This Week’s News
Lost Names, Part 27: Gilbar, Gilbert, Bushee, and Cornstock
Several years ago, Roberta (Wright) Mills of Florence asked me to explore the genealogy of her great-great-grandfather Eli Gilbar to see if we could find any evidence of Native American ancestry. While no traces of Native American forebears have yet surfaced in this family, Eli nonetheless emerged as opportunity to investigate another lost French-Canadian surname.
Brandon SB discusses appointments and conflicts of interest
The Brandon Selectboard convened for its regular meeting on Monday evening.
Brandon’s Tonya Durant takes her drag craft in a new direction
Tonya Durant has built a devoted following as Anita Cocktail, the powerhouse momma hen to a big brood of drag performers in Rutland County. An unusual drag artist, Durant is a biological woman whose drag persona has also been female—until now.
Sheila Gearwar to be Grand Marshal in July 4th parade
Anyone who’s been in the Brandon area for any length of time has at some point crossed paths with Sheila Gearwar at the beloved Brandon House of Pizza on Center Street, which she has owned and/or managed since 2011.
Photos of the Week
Sports
OV rock climbing scales to 4th at state championship
Dozens of middle- and high-school climbers from around the region vied for the top spot, ascending newly created routes ranging in difficulty level from 5.7 to 5.13.
Backcountry skiing in Brandon’s backyard
Who’d know that only 10 minutes east of Brandon on Route 73 lies a world class backcountry ski area? For skiers or snowboarders who crave untracked powder, it is a slice of heaven.
Proctor baseball team nets big bucks at Franklin’s fundraiser
Franklin’s fundraiser nets $1,574.15 for Proctor baseball team to go to Cooperstown.
OVUHS rock climbers end regular season on a high note
When the last climber was belayed down the wall for the final regular-season meet last Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center in Rutland, the Otter Valley Union High School climbing team topped the scoreboard, with a season total of 115,725.
Take a shot at pickleball
When was the last time you experienced a “dink in the kitchen” or made a serve from the “even court?” This is the language of Pickleball enthusiasts, and we’ve got a few right here in Brandon.