This Week’s News
Dr. Bill Mathis retires after 61 years in education
William Jefferson Mathis, PhD, retired from education officially and finally on March 1, 2024 due to a chronic illness. Many of our readers will remember him from his time as the superintendent of schools in the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union (RNESU), a position he held for 27 years.
Brandon SB picks new officers, discusses pumps & parking
In its first meeting since Town Meeting last week, the Brandon Selectboard welcomed newly elected members Doug Bailey, Ralph Ethier, and Heather Nelson, all of whom have previously served on the Board.
Pittsford Selectboard discusses emergency vehicles and bad neighbors
At its first meeting after Town Meeting last week, the Pittsford Selectboard last Wednesday re-elected Alicia Malay as its Chair and David Mills as Vice-Chair.
An evening of short plays at OVUHS showcases student creations
This past weekend saw the annual presentation of short plays (also known as “The One-Acts”) at Otter Valley. Jeffrey Hull, Otter Valley’s theatre director, started these productions 25 years ago to let students learn the art of directing.
A floral interlude for a (nearly) spring day
In 1884, artist and writer Kate Greenaway wrote a book called The Language of Flowers. Her illustrations are exquisite.
Photos of the Week
Sports
Otter Valley puts up a fight, but loses in Championship game to powerhouse Woodstock
The Otter Valley football team made an unanticipated trip to the Vermont Division 3 championship game but lost 65–14 to a fast and dominating Woodstock team that featured 13 seniors.
OV football stuns BFA Fairfax; will play division championship
Last Saturday, in a show of outstanding football, the Otter Valley Otters defeated the BFA Fairfax Bullets in a show of stellar offense and gutsy defense. On a raw day with occasional sleet, a crowd of 300 showed up in Fairfax to witness the semifinal game which looked to be a sure thing for the Bullets, who were undefeated at 10-0 versus the Otters at 5-4.
OV Football wins big in playoffs, moves to state semis
Isaac Whitney had a huge game, gaining 180 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns to lead the Otter Valley football team to a 46–14 playoff win over rival Mill River Saturday night under the new lights at Markowski Field.
Local group proposes multi-town community rec center
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a bunch of middle-aged friends in Pittsford want to play some pick-up basketball. Or some older folks want to continue their daily exercise walks when the snow is knee deep outside in winter. Or some kids want to play volleyball but the school gyms are all closed. Where can they go?
‘Game Seekers’: local hunters use online platforms to reach an audience
Fall in Vermont means foliage, cider, pumpkins, and, for a good number of our neighbors, hunting. Every year, people across the state pick up their bows and rifles and head out into the woods, hoping to bag a big-antlered buck or a fat, feathered turkey.
