no fight). Source 👉 Ville de Granby

🏘️ Magog wants your housing thoughts (yes, yours): Ever wished city planners would simply ask residents what they actually need? Magog is doing just that. The city has launched a community-wide housing survey running from March 2 to March 30 as part of its housing policy work. The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes and aims to gather a clearer picture of what residents want, from affordability to future housing types. Officials say the results will help shape how the city plans development and densification in the coming years. Source 👉 Ville de Magog

Looking for a Sherbrooke home that combines space, brightness, and a bit of extra flexibility? This property in the Rock Forest area offers a layout that works well for both everyday living and long-term versatility.

Inside, the home features 4 bedrooms and 14 rooms overall, with generous living areas and high ceilings that bring in plenty of natural light. The kitchen was renovated in 2025, and a new central heat pump helps keep the home comfortable year-round. 

Outside, the property sits on a large 12,076-sq-ft lot with mature trees, landscaping, a patio over 40 feet long, and even an above-ground pool, a backyard built for summer evenings. A heated detached garage adds extra storage and workspace.

👉 View the full listing here

🌲 Townships Spring Tease

The calendar says March… but the weather still says February. We want to know:

👉 What’s the first thing you do when the snow finally melts in the Eastern Townships?

A hike up Mont-Orford? Patio beers in Knowlton? The first bike ride of the year? Sugar shack season?

Reply and tell us — we might feature some of your answers next week.

That’s all for this week.

The Eastern Townships is full of small stories, interesting people, and events that often fly under the radar. Our goal with this newsletter is simple: help you keep up with what’s happening around the region and maybe discover something new along the way.

If you enjoyed this edition, feel free to forward it to a friend, neighbour, or coworker who lives in the Townships. Word of mouth is how this little project grows.✌️

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫