Daily Archives: July 17, 2015

Knowlton, the heart and soul of Brome Lake, has many golden opportunities for people who want to enjoy living in a quiet and historical part of Quebec. Here is an example of the large Victorian home that can be rented or purchased in this lovely community that is currently available in Brome Lake. This is available immediately and the real-estate listing is absolutely charming and inviting.

“Our family home {1926} offers you the opportunity to enjoy spacious grounds and mature trees as well as an inground concrete swimming pool. There are 4 bedrooms and a study and 3 bathrooms upstairs, two of which are off the bedrooms. Downstairs there is a powder room, a formal dining room and a livingroom free of tv., dvd or internet!

A wrap around veranda and screened in porch provide even more living area. The house is fully furnished with dishes and linens but does not have a dishwasher. If you would like the location and to view our home, click here.”

And, since we are bilingual and proud of it here in Knowlton:

“Notre maison familiale (1926) vous offre l’opportunité de profiter d’un grand terrain avec des arbres matures et une piscine creusée. Au 2e étage, il y a 4 chambres a coucher, un bureau, et 3 salles de bains, dont deux sont dans les chambres. Il y a une salle de toilette au rez-de-chaussée, une cuisine, une salle a manger ainsi qu’un salon sans téléviseur (pas de lecteur dvd ni internet!)

La véranda grillagée offre de l’espace habitable supplémentaire. La maison est complètement meublée, incluant vaisselle et literie, mais il n’y a pas de lave vaisselle. Pour connaître l’emplacement ou pour une visite, cliquez ici”

Homes for Rent and Property for Sale in Knowlton, Lac Brome

This exhibition brings together some 40 artists (painters, sculptors, drawers, ceramicists …), offering a wide range of works on the theme of Totem, combining creativity and singularity. The show also presents a great many different techniques.
Image cortesy of Sutton Gallery presenting the works of Marie France Cournoyer, Souvenir de ne pas être (2009),
installation, 1.57 m X 12 cm

The artists represented include: Tamila Barecki, Josée Barette, Noëlla Bellefeuille, Louise J. Bouchard, Daphné Boyer, Hélène Brunet, Denise Caron, Hannah Cohen, Nicole Côté, Don Davidson, Maryse Des Aulniers, Muriel Faille, Hélène Gagnon, Vandana Gillain, Diana Harding-Tucker, Kiona, Lou Leblanc, Susan Lucking, Brigite Normandin, Catherine Panchaud, Louise-Andrée Roberge and Raymonde Vanasse.

Exhibiting for the first time at the Gallery: Marie-Ange Brassard, Norman Brooke, Adèle Bruneau, Marie France Cournoyer, Valérie Desmarais, Maryse Fillion, Céline Gignac, Annis Karpenko, Hélène Raymond Amyot, Ewa Scheer, Johanne Tardif, Sylvie Therrien, Angelika vonder Rhur and Richard Wellbrenner.

Some of the questions the works in this show respond to are: How does totem manifest in contemporary society? What beings in our society carry mythical weight? Does the totem still have a place in today’s society and if so, what is it?

The show continues until April 11. Please note that the Gallery will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 12.
The Gallery is located at 7 Academy in Sutton and is open from Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
7 Academy, Sutton, Québec, Canada, J0E 2K0
450.538.2563 • [email protected] •www.artssutton.com

From 2008 (For the latest events in Knowlton and Brome Lake visit the Chamber of Commerce of Brome Lake Website)

2008 Recap: The weather is looking magnificent for the opening weekend of the Brome Lake Duck Festival. The 8th Annual celebration of fall, ducks and our beautiful town kicks off Saturday morning and runs all this week-end and next weekend featuring music, games, demonstrations and of course the ducks!

Knowlton becomes the center of activity in the Townships during the Duck Fest as the colors are breaking into a chorous of reds and oranges and the weather is ideal for being outside with friends and family. The Mill Pond is the place to under the big top but don’t forget to stroll around the village and take a peek at our special town! The Canard en Fete festival owes it’s success to the hard work of the Chamber of Commerce, countless Volunteers and positive residents, as well as support from The Town and many businesses. Working together has ensured the festival gets better every year with more people attending!

PROGRAMMATION DU PREMIER WEEK-END – FIRST WEEK-END PROGRAMMING
Samedi, le 20 septembre 2008 – Saturday September 20th, 2008
10 h 00 Début des festivités – Ouverture du festival – Opening
11 h 00 – 16 h 30 Animation musicale par Mario Bruneau, accordéoniste – Musical animation by Mario Bruneau, accordionist
11 h 30 Démonstration culinaire présentée par Richard Wisdom, maire
de Ville de Lac-Brome – Culinary demo presented by Richard Wisdom, Mayor of the Town of Brome Lake
13 h 30 Démonstration culinaire présentée par Antoine Ménard de l’Auberge Quilliams – Culinary demo presented by Antoine Ménard from Auberge Quilliams
15 h 00 Démonstration culinaire par un chef surprise – Culinary demo by a surprise chef
17 h – 18 h 30 Concert musical : Sonia Fréchette, musique d’hier à aujourd’hui – Musical concert

Dimanche, le 21 septembre 2008 – Sunday September 21st, 2008
10 h 00 Ouverture du site – Site opening
11 h 00 à 16 h 30 Animation musicale par Duo Sanacord, violonistes – Musical animation by Duo Sanacord, violinists
11 h 30 Démonstration culinaire présentée par Antoine Ménard de l’Auberge Quilliams – Culinary demo presented by Antoine Ménard from Auberge Quilliams
13 h 30 Démonstration culinaire par un chef surprise – Culinary demo by a surprise chef
16 h à 17 h 30 Concert musical : Angel Forrest (folk-rock) Musical concert

PROGRAMMATION DU SECOND WEEK-END – SECOND WEEK-END PROGRAMMING
Samedi, le 27 septembre 2008 – Saturday September 27th, 2008
10 h 00 Ouverture du site – Site opening
11 h 00 à 16 h 30 Animation musicale par Mario Bruneau, accordéoniste – Musical animation by Mario Bruneau, accordionist
11 h 30 Démonstration culinaire présentée par Richard Wisdom, maire de Ville de Lac-Brome – Culinary demo presented by Richard Wisdom, Mayor of the Town of Brome Lake
13 h 30 Démonstration culinaire présentée par Antoine Ménard de l’Auberge Quilliams – Culinary demo presented by Antoine Ménard from Auberge Quilliams
15 h 00 Démonstration culinaire par Jean-François Plante, porte-parole du festival – Culinary demo by Jean-François Plante, spokesperson of the festival
17 h à 18 h 30 Concert musical : Mannix and the Dirty Blues Band Musical concert

Dimanche, le 28 septembre 2008 – Sunday September 28th, 2008
10 h 00 Ouverture du site – Site opening
11 h 00 à – 16 h 30 Animation musicale par The Barr Family Quartet – Musical animation by The Barr Family Quartet
11 h 15 Démonstration culinaire présentée par Antoine Ménard de l’Auberge Quilliams – Culinary demo presented by Antoine Ménard from Auberge Quilliams
12h45 Démonstration culinaire par un chef surprise – Culinary demo by a surprise chef
13 h 30 à 15 h Fermeture de la rue Lakeside – Closing of Lakeside street
14 h La Grande Course de Canards et remise des prix – The Great Duck Race and awards winners
16 h à 17 h 30 Concert musical : Chris Derek and the Appalachian Groove Band
Musical concert: (jazz, blues, celtic, funk)

The festival is all about discovering new ways to enjoy the Peking Duck that has made Lac Brome famous over the years. The cooking demonstrations are always well attended and the guest chefs creat some wonderful looking dishes! Luckily there are duck sausages available and a steady line-up of folks who needed to bite into a succulant duckydog! The chefs present tips and new ways of preparing duck and explain step by step methods of creating fancy duck recipes with little effort.

All the family will be able to go cherish our small farms animals at the petting zoo. Moreover, a sleigh ride of approx. 40 minutes in the village to the duck farm will be available at the corner of St-Paul and Lakeside streets (from noon to 3 p.m.). Cost will be $5 per person (free for children under 5 years old). Take advantage of this ride to see the architecture of our beautiful Victorian village, to visit the merchants, the museum and of course, to go to see the duck farm.

Of course, In Knowlton, even when there is a busy festival there is always a quiet place to enjoy a family picnic beside the water. Bring the whole family and enjoy a visit to another time in the Victorian village of Knowlton! When he weather is like this at the end of September the fall colors explode all around the center of the village and stores, terasses and boutiques are all decked out in their sunday best for the occasion. The duck festival is popular amongst visitors who enjoy the fall foliage at the same time as gathering for gourmet treats in the beautiful village of Knowlton.

Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the best reasons to visit Lac Brome!

The 8th Annual Brome Lake Duck Fest also known in French as “Canard en Fete au Lac Brome” is starting on September 20th and the preparations of hard working organizers turning Knowlton village into a huge family oriented street party are sure to make this edition of the succulant festival one of the best ever.

A great variety of regional and local products as well as artists craft, wine, honey, maple vinegar, spices, specialty salts, body products, knitting, moccasins, jewelry, musical instruments, natural products, stone and wooden ducks, Christmas bauble, ice cider, terrines, foie gras, rillettes, alcohols, juices and smoothies, cheeses, dressings, jams, jellies , chocolates, coffee, tea, espresso, hot chocolate, duck tastings, duck wings on BBQ, etc.

While the region of Lac Brome of the Eastern Townships is often associated withthe Big Brome Fair the Duck Festival is the best chance to really get to know the intimate side of the village of Knowlton.

And let’s not forget the ducks!
The ducks are really the star of the show for the two-weekend extravaganza! People gather in Knowlton to taste the newest duck creations from world class chefs and to enjoy the signature hospitality that is is Knowlton.

Famous the world over for its Brome Lake duck, the village of Knowlton (Lac-Brome) is already gearing up for its now famous fall street festival, the Brome Lake Duck Festival.

Knowlton, known as one of Quebec’s most beautiful villages, will transform itself over two weekends this fall on September 20-22 and continues the week-end of September 27-29. The hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Highlights of the festival include a farmer’s market, exhibiting local and regional goodies from maple products to local wines. Musicians, artists, entertainment and games for children are also on the agenda. Of course, duck specialties will be on the menus of local restaurants. This year’s festival promises to be a feast for the senses, both culinary and visual as autumn’s colours will be out in all their splendour.

Organizers again invited Marie-Andrée Leblond, a local artist, to design this year’s Duck fest poster. Year after year the talented Artist has delighted us with colorful and fun duck paintings which are loved by all! The poster is sure to become a collector’s item! You can also visit the Knowlton Gallery to see more of Leblonds paintings, the gallery is located right downtown at 285 Knowlton Road, you can’t, and shouldn’t, miss it!

Culinary demonstrations
One of the most popular events during the festival is the daily culinary demonstrations offered by the many different chefs of the region every hour between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. It’s an excellent occasion for connoisseurs to learn the secrets of the art of cooking and serving duck.

Dozens of local producers and artisans will be present in the Park to tempt the taste buds and the eyes with their interesting and tasty offerings. Among the producers who are opr who have been at the Duck Festival in previous years are : Les p’tits péchés de Madeleine (chocolates), Projet d’une terre (smoothies, fresh fruit juices), Les trésors de l’Érable (vinaigrettes), Wish Buds (cards and bookmarks), Bio Bon inc. (breads, cakes, cookies, pies…), Les Produits Camelus (ostrich oil based beauty products), Les Distributions L’Escalier (jams, vinaigrettes…), Crousset inc. (seasonings, herbal teas), Vignoble le Cep D’Argent inc. (wines), Cabane du Pic Bois (maple vinegar), Douceurs de Géraldine (soaps and beauty products), Domaine Pinacle (ice cider), Atelier Alondra (artisan) et Thés C.G. (teas, tea accessories…)

Knowlton, for its duck, and so much more!
For lovers of fine food and wines, The Brome Lake Duck Fest offers the perfect excuse
for a delicious week-end in Knowlton while enjoying the charm and ambience of this historic village on the shores of Brome Lake. See More Pictures of Knowlton & Lac Brome

A full program of activities will be available during the festival on-site.

THE GREAT DUCK RACE IS BACK!
Another highlight is the crazy Duck Race! Crowds fill the Park at Mill Pond to watch as thousands of cute yellow ducks pour over the dam and drifted along the Coldbrook in a wild yellow race to the finish line. Kids and adults run through the bushes following the yellow rubber duckies as they bob and weave the easy flowing brook towards the finish line. People cheer, coaxed and holler at the ducks as they float towards the victory net! Relive the magic of previous Great Duck Races!

The second edition of Knowlton’s Great Duck Race, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Brome Lake, will take place on Sunday, September 28 2008. The spectacular Duck release is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on top of the Blackwood dam of the Millpond at Coldbrook Park. Get their early as the bridge fills up fast with people ready to watch the wild opening of the dam that releases the little duckies!

Tickets are sold at $5 each and are bundled in booklets of 5 tickets for $20. The Great Duck Race will be the closing event of the Duck Festival and the Chamber expects to attract a great crowd into downtown Knowlton.

The tickets can be bought at the Chamber’s office at 255-C, Knowlton Rd and at participating stores of Lac-Brome and at the Big Top at the main Festival Grandstand!

This website contains stories and articles that are not necessarily current or up to date.
Opinions, names, schedules and events may have changed since the opinions and event articles were written. This website should be considered a time-capsule of one residents time spent living in Knowlton not a current events website. The DestinationKnowlton.com website will be updated on a monthly basis as of August 2009.For the latest events in Knowlton and Brome Lake visit the Chamber of Commerce of Brome Lake Website.

To find out what the author of this website is doing now visit his online travel blog TripSister.com

Midway between drawing and sculpture, Serge Marchetta’s most recent works explore the notion of place in the act of creation.

This is an exhibition of in situ compositions that are designed with the location in mind; each work is created using coloured cotton thread. Like spider webs these threads are attached to the various surfaces of the Gallery—floor, walls, roof—allowing for endless variations.

The visitor is invited to contemplate the works from different angles and distances; in doing so, the image changes. The threads are arranged in such a way that the viewer can physically enter the work and feel enveloped by it.

Serge Marchetta left the security of a management job at Canada Post in 1993 to dedicate himself to full-time to art and finished his university studies at UQAM in 1995. He has been in more than 30 solo and group shows throughout Quebec and in the Czech Republic. He is also active in the arts community as a curator, gallery owner and member of artist associations. His work is in public and private collections.

Welcome to the exhibition opening, which will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday,
February 14.
The artist will do a short presentation on his work at 2:30 pm.

The Gallery is at 7 Academy in Sutton and is open from Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Hours: Thursday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm
7 Academy, Sutton, Quebec, Canada, J0E 2K0
450.538.2563 • [email protected] • http://www.artssutton.com/

The Eastern Townships are privlaged to have such contemporary artists exposing their works. An eclectic variety from modern to more classical styles is constantly coming to Sutton, Knowlton and the art galleries of the region!

Canadian Contemporary Art

New Books on Contemprary Art New Trends in Canadian and International Sculpture
Canadian Contemporary Art can refer simply to any visual art made in Canada currently or by living Canadian artists. However, it is a term that more accurately refers to Canadian visual, media, performance, video, and other artistic and/or conceptual practices that are critically and intellectually engaged and that deliberately address both a local and global context. One might further define it by the intended audience and expected venues for its exhibition and display: public galleries, art museums, artist-run centres, certain commercial galleries, etc.

Interior of the Toronto Eaton Centre showing one of Michael Snow’s best known sculptures, titled Flightstop, which depicts Canada Geese in flight.

There has been much debate over whether such a national style, philosophical outlook, or unified and cohesive culture exists or ever has existed within Canada. It is large geographically, with many distinct regions, and its population is diverse and is made up of varying national and ethnic backgrounds. Also, as traditional distinctions between “high art” and “low” and “popular” art seem to be becoming less clear, the task of locating one or even a few common characteristics of Canadian art or culture becomes difficult.

There are, however, a few notable moments when Canadian contemporary artists – as individuals or groups – have distinguished themselves through commonality, international recognition, collaboration, or zeitgeist:

The Vancouver School of Photo-Conceptualism (artists include Jeff Wall, Rodney Graham, Stan Douglas, Iain Baxter)

The Royal Art Lodge (whose most famous member is Marcel Dzama, centred in Winnipeg, Manitoba)

NSCAD University or Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, where through the presence of painter Eric Fischl and other notable international visitors such as Joseph Beuys, Dan Graham and Lawrence Weiner in the 1970s a reputation was established as an innovative, radical, and theory driven incubator of new art.

The success of the career of Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, who represented Canada at the 49th Venice Biennial in 2001.

The conceptually-based artistic practice of Michael Snow. See picture above.

Canadian Contemprary Art

New Trends in Canadian and International Sculpture

BOOBIESSaint Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide by the those of Irish descent and increasingly by non-Irish people (especially in Brome Lake where the English Community stands strong together and raises a beer mug or six together). Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the colour green. Green, as in the color of Brome Lake! Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food and/or green foods, imbibing Irish drink (such as Guinness, Jameson Irish Whiskey or Baileys Irish Cream) and attending parades.

In Knowlton and Brome Lake the celebration occurs mainly at the Knowlton Pub…where the English Community gather to celebrate the heritage that built this area! What better place to celebrate than at the local Pub where the locals come together! While most of Canada is involved in “Rrrrrrolling up the Rrrrim” to win, we have our own “Lac Brrrrrrrrrome” parties during the green days of Saint Patties day!

Heck…we have no high-speed internet, no chain restaurants like Wendy’s (a classic red-headed Irish beauty), no Tim Horton’s, no late night shopping, and no real tourist attractions unless someone considers that a truck stop on the highway can be considered as a “Most beeeuuutiful town in Quebec”.

In Knowlton…the best place to celebrate is:

Bistro Knowlton Pub

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Friday March 20th

HOSTED BY CHOM FM’s PETE MARIER “BAD PETE”

BECOME THE NEW “KNOWLTON IDOL” IN THE “ DANNY BOY” SINGING COMPETITION

GREAT PRIZES: DRINK SPECIALS MUSIC BY RALPH & LAURA

“IF YOUR LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IRISH, YOUR LUCKY ENOUGH!”

267 Knowlton Rd, Knowlton 242-6862

The St. Patrick’s Day parade was first held in Boston in 1761, organized by the Charitable Society. The first recorded parade was New York City’s celebration which began on 18 March 1762 when Irish soldiers in the English military marched through the city with their music.

The New York parade is the largest, typically drawing two million spectators and 150,000 marchers. The predominantly French-speaking Canadian city of Montreal, in the province of Québec has the longest continually running Saint Patrick’s day parade in North America, since 1824;The city’s flag has the Irish emblem, the shamrock, in one of its corners. Ireland’s cities all hold their own parades and festivals, including Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five-day festival; over 500,000 people attended the 2006 parade.

In Knowlton, Brome Lake, only the purists celebrate the day. The longtime English residents gather together to share a communal moment during this special day.

Congratulations Brome Lake for your English Heritage!!

Sooo…what happened in Brome this week? Well, according to the local paper not a heck of a lot was worth reporting on…

Residents of Brome Lake were quite surprised to pick up the latest edition of the Brome County News and see an issue that didn’t even have any teensey-bit of coverage of the Municipal Election in Brome Lake that were held Monday…not even a list of results!

This was one of the wildest Municipal Elections in memory and when the dust had cleared there was nothing in the local paper…no chest thumping from the victorious, no wailing lamentations from the losers…just the sound of crickets emenating from the pages of the local paper…the silence was deafening!

The front page of the local paper actually had a huge color photo and story of the election in Sutton! Has Sutton suddenly become part of Brome County? With the emotional campaign that raged in Knowlton and Brome Lake we would have expected at least minimal coverage…perhaps the right people didn’t win?

With all the anticipation for the election here in Brome Lake one would have thought that there would have been some coverage of the election that had one of the highest turnout rates in Brome Lake history? Nope…not one mention of the results, the drama, the dissapointment…nothing. No feedback from townsfolk…no editorial…no analysis…nothing! Surely it wouldn’t be too hard to at least put the results in the paper?

Isn’t this what a local newspaper is about? A small town newspaper should be filled with the personal stories from community groups and volunteers. It should talk about card games and club outings and happy news and sad news from the locals. Recipes, thoughts, jokes….it should reflect who we are…but when an election takes place once every four years you’d have thought that there would have been at least an ounce of coverage…not even!

They seem to have support from advertisers but when there is zero coverage about major local issues then it seems likely that this issue will be lining puppy cages before Friday…how will advertisers feel about that?

Once again this week the best part of the Brome County Snooze was the “Pet of The Week” and they should have put Tommy the Brown Dog on the front page instead of a picture of the Mayor of Sutton! Woof Woof!

For the election results visit our 2009 Municipal Election Page.

Note: These results were published on this website on the same day as the election…once again hinting that newspapers might not be able to compete against online publications. Advertisers may soon start to see more of a return advertising on websites like DestinationKnowlton.com instead of spending hundreds of dollars on printed advertising locally, especially if the reporting doesn’t touch on the important issues of the Town.
For advertising rates please visit this page.

The economic crash is affecting all corners of the economy as a complete re-shaping of the modern market is causing job losses and a severe financial crises that doesn’t just rattle the Dow Jones or TSX values but also hits the residents of Lac Brome and Knowlton wether we like it or not.

Of course we don’t like it and the fact we have to tighten our belts a few notches doesn’t sit well for those of us who are used to living with rosy colored glasses. Unfortunately the reality is making us sit up and take notice that we all have to make adjustements and that includes the real-estate market in Brome Lake, Lac Brome & Knowlton Quebec.

In a recent local newspaper one of our elected officials said the Town was looking for “creative” ways to bring young families and businesses into Knowlton and Lac Brome. This is a great sentiment but is it just blowing smoke considering what is happening in the area? Commercial vacancies are at record highs, rental vacancies areat record highs, land prices are at record highs and so residents are waiting to see what the “creative” ways to turn this negative downturn around?

Apparently one creative way is to use 2.4 million dollars to do an overhaul of an underground pipe system on Centre and Bondville roads and then toss another 1.4 million dollars into sprucing up the Blackwood Dam at the Mill Pond. Well at least if the dam is fixed there will be a better starting line for the Duck Race! Money well spent? Let’s get Quacking!

Teknika-HBA inc. was given another mandate to spend over $50,000 to “plan” for a culvert and wee bridge on the Argyll walking path. Sheesh, my pappy could install 500 meters of galvanized corrugated culvert, put up a fence around the finished project, and afford to take all 14 workers to lunch for around $22,000. Someone in Lac Brome seems to have a real shine to the engineering firm Teknika HBA if they are paying over 50 large to an engineering firm to trace out some plans.

The town wants to upgrade the shack on Douglass Beach and the cost is going beyond $200,000 which seems high considering that a complete single family home can be built for less! A sweet little engineering has been paid to do the R + D, nice work if you can get it!

And now that Teknika-HBA inc. has been paid a princes ransome to create a “Lake Plan” for Brome Lake they have begun advertising their services of lake remidiation partly based on the Brome Lake studies. Bully for them! So basically this firm who accepts millions of dollars from our tax funds uses this money to promote themselves their services so this is a nice little self fullfilling prophecy. Sweet! We remember when they were asking for residents to provide reports and scientific information to assist with the plan all for free and then went behind the backs of the Town to provide a favorable report for another group accoding to their needs. Talk about biting the hand that feeds, double dipping and still getting couchie-coo with everyone!

Looking at the recently published payments to Brome Lakes favorite engineering firm it seems that Jean Bourret, the Town Manager of Lac Brome and Pierre Bertrand, M.Sc. of Teknika have a strong relationship:

Honoraires d’ingénieurs (Awarded to Teknika)

• Gestion qualité de l’eau du lac = 196 720,41$

• Chemin Lansdowne = 13 654,10$

• Divers travaux de voirie = 9 121,76$

• Réservoir Spring-Hill = 31 009,81$

• Chemin Grove = 21 146,32$

• Réseaux d’aqueduc en général = 48 066,94$

• Réseaux d’égouts en général = 23 791,90$

• Bâtiment Plage Douglass = 24 972,18$

Of course there may not be another engineering firm in Quebec who could provide these services cheaper or with such expertise so perhaps it all makes sense? What some people find to be incredulous is that the Town Manager and the head of these firms that work in such complicity don’t even live in Lac Brome so in hockey language one might ask: WTF do they care? FREE RIDE!

But wait! If any tax payers dare say anything about the spending on engineers they might want to hold their breath and take a look at the spending Lac Brome dished out for computer services. Everyone should have a decent anti-cirus program for their computers…and most folks with an online computer network at home can be expected to fork out some cash for a decent anti-virus. It seems the town needs an anti-virus program that cost the taxpayers over $15,000! Whoa! Personally I enjoy complete protection on my 5 computer network with a license from Microsoft for $300 per year. How can the town spend $15,000 for anti-virus protection? Sheesh…maybe they should scale back a bit because they don’t even respond to their emails! La Voix De L’est did a survey and Lac Brome failed as far as responding to citizen emails goes so maybe their high priced virus-proterction is a bit too robust.

Let’s look at the spending for basic electronic services:

• Anti virus = 16 501,77$

• Conseil « sans papier » = 2 923,46$

• Soutien technique (banque d’heures) = 12 416,25$

• Contrat de service (12 mois) = 76 789,08$

“Conseil sans papier” costs $2900? Do we get a rebate if we pay with PayPal instead of a paper check? Ouch!

The snow patrol is coming! With the SQ announcing they will be stepping up their presence in Knowlton and Lake Brome we can all expect more speed traps, seat belt, impaired driving checks and cell-phone use behind the wheel to be coming and it’s about time!

This is good news from residents who felt like they had to fend for themselves in a lawless community for the last few years!

According to reports the Quebec Police also want to ensure Knowltonites are being served properly in English! Pardonnez-moi? Did someone actually ask if the English community in Brome Lake was being taken care of? What a welcome sentiment!!

The Surete du Quebec has promised to increase their presence on the roads of Lac Brome which is welcome news for everyone in town who has become accustomed to seeing the following before noon on any given day for goodness sakes:

1.Speeding through our schools zones and general speeding throughout Brome Lake.

2.Littering.

3.Roaring through crosswalks when pedestrians wish to cross.

3.Drunks leaving the pubs, bars and restos and driving back to work or home …it aint’ rocket science…we’ve all seen this silent majority in action and it should be stopped before more people are hurt. The rates of DWI in Quebec are some of the highest in Canada so a strong and aggressive police force should be a welcome step forward.

4.Shoplifting.

5.Break and entering.

6.Not signalling while driving.

7.Filling up and not paying for gas at the Deapanneur Rouge.

9.Bozos yapping on their phones while driving.

10.Drug dealing.

11. Send us your thoughts by email

If the Surete du Quebec can tackle these few issues in Lac Brome then we should see an improvement in the quality of life. I’ve driven through Bromont many times and they have such a prominent Police Force it’s incredible. They have a wonderful Police Station right in the town and are friendly and accommodating.

I’m sure the SQ stationed in Brome Lake and Knowlton have provided some officers with the proper sensitivity training and the ones I’ve met on the streets in Knowlton seem to be very professional and willing to serve and protect. Although the one time I was pulled over by an SQ officer for exceeding the speed limit in Lac Brome I wasn’t too impressed with the treatment I was given especially since I was wearing a Montreal Canadiens Jersey!!

Employment opportunities in Knowlton, Brome Lake, Lac Brome Quebec Eastern Townships. It’s not what you know but who you know! Get on board and check out these recent jobs in Knowlton and the Eastern Townships that highlight the great opportunities in Knowlton for anyone looking for a job:

Summer Student Employment Opportunity Promotion/Communications Coordinator
Location: Eastern Townships CEDEC (Sherbrooke) Terms of employment: approximately 35 hrs per week for 8 to 10, to be confirmed.

Tasks and responsibilities:
In collaboration with the Eastern Townships CEDEC staff and volunteers, the summer student will plan for, and in some cases coordinate, the promotion of the CEDEC and our activities at different local events throughout the summer period , (example: Canada Day in Bury and Townshippers’ Day in Ayer’s Cliff, launch of the entrepreneur network, etc.). The student will develop promotional material, surveys, as well as visual aids and web based content related to our various activities in line with the larger communication and branding strategy in place. As this is part of the Canada Summer Jobs programs, candidates should be students between 18 and 30 yrs old, who were in school full time for the winter 09 semester and returning full time at school in fall.

The ideal candidate:
• Is bilingual
• have post secondary education in communication, marketing and or multi-media
• Is self reliant and has the ability to work in a flexible schedule
• Is able to travel within the Eastern Townships territory
• Is a full time student, looking for a career related job opportunity

Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Please e-mail your letter of application and curriculum vitae by April 29, 2009 to:
Marie-hélène Boucher
Eastern Townships CEDEC
[email protected]

Interim CEDEC Director
Reference Number: 20090326
Location: Eastern Townships CEDEC (Sherbrooke)
Terms of employment: 37.5 hours per week
Community Table is hiring an Interim CEDEC Director to work in its Eastern Townships CEDEC
office.

The ideal candidate:
• will possess a University Degree or a post-secondary certification/qualification and relevant work experience
• is bilingual
• is self-reliant and has the ability to work in a flexible structure
• is able to travel.

In addition, Community Table seeks a person of integrity with the ability to inspire and engage others in Community Economic Development and Employability activities that will generate positive results. A volunteer-driven initiative, Community Table, through its Community Economic Development and Employability Committees (CEDECs), supports employability and community economic development in the English-speaking community of Quebec. We do this by promoting community capacity building, economic diversification, leadership development, community planning, and partnership development at all levels of government and community.

For more information about Community Table, visit www.buildingcommunities.ca.
Resumes should be sent to [email protected] and include Ref: 20090326 in the subject line.

Deadline to apply is April 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm.
Community Table is funded by Service Canada through Human Resources and Social Development
Canada.

Entrepreneur Support Co-ordinator Reference Number: 20090415 Location: Montérégie Administrative Region. Terms of Employment: normally 37.5 hours per week for a 12 month period Community Table is hiring a Support Co-ordinator to work with entrepreneurs in the Montérégie.

The ideal candidate:
• will possess a University Degree or a post-secondary certification/qualification and relevant work experience in the area of entrepreneurship or business development.
• is bilingual.
• is self-reliant and has the ability to work in a flexible structure.
• is able and willing to travel.
In addition, Community Table seeks a person of integrity with the ability to inspire, engage and
support entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses. A volunteer-driven initiative, Community Table, through its Community Economic Development and Employability Committees (CEDECs), supports employability and community economic development in the English-speaking community of Quebec.

We do this by promoting community capacity building, economic diversification, leadership development, community planning, and partnership development at all levels of government and community. For more information about Community Table, visit www.buildingcommunities.ca. Resumes should be sent to [email protected] and include Ref: 20090415 in the subject line.

Deadline to apply is April 21, 2009 at 5:00 pm.
Community Table is funded by Service Canada through Human Resources and Social Development Canada. This position is made possible by a contribution from Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions.

Brome Lake Issued a Boil Water Notice as of February 20th 2009 and in effect until further notice. (February 24th Update: Advisory has been lifted…go have a glass of clean tap water!)

The population of the Town of Brome Lake using the municipal water system is hereby advised that water must be boiled at least 5 minutes before consumption. This measure is required following the results of sample analysis. It showed coliforms present. Water must be boiled until further notice.

We’re fortunate that we have an SAQ in Knowlton to get us through these tough times without clean water!

Nécessité de bouillir l’eau
La population de ville de lac-brome utilisant le système d’aqueduc est priée de prendre note de la nécessité de faire bouillir l’eau au moins 5 minutes avant de la consommer. Cette mesure est rendue nécessaire suite à une analyse bactériologique de l’eau, des coliformes étant présents dans les échantillons recueillis. L’eau doit être bouillie jusqu’à nouvel avis.

FEBRUARY 24th UPDATE:

Please note that the notice advising to boil water for the population of Brome Lake using the municipal water system is no longer in effect.
Veuillez noter que l’avis d’ébullition de l’eau pour la population de Lac-Brome utilisant le système d’aqueduc n’est plus en vigueur.

Previous Drinking Water Notices in Knowlton

October
Public market
Every Saturday until October 10
Access from 42 Maple St. in Knowlton (Brome Lake). Fresh local produce on sale from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Evening of Blues

Every last Friday of the month

At the Carpe Diem Gallery, 61 Lakeside Rd. Tickets $10. 450 242-4263
Bingo
Every Sunday
Every sunday From 7 pm at Odd Fellows Hall, 476 Knowlton Rd. Information: (450)243-6778

Friday night social club
Fridays from October to May
From 8 pm at Odd Fellows Hall, 476 Knowlton Rd. Darts, cribbage, 500, refreshments … $2 entrance fee. Welcome everyone! (450)243-6778

Deanne Mary Hall-Habeeb Art Exhibition
Until October 4
At 130 Lakeside, Knowlton (Lac-Brome) 450-243-6782
Ginette Brassard “Éternel présent” exhibition

Until October 13
At Galerie Lac Brome. 107 Lakeside Rd. 450 242-2808

Cancer walk
October 4
In Knowlton, Brome Lake. 5 or 10 km. Registration at 8 a.m. Departure at 9:30 a.m. from Centre Lac-Brome, 270 Victoria St. 450 243.5317
World launch of The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
October 4
At the Auberge Lakeview, 50 Victoria road, Knowlton at 11 a.m. Tickets are $30 per person and the proceeds will go to the Yamaska Literacy Council. For tickets and information please contact Brome Lake Books, 264 Knowlton Road in Knowlton, 450-242-2242.
Come meet the Mayoral candidates

October 7
At 7 p.m. at the Lakeview Inn, 50 Victoria St. Moderator: Michel Green. Welcome to all. 450 242-2870

The 2nd annual Knowlton Antique Glass open house

October 9 to 12
Located at the Centennial Building, Museum Grounds, 130 Lakeside, Knowlton (Lac Brome), Quebec. This show offers the largest selection of Antique Pressed and Depression Glass from one specialist, including over 700 goblets to choose from and hundreds of items dating as early at the 1850’s through to the 1950’s. The show opens to the public Friday, October 9th from 12 to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 6pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm and continues on Monday, October 12th from 10am to 4pm. Free Admission! Free Parking! Free Appraisals! For more information please contact Sean at 1-416-294-3005 or Wendy at [email protected]

Friday night at the opera: The ABC of vocal arts II
October 16
The Music Lovers’ Club presents opera on the giant screen at the Centre Lac-Brome. Enjoy the opera in surround sound, and deepen your appreciation of the art through stories and commentary. All welcome! Starts at 6:30 pm. 3$ (450) 242-2020

Harvest soup luncheon

October 17
From 12 to 2 p.m. at the Fulford Hall (Fulford, Lac-Brome). Crafts, handmade greeting cards, bake table and much more. Carla 450539-2982

Quoi de neuf?
October 17 -18
Fine selection of quality crafts at 264 Lakeside Rd in Knowlton (Brome Lake) from 9 am to 5 pm Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Press release: click here. (450) 243-0890
Farruggello exhibition
October 17 to November 22

At Galerie-Restaurant-Traiteur Agur, 339 Knowlton Rd., 450243-0145. Vernissage on Oct. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Knowlton Lion’s Club Eye Clinic

October 18
Examination for eye disease and diabetes testing. Bring your medicare card. At Centre Lac-Brome from 9 to 12 and 1 to 3 p.m. 450263-5881

Come, Join the Chorus !

October 19
Musical entertainment with par Henry Schreiber. 5$. Theatre Lac Brome, 9 Mont-Echo.

Pumpkin carving contest
October 24
For children aged 4 to 13 years old. In Coldbrook Park in Knowlton (Brome Lake) from 11 am to 2 pm. Pumpkin and tools supplied. Several prizes according to age category. 1-877-242-2870, e-mail
Dominic Paquet at Théatre des Tournesols
October 24
At 8:30 p.m. Tickets $22. 331, chemin Brosseau, route 139, Cowansville
1-800-460-0133 (450) 263-2000, e-mail
Come meet authors Harlich & Delany
October 25
Discussions, storiesandreadings with R.J. Harlick «Artic Blue Death» and Vicki Delany «Valley of the Lost». At 7 p.m. at Brome Lake Books, 264 Knowlton Rd, 450 242-2242.

Evening at Symphony Hall

October 26
Musical entertainment with par Henry Schreiber. 5$. Theatre Lac Brome, 9 Mont-Echo.

Evening of blues
October 30
At Galerie Bistrot Carpe Diem, 61 Lakeside Rd. Tickets 10$. 450 242-4263.