The Federal Emergency Management Agency has rejected buyouts for 33 Vermont properties damaged by Tropical Storm Irene and spring flooding last year.

Vermonters who lived through the worst of Irene got prepared for Sandy. Generators sold out quickly and people settled in for whatever nature dished out. Irene survivors in southern Vermont say they've emerged from the storm much better than they had feared.

Next Tuesday evening, bells will ring in churches and public spaces statewide to commemorate the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene - and Vermont's ongoing recovery. In many hard hit towns the observances start this weekend, with potluck suppers, concerts, art exhibits - and, in the town of Newfane, a parade.

Some Irene survivors say seeing green plants poke up through flood-damaged areas is giving them hope. In South Newfane a group of residents are giving Mother Nature a hand.

After a mild and nearly snowless winter in Vermont, many communities are coping with an early mud season.

Governor Peter Shumlin called on citizens last month to volunteer to clean up their communities after the Irene floods. Hundreds came out to help, but there's still debris to be picked up.

Isolation and lack of communication have been huge issues in towns stranded by Tropical Storm Irene. People in southern Vermont's Deerfield and West River Valleys are accustomed to living without cell phone reception. In two hard-hit towns, emergency portable cell phone towers are making a difference.

The town of Newfane has voted to keep its current zoning bylaws, while acknowledging that some changes to the laws will need to be made.