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
Brandon Bison clash with Proctor Phantoms
The House of Noise was rocking on Monday night as the Otters of Otter Valley girls’ basketball team took on the Proctor Phantoms on 1961 Night. The 4-8 Otters, who were wearing the pre-merger Brandon Bison throwback jerseys, got off to a hot start but…
1961: A season to remember
In the fall of 1961, the high schools in Brandon and Pittsford merged to form Otter Valley Union high school. Prior to that merger, both schools fielded athletic teams. Throughout that long history at Pittsford High School, they had never had a state championship in any sport…

