Every summer, I get the same reminder. The Pontiac is not just where I work. It is where I belong.
Through my role as the MRC’s tourism developer, I spend a lot of time telling people outside of this region about what makes it special. And my list is long. But I’ve realized that so much on this list fades into the background once we start calling this place ‘home’.
Every spring, I see the region wake up in small but meaningful ways. Producers reopening their markets and farm gates. Outfitters getting ready for another season on the rivers. Community spaces filling up again after months of quiet. It always brings me back to the same feeling. What I love most about summer in the Pontiac is that it never feels rushed. There always seems to be time. Time to get out on the water, paddle for a while, float longer than planned, take a swim, or simply sit nearby and let the pace slow on its own. Time for back roads that encourage a bit of wandering, and campsites where rest actually feels like rest. I also find a quiet pride in what is grown and made here. It comes from the farmers, producers, and makers who, season after season, put real care into what they do. Summer feels like the perfect time to visit them, to stop in, listen to their stories, and learn more about how and why they do what they do. Finding locally sourced options, discovering new products, and spending time learning from the people behind them is always high on my list. Their work gives this region much of its character, and it is something worth pausing to appreciate and share.
Summer here is about reconnection. After a long winter, we start running into each other again at markets, events, and familiar local spots. It is a chance to remember that even though we live here, there is still more to see, learn, and experience together. My challenge, especially to fellow residents, is a simple one. Try one new thing in the Pontiac this summer. Stop somewhere you always pass but never visit. Meet a producer you have yet to cross paths with. Sit down at a restaurant you have been meaning to try.
Summer in the Pontiac is more than a season. It is about coming together again, creating shared moments, and rediscovering the richness of the place we call home.
Stéphanie Hébert-Potter works for the MRC Pontiac as Economic Development Commissioner for Tourism. She is originally from Montreal moved to the Pontiac 13 years, shortly after meeting her now-husband.
