Author Archives: Front Porch Forum

Our Northeast Kingdom neighbors sum it up nicely….

Posted on Friday, March 17, 2017 by No comments yet

FPF is the Closest Thing to My Favorite Past-Time: Drinking coffee on the front porch of the General Store.”  • Tim in Craftsbury

“FPF is the glue that keeps our rural conversations connected!” • Lian in Walden

“FPF keeps me informed of town and school issues thanks to posting by our town clerk and principal.”  • Rhonda in Morgan

Satisfied members tell their friends about Front Porch Forum… that’s how the word gets out. Have a neighbor in the Northeast Kingdom looking to get connected? Invite them today!

Many Acts of Kindness During Blizzard Stella

Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2017 by No comments yet

Front Porch Forum newsletters saw an abundance of offers to help those in need during Vermont’s Winter Storm Stella. Here are a few reflective of our members’ gracious community spirit! 

“What an amazing community! I posted in the last issue, looking for help shoveling out because I’m disabled and can’t do it. Less than an hour after that FPF edition was sent out, I had TEN offers from folks wanting to help! I am so grateful and happy to live in an amazing community like this. Thank you!!”  • Cara in Winooski

“Thanks for working together to dig each others’ cars out of the snow. It’s fun to shovel together! It allowed those of us without driveways to park in safety. Thanks for being good neighbors!”  •  Mindy in Burlington 

“Two able bodies in town looking to help folks that need help getting shoveled out after the big storm.” • Dave & Eli in Charlotte

“I’m not a snow removal expert, nor equipped with a snowblower or plow, but if you’re in need of having your walkway or decks shoveled, I have a strong back and shovel and I’m available. Not looking to make money, just meet some neighbors in need.”  • Adam in New Haven

“Thank you to the Snowblower Angel who was walking with their snowblower Tuesday night assisting their neighbors. I was out shoveling for the third time and your help was greatly appreciated.”  • Carmen in Burlington

“From a security camera I just saw someone shoveling out our front sidewalk and deck/steps, which were buried under 26″ plus of snow. That person was our good neighbor who didn’t want my wife to shovel as I just got out of the hospital and can’t shovel.”  • Sam in Burlington

“Thanks to 6 teens who came to our assistance with snow shoveling at our home. They were eager, very polite, and dug right in. When offered payment, they refused. When offered pizza, they refused. Our hearts are full of thanks for these young men.”  • Bob in Bristol

Montpelier community reunites lost goat painting with owner

Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2017 by No comments yet

 “I painted a canvas for my aunt’s birthday and lost it today. It was on the roof of my mother’s car and has my initials on it (KAL 01/17). It is a gift and only the second time I’ve ever painted. If anyone finds it I would be super appreciative!”

Almost a week later, a FPF member posts:
“Found Painting on Ground Near Bike Path – Yours? With initials KAL.

“The painting has been located! THANK YOU Front Porch Forum! I am so glad we have this community!”  – Christine, Montpelier FPF

Lose something of value? Your neighbors are ready to help. Just ask!

Washington county youth receive housing help from FPF neighbors

Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 by No comments yet

“Thank you to the many individuals who have given free items to furnish apartments for youth who otherwise would not have housing. From bureaus, DVD players, a love seat, movies, a lamp, a kitchen table, many many Shaw’s stamps for cookware for all of our apartments, etc. Thank you from the Transitional Living Program at the Washington County Youth Service Bureau!!”
Christina, Montpelier Front Porch Forum

Starting out on your own for the first time or know someone who is? Ask FPF neighbors for help!

Many helping hands in Waitsfield

Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 by No comments yet

“WOW thanks you for all of the replies!!!! So glad to know there are many helping hands in our community. The bed has moved to it’s new home at the Lareau Farm Inn. Thank you all!”
Lisabeth, Innkeeper, Mad River Valley Front Porch Forum

Moving? Need help? Ask your neighbors on FPF.

Let’s get started!

Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 by 1 comment

Step up onto our Front Porch and have a seat. This blog is created today to explore building healthy, vital community within neighborhoods. I’ve always been an organizer at heart, whether it was rounding up buddies for a game of kickball as a kid or running a campaign to convince my university to start buying recycled-content paper.

Earlier this year, my wife, Valerie, and I launched Front Porch Forum. This Burlington, Vermont-based service provides email forums for neighborhoods. We aim to help neighbors connect with each other in a way that fosters community.

If you live in Chittenden County, Vermont, please check out our site and sign up for your neighborhood’s forum… it’s already set up and underway. More than 2,000 households joined in the first two months of our beta period… a surprisingly fast start for a small metro-area. Word has spread mostly person to person, as one neighbor tells another. Those outside of Chittenden County can go to the site and join our wait list. We anticipate spreading beyond our intial area in 2007.

In this blog, I hope to explore some of the societal trends that pushed us to start Front Porch Forum. Reports of increasing isolation for individual Americans, lessening civic involvement, and decaying social capital in many places add up to a compelling case for fostering community within neighborhoods.

I anticipate looking at various attempts to improve the community feel of neighborhoods, including results from Front Porch Forum.

Comments are encouraged!