Friday, December 30, 2011

107 back in action

Good news for Riptonites heading east: route 107 is back open.
The reconstruction of Route 107 was accomplished in 16 weeks through a combination of innovation and hard work. More than 46 companies, including two major contractors and two railroads, worked with VTrans, National Guard units and law enforcement personnel to complete the project.







“The opening of the last mile of damaged roads from Tropical Storm Irene marks a significant milestone in our state’s recovery,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin. “It re-connects the communities of Bethel and Stockbridge as well as a critical corridor in North – South travel in Vermont. It also symbolizes the Vermont Strong spirit that has prompted this remarkably swift recovery from much of the devastation left by Irene.”

Monday, December 26, 2011

Ripton trains to Sheldon Museum

Riptonite Paul Bortz gets a nice Addision Independent profile, concerning his hobby.
“It was going back and remembering my early childhood, when I had (toy trains), but they sort of disappeared,” said Bortz, a retired minister who is now 70. “Part of the journey of aging is ‘coming home.’ So I am coming home.”

And Bortz has more than enough locomotion for his voyage into nostalgia. A fraction of his growing train collection — which he began assembling only four years ago — is on display at the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History through Jan. 14 as part of “A Child’s Delight,” an exhibit featuring antique toys, games, historic photographs and holiday decorations.