Yearly Archives: 2025

Plant Community on FPF!

Posted on Monday, April 7, 2025 by No comments yet

Do you know what brings Vermonters together? Gardening. Spring is coming and folks are seed-swapping on Front Porch Forum! We’ve noted dozens of events* all across the region where folks are invited to curate their upcoming gardens with the help of fellow neighbors.

Some keep it simple:

“The Barnet Public Library is holding a Seed Swap event. Bring saved seeds, unused seeds or just come pick some up for yourself. We hope people participate in our first seed swap. The more the merrier!”
• Dylan, Barnet Forum

“Many growers have extra seeds that might not ever get used. Bring them to the Sudbury Seed Swap and take home new ones. If you’re a beginner, this is a great opportunity to pick out some seeds & get started.”
• Mike, Sudbury Forum

Some are ready to mix and mingle:

“Local home gardeners are invited to our first annual SEED SOCIAL. Chat about the coming season; share garden plans, stories, and experiences; ask for advice; and be the first to sign out packets of heirloom seeds from the 2025 Seed Catalog! Light refreshments.”
• Linda, Charlotte Forum

“Join the Caledonia #9 Grange – come bearing seeds and some food to swap with each other. Swaps are a great way to try out new varieties, to share leftover seeds, save money, reduce waste, and to introduce others to the varieties you love best. It is also a great way to build community and share knowledge and know-how together.”
• Jeanne, Hardwick Forum

Or, learn tips of the trade:

“Master Gardener Rachel Babin will serve up “Seed Starting 101.” Rachel will demystify indoor seed starting with practical advice and hands-on demonstration. We’ll also be starting seeds for the Children’s Garden that was wildly successful last year in its first year.”
• Judy, Waterbury Forum

“Learn to easily grow fresh, nutritious sprouts, microgreens or mini greens right in your own home—no garden needed. This free class is open to all, but we will have microgreen growing kits available for a $10 fee which includes soil, seeds, and a reusable container for those who wish to buy them.”
• Emily, Bristol Forum

Some need help getting started:

“Wren’s Nest Forest Preschool will be planting its very first garden this spring! We are looking for donations, including mulch, soil, wood for garden beds, native plants, trees, and shrubs, kids’ gardening tools. Your support will allow our children to connect with nature, food systems, and the local community in meaningful ways.”
• Jen, Hinesburg Forum

*Postings are lightly edited for brevity

Best of FPF: Anatomy of an Ask

Posted on Friday, April 4, 2025 by No comments yet

Dan posted this appreciation in the Newfane Forum after asking if “anyone have a car that you would be willing to rent out for a few days? Our car stopped moving yesterday and goes into the dealership on Thursday. I was rather surprised that a regular rental car is $85 per day. I know that this is a long shot, but if anyone has something that moves that you would be willing to rent, we would like to do so.”

We thought it was well worth a share:

3:00 I send a post to FPF looking for a car to rent
4:00+- FPF posts it
5:00 first email offering a car
7:00 knock on door, it’s a neighbor with the keys to the car they just delivered to our house!
9:00 gratefully declined three more offers of a car, plus a couple of good suggestions.

So, this is a bit of a plug for the efficiency and efficacy of FPF.

But even more, it is a huge shout-out to all of the neighborhood for so much kindness and caring. Thank you all!

Best of FPF: A Farewell to the Neighborhood

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2025 by No comments yet

Melanie posted this in the Five Sisters Forum in Burlington. Given that it is the neighborhood where the concept for Front Porch Forum was born 25 years ago this month, we thought this was well worth a share:

“We wanted to let you all know that we are moving down the road into a much smaller house. It still seems unreal that we are moving, and we will deeply miss living here and sharing and connecting with you all as part of our immediate community.

I have such a long list of treasured memories and things that have brought us together, from caroling and plant swaps, street clean-ups and Halloween happenings, to the Calahan Community Gardens, soccer at the park, and THOUSANDS of dog walks and neighborly chats. Add neighborhood art projects, Longe Brothers visits, Shy Guy days, caring for each other’s chickens, borrowing and loaning tools and equipment, spices, and half and half, accompanying one another through births, deaths, emergencies, and celebrations.

Our kids were born here, and it has been an ideal place to raise our family in community. We will always hold these memories in our hearts.”

FPF Reaches Global Audience

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 by No comments yet

Vermont’s own Front Porch Forum was recently featured in France’s leading newspaper, Le Monde. The reporter, Rafael Miró, was curious about the “low-tech, algorithm-free, neighborhood-centered alternative” to Facebook and Instagram. Miró interviewed many locals and spent extensive time with Front Porch Forum staff to craft this story about neighbors helping neighbors.

On Facebook, Instagram or X, likes are also used to help algorithms identify users. Here, there’s no need: There’s no algorithm. “On Front Porch Forum, content isn’t infinite, so we don’t have to choose what we show,” said Wood-Lewis. Doomscrolling – mindlessly consuming a flood of negative news – is impossible here: Browsing through the posts takes just 10 minutes.

Read the full article here or on FPF’s website:

https://frontporchforum.com/media/article98

Best of FPF: Hooked on Ice Fishing

Posted on Friday, March 21, 2025 by No comments yet

Tony posted this appreciation in the Barnet Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“A huge thanks to Matt and Jason from Ryegate, who, while ice fishing on Lake Harvey on Sunday, graciously took a long break from their activities to show my 4-year-old and 7-year-old nephews how to ice fish. My nephews left with a deeper understanding of the great outdoors. I greatly appreciate Matt and Jason’s neighborly gesture.”

Best of FPF: Buster Brown’s Incredible Journey

Posted on Friday, March 14, 2025 by 1 comment

After a marathon dog search, Erin posted a final message in the Stowe Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Thank you to this community! Buster Brown was missing 24 of the coldest and snowiest days in VT this year.

After hanging pieces of our bed sheets on low branches on the way from where he went missing to our home on Pinnacle Road yesterday, we got a phone call from a family on Taber Hill that they had Buster. They had seen him in their yard – and it sounds like he came right to them.

Skinny, exhausted, smelly, his nose worn bare, still wearing his collar and his orange vest, but wagging his tail and pushing his face into my underarm. He ate carefully and slept like a champ last night, on his bed right next to ours, and he was so happy for the warmth and the snuggles!

Thank you to this community for all your help in bringing BB home. The calls, the emails, the texts, the tips, the encouragement, the prayers of protection, the offers to help, those who went out driving, hiking, snowshoeing or skiing on your own to try to find him – there are so many of you! Those who lent traps, trail cameras, and cooked bacon! And to those of you who put up with us hiking in the woods between homes and behind your homes, peeking under your decks and into and under your sheds – thank you!

The biggest thanks is to Cris Pryce, the remote viewing specialist who was recommended to us. Her mappings, visuals, colors, landmarks gave us places to search and hope. She was an incredible partner in searching for our baby.”

Lots of cheers were posted from friendly neighbors following the month-long saga, including the suggestion for “a Downtown Buster Brown Mud Season Celebration. Buster can be the parade.” And, “I think he needs one BIG town party!”

Best of FPF: Blast Off to Adventure!

Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 by No comments yet

Nadine posted an unusual item for sale in the Charlotte Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Calling all little astronauts! This one-of-a-kind handmade space capsule is ready for liftoff. Built from a repurposed sodar speaker shell, it’s fiberglass like a boat, with a padded interior for comfy space missions. The wood-and-tin nose cone lifts off for easy entry, and for safety, the hatch doesn’t latch—just push it open when it’s time to return to Earth!

At 3 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall, it’s the perfect size for young explorers. A dream hideout for future astronauts, deep-space adventurers, or secret mission planners. Give this rocket ship a new home and let the countdown begin!”

Want to hear the follow up to this story? The space capsule is no longer for sale – a teacher from Ferrisburgh heard about this treasure and now it’s going to be donated to their school! Many adventures to come…

Best of FPF: Democracy and a Folding Chair

Posted on Friday, February 28, 2025 by No comments yet

Anyone looking for Democracy on Monday night could have found her
at Woodbury Town Hall, sitting on a folding chair among a group of
residents meeting with the Select Board to discuss the proposed
Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve.

She sat attentively through the presentation, learning about
“belt and suspender” conservation easements, forever-wild preservation,
saw-whet owls and fingernail clams; use value appraisal program,
red spruce-cinnamon fern, carbon, fishers, American beech;
transfer tax, linkage, Worcester to the Kingdom and Eagle Ledge,
watershed divide — Lamoille, Winooksi — meeting again in
Lake Champlain; black cherry, perpetuity, blue warbler, yellow—
bellied flycatcher, pink lady slipper, Huge Meyer and E.B. Hyde,
one Mountain, four Towns, and a Family that cared for its land…

As the agenda proceeded to comments and questions,
she edged forward in her chair. The public body raised its
hands representing voices ready to speak; in turn the
moderator signaled and they spoke: proponents citing
water, wildlife, habitat, views — protecting the roots;
opponents citing hunting, logging, traverse, tradition —
protecting the roots. Strong pleadings, disputes,
assertions, rebuttals; yet civil, forbearing, keeping the
ground fertile for seeds of concession and fruits of consensus.

Democracy herself said nothing, but nodded in agreement at
points well-made on both sides. She noted the solemn and eager,
with hands raised awaiting to speak — such restraint effecting
the orderliness required by Open Meeting Law, and
the neighborliness needed to build a community.

Discussion ended, residents folded and returned their chairs to the
corners, then milled about mingling and chatting. The Chair of the Board
carefully not too soon, at last reminded his garrulous neighbors that,
although discussion on the agenda item had ended, the meeting had not —
therefore please remain, seated, or say goodnight. Then the Board
on its bedrock of creaking wood floor and folding metal chairs
resumed the essential works of democracy.

She stayed through passage of the motion to adjourn, then donned her
frayed coat and walked out the door. She passed the Firehouse, Post Office, then
crossed the bridge at the stream, and hiked the hill toward the Library and School.
On this cold, clear, starry night Democracy took heart — for though now she feels
in some parts unwelcome, she finds enduring an unlocked door, an open floor,
and a folding chair at the Town Hall in Woodbury.

Best of FPF: To the Guy in the Truck

Posted on Friday, February 21, 2025 by No comments yet

Bridget shared this harrowing tale in their Winooski Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Couple Saturdays ago, I was out walking, and somehow tripped and fell on the street — broke my wrist, and banged myself up pretty good. I was a couple blocks from home, and thought I could make it, but when I started getting light headed, we went to plan B. My partner flagged down the first vehicle she saw, and asked for help.

This is one reason why I love this city: the guy driving the pickup she stopped immediately jumped out and helped me into the truck — got me home safe and sound. Thank you so much, guy in the truck! I didn’t get his name, but I know he had just been ice fishing, and mentioned visiting his sister here in Winooski. I hope sometime I get to pay back this kindness.”

An Appreciation Week Sampler

Posted on Friday, February 14, 2025 by No comments yet

In the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, we invited members of Front Porch Forum to share what you care about in your community. “Is there a person, a program, or a place in your town or neighborhood that makes things just a little bit better? Helps your town to connect? Makes a dark day brighter?”

Well, people REALLY stepped up. Hundreds of messages spread warmth across Vermont.

Here are some snippets that were extra sweet:

“Sending a very special love note of gratitude to our dear neighbors and their exuberant galumphing dog. There are so many reasons to love this family, like shared gardening conversations over the fence, backyard fires, Halloween celebrations, watching their kiddos grow from youngins that my own kiddo looks up to into vibrant teenagers, sharing cups of flour and eggs, sips of a happy hour beverage on the porch… And then perhaps my most jubilent reason to love them, their sweet pooch, who my darling pup considers his girlfriend extraordinaire.”
• Ali, Bristol Forum

“Residents being attuned to our neighbors and community members, efforts to maintain the unique identity of a community, people demonstrating they want to share and celebrate, a resounding understanding that Community is not static- but needs to be developed, sought after, and nourished.”
• Bernie, Jericho

“I appreciate neighbors helping neighbors: sharing garden produce or baked goods, loaning a lawn mower or a tractor, shoveling a path, or running an errand. I appreciate us looking for the best in each other.”
• Margaret, Sandgate

“We were delighted to find pink and red hearts sprayed on our neighborhood snowbanks.”
• Paul, Waterbury

“I appreciate all the people with chickens that offer their spare eggs for sale during the warmer months. I love being able to buy my eggs locally from happy chickens instead of going to the grocery store. A carton of multi-colored eggs is a small joy in my day.”
• Jaylann, East Montpelier

“The other day we were driving past the Town Green and my grand daughter exclaimed: that where the sleigh with reindeer was. That’s where my dad played music! I am so grateful to the many people who help ensure that our Town Green has many wonderful and family friendly events all year long.”
• Cheryl, New Haven

The February 13 “Best of FPF” featured the following:

“Linda always has a kind smile and caring words for anyone who enters Beaudry’s Store. Open seven days a week without fail – now THAT is unwavering commitment. Thank you Linda for being a BEST friend to our town.”
• Melinda, Huntington Forum

“Deep bow of gratitude and appreciation for the Broad Brook Community Center, which hosts such wonderful community gatherings… beautiful and welcoming with its two big red doors, the old Grange is one of the vital beating hearts of Guilford.”
• Willow, Guilford Forum

“I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the staff and residents of Thompson House in Brattleboro. The staff is amazing: loving, caring, kind, and attentive. It is a real community and I feel very, very lucky to have my Dad living there.”
• Robert, Newfane Forum

“Farmer James cares so much for the bees and pollinators in our community and the whole world! He works hard to help people stay informed about what we all can do to help them and us to have a better future for everyone 🐝🐝🐝.”
• Donna, Bethel Forum

“My children and I really appreciate the skating rink in Randolph. They have wonderful employees that are happy to help and the kids absolutely love the ice time!”
• Kat, Braintree Forum

“I appreciate the Middletown Springs Volunteer Fire Department for selflessly putting their lives on the line every time that siren goes off. They’re out day or night, in all kinds of weather and out of love of neighbor and the goodness of their hearts and for no pay. Every one a hero.”
• Larry, Middletown Springs Forum

“In the early morning hours today, I was woken from sleep in my warm, comfy bed because my dogs wanted to let me know that the person driving the town plow in our neighborhood was already working hard in the cold and dark to make sure that we could safely go where we needed to go today.”
• Janan, Northfield Forum