Ilona Plat – Contributor

As a student, summer is the ideal time to gain experience in your field. This is why my priority was to obtain an internship this summer, but the only one I found was in Lennoxville… I vividly remember my great despair when I realized that I would spend my summer in the ghost town of Lennoxville, when no students are around. However, Lennoxville offers way more activities than we can imagine. One of my first surprises was the barbecues organized by Bishop’s during the summer. I attended this event thinking I would leave 30 minutes later, but I stayed way longer. On top of the free food and drinks, there were more people than I anticipated. It turns out that I was not the only student to do their internship around here; there were also locals from the Sherbrooke area who were very friendly and looking to socialize. The place for the event, the quad, with its nice purple chairs, allowing you to tan in the sun with your friends, was also a great addition. Another activity offered by Bishop’s that made this summer better than expected were the free bike rentals in Patterson Hall. The entire rental experience was pleasurable as we were allowed to rent a bike for 5 days at a time, and I got to choose the bike of my dreams from all the bikes they owned. Renting the bike was probably one of the best things I did, as it allowed me to explore Lennoxville in a different and fun way. The bike is also an excellent way to get to some parts of Sherbrooke, while enjoying the nice weather this region has to offer. Also, there is a path that takes 1 hour to get to North Hatley, which I highly recommend!            

Of course, this would only be a proper Lennoxville summer if I enjoyed the Massawippi river to its fullest, another of my top activities. There are many places where we can swim or tube in the river, such as the Optimist Park and from the bike path on Massawippi Road, my favorite. However, one thing that is less popular among students is the public pool situated at Centennial Park. This pool is very popular among families, so it was sometimes crowded. Still, I found that the best times to go were in the evenings, on weekdays, if you prefer a calmer environment.

            Across from the pool was another great Lennoxville discovery: the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Center. For those who like history, this is a great place to learn more about the creation of Lennoxville. For those like me who like to eat out, this place also offers English tea and snacks for a reasonable price, but you need to reserve.

            Finally, my last discovery was the vibrant scene at Queen Square. During the summer, there were many events to attend such as painting activities, farmers markets, and concerts with local artists during the evening. Queen Square is a great place to relax while sipping on your freshly bought coffee, regardless of the events. With the Borough of Lennoxville office nearby, you can also find free books for donation daily in a yellow box and read them at Queen Square. For a summer that I thought would be boring, the beautiful town of Lennoxville surprised me in many ways and offered various activities. I probably did not experience all of Lennoxville during my summer, but I am sure there is a little bit of everything for everyone.