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:

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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