Presentation on Dec. 17: “Why Trump Won, and What It Means for America"

Coming up on December 17th is an important presentation by a Ripton resident and Middlebury College scholar:

“Why Trump Won, and What It Means for America,” will be a discussion and PowerPoint presentation by Middlebury College Professor Matt Dickinson at Ripton Community Church in Ripton village on Saturday, December 17^th beginning at t 2:00 PM. The talk is sponsored by the Ripton Historical Society. Dr. Dickinson summarizes his talk as follows: 

“Despite polls showing Hillary Clinton leading the 2016 presidential race, and pundits’ predictions that she would win, Donald Trump emerged as the surprise victor. What led to his unexpected victory? Was it racism? Economic anxiety?  Did Clinton run a poor campaign?  This talk will examine what political science tells us about why Trump won, and what it might mean for the country.” 

Dr. Dickinson previously taught at Harvard University, where he also received his Ph.D.  He is the author of numerous books and articles on the presidency, Congress, presidential decision making, and presidential advisers. He has been a frequent and popular guest at local news outlets, analyzing the events leading up to the November 2016 election and its outcome. Matt is a resident of Ripton.

See you all there!

Addison County Riverwatch Collaborative Sept. 7 Sampling Results

Here are results from the Addison County River Watch's study of the Middlebury River and Otter Creek:

E.coli Results – Middlebury River and Otter Creek, September 7, 2016

The Addison County River Watch Collaborative sampled three stations on the Middlebury River and two stations on the Otter Creek on September 7th. The readings are as follows:

Station MIR 10.6: Natural Turnpike in Ripton 2.02 org/100mL
Stations MIR 5.7: Middlebury Gorge 3.04 org/100mL
Station MIR 1.5: Seeley Swim Hole, Shard Villa Rd. 866.44 org/100mL

Station OTR 7.3: Vergennes Falls 41.35
Station OTR 18: Weybridge Twin Bridges 4.05

E. coli is one type of fecal coliform bacteria found in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is used as an indicator of potential fecal contamination of waters. While most strains of E. coli are themselves not pathogenic, detection of E. coli suggests that other disease-causing pathogens may be present. The Vermont Department of Health sets a health-based safety standard for swimming of 235 organisms/100 mL.

E.coli concentrations exceeded the health standard of 235 at the Seeley Swimming Hole.

In general, area rivers were flowing at very low levels on September 7, due to persistent hot weather and lack of substantial rain. Flows are lower than normal for this time of year, due to dry conditions in the months of May, June, July and August. It is not uncommon for E.coli counts to become elevated under these conditions due to high temperatures (proliferation of bacteria) and lower dilution effects from runoff for those sources of E.coli that may be more localized (e.g., septic, agricultural ditches, beaver dams, water fowl).

This was our last sampling date of the season. Sampling will resume in April of 2017. We are very grateful to our group of volunteer samplers this year!! They make this effort possible. Contact Heidi Willis (redpsrings@myfairpoint.net with questions.

(thanks to Heidi Willis for letting me share this)

Great talk at the community church this Sunday

An exciting event is happening in our town this Sunday, September 18th.  Middlebury College's new president will deliver the annual Reichert Bible Talk in the community church.

At 4 pm Laurie L. Patton, who has served as a professor of religion earlier in her career, will speak to “Reading, Resting, Contemplation:  A Biblical View.”

From the press release:

In keeping with Rabbi Reichert’s traditional practice, President Patton will challenge her listeners to discern what scripture or text from the Hebrew Bible she will present in her talk.  

All are welcome.  For more information call Norm Tjossem at 802-388-0338.
 
About the Bible Talk and its roots in Ripton:

The annual Reichert Bible Talk is a tradition that reaches back to the years just after World War Two, when poet Robert Frost invited Rabbi Reichert to visit him at the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference in Ripton. Frost had met Reichert while giving a reading in Cincinnati, where Reichert was rabbi of the Rockdale Temple, the oldest synagogue west of the Alleghenies, from 1924 to 1964. Their friendship deepened, and Rabbi Reichert and his wife Louise eventually bought an old one-room schoolhouse near Bread Loaf as a summer cottage.
 For many summers, the Reicherts attended the nearby Ripton Methodist Church, and Rabbi Reichert would give a talk in the late summer on one of the books of the Hebrew Bible, of those scriptures common to Jews and Christians. The “Bible Talk” became an annual event, and the Ripton congregation named Reichert the church’s “Rabbi in Residence.”
 Since Rabbi Reichert’s passing in 1990 at the age of ninety-three, Havurah—The Jewish Community of Addison County---and the United Methodist Churches of Middlebury, East Middlebury and Ripton have collaborated to sustain this interfaith tradition, co-sponsoring the Bible Talk every year.

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It's time to register for the Ripton Ridge Run!

The annual Ripton Ridge Run is only a month away, so it's time to register.

There is a 10K Run, a 5K Run, and a 5K Fun Walk.  The cost for each is $25.

Registration ends October 3, 2016 at 11:59pm EDT.

The Friends of the Ripton School invites runners and walkers of all levels to participate in a 10.4K loop run, a 5K run, or a 5K fun walk through Ripton, VT on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9th during peak foliage season. Lunch will be available during and following the race. A raffle and awards ceremony will follow with prizes for top runners and medallions for winners in each age group. All proceeds benefit the Ripton Elementary School.

REGISTRATION: On-line registration is available Sept.1-Oct.3 or to the first 125 registrants. Paper registration and race day registration will remain open until day of race. The on-line registration fee is $25 adults, $15 children (15 and under) and seniors (65+). A credit card transcation charge will be added to the registration fee. Fee includes a great lunch, raffle, awards and, for the first 175 paid entrants, a long-sleeved t-shirt. Racers may opt not to get a t-shirt -- subtract $5.00. Lunch may be limited to the first 200 registrants. Multiple registrations are possible with a single transaction and the transaction fee will adjust.

COURSE: Courses start and finish at the Ripton Elementary School on the Ripton-Lincoln Road. They traverse roads in Ripton and the Green Mt. National Forest and include water stops. The 10.4K course will be run counterclockwise.

LOCATION/TIME: Check in is at the Ripton Elementary School between 11:00-12:00. The races begin at 12:30.

You can find out more about the race at the Run's official site., or by emailing the director.

Addison County Gospel Choir Performs At the Ripton Community House

A musical event is coming up this weekend:

Addison County Gospel Choir Performs At the Ripton Community House 

This unique and highly talented group of singers and musicians will be performing at the Ripton Community House Saturday August 6 starting at 7 pm. A 35 member chorus with a FULL back up band performing music from Jeffrey L. Ames, Hank Williams,, Stephen Schwartz and traditional spirituals with modern and traditional arrangements such as Witness and He Gave Me Water. This concert has no admission. Free will offering to support music purchase and continued restoration of the Ripton Community Church. A truly unique concert with a 15 + year history. 

For additional information please contact Lisa Knickerbocker at lmk88keys at gmail dotcom. Or 802 779 2704. Get ready...to dance and sing!

Town tag sale on July 30

On Saturday, July 30th, Ripton residents are holding a tag sale in the town center.

Here's information from a recent FrontPorchForum posting:

Event: Jul 30, 2016, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
RESIDENTS OF RIPTON:
Sign up for a space at the
RIPTON HOLLOW
TAG SALE
SATURDAY
JULY 30
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
IN THE VILLAGE CENTER
ON RT. 125
$5 for a Space and 1 Table
$5 for each extra Table we provide
Donations of all or part of your proceeds for the restoration and program
of the Ripton Community Church
will be appreciated!
Call Norm at 388-0338 

Thanks to Roger Barkin for sharing this.

Ripton Fire Department cookout coming up

On July 30th Ripton Volunteer Fire and Rescue will host a cookout and open house.  From 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM you can eat, chat, and explore.  Bring a side dish and join your neighbors. Fun activities for the kids.  

Ripton Historical Society at the Expo this weekend

The Ripton Historical Society will be presenting throughout the Vermont History Expo this weekend.

The theme of the conference, and of our presentation, is the role of water in Vermont's history.

The events runs on June 18 and 19, from 8 am until 5 pm.  Come join us!

Community church gathering this Thursday

This Thursday evening the Ripton Community Church will host a community gathering.  Organizers invite us to a time of "support, friendship, health, compassion and joy.

Come Sing Songs, Share Stories, and Enjoy Good Soup and Bread."

Things start at 6 pm:

You can ask for more information by calling 802 388-6107.

Election day news

Yesterday was election day, and I'll summarize the latest.

A nice detail: this picture of our community house was on the New York Times front page:

Ripton passed its budget (source), as did most towns.

In town elections, all unopposed candidates won.  For the one contested seat, Perry Hanson narrowly defeated Dick Collitt for Select Board, 116 votes to 112 (source).

Act 46 passed all seven ACSU towns as of around 10 pm election night,along with four other districts,  so board unification will proceed.
Votes were as follows:

Bridport

Yes:334 No:98

Cornwall      

Yes:404  No:63    

Middlebury  

Yes:1631 No:278

Ripton        

Yes: 150  No:93

Salisbury  

Yes: 251 No:78

Shoreham

Yes: 305 No:143

Weybridge

Yes: 329 No:39

Given Act 46 approval, people from all seven towns elected representatives to the new Addison County Supervisory District (ACSD).  Broken down by town of residency and votes received:

Bridport: Suzanne Buck

Suzanne Buck - 1538
Rick Scott - 1182

Cornwall: Peter Conlon

Peter Conlon - 2975

Middlebury: Victoria Jette, JP Rees, Ruth Hardy, Jason Duquette-Hoffman, Lorraine Morse, Steve Orzech, Josh Quinn

Victoria Jette - 2716
JP Rees - 2105
Ruth Hardy - 2540
Jason Duquette-Hoffman - 2356
Lorraine Morse, - 2643
Steve Orzech - 2068
Josh Quinn – 2300

Ripton: Perry Hanson

Bryan Alexander - 993
Perry Hanson - 1033
Jerome Shedd - 498

Salisbury: Jennifer Nuceder

Jennifer Nuceder - 2800

Shoreham: Nick Causton

Nick Causton - 2741

Weybridge: Chris Eaton

Christoper Eaton - 2754

Here's how Riptonites voted for the school board.

In the presidential primary, Ripton folks leaned towards Bernie Sanders (source) (another source):

Democratic: Sanders 190, Clinton 26
Republican: Trump 13, Kasich 10, Cruz 5, Rubio 4, Carson 1, Paul 1

Town meeting and election time!

Tonight is our annual town meeting, including a school board meeting.  Please come and participate.
This Addy Indy article introduces what's on schedule for the evening.

After tonight's meeting, we have elections tomorrow.  So please come vote!

Cold snap this weekend

Temperatures will fall this weekend.  Even the governor is concerned:

The Vermont Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security is issuing Wind Chill Warnings for most of the state from 4 a.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. Sunday, with wind chill temperatures expected to plunge to between 25 and 40 below zero. 

“Vermonters are used to cold Februaries, but the forecast for this weekend is for frigid temperatures that can be potentially dangerous,” the Governor said.

Pizza bake fundraiser for the Ripton School

Tomorrow, February 12th, is a fundraiser for the Ripton School:"a Ripton Elementary student who was nominated and selected to attend a National Youth Leadership Forum camp in Washington, DC this summer."

Wood Fired Pizza Bake Fundraiser
Where: Ripton Elementary School
When: THIS FRIDAY, February 12th 5-7pm 

Enjoy fresh made pizzas from our wood fired oven!
$12 Cheese
$15 Pepperoni or Sausage & Onion 

Pre-order by 12pm, February 12th by calling 802.598.5607 with your pizza choices and preferred pick up time.

(information received by email)

High speed chase through Ripton

Local police arrested an East Middlebury man for speeding very, very fast, and for attempting to flee.  This involved a high speed chase, which careened through Ripton and ended on our North Branch Road.

Vermont State Police were traveling south on Vermont 116 in Bristol around 1:02 a.m. Sunday morning when a vehicle, later determined to be driven by [Christopher] Shores, drove by in the opposite direction at a speed of 118 mph in the posted 50-mph zone... 

The vehicle failed to stop for police, and police said they pursued the car through Bristol, Lincoln and Ripton. 

Shores stopped on North Branch Road in Ripton after Vermont State Police and Middlebury police surrounded his car, Szarejko said. Shores provided a preliminary roadside breath sample to troopers, which measured his blood alcohol content to be 0.168 percent, police said.