Author Archives: Susannah

A Neighbor’s Recommendation

Seeking suggestions for trusted businesses is one of the most common uses of Front Porch Forum. You read those postings all the time, right? Plumbers, contractors, tutors … Well, that’s one of the reasons that FPF developed a network of local Area Business Directories for every town in Vermont. Now businesses and nonprofits can log all their information into their Area Business Directory listing. So, when it comes time for you to get that leaky sink fixed once and for all, not only will you find numerous plumbers listed in your area, but if that business has recently shared an announcement or if a neighbor has chimed in with a recommendation, you’ll know which one to call!

Here are a few great examples:

Amanda, in Colchester, shared with her neighbors, “As this is a place to find trusted information, I wanted to send out a recommendation for the All-Star Cleaning Company. I signed up recently for weekly cleanings, they have been to my house twice now. They do great work, are friendly, and are clear regarding what you will and will not be getting for pricing. They are also amazing with my dog. At this point, I couldn’t be happier.” Check out All Star Cleaning Company, read all their reviews and recent postings.

Tara, in Waterbury, was seeking some tools to cope with anxiety. She discovered Butterfly Moon Wellness when River posted about her wellness and meditation coaching on FPF. Now Tara shared with neighbors, as can be read in the Business Directory, “She changed my life. She taught me all the tools I needed to take care of myself. You won’t regret reaching out. We forget how important our breath can actually be.”

When Fritz, in Shelburne, had a literal tangle with technology, he turned to the Independent Tech Guy for help. “Acting upon a friend’s recommendation in FPF, I emailed Henry Hilliard, who managed to untangle the mess we had and restored most of the 35 or so devices around the house to working order. Henry is a very accomplished, gentle and kind person who focuses on defining and remedying the issues at hand. He describes the problems and their solutions in layman’s terms. He is conscious of the need to simplify and save needless expenses.”

Introducing the Best of FPF

Each week, FPF will share a posting, with permission, selected for its humor, storytelling, or community-building. You’ll find them in your email and also right here. We hope you’ll enjoy!

“I Hate Vacuuming and Now You Can, Too!
We have a central vacuum.

When Grandpa moved to Texas, somehow we got his Miele Leo vacuum cleaner, which went into the basement for the past four years. Then Grandma Goose downsized and we ended up with yet another vacuum. This time a Dyson DC25. It also went into the basement.The two machines have been quietly sitting in the dark all these days, just waiting to get out and suck again…

And now, thanks to wife’s threat to, “CLEAN ALL THIS JUNK OUT OF THE BASEMENT, OR ELSE, BECAUSE I AM LITERALLY GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK IF YOU DON’T. I’M NOT KIDDING, MISTER,” you can help either one of these vacuums to suck again!

$100 for the Dyson.$100 for the Miele.$200 to save the marriage.“

– Steve, Weybridge Cornwall Forum

P.S. These vacuums are no longer for sale.

Spreading Joy and Love in the Classroom

This teacher appreciation week, Front Porch Forum is home to the heartfelt acknowledgment of educators throughout the state, thanking them both for the work they are doing today and for those who made a lifelong impact. Here are just a few of the postings:

“One of my favorite teachers from my days as a student at Spaulding High School is now my neighbor of the past 25 years. I still call him Mr. Maher, even though he has repeatedly encouraged me to call him Jeff. The respect and honor I hold for him, and the many other amazing teachers I have had, is so big that calling him by his first name would never seem appropriate.”

• Sonya, Spaulding

“Our teachers are great communicators, role models and vital members of our community. This year I have enjoyed watching my son’s confidence grow and my daughter find joy in reading – both directly attributable to their awesome teachers.”

• Anastasia, Barre

“I want to thank all the fabulous teachers and support staff at CCS! I continue to be amazed and grateful for the love, support, knowledge and growth these individuals bring to the students and families of CCS. They go out of their way to help our students be their best and get the support they need.”

• Larson, Charlotte

“Thank you to our local teachers for working so hard for Calais kids. You are exceptional! You have great enthusiasm and positivity for the work you do. You spread joy and love.“

• Kelly, Calais

“Mrs. Gilbar was our daughter’s teacher in 2020. She navigated the pandemic and showed up to Google meets with a smile. She did more checking in on the kids and families than expected. Never once did she complain or let on that she was nervous, scared or tired. Her grace gave our family and many others the support and care needed.”

• Mariann, Underhill

“I appreciate our teachers. I appreciate their willingness to show up day after day and do a thankless job that is one of the most impactful jobs within our community and society at large. Teachers impact our youngest community members during some of their most pivotal moments in their life.” –

• Moriah, Morrisville

“Our children are lucky to have such a dedicated and caring group of educators who work tirelessly for them and for our community. You are appreciated more than you know.”

•Emily, Barre

“Teachers, para-educators, administrators, school support staff and educators of all kinds are essential for our kids and our community. We see you, we appreciate you!!”

• Hallie, Morristown

Share your own appreciation, memory, or classroom experience on Front Porch Forum!

May the Fourth Be With You

Busy families joke that “Maycember” is both full of fun, but is non-stop activity. Based on the volume of Community Calendar events, Front Porch Forum can confirm that this weekend is the kick-off to the year’s busiest time!

Community gatherings take center stage this weekend with Green Up Day, Little League Opening Day, yard sales, plant swaps, and more. (Confession: we really miss the Little League days… ) While these traditions are part of the fabric of towns throughout Vermont, Front Porch Forum members are also looking forward to spending time with neighbors at:

• The Annual Newport Bike Rodeo
• Historic Walking Tour: Milton Village Loop
• World Labyrinth Day, North Chittenden
• Faure Requiem Performed by Brattleboro Concert Choir
• Fix, Tinker, and Explore, Marlboro

Search for events in your town!

Searching High and Low

Your local Front Porch Forum, Area Calendar, and Business Directory are treasure troves of information!

Whether you are looking for a recommendation for “lawn care,” you remember seeing some sweet “skis for sale,” or want to read the agenda for an upcoming “school board meeting,” the Search tool is powerful, grabbing years of trusted information posted by neighbors on your local Front Porch Forum.

Click here if you’re curious.

Community Keepers

Those who tend to our communities often go unseen, unrecognized, happily tending to their work. We love when neighbors turn to Front Porch Forum to celebrate those who make our surroundings a bright spot.

“We watched Alan thoroughly clean, fill, and start up the fountain on the green this morning. It turns out he volunteers to do it every year – and not only that, he visits it every morning all spring/summer/fall to skim off whatever falls or gets thrown in there, and cleans it once a week. He also very kindly explained to our grandsons what he was doing, and let us watch it all. What a wonderful man, and wonderful service to all of us who enjoy the green and the fountain!”

• Anne, Bristol

“I have really enjoyed the gardens along the street near the stop sign. I kept wondering who maintained them because they really added quite a bit to the area. Well, last week I finally saw someone out there over several days putting in a lot of time and weeding them. I walked over from my house to meet them and was blown away by the time and care they were giving to our neighborhood simply because it was the right thing to do / a kind thing to do.”

• Richard, Burlington

“As one drives, jogs, or bikes from the intersection of Route 15 on Allen Martin Drive to Sandhill, then onto Allen Martin Parkway, not one speck of garbage will be seen along this route. All year long! Why?? We have amazing human beings living here. Tom walks daily with his long poker and picks up litter and cans, used bags, and other trash along his walking route. Another human from the same area walks daily into the woods with his wide-brim hat, holding his walking stick, to Saxon Hill bike trails to be available to athletes who may need assistance. We are truly grateful to have residents here who care about their neighborhood community environment and for the well-being of all of us who live here.”

• Patty, Essex

Click here to recognize a “Community Keeper” you appreciate!

Eating Pie, Celebrating Neighbors

We love a holiday!

It seems there may be several “official” days on the calendar each year where we’re meant to celebrate our neighbors, but we think this locally-grown commemoration of a good deed is pretty sweet.

“…Ginny and her husband were so grateful for the neighborly help they received that day that Ginny felt April 19th – the day her husband fell to what may have been a terrible fate had he not been discovered by their quick-thinking, caring neighbor – should become an official day for everyone everywhere to appreciate their neighbors. In recent years, Ginny has been recognized by Governor Scott and the Chelsea Selectboard for her conception of this idea.”

The town of Chelsea will be celebrating Neighbor Appreciation Day tomorrow with a pie party. Yum!

Meet Your Community Calendar on Front Porch Forum

Did you know that every town on Front Porch Forum has its own Community Calendar, full of events submitted by neighbors, businesses, and local organizations? 

Any member can submit an event to their local Community Calendar. It can be something informal such as a neighborhood garage sale or walking group; or can be more structured such as a toddler playtime at your library or trivia night at a local restaurant.

How do I create a Calendar Event?

Click on over to our Help Center to follow the steps to submit an event to your Community Calendar. 

What’s the best way to get people to show up?

People are more likely to attend an event where they know what to expect. Clue folks in as to your target audience (Great for kids! Or, young professionals welcome!) and the activities involved (Hear a compelling lecture. Or, get ready to dance the night away.) Finally, is there a ticket price and way to RSVP? Think about who, what, where, when, and why before you hit “submit.” If your gathering is weeks or months in the future, consider posting in your Forum a message with a short note to encourage attendance closer to the date. 

Success! Am I done now?

Congratulations! You’re one step closer to helping neighbors connect. Thanks for making the Community Calendar a part of your event planning.