Rains becoming dangerous in Vermont

This summer has been unusually rainy, which has been annoying.  But now the rains might become dangerous to people and to roads.

Governor Shumlin warns us to watch for flooding.

“The ground is so saturated after days and days of rain that any precipitation can cause serious flooding at this point...

Vermonters need to use common sense in avoiding high water areas, keeping an eye out for flooding, watching the level of Lake Champlain, which is approaching flood stage, and notifying local emergency officials if they spot problems."

Road crews are working on some of the same roads Irene hit.

School roof construction is under way

The Ripton school's roof work is under way!

Birds of Ripton this Sunday

s

Local ornithologist Warren King returns to the Ripton Community Church to share his knowledge of birds:

Warren King will present "Birds of Ripton - Part II" on Sunday, June 9th at 4:00 pm at Ripton Community Church. He will use PowerPoint slides to illustrate more than 60 bird species that make Ripton's forest their home. The presentation will be a virtual tour of Ripton's roads and trails, following the same route used for the annual birdathon walks.

An evening with celebrated horticulturalist Charlie Nardozzi

From the Friends of Ripton Community Church, who:

 invite you to attend a session with NPR’s renowned horticulturalist, Charlie Nardozzi at 7 PM, Thursday, May 16th at Ripton Community Church. This is a great opportunity to gain some knowledge about your vegetables and flowers, and to ask questions of the expert. 

One thing to be careful of on Green-Up Day

Here's a warning about helping with Green-Up Day.  Be on the lookout for 2-liter bottles which may have been used to make mthamphetamines.

From email:

If you come across discarded bottles that contain a substance that does not look like the one that comes in that bottle, especially anything that looks like wet wallpaper paste, leave them alone. Due to the possibility of explosion, do not open it, kick it, or pick it up. Call the State Police (388-4919) or your local police agency and let them investigate.

(thanks to Warren and Barry King)

The risk of fires

We're enjoying spring sun... too much sun, it turns out.  Ripton hasn't received enough rain of late, meaning there's increased risk of fire.  So take care!

Some burning scheduled for Ripton forests

The Forest Service is planning on doing some controlled burning this year in Ripton's parts of their National Forests.

Forest Service spokesman Ethan Ready said the burns happen almost annually and are part of the National Forests management plan.  

“We talk about how sportsmen and birdwatchers and other people want to see various species thriving in Vermont,” he said. “This is a way to make sure, in certain areas, there’s forage for game species.”

The fires reduce heavy accumulations of brush, clearing the way for new and more diverse growth. Ready said the burns benefit game species large and small, from bear and moose to woodcock, grouse and wild turkey.