Category Archives: Best of FPF

Best of FPF: Heartstrings

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

“On Labor Day evening a pickup truck parked on Route 30 alongside Beebe Pond and the driver proceeded to play a cello from the pickup bed. I happened to be fishing at the time, and the acoustics of the cello across the lake were amazing. ‘Nights in White Satin,’ ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ ‘Close to You,’ and many other songs filled that air! What a wonderful way to spend the night.

I just want the mysterious cello player to know how wonderful and peaceful it was. A joy that could only be found in Vermont!”

Best of FPF: What’s Your Story?

Kelsey posted the following query in the Essex Town Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Hi neighbors! I teach podcasting classes at UVM, and one of my assignments asks students to interview a regular Vermonter and make a short podcast about them. We then publish the podcasts.

Are there people in your community you think would be a great fit for this project? Someone who should be celebrated? Someone who does great work? Someone who has a neat hobby? Someone who is a great storyteller? Someone who is a staple in your community? Someone who is making your community better? Someone everyone should hear about? It can be anyone, from pre-teens to older folks! I’d love to hear your ideas! Thanks!”

If you want to nominate a great podcast guest, you can reach Kelsey directly at kkupfere@UVM.edu.
Listen to the student podcasts here: https://vtcommunitynews.org/category/audio/

Best of FPF: In Memoriam

Front Porch Forum recently added an “In Memoriam” category for loved ones to remember someone who has passed – be it with a formal obituary and announcement of services, or simply a remembrance.

We thought these were well worth a share:

Since its quiet addition, members have honored the memory of Jim, of Starksboro, who had a “spirit of laughter, generosity, kindness, fellowship and sweet love of others,” Mad River Valley’s Marya, who loved “volunteering in the community, playing golf, bridge, and bocce, gardening, and taking long walks with her canine companion, Sadie,” and Bolton’s Sarah, who had “big blue eyes; big eye ashes; wonderful black curly hair; a great BIG heart; & very loving nature.”

Poultney remembers “Dr. Scott, passionate explorer and advocate for Earth’s creatures.” And, following Tom’s service and memorial bench dedication, Greensboro neighbors are invited to “come to Willey’s Store for family greetings, donuts, and a walk around the lake, or any part thereof.”

Finally, neighbors also learned that the former Middlesex town clerk, Cindy, hated the cold. “Even though my mom lived here in town for 40 years, winter was her nemesis. Per her wishes, our family will be spreading her ashes over a warm sunny tropical island this coming winter.”

Best of FPF: Assembly Required

In frustration, Bob turned to the Barre City Forum to offer “a new grill that I found too complicated to put together is available for free in my driveway.”

We thought Bob’s gratitude posting that followed was well worth a share:

“After experiencing difficulty assembling a new gas grill, I offered it up for free on FPF. I was pleased to have four or five people offer to help with assembly! After a couple of hours, the grill is functioning after great concentration and conversation. I met a new friend and was really pleased to see so much generosity. Thanks to all!”

Best of FPF: A Cucumber Crisis

Lisa posted this plea in the St. Albans Town Forum. We thought it was well worth the share.

“Friends, neighbors… we need your help. Our garden has staged a full-scale cucumber coup, and we are losing the battle. They’re multiplying faster than we can pickle, slice, or sneak into unsuspecting salads. If you’ve been dreaming of making tzatziki, cucumber water, or just want an excuse to whack something with a chef’s knife — your moment has arrived.

Swing by our driveway and liberate some cukes. Take one, take ten… take enough to build a cucumber fort.

Save us before we’re forced to start adding them to pancakes.”

Best of FPF: How Lucky They Are

Cindi posted the following appreciation in the New North End Forum in Burlington. We thought was well worth a share:

“As Keith and I close on our house, I think how I will miss our neighborhood the most. You have all been so generous with your appreciation for our gardens, kept the Little Free Pantry stocked, visited our fairies, and shared your garden bounty with our free veggie stand. I loved sitting out on the back deck and watching baseball warm-ups and waving at those traveling on the path nearby.

We are headed to Maine, where we will share a house with my father-in-law, helping him age in place. If you are traveling through Bethel, stop by the Norway Savings Bank to say hi or see if you can find the old Sunday River XC Ski Center “Poop Loop” where the fairies will begin their new life this fall.

Please welcome John and Maggie and their two-year old to the neighborhood. How lucky they are to get to live in this special neighborhood!”

Best of FPF: You are Invited

It takes a brave and generous person to reach out to neighbors on FPF to go for a run, meet up for a game, or organize a block party. Sometimes the response is quiet, but often, new connections are created.

Steve and Laurel posted this in their Rockingham Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Because we love to sing in community, we host a monthly potluck and sing event at our home in Bellows Falls. You don’t have to be a great singer; we’re doing this for fun, not as a performance.”

We caught up with Steve, who shared that they’ve been hosting for decades, regardless of where they live. They have many regulars, but reaching out on FPF has attracted others – some who come just once to try it out and others who become a familiar face and voice.

Meanwhile, Alisa posted in the Weathersfield Forum, “I have finally realized that it is silly that I do not know most of my neighbors, so I have decided to change that. I would like to invite you to a “Meet the Neighbors/Block Party” gathering.”

Afterwards, Alisa shared, “I want to say thank you to everyone who came to my house yesterday to say hello and meet your neighbors! It was a pleasure to meet you all, and I hope we can do it again sometime.

Until then, stay healthy, enjoy the summer, and if anyone needs anything and I am around, I would be happy to help. You all have my contact information.”

Best of FPF: People-friendly cow?

Nick posted this request in the Milton Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“My suburbanite sister, Sofia, is coming into town for a few days to throw me a baby shower. She thinks cows are just about the cutest animals on god’s green earth. She’s done so much for me, and I’d love to have a little surprise for her.

Sooo… is anyone in town willing to let us pet and/or feed a reasonably people-friendly cow? A calf would be a definite bonus.”

Best of FPF: A Good Start to the Week

Carrie extended this generous offer on the Brandon Forum and Community Calendar. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Our family will be hosting a community breakfast every Monday on our front porch. This is our attempt to fill a void that many families face during summer break! Whether financially or logistically, it can be hard to shift into summer and accommodate the ten meals our kiddos usually eat at school. Also, Mondays are rough!!!

Today we had our first porch breakfast, and it was a hit! We had kids ride their bikes, families who walked down together, and others who stopped in for a quick minute to grab a bite. Some hung out and played games in the yard and listened to some uplifting music, a good start to a new week! Next week is pancakes and bacon, fresh fruit, cereal, and juice! I will have some to-go containers if people face time constraints. I’m happy to pack things up to go.”