🦫 From the Townships to the World Stage

Hey there, Townshippers

Winter has fully settled in, and this is the part of the season where the Eastern Townships really show their depth, in sport, in community, and in the people quietly doing remarkable things. This week’s edition looks outward to the world stage while staying grounded right here at home, where winter routines, local pride, and small moments still matter most.

Grab a coffee and let’s catch up. 👇

As the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics continues, much of the national spotlight naturally falls on medal contenders and podium predictions. Here in the Eastern Townships, though, the pride runs deeper, and closer to home. Several people with strong roots in our region are preparing to represent Canada on sport’s biggest stage, carrying with them years of quiet work done far from the cameras.

One of those stories begins in Sherbrooke, where short track speed skater Félix Roussel first laced up his skates. After narrowly missing out on the 2022 Games, Roussel stayed the course, steadily building results on the World Cup circuit. His selection for Milan-Cortina is not just a personal milestone, but a reminder of how persistence and local support can pay off.

Roussel won’t be alone. Fellow Sherbrooke native William Dandjinou, now one of the world’s top-ranked short track skaters, is expected to be a cornerstone of the Canadian team. Their shared path, from regional competitions to international ice, reflects a system where athletes grow together, pushing one another forward.

The Townships’ Olympic presence extends well beyond those racing around the oval. Behind the scenes, Martin Fréchette, a Sherbrooke-based sports nutritionist, has been selected to work on site with Team Canada in Italy. His role is critical: ensuring athletes are properly fueled, comfortable, and confident, especially under the stress of Olympic competition. It’s a form of expertise rarely noticed by viewers at home, yet essential to performance.

Add to that familiar names like Jordan Pierre-Gilles, Kim Boutin, and aerial skier Marion Thénault, all of whom maintain ties to the region, and a pattern emerges. The Eastern Townships don’t just produce Olympians, they sustain them.

When the Canadian flag rises in Milan next winter, it will represent countless early mornings, community rinks, local clubs, and support networks rooted right here. For the Eastern Townships, that’s a point of pride worth celebrating: our people, our places, on the world’s biggest stage. Find out more about Team Canada and our athletes 👉 olympic.ca

🎸 Too Many Cooks – Rock Concert — Thu, Jan 29, 8 PM — Théâtre Granada, Sherbrooke: Catch this energetic Sherbrooke-based rock trio live as they play a set of crowd-pleasing hits in the historic Granada theatre. The show promises a lively atmosphere and familiar rhythms, ideal for a winter night out. Perfect for music lovers looking to kick off the weekend with local talent. Details 👉 theatregranada.com

🎣 Ice Fishing Tournament – Le Glacé | Rendez-vous du samedi — Sat, Jan 31, 10 AM–4 PM — Parc Découverte Nature, Coaticook: Spend the day outdoors at this family-friendly ice fishing tournament on Baldwin Mills Lake. Beginners and seasoned anglers can try catching tagged trout and enjoy winter scenery. Dress warmly and plan to stay awhile to make the most of this unique seasonal event. Details 👉 gorgedecoaticook.qc.ca

🎤 LaF x Original Gros Bonnet — Sat, Jan 31, 2026 — Le Boq (Boquébière), Sherbrooke: Longtime collaborators LaF and Original Gros Bonnet join forces for a one-night-only double bill blending hip-hop, jazz, and high-energy beats. Expect an energetic and festive show powered by chemistry, creativity, and serious stage presence. Details 👉 boquebiere.com

🎶 Ad Lucem — Sat, Jan 31, 2026 — Centre d’art de Richmond, Richmond: Ad Lucem is a contemplative musical project rooted in the theme of hope, that fragile yet radiant force we seek in times of uncertainty and change. Performed by Elvira Misbakhova (viola) and Meagan Milatz (piano), this intimate program is an ode to inner light, quiet courage, and resilience.  Details 👉 centredartderichmond.ca

🎬 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour — 50th Edition — Tue, Feb 3, 2026 — Centre culturel de l’Université de Sherbrooke: Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the very best adventure and mountain films to Sherbrooke. Drawn from nearly 500 films submitted annually from around the globe, this carefully curated program showcases breathtaking expeditions, powerful storytelling, and stunning cinematography. Details 👉 centrecultureludes.ca

🛒 New Social Grocery Opens in Memphrémagog: A new social grocery store has officially opened at the Banque alimentaire Memphrémagog, offering a more dignified and flexible way for people to access food support. Instead of pre-filled hampers, clients can now shop for items themselves, choosing foods that match their needs and preferences. The newly inaugurated space was designed to feel welcoming and familiar, while also helping reduce food waste. Source 👉 Radio-Canada Estrie

🎓 Granby Students Get a Boost Through New Cégep Mentorship Program: Students at École primaire des Sainte-Famille in Granby are benefiting from a new mentorship program linking them with students from Cégep de Granby. Launched this month, the initiative pairs younger students with Cégep mentors to talk about school life, motivation, and future study paths.The program aims to strengthen academic skills while fostering confidence and a sense of belonging through positive role models. Source 👉 Cégep de Granby

🏆 Futsal Fever: Big Turnout at Magog Provincial Tourney: Sporty spirits were high this week as hundreds of futsal fans and players packed the Centre sportif La Ruche for the provincial Sports Experts Magog futsal tournament. With 47 teams competing across age groups, the event drew enthusiastic crowds and showcased local talent on the indoor pitch Source 👉 Le Reflet du Lac

🏀 Wheelchair Basketball Stars Hit Sherbrooke Courts: Sherbrooke hosted its first Omnium wheelchair basketball tournament on January 24–25, drawing top teams from the AAA provincial division to compete at the Séminaire de Sherbrooke. The weekend featured intense matchups among five squads, showcasing both speed and skill as players navigated the court with remarkable agility and teamwork from their chairs. Source 👉 Radio-Canada Estrie

🎿 Polar Cold, Peak Conditions: A blast of polar cold swept across the Townships over the weekend, sending temperatures plunging, but local ski centres turned the deep freeze into a win. Thanks to the dry, stable cold, snow conditions were described as excellent, with crisp trails and fast surfaces delighting skiers and snowboarders who bundled up and showed up. Source 👉 Radio-Canada Estrie

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💭 Your Winter Reset Button

When winter starts to feel heavy, everyone has that thing that brings them back.

A long walk? A spa soak? A slow breakfast? An early night with no plans?

👉 What’s your go-to winter reset?

Hit reply — we’ll share a few favourites next week.

From Olympic dreams taking shape to weekend plans close to home, this week is a reminder that the Townships punch above their weight. Whether you’re cheering from afar, heading out into the cold, or carving out a little space to reset, winter here is something we share. As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week with more stories rooted right where we are.

Until next week, take care and make the most of it. ✌️

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫