Category Archives: Best of FPF

Best of FPF: Joy in the Company of Others

Cindy shared this announcement in the Woodbury Forum. We thought it “served up” some great inspiration for community connection and was well worth a share:

“During the winter months, on the 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, come to the warm Woodbury Town Hall to enjoy a community potluck meal. Bring a dish to share and your own table service (plate, cup, utensils). Some of you are renowned for making your own special dish, and this is your chance to shine!

“We gather together monthly to seek joy in the company of others on dark, cold winter nights, to make supper easy, and to share what we have with our community during times of food insecurity. If bringing a dish of food is a hardship for you, please do not let that keep you from coming. All are welcome.”

Best of FPF: Good Neighbors

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

“We ran into vehicle issues in the parking lot at Walmart tonight, and after hours of trying to fix everything ourselves, the most wonderful man came over to help us out. Turns out he and his wife live in Brookfield, just a couple of miles from us, and they genuinely saved us hundreds of dollars and weeks of stress.

“They didn’t have to stop and help. They didn’t have to bring the kids and me home so we wouldn’t be cold and wet while THEIR people fixed everything for us. They didn’t have to take my husband back to the truck so we could get it home. They didn’t have to take time out of their night to help us at all, but they did, and I will forever be grateful for good neighbors who go out of their way to help other people for nothing other than they’re just good humans with beautiful souls.

“I will never forget everything you did for us. Thank you.”

Best of FPF: A Stranger’s Kindness

In late December, Susan shared this story in the Middlebury Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“I am a volunteer at the Neat Repeats thrift shop in Middlebury, and the store has been busy with holiday shoppers these past few weeks. Yesterday, a young customer came in, purchased a few items, and after he paid for them, he handed me some cash, saying, “Please use this to help the next customer who needs it.”

And not more than 5 minutes later, a mother and her young daughter came into the store, and it was clear to me that the mother was very carefully adding up the cost of the items that she had selected. She then (sadly) told her daughter to put back a few things because she didn’t have enough money. But thanks to a stranger’s kindness, I was able to give this woman the money she needed to pay for those few items she could not afford to buy.

Needless to say, this lady was overwhelmed with gratitude, and she left the store in tears. Actually, there wasn’t a dry eye in our staff workroom after this incident. So, I want to express our thanks to the wonderful young man who just made one local family’s Christmas that much better. By any measure, this is a beautiful example of the holiday spirit in our community, and I am grateful to be a part of it.”

Best of FPF: 39 Years, 60+ Miles, 24/7

Michelle, the Town Clerk of Craftsbury, posted on behalf of Craftsbury’s Selectboard in their Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“It is with much gratitude that the Craftsbury Selectboard would like to acknowledge the 39 years of service that Steve Marckres has selflessly served on the town road crew. Steve started working on the road crew in 1986 and, after ten years, was promoted to road foreman in 1996.

Over all those years, Steve has heeded the call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week during any kind of weather (while most of us are safe in our warm homes). During the winter, he was out manning the snowplow early each morning to make sure the roads were safe and passable for early morning commuters. For over two generations, he made sure our children and grandchildren had a safe trip to and from school on their school bus. Many winter days, Steve had to plow his route more than once.

Following the major flood of 2023, Steve rallied his crew and worked tirelessly to make sure that within 24 hours, at least one lane of every gravel road in town was passable. He wanted to make sure that no one was stranded at the end of a washed-out road.

It has been an honor to work with Steve as the selectboard made major decisions about road equipment upgrades. He always knew which of the town’s 42+ miles of gravel road needed the most attention in the year ahead and which section of the town’s 18 miles of paved road needed to be resurfaced. Steve always gave us great input each year when we were creating our annual budget.

On behalf of the entire community of Craftsbury, we would like to thank Steve for so many years of dedicated service and the responsibilities that he has carried on his shoulders to keep the 60+ miles of Craftsbury roads in such amazing shape.”

Best of FPF: Quick Response

Stan shared this appreciation on the New Haven Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“On this past Sunday afternoon, our three-bay shed structure burned to the ground. It housed a lawnmower, a garden tractor/snowblower, many tools, and much, much more. It was also very near our house and automobiles. With the strong wind, we could have lost them, too, if not for the quick response of the men and women of the New Haven and Bristol Volunteer Fire Departments. We are filled with gratitude for their dedication and professionalism throughout the entirety of the fire.

We are thankful, too, for neighbors who were passing by and spotted the flames, quickly called 911, and then drove in and alerted us. Other neighbors came offering hope and hugs and hospitality throughout a very scary time. Also, since the snowstorm this week, another neighbor has plowed our driveway twice.

New Haven became our hometown only three years ago. We have been happy to find a welcoming and caring community here, and the generosity we have experienced this week is an example of that spirit.”

Best of FPF: A Delicious Meal and Molly Malone

Dan shared this appreciation in the Winooski Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Just wanted to share a quick thanks to Papa Frank’s! They are an amazing family-run business on a side street in Winooski. When I first moved up here years ago, I was greeted by an amazing woman with a beautiful smile. Sadly, she has passed, but her family continues to run the business well. Food is amazing and delicious.

Today on Thanksgiving was no exception. Much of the family was there, and as usual, super friendly and helpful. They generously offered a free Thanksgiving dinner. Food was delicious to no surprise. Generosity like this has become so rare. Almost can’t be thankful enough.

As a former service member, I can remember spending many holidays alone. As an only child, I can handle it better than most. Many can’t. I have an amazing service dog named Molly Malone. I can’t be thankful enough for her. She is the only reason I get out of bed most days.

I can only hope everyone takes a moment today to reflect on their families and thank them no matter what differences they may have. Be thankful today for family, friends, service men and women who have served, are currently serving and have given their lives for us in service to our country…”

Best of FPF: Intergenerational Relationships

Isobel turned to neighbors in her Burlington Forum with an invitation. We thought it was well worth a share:

“I’ve been missing some of the intergenerational friendships I had back where I used to live, and I’d love to make more connections with folks here — especially any older neighbors who might appreciate a hand or some company.

If you (or someone you know) could use help walking a dog, running a small errand, or simply want someone to chat with over tea or a walk, I’d be glad to lend a hand or an ear!

I’m 25, live in your neighborhood, and have a flexible schedule!”

Best of FPF: Duke and Charlie

William shared the following tale in the Granville Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Tonight I was working in my office. It is typically very dark and quiet here, except for the sound of the White River and the wind. Some strange lights caught my eye, and I thought maybe some guests had arrived at one of my cottages. After a while, I heard a noise and thought maybe I should go investigate. Sure enough, a gent named Juan, hailing from the Bronx, had gotten lost.

Juan was pulling a 48′ mobile dental unit to a VA facility in Middlebury. He obviously got lost, drove up West Hill in Granville for who knows what reason, decided to turn around in my driveway, and got hopelessly stuck on the side of my mountain. He had a 4WD dually RAM, but it was useless. He had tried to back down my steep, narrow driveway (with a pond on one side and a steep bank on the other – unsuccessfully, I might add.)

Juan found his truck stuck deep in the mud over the embankment leading to the pond, with his trailer high-centered on the crown of the road and the tail end wedged 15′ out into the woods in a bank. I tried in vain to pull him out with my tractor. No dice.

I decided to call in the cavalry. I called up my buddies, Duke and Charlie. Being the Samaritans they are – they dropped what they were doing and came to help a neighbor in need. First Duke tried pulling the trailer back into the road with his Ford. He broke my logging chain in half and almost went for a swim in my pond. Strike two.

Charlie decided to call in the heavy artillery and fetched his front-end loader. Duke and Charlie worked together and picked that dental office up like it was a child’s toy and gently deposited it back on the roadbed, only somewhat worse for wear. Charlie then respectfully asked the former pilot if he might take a shot at backing it down the driveway for him. Juan accepted gladly. Well, the boys got everything pointed in the right direction, and Juan went on his way to Middlebury. I hope he made it.

I’m proud of my friends and my state. I’m not even sure if Juan understands just how stuck he was and just how much this would have cost him if he had to call the enormous wrecker required. Not to mention he probably would have been here for hours at best.

This wasn’t the first time either. Both of these fine gentlemen have gotten me unstuck, taught me important lessons, and generally delivered the education with good humor. They always reserve the right to give you a good ribbing first and at each subsequent meeting for quite some time.”

Best of FPF: Dear Hunters

Dave shared this advice in the Essex Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“As a senior citizen who hunted deer for 65 years of my life, but physically can not any longer, I pass along some advice to successful deer hunters this season…

During the last 25 years of my favorite season of the year, I donated all but a couple of meals of my venison take to the Salvation Army kitchen, then to the Burlington Food Shelf, to help feed those who truly needed it. This year, with all the problems for those in need severely increased, I’m recommending that those deer hunters who are successful during the coming weeks consider donating 50% of your venison to one of many organizations that will help feed those who genuinely need the food.

To get me started, the head chef at the Salvation Army in Burlington told me that given 50 pounds of venison, he could make enough venison stew to feed 300 people. Give it some thought prior to the beginning of rifle season!”

After reading this posting, Cory mentioned a special donation program in the Westmore Forum. To learn more about Venison for Vermonters, go to: https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/donate/venison-for-vermonters

Best of FPF: Well Done

Recently, Johanna made a generous offer on her Stannard Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“I heard a story on the radio today about a local farmer who has run out of water and is trying to figure out how to keep his animals alive until he can get a well drilled. While I did contact him directly, I also thought I’d post here to offer access to others in need of water or fenced pasture. Fingers crossed my well holds out, but I have not had issues so far and have put some demand on it in the past.”