🦫 Winter Tastes Better When It’s Local

Hey there, Townshippers

February has a way of slowing everything down, the roads are quieter, the fields are white, and evenings feel a little longer. But if you look closely, this is when the region really shows its depth. Restaurants are still sourcing locally, festivals are filling parks with colour, and rinks are buzzing after dark.

This week, we’re stepping inside a warm dining room in Knowlton to see how “local” doesn’t hibernate when winter hits, it adapts. Let’s get into it. 👇

Auberge Knowlton sits just off the main stretch of the village, its warm dining room glowing against the snowbanks of February. Inside, the chalkboard menu reads like a love letter to the Eastern Townships: duck, root vegetables, local cheeses, maple.

But in the coldest month of the year, when fields lie dormant and farm stands are shuttered, what does “local” really mean?

For Auberge Knowlton, winter sourcing is less about scarcity and more about foresight. The relationship with nearby producers isn’t seasonal, it’s year-round. Summer’s abundance becomes winter’s backbone: tomatoes preserved as sauces, berries frozen at peak ripeness, herbs dried and stored.

The restaurant’s commitment to regional sourcing is reflected in its evolving menu. Winter dishes often feature braised local meats, Quebec duck, and creamy gratins built around storage crops. Even the maple syrup, a Townships staple, finds its way into vinaigrettes and desserts, a quiet nod to the sugar bushes preparing for tapping season just weeks away.

“Local” in February also means flexibility. Weather affects deliveries. Harvest yields shift. Menus change accordingly. It’s a dance between kitchen and countryside, one that depends on trust built over years with farmers who face their own winter realities of livestock care, equipment maintenance, and next season’s planning.

For diners, the result feels seamless: a bowl of soup on a snowy evening, a plate of locally raised beef slow-cooked to tenderness. But behind that comfort is a web of relationships stretching from field to fork, even when the fields are white.

As Canada’s Agriculture Day reminds us, farming is not just a harvest moment. In the Eastern Townships, it’s a year-round partnership, one that quietly sustains our tables through winter’s stillness. Find out more about their menu 👉 aubergeknowlton.com

🎤 Matt Andersen — The Hammer & The Rose — Thu, Feb 12 — Sherbrooke: Celebrate roots-blues with Canadian singer-guitarist Matt Andersen’s dynamic live show, mixing soulful vocals and fiery guitar work. A great night for music lovers looking for heartfelt performance in an intimate venue. Andersen has toured widely and brings strong energy and musicianship. This show is part of the Townships’ busy winter cultural calendar. Details 👉 easterntownships.org

🖼️ Nos GÉANT.E.S — starts Feb 12 — Mhist (Musée d’histoire de Sherbrooke): This temporary exhibition spotlights “giants” of Quebec history and culture, drawn from the Nos géants capsule series that’s been running since 2022. You’ll move through portraits and stories of 12 major cultural figures spanning from New France to today—think names like Camille Laurin, Félix Leclerc, and La Bolduc. Details 👉 mhist.org

🏁 Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt — Fri–Sun, Feb 13–15 — Valcourt: Head to the world’s largest snowmobile racing event, featuring high-speed races, family activities, and winter festival vibes. A thrilling outdoor spectacle for fans of motorsports and winter fun alike.  Details 👉 bromefair.com

💘 St-Valentin à la montagne — Fri–Sun, Feb 13 – 15, 2026 — Mont Sutton: Celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend long up on the slopes with a full Cupid-themed winter program designed for couples, families, and friends alike. From “Chaises de l’amour” where you might find one of two special red chairs on the chairlift for a fun photo moment, to live après-ski music with AFTERGLOW on Friday evening, there’s something festive for everyone. Details 👉 montsutton.com

❄️ Fête des neiges de Magog — Sat-Sun, Feb 14 - 15 — Pointe-Merry, Magog: Magog’s big family winter party takes over Pointe-Merry with a whole “choose-your-own-adventure” menu of snowy fun—wander between activity zones, warm up between runs, and make it a full day by the lake. Details 👉 evenementsmagog.ca

❄️ Carnaval de Sherbrooke turns 60: Mark Feb. 20–22 at Parc Jacques-Cartier—Carnaval de Sherbrooke is back for its 60th anniversary, with a mix of ice sculptures, lights, family activities, and those “I swear I’m just here for the hot chocolate” moments. Nice local perk: transit fares are reduced to $1 for the whole weekend to make getting there easier. Source 👉 Carnaval de Sherbrooke

🧑‍🎓 Magog is hiring students (14+): Magog just opened recruitment for 35 student positions for summer 2026, and they’re casting a wide net—from camp animation (Club été/Club ados) to lifeguarding and even environmental awareness roles. Hiring runs until mid-March, with a start date at the end of the school year. Source 👉 Ville de Magog

🍎 Farmers & producers set to network in Richmond area: Val-Saint-François has kicked off a series of agricultural networking events (“Les jasettes agricoles”) for farmers, producers, and rural entrepreneurs. Organized with public health and local partners, these gatherings aim to strengthen ties, share ideas, and celebrate the region’s farming heritage. Source 👉 MRC du Val-Saint-Francois

☀️ MRC de Coaticook puts solar power first: The MRC de Coaticook has updated its renewable-energy policy and is prioritizing solar projects over wind for now, citing timing in Québec’s upcoming energy calls and community readiness. Representatives from a renewable company are exploring up to three potential solar sites across municipalities including Saint-Herménégilde, Compton and Coaticook in the months ahead, though no final decisions have been made yet. Source 👉 Le Progrès de Coaticook

✊🏾 Sherbrooke officially marks Black History Month for the first time: For the first time ever, the City of Sherbrooke is formally recognizing Mois de l’histoire des Noirs, joining community partners to spotlight the contributions and experiences of Black residents in the region. According to reporting by Radio-Canada, local organization Black Estrie is helping lead activities throughout February, including cultural events, discussions and community gatherings aimed at education and celebration. Source 👉 Radio Canada Estrie

Looking for a Magog home with space for everyone and a layout that actually works day-to-day? This charming bungalow on Rue Léonard packs a lot into a sweet, hedge-lined lot, 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, with two bedrooms on the main floor and two more downstairs (including one open space that could easily become a 4th bedroom setup). 

Upstairs, you’ve got a bright living room, a kitchen with an island + lunch counter (and its own exterior entrance), plus a dining room that feels made for family nights. Downstairs adds a family room, extra bath, and a big storage area — aka: winter gear, hockey bags, holiday bins… you get it. Bonus: attached carport + driveway parking, and a backyard shed for the rest.

👉 View the full listing here

🏒 Game Night Ritual

You know the one.

The same parking spot if you can get it. The same section. The same snack combo you swear hits different on game night.

Maybe it’s a lucky hoodie that hasn’t been washed since the last win streak. Maybe you refuse to sit until the first whistle. Maybe it’s popcorn before puck drop, no exceptions.

👉 Hit reply with your ritual. We’re judging (gently).

Winter in the Eastern Townships isn’t loud, it’s layered. It’s comfort food made from last summer’s harvest, snow under stadium lights, and the small rituals that make the cold feel communal instead of isolating.

Whether you’re heading to a festival, booking a table, or catching a Phoenix game, there’s always something happening just beneath the frost.

Stay warm, support local, and we’ll see you out there.✌️

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫