Fall - Stanstead College

If you haven’t been back toStanstead for a while, there aremany things to do in andaround town duringHomecoming.Tomifobia Nature TrailPop the bikes on top of thevan and explore theTownships. In addition to thescenic roads surroundingStanstead, bike trails on theold railbed run from MapleStreet to Beebe and from thereto the 20-km TomifobiaNature Trail all the way downto Ayer’s Cliff. The latter provides a lowimpactbut scenic route along theTomifobia River. A great way to experiencethe colours of autumn.Granit Expo and Train MuseumStanstead’s granite exposition centre andmuseum opened in 2005, serving both asa showroom for local stone handiworkand as an interpretive centre about the historyof the trade in the border area. Thisfall, the museum adds a new dimension: aminiature train museum. The new museumwill feature a scale-model landscape ofthe Memphremagog area and its old railwaysystem and granite quarries. Themajority of trains come from the impressivecollection of Beebe resident RobertSheldon (past parent and grandparent:Edward Sheldon ’79, Constance Bédard’06). Info at www.granitexpo.caBleu LavandeAlthough the season will be over by thetime Homecoming rolls around, BleuLavande is a perfect excuse to come backto Stanstead during the summer. Locatedon a hillside overlooking Fitch Bay, BleuLavande is Canada’s first and only certifiedlavender producer. As an interpretive centreand boutique of a wide array of lavenderproducts,Bleu Lavandehas been a hitwith touristssince it firstopened to thepublic in 2004.Info atwww.bleulavande.caColby-CurtisMuseum2009 marks the80th anniversaryof the StansteadHistorical Society and the 150th anniversaryof its home, Carrollcroft. With that inmind, the house recently underwent majorrestoration that involved not only repairsbut also a redesign to bring it back to thelook it might have had in the late 1800s,early 1900s. In addition, much more of thesociety’s collection is now on display. Inshort, if you’ve been to the Colby-CurtisMuseum in the past, you’re in for a wholenew experience. The temporary exhibitionuntil mid-October is a look at leisure-cruisingand steamships on Lake Memphremagog.Info at www.colbycurtis.ca.Haskell Opera HouseThe Haskell Free Library and OperaHouse stands as always on the Canada-U.S. border and,despite changes inrules in recentyears, is still easilyaccessible fromboth sides – nopassportsHomecoming 2009While you’re at Homecoming...Activities in and around Stanstead this fallrequired. Toursare available atspecific times. Inaddition, the followingperformancesare scheduledover Homecoming weekend:September 26, 7:30 p.m.: Coeurs leUnis/United Hearts Variety ShowSeptember 27, 4:00 p.m.: VermontSymphony OrchestraInfo at www.haskellopera.org.Le Grand FrissonEvery Sunday from May to October, theformer Wesley United Church in Beebehosts live music with Mario Bruneau onaccordion and Hélène Cardinal singingclassic French and Parisian songs. Info atwww.mariobruneau.com.Stevens OrchardLocated just outside town, this orchardoperated by alumnus Harvey Stevens(1974) offers great apple picking and oneof the most beautiful panoramic views inthe Townships. Picnicers welcome. Followthe signs off Fairfax Road. Info: (819)876-7300Weir Memorial ParkIn Ogden, a few kilometres fromStanstead, Weir Memorial Park is one ofthe only free public-access beaches onLake Memphremagog. The public beach,campground, snack bar and playgroundare at the disposal of the entire family.For more to do in the region, visitwww.tourisme-memphremagog.com.Henry Seth Taylor Place at the Rock Island intersection is part of anongoing effort to revitalize downtown Stanstead.25