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Thursday, November 5, 2026Local news for Burlington and Vermont.
Burlington Herald · 1 Lawson Lane, Suite 170, Burlington, VT 05401

Local couple opens bakery in converted Vermont barn

George Peak and Colleen Willette operate Top of the Mountain Farm and Bakery from a remote location surrounded by state forest.

By Sophie Lawson ·

Illustration for: Local couple opens bakery in converted Vermont barn
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George Peak and Colleen Willette run a bakery from a converted barn situated on a long dirt road in Vermont. The business, named Top of the Mountain Farm and Bakery, is described as potentially the most remote bakery in the state. The facility is surrounded by state forest, creating an isolated setting for the production of their goods.

The couple produces homemade whoopie pies that feature local maple syrup. They also prepare other treats for customers. Willette noted that the products are made with a lot of love. The operation represents a new professional direction for the retired Vermont couple. They transformed a family barn into this active commercial space.

The opening of this bakery occurs while local health experts discuss overlooked signs of skin cancer. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, identified sores that do not heal as a warning sign. She also noted that moles which bleed easily require attention. Rogers warned that these conditions can appear in areas not typically exposed to the sun.

Amy O'Rourke, an aging expert, shared her personal experience with the disease. She discovered her skin cancer on her scalp. This location is often missed during routine self-examinations. The case illustrates how the condition can manifest in unexpected places on the body.

The same program segment addressed the emotional aspects of caregiving. Experts discussed how promises made to family members can lead to guilt. These commitments are often made before families discuss the full scope of care needs. Caregivers may feel burdened when a loved one's requirements change over time.

The broadcast also featured Dr. Rachel Miner, a mixed-animal veterinarian in Kansas. Miner travels up to 60 miles for farm calls. She treats dogs, cats, and cattle. Veterinarians in her role are becoming less common. This decline creates a gap in the medical care available to livestock and the wider food supply.

Source: WCAX-TV · original report published

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