Monthly Archives: July 2018

Vermont band making noise in libraries

Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2018 by No comments yet

FPF happily supports the Book of Zoo Library Benefit Tour, now in the middle of their two-month tour performing at 13 rural libraries this Summer. Come hear some great music and support our rural public libraries, an important part of our communities! All donations from the concerts go to support literacy programs for the hosting library.

“As the public storehouse of knowledge, the public library can be viewed as a free society’s insurance that all ideas will be accessible to everyone who may want them. Ideas and information are certainly available elsewhere, but no other agency or organization can guarantee such a wide accessibility to ideas of all kinds that will be free of charge to all its customers.” • Librarian at the Arvin A. Brown Public library in Richford

“I was totally unprepared for the outpouring of cards, gifts, sweet wishes, reminiscences, and hugs that have come my way as my tenure as librarian has come to an end with my retirement! I am on Front Porch Forum to say: thank you all for your wonderful kindness and generosity, and for the joy of being allowed to love your children for all these years!” • Lynne in Middlesex

Post thanks to your own librarian(s) on FPF!

Blockchain, bitcoin, stormy dangles, yada yada

Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 by No comments yet

Everyday items are bought and sold on FPF.  Some of our members do it with humor:

“I have a table. I have run out of places to put it. You need a table. Or maybe you would if you got rid of that piece of crap you are using for one now and took mine! Plywood and blocks are OK for a college student, but at your age, you should move up to real wood. Old wood. Wood made before Hawaii was a state. Before plastics were invented. Wood. Oak, in fact. Such oaky goodness like you never see anymore. The kind that will make you want to wake up in the morning just to go sit in front of it, but please, use a coaster? I am dropping the price. I will deliver it. And I’ll carry off your plywood and cinderblock thing. Email me, but be fast. The last stuff I posted is all gone and it had a much worse ad. I expect a deluge of emails. (I’m hoping people will quit with the marriage proposals already!) You snooze, you lose! Oh yeah, blockchain, bitcoin, stormy dangles, yada yada. Buy the table.”  • Forrest in Randolph

“Whooee! Forrest, you did us all a favor. I am still laughing. Talk about livening up the culture here on Front Porch Forum!  I would gladly reward your fine on-line behavior by buying your table, but I really don’t need a table. Too bad. But anyway, it must be on its way to new owners this weekend after razzle-dazzle like that.”
• Josie in Randolph Center

Neighborhood surveys bring communities together

Posted on Friday, July 20, 2018 by No comments yet

From community projects to block parties, many are using surveys on Front Porch Forum:

“Just a quick reminder to take the White Church survey – what do you want the church to become? Let’s hear peoples ideas!”  • Eric in Westford

“In an effort to strengthen the safety and health of our neighborhood, we have created a survey to get a sense of what people would like to see updated or improved, and what people might be able to do to help make these things happen.” • Kate and Matt in South Burlington

“Is there any interest in having a casual neighborhood social / block party to get to know each other? Willing to do most of the legwork organizing if others are interested. I put together this survey, and hope you’ll take a minute to fill it out and let me know!” • Sara in South Burlington

“We recently did a survey and FPF came in as one of the most reliable sources of info for seniors.” • Patricia in Winooski

Want to get your neighbors input through FPF? Here’s how:

STEPS:

  1. Create a survey. Research which platform will work best for your needs.
  2. Create a post with a link to the survey on FPF. Explain the intent of the survey.
  3. Post a reminder post prior to your deadline for input.
  4. Have others in the neighborhood also post reminders.
  5. Check the share box to include neighboring towns if appropriate.

Summer work with the help of neighbors

Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 by 2 comments

College students and landscapers find work with the help of FPF:

“Just wanted to let everyone know that I am booked with at least 9 people to work for this summer and will post something if I am open to more work. Thank you all to those who have replied to my Front Porch Forum as it helps a lot!” • Kyle in Moretown

“Thanks to FPF, I saw a post for landscaping, masonry, carpentry, painting, and driveway repair work when I needed help fixing our stone wall. Jeremy fixed the problems with speed and skill. He’s a clean, careful worker. I will hire him again.” • Casey in Johnson

“Thank you for all the recommendations for Lawn Care, we have someone now. I greatly appreciate all the responses and love Front Porch Forum.” • Kim in Morrisville

Looking for help with odd jobs around the house? Try FPF!

A testament to Vermont teenagers

Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 by No comments yet

Front Porch Forum members routinely recognize the volunteers who give graciously in their communities.

“I managed to make a spectacular fall this past winter and ignored the pain until it was 2 AM on a very snowy night. Unable to get out of bed, I called 911 and within 10 minutes an ambulance with four young people backed down my 6” deep snow covered drive to my front door. Four young people put me on a stretcher and carried me to the waiting ambulance. 

On the way to the hospital I discovered two of my attendants were high school students. This being a Tuesday night at 3 AM, I asked about school and was told they had classes the next day at 8 O’Clock and would be there. They did this routinely as volunteers, twice a month.

I think this is an overwhelming testament to the American, (Vermont?) teenager of today.. I don’t know how many volunteer rescue services have similar programs, but I certainly appreciate this one.” • Jack in Jericho

Tour de Piglet

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by 2 comments

Another neighbor celebrates the homecoming of their family pets by sharing the story of their missing piglets on Front Porch Forum.

 Christopher Carson @bhris1017 Christopher Carson @bhris1017“After enjoying a tour of the neighborhood fields, our piglets have returned home. Their human caretakers also enjoyed the tour of the neighborhood fields, getting to meet a few more neighbors along the way, before tracking the piglets back up the hill to our place, where we found them back in their pen, gorging on grain and enjoying their wallow, and wondering what took us so long to get back. Ah well, it was a nice day to be outside, and we know it was our turn to add some FPF interest!”  -Rosie in Montpelier

Ride or run to help fight hunger

Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 by No comments yet

Front Porch Forum is proud to support the Point to Point on August 11 in Vermont!

This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the @VermontFoodbank as well as an amazing cycling, running, music and food festival for all ages!

Register to ride or run TODAY before prices go up July 12! #VTp2p

Looking for strong applicants?

Posted on Monday, July 9, 2018 by No comments yet

Try FPF and reach people in the regions where you need help.

“We recently decided to advertise a position on Front Porch Forum for the first time. We are delighted with the results: the cost was reasonable and we found 11 great candidates!” • Lynn, Marketing & Outreach Officer at the Vermont Department for Children and Families

“In the last week I have gotten 2 inquiries about foster care in Bridgewater. Front Porch Forum is where they saw the need ““ it is definitely reaching people we were not reaching before!”
• Resource Coordinator  – Family Services Division ““ Hartford Office

Reach us at localbiz@frontporchforum.com if you’d like to learn more.

Knitting together a community at the parade

Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2018 by No comments yet

FPF members remind us of the importance of in person connections.

“I’d love to see a float or section of the parade for NEW IN TOWN residents. How much fun would it be to meet babies born in the last year as well as any new families and other residents who moved here in the past 12 months or so!!! We could introduce ourselves during the after-parade festivities. Not all of us have the format of school activities for getting to know others, and using this idea would create another opportunity for knitting together our community.” • Susan in Westford

Have your own idea to share on meeting new people in town? Share on Front Porch Forum.