Ghost of Midnight

Community Building Champions!

During the first week of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Front Porch Forum invited FPF members to celebrate local “winners” in the sport of community building!

Hundreds of neighbors shared stories of people, businesses, and organizations in their town or neighborhood that deserve a “gold medal” for making their local area a better place to live.

One winner was selected, at random, to receive a $250 gift card to the local store of their choice.

Here are just a few great examples from the many submitted:

“Rick Chase – For all his work in bringing the Warming Shelter together. This is a project that could literally save the lives of VT homeless people.”
• Gretchen, Derby Forum

“In the relatively short time that I have lived in Charlotte, Jolene Kao has created a bustling hive of warmth, friendliness, and yummy food from burrito bowls to the best brownies ever. It’s impossible to enter the Old Brick Store and not absorb some of the goodness.”
• Pamela, Charlotte Forum

“I want to Celebrate the Winners in our area by nominating Liz LeFebvre Bushey for her leadership role as Coach of the Milton Girls Basketball Varsity team and her prior work with the Elementary school to develop the future leaders of our community. She is very well respected by her players and their families for leading by example the traits of being respectful, kindness and passing these traits on to the young and adult people in our community.”
• George, Milton Forum

“I want to nominate Cliffy for the town ‘gold medalist.’ Cliffy runs the Danby dump and always has a huge smile on his face and helps me unload my truck even on the coldest of days! He unfortunately had quite a health scare but was back at work as soon as possible and while he is (hopefully) taking it easy and not lifting the garbage bags, just seeing him and his positive attitude makes my day!”
• Sara, Danby Forum

“Almost every Friday afternoon this school year, the Tinmouth Mountain School 5th & 6th graders have been up for whatever adventure we could present. Way back in early December, we raided the TMS basement to pull up all the cross-country ski gear that seemed usable. They cleaned shoes (including removing small animal droppings!!) and got themselves ready to go out and XC ski — only to have a cold spell that didn’t allow us to go out, followed by a thaw that meant we couldn’t, only to go back to frigid temperatures once it snowed enough again. When we finally did get out on the cross-country skis for the first time this past Friday, they were full of laughter and joy as ski pole straps broke (mine included), two soles separated from boots, and one ski cracked in half. We had great fun!”
• Wade, Tinmouth Forum

“I would like to nominate Anne Jobin-Picard, the vice chair of the recreation committee and long-time resident of Isle la Motte. Anne is constantly coming up with new ideas for the community – Thera-donkeys, Bone Builders, learning about Fisk Quarry and Goodsell Reef, to name a few. She is a part of the Isle la Motte Book Club and as a librarian, helps us get copies of books to read. She gives so much of her time. Add then she offers plants from her house when dividing, gives fresh veggies… the list goes on!”
• Barbara, Isle La Motte Forum

“We moved into a home on Kimball Road, and we immediately got a visit from Kurt Kimball, who introduced himself as the third generation of Kimballs to live in the area. He quickly offered us newbies from California help in adjusting to the winter weather, and has frequently offered help, food, wood, and–of course!–maple syrup. We feel so grateful that Kurt makes it his business to watch over us and make sure we are safe.”
• Wei Ming, Brandon Forum

“Shortly moving here, we discovered the Maple Street Park playgroup run by a very sweet person named Laura. It was here that we met multiple moms who ended up becoming our core group of friends. Laura coordinated Valentine’s Day events for the kids, a holiday party, and countless bounce house days. We absolutely loved it. I cannot emphasize enough how finding this group changed our lives for the better.”
• Margaret, Essex Town Forum

I want to recommend Rae Beecher, who is organizing FREE FOOD events every week on Market Street. He has brought this community event into being, cooks for it, collects food and supplies and is faithfully there every Sunday. Not only is this important for people who are food and housing insecure (or unhoused!) but what is most interesting to me is how many South Burlington residents stop by to donate clothes, food, hand warmers and money to keep it going. They thank Rae for giving them an opportunity to do something good for their souls. In this wild world we live in, bombarded by negative news and whatnot, the FREE FOOD event has given us all a chance to be, as Mr. Roger’s famously said, ‘Look for the Helpers.'”
• Matt, South Burlington Central Forum

“Corey Pratt of Bridport is totally deserving of an award! He is a a leader of goodness in the town of Bridport. Besides his devotion to the Bridport Fire Department, he is devoted to helping all those in Bridport whether it be the Girl Scouts, people who have suffered personal and devastating losses. Supported by his family’s store (the amazing Pratts Store) his generosity has aided many, many individuals and families, local groups, etc. He’s just an amazing person!”
• Betsy, Cornwall Forum

“I celebrate Jackie who runs the Bristol Elder Eagles (BEE) as well as keeping The Bristol Hub running on a daily basis, including extended hours with meals, and sitting down to Uno with the teens. What you may not know is she also teaches online. And she still has time for a smile, to laugh, and to share a story. She is definitely a winner for our Bristol and wider community.”
• Trevor, Bristol Forum

“Ascutney Outdoors is a phoenix that arose from the ashes of the remains of the former Ascutney Ski Area. It is small as far as ski areas go, but it is a major player in the world of making the joy of skiing accessible to locals who can’t or choose not to pay the big-ticket prices of Okemo and Killington or just want to experience the simple joy of skiing without the stress of long lines and crowded trails. AO partners with the local school to teach children to ski, with Mt. Ascutney Hospital for a day of family fun, and with Brownsville Butcher and Pantry to offer occasional apres ski events. Ascutney Outdoors offers winter fun for all and is definitely a Gold Medal contender in my book.”
• Connie, West Windsor Forum

Best of FPF: Dear Neighbor Mine

AnnMarie shared this appreciation in the Brandon Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

I laced my boots, prepared to fight
Round two with shovel, snow, and spite—
But lo! My walkway, clean and clear…
Some winter ninja had been here.

No calling card, no boast, no brag,
Just tidy paths where drifts would lag.
A quiet deed at break of day
That swept my grumbly chore away.

Dear Neighbor Mine (identity unknown),
Your kindness brightly shone and shone.
Please take these thanks, sincere though small—
You warmed my heart… and cleared my hall.

Best of FPF: A Fruitful Idea

Amy reached out to her Burlington Forum with a proposal. We thought it was well worth a share:

“You may know my house as the Pear House because in my front yard there’s a pear tree that, except for this year, has prolifically shared with the neighborhood and beyond. That tree has done mighty work. It’s made the neighborhood sweeter. It’s fostered community. It’s fed people. And it’s given me an idea.

“I would love to gather with anyone interested in exploring the possibility of planting some additional fruit trees in various front yards, sort of a tiny-house version of an orchard. Imagine an apple tree here, a juneberry there, and fruit! Community makes almost everything better (and easier, and more fun) — so if you, too, would like to explore the hows and whats of adding a fruit tree to some of our yards, please reach out, and we can gather to talk about it. Don’t let cost, labor, or a yard that can’t take a fruit tree turn you away at this point. See, I’ve also found that community makes more things possible than we often imagine.

“The time to order affordable trees is coming (now through Feb), which means the time to brainstorm and consider is now. So, if you’re interested in having a conversation about this, please reach out. Thanks!”

Best of FPF: Joy in the Company of Others

Cindy shared this announcement in the Woodbury Forum. We thought it “served up” some great inspiration for community connection and was well worth a share:

“During the winter months, on the 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, come to the warm Woodbury Town Hall to enjoy a community potluck meal. Bring a dish to share and your own table service (plate, cup, utensils). Some of you are renowned for making your own special dish, and this is your chance to shine!

“We gather together monthly to seek joy in the company of others on dark, cold winter nights, to make supper easy, and to share what we have with our community during times of food insecurity. If bringing a dish of food is a hardship for you, please do not let that keep you from coming. All are welcome.”

Best of FPF: Good Neighbors

Danielle shared the following appreciation in the Braintree Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“We ran into vehicle issues in the parking lot at Walmart tonight, and after hours of trying to fix everything ourselves, the most wonderful man came over to help us out. Turns out he and his wife live in Brookfield, just a couple of miles from us, and they genuinely saved us hundreds of dollars and weeks of stress.

“They didn’t have to stop and help. They didn’t have to bring the kids and me home so we wouldn’t be cold and wet while THEIR people fixed everything for us. They didn’t have to take my husband back to the truck so we could get it home. They didn’t have to take time out of their night to help us at all, but they did, and I will forever be grateful for good neighbors who go out of their way to help other people for nothing other than they’re just good humans with beautiful souls.

“I will never forget everything you did for us. Thank you.”

Best of FPF: A Stranger’s Kindness

In late December, Susan shared this story in the Middlebury Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“I am a volunteer at the Neat Repeats thrift shop in Middlebury, and the store has been busy with holiday shoppers these past few weeks. Yesterday, a young customer came in, purchased a few items, and after he paid for them, he handed me some cash, saying, “Please use this to help the next customer who needs it.”

And not more than 5 minutes later, a mother and her young daughter came into the store, and it was clear to me that the mother was very carefully adding up the cost of the items that she had selected. She then (sadly) told her daughter to put back a few things because she didn’t have enough money. But thanks to a stranger’s kindness, I was able to give this woman the money she needed to pay for those few items she could not afford to buy.

Needless to say, this lady was overwhelmed with gratitude, and she left the store in tears. Actually, there wasn’t a dry eye in our staff workroom after this incident. So, I want to express our thanks to the wonderful young man who just made one local family’s Christmas that much better. By any measure, this is a beautiful example of the holiday spirit in our community, and I am grateful to be a part of it.”

Best of FPF: 39 Years, 60+ Miles, 24/7

Michelle, the Town Clerk of Craftsbury, posted on behalf of Craftsbury’s Selectboard in their Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“It is with much gratitude that the Craftsbury Selectboard would like to acknowledge the 39 years of service that Steve Marckres has selflessly served on the town road crew. Steve started working on the road crew in 1986 and, after ten years, was promoted to road foreman in 1996.

Over all those years, Steve has heeded the call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week during any kind of weather (while most of us are safe in our warm homes). During the winter, he was out manning the snowplow early each morning to make sure the roads were safe and passable for early morning commuters. For over two generations, he made sure our children and grandchildren had a safe trip to and from school on their school bus. Many winter days, Steve had to plow his route more than once.

Following the major flood of 2023, Steve rallied his crew and worked tirelessly to make sure that within 24 hours, at least one lane of every gravel road in town was passable. He wanted to make sure that no one was stranded at the end of a washed-out road.

It has been an honor to work with Steve as the selectboard made major decisions about road equipment upgrades. He always knew which of the town’s 42+ miles of gravel road needed the most attention in the year ahead and which section of the town’s 18 miles of paved road needed to be resurfaced. Steve always gave us great input each year when we were creating our annual budget.

On behalf of the entire community of Craftsbury, we would like to thank Steve for so many years of dedicated service and the responsibilities that he has carried on his shoulders to keep the 60+ miles of Craftsbury roads in such amazing shape.”

Best of FPF: Quick Response

Stan shared this appreciation on the New Haven Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“On this past Sunday afternoon, our three-bay shed structure burned to the ground. It housed a lawnmower, a garden tractor/snowblower, many tools, and much, much more. It was also very near our house and automobiles. With the strong wind, we could have lost them, too, if not for the quick response of the men and women of the New Haven and Bristol Volunteer Fire Departments. We are filled with gratitude for their dedication and professionalism throughout the entirety of the fire.

We are thankful, too, for neighbors who were passing by and spotted the flames, quickly called 911, and then drove in and alerted us. Other neighbors came offering hope and hugs and hospitality throughout a very scary time. Also, since the snowstorm this week, another neighbor has plowed our driveway twice.

New Haven became our hometown only three years ago. We have been happy to find a welcoming and caring community here, and the generosity we have experienced this week is an example of that spirit.”

Best of FPF: A Delicious Meal and Molly Malone

Dan shared this appreciation in the Winooski Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Just wanted to share a quick thanks to Papa Frank’s! They are an amazing family-run business on a side street in Winooski. When I first moved up here years ago, I was greeted by an amazing woman with a beautiful smile. Sadly, she has passed, but her family continues to run the business well. Food is amazing and delicious.

Today on Thanksgiving was no exception. Much of the family was there, and as usual, super friendly and helpful. They generously offered a free Thanksgiving dinner. Food was delicious to no surprise. Generosity like this has become so rare. Almost can’t be thankful enough.

As a former service member, I can remember spending many holidays alone. As an only child, I can handle it better than most. Many can’t. I have an amazing service dog named Molly Malone. I can’t be thankful enough for her. She is the only reason I get out of bed most days.

I can only hope everyone takes a moment today to reflect on their families and thank them no matter what differences they may have. Be thankful today for family, friends, service men and women who have served, are currently serving and have given their lives for us in service to our country…”