Wholesale bakery on the upswing in Bristol

BRISTOL — Kevin Harper started out as a hopeful entrepreneur in 1977, making organic lip products in his kitchen in Ripton. Over the next 24 years, Harper expanded his idea into what became Autumn Harp, a multi-million-dollar company with more than 75 full-time employees. Autumn Harp was relocated from Harper’s kitchen to a larger space in 1982, and again to a facility on Pine Street in Bristol a decade later. Finally in 2010, Autumn Harp Incorporated and moved to its current location in Essex Junction. Alt … (read more)

VERGENNES — The inside of Comfort Hill Kennel in Vergennes is filled with the sounds of barking dogs, buzzing grooming shears and scurrying paws. Given the craziness of the kennel, it’s hard to believe Comfort Hill is housing only a fraction of the number … (read more)

ADDISON — At age 14, Jacob Birchmore began working on cars just a mile down the road from where he would open  his own shop in Addison, Birchmore Sales & Service, seven years later.  Learning the ropes from Justin Almedia, Addison-based diesel mechanic an … (read more)

MONKTON — Ben Raphael’s passion for woodworking began long before he started Monkton-based Wooden Hammer, his carpentry business that specializes in custom cabinetry and furniture.  As a young boy, Raphael made tree houses in the woods near his childhood … (read more)

PANTON — After a couple of years of raising two dozen pigs, and trying to make a go of selling pork locally as a hobby farmer, Alessandra Rellini knew two things: she needed to get bigger to make her business work and she needed some help from a person wh … (read more)

VERGENNES/MIDDLEBURY — With the number of COVID-19 cases forecast to rise throughout the holiday season, Vermonters may be wary of doing their holiday shopping in-person. Local retailers are creating alternative shopping methods and working to ensure cust … (read more)

VERGENNES/BRISTOL — A tragic accident this past summer has inspired a fundraising effort on behalf of the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad. On Friday, Oct. 30, community members presented VARS with a new LUCAS 3 CPR apparatus, funds for which were raised in me … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — President Donald Trump’s refusal to recognize former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect has prevented collaboration between his team and Biden’s.  “I would say this is abnormal in the sense that you’re not having active cooperation b … (read more)

A message went up on the Facebook page for American Legion Post 14 in Vergennes this past March 16. “The Legion will be closed until further notice till the ban is lifted for the coronavirus, sorry everyone!! Stay safe!!!” In Vergennes and around Vermont, … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Political activists, both locally and nationally, are preparing for the worst-case outcome on Election Day — an election that’s too close to call that evening and a rule-defying president who has deliberately spread doubts about the valid … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Seniors at the Residence at Otter Creek in Middlebury and others around the state listened to and took part in an Oct. 8 conference that raised awareness of financial abuse that older Vermonters can encounter when they head into cyberspace. T … (read more)