This Week’s News
Blast from the past: The Thomas Answering Service of Brandon
This was the era before beepers and cell phones. After hours, if you called the doctor, dentist, or veterinarian, you got Joan or Bob.
Passing the baguette: Gourmet Provence under new management
After 18 years, Robert and Line Barral—who also own Café Provence just up the street—have sold the bakery to fellow Brandonites Matt and Carrie Lewis.
Guest Essay: Compassionate communication/communication that blocks compassion
In a classroom environment, it is easy to give accolades to the students who do the right things, while tending to negatively recognize the same students over and over again who struggle to make the right choices.
Bear conflicts expected to increase in June
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is increasing outreach efforts to encourage Vermont residents and visitors to get ahead of an anticipated jump in bear conflicts this June.
Hard Tellin’: Welcome to Vermont, home of the garden zealot!
I write today about nothing less than fanatical gardening excess.
Photos of the Week
Sports
Otter golfers win back-to-back Division II state titles
Sparked by a medalist performance by sophomore Lucas Politano, the Otter Valley Union High School boys’ golf team claimed its second consecutive Division II championship on Thursday, Oct. 13.
OV field hockey snags 3-0 victory over Middlebury
The host Otter Valley field hockey team struck for two first-quarter goals against visiting Middlebury on Thursday, Oct. 6, and did enough the rest of the way to earn a 3-0 victory.
OV golfers qualify for 2022 Division II state tournament
The 2021 Division II champion Otter Valley boys’ golf team qualified to defend its title on Thursday, Oct. 6, by finishing second in the qualifying tournament on the Otters’ home course, Neshobe Golf Club.
OV girls’ soccer extends winning streak to four games
One of the hallmarks of great teamwork is communication. This is true in business and relationships, as well as in sports, and it has been a big part of the OV girls’ soccer team’s three-game win streak coming into Friday’s showdown with Springfield—including a 7-0 lambasting of Mill River on September 28.
Otters smother Mount Abe 46-25 for bigtime Homecoming victory
The Otter Valley football team broke open Saturday’s Division III game against Mount Abraham-Vergennes with a three-touchdown second quarter on the way to a big homecoming win.

